Abyss Sightings

Lol, I've seen plenty of these still on shelves, unfortunately they are the 2015's....

 

Isn't that better than the most recent vintage (assuming negligible variation across vintages)?

 

This is a beer I bought when I first really got into BA stouts, despite never having tasted it. That was a mistake, as I've had it a couple times since and don't care for it. I think it's the wine barrel aspect that I don't care for.

 

Given Deschutes' pedigree, I'd like to see them put out a new BA stout in national distro that is more contemporary, something closer to BCBS or Black Tuesday. They are fully capable of doing it if they want to.

 

Wait, are you sure you're not me? Actually just had my '15 around Christmas and was reminded again to pass this year. I think it was the licorice too. Had '14 on tap a month ago too and thought, "Wine barrel, harrumph." I would try the Brandy variant if offered or saw on tap. I will say, drank Pinot Suave on new years. Wife and I both really liked it. No sightings in downstate IL yet...

 

@croush and @flat_lander - I thought I may have written your last posts about myself!?! All it took was one buddy over 4yrs ago to say "you gotta try Abyss, it's my favorite" and I started buying 2-4 each year for verticals and bottle shares. Last year I got one regular (not had it yet) and the two variants (both were good).
It always has lots of promise but seems to fall short for me, so trying NOT to buy any this year. (got a VR this year - why buy anything else?)
*side note: always appreciate your posts - good work.

 

Thanks, and ditto to you @VinHalen54 . I can't vouch for @croush , but I'm a stand up guy. Just the type of hilarious, yet not creepy, stranger you want to invite over to share a VR with!

 

Hah! Good call on the "creepy" line - I've met some BA's that are just good guys, and others, well...
I'm cracking that VR this Friday at a share in Plainfield (now we'll see who knows me here). Too many offers for trades - I'd rather open it and share it along with other great beers. I'm thinking my other one will be on my birthday... ~Vinnie Z

 

Oakland/Macomb hasn't received any yet. Distro is awaiting it's arrival.

 

I've been in touch with West Side Beer and have been told that The Abyss, The Dissident, and The Collage will all be early January ship date, with mid Jan market release in SW Michigan. Most looking forward to The Collage: Deschutes description -

We’ve teamed up with Hair of the Dog Brewing Company to bring you another artistic collage of cask-aging alchemy. This encore collaboration delivers layers of vanilla, caramel and molasses with roasted accents and complex malt character. This second version magically blends The Abyss (100% aged in Pinot barrels) and The Stoic (100% aged in Pinot barrels) with Hair of the Dog’s Fred (aged in American oak and rye whiskey barrels) and Doggie Claws (100% aged in cognac barrels).

 

Just got back from Seattle 2 days ago. It was just then hitting shelves there, so I imagine we have at least another week. Pure speculation though.

 

Orland Park and Willowbrook Binny's got all 3 in today....26 bucks each for the variants, and 19 for regular.

 

Binnys LP had the same as the post above. Personally passed on all of them. Not a huge fan of regular so not willing to pay 25+ for a variant.

 

Same at Bolingbrook as well

 

Throwing my money into the Abyss... gotta stop doing this.

 

Downstate Binny's hit today too. Same price as above. Almost bought a brandy barrel, but then remembered that I don't love this beer, and I've spent an absurd amount of money the last 2 months on beer. So I left it for someone who must have. I was proud of myself, so I went home and had a beer. There were many to choose from!

 

All 3 were in the LZ binnys today. I passed on buying any. I think they will be around for a while. Especially with the price point they are at.

 

I passed on the brandy, and almost did on the scotch but picked one up.

Agree though @FBarber the regular will be available for months. And now it's 2 bucks more than last year? Weird.