BB Dark Horse Scotty Karate

I had the Central Waters BA Scotch Ale last night...incredible. I think, fresh at least, it's the best one I've ever had.

Backwoods Bastard is a favorite of mine, but i think it needs about a year before it truly starts to shine.

Who knows, maybe the Scotty just needs time as well. Luckily I'll probably still be able to buy one then...

 

I'm typically a big fan of Dark Horse, but I was incredibly underwhelmed with BBA Scotty Karate. It just seemed to be a slightly boozier version than the original, as if it wasn't aged for nearly long enough. Thin and not much (if any) improvement on the original.

I love Backwoods Bastard and buy a case of it every year and find BBSK to be no where near the same quality. I still love Dark Horse, but I won't be buying that beer again.

 

Glad to see others doing blind tastings. I've found that my thoughts on several beers have been influenced by their brand and sometimes it's hard to get a purely objective taste unless doing a blind comparison. I would love to take it to the next level and have someone set up a blind tasting where I have no idea which beers are in the blind tasting. That's the only true way to not have a brand influence your palate.

 

I'm siding with the majority on this thread, I was underwhelmed by BB Scotty Karate when I tried it a month or so after its release. The vanilla and caramel notes that fresh BWB has crushes the lifeless bourbon bomb that is BBSK.

 

DITTO (perfectly said)

 

Pretty similar to our blind results of those 3, my wife preferred Wulver, I preferred BWB, both had BA Scotty last.

 

Still cases of this in SW Michigan. I grabbed a 4pack when it came out and was very underwhelmed. I had to REALLY dig to pick up any BA notes in this beer.

 

I need more backwoods in my life. Never buy enough to satisfy my cravings

 

Agreed. I'm a little surprised by all of the "bourbon bomb" comments, because BB Scotty tasted like a pretty straightforward scotch ale to me. Although I've never bothered to try regular Scotty, so maybe I'm just lacking a frame of reference.

 

Just tried a 2014 non BA scotty karate from my cellar and it was delicious, far more so than BASA. Maybe they were just off this year or maybe barrel aging just isn't meant for this beer.

 

I've seen regular Scotty Karate making the rounds - crossing my fingers it is fresh. I've already seen stores pulling out some old stock of Expedition Stout and others.

 

The fact that Central Waters is only a Great Lake away but does not distribute here frustrates me. I, too, would love to try their beers.

 

Let me know if you are in GR. If so, I will hook you up with a couple.

 

As @KBS and @FBarber said, let me know if you're looking for some. I make it back to MI a decent amount, on the way across 94 to Detroit area. Plenty (and I mean PLENTY) of CW BB Scotch Ale around here.

 

Wow, appreciating the BA comradery @KBS, @FBarber, and @croush !!!

I live in metro Detroit (Oakland County) and I'll be working in Dearborn the next two months, so @croush would probably be the most convenient exchange. Let me know the next time you're in the area.

I don't make it over to GR too often (even though I have family there) but I will definitely keep you in mind if I find myself that way any time soon.

Thanks, y'all!