BCBVS: The Inside Scoop?

you dont find it, it finds you

 

2010, a lot, and yes.

 

4 years out is there any left and if so, how is it drinking?

 

I personally haven't had it, but I'm pretty sure there's still some out there, people are just loathe to be rid of it. I don't know how well the vanilla would be holding at this point; my guess would be not the greatest.

 

I had 1 fresh, I never store anything, because
A: I like to drink
B: no cellar.
C: patience, what patience.
D: I rarely buy 2 rares...lucky to find the cash for 1.

tasted like a vanilla porter to me, but boozy.

 

Well, Goose Island (Clybourn brewpub) just sold a case of it for their 26th anniversary celebration, so there's definitely some of it out there still (somehow). Never had it myself; I've heard it's still pretty solid, but doesn't blow you away like it did in 2010. I'd certainly buy a bottle if given the option, but I'd rather track down a bottle of Rare, myself.

 

There have been (unfounded and most likely false) rumors that Goose Island will make it again, but I'm gonna seriously doubt they will, given how much of a headache the beer was for their machines. It's very hard to trade for, but most people seem to agree that's it's not as good as it once was, as the vanilla flavor has fallen off considerably.

 

It's still good. I've had it fresh (fantastic) and recently (still pretty good, but needs to warm up before you really notice the vanilla ). And yeah, nobody wants to trade them except for big stuff.

 

Just had mine a few weeks back. It's just like BCBS, but with more noticeable vanilla. It's not in your face vanilla, which is great, as it just softens up the beer a bit. I think this beer would've been in it's prime last year.

 

If you manage to track one down, drink it at near-room temperature. I promise this will make all the difference.

 

I do love that vanilla bourbon stout/porter chocolate and coffee combo, lol. I need to make 1.

 

I last had it about 8-9 months ago and thought it had held up fine. I think I was one of the few who didn't think this was mind-blowing fresh (or ever) though. Don't get me wrong, I'm splitting hairs here as BCS is one of my favorite beers, so pretty much any version is going to be great in my book, but everytime I have this I have thought it ranks clearly behind Rare, Coffee, and Cherry Rye. When you consider what it takes to land it, I'd rather just buy the normal version off the shelf or trade for some coffee much easier.

Cracking one tonight at a BCS tasting with other variants so will report back.

 

I traded a BB9K for 1 late last year sometime. It is very good, but usually not worth what you'd have to give up for it, IMO.

 

A big problem with any popular / rare beer, that is this old, is you really have no idea how its been stored. I bet there are bottles that have spent more time on a fedex truck than in a cellar / fridge the way some people trade beer

 

Personally (and again, take this with a grain of salt, as I haven't had Vanilla), I would work on trading for a bottle of Proprietor's if you haven't tried it yet. It's like BCBS, but creamier, with an undertone of coconut. The worry is that the coconut flavor in this one will fall off over time, but having just had it again last week, I can say that it still tastes fresh, so the time is now.

 

Prop isn't in the same realm (taste-wise) as Vanilla. Not even close.

 

Well, whether it is or isn't, isn't really the debate here. The issue is whether or not Vanilla has fallen off in the last few years, and whether TC would end up trading the farm for something that may be overvalued at this point.

Again, not saying it is; I'm just saying that's the risk.

 

I'm still not sure what you're getting at.

how would trading for a bottle of Prop replace or be a substitute for trading for a bottle of Vanilla?

unless you are saying "just drink something else" but then you could replace Prop with a hundred other beers...I think maybe that's what you're saying?