Bells Black Note, how does it stack up?

Agreed... this past winter was my first real foray into the world of BB stouts, and while I loved basically every one I tried, I always seem to go back to Black Note as having been my favorite. The only bad part was that BN ended up being the one that I had the least amount of, having scored only a single 12oz bottle; then again maybe that played into how much I enjoyed it, having hit a homerun right off the bat and then not having any more, thus leaving me craving it for the next 12 months.


Though I have to add, regardless of what everyone prefers as their favorite: how awesome is it to have so many tremendous BB stouts to choose from out of the likes of BCBS, BCBCS, KBS, BN, Parabola, Big Bad Baptist, BA PtF, etc. Great time to be a beer lover.

 

I wish I could even have the option of choosing a BBPt5 right now Soon, though, soon, I hope..

 

I was fairly disappointed when I tried it.

 

what are they trading for nowadays? compared to other BA stouts?

 

seems like a lot. harder to get than KBS, way harder than BCBS

 

alright i'm gonna have to sever some limbs

 

In Minneapolis this year we had it on tap three separate times. @ the Bulldog, Stanley's and Muddy Waters. It was the best glass of beer I have had all year. I liked it better than BB9K, KBS, and BCBS the only other tap beer that came close for me was Mornin' Delight.

 

They brew a lot more KBS and BCS than Black Note.

I have seen plenty of it leave Kalamazoo on a $4$ basis. Another reason to build and maintain contacts with people all across the beer community. Friends will help you out, you cannot count on the same from a complete stranger.

 

It stacks up quite deliciously.

 

One of my all time favorite beers. I prefer it to every other BBA stout I've had. Trade for some, you won't regret it.

 

I put it at the top of barrel aged stouts that I've had especially after getting to do it side by side on tap just about a year ago with KBS. Four of us were split with the sentiments already shared doing a great job of summing up our differing opnions with the KBS pair liking the coffee while BN being just so smooth it won for me and 1 of my friends. It's frustrating that bottles were barely even available in DC but since I didn't expect to even see it in the area I'm not complaining!

 

Perfect comparison. All in all it's an amazing stout! One of my favs.

 

They had it on tap at Darkhorse today and I had two of them. I asked one of the bartenders when it was last on draft and they seemed to think it was last December. I prefer it over KBS and BCS, but have have not had other big names like Parabola and Black Note.

 

Tried a bottle this year and it was rather impressive. I'd take a 4 pack each year if it were available.

 

I can give you some tips on the ZJ end .

Black note for me was just ok. I get why so many people like it, as it's very well made and worth finding some, just didn't rock my socks off so to speak. But I've long suspected I have broken taste buds.

 

I had the opportunity to sample Black Note alongside a BBA Batch 9000 at a brewery event this past winter, and I preferred the BBA 9000. (I think BBA Cherry Stout was also on the sampler, but I was distracted by the other two beers.) That is not to say that BN isn't a great beer, it's just that one of them has to win out in any comparison.

 

I can almost say I'm right on par with this. Haven't tried BA Blackout, and to me, Parabola was just OK compared to KBS and BCBS.
To me it's:

1. BBA Plead the 5th
2. Black Note
3. KBS
4. BCBS
5. Parabola

Sometimes the blast of harsh alcohol from the BCBS is just too much for me. Other times I am really in the mood for that and I would rearrange my list a bit, but the first two may never change.

 

A couple of months ago, I traded 2012 MoaS for two 12oz Black Note. Both parties were happy (I know I was).

 

Black Note is definitely my favorite BA Stout. Not a fan of BCBS at all, FWIW

 

It's one of my all-time favorites (both draft and bottle). Narrowly edged out by stuff like BCBVS, BADL, etc.