Bells Black Note

buy some expedition stout. buy some double cream stout. mix the two at a portion to your liking. done. (yes, i know its not quite that as its missing the barrel aging, but its a damn good substitute).

 

its been released anywhere from December to April, i dont think its ever been released in the same month twice. i think there has been two releases in 750ml bottles(brewery only) and two releases in 12oz bottles.

 

your best bet is to watch for special events that may have it on tap or to trade for some.

 

Went to the general store got a case, it will normally stick around for a couple days there.

 

I find it strange that Black Note isn't more widely known. I took a couple bottles to the Dark Lord Day bottle share last year, and I literally had to talk a few of the people around me into trying it.

 

We did a tasting this past weekend and had 2012 and 2014 side-by-side. Very delicious and interesting to taste the difference that aging can create.

 

Well, I hope they made it this year.

 

Does anyone have a bottle of 2012 they might be willing to trade? Got a 13 and 11 in trades before so I would love to start a vertical.

 

I thought the 12oz. bottles had only been released twice, once in 2012 and then again this year in 2014. But maybe I'm wrong... I do know there were at some point, some 750ml bottles released.

 

I believe there was an early 2012 750's, late 2012 (750's and 12oz) then early 2014 (12oz)

 

thanks guys. I'll have to look when I get home at what years are on the labels again

 

This is what I know of the releases as well. Basically, it's brewed once a year and sits in barrels until they feel it's where they want it. The late 2012 batch was only in barrels for like 9-10 months hence the two 2012 releases. Consequesntly, 2014 release sat in barrels for one plus year and was released in April.

 

2014 was amazeballs.

 

My friend and I did this one night with a 50/50 split, and we put just a little bourbon in there as well, wanna say like a quarter to a half shot per 12 ounce pour. Turned out pretty damn well.

 

I was able to get two bottles on Black Friday. Both are dated 03/12/14.

 

The Players Retreat in Raleigh, NC will be released Bell's Black Note draft on Monday, Dec. 22 at 6:00PM!!

 

It's a fantastic beer. While KBS hunting last April in NC I called a Total Wine to see if they had KBS and they said they'd already sold out but still had some Black Note. I knew Black Note was a sought after beer but not much else so I went over there and got my 1 bottle limit. Anyways it was better than the KBS I had that night. Smoother on the ABV and more pomegranate/plum notes.

I wish they had a set release date for it like KBS. I just got lucky last year.

 

Black Note hit the day after KBS in ATL this past year. I took two half-days off from work to get each, and for me, Blake Note really was the prize. Been drinking KBS for years, but Black Note has eluded me for the longest.

I don't think the two beers are comparable, as they're striving for something different. And I'll go ahead and say it: 2014 was not the best year for KBS. Here's hoping 2015 is back on track.

But Black Note was stellar. A true elevation of Expedition.