Bell's Bourbon Barrel Aged Expedition Stout 2018

I liked BAE 17 fresh(ish) at 3-6 months a lot more than I did at 12-16 months. So, I support your decision to drink fresh.

To me, BAE (17) tasted a lot like (in terms of balance and mellowness) BCBS does at 3 years. Personally. I still like BCBS at 3 years more, but that's how I feel.

I felt the same away about a Parabola that I had at around 12 months. Tasted like with much additional time on it, that it would begin to get past it's optimal point of consumption.

Edit: BCBS is best to my palate at 4-6 years.

 

Parabola is another great example to me. Because I had it fresh as could be for my distribution and it was already so tame and balanced (to the point it underwhelmed me). So what would it benefit from aging?

 

Anyone know if whole foods still has any left?

 

Or any sightings in
Chicago for that matter?

 

They only got a case, so I doubt it.

 

Any word on BA 3rd coast bottles?

 

750’s. Release in general store around eccentric day, which is 12/5.

 

I just used the beer finder and 50 miles of my zip - furthest N and W options were WF edgewater (happened to be in there Sat night and saw a tag for it on an empty shelf) and Binnys Portage Park.

 

12/7

 

Yeah. I realized that after it was too late to edit.

 

Cobbled together a 4-pack at the Whole Foods on Huron and Kingsbury yesterday late morning and early afternoon, respectively.

 

Damn. Kingsbury still had some? I knew they had some Friday, but just assumed it was gone within hours, so I didn’t even try over the weekend.

 

It appears to me that most brewers of a decent size are flash pasteurizing their BA beers these days. I suspect that this changes the ability for these beers to improve with age but I cannot say for sure at this point. Bell’s is conducting tests in this matter in order to form better aging guidelines for our consumers.

 

Yep, they were selling singles out of the cooler; there were 3 remaining when I left. Also, FWIW, several of the other WFs I called yesterday--the one on Grand and the one on Halsted in the West Loop--said they didn't have it but they were half expecting shipments soon (as early as later yesterday afternoon).

 

Very cool!

 

WF in the West Loop has one 4 pack left

 

The Lake Effect Super Shake is very good, and the BA Espresso they are offering at FOBAB (and their store) is excellent.

The Bells BA Expedition is also excellent, had it at their brewery.

 

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=323937825073722

 

Sorry if I missed it elsewhere in the thread...did you flash pasteurize this batch of BA Expedition?