Bell's Oracle is back out again.

I disagree. In my experience Oracle holds up very, very well.

 

and the prize for most polarizing thread goes to...

 

Sounds like we need to poll this to be sure against other heavy swinging beers in the Great Lakes

 

No sightings in Northern Macomb yet. The normal 1 case Macomb Allotment should be delivered in 2-3 weeks. I swear last year this was harder to find then KBS or BCBS

 

asked about oracle when i picked up some neptune at plum market in ann arbor today. guy said he hasn't heard anything, thinks they might get some next friday

 

Anyone in the Chicagoland area have a sighting yet?

 

Resounding bitterness in this year's vintage sheesh

 

Had it side by side with Mars last year at the pub and yes hands down Mars was the bomb!

 

Had a couple the other night, tasting amazing. Wish I had a DeLorean so I could go back and do a side by side of this years, last years and Mars. I feel like this years Oracle is more than just massive bitterness, seems almost dank to me. Going from memory 2015 Oracle > 2014 Oracle > Mars.

 

I bought a few bottles of this on recommendation from a local beer store employee. After offering to split a glass with my wife, she took a taste and almost spit it right back into my face. After choking it down, she looked at me and commented on how she's never had something so bitter. I took a taste and thought the same. I actually enjoy bitter, but this one was bitter up front, bitter finish, and bitter taste in my mouth for the next hour.

I tried the 2nd bottle I bought yesterday, and while I respect what they were going for, neither of us could really enjoy this one. May buy another and let it sit for a couple months to see if those flavors change for me.

 

Picked this up tonight for the first time. Really enjoyed it as it reminds me a lot of Hopslam, without the honey and a huge lingering bitterness (definitely pushing my tolerance). Hopslam > The Oracle > Mars in my book.

 

I had a one year old bottle of Oracle tonight. The bitterness had faded compared to when it was fresh a year ago yet it was still too bitter for my liking.

 

Surprised how many of you think Oracle is too bitter. I feel like a lot of Shorts better IPA offerings are just as, if not more bitter yet I don't see the same talk. I think a lot of their IPAs are pushing 100IBU which is right around where Oracle is I'd think.

Hate to be this guy but if anybody picked up Oracle and doesn't care for it, I can help.

 

Definitely agree with everything you said.

 

It's getting better every time I drink one. That humongous bitterness on the back end has subsided a bit and is allowing the other citrusy flavors in the hops to come out, and I'm absolutely loving it. Still stand by the FACT that this is the best DIPA Bell's makes every year.

 

The Oracle is listed at 105+ IBU. Short's has The Liberator listed at 116 IBU and Superfluid at 100 IBU, which I definitely noticed as well, but don't remember lingering like The Oracle did. Still enjoyed it, though.

 

The Oracle would be lab measured, and some people I know have quoted higher. Does Shorts have a lab,or are those calculated numbers, or measured at an independent lab? Once you start saying 100+ IBU, the lab report is the gold standard.

Honest questions here.

 

I pulled those numbers off Short's website (The Liberator, for example: https://www.shortsbrewing.com/beers/liberator/). Not sure if they have a lab.

 

@HopHeadHerman wpukd know about Shorts

 

Yes, we have a lab with three full-time QC employees.