Best FiftyFifty Eclipse Imperial Stout variants?

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by TylerKitchens, Dec 22, 2014.

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Which variant is your favorite?

  1. Buffalo Trace

    4.1%
  2. Evan Williams 23

    14.2%
  3. High West

    4.7%
  4. Four Roses

    9.5%
  5. Rittenhouse Rye

    3.4%
  6. Woodford Reserve

    2.0%
  7. Java Coffee

    20.3%
  8. Elijah Craig 12

    49.3%
Multiple votes are allowed.
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  1. TylerKitchens

    TylerKitchens Initiate (0) Apr 9, 2014 Massachusetts

    What is the scoop on the different variants, which ones are worth the $30 price tag?
     
    Greywulfken likes this.
  2. GreesyFizeek

    GreesyFizeek Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,026) Mar 6, 2013 New York
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Some of those are new for this year, so you won't be able to get many opinions on them. I tried Java Coffee last year, and that was super tasty, I would definitely recommend it. I always hear really good things about the Elijah Craig 12 version, too.
     
    TylerKitchens likes this.
  3. kodt

    kodt Pooh-Bah (2,286) Mar 6, 2013 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    EC12 is probably the best variant.

    Java Coffee is also quite good.

    That is of course assuming you aren't including brewery only releases like Pappy and Masterpeice.

    I don't think they are worth $30 though, I would take a gamble on them at least once though. After that, you can decide if it is worth $30 to get more, I find they tend to sit on the shelf for a while and aren't hard to find.
     
    Vonerichs, Bshaw22 and TylerKitchens like this.
  4. pagriley

    pagriley Pooh-Bah (2,382) Oct 27, 2014 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    There was no 'none, spend your money on 2 world class bombers and skip this'

    I pulled the trigger a few months back on the Elijah Craig 12 and was entirely underwhelmed. I mean, it was very nice, and an enjoyable beer, but not worth anywhere near $30.

    I put the Eclipse variants in the same category as Hoppin Frog Barrel BORIS which (at least in Chicago) is similarly available, and 'only' $18. I would probably buy the Hoppin Frog again for $18 (overpriced by a few bucks), but I won't ever pick up an Eclipse again (overpriced by $15)... I actually saw one on sale a few weeks later for half price and left it on the shelf - Even at $15 I think there are better things out there.
     
  5. MilwaukeeBeerMaker

    MilwaukeeBeerMaker Pooh-Bah (1,792) Jun 30, 2014 Wisconsin
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Agreed; non-brewery only (Pappy is amazeballs!), it's hard to beat the Java.

    They are pricey, but one has never led me astray. The Makers Mark was pretty good too, but don't see it on the voting list.

    Cheers!
     
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  6. kvgomps

    kvgomps Maven (1,354) Feb 10, 2013 New Jersey
    Trader

    Had the 2013 Elijah 12 last night. Bit too bourbon forward for my liking at $30 but I'm guessing they use a common heavy hand across the board with the barrels.

    Let's just say that it also did not agree with my stomach, or at least with what I had for dinner.

    Still a pretty good beer, especially once it gets to room temp, but I think I'll be gifting the other one away.
     
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  7. TylerKitchens

    TylerKitchens Initiate (0) Apr 9, 2014 Massachusetts

    Thanks everybody, super helpful! I guess if I have an extra $30 grab a Java or E12 otherwise save my money and pick up a cheaper Impy stout.
     
  8. dheldman

    dheldman Maven (1,255) Feb 7, 2011 Minnesota

    At $15 I'm going to need you to go back, buy a bunch, and ship them to me. Seriously, EC12 is one of my favorites and the only reason I don't drink it more is the $30 price tag so if you are game hit me up as I'd really like a couple!
     
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  9. pagriley

    pagriley Pooh-Bah (2,382) Oct 27, 2014 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Would be happy to, but they only had 1 bottle left, and i have no doubt they sold it to the next guy! If I hadn't had it the week before I would have grabbed it at $15 for sure, but since it wasn't a favorite I just left it for the next guy. It was the 2012 version for what that is worth - I didn't think additional aging would benefit much and at the $15-17 mark there is a lot of exceptional barrel aged stouts out there.
     
  10. TylerKitchens

    TylerKitchens Initiate (0) Apr 9, 2014 Massachusetts

    I got a BA Narwhal for $18 and I thought that was an exceptional deal. Is the Eclipse on mark with Narwhal or better?
     
  11. Siggy125

    Siggy125 Maven (1,318) Nov 10, 2006 California
    Trader

    The EC18 was a little better than the EC12 but not available in '14. The had some previous vintages of EC18 on sale at the release party this year. They went quickly. The Grand Cru, (copper wax), from '12 was really good too.
     
  12. pagriley

    pagriley Pooh-Bah (2,382) Oct 27, 2014 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I paid about $22 for my bottle of barrel Narwhal so $18 is a good price, but I haven't had it yet - still sitting in the cellar waiting for me to get around to it!

    I can't comment on how they compare having not had Barrel Narwhal yet
     
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  13. pagriley

    pagriley Pooh-Bah (2,382) Oct 27, 2014 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I suspect if all the Eclipses were $18-20 a bottle they would shift off shelves pretty fast - and some of the better / rarer variants would be epic trade bait. I think they have just gone with a different pricing model - they are pricing at a premium so you can find their beers on a shelf almost any time rather than playing the limited release, but still cheap feeding frenzy game.

    Hoppin Frog is a bit the same way - it seems that only a few extra $ and people don't get as hyped. Put it this way, I got bottle of Firestone Anniversary this year and it was $23 - it was a pretty amazing beer, but sold out almost instantly.
    Eclipse is one of the few breweries (Hoppin Frog, and Bruery also come to mind) that is pricing up to solve the availability issue.

    Don't get me wrong - it was a very good beer, but expensive. If I wanted a great barrel aged imperial stout on short notice for a birthday present or a special dinner I would grab the Eclipse - I mean, it is always available.

    If you are feeling a bit flush with extra cash go for it - just don't expect it to blow your mind compared to something like Barrel Narwhal
     
    TylerKitchens and tylerstravis like this.
  14. spacecake9

    spacecake9 Pooh-Bah (2,202) Apr 26, 2014 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah

    My local Binny's still has 2013 bottles on the shelf, so those already have some age on them. I bought a 2013 Evan Williams and put it in the cellar for next winter. Bought a 2014 EW to give as a gift. I'm not expecting these to be worth the $30 price tag but thought I'd try it once.
     
  15. dheldman

    dheldman Maven (1,255) Feb 7, 2011 Minnesota


    Oh well, can't blame me for asking. Interestingly I feel this is about perfect at 2 years. Mellows out the barrel nicely letting a bit more sweetness shine through. As for the EC18 that one is on my short list. If anyone has one of those lying around let me know.
     
    #15 dheldman, Dec 22, 2014
    Last edited: Dec 22, 2014
  16. BeerMeBro720

    BeerMeBro720 Initiate (0) May 2, 2013 Ohio

    What's the consensus on High West Bourbon? I grabbed one on my way through Chicago in hopes of sharing it over the holidays
     
  17. jlira

    jlira Initiate (0) Jun 5, 2014 California

    I would choose eclipse any day over BA Narwhal. BA Narwhal is good but eclipse is much better.
     
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  18. RBassSFHOPit2ME

    RBassSFHOPit2ME Initiate (0) Mar 1, 2009 California

    For the price? None.
     
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  19. tylerstravis

    tylerstravis Pooh-Bah (2,487) Feb 14, 2014 Colorado
    Pooh-Bah

    So... Can you really taste the honey?

    I have never gone down this road due to the price and the honey, but I find a coffee version intriguing.
     
  20. derftron

    derftron Pooh-Bah (1,663) Feb 8, 2012 Oregon
    Pooh-Bah

    Had the 2012 Old Fitzgerald the other day. Thought it was super good. Notice they didnt make that variant this year. I have always heard good things about the java coffee so I bought one.

    The price point is a little steep, but these are very very good. i have had many variants and never been disappointed
     
    WillieThreebiers likes this.
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