Chicago Stout Releases (2018)

People will probably say I'm falling for hype/rarity, but I thought the Transient maple stouts lately have been far better than the last batch of CBS. I'm staying out this year.

If you happen to find yourself in Bridgman definitely grab a bottle of BA No Cake.

 

This is my thought. I never had the old school version, but really liked it last year. I got 2 bottles last year, just getting one this year. I'd buy at least 2 4 packs if they did that format. For a special share-type beer - I don't think this is it. For a beer I could crack open and drink 12 ounces on any given night? It's about as good as it gets, just wish that was the format.

I grabbed the 4th bottle from the first of 4 cases out on the floor at Binny's Grand at about 9:15.

 

I didn't think CBS was any worse from the bottle last year than it was the year before when I had it on tap. No idea how it tasted in the golden age, though.

I think it's a great beer. I think MD is better if you want lots of maple, but I have no complaints; I just don't need a 750 mL of BA beer right now, and especially not for $25. If it came in 4-packs I'd be much more likely to grab one.

 

I agree that there is no need to wait in line. But you said save your pennies, so I was pointing out that there’s no need to not buy it just because other people aren’t. If you like it (and are fine with the price point), then buy it.

I don’t know how much of a shelf turd this will be. It will definitely be around for a few days, but I’m skeptical it’ll sit for weeks. I know it sat for a long time on other markets, but none of my stores in the city seemed to have it for too long last year. I suppose that can be the quirks of different markets though. I’m interested to see how this year’s batch sells. I’ll buy one or two more and will probably open one this weekend.

 

To me the most disappointing aspect of the beer was the viscosity. Every time I tried it, it was just too watery. I didn't mind that the maple was subtle.

 

Agreed, when I had Canuckley I thought that is what CBS could only dream of being. Founders really has become a let down, especially when KBS was the beer that hooked me in and even that just doesn't hold up anymore to me.

 

As someone who had CBS in the "golden age" this is my beef as well. I had the 2011 bottle relatively fresh and the limited 2016 draft only that made its way around. Both were noticeably thicker and I thought the maple and coffee were more prominent as compared to last year's version. It's got to be tough to scale up CBS that much and still keep the original taste. It's still a good BA beer but when you look at pricing and the availability of other BA beers it's tough for many to plunk down $25 for a 750ml. Before I buy any BA beers this year I just remember what Revolution is releasing with a wide variety of BA beers that are reasonably priced and in a format I prefer.

 

Anyone know if they'll still have bottles if I walk over at lunch?

 

If the 2016 was thicker than 2017, I didn't find it different enough to limit my enjoyment that much. I would argue that form factor is the biggest issue nowadays; I think most people here would be okay with CBS if they could get a BCBS-sized bottle for less, or like I previously mentioned 4-packs (of cans, since we're dreaming).

The other thing to consider is that until someone else distributes widely like Founders is, we should give them credit for rolling this stuff out en masse. Even if BCBS weren't my favorite regular BA stout, availability makes it an amazing option.

 

I know this will get lost to time but here's my statement on CBS. The first time I had it was the draft-only 2014 version and it was sticky and thick and very Maple forward. 2017 was good but I hardly got any Maple flavor and I chalked it up to being more in balance. I'm heading up to GR tomorrow to pick up my bottles and I'll have a draft pour while I'm here. If this batch doesn't lean more towards the 2014 batch I'll probably pass on CBS hysteria in the future.

 

last year was my first full foray into BA stouts/barleywine, so I was trying to grab any and all releases that my BA brethren were touting in this thread.

i would highly recommend doing a blind stout tasting with your most opinionated neckbeards.

the results will undoubtedly surprise and force you to confront your inherent biases towards certain breweries and the level of hype attached to them.

 

Grabbed a couple of CBS this year. I drank a 17 a couple weeks ago with a friend and it was much better than fresh, IMO. I'll probably drink one fresh and age one 6 months to see what happens to it. I thought last year's was solid too. Nothing special, but good still.

 

I’m guessing you did one of these blind tastings recently? Mind sharing the results?

 

Has anyone tasted this year’s CBS yet? I know it was on tap at Sheffield’s last night, so wondered if anyone made it over.

 

Some people keep referring to a 2016 version of CBS, but I don’t think there was one? As far as I know there was a 2011 bottling and then a 2014 keg only with some bottles made for employees. Of course before any of this it was brewpub only and where the hype began.
I had plenty in 2011 and it was outstanding. I got lucky in 2014 and was right time right place with an employee who opened a bottle and it was again outstanding. The falloff came in 2017 as many have mentioned.

 

Sorry, it was 2015 that I had it, according to when I rated it here. So maybe it was some 2014 kegs that made it to Chicago the year after?

 

Yeah there was one. Some of Founders accounts that got a keg actually made crowlers available too. If you look back in the trade forums you'll see a few. I actually traded a DBH batch 1 (which was fresh at the time) for a 32oz. crowler of that batch of CBS. Keep in mind I hadn't had CBS since early 2012 (the 2011 bottle) and this was before they announced it would be back in bottles.

 

Very cool - had not heard of that one. My head's been stuck in the sand for the past 2-3 years with beer releases.
Mother always said that there would be days like this.

 

Yeah...edit: nevermind. Looking back at an old untappd checkin it was actually the 2014 batch. My bad.