Chicago Stout Releases (2018)

Binny's Grand thought they might get it today; no dice. Sometime next week is now when they expect.

 

Binny's Grand did get Drago from wild onion if anyone is interested. On bottom shelf, first isle.

 

Everyone should try Drago at least once. I'm not saying it's amazing, but it's pretty easy to grab, and a much better BA stout than you'd assume from a brewery you may or may not have even heard of. I like it better than CW's BA stout, although I know that's just a particular preference thing.

 

I personally don't get the Drago love here. After about 6 oz I decided to have a bottle share with my sink.

That said, I seem to be in the minority on this.

 

Eh, there are a million beers I don't get the appeal of, and like I said, I'm not saying Drago is AMAZING, so I understand. The reason I said everyone should try it is because it's an easy option if you find out you do like it--like Dragon's Milk, but only during the fall.

(I hate Dragon's Milk, for what it's worth)

 

Well, we are in perfect agreement on Dragon's Milk (or should I say "DM"?)

 

I'm trying one soon. It won a blind BA Chicago stout tasting on ABVChicago if I'm not mistaken

 

It reminds me of Dosvidanya, not in terms of profile, but in terms of how I like it. Dosvidanya doesn't blow me away, but it's very quintessentially what you'd expect from a BA stout. Drago is kinda similar (at least from what I remember--it's been a year); nothing crazy going on, just very balanced all around.

 

Drago is decent, would not pass one up if it was in the fridge, but I'd take a CW's BA Stout over it any day. Drago is much thinner, not as much flavor in my opinion when compared to CW.

Probably explains in part why CW is drying up on the shelves while Drago still readily available.

 

Is it thinner? Like I said, it's been a while. I pass on CW's stout constantly (IL and WI) because of how thin it is. It's certainly possible I enjoyed Drago as much as I did because of the lack of expectations.

 

I don't think so. CW was much thinner than Drago in my opinion - I'm in the group who loves Drago (if that's a group). I actually did a side-by-side of both when I got them and Drago was more of the thicker, sticky, chewy BA stout

 

Well fuck. Now I'm wondering if I need to pick up a bottle of Drago of 4 to re-find out.

"Beer Advocate. Advocating alcoholism and insolvency since 1996."

 

Don't second-guess yourself, sir...save your $$

 

I cannot imagine anything being thinner than CW's stout. Maybe Dragon's Milk... Not that I'm hating on CW, I think the flavor is awesome.

I would not mind however if New Holland went to the all rum barrel variety of Dragon's Milk - infinitely superior product and there simply are not enough rum barrel products out there. We are however drowning in BA stouts. I have heard on here that rum barrels are harder to get though?

 

I probably still will, I just may see if there's a place selling single bottles.

*thinks about it*

That sounds like a lot of work. I'll probably just drink at home, and never move again.

 

The Binny's up where I work (Bloomingdale) sells them in single bottles, not that you're anywhere near there. Also FWIW, the 4-packs are $19.99 this year instead of $15.99 like last year.

 

$20!!!!!!!!!

As stupid as this is, that actually is a price that gives me pause.

 

Would you pay $55 for a 4-pack of BA Darkness?

I'm just joshin' with ya, I am sure BA Darkness is vastly superior. Just not surprised to see yet another stout clock in at $30/bomber price point (after tax) and still disappear immediately.

Anyway I know in Chicago people would clean 4-packs of BA Darkness off the shelves at $55. Not that I'm giving Surly any ideas but... put it in 4-packs for $90 next year guys, this hobby can still get stupider!!

 

Drago reminded me of bcbs at more than half the price. Great flavor and barrel character. It really opens up as it warms and the balance is just unreal. Some binnys are selling bottles as singles for $5 and that's a steal. Most underrated release of the last 6 months

 

I was kidding, $20 is still perfectly reasonable. It's just farther out of the "impulse-buy" range for me (as opposed to the "weekly beer budget" ).

And nah, I wouldn't bick up a 4-pack of BA Darkness for $55. I passed on getting a single bomber, too!

Yeah, if I see any single bottles I'll grab one. It's nice to see the little guys putting out quality stuff like this.