Great Notion

Dang. That is more expensive per ounce than what Fremont charges ($1/oz) at the UBG. I know it’s a much smaller yield and their overhead is not the same but damn.

 

So stopped by at Lunch to try a 5oz taster so I can provide meaningful feedback vs dealing in hypotheticals. Happened to run into a couple guys I know who work at some of the beer bars in town and we all kinda came away with the same overall impression.

It is not balanced as the maple flavor pretty much overwhelms the coffee and makes any bourbon notes hard to find (little on the front end and then nothing). The nose is all maple, the middle is all maple, and the finish is all maple. In terms of maple beers, Block 15's recent Maple release was VASTLY better as the flavor added layers to a beer vs completely dominating. It's really hard to comment on anything else regarding BBDS because of how strong the flavoring was. Also there were moments when the alcohol burn was higher than i would have expected

Is BBDS bad beer? No, but it's very average. One of the guys mentioned that double stack was not very good when originally put into the barrel and it's likely a new version would be more nuanced. This kinda fits with my impression of GN struggling with adjuncts in their stouts but making improvements.

Now it's hard to talk about this beer without addressing the pricing and this is where my criticisms really come in. The price point of this beer is just staggeringly out of step with the quality. If this beer was priced at $15, I would likely have a much more positive experience as I would compare it to Trap Door's (in the Couve) first bourbon barrel aged bottling release that came out recently. Their beer was pretty comparable in terms of quality, but it's easier to accept the flaws of new barrel aging program when when a bottle/pint price is not equal to an entree at Ava Genes.

So in short, this is a perfectly fine/average beer just don't make it out to be more than it is because of how much you paid for it.

 

Off topic, but year, I really dug that maple porter from B15. Definitely the one of the most balanced maple beers I've had. I sent one in a trade and the guy loved it despite normally hating maple beers.

 

This is what I expected. Heading over in a bit to try it myself.

Does anyone know what Double Stack is flavored with to give it such an overwhelming maple flavor? Not even straight maple syrup is that maple-y. Is it just the additional sugar that amps it up?

 

It's 100% vermont (I think) maple syrup... concentrate.

Which I think is done by freeze drying? Not entirely sure; the brewer calls it concentrate though.

 

I’d say it’s less maple-y than regular Double Stack. I get the bourbon and the booze. It’s good. Much like regular double stack, 5oz is all I want.

Appreciate that Great Notion was able to both make a ridiculous show out of the release, and cater to locals. Win-win.

 

Regular Double Stack has always tasted like a bit artificial/Mrs. Butterworth and straight butter to me.

 

Probably will do the same when I open BADS this week as I have cans of regular.

Not sure if we'll also throw some other maple/coffee stouts in the mix. Gonna be mid week lol.. although 'tis the time of year to go hard.

 

Wait, bacon? What?

 

Well, $8x3-5oz pours=$24; vs 16.9oz = $30. Hmmm. I are not good at maths.......

 

Still on tap?

 

Was it listed yesterday though?

 

Bummer. Oh well. I was out and about today, figured I'd stop in and try it. I'm sure it's no big loss, lol

 

There was an Instagram post stating it blew around 4pm on Monday.

 

I left a little after 4:30 and it was still on tap, must have happened just after I left.

 

Not gonna lie: Vowed to NEVER camp out for a beer release after arriving #1 in line for Holy Mountain's Midnight Still release two years ago.


BUT BUT BUT......This particular release by Great Notion was gonna pay for ALL of the Christmas gifts I planned to give away this year to family & friends (IE purchasing three GN box sets and selling two of them).

• Reluctantly woke up at 2am Seattle time & jumped in the shower
• Ground up Stumptown coffee beans & brewed a nice a pot of coffee (yes, I know they "sold out")
• Checked various social media accounts in regards to the scene at Great Notion
• Jumped in the car with the mules (ha, family members)
• Driving to Portland, motivation was quickly decreasing

Long story short, just couldn't do it. Decided on Corvallis (Block 15) and a few places on Portland on way home. No regrets!