How do you rate 2019 BCBS offerings with previous years?

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by Seanem44, Dec 17, 2019.

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  1. Seanem44

    Seanem44 Initiate (0) Mar 18, 2014 Virginia

    For the first time in years I did not venture out on Black Friday for BCBS as I had in years past. Monthly trips to Tree House have spoiled me, but despite not going out, I've been able to get all the variants. Even today I found Reserve Rye and the Coffee Variant they released, along with the Wheat and Mon Cheri.

    Just want to know how everyone thinks they compare to years past? I know last years lineup was different, and IIRC, the Vanilla was pretty darn good.

    I have yet to try this years base BCBS. I know GI has raved about it being there best in years, which would be a tall order.

    Overall, I think we have had a glut of stouts and over-production. Never thought I would see KBS as shelf turds, or CBS sitting on a shelf more than a week. I imagine the trend will follow with BCBS.
     
  2. ovaltine

    ovaltine Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,787) Apr 6, 2010 Indiana
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    The base this year is excellent, IMHO. I have 3 variants (Cafe, Mon Chéri, Rye), but haven’t tried any of them yet.
     
  3. bsp77

    bsp77 Pooh-Bah (2,185) Apr 27, 2008 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah

    Haven't had the base yet, but I loved Cafe de Olla and liked (not loved) the kinda unbalanced Mon Cheri.
     
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  4. Pinz412

    Pinz412 Initiate (0) Nov 20, 2019 Pennsylvania
    Trader

    I haven't had this year's BCBS yet, so I can't make a comparison to previous years. I've got a bottle each of the 2018 and 2019 base BCBS in my cellar, but just haven't opened them yet. I will say that historically speaking I've always enjoyed BCBS more than KBS or CBS. There was a time a number years ago that I was on the hunt for all three of them. When I finally tried KBS and CBS I didn't really understand the hype. When I finally got my hands on BCBS I understood immediately why people sought them out. That said, there are still bottles sitting on shelves in my area, including the variants, but they're dwarfed by the amount of CBS I'm seeing still sitting around.
     
  5. laketang

    laketang Grand Pooh-Bah (3,017) Mar 22, 2015 Arizona
    Pooh-Bah

    The cafe was real good, but misunderstood and it was because of the orange and sugar. So my thought was go back to a straight up coffee stout variant. Just my opinion.
     
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  6. Bitterbill

    Bitterbill Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,036) Sep 14, 2002 Wyoming
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    As good as any I've had before maybe except when it was in 12 ounce bottles. Shrugs.
     
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  7. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    So far I have only had two variants: Reserve Rye and Mon Cheri. I should caveat that these were small pours (5 ounces) at a local craft beer bar.

    @bsp77 mentioned above: "...liked (not loved) the kinda unbalanced Mon Cheri." and this pretty much summed up my thoughts on this beer. I thought the Cherry flavor was too much in this beer and I just couldn't help from thinking about Cherry Cough Syrup as I slowly drank this beer.

    I was not a big fan of the Reserve Rye since it had a notable alcohol hotness to it; I was not a fan of this aspect.

    I have yet to drink a regular BCBS.

    Cheers!
     
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  8. AZBeerDude72

    AZBeerDude72 Initiate (0) Jun 10, 2016 Arizona

    I have two of the base but have not opened them. I was too lazy to go and get the variants so sadly none at the moment but I always see them pop so with time I hope to get some.
    If they are as good as years past I will be thrilled, one of my favorite beers.
    Looking forward to reading all the posts to see how this year turned out.
     
    anfield86 likes this.
  9. mogulskier

    mogulskier Zealot (690) Feb 3, 2019 California

    IMHO, this years BCBS is a good one, and reminds me of the 2015 BCBS which I think was the best vintage I have tried so far.

    That said, I've only been able to get 2 variants, Cafe and Mon Cheri, and I am kinda disappointed with both of them. Midnight Orange and Bramble Rye from last year were much better in my opinion. And Vanilla was just outstanding. I really do miss the BCBCS and hope it makes a comeback.

    So, I've stocked up on this years BCBS and it should age beautifully.
     
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  10. bbtkd

    bbtkd Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,790) Sep 20, 2015 South Dakota
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I've only had Mon Cheri and Cafe De Olla so far this year, and to me Cafe De Olla is the winner. Last year I liked Wheatwine, but loved Prop, Vanilla and Midnight Orange. Bramble Rye was OK, but I really didn't care for Reserve. Now that we get variants, I hardly pay attention to regular. I got an obligatory regular 2019 but haven't had it yet. I honestly haven't noted a big difference year-to year on regular.
     
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  11. tobelerone

    tobelerone Grand Pooh-Bah (4,220) Dec 1, 2010 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    So far for me:

    regular, excellent as usual, not sure better than previous years but at least as good as any other vintage I can recall

    Cafe de olla and mon Cheri: cool, liked but didn’t love them, happy to try but at 23 bucks or something probably won’t buy more. Preferred last years midnight orange and vanilla.

    wheatwine: yet to open

    Others: haven’t seen em, would love to try them at least once if I can (particularly rye version)
     
  12. Ahonky

    Ahonky Initiate (0) Feb 13, 2018 New York

    I would really like to try some these, but I can't get on-board with GI's price gauging. Swank bottles does not justify the massive uptick in price per ounce.

    I'm sure I'm missing out on some wonderful beers - but it's not everyday I reach for a 14%+ bew
     
  13. Mark_Griffin

    Mark_Griffin Devotee (307) Sep 21, 2014 Washington

    I was worried with the IB purchase of GI, but the '19 Original Stout tastes as good as always. Looking forward to seeing how it ages. I have a '15 I plan to open at Christmas.
     
  14. jhavs

    jhavs Grand Pooh-Bah (3,587) Apr 16, 2015 New York
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    How much do they cost in your area? The regular seems like a pretty good deal to me at 9-10 bucks when compared to other larger BA stouts available.
     
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  15. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Have only tried the base beer, and had it on tap. I thought it was fine and comparable to other years (neither better nor worse).



    Ummm.... isn't that pretty much what they say every year?
     
  16. maximum12

    maximum12 Grand Pooh-Bah (4,686) Jan 21, 2008 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Have only had straight BCS & Cafe.

    The Cafe was a big letdown, just a slightly about average big stout for a premium price point. Honestly the least impressive BCS variant I've ever had.

    The base is like most years. I felt '17 - '18 were better, ready to drink at peak yumminess right away, but this is back to previous vintages, where I feel 12-24 months will improve it significantly.
     
  17. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Pretty much my take as well. Quality wise, I see little difference from this year and previous years, but the current year did seem a bit more tight and backward. I recall thinking exactly the same thing... pretty good right now, but will likely open up and become more enjoyable with a year or two of age.
     
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  18. jglenn73

    jglenn73 Initiate (0) Jul 28, 2015 New Jersey

    Went to the GI brewhouse in Philly on Friday. They only had the BCBS and Cafe de Olla on tap. I would say both were excellent and I was surprised by how much I liked the Cafe. I need to go out and find a couple of bottles!
     
  19. miniditka77

    miniditka77 Pundit (953) May 21, 2015 Illinois
    Trader

    I've tried regular, Cafe, and 2-year Reserve. This year's regular BCBS is really good, it's got a strong cocoa powder flavor. Cafe was hard for me to rate, because it seemed to taste different from sip to sip. I think overall I'd say it was one of my least favorite variants of the last few years, but it's very interesting and unique.

    2-year Reserve is insanely good with super intense flavor. Probably my favorite variant since Prop 17.
     
  20. GuyFawkes

    GuyFawkes Grand Pooh-Bah (5,630) Apr 7, 2011 Illinois
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I found regular to be really, really good. Better than usual post-2015.

    2 Year Reserve was even better...but for what it costs, I'd say one is enough.

    Mon Cheri & Cafe de Olla were interesting, but don't worry about buying new socks...these won't knock your current pair off.

    Haven't had Prop or Rittenhouse Rye yet.
     
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