I ask here with the thought that more of it is still in the PNW and you guys may see it on draft from time to time. Anyway, I noticed the reviews vary, and are spread pretty far apart. I've been offered it in a trade, and am curious as to how sour/vinegary/acetic the beer tastes at this point. I love old ales, and the dose of Brett intrigues me. If I should have posted this in another forum, sorry to bother, and help point me in the right direction!
I've only ever had it on tap, and that was the original batch. It was an interesting beer, but also kind of odd, and ultimately I'm not sure I could ever see myself drinking an entire bottle of it. I was unable to even finish the 8 ounce glass I had at the time. So I can't really answer your question, other than to possibly provide you a bit more information. It's actually pretty rare to see this beer on tap (I've only seen it on tap the one time), and I think it was made in pretty small quantities. On the other hand, the bottle shop/taproom I visit fairly often here in Eugene has a boatload of it, even though (according to the website) the most recent batch was released more than a year ago. Based on my one experience, I haven't been tempted to buy a bottle, and when I asked the bartender about the beer (how long the store has had it and how well has it been selling), he couldn't really help me, other than to note that they haven't sold very much of it. My point being, that although fairly rare, there doesn't seem to be a lot of demand for it.
I'd never heard of this one, now my trainwreck-spectator side is intrigued. I'd like to unleash it on some friends, how much do bottles go for?
I'm not sure Terry. I'll check the next time I'm over at 16 tons. I'd call them, but as they don't ever answer their phone, it's pretty much pointless.
Really depends on what batch you're getting. The ratio if Brett dosed beer to non Brett beer has changed from batch one until now. The result is very different beers. As I recall, batch 1 was 100% Brett, batch two 75% Brett, and batches 3 and 4 were 25% Brett. There still exists a difference between batches 3 and 4. While the two batches were a year apart, the 25% Brett beer was the exact same beer (making it a full year older in the most recent batch) while the 75% "clean" beer was brewed fresh for each batch. Confusing but worth considering.
This beer has always been a mess on-tap. I'd argue batch one was the worst. A little time in the bottle for the partially fresh batches allows the Brett to chew up some residual sugar and make it a little more interesting. I could see a bottle of batch two or three being a nice extra but definitely wouldn't go out if my way to trade for it.
Stopped by last night. Price on the shelf at 16 tons is $14.99 for a 750 ml. bottle. Let me know if you want a bottle Terry. Like I said, they have PLENTY of it.
I haven't been lucky enough to have previous releases and I haven't had the patience to age any (though I have a few bottles from this year sitting now), but I absolutely have loved the two I drank of the recent batch. One of the most complex, interesting things I've had in a long long time. Leather, fig, burnt cherries, funk, chestnut, tart. I want another one right now.
