How much better are they really?

That is why I want to do the experiment, For me a Bourbon lover first I can tell you I enjoy KBS more than the RIS or breakfast. But you bring up a great point, I know I can get my hands on BORIS tonight I might do a side by side with the BA and test that theory, It would be the closest match I could get right now.

 

Sounds good, please send directions

 

If I want a world class imperial stout, I head to any solid liquor store and buy a four pack of Old Rasputin. If it's convenient for me (i.e. it's on tap at a local bar or I'm at a beerfest), I'll try a rare stout. In 8 years as a BA I never feel like I'm missing out.

 

Exactly
And Parabola is 15 bucks! Talk about bang for your buck.

 

I've done this, blinded, with Old Raspy and XI and XII. The difference was completely obvious. I think that in order to not taste the bourbon in the beer you'd need to find either an incredibly poorly done BBA stout or not have a sense of smell.

Now the question, "Are they really better?" is a much different one. You could easily like the BBA version less (I didn't when I did that, but you might), but you'll definitely be able to taste the difference.

As for the OP's question, I basically second what cbeer88 said.

 

After a number of successful trades with several great BAs, this is my general rule:
If I can't go to a beer store and buy it off the shelf (or in some cases order it online), I'm not interested.*†

As others have said, yes, these beers are good. But think about how much time, effort & money goes into finding this out. So are they that good? Probably not.

I don't personally know anyone who would be remotely impressed that I had acquired or drunk a particular beer, no matter how rare or coveted it is. And I know several people who believe it's a sign I've already gone off the deep end that I would pack up a box of beer and send it to a total stranger 3,000 miles away, in exchange for that person doing the same for me.

* This rule remains in effect as long as Parabola and Abyss are distributed in Washington.
† Most recent exception to this rule: A couple months ago I traded for a BA Yeti, which may or may not be infected.

 

+1. I have a friend that obsesses about beer and wine we can't get in Washington and I think he thinks about and mythologizes stuff like Dark Lord to the point that he can't help but be disappointed when he finally gets his hands on some.

 

DL is one I'll never get (although I do have to admit I do like the variants). I can name probably close to a dozen imperial stouts that I can get on the shelves at some point in the year that are significantly better than DL.

 

Unfortunately I think it's human nature to want things that are rare or difficult to acquire, the whole "grass is greener" thing. But when beer is viewed as a status symbol, something has gone horribly wrong.

 

Dark Lord really isn't that hard to get. I got one last year without even trying. Same thing happened w/ Black Tuesday. A couple unsolicited trades fell into my lap. They're both still in the cellar, one of these days I'll open them.

 

There are some great BA Stouts worth trading for. I can definitely say I'd pass on KBS, BA Speedway, Darkness, Dark Lord, Black Tuesday, CBS, Most of the 50/50s I've had, Black Note, and probably some others that I can't think of.

Luscious is on my list for one of the best beers I had last year so even when I think I've experienced the whole spectrum of flavors in big stouts something out there still "wows" me. I went to that release and ended up trading for more after kicking myself for not buying as much as I could.

 

I just had a Black Note the other week and thought it was a fantastic beer and felt very fortunate to have tried it (Thanks Shawn) but I think the "whale" or rarer beers BA or otherwise, good or bad, are still worth having, otherwise you'd never know, you get the "thrill of the hunt" and sharing them with good company is pretty much what it's all about.

 

I think there's a pretty big difference between the two. Obviously there are some that that arent worth the price, but you run into this with everything in life. For me, it's about being with friends and enjoying new beers and conversation. It's a hobby. Going to releases is a great way to travel and meet new people.