Jackie O's (2018)

I misunderstood, The collab part of the blend is another imperial stout, not a Belgian quad. So it looks like Spirit Beast 17' will have Dark App, 0il, Oro, Champ (no coffee), a collab imperial stout, and a Belgian Quad. Thanks, @beace ! Sounds incredible.

 

Does anyone recall what beers were in the last Spirit Beast?

 

Bourbon Barrel Dark Apparition, Bourbon Barrel Matriarch, Bourbon Barrel Brick Kiln, Bourbon Barrel Imperial Amber (Lanthrone likely), & Cognac Barrel Dark Apparition.

I tried to have the Notes updated here for last year's version but that seems to be taking some time...

The other caveat is they use unique barrels to blend and age them all...? Not sure I caught what either this or last year's barrels were.

 

From what I remember, it was Remy Martin, Russel's Reserve, Wood Ford, Willet, maybe a weller or two...

This year has Blantons, woodford, four roses, 1972, and maybe a few others.

Don't ask me what was aged in what, its complex and meant to never be reproduced again. Already have 5 different beers aging for next year. See you all in few days!

 

Since it has per person, per day, I take it that they expect many of these to be available beyond Friday?

In a similar situation...Would like to know if lining up early is expected/appreciated?

 

There is no way they can answer the question about how long bottles will be available, even if you're just looking for a % chance. There will absolutely be lines before the initial release, too. If you want to assure yourself bottles, be there on Friday early. If you can't make it, you're just going to have to wait it out and see.

 

There will always be people lined up early. I lined up a little under 2 hours before open last year and was maybe 15th person in line. It's more chill than most releases. Correct me if I'm wrong but I think last year cognac Dark App was the first to sell out at 4/person. That lasted until Saturday afternoon. With the sours being 1/person, they probably did that to spread the wealth. I can't guarantee anything, but they have ramped up production quite a bit this year. I'm guessing you don't have to line up early to get them. But if you want to be safe, just get there early. The BA stouts and spirit beast should last for awhile.

If you don't care too much about the bottles, the brewpub and public house are basically a ghost town at the start on Friday. Most start at the production brewery and slowly make their way uptown. I went there directly after getting bottles last year and my buddy and I could casually walk up to the bar to order drinks.

Anyway, I'd focus more on the drafts, especially the berliners. Those are always the hit of any Jackie O's release. Some of those tap out quicker than any of the bottles. Either way, just relax and have a good time. The releases are always a bit crowded but the draft list is amazing and you should be drinking great beer all weekend.

 

@beace is awesome, I really appreciate his honest feedback about Oro. I had never had it before, so I was a bit underwhelmed after hearing so much about it, but it all makes sense.

I can only imagine how difficult it is to repeat with peppers in beer. It's fairly easy to adjust for different Alpha's of hops, but likely not nearly as easy with peppers and SHU's.

 

Which is why I always carry hot sauce...

 

Thanks for your thoughtful reply.

Jackie O's is a good 3.5 hour drive away for me, so I am trying to plan accordingly...

I expect it to be worth it and I'm really excited to try everything on draft...I've had quite a few of their beers at shares, but this will be my first time in Athens.

 

But how long will the lines be? And will the bottles last until Saturday?

 

The lines will be long and the bottles will last until Saturday because no one can drink that many bottles in one day!

 

I imagine it could very well just be referring to the Oil component, but I liked how the label for this year's Spirit Beast says it's a blend of ales brewed with walnuts aged in bourbon barrels.

 

Challenge accepted.

 

A portion of it was oil, have to put that there for people with nut allergies.

 

First time I'll be hitting Athens for Jackie O's. Can someone tell me what public transit is like? Doesn't look any uber or lyft options. Is there cabs? How is the bus? So many beers to try no way I'll be able to drive. I plan on staying at the Holiday Inn Express.

 

Green Cab. The cards with their number will be in Jackie O's.

 

Their facebook post has a map of parking, depending on when you're there it may not be as busy at the tap room so a spot behind sonic is possible. If not there's a parking lot off stimson when you come in off 33 to the right that's just a gravel lot for that open field and there's street parking in the neighborhood across stimson from JOs.

 

@beace

The wife and I did a little tasting on New Years of 2015/2016 Xocoveza's, Sunday Mole Stout, and Oro Negro (non-BA). I felt the Oro was the best beer by far. I felt the cinnamon was at a nice level, not as overbearing as the fresh Xoco, but not as subdued as the SMS. The heat was also nice and balanced, not overly hot like Death, nor absent like the 2015 Xoco was.

Seriously man, just wanted to say kick ass job on the Oro. See you next time you are in the Dayton area

 

I deleted my post, as I found the map on Facebook. Thanks for the reply and clarification. I'll be arriving after work around 7:00pm... hoping at least a few of the varieties make it until then!