Kuhnhenn Summer Solstice 2016

A video on social media by their PR guy noted more info on Monday (the 13th).
Hoping something is put out this week.

 

So they're on the standard Kuhnhenn timeline

 

~50% chance the first real info we get comes from a photo of a menu one of us posts on here an hour into the event.

 

Here's hoping that any BBA releases spent more than a couple of months in barrels.

I fear that if trends continue, this will be a $40 4-pack of bourbon adjacent beers - fermented in a room that happened to contain bourbon barrels.

 

Did I miss something here? I don't remember anything where Kuhnhenn aged for a very short time, or people having an issue with that. There was some issue taken with DH aging their BBPt5 for a shorter time period a while back.

 

Last winter's BA4D and BBBW were shadows of their former selves

 

I know many didn't care for last winter's BB4D (I liked it, but whatever). I didn't hear anyone say they didn't care for BBBW though. Actually quite the opposite, that it was one of the best fresh batches in a long time.

Edit: Even the BB4D that many didn't love, no one said it was lacking barrel character though. That was the argument being made above.

 

Tried both BB4D and BBBW against 2014 and 2013 versions and neither was close IMO. Way more bourbon in older vintages. I was afraid that might be the case given how much was available and how long it lasted. I chalked it up to shorter barrel time or re-used barrels. A shame, because BBBW may be my favorite all time beer.

 

My comment was based on personal experience having drank my fair share of 2013 and 2014 BB4D/BBBW. Chats with trade partners and posts on here seemed to allude to the same.

The most recent batches were still tasty but I felt that the barrel presence was drastically lower. BB4D, in particular, didn't have much of that Bourbon soaked marshmallow thing that made me fall in love in the first place.

 

This is more than likely the case.
Each use of barrels imparts less of that barrel character.
As for shorter time.... a study done for a PhD in distillation was done studying the affect of barrel on the flavor in whisky.
In summary, the flavor imparted on to the spirit began to plateau after 3 months. Yup. 3 months. After that it there was still an increase over the years but it wasn't as rapid as the first few months in the barrel.
So, obviously beer is different in terms of how much and how fast it can pull flavor. But my guess is that we'd be surprised at what point the plateau begins. The low hanging fruits (and easy flavors) will be picked first.

 

So anyone know if they are splitting bottles between both locations? Or will we find that out after we wait at the wrong taproom? Although after both last summer and winter solstice, I can't see the need to wait in any line for bottles.

And FWIW I drank my only BB4D from winter 2015 last night in honor of this post and found it to be quite tasty. Definitely some barrel presence. Never had 2013 and the 2014 I had was too long ago to remember.

 

Anyone willing to comment on how these Solstice Celebrations go? I'm driving up for a wedding and this will be the first time I'm actually around for one.

I would need to leave the taproom by 12:30pm Saturday. Is there usually a long line? What time would I need to show up to snag a 4-pack by then?

 

Man..... they are all different and rarely smooth to be quite frank. If you really want to be positive you'll be out by 12noon, just get there early. Should you or do you really need to? Probably not.

 

@steebo777 is right that they're pretty unpredictable, but that said I haven't had any issue getting out before 12:30 since the '13 Winter Solstice, which was the last really big release where they let you fill out an order sheet with what you wanted, rather than pre-packed 4/6pks.

 

Not sure if you are looking for just bottles or just want to try some of their stuff, and it has been awhile since I've been to one of these, but don't they usually have unique stuff on tap Friday?

 

Last Winter Solstice was somewhat disappointing on Friday, IMO. They had Cherry Oud Bruin and BB American Imperial Stout on as specialties, and a few meads. Summer is always more fun because of the weather, the bands are always good, and it's just a good party regardless of what's on tap.

My question mirrors @vette-ss - the bottles on Saturday are a crapshoot. I'll be lining up at the Warren location, but with my luck they'll end up being at the Clinton Twp location.

 

Generally for summer they break out some vintage kegs for Friday. Saturday is usually a bunch of one off wheat beers or something "summery". Both days are fun, I'll probably be around for a bit on both days myself.

 

This was posted on Facebook. Not sure if this was on FB from the start but it is the first time I noticed it. Solstice Stout is one of my all-time favorite beers.

BEER, etc.
-Nine(9) Belgian Dark Strong
-Ruby Red Grapefruit Wit
-Mango Fluffer™
-Pineapple Saison
-Blueberry DRIPA™
-Razzberry Cider
-Sparkling Pink Lemonade
-Tenacious Cassis (1st time since we don't even know when!)
-Dark Heathen Triple Bock
*-Solstice Stout (vintage)
*-Cherry Oud Bruin (vintage 2015)
*-Raspberry Eisbock (vintage 2014)
(* = timed evening release at Warren only)
(All selections available at both locations except *)

More info will be posted the week leading up to the event.

 

I saw this earlier, makes me wonder if they are bottling tenacious cassis again...I think the last time this was available was 2011(?) when they release little nib bottles of the 2007 vintage.