Lift Bridge - BA Commander

Discussion in 'Great Lakes' started by BottleCaps80, Nov 4, 2013.

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  1. BottleCaps80

    BottleCaps80 Initiate (0) Jan 12, 2013 Iowa

    Is this worth seeking out? See it's being released soon and the details from Lift Bridge are below:

    Join us for the 3rd Annual Commander™ Barleywine Release Party on November 16th, 2013 3-10 PM. We will have contests, prizes, classic carnival games, live music, great food and of course Lift Bridge Beer. You can purchase tickets to the event and pre-order the 2013 Commander™.

    About the Beer
    This is the 2013 vintage of The Commander™. For those who haven’t tried it from previous years, it is our English-Style Barleywine ale brewed with an excessive malt malt bill and subtle, sweet cardamom. We aged in bourbon barrels, its bold, complex flavor reaches heights measured only by the building of its namesake. The barrels were shipped directly from Heaven Hill Distillery in Kentucky shortly after they were emptied. This 12.5% ABV treat is best enjoyed in smaller portions when you have some time to savor it,between now and 2022.

    To Preorder Beer:
    When: Tue-Thu 5-10 PM, Fri-Sat 12-10 PM.
    Where: Lift Bridge Brewery, 1900 Tower Drive, Stillwater, MN or Online
    Cost: $16 per 750ml bottle, limit 6 per person.

    Release Party
    [​IMG]​
    To celebrate the release of the beer, we are having a party at the brewery. What can you expect at the event?



      • Sample of the Commander™ and a Limited Release glass
      • Live music by Thrift Store Sonata
      • Games:
        • Commander™ Mustache Contest (Start growing it now!)
        • For Purchase:
          • Lift Bridge Beers
          • Food by local Food trucks (TBA)
    Tickets for the 21+ event are on sale now at the brewery during normal taproom hours and are available online now.
    When: Saturday, November 16th, 2013, 3-10 PM.
    Where: Lift Bridge Brewery, 1900 Tower Drive, Stillwater, MN
    Cost: $10 from the brewery or Online

    FAQs
    Below is a list of questions we commonly get. We will update the list as they come in.



      • What ages can attend? This is a 21+ only event. Sorry, there will be NO EXCEPTIONS. Oh, and we will card everyone, so bring a valid ID.
      • Do you accept credit/debit cards? Yes, most credit cards are accepted.
      • What if I can’t make it to the brewery to pick up the tickets, will you take orders by phone or online? No problem, you can pick them up online.
      • I don’t like paying online ticket fees, how can I avoid that? We don’t either, so you can stop in during taproom hours and pick up a ticket.
      • I can’t make it to the event that day, can my good buddy (sibling, best-man, parents, etc.) pick up my beer for me? Sorry, no. The tickets for the beer are not transferrable. See below.
      • What if I can’t make it to the brewery to pick up my beer the day of the event? We will hold your beer until the end of 2013 and you can pick it up during normal taproom hours.
      • What if I just want to pick up my beer? That is fine, you do not need to buy a ticket to the event.
      • Do I have to pre-buy tickets to pick up a bottle? No, however those with tickets will get their bottles first. If there are any left, you will be able to purchase a bottle.
      • Can I buy the beer in fine beer stores? Yes, if you are quick. This limited beer will be available from fine beer stores.
      • Will the beer be on tap at my favorite bar? Yes, we will have a limited amount available at fine beer bars.
     
    #1 BottleCaps80, Nov 4, 2013
  2. sacrelicio

    sacrelicio Pooh-Bah (1,838) Feb 15, 2005 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah

    It's a very good BA barleywine.
     
    #2 sacrelicio, Nov 4, 2013
  3. lurpy1

    lurpy1 Savant (1,077) Jan 15, 2010 Minnesota

    I had an issue with the cardamom in the 2011, but everything else was right on. I hear the spice mellows with age and that the 2012 (which I am aging) dialed back the cardamom. And with their last BA beer, Silhouette, LB hit it out of the park.
     
    #3 lurpy1, Nov 4, 2013
  4. jera1350

    jera1350 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,181) Dec 15, 2007 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah

    Enjoy this beer a lot. The release party two years ago was a good time. Didn't make it last year.
     
    #4 jera1350, Nov 4, 2013
  5. runfoodrun

    runfoodrun Initiate (0) Jun 18, 2008 Minnesota

    I really liked it two years ago, but I wasn't able to try last year's. If you like barley wines it's worth a try for sure. You can still find 2012's on the shelf many places in the TCs.
     
    #5 runfoodrun, Nov 4, 2013
  6. maximum12

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

    The cardamom has turned off a number of people. I loved the 2011 version, really liked last years on tap, but some of the 2012 bottles were flat.

    Overall a good beer, but I'm going to hold off buying multiple bottles this year to see if the carbonation is on.
     
    #6 maximum12, Nov 4, 2013
  7. AnalogErik

    AnalogErik Initiate (0) Jul 23, 2013 Minnesota

    When i visited their taproom, they were saying that they had some OLD barrels. I cannot remember if it was for Commander or BA Silhouette... 44 year or somethin like that.
     
    #7 AnalogErik, Nov 5, 2013
  8. Ol_Johnny_Skippelwicky

    Ol_Johnny_Skippelwicky Initiate (0) Feb 13, 2013 Minnesota

    I can't speak for 2011, but I really enjoyed 2012. To be honest I didn't even know there was cardamom in it because it was so subtle. I have a couple bottles in my cellar and will probably add a couple more from this year.
     
    #8 Ol_Johnny_Skippelwicky, Nov 5, 2013
  9. gatornation

    gatornation Grand High Pooh-Bah (10,388) Apr 18, 2007 Arizona
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Yes i drank one and saved one good stuff
     
    #9 gatornation, Nov 5, 2013
  10. ZAP

    ZAP Grand Pooh-Bah (4,048) Dec 1, 2001 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    One of the best beers I have had in my life....which makes it top 100 in my vast book.....seriously though it was a show stopper for me...one of those where I sit there going "man this is really good"...matched my tastes perfectly and one of the few overpriced 750's out there worth the price in my opinion..
     
    #10 ZAP, Nov 7, 2013
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  11. bigdaddypolite

    bigdaddypolite Maven (1,303) Mar 2, 2007 Minnesota
    Trader

    I was so turned off by the cardamom in 2011 that I never gave the 2012 a chance. The opinions are definitely all over the board for this one; I was as disappointed with this as any hyped local BA beer that I can recall. Will have to give the 2013 a try before writing it off completely.

    On the other hand, I thought the BA Silhouette was an under the radar gem. If anyone has a BA Silhouette floating around, and wants a 2011 Commander, let me know!
     
    #11 bigdaddypolite, Nov 7, 2013
  12. Ol_Johnny_Skippelwicky

    Ol_Johnny_Skippelwicky Initiate (0) Feb 13, 2013 Minnesota

    Earlier this week I saw some 2012 Commander for $17 at the Byerlys in SLP near Hwy 100 and 7. They also had Silhouette and Irish Coffee.
     
    #12 Ol_Johnny_Skippelwicky, Nov 7, 2013
  13. theCoder

    theCoder Initiate (0) Oct 24, 2011 Minnesota

    This is still quite easy to find. I know a few places that have at least a case still on the shelf. It ages very well. The 2011 release was heavy on the cardamom but with a year the 2011 was one of the most sublime beers I've had to date, jumped into my top 20 maybe even top 10. 2012 was drinking as well fresh as the 2011 was with a year under it's belt. Looking forward to cracking a 2012 possibly tonight even then go grab another 2012 for a side-by-side with the 2013 :slight_smile:

    Never got to try BA Silhouette, wasn't a fan of the un-barrelled, it was good and in fact quite good but it just felt lacking in some way. Then I find out they BAed it and I was sad I couldn't get any of that to try (my ability to drive to the release party was impossible but I will try to make sure I plan accordingly if it happens again).
     
    #13 theCoder, Nov 7, 2013
  14. psychotia

    psychotia Pundit (857) Jun 27, 2009 Wisconsin

    Just had a 2011 two nights ago... If you didn't like it fresh with the cardamom, give it another go. I'm super serial.
     
    #14 psychotia, Nov 7, 2013
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  15. 4four4

    4four4 Initiate (0) Apr 27, 2007 Minnesota

    IMO, the 2013 vintage is even better. Nice job.
     
    #15 4four4, Nov 16, 2013
  16. mjryan

    mjryan Pooh-Bah (1,571) Dec 22, 2007 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah

    I remember thinking 2012 was heavier on the cardamom. Either way it's a unique and interesting beer!
     
    #16 mjryan, Nov 16, 2013
  17. morimech

    morimech Grand Pooh-Bah (3,803) Nov 6, 2006 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah

    Question concerning Commander. I was at one of my usually stops for beer and I overheard an employee tell a customer that this Commander is a blend of the 3 previous vintages. I did not think that was correct information. Is there any truth to what he was saying?
     
    #17 morimech, Dec 20, 2013
  18. McRyan

    McRyan Initiate (0) Jul 25, 2012 Minnesota

    This is true. Not sure why they did this...
     
    #18 McRyan, Dec 20, 2013
  19. NeedBeerHere

    NeedBeerHere Initiate (0) Nov 21, 2013 Minnesota

    I've had a some of a firkin of Commander aged on oak and vanilla beens. It was amazingly good.

    Wish I would have heard about this before. Sounds tasty.
     
    #19 NeedBeerHere, Dec 21, 2013
    Last edited: Dec 21, 2013
  20. mjryan

    mjryan Pooh-Bah (1,571) Dec 22, 2007 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah

    So um, they blended the new batch with previous batches? Like maybe they had a bunch just laying around? Maybe, I guess.
     
    #20 mjryan, Dec 21, 2013
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