Lift Bridge Commander - Release Party

I agree, I like the beer a lot. I still have two I'm aging.

 

One of the better beers to cross these lips. Fucking love it.

 

Still haven't had this one - have a bottle packed away downstairs, everyone was saying the cardamom was too strong so I was hoping it would settle with time. Have any of you guys sampled a bottle recently?

 

Could people taste the cardamom with all that awesome bourbon in there? Seriously, if I didn't know cardamom was an ingredient, I would have never known it was there. So good. I'm half Norwegian though, cardamom is pleasing to me.

 

I think the last release is still on the shelf around the metro.

 

It is...

 

Good to know - thanks for the input. I think I'll do a side-by-side with these year's release in the name of science.

 

Tasted last years twice in line at darkness day. The first time I tasted it was in line late Friday and I loved it, despite being very inebriated. The second time was early Saturday after some doughnuts and coffee, and it was fantastic yet again. Looking forward to getting more and enjoying my last 2011 bottle in the coming years.

 

I have had this 3-4 times throughout the past year, and while I think it's getting better, I still don't love it. I definitely don't think it fits in with most other BA Barleywines I've had... it's more like a Winter Warmer that spent some time in a barrel, but the spicing overwhelmed the rest of the flavors.

 

I have seen it on the shelves a lot. I think a lot of people were turned off by the price point on a first release beer from a brewery that (at that point) hadn't done much for big format bottles. Now that people have tried the beer, I think this years bottles will go faster.

 

Hi All,

Just wanted to remind everyone that this Saturday, November 17th from 3-8 PM we will be celebrating the release of the 2012 Commander™ Barleywine. The weather is looking great and we have a large heated tent so we can all stay comfy. There are still tickets available, but the event will likely sell out. Get your tickets now.

What can you expect at the event?

In addition to good friends and great beers, we will a slate of entertainment and food.
Throughout the day local blue grass band Thrift Store Sonata will be keeping things lively. They have a stand-up bass, violin, guitar, washboard, and spoons.

We have a couple of contests going on where you can win bottles of Commander™. Our second annual Mustache contest will showcase some of the best facial follicle abilities around. Don’t have a mustache? That is OK, we have a face painter to help you fit it. The second contest is a costume contest. Dress up in circus gear to get in the spirit and win prizes. To round out the contests, there will be some carny games for you to test your skills.

Finally, World-class juggler Doug Sayers and his team form Whatsup Juggling will be here to display true circus feats.

If you get hungry we have two local food trucks to provide you with some tasty grub. Mid Nord Empanada Truck and R.A. Mac Sammy’s
Bottles of Commander™ To Go

We will be selling a maximum of 1500 – 750ml bottles of 2012 Commander™ directly from the brewery. You don’t need a ticket if you just want to stop in and pick up few. You can also purchase your bottle online and pick it up until the end of the month.

Starting on Monday, we will be releasing 3000 – 22oz bottles of 2012 Commander™ to fine beer stores in the area. Pick up a couple, some for now, some for later. Expect them to go fast.
Final Thoughts

Grab a friend and join us at the brewery on Saturday. Parking is available in the EAST side of the Herberger’s parking lot and on Tower Drive. Please remember this is a 21+ event, bring your ID, no entrance without it.

-Dan Schwarz
Lift Bridge Brewing Co

 

Would love to pick up a couple of more bottles from LAST year's release - anyone know of a place in the East Metro (preferably St. Paul)? Info would be much appreciated...

 

If you don't find it, Heritage will have some on the shelves for Beer Geek Christmas December 6th....

 

I have extra tickets if anybody needs one. Send me a PM.

 

I was just about to post an inquiry about Beer Geek Christmas. Anyone have details?

 

Last time I was in Sharrett's, they still had some. That's about as far west as you can get in St. Paul, though.

 

I know of many places that still have that as well as Biscotti

 

How is this year drinking compared to last year? Opinions?