Mott the Lesser (b.3)

Shhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!

 

16 oz, 375 or 750 ml bottles?

 

500 iirc

 

No kidding. Nobody mention Todd's mastermind brewing capabilities in general let alone with respect to brewing Russian Imperial Stouts.

 

Opened one of my first batch bottles Saturday. It was very underwhelming again and thin to me. Too much booze comes through and not enough of the other flavors and viscosity I look for in a RIS. It's too bad. Havent tried the other release so I would love to here what people think. Impy made just down the road blew it away. I have some more so maybe I'll give it a whirl again.

 

On draft at the release a year ago I thought it was incredible. Didn't open my bottle of it until November and I thought it was good but not great - there was kind of a slight chalky taste to the barrel character. I'd love to have it again and may ride up for this release because it really was that good on draft but either I waited too long to drink the bottle or it just didn't translate quite as well as I'd hope.

 

$16/bottle?!?!

Good lord.

 

I might pop up for this if I'm not doing anything that day.

Is it the type of event without a huge line, or is this "Kate the Great" level in terms of the line and wait?

I don't care as much if I get a bottle, but I wouldn't mind checking the space out and having a draft or two plus some food.

 

Can't speak to the b2 release, but the batch 1 release line moved very slowly. There was no bottle only line. You go in, have a few drinks, get your bottles, and chill. They'd only let new people in up to capacity. Solid brew and if you are only looking on hanging out, its worth it.

 

B1 People waited hours to get it, I swung over early on my lunch break and gave the line a try but it was a joke. Line was massive and people wait over 3 hours at some points to get in. I did however swing back at 5 after work to a 20 minute wait and scored some of the last bottles and a pour. I'm sure it will be nuts with the nice weather now.

 

The last release was on a Saturday also (10/24/15), I had been to the April 1st one and stood in line from 1:00 – 4:00 before I got in so I decided to pass on the Fall release. Until around 2:00 PM a BA posted that the line was small. I was planning on going to the Black Birch at 4:30 anyway so I just left a little early. Got to Tributary at 4:00, about 6 people in line, had a couple pours got my bottles, grabbed a roasted pork sandwich from When Pigs Fly (grilling onsite) for later and was sitting at the Birch at 4:30. If I recall there was a Swish and Allagash release same day so that might have helped.

 

Hmm, the last release sounds like it's promising. I'm only an hour away, so I could play it by ear, maybe head up mid afternoon. Worst case scenario, head to Black Birch, never been there before either.

 

Just keep in mind every other person there is probably gonna do the same, on a normal day you are waiting maybe an hour+ to get seated at the bar. Your're getting seated anywhere in there and not just wandering in for a few pints. It's just too small. That place is the longest wait ever normally. But it is worth it. Wife and I kinda have to plan our entire night around it when we go for dinner. 2 hours waits are not un heard of. This is pretty much the case any day of the week, let alone a Saturday.

 

Like jbrews said get there after 5:00 or so and be prepared to wait (worth it), when we went at 4:30 there were a couple tables available. They don't serve full dinner menu until 5:00 so couple beers and small bites until then...

 

Good to know, thanks for the tip.

I think this is why half the time I just end up staying around Somerville/Cambridge instead of going to something like this. I can just stroll into Redbones or a Cambridge Brewing Co. on a Saturday afternoon and relax.

 

Swish, Allagash Ghoulschip, Dinner release, AND oxbow event all at the same time. Most people would have been finishing up at MBC or in line at Bissell when Tributary opened. The only thing going on this year simultaneously is Swish.

 

I may swing by to have some vom Faß, but not sure I'll drop $16 for bottles again. Got some of the first 2 releases, and wasn't wowed. Personally, Kate was far better, and I even think Portsmouth Royal Impy is better....

Prosit!!

 

My goal is to shoot by CBC for some spring training IPA on my way to my folks in MA easter weekend. You have no idea how much I miss the beer and people at CBC.

 

I'm not sure if CBC plans to brew 'Spring Training' this year. They're currently pouring a new hoppy spring beer called 'Indoor Recess'. I haven't been over there to try it yet.