Side by Side 2020 Fall Release KBS v 2020 Lagunitas Willettized

Discussion in 'The Bar' started by RacerX5k, Dec 5, 2020.

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  1. RacerX5k

    RacerX5k Savant (1,014) Feb 11, 2013 Pennsylvania
    Trader

    And please don't give the OP an bad time today, it's my birthday weekend 60 years young Thursday ... Part 1 fridge temp (ok, maybe not, my fridge sucks reminds me of when we were kids had to turn the temp all the way up to keep your food from spoiling, then the freezer becomes an ice box that needs old fashioned defrosting ... like my 24 yo son says, this is 2020

    Look: identical 4.75
    Aroma: identical 4.75
    Taste: KBS way too sweet at this temp 4.25. the Willettized, like one recent reviewer noted, the coffee really pops at this temp. 4.75 maybe 5.0
    Mouthfeel: KBS 4.25 Willettized 4.75 maybe 5.0
    Overall: Duh. the Lagunitas 4.75 at $15 per 4, the KBS 4.25 at $25 per you do the math for the value.

    After an 4 oz pour both beers going to the freezer to get cold. Continue the tasting in 1/2 hour ...

    Bore me (lol) with your side by side, observations, whatever. Cheers to all who survived 2020, sadness for those who didn't ...
     
  2. PapaGoose03

    PapaGoose03 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,057) May 30, 2005 Michigan
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    I've never seen Willettized at my store so I can't give you a full comparison to match your points, but as a Michigander I have to take the side of KBS and point out the errors in your ways. :wink:

    You may have used a KBS in your comparison that you paid $24 for a 4-pack last year, but since KBS has gone to year-round production its cost is generally around $15-$17. And since it's gone to year-round availability, well it's available year-round :stuck_out_tongue: (or compared to Willettized, not at all in my store). So KBS wins. :grin:
     
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  3. Giantspace

    Giantspace Grand Pooh-Bah (3,043) Dec 22, 2011 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    Not seen those prices here, $24-27 for KBS

    I choose Willet at under $14, I paid $11.69 out the door. That includes a 10% coupon.



    Enjoy
     
  4. beaulabauve

    beaulabauve Savant (1,109) Aug 5, 2011 Louisiana

    Finally received willitized in town this year. Can’t wait to try it.
     
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  5. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    @Giantspace beat me to it; there have been no price decreases in my area (SEPA) and at $24+ a pop KBS is a pass for me.

    I did buy my first four-pack of Lagunitas Willetized Stout of the season yesterday. And I noted that I still had two bottles from 2019 in my cellar so I will be drinking those two beers soon. Maybe one this evening and another tomorrow.

    Cheers!
     
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  6. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    @RacerX5k , I am a BIG fan of side-by-side tastings. I have done this frequently in NBW (formerly NBS) threads and I am of the opinion it is a good way to compare & contrast two beers of similar beer styles.

    SPOILER ALERT: Next weekend I will be conducting a side-by-side tasting of two Southern German Pilsners.

    Cheers!
     
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  7. RacerX5k

    RacerX5k Savant (1,014) Feb 11, 2013 Pennsylvania
    Trader

    Not around Philly metro, cheapest is Wegmans at $23 per. Another side by side last night before dinner I probably liked the KBS little more. Point is it's so close why waste the $10. I have OFTEN said Founders #1 brewery in the world today, but the 2020 KBS is not the perfection of 2018 and 2019. And don't get me started on the Marvel Roast and Big Lushcious they were terrible. So forget the "errors of your ways" cliche, Mr. Michigan. lmao.
     
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  8. 4DAloveofSTOUT

    4DAloveofSTOUT Grand Pooh-Bah (4,064) Nov 28, 2008 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Willitized for the win. And that’s an easy decision. Rye whiskey barrel aged coffee stout. Yes please.

    KBS barrel notes come off a little bit harsh the last four or five years.

    Willitized Has a better price point and is a higher quality barrel aged stout .
     
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  9. DoctorZombies

    DoctorZombies Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,827) Feb 1, 2015 Florida
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    KBS has been cleaned off the shelves for a few weeks here in SWFL, and price is never discounted, it’s $27.99...and I would take KBS every time over Willettized...yes, the cheapskate in me likes the much lower price point of Willetized but the mouthfeel is way too drying and it doesn’t taste as good as KBS, IMO. Happy belated birthday to OP!
     
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  10. PapaGoose03

    PapaGoose03 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,057) May 30, 2005 Michigan
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    Okay, point taken. :slight_smile: But I have to wonder if so much of this $24 KBS is old inventory that the store paid, let's say $18, and and can't mark it below that and take a loss. Seems like Founders came out with a 'wholesale' coupon/voucher to overcome this situation, but I don't recall when that was nor the details, deadline to use it, etc.
     
  11. DIM

    DIM Grand Pooh-Bah (4,788) Sep 28, 2006 Pennsylvania
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    It's fresh batches in my area, 3 different locations I've checked recently, all $25-$28. Easy pass.
     
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  12. Urk1127

    Urk1127 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,790) Jul 2, 2014 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Guy at work said willetized is even better than bourbon county so I need to jump on that. Not that I’m a huge fan of bourbon county I just love stouts.
     
  13. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    And that means you like barrel aged stouts? Or maybe the reason you are not a fan of BCBS is because of the flavors imparted from the Bourbon Barrel aging process?

    Cheers!
     
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  14. 1Unicorn

    1Unicorn Devotee (300) Apr 29, 2016 Michigan

    I had the Willettized Rye barrel coffe stout (which I am assuming your talking about) from ‘19 and the ‘20 smokes it! Probably in my top 5 and the price point is incredible. I am in SW MI and it finally showed up at MegaBev last week. It is a steal for $14. If your looking at KBS, if it has no date on the back it is the “year around” batch that they have.
     
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  15. Urk1127

    Urk1127 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,790) Jul 2, 2014 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I am not against barrel aged stouts I just prefer “ordinary” stouts without adjuncts or barrels. Does goose island do a base stout which is then turned into bourbon county? Or is that stout specific to that release?
     
  16. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    I am not aware that Goose Island produces a non-barrel aged stout that we can purchase.

    Maybe some special/rotating product just served at the brewpub in Chicago?

    Cheers!
     
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