Whale alternatives

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by Beef_Curtains, Dec 9, 2014.

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  1. Beersnake

    Beersnake Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,884) Aug 17, 2013 California
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I think it depends on the whale, and where you are located. King Henry, for example, was fantastic. However, you can get some amazing beer that isn't so hard to get, such as Mirror Mirror and Double DBA, which are barrel-aged English barleywines that are still sitting on shelves here. They are obviously not the same thing, but look at comparisons within a style and go from there.
     
    #61 Beersnake, Dec 10, 2014
    Tsar_Riga, deadonhisfeet and Golferallen54 like this.
  2. 4kbrianb

    4kbrianb Initiate (0) Jan 2, 2013 California

    More importantly, what are your favorite styles? There are anti whales in my opinion for every style. Either easy I pick up regionally or nation wide, as well as cheap to trade for if you can't get your hands on them. I'd rather trade some local beer for something high on my list than have to trade my entire collection to get my hands on a "whale".
     
    #62 4kbrianb, Dec 10, 2014
  3. johnnybgood1999

    johnnybgood1999 Savant (1,000) Oct 31, 2008 Virginia

    It depends on the variant IMO. Honestly, this last batch at 10.8% abv has been underwhelming. I've had 3 other variants around 11.2%-11.5 and they were phenomenal. Layers of flavor like chocolate, coffee, vanilla bourbon, etc, etc.
     
    #63 johnnybgood1999, Dec 10, 2014
  4. Josh012012

    Josh012012 Pundit (783) Feb 3, 2014 Minnesota

    In the barrel aged stout category I would sub central waters brewers reserve stout for the whales. $13 ish for a 4 pack.
     
    #64 Josh012012, Dec 10, 2014
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  5. nicole309

    nicole309 Pundit (899) Jan 10, 2011 Alaska
    Trader

    I've seen this posted before, but I've had Elysian Space Dust and Zombie Dust side by side and they are really similar.
     
    #65 nicole309, Dec 10, 2014
  6. JamesH21

    JamesH21 Initiate (0) Apr 1, 2013 California

    BOOM!
     
    #66 JamesH21, Dec 11, 2014
  7. MaltLickyWithTheCandy

    MaltLickyWithTheCandy Initiate (0) Apr 22, 2013 Maryland

    Is regular Abraxas technically a "whale"? I got one recently.
     
    #67 MaltLickyWithTheCandy, Dec 11, 2014
  8. Dupage25

    Dupage25 Savant (1,044) Jul 4, 2013 Antarctica

    Central Waters Bourbon Barrel Stout (CW BBS) ties with Bourbon County Stout for my favorite annual barrel-aged stout, but I would never suggest someone use CW BBS as a substitute for another barrel-aged stout. It has considerably less alcohol, sugar, whiskey character and all around just less heft than most other examples. Totally different take on the barrel-aged stout.
     
    #68 Dupage25, Dec 11, 2014
  9. BergBeer

    BergBeer Maven (1,417) Aug 21, 2013 California

    I 13th Big Bad Baptist...Excellent stuff

    Swami's IPA is a shelf beer in San Diego and is way better then Pliny IMO

    Parabola and Velvet Merkin are both outstanding an neither are impossible to get
     
    #69 BergBeer, Dec 11, 2014
  10. jcos

    jcos Pundit (802) Nov 23, 2009 Maryland

    Drink any of Bell's stouts that you can find at the store. They are all very good - Java, Expedition, Kalamazoo, etc...
     
    #70 jcos, Dec 11, 2014
  11. Josh012012

    Josh012012 Pundit (783) Feb 3, 2014 Minnesota

     
    #71 Josh012012, Dec 12, 2014
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  12. Siggy125

    Siggy125 Maven (1,318) Nov 10, 2006 California
    Trader

    I like Hop Drop and Roll as much as Heady
     
    #72 Siggy125, Dec 12, 2014
  13. Dupage25

    Dupage25 Savant (1,044) Jul 4, 2013 Antarctica

    @Josh012012
    Oh for what it is there is no better option, at least not that I am aware of. Like I said, it's tied with BCBS for first place in my personal BA-stout list. I do think it has quite a lot of barrel character, actually, in the sense of wood/oak, nearly as much as BCBS. It just doesn't have as much whiskey character, if you get my drift.
     
    #73 Dupage25, Dec 12, 2014
  14. FrogOut69

    FrogOut69 Initiate (0) Sep 24, 2013 California
    Trader

    So many people in this thread who don't understand what a Whale is.
     
    #74 FrogOut69, Dec 12, 2014
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  15. 4kbrianb

    4kbrianb Initiate (0) Jan 2, 2013 California

    The "whaliest of the whalez" is top 3 best things I've seen on here! I love it. So whaley
     
    #75 4kbrianb, Dec 12, 2014
  16. joelwlcx

    joelwlcx Initiate (0) Apr 23, 2007 Minnesota

    I've had KBS three times. I've only seen FIS once. One persons whale is another's sunfish.
     
    #76 joelwlcx, Dec 12, 2014
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  17. joelwlcx

    joelwlcx Initiate (0) Apr 23, 2007 Minnesota

    I've heard the same about BCBS. I was never a fan.
     
    #77 joelwlcx, Dec 12, 2014
  18. Graffy

    Graffy Pundit (774) Jan 10, 2014 California
    Trader

    Second that. "Whales" are relative though. For me that includes beers like DBH, BVDL, Westly, BA Abraxes etc. For people who trade rare international lambics those are extras in trades. A league I have no desire to ever play in
     
    #78 Graffy, Dec 12, 2014
  19. joelwlcx

    joelwlcx Initiate (0) Apr 23, 2007 Minnesota

    I guess it's true. Those grapes ARE sour...
     
    #79 joelwlcx, Dec 12, 2014
  20. 4kbrianb

    4kbrianb Initiate (0) Jan 2, 2013 California


    That league sounds expensive if you ask me. Their euro lambics are my gueuze tilquin's or something haha
     
    #80 4kbrianb, Dec 12, 2014
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