Your Own Personal White Whale

I just want some Heady..

 

Tahoe Mountain Recolte Du Bois Peach

 

Would love to try any of the Toppling Goliath stouts just to see what they're all about. King Henry is also on the list for me

 

I don't think I have one White Whale that would be above everything, but a White Whale experience for me would to have a vertical tasting of one of the most coveted stouts out there. Fresh through 5 years old or so. We're talking Dark Lord, KBS, BCBS, The Abyss, etc. If I had the opportunity to vertical taste a world-class stout, doesn't matter if its BBA or not, I'd be very happy. I did a tasting of Stone's RIS 2009 vs. 2014 last year, and that was probably the best tasting experience I've had (and I was the one with the willpower to age it!)

 

Don Quijote I suppose, Ann by HF...

 

Here is one out of left field for you all: My personal white whale is a homebrew that I made back in 2012. Imperial porter brewed with a ridiculous amount of chocolate malt that sat on vanilla beans and bourbon soaked oak cubes for a few months then bottle conditioned for a few more.

When I drank it, I knew it was good but I guess I didn't much care for the style. So I had a couple and gave the rest away. All of them.

Fast forward to 2015, had a friend that forgot one of the bottles in the back of his cellar pop one at a tasting. A-fuckin-mazing brew. Most of them that I handed out have been consumed, but I know of one that still exists up in Michigan. He said he wouldn't trade it back for anything. Can't say I blame him.

 

KBBS, Mornin' Delight, BA Vanilla Dark Lord

 

I don't think I have one anymore.
Edit: Okay, Ballantine Burton Ale, new incarnation.

 

Since I knocked Pliny the Elder and Westvleteren 12 off the list I would have to say it would be Dark Lord Imperial Stout.

 

In the past year I've managed to knock a few off my list thanks to some trading, and a few friends being generous. Nothing crazy, but here it is:

Atrial Rubicite
Mother of All Storms
Anything Cantillon, I had the Kriek
CBS
Vanilla Rye
Marshall Zhukov
just to name a few

Still got a few in my sights:
Assassin and SR-71
Prop'14 (got a buddy with a bottle and we've agreed to do a coconut beer tasting and this is his contribution)
More JK fruits
More Cantillon
Westy 12 (just pulled the trigger and bought some from BIAB)

 

King Sue... I have no idea when they brew it but I'll drive 2.5 hours down to Decorah to get it dammit.

 

Go to Falling Rock Taphouse if you still haven't had it the next time you're in Colorado, they almost always have it on tap...just gotta ask for it

 

My WW, FFF Deliliah's 20th Anniversary. I know it doesn't get stellar reviews, but my first apartment in Chicago was right next to this bar and I love that place.

 

Heady, Westy 12, and Pliny the Younger. Classics but haven't gotten a chance.

 

If you're ever in CHS, Westbrook has it available at their tasting room for $115...

 

Flying down on the 30th, hoping they still have it!

 

Soooo...make it again!

 

The tasting room has a really impressive selection of older BAMC. You won't be disappointed...providing you come armed with plenty of cash.

 

Pliny the Younger. I came within one pour of getting a taste several years back at Father's Office in Santa Monica. The guy in front of me got the last half-pour before the keg was officially kicked. Now I live on the East Coast; technically I could plan a trip to Philly but I doubt that'll happen.

 

Pliny the Younger. Haven't been able to visit CA, CO, or Philly at the right time to find this one.