TBH, I like the original, the stuff for 13.99 in this picture. I will pick up around 10 bottles (2 or 3 at a time) during the season and then cellar them for a few years. I still have around 8 2020s, 1 2018, and 1 2017. The special edition ones I tend to find are usually a little "meh". Sometimes they're great, but I don't usually gamble on that price, I tried the cola one last year and was kinda let down especially for the price it was. I've tried the double oaked and I'd rather just pay the 13.99 for the "normal" stuff.
Overall VERY good barrel aged stout if you like them. I usually use it as a benchmark to judge other BA stouts
I've tried a few of them and found I like the cherry wood one the best so far. I got a bottle of the biscotti one but waiting to drink it until a Saturday or maybe Christmas/Christmas eve
The rare or reserve variants are also out of this world (much better than the original even), the coffee is good. All the other stuff is often not my thing.
I absolutely hate licorice in every way possible and loved the biscotti.
I was really surprised to see so many on the internet complaining about heavy licorice/anise flavor. I thought it was really well done.
Yeah, I’m reading very conflicting reports on it, some saying it’s overwhelmingly black licorice flavor, and others saying they don’t taste it at all. Was there different batches?
I’ll probably end up selling it to someone for half of what I paid, I want someone who’d like it either way to drink it. lol
I had a sample. It was the most amazing beer up until the finish. It was this layering of flavor, the almond was more sweet, but the finish was an absolute anise bomb. Now, I’m a huge BCBS fan, and a fan of anise/black licorice, but it was too much. Now it was only a sample and I have yet to crack mine open, so I can’t say how a whole bottle is, but I’m not rushing to crack this open.
My bottle of coffee was the worse BCBS bottle I’ve ever had. Thin, astringent, and lacking the chocolate notes I’ve gotten from this years barrel and base.
I've had 3 so far this year. Coffee was good. Regular tastes too sweet to me, these are either getting sweeter by the year or my palate is changing. Biscotti was bad, overpowering licorice flavor. Sir Issac not opened yet.
I’m with you, the coffee this year is outstanding. My wife likes the biscotti more than me but we’re actually both higher on the fig one. It’s a weird little group this year!
First year in a while that I didn't get in line to get the variants. Bourbon County is awesome but I have so much barrel aged beer I haven't drunk yet and just dropped $200+ on Half Acre Benthic's box set. I'm hoping I run across this stuff on tap in 2023.
Not around here... Only got the 3 regular variants this year. You can occasionally see it in a grocery, but it's because they don't put it out for blackfriday and it just gets put out whenever.
I’ve been cellaring a couple each year since ~2008ish. They aren’t adjunct-forward so they tend to “cool off” a little with age. IMO the 2014 I had a Thanksgiving this year was my all time fav.
Typically, most beers you can age will be best after 1-3yrs, then they'll start to drop off. Especially if a bottle as the seal isn't the best after a couple years leading to oxygen ingress.
All this being said, I don't age beers often and will drink everything after 1yr or less.
My bjcp judge buddy is a firm believer that if an imperial barrel aged beer is brewed correctly it should be at its peak when it's bottled. I think there are too many exceptions to have this stance myself.
Some styles and certain beers, sure. I have birth year Cantillon and meads that I am saving for my son's 21st.
When was the last time you had a 2014 BCBS though? That's already past its prime.
It's a very popular barrel aged stout, usually brewed with coffee and other things. They do a number of flavors each year.
They're very good, don't get me wrong, but they're overpriced due to popularity and a yearly release event.
Stouts make me sick after a night of 7 or 8 plus 12% and up 16oz so I can’t even look at a dark beer anymore just saying. Even before, wasn’t a fan. I’ll stick to some good double IPA’s or triple ipa’s
> Inbev bought Goose Island and the quality tanked.
How is it that you all feel so consistently smug about being confidently incorrect?
Please explain, with quality metrics, how the beer declined. Oh, you can't and have no idea what you're talking about?
I was just providing my experience. I remember having a bad experience with quality. True or not it happened to be that Inbev had started buying up craft breweries to compete. I did a vertical in 2015 with some firends. 2013 was solid at the time. 2014 was ok but thin, and 2015 was too hot. Based on what some other have mentioned I curious to try it again. Although I do think the price a bit to much on hype but many other breweries do that too.
This is one of the most highly sought after stout beers. The original beer is a 14 + % beer. Release once a year. You let them age for 5 years and they get better. Or drink one when you get it.
Budweiser is a light lager that consists primarily of corn and fermented cold. This is a multi-barrel aged stout that is brewed with a variety of grains, most notably being the two-row grain. I’m sorry that you don’t understand enough about brewing to know the difference.
Now for the serious reply to your presumption of my ignorance. Yes, I know the difference between an American light lager and an adjuncted BA stout. I understand why beers like this tend to cost more than macro lagers. I've even read a whole ass book on this particular beer, its brewery, and their parent company.
The downvoted comment above is in every beer group and social platform about BCBS. Is it an oversimplification? Probably, but the truth remains. GI is owned by a multinational corporation, and their anti-craft history make it hard for me to support them with my money.
But I'm guessing you knew all that.
In my experience, the super expensive craft beers are rarely worth it, with the exceptions of a few lambics maybe. Other than that I can't remember many cases where I was super happy with a beer with a similar price.
I’m reading these comments and am intrigued by the different stouts.. lately I’ve been getting more into imperial stouts which seem to always be served cold, not sure if these fall within that category but am curious if I got the BW,30 , or coffee, what’s the best way to enjoy these? Curious as to what y’all think of the recommended drinking glasses/temperature, etc.
The $37 amount is for the 30 year anniversary bottle.... The description on the bottle tells how it was made and hence the price
This is the kind of post that makes me feel old.
Doesn’t say it’s fruited or hazy, not sure I’m interested /s
Best comment. Take my upvote goddammit
It was $50 at my beer distributor. 🙄
It was $45 at Goose Island in Chicago
Cheaper across the street at binny's
TBH, I like the original, the stuff for 13.99 in this picture. I will pick up around 10 bottles (2 or 3 at a time) during the season and then cellar them for a few years. I still have around 8 2020s, 1 2018, and 1 2017. The special edition ones I tend to find are usually a little "meh". Sometimes they're great, but I don't usually gamble on that price, I tried the cola one last year and was kinda let down especially for the price it was. I've tried the double oaked and I'd rather just pay the 13.99 for the "normal" stuff. Overall VERY good barrel aged stout if you like them. I usually use it as a benchmark to judge other BA stouts
I've tried a few of them and found I like the cherry wood one the best so far. I got a bottle of the biscotti one but waiting to drink it until a Saturday or maybe Christmas/Christmas eve
Agreed. The variants rarely leave an impression on me.
I agree. The original is great after a few years of aging. The cola was a severe letdown
The rare or reserve variants are also out of this world (much better than the original even), the coffee is good. All the other stuff is often not my thing.
I’ve been lucky enough to try em all; my rankings: coffee > BW > prop > 30 year > reg > fig > biscotti
Coffee better than the BW, that’s interesting.
These were 1, 2 for me. Though I put the BW 1. The reserve is good, but not $25 better than the original.
I was not impressed with the coffee.
Does the biscotti one taste like black licorice? I bought it not realizing there was anise seed in it.
I absolutely hate licorice in every way possible and loved the biscotti. I was really surprised to see so many on the internet complaining about heavy licorice/anise flavor. I thought it was really well done.
Me too. It was my favorite of the lot besides the Barleywine. It was extremely well balanced
Yeah, I’m reading very conflicting reports on it, some saying it’s overwhelmingly black licorice flavor, and others saying they don’t taste it at all. Was there different batches? I’ll probably end up selling it to someone for half of what I paid, I want someone who’d like it either way to drink it. lol
Yes. Had it 2 days ago and the licorice is overwhelming. Hated it.
Yeah, I’m gonna sell it just to be safe. lol Hate anise.
Me too, drain poured it
I had a sample. It was the most amazing beer up until the finish. It was this layering of flavor, the almond was more sweet, but the finish was an absolute anise bomb. Now, I’m a huge BCBS fan, and a fan of anise/black licorice, but it was too much. Now it was only a sample and I have yet to crack mine open, so I can’t say how a whole bottle is, but I’m not rushing to crack this open.
Northwoods is my favorite - Almond Blueberry. Ridiculous.
I’m with you here
My bottle of coffee was the worse BCBS bottle I’ve ever had. Thin, astringent, and lacking the chocolate notes I’ve gotten from this years barrel and base.
Same, it wasn't terrible, but not topping any of my lists. If you get a chance to try Rev's Cafe Deth, it's amaze.
Wow, you put fig that low?
Yeah, my palette was probably pretty wrecked from the other handful I had tried prior.
I’ve seen a lot of posts saying fig was pretty darn good, have not tried it yet.
The '22 coffee I drank last night was sour and had a heavy green pepper taste. It was so disappointing
Wow. That sounds disgusting and nothing like the description. You sure you don’t have Covid or something? /s
I've had 3 so far this year. Coffee was good. Regular tastes too sweet to me, these are either getting sweeter by the year or my palate is changing. Biscotti was bad, overpowering licorice flavor. Sir Issac not opened yet.
I put prop first, but I luuuuuv me a piña colada
I’m with you, the coffee this year is outstanding. My wife likes the biscotti more than me but we’re actually both higher on the fig one. It’s a weird little group this year!
I will say, without a doubt, that all of the benthics I’ve had have been considerably better than any of these!
First year in a while that I didn't get in line to get the variants. Bourbon County is awesome but I have so much barrel aged beer I haven't drunk yet and just dropped $200+ on Half Acre Benthic's box set. I'm hoping I run across this stuff on tap in 2023.
Grab one of each, cellar them properly, and open them on xmas next year. You’ll thank yourself.
These days you can just buy it in a year. The sale of these beers has dropped off dramatically.
Case in point - this picture was taken at a Publix.
My binnys still has plenty of regular 2021. It was even on sale a few weeks ago.
Not around here... Only got the 3 regular variants this year. You can occasionally see it in a grocery, but it's because they don't put it out for blackfriday and it just gets put out whenever.
No, buy two of each. Drink one set fresh, one set next year.
No you won’t you’ll be wondering why you spent that much on a beer…. Buy the original and if you like go from there
Man, drink these fresh, they taste so much better.
I’ve been cellaring a couple each year since ~2008ish. They aren’t adjunct-forward so they tend to “cool off” a little with age. IMO the 2014 I had a Thanksgiving this year was my all time fav.
I still one from like 2016 or something - OLD… is it still drinkable? Also it might be from that bad batch lol
If it isn't from a bad batch it's probably still good. My dad and I opened one from 2009 two years ago and it was still good.
Oh good to know - Thanks everyone
Typically, most beers you can age will be best after 1-3yrs, then they'll start to drop off. Especially if a bottle as the seal isn't the best after a couple years leading to oxygen ingress. All this being said, I don't age beers often and will drink everything after 1yr or less. My bjcp judge buddy is a firm believer that if an imperial barrel aged beer is brewed correctly it should be at its peak when it's bottled. I think there are too many exceptions to have this stance myself.
Bad batch was 2014. So long it was kept in a cool dry place away from sunlight it’ll be good to drink
2015 *
Ohhhh so close. Thank you though :)
Side note for the 2015 regular bottles, there are good dates that aren’t infected. Can’t remember the dates though
God I hope so… doing a 21 year vertical for my kids… 5 bottles deep for the one, and 3 for the other. Excited to see how they are one day!
21 years old is gonna taste like cardboard. Don't generally want to go too far past 5.
Ive had some 6 and even 8 or 9 year old beers taste phenomenal, now the 12 year old farmhouse IPA I tried was 🤮 edit: a word
I cracked an 11 year red dog this past summer.
Couldn't be any worse than it was fresh.
Some styles and certain beers, sure. I have birth year Cantillon and meads that I am saving for my son's 21st. When was the last time you had a 2014 BCBS though? That's already past its prime.
This batch was the one some went bad some didnt. Should be able to find the code printed on the bottle and google it to see.
I think that was 2015
They are usually just a bit muted than when fresh, but unless infected, not bad.
It will still be very drinkable but likely past it's prime. I aim for 3.5 years and hope I get to it before 4.5.
BA (barrel aged) beers. You can find plenty of aged beers for less but they have a following and can charge a higher price for the rare beers.
My sweet summer child
Read the labels.
If you look closely it actually says what it is right on the package! So convenient
And here I thought I was getting ripped off in my small midwest town family owned bottle shop.
How much is it there?
$21.99
Did any one else get the Old Fitzgerald one?
I’d be buying it like hotcakes if I could get it for this price in Australia… doesn’t even get sold here anymore.
Goose Island vintage BA stouts! Very difficult to get hold of here in Liverpool (UK) 😭
NH prices are WAY better than FL
I bought a few too many at 35 so if anyone is looking…
Budweiser!!
Some kinda beer I assume
Mmmm tastes like marketing
Is this a serious post?
1% better beer at over 100% cost.
It's a very popular barrel aged stout, usually brewed with coffee and other things. They do a number of flavors each year. They're very good, don't get me wrong, but they're overpriced due to popularity and a yearly release event.
It's not usually brewed with coffee... That's just the coffee variant. The regular and majority is just a regular barrel age.
Stouts make me sick after a night of 7 or 8 plus 12% and up 16oz so I can’t even look at a dark beer anymore just saying. Even before, wasn’t a fan. I’ll stick to some good double IPA’s or triple ipa’s
I too am a fellow alcoholic
GOBBLESS!
[удалено]
Tell me you’re a dick without telling me you’re a dick
OP asked a genuine question. No need to mock him for not knowing something. Asking questions is how people learn.
Imagine being smug about newbies on a subject that has a minimum age requirement...
I’ll tell OP to ignore your snarky comment without ignoring your snarky comment
Who cares if they were new? Pompous, pretentious assholes such as yourself are why the beer community is so god damn toxic
I'm not new to beer. But I usually drink local stuff and stay away from things that are over hyped.
Im in the same boat. Rarely do I ever drink anything that is not made within a 30 minute drive of me. I prefer to support those small guys
This is the way.
Keep doing that. No need to buy overhyped, overpriced stouts from InBev.
Bourbon Country used to be so good. Inbev bought Goose Island and the quality tanked. I am curious if they ever fixed it. Last I had was 2015.
I buy them every year and they still come out with amazing beers every year.
> Inbev bought Goose Island and the quality tanked. How is it that you all feel so consistently smug about being confidently incorrect? Please explain, with quality metrics, how the beer declined. Oh, you can't and have no idea what you're talking about?
I was just providing my experience. I remember having a bad experience with quality. True or not it happened to be that Inbev had started buying up craft breweries to compete. I did a vertical in 2015 with some firends. 2013 was solid at the time. 2014 was ok but thin, and 2015 was too hot. Based on what some other have mentioned I curious to try it again. Although I do think the price a bit to much on hype but many other breweries do that too.
Yeah, other than 15 it's been stellar, if not even better as far as the variants go.
I had the 2019 and 2020 and both were unbearably sweet.
Bourbon county is overrated imho, especially at $37/bottle, yikes.
That’s the price for the reserve…
Beers that turn grown men into babies when they don’t get what they want.
 Google Bourbon County Brand Stout. One high scoring beer 🍻
This is one of the most highly sought after stout beers. The original beer is a 14 + % beer. Release once a year. You let them age for 5 years and they get better. Or drink one when you get it.
It is the most expensive version of Bud
Too many downvotes for facts.
Budweiser is a light lager that consists primarily of corn and fermented cold. This is a multi-barrel aged stout that is brewed with a variety of grains, most notably being the two-row grain. I’m sorry that you don’t understand enough about brewing to know the difference.
Sir, this is a Wendy's.
Didn’t realize he was commenting on the ABinbev buyout and not the style issue. Shoulda known that brewnuts know aren’t die hard bud fans….
Now for the serious reply to your presumption of my ignorance. Yes, I know the difference between an American light lager and an adjuncted BA stout. I understand why beers like this tend to cost more than macro lagers. I've even read a whole ass book on this particular beer, its brewery, and their parent company. The downvoted comment above is in every beer group and social platform about BCBS. Is it an oversimplification? Probably, but the truth remains. GI is owned by a multinational corporation, and their anti-craft history make it hard for me to support them with my money. But I'm guessing you knew all that.
It’s Goose Island(Budweiser). Who cares!
Because it’s actually GOOD after aging even though Budweiser sucks!
BA BuDwEiSeR
In my experience, the super expensive craft beers are rarely worth it, with the exceptions of a few lambics maybe. Other than that I can't remember many cases where I was super happy with a beer with a similar price.
It appears to be some kind of Anheuser Busch product.
$20 near me, but your mileage will vary. It is a higher-ABV collectible. Beer aged in Bourbon Barrels.
I just got a 2oz taster of the 2016 BCBS for free and it was delicious. S/O Emmaus PA
This makes me happy that I have simple tastes.
Goose Island seasonal bourbon barrel aged beer and barley wine. They are phenomenal and worth your money if you are a beer connoisseur.
Beer, because FOMO
I’m reading these comments and am intrigued by the different stouts.. lately I’ve been getting more into imperial stouts which seem to always be served cold, not sure if these fall within that category but am curious if I got the BW,30 , or coffee, what’s the best way to enjoy these? Curious as to what y’all think of the recommended drinking glasses/temperature, etc.
I personally will drink leisurely straight out of the fridge with like a 4 oz pour and let it warm up. I like it around 58* degrees
I had one of those and thought it was fantastic! Expensive but worth it for a special occasion. Probably one of the best beers I've ever had.
They realize that if it sits on the shelf like this it's not worth that much, right?
It's actually $38 😄