2021 Bourbon County Classic Cola Stout

 Beer Of The Day: 2021 Bourbon County Classic Cola Stout

Why would anyone spend that kind of money for beer, the great international proletarian intoxicator?

Who would drink beer that doesn't look, taste, smell, or feel like Your Daddy's Beer?

Who has the answers?

To paraphrase Kris Kristofferson's character in the 70's remake of A Star Is Born, "I don't even understand the questions..."  

But I know what I like. I like a big, bold, barrel aged, thick, almost syrupy imperial stout. The great modern Winter Warmer. A hearty feet up by the fire with the dog on the rug a fire in the fireplace and a glass in your hand kind of drink. We're not slaking a thirst, we're satisfying a crave.

Goose Island made it's mark introducing us to these complex and powerful barrel aged stouts. Many have followed in their footsteps, but I still expect great things from them (complexities of corporate ownership notwithstanding. Make good tasting beer, I'll drink it.)

Having had the opportunity to spend some heard earned dough on the entire 2021 lineup, I convinced myself to take keyboard in hand a record this year's BCBS results. First up, the "Cola Stout".

By the numbers:  BOTD: 2021 Bourbon County Classic Cola Stout

Goose Island Brewing, Chicago, IL. 
https://www.gooseisland.com/
Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout with lime and orange juice and zest, coriander, cassia bark, nutmeg, brown sugar, and vanilla
2021 BCBS Variant
Available in 16.9 oz. bottles
14% ABV

Like all Barrel Aged beers, this is not highly carbonated. It pours nearly black, with a vestigial head, brown at the edges when held up to light, opaque due to its density despite its clarity. Those of you familiar with the base BCBS will find it immediately familiar, with bourbon/oak notes over a dark stout base. I'm not picking up the spices, or am I? A sip tells more. Sweet, rich, viscous, coating one's palate with stouty goodness. Because I know this is a variant, I am looking for the "Cola spices", but if this was a blind test, would I taste them? I'm not entirely sure. To be certain, this is a good Barrel Aged Stout, full stop. But for me the Cola-ness is not coming through strongly. Of course, Cola is dark, sweet, etc...

It is a great winter warmer and worthy of the BCBS label. But if you're looking for a unique and distinctive flavor, well, stay tunes. We have more variants to sample.

Untappd Rating - 4.05

My Rating - 4.50

Prost! 

Beer of the Day: Big Bad Baptista

BOTD: Big Bad Baptista
Epic Brewing, Salt Lake City. UT
https://www.epicbrewing.com/

Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout with Vanilla, Cinnamon, Mexican coffee and cacao nibs
2018 Special Release
Available in 22oz. bombers.
11.8% ABV

An Unconventional Christmas Ale?
At this time of year, as the days grow short, the shadows long, and anticipation of holiday goodness prevails, we often turn to those richer, sweeter ales. Christmas specialty ales make their appearance, winter lagers are on the shelf, and spices not sen the rest of the year intrude on our palates. 

I say break the mold. Declare independence from traditional Christmas spiced ales and cozy up to a snifter of Big Bad Baptista. Building on the solid base of their Big Bad baptist Imperial Stout, this big beer adds just the right amount of  Vanilla and  Cinnamon, softened by its long winter's nap in whiskey barrels. Extra spices makes it a Christmas Ale, no?

Poured from the bomber into a 12 oz snifter at ~ 50 deg. F or warmer, and only half full - let it warm and breathe - you first encounter the cacao and vanilla aroma as it pours black with a dark brown head, and little residual carbonation, as you would expect for a dark BA ale.

Taking that first sip reveals the stout malt base layered with coffee, cacao, and cinnamon, slightly sweet, and subtle oak touches. It is viscous but not oily, with a rich mouthfeel. It seems slightly warming after a few sips. 

...and then I found myself in my easy chair pouring the last drops into the snifter...

While this is the season of Sharing, don't be surprised if you find yourself finishing this yourself. Not overly filling, but beware its 10+% ABV. Better yet, invite a friend over to share.

Just not too much ;-)..

Untappd Rating - 4.35
My Rating - 4.25

Prost! and a very Merry Christmas and blessed New Year of Great Beer to you all.

Do you like your Bourbon County? Read on....

Always up for some BCBS News:
lhttps://mybeerbuzz.blogspot.com/2018/07/goose-island-adding-2018-bourbon-county.html

Illinois Craft Beer Week

News You Can Use: Illinois Craft Beer Week.

Be fearless. Go out and do some Research.

And remember, "The difference between screwing around and science is writing it down." (Adam Savage)

http://www.chicagotribune.com/dining/ct-food-illinois-craft-beer-week-picks-2018-story.html

Prost!

Beer Of The Day: Short Fuse Bee-33

BOTD: Short Fuse Bee-33
Short Fuse Brewing Company (Schiller Park, IL)
( https://www.shortfusebrewing.com/ )

"Triple" IPA
11% ABV

Triple IPA? I have seen this label pop up more, recently. According to the BJCP* officially as a style...it doesn't exist./ A Double IPA"....Bigger than either an English or American IPA in both alcohol strength and overall hop level (bittering and finish). Less malty, lower body, less rich and a
greater overall hop intensity than an American Barleywine...."

So if by it's measurable and observable characteristics, why the "Triple" label? If double is 10%, wouldn't triple be 15? Shouldn't the hop nose and flavor be powerful enough to require a biohazard protocol?

Well, as in other Triple experiences, prepare for disappointment if your expectations are for a  Lupulin Overdose leading to a Transformative Hop  Experience.

That doesn't mean it's not a good beer.....

In this case, the team from Schiller Park has done a nice job on what is essentially a DIPA in a way that is unique and enjoyable.

Poured from a can into a 16 oz pint glass, the beer pours clear golden with an average white foamy head. The aroma is not particularly hoppy, and has some notes I can only ascribe to the honey component of the "malt" bill. The flavor is surprisingly light, slightly sweet, with a mildly bitter finish. Not currently listed on the Short Fuse web site, Beer Advocate says the ABV is 11%, which is either incorrect, or it hides its gravity quite well. There is no noticeable alcohol burn, and the body is light. Far from being the malt+hop bomb I expected, it is actually quite a nice thirst quenching beer with modest DIPA character. If you see it, pick up a four pack and tell me what you think. Perhaps "Lawnmower IPA" will be picked up as an official style by the BJCP.....

My Rating: 4 / 5
Untapp[d: 3.76 / 5

Prost!

*Beer Judging Certification Program, a body that trains tasters and tracks and documents "official" beer styles. Like the dictionary and new words, something that becomes common enough for long enough will eventually be adopted as "official" and its expected characteristics documented.

Science: Newton's third law made this inevitable

http://beerstreetjournal.com/against-the-grain-any-ipa/

Beer Of The Day: B.A. Lord Humongous

BOTD: B.A. Lord Humongous
Imperial Oak Brewing (Willow Springs, IL)
( http://www.imperialoakbrewing.com/ )

Barral-Aged Barleywine
11 % ABV
$15/22oz Bomber - taproom only.

"Barleywine aged for 1 year in Woodford Reserve Bourbon barrels. The base beer brings malty, toffee and dark fruit flavors that blend with vanilla, oak, and tropical fruits from the barrels"

Admit it. You hear Lord Humungus, this is where you go......

Licensing being what it is, they went here:

A fat dude with a snifter. Whatevs.....

Don't let that put you off the beer. It is totally worthy of the top photo....if you can get one. Thanks to my loving and faithful beer mule / spouse, I was able to get at least one (or more bottles of this year old, Woodford Reserve Bourbon Barrel Aged barley wines. This is the beer equivalent of a bacon cheeseburger with extra bacon, if done right. And it was.

Pours dark brown, cloudy, very little tan head, quickly dissipates like most barrel-aged beers.

Modest carbonation.  Nose is bourbon barrel, a good sign, oak and rich malt. Tastes caramel-ly, good balance of sweetness and bitterness for an X-treme style. Medium bodies, rich mouthfeel. Starts sweet and finishes slightly bitter.

If you can find a bottle, invite a friend and have some. It is worth your investment. And if the wasteland warriors find you and demand your beer rather than your guzzeline, drain it and flip them off. Max would.

My Rating: 4.5 / 5

Untappd: 4.25 / 5

Prost!