I think KBS retail was $5/bottle so $24 4 is super reasonable.

Have heard really good things about the vanilla noir, and taking a flier on one overpriced bottle is something I have a definite weakness for. I haven't had many prairie stouts but all the ones I have had have been top notch.

Just picked up a bba Rasputin, but haven't opened yet.

Had a couple last News at 11 beers last night:

PM Dawn with Cold Brew- I guess this year's version is just a regular version with no special Barrington or whatever coffee? Thought this was strong but mildly disappointing. Maybe I am spoiled by aggressively pursuing some of the "top" BA Stouts this year (BCBS Reg and Coffee, Prairie Bomb, Big Bad Baptist) but this tasted a little thin and sharp in terms of viscosity and I thought the coffee notes were a bit overpowering. Would love to age it if not for the coffee.*

JA Kiwi Rising - Extremely good. Not sure if balanced is the right adjective but I take a sip of this and it is packed with citrus flavors so much so that I briefly think it's almost too much then I put it down and instantly want more. Really enjoyable drink, ranks up there with almost any Trillium beer I have had so far and the price in my area is pretty great ($10.95/4pk).*


Still have some NS Bennington, Pot & Kettle, Day and Night and DDH Fort Point to crack over the holidays...

I don't think KBS is available right now in my area or it would be top of my list to hunt down.

*got no clue wtf I am talking about

Have not had the pairie vanilla noir yet but like above, every other pairie I've had has been spot on. I would take a flier there.

The 2016 KBS this year was prolly my least favorite over the past few years versions of KBS. But it is still definitely well worth the $24/4 pack. 4.5/5 rating for me. If I saw it at my local store I'd snap buy it and be very pleased.

Lizard of Koz may have been my least favorite beer I've had all year long. I'm by no means a beer snob and will drink anything twice but this one was just plain not good imho.

I bought two Lizard of Koz's because when I saw it I thought "ZOMG I've heard of that!"...After tasting the first one and hating it I am gonna age/forget about the other one in my basement for a few decades and see what happens. Hopefully the Robitussin notes go away and a wild BCBS emerges

Beer experts,

Thx for feedback. Def passing on the koz.

My WF didn't have he KBS but I had my sister grab me a 4-pack from Berkeley location where she saw it.

Also struck out on the vanilla noir, which I def want to try. I love prairie in general, but I've been underwhelmed by some of the bomb variants (original is my fave). And we get too much prairie stuff out here to try everything.

Stopped in to target for some other stuff, and almost grabbed these.

WF is selling this for $22, so I'll def have to grab a pair.

Couldn't leave WF empty handed:

The dogfish head sounded pretty good for $15. Drinking now it's nice and chocolatey with a bit of smoky coffee flavor. Maybe a tad on the sweet side. Solid stuff but nothing amazing. Loved the previous tusk and grain I tried, so had to pick up this Brandy barrel aged coffee porter for $12. Picked up a bomber of Coconut victory at sea for $7.50 but then remembered spider's review and put it back.

Speaking of spider, spider - should I get both of these?


Oh yeah, great deal on game of thrones beer - free GoT glass!

I'm much more of an ipa hoppy guy than stouts and porters but I've concluded the BA craze just isn't for me.

I like a stout better on its own for what it is. That said a couple local NJ stouts/porters that are fantastic are Epitome by Carton and Morning Bell by Kane. Delicious especially in the cold weather months

lol at WF's Old Rasputin pricing - it's like they're throwing darts at a wall, they're selling 500ml bottles but somehow the wheel of stickers landed on "Craft Beer 22oz bottle - $14.99" for that one.

Speaking of WF, El D...

I read on BA that this is available in Whole Foods (and other stores, incl Bevmo) in the bay, go grab some! I'm in the SD area for the holidays and got three six-packs (so, 216oz) for just under $50. It's unreal how cheap that beer is priced, it's delicious.

Goofy,

The craft beer random price wheel is at target. WF always gets max value for their beers!

I got a bunch of that high westified at WF last year, but have not seen it at mine this year, and I'm there prob 3x/week.

El D,

Those Lindemans are two of the best deals out there for true Belgian Gueze and Kriek - both are very solid beers. I'd buy all the Kriek they had at that price, but it doesn't show up around me all that much.

Also big +1 to the High Westfield love. It's interesting to compare them with Goose Island in regards to BCBS. Both were acquired by a big guy (although only 50% in Lagunitas' case) and one dramatically lowered price on their barrel aged coffee stout, while the other dramatically raised the price.

Goofy,

Hmm didn't realize it was just in six-packs this year, was mainly just scanning the bombers. Will swing by tonight and take another look. Gonna be annoyed I grabbed the DFH for $15 if the high westified is available for a similar price.

Edit: thanks, maybe, I'll def grab some of both then.

hmm, i guess i'm the only one who actually liked Koz? Loved it actually. All you people who want to drain pour yours, PM me for my address.

I didn't think it was terrible, I just generally prefer my specialty/flavored beers to be a bit more subtle. I enjoy hints, not punches in the face. Finished my bottle so unfortunately I can't send you one! Cheers

It feels like part of a longer-term brand strategy or something for Lagunitas - their beers have always been fairly cheap. Like, they sell an imperial stout and a cappuccino stout (both >9%) in bombers that I usually see going for, like, $5? And the cappuccino stout in particular is delicious, comparable beers usually go for double that.

But... Bourbon county was cheap for 4 years after goose island was acquired.

Yup, exactly this. I had a Cantillon Kriek a couple of nights ago that was great, but wasn't obviously better than the Cuvee Rene Kriek I had a few weekends ago. A friend of mine really likes Krieks, so hopefully soon we'll do a tasting so I can compare one to another, rather than trying to rely on my memory.

Yeah, the cappuccino stout is really, really good. Obviously great value.

I'm going to Jester King tomorrow, haven't had anything from there before, anything I have to try?

I don't know a ton, but the Spon 3 was excellent at fobab, and apparently people are generally losing their **** about it.

had coconut VaS last night on draft and thought it was fine. Wouldn't want to drink more than one or 2, but would order again.

Beautiful place and great beer. Looking at their on-site menu for the weekend, I'd also go for the Spon (also there are different variations available outside, if it's nice out). Can't wait to get back there, may have to book a trip soon.

BA Stout fans,

This sounds amazing to me:
https://hardywood.com/beers/kentucky-christmas-morning/
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/26753/200758/

Hardywood Kentucky Christmas Morning is liquid proof that good things come to those who wait. Our original Gingerbread Stout takes an initial transformation through months of aging in Kentucky bourbon barrels, reaching new levels of maturity with layers of vanilla, coconut, and toasted oak. Before bottling, the barrel aged stout is cold filtered through heaps of freshly cracked locally roasted coffee beans, showcasing the nostalgic joys of Christmas Morning.

The non-BA version sounds pretty awesome too:
https://hardywood.com/beers/christmas-morning/
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/26753/149592/

Hardywood Christmas Morning lends a cheerfully heightened decadence to our Gingerbread Stout through deep conditioning on locally roasted Mexican Chiapas coffee beans from Black Hand Coffee Co. Hints of sweet honey and oven baked gingerbread greet the comforting nuances of freshly brewed morning coffee in this imperial milk stout.

Anyone had this stuff?

Spon, Spon variants and that Red Atrial collab beer seem to be all the rage on the trading forums. I have a Spon blend 1 and blend 4 I haven't cracked yet, excited to try, will pop those open at shares after the holidays.

El D, those two beers are really good beers, go for them (and the BA Rasputin, what a price!), Boon Gueze is another go-to shelfie for me.

It's been discussed in this thread how good Speedway Stout is. I've been saving this bottle for a bit and figure Xmas eve is as good as ever to open it. Hammerhead SS. It's even more smooth and velvety than the original plus some espresso. Can't believe it's 12%.

Apparently there's just a beer area of SD? I'm going g to be in Miramar in about an hour, where alesmith, ballast point, mikkeler (collaboration with alesmith), and like 5 other brewery taprooms are all within 2 miles.

Sd/ca locals: If I can only hit one, which one should i do?

Cit,

Not mikkeler sd, I've been underwhelmed by their beers.

I've never been to breweries in sd, but just based on beer I'd go to ballast point from that list. I hear lots of good things about visiting stone.

I think modern times is currently making the best beer in SD, but I don't know if you can get their limited NE style ipas at the brewery or tasting room.

Looks pretty close to ballast point though.