The Beer Thread

[JL21]

BCBS

What is this?

EDIT: Never mind, I got it.

I have a friend in the bar business who's going to hook me up. But I've heard stories about how scarce it is and hard to get ahold of. Kind of like the Perennial Abraxas here, but obviously on a much bigger scale.

[Freed Roger]

Kind of like the Perennial Abraxas here, but obviously on a much bigger scale.

Twin Oaks taunts me with the prospect of Perennial Abraxas on their board. But it is always juuusst sold out....I think they actually had it one time two years ago, and keep it up on the list for pavlovian response.

Mentioned before, but this was pretty good on tap at a pub in Grafton IL. Goofy name(which means we don't have to worry about jim trying/disliking it), but goo-ood.
http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/192/130576/
It appears Perennial partners with New Belgium on it for the Lips of Faith series

Also, that place hadAle Asylum Big Slick Stout on tap which is quite good and reminds me, I better text my wife to update the beer wishlist.
http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/13837/31266/

[33anda3rd]

BCBS

What is this?

EDIT: Never mind, I got it.

I have a friend in the bar business who's going to hook me up. But I've heard stories about how scarce it is and hard to get ahold of. Kind of like the Perennial Abraxas here, but obviously on a much bigger scale.

That's the best way to get it.

I would think BCBS is one of the 2-3 most culty/sought-after/oft-traded beers in the world, up there with Cantillon stuff. Adam Vavrick buys for Binny's Lincoln Park. His biggest invoice every year is his BCBS order from Lakeshore. Last year he tweeted a photo of himself sitting atop a pyramid/throne of BCBS. People (read: people like me) lost their minds over allocations, etc. Why the hell is Adam allowed to buy a freaking mountain of BCBS and I can't get a single barrel, a single case of bombers?

Now, I just don't give a [expletive]. There are other beers. This year Pipeworks took the FoBAB medal for Strong Porter/Stout, first time BCBS hasn't won that category at FoBAB maybe ever. 4 Hands took Bronze with a really truly amazing barrel aged Bonafide. BCBS doesn't have that sheen for me anymore. It's awesome, it really is, but it's like your hometown basketball team winning their 3rd straight title--it's not as exciting as the first time. I get a couple cases as gifts from the distributor, a brand ambassador here and there, some of the brewers I know. Most of it, I'll pour out to regulars or give to staff. A little bit of it I'll put in the basement with my other stouts and barleywines I have aging. It's nice. It's not worth sleeping on a sidewalk overnight on Thanksgiving.

[33anda3rd]

Also, yeah, it's kinda like Abraxas, but it's more like Corey's Side Project stuff. He basically doesn't even need to box it, he just says when it's on sale and people like up and it's gone that day. It's like a Side Project release, just exponentially bigger and in multiple cities across the US.

[Freed Roger]

Dundee Stout is pretty good, especially since it is a lower cost brand. It was either that or Bud & Coors products that night.
It has a hint of a sweetness, which I admittedly prefer over tough guy Irish stouts and porters.

[JL21]

Twin Oaks taunts me with the prospect of Perennial Abraxas on their board. But it is always juuusst sold out....

Probably because I'm the one drinking the entire keg.

For my money, that bartender dude who works there knows as much about beer as any other bartender in the city.

[Freed Roger]

Twin Oaks taunts me with the prospect of Perennial Abraxas on their board. But it is always juuusst sold out....

Probably because I'm the one drinking the entire keg.

For my money, that bartender dude who works there knows as much about beer as any other bartender in the city.

After drinking all that 10%er Abraxas, he can pass anything he wants off on you like gospel.

[33anda3rd]

Tell me more of this Twin Oaks. Is it TwinOak Wood Fired Pizza and BBQ in Brentwood?

[JL21]

Tell me more of this Twin Oaks. Is it TwinOak Wood Fired Pizza and BBQ in Brentwood?

Yep.

It's nothing special. But they do a great job with their 8 taps. The bartender is great. The owner/owners are huge douchenozzles. I do like the food but I wouldn't really make it a destination.

[Freed Roger]

Sum betch, I could have had that Bourbon County on tap too last time I was at this place in Grafton. Scrolling down their beer list, looks like it is still there. I really appreciate a place that puts some care and consideration to their selections, no matter how much tap and cooler space they have.

Funny, they said the two beers they have to keep on tap all the time are Blue Moon, and something called Fruli.

My Goose Island anti-establishment prejudice narrowed my worldview. plus not wanting to wait an hour to shake that beer for a drive home. Oh well, heading back that way again soon.

Also, on IL side of river, I notice Excel (the place that makes the great cane-sugar SKI sodas) has expanded it's brewery selections. So far, I haven't liked anything from there, but will have to give it another go.

Anybody give Crown Valley beers a try?