107 Cases Made = 1284 bottles, 6 bottles per person, really tasty beer. 13 Malts, 13 hops, 11% alcohol and should cellar for some time. Liked it much better than I expected to right now, very dark boozy beer with a nice hop profile. Was around 6th in line, and first person to purchase bottles, grabbed couple of glasses of it and quite enjoyed the morning. Cheers! Jeff
I believe the lack of craziness is due to the fact that they made such a large quantity of it. And from the sounds of it, it's being distributed too.
Nevermind, I see the actual labels are different on the bottles from what were linked to in the OP. it IS 11%
I just got off work and I'm enjoying a hoptimum out on my deck. Is it worth heading over to bottleworks to pick some of this up? Is it that good?
Where did you hear it's going to be distributed? I'm not doubting your info, if its from a reliable source, but it would surprise me. Generally the Bottlworks Anniversary beers are only sold at Bottlworks, unless something is different this year. Cheers! Jeff
Just walked over there, had a glass, picked up 3 bottles (1 for me to drink, 1 for me to cellar, and 1 for a friend) $6.99 a bottle?!?!!? Incredible deal in my opinion. What a great Seattle day.
Yeah, for a beer that tasted that good, and is that strong, I was very pleased with the price. On a tasting note, did anyone get an initial off flavor, kind of like plastic or acetone? It was only in about half my sips, but it was distracting. I'm sure it would go away with some time but it definetly prevented me from being COMPLETELY blown away by it.
I did get a slight phenolic a couple of times, but I'm usually over-sensitive to phenols so I thought it was either just me or something imparted by the yeast they used. I didn't find that it took away from the beer as a whole, though. Agree with the others above, at this price point, this is a phenomenal beer. Cheers! Jeff
Chuck says we tried to get some here, but couldn't. Sounds like it is being distributed, but it's going to be fairly limited.
Has anyone reviewed this beer yet..? If so could someone provide the link, I'm having trouble finding the exact location for the beer. Thanks
Yeah, and I've got a photo of the bottle ready to submit. But I haven't reviewed it, and won't until I can sit down w/ a bottle, there's too much going on w/ this beer to write a review after the fact.
Cool, I would agree that this beer is very complex, can't wait a year or so to see what the age will do to it also..
I assume BW won't supply to its competitors ( In Seattle) so its more likely to get to Portland or somewhere.
You're sure about that are you? I've never seen such competitiveness between players in the local craft beer business and if it shows up elsewhere besides Stone, competition isn't likely to be a factor.
I inferred the same thing earlier. The lack of enthusiasm is stunning. How good is this beer? I left half a bottle open overnight and finished it off the next day. It still blew me away. Absolutely delicious, complex, everything to look for in a great beer that will get only better in time.
Probably because it's from Stone... Speaking of which, I wonder if we'll have the opportunity to get/try it at the Bistro?
I like it actually. It is complex for sure, and has alot going on with it. As much as big stouts and other beers go on this site, i would think there would be a big interest. Maybe when the bros get a posting up for the reviews of the beer, that it will get more noticed. I think the fact that Stone brewed this beer, people are scared. I kind of was, I mean in my eyes Stone is kind of mediocre. They did a wonderful job on this one though.
In the past I think the breweries have always held on to some for local consumption. Got to check out the Stone Bistro during a recent trip to SD, that is a pretty nice setup. Seemed like kind of a random location (so is Lost Abbey) but good food and a general vibe very in keeping with Stone's image.
No I am not "sure" about that. That is why I said I "assume". As for competitiveness, it might not necessarily be to do with the actual brewers but more the distributors, and their favorite accounts (or the accounts that make the most money for them).
It's up to BAs to put up the beer - not the Bros. Whoever reviews it first has to add the beer first. Anyone can do it.
I've been waiting for you to do the honors I can't even figure out what style it is and I can't get any straight answers.
After you, I insist. You post the review, I'll submit the photo. I'm pretty sure I'd classify it as an American strong ale though (could be an American barleywine I guess), and if I were to create the listing I'd probably use arabic numerals rather than roman, as that's how it's written on the bottle: Bottleworks 13th Anniversary Ale.
Yah, when RR (Deviation), new Belgium (BW X) or the Bruery (BW XII) makes it...wait till next year when Cascade makes it...my advice....drink it yourself and enjoy it, cellar it for future enjoyment, or hook up regular trading partners and share the wealth!
I agree. I know next to nothing about cellaring, but my first impression when I tasted it was that time could do some very interesting things with this one. Could be a ridiculous whale in 3 years' time, or it might completely fall apart. In any case, at $7 a bottle the cost-benefit potential looks pretty favorable. (Hastening to clarify, I'm not talking about "beer as an investment" here, I'm talking strictly about personal enjoyment and/or sharing w/ fellow beer connoisseurs...)
