Those of you who've done the fantasy league with me know I'm only the most amateur of beer collectors. Even when it comes to Bourbon Country from my own city I have a few questions.
(1) Did GI release more barleywine than BCS this year? and/or
(2) Did more places get their hands on barleywine?
I've seen barleywine - and NO stout - at places I didn't expect to see it like one-off liquor stores and two chains, Carnival foods and Jewel-Osco.
(3) What's a good price to pay for any of the Bourbon Counties and what's ridiculous? I saw 2016 BCS at only one place I went and it was $15.99/bottle. At the four places I saw 2016 barleywine, it ranged from $11.99 to $17.99. I saw 2015 Rare at one place and it was $79.99/bottle.
I know about as much as you about this, I think, but that won't stop me from speculating!
I don't think they released more barleywine, I think a lot of people just prefer the regular BCS over the barleywine. I definitely saw people passing on the barleywine at Whole Foods when that was the only variant they had.
Those prices sound about right. It was about $10/bottle for BCS at Binny's and Whole Foods, but I'm sure smaller shops are charging more, especially now that we're further from the release date. And yeah, the rare was definitely a lot more.
I think the regular BCS and barleywine are both mass releases this year. I've bought them at Walgreens and Grand & Western. The BCS should be $9.99 and the barleywine $12.99. I wouldn't pay much more than that.
Yup, all true above. The Rare was $60 last year and impossible to get. I hear it got re released in mass recently and ranges in price. It's obviously not as rare anymore, but still a baller bottle to bring to a bottle share and will have great trading power, especially outside Chicago
Saw this yesterday at Binnys Grand. Guessing it's probably still there today. Probably as good a price as you will find, though as for if it is worth it, I think that is entirely your call.
While I wouldn't pay $70 for a bottle of beer, I'm more than happy to drink someone else's.
My office is right by there and I'm really tempted to go grab a bottle…but not $70 tempted.
Note to self - Take Jeff "Dragon's Milk" Whelpley off the bottle share invite list...
Haha! I'll trade a 2016 Dragon's Milk for the BCS Rare.
Good to know. Thanks for the answers to my question, everyone!
I know there are probably better beers out there but I had Rare at FOBAB 2015 and I really liked it. I kept getting back in line for it (luckily the GI line at FOBAB moves quickly). I don't know why I was so amazed by it; and, I'm not so amazed that I'll pay $70/bottle (I can't remember the last time I paid $70 for any single item, let alone food/drink).
But, yeah, RIch, go ahea and grab a few bottles for the next CHAOS meeting! I'll definitely drink up!
Good find Rich. Reed and I were at the Binny's on Grand yesterday and got 3 bottles of Rare. Because I have no friends and keep telling myself that whalez will fill the empty shell inside, but they never do.
To answer the original question:
The lineup this year for Bourbon County was Stout, Barleywine, Coffee, and Proprietors.
Stout is by far the most common variant, and has a retial price of $9.99.
Barleywine is next most common, and is aged in ex-BCBS barrels.Retail is $12.99, but they don't sell out as fast because they aren't as good as BCBS.
I forget what I paid for Coffee and Prop, but both of those were a pain to get your hands on this year. I think Coffee was like $15.99 and Prop $24.99 retail.
If you're one of those weirdos who drink the beer they buy, might I recommend the Goose Island taproom on Fulton near the clubhouse? They have bourbon county on tap on a consistent basis.
Having only visited Fulton St once: yeah, we should organize an outing, that place was great.
FYI...Goose Taproom at Fulton and Wood is closed through 1/4/17
What ever will you and James do Reed?
The emperor is not as forgiving as i am
Go to Bangers and Lace and Kaiser Tiger :)
Go to Bangers and Lace and Kaiser Tiger :)
FYI Grand and Western still has bourbon county stout at retail price. The manager there Albert is a friend of chaos so go out and support his store.
If any of you are still looking to pay too much for beer, the Lakeview Binny's has 10 bottles of BCS Rare.