Will live vicariously through Chicago for new stouts because it's surprisingly disappointing around here right now... Xocoveza Tres Leches should be good.

Is that a Marshmallow Handjee on the far right?

Good eye.

There was a 1/3 shot this year with only 3 variants offered which is the majority reason I sprung for the package this year.

I always kinda hated Boysenberry as a pancake syrup. No way I'd want it as a beer flavor.

So, when you order the Dark Lord package, it's a random shot on which variant you receive?

That’s right. In the old days of the in person fest (2 years ago) there were like 10 different variants, random draw. Which is why you went as a crew and shared later with each other.

This year was drive thru with only 3 variants, 2 of which are historically the most sought after, Handjee and Chemtrail. The math made it worth it for me to drive to NW Indiana in a wintery mix.

Yeah, I've heard lots of stories about the craziness of Dark Lord Day (pre-covid).

I'm glad you scored, man!

Thanks man!

I probably wouldn't attend the fest (if it comes back) at this stage in life, so I appreciate the drive thru pickup option.

Day 2 - Chicago $tout $eason

Half Acre's Benthic

https://i.imgur.com/8CQq6gG.jpg?1

2021 ORIGINAL BENTHIC - Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout with Coconut and Coffee - 13.5% abv. Hand-toasted coconut,*@darkmattercoffee*Varios coffee.
Blend of Heaven Hill, Willet, Weller, and EH Taylor barrels.

2021 VANILLA BENTHIC - Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout with Coconut - 13.5% abv. 2X Hand-toasted coconut, Madagascar vanilla beans.
Blend of Heaven Hill, Willet, Weller, and EH Taylor barrels.

2021 XTRA DUBL BENTHIC - Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout with Coconut and Coffee - 13.5% abv. 3X Hand-toasted coconut, 2X*@darkmattercoffee*Varios coffee.
Blend of Heaven Hill, Willet, Weller, and EH Taylor barrels.

2021 RUM COCOUT BENTHIC - Rum and Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout with Coconut - 13.7% abv. Hand-toasted coconut.
Blend of Appleton and Cruzan barrels, Basil Hayden and Heaven Hill barrels.

2021 VAMPIRA BENTHIC - Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout with Coconut and Coffee Aged 10-22 months - 14.1% abv. Hand-toasted coconut,*@darkmattercoffee*Varios coffee.
Blend of EH Taylor, Buffalo Trace, 4 Roses, and Weller barrels.

Day 3 of Chicago $tout $eason

10:00am BA Stout release at Phase Three with one-off pours of blends being considered for future release.

The coconut peanut butter won the day...err morning for me.

https://i.imgur.com/Plwe8NM.jpg?1

Well, it's not Chicago... but, delicious. Blueberry and maple syrup.

And figured I'd slide the prized bourbon on the counter into the pic... as much as I want to save it for great occasions and what not, I'm not sure that's going to be possible.

https://i.imgur.com/X8cEnEa.jpg

I know its quite a ways from you but I've been trolling for beer spots around PHX and found The Sleepy Whale in Chandler. Looks fairly legit.

https://www.thesleepywhale.com/draftandcans

*adds to untappd*

Great bottle selection (noticed BL Electric Eden, which doesn't sound familiar, but looks amazing)... yeah, don't make it out that way very often, but great find. What's the timeline for moving out here?



And for the Phoenicians, OHSO Blanton's Barrel Aged BananArchy is out... it was $40/4 pack last year though and I saw one place that has it for $11/16oz can. :eek: It's pretty damn good though.

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Early Feb is when the housing market heats up here so likely early to late spring.

Honestly thinking about getting a couple weeks long airbnb here during stout season though. Logging release dates currently and it seems doable within a 2 week span.

Revolution release from yesterday

https://i.imgur.com/gqCM0Pp.jpg?2

Wish I would have picked up a couple Revolution bottles.

Yeah, my Arizona-acclimated ass would freeze to death, but it would be totally worth some time during stout season.