2014 BABB Bottle Share

March 6, 2014 by Evan Rusackas

One of the best parts of being affiliated with the BABB group is (obviously) the affinity we all share for beer. Not just writing about it, reviewing it, researching it, brewing it, or discussing it, but perhaps most importantly, sharing it. As an added bonus, this particular brand of beer enthusiast tends to keep a well stocked cellar.

Just before the holiday schedules went crazy for everyone at the end of the year, we decided it was time to coordinate on the next big share. The date was set, the location (the art studios of Gazelle & Goat) was available, and a somewhat OCD spreadsheet was drawn up to build some tasty verticals. Take for example this Firestone Walker lineup:

When it all went down, we humans and our mere mortal livers were greatly outnumbered. People brought their A-game, with bottles they’d announced, and many more they did not. In the end, it was an endurance race to even taste all these beers, some of which were pure unobtanium.

Let’s cut to the chase — here’s an (at least partial) list of what was cracked open:

Above: Firestone Walker’s PNC, Bretta Rose (Barrelworks), 14th-18th Anniversary, vintages of Parabola, Sucaba, and Velvet Merkin, plus Ol’ Leghorn (collab. with 3 Floyds).

Above: Russian River Toronado 20th and 25th Anniversary, and batches 1–3 of Consecration. Sante Adairius Cask 200, Appreciation, Love’s Amor, Maiden Fields, Always in Life, and Cellar Palette. The Bruery Mocha Wednesday.

Above: Kane Malus, Voodoo Brewery Barrel Room Apple Brandy, De Garde Black Harvest and Hose, Bourbon County Brand Vanilla Stout. North Coast 20th Anniversary, 2009 Old Stock, Grand Cru, 2010 Old Stock, Old Rasputin Anniversary XI, XII, and XIV. a bottle of Cider (how’d that get there?), Almanac Devil’s Advocate, Auburn Alehouse Old Prospector, De Molen Rasputin, Lawsons Finest Maple Triple.

Above: Vintages of Dogfish Head 120min, Pliny, more North Coast vintage Old Stocks and Rasputin Anniversary, Russian River Sonoma Pride, Westvleteren XII, an ancient Old Foghorn, Fifty Fifty / Healthy Spirits collab, Almanac Golden Gate Gose, Lost Abbey Deliverance, ????, 2012 Deschutes Abyss, Firestone Walker 2014 Double DBA, Sierra Nevada 30th Anniversary (not sure which), Bells Black Note, and more Pliny.

Not pictured: The Bruery Black Tuesday and Smokey and the Bois, Bourbon County Stout, and so much more…

Ultimately, we have to admit, the beers won. In the end, some of these amazing beers had to go down the drain. A few were left unopened, but everyone that brought beer shared their most special bottles. We all got to taste myriad whales, and for that to happen, everyone was willing to open more than they could drink. That’s the kind of holiday spirit of generosity any beer lover would appreciate. In hindsight, the next day, many of us vowed never to drink another beer (hah!), but as the days creep on, there’s already chatter about how we can top this in 2015.

Cheers!

Originally published at bayareabeerbloggers.com.