Thanks to a certain whisky barrel–aged stout from Chicago (and all its many, many variants) that is released annually this time of year, Black Friday has become just as much a beer day as it is a day to hit the mall.
However, while doorbusters and special sales are the norm at stores, expect to pay a pretty penny, especially on the secondary market, for these once-a-year beers. We scoured the Internet and social media and rounded up just a few of the special releases happening today around the country.
If you’re already queued up in a line, check out the Craft Beer and Brewing Magazine® podcast to help while away the hours.
Kane Brewing Company
Ocean, New Jersey
On Friday, we will have 500 ml bottles of Bourbon Barrel Aged Evening Bell and Double Barrel Evening Bell, 750 ml bottles of Morning Bean, and 16 oz cans of Evening Bell.
Bourbon Barrel Aged Evening Bell is our 11.6 percent ABV Imperial Milk Porter aged in bourbon barrels for more than a year. Double Barrel Evening Bell is our 11.7 percent ABV Imperial Milk Porter aged in bourbon barrels for a year then racked into maple-syrup barrels to finish aging. The secondary aging in maple-syrup barrels adds another layer of flavor and aroma to an already complex beer.
Morning Bean is our 9.2 percent ABV Imperial Milk Porter with Rook Coffee that we conditioned on Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Beans at a rate of more than a half-pound per barrel. Morning Bean is all coffee up front, but the vanilla brings a rounded sweetness and creaminess to the body and balances the roasted, chocolate, and coffee flavors of this Imperial Porter.
Finally, we have Evening Bell, our 9.2 percent Imperial Milk Porter available for the first time in 16 oz cans.
Barrel Aged Evening Bell: 4 per person | $14 a bottle. Double Barrel Evening Bell: 2 per person | $16 a bottle. Morning Bean: 6 per person | $18 a bottle. Evening Bell: case limit | $16 a 4-pack.
Paw Paw Brewing Company
Paw Paw, Michigan
PPBC is the place to be on Black Friday! We will be opening at 10 a.m. and offering free pancakes from 10 a.m. to noon. We will be featuring all black beers all day! Black Friday beers include Jake's Vanilla Bean Porter, Coconut Porter, Black River Oatmeal Stout, Big Fish Imperial Stout, Ryanna Thicc (chocolate rye imperial stout), Pumpkin Porter, Ladder 3 (Irish lager), Bad & Boozy (bourbon barrel–aged imperial stout), Brownie Batter (porter), Doppelbock, Bronco Brown, Peppermint Laddy (peppermint stout), Café 237 (coffee stout), and Black Talon (black IPA)!
PLUS...we will be releasing our last eleven bottles of B.B. King (bourbon barrel–aged King James scotch ale).
Lakefront Brewery
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
The most anticipated beer release of the year is upon us: Black Friday. Get in line early (some start the night before) for Black Friday beers, great stuff from the CurdWagon Food Truck and some honest, Milwaukee tradition. Full breakfast menu starts at 4 a.m.!
2018 Black Friday: $20 each (limit 3). 2018 Black Friday XXX Vintage Reserve: $30 each (limit 1).
Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project
Denver, Colorado
We are so excited to share Mega Collab with everyone and enjoy some ourselves. This double-double dry-hopped imperial IPA will be for sale at noon on Black Friday. It is a taproom only release available on draught and to go in 4-packs of 16 oz cans/$16. Don't forget we are also having a Black Friday sale on magnums. All magnums will be 30% off!
Heavy Seas Beer
Baltimore, Maryland
Grab your crew and join us in the Heavy Seas taproom on Black Friday for some deliciously dark beers and sales! Cure your Turkey Day hangover with rare beers on draft, including Loose Cannon aged in Jameson barrels, Siren Noire, Blackbeard's Breakfast, 22 Anniversary, Below Decks, and Great’er Pumpkin!
Specialty beer is also on sale featuring half-price bombers, half-price 4-packs, and $24 cases of TreasureFest!
Fremont Brewing
Seattle, Washington
In our Urban Beer Garden on Black Friday, B-Bomb will be on tap and available to-go in 22 oz bottles at 11 a.m. At 5 p.m., the legendary Yeti will join the party to help us tap three release-party-only B-Bomb infusions! B-Bomb bottles are $20 each with a four-bottle limit per person. Full distribution will follow.
What are you excited about for Black Friday? If you’re in line or drinking something special, share the experience with us on Instagram @CraftBeerBrew.