Advent Calendar Day 16: Boulevard Oatmeal Stout and Exposing Douchebaggery

As a fever pitch in the city driven by ridiculous standards and beliefs grips what for the majority are decent and reasonable people, I implore you to relax and breathe.

There are so many instances of douchebagery toady with the release of Boulevards latest homage to a Kansas City sports team. In the spring and early summer, they produced a spiced saison in honor of Sporting Kansas City winning the MLS Championship last fall. Today Boulevard released Crown Town Ale is a golden blonde ale brewed to commemorate the achievements and absolute thrill given to Kansas City by our boys in blue. The Kansas City Royals gave us a ride that became so much more than meaningful games in September. The first game gave way to a Wild Card Game that gives new meaning to the word wild. Then came the sweep of the best teams in the American League. Finally came the complete roller coaster of a World Series. The euphoric highs as we won games 2, 3, and 6. The utterly demoralizing lows as we lost games 1, 4, 5, and ultimately the heartbreaking game 7.

Despite the outcome, we as Kansas Citians are very proud and thankful that our team brought us something this city has not seen in years, a reason to rejoice!

Unfortunately just as there is good in this world, there is equally and appalling indecency that rears its ugly head. There are people who are trashing this beer that is not meant to compete with bourbon barrel aged beers, sours, and other extreme or experimental brews. This beer is meant to exist just as baseball does, accessible and enjoyed by all. The purpose of this new release to reach every fan of beer and baseball, celebrating the efforts of 25 men and wash away 29 years of woes from a city.

There are currently people who are attempting to resell this beer for 8 times its face value. That is $100!! This opportunistic and sleazy reality is something that drives people from craft beer and defeats the exact purpose of this beer.  Do something for me, as Craigslist ads go up and come down real every second. Go to Craigslist and search for "Boulevard" and "Crown Town" and be prepared to be assaulted by the vile nature of these posts. The best retribution I have found for them is to take the phone numbers of those genius enough to use them and place personal ads for them in some compromising sites.

However there are decent people in this world who have access to this beer and are allowing others to get them. As I would suggest you do, find a bottle of this beer, accept it for what it is and enjoy. Maybe even share it with those who aren't necessarily familiar with the world of craft beer.


This all being said I needed to relax from my fervor and take in a good beer. Tonight I picked a Boulevard Tasting Room Oatmeal Stout. This beer pours dark and smooth. The head is a nice caramel color as it dissipates. The Stout has a big mouth feel and lingers with you. You get all of the oatmeal and definitely get your fill on this beer.

This beers roasted flavors and chocolate smell are easy to drink and allow for a great introduction into stouts for a non stout drinker. Again I am sensing a running theme from Boulevard.

16 down... 8 to go!