The Beer Thread

[drewm88]

Anything you liked in particular from those New England breweries? Looking for a good summer brew available in New England. I think sam summer is solid but nothing too special. I hear good things about harpoon ipa but It's been a while since I've had it. Also a lot of people like allagash white. Anything that stood out to you?

If you're into white ales, Harpoon's UFO White is great.

[Spotcheck Billy]

My brother brought over a bottle of 3 Sheeps Roll out the Barrel, a strong Belgian pale ale aged in Chardonnay barrels. This was very good IMO, the chardonnay flavor really pared well with the Belgian yeast flavors.

The 1st 3 Sheeps beer that I really liked.

[Hards Alumni]

My brother brought over a bottle of 3 Sheeps Roll out the Barrel, a strong Belgian pale ale aged in Chardonnay barrels. This was very good IMO, the chardonnay flavor really pared well with the Belgian yeast flavors.

The 1st 3 Sheeps beer that I really liked.

Tried Ewephoria or the one off bottle Hoedown!?

Both pretty decent.

[Dr. Blackheart]

I have been. Mike's an interesting dude, but you can tell he really knows his stuff. The beer was pretty solid. The sour was especially good, and I liked the pale ale's since they weren't too aggressively hopped. Bacon bomb is one you have to try. Super smokey rauchbier.

I went on a Saturday and it was organized chaos. I'd recommend a tasting flight if you want to sample them, it'll cut down on time spent waiting in line at the taps.

A good, low key tour that Mike prefers to lead. Mike has a variety of brewing choices he learned in Europe.  Open fermentation, some wood barrels, and heavy investment in the facility.  Just going retail in the last few weeks.  Bacon Bomb is very interesting.

[mubb34]

Anything you liked in particular from those New England breweries? Looking for a good summer brew available in New England. I think sam summer is solid but nothing too special. I hear good things about harpoon ipa but It's been a while since I've had it. Also a lot of people like allagash white. Anything that stood out to you?

Sam Adams was neat because that location is their test factory. We got to try a beer that wasn't even on the market. Allagash was neat. Really liked their Victor beer. Made from New York Cabernet Frac. Harpoon had no good ambers etc, but their IPA's were stellar.

[mu03eng]

Anything you liked in particular from those New England breweries? Looking for a good summer brew available in New England. I think sam summer is solid but nothing too special. I hear good things about harpoon ipa but It's been a while since I've had it. Also a lot of people like allagash white. Anything that stood out to you?

Magic Hat Brewing is great in Vermont....#9 is an outstanding beer.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

Magic Hat Brewing is great in Vermont....#9 is an outstanding beer.

It's psychedelic-like inside the brewery if I recall too.

[Chili]

Magic Hat Brewing is great in Vermont....#9 is an outstanding beer.

Really? It tastes like a fruit salad gone bad in my opinion. Sweet hot mess.

[JoeSmith1721]

Magic Hat Brewing is great in Vermont....#9 is an outstanding beer.

Ya sorry, #9 is a borderline average beer, if you're looking in Vermont hit up the Alchemist, Hill Farmstead, Lawsons's, Fiddlehead, etc.

[Spotcheck Billy]

We're going to check out Brenner Brewing this afternoon, still need to check out Biloba Brewing.

[mu03eng]

We're going to check out Brenner Brewing this afternoon, still need to check out Biloba Brewing.

I liked Brenner a lot.  The Bacon Bomb was outstanding....was disappointed they didn't have any of the oak barrel aged beer available when I was there.

The interesting thing with Brenner and Wisconsin Brewing....both are technically start-ups but not in the traditional micro brew model (scrap, beg, borrow, and steal equipment).  Both breweries invested a lot of coin in new equipment and facilities, will be interesting to see how they do.

[MUfan12]

The interesting thing with Brenner and Wisconsin Brewing....both are technically start-ups but not in the traditional micro brew model (scrap, beg, borrow, and steal equipment).  Both breweries invested a lot of coin in new equipment and facilities, will be interesting to see how they do.

Wisconsin Brewing's facility is ridiculous. It will be interesting to see if they can get the foothold on the market to justify a brewery like that. So far I find their brand, and their beer, a touch generic. Nothing I'd go out of my way for.

[mu03eng]

Wisconsin Brewing's facility is ridiculous. It will be interesting to see if they can get the foothold on the market to justify a brewery like that. So far I find their brand, and their beer, a touch generic. Nothing I'd go out of my way for.

Ultimately, I agree.  I like their beer and if it's available I'll drink (favorite right now is their Inaugural Red) but you are right there is nothing about them that really drives me to seek them out.

[Chili]

Had a 2012 Cantillon Lou Pepe Kriek tonight. So damn good. The little eruption when the cork was pulled did lead to a little scare but that is one great beer.

[Spotcheck Billy]

I liked Brenner a lot.  The Bacon Bomb was outstanding....was disappointed they didn't have any of the oak barrel aged beer available when I was there.

The interesting thing with Brenner and Wisconsin Brewing....both are technically start-ups but not in the traditional micro brew model (scrap, beg, borrow, and steal equipment).  Both breweries invested a lot of coin in new equipment and facilities, will be interesting to see how they do.

They did have the oak aged Anxious on tap. All of the samples were good, none were any better than that IMO. Seems odd with all brand new equipment, especially the non-working super duper growler filler that even Rays doesn't need.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

Quinn's Amber Lager by Pecotonica Beer Company.  Delicious!  Like Fat Tire but better!

[Spotcheck Billy]

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2015-06-25/can-craft-beer-survive-ab-inbev-

I didn't know Founders had sold 30% to another brewer

[Galway Eagle]

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2015-06-25/can-craft-beer-survive-ab-inbev-

I didn't know Founders had sold 30% to another brewer

For the record Larry bell is not hurting for money despite what he seems to imply and he's a dick I was at his wedding, didn't even have an open bar (though it was bottomless champagne and caviar)

[JuniorCardigan]

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2015-06-25/can-craft-beer-survive-ab-inbev-

I didn't know Founders had sold 30% to another brewer

As long as Goose Island keeps making BCBS I don't care who owns them. Most of the other stuff they have was pretty mediocre to begin with anyway.

[Chili]

As long as Goose Island keeps making BCBS I don't care who owns them. Most of the other stuff they have was pretty mediocre to begin with anyway.

I beg to differ but that's ok.

[Coleman]

As long as Goose Island keeps making BCBS I don't care who owns them. Most of the other stuff they have was pretty mediocre to begin with anyway.

Definitely a huge difference between the mass produced Goose Island stuff (Honkers, 312, etc.) and real craft stuff like their BCBS and Belgian beers (Sofie, Matilda, Pere Jacques, etc.). The good stuff is still made in Chicago while the rest of it is made in Budweiser breweries. Only thing similar is the label on the bottle, but might as well be a completely different company.

[JuniorCardigan]

Definitely a huge difference between the mass produced Goose Island stuff (Honkers, 312, etc.) and real craft stuff like their BCBS and Belgian beers (Sofie, Matilda, Pere Jacques, etc.). The good stuff is still made in Chicago while the rest of it is made in Budweiser breweries. Only thing similar is the label on the bottle, but might as well be a completely different company.

Pretty much nailed what I was trying to say. They often have some interesting (and pretty good) choices at the place on Clybourn as well, but the more mass produced stuff (312, Honkers, etc.) doesn't really impress me.

[🏀]

As long as Goose Island keeps making BCBS I don't care who owns them. Most of the other stuff they have was pretty mediocre to begin with anyway.

Apparently, GI isn't cool enough for you then.

The quality has not dropped a bit.

[JuniorCardigan]

Apparently, GI isn't cool enough for you then.

The quality has not dropped a bit.

My not being impressed by their more standard line of beers has nothing to do with me thinking its an uncool brewery, it has to do with the beer being just decent quality. I liked the Ten Hills a lot though.

I think they're kind of in the vein of (but much better than) Sam Adams, most of the stuff the make thats relatively easy to find is just decent/pretty good. Although I don't think Goose Island has made a beer as terrible as the Sam Adams Cherry Wheat.

[MU82]

For those in the Carolinas who like a nice Hefe, Olde Mecklenberg's Hornets Nest is a very nice choice. It's on a limited run and it has to be refrigerated, so I only bought a couple of 6-packs.