Kolek planning to go pro
Wow, I'm very concerned for Benny. Being able to mimic Myron Medcalf's writing so closely implies an oncoming case of dementia.
Favorite brewery top to bottom is Pipeworks. Sometimes they get a little wild, but it works usually. Ninja v. Unicorn is my favorite available IPA.
OK, so here is the question for everyone, that may or may not be answered somewhere in this thread...but hey I'm lazy, what is each person's favorite brewery top to bottom.Think of it as "I can only have access to one brewery on a deserted island, which one am I picking?" And as part of it, why are you picking that brewery?
I disagree with New Glarus as Wisconsin's best craft though. Don't get me wrong they have good beer and it's hard to argue with their marketing ability within the state
I feel like a homer if I mention Lakefront, but since Sir Larry mentioned them...I gave them a ton of consideration for the "desert island" brewery, mainly because of the My Turn series. Their stalwarts don't blow me away... I like their IPA, Eastside Dark, and Beerline. Riverwest is always a solid choice. But some of the styles they've brewed in that series have been really interesting beers. The Baltic Porter, Smoked Rauchbier, and Weihnachtsbock were especially well done.
I'm sure it's been mentioned somewhere in the thread, but has anyone ever done GABF? It just so happens that I'll be in Denver for business that week, and was thinking of taking a little personal time on Thursday night.I know tickets go fast... just wondering what others have to say about the experience. Is it worth it? Is it something you can enjoy solo or is it better in a group? Any tips/suggestions?
http://www.thrillist.com/drink/nation/the-best-craft-brewery-in-every-state-in-americaInteresting list from Thrillist, had beers from about 80% of the breweries, tough to argue with. I disagree with New Glarus as Wisconsin's best craft though. Don't get me wrong they have good beer and it's hard to argue with their marketing ability within the state but I'm much more partial to MKE, Central Waters or Karben4.Though I will say I love drinking Totally Naked in the summer
NG is far and away the best brewery in Wisconsin - it's not even close. They have the best portfolio and make consonantly great beer every time. The breweries you mentioned all battle consistency issues which right away puts them in a category below New Glarus. I mean last time I was the the tour at MKE they had such bad diacetyl issues you could barely drink any beer that wasn't 8%+.
Surprised no one has mentioned Sprecher. Tripel Abbey and Mai Bock are both divine. Black Bavarian is good too and I want to try the Special Amber as well.
Sprecher was very good ... years ago before they pasteurized every beer. Such a shame too, I remember taking the tour and listening to them extolling the benefits of this new Root Beer they had started brewing and how the Root Beer would subsidize the brewing business so they would never have to compromise and do things like pasteurizing their beer. I even recall the days before Sprecher bought a bottling line from Pabst and the only way to get Sprecher in your house was to get it in a 1 liter flip-top bottle with a $3 deposit. Black Bavarian, Oktoberfest and their Maibock used to be favorites of mine, now I only buy Sprecher at Germanfest because its one of the better options there.