MUScoop
MUScoop => The Superbar => Topic started by: MUfan12 on April 03, 2009, 03:30:56 PM
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Since burgers should be left to the burger thread, how about a new one?
Good beer deserves its own discussion.
Anyone try a new one lately or have a recommendation?
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Thanks for starting this thread. I have been participating in one on the Brewers board that has been going for a over a year and it is fun. Anyway, this is what I have my in fridge right now:
Dogfish Head 60 min IPA – Love this beer. Bold hops. Like 90 min more though.
Three Floyds Gumballhead – My current favorite beer. Hoppy wheat beer. Awesome!
Three Floyds Alpha King – Big strong APA.
Three Floyds Robert the Bruce – A really nice malty beer with a good hop balance. It is there version of a Scotch Ale.
Three Floyds Pride & Joy – A mild ale with strong hops.
Bells Two Hearted – a staple in my fridge. The quintessential American IPA along with Dogfish Head 90 min.
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Did someone say Beer?
Luckily I've liven in two of the greatest states for beer (Wisconsin, and Colorado - need to spend some time in Oregon I guess...).
Anyhow, I just finished off a keg of Lefthand Milk Stout - awesome beer if you like smooth stouts. Also great for car bombs - not that I'd know...
Also recently tried a Rouge Double Dead Guy ale (2007 I think). Just a touch smoother than the normal Dead Guy ale because of the aging.
Another of my favorites (and probably my next Keg), is Abita Turbo Dog, from Louisiana.
Tommyknocker Maple Nut Brown ale is a very easy to drink beer from Idaho Springs, CO. Good flavor, though not very complex. (If you want complex, go with the Imperial Nut Brown).
My workplace is just down the street from Oscar Blue's (new) main brewery - stopped in their tasting room last night. They typically go overboard on hops (which I like), but their Gordon Imperial IPA is a very tasty beer, certain to give you a sensory overload. (Technically, they describe it as a "hybrid version of strong ale, somewhere between an Imperial Red and a Double IPA").
Whew - I could go on. But those are some good starting points :)
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Had Sprecher's Scotch Ale the other night, not my favorite style but not bad at all.
Far and away the favorite new beer I've tried is Founder's Kentucky Breakfast Stout. Jet black, pours a thin head, has a very strong coffee flavor and packs a punch at 10% ABV. Aged in bourbon barrels for a year. Really outstanding stuff.
Another good stout I've had recently is Rogue Chocolate Stout. Full flavored stout with a hint of chocolate, although the aroma would say otherwise. Very drinkable.
Love a good wheat, so I'll have to try the Gumballhead. Dancing Man from New Glarus should be out soon. Time to transition to the spring and summer beer.
I have to put this out there as well- for anyone wanting to try a wide variety of American craft beer, Sugar Maple in Bay View is a must. 60 beers on tap, including many that are next to impossible to find in WI.
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Lakefront's Riverwest
Goose Island's 312
Miller Lite
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<------- Sticks to Miller Lite with the occassional Pacifico.
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Goose Island Bourbon County Stout. I think they refer to this as an Imperial Stout. This stuff is high octane and complex, a sipper for sure. It's a seasonal and probably hard to find on tap, but you will find bottles floating around at bars around chicago and for sale at Binny's and Sam's. You can age for about 5 years too.
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Brewing some great beer here. Available in parts of WI, Chicago and all of MN.
http://www.surlybrewing.com/beers.php
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Recently tried Belhaven Scottish Ale. Absolutely incredible. A little similar to Smithwick's. Has a bit of a smoky flavor. I loved this beer. I know they sell it at Discount Liquor, haven't found it anywhere else around here yet.
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I have been enjoying the Yazoo collection lately.
Brewed in Nashville, TN the Hefe, Sly Rye Porter, and Dos Perros are my favorites.
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Key West Ale. Best with Category 3 wings with raspberry chipotle sauce from the Hurricane Grill.
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I'm partial to Wittekerke for a good Belgium Wheat and Bell's Porter for a darker beer.
Though going through MU with the Bud House a half a block away and being able to get a half barrel of Bud for our Lighthouse fridge for $23, we drank an awful lot of Bud, so I still prefer Bud if I'm drinking domestic.
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Bell's Oberon. So popular regionally they have a party to celebrate the tapping of the new year's vintage.
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Do Gin and Vodka count as beer?
If not, Miller Lite and the occasional Heineken.
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Bell's Oberon. So popular regionally they have a party to celebrate the tapping of the new year's vintage.
just came out this week. going to get a 6 pack this weekend. still not as popular as Dark Lord by Three Floyds where they have a festival for the one day a year you can purchase it. You need tickets and the tickets sell out fast. You buy tickets to buy beer. It is nuts.
http://www.darklordday.com/ (http://www.darklordday.com/)
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I'm enjoying some Sam Adams White Ale right now, and looking forward to Sam Summer coming out in a few weeks.
Also a big fan of Boulder Beer Company, their MoJo is amazing.
And I just discovered Bluepoint Brewing Company out of Long Island, their Hoptical Illusion IPA is fantastic!
Any other IPA suggestions would be welcomed. Shame no decent IPA's coming out of MKE.
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IT'S SHANDY SEASON!!!
(http://csupueblotoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/leinies_032407_125x232.jpg)
You sure you don't want to call change this threads name to "Beyond Busch Light" MUFan?
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I have to put this out there as well- for anyone wanting to try a wide variety of American craft beer, Sugar Maple in Bay View is a must. 60 beers on tap, including many that are next to impossible to find in WI.
wonder how you found out about that place... ;) right around the corner from a certain weekend morning home away from home...
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Tonight's beverage of choice:
(http://www.thedrinkshop.com/images/products/main/4390/4390.jpg)
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Having a Furthermore Fatty Boombalatty. Pretty darn tasty. It is just a hodge podge of styles which doesn't surprise me coming from them. It is Belgium White crossed with a Pale Ale. Damn this is good.
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too poor for good beer this week, knocking back a 20 pack of the bullet!
it is nice to live w/in 35 mins of New Glarus and 15 mins from Capital brewery. ;D
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too poor for good beer this week, knocking back a 20 pack of the bullet!
it is nice to live w/in 35 mins of New Glarus and 15 mins from Capital brewery. ;D
Did you just refer to the Bullet as beer?
Hmmmm.
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zivic! available at Crocus on South 13th street between Morgan and Haward. also, great authentic Polish food.
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Capital Brewery does a very good job. Their Maibock is one of the best I've ever had in that style. I have the Blonde Dopplebock in my fridge right now, another excellent beer.
Thinking of picking up some Oberon tonight.
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For those of you that love an awesome IPA try Bell's Hopslam. It has 100+ IBU's and is delicious. 10% alcohol to boot. It's only available for a limited time and is out right now. It is IMO one of the best beers.
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Favorite Breweries:
Stone Brewery (San Diego) http://www.stonebrew.com/
Ale Asylum (Madison) http://www.aleasylum.com/
Favorite Beers:
Stone Ruination (Stone Brewery) Best IPA hands down... better than the 90 min Dog... 100+ IBU... though it runs around $15 a 6pack. http://www.stonebrew.com/ruin/
Ale Asylum Ambergeddon (Ale Asylum) My go to beer, a hoppy amber beer that always puts me in a great mood.
Ale Asylum Hoppilicious (Ale Asylum) another great IPA... and was just put on tap in a few places in MKE
Stone OAKED Arrogant Bastard Ale (Stone Brewery) again, delicious... all of their beer is grade A
other random favorites:
anything by the big 6
Lake Louie's Coon Rock Cream Ale http://www.lakelouie.com/
Schlitz using their old recipe
Victory HopDevil http://www.victorybeer.com/home.html
Basically, I love all beer, and it was pretty hard to make a short list... but rather than type an anthology about beer, I tried to be concise.
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Capital Brewery does a very good job. Their Maibock is one of the best I've ever had in that style. I have the Blonde Dopplebock in my fridge right now, another excellent beer.
Thinking of picking up some Oberon tonight.
Capital is going to totally ruin themselves. They think that the swill they brew is worth over $9 for a six pack.
IMHO Leinie's has a similar Mai and is $6 a 6 pack. If Capital doesn't drop their prices, other breweries in the state will grab their share.
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Three Floyds Gumballhead – My current favorite beer. Hoppy wheat beer. Awesome!
This has quickly moved into my top three. Love the citrus flavor, grapefruit gives it an awesome finish. Its pretty hard to get in the CHI area in my experience. althought I bought a case of it at a Whole Foods in Glenview. Ive kept a 6 pack over the winter and plan on enjoying on opening day.
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Where can I get Three Floyds in the Milwaukee area? I'd be interested to try some.
EDIT- Saw some at Discount and Whole Foods, but no Gumballhead. Is it out yet?
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Having a Furthermore Fatty Boombalatty. Pretty darn tasty. It is just a hodge podge of styles which doesn't surprise me coming from them. It is Belgium White crossed with a Pale Ale. Damn this is good.
That's real good stuff. I'm also a fan of their Knot Stock, a Pale Ale brewed with cracked pepper. They do some pretty interesting stuff up in Spring Green.
http://www.furthermorebeer.com/ourbeer.html
Also picked up some of the Breckenridge Oatmeal Stout, pretty solid stout. But it won't be unseating the Founder's Breakfast Stout any time soon.
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Where can I get Three Floyds in the Milwaukee area? I'd be interested to try some.
EDIT- Saw some at Discount and Whole Foods, but no Gumballhead. Is it out yet?
I'm also very interested in this Gumballhead, any info would be great.
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Dogfish Head 60 min IPA – Love this beer. Bold hops. Like 90 min more though.
Otto's in Cedarburg has Dogfish 120 min IPA in stock for only $8 per 12oz bottle.
21% ABV!
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I'm also very interested in this Gumballhead, any info would be great.
I bring it up or have it brought up from Chicago about once a month. The only Three Floyds available in bottles in Milwaukee, or Wisconsin for that matter, are the 22oz Bombers. That means no Gumball Head, Alpha King, Pride & Joy or Robert the Bruce.
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Had two new beers and an old one last night:
Magic Hat #9 - Interesting beer that is very smooth. It could have used more hops IMO.
Boulder Brewing Mojo IPA - This was a very drinkable yet dry IPA. Not as citrusy as I like my hops but really freaking good
Also had a New Glarus Crack'd Wheat - love this wheat beer. Hoppy yet wheaty. It is good!
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I'm enjoying some Sam Adams White Ale right now, and looking forward to Sam Summer coming out in a few weeks.
Also a big fan of Boulder Beer Company, their MoJo is amazing.
And I just discovered Bluepoint Brewing Company out of Long Island, their Hoptical Illusion IPA is fantastic!
Any other IPA suggestions would be welcomed. Shame no decent IPA's coming out of MKE.
re: BBC - they hosted a beer tasting party (Beer Rave) a couple months ago where they scoured the US for hard to find micros - excellent event. Anyhow, I assume you've had their Hazed & Infused? They also had a keg of Hazed that had been aged in a whiskey barrel - one of the best beers I've ever had.
Do you only like true IPA's or are you just a hop-head in general? If the latter, try to get your hands on Oscar Blues "Dale's Pale Ale". Comes in a red white & blue can, but don't let the can fool you. It's a big beer.
(http://www.oskarblues.com/images/New%20can_r2_c2.jpg)
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I bring it up or have it brought up from Chicago about once a month. The only Three Floyds available in bottles in Milwaukee, or Wisconsin for that matter, are the 22oz Bombers. That means no Gumball Head, Alpha King, Pride & Joy or Robert the Bruce.
Damn. I found this link... is this even legal? I didn't know you could ship alcohol like that. Might be worth a shot.
http://www.samswine.com/Three%20Floyds%20Gumball%20Head%20Bottle/10049164,default,pd.html?cgid=THREEFLOYDS
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Damn. I found this link... is this even legal? I didn't know you could ship alcohol like that. Might be worth a shot.
http://www.samswine.com/Three%20Floyds%20Gumball%20Head%20Bottle/10049164,default,pd.html?cgid=THREEFLOYDS
100% legal to most states - I want to say like 38 of them. Always weird hold outs in those born again states - but for most of America you can. Or just make the 3 hr drive to Chicago and stock up - it's not too bad.
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I've always been a fan of Leinie's Red as well as their Sunset Wheat.
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100% legal to most states - I want to say like 38 of them. Always weird hold outs in those born again states - but for most of America you can. Or just make the 3 hr drive to Chicago and stock up - it's not too bad.
Yikes, at $16 shipping, I'm better off driving down there!
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re: BBC - they hosted a beer tasting party (Beer Rave) a couple months ago where they scoured the US for hard to find micros - excellent event. Anyhow, I assume you've had their Hazed & Infused? They also had a keg of Hazed that had been aged in a whiskey barrel - one of the best beers I've ever had.
Do you only like true IPA's or are you just a hop-head in general? If the latter, try to get your hands on Oscar Blues "Dale's Pale Ale". Comes in a red white & blue can, but don't let the can fool you. It's a big beer.
(http://www.oskarblues.com/images/New%20can_r2_c2.jpg)
I have seen that canned IPA at my local packy, but never thought about buying it. Tonight I will.
Thanks!
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For those of you that love an awesome IPA try Bell's Hopslam. It has 100+ IBU's and is delicious. 10% alcohol to boot. It's only available for a limited time and is out right now. It is IMO one of the best beers.
Hopslam is money.
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Hopslam is money.
Anyone know of a store that still has some in stock in the Milwaukee Area? All of my local places I go to are out until next winter.
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Anyone know of a store that still has some in stock in the Milwaukee Area? All of my local places I go to are out until next winter.
I saw some last week at Whole Foods on Prospect and North.
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Anything from Sierra Nevada is good. Their Pale Ale can be found anywhere, but their Porter and Stout are also very good.
A new one that popped up recently is Central Waters Brewing out of Amherst, WI. Not a huge fans of their Red, but their Porter is about as good a porter as I have had.
http://centralwaters.com/beer/
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re: BBC - they hosted a beer tasting party (Beer Rave) a couple months ago where they scoured the US for hard to find micros - excellent event. Anyhow, I assume you've had their Hazed & Infused? They also had a keg of Hazed that had been aged in a whiskey barrel - one of the best beers I've ever had.
Do you only like true IPA's or are you just a hop-head in general? If the latter, try to get your hands on Oscar Blues "Dale's Pale Ale". Comes in a red white & blue can, but don't let the can fool you. It's a big beer.
(http://www.oskarblues.com/images/New%20can_r2_c2.jpg)
An enthusiastic +1
Had a few of these pops last night during the game, and they were great.
Thanks for the suggestion!
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I had the Satin Solstice Imperial Stout from the Central Waters Brewery; damn good.
If you ever feel like getting international I would recommend just about anything from Belgium. Try Rochefort 10, Westmalle Dubbel, or anything from Chimay. A great place for these in the MKE area is the Palm Tavern in Bay View. It's actually pretty close to the Sugar Maple.
Personally I think that anything the major-brewers puts out is tolerable at best, but since I brew my own I'm definitely a beer snob.
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Also brew my own, and I agree, Chimay is great.
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I had the Satin Solstice Imperial Stout from the Central Waters Brewery; damn good.
If you ever feel like getting international I would recommend just about anything from Belgium. Try Rochefort 10, Westmalle Dubbel, or anything from Chimay. A great place for these in the MKE area is the Palm Tavern in Bay View. It's actually pretty close to the Sugar Maple.
Personally I think that anything the major-brewers puts out is tolerable at best, but since I brew my own I'm definitely a beer snob.
Centraal on KK has a good selection of Belgian beers on tap.
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Centraal on KK has a good selection of Belgian beers on tap.
Cafe Centraal is part of the Diablo Rojos group in Milwaukee and all of their places have great Belgium selections. And they are going smoke free now for brunch. http://onmilwaukee.com/dining/articles/diablossmokefree.html (http://onmilwaukee.com/dining/articles/diablossmokefree.html)
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It's too bad that Zur Krone closed down on 2nd Street about ten years ago. Talk about a fantastic selection of imports.
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Get that Shandy crap off this board...might as well be drinking Berry Weiss.
New Glarus puts out some great beers every year. Besides their usually great beers (Spotted Cow, Fat Squirrel, Totally Naked)....check out Stone Soup, Uffda Bock, Crack'd Wheat, and Hearty Hop IPA
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Really looking forward to New Glarus Dancing Man Wheat in May.
Finally got a hold of Three Floyd's Gumballhead via some "interstate commerce." Phenomenal. In fact, I'm enjoying one right now. I have a feeling I'll be stocking up on this as the summer goes on. Props to those who recommended this one!
Had a few new brews this week. Had the Belgian White from Horny Goat Brewing Co. Pretty run of the mill, decent Witbier. Not as sweet as others in this style, which was a plus in my book.
A friend of mine picked up a sampler pack from Abita Brewing Co. out of Louisiana. Had the Turbodog, which was their English Brown Ale. Similar to a Newcastle, but much more complex and full-flavored. Had their Amber, which was pretty average, nothing terribly special about it compared to other Ambers.
Also had Abita Purple Haze, a Raspberry Wheat. For a fruit beer, it's very good. Think Berry Weiss, except good. Pours a golden color, the tartness and flavor of the Raspberry are there, but it's very balanced. Great summer beer. I'll be looking for some more of this.
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The Dancing Man is great, but it is dangerous.
As for the Horny Goat... were you at the Brewers/Cubs game on Sunday? They were giving out free tastes of it then...
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Breckenridge Porter is tasty. Vanilla, enough to soften the porter and actually leave a slight aftertaste.
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http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123976316293519743.html (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123976316293519743.html)
Make sure to snatch up any Oregon Microbrews now before they either disappear or cost too much to make it worth drinking.
Sadness...
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the one and only - Three Floyds Dreadnaught
& Romans is supposed to have it on tap next week...
http://www.romanspub.com/beersel.htm (http://www.romanspub.com/beersel.htm)
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Dreadnaught is unnatural carnal knowledgeing amazing IPA but watch out or it will kick you square in the dick. I have a case of Gumball Head coming up for the NFL draft next Sunday which is pretty tits if you ask me. I think I am still drunk from last night. Time to go golfing.
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the one and only - Three Floyds Dreadnaught
& Romans is supposed to have it on tap next week...
http://www.romanspub.com/beersel.htm (http://www.romanspub.com/beersel.htm)
Hooligan's has Alpha King on tap. Had some last night while watching the Brewers game. Very tasty.
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:)
Carlsberg on tap is mother's milk!
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(http://www.greatlakesbrewing.com/media/beer_profiles/BurningRiver_BottleGlass.jpg)
I'm a fan.
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Goose Island Bourbon County Stout. I think they refer to this as an Imperial Stout. This stuff is high octane and complex, a sipper for sure. It's a seasonal and probably hard to find on tap, but you will find bottles floating around at bars around chicago and for sale at Binny's and Sam's. You can age for about 5 years too.
Haven't tried that. Thanks for the head's up.
I'm a big fan of 312s and the Goose Island seasonal brews.
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Haven't tried that. Thanks for the head's up.
I'm a big fan of 312s and the Goose Island seasonal brews.
Goose Island is Budweiser now. A macro micro.
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+1 Great Lakes. ;)
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It's still Goose Island. From what I remember Anheuser Busch bought about 30-35%. In the end its about distribution. With Anheuser on board, Goose's distribution expanded greatly. Besides, does it really matter if its a micro, marcro, micro/macro or craft brewery? Good beer is good beer, period.
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It's still Goose Island. From what I remember Anheuser Busch bought about 30-35%. In the end its about distribution. With Anheuser on board, Goose's distribution expanded greatly. Besides, does it really matter if its a micro, marcro, micro/macro or craft brewery? Good beer is good beer, period.
Bud owns them entirely. They have a similar agreement as the Leinenkugel Brewery does with Miller. The only odd one is the Blue Moon Brewing Company that was started by Coors.
Personally all three of the above are pedestrian at best for breweries. They are the entry level micro beers for people who are trying to experiment.
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Lived in the state of Washington for awhile and was able to enjoy the best beer I've ever had. The pacific northwest produces most of the hops in the US and the breweries out there use that to their advantage. Since I've moved back to the midwest I've started brewing my own and highly recommend it if you like more exotic or tough to get beer. Made a Belgium triple recently that would temper any bad day.
Currently I have a quadruple hopped IPA in the fridge with high life diesel to cleanse the pallet.
If you live in Wisconsin you really can't miss the Great Taste of Midwest in Madison in August. Best tasting I've ever been too with over 100 different brewers from the Midwest. Had a hot pepper beer there last year which was perfect after sampling 20+ beers.
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Had a Sierra Nevada Torpedo IPA tonight. Not bad for a beer from SN who I usually thinks produces way overrated beers. Good bit to the hoppyness. Like a poor mans Two Hearted.
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Goose Island is NOT fully owned by Anheuser Busch/InBev. AB through an affiliate owns a minority interest in Goose. Goose operates indepentenly but utilizes the Anheuser Busch distribution system.
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Had a hot pepper beer there last year which was perfect after sampling 20+ beers.
We get quite a few green chili beers out in CO. I've only seen a couple in bottles (bombers), usually just on tap at brewpubs. Had one last weekend while visiting Ft. Collins and eating at Coopersmiths (http://www.coopersmithspub.com/beer.pl).
Smells like green chilli. Tastes like beer. Burns your throat like green chilli. Ahh ;D
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New Belguim Brewing Company's Fat Tire is my favorite beer, which will finally be available in Wisconsin (to Madison and Milwaukee) in early May. The rest of the state will have to wait until early July for full distribution.
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New Belguim Brewing Company's Fat Tire is my favorite beer, which will finally be available in Wisconsin (to Madison and Milwaukee) in early May. The rest of the state will have to wait until early July for full distribution.
This has recently become available in Tennessee as well. Their wit beer is very good.
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http://77square.com/food/salud/story_447823
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New Belguim Brewing Company's Fat Tire is my favorite beer, which will finally be available in Wisconsin (to Madison and Milwaukee) in early May. The rest of the state will have to wait until early July for full distribution.
Funny, obviously you get a lot of Fat Tire out here (in CO), and unfortunately it's not my favorite (though I do love most of their other beers. 1554 Belgium Black ale is awesome! Tripple is good too.). Nonetheless, if you get a chance to drink Fat Tire on Tap - it's 10x better than out of the bottle. I can't drink it out of the bottle anymore - tastes skunky compared to draft.
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. 1554 Belgium Black ale is awesome!
Any other beers you would compare to the 1554? I have had a lot of Belgian beers, but can't remember any of them being referred to as a Black Ale.
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Fat Tire on Tap - it's 10x better than out of the bottle. I can't drink it out of the bottle anymore - tastes skunky compared to draft.
100% agreed.
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Anyone else a fan of Kilkenny? Can't get it here in the US, but it's available nearly everywhere else in the world.
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Anyone else a fan of Kilkenny? Can't get it here in the US, but it's available nearly everywhere else in the world.
I enjoyed it when I was over in Ireland but had more Smithwick's with Guiness head than anything. That was a long few years waiting for Smithwick's to get to the states.
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Any other beers you would compare to the 1554? I have had a lot of Belgian beers, but can't remember any of them being referred to as a Black Ale.
Honestly....no. I attended a New Belgium tasting event in Boulder a couple years ago, and got the very interesting story on it. The "Belgium black" is a recipe that they had heard of, but didn't know how to brew. They took a trip to Belgium, lied to a few librarians, and eventually found out how to brew it from some text of the city market from the year 1554! It had disappeared for a few centuries! Here's the story on their website, which doesn't include the lying to librarians part :)
http://www.newbelgium.com/beer/1554
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Tried a few at Sugar Maple last night.
Central Waters Honey Blonde- Solid Cream Ale, very smooth. Subtle honey with a malty taste. I could drink this again, very drinkable beer.
Rogue Chocolate Stout- Outstanding. Beer of the night for me. Pours a thin cinnamon colored head, and has a strong chocolate aroma, which makes you think you'll be drinking a candy bar. Very balanced chocolate flavor with the traditional stout flavors. A subtle sweetness from the chocolate is there. This beer gets better as it warms as well. Had it on tap, it's available at Blatz Liquor in Milwaukee in 22 oz bombers.
Bear Republic Racer 5 IPA- Saw this on the list and had to try it after hearing some great things. If IPA's are your thing, this is a perfect beer. Pours a great copper color with a good head. Strong citrus aroma, and a very hoppy taste with a nice bitter finish. One of the better IPA's I've had.
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Bells Two Hearted – a staple in my fridge.
Hell yeah!
Add Riverwest Stein as an accessable tap.
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Built a six pack of Rogue Dead Guy and 5 beers I haven't had yet.
Left Hand Milk Stout- Saw this mentioned early in the thread, very smooth, tasty stout. Subtle sweet chocolate flavor with the traditional roasted malts. Overall a good stout to add to the rotation.
New Glarus Alt- Very unique beer. Pours an amber color with a solid head that stays with the beer. Very malty, with some oak and vanilla flavors that come out more as the beer warms. Full flavored, and deceptively heavy. New Glarus put an interesting twist on the style. One that I'm glad I tried before it goes away.
Magic Hat #9- Pale ale with apricot, which comes through right away in the aroma. I actually really like this one as a summer beer. Light and very easy to drink. Has a nice clean finish, which isn't the easiest in a fruity beer. But I can definitely see how pale ale fans would want more hops out of this one.
Bell's Kalamazoo Stout- Pretty decent stout, nothing really to write home about. Could do worse, but there are a lot of other stouts that are better.
Dogfish Head 60 min IPA- This one took me by surprise. Seeing IPA I thought it would be more citrusy with the hops. Instead, it drank more like a traditional pale ale. Interesting, and pretty good. I'd drink it again, but if I were going for an IPA I'd go Two Hearted or Racer 5.
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So I'm sitting here watching the ballgame with my first Dancing Man Wheat of the season, and figured it was time to revive this thread!
Anyone had the New Belgium stuff yet? I know its new to WI, and many have had Fat Tire, but I was curious as to other people's thoughts.
I'd never had any New Belgium stuff, but bought some 22 oz. bombers of each when they were released. I loved the Fat Tire, it's one of the best, if not the best Amber I've had. It's not their best beer though.
Really liked the Mothership Wit, that could be a summer staple for me. Light, very carbonated, but drinkable with a strong citrus flavor. Yet it avoids stepping into the "orange juice and beer" trap that some other Belgian Wheats fall into. My favorite was the 1554 by a long shot. Great Belgian dark ale, had a strong roasted malt flavor, but was balanced by some sweetness and a hint of cocoa. Very drinkable for how complex it is.
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I had the dancing man recently. not my choice actually. It has a strong flavor but not anything I like. I can't totally remember what it was but it wasn't that great IMO.
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Recently went to Colorado and tried a handful of stuff I'd never had before. Most was mediocre at best.
Don't bother with the Breckenridge Brewery at all. Got a sampler pack of their signature Avalanche Ale (red), IPA, Agave Wheat, and Vanilla Porter. Avalanche and IPA were as generic as those two types can get, the porter was decent, and the best was the wheat, which was solid, not special. Overall, a disappointment.
Also had O'dell's Easy Street Wheat. Again, disappointment. Average tasting.
Had what according to the waitress was New Belgium's seasonal wheat, but the name she gave us is not on their website (nor do they claim a seasonal wheat), so I'm not sure what it really was. Either way, it was merely decent.
Brought home a 6 pack of Boulder's Singletrack Copper Ale. That stuff is good. Not spectacular, but by far the best of the 7 CO beers I tried.
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sobelman's now carries more exclusive beers like a few I had at VOX up around north ave or at The Abby. I can't remember the name I think it was Magic Gumball er something (a good beer whatever the name but tough to drink more than a few in one sitting). Another one they added was a 24?oz Tall Boy That Tom Crean's Tanning Bed was telling me about last week.
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sobelman's now carries more exclusive beers like a few I had at VOX up around north ave or at The Abby. I can't remember the name I think it was Magic Gumball er something (a good beer whatever the name but tough to drink more than a few in one sitting). Another one they added was a 24?oz Tall Boy That Tom Crean's Tanning Bed was telling me about last week.
Magic Hat? I know I have been seeing Magic Hat #9 around lately on tap. Great beer.
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yes magic hat!
I swear there was a gumball one too
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recently tried beers
1554 - not sure who recommended it, but it was sub par. sorry.
Ale Asylum Ballistic - more taste than Hoppilicious, but the differences were mild at best.
Left hand Brewery Milk Stout - great, much better than I expected.
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recently tried beers
1554 - not sure who recommended it, but it was sub par. sorry.
Damn you...blasphemy!
Nah - I don't expect everyone to like the same beers - otherwise we wouldn't have all these wonderful beers to try. Glad you like the milk stout though - if you ever get a chance to try it on tap - it's even better!
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Bell's Oberon is a great summer brew. I have heard that it is better with a slice of orange although I haven't tried it yet.
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Bell's Oberon is a great summer brew. I have heard that it is better with a slice of orange although I haven't tried it yet.
You don't fruit the beer.
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agreed...
the 1554 was just nothing spectacular... Honestly, I thought it tasted a lot like a milder version of my home brewed Russian Imperial Stout.
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Big fan of anything Bells, including Oberon (sans orange). If you enjoy the milk stouts, you should try Bells Double Cream Stout. Very good beer.
I just recently tried Dogfish Head Indian Brown Ale. Very solid.
Anyone have any recomendations for Oatmeal Stouts? I'm impartial to Samuel Smith and Goose Island, but I would love to expand my horizons as they say.
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sobelman's now carries more exclusive beers like a few I had at VOX up around north ave or at The Abby. I can't remember the name I think it was Magic Gumball er something (a good beer whatever the name but tough to drink more than a few in one sitting). Another one they added was a 24?oz Tall Boy That Tom Crean's Tanning Bed was telling me about last week.
Let me translate for Ari, ye of developing beer tastes:
1) Magic Gumball=Three Floyd's Gumballhead. White ale infused with hops. Kind of a cross between Lakefront White and an IPA.
2) The 24 oz. Tall Boy=New Belgium Fat Tire. Only sold/served out of 22 oz. bottles. Medium ale, exceptionally smooth.
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Anyone have any recomendations for Oatmeal Stouts? I'm impartial to Samuel Smith and Goose Island, but I would love to expand my horizons as they say.
For a straight Oatmeal Stout, Breckenridge makes a pretty good one. If you like some coffee and chocolate with your oatmeal, try Founder's Breakfast Stout (one of my favorites).
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Big fan of anything Bells, including Oberon (sans orange). If you enjoy the milk stouts, you should try Bells Double Cream Stout. Very good beer.
I just recently tried Dogfish Head Indian Brown Ale. Very solid.
Anyone have any recomendations for Oatmeal Stouts? I'm impartial to Samuel Smith and Goose Island, but I would love to expand my horizons as they say.
I prefer Lake Louie Milk Stout to any other I have tried. :)
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Thanks for the information. Looks like I'm heading to Binny's tonight after work!
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Let me translate for Ari, ye of developing beer tastes:
1) Magic Gumball=Three Floyd's Gumballhead. White ale infused with hops. Kind of a cross between Lakefront White and an IPA.
2) The 24 oz. Tall Boy=New Belgium Fat Tire. Only sold/served out of 22 oz. bottles. Medium ale, exceptionally smooth.
Gumball is more of an APA than IPA. More citrus hops than bittering. Hense it is part of the American Pale Wheat Ale class. And it is damn fine beer to drink a lot of.
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Gumball is more of an APA than IPA. More citrus hops than bittering. Hense it is part of the American Pale Wheat Ale class. And it is damn fine beer to drink a lot of.
Thanks for clarifying. Heard the APA term tossed around before, but couldn't remember it at that particular moment.
And yes, it's one of the finest beers out there without a doubt.
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Had what according to the waitress was New Belgium's seasonal wheat, but the name she gave us is not on their website (nor do they claim a seasonal wheat), so I'm not sure what it really was. Either way, it was merely decent.
Was it the Skinny Dip? I had a case, or two, of that last summer. I dont remember if it was their summer or spring seasonal. I think it was the summer. It was good not mind blowing great, but i did like it more than their winter seasonal 2 below.
New Belgium's other beers that are great: Mothership Wit, Blue Paddle and sunset wheat.
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New Belgium's other beers that are great: Mothership Wit, Blue Paddle and sunset wheat.
I thought sunset wheat was a Leinenkugel's beer?
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sorry, Sunshine Wheat.
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Anyone try any good Hef's lately? Looking for a good sipper for my back deck this afternoon.
Thanks!
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Anyone try any good Hef's lately? Looking for a good sipper for my back deck this afternoon.
Thanks!
New Belgium - Mothership Wit
Yazoo - Hefe
or the classic Belgian treat Hooegaarden.
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Was it the Skinny Dip? I had a case, or two, of that last summer. I dont remember if it was their summer or spring seasonal. I think it was the summer. It was good not mind blowing great, but i did like it more than their winter seasonal 2 below.
I don't believe so. The name the waitress gave us was something with the word Earl in it I believe. I only had a small sample of it, but it was a decent wheat with a strong taste of something unusual that I couldn't identify. Which is probably the most useful beer description ever.
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New Belgium - Mothership Wit
Yazoo - Hefe
or the classic Belgian treat Hooegaarden.
Hooegaarden is the best. hands down.
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Anyone try any good Hef's lately? Looking for a good sipper for my back deck this afternoon.
Thanks!
New Glarus Dancing Man Wheat. A summer staple of mine.
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IMO the best beer is from Germany-----my favorite is Spaten Lager. I drink 3 half Liters on tap twice a week at my favorite watering hole!
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Good call on Spaten Lager. It's a great beer. Best enjoyed with a giant pretzel and sausage platter! I tried a Spaten Optimator at a bar in Chicago over the winter. Very strong and flavorful. If you like double bocks, its worth a try.
MUfan12, good call on the Breckenridge Oatmeal Stout! I really enjoyed it. I didn't try the Founder's Breakfast, but they had it in stock, so I will at some point in the future.
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Bud owns them entirely. They have a similar agreement as the Leinenkugel Brewery does with Miller. The only odd one is the Blue Moon Brewing Company that was started by Coors.
Personally all three of the above are pedestrian at best for breweries. They are the entry level micro beers for people who are trying to experiment.
You have all of this wrong. Leinny's is brewed and owned entirely by Miller and has for like 20 years. They still brew a little bit in Chippewa Falls. A-B only distributes Goose Island and doesn't brew it, however they have a small ownership in a Craft Alliance group that is invested in Goose. And there is no Blue Moon Company. It's just a marketing ploy like Michelob Brewing Company or Plank Road Brewery. Blue Moon is a Coors creation and brewed by Miller Coors. Of the 3. Goose Island is the closest to still being a craft.
Where can you find Magic Hat #9 in Chicago?
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A nice article on Goose Island for those that are interested:
http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/news.aspx?id=129571
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I stopped in the Tap Room at the Central Waters Brewery in Amherst, WI this weekend. A must visit if you are a beerlover and are ever in the area (only open on Fridays and Saturdays though). The Bourbon Barrel Stout, the Brewhouse Coffee Stout and the Mudpuppy Porter (on Nitro) were outstanding. Also - the bartender (not sure if he is an owner) was a great host.
Check them out - you can get thier beers at Discount and other places...
http://centralwaters.com/ (http://centralwaters.com/)
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When ya'll come to Kansas City in November 2010, be sure to try Boulevard Pale Ale, or any of the other flavors of Boulevard Brewing Co. in Kansas City, http://www.blvdbeer.com. This brewery is only 20 years old but has distinguished itself by growing like a weed and creating some great standards and seasonals.
Best beer in Missouri. Lots better than the stuff spewed out by the Belgian-owned water bottler across the state, http://budweiser.com/.
Indeed, we should have a reception at Boulevard during the 2010 CBE. I'll talk it up amongst the powers that be at the Marquette Club of KC.
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drinking original sin hard cider from Vermont right now. Almost too light. Lighter tast than strongbow with an interesting after taste
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drinking original sin hard cider from Vermont right now. Almost too light. Lighter tast than strongbow with an interesting after taste
are you a male admitting to drinking hard cider and actually discussing that sweet stuff in a beer thread?
got back from comet's beer school tonight. 10 different Pilsner beers. Great time had by all. some really interesting Pilsners including one that tasted like bacon.
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Hey Ari, try the new flavor of Zima?
It's awesome.
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Had the Micelob(sp) wheat last night for the first time, Shocktop I believe it is called. Was good, not my favorite, but better than others I have tried.
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hey now!
I was down at Sugar Maple in Bay View, tried out a bunch of different beers.
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hey now!
I was down at Sugar Maple in Bay View, tried out a bunch of different beers.
Sorry a man card has been taken.
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Sorry a man card has been taken.
Exactly - this is the beer thread. Not knockoff chick beer stuff.
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My favorite is a Belgian Trappist Ale. It's brewed by Trappist monks at Rochefort Brewery in the Abbey of Notre-Dame de Saint-Rémy in Belgium.
The beer is called Trappistes Rochefort 10. It'll run you $6 or $7 for an 11 oz bottle, but you will not be disappointed in either taste or potency (11.5% ABV). If that's a little rich for your blood, the Rochefort 8 is pretty solid. There's a big fall off in quality once you get to the Rochefort 6 though, stick with the 8 or 10.
Other recommended brews:
Dogfish Head - Indian Brown Ale.
Lagunitas - Brown Shugga'
Lagunitas - Sneak Release Undercover Investigation Shut-Down Ale
Good stuff.
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sounds a lot like Chimay.
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Hey Ari, if you made out with 25 chicks in one night, but also kissed a guy, no matter you made out with the girls, because you kissed a guy, it would still make you a little gay.
:)
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sounds a lot like Chimay.
Not a bad beer to be compared to.
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got back from comet's beer school tonight. 10 different Pilsner beers. Great time had by all. some really interesting Pilsners including one that tasted like bacon.
Bacon flavored beer? Do tell.
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Bacon flavored beer? Do tell.
The beer I had was Aecht Schlenkerla Helles Lagerbier from Germany.
“Schlenkerla Helles” is brewed with fine Bavarian aroma hops from the area around the city of Nürnberg. It's lagered in century old caves underneath the historic Schlenkerla brewery and maltings. Schlenkerla Helles is boiled in the same copper kettles and bottom fermented by the same yeast as the historic Schlenkerla Smokebeer. Its subtle smokiness without using smoke malt makes “Helles Schlenkerla Lager” a unique representative of the classic lager beer style “Bavarian Helles”.
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/263/29145
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oh yeah?
well I'm going to Oktoberfest for my honeymoon!
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Hey Ari, if you made out with 25 chicks in one night, but also kissed a guy, no matter you made out with the girls, because you kissed a guy, it would still make you a little gay.
:)
It'll still 25 more girls than you and no you can't count what you do with your dog and a fistful of peanut butter.
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It'll still 25 more girls than you and no you can't count what you do with your dog and a fistful of peanut butter.
But you still would have kissed a dude. Trump card. Game over.
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It'll still 25 more girls than you and no you can't count what you do with your dog and a fistful of peanut butter.
But what if it's not your dog?
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Since this is the Beer thread...
Anyone want a belt buckle bottle opener?
(http://images.footballfanatics.com/productImages/_289000/altImages/FF_289256ALT1_xl.jpg)
Initially, I thought it was cool...then I imagined myself doing it 5-6 times at a party. Not cool.
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If anyone can find it,I would recommend trying De Koninck. It is a Belgian Pale ale that is very tasty. Had to have a buddy ship it from Texas, but it was worth it.
www.dekoninck.be/
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If anyone can find it,I would recommend trying De Koninck. It is a Belgian Pale ale that is very tasty. Had to have a buddy ship it from Texas, but it was worth it.
www.dekoninck.be/
Had that at Cafe Centraal a few weekends back on the sampler. It was quite tasty.
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Was sampler night yesterday for my poker game...
New Belgium Skinny Dip - Not bad. Have yet to have a New Belgium product I didn't enjoy.
Hebrew - Very good, similar to New Castle. (If I am remembering New Castle correctly)
Kitzstriker Schwarzbier(sp) - eh, wouldn't recommend it. Too many over whelming flavors took away from the beer. But then again maybe that's what Schwarzbier is known for...
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Was sampler night yesterday for my poker game...
New Belgium Skinny Dip - Not bad. Have yet to have a New Belgium product I didn't enjoy.
Hebrew - Very good, similar to New Castle. (If I am remembering New Castle correctly)
Kitzstriker Schwarzbier(sp) - eh, wouldn't recommend it. Too many over whelming flavors took away from the beer. But then again maybe that's what Schwarzbier is known for...
Kostritzer is delicious. blasphemy!
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I may have just caught a bad bottle, which is always a risk with an import.
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I may have just caught a bad bottle, which is always a risk with an import.
why drink imports when there are so many fantastic american craft beers. that's my motto. especially bc almost all beer (outside aged cask beers) is best when fresh.
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Went to the lakefront debut of Wheat Monkey last night at a few north ave bars.
Decent beer pale ale with a hint of fruit. based off the taste I almost thought they'd be putting an orange in it to start. not that I'm so much for fruit in beer but it seemed like it'd be proper. Overall taste was decent, granted I thought it tasted very close to Sunset. logo is cool as hell.
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why drink imports when there are so many fantastic american craft beers. that's my motto. especially bc almost all beer (outside aged cask beers) is best when fresh.
fresh ingredients make better beer. shipping ingredients over to the US from bavaria or where ever means they aren't as fresh.
limiting yourself to only american made beers is... restrictive, at best.
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Just heard through the Interwebs that Three Floyds will begin (again) distributing six packs in Wisconsin (Milwaukee I know of) beginning in September. Alpha King and Gumball Head are the two they will start with. Giddy up.
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Discount was fully stocked with Three Floyds this past weekend.
Also - had a Alpha King Dreadnaught on tap at Romans this past week - outstanding! probably my favorite hoppy ale of all time...
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Discount was fully stocked with Three Floyds this past weekend.
Just bombers or six packs? And the woman who does the beer buying for discount is a really great resource. She has recommended many a great beer to me.
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Had a few new ones recently-
Tyranena's Rocky's Revenge- A Brown ale part aged in bourbon barrels. A really nice subtle bourbon finish, pretty dry with a little bit of sweetness. Interesting take on a nut brown ale.
New Glarus Black Wheat- This one pours like a stout, and has some stoutish characteristics with roasted malt and burnt grain flavors, yet still has the banana/clove of a traditional wheat. Pretty complex beer, another good New Glarus offering.
Lakefront Wheat Monkey- Let me preface this by saying Lakefront doesn't really have a beer I seek out. Occasionally I'll be in the mood for a Riverwest or Eastside Dark, but nothing I keep in the fridge at all times.
Hazy, golden color. Very light, drinkable beer. Has the fruitiness of an Oberon, but has a bread-like finish. I have a feeling I'll be drinking a lot of it this summer. They did a great job with this one.
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only saw the bombers, didn't look for 6 packs...
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just found this thread on one of my favorite subjects...
anything from Founders in MI, especially Double Trouble (DIPA), Old Carmudgeon and if you ever see it-buy everyone: KBS, one of the top rated beers on beeradvocate
many of the New Glarus Unplugged beers are top notch, I have a case of the Iced Barleywine in my basement and am compiling another case of the Imperial Saison; last years Bourbon Barrel Bock was also incredible
I agree that Goose Island Bourbon County Stout is very tasty
Central Waters Paradise by the Dashboard Lights is also very good IMO ( a cherry double porter)
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I know this is a beer discussion but I have to bring up Summer Shandy. I had it for the 1st time last night. What the F*** is that supposed to be, because it sure isn't beer? It tasted like someone poured tang in a blue moon.
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I had a Fat Tire Amber on tap last night here in Seattle, good lord was that bad.
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I know this is a beer discussion but I have to bring up Summer Shandy. I had it for the 1st time last night. What the F*** is that supposed to be, because it sure isn't beer? It tasted like someone poured tang in a blue moon.
It's what you buy girls that don't like beer but want to be tough and drink beer rather than mixed drinks. Tastes like a lemon drop or something.
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I had a Fat Tire Amber on tap last night here in Seattle, good lord was that bad.
BLASPHEMY!!
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Had a few recently I haven't had yet.
-Capital Brewery Wild Rice: The Summer Seasonal, the fine folks at the Brewery in Middleton raved about this one, so I picked up a 6 pack of it. Very drinkable, flavorful summer beer. Subtly sweet with a malty flavor. Mildly bitter, but well balanced. Definitely in my summer rotation.
-Sierra Nevada Summerfest Lager- Good crisp summer lager, very refreshing actually. Light, malty with some spice from the hops. Had a few while grilling on the 4th.
-Founders Red Rye Ale- Whoever recommended Founders earlier is spot on. This is one of the better beers I've had, period. Pours a dark, reddish amber with a good head that stays with the beer. Has a malty and nutty flavor, which plays with some citrus notes. Finishes with some spice and bitterness from the rye. Just a tremendously complex and balanced beer. I'm going to have to check out more of their offerings.
-New Glarus Imperial Saison- Part of their unplugged series, and a style I've never had before. Pours a hazy copper color with a strong head. The flavors are really interesting. It has a strong citrus flavor, and I get some orange, apricot, and peach. It's definitely got a tartness to it, as well as a little bit of spice. It was almost like a lambic. One I'm glad I tried, but wasn't quite my style I think.
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I was actually looking for something for this coming weekend as I'm throwing a little shindig and wanted something summery to have available. Might have to grab some Wild Rice as I was actually just looking into that. Great post timing MUfan12.
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Was up in Seattle this past weekend and had a couple great IPA's. Mack n Jack's was great - a little more bitter than fav's but damn tastey. Then I had Manny's. This beer freaking rocks. Bitter, citrusy, big huge hops - it was awesome. Also went to Pikes Brewery and Pyramid and they good. Pyramid Thunderhead is a pretty good IPA. The Hefe was weak in taste and reminded me of Miller Lite.
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The Hefe was weak in taste and reminded me of Miller Lite.
I second this, as Pyramid's Hefe is one of my least favorites.
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(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d88/kenwoodla/14eNc.jpg)
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Interesting list of high octane beers that I stumbled upon....
http://www.mybadpad.com/fun-stuff/55-beers-that-will-knock-you-flat-on-your-ass
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I had Central Water's Mudpuppy Porter on tap last weekend.
Very, very good stuff. Highly recommended!
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Let's bring this bad boy back! First, for the folks in Milwaukee some news. New Belgium will be making more varities available in August, as well as Fat Tire in 6 packs.
Also toured the new brewery in New Glarus a couple weeks back. The place is unreal. They don't have guided tours, but you're able to walk around and sample after. The facility is beautiful, especially the landscaping outside of it.
Had a couple new beers this week as well.
Tyranena Three Beaches Honey Blonde- Nice, refreshing Summer beer. Pours a golden color with a thin head, has a good amount of carbonation. Strong honey aroma, but the sweetness is countered by the hops coming through. Pretty easy to drink. I'm going to check out their brewery in Lake Mills one of these days.
Anderson Valley Summer Solstice- Picked up a six pack on a recommendation. It's definitely not what you'd think of in a summer beer. It's a dark copper colored cream ale, very malty with some vanilla and subtle spice notes. Almost a cream soda aftertaste. So, so smooth. A really good beer.
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ok ok, I'll admit it... usually when people hype beer up and I have it, I find it to be pretty mediocre...
but this Three Floyd's Dreadnaught is pretty damn good.
so... thanks.
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ok ok, I'll admit it... usually when people hype beer up and I have it, I find it to be pretty mediocre...
but this Three Floyd's Dreadnaught is pretty damn good.
so... thanks.
Three Floyds is one of the top breweries in America - especially if you like hops. And since you Dreadnaught - you obviously do. Even living in WI where they are not fully distributed, I still find my fridge with at min 2 different Three Floyds at all times. You need try Alpha King and Gumball Head. I am also a huge fan of the Scotch Ale called Robert The Bruce. You really can't go wrong with any of their beers. Thank the lord six packs are rumored to show in September.
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love Dreadnaught - it's up to $9.99 a bottle at Discount, the wife sees this and ups her wine budget accordingly....
on tap at Roman's for a very short time - i was in heaven...
has anyone tried Three Floyd's Oatgoop?
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Had Three Floyds Omeganaught this past weekend. It was pretty good. Straight hopwater - no malt backing - which is fine by me. A little watery in texture but not a bad beer for breakfast - which is when I had it instead of OJ with my coffee.
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I was in Central PA visiting friends......
Straub Beer brewed in St. Mary's PA. Nothing fancy, just a great lager beer. Took a brewery tour with the CEO.....4 minutes. The Eternal Tap at the end of the tour is priceless. Only distributed in PA and NE Ohio. I brought 2 cases home.
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I tried the Founder's Devil Dancer, labeled a triple IPA. This was afantastic beer although also not cheap, $18.99 for a 4 pack. I'm sure it's not cheap to make either, there's got to be alot of malt and hops in these.
Also tried the Tyranena (Brewer's gone wild series) Bitter woman in the Rye during a tour of the brewery, another very good beer I heartily recommend.
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Speaking of Tyranena, I tried a Tyranea Scurvy at a recent beer festival and had a few on tap at a bar. Very enjoyable. It's an IPA brewed with orange peel. The orange adds great flavor but isn't overpowering. A very nice brew. And there is no need to fruit the beer!
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Props to whoever recommended Central Waters Muddpuppy Porter.
Had it at a bar last week and really enjoyed it. I'm not a huge Porter fan but really liked it.
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For the Three Floyds enthusiasts here, you haven't lived until you've had dark lord. 13% alcohol. You'll have to travel to Indiana to get it, it is only sold at the brewery and sells out in a day or two i believe. Wonderful beer though
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For the Three Floyds enthusiasts here, you haven't lived until you've had dark lord. 13% alcohol. You'll have to travel to Indiana to get it, it is only sold at the brewery and sells out in a day or two i believe. Wonderful beer though
you need tickets to get it at the Dark Lord Day festival and you can then get 2 cases of 20oz bombers. I had to turn down tickets this year. It is a Russian Imperial Stout. It has been called one of the worlds greatest beers and people travel the nation to go.
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I haven't tried the Dark Lord yet, mainly because I refuse to waste a whole day in Munster Indiana and will not pay $20 a bottle on ebay.
I'm sure the beer is fantastic, but is it worth all the hoops you have to jump through to get it? I know Dark Lord Day is overflowing with people every year, so that says something right there.
I just think you can walk into Sam's Wines or Binny's in Chicago and get a number of high quality Imperial Stouts that rival Dark Lord. Convenience is key for me.
As I said above, I haven't tried Dark Lord and maybe that is my problem. I guess I might have a different opinion if I did. So, want to share a bottle with me? Ha ha.
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Dark Lord is for true beer geeks who make it their hobby so jumping through hoops is not an issue. It is almost like mini beer festival where everyone brings beers to share and try while waiting in line. It's not for everyone, but for some it will be. One day of drinking all day still is a good day in my mind.
A friend of mine has a few bottles at his restaurant that I need to get down to and hopefully try.
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I'm hoping to get lucky and and run across some Dark Lord one of these days. Until then, its Bourbon County Stout, or Founders Breakfast Stout when I need a giant imperial fix.
Any other imperial stout suggestions?
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sprecher's specialty fire brewed Russian Imperial isn't too bad...
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I have to say that mostly because of this thread, Three Floyds became a "must try" on my list. Even drove a decent bit out of my way to pick up some bottles. Got a bomber of the Dreadnaught and of the Blackheart Ale. (I can't tell you how disappointed I was that there was no Gumballhead.) Both were fantastic.
Plus, much to my delight, last weekend I found out that my local Whole Foods is now stocking six-packs of Alpha King (and one other variety).
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I have to say that mostly because of this thread, Three Floyds became a "must try" on my list. Even drove a decent bit out of my way to pick up some bottles. Got a bomber of the Dreadnaught and of the Blackheart Ale. (I can't tell you how disappointed I was that there was no Gumballhead.) Both were fantastic.
Plus, much to my delight, last weekend I found out that my local Whole Foods is now stocking six-packs of Alpha King (and one other variety).
I try and pick up a case of Gumball Head every time I in Chicago. It is hard to find outside of Chicago or Indiana bc it is not distributed very far.
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Picked up some Alpha King and Pride and Joy today. Had a Gumballhead on tap at lunch.
Beer and DWade, all the reason I need to go to Chicago.
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I try and pick up a case of Gumball Head every time I in Chicago. It is hard to find outside of Chicago or Indiana bc it is not distributed very far.
FYI, if you are in Wisconsin still, Three Floyds getting distribution in WI starting in September I believe.
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FYI, if you are in Wisconsin still, Three Floyds getting distribution in WI starting in September I believe.
That is the rumor - and has been for a few years now - but six packs of Alpha King and probably Pride and Joy are supposed to show up mid September.
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a friend / beer enthusiast is having a party tomorrow - he sent the beer list out in advance, it will be like a kid in a candy store, I claimed dibs on all the Dreadnaught ahead of time
Old Rasputin - Russian Imperial Stout
Stone - Smoked Porter
Stone - Arrogant Bastard
Moylan's - Scotch Style Ale
Moylan's - Hopsickle Imperial Ale
Three Floyd's - Dreagnaught
Three Floyd's - Black Sun Stout
Meantime - India Pale Ale
Lagunitas - Hop Stoopid Ale
Steamworks - Ale Diablo
Farmhouse - Robust Porter
Southern Tier - Uber Sun
New Belgium - Fat Tire
Ommegang - Abbey Ale
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a buddy of mine and i split a bomber of the Stone - Smoked Porter on the recommendation of another friends from HS & MU. My buddies reaction "tastes like a sweat sock the has soaked up chew spit". It is interesting to say the least.
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I'm hoping to get lucky and and run across some Dark Lord one of these days. Until then, its Bourbon County Stout, or Founders Breakfast Stout when I need a giant imperial fix.
Any other imperial stout suggestions?
If you like Founder's Breakfast Stout, try and get ahold of their KBS (Kentucky Breakfast Stout), the BS aged in oak bourbon barrels.
It's only out around February and sells out quick. Discount Liquor put a limit of maximum of 4 bottles per person, although I still ended up with a case somehow ;D
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Had a New Belgium 1554 last weekend, and was very impressed. I am not sure if I can get it anywhere locally on tap, but was quite tasty out of the bottle. The "chocolate finish" as they describe was noticeable, but not overpowering.
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Had a New Belgium 1554 last weekend, and was very impressed. I am not sure if I can get it anywhere locally on tap, but was quite tasty out of the bottle. The "chocolate finish" as they describe was noticeable, but not overpowering.
honestly, its garbage.
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honestly, its garbage.
Can you recommend a similar style beer for me to compare? It could be garbage, but never having a "belgian black ale", I have no basis for comparison. I did question the "belgian black ale" statement since I lived in Belgium, and had not seen another beer called a black ale.
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I quite liked the 1554 when I had it. Also had New Belgium's Blue Paddle Pilsner this weekend, thought it was pretty good for a domestic Pilsner. Haven't had a bad beer from them yet.
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black wheat from new glarus is much better.
I just don't think that the fat tire brewery stuff is all that great.
its all hype... put it by other beers on sheer taste and I think it is pretty clear.
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Hards - you're really beating this anti-New Belgium drum hard.
I know you didn't like 1554, but to compare it to a black wheat is unfair. They are two different styles.
Fat tire (the beer) is crap if you ask me. But you shouldn't write off New Belgium so fast. Stop by their brewery in Ft. Collins, try all their beers in the tasting room (free! no liquor license), and talk with the brewers. If you still think it's all crap macro-brew hiding behind a micro-brew name, I'll leave you alone. But just trying 1 or 2 of their beers and calling it all crap is painting with a pretty wide brush.
Yes other breweries have some better options, but most of new belgiums stuff is very drinkable, without too many defects (unless you drink fat tire out of a bottle - blech). That's better than I can say for a lot of micro brewers.
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Now back to the beer reviews, tried a Belgica from Great Divide last week.
Described as a Belgian IPA, it certainly had plenty of alcohol content, but I can't say I enjoyed the taste of the hops and spices together. First Belgian IPA I've tried, but based on my experience, I'll probably limit further attempts at this category to a single bottle (mix & match) before jumping into a whole 6-pack commitment.
I wouldn't say it's a bad beer, just not my style.
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Had some Massachusetts beer lately and was impressed.
Offshore Brewery is from Martha's Vineyard. Their Amber Ale was quite good.
Also had 3 from Harpoon Brewery out of Boston- the IPA, UFO (Unfiltered Offering) Hefeweizen, and UFO White. All were very good.
I don't think any of these are available outside of New England, but Harpoon's easy to find out there.
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Had a few newbies after a trip to Sugar Maple and the Sprecher Brewery.
Rogue Juniper Pale Ale- Earthy hops, with a bright citrus flavor complimented by the Juniper berries. Definitely an interesting take on a Pale Ale. Pretty light color, dry in taste, overall a nice beer. I'd drink it again, but it doesn't stack up to an Alpha King IMO.
Sprecher Generation Porter- I had to try this one when I built my 4 pack at the brewery. Brewed with cocoa, caramel malts, and raspberry extract. At first sip, was not a fan. The beer got exponentially better as it warmed. Not one I'd drink at a bar, but for a dessert beer it's top notch. Smooth, sweet, and very drinkable.
Also had the Sprecher Oktoberfest. Solid Octoberfest offering, perhaps a bit heavy on the sweetness, especially on the finish. My first foray into this season's fall offerings. Looking forward to sampling some more at Blatz Liquor tomorrow (1121 N. Broadway).
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Hards - you're really beating this anti-New Belgium drum hard.
I know you didn't like 1554, but to compare it to a black wheat is unfair. They are two different styles.
Fat tire (the beer) is crap if you ask me. But you shouldn't write off New Belgium so fast. Stop by their brewery in Ft. Collins, try all their beers in the tasting room (free! no liquor license), and talk with the brewers. If you still think it's all crap macro-brew hiding behind a micro-brew name, I'll leave you alone. But just trying 1 or 2 of their beers and calling it all crap is painting with a pretty wide brush.
Yes other breweries have some better options, but most of new belgiums stuff is very drinkable, without too many defects (unless you drink fat tire out of a bottle - blech). That's better than I can say for a lot of micro brewers.
I realize they aren't the same style.
I have had Fat Tire, Mothership Whit, and 1554. I found the Mothership to be the most drinkable of the 3.
The reason I call it crap is because it gets far too much hype for what it really is; mediocre beer.
I don't plan to make a trip all the way out to Fort Collins, CO to taste some mediocre beer when I can just go down the street here in Madison and have some mediocre Crapital Brewery beer. ;)
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black wheat from new glarus is much better.
But is it available outside of Wisconsin.
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But is it available outside of Wisconsin.
being from Wisconsin, I am not sure :)
you can easily find out yourself though!!!
http://www.newglarusbrewing.com/BeerFinder.cfm
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I must confess I had already checked out the website and discovered it is only available in Wisconsin.
I guess I will have to wait until my next visit to the MKE.
Also, the Andrew Zimmerman clip where he is at the Old German Beerhall... Is this a new place? I can't believe I was in Milwaukee for 4.5 years and had never seen or heard of this place.
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I have been told that 1554 is similar to Shiner Black.
Can anyone confirm or deny this before I buy a 6 pack and decide for myself.
FWIW
The gentleman working at the beer store also scoffed at the notion that 1554 has anything to do with Belgium. He actually seemed put off by the fact that New Belgium makes the connection on the 1554 label.
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Duchesse de Bourgogne
Ridiculous.
Smells initially like PAAS easter egg coloring tablets. Strong vinegar aroma.
Taste is crisp, sweet-balsamic, but smooth with a fine carbonation.
I have had it twice. It was better from a bottle. On tap, it looses some of the effervescence and crispness.
Great with fatty meats - pork especially. The acidity cuts through the fat nicely.
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I would be remiss if I didn't put in another plug for one of my new favorite microbreweries - Central Waters out of Amherst, WI. I had a number of their porters over the weekend, as well as their Pale Ale. Very good stuff.
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Also, the Andrew Zimmerman clip where he is at the Old German Beerhall... Is this a new place? I can't believe I was in Milwaukee for 4.5 years and had never seen or heard of this place.
It opened in late 2005. Prior to that it was Guse's City Hall.
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Duchesse de Bourgogne - a Flemish Red Ale (aka Sour Ale) - a very unique beer but very drinkable, had a similar beer this weekend - Monk's Cafe, very tasty....
Romans has Duchesse on tap all the time...
If one gets past the distinct smell, people usually like it...
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Has anyone had New Belgium's Hoptober? Saw it at the grocery store tonight, was going to ask for a review first...
And I know you don't like it Hards. ;)
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Has anyone had New Belgium's Hoptober? Saw it at the grocery store tonight, was going to ask for a review first...
And I know you don't like it Hards. ;)
I haven't had it... I didn't say all their beer was crap, The Mothership Wit is actually pretty decent. I just think they are totally overrated as a brewery, and the 1554 is not as good as everyone thinks.
that said, This weekend, I attended the Thirsty Troll Brew Fest in Mount Horeb, WI. There were 30 breweries in attendance... mostly beer I have tried before... but a few notables were:
Magic Hat Brewery (VT)
Magic Hat had a Saki Lager... It was VERY strange, but not too bad... maybe a little vinegary.
Grumpy Troll (WI) the host brewery out of Mt. Horeb
The Grumpy Troll had my favorite beer of the competition and got my vote. The beer was a jalapeno beer which I had never had before. It had the aroma and flavor of jalapenos without any of the spice... strange indeed, but delightful. Unfortunately, The Grumpy Troll doesn't bottle their beer, so the only way to try it is to haul all the way down to Mt. Horeb for a taste. Also had a beer called Erik the Red... which was also fantastic.
other attending breweries were Flying Dog, Ale Asylum, Great Dane, Oso? (ran out, lots of people LOVED their beer), New Glarus, Esser's, etc etc... I'm sure the names are on the website.
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Just giving you a hard time. I also enjoy the Mothership Wit.
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Mostly thanks to this thread, I've been inspired to drink better beer. I started with a run on anything sold by Three Floyds at local establishments, and have then branched out. Usually, my beer request is for either "something new and/or preferably local".
From Three Floyds - everything from Three Floyds has been delicious. Really, really good beer.
Dreadnaught
Blackheart Ale
Gumball head
Alpha King
Rabid Rabbit Saison Ale - Evidently, one of the items they include while brewing are pop rocks.
Barley Wine - This comes with a wax covering. I thought the first taste was repulsive. The second taste was much better. Halfway through I found it delicious. Weird experience.
London Pride English Pale Ale - I have a friend from England that talks this beer up. It was okay, but I had it the same weekend as the Blackheart English Pale Ale and it didn't compare.
Goose Island Naughty Goose Brown Ale - For a brown ale, I wasn't expecting this beer to be as dark as it was. It was pretty good after I got over the surprise.
Bells Two-Hearted Ale - I couldn't stop drinking this beer. It was so good.
Great Lakes Burning River - Evidently, this beer has won a few gold medals. It was smooth and potent, but not as hoppy as the Two-Hearted Ale. It's the kind of beer one could easily drink a six-pack of without even realizing it. I don't know if that's a compliment or not.
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For some really good beer one should look to the Pacific Northwest and more specifically Oregon. There is a brewery in Bend, OR called "Deschutes Brewery". Their most popular beer is the Mirror Pond Pale Ale. You can order it online at bottletrek.com.
More locally - Lakefront Brewery's IPA is amazing!!!
YAY BEER!!!!
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For some really good beer one should look to the Pacific Northwest and more specifically Oregon. There is a brewery in Bend, OR called "Deschutes Brewery". Their most popular beer is the Mirror Pond Pale Ale. You can order it online at bottletrek.com.
Deschutes does make some good stuff. I guess I'm lucky it's sold locally here in CO.
Also, a reminder, the Great American Beer Fest will be in Denver this coming weekend (starting Thursday). 2100 beers in one convention hall can't be beat!
http://www.greatamericanbeerfestival.com/
So, if you're not busy next weekend, and are up for a trip to CO, it's at least a once-in-a-lifetime must for any beer lover. Tickets are sold out, but I'm sure you can scrounge some up. Unfortunately I'm traveling out of the country next weekend, otherwise I would have made plans to go too :(
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I have to sing the praises of New Glarus Staghorn Oktoberfest. It's absolutely fantastic. Smooth, malty, without being overly sweet. I'm not a huge Oktoberfest guy, but I could drink this one all day. Definitely recommend it!
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Wife wanted to hit a good fish fry tonight - we went to Nite Cap in Palmyra (excellent fish fry) and the bonus - Central Waters Mud Puppy Porter on tap. Rare a little hole in the wall place has a beer this good....
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just saw this - http://coedmagazine.com/2009/09/25/7-beers-to-try-before-you-die/ (http://coedmagazine.com/2009/09/25/7-beers-to-try-before-you-die/)
Of the 7 - Founders Breakfast Stout, great beer
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just saw this - http://coedmagazine.com/2009/09/25/7-beers-to-try-before-you-die/ (http://coedmagazine.com/2009/09/25/7-beers-to-try-before-you-die/)
Of the 7 - Founders Breakfast Stout, great beer
that's kind of funny to me because Founders makes an even better version of that same beer, the Kentucky Breakfast Stout or shortened to just KBS in 2009
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Founders is my local beer. Made about 10 minutes from my house. They really don't make a bad one.
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Tried some new ones recently. First, I toured the Schlafly Brewery in St. Louis this weekend. They make a bunch of different styles, and their beers were pretty solid on the whole. Really enjoyed the Oatmeal Stout and their APA. The one complaint I had is they definitely took some liberties with classifying their beers. For instance, their Hefeweizen was a 4%, and lacked much of the spice and depth of a traditional hef. Their Saison was more of a Belgian Double than a Saison, had very little fruit notes to it.
Also had Hop Hazard from Riverhorse Brewery in NJ. It's a dry-hopped APA, pours a cloudy amber with a fluffy head. Light citrus notes, more of a toasted malt taste. Nicely bittered with light caramel notes. I enjoyed it, the hopheads on here would probably want more hops.
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On the way for Sushi tonight, stopped into the Wine Cellar in Elm Grove (on Bluemound). They have added a very nice beer section. The finds...
Alpha King in 6 packs (guess they started shipping in Wis 2 weeks ago)
and
Central Waters - all 6 packs for 6.49 - I went with the Mud Puppy Porter and the Imperial Stout....
nice place, nice owners...
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On the way for Sushi tonight, stopped into the Wine Cellar in Elm Grove (on Bluemound). They have added a very nice beer section. The finds...
Alpha King in 6 packs (guess they started shipping in Wis 2 weeks ago)
and
Central Waters - all 6 packs for 6.49 - I went with the Mud Puppy Porter and the Imperial Stout....
nice place, nice owners...
Alpha King and Gumball Head 6pk's are both now distributed in SE Wisconsin.
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So i went and picked up some Gumballhead due to some of the posts on this board... and i hated it. First of all, i really don't like any wheat beers, they are much to sweet i think, and this one was no better. I was super sweet and citrus-y, with an almost sour-mango aftertaste... not what i want in a beer.
all of my roommates agree this tastes pretty terrible. as far as wheat beers go, i would ever prefer a new glarus crack'd wheat to this. give me a spotted cow/high life/banquet beer over Gumballhead any day
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Picked up Capital Brewery's Autumnal Fire this weekend. For a chilly fall night, it is the perfect beer. A little spice, heavy malt presence, with a sweet finish. They took an Oktoberfest, put it on steroids, and made it bock strength. At roughly 7.5% its got something behind it. Really wonderful stuff.
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So i went and picked up some Gumballhead due to some of the posts on this board... and i hated it. First of all, i really don't like any wheat beers, they are much to sweet i think, and this one was no better. I was super sweet and citrus-y, with an almost sour-mango aftertaste... not what i want in a beer.
all of my roommates agree this tastes pretty terrible. as far as wheat beers go, i would ever prefer a new glarus crack'd wheat to this. give me a spotted cow/high life/banquet beer over Gumballhead any day
That is because Gumball Head is an American PALE Wheat Ale and it has a ton of hops in it. It is pretty much a wheat base beer that is then turned into am American Pale Ale. So, am I guessing you are not a big hop fan either. And with Gumball you need like hops as that is what those little chunks were floating in the glass - hops.
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I found Lakefront's Wheat Monkey this weekend, and I'm generally a big fan of American Wheats, but Wheat Monkey didn't quite do it for me. I haven't found the Gumball Head yet, but I'm a big fan of Goose's 312 and Sam Adams' Summer Ale. The Lakefront effort just seemed too heavy, and the trademark Lakefront taste did not translate well into a Wheat.
Anyone know where to get Gumball Head around Kenosha/Far Northern Illinois?
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Anyone try the new Bud Light Wheat yet? I am guessing it is so-so, but that is simply based on 75% of their product line falling into that category.
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Founders Breakfast Stout was delicious. DELICIOUS! This weekend I was really, really disappointed that it wasn't in stock at the grocery store.
Have also tried the Southern Tier Pumking Beer. It has been my favorite pumpkin beer so far, enough to go back for seconds (after realizing there was no Breakfast Stout dammit). However, I saw that Dogfish Head has a pumpkin ale out now. Hooray October!
A few weeks ago I was back in Milwaukee. Had a bomber of Lakefront's Bridge Burner. It was pretty tasty (I liked it more than Riverwest Stein), and a fun excuse to dig into a little bit of MKE history.
Also tried a beer from a brewery in the third ward (I think). Buffalo Water Brewery's Autumn Beer. This brewery is so small they didn't even make a new label for their autumn beer. They just put a small yellow sticker on the top that said "Autumn". It was /okay/.
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Founders Breakfast Stout was delicious. DELICIOUS!
Eagerly awaiting my first taste of this beer. Had to pull some strings to get it to TN, but will be arriving next week along with some 3 floyds. I really they are both as good as this thread has built them up to be...
On a cheap note, I got a 6 pack of Black Toad dark ale from trader joes last week. It tastes a lot like 1554, only a fraction of the price.
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Eagerly awaiting my first taste of this beer. Had to pull some strings to get it to TN, but will be arriving next week along with some 3 floyds. I really they are both as good as this thread has built them up to be...
On a cheap note, I got a 6 pack of Black Toad dark ale from trader joes last week. It tastes a lot like 1554, only a fraction of the price.
get some Kolstritzer. Its schwarzbier (black beer) from Germany, and about 100x better than the 1554 crap. :)
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There is a really good beer out the west called fat tire. I am not sure if this has been posted yet but it is worth trying out if your looking for a good new beer. Also bells brewrey out of michigan makes some pretty solid beers
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Recently had a bottle of Sweet George's Brown Ale from Dillon Dam Brewery in CO. Quite good. Nice and creamy with a decent amount of hops and a nice, full flavor without getting too heavy.
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There is a really good beer out the west called fat tire. I am not sure if this has been posted yet but it is worth trying out if your looking for a good new beer.
Never heard of it. Hards, you ever had Fat Tire beer? ;)
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Never heard of it. Hards, you ever had Fat Tire beer? ;)
Too funny. muphan - thanks for the input, but Fat Tire, and New Belgium beers in general have been discussed a lot in this thread. It's a long thread, but worth the read if you like beer!
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I need to try out that Fat Tire sometime.....
nah, just had an Alpha King to wash down a great Ribeye. IMHO, best of the hoppy ales - just slightly ahead of Bells Two Hearted Ale.
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too good... too good
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I'm out in San Diego for work. Little known fact... San Diego is one of the great American spots for beer. Despite being a big believer in drinking local, SD has the goods when it comes to good beer.
Last night - had a Stone Ruination IPA. waaaaayyyyy hoppy. Probably the most hoppy beer I've had. Ever. It took some serious getting used to, and might have been too much for me.
Tonight - went to Pizza Port (winner of the 2009 Great American Beer Festival Large BrewPub of the year). Had a wet hop IPA and their Swami's IPA. Their wet hop was /okay/, but the Swami's IPA was delicious. The pizza wasn't bad either. Also picked up some Red Barn Ale from The Lost Abbey, which is also by Port Brewing Company. It's a summer-Ale with spices.
Despite recommendations from friends, there was no Pliny the Elder to be had, though. it was all sold out at the local pubs and there was none at BevMo.
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I'm out in San Diego for work. Little known fact... San Diego is one of the great American spots for beer. Despite being a big believer in drinking local, SD has the goods when it comes to good beer.
It's not the little of a fact, Men's Journal just voted San Diego America's Best Beer Town. :P http://www.mensjournal.com/top-five-beer-towns (http://www.mensjournal.com/top-five-beer-towns)
Though I still think Portland is the tops, it does have some good places.
Was the Ruination hoppier than say Hopslam by Bell's?
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It's not the little of a fact, Men's Journal just voted San Diego America's Best Beer Town. :P http://www.mensjournal.com/top-five-beer-towns (http://www.mensjournal.com/top-five-beer-towns)
Though I still think Portland is the tops, it does have some good places.
Was the Ruination hoppier than say Hopslam by Bell's?
I've had the Ruination, I don't think it's hoppier than Hopslam. Damn good IPA though.
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okay.... well known fact. San Diego has good beer and lots of it. Stone is fairly well available even back in the Midwest. I guess that my only two gripes are:
*It's better to drink local
*They didn't have squat for seasonals, considering the temperature is always 72 degrees. Where's the pumpkin beer, the harvest beer, the oktoberfest?
I've not had the Hopslam yet so no comparison.
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There are really people in this thread that haven't had Ruination and/or Arrogant Bastard? Those are a couple staples for me from Stone. I guess I'm lucky their bombers are sold all over the place here. Mighty fine brews if you like things over the top.
Funny you mention Pliny the Elder. My town just had a new brew-pub open. It's actually owned by Oskar Blues, but they have 43 taps, including about 30+ guest taps. Pliny the Elder was one of them, and it was an amazingly smooth drinking double IPA, despite some worthy hops, and high alcohol content.
Of course, I should note that I drank a Gordon double IPA first (8.7% ABV, 85 IBU), so following it with the 'Elder (8% ABV, 100 IBU) wasn't exactly a shock to my taste buds. Both are excellent brews, IMO.
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I LOVE Ruination... I don't love that it is $15 for a 6 pack though.
it is easily the hoppiest beer I have had... but I haven't had the Hopslam either... its hoppier than the 120 infused hop beer from Dogfish head?... I'm probably thinking of the wrong brewery here though.
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I LOVE Ruination... I don't love that it is $15 for a 6 pack though.
On tap it's even better :) Had it the Breckenridge brew fest a couple years ago. 11,000ft + all you can drink Ruination = near Ruination :) Luckily I survived to drink another day.
The brewpub/tap house I mentioned in the above post had Arrogant Bastard on tap, but I can't remember if ruination was there. Nonetheless, I'll be spending a lot more time there in the near future to figure out all their taps. Life is such a chore...
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total ruination = 3 Liters of Augustaner at Oktoberfest last week.
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Enjoying Leinie's Oktoberfest beer these days. It's great for the fall season - not too heavy, not too light. I'm a Honey Weiss guy in the summer.
Speaking of Oktoberfest, I remember being in Munich back in 1983 and loving - OK, overimbibing on - Paulaner. Still amazed at how those tiny waitresses could carry so many steins!
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Enjoying Leinie's Oktoberfest beer these days. It's great for the fall season - not too heavy, not too light. I'm a Honey Weiss guy in the summer.
Speaking of Oktoberfest, I remember being in Munich back in 1983 and loving - OK, overimbibing on - Paulaner. Still amazed at how those tiny waitresses could carry so many steins!
If your an oktoberfest guy you need to check out summit's oktoberfest. its nearly 8% ABV and imo much more delicious than leinie's version.
Another great option is staghorn by new glarus.
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Had Stone Ruination yesterday - very hoppy, very good but not as "drinkable" as Two-Hearted or Alpha King...
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Enjoying Leinie's Oktoberfest beer these days. It's great for the fall season - not too heavy, not too light. I'm a Honey Weiss guy in the summer.
Speaking of Oktoberfest, I remember being in Munich back in 1983 and loving - OK, overimbibing on - Paulaner. Still amazed at how those tiny waitresses could carry so many steins!
I so utterly disgusted by Leinies Oktoberfest now. They changed the recipe 3 yrs ago to make the base of the beer the same as Honey Weiss and it has over sweetened the beer. I was talking to Jake about it and he said that they did it to lower overhead. I was floored. This is also why Red is sweeter now than it was a few years ago.
Paulaner is my absolute favorite traditional Marzen. Whomever said Staghorn above is right on. One of the best American Oktoberfest's.
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I so utterly disgusted by Leinies Oktoberfest now. They changed the recipe 3 yrs ago to make the base of the beer the same as Honey Weiss and it has over sweetened the beer. I was talking to Jake about it and he said that they did it to lower overhead. I was floored. This is also why Red is sweeter now than it was a few years ago.
OK...thanks for this. I was wondering what was different about Red. I thought it was just because I had been drinking a lot of Stouts lately so the Red just tasted sweeter.
BTW, last night was Sierra Nevada Stout. Yum...
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I so utterly disgusted by Leinies Oktoberfest now. They changed the recipe 3 yrs ago to make the base of the beer the same as Honey Weiss and it has over sweetened the beer. I was talking to Jake about it and he said that they did it to lower overhead. I was floored. This is also why Red is sweeter now than it was a few years ago.
Amazing how Leinie's went from beer I would splurge for in college (2000-04) to beer I wouldn't even consider now. New Glarus should send Miller a Christmas card every year.
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Great point, Wareagle. When I was in college, (84-88), Leinie's and Point were exotics. Special Ex was a splurge and a really good beer with the recipe at the time. Lowenbrau Dark at a Miller tour was an extreme reach. For flavor, you would go to import night at the Ardmore where some people were trying this crazy thing of putting a lemon or lime in a Corona. Ooooooooooo. We are truly spoiled by the microbrew explosion of the last 20 years.
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Amazing how Leinie's went from beer I would splurge for in college (2000-04) to beer I wouldn't even consider now. New Glarus should send Miller a Christmas card every year.
So true. The only beer of theirs I'd actually buy now is Creamy Dark. Seems like the only one they haven't touched.
On a side note, I really wish they'd bring back Apple Spice. A lot of good memories drinking that stuff around the holidays.
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believe it or not, 7 years after graduation, i just had my first lenie's original. I must say, it may be my favorite leine. Seems like it would be a good drink all day beer.
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flying dog's in-heat wheat is very good. finally someone was able to make a wheat beer without polluting it with too many hops
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believe it or not, 7 years after graduation, i just had my first lenie's original. I must say, it may be my favorite leine. Seems like it would be a good drink all day beer.
Definitely not something to drink all day...it's easily one of the worst hangover beers there is.
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Tried a few new beers last week-
Ale Asylum Satisfaction Jacksin- Their Double IPA, packs a punch at 8% I believe. Pours a copper color with a strong hoppy aroma. Definitely the classic bitterness you'd expect, but they balance it out nicely with the malts. Has a bit of sweetness, but a definite bitter finish. Expensive though, $15 for a sixer. Great beer though, especially for the hopheads.
Furthermore Fallen Apple- Had this one on tap. An interesting take, a cream ale brewed with apple juice. Definitely tart, and a little sweet. Drinks more like a cider than a beer. It was decent, had nothing on the Apple Ale New Glarus put out last year though.
Tyranena Imperial Chocolate Porter- Fantastic beer. Poured a very dark brown with a tan head. Had a lot of the roasted notes you'd expect, but the chocolate balances everything. Also some subtle nutty flavor as well. Not as sweet as other chocolate beers. They really nailed it with this one.
Three Floyd's Moloko Milk Stout- When I saw this on tap I had to get it. Really delicious. Not as bitter as some stouts can be, the coffee notes are more of an undertone. Sweet, somewhat chocolatey. Very, very smooth and creamy. Dangerously drinkable. This was the first beer I've had from them that wasn't part of the pale ale family, and I'm impressed.
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I totally agree with ^ on the Ale Asylum Satisfaction Jackson. My brother gave me a bottle to try over the weekend and it was very tasty. I'm not buying at $15 though.
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Has anyone had 2 Below by New Belgium?
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no, but I bet it is overrated :-D
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no, but I bet it is overrated :-D
Actually I was just reading ratings on Beer Advocate, and they seem mixed at best. I just asked here because the people that provide ratings on BA go into tremendous detail that means nothing to me.
For example, is there really a big difference between serving a beer at 38.1 degrees and 37 degrees?
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Has anyone had 2 Below by New Belgium?
It's decent, nothing special. If I'm in the mood for a winter beer, and it it's the only choice, I'd definitely drink it. I'd probably choose it over a few others too. However, not the cream of the crop.
So yeah, probably overrated ;D But worth a try.
On the other hand, I had the New Belgium "Fall Wild" yesterday. An absolutely horrid beer. Decent base, but the spices are over the top. Felt like I was drinking a can of Libby's Pumpkin Pie Mix, mixed with some decent Belgium beer. If you ever run across it, try a sample before you buy. I didn't and wish I would have.
While I'm at it, I did try the Stone Smoked Porter (on tap) last week too. I didn't get the "sweat sock" taste after a sample, so got a whole pint. I thought it was a decent brew, however it is very smoky. I couldn't drink more than one, but went with BBQ pizza fairly well :) Won't be added to my all time favorite list, but I'd say it has it's place in the beer world.
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just had my first Founders Breakfast Stout, clap clap clap. Would write more, but i have to go get my second.
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I am off to the The Seventh Annual Festival of Wood and Barrel Aged Beer tonight in Chicago. Needless to say I will be trying a bunch of random crap. Tons of great breweries will be in attendance. Anyone ever been to this?
http://www.illinoisbeer.com/ (http://www.illinoisbeer.com/)
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Had to try Ale Ayslum "Satisfaction Jackson" Double IPA after many strong recommendations. Very good - compared it to a known favorite Three Floyds Alpha King - very similar in taste / hop level. At $15 / six pack - I would opt for Alpha King or Bells Two Hearted. Want to support the local brewery though (even though it's in the People's Republic of Madison). Also need to try it on tap before final verdict...
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This might not get up to Milwaukee/Chicago....but Boulevard in Kansas City is the best overall Midwest beer Ive had, their are so many different types but their Pale Ale, Wheat and Lunar are fantastic.
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tonight it was Founders Breakfast Stout after the MU win - great beer....
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tonight it was Founders Breakfast Stout after the MU win - great beer....
Enjoying the same right now while playing some online poker. I am very excited to try the Kentucky Breakfast Stout next year.
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Boulevard in Kansas City is the best overall Midwest beer Ive had
When Spiral and I were in KC in 2006 for the CBE (passing out MUScoop business cards for the first time, I might add....) I think we split a case or two of Boulevard's brews. I didn't have anything bad to say about it, but I think there are several Wisconsin breweries with better selections.
Of course that's exactly why I hardly every claim a brew is bad (except for stuff in bottles - lol) because taste is in the eye of the taster. (er, bud of the taster?)
Nonetheless, if in the KC area, you need to try Boulevard brews.
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This weekend tried three new beers.
Three Floyds Alpha Klaus: It is a real good porter, very chocolaty but with bitter hops note. It is like Alpha King with a lot of chocolate malt.
Three Floyds Broo Doo: AMAZING beer. It is their harvest ale and it is "wet hoped". It is really hoppy in a good way but has some malt back so it is not just a hopbomb. But it is freaking awesome.
Lakefront Local Acre Lager: I was able to get three sample bombers of this from my guy. I was not a fan. No one in our group liked it. Thought it had a really funky flavor that was not enjoyable. I will try full production bottle once it comes out in three weeks. I hope it is better than preproduction samples.
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I tried a few new ones this weekend.
Tyranena Dirty Old Man - a rye porter aged in rye whiskey barrels, I really liked this one, alot of chocolate flavor along with the rye
Three Floyds Dreadnaught - very good DIPA, more fruit flavors than being a hopbomb like other DIPA's
Goose Island 2009 Bourbon County Stout - wow, strong taste of alcohol (12.4%) but a good sipper
Capitol Brewing Autumnal Fire - was described as basically Dopplecock meets Oktoberfest (7.4%ABV) quite a sweet malt flavor, OK, not real impressive to me, nothing from Capitol has ever done much for me
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Tried a bunch of new ones lately-
Had the 2 Below from New Belgium. It was solid, but unspectacular. It was almost like they had spiced up some Fat Tire and called it a winter seasonal.
Furthermore Proper- Their English style ale. Has some toasted malt and bready tones. Bittered by the English hops, slightly sweet finish. A pretty decent beer. Not as adventurous as some of their other offerings.
Bell’s Double Cream Stout- Hot damn this is a great beer. Will definitely be in my winter rotation, right up there with the Founders Breakfast Stout. Really creamy, malty beer. All the right stout flavors, and very drinkable. Love it, can't recommend it enough.
Magic Hat Howl- Dark winter lager. Very roasty up front, but finishes pretty smooth. Not much hops to it. Not bad, but it wouldn’t be my first choice for a winter brew.
Left Hand Juju Ginger Ale- A friend bought a sampler of Left Hand stuff, and this was the first we sampled. Pours a nice golden color, very drinkable, with the taste of fresh ginger present, but not overpowering. I really liked it, would be a great light beer for the summer.
Left Hand Sawtooth Ale- Their ESB, pours Amber with a nice head to it. This one almost reminded me of Pride and Joy, as the citrus hops are very present. A pretty solid beer.
And then there’s the Imperial Stout. Jet black, pours like friggin motor oil. The standard stout flavors, but there was some fruity notes to it. Real heavy beer, and at 10% it will definitely warm you up. For the style, it was excellent.
New Glarus Cranbic Ale- I wasn’t sure how I felt about this at first. I bought it last night, and the first bottle I had was kinda funky. It had a nice cranberry tartness, but an oaky finish that was overwhelming. I’m having one now and it’s much, much more balanced. Enjoying this one much more, perhaps the first was just a bad bottle.
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When Spiral and I were in KC in 2006 for the CBE (passing out MUScoop business cards for the first time, I might add....) I think we split a case or two of Boulevard's brews. I didn't have anything bad to say about it, but I think there are several Wisconsin breweries with better selections.
Of course that's exactly why I hardly every claim a brew is bad (except for stuff in bottles - lol) because taste is in the eye of the taster. (er, bud of the taster?)
Nonetheless, if in the KC area, you need to try Boulevard brews.
I know we are all bias in our hometown brews, but you must have only tried the Pale Ale or Wheat which is just their standard. There are around 12-15 different boulevard beers depending on the season and its growing constantly (only 20 years old and now the biggest Missouri brewery- Bud now doesnt count cause it was bought, haha i love that part).
I have tried many different beers in Milwaukee, I cant always remember their names a lot, but just wondering which ones you think are easily better than Boulevard. The only one with many different brews that I can compare it to personally is Lienenkugels and Lakefront. I would personally take Boulevard over either's (again, I am biased) but I really dont think Leinenkugel's can even hold a candle to Boulevard. Lakefront I liked very much though from the few times I had it and on the brew tour.
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Does anyone know of the a website where you trade beers with others around the world?
Someone once told me that you can trade a beer to someone say in India who has access to a beer over there that you would like to try and maybe they would like to try spotted cow or something that is only sold in wisconsin. Is this made up or has anyone heard of it?
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Bell’s Double Cream Stout- Hot damn this is a great beer. Will definitely be in my winter rotation, right up there with the Founders Breakfast Stout. Really creamy, malty beer. All the right stout flavors, and very drinkable. Love it, can't recommend it enough.
mmm, Bell's Double Cream Stout - it would be hard to pick between Bell;'s DC, Founders Breakfast and Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout as my favorite...
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Any recommendations on home brew shops in Madison or Milwaukee? I've purchased from the wine and hop shop in madison, but heard there was a few in the milwaukee area that I could stop at before a MU game.
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Any recommendations on home brew shops in Madison or Milwaukee? I've purchased from the wine and hop shop in madison, but heard there was a few in the milwaukee area that I could stop at before a MU game.
There's one just south of Bluemound Rd. on Janacek Rd. in Brookfield. Stopped in there once, they seem to have a lot of stuff. Forgot what the name of it was.
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Any recommendations on home brew shops in Madison or Milwaukee? I've purchased from the wine and hop shop in madison, but heard there was a few in the milwaukee area that I could stop at before a MU game.
I go to the Frugal Homebrewer in downtown Waukesha for supplies www.frugalhomebrewer.com
I tried the Lupulin Maximus from O-so this weekend. It's 9%, heavily hopped (there's actually a Fuggles hop cone in every bottle). For as many hops that are in this, it's actually offset by the sweet malt flavors. very enjoyable taste IMO
I agree with the above on Bell's Double Cream stout, really like that one also
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As for homebrew places in Milwaukee... I think a HUGE place just opened... though I don't know the name of it, my cousin goes there and says it is awesome... maybe its in 'stallis?
also, tried some beer from VA... Star Hill... it was okay. nothing great. probably wouldn't try it again.
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Great Lakes Brewery Christmas Ale... I LOVE IT!!!
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I go to the Frugal Homebrewer in downtown Waukesha for supplies www.frugalhomebrewer.com
Thanks for the recommendation. I'm looking to convert to kegs from bottles as I'm getting too lazy to bottle all the time.
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Great Lakes Brewery Christmas Ale... I LOVE IT!!!
I also just had one these. Very good.
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I've become a pretty big fan of Two Brothers Brewing Company. They brew out of Warrenville, IL.
Their Heavy Handed IPA (Wet Hop) and their Heav-ier Handed IPA (Oak Foudre Aged - bomber only) were dynamite. This weekend, I tried their Northwind Imperial Stout, and it was fantastic. A few weeks ago, I had their Cain and Ebel Red Rye Ale. All were great. Two Brothers are worth checking out if you think in terms of breweries, especially if you roll in the Chicago Burbs.
+1 on the Goose Island Bourbon County Stout, and the Three Floyds Alpha Klaus and Broo-Doo.
I am now on the hunt for Bells Double Cream Stout. Also, since it's officially the Holiday season, any other recommendations for Holiday/Christmas Beers?
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Had the Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale. Pretty tasty. Not a bad Holiday offering.
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favorite Colorado Brewery: Left Hand.
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favorite Colorado Brewery: Left Hand.
Heh heh heh, that's in walking distance from my house :)
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Heh heh heh, that's in walking distance from my house :)
Just had their Milk Stout last week. Damn good beer.
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Tentative NG Unplugged schedule for 2010
So the word from Dan the Man is that they have their Unplugged beers pretty well decided for 2010. Their distro meeting is tomorrow I believe, so they have to have it somewhat decided by then. A lot of this is based off the voting from a few months ago, so they are bringing back a few old favorites. The unofficial list is:
Enigma
Apple Ale
Cherry Stout
Abt (think Westy/Bernardus 12)
Also, they are "thinking" of replacing Hop Hearty w/ a "paler, West Coast type aromatic" ale. There was some dissent to this idea in the tour group I was in, so if you are in favor of this change, please please please flood their mailboxes with your support!
The Good likes the sound of this very much! Especially the Apple Ale (delicious) and the Abt (very excited to try)
One big disappointment is the word that they are discontinuing the Yokel, one of their best imo.
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I had the Great Lake Christmas Beer on tap this past weekend. Damn good choice for a holiday beer if you can find it. Spicy, malty with some hop balance.
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I had the Great Lake Christmas Beer on tap this past weekend. Damn good choice for a holiday beer if you can find it. Spicy, malty with some hop balance.
they have it at campus foods.
they are actually growing quite a nice stock of craft beer at campus foods due to the request of a couple students
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they have it at campus foods.
they are actually growing quite a nice stock of craft beer at campus foods due to the request of a couple students
do they still turn their coolers off at night like they used to?
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do they still turn their coolers off at night like they used to?
no idea, i usually go in wednesday when they are getting their new shipments and grab whatever they just got in
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I managed to score a 24oz. bottle of Life & Limb at Discount last night, only one on the shelf. This is a 10.5%ABV collaboration between Dogfish Head and Sierra NV and is in extremely limited supply. A touch of maple syrup but not at all sweet. An Excellent beer if you can find it but it was pricy at $13 for the bottle.
also picked up 2 more 4-packs of the O'so Lupulin Maximus, I love this beer and plan to hoard as much as I can get.
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Recently had Oscar's Chocolate Oatmeal Stout out of Black River Falls, WI and Shipwrecked Peninsula Porter out of Door County. The stout was excellent, and the porter was solid, if a little sweet.
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Had the Sierra Neveda Celebration, great beer! Not spicy like other seasonals. Also, right now enjoying a bomber of Weyerbacher Insanity. Coming in 11.5%, but the smoothest thing I have ever had over 10%. Dark red, pours really nice. Highly reccomend it.
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I have a half barrel of Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale tapped on my beermeister in the garage....has been very tasty for about a 10 days now.
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Had the Sierra Neveda Celebration, great beer! Not spicy like other seasonals. Also, right now enjoying a bomber of Weyerbacher Insanity. Coming in 11.5%, but the smoothest thing I have ever had over 10%. Dark red, pours really nice. Highly reccomend it.
Damn it. Passed up the Celebration last week in favor of some Gentlemen Jack at my company xmas party.
Where was this info a week ago.
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I have a half barrel of Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale tapped on my beermeister in the garage....has been very tasty for about a 10 days now.
Is celebration an IPA?
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Is celebration an IPA?
The long, cold nights of winter are a little brighter with Celebration Ale. Wonderfully robust and rich, Celebration Ale is dry-hopped for a lively, intense aroma. Brewed especially for the holidays, it is perfect for a festive gathering or for a quiet evening at home.
“…best beer ever made in America.”
– Stan Sessor, San Francisco Chronicle
alcohol content 6.8% by volume bittering hops Chinook
beginning gravity 16.0 Plato finishing hops Cascade & Centennial
ending gravity 4.0 Plato dry hopping Cascade & Centennial
bitterness units 65 malts Two-row Pale & English Caramel
yeast Top-fermenting Ale Yeast
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Is celebration an IPA?
Not quite hoppy enough to be a full IPA, but you get a little tinge of hop while drinking it. Very very nice brew. About to crack numero tres of the night.
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http://uk.news.yahoo.com/5/20091221/twl-large-blaze-at-guinness-factory-site-3fd0ae9.html
A day of great concern. Guinness was my first non-ale, non-lager beer. My introduction to the stouts of the world. A great and worthy beer, though I prefer others now. Thankfully, it looks like production won't be affected.
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http://uk.news.yahoo.com/5/20091221/twl-large-blaze-at-guinness-factory-site-3fd0ae9.html
A day of great concern. Guinness was my first non-ale, non-lager beer. My introduction to the stouts of the world. A great and worthy beer, though I prefer others now. Thankfully, it looks like production won't be affected.
Guinness is an ale as it uses ale yeast but it also a stout.
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Fair point. To be more accurate, it was my first Stout. Should have said that in the first place.
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Fair point. To be more accurate, it was my first Stout. Should have said that in the first place.
True dat. Because one may not have beer if they didn't have an ale or a lager - only wort.
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Tried the O-so Lupulin Maximus (with the hop in the bottle). They are located in my old neck of the woods so I made the trip to Discount specifically for that beer. It was okay - no match for TF's Alpha King / Dreadnaught or Bell's Two-Hearted Ale. The difference is that the Lupulin tasked like hops rather than being a "hoppy ale" with the bitterness/crispness of a heavily hopped ale.
Not bad but much better out there.
Also - had a Dogfish Head 90 that was a remnant in the beer fridge - damn, that's good beer ...
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revisited the O-so Lupulin - still an average hoppy ale but the hop in the bottle thing annoys me. Does not add to the flavor, if you drink out of the bottle you get a wet leafy thing hitting your mouth, if you try to pour it in a pint glass, the hop blocks your pour....
annoying beer....
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I am not a big stout fan, much more of a hop head, but had Bell's Special Double Cream stout. This is a very drinkable stout. Not to bitter - just really damn good. Great winter beer.
Also had 2 bombers of Three Floyds Broo Doo - the beer is just awesome. It's a wet hopped harvest ale. Awesome! Great hop flavors, slightly bitter, but hoppy as hell.
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Had New Glarus Imperial Saison and Black Wheat tonight.
The Imperial Saison was very good, very apricoty and peachy, and hides the 10% abv very well. My only complaint was I thought it was much too carbonated. I was burping the entire time. Will hopefully improve with some age. I would recommend it if you want to try the style, as it is very unique, but i probably wouldn't go looking for it again.
The black wheat was amazing. It starts off with the sweet dunkel taste, and finishes with a nutty, fat squirrel-like taste. So delicious. This is not a wheat beer, very dark and nutty, but not dark as in a porter, dark like a dunkel. I strongly recommend this great brew, especially since I believe New Glarus is not making it next year. Try it while you can.
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If this brew has been mentioned before, I apologize, but after this progression: 1. Tripel Karmeliet; 2. Chimay Ale; I just had a "Brother David's Double Abbey Style Ale" from Anderson Valley Brewing Company, of (sic) Boonville, California. Unless the ghost of Christmas present has totally messed me up, this is one fine brew. Very malty. Best of the three.
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Just took down a few Sierra Neveda Extra IPA. Solid beer. Doesn't blow your socks off, but a nice beer.
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Just took down a few Sierra Neveda Extra IPA. Solid beer. Doesn't blow your socks off, but a nice beer.
Torpedo?
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Yup! I'm on my 4th :)
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revisited the O-so Lupulin - still an average hoppy ale but the hop in the bottle thing annoys me. Does not add to the flavor, if you drink out of the bottle you get a wet leafy thing hitting your mouth, if you try to pour it in a pint glass, the hop blocks your pour....
annoying beer....
I respectfully disagree, I have shared this brew with a few friends and we are all in awe of this beer
why are you drinking it out of the bottle anyway? I've only had 1 bottle (out of a dozen) where the hop blocked the pour and all I had to do was tip it back upright to drop the hop back down
no worries though, I've been stockpiling this as I doubt that O'so will brew it regularly so more for me if you pass it by ;)
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drank it out of the bottle after my attempt to pour got blocked 6 or 7 times by the hop...
it's pretty good beer but is not in the same class as Alpha King or Two-Hearted Ale (and I want them to succeed as they are located where I grew up - want to see them do well, just they don't stack up with kings of hoppy ales)...
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Tried 2 "Bohemian Black" style beers recently, Shiner Black (Texas) and Black Art Black (Ohio/Germany). Both were very tasty at a lower price point ($7.99) for a 6 pack. I think this the style that 1554 from New Belgium is going for, but both of the previously mentioned beers do it cheaper and with a smoother finish.
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Picked up:
Three Floyd's Alpha King: Honestly, I'm not all that impressed. It's good, but not the world changer I expected.
Lake Louie Milk Stout: Easily the best Milk Stout I have ever had... Nothing compares... maybe Left Hand's is close
Lake Louie Mr. Mephisto Imperial Stout: Will update after a bottle
Great Lakes Brewery Christmas Ale: Will update after a bottle
Happy New Year!
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Would def. like to try some of the stouts listed above. We get a different selection of beers in the Northwest, but I've been digging Deschutes Brewery's Black Butte Porter lately. Their Obsidian Stout is also very tasty. Both feature that good, sweetish malty flavor that makes Porters and Stouts so great.
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Based on the recommendation of the Whole Foods beer guy, I tried Lagunitas Brown Shugga. It's a holiday-ish beer. Delicious, sweet, hoppy, high ABV.
I've seen Lagunitas beers lots but have never tried any of their stuff (really try to drink local beers first), but this one was very good.
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Tried 2 "Bohemian Black" style beers recently, Shiner Black (Texas) and Black Art Black (Ohio/Germany). Both were very tasty at a lower price point ($7.99) for a 6 pack. I think this the style that 1554 from New Belgium is going for, but both of the previously mentioned beers do it cheaper and with a smoother finish.
In the "black" theme, In December I accidentally discovered Session Black from Full Sail in Oregon. Excellent beer! But I only picked it up because a 12 stubbies were on sale for $9.99.
Nonetheless, I went back and picked up two more cases while it was on sale :) BTW, after I got my poker group to fall in love with it, I looked it up more, apparently trained beer judges agree cuz it won Gold at the GABF last year.
Find some if you can!
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Based on the recommendation of the Whole Foods beer guy, I tried Lagunitas Brown Shugga. It's a holiday-ish beer. Delicious, sweet, hoppy, high ABV.
I've seen Lagunitas beers lots but have never tried any of their stuff (really try to drink local beers first), but this one was very good.
I have had this twice and hated it both times. Way too sugary to increase the alcohol content in my opinion. The booze is too upfront. I have tried so many Lagunitas beers that so many people love and but I just tend to dislike everything they produce, kind of like Sierra Nevada.
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I have tried so many Lagunitas beers that so many people love and but I just tend to dislike everything they produce, kind of like Sierra Nevada.
Never had the Laguntis, but have you had the Torpedo Extra IPA by Sierra Nevada? Very nice, especially for around $7 for a sixer.
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Never had the Laguntis, but have you had the Torpedo Extra IPA by Sierra Nevada? Very nice, especially for around $7 for a sixer.
I have. I am just not a fan of the types of hops Sierra Nevada uses. Just not a mix I prefer.
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have to bump up the Beer Thread - revisited the O-so Lupulin AGAIN. Slightly better this time - maybe this time it's because the bottle did not have the hop in it and it poured nicely. It;s pretty good but Alpha King and Two-Hearted is better...
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Great article on a beer joint in Maine, looking forward to driving up there soon!
Nowhere like here for beer
Interest became expertise; now the world points to Lovell if you want a best of brew
By Steve Greenlee, Globe Staff | January 17, 2010
LOVELL - Once you get through the town of Fryeburg, you keep heading north on Route 5, through several miles of dense white pines and ramshackle houses with RVs parked out front, past The Wicked Good Store (breakfast, lunch, take-out pizza, 12-packs of Miller and Coors Light), past the local self-storage facility, past Lovell Hardware and not much else, and there it is - whoops, you passed it - down a dirt road but barely visible from the main drag: Ebenezer’s Restaurant & Pub.
Ebenezer’s is a world-renowned bar, but it looks like any other house in the area. If not for the carved wooden sign hanging from the tree out front, you would think it was just a house. Once you step inside, you can hardly believe you’re deep in the woods of western Maine.
The restaurant seats a few dozen people, and the bar is so tiny it would be crowded with 20. But this is beer heaven. Ebenezer’s has 35 Belgian ales on tap and several hundred varieties in bottles, most of them stored in an astonishing beer cellar.
Belgian glasses - tulips and goblets, each tailored to a specific beer - glisten from racks above the gleaming copper-top bar. Behind the bartender is the huge array of tap handles. Dozens and dozens of bottles sit on shelves in the glass case to the right. The iconic pink elephant that is synonymous with the Delirium Tremens strong pale ale, one of the finest beers in the world, sits on a tap at the front of the bar, there in a class by itself.
People come from all over, even from the West Coast, just to sample the selection here. Devotees have been known to plan vacations around a trip to Ebenezer’s. It is no wonder the place has been named the No. 1 bar, beer restaurant, and beer destination in the world by the likes of Beer Advocate magazine and RateBeer.com. (A sign over the entrance boasts about these superlatives.)
So what is the world’s greatest bar doing in the middle of nowhere? Chris and Jen Lively bought the place precisely because of its location. They were living in Los Angeles - a trained chef, Chris was a food and beverage consultant for a hotel chain - and they decided to get out. They came to Maine, where Jen’s parents lived, to have a go at running a restaurant. In 2001, they stumbled across Ebenezer’s, which was up for sale.
“My wife found this place, this restaurant that had this house attached to it, with 3 acres of land, and it was basically the same price as a two-bedroom house in the ghetto of Los Angeles,’’ said Chris Lively, 36. “We took this over, and we never expected it to become what it did. It had Coors, Bud - it was a redneck bar. . . . We wanted to build a restaurant. That was the dream, the restaurant. We wanted to have a few nice beers, too; we brought in Westmalle, Chimay, whatever we could get our hands on.’’
But Lively’s interest in fine beer was growing, and it didn’t take long for word to spread that a bar with A-class beers had popped up in tiny Lovell (population 974), far, far from any city. Lively got more Belgian beers, rare ones that can be difficult to find in this country.
The Boston area’s finest pubs can’t match Ebenezer’s offerings. The selection is said to exceed even those of Belgium’s best bars. On a recent Saturday night, I tried a De Ranke XX Bitter Belgian IPA, a rare Pannepot Grand Reserva quadrupel, a Gulden Draak dark ale, and a Struise Tsjeeses pale ale, which is nearly impossible to find in the United States. The beers on tap included such unusual ones as Balthazar, a strong ale brewed with coriander, ginger, and cardamom; and Cantillon Rose Grambinus, a sour ale made with raspberries. Unfortunately, on the night I went, Ebenezer’s was out of one beer for which it has become famous: Black Albert, a Belgian royal stout brewed specially for Lively by De Struise Brouwers.
Some people come here for the low-key atmosphere, some come for the amazing selection of brews, and some come for both.
“They have a better beer selection than anyplace I can think of in a 200-mile radius,’’ said Anna McGreavy, 26, of Brownfield, who was seated at one of the eight stools at the bar and drinking a dark Belgian ale. “And it’s a nice, mellow, local scene.’’ The lack of pretense is important to people here. Drinking a Trappist ale or a Coors Light, you are equally welcome.
The food impresses just as much. This is no run-of-the-mill pub grub. There are salads and burgers, sure, but the menu also features appetizers like lobster quesadilla and coconut shrimp in sweet chili sauce and such entrees as mussels cooked in Belgian beer as well as a gourmet version of seafood scampi.
Some months, getting a table in the dining room or a seat at the bar is not much of a problem. The Saturday night in December when I visited, maybe 20 people came through the doors between 6 and 11 p.m. Several stayed by the bar, but others had come for the food - a family with a 3-year-old boy, a pair of elderly couples, another couple in their 20s. Other times of the year, the wait can exceed two hours. At the height of summer and especially in snowmobile season (the pub is on a popular trail), the place is often packed. During the pub’s Belgian beer festival in August, visitors camp out in tents on the adjacent golf course - despite the $250 per person prix fixe menu. (“It’s the greatest beer dinner in the history of mankind,’’ Lively said, laughing, though seeming not to be joking.)
Lively’s timing was fortuitous. Ebenezer’s rise has coincided with an explosion in the craft beer movement in the United States, which has in turn generated a surge of interest in Belgian ales, which are widely regarded as the gold standard. Websites run by beer aficionados point readers to Ebenezer’s. And Lively is building on his success: Last year he opened a second pub, the Lion’s Pride, in Brunswick, which has just as many beers but a more upscale menu. He says he’d like to expand further.
Yet Ebenezer’s doesn’t owe its success exclusively to beer geeks. The pub may be making its name by drawing people from all over the country, but something just as interesting has happened in Lovell itself. The locals were stopping by Ebenezer’s for an American lager and ended up sampling the Belgian ales.
“I was so pigheaded,’’ said Joe Davis, who lives in town and says he comes to Ebenezer’s every weekend. He drank Budweiser for two years here before Lively could persuade him to try a Belgian brew. Now that’s all he wants. “It took a long time, but it’s better quality - all these different flavors and everything.’’
Stephen Glasgow, who lives nearby, said he drinks at Ebenezer’s every weekend. He’s here so much that he and Lively have become good friends. But he, like the others, is only a recent convert to Belgian ales. He was drinking Guinness stout and American microbrews before Lively came to town.
“I don’t like beer, I love beer,’’ Glasgow said. “Where else can you find beer like this? Find me one bar.’’
Steve Greenlee can be reached at greenlee@globe.com.
© Copyright 2010 The New York Times Company
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Beer Rave is back, Jan 30! If you're in the denver/boulder area (or will be in the area), I highly recommend this. Went last year, and it's exceptional. About 50 hard to find microbrews available. And even some special kegs from Boulder brewing available (loved the whiskey barrel oaked hazed & infused last year)
http://boulderbeer.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=101&osCsid=3d6cb635cf37216cb4fcd06912330c26
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This weekend had quite a few Avery New World Porters. Man this beer is fantastic. It is nice porter that has a surprising amount of hops in it. It is not a super hoppy beer, but has a good amount that lends to a perfect balance.
Great beer.
Also, Hopslam is back.
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Had my first Gumball Head this week, visiting from the East Coast.
And it didn't disappoint. Top notch. Now I just have to get Three Floyds to distribute in Boston.
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Got my Hopslam fix last weekend. Have had a few new ones since.
Helped a friend with a sampler from Tyranena. I've had, and loved a couple of their beers (Rocky's Revenge, Chocolate Porter) and had a few others for the first time. Their Stone Tepee Pale Ale was very good, and I was really impressed with the Bitter Woman IPA. The hopheads on here should try it, it was excellent. I stopped at their brewery on the way back from Madison awhile back, small operation but they make some great beer.
Really enjoyed the Founders Centennial IPA. One of the better IPA's out there, good citrus and bitterness with a strong malty backbone. Very drinkable for the ABV.
Also had Left Hand Haystack Wheat. A decent Hefeweizen, but couldn't hold a candle to Dancing Man.
The last newbie was the Winter Solstice from Anderson Valley. Very good beer. High enough alcohol to warm you up a bit but still drinkable. Had a nice caramel sweetness to it, balanced by some roasted malt. Really enjoyed it.
Has anyone had the New Glarus Honey Bock? I'm intrigued to see how it stacks up to Capital, who make some very solid Bocks IMO.
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Got my Hopslam fix last weekend. Have had a few new ones since.
Really enjoyed the Founders Centennial IPA. One of the better IPA's out there, good citrus and bitterness with a strong malty backbone. Very drinkable for the ABV.
Also had Left Hand Haystack Wheat. A decent Hefeweizen, but couldn't hold a candle to Dancing Man.
The last newbie was the Winter Solstice from Anderson Valley. Very good beer. High enough alcohol to warm you up a bit but still drinkable. Had a nice caramel sweetness to it, balanced by some roasted malt. Really enjoyed it.
Has anyone had the New Glarus Honey Bock? I'm intrigued to see how it stacks up to Capital, who make some very solid Bocks IMO.
I was somewhat dissapointed by the honey bock. Not a traditional "bock" like I was expecting, because it was a maibock. It was very light, almost like a honey pilsner. Very drinkable, just nothing special. And I am usually a huge fan of NG.
Right now I am enjoying bells two hearted. Amazing beer. I am pretty depressed now that SN Celebration isn't available again till next November. However, I think that after discovering this beer I will make it, they are quite similar.
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Tried out Sam Adams new spring offering; Coastal Wheat...not bad, but not awesome. Probably pass on it again.
But right, enjoying very much an Otter Creek Imperial IPA. Very hoppy, smooooooth too. Reinko likey.
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I was somewhat dissapointed by the honey bock. Not a traditional "bock" like I was expecting, because it was a maibock. It was very light, almost like a honey pilsner. Very drinkable, just nothing special. And I am usually a huge fan of NG.
Right now I am enjoying bells two hearted. Amazing beer. I am pretty depressed now that SN Celebration isn't available again till next November. However, I think that after discovering this beer I will make it, they are quite similar.
Interesting to hear about the Honey Bock. New Glarus hasn't really gone that direction in the past, so that was my concern. They're introducing some new beer this year, including another bock. Looking forward to trying their Cherry Stout though. If it's anywhere near Bell's it'll be a treat.
Two Hearted is a great beer. If you like that one, try Founders Red's Rye IPA. One of the best beers I've had, in any style.
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I am pretty depressed now that SN Celebration isn't available again till next November.
Be aware, that the 2009 Celebration was very good right away. Previous years have been good, but are usually better after about a couple (2) years of bottle aging. If you can stand to keep from drinking a 6 pack of Celebration for a coupe years (kept semi-cool at least) it will be well worth your time.
No, I've never done it. But in 2007 (I think) I was gifted a flight of Celebration from 2002-2007, and the 2004 was the "best" at that time.
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Generally, I'm more of a red wine guy, but when I do have beer, I favor Miller Chill (the poor man's Corona w/lime). I'm a little depressed, though, because my local (St. Paul) liquor store told me that it's being discontinued?!?!? Maybe you Milwaukee locals know more about that than they seem to around here. Sometimes I have to cross the St. Croix and drive to Hudson to get some.
But in a pinch, I do like Magic Hat #9 (clean, and very little hoppy-ness), and for an all-night sipping beer, John Henry 3 Lick Spiker Ale does the trick.
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I favor Miller Chill (the poor man's Corona w/lime).
Well, go out and get a case of miller lite, buy a couple limes, pop open the miller lite, squeeze a bit of lime into it. Viola! Beer with lime :)
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It gets worse than corona w/ lime??? oh, boy
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or if its cheap lime beer you like... Bud light lime, or take a 4 pack of steel reserve, a plastic bottle of lime juice and go to town.
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Okay, okay, I get it! :) There are alternatives to Miller Chill. Heck, before it came out, I used the Miller Lite with lime juice method (plus a little salt), for a poor man's Corona. It's just nice to have the prep work done all done for you, right?
So, has anyone else tried the Magic Hat #9 or the John Henry 3 Lick Spiker Ale I mentioned earlier? I plan to toss back one of each during the Super Bowl tomorrow, chased by some homemade artichoke and spinach dip spread over bruchetta. mmm..
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is #9 the hefe? If so it wasnt my favorite, but one of their darker varieties is not to bad, but the number escapes me at the moment. I myself am currently sitting down to with a black art black.
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I have had #9 a ton. Great beer. One of the few beers made with fruit I really like. The apricot taste is weird at first til you find out what it is. In fact, #9 is one of my session beers as you put down a ton.
I was out at a fundraiser at Lakefront last night and I forgot how good their Big Easy is. It is nice to have a Maibock out of season and the beer was just fantastic.
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are any of you guys on beeradvocate.com? its a really cool site
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I went to three cellars for the first time. It is an awesome place. All craft beer, and laid out by section, domestic, imported, and wisconsin for the mix-your-own sixer. Along with many other beers and wines.
Also they had 4 or 5 beers on tap including, amazingly, St. Bernerdus Abt. 12, which was absolutely incredible on tap. By far the best beer ive ever had on tap, and top two ever for me along with Rochefort 8.
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I went to three cellars for the first time. It is an awesome place. All craft beer, and laid out by section, domestic, imported, and wisconsin for the mix-your-own sixer. Along with many other beers and wines.
Also they had 4 or 5 beers on tap including, amazingly, St. Bernerdus Abt. 12, which was absolutely incredible on tap. By far the best beer ive ever had on tap, and top two ever for me along with Rochefort 8.
That is a very nice liquor store. The have a great selection. By far the best on the south side. I always find Discount to be a crap shoot of beer age.
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Tried a sampler of all the "Shipwrecked" beers that they brew in house in Door County.
Simply terrible. Their water must be loaded with iron, because every beer and the water tasted like it.
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Tried a sampler of all the "Shipwrecked" beers that they brew in house in Door County.
Simply terrible. Their water must be loaded with iron, because every beer and the water tasted like it.
I concur. and yes, the ground water in Door County has very high iron content. Most homes have an iron filter system, or put up with the sulphur smell.
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Who's gonna stone up, and try to get some of this.
41% :o :o :o :o
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/16/worlds-strongest-beer-sco_n_463975.html
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Who's gonna stone up, and try to get some of this.
41% :o :o :o :o
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/16/worlds-strongest-beer-sco_n_463975.html
I have to stay away from high ABV beers, I'm used to drinking keystone light and such so when I drink higher ABV beers I initially take it slow and steady but once I'm drunk natural habit kicks in and the next thing I know I'm waking up at 4 AM on my couch not remembering past leaving for the USF game. With all my cash gone and a huge bar tab to boot.
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Just had a lunchbox at Moes for the first time.
Not a beer, but very, very tasty.
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[bump]
Went to the Nice Ash in waukesha. had some good CAO cigars and paired them with 3 Floyds Alpha King and Robert the Bruce on various nights. both great beers. Alpha king is a good pale ale. Robert the Bruce is a scotch ale and drinks like a meal. Pairs well with a mid to dark wrapped cigar.
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[bump]
Went to the Nice Ash in waukesha. had some good CAO cigars and paired them with 3 Floyds Alpha King and Robert the Bruce on various nights. both great beers. Alpha king is a good pale ale. Robert the Bruce is a scotch ale and drinks like a meal. Pairs well with a mid to dark wrapped cigar.
I have never met a Scotch Ale that I liked. I find them all to be, well... terrible.
Probably the only style of beer I intentionally avoid... well aside from berry/cherry/honey style beers. They are far worse.
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I have never met a Scotch Ale that I liked. I find them all to be, well... terrible.
Probably the only style of beer I intentionally avoid... well aside from berry/cherry/honey style beers. They are far worse.
I am the same way EXCEPT for Robert the Bruce. I find almost all wood aged beers to be vile and it destroys perfectly good beer. Robert the Bruce is a little sweet but damn good.
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I am the same way EXCEPT for Robert the Bruce. I find almost all wood aged beers to be vile and it destroys perfectly good beer. Robert the Bruce is a little sweet but damn good.
with me, im not sure it is the barrel that ruins it for me... I love Rocky's Revenge by Tyranena... and that is in Bourbon bottles.
granted I can only have about 2 or 3 before its too sweet... but I do like those.
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I'm the same way with Scotch Ales... I think they're just too malty for me. I had Robert the Bruce and it was tolerable, but it's just not my style of beer.
Had the O'So Lupulin Maximus over the weekend... holy hell. Fantastic stuff. Also had my first Blonde Doppelbock from Capital. That beer is phenomenal. Best one they make, IMO.
Ranger IPA from New Belgium was a surprise to me. I didn't think they'd make a hop bomb, but it was incredibly hoppy from start to finish. Not a Hopslam, but it had some balls.
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Ranger IPA from New Belgium was a surprise to me. I didn't think they'd make a hop bomb, but it was incredibly hoppy from start to finish. Not a Hopslam, but it had some balls.
To me it is a muted Two Hearted - which isn't a bad thing. Had the same hop characteristics but wasn't quite as biting. I liked it. I believe you can get it in cans too.
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I am the same way EXCEPT for Robert the Bruce. I find almost all wood aged beers to be vile and it destroys perfectly good beer. Robert the Bruce is a little sweet but damn good.
Agree. I didn't like Water street's Scotch Ale which I think they just debuted this season, but that Robert the Bruce and a CAO American just mixed perfectly
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I made a beer trade with a friend in Spokane and have recently enjoyed:
Beer Valley's Leafer Madness
Green Flash's West Coast IPA
Green Flash's Hop Head Red Ale
Midnight Sun's Meltdown Double IPA
still to open:
Midnight Sun Obliteration VI
Green Flash Barleywine
Moylan's Moylander Double IPA
Pliny the Elder (need to compare to a batch I brewed of this)
(http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j293/Homebrew101/TTD%20linked%20pics/Picture114.jpg)
(http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j293/Homebrew101/TTD%20linked%20pics/Picture111.jpg)
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I am so jealous right now
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Had Lakefront's Fixed Gear on tap at Wolski's this past weekend. Not too shabby. Decent malty backbone you'd expect in a Red, but had more hops/flowery notes to it. I'll have to give this one it's proper attention one night.
Also tried Magic Hat Vinyl, their Spring lager. Not a high ABV beer, but it had a pretty deep toasty flavor to it, and finished with some light fruity notes. For a "spring" beer I expected something a little bit lighter, but this one had a really nice depth to it.
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I've heard rumors that New Glarus is releasing an IPA or Pale Ale soon. I'm not a huge fan of them in princple, but I also think spotted cow is a bit overrated. Tasty? yes and I'm happy to drink it but I don't draw wood over it. I was never a fan of fat squirrel or dancing man either. but I digress. I'm a HUGE IPA fan so I'm going to try it. tough to top Lakefront's IPA, or Alpha King
on a different note: I always get tricked into a fat tire. It's a good beer but i feel like I'm drinking pollen and have to run it through a filter. I am also afraid I will have an allergy attack from it.
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Had Lakefront's Fixed Gear on tap at Wolski's this past weekend. Not too shabby. Decent malty backbone you'd expect in a Red, but had more hops/flowery notes to it. I'll have to give this one it's proper attention one night.
Also tried Magic Hat Vinyl, their Spring lager. Not a high ABV beer, but it had a pretty deep toasty flavor to it, and finished with some light fruity notes. For a "spring" beer I expected something a little bit lighter, but this one had a really nice depth to it.
If you can find it, get Lakefront's BURNING BRIDGE.
delicious and potent. I 'like' a lot of Lakefront's beer, but this was one I LOVED.
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I've heard rumors that New Glarus is releasing an IPA or Pale Ale soon.
Moon Man
http://www.newglarusbrewing.com/Headlines.cfm?NewsID=155
Paws for Reflection with New Glarus Brewing Company's 'Moon Man' No Coast Pale Ale.
New Glarus, WI
March 9th, 2010:
Daniel Carey (Diploma Master Brewer, New Glarus Brewing Company) is adept at expanding what we know (or think we know) about beer. He continues to challenge flavor possibilities unveiling "Moon Man" No-Coast Pale Ale. Dan is a huge fan of 'big' IPA's and their powerful intense aromatics. It is thought that the popularity of the poignant aromas in big IPA's are a reaction to the all too prevalent bland beers. However, these same large flavors and aromas make this particular style too intense for many. Some months ago, in well known Daniel Carey fashion, he set out to brew an idea in his head, hoping to pack all the wonderful and powerful aromatics and flavors that he loves in big IPA's into a sessionable brew that all can enjoy. New Glarus Brewing Company takes one small step, and helps all their friends take one giant leap toward bridging the gap between these two extremes. As Daniel Carey says, "If big IPA's were a reaction to bland beer, Moon Man is a reaction to extremism."
True to style, Daniel took his time ensuring this ground breaking brew is exactly what it should be. He personally oversaw the hop harvest in the fields of Washington. He spent over 6 months painstakingly perfecting the hop blend alone. Finally utilizing 5 varieties of hops, of which three are not commonly used in American style ales. "Moon Man" is dry hopped 2 and a 1/2 times as much as is commonly practiced in dry hopped beer (2.25 pounds per barrel). It is powerfully aromatic, and pale golden in color. Like most of New Glarus Brewing Company's brews, it is bottle fermented the old fashioned way, meaning there is no artificial carbonation. Don't let this one lay around, it is brewed to be enjoyed today. Bold and engaging without pretense, because in Wisconsin you do not have to be extreme to be real. Just be.
This beer is named after a seriously cool cat, who found his 'forever' home with Jared, a brewer at New Glarus Brewing Company. Moon Man-the-Cat is so easygoing and confident that even 'dog' people love him and this love is genuinely reciprocated. While the lineage of Moon Man-the-Cat is unknown due to his 'alley' origins, Moon Man-the-Cat is a friend to all. He takes no heed of the background of his new companions (or even whether they walk on two, or four feet). Jared oftentimes revels the brewery with tales of cat adventures. Moon Man-the-Cat is especially well known for being comfortable in his own skin, taking things as they come, and above all else, not trying too hard to impress. Perhaps this relaxed nature is what makes such a great impression on all those that he meets. It is in appreciation of the special bond that these two share, and in honor of all those that share an easygoing affection with their four legged friends, that New Glarus Brewing Company's "Moon Man" No Coast IPA found its name. Thankfully, "Moon Man" No Coast Pale Ale shares it's namesake's roaming nature, and may be found throughout Wisconsin for the remainder of this year.
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I thought about not sharing this as my chances of scoring some increases the less people know but wth, for the beer lovers at muscoop why not.
March 13 is the release date of Founders KBS this year. I have a friend that lives near Founders and is picking up 2 cases tomorrow. It won't hit the shelves here until Monday or later but get it quick cuz it won't last long if last year is any example.
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I thought about not sharing this as my chances of scoring some increases the less people know but wth, for the beer lovers at muscoop why not.
March 13 is the release date of Founders KBS this year. I have a friend that lives near Founders and is picking up 2 cases tomorrow. It won't hit the shelves here until Monday or later but get it quick cuz it won't last long if last year is any example.
Thanks for the heads up. Placing my order now with my connection.
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I thought about not sharing this as my chances of scoring some increases the less people know but wth, for the beer lovers at muscoop why not.
March 13 is the release date of Founders KBS this year. I have a friend that lives near Founders and is picking up 2 cases tomorrow. It won't hit the shelves here until Monday or later but get it quick cuz it won't last long if last year is any example.
Is that the one brewed in maple barrels? I love the breakfast stout and this one sounds amazing.
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bourbon barrels. I havent had it yet either only the BS but am quite anxious.
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Is that the one brewed in maple barrels? I love the breakfast stout and this one sounds amazing.
Maple barrels is the Canadian Breakfast Stout which I believe is only available on draft at the brewery.
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and sounds amazing.
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from a friend that went to Founders Brewery on Saturday to pick up 2 cases of KBS:
Got to Founders at 9:30 am and was 79th in line. People started lining up at 6 am. By the time the doors opened at 11 am, there were about 100-150 people behind me. They doubled the amount of cases from last year so there were about 280 cases. Got mine just before noon and sat down for lunch and a beer or four. Had people from all over the midwest that drove up to the brewery. Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and more I'm sure. They were serving 2009 and 2010 KBS on regular draft and nitro. Since I had 2 cases of KBS, I opted for the Canadian Breakfast Stout (maple and bourbon aged), The Chronic (a double dry hopped pale ale), Hand of Doom (DIPA aged in bourbon barrels) and finished off with a Spite Pepper Ale (very hot and spicy!). The line was still out the door when they sold out. A 40 foot wide, 6 foot high wall of KBS annihilated in under 2 hours. Over $30,000. WOW! When I left around 2, there were still hoardes of people still there eating and drinking with there stacks of KBS cases. Place was a mad house. But what fun it was.
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picked up 12 bottles of Founders KBS and 2 bottles of Founders Nemesis yesterday at Discount
the Nemesis was OK but I wouldn't buy it again ($6/bottle)
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picked up 12 bottles of Founders KBS and 2 bottles of Founders Nemesis yesterday at Discount
the Nemesis was OK but I wouldn't buy it again ($6/bottle)
I still don't get why they ruin all that great Breakfast Stout by sticking it in Bourbon barrels. And the weird thing is, I am a HUGE whiskey fan (including bourbon) and love it neat - but not with my beer
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Anybody who is in St. Paul this weekend should check out the cask conditioned Firkin Fest.
http://thehappygnome.com/2010/01/catherines-birthday/
Breweries currently preparing firkins for the event:
Avery Maharaja Imperial IPA
Avery Überschwein Barley Wine
Bell’s Expedition Stout
Bell’s Hop Slam Imperial IPA
Big Sky Stone Thrower Scotch Ale
Boulder Beer Flashback India Brown Ale
Boulder Beer Mojo Risin’ Double IPA
Brau Brothers Double Dry Hopped Sheephead Ale
Brau Brothers Elisha’s Old Ale
Breckenridge Lucky U IPA
Crispin Clyde: the Original
Dark Horse Double Crooked Tree IPA
Dark Horse Plead the 5th Russian Imperial Stout
Flat Earth Big Money: Oak Aged Cygnus Porter
Flat Earth Double Dry Hopped Angry Planet
Flat Earth Northwest Passage IPA
Flying Dog Doggy Style Pale Ale
Flying Dog Gonzo Imperial Porter
Founder’s Double Dry Hopped Red’s Rye P.A.
Fox Barrel Cidery Bonnie: Spicy Ginger & Black Currant.
Fulton Sweet Child of Vine IPA
Fulton War and Peace Russian Imperial Stout with Peace Coffee
Fulton Worthy Adversary Imperial Stout
Furthermore Knot Stock Black Pepper Pale Ale
Goose Island Citra Hop IPA
Goose Island Nightstalker Imperial Stout
Grand Tetons Lost Continent Double IPA
Great Divide Hercules Double IPA
Great Divide Oak Aged Yeti Stout Infused with Espresso
Harviestoun Ola Dubh 18 yr
Harviestoun Ola Dubh 30 yr
Lagunitas New Dogtown Pale Ale
Lake Superior Minnesota Special
Lake Superior Sir Duluth Cocoa Oatmeal Stout
Lake Superior Strong, Dark, and Handsome
Left Hand 400 Pound Monkey IPA
Lift Bridge Chestnut Hill: “A La Nutsack”
Lift Bridge Crosscut Pale Ale: “Ol’ Pine Box”
Lift Bridge Farm Girl Saison: “Honey Ginger Girl”
New Belgium “Shadow of the Foerder” blend of 1554 and La Folie
New Holland Pilgrim’s Dole
Rogue Amarillo Dry Hopped American Amber Ale
Rogue Chocolate Stout
Rogue Shakespeare Stout
Rush River Bubblejack IPA
Rush River Chocolate Oatmeal Stout
Rush River Winter Warmer
Schell’s Hopfenmalz Kellerbier
Schell’s Oak Aged Stout
Southern Tier Unearthly IPA
Sprecher Abbey Tripel Witbier with coriander and orange peel
Summit EPA dry hopped with Chinook
Summit Oatmeal Stout with East Kent Goldings
Summit Winter dry hopped with Ahtanum
Surly Cynic: Oak Aged, Dry Hopped
Surly 2010 Darkness: Oak Aged, Dry Hopped
Surly Mild
Surly Tea-bagged Furious
Two Brothers Bare Tree Weiss Wine
Two Brothers Cane and Ebel
Tyranena Benji’s Smoked Imperial Chipotle Porter
Victory Hop Wallop
Victory Storm King Imperial Stout
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I tried a 3 Floyds Behemoth last night. I really liked it except for the $14/bottle price.
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I'm new to this beer taste testing thing. Don't you simply enter a pub, start on the left and work your way across the tappers? Just asking hic !
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I tried a 3 Floyds Behemoth last night. I really liked it except for the $14/bottle price.
Have you had the Central Waters Y2K barleywine? If so, how would you say they compare?
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Have you had the Central Waters Y2K barleywine? If so, how would you say they compare?
I haven't tried that one
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I am going to this event this weekend. Jealous? You should be.
http://nerax.org/nerax/
NERAX is organized by CASC, the Cask-Conditioned Ale Support Campaign. CASC is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to boosting awareness of and demand for Real Ale in New England.
The New England Real Ale Exhibition, benefiting the VFW, is held each spring at the George Dilboy Post, Davis Square, Somerville, MA.
NERAX 2010 is our 14th Festival. As in 2009, we plan on offering over 80 firkins of Real Ale. Half U.K. beers from England, Scotland, and Wales; and half American beers from New England. All the beers are cask-conditioned, served by gravity or hand-pump.
Link to all the American Casks: http://nerax.org/nerax/cgi-bin/american.asp
And the UK ones: http://nerax.org/nerax/cgi-bin/british.asp
And the German Ones: http://nerax.org/nerax/cgi-bin/german.asp
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I am very jealous.
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Went to a place called the Beer Bistro in Chicago this weekend, tried many beers but I had a Goose Island Country Bourbon Stout that is aged in bourbon barrels. It was 13% alcohol and was a sipping beer, good and actually reasonable. Reasonable meaning you get fairly drunk off of it for the price. I think it was $9, I recommend the Beer Bistro to anyone in the Chicago area they have a rotating list of approximatly 100-120 beers.
World Beer Cup Recognition:
Judging Category: Barrel Aged Beer
2006: Gold Medal
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Had a couple bottles of the KBS... I think it was more bourbony than I remembered last year, but still damn tasty. Love how the aging brings out the vanilla notes along with chocolate and coffee. Delicious.
Had a few first-timers this weekend:
Tyranena Smoked Imperial Porter w/Chipotle Pepper- Went the single bottle route since the chipotle was a bit unsettling. But I had to try it. And I am so glad I did. Really delicious porter. Smokiness was subtle, sweet chocolate notes, incredibly smooth texture, and just a hint of spice at the finish. Incredibly balanced for the complexity. One of those beers that is a work of art.
Furthermore Makeweight- Described as "a mashup of English, American, and Beligian Pale Ales" and that was about right. Didn't particularly care for it, the styles didn't particularly play well, IMO. Not very drinkable, and had a funky finish. Love their creativity, but this one was a swing and a miss I think.
New Glarus Cherry Stout- Had high hopes for this beer, and was a bit disappointed. The cherry was there, pretty sweet with some oaky tones to it. But it really lacked in the stout characteristics, almost nothing there. You could put down a few of these, but ultimately it was too sweet for me.
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New Glarus Cherry Stout- Had high hopes for this beer, and was a bit disappointed. The cherry was there, pretty sweet with some oaky tones to it. But it really lacked in the stout characteristics, almost nothing there. You could put down a few of these, but ultimately it was too sweet for me.
I agree, this was all cherry - no stout. Way too sweet for my tastes. I have very high hopes for the Alt. and Apple Ale that they are releasing later this year though. Also, the road slush porter was a very good oatmeal stout imo.
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I also have tried a NG Cherry stout and thought it was too sweet. I make my own cherry stout every winter using 5 lbs. of Door County unsweetened cherries and am used to a much more subtle cherry flavor.
Stopped in the Sugar Maple last night and they currently have KBS and Dog Fish Head Burton Baton on tap. The DFH is an oak aged IIPA.
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Beer Fest in the Chicago burbs... great chance to taste a number of varieties from brewers near and some far.
http://www.durtynellies.com/beerfest.asp
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Dark Horse Brewery
Their Scotty Karate scotch ale is better than Robert The Bruce (and I really like Robert the Bruce)
Their Crooked Tree IPA has a bunch of flavor
Every winter they release five different stouts. I don't know all of them, but there is at least a Cream, and Imperial, a Smoked, and a Blueberry Stout. The Blueberry Stout is not a fruity beer at all, and the Cream Stout is really smooth.
I'll keep checking out their beers based on this. Also, they don't like Nickelback.
http://www.fermentationnation.com/2010/03/dark-horse-brewing-courted-by-canadian.html
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had my first KBS, was fantastic. Was a little irritated that the store i purchased from only allowed 2 bottles per person.
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I visited the New Glarus brewery this morning. It is an amazing facility and a really cool location up in the hills of New Glarus. You drive up a long dirt road, and the brewery has a pretty good view of the city. They have a free "self guided" tour, which basically allows you to walk around the brewery and look at everything. Also, for $3.50 you get three fills of beer, and you get to keep the glass. All of the employees were very nice and quick to answer questions. I recommend stopping by if you're in the area. Its amazing how you can detect the unique smells of different NG beers as you move throughout the brewery.
On-tap they had Belgian Red, Road Slush, Golden Ale, Moon Man, Spotted Cow, and Two Women.
Two Women is a Bohemian Lager, and it is only available at the brewery. Basically, Dan said that he brewed it for him to drink because it is his favorite style, it just became available last week. I had it on tap and it was amazing, very creamy and smooth, easily the best lager I've ever had. He said that he used "a small run of a straight up Czech Style Pilsner made with Bohemian Floor Malt + 100% Hallertau Mittlefrueh Hops". This doesn't mean very much to me, but it might to someone who knows more about brewing. I bought a couple bottles to take home as well ($5 per 16 ounce bottle). "Two Women Lager will be sold in the 500 ml German Euro Bottle same as the R&D simply because that's the traditional way in German". The bottles have cool hand-written labels.
Btw those quotes are all straight from Dan
Edit: forgot to mention that they have a beer cellar type of thing with just about every NG beer you could want, including 4-5 of the unplugged series.
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had my first KBS, was fantastic. Was a little irritated that the store i purchased from only allowed 2 bottles per person.
that does suck but when there are probably less than a dozen cases available for the entire state of WI what can you expect?
when it first went on sale, Discount allowed a 4 pack/person limit - it's now down to a single bottle limit but they still had some last week
also, it helps to develope a relationship with the 'beer guy/girl' at a good liquor store and you might be able to score 3 or 4 four packs, don't ask me how I know if this really happens ;D
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Enjoying a few New Glarus Moon Man's while I watch The Masters. Damn good beer from them. Pours a hazy gold color, due to the bottle fermentation. Heavy hop aroma, but an easy drinking pale ale. Hop bitterness comes through a bit at the finish, but the main characteristics are citrus and malty notes. Lighter than an IPA, but really tasty.
This will be a perfect summer session beer. Clean, refreshing, and very drinkable. NG did good work with this one.
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I visited the New Glarus brewery this morning. It is an amazing facility and a really cool location up in the hills of New Glarus. You drive up a long dirt road, and the brewery has a pretty good view of the city. They have a free "self guided" tour, which basically allows you to walk around the brewery and look at everything. Also, for $3.50 you get three fills of beer, and you get to keep the glass. All of the employees were very nice and quick to answer questions. I recommend stopping by if you're in the area. Its amazing how you can detect the unique smells of different NG beers as you move throughout the brewery.
On-tap they had Belgian Red, Road Slush, Golden Ale, Moon Man, Spotted Cow, and Two Women.
Two Women is a Bohemian Lager, and it is only available at the brewery. Basically, Dan said that he brewed it for him to drink because it is his favorite style, it just became available last week. I had it on tap and it was amazing, very creamy and smooth, easily the best lager I've ever had. He said that he used "a small run of a straight up Czech Style Pilsner made with Bohemian Floor Malt + 100% Hallertau Mittlefrueh Hops". This doesn't mean very much to me, but it might to someone who knows more about brewing. I bought a couple bottles to take home as well ($5 per 16 ounce bottle). "Two Women Lager will be sold in the 500 ml German Euro Bottle same as the R&D simply because that's the traditional way in German". The bottles have cool hand-written labels.
Btw those quotes are all straight from Dan
Edit: forgot to mention that they have a beer cellar type of thing with just about every NG beer you could want, including 4-5 of the unplugged series.
I have to give a disclaimer. Two women is not nearly as good out of the bottle as it was on tap. With that said... DAMN moon man is good!
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New season for Oberon. Always a cause for celebration. New Holland Sun Dog Amber almost as good.
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Its not about beer per se, and a lot of you will probably say that Miller Lite is piss water, but those Aluminum Can radio commercials I heard during the brewers games are AWESOME
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Its not about beer per se, and a lot of you will probably say that Miller Lite is piss water, but those Aluminum Can radio commercials I heard during the brewers games are AWESOME
"Are you less than friends with a girl? Then she's a stranger. Stop staring, creepo."
That line makes me laugh every time.
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New season for Oberon. Always a cause for celebration. New Holland Sun Dog Amber almost as good.
Yes, Oberon is the absolute bomb diggity dog in the summer...
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Yes, Oberon is the absolute bomb diggity dog in the summer...
Oberon is overrated IMO. Just like Spotted Cow. Fatty Boomblatty is a great summer beer though. So is Three Floyds Drunken Monk which I had last weekend.
Only 9 days til Dark Lord Day!!!!!
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Had a Captial Brewery "Supper Club"
Tastes like Miller.
Good to sip one while grilling, but I won't be buying another 6 pack.
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Fort Collins Brewery:
Any recommendations from their line of beers, as my local grocery store just started carrying it.
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Oberon has never done much for me, it's OK but nothing I'll write home about...
I tried the Central Waters Bourbon Barrel Stout last night, very tasty, strong bourbon flavor but it doesn't have the wonderful complexity of flavors Founders KBS does although it is cheaper, going by memory I thought it was similar to how I remember Goose Island Bourbon County stout was.
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Anyone one else going to Dark Lord Days tomorrow at Three Floyds?
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Anyone one else going to Dark Lord Days tomorrow at Three Floyds?
I would love too, but sadly not this year.
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Drinking a Lagunitas Wilco Tango Foxtrot (WTF).
pretty good. Its a limited release Ale. Not hoppy, just lots of malty taste. Nothing too special. Just a good overall beer.
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12 oz. Can of Miller Lite, on the beach in 80* weather. They taste like Jesus.
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Had a Captial Brewery "Supper Club"
Tastes like Miller.
Good to sip one while grilling, but I won't be buying another 6 pack.
Kind of a micro-macro. I bought a six pack yesterday of this. My thought was it tasted like a High Life, but from better ingredients. For a session beer, I think it serves it's purpose well. I enjoyed it.
I can see an issue though. It's their best selling beer at the brewery, but I can see that being a result of people wanting a familiar, more approachable beer than the other styles. But, if I'm looking at a $3 difference between a six pack of High Life and Supper Club, I'm probably going with the High Life.
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Was in the mood for something summerish the other night after golf, and picked up a six pack of Flying Dog's In Heat Wheat. Pretty solid hefeweizen. Has all the right flavors, light, fairly carbonated. A good summer session beer, and one to help pass the time until Dancing Man comes out.
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I picked up a four pack of Dark Horse Brewing's special Double Crooked Tree IPA. They literally double everything in the recipe but the water, and the end result is a kickass 13% ABV beer. However, unlike the GI Bourbon County Stout, it doesn't have that overwhelming alcohol taste. This is a big, bold beer with huge flavor, and one of them is going in the cellar for next year. The only downside is that it's a premium price ($15 / 4 pack).
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mmmm I need to find this beer in the Madison area...
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mmmm I need to find this beer in the Madison area...
http://www.darkhorsebrewery.com/content.asp?PageName=Distributors
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so basically, drive to Milwaukee.
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This just seems like overkill but some Scottish guys are now brewing 41% alcohol beer, (sink the Bismark). Although their 32% Tactical Nuclear Penguin has one of the greatest beer names.
http://www.latimes.com/features/food/la-fo-coldbeer-20100506,0,2547965,full.story
Anyone up for a month long case race?
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I looked at these last week and it piqued my interest and I might pick these up. Ola Dubh, they have a 12,16,30 and a 40. These are ole ales aged in casks that contained scotch. For instance the 30 is aged in casks once containing 30YO Highland single malt.
Anyone ever try these?
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Just had the new New Glarus Enigma. Just a heads up, enigma is at discount, along with a little iced barleywine. They haven't had iced barleywine in about three months, so i'm not sure where they got it, but as of yesterday they had two 4 packs.
Back to the Enigma, this is an awesome, awesome beer. It is everything the cherry stout should have been and more. It starts as a cherry beer, and it is then aged in vanilla oak barrels. You can really pick up on the oak/vanilla/cherry/and some brown ale characteristics without any one part overpowering. I am definitely buying more of this masterpiece, Dan struck gold with this one.
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Fort Collins Brewery:
Any recommendations from their line of beers, as my local grocery store just started carrying it.
Do you mean New Belgium Brewery? It is a brewery in Fort Collins that just expanded in the past year or so to WI and some other midwest areas. They have some good ones, if you go to the brewery you can have a free beer tasting, they give you 4 beers of your choice about 6-8oz each, and they are free. Also, they are big into the renewable energy kick, their entire brewery is run on wind power.
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Do you mean New Belgium Brewery? ....
No, I do not.
I am familar with New Belgium, after a recommendation from Hards. ;)
Fort Collins Brewery is an entirely different company.
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No, I do not.
I am familar with New Belgium, after a recommendation from Hards. ;)
Fort Collins Brewery is an entirely different company.
swill.
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Just had the new New Glarus Enigma. Just a heads up, enigma is at discount, along with a little iced barleywine. They haven't had iced barleywine in about three months, so i'm not sure where they got it, but as of yesterday they had two 4 packs.
Back to the Enigma, this is an awesome, awesome beer. It is everything the cherry stout should have been and more. It starts as a cherry beer, and it is then aged in vanilla oak barrels. You can really pick up on the oak/vanilla/cherry/and some brown ale characteristics without any one part overpowering. I am definitely buying more of this masterpiece, Dan struck gold with this one.
thanks for the heads up, I cleaned out their iced barleywines last nite ;)(have about 15 left in the cellar)
did try an Enigma, that will be great on a hot day IMO
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Had some Two Brothers Domaine DuPage this weekend. As stated before, Two Brothers is the local brewery out here in the western burbs of Chicagoland. They have tried to focus on making lesser known styles of beer. For example, Two Bros only released a standard IPA in April, and even that is oak-aged.
Anyways, Domaine DuPage is a French Countryside Ale. Higher in malt, low bitterness, but still enough hops to make it crisp. It was great with food.
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2010 Milwaukee Brewfest
http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=100778959968255&ref=ts
Just saw this. Seems a bit steep, but a decent amount of breweries. Think they'll let designated drivers in for free?
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Had two new ones this weekend.
First was the Magic Hat Wacko. Very interesting beer, pours a bright red color with a white head. Kind of thin mouthfeel with dry, grainy flavors. Sweetened a bit by beet sugar, which gave it the unique color. It's not a bad summer drinker, as it's pretty light and not terribly bitter.
Then I had Great Lakes Holy Moses. It's ther summer witbier, and not what I expected at all. It was typical of a belgian wheat in many ways, except very spicy. Apparently they added chamomile to it, which gave it kind of a funky taste. Didn't enjoy this one all that much.
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Beer related story.
I own some stock in Black Art Beer(BLVI), and recently a buddy (also a shareholder) called the company to ask where we could buy a shirt...
6 days later he received a box in the mail with 23 shirts and 4 hats.
I was impressed, as I could never imagine a major beer company doing this for a couple guys that collectively own a very small number of shares.
As for their beer: the Black Lager is good and would compare it to a Shiner Black or 1554. The Gold Lager is marginal at best and I would not recommend it.
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Got a free bottle of Grain Belt tonight. Still trying to figure out why you crazy Minnesotans rave about it so. I mean it's not bad, but nothin to write home about.
Also had the Madtown Nutbrown from Ale Asylum for the first time. Very, very good. Full flavored, smooth finish, very drinkable and not the least bit bitter. I've yet to have a bad beer from them yet.
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Got a free bottle of Grain Belt tonight. Still trying to figure out why you crazy Minnesotans rave about it so. I mean it's not bad, but nothin to write home about.
Also had the Madtown Nutbrown from Ale Asylum for the first time. Very, very good. Full flavored, smooth finish, very drinkable and not the least bit bitter. I've yet to have a bad beer from them yet.
Its a sweeter High Life, that is all. It's a good summer beer.
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Avery Brewing's Salvation Ale - Their Belgian-style Ale. Meh.
More Two Brothers! - Their Dog Days Dortmunder Style Lager. It's a seasonal release. I really liked this one, and think it's a great summer beer.
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Had the Brewery Ommegang Triple on draft at Sugar Maple - delish
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Got a free bottle of Grain Belt tonight. Still trying to figure out why you crazy Minnesotans rave about it so.
I have lived here for 15 years and I have never heard anyone who lives here rave about it or even say it is very good. I would compare GB's loyal drinkers here to Old Style drinkers in Chicago, where I am from. Nothing special at all.
Its a sweeter High Life, that is all. It's a good summer beer.
It is sweeter and has a hint of caramel. A good summer beer for some but not for me.
Grain Belt is being brewed by the Schell's Brewery in New Ulm, MN after almost going out of business about 8 years ago. Schell's saved it.
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I have lived here for 15 years and I have never heard anyone who lives here rave about it or even say it is very good. I would compare GB's loyal drinkers here to Old Style drinkers in Chicago, where I am from. Nothing special at all. It is sweeter and has a hint of caramel. A good summer beer for some but not for me.
Grain Belt is being brewed by the Schell's Brewery in New Ulm, MN after almost going out of business about 8 years ago. Schell's saved it.
Fair enough. To be honest the people I've heard talk about it were people from MN who were in Milwaukee. Must be like me and Yuengling. Tastes better when you only get it every now and then.
Had Surly's IPA when I was up there this past weekend. Pretty good stuff.
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Fair enough. To be honest the people I've heard talk about it were people from MN who were in Milwaukee. Must be like me and Yuengling. Tastes better when you only get it every now and then.
Had Surly's IPA when I was up there this past weekend. Pretty good stuff.
Surly Abrasive (9.7% ABV) is a pretty good beer also. Seasonal that comes out in April and is gone by the beginning of May. I am betting you had the Furious...also good stuff...and their most popular beer.
I have a handful of friends who own bars here and some have Surly and some don't. They actually have a 3-6 month wait list for a tavern/liquor store to be able to stock their beer, sometimes longer.
http://www.surlybrewing.com/beer/surly-beer-find-bars.html
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I know it isn't new, and I realize I am eating crow on this one, but New Belgium's "Mighty Arrow" is actually really good.
Ale Asylum's Trappist IPA, "Bedlam" is a cant miss.
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Looking for a good Summer Ale, any suggestions? I have had the Sam Adams version and enjoy it.
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Looking for a good Summer Ale, any suggestions? I have had the Sam Adams version and enjoy it.
Shipyard makes a great one.
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Shipyard makes a great one.
available nationally?
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I was just lucky enough to snag two bottles of Pliny the Elder, one bottle of Supplication, and one bottle of Iron Horse Quilter's Irish Death.
For those of you who don't know, pliny and supplication are two of the most sought after beers in america, and they are rated 7 and 14 respectively in the world.
I drank one of the pliny's, and while it is a great beer I think it is slightly overrated. I mean, it is not THAT much better than other ipa's such as celebration, two-hearted, etc. That said, it is definitely a world class beer, amazingly hopy and smooth. For such a strong beer, you could really drink these all day.
I am very excited to finally get my hands on supplication, and I will be saving that one for a special occasion.
The Irish Death is an imperial stout that is supposed to be quite sweet almost like an oatmeal/milk stout.
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/863/7971
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/863/22227/?sort=latest&start=0
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/11212/38703
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Looking for a good Summer Ale, any suggestions? I have had the Sam Adams version and enjoy it.
Sierra Nevada makes a pretty good one too. You should be able to find it no problem.
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Surly Abrasive (9.7% ABV) is a pretty good beer also. Seasonal that comes out in April and is gone by the beginning of May. I am betting you had the Furious...also good stuff...and their most popular beer.
I don't know about MUfan12, but my workplace just recently acquired both some Abrasive and Furious (yeah, I know...cool). Only tried the Abrasive so far, and it was very good. Not nearly as harsh as the name might imply.
I was just lucky enough to snag two bottles of Pliny the Elder, one bottle of Supplication, and one bottle of Iron Horse Quilter's Irish Death.
In Colorado we're blessed to have quite a few places that serve a number of highly sought after brews on tap - Falling rock Tap House in Denver is phenomenal. However, oskar blues homemade liquids & solids in my hometown of Longmont has 43 awesome guest taps including Pliny the Elder (here's their full beer list (http://www.oskarblues.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/HMLS_beer_Oct2009.pdf?phpMyAdmin=e5MPP6G9p%2CcSfTh0arpUC2DJc9a)). Anyhow, if you ever get a chance to drink out this way, I highly suggest stopping at a couple of these places - with a designated driver of course!
Can't beat having some of these beers on tap.
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Just picked up a bottle of The Abyss. Has anyone tried this beast? I'm debating whether to drink it now or cellar it for a year or so.
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Anyone try the new Bud Light Wheat yet? I am guessing it is so-so, but that is simply based on 75% of their product line falling into that category.
I was wrong about this beer. To call it so-so would be an insult to mediocre beers everywhere.
:-\
I guess "clever" commercials do not equal good beer.
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I was saddened Friday night at the Sugar Maple to learn the DFH Palo Santo was gone but then I tried Upland's Double Dragonfly DIPA - I liked that one quite a bit, had not tried any Upland brews before
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Surly Brewing's owner won the region's Ernst and Young award.
Omar Ansari won the E&Y award in the Consumer Products category in the Upper Midwest Category (MN, WI and the Dakotas). This makes him eligible to compete for the national awards, which will be handed out in November.
http://mnbeer.com/2010/06/10/entrepreneur-of-the-year/
http://www.surlybrewing.com/index.html
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I was saddened Friday night at the Sugar Maple to learn the DFH Palo Santo was gone but then I tried Upland's Double Dragonfly DIPA - I liked that one quite a bit, had not tried any Upland brews before
Upland has quite a few really quality beers even though it comes from the land of Hoosiers.
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Forgot to mention that I tried 2 of Ale Asylum's seasonals... a Trappist IPA called "Bedlam" and a Double IPA called "Satisfaction Jacksin"
Bedlam was great, Jacksin was so-so... nothing really stuck out about it.
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I'm not a fan of New Holand's Dragons Milk but the oak aged/high gravity version that I had last night was very good IMO
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What are you guys drinking for the 4th? I picked up some Sierra Nevada Torpedo and Pale Ale, Old Rasputin 4 pack, and a Widmer Brothers Mixed 12er.
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Just finished some Harpoon UFO (unfiltered weiss beer) and it seems a bit boring, but some old fashion PBR's out of the 16 oz., ice cold just hit the spot sometimes.
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sam adams summer ale and miller high life for the 4th.
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the Mrs. wanted to have lunch at Hooligan's yesterday so I managed to put a few Ale Asylum Bedlams down the hatch ;D
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happened upon some Magic Hat Wacko, and echoing what MUFan had said I guess it was fine. theres not a lot there, the sweetness from the beets isnt overwhelming, which is good. but nothing really stands out from it other than its red-pink color and typical-for-Magic Hat extreme packaging and self aggrandizing. not a bad choice though if your forced to encourage the wife/girlfriend/high priced prostitute to have a couple with you, thus preventing you from thinking too much about drinking alone for the third day in a row.
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I picked up a few bottles of Founders Devil Dancer (triple IPA @ 12%). $5/bottle at Discount makes this the same price as KBS. Although this is a very tasty brew, while the KBS is a unique style so I don't mind stocking up as much as possible (2 more bottles there Saturday!) the Devil Dancer is not what I would consider unique and it makes Hopslam look affordable.
I also talked to Discount's beer rep for Founders (and many brands), seems like he's always there Friday evenings, he said that Founders expanded 2 years ago by doubling capacity and they are doubling it again now but since they are also expanding their distribution territory supply is worse now than before. Last year he got 120 cases of Devil Dancer and this year only 40 cases, that's for the entire state of WI. Each Discount location got 1 case.
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Had New Belgium's Skinny Dip. Tasted like a watered down Fat Tire. Was supposed to be "light and citrusy" but had next to none of that.
I'm beginning to see the issues some had here with their beers. Unless they are making a certain style, their beers have a similar taste profile. That toasty, bready malt is great in Fat Tire, but not in the Blue Paddle Pilsner or Skinny Dip.
The beers I've liked from them all are kind of niche beers. 1554, Mothership Wit, and the Ranger IPA were all very good. But their styles didn't call for that bready malt characteristic.
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Had a few Schell Zommerfest beers this weekend. It was ok, but the bartender had told me if I liked summer ale style I would enjoy it. It seemed to be missing the citrus component.
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I picked up a few bottles of Founders Devil Dancer (triple IPA @ 12%). $5/bottle at Discount makes this the same price as KBS. Although this is a very tasty brew, while the KBS is a unique style so I don't mind stocking up as much as possible (2 more bottles there Saturday!) the Devil Dancer is not what I would consider unique and it makes Hopslam look affordable.
I also talked to Discount's beer rep for Founders (and many brands), seems like he's always there Friday evenings, he said that Founders expanded 2 years ago by doubling capacity and they are doubling it again now but since they are also expanding their distribution territory supply is worse now than before. Last year he got 120 cases of Devil Dancer and this year only 40 cases, that's for the entire state of WI. Each Discount location got 1 case.
have you heard anything about them possibly distributing CBS in the future?
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have you heard anything about them possibly distributing CBS in the future?
no, the only of CBS I've ever heard is from a friend that lives near the brewery and has it on tap there like this Special Agent IPA last week
Tap Room BRAND NEW BEER: The Special Agent IPA (crafted by our very own, Johnny
Utah)...4 malts, 3 hops (Magnum, Simcoe, Centennial)...7.4% ABV and
secretly delicious, deceptively crisp...get after it! ONLY available in
the Founders Taproom...
(http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q178/possessedbymetal/beer/IMG_2671.jpg)
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Awesome taps at Captain Mikes in kenosha friday night! If you are around and free tomorrow definitely worth the trip.
Their tap list includes (but not limited to)
Canadian Breakfast Stout (that is not a typo)
Founders Breakfast stout
Kentucky breakfast stout (not sure if it was tap or bottle - but someone had one in a glass)
Goose Island Night Stalker
Great Divide 16th Anniversary Wood Aged double IPA
Three Floyds Gumballhead
Robert the Bruce
Oaked Yeti
Mikkeller Amarillo Single Hop IPA
I know I am missing some great one's (there are over 30 beers on tap + over 100 in bottle). Get there quick if you want to try the CBS, it will be gone very soon they said. Also, they make some great burgers using kobe beef.
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Just had my first bottle of New Glarus' Enigma.
very strange. Sour beer... almost a cider beer... but with cherries.
I can understand why there is a lot of demand for this beer, but I am only so so about it.
my wife loved it...
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Hards, where you been all summer! You get married on us?
Disclaimer: I'm getting married a month from today ;)
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ha funny story, i worked underneath a different boss who was a slave driver for the last two months.
so basically no time for scoop!
congrats reinko!.. and I got married last year in sept. :)
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Victory Brewing - brewery out of PA
Picked up their "Prima Pils" as a last gasp for summer brew. Really a good crisp Pils.
Also, I note that the beer fridges are now being filled with Octoberfest brews. I am not ready for Octoberfest beer until after Labor Day.
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Separate question
If I were interested in doing some home brewing, any tips or pointers out there?
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friend of mine tried to the New Glarus Belgian Red Cherry Ale...awful. kind of like Cold medicine and berry weiss
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friend of mine tried to the New Glarus Belgian Red Cherry Ale...awful. kind of like Cold medicine and berry weiss
If your talking about the belgian red thats funny because its one of the highest rated fruit beers in the world (might be # 1 actually). Its a sour brown ale aged in giant oak vats with over a pound of real Wisconsin cherries per bottle... anything but mediciney. And comparing it to the fake tasting berry weiss is a joke.
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If your talking about the belgian red thats funny because its one of the highest rated fruit beers in the world (might be # 1 actually). Its a sour brown ale aged in giant oak vats with over a pound of real Wisconsin cherries per bottle... anything but mediciney. And comparing it to the fake tasting berry weiss is a joke.
nope sorry, staying with my opinion. that beer is awful.
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nope sorry, staying with my opinion. that beer is awful.
you also called cider beer once too.
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Victory Brewing - brewery out of PA
Picked up their "Prima Pils" as a last gasp for summer brew. Really a good crisp Pils.
Also, I note that the beer fridges are now being filled with Octoberfest brews. I am not ready for Octoberfest beer until after Labor Day.
Hopwollop by Victory is great also.
I wish I could remember the different beers I have had over the last month...
If you are starting to homebrew, I think the most important thing is to be patient, and make sure to NOT let the pot boil over... even if it takes forever, dont walk away for 2 min... I did. :)
also, start with something dark, the darker the beer the easier it is for it to turn out decent.
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also, start with something dark, the darker the beer the easier it is for it to turn out decent.
Yup, much easier to hide 'off' flavors in the beer.
There are a lot of great sites with a ton of info online. Just do a quick google search for home brewing and you will be on your way.
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Been away from this thread too long! Had a couple first timers since.
Tyranena Scurvy IPA- Pours a very nice orangey-copper color with a decent head. Aroma is pure hops and orange/lime citrus. The orange peel gives it an interesting dynamic, but this is a hop bomb at heart. Pretty bitter, but the citrus gives it a nice finish. Not a session beer for me, but a nice twist on a traditional IPA.
Hinterland Cherry Wheat- Bought a 4 pack of this on a whim. Glad I did. A very smooth wheat beer, with a perfect balance of cherry. The aroma is more wheat, with a hint of cherry. The tartness of the cherry really plays well with this beer. One of the better cherry beers I've had.
Bell's Poolside Ale- Really enjoyed this one, had it on tap at Sugar Maple. It's a pale wheat ale, again with a hint of cherry. Between the mild bitterness of the hops, the bready wheat, and the brightness of the cherry, it was very refreshing. Wish I would have found this beer earlier this summer!
Also had Dreadnaught on tap. Unbelievable, as some have said here before. Glad I finally got around to trying it. Since it got cold tonight, I enjoyed a couple Staghorn Octoberfest's from New Glarus. Still one of the best American Marzen's I've had, can't recommend it enough.
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For those of you still in the mke area, in Racine (30 min south) there is the Great Lakes Brew Fest in 2 weekends.
Linky: http://www.greatlakesbrewfest.com/main.html (http://www.greatlakesbrewfest.com/main.html)
Friday night is Wisconsin Brews only, and Saturday is over 350 brews.
$39 for all you can drink.
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Picked up a six pack of Leffe Blonde this past weekend. I wish I still lived in Belgium.
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recent new beers (to me)
Founders 2010 Nemesis barleywine, good but not great, disappointed at $6/bottle
New Glarus Unplugged Abt - label mentions aging these, drinking them fresh was unimpressive, although tasty I expected more, will cellar a few 4 packs
Sierra Nevada 30th Anniversary Black barleywine, this one I really liked
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Founders 2010 Nemesis barleywine, good but not great, disappointed at $6/bottle
I really enjoyed this beer. It was like a hoppy barleywine/imperial red/porter mix. It was so complex, and very balanced considering it was 100 IBU's, and I loved the dark chocolate aftertaste mixed with the hops.
But, at $6/bottle, that is out of my price point for buying more than one (if that was even an option - one bottle limit), so I have to agree with you there.
The ABT I thought was a good american attempt at a great style. I did a tasting with that and a few legit Belgians, and comparatively, the ABT was less 'flavorful', but more drinkable.
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For those in the Madison area, this weekend is the the Thirsty Troll brew fest in Mount Horeb.
Great time, lots of tasty local beer... had a jalapeno beer last year, which got my pebble (vote) for best at the fest.
I'll be there again... 3rd year in a row.
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Sipping an "Apocalypse Cow" from FFF.
This beer is perfect.
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Sipping an "Apocalypse Cow" from FFF.
This beer is perfect.
And the bottle is badass looking
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As the season is almost upon us... ANy recommendations on a solid Octoberfest beer?
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I suggest a 2L mug of Augustseiner in Munich. 3 of them and you may have trouble finding your hotel room... Not me though, found mine :)
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As the season is almost upon us... ANy recommendations on a solid Octoberfest beer?
staghorn, summit oktoberfest, ayinger oktoberfest, brooklyn oktoberfest
avoid bells, becks, and hofbrau imo
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thanks for the support Hards. I hope you wake up to a fridge full of fat tire this weekend.
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staghorn, summit oktoberfest, ayinger oktoberfest, brooklyn oktoberfest
avoid bells, becks, and hofbrau imo
I would add to the try list Spatten and Upland.
To the avoid list add Three Floyds (Musterfest is just a 100% DISAPPOINTMENT)
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To the avoid list add Three Floyds (Musterfest is just a 100% DISAPPOINTMENT)
Good thing i passed over this one last week at the store, i was considering buying it. Thanks for the heads up.
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I would add to the try list Spatten and Upland.
To the avoid list add Three Floyds (Musterfest is just a 100% DISAPPOINTMENT)
I don't think I've ever been disappointed by a Three Floyds beer. Any particular reason you're not a fan?
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I don't think I've ever been disappointed by a Three Floyds beer. Any particular reason you're not a fan?
Oh no, I am a self processed Three Floyds fanboy. I was just super disappointed by Munsterfest. It was just a meh beer - seemed like a Hauf Brau house style Oktoberfest which I also dislike. I brought a few bottles of Munsterfest down to Dark Lord Days this past year just get rid of them and the people I shared them with thought the same thing.
Now next months seasonal Broo Doo is one of three favorite beers on the planet. I have my case already ordered.
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I really need to take the trip down to dark lord day one of these years, did you have a good time?
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I know some of you must be BA members... what are your usernames over there? Just curious.
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Now next months seasonal Broo Doo is one of three favorite beers on the planet. I have my case already ordered.
Just picked up broo doo from three cellars, where they told me it was as fresh as possible. Holy S*** it this a good beer! Perfect color for an IPA, and great, clean taste. Thanks for the recommendation!
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As a preface, I HATE flying dog brewery (an IPA mixed with a wheat is a travesty, "Flying Bitch"). But DOGToberfest is pretty good. As a side, I hate most oktoberfest beers.
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I've been drinking several of the Oktoberfests out there and think I've liked the Wurzburger best of all. Years ago I thought Sprecher made an excellent example but then they started pastuerizing all of their brews and now none are what they used to be: good beers.
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Dogfish Head is now distributing Bitches Brew -- a special beer to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the legendary Miles Davis album of the same name. I had a bottle of it this weekend (7 more in the fridge) ..... fantastic beer - a rich, smooth malt, somewhat chocolatey, with a smooth finish. Outstanding beer -- as per usual from the guys at DFH
http://www.dogfish.com/brews-spirits/the-brews/occassional-rarities/bitches-brew.htm
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Sitting at suds o hannah's in Beloit drinking a couple of Sierra Nevada torpedoes. I'm a big fan of IPas. Tastes better than their regular ipa. On par with lakefront Which I believe to have the best ipa. However i noticed new Glarus has a moon man no coast ipa on tap here. Has anyone tried it? As seen from every beer post I've made I'm no new glarus fan. (something about being a dbag fan boy follower turns me off see: aj bombers, new glarus, soccer, the "fear the deer" movement, Spanish ods) but I'll give that up to enjoy a good ipa if people think it's good
I've got time for one more. I'll give it a shot.
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Moon Man is fantastic. Has the big hop aroma of an IPA, but is very drinkable.
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Sitting at suds o hannah's in Beloit drinking a couple of Sierra Nevada torpedoes. I'm a big fan of IPas. Tastes better than their regular ipa. On par with lakefront Which I believe to have the best ipa. However i noticed new Glarus has a moon man no coast ipa on tap here. Has anyone tried it? As seen from every beer post I've made I'm no new glarus fan. (something about being a dbag fan boy follower turns me off see: aj bombers, new glarus, soccer, the "fear the deer" movement, Spanish ods) but I'll give that up to enjoy a good ipa if people think it's good
I've got time for one more. I'll give it a shot.
Moon man is a pale ale, not an IPA. But, incredible on tap IMO. Awesome beer.
Also, torpedo is Sierra Nevada's "regular" IPA. What else are you thinking of? Celebration is a seasonal IPA they make, and Sierra Nevada Pale Ale is an American pale ale, and a decent/average beer. They don't really make any other widely distributed IPA's... except for maybe harvest ale... which was a one time release.
I agree Lakefront's IPA is awesome, but not quite my favorite.
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Let us know how you like the moon man.
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Just discovered that my local grocery store in Ponte Vedra, FL stocks several Lake Front beers. Any recommendations? I really can't remember much about the beer from a couple hazy brewery tours back in the day.
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Let us know how you like the moon man.
Moon man was ok (IPA or Pale ale... whatever). not as good as the torpedo or lakefront IPA. but after my 3rd-4th IPA I lose my taste for them. I'll have to try it again
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We stopped at a bar Saturday that had a sign up Top of the Hops for $2/bottle. I'd never heard of it, turns out it's Chameleon Brewing which is Randy Sprecher's new business. I was not impressed at all, it did not seem like a finished/professional offering, semi-flat, reminded me of a rookie homebrew batch.
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Just picked the new New Glarus beer - Back Forty Bock.
IMO a very good beer, on the light side for a bock but very tasty and drinkable.
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Toasting tonight's events with a Broo Doo. First time I've had it. Holy balls. Possibly the perfect IPA.
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Toasting tonight's events with a Broo Doo. First time I've had it. Holy balls. Possibly the perfect IPA.
I told you. Though, it does not age well so drink up.
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one of the beers I always love to drink when we go to Jamaica but could never buy here is finally available in the USA - Guiness Foreign Extra Stout. It's the best stout Guiness makes IMO and definitely different from their others at 7.5% ABV
now only if Dragon stout would be sold here (again)
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one of the beers I always love to drink when we go to Jamaica but could never buy here is finally available in the USA - Guiness Foreign Extra Stout. It's the best stout Guiness makes IMO and definitely different from their others at 7.5% ABV
Tuesday, September 28th is National Drink Beer Day! As if you didn't already have reason to raise a pint, GUINNESS(r) Irish Stout is proud to announce its U.S. launch of GUINNESS(r) Foreign Extra Stout (FES) on October 1st. The fullest in flavor of the GUINNESS brand variants, GUINNESS FES is carbonated unlike the nitrogenated GUINNESS Draught with which most Americans are familiar. The specialty beer is 7.5% ABV and possesses strong, roasted aromas followed by a unique bittersweet taste. Foreign Extra Stout is already a favorite of many around the world, making up 45% of GUINNESS sales globally, and is sure to be a favorite of beer aficionados here in the U.S.
http://beeradvocate.com/news/3055116
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I tried Moon Man. First three went down real good, but the remainder of the six pack got boring for me. I've yet to be overly impressed with anything out of New Glarus.
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3 Beers I must immediately purchase and put in my face upon their availability....
1. Furthermore Knotstock
2. Central Waters Ouisconsing Red Ale
3. Big Sky's Moose Drool Brown Ale
Not a lot of bars and/or liquor stores carry these products. However if and when they do I usually (attempt to) clean them out.
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3 Beers I must immediately purchase and put in my face upon their availability....
1. Furthermore Knotstock
2. Central Waters Ouisconsing Red Ale
3. Big Sky's Moose Drool Brown Ale
Not a lot of bars and/or liquor stores carry these products. However if and when they do I usually (attempt to) clean them out.
Every time I've been to Sugar Maple they've had Moose Drool on tap. And, since its a year-round beer discount pretty much always has some. Good beer.
I'm not a big fan of Ouisconsing, but it is also a year round - and should be at discount pretty much all the time.
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3 Beers I must immediately purchase and put in my face upon their availability....
1. Furthermore Knotstock
2. Central Waters Ouisconsing Red Ale
3. Big Sky's Moose Drool Brown Ale
Not a lot of bars and/or liquor stores carry these products. However if and when they do I usually (attempt to) clean them out.
no offense, but.
1. yuck.
2. yuck.
3. meh.
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I talked to a guy from NC at Rock Bottom on Saturday. He was here taking Master Brewer Assoc. classes at UW-Madison and plans to open a brewpub in NC. He mentioned they had a field trip to New Glarus and Capitol's breweries.
He was extremely impressed with the new NG brewery, so clean you could eat off the floor. Was also blown away with their 100% weldless stainless piping throughout. He thought they took them to see Capitol afterwards to show them what NOT to do. He mentioned mold and when pressed said he would not drink their beer after seeing their brewery.
He said there were folks from MillerCoors, Modelo, Corona and a few other breweries and Breiss Malting also taking the class.
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I talked to a guy from NC at Rock Bottom on Saturday. He was here taking Master Brewer Assoc. classes at UW-Madison and plans to open a brewpub in NC. He mentioned they had a field trip to New Glarus and Capitol's breweries.
He was extremely impressed with the new NG brewery, so clean you could eat off the floor. Was also blown away with their 100% weldless stainless piping throughout. He thought they took them to see Capitol afterwards to show them what NOT to do. He mentioned mold and when pressed said he would not drink their beer after seeing their brewery.
He said there were folks from MillerCoors, Modelo, Corona and a few other breweries and Breiss Malting also taking the class.
Very interesting stuff, thanks for posting.
Kinda funny thinking about millercoors guys touring NG, "What?, not all beers are triple hops brewed/pasteurized/use rice? Outrageous!"
Or,
"Dan, what kind of food coloring do you use to make the beer look this good?"
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If anyone cares, Three Floyds & Dogfish Head will be hosting a tapping party at Romans' on Wednesday @ 7pm for their new joint brew Poppaskull. I will be heading over for one before heading to the BC. I believe the one in Chicago is tonight at Hopleaf and in Madison on Tuesday at The Haze.
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If anyone cares, Three Floyds & Dogfish Head will be hosting a tapping party at Romans' on Wednesday @ 7pm for their new joint brew Poppaskull. I will be heading over for one before heading to the BC. I believe the one in Chicago is tonight at Hopleaf and in Madison on Tuesday at The Haze.
Now that is intriguing.
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If anyone cares, Three Floyds & Dogfish Head will be hosting a tapping party at Romans' on Wednesday @ 7pm for their new joint brew Poppaskull. I will be heading over for one before heading to the BC. I believe the one in Chicago is tonight at Hopleaf and in Madison on Tuesday at The Haze.
Is anyone else going? I'm thinking about heading down.
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Romans' just announced they are also tapping a barrel of Hell's Black Intelligencer Oatmeal Stout as well.
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/26/62891
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Romans' just announced they are also tapping a barrel of Hell's Black Intelligencer Oatmeal Stout as well.
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/26/62891
That beer was incredible.
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Anyone ever gone to Y-Not II? Craziest bar ever.
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Anyone ever gone to Y-Not II? Craziest bar ever.
Been there multiple times. Not a crazy bar, just can do laundry. Why would you think that?
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Is anyone else going? I'm thinking about heading down.
we went after the game and the keg was gone already :(
did have some DFH Worldwide stout, holy cow, 18% ABV
also found the Sierra Nevada Grand Cru tasty
barrels on deck include Founders CBS, Nemesis and Backwoods Bastard all of which I'd like to try, the CBS is extremely hard to find outside of the brewery itself
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we went after the game and the keg was gone already :(
did have some DFH Worldwide stout, holy cow, 18% ABV
also found the Sierra Nevada Grand Cru tasty
barrels on deck include Founders CBS, Nemesis and Backwoods Bastard all of which I'd like to try, the CBS is extremely hard to find outside of the brewery itself
were you there with someone who ordered an alpha klaus? if so, i was sitting right next to you at the bar.
anyway, i talked the guys at romans' and they are planning to do a Founders Brewery Day in mid-January where they will release CBS. My guess that goes in one hour.
I went with the Three Floyds Hell's Black Intelligencer which was outstanding and the Dogfish Head Burton Buton which was also really good.
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we went after the game and the keg was gone already :(
did have some DFH Worldwide stout, holy cow, 18% ABV
also found the Sierra Nevada Grand Cru tasty
barrels on deck include Founders CBS, Nemesis and Backwoods Bastard all of which I'd like to try, the CBS is extremely hard to find outside of the brewery itself
I was there before the game, and got a taster of the poppa skull, I wasn't a big fan, that spice they used really dominated the taste.
The Intelligencer was awesome, it went down easier than any beer I've ever had.
The World Wide Stout was pretty good as well. It was a year old at this point, and had almost wine-like characteristics.
I also tried the '08 Foghorn Barleywine, oh man, that was good. Really smooth and tasty.
And, as always, celebration on tap was outstanding.
BTW, backwoods bastard was on at Sugar Maple last time I was there, so if you want to try it check them out.
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were you there with someone who ordered an alpha klaus? if so, i was sitting right next to you at the bar.
anyway, i talked the guys at romans' and they are planning to do a Founders Brewery Day in mid-January where they will release CBS. My guess that goes in one hour.
I went with the Three Floyds Hell's Black Intelligencer which was outstanding and the Dogfish Head Burton Buton which was also really good.
yeah that was the Mrs. ordering the klaus
btw, Sunday at 5pm the Sugar Maple lists some sort of Founders thing going on, no details but I 1st read about it in an email from Founders, my guess is a few special treats might be on hand, I've already cleared my schedule after the Packers beat the Vikings <snicker> to make a run there and check it out
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yeah that was the Mrs. ordering the klaus
btw, Sunday at 5pm the Sugar Maple lists some sort of Founders thing going on, no details but I 1st read about it in an email from Founders, my guess is a few special treats might be on hand, I've already cleared my schedule after the Packers beat the Vikings <snicker> to make a run there and check it out
nice to sort of meet you then. i would note that Sugar Maple already tapped their one beer of CBS earlier this year and went through it in about 3 hrs. needless to say that could be a fun sunday afternoon trip.
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btw, Sunday at 5pm the Sugar Maple lists some sort of Founders thing going on, no details but I 1st read about it in an email from Founders, my guess is a few special treats might be on hand, I've already cleared my schedule after the Packers beat the Vikings <snicker> to make a run there and check it out
Did anyone make it to this? I'm curious what they tapped.
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Did anyone make it to this? I'm curious what they tapped.
we were there, Bruno had tapped Backwoods Bastard too early, the keg blew on Saturday so last night was only Red RyePA, Dirty Bastard and Harvest Ale
the only thing special was food, it was actually literally, a sausage fest with elk, pheasant, boar, duck, some sort of brat I forgot (apple maybe) and potato sausages, buy a Founders tap and get a plate of sausage
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About to take a trip into the unknown here with a 1L bottle of Sprecher IPA2 Double IPA. Better be good since it cost $16.00...
Hand numbered 9258.
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I had a Lagunitas Sonoma Farmhouse Hop Stoopid Double IPA this afternoon (ironically, while we were wine tasting in Sonoma, but I needed something different for lunch).
Very good.
http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/lagunitas-sonoma-farmhouse-hop-stoopid/69933/
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What's the verdict Hards?
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What's the verdict Hards?
subpar as usual for sprecher
what a joke.
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I tried a bottle of Bell's Batch 10,000, the last batch beer they say they are making. This one has 100 types of malt and 60 types of hops in it FWIW. I did not care for Batch 9000 at all but this Batch 10,000 was fantastic IMO.
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I tried a bottle of Bell's Batch 10,000, the last batch beer they say they are making. This one has 100 types of malt and 60 types of hops in it FWIW. I did not care for Batch 9000 at all but this Batch 10,000 was fantastic IMO.
i have heard the exact same things about 10k vs. 9k. Roman's has a barrel which he is going to age for a bit. Cannot wait.
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I tried a bottle of Bell's Batch 10,000, the last batch beer they say they are making. This one has 100 types of malt and 60 types of hops in it FWIW. I did not care for Batch 9000 at all but this Batch 10,000 was fantastic IMO.
Just picked up a bottle at discount. Interesting beer, obviously with a lot going on. I never tried the 9,000 but I did enjoy the 10,000. It just didn't blow me away. If it were a regular beer sold in six-packs or bombers I probably wouldn't buy it consistently considering what else is out there, but I'm glad I tried it once. I'd be very interested in trying it again with a year or two on it.
Also, in regards to Romans, rumor is he's tapping CBS around new years eve. Can't wait!
Unrelated: why does it say you only have 19 posts, when it seems that you have many more than that?
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Superbar posts are like exhibition games. Nice practice, but they don't count
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Unrelated: why does it say you only have 19 posts, when it seems that you have many more than that?
probably because my posts are so meaningful they make a bigger impression ;)
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Also, in regards to Romans, rumor is he's tapping CBS around new years eve. Can't wait!
I spoke with Mike and Brian last week and it will be tapped on NYE. The party will probably start around 3pm.
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Anyone watch the Brewmasters show on Discovery? Just watched an episode on Dogfishhead where they had to dump 20k gallons of 120min IPA. Yikes, that's a lot of cash.
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Anyone watch the Brewmasters show on Discovery? Just watched an episode on Dogfishhead where they had to dump 20k gallons of 120min IPA. Yikes, that's a lot of cash.
Ya I've been watching it. That was my favorite episode so far. I felt terrible watching that beer float down the drain.
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I thought they'd mix those 20,000 gallons with another beer and call it their 2010 Anniversary beer or something like that
for the record, I've never dumped a batch out in close to 20 years of brewing ;)
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They discussed, but were committed to maintaining the quality/integrity of their product.
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Had three good ones in the past month
Two Brothers Heavier Handed - this is one of my favorite beers, and it was a lot of fun. It's their seasonal wet hop IPA (Heavy Handed) that is then aged in Oak Foudres. Frankly, I like it more than 3F BrooDoo, and I really like BrooDoo. The fun part is that this year it only comes in 3 liter bottles. Yes, a 3L bottle is even bigger than you would think. Great beer to bring to a party.
Goose Island Vanilla BCS - I liked it a lot more than the regular BCS. The vanilla notes are a very nice touch that help smooth out the alcoholy taste.
Stone Double Bastard - Also very good.
Also, saw my first episode of Brewmasters last night. loved. it.
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Had a couple new one's recently.
Three Floyds Alpha Klaus. Really really good beer. A christmas porter, and pretty heavy on the hops. Not as good as the intelligencer I had a few weeks ago, but definitely a world class porter. Pick this up if you are into winter warmers or porters.
Bruery 3 French Hens on tap at Sugar Maple. Wow, this was a great beer. It is a belgian quad, but had some great fruity flavors in there. Real easy to drink. I haven't tried it from the bottle, but I loved it on tap.
Goose Island Bourbon Country Stout on tap at Sugar Maple. At 13% this was pretty boozy, but good. I actually liked it more than the Coffee version I had. I'd really like the try the Vanilla and Rare.
And, as always, celebration is drinking great again this year.
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Live out in Boston, so most Sam Adams to me are fairly pedestrian, but have enjoyed a handful of Sam Adams "Boston Ale". Smooth, good flavor, not a huge bite. Reccomend!
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Live out in Boston, so most Sam Adams to me are fairly pedestrian, but have enjoyed a handful of Sam Adams "Boston Ale". Smooth, good flavor, not a huge bite. Reccomend!
I have not had that one. The only sam adams I typically buy is the winter pack, I like the chocolate bock and old fezziwig.
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Stone Double Bastard - Also very good.
that's my favorite Bastard, haven't found it in months, hope your post is evidence that it's available again
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that's my favorite Bastard, haven't found it in months, hope your post is evidence that it's available again
They've had it consistently at my local (western Chicago burbs) Whole Foods for about three weeks. Lucky Bastard is also being carried. There is even a 3L bottle available of the Double.
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Been awhile since I've contributed to this thread, and since then I've tried a few. So here goes...
Central Waters Peruvian Morning- Had this on tap from a barrel that had been cellared for a year. Unbelievable. The best coffee stout I've had. It's an imperial that is aged in bourbon barrels, and carries a nice ABV. Coffee backbone, with vanilla/caramel notes, and a surprisingly smooth finish for a higher alcohol beer. Really tasty.
Bells Batch 10,000- Picked up a single of this one, and echo a lot of the sentiments here. I could tell there was a lot going on, but was impressed with the fact that the beer had a direction. Some beers are a hodge-podge and taste like one. This was a flavorful, complex, cohesive beer.
Capital Tett Doppelbock- I have a soft spot for Capital since I know a few people over there from a prior job, so I may be a bit biased. But they do bocks really, really well. This one was beautiful. 8% ABV, but there's no way you could have known that. Poured a beautiful dark amber, had the signature caramel and toasted maltiness, balanced by mild hop bitterness. Drinks way too easy for the style.
Three Floyd's Alpha Klaus- FINALLY got a bottle of this. One of the most unique beers I've had. At first smell and sip, you think it's a traditional porter. Then the hops come up. It was unexpected, but I really liked the complexity and balance of this one. Not too heavy, not too roasty, and not too hoppy. Could sip this one all night.
A couple other notes-
-After watching Brewmasters, I realized I haven't sampled enough Dogfish beers. Picked up bottles of Palo Santo Marron, Midas Touch, and Chicory Stout. The Palo Santo was delicious. A brown ale on PED's. Loved the caramel notes, but I had the feeling that they kinda jacked up the ABV unnecessarily. It was almost too boozy, if possible. The Midas Touch I liked once it warmed a bit. Right out of the fridge it was alright, but as it warmed I got more of the grain, citrus, and alcohol notes. Complex, but a fairly easy drinking beer. The Chicory Stout was good, nothing terribly spectacular about it, but a solid addition to the winter stout rotation.
-When in KC for the CBE, I was able to tour the Boulevard Brewery with a group of alums. Beautiful facility, and the beer was pretty solid as well. Drank quite a bit of the Pale Ale, but the highlight was the Dry Stout on nitro. So, so good. Could down that beer all night.
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that's my favorite Bastard, haven't found it in months, hope your post is evidence that it's available again
Stone has pulled out of Wisconsin... get it while you can.
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Capital Tett Doppelbock- I have a soft spot for Capital since I know a few people over there from a prior job, so I may be a bit biased. But they do bocks really, really well. This one was beautiful. 8% ABV, but there's no way you could have known that. Poured a beautiful dark amber, had the signature caramel and toasted maltiness, balanced by mild hop bitterness. Drinks way too easy for the style.
i don't see any bias, totally agree (though maybe i'm biased too :P)...Capital's doppelbocks are great
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Just picked up Central Waters Cherry Bourbon Stout. After drinking one, I'm still not really sure what to think of this beer. It is very thin compared to your typical stout. It was weird, some sips tasted like a bourbon bomb mess; other sips tasted like a delicious bourbon soaked cherry covered in chocolate. I am glad I bought 4 because I really don't have a feel for this beer after just the one.
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I have not had that one. The only sam adams I typically buy is the winter pack, I like the chocolate bock and old fezziwig.
Had a chocolate bock last night and it wasn't my favorite. Not awful but average at best.
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Just picked up Central Waters Cherry Bourbon Stout. After drinking one, I'm still not really sure what to think of this beer. It is very thin compared to your typical stout. It was weird, some sips tasted like a bourbon bomb mess; other sips tasted like a delicious bourbon soaked cherry covered in chocolate. I am glad I bought 4 because I really don't have a feel for this beer after just the one.
Just had the normal Central Waters Bourbon Barrel Stout. I thought this was much better than the cherry version. Not quite on par with the Goose Island offerings, but still a very good beer.
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how is this for a stout taste test?
Old Rasputin 12th anniversary (100 pts on rate beer)
Nøgne Ø Imperial Stout (100 pts on rate beer)
Dogfish Head World Wide Stout (99 pts on rate beer)
Founders Oatmeal Stout - one of my favorites but only 92 pts on rate beer
Rogue Imperial Stout (100 pts on rate beer)
I was in love with all of them - but the Old Rasputin was the best of the bunch, all were great...
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/11219895@N05/5301820087/)
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how is this for a stout taste test?
Old Rasputin 12th anniversary (100 pts on rate beer)
Nøgne Ø Imperial Stout (100 pts on rate beer)
Dogfish Head World Wide Stout (99 pts on rate beer)
Founders Oatmeal Stout - one of my favorites but only 92 pts on rate beer
Rogue Imperial Stout (100 pts on rate beer)
I was in love with all of them - but the Old Rasputin was the best of the bunch, all were great...
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/11219895@N05/5301820087/)
Nice, where was this? I really liked the world wide stout I had on tap a couple weeks ago. I'd love to try that Founders Oatmeal, they do a great job with stouts.
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I assembled the tasting myself after a trip to Ray's - they had some very nice high-end beers...
Nice, where was this? I really liked the world wide stout I had on tap a couple weeks ago. I'd love to try that Founders Oatmeal, they do a great job with stouts.
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Found a fantastic stout over the weekend. Limited quantities, so good luck stocking up on it.
I can't pronounce the brewery, but the beer is called "Godless"
http://beernews.org/2010/05/godless-beer-makes-long-awaited-journey-to-the-states/
99 rating on RateBeer.
http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/djaevlebryg-gudelos/92580/1/11/
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we stopped at Romans to celebrate the big 5-O last night, Dark Horse Scotty Karate and Ayinger Celebrator on tap are both excellent IMO
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Special Holiday Ale - collaboration between Nøgne Ø, Jolly Pumpkin, and Stone Brewing. I think the prime is Nøgne Ø on brewing. This was well worth drinking if you're into the holiday ales. Very rich, spicy and good for Christmas.
Thanks to this thread, I had some of the Bells Batch 10000 last night. I'll probably pick up some more. Very enjoyable.
we stopped at Romans to celebrate the big 5-O last night, Dark Horse Scotty Karate and Ayinger Celebrator on tap are both excellent IMO
Congratulations. And, Scotty Karate is my favorite Scotch Ale. That beer rocks.
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Is anyone heading to Roman's on New Years Eve? I believe they are tapping a keg of Canadian Breakfast Stout.
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Is anyone heading to Roman's on New Years Eve? I believe they are tapping a keg of Canadian Breakfast Stout.
Since it is 4 blocks from house I will swinging over to see Mike. He is tapping CBS along with Bell's Batch 10,000 & 9,000 as well as Goose Island Sofie and some other stuff.
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Since it is 4 blocks from house I will swinging over to see Mike. He is tapping CBS along with Bell's Batch 10,000 & 9,000 as well as Goose Island Sofie and some other stuff.
Awesome, do you know what time he will be tapping them? Specifically the CBS.
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Awesome, do you know what time he will be tapping them? Specifically the CBS.
opens at 6pm. i would think he would tap it around 2pm to let it settle and pressurize properly.
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a group of 6 of us stopped in early, the CBS & 10000were on tap when the place opened
I didn't care for the maple in the CBS just like I didn't like the 2009 Nemesis with maple, no more maple in beers for me. I'm not as fond of the 10000 as I was at first, too much going on in that beer I think.
My favorite beer on tap at Romans right now is the Ayinger Celebrator, I 've always liked bottles of that and on tap it's really good, one of the best doppels IMO
my brother brought me a bottle of the Central Waters bourbon barrel stout Saturday, I can't anything anything to not like about that unless it's price, the sticker on it read $5.99 I believe, pretty pricey for any beer at retail
does anyone watch Drinking Made Easy with Zane Lamprey on HDNet? Last week featured Milwaukee with visits to Wolski's, the Holler House, Safe House, Bomb Shelter, Bryants and some east side bar with dead scorpions in shots. Very interesting/funny stuff. According to the bartender at Wolski's, serving beer backs with a Bloody Mary is really just a local Milwaukee thing - is that right? I never thought about it before.
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My favorite beer on tap at Romans right now is the Ayinger Celebrator, I 've always liked bottles of that and on tap it's really good, one of the best doppels IMO
my brother brought me a bottle of the Central Waters bourbon barrel stout Saturday, I can't anything anything to not like about that unless it's price, the sticker on it read $5.99 I believe, pretty pricey for any beer at retail
I love the Celebrator too, great beer.
I wonder where he bought the Central Waters? I spent 10.50 for a 4 pack...
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a group of 6 of us stopped in early, the CBS & 10000were on tap when the place opened
I didn't care for the maple in the CBS just like I didn't like the 2009 Nemesis with maple, no more maple in beers for me. I'm not as fond of the 10000 as I was at first, too much going on in that beer I think.
My favorite beer on tap at Romans right now is the Ayinger Celebrator, I 've always liked bottles of that and on tap it's really good, one of the best doppels IMO
my brother brought me a bottle of the Central Waters bourbon barrel stout Saturday, I can't anything anything to not like about that unless it's price, the sticker on it read $5.99 I believe, pretty pricey for any beer at retail
does anyone watch Drinking Made Easy with Zane Lamprey on HDNet? Last week featured Milwaukee with visits to Wolski's, the Holler House, Safe House, Bomb Shelter, Bryants and some east side bar with dead scorpions in shots. Very interesting/funny stuff. According to the bartender at Wolski's, serving beer backs with a Bloody Mary is really just a local Milwaukee thing - is that right? I never thought about it before.
how is that show? i enjoyed three sheets (same host)
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how is that show? i enjoyed three sheets (same host)
it's good but I liked 3 Sheets better because of the international flavor it offered; this one was filmed throughout the US while he was doing a comedy tour last summer, it does have Steve McKenna in every episode which is a plus
btw, according to Zane's website, he just inked a deal to make another season of 3 Sheets episodes with an unnamed network
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it's good but I liked 3 Sheets better because of the international flavor it offered; this one was filmed throughout the US while he was doing a comedy tour last summer, it does have Steve McKenna in every episode which is a plus
btw, according to Zane's website, he just inked a deal to make another season of 3 Sheets episodes with an unnamed network
Network is Spike. As of right now they are just reruns of old Three Sheets episodes.
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Network is Spike. As of right now they are just reruns of old Three Sheets episodes.
I think Spike only will have reruns - from his site and dated 12/26:
Also "Three Sheets" will be premiering in February on a new network and we'll be shooting 24 more episodes of "Drinking Made Easy" across the US!
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I think Spike only will have reruns - from his site and dated 12/26:
it's spike. he sent out hints to the network via twitter a few weeks back. now for drinking made easy....that is still on hd net and will be the new show for the next year.
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Went to "Beer Class" last night (which is really just a glorified tasting and that's no problem). The subject last night was "winter warmers", so we had plenty of stouts, doppelbocks, barleywines.
Aventinus - wheat doppelbock (2003)
Lagunitas - Cappucino Stout
Dark Horse - Too Cream Stout
Two Brothers - Northwinds Imperial Stout
Stone - Double Bastard
Great Divide - Old Ruffian
Kulmbacher - Eisbock
Anchor Steam - Old Foghorn Barleywine
North Coast - Old Rasputin
North Coast - Old Ale
====
Might be missing one or two. I'd already had and enjoyed the Too Cream Stout, Double Bastard, and Northwinds Imperial Stout. All great.
Consensus with our group was that the Aventinus and the North Coast beers were the best. My personal favorite was Old Ruffian.
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Oh yeah - had a "Lucky Bastard" on tap at the local Cheeky Monk a couple nights ago. Great beer - better than any of the other Bastards I've had (and I like those too...).
"Lukcy Basartd is a dry-hopped meeting-of-the-Bastards in a in-the-fermenter-blend of Arrogant Bastard Ale and Double Bastard Ale…with a perfect balance of the essence of OAKED Arrogant Bastard Ale."
edit: Oh - it really is spelled "Lukcy" - damn this page is hard to read...
http://www.arrogantbastard.com/lukcybasartd/
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Going to the St. Paul Winter Carnival Beer Dabbler on 1/29.....$25.
http://www.thebeerdabbler.com/winter/list.html
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Oh...and...for anyone in or getting to Colorado soon...
Get ready for the next installment of Boulder Beer Company's BEER RAVE! Featuring only high-quality, out-of-state brews that are EXTREMELY hard to find here in Colorado, this is not your standard beer tasting event. $30 admission includes all samples of these hard-to-find craft beers, plus a commemorative tasting cup. Also on tap will be 9 small-batch and specialty brews from Boulder Beer Company. SATURDAY, JANUARY 29th, 6-9pm. Hosted by the mysterious Brewmaster DMZ.
http://boulderbeer.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=116&osCsid=55fb7a843b0462468f3b72ba992dc455
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Going to the St. Paul Winter Carnival Beer Dabbler on 1/29.....$25.
http://www.thebeerdabbler.com/winter/list.html
Hah! You just beat my Beer Rave post. 1/29 is a great day for Beer I guess. The Beer Dabbler looks like a great event!
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Hah! You just beat my Beer Rave post. 1/29 is a great day for Beer I guess. The Beer Dabbler looks like a great event!
It is hooked up with the St. Paul Winter Carnival which goes from 1/27 - 2/6.
http://www.winter-carnival.com/
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Well, definitely need some beers after today's loss. What are you guys drinking?
I have some of the Russian River "tion" beers, Lost Abbey Deliverance, and The Abyss that I brought home from Seattle.
It's also hopslam season! One of the best beers in the known universe. FWI Stubby's has hopslam on firkin next Friday, I will not be missing that for anything.
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Anyone know a good beer store on the East Side? I'm in the Capital and Oakland are.
Thanks!
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Otto's on Oakland had a pretty decent selection the one time I was there. Whole Foods has a pretty good selection as well.
Ever since Blatz Liquor closed, Ray's in Tosa has been my go-to.
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Anyone know a good beer store on the East Side? I'm in the Capital and Oakland are.
Thanks!
Like mufan12 said, Rays is your best bet. You can also check out Downer Ave Liquor if you are in a pinch on the east side.
I am just happy I picked up my Hopslam minikeg yesterday. Will make for great weekend drinking.
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Rays is OK, but for beer, how can you not love Discount Liquor on Oklahoma? Worth the drive, even from the east side.
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Bad beer alert
http://www.esquire.com/features/drinking/worst-beer-051710
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Rays is OK, but for beer, how can you not love Discount Liquor on Oklahoma? Worth the drive, even from the east side.
+1 hands down. The beer aisle is a wonderland!!
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Rays is OK, but for beer, how can you not love Discount Liquor on Oklahoma? Worth the drive, even from the east side.
Discount is a crapshoot. They have a bunch of beer, but they don't rotate stock at all, or very often. For craft beer, unless you are cellaring it, you probably don't want it getting much older than 6 mos. Seen some 6 packs there that were a year old.
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Rays has always seemed to have a good selection but almost everything is more expensive there especially compared to Discount (except for Discount likes to inflate prices of single bottles of brews like Batch 10000 or KBS at $6/bottle)
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Discounts stock isnt always fresh. I have routinely seen beers 9 months old still on the shelf. Or even seasonal's from the previous year on the shelf. I would rather pay the extra dollar just to get fresh product rather than old stuff.
Also, I just picked up some mini kegs of Hopslam for $35, can't wait for this weekend. Also, last night Romans' did a tapping of this years version which is smoother than last. I think there may be a more honey it. It is dangerously smooth.
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Had a St. Bernardus Abt 12 the other night and this is absolutely delicious. A dark ale, ridiculously smooth and sweet. Also packs a punch at 10.5% ABV.
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Had a St. Bernardus Abt 12 the other night and this is absolutely delicious. A dark ale, ridiculously smooth and sweet. Also packs a punch at 10.5% ABV.
Those monks sure know what they're doing, thats for sure.
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Any recommendations?
http://www.thebeerdabbler.com/images/BeerDabbler-Downloadable-List.pdf
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I'd try the SN Stung Rye IPa, love rye beers, the Grand Teton beers I've tried were all good, Celebrator is one of the best doppels IMO, Bells Double Cream Stout is a personal favorite, the Redhook Eisbock 23 is crap
where is this?
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I'd try the SN Stung Rye IPa, love rye beers, the Grand Teton beers I've tried were all good, Celebrator is one of the best doppels IMO, Bells Double Cream Stout is a personal favorite, the Redhook Eisbock 23 is crap
where is this?
Part of the Winter Carnival in downtown St. Paul tomorrow.
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I've tried the new black IPAs from both Lakefront and Sprecher, both are OK but I preferred the cascade hoppiness of Lakefront's version
also tried the latest New Glarus Unplugged, Smoked Rye ale, I really like rye beers but I don't much care for the smoked flavor in this release, still have a few more, maybe it will grow on me
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In case anyone is wondering, Nomad has KBS on tap right now. Stopped in last Saturday for a beer before the MU game and was pleasantly surprised to see it on tap. So I had three. Good stuff.
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Had a St. Bernardus Abt 12 the other night and this is absolutely delicious. A dark ale, ridiculously smooth and sweet. Also packs a punch at 10.5% ABV.
The Prior 8 is also very good.
Has anyone had Deus from Brouwerij Bosteels (same crew who does Tripel Karmeliet)?
Had it on Saturday night after the Cuse win. Um, orgasmic.
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Something I hadn't seen before from a Keweenaw brewing company from the UP of Michigan. A 6-pack sampler of cans. Two cans each of three different kinds. So weird I had to buy some. Beer is fairly generic but tasty. I just had never seen a microbrew in a can before.
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Something I hadn't seen before from a Keweenaw brewing company from the UP of Michigan. A 6-pack sampler of cans. Two cans each of three different kinds. So weird I had to buy some. Beer is fairly generic but tasty. I just had never seen a microbrew in a can before.
a lot of oscar blues are in cans. i seem to always taste the aluminum of the can that turned be off. ive always wanted to try their stuff tho
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all of Oscar blues brews are canned not bottled; I've tried a few and really liked one: GUBNA Imperial IPA, the others I tried were the Ten Fidy and Dales Pale ale and thought they were just so-so
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all of Oscar blues brews are canned not bottled; I've tried a few and really liked one: GUBNA Imperial IPA, the others I tried were the Ten Fidy and Dales Pale ale and thought they were just so-so
ill echo you on the dales pale, its just so so. id say the yella pils one is the same. ill have to try the gubna next time im home
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I just had never seen a microbrew in a can before.
Great beer and winner of many awards.
http://surlybrewing.com/beer/year-round-beers.html
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If you haven't taken the "Milwaukee Brewing Company" tour, they can all of their beer. Its a great tour... Cuz its all you can drink!
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If you haven't taken the "Milwaukee Brewing Company" tour, they can all of their beer. Its a great tour... Cuz its all you can drink!
thanks to this post, we took the tour on Saturday, played some bag toss, drank beer, took the tour, drank beer, played more bag toss after tour and drank beer, took our tokens to Stennies and drank more beer
they make many more styles of beer than I knew about, definitely have a higher appreciation for MBC than previously based on product and their efforts as a business to be as 'green' as they can
I wish they would can more than just their most popular brews but I realize printing labels vs. whole cans is more practical for smaller seasonal beers
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Glad to hear you checked out the tour! I really liked the one HUGE fan that replaced something like 66 small fans throughout.
I was surprised at their array of beers, and willingness to experiment.
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Drank R.J. King Wingwalker Amber Ale while I watched the game tonight.
Blech. Not good. Tastes way too watery for an amber ale and leaves a nasty aftertaste.
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I had the Central Waters Peruvian Morning, a bourbon barrel aged coffee stout, on tap at Roman's Friday. This is an excellent beer IMO, great bourbon flavor, not too strong of a coffee flavor (a plus IMO).
A bit pricey at $7.50/tap; checked it out at Discount and they are only selling individual bottles at $5 although beer advocate reviews show this is typically about $12/4 pack.
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Have sampled a bunch since my last post. Probably will split this one up.
New Glarus Smoked Rye- Had it on tap at Sugar Maple. It was... interesting. Can't say I was a fan. Had a smoked meat aroma, the taste up front was alright, had some malt and a bit of spice. The finish is all smokey. Just not my style.
Lakefront IBA- Picked up a bomber of this, and it was a really interesting beer. Very dark, but not terribly heavy. IPA flavors hit you right away, with a roasty finish. Pretty smooth and surprisingly, two contrasting tastes worked pretty well.
Capital Weizen Doppelbock- I'm always drawn to Kirby's creations, so I tried one of these. It's more or less an amped up hefeweizen. All the right tastes, just stronger. Pretty delicious beer. The closest comparison I'd have would be Dancing Man, but heavier.
O'So Night Train- Had this one for the first time a couple weekends ago, and not sure why I waited. A delicious, roasty porter. A lot of chocolate, oat, and coffee notes with some nice bitterness to finish. Pretty complex beer, once that could end up being a go-to porter.
Tyranena Down 'N Dirty Chocolate Oatmeal Stout- The best way to describe this is Founders Breakfast Stout without the espresso. Wonderful chocolate flavor, sweet, but balanced by the oats. Really creamy, easy drinking stout. Surprisingly full bodied for a lower ABV.
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The rest of this post is dedicated to the Dark Lord. Shared a bottle of that with friends last month and it was remarkable.
Hinterland Maple Bock- This one was too intriguing for me to pass up. Poured a deep, clear brown with a good amount of head. Very roasty at first, followed by more coffee notes than you'd expect in a bock. The maple sweetness comes through at the end. Was almost hoping for more maple, but it was pretty good.
Milwaukee Brewing Baltic Porter- Sampled this on tour, then had it on tap later on. And kudos to those who recommended the tour, it was fantastic. Right up there with Lakefront. Anyway, I really liked this beer. Had good porter characteristics with barrel aging. The nice thing about it was the bourbon taste complimented the roasted notes of the porter rather than dominate the taste. A bit thinner than other porters I've had, but it worked.
Dark Horse Amber- Hadn't had much from them, so I figured the amber was a good place to start. It's not your run of the mill amber, and I'm cool with that. It's unfiltered, with a Belgian yeast used. This gave the beer some interesting flavors. The standard amber malts were still there, but it had some fruity/spicy/funkiness from the yeast. Ambers can get boring, but this one was far from it. Will buy it again.
Dogfish Head Aprihop- This beer makes me sad that they are pulling out of WI. I love their product, and this might be my favorite, since it is the closest to sessionable I've had from them. Had similar tastes to Magic Hat #9, but the hops are much bolder. The apricot balanced it out wonderfully. Never been a big fruit beer guy, but I enjoyed this a ton.
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Dogfish Head Aprihop- This beer makes me sad that they are pulling out of WI. I love their product, and this might be my favorite, since it is the closest to sessionable I've had from them. Had similar tastes to Magic Hat #9, but the hops are much bolder. The apricot balanced it out wonderfully. Never been a big fruit beer guy, but I enjoyed this a ton.
DFH is pulling out too? Crap, hadn't heard that, Stone and now DFH, argh!
nice reviews btw, interesting to read other people's likes/dislikes
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DFH is pulling out too? Crap, hadn't heard that, Stone and now DFH, argh!
nice reviews btw, interesting to read other people's likes/dislikes
Yeah, they are pulling out of four states, and we didn't make the cut. I've been to three places looking for 90 Minute and all are sold out already. It's a shame.
Happy to do the reviews! I've tried some really good beers based on posts from this thread, hope it helps others find some new ones.
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Had the FOunders Imperial Stout this weekend, and was very good. Very anxious to get my KBS, order was placed yesterday.
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If you haven't taken the "Milwaukee Brewing Company" tour, they can all of their beer. Its a great tour... Cuz its all you can drink!
Is it really all you can drink? I just checked out their website and it doesn't mention this. It also doesn't mention any limit on beers but I would think they would market it as all you can drink- or maybe they wouldn't as the word would spread like wildfire and they be overrun with people looking to get free beer.
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Is it really all you can drink? I just checked out their website and it doesn't mention this. It also doesn't mention any limit on beers but I would think they would market it as all you can drink- or maybe they wouldn't as the word would spread like wildfire and they be overrun with people looking to get free beer.
it was definitely all you can drink last month when we took it, they even encouraged us to hang around and drink more after the tour but I'd already had probably 9 beers and had a token for another at a local bar they gave us (like Lakefront does as well)
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For those going to Cleveland to see MU check out the Great Lakes beer pretty much sold everywhere. I recomend the Dortmunder Gold.
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Is it really all you can drink? I just checked out their website and it doesn't mention this. It also doesn't mention any limit on beers but I would think they would market it as all you can drink- or maybe they wouldn't as the word would spread like wildfire and they be overrun with people looking to get free beer.
Definitely, went again last weekend and had another great time. The guys are all really knowledgeable and are willing to talk about anything.
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Definitely, went again last weekend and had another great time. The guys are all really knowledgeable and are willing to talk about anything.
swwwwwweeeeeeeeeeeetttttttt. Looks like i know where my next saturday booze fest will take place.
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Dark Horse Amber- Hadn't had much from them, so I figured the amber was a good place to start.
I'm a big Dark Horse fan and have mentioned some of their other beers in this thread. Everything I've had from them is good... and their Blueberry Stout (one of five stouts they release each year) is delish. My point? Try some of their other beers.
If you haven't taken the "Milwaukee Brewing Company" tour, they can all of their beer. Its a great tour... Cuz its all you can drink!
Thanks to your recommendation, some friends of mine took this tour. They were thinking about a Lakefront tour and I said, "hey, I've heard good things about Milwaukee Brewing Company. Try that one instead". One is a pretty big beer nerd and he spoke very highly.
Had the FOunders Imperial Stout this weekend, and was very good. Very anxious to get my KBS, order was placed yesterday.
Got the call yesterday. I can pick up my four-pack of KBS on Friday... and I'm thinking it'll be picked up before 6:30.
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For those going to Cleveland to see MU check out the Great Lakes beer pretty much sold everywhere. I recomend the Dortmunder Gold.
I've had many of the Edmund Fitzgerald's while visiting friends in the lower peninsula of Michigan. Good stuff.
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scored
2 four packs of KBS today - woot!
make that 5, I'm up for trades if anyone is interested
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I agree on FES, the best Guiness has to offer IMO, always wondered when they'd finally sell that in the US
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For the St. Paddy's Day Hoops Marathon I picked up a bomber of Three Floyd's Brian Boru and a 4 pack of the Guinness Foreign Extra Stout.
The Brian Boru didn't make it to Thursday. It was delicious. Poured a copper color with a citrus hop aroma. The taste had some hops, but balanced with a good deal of toasty malt and fruit notes. Have yet to have a beer from there that I haven't liked.
I was pleasantly surprised by the Foreign Extra. It was like a Guinness, but amped up. It was really good. I wish they'd have that on nitro at bars instead of the original.
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scored 2 four packs of KBS today - woot!
make that 5, I'm up for trades if anyone is interested
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I agree on FES, the best Guiness has to offer IMO, always wondered when they'd finally sell that in the US
PM sent. This post made me come out of lurking mode.
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Anyone every been to Dark Lord Day at Three Floyds?
I got tickets for it but have heard mixed reviews.
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Anyone every been to Dark Lord Day at Three Floyds?
I got tickets for it but have heard mixed reviews.
I'll buy your tickets.
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I'll buy your tickets.
If he doesn't I will.
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I picked up a four pack of KBS, and this was the first time I'd ever had it. It was really good, but I'm not sure that it lives up to the hype. Of course, the hype may have been just too much in my mind.
I drank one during the Xavier game and then one during the Syracuse game. There is a bottle of KBS in the fridge now, pulled up from the beer cellar (okay - really a shelf in the basement) for tomorrow's game.
My apologies, but it looks like the Final Four is as far as we will go this year.
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I picked up a four pack of KBS, and this was the first time I'd ever had it. It was really good, but I'm not sure that it lives up to the hype. Of course, the hype may have been just too much in my mind.
I drank one during the Xavier game and then one during the Syracuse game. There is a bottle of KBS in the fridge now, pulled up from the beer cellar (okay - really a shelf in the basement) for tomorrow's game.
My apologies, but it looks like the Final Four is as far as we will go this year.
I like your idea of good luck beers. In solidarity, I will be once again picking up a growler of Berkshire Brewing Company (BBC) Lost Sailor IPA.
Not sure if BBC ships outside of this area (New England), but if you kind find, very good local stuf.
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I picked up a four pack of KBS, and this was the first time I'd ever had it. It was really good, but I'm not sure that it lives up to the hype. Of course, the hype may have been just too much in my mind.
I drank one during the Xavier game and then one during the Syracuse game. There is a bottle of KBS in the fridge now, pulled up from the beer cellar (okay - really a shelf in the basement) for tomorrow's game.
My apologies, but it looks like the Final Four is as far as we will go this year.
that KBS will taste alot better if you let it warm up some after taking it out of the fridge, I'm sure you do that anyway but thought I'd mention just in case
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I'll gladly trade KBS for Dark Lord if anyone gets any
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They don't say how many each person is alotted that has tickets. I've heard is usually 2-3 bottles per person. Should be a drunk fest, but looking forward to it outside of the fact that it is in Munster, IN.
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They don't say how many each person is alotted that has tickets. I've heard is usually 2-3 bottles per person. Should be a drunk fest, but looking forward to it outside of the fact that it is in Munster, IN.
Last year we got 4 bottles per ticket and I believe this year is the same. Though last year we were allowed to purchase 1 bottle of 2009 if you wanted to - which I did.
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that KBS will taste alot better if you let it warm up some after taking it out of the fridge, I'm sure you do that anyway but thought I'd mention just in case
I had not been doing that. My ignorance is exposed and now I hang my head in shame. But you have helped teach me something new.
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I had not been doing that. My ignorance is exposed and now I hang my head in shame. But you have helped teach me something new.
Had some KBS last night at a local watering hole - outstanding as usual. I actually prefer it to Dark Lord.
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I drank one during the Xavier game and then one during the Syracuse game. There is a bottle of KBS in the fridge now, pulled up from the beer cellar (okay - really a shelf in the basement) for tomorrow's game.
My apologies, but it looks like the Final Four is as far as we will go this year.
Somebody get HS some more KBS!
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Had some KBS last night at a local watering hole - outstanding as usual. I actually prefer it to Dark Lord.
Headed out to Roman's? I was thinking about it, but it's like a 45 minute bus ride for me... and I don't enjoy riding the bus very much.
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Headed out to Roman's? I was thinking about it, but it's like a 45 minute bus ride for me... and I don't enjoy riding the bus very much.
it's a 6 minute walk for me. bruno at the palms also has/had a barrel too. the only 2 the city got. was talking with brian about it last night and mike is trying to get a 2nd barrel.
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it's a 6 minute walk for me. bruno at the palms also has/had a barrel too. the only 2 the city got. was talking with brian about it last night and mike is trying to get a 2nd barrel.
you must practically be my brother's neighbor, he can walk to Romans also (lives on E. Cora)
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Good luck beers for the game? I always have a Milwaukee product during. High life, as a rule of thumb. Suggestions?
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Made a trip to Discount tonight, and got some interesting info. First of all, they still had plenty of Dogfish still on the shelves, because apparently Beechwood is still getting product from DFH. So anyone looking to stock up, there's still time.
Here's the interesting part. Beechwood is looking into legal action against DFH because of a contract that was in place. So we might not be cut off quite yet.
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Made a trip to Discount tonight, and got some interesting info. First of all, they still had plenty of Dogfish still on the shelves, because apparently Beechwood is still getting product from DFH. So anyone looking to stock up, there's still time.
Here's the interesting part. Beechwood is looking into legal action against DFH because of a contract that was in place. So we might not be cut off quite yet.
Did you notice if they had the new New Glarus in yet... the IIPA?
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Had some Chimay Blue last night, still wonderful.
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Did you notice if they had the new New Glarus in yet... the IIPA?
I wasn't looking for it, so I'm not sure.
Just checked the website, they're doing a tasting of NG beers tomorrow and it was on the list. So I'm guessing they'll have it there for sale.
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Here's the interesting part. Beechwood is looking into legal action against DFH because of a contract that was in place. So we might not be cut off quite yet.
Mike Roman said the exact same thing.
Took a trip to Three Floyds on Friday for lunch and got to try both Zombie Dust and Topless Wytch.
Zombie Dust is an IPA featuring just Cirta hops. Hit was good with a strong a orange / grapefruit flavor - but not as good as Gumball Head IMO.
Topless Wytch is a porter they made which was FANTASTIC. Lots of chocolate and coffee flavors in it and 9.0% to boot. Loved it.
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Off to NERAX, a Cask Beer Festival in a bit here in Somerville, MA. 60-70 casks flowing at any one time.
Here is the American List.
http://www.nerax.org/nerax/us-beers.html
And ones from the UK.
http://www.nerax.org/nerax/uk-beers.html
Boo yah.
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Tried the New Glarus IIPA this weekend on tap at Romans'. I hated. Didn't even finish the glass. The beer was obnoxiously sweet with not enough hop flavor to balance it out. Complete failure.
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Tried the New Glarus IIPA this weekend on tap at Romans'. I hated. Didn't even finish the glass. The beer was obnoxiously sweet with not enough hop flavor to balance it out. Complete failure.
Got kicked out of Romans this week, guess he doesn't really like young college-aged kids. Can't really say I blame him.
We walked in, ordered beers, and sat in the corner. We weren't doing anything wrong except my friend was pretty visibly drunk. When my friend went to order his second beer, Roman told him, "Nope, when your buddy(me) finishes his beer you guys are out the door." Then someone came out and wrote down our license plate when we left, luckily we had a DD. Weird experience to say the least, the bar definitely had a towny 'we don't take kindly to strangers' feel to it.
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Got kicked out of Romans this week, guess he doesn't really like young college-aged kids. Can't really say I blame him.
We walked in, ordered beers, and sat in the corner. We weren't doing anything wrong except my friend was pretty visibly drunk. When my friend went to order his second beer, Roman told him, "Nope, when your buddy(me) finishes his beer you guys are out the door." Then someone came out and wrote down our license plate when we left, luckily we had a DD. Weird experience to say the least, the bar definitely had a towny 'we don't take kindly to strangers' feel to it.
You got to meet Mike. You have to act like an adult or he will boot you out unless he knows you. It is a neighborhood tavern not Murphs. Also, if you have a lot of people ordering "ball wash" aka any domestic macro beer you are to be made example of.
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UGH. Don't live in MKE anymore, but was excited to visit Roman's next time I was home. Chili, make it sound kinda hipster in-crowd, too cool for school kinda place. If I order a Miller Lite in that place (not that I would), I will be made an example of? I would hope anyone that comes in there, who orders something off their menu will be treated with respect. I don't need some beer jockey with a chain wallet telling me what to drink.
Now drunken college kids, that's another story.
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Tried the New Glarus IIPA this weekend on tap at Romans'. I hated. Didn't even finish the glass. The beer was obnoxiously sweet with not enough hop flavor to balance it out. Complete failure.
Hmmm. I had a sample of it last weekend and thought it was pretty good. I'll have to have a full glass soon to check it out.
Did buy a sixer of the Two Women lager. Very solid pilsner, a bit more full bodied than I expected but still very drinkable.
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UGH. Don't live in MKE anymore, but was excited to visit Roman's next time I was home. Chili, make it sound kinda hipster in-crowd, too cool for school kinda place. If I order a Miller Lite in that place (not that I would), I will be made an example of? I would hope anyone that comes in there, who orders something off their menu will be treated with respect. I don't need some beer jockey with a chain wallet telling me what to drink.
Now drunken college kids, that's another story.
This is not a hipster spot Mike Roman is FAR from a hipster. He actually just has a huge ego. I mean Kelvin Sampson and his wife are regulars. I think it's a perfect bar. 3 big HD TV's, great cigar collection, best tap beer selection in Milwaukee, great whiskey collect.....but it can be a big beer snob bar. But that is the point, the reason people go there is to drink the good beers. The bar has been there for about 70 years and has been a craft beer bar now like 20+.,...hell I got tossed the first time I went bc my friends were too hammered after the MU vs. ND game two years ago. You live and you learn and either you love the bar or you dont.
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This is not a hipster spot Mike Roman is FAR from a hipster. He actually just has a huge ego. I mean Kelvin Sampson and his wife are regulars. I think it's a perfect bar. 3 big HD TV's, great cigar collection, best tap beer selection in Milwaukee, great whiskey collect.....but it can be a big beer snob bar. But that is the point, the reason people go there is to drink the good beers. The bar has been there for about 70 years and has been a craft beer bar now like 20+.,...hell I got tossed the first time I went bc my friends were too hammered after the MU vs. ND game two years ago. You live and you learn and either you love the bar or you dont.
How many handles do they typically have at Romans?
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How many handles do they typically have at Romans?
http://www.romanspub.com/ (http://www.romanspub.com/)
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I like Romans but Mike has his days that he can be moody. Mrs. HB often will drink Miller Lite at Romans, not a problem for the little lady from Mike.
I also tried the NG IIPA but need to have more to judge, kind of a bad time for the first bottle.
I picked up a bottle of DFH Squall and the DFH 90 minute IPA and honestly like the Squall more
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http://www.romanspub.com/ (http://www.romanspub.com/)
Thanks for the link.
My buddy (a fellow Scooper) and I will be popping our Romans cherry this weekend. Being from out of town it's always good to hit unique spots back in Milwaukee. Looking forward to my pints.
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Are any other Scoopers heading to Dark Lord Day tomorrow? I have "A" Group tickets. I am personally looking forward to the new set up.
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Are any other Scoopers heading to Dark Lord Day tomorrow? I have "A" Group tickets. I am personally looking forward to the new set up.
no but I wouldn't mind trading for a bottle to see what it's like
have fun and don't drink too much while in line ;)
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Are any other Scoopers heading to Dark Lord Day tomorrow? I have "A" Group tickets. I am personally looking forward to the new set up.
I will be there with two A and two C tickets. I am looking forward to tasting it as well.
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Ill be there 8ppl all with C tickets. How packed is it? I've never been.
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Let me know in anyone wants to trade me a bottle of Dark Lord. I have '09 and '10 Abyss, and other stuff you may be interested in.
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Sam Adams Millenium is solid...more port style than beer. Wax sealed, etc.
Fuller's Vintage Ale is about $25/bottle, but Y U M M Y!
Left Hand Milk Stout is the BOMB....coffee and chocolate in a delicious American Stout.
Bell's Oberon is a solid American White Ale.
Bear Republic Racer V if you like hoppy IPAs.
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Sam Adams Millenium is solid...more port style than beer. Wax sealed, etc.
How'd you manage to get Millenium? I think that stuff is super rare, and supposedly tastes great.
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Left Hand Milk Stout is the BOMB....coffee and chocolate in a delicious American Stout.
I've probably said it elsewhere in this thread, but since I drive by left hand twice a day, and it's in stumbling distance from my house...milk stout on tap is so much better than the bottled form...if you've got a bunch of it around, try a car bomb with MS instead of the usual Guinness...and if you happen to get by left hand's tap house they frequently have MS on nitro as a special treat.
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I've probably said it elsewhere in this thread, but since I drive by left hand twice a day, and it's in stumbling distance from my house...milk stout on tap is so much better than the bottled form...if you've got a bunch of it around, try a car bomb with MS instead of the usual Guinness...and if you happen to get by left hand's tap house they frequently have MS on nitro as a special treat.
Nitro MS is the best. In Milwaukee both Comet Cafe and Roman's pour it this way. I know Comet tried to replace Guiness full time on nitro with MS but couldn't because the Milwaukee distributor is such a POS and couldn't make deliveries on time. But yes, it is a fantastic brew.
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I've tried both of the recent New Glarus Unplugged, er, Thumbprint series, the IIPA was OK but not that special IMO but I do like the Imperial Weizen quite a bit, very hoppy for a weizen, maybe too much so for what some expect in a wheat but I love hops!
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I worked for a distributor that sold Sam Adams until 2003. Millennium was the only thing they produced ever really worth drinking.
Left Hand Milk Stout is amazing on draft. Especially nitro pour. They make some great hop beers too. Mix it as a black and tan or with the sacrilegious berry weiss (or Fruili) and get a chocolate covered strawberry. Much better than Young's too.
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Through a Beer School event, I discovered Wild Onion's Paddy Pale Ale. Wild Onion is a pub and brewery in Lake Barrington, IL. Their beers are sold in cans, and the Pale Ale is well worth checking out. Just a solid, solid beer.
http://onionpub.com/Ill%20and%20Wis%20Retailers.pdf
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I picked up a bottle of DFH Squall and the DFH 90 minute IPA and honestly like the Squall more
I'd agree with this. Tried the Squall last month and it was wonderful. Also had a bottle of the IIPA, and had some mixed feelings. I know New Glarus is all about sessionability, but I think they sacrificed some of what makes the style good. Was a little too sweet for my liking. Also tried a few others-
Victory Golden Monkey- Not a bad tripel. Needed more of that belgian spice to it though. Hides the 9.5% pretty well though.
Bell's Oarsman- A light wheat ale, with some distinct tartness. Not a bad summer option. Light and drinkable, but nothing terribly remarkable about it.
O'so Big O- Another lighter wheat ale. Decent wheat presence with some citrusy notes. Compares a bit to the Wheat Monkey from Lakefront.
O'so Dank- Imperial Red. Very interesting beer. Not barrel aged, but had some of those flavors in it. Strong hop presence, but then a heavy malty sweetness to balance. Not one you can drink all night, but enjoyable.
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Sipping on a Special Reserve Black Ale from Dark Horse Brewing right now. Kind of a portery-stouty monstrosity. But it's delicious. Pours pitch black, with a tan head. Lots of roasted malt and coffee up front, smoothed out by some chocolate notes. This beer hides its 7.5% ABV very well. This is the third beer I've had from Dark Horse, and I've really liked all of them.
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Left Hand "Fade To Black" is a stout that pours like a porter too, I LOVE IT!
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Left Hand "Fade To Black" is a stout that pours like a porter too, I LOVE IT!
Agreed, their Milk Stout is even better, imo.
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Agreed, their Milk Stout is even better, imo.
My absolute favorite beer. But what is this nitro pour/tap that people are referring to?
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My absolute favorite beer. But what is this nitro pour/tap that people are referring to?
They tap the beer with nitrogen rather than CO2. It makes the beer really creamy and smooth.
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Had a tripel karmeliet the other day. Amazing flavor absolutely delicious
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had a few at the Sugar Maple last night
O'so dominator Doppel, meh, just OK IMO
Southern Tier 2X-IPA, liked this one quite a bit, very hoppy (Cascade hops?)
Adrienne mentioned that Avery was pulling out of WI now and recomended their DuganA IIPA especially since it was their last keg of Avery, also was very good but no where near as hopped up as I am accustomed to for an Imperial IPA, more like a normal IPA
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Leinenkugels Creamy Dark is my personal favorite at this moment. Here are some reviews http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/710/2940
If I have to drink something else I grab a Miller High Life.
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Leinenkugels Creamy Dark is my personal favorite at this moment. Here are some reviews http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/710/2940
If I have to drink something else I grab a Miller High Life.
You've got a pretty tough crowd here with those. Folks on this thread (myself included) tend to go with some pretty unique craft beers. Of all the Leinie's beers, I'd say that Creamy Dark is my favorite, but given the choice there are a ton of other beers I'd try.
If you want another great, local, dark lager from people that know their beer, try the Furthermore Oscura (Spring Green, WI), or Stone's Bombastic (not local, but Stone is a fantastic brewery).
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Folks on this thread (myself included) tend to go with some pretty unique craft beers. Of all the Leinie's beers, I'd say that Creamy Dark is my favorite, but given the choice there are a ton of other beers I'd try.
Agreed that Creamy Dark is the only Leinie I'd drink. Seems to be the only one that they haven't screwed with.
To MUHoopsfan6- If you're interested in trying some new styles/breweries, take a read through this thread. I've given my thoughts on a lot of beers in here, and also have tried a lot based on others recommendations. Leinie's is a decent starting point, but there's a lot out there to explore if you want. Cheers!
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Leinie's Big Eddy was pretty good.
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finally got my hands on a Left Hand Milk Stout - holy hell. believe the hype. its remarkably smooth the whole way, almost like the entire beer is made of a foamy head. unreal.
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finally got my hands on a Left Hand Milk Stout - holy hell. believe the hype. its remarkably smooth the whole way, almost like the entire beer is made of a foamy head. unreal.
Now, if you like Left Hand's Milk Stout, try to find a place with Lake Louie's Milk Stout on tap.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamazing.
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Now, if you like Left Hand's Milk Stout, try to find a place with Lake Louie's Milk Stout on tap.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamazing.
any info on where to get into this kind of thing in mke? im moving back for the summer after a faaar too long 2 year hiatus. i plan on losing my Romans virginity shortly after getting back. any other similar spots i should be looking into but wouldnt have known about as an undergrad?
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any info on where to get into this kind of thing in mke? im moving back for the summer after a faaar too long 2 year hiatus. i plan on losing my Romans virginity shortly after getting back. any other similar spots i should be looking into but wouldnt have known about as an undergrad?
The Sugar Maple keeps an updated list of American craft brewst: http://mysugarmaple.com/
Bomb Shelter is slightly closer to downtown: http://www.bombshelterbar.com/
Comet cafe isn't as prolific but still good over on the near east side: http://www.thecometcafe.com/COMETdrinks.html
Finally if you're out in the Tosa/Stallis area you can try Benno's (don't let the 1990's era Tripod site fool you, Benno's has a very solid draft selection): http://bennosbar.tripod.com/
Each place has it's own unique ambiance and I'd say try them all and see what you like the best. For pure selection, I'd say Roman's and Sugar Maple are the best, but sometimes not the most convenient selections.
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Romans and Sugar Maple are both excellent for tap selections. Both can be a bit pricey, Roman's is usually more expensive.
I love the Bomb Shelter. They keep a small selection on tap, but their bottled beer selection is huge, and usually kept pretty current. Reasonable prices as well.
Stubby's on Humboldt has a decent selection of taps as well.
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It's been my experience that the beer list is not updated much at mysugarmaple.com, Romans does a much better job keeping his site current but I love going to both
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Been out a lot since last Saturday for Minnesota Craft Beer Week which runs through Friday. Any recommendations at all, especially for Thursday and Friday?
http://mncraftbeerweek.com/eventcalendar.aspx
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Romans and Sugar Maple are both excellent for tap selections. Both can be a bit pricey, Roman's is usually more expensive.
I love the Bomb Shelter. They keep a small selection on tap, but their bottled beer selection is huge, and usually kept pretty current. Reasonable prices as well.
Stubby's on Humboldt has a decent selection of taps as well.
One major difference between Sugar Maple and Romans is atmosphere. Sugar Maple is like a sterile dentist office devoid of anything (no tv's and an odd feel). Romans (while Mike can be an ass until you get to know him) has 3 large flat screens with sports and usually has good music like the Stones or Springsteen.
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One major difference between Sugar Maple and Romans is atmosphere. Sugar Maple is like a sterile dentist office devoid of anything (no tv's and an odd feel). Romans (while Mike can be an ass until you get to know him) has 3 large flat screens with sports and usually has good music like the Stones or Springsteen.
True. Unless you are at Sugar Maple when the live music is playing.
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any info on where to get into this kind of thing in mke? im moving back for the summer after a faaar too long 2 year hiatus. i plan on losing my Romans virginity shortly after getting back. any other similar spots i should be looking into but wouldnt have known about as an undergrad?
Seasonals:
MILK STOUT ~ Released in November to March
A ‘sweet’ style of English Stout made with Lactose from Cow’s Milk. Possessing high amounts
of rich, creamy flavors. Unfiltered. Originally produced by English brewers in the late 1800’s..
I'm not sure they have it in Milwaukee... I can name two places in Madison that have it.
http://www.lakelouie.com/lakelouie2008_003.htm
also, if you go to their "Beer Styles" page, I have 6 Dino's sitting in my fridge right now.
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Had 2 Left Hand Milk Stouts last night and its a light stout, goes down smooth, session beer. If anyone is interested in Dark Lord Russian Imperial Stout 2011 PM me.
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Had 2 Left Hand Milk Stouts last night and its a light stout, goes down smooth, session beer. If anyone is interested in Dark Lord Russian Imperial Stout 2011 PM me.
PM sent
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If you're in Kenosha, all three http://www.mikelikesbeer.com/ (http://www.mikelikesbeer.com/) are amazing pubs with a ginormous beer menu. Captain Mike's also has EXCELLENT burgers, while Highway Mikes (94 and hwy 50) has great food as well.
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I thought you guys might like this: The many types of beer. (http://popchartlab.com/collections/prints/products/the-very-many-varieties-of-beer)
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Went on Sprecher's brewery tour last Saturday and had a couple good beers. Their Summer Pils reminded me of Bitburger. Had a good flavor and strong finish for a pilsner. Also a big fan of the Pub Brown Ale. The only thing I can compare it to from experience is Newcastle but was a lot smoother and more balanced.
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finally got my hands on a Left Hand Milk Stout - holy hell. believe the hype. its remarkably smooth the whole way, almost like the entire beer is made of a foamy head. unreal.
Had this on nitro at Sheffield's in Chicago this past weekend for the first time. Beer lives up to the hype, really creamy and definitely a stout you can drink as a session beer.
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the owner of Tyranena is a bit upset about some shenanigans in Madison, and rightly so
http://www.tyranena.com/BadNewsMotion414.pdf
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Had the Tyranena Imperial Rye Porter Aged in Rye Whiskey Barrels. I hadn't drank in about a month as I prepared for a test I was taking June 4th, and this was my first beer after the test was over. Holy hell, it reminded me why I got into craft in the first place. This beer was so smooth, creamy, and delicious. It probably helps that I am a huge fan of rye beers to begin with. I definitely recommend if you are in to barrel aged beers.
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the owner of Tyranena is a bit upset about some shenanigans in Madison, and rightly so
http://www.tyranena.com/BadNewsMotion414.pdf
Interesting... this post reminds me of a similar petition I received regarding Illinois. On the surface, it appears to be the same type of shenanigans.
http://maildogmanager.com/page.html?client=aobhtml%3A%3Acid%3D3026%3A%3Adrct%3D1
/puts on tinfoil hat... CONSPIRACY!
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Interesting... this post reminds me of a similar petition I received regarding Illinois. On the surface, it appears to be the same type of shenanigans.
http://maildogmanager.com/page.html?client=aobhtml%3A%3Acid%3D3026%3A%3Adrct%3D1
/puts on tinfoil hat... CONSPIRACY!
They are almost the same bill but here MC is using Bud as the scapegoat. Wisconsin Brewing Laws already suck nuts, if anything they should become less restrictive like Michigan to spurn more growth. Now only if Wisconsin craft breweries were as good as those in Michigan.
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They are almost the same bill but here MC is using Bud as the scapegoat. Wisconsin Brewing Laws already suck nuts, if anything they should become less restrictive like Michigan to spurn more growth. Now only if Wisconsin craft breweries were as good as those in Michigan.
+1, horrible
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I have to put this out there as well- for anyone wanting to try a wide variety of American craft beer, Sugar Maple in Bay View is a must. 60 beers on tap, including many that are next to impossible to find in WI.
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I have to put this out there as well- for anyone wanting to try a wide variety of American craft beer, Sugar Maple in Bay View is a must. 60 beers on tap, including many that are next to impossible to find in WI.
Yup that place has been widely discussed in this thread. It's a pretty neat bar.
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I have to put this out there as well- for anyone wanting to try a wide variety of American craft beer, Sugar Maple in Bay View is a must. 60 beers on tap, including many that are next to impossible to find in WI.
Sugar Maple, while having a lot of taps, has the atmosphere of a dentists office. I will continue to take my business down KK to Roman's - which while having less taps, usually has a better selection. Mike has better relationships than Bruno does.
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Tried a few beers recently-
Capital Imperial Dopplebock- Caught this on sale at Ray's as it was going out of season. The cold spring weather has kept it relevant. I'm drawn to any bock from Capital, and this was very good. Deep reddish-brown color, light head, with a sweet malt nose. Very deep sweet toffee flavor, with some spice and light bitterness near the end. It's a big, boozy beer, but still very nice.
Milw. Brewing Pressing 78 Porter- Had this on tap, and was a little disappointed. Pretty thin, not a whole lot of depth to it. Easy enough to drink, but expected more robust flavor in a porter. The Baltic Porter of theirs is much better.
Ommegang Belgian Pale Ale- This is the first beer of this style I've had and I really enjoyed it. Poured a wonderful golden color with a nice head. A great mix of fruitiness, a little of the funky spicy notes from the Belgian yeast, and then the hops balanced it out perfectly. Very crisp and clean.
Ommegang Rare Vos- After the pale ale, I had to go with another one of their beers. This one was just as good, and I'm not typically a big fan of the Belgian style. Beautiful hazy copper color, with a big fruit aroma. Again, perfectly balanced sweetness and bitterness. It was outstanding.
Dark Horse Crooked Tree IPA- Thanks again to Henry Sugar who recommended them, I can safely say that Dark Horse is shooting up my favorite brewery list. This was the perfect IPA. Enough hops, sessionable at 6.0%, and wonderfully balanced. Can't believe it took me this long to try this beer. Definitely my new go-to IPA.
Dark Horse Raspberry Ale- Picked up a single of it because it seemed intriguing. I'm not a huge fruit beer guy, but based on how good their other beers were, I had to try it. Hazy orange color, with a very nice fruit aroma. Bready, malty, and accented nicely with the fruit. The raspberry notes were dead on, not too sweet and not too tart. Good summer beer.
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we were drinking beer for Jesus at St. John Vianney yesterday and I was once again reminded of my dislike for MGD :(
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Milwaukee Brewing Company tour - where is it? Their website strangely does not give out the GD address.
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613 S. Second St.
I forget what the cross street is, but it's across the street from the gas station/gyro joint.
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Milwaukee Brewing Company tour - where is it? Their website strangely does not give out the GD address.
Might want to get your eyes checked, the address is at the bottom of the webpage.
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Milwaukee Brewing Company tour - where is it? Their website strangely does not give out the GD address.
have fun and maybe also a designated driver because their beer really flows freely ;)
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Might want to get your eyes checked, the address is at the bottom of the webpage.
Sonnofabitch, you're right.
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have fun and maybe also a designated driver because their beer really flows freely ;)
It'll be a short drive to Summerfest afterwards.
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I suggest a short walk.
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Built a six pack this weekend, and had a few of them already-
Victory Yakima Glory- I don't know if I got an old bottle, but the one I had wasn't like the reviews I read. Hops were there, but a little more muted. Aroma was nothing special. It was a decent beer. Would like to try it fresh to see if there's any difference.
Ale Asylum Bedlam!- Their Belgian IPA. It was fantastic. All the right flavors, and hid the 7.5% very well. Perfectly balanced, nice fruit/spice notes with bright hops. Really enjoyed this one, definitely recommend it.
Central Waters Illumination- Their DIPA, definitely a beer for hopheads. Big hop aroma, and big hop flavor. Pretty sweet for a double, and the booze was a bit harsh. It got better as it warmed, though. Not bad for the style, but there are better ones out there.
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I suggest a short walk.
I'll just hail for a rickshaw then.
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FYI>>>
Per their Facebook Page
Founders Brewing Co. (Official)
Tomorrow night (6/22, 7:30pm) meet us at the Bomb Shelter in Milwaukee for a tasting!
Check the link for the beer list.
Bomb Shelter Tasting | Founders Brewing Company http://www.foundersbrewing.com/?event=bomb-shelter-tasting (http://www.foundersbrewing.com/?event=bomb-shelter-tasting)
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^ thanks for the alert - looking at the Bomb Shelter's site it looks like it would be a minimum $17 in fees to participate although that does include beer and an annual Suds club membership
me and a bud or two might make it
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Lagunitas Lucky 13. Lagunitas knows what its doing.
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Tried some summery beers lately-
Milwaukee Brewing Co. Saison- Not a bad representation of the style. A little lighter than most saisons, could have used a bit more of that fruity/yeasty taste to it.
Sprecher Summer Pils- Really solid Pilsner. Nice, grainy malt taste, but it had more hops than most domestic pilsners. I'd buy this again.
Victory Summer Love- Nice blonde ale. Had some pilsner characteristics but some bright, citrusy notes. Good summer beer on a hot day.
Pyramid Apricot Ale- Was on special at the bar, and I can see why they were trying to move it. Very, very sweet. Needed more wheat to balance the fruit. I'd much rather have a Magic Hat #9.
New Belgium Somersault- Pleasantly surprised by this beer. Light, but not lacking in complexity. Fruity, citrusy, but balanced with a nice grainy malt taste. Excellent.
Abita Andygator- Decent Helles Bock. Lots of malt, but the hops balanced it out pretty well. Hides the 8% ABV nicely.
Southern Tier Hopsun- Love this beer. Taste profile is similar to Gumballhead, but a little bit lighter. Big hop aroma, but it played well with the wheat. Looking forward to knocking a few of these back this weekend.
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Did anyone go to the Milwaukee Brewfest last year? It is coming up this weekend (July 30) and I was wondering if anyone had any impressions from last year?
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Did anyone go to the Milwaukee Brewfest last year? It is coming up this weekend (July 30) and I was wondering if anyone had any impressions from last year?
i will be attending again this year. last year wasnt bad for a first year. they had way to few bathrooms but i am told they will have 10x more this year. also, they started to run out of beer early so dont come fashionably late.
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i will be attending again this year. last year wasnt bad for a first year. they had way to few bathrooms but i am told they will have 10x more this year. also, they started to run out of beer early so dont come fashionably late.
website?
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i will be attending again this year. last year wasnt bad for a first year. they had way to few bathrooms but i am told they will have 10x more this year. also, they started to run out of beer early so dont come fashionably late.
Thanks for the advice. I'm planning on getting in a full 4 hours.
Website is...http://milwaukeebrewfest.com/welcome.html (http://milwaukeebrewfest.com/welcome.html)
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Thanks for the advice. I'm planning on getting in a full 4 hours.
Website is...http://milwaukeebrewfest.com/welcome.html (http://milwaukeebrewfest.com/welcome.html)
Rats, I have a Brewers game on Saturday, so I won't be able to make it :( x100
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Looking forward to trying this...anyone ever have any?
(http://www.stonebrew.com/media/homepage_slideshow/slides/beers/greenteaipa/homepage_slide.jpg)
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What were people's thoughts on BrewFest? Besides having the humungous line to get into the actual event I had a very good experience.
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What were people's thoughts on BrewFest? Besides having the humungous line to get into the actual event I had a very good experience.
I had a good time....and it was run infinitely better than last year. Long lines at the beginning of beerfests are just something you have to deal with. This line was better than the ones you will see in Madison or Racine - so no complaints here, only had to wait like 15 minutes.
The bathroom issue and the amount of beer issue both fixed over last year. Longest wait I had to pee was like 2 minutes. This was fantastic.
I was also happy with most breweries. A little disappointed with Bells only having Oberon (which I do not like) and Two Hearted (which is always in my fridge). I really wanted to try the Oarsman. Loved seeing Bear Republic there because, well, they make fantastic beer. Racer 5 is in my top 5 beers to drink period. Southern Tiers main beers are nothing to write home about - their strong seasonal ales are much better. North Coasts Old Rasputin was a VERY pleasant surprise to see. It's not stout season in my mind, but was damn happy to see this beer. Tried some Lefthand IPA - it was disgusting. Will stick to their Milk Stout. Upland had Dragonfly there - and like I always say about Upland, "it's the only good thing to come out of Bloomington".
Breweries I wish were there are Three Floyds, Goose and Founders. And I was also surprised to not see New Glarus even though I am not a fan.
All in all, a great day of beer. I am looking forward to next year again.
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Sipping on a Unibroue - Maudite
Fan-freaking-tastic. Malty, full of alcohol, slightly citrus. just great overall.
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I'm playing hookie from my job tomorrow to take the hard hat tour at New Glarus brewery with the wife, really looking forward to this since I had to reserve our spot (only 15 people/week) several months ago. I'm hoping they have a little something different at the R&D brewery for us to sample.
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I'm playing hookie from my job tomorrow to take the hard hat tour at New Glarus brewery with the wife, really looking forward to this since I had to reserve our spot (only 15 people/week) several months ago. I'm hoping they have a little something different at the R&D brewery for us to sample.
How does one go about reserving a spot?
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How does one go about reserving a spot?
AFAIK the only way is on their website here: http://www.newglarusbrewing.com/index.cfm/hht/tour/
the next openings are Sept. 9 from the looks of it
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Had a summer solstice from Anderson Valley Brewing Company yesterday. I really really liked it. Its predictably a summer beer, but is velvety smooth with a huge toasted marshmallow aftertaste. I know, that sounds kind of like wine-o BS, but you've got to try it to believe it. The damn thing tastes like a campfire mallow.
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Grand Rapids, Michigan, September 1, 2011—Founders Brewing Co. Vice President/Director of Marketing Dave Engbers announced last month that the highly anticipated Canadian Breakfast Stout (CBS) will be the second release in the company’s 750mL “Backstage Series”. It will be released to the market on October 3, 2011, with a taproom release party on October 1.
The taproom release at 235 Grandville Ave SE in downtown Grand Rapids will begin at 11 a.m. on October 1. There will be about 1700 bottles available for purchase at $18 each. A strict limit of two (2) bottles per person will apply, and all bottles will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Because a line is expected to form before 11 a.m., numbers will be handed out so that the line can remain intact once the taproom doors open. CBS will be featured on draft, and CBS merchandise will be available in the Founders company store, which is on the north end of the taproom. As with all Founders specialty products, growler fills will not be available for CBS.
There has been a great deal of anticipation and speculation regarding the upcoming release after the success of Blushing Monk, the series’ debut, earlier this year. Canadian Breakfast Stout is the epitome of why Founders launched the Backstage Series: it brings some of the brewery’s most sought-after beers, which have been available primarily at the taproom or at a few select events, to a much larger audience.
Canadian Breakfast Stout is an Imperial Stout brewed with a blend of coffees and imported chocolates, then aged in spent bourbon barrels that have most recently been aging pure Michigan maple syrup. The final product has had stellar reviews and is currently the fifth highest rated beer in the world on www.BeerAdvocate.com.
“Releasing small specialty batches is a great way for us to connect to our core beer enthusiast,” Engbers explains. “Fundamentally, we are a small brewery, and we love to do things our own way. This isn’t about flooding the shelves with a beer that we hope people will try; it’s about producing the best damn beer we can brew and offering it to those enthusiasts who have supported our passion for great beer.”
The company is not revealing any additional releases in the series, but Engbers says they will consist of many of the “popular one-offs” that have been offered in the taproom over the years and have become favorites among patrons and brewery staff. “I think part of what people love about Founders, besides our beer, is that we listen to what they are saying,” says President Mike Stevens. “With our new line, now we can offer them more of what they’ve been asking for.”
The company expects to release one more product in the 2011 Backstage Series later this year.
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Grand Rapids, Michigan, September 1, 2011—Founders Brewing Co. Vice President/Director of Marketing Dave Engbers announced last month that the highly anticipated Canadian Breakfast Stout (CBS) will be the second release in the company’s 750mL “Backstage Series”. It will be released to the market on October 3, 2011, with a taproom release party on October 1.
The taproom release at 235 Grandville Ave SE in downtown Grand Rapids will begin at 11 a.m. on October 1. There will be about 1700 bottles available for purchase at $18 each. A strict limit of two (2) bottles per person will apply, and all bottles will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Because a line is expected to form before 11 a.m., numbers will be handed out so that the line can remain intact once the taproom doors open. CBS will be featured on draft, and CBS merchandise will be available in the Founders company store, which is on the north end of the taproom. As with all Founders specialty products, growler fills will not be available for CBS.
There has been a great deal of anticipation and speculation regarding the upcoming release after the success of Blushing Monk, the series’ debut, earlier this year. Canadian Breakfast Stout is the epitome of why Founders launched the Backstage Series: it brings some of the brewery’s most sought-after beers, which have been available primarily at the taproom or at a few select events, to a much larger audience.
Canadian Breakfast Stout is an Imperial Stout brewed with a blend of coffees and imported chocolates, then aged in spent bourbon barrels that have most recently been aging pure Michigan maple syrup. The final product has had stellar reviews and is currently the fifth highest rated beer in the world on www.BeerAdvocate.com.
“Releasing small specialty batches is a great way for us to connect to our core beer enthusiast,” Engbers explains. “Fundamentally, we are a small brewery, and we love to do things our own way. This isn’t about flooding the shelves with a beer that we hope people will try; it’s about producing the best damn beer we can brew and offering it to those enthusiasts who have supported our passion for great beer.”
The company is not revealing any additional releases in the series, but Engbers says they will consist of many of the “popular one-offs” that have been offered in the taproom over the years and have become favorites among patrons and brewery staff. “I think part of what people love about Founders, besides our beer, is that we listen to what they are saying,” says President Mike Stevens. “With our new line, now we can offer them more of what they’ve been asking for.”
The company expects to release one more product in the 2011 Backstage Series later this year.
pipe down about this...some of us are trying to get our hands on it...shhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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meh, CBS doesn't do it for me - I have yet to try a beer with maple flavors that I liked - I'll take KBS over CBS everytime ;D
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Was anyone able to land some CBS? It was crazy around here, most of it sold before it even got off the trucks.
The Palm tapped a keg of it last night. I went down for a few glasses. Pretty damn good stuff.
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Had this on nitro at Sheffield's in Chicago this past weekend for the first time. Beer lives up to the hype, really creamy and definitely a stout you can drink as a session beer.
Holy hell, the world is in trouble, technology is letting them bottle the Nitro stuff now...
www.lefthandbrewing.com/beers/milk-stout-nitro
Had one tonight - doesn't disappoint. Here's a blog about it (not mine):
http://blogs.westword.com/cafesociety/2011/09/milk_stout_nitro_left_hand_bre.php
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Rocky, where are you located. The articles I've read on this say it's only going to be available in CO through the end of the year, and then they'll distribute to the rest of their states.
I might have to drive to Sheffield's today to get one on draft if they don't have it in Chi/Mke yet.
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Holy hell, the world is in trouble, technology is letting them bottle the Nitro stuff now...
www.lefthandbrewing.com/beers/milk-stout-nitro
Had one tonight - doesn't disappoint. Here's a blog about it (not mine):
http://blogs.westword.com/cafesociety/2011/09/milk_stout_nitro_left_hand_bre.php
Was gone at the restaurant I went to last night... I was disappointed that I had to settle for some FFF Dreadnaught.
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Holy hell, the world is in trouble, technology is letting them bottle the Nitro stuff now...
www.lefthandbrewing.com/beers/milk-stout-nitro
Had one tonight - doesn't disappoint. Here's a blog about it (not mine):
http://blogs.westword.com/cafesociety/2011/09/milk_stout_nitro_left_hand_bre.php
oh. my. god.
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As it combines two of my favorite things (not the island) I picked up a 6-er of Arbor Brewing Company's Mackinac Island Fudge Stout the other day. It was... okay I guess. For the relatively hefty price tag and the promise of pounds upon pounds of fudge, I was pretty underwhelmed. Its possible I was expecting too much, but it seemed like a pretty run of the mill stout out of a bottle to me.
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Had a bomber of this last night...
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/16866/72975
MEH.
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I tried Guiness Black lager and New Glarus' Chocolate Abbey this weekend. Liked the black lager but the chocolate abbey not so much, just too much chocolate in there for my taste but I like to see New Glarus continue to mix it up with their Thumbprint series of brews.
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Had a bomber of this last night...
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/16866/72975
MEH.
This on draught is much, much better then the bottle.
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Rocky, where are you located. The articles I've read on this say it's only going to be available in CO through the end of the year, and then they'll distribute to the rest of their states.
Yes, I'm in CO, and worse, I have a 2 mile commute, which includes passing by Left Hand brewery to get between work and home. So, I'm in Left Hand ground zero, and it sounds like the rest of the states are safe for another month or two.
They are selling the Nitro bottles for a premium, so it's more of a special treat, unless you're an addict.
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Yes, I'm in CO, and worse, I have a 2 mile commute, which includes passing by Left Hand brewery to get between work and home. So, I'm in Left Hand ground zero, and it sounds like the rest of the states are safe for another month or two.
They are selling the Nitro bottles for a premium, so it's more of a special treat, unless you're an addict.
What's the premium? Also, could you include shipping to Northern Illinois into that premium? Also, could you include your time spent getting to the post office and sending said premium beer to me?
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What's the premium? Also, could you include shipping to Northern Illinois into that premium? Also, could you include your time spent getting to the post office and sending said premium beer to me?
If your in New Hampshire or North Dakota, you're all set. But this is the only local place I found that can ship beer, and even then, two states isn't a very long list. Probably time to make a road trip to CO!
http://www.liquormart.com/left-hand-milk-stout-nitro.html
p.s. - I should note that it's been a long time since i shopped liquor stores in other states, but often micro brew is cheaper here than Bud/Miller/Coors products. So, $10 for a 6 pack is a premium to me, but might not be for you.
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If your in New Hampshire or North Dakota, you're all set. But this is the only local place I found that can ship beer, and even then, two states isn't a very long list. Probably time to make a road trip to CO!
http://www.liquormart.com/left-hand-milk-stout-nitro.html
Maybe it's time for this Mpretty boy to set up a PO Box in NH.
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If your in New Hampshire or North Dakota, you're all set. But this is the only local place I found that can ship beer, and even then, two states isn't a very long list. Probably time to make a road trip to CO!
http://www.liquormart.com/left-hand-milk-stout-nitro.html
p.s. - I should note that it's been a long time since i shopped liquor stores in other states, but often micro brew is cheaper here than Bud/Miller/Coors products. So, $10 for a 6 pack is a premium to me, but might not be for you.
$10 for a 6 pack of nitro stout is probably about $2-3 bucks cheaper than what it will sell for here in Chicago. Most 6 packs of Founders/3 Floyds/Left Hand are at the $10-11 price point. That's before the Cook County liquor tax nails you.
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$10 for a 6 pack of nitro stout is probably about $2-3 bucks cheaper than what it will sell for here in Chicago. Most 6 packs of Founders/3 Floyds/Left Hand are at the $10-11 price point. That's before the Cook County liquor tax nails you.
that would be a great deal here in madison.
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anyone know anything about this joint?
http://www.bigbaybrewing.com/ (http://www.bigbaybrewing.com/)
There's a groupon for $20 that gets you a beer tasting for two, two pint glasses, and a sixer. Worth it?
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anyone know anything about this joint?
http://www.bigbaybrewing.com/ (http://www.bigbaybrewing.com/)
There's a groupon for $20 that gets you a beer tasting for two, two pint glasses, and a sixer. Worth it?
Never been to the brewery but have had both the Boatilla and Wavehopper - good, but nothing special. I'd be interested to check out the brewery though.
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I read that they do all of their brewing at Milwaukee Brew Co.
I'm all for entrepreneurial purveyors of suds, but I think I'm going to start avoiding these "virtual" breweries... if you can't so much as operate an extract system in-house, calling yourself a brewery just seems dishonest.
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I read that they do all of their brewing at Milwaukee Brew Co.
I'm all for entrepreneurial purveyors of suds, but I think I'm going to start avoiding these "virtual" breweries... if you can't so much as operate an extract system in-house, calling yourself a brewery just seems dishonest.
So no contract brewing like Sam Adams? (Miller brews the majority of Sam Adams beer) Futhermore contracts almost everything at Central Waters. Hell, PBR and Old Style are brewed by Miller.
Contract brewing is part of the industry that keeps it profitable. If every brewery just brewed their own their own beer their would be a lot of wasted brewing time. Trust me, contract brewing is needed - it's how small breweries get their start. They are just using brewing capacity that would go unused.
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Local brewery Lift Bridge contracted out "down time" at the Fulton Brewery until they could earn/raise enough money to build their own brewery which they have now. Boycotting their great beer could have nixed their plans to open their own brewery.
http://www.liftbridgebrewery.com/home.aspx
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So no contract brewing like Sam Adams? (Miller brews the majority of Sam Adams beer) Futhermore contracts almost everything at Central Waters. Hell, PBR and Old Style are brewed by Miller.
Contract brewing is part of the industry that keeps it profitable. If every brewery just brewed their own their own beer their would be a lot of wasted brewing time. Trust me, contract brewing is needed - it's how small breweries get their start. They are just using brewing capacity that would go unused.
I'm talking contract brewing at the "Brew-Pub" level, not the commercial or craft level. If you want to call yourself a brewery, at least buy a 5 gallon starter bucket and make a batch once in a while. I'll give credit to Lift Bridge because I suspect they were the ones controlling the process and at least had the intent of building their own brewery. I don't get that impression with Big Bay, but I could be wrong.
Call me Darwinistic when it comes to beer... one of the things that bothers me is that if you're simply giving a recipe to someone else and picking up your kegs a few weeks later, there's no evolution, no experimentation, and no furthering of the art or science. You're serving the same stuff over and over again, and unless you got it perfect the first time, it's never going to improve. I suppose I just have slightly higher expectations when I go to a place that advertises itself as a brew-pub or brewery... I don't want the same old beer, I want something new, different and at some stage of refining. I like to talk to the brewmaster when I can and offer my feedback if asked. I'm just doing my part to make society happier (if beer makes us happy, better beer makes us happier).
Sorry... this just touched a stray nerve today. It's been a craptacular day at the office and all I want to do is go home to rack & dry-hop my IPA tonight.
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I see your point clearly now and I wholeheartedly agree with you. Your assumption about Lift Bridge is also 100% accurate.
I'm talking contract brewing at the "Brew-Pub" level, not the commercial or craft level. If you want to call yourself a brewery, at least buy a 5 gallon starter bucket and make a batch once in a while. I'll give credit to Lift Bridge because I suspect they were the ones controlling the process and at least had the intent of building their own brewery. I don't get that impression with Big Bay, but I could be wrong.
Call me Darwinistic when it comes to beer... one of the things that bothers me is that if you're simply giving a recipe to someone else and picking up your kegs a few weeks later, there's no evolution, no experimentation, and no furthering of the art or science. You're serving the same stuff over and over again, and unless you got it perfect the first time, it's never going to improve. I suppose I just have slightly higher expectations when I go to a place that advertises itself as a brew-pub or brewery... I don't want the same old beer, I want something new, different and at some stage of refining. I like to talk to the brewmaster when I can and offer my feedback if asked. I'm just doing my part to make society happier (if beer makes us happy, better beer makes us happier).
Sorry... this just touched a stray nerve today. It's been a craptacular day at the office and all I want to do is go home to rack & dry-hop my IPA tonight.
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http://www.mainstreet.com/article/lifestyle/food-drink/10-best-beer-states-2011?page=5 (http://www.mainstreet.com/article/lifestyle/food-drink/10-best-beer-states-2011?page=5)
Open for business.
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http://www.mainstreet.com/article/lifestyle/food-drink/10-best-beer-states-2011?page=5 (http://www.mainstreet.com/article/lifestyle/food-drink/10-best-beer-states-2011?page=5)
Open for business.
That list is bogus for one reason, doesn't include Michigan which has a much better craft brewers than almost any state, including Wisconsin. Hell, Michigan has 3 breweries which are far superior to any Wisconsin brewery in Founders, Short's and Bells.
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That list is bogus for one reason, doesn't include Michigan which has a much better craft brewers than almost any state, including Wisconsin. Hell, Michigan has 3 breweries which are far superior to any Wisconsin brewery in Founders, Short's and Bells.
from that article:
We took a close look at stats provided by the Brewers Association and Beer Institute and, based on four key criteria -- production, consumption, breweries and breweries per capita -- came up with the 10 top beer states in America.
apparently MI still falls short under that criteria, now where did I put that KBS and Nemesis in the cellar?
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That list is bogus for one reason, doesn't include Michigan which has a much better craft brewers than almost any state, including Wisconsin. Hell, Michigan has 3 breweries which are far superior to any Wisconsin brewery in Founders, Short's and Bells.
I would counter that the fine northern Wisconsin establishment, Thirsty Pagan, is more "superior" than anything Michigan has to offer.
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I would counter that the fine northern Wisconsin establishment, Thirsty Pagan, is more "superior" than anything Michigan has to offer.
I will have to try and find some time to get one of their beers. Always looking for a good WI Craft Brewer that isn't built on hype *cough - New Glarus - cough*.
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I will have to try and find some time to get one of their beers. Always looking for a good WI Craft Brewer that isn't built on hype *cough - New Glarus - cough*.
Have you ever been to the New Glarus brewery? Beyond spectacular. And how is New Glarus build on hype? Between bells, founders (my favorite brewery), and new glarus, NG is by far the least hyped. Did you pay any attention to the CBS release?
I won't say their stuff is perfect, but everything they make is at least solid, and sometimes incredible. Dancing Man, Gueuze, IIPA, Golden Ale, Moon Man, Iced Barleywine, Enigma, Yokel, Alt, Abt, and Olde Enlgish Porter are all top notch, and I'm sure I'm missing some of my favorites.
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Have you ever been to the New Glarus brewery? Beyond spectacular. And how is New Glarus build on hype? Between bells, founders (my favorite brewery), and new glarus, NG is by far the least hyped. Did you pay any attention to the CBS release?
I won't say their stuff is perfect, but everything they make is at least solid, and sometimes incredible. Dancing Man, Gueuze, IIPA, Golden Ale, Moon Man, Iced Barleywine, Enigma, Yokel, Alt, Abt, and Olde Enlgish Porter are all top notch, and I'm sure I'm missing some of my favorites.
Moon Man is weak....and doesn't compare to any strong IPA. And I know they were going for a No Coast but still, come on.
The DIPA is WAY WAY WAY WAY WAY too sweet. The two I tried last year, one bottle and one on draft at Roman's, I didn't even finish. They were disgusting.
I do like Alt and I like Dancing Man - quality beers.
Their best beer, and in fact is my favorite Oktoberfest, is Staghorn. That beer is perfect for it's style.
By being built on hype I speak of the Spotted Cow (vomit), Chubby Squirrel, etc.
And yes, I am very aware of the CBS hype. But what do you expect from a beer that is only going bottled once every 3 years? But that is just one of their beers. The KBS, regular BS, Devil Dancer, IPA, Backwoods Bastard...oh man - just awesome.....
And yes, many beers don't live to the hype. I mean is FFF DL worth the time, not really. But the trip to DLD every April is a blast and half the fun. Is driving up to MN in October for Darkness worth it - probably not, but the beer is damn good and then you pick some Surley up just to have. Hell, I contemplate driving to StL just to get some Schlafly every once in a while, so there is always hype. It's just the NG is built on Spotted Bovine.
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Moon Man is weak....and doesn't compare to any strong IPA. And I know they were going for a No Coast but still, come on.
The DIPA is WAY WAY WAY WAY WAY too sweet. The two I tried last year, one bottle and one on draft at Roman's, I didn't even finish. They were disgusting.
I do like Alt and I like Dancing Man - quality beers.
Their best beer, and in fact is my favorite Oktoberfest, is Staghorn. That beer is perfect for it's style.
By being built on hype I speak of the Spotted Cow (vomit), Chubby Squirrel, etc.
And yes, I am very aware of the CBS hype. But what do you expect from a beer that is only going bottled once every 3 years? But that is just one of their beers. The KBS, regular BS, Devil Dancer, IPA, Backwoods Bastard...oh man - just awesome.....
And yes, many beers don't live to the hype. I mean is FFF DL worth the time, not really. But the trip to DLD every April is a blast and half the fun. Is driving up to MN in October for Darkness worth it - probably not, but the beer is damn good and then you pick some Surley up just to have. Hell, I contemplate driving to StL just to get some Schlafly every once in a while, so there is always hype. It's just the NG is built on Spotted Bovine.
Spotted Cow is the beer the pays the bills, nothing more. It is the beer for the light beer drinker, simple as that.
Moon Man isn't an IPA, its a pale ale. Compare it to sierra nevada pale ale, not an IPA. As a pale ale it is spot on, and a delicious beer.
I also love staghorn. In fact I just returned an empty keg of it last week.
Something is to be said for a brewery that honors its home state and stays local. They could easily distribute to the entire midwest, but then we would see the same shortages as we see with every founders release in the last 3+ years.
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Is driving up to MN in October for Darkness worth it - probably not, but the beer is damn good and then you pick some Surley up just to have.
Drinking a Surly Darkness right now and I am in heaven.....will be getting it at my bar on Oct 29th and my customers cannot wait.
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Drinking a Surly Darkness right now and I am in heaven.....will be getting it at my bar on Oct 29th and my customers cannot wait.
Your bar? What the dilly... you talkin Alary's or elsewhere? If I drank, I'd love to try a Surly Darkness. You don't know of any bars in the Twin Cities that cater to Michigan or Michigan State fans do you?
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Your bar? What the dilly... you talkin Alary's or elsewhere? If I drank, I'd love to try a Surly Darkness. You don't know of any bars in the Twin Cities that cater to Michigan or Michigan State fans do you?
WTF? It's gotta be one or the other you can't root for both. That's like being a Cubs fan and a White Sox fan, oh wait, we have one of those here in the office. ::)
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I will have to try and find some time to get one of their beers. Always looking for a good WI Craft Brewer that isn't built on hype *cough - New Glarus - cough*.
A successful craft brewery is always built on hype. You can have the best beer in the world, but without any hype, you'd be lucky to sell 10 bbls a year. If it weren't for hype, most of us would have never heard of Shorts, New Glarus, Surley, etc.
You can push a bad beer with hype, but the results will be temporary (see: Red Dog c. 1995). For a craft brewery to having staying power, it needs to be a quality beer as much as it needs to be hyped.
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A successful craft brewery is always built on hype. You can have the best beer in the world, but without any hype, you'd be lucky to sell 10 bbls a year. If it weren't for hype, most of us would have never heard of Shorts, New Glarus, Surley, etc.
You can push a bad beer with hype, but the results will be temporary (see: Red Dog c. 1995). For a craft brewery to having staying power, it needs to be a quality beer as much as it needs to be hyped.
Really? Marketing works? You're kidding...
there are some breweries built on hype alone...that is the point....hell, look at horny goat in mke, quite possibly the worst beer ever produced but they market the crap out of it and make money hand over fist at their brew pub.
i personally put NG in here. i think their beers for the most part are average at best but people in wisconsin put them on this pedestal that they belong in the pantheon of great american craft breweries - where they do not belong.
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Really? Marketing works? You're kidding...
there are some breweries built on hype alone...that is the point....hell, look at horny goat in mke, quite possibly the worst beer ever produced but they market the crap out of it and make money hand over fist at their brew pub.
i personally put NG in here. i think their beers for the most part are average at best but people in wisconsin put them on this pedestal that they belong in the pantheon of great american craft breweries - where they do not belong.
Mostly agree, but with the caveat that a few NG beers are pretty good.
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A successful craft brewery is always built on hype. You can have the best beer in the world, but without any hype, you'd be lucky to sell 10 bbls a year. If it weren't for hype, most of us would have never heard of Shorts, New Glarus, Surley, etc.
How do you define "success"? Same with "hype." To me those are blanket statements because given technology today it is easier than ever to make your presence known. A micro brewery might be so "successful" that they are unable to meet demand or that they would be unable to consistently distribute their product because they only have a limited supply. Does that mean a micro brewery in IL, WI, or MN are unsuccessful because they are not present on the east or west coast? No.
Personally I am most concerned with the quality of the product first.
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A micro brewery might be so "successful" that they are unable to meet demand or that they would be unable to consistently distribute their product because they only have a limited supply.
that sounds like it fits brewers like Dogfish Head and several of the Founders beers...
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that sounds like it fits brewers like Dogfish Head and several of the Founders beers...
I think it fits a lot of micro breweries. Unfortunately the name of the game is limited distribution. In regard to Founders, I love their porter and could go for one right now.
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Really? Marketing works? You're kidding...
there are some breweries built on hype alone...that is the point....hell, look at horny goat in mke, quite possibly the worst beer ever produced but they market the crap out of it and make money hand over fist at their brew pub.
i personally put NG in here. i think their beers for the most part are average at best but people in wisconsin put them on this pedestal that they belong in the pantheon of great american craft breweries - where they do not belong.
I'd think it has more to do with home-town pride and regional preferences than it does a belief that NG belongs in the Pantheon. I'm sure people in the NW would say the same thing about how people from Michigan put Bells and Shorts on a pedestal. Heck... have you ever tried some of the "beer" made in former Soviet states? Most of it tastes like manure run-off, but tell that to a Ukrainian, and he'll sick his 7'2" aunt from Chernobyl on you.
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that sounds like it fits brewers like Dogfish Head and several of the Founders beers...
Dogfish overshot its distribution to the point where the liquor store down the road from their Milton brewery couldn't even get some product.
They just strong-armed Milton into re-zoning the land around the brewery so look for them to expand what they have and try to jump up a spot in terms of craft distribution.
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Your bar? What the dilly... you talkin Alary's or elsewhere? If I drank, I'd love to try a Surly Darkness. You don't know of any bars in the Twin Cities that cater to Michigan or Michigan State fans do you?
Yes Alary's.....long story.....Have the NCAA ticket or whatever they call it and get a lot of guys from the different small St. Paul colleges coming in to watch them. Darkness this year is as good as it gets and is officially released tomorrow. Will not be at the bar tomorrow...going to see the Hutchinson/Marshall football game.
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I'd think it has more to do with home-town pride and regional preferences than it does a belief that NG belongs in the Pantheon. I'm sure people in the NW would say the same thing about how people from Michigan put Bells and Shorts on a pedestal. Heck... have you ever tried some of the "beer" made in former Soviet states? Most of it tastes like manure run-off, but tell that to a Ukrainian, and he'll sick his 7'2" aunt from Chernobyl on you.
the thing i have NG being local is that I can drive from Bay View to Three Floyds quicker than I can to NG, so what is local? I try and stick to great lakes and midwest beers, but until a WI brewer can make a beer with the hop profile of a Racer 5, Gumball Head, etc - I am not going to be impressed.
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Really? Marketing works? You're kidding...
there are some breweries built on hype alone...that is the point....hell, look at horny goat in mke, quite possibly the worst beer ever produced but they market the crap out of it and make money hand over fist at their brew pub.
i personally put NG in here. i think their beers for the most part are average at best but people in wisconsin put them on this pedestal that they belong in the pantheon of great american craft breweries - where they do not belong.
the thing i have NG being local is that I can drive from Bay View to Three Floyds quicker than I can to NG, so what is local? I try and stick to great lakes and midwest beers, but until a WI brewer can make a beer with the hop profile of a Racer 5, Gumball Head, etc - I am not going to be impressed.
Marketing? Are you kidding? Do you realize that New Glarus spends exactly zero dollars on marketing and advertising. Name the last time you have ever seen a New Glarus advertisement anywhere...
It sounds like you don't like New Glarus because they DON'T make super hopped up, overly hyped beers. The brewmaster, Dan Carey, spent years in Germany in an apprenticeship. He learned brewing by making lagers and dark ales. He makes what he likes to drink, he doesn't give in to the hop and imperial stout craze to make a quick buck. This is why you don't think they are on the pedestal with other craft breweries. For the style, New Glarus makes everything just about perfectly.
What to try a world class wheat beer? Dancing Man Wheat is as good as anything you will find in Germany. Want to drink a quality lager? Two Women and Laughing Fox are spot on. Looking for a pale ale? Moon Man is the best pale I've ever had, better than Gumballhead in my opinion (which is actually a hoppy wheat ale). Are fruit beers your thing? New Glarus does fruit better than anyone in America, hands down. You enjoy sours? Their Bourbon Barrel Kriek, Gueuze, Enigma, and Old English Porter are as excellent and authentic as anything found in Europe. Want an oktoberfest? The Staghorn is the best example available in Wisconsin. And I'm not even mentioning their world class Alt, IIPA, Eisbock (who the hell else makes an eisbock?), berliner weisse, black ipa, barleywine, abt, yokel, uff-da, back 40 bock, or stone soup, all great beers.
I spoke with a New Glarus brewer recently, and he let me in on a few secrets. You heard it here first. (1) They are currently working on a barleywine that they are very excited about. (2) Expect another Gueuze in the summer of 2012, this time as authentic as anything in Belgium. 100% spontaneous fermented, and a blend of 1 and 3 year old lambic. (3) They are currently in the planning phase of an expansion to their old brewery to include a barrel room used exclusively for a lambic program.
You may not like the styles that New Glarus chooses to focus on, but you cannot deny that they brew their styles excellently.
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Some of the "hype" feelings about NG comes from stuff like reading about Spotted Cow in Peter King's Monday Morning Quarterback column as a brew he must try from Wisconsin. Put me squarely in the "I cannot drink Spotted Cow" camp. Not a big fan of the fruit beers that NG makes either.
I do appreciate Uff-da, and plan on trying the Staghorn tomorrow, based on JimmyB's article.
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Some of the "hype" feelings about NG comes from stuff like reading about Spotted Cow in Peter King's Monday Morning Quarterback column as a brew he must try from Wisconsin. Put me squarely in the "I cannot drink Spotted Cow" camp. Not a big fan of the fruit beers that NG makes either.
I do appreciate Uff-da, and plan on trying the Staghorn tomorrow, based on JimmyB's article.
It's funny to see the gulf in perception of New Glarus from inside/outside the state.
There are people at beer palaces here in the east that consider NG to be a different level. Perhaps the marketing has gotten to them because the product certainly hasn't.
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Burnhearts announced today that they tapped a barrel of 2010 Goose Island Bourbon County Stout...I will be stopping in tonight for a glass...should be nicely aged now at about a year.
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Have a bunch that I tried, been awhile since I've posted.
The good-
Great Lakes Octoberfest- Very solid, but no Staghorn.
New Holland Mad Hatter- Excellent. Not sure why it took me so long to try it.
Lake Louie Tommy's Porter- Nice, smooth porter. Could add a little more roastiness, but delicious.
Southern Tier Porter and 2XIPA- Enjoyed both of these a lot. Especially the 2XIPA.
Dark Horse Boffo Brown and Sapient Tripale- Dark Horse has yet to let me down. Can't wait to try the coffee dopplebock.
Capital Eternal Flame- Complex, but easy drinking for so much alcohol. Fascinating back story as well.
New Glarus Chocolate Abbey- This beer surprised me. Let it warm up a little and it's a great after dinner brew.
New Glarus Blacktop- Admittedly new to black IPAs, but this was really good.
The okay-
Southern Tier Phin & Matt's- Not bad, would take a Moon Man over it though.
Alaskan Amber- Pretty standard Amber, nothing spectacular about it.
Milwaukee Brewing Hoptoberfest- Could have used more hop in hoptober.
Left Hand 400 lb Monkey- Maybe the English Style IPA isn't my thing, but this didn't wow me at all.
Upland Rad Red- Decent, but nothing I'd have repeatedly.
New Glarus Laughing Fox- Again, might just be the style, but it didn't do much for me.
Central Waters Brewhouse Coffee Stout- Not bad, but there are better options with this style.
The not so good-
Upland Wheat- Too sweet. Too carbonated. Not a fan.
Lake Louie Coon Rock Cream Ale- Had kind of a funky taste to it.
Central Waters Belgian Blonde and Great Lakes Holy Moses- Like a belgian style, but way too heavy on the spices.
And the horrible- Lost Coast Tangerine Wheat. Like drinking orange candy. Gross.
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I'm thinking you got an old 6er of LL CRCA.
I like all of their beers except the "Arena Premium"
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http://graydonscrossing.com/menus/drink.pdf
If anyone is ever in Grand Rapids, I've got the first round at this place. The most unbelievable beer selection I have found.
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Currently enjoying a FFF Munsterfest bomber
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Currently enjoying a FFF Munsterfest bomber
Great choice with the Munsterfest. Have you had the Arctic Panzer Wolf yet?
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Great choice with the Munsterfest. Have you had the Arctic Panzer Wolf yet?
Yes, but funny you mention that, there is one sitting in my fridge right now. :)
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Currently enjoying a FFF Munsterfest bomber
Really? I was thoroughly disappointed with this offering by FFF. I expect more from them and thought this just came out flat. Now I am just trying to hold off from opening a Baller Stout.
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Really? I was thoroughly disappointed with this offering by FFF. I expect more from them and thought this just came out flat. Now I am just trying to hold off from opening a Baller Stout.
Their idea was to make it as true to the Oktoberfest tradition as they could. It wasn't perfect, but it was a nice smooth, highly drinkable beer.
IMHO no one does Oktoberfest like the Germans themselves, and even then Augustiner is easily my favorite... and having a L or 3 in the 'tent' at Oktoberfest can't be matched.
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one of my favorite parts of the week is to wander the beer aisles at Woodmans and decide what beer to try next. You can find virtually any beer there and cheaper than just about anywhere else. I usually find a beer that sounds interesting, plug it into beeradvocate.com and read reviews. If its scored decently (B+ or above) I usually get it.
now woodmans has a section where beers that score at or above a 95 are prominently displayed. While this takes some of the fun out of it, I now don't have to hear about it when I've spent 45 minutes trying to decide on what beer to try next.
tonight I have two delights:
1. Capitol Brewerys Autumnal Fire. A very very good dopplebock. An outstanding representation of the type.
2. La Fin du Monde. Its like when Bruce Willis was dead at the end of Sixth Sense. Just amazing. Wow.
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Thanksgiving Beer, what do you all have? I picked up the following from Groppi's (which by the way has one of the smartest beer buyers I have met)..
Three Floyds Gumball Head
Three Floyds Pride & Joy
Founders Breakfast Stout
Goose Island Sofie
Goose Island Fluer
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Thanksgiving Beer, what do you all have? I picked up the following from Groppi's (which by the way has one of the smartest beer buyers I have met)..
Three Floyds Gumball Head
Three Floyds Pride & Joy
Founders Breakfast Stout
Goose Island Sofie
Goose Island Fluer
Haven't picked mine up yet, but those are pretty solid choices.
And Groppi's is awesome for meat AND beer.
And I just cracked my Arctic Panzer Wolf
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I live literally just down the street from there. While I agree about their selection, for most beers they are 2-4 dollars above woodmans. I will, however, buy from their clearance section, which is more in line with woodmans or even berts, as good beer is available.
so I'm cheap. Such is life.
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I live literally just down the street from there. While I agree about their selection, for most beers they are 2-4 dollars above woodmans. I will, however, buy from their clearance section, which is more in line with woodmans or even berts, as good beer is available.
so I'm cheap. Such is life.
Woodmans is just out of the way and Groppi's, well, is a 10 minutes bike ride or 1 minute drive. I do think Woodman's has a great selection, but Groppi's is on par with Ray's in terms of price. Plus, they have good beers on tap too while you shop for meat and beer. Good times.
I never knew we had so many Bay View residents that were Marquette fans. I know in the past I have gotten Mike Roman to put the games on with sound at Roman's if people ever wanted to watch.
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Woodmans is just out of the way and Groppi's, well, is a 10 minutes bike ride or 1 minute drive. I do think Woodman's has a great selection, but Groppi's is on par with Ray's in terms of price. Plus, they have good beers on tap too while you shop for meat and beer. Good times.
I never knew we had so many Bay View residents that were Marquette fans. I know in the past I have gotten Mike Roman to put the games on with sound at Roman's if people ever wanted to watch.
My mom grew up down the street from Groppi's back in the 50-60's on Delaware street. As a child, I remember her stopping in and getting some salsiccia sausages... which I LOVED... and then they shut down for a while when the old man died... but obviously they are back open now. :)
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Thanksgiving Beer, what do you all have? I picked up the following from Groppi's (which by the way has one of the smartest beer buyers I have met)..
Three Floyds Gumball Head
Three Floyds Pride & Joy
Founders Breakfast Stout
Goose Island Sofie
Goose Island Fluer
I have yet to find a store with a selection this solid in FL. No FOunders, No Three Floyds.
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Woodmans is just out of the way and Groppi's, well, is a 10 minutes bike ride or 1 minute drive. I do think Woodman's has a great selection, but Groppi's is on par with Ray's in terms of price. Plus, they have good beers on tap too while you shop for meat and beer. Good times.
I never knew we had so many Bay View residents that were Marquette fans. I know in the past I have gotten Mike Roman to put the games on with sound at Roman's if people ever wanted to watch.
we should all go drink at a bar and watch games. Brilliant!
woodmans for me is on the way home from work so it definitely worthwhile.
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one of my favorite parts of the week is to wander the beer aisles at Woodmans and decide what beer to try next. You can find virtually any beer there and cheaper than just about anywhere else. I usually find a beer that sounds interesting, plug it into beeradvocate.com and read reviews. If its scored decently (B+ or above) I usually get it.
now woodmans has a section where beers that score at or above a 95 are prominently displayed. While this takes some of the fun out of it, I now don't have to hear about it when I've spent 45 minutes trying to decide on what beer to try next.
tonight I have two delights:
1. Capitol Brewerys Autumnal Fire. A very very good dopplebock. An outstanding representation of the type.
2. La Fin du Monde. Its like when Bruce Willis was dead at the end of Sixth Sense. Just amazing. Wow.
LOVE woodman's...a couple weeks ago i went to the singles section and plucked up a racer 5 and a hop rod rye from bear republic...i'm not a huge hophead, but the hop rod has been one of my go-to beers lately
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Here in NYC at the Blind Tiger, my favorite brewery is featured on Wed, list of beers at the end
Dieu du Ciel
Wednesday, November 30 at 3PM
A year ago, when Dieu du Ciel agreed to do an event at the Tiger I was very excited. I had already been to their Montreal brewpub a couple of times, and was very impressed by their wide range of beers, the interesting ingredients they like to use - this year it’s peppers, yuzu, mangos, and smoked malt - and the incredible quality. They manage to combine French Canadian style with American brashness, creating a voice that’s uniquely their own.
I got so excited in fact, that I ran up a step ladder in my barn in Vermont, knocked it over, jumped for the loft above me like some sort of trapeze artist, allowed my momentum to carry my legs up in the air so I was parallel with the ground, and then, just as I was wondering if I was actually a gymnast, felt gravity take over as it ripped my hands loose, causing me to fall nine feet, crashing flat on my back on the hardwood floor, completely forgetting to break my landing with my arms as I had learned in sixth grade judo.
The worst part of this experience wasn’t the four broken ribs and three cracked vertebrae, or the fact that I had a cold at the time causing me to cough/scream every thirty seconds. No, the worst part was having to tell Stephane Ostiguey, Dieu du Ciel’s co-founder, that I would be missing their first event at the Tiger, and the 30 plus beers they had brought across the border. A bottle of Oxycontin only softened the blow slightly.
This year I’ve managed to contain my excitement, even when Stephane sent us the list and I saw the keg of Peche Mortel aged in bourbon barrels. I didn’t jump up in the air like I wanted to. I simply looked skyward and said ah, “Dieu du Ciel,” which roughly translates to “God in heaven!” I’m playing it safe until Weds, November 30th at 3pm, so I can finally enjoy the 16 special beers made by a brewery that stopped playing it safe the day they opened their doors.
For those of you who like to plan ahead, you might want to consider making a reservation for our Vintage New Year’s Eve Party. We’ll be putting together a special list of aged beers, including some year old holiday ales, as well as some special kegs from some of our favorite breweries. Chef Tommy will be putting on an incredible buffet, and there will be the usual hats and party favors to ring in 2012. Call the Blind Tiger for details at 212-462-4682 or email us at blindtigeralehouse@gmail.com.
Also, Sunday, December 4th at 3PM Tom Baker will be making a special appearance as part of our fundraiser for Randy Marcott. More information on this soon!
Dave Brodrick
The Dieu du Ciel List:
Revenante - Smoked Porter
Aphrodite Mechant - Cocoa and Vanilla Stout with Smoked Hot Peppers
Solstice aux Mangues - Sour Wheat Beer with Mangos
Mea Culpa - India Cream Ale
Libre Echange - Foreign Export Stout
Vaisseau des Songes - British IPA
Equinoxe d’Automne - Rauch Bock
Voyageur des Brumes - E.S.B
Penombre - Black IPA
13e Etage - Porter/Black IPA with Yuzu and mild hot peppers
Rigor Mortis de Table - Abbey-style Light Blond Ale
Peche Mortel - Imperial Coffee Stout
Derniere Volonte - Dry Hopped Belgian Blond Ale
Peche Mortel Bourbon - Imperial Coffee Stout Aged in Bourbon Barrels
Cask 1 Libre Echange - Foreign Export Stout
Cask 2 Solstice d’Hiver - Barleywine
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I have yet to find a store with a selection this solid in FL. No FOunders, No Three Floyds.
neither are distributed down there. I think Three Floyds is just Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin (Madison and Milwaukee only).
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Just had this monstrosity: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/13307/56842
Mikkeler 1000 IBU. Just as hoppy as you'd expect, and then some. Can't drink anything else after, your taste buds are shot. Not sure I'd ever drink it again, but it was definitely an experience.
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Here in NYC at the Blind Tiger, my favorite brewery is featured on Wed, list of beers at the end
Dieu du Ciel
Wednesday, November 30 at 3PM
A year ago, when Dieu du Ciel agreed to do an event at the Tiger I was very excited. I had already been to their Montreal brewpub a couple of times, and was very impressed by their wide range of beers, the interesting ingredients they like to use - this year it’s peppers, yuzu, mangos, and smoked malt - and the incredible quality. They manage to combine French Canadian style with American brashness, creating a voice that’s uniquely their own.
I got so excited in fact, that I ran up a step ladder in my barn in Vermont, knocked it over, jumped for the loft above me like some sort of trapeze artist, allowed my momentum to carry my legs up in the air so I was parallel with the ground, and then, just as I was wondering if I was actually a gymnast, felt gravity take over as it ripped my hands loose, causing me to fall nine feet, crashing flat on my back on the hardwood floor, completely forgetting to break my landing with my arms as I had learned in sixth grade judo.
The worst part of this experience wasn’t the four broken ribs and three cracked vertebrae, or the fact that I had a cold at the time causing me to cough/scream every thirty seconds. No, the worst part was having to tell Stephane Ostiguey, Dieu du Ciel’s co-founder, that I would be missing their first event at the Tiger, and the 30 plus beers they had brought across the border. A bottle of Oxycontin only softened the blow slightly.
This year I’ve managed to contain my excitement, even when Stephane sent us the list and I saw the keg of Peche Mortel aged in bourbon barrels. I didn’t jump up in the air like I wanted to. I simply looked skyward and said ah, “Dieu du Ciel,” which roughly translates to “God in heaven!” I’m playing it safe until Weds, November 30th at 3pm, so I can finally enjoy the 16 special beers made by a brewery that stopped playing it safe the day they opened their doors.
For those of you who like to plan ahead, you might want to consider making a reservation for our Vintage New Year’s Eve Party. We’ll be putting together a special list of aged beers, including some year old holiday ales, as well as some special kegs from some of our favorite breweries. Chef Tommy will be putting on an incredible buffet, and there will be the usual hats and party favors to ring in 2012. Call the Blind Tiger for details at 212-462-4682 or email us at blindtigeralehouse@gmail.com.
Also, Sunday, December 4th at 3PM Tom Baker will be making a special appearance as part of our fundraiser for Randy Marcott. More information on this soon!
Dave Brodrick
The Dieu du Ciel List:
Revenante - Smoked Porter
Aphrodite Mechant - Cocoa and Vanilla Stout with Smoked Hot Peppers
Solstice aux Mangues - Sour Wheat Beer with Mangos
Mea Culpa - India Cream Ale
Libre Echange - Foreign Export Stout
Vaisseau des Songes - British IPA
Equinoxe d’Automne - Rauch Bock
Voyageur des Brumes - E.S.B
Penombre - Black IPA
13e Etage - Porter/Black IPA with Yuzu and mild hot peppers
Rigor Mortis de Table - Abbey-style Light Blond Ale
Peche Mortel - Imperial Coffee Stout
Derniere Volonte - Dry Hopped Belgian Blond Ale
Peche Mortel Bourbon - Imperial Coffee Stout Aged in Bourbon Barrels
Cask 1 Libre Echange - Foreign Export Stout
Cask 2 Solstice d’Hiver - Barleywine
The Blind Tiger is friggin' choice.
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Have any of you New York area folks been to this place?:
http://www.captainlawrencebrewing.com/
Besides the awesome name, my nephew tells me the brew is pretty good, and he insists we visit when I attend the BE tourney........
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Case of Spotted Cow from Woodman's and a sampler to boot now cooling in the west loop. After today's win, it's the good luck beer of the 2011-2012 season!
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Before the game at the Kohl Hole tonight tried this place called Brickhouse BBQ on University. Good joint. Really good food and great tap list. Tried a Lake Louie Reserve Scotch Ale - damn fine beer. Might have to try more form this brewery.
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Before the game at the Kohl Hole tonight tried this place called Brickhouse BBQ on University. Good joint. Really good food and great tap list. Tried a Lake Louie Reserve Scotch Ale - damn fine beer. Might have to try more form this brewery.
Had the same at the Avenue Bar. It is very good.
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Spotted Cow is piss. Mind you, if drinking that swill ensures MU goes without a loss this season, I'd drink it till I puked every game day!
Anyone have any good suggestions for holiday brews? I don't care for beers with a lot of hop flavor, I prefer the spicy/chocolate/carmel of porters/reds/etc.
Fruit beers/lambics aren't horrible either. I love Fruili, although it's $6 for a 7oz bottle, and not available in draught here any more.
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Spotted Cow is piss. Mind you, if drinking that swill ensures MU goes without a loss this season, I'd drink it till I puked every game day!
Anyone have any good suggestions for holiday brews? I don't care for beers with a lot of hop flavor, I prefer the spicy/chocolate/carmel of porters/reds/etc.
Fruit beers/lambics aren't horrible either. I love Fruili, although it's $6 for a 7oz bottle, and not available in draught here any more.
Great Lakes Christmas Ale is my personal favorite.
Goose Island makes a good Christmas Ale.
I am waiting on a six pack Schlafly Christmas.
Also, it is rolling into big hearty stout season. As for good stouts out right now you can't get much better than Founders Breakfast Stout. Just a damn near perfect beer IMO.
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Get it while you can! Goose Island Bourbon County stout has been hitting the shelves in the last few days.
Discount Liquor says they got 2 cases and is selling by the bottle - limit 1 per person. Consumer Beverage also had 2 cases but my brother & I got the last 2 four packs.
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Spotted Cow is piss. Mind you, if drinking that swill ensures MU goes without a loss this season, I'd drink it till I puked every game day!
Anyone have any good suggestions for holiday brews? I don't care for beers with a lot of hop flavor, I prefer the spicy/chocolate/carmel of porters/reds/etc.
Fruit beers/lambics aren't horrible either. I love Fruili, although it's $6 for a 7oz bottle, and not available in draught here any more.
See if you can find anything by De Struise of Belgium. Under the name Tsjeeses or Tsjeeses Reserva. Nice, spicy, hearty, Holiday brew.
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Get it while you can! Goose Island Bourbon County stout has been hitting the shelves in the last few days.
Discount Liquor says they got 2 cases and is selling by the bottle - limit 1 per person. Consumer Beverage also had 2 cases but my brother & I got the last 2 four packs.
Might have to get my brother to go pick some up. I went to the Binny's in Downer's Grove today and they're all out.
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Goose Island Mild Winter Ale, my favorite winter beer
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Anyone have any good suggestions for holiday brews? I don't care for beers with a lot of hop flavor, I prefer the spicy/chocolate/carmel of porters/reds/etc.
Fruit beers/lambics aren't horrible either. I love Fruili, although it's $6 for a 7oz bottle, and not available in draught here any more.
You might try Delirium Noel
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working on a 6-er of Atwater Brewery Vanilla Java Porter. I like it. A little lighter/thinner than I expected from a coffee porter, and its still got a real sweetness to it. Probably doesn't stand up to other really thick type porters, and I would compare it more to a Leine's Fireside Nut than a real smoky porter. I don't hate it, but don't expect to drink more than one or two.
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Tried New Glarus Snow Day yesterday... A W F U L.
Went back to Founder's Breakfast. Yes indeed, that is some gooooo-oooood stuff.
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Tried New Glarus Snow Day yesterday... A W F U L.
Went back to Founder's Breakfast. Yes indeed, that is some gooooo-oooood stuff.
You mean New BELGIUM Snow Day???
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/192/74123
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You mean New BELGIUM Snow Day???
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/192/74123
Thanks, regardless of brewer, it was awful.
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So this weekend, I'm drinking Two Hearted Ale and Left Hand Milk Stout. My wife, an MU grad also who could drink her share back in the day, asks me, where's the good light beer? Other than the obvious (there is no good light beer) what is a good light beer that she can drink when I'm drinking good stuff? oh, and she could drink whole if she wanted to...
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So this weekend, I'm drinking Two Hearted Ale and Left Hand Milk Stout. My wife, an MU grad also who could drink her share back in the day, asks me, where's the good light beer? Other than the obvious (there is no good light beer) what is a good light beer that she can drink when I'm drinking good stuff? oh, and she could drink whole if she wanted to...
Amstel Light is not terribly bad.
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Had "Double Wide IPA" by Boulevard Brewing this weekend. 750 mL corked bottle... part of their Smokestack (?) series.
I never did like the Wheat beer, but it definitely seems like Boulevard has been stepping up their game the past few years. This one is worth trying.
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Get it while you can! Goose Island Bourbon County stout has been hitting the shelves in the last few days.
Discount Liquor says they got 2 cases and is selling by the bottle - limit 1 per person. Consumer Beverage also had 2 cases but my brother & I got the last 2 four packs.
Thanks for the heads up. Picked up one bottle at Discount last week.
Been a good couple of weeks for beer on this end. Made it to Roman's Pub (2007 Sierra Nevada Barleywine, Southern Tier Old Man, and a Founders Breakfast Stout , all on tap) We did a mix and match, tough to drink each of those on your own. Also got a bottle of Delirium Nocturnum as a gift.
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Based on a bit in AlcoholManiacs that I picked up at the Sugar Maple I tried some New (to me) X-mas beers.
I liked the Gouden Carolous and Insanely Bad Elf, the Bad Elf not so much
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I hope this pic works. Some beers I just received from a VERY generous MU grad out on the west coast.
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So this weekend, I'm drinking Two Hearted Ale and Left Hand Milk Stout. My wife, an MU grad also who could drink her share back in the day, asks me, where's the good light beer? Other than the obvious (there is no good light beer) what is a good light beer that she can drink when I'm drinking good stuff? oh, and she could drink whole if she wanted to...
Light on flavor or light on calories?
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I hope this pic works. Some beers I just received from a VERY generous MU grad out on the west coast.
Wow.
I'm wondering what you had to give up for that haul? ;)
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working on a 6-er of Atwater Brewery Vanilla Java Porter. I like it. A little lighter/thinner than I expected from a coffee porter, and its still got a real sweetness to it. Probably doesn't stand up to other really thick type porters, and I would compare it more to a Leine's Fireside Nut than a real smoky porter. I don't hate it, but don't expect to drink more than one or two.
Just picked up a holiday variety pack (6 types, two of each) from Atwater. Agree the porter was perhaps a little lighter than, say, Breckenridge Porter, but it was still drinkable. I also tried the double Bock and found it a little less intense than expected. Still tasty, though. Still 4 more to try. The cherry stout intrigues me.
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Light on flavor or light on calories?
Light on calories. I know Guinness is fairly light but my wife won't drink it. What else is there that's good flavor, with not a lot of calories?
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Light on calories. I know Guinness is fairly light but my wife won't drink it. What else is there that's good flavor, with not a lot of calories?
Goose Island 312 is only 135 calories.
I took that from this article: http://thebeersessions.com/recommendations/a-lighter-option-five-great-tasting-low-calorie-beers/ (http://thebeersessions.com/recommendations/a-lighter-option-five-great-tasting-low-calorie-beers/)
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Goose Island 312 is only 135 calories.
I took that from this article: http://thebeersessions.com/recommendations/a-lighter-option-five-great-tasting-low-calorie-beers/ (http://thebeersessions.com/recommendations/a-lighter-option-five-great-tasting-low-calorie-beers/)
Thanks for the article. I like 312, just didn't know it was relatively low in calories. I'll have to hunt down the Anchor Summer beer.
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Thanks for the article. I like 312, just didn't know it was relatively low in calories. I'll have to hunt down the Anchor Summer beer.
I love Anchor, but I've had all those beers and personally would go with the Scrimshaw. If your wife is looking for a 'traditional beer' in the sense of something familiar, it's the choice of the list and should be found at most well stocked liquor stores. I can get a great selection of North Coast here in Chicago.
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Light on calories. I know Guinness is fairly light but my wife won't drink it. What else is there that's good flavor, with not a lot of calories?
Sam Adams Light clocks in around 124 calories
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Sam Adams Light clocks in around 124 calories
(http://dontwannahearit.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/532641646_22a686a6cd.jpg)
SO MANY F*CKIN' HAWPS!!!!
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Delerium Noel..... YUM!
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Delerium Noel..... YUM!
On this note, has anyone had De Struise Tsjeeses or Tsjeeses Reserva?
Both are excellent as is the Kerkom Winterkoniske.
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Went to great beer bar in NYC, Valhalla on 54th and 9th. Awesome selection, settled in with a few Southern Tier Old Man Winter, and Smuttynose IPA on cask.
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Santa Claus is apparently a brewer in my family. Nice German selection including Paulaner Salvatore Dopplebock and Spaten Optimator. Craft beers include 3 Floyds Dreadnaught and a Dark Lord, Central Waters 2011 Barleywine (been trying to get a four pack of their barleywines for a few years now, they age them for a year before bottling), and a couple bottles of Goose Island Bourbon Stout.
Happy beer fiend right here.
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Just bottled one of my dark ales yesterday... let the waiting game begin...
Hopefully the 5 gallon keg I got for xmas from the wife shows up soon. :(
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I've thought of trying some home brewing. How difficult is it? $$$$? Ingredients vs. Flavor?
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I've thought of trying some home brewing. How difficult is it? $$$$? Ingredients vs. Flavor?
I think my start up kit cost about $100 (2 5 gallon pails, one with a spigot, caps, capper, tubing, bottling wand, one way valve, and siphon attachment). If you get a beer kit they run about $50 give or take. They will include malt, hops, priming sugar, and your grains... plus anything else you may need to create your brew (usually they provide additional bottle caps)
Personally, I am using 16oz EZCAP bottles... then I don't have to save bottles, and I don't have to cap all the beer. For Xmas I have coming a 5 gallon keg.
Brewing is extremely easy. If you are new I suggest starting with a dark beer and following the directions EXACTLY. The beer should taste pretty good (mine have :brag:) and if something went wrong you will probably be able to figure out what the problem was.
If you really aren't sure you want to do 5 gallons, and want to 'test' out the idea, you can get a Mr. Beer kit (http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Beer-Deluxe-Microbrewery-System/dp/B00005O68L/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1325103749&sr=8-2) for under $30.
I highly recommend it... lots of fun, plus you get better at it and you can pretend that someday you will open up a brewery of your own... oh, maybe that's just me.
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I think my start up kit cost about $100 (2 5 gallon pails, one with a spigot, caps, capper, tubing, bottling wand, one way valve, and siphon attachment). If you get a beer kit they run about $50 give or take. They will include malt, hops, priming sugar, and your grains... plus anything else you may need to create your brew (usually they provide additional bottle caps)
Personally, I am using 16oz EZCAP bottles... then I don't have to save bottles, and I don't have to cap all the beer. For Xmas I have coming a 5 gallon keg.
Brewing is extremely easy. If you are new I suggest starting with a dark beer and following the directions EXACTLY. The beer should taste pretty good (mine have :brag:) and if something went wrong you will probably be able to figure out what the problem was.
If you really aren't sure you want to do 5 gallons, and want to 'test' out the idea, you can get a Mr. Beer kit (http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Beer-Deluxe-Microbrewery-System/dp/B00005O68L/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1325103749&sr=8-2) for under $30.
I highly recommend it... lots of fun, plus you get better at it and you can pretend that someday you will open up a brewery of your own... oh, maybe that's just me.
Thanks!
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Just got a brewers starting kit for Xmas, going to do it tonight for the first time. Also we bought Three Philosophers, Smuttynose Old Brown Dog Ale, Three Floyds Black Sun Stout and Duvel Golden Ale while we brew. ;D
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I've been drinking the Lagunitas Cappuccino stout lately. I think its great. I like Lagunitas beers generally. However, I have heard them described as 'obvious' and 'over-the-top.' I feel like I'm drinking Shocktop or Horny Goat. Is Lagunitas that bad? Where would people put it on a scale of beers they drink? I just feel like I have horrible taste or I'm missing something. If the former, that's fine. The latter, I would prefer not.
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I've been drinking the Lagunitas Cappuccino stout lately. I think its great. I like Lagunitas beers generally. However, I have heard them described as 'obvious' and 'over-the-top.' I feel like I'm drinking Shocktop or Horny Goat. Is Lagunitas that bad? Where would people put it on a scale of beers they drink? I just feel like I have horrible taste or I'm missing something. If the former, that's fine. The latter, I would prefer not.
They make good stuff. I think they are a very solid brewery.
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Would have to say the ommegang three philosophers has a very pronounced alcohol taste and was a dissapointment yet the smuttynose old brown dog ale was very good.
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I had a Dogfather bourbon barrel Russian Imperial stout, very noticeable chocolate malt flavor along with the bourbon taste, really enjoyed it but a bit pricy IMO ($11/22 oz. bomber)
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Pretty cool event for Milwaukee people: http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/entertainment/137219003.html (http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/entertainment/137219003.html)
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Pretty cool event for Milwaukee people: http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/entertainment/137219003.html (http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/entertainment/137219003.html)
Also it was put together by a Marquette alum.
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Just came back from an event called the Brew Ha Ha, combining a gathering of microbrewers with stand up comedians. New favorite beer...Mt Pleasant Brewing Company's Crazy Train. A dark India Pale Ale. Nectar.
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Was traveling for work and got to try a collaboration beer from Stone, The Alchemist, and Ninkasi called "More Brown than Black". It's a Black IPA. Solid, and just interesting to drink.
Also, finally got to enjoy Hopslam last night. Restaurant I went to had it on draft. It lives up to the hype.
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FYI for those looking for it, Goose Island Bourbon County Coffee Stout started shipping earlier this week. Should be hitting retailers late this week or early next week.
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FYI for those looking for it, Goose Island Bourbon County Coffee Stout started shipping earlier this week. Should be hitting retailers late this week or early next week.
Spammer. ;)
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Spammer. ;)
Shut it....anyway, the first cases hit the stores in Chicago today and most sold out of the allotment in under 2 hours. And this years tastes freaking amazing.
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I picked up some New Glarus Barleywine Friday, not everyone likes barleywines but I enjoy them and this one I really like, gonna grab a case and cellar half of it for a few years
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Heading to Three Floyds later in February for the tour and lunch at the pub. Any experiences? Also hitting up Round Barn, and possibly Bell's, and finishing up at Four Winds Casino for a little bachelor party day-o-fun.
For anyone near by, any place we are missing, any suggestions, places we should go to, or skip?
Thanks!
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If you are going to Bell's, swing an hour north to Grand Rapids and check out Founder's, as well as Brewery Vivant, and bars called Hopcat and Graydon's Crossing. And call me.
Or, go another 20 minutes east to Battle Creek and hit Arcadia. Not as great as Bell's, but pretty good.
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If anybody lives in the area and is thirsty for some good beer brewed in St. Paul......
Summit Brewing Company
Wisconsin fans: Join us this Thursday, February 23 at Sentry Liquor in Wauwatosa, WI for some delicious Summit samples from 4-6pm!
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Speaking of MSP, at Ike's enjoying a Surly Bender.....solid
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Speaking of MSP, at Ike's enjoying a Surly Bender.....solid
Surly ranked as 11th best brewery in the world....some pretty good company as rated by http://www.ratebeer.com/RateBeerBest/bestbrewers_012012.asp
1 Three Floyds Brewing Company Munster Indiana USA
2 Founders Brewing Company Grand Rapids Michigan USA
3 Bells Brewery Kalamazoo Michigan USA
4 AleSmith Brewing Company San Diego California USA
5 Cigar City Brewing Tampa Florida USA
6 Hill Farmstead Brewery Greensboro Vermont USA
7 Stone Brewing Co. Escondido California USA
8 Russian River Brewing Santa Rosa California USA
9 De Struise Brouwers Oostvleteren - Belgium
10 Kuhnhenn Brewing Warren Michigan USA
11 Surly Brewing Company Brooklyn Center Minnesota USA
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Surly ranked as 11th best brewery in the world....some pretty good company as rated by http://www.ratebeer.com/RateBeerBest/bestbrewers_012012.asp
1 Three Floyds Brewing Company Munster Indiana USA
2 Founders Brewing Company Grand Rapids Michigan USA
3 Bells Brewery Kalamazoo Michigan USA
4 AleSmith Brewing Company San Diego California USA
5 Cigar City Brewing Tampa Florida USA
6 Hill Farmstead Brewery Greensboro Vermont USA
7 Stone Brewing Co. Escondido California USA
8 Russian River Brewing Santa Rosa California USA
9 De Struise Brouwers Oostvleteren - Belgium
10 Kuhnhenn Brewing Warren Michigan USA
11 Surly Brewing Company Brooklyn Center Minnesota USA
Some of those rankings in link are flat out clownish.
But that's the beauty of a beauty beautifying contest. It's all about beauty for the ones who like certain beauty.
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Barley wine Fest is on at the Sugar Maple, I counted 12 on the list last night
I tried the Moylans Blarney Wine and the New Glarus, the Moylans was good but the NG is very good
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Barley wine Fest is on at the Sugar Maple, I counted 12 on the list last night
I tried the Moylans Blarney Wine and the New Glarus, the Moylans was good but the NG is very good
Speaking of Fest's...anyone going to Stoutfest in Chicago next Saturday?
At BW Fest was Central Waters present? What they did this year (well last year brewing) is pretty spectacular, probably my 2nd favorite after King Henry.
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Barley wine Fest is on at the Sugar Maple, I counted 12 on the list last night
I tried the Moylans Blarney Wine and the New Glarus, the Moylans was good but the NG is very good
I'm a huge Barley Wine nerd, and it's tough to find good selections as a lot of breweries don't brew them every year or they only sell a limited amount. Will be up in MKE this week, gonna have to find time to get down to Sugar Maple for a couple samples. What's the name of the NG barley wine?
I've had a chance to get Central Waters 2010 and 2011, both were pretty fantastic. Southern Tier Back Burner continues to be my favorite but I haven't seen it at all this year.
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I'm a huge Barley Wine nerd, and it's tough to find good selections as a lot of breweries don't brew them every year or they only sell a limited amount. Will be up in MKE this week, gonna have to find time to get down to Sugar Maple for a couple samples. What's the name of the NG barley wine?
I've had a chance to get Central Waters 2010 and 2011, both were pretty fantastic. Southern Tier Back Burner continues to be my favorite but I haven't seen it at all this year.
Have you tried the Barrel Aged CW BW? It's pretty tits.
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Have you tried the Barrel Aged CW BW? It's pretty tits.
Yeah, I was in Milwaukee and made my pilgrimage to Discount Liquors (which I do every time I go up because it's better than most anything here in Chicago) and they were selling single bottles. Bought the two they allowed. Positively delicious.
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What's the name of the NG barley wine?
No name, it's their latest Thumbprint formerly Unplugged" series - just Barley wine
Our 2012 Barley Wine bridges continents of style, a harmonious creation of Diploma Master Brewer Daniel Carey. He personally chose the hop fields that were harvested for this powerful beast of a brew. Styrian Golding, Willamette, Columbia, and Sterling with bold citrus and resin notes. All perfectly balanced with toasty graham cracker flavors of floor malted barley. Savor this very big beer at 45° F and it will reward you with an open embrace.
http://www.newglarusbrewing.com/index.cfm/beers/ourbeers/beer/barley-wine
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No name, it's their latest Thumbprint formerly Unplugged" series - just Barley wine
Thanks. Will look for it.
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Yeah, I was in Milwaukee and made my pilgrimage to Discount Liquors (which I do every time I go up because it's better than most anything here in Chicago) and they were selling single bottles. Bought the two they allowed. Positively delicious.
When I go up to Milwaukee I also stop by at DicLiq but only to get New Glarus and Alaskan Brewing Co. beers, stuff I can't get in Chicago. Where in Chicago do you buy beer? There are plenty of places.
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When I go up to Milwaukee I also stop by at DicLiq but only to get New Glarus and Alaskan Brewing Co. beers, stuff I can't get in Chicago. Where in Chicago do you buy beer? There are plenty of places.
Typically Binny's. I'm up in the North shore area. It's not that Binny's doesn't have a good selection, I just find that Discount has better selection on the harder to find beers (i.e. last time up I was able to get this year's Hopslam and the CW Barrel Aged Barleywine). They tend to have a better handle on their selection as well as what's coming up that's exciting. Binny's always seems to have less of a feel on what brewery's are up to unless their specific beer guy is in the store.
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I shouldn't post this because it will make the supply that much harder to find but Founders KBS is on it's way to stores now. A friend of mine hit KBS day at Founders on Saturday and for the 1st time in 5 years he was too late to get in the case line even though he showed up at the same time as before.
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I shouldn't post this because it will make the supply that much harder to find but Founders KBS is on it's way to stores now. A friend of mine hit KBS day at Founders on Saturday and for the 1st time in 5 years he was too late to get in the case line even though he showed up at the same time as before.
Great reminder. Thanks.
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When I go up to Milwaukee I also stop by at DicLiq but only to get New Glarus and Alaskan Brewing Co. beers, stuff I can't get in Chicago. Where in Chicago do you buy beer? There are plenty of places.
I would go to Woodman's in Oak Creek now instead of Discount. Same if not better selection plus better prices.
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I would go to Woodman's in Oak Creek now instead of Discount. Same if not better selection plus better prices.
With you on the prices, I used to live just down the street from that Woodman's. But there's nobody to talk beer with, and I personally like trying out new beers based on someone's knowledgeable recommendation. I'd also disagree with the better selection. May be on par for your typical craft beers and carrying most good breweries, but the limited release seasonals (i.e. CW barleywine, KBS, hopslam) won't typically be found there.
Edit: Woodman's is a great place to buy beer and worth a trip for those who might have taken my comments as an indictment of their selection.
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I shouldn't post this because it will make the supply that much harder to find but Founders KBS is on it's way to stores now. A friend of mine hit KBS day at Founders on Saturday and for the 1st time in 5 years he was too late to get in the case line even though he showed up at the same time as before.
Thanks. I doubt I will decrease your chances as I will be trying to secure some in Southeast Georgia.
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With you on the prices, I used to live just down the street from that Woodman's. But there's nobody to talk beer with, and I personally like trying out new beers based on someone's knowledgeable recommendation. I'd also disagree with the better selection. May be on par for your typical craft beers and carrying most good breweries, but the limited release seasonals (i.e. CW barleywine, KBS, hopslam) won't typically be found there.
Edit: Woodman's is a great place to buy beer and worth a trip for those who might have taken my comments as an indictment of their selection.
Woodman's gets the rare beers and I don't consider CWBW or Hopslam rare - I mean they both were heavily distributed. Woodman's GIBCS 2 years ago. When going to Discount, be VERY careful with ages. Also, you could go to Groppi's in Bay View. The buyers there (in conjunction with Downer Ave) do an AWESOME job of getting things plus they have 2 beers on tap. One of the first in the state to get Zombie Dust on tap last year. And CW Barleywine is easy as sin to get. They still have a ton at Binny's LP on Clybourn. And the Barrelaged BW too.
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Anyone tried Pipeworks Brewery's Ninja vs. Unicorn. They just started bottling as are many of the Chicago area breweries in the near future.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/food/stew/chi-pipeworks-brewing-pipeworks-brewing-launches-20120309,0,5985130.story (http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/food/stew/chi-pipeworks-brewing-pipeworks-brewing-launches-20120309,0,5985130.story)
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Anyone tried Pipeworks Brewery's Ninja vs. Unicorn. They just started bottling as are many of the Chicago area breweries in the near future.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/food/stew/chi-pipeworks-brewing-pipeworks-brewing-launches-20120309,0,5985130.story (http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/food/stew/chi-pipeworks-brewing-pipeworks-brewing-launches-20120309,0,5985130.story)
It's a solid dipa....
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http://www.durtynellies.com/viewshow.asp?id=399
Saturday May 5
BEER FEST
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Tickets go on sale March 18th. The event will be held on Saturday, May 5th. More details to come! Tickets will go fast, make sure you pick em' up!
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well since it looks like I'm gonna be shutout of any KBS this year I pulled out some 2009 vintage Founders Nemesis to share with my brother during the game against Murray St.
I had tried a bottle of this back when I bought it in '09 and I couldn't stand the dominant maple flavor so I hoped aging would improve it, WOW! what adifference a couple of years made. there was barely a hint of maple, instead there was a subtle chocolate with just a suggestion of mint among a very well balanced taste.
now, how long should I hold onto the 2010 Nemesis :hmmm:
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Sierra Nevada is releasing there Hoptimum again this Spring, anyone ever had it? Generally like a lot of SN, even if it is a larger scale micro beer. The SN Celebration Ale is one of my go to's around the X-Mas holiday.
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Sierra Nevada is releasing there Hoptimum again this Spring, anyone ever had it? Generally like a lot of SN, even if it is a larger scale micro beer. The SN Celebration Ale is one of my go to's around the X-Mas holiday.
It's a solid beer. I enjoy it. Tho I am currently drinking a Zombie Dust after a night of Goose Island Bramble and Marisol and Black Xanus.
As for the larger scale craft brewery - that's a crap thing. If the beer is good, drink it. If it sucks, don't drink it. Full disclosure I work for Goose Island and this ticks me off. I won't into here but the beer we make kicks ass (for the most part - hell, I know we are not even immune certain things but our Belgian Style and Bourbon / Aged beers are world unnatural carnal knowledgeing class) but there are other small breweries people keep going to which don't turn out nearly as good of beer as Goose, Sierra, Deschutes, Bell's, etc. End Rant.
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It's a solid beer. I enjoy it. Tho I am currently drinking a Zombie Dust after a night of Goose Island Bramble and Marisol and Black Xanus.
As for the larger scale craft brewery - that's a crap thing. If the beer is good, drink it. If it sucks, don't drink it. Full disclosure I work for Goose Island and this ticks me off. I won't into here but the beer we make kicks ass (for the most part - hell, I know we are not even immune certain things but our Belgian Style and Bourbon / Aged beers are world fracking class) but there are other small breweries people keep going to which don't turn out nearly as good of beer as Goose, Sierra, Deschutes, Bell's, etc. End Rant.
Damn, any chance of hooking some fellow alums up with a bottle of bramble?
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Damn, any chance of hooking some fellow alums up with a bottle of bramble?
If I could, I would. Contrary to what many people think, we don't get any special allocations. We have to go fight with everyone else to get bottles. The only special thing we have is that we know some of the store owners who give us a heads up when they get their AB delivery, but that's it. They don't hold bottles back, it's still a free for all.
I would highly suggest looking for a trade for it, it is quite good. Not King Henry good (which is by far the best beer we have made since Rare) but still damn tasty.
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I been trying to hoard all of the remaining Central Waters Peruvian Breakfast all week, almost done, love this one, perhaps even more than KBS or Goose Island Bourbon County not to mention easier to get since not everyone knows about this one.
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Had been quite awhile since I put together some tasting notes, so here goes. And my sampling has taken a big hit since The Bomb Shelter closed.
Left Hand Fade to Black 3- Fascinating beer. Silky smooth chocolate taste, with a smokiness followed by a touch of heat from some pepper. Heat intensified as it warmed.
Dark Horse Perkulator- Not bad. Billed as a coffee dopplebock, was a little on the thin side. Coffee was there in the aroma, but not as pronounced in the flavor.
Lakefront “Dan” Baltic Porter- Love the idea behind this series, and the beer was pretty damn good, too. Hid the alcohol well, very big, robust flavor. Would like to see them brew a porter again.
New Glarus Hop Hearty- Was surprised by this. After their disappointing DIPA I half expected this to be light on hops. It wasn’t. Very solid IPA.
Flossmoor Station Rail Hopper- Not sure what the hell this one was. Hopped like an IPA with the malt of a double made it undrinkably sweet. Didn’t finish it.
Lagunitas Wilco Tango Foxtrot- Cheap for a 22 oz, which was nice. Very hoppy, not much malt there. Similar in style to Bridge Burner, but with not as much going on.
Abita Honey Rye- Big honey sweetness up front, some faint spice from the rye. Good drinkability, I’d almost like a little more bitterness to balance out the sweet, though.
Boulevard Sixth Glass- Out of this world. A big Belgian Quad at 10.5% but is still oddly drinkable. Nice malty sweetness with some spice from the yeast. Cloudy amber color, pours beautifully. I wish they’d distribute in MKE.
Boulevard Dark Truth- Big imperial stout, over 9%, but goes down almost dangerously easy. Perfect stout flavor, with some fruit and creaminess. Outstanding.
New Glarus Road Slush- Decent. Smooth, but lacked the body I expected for an oatmeal stout.
Dark Horse Tres Blueberry Stout- Didn’t know what to expect when I opened it. Heavy fruit aroma, but it was pretty well balanced. Another interesting one to try.
Dark Horse Too Cream Stout- Phenomenal. Like it better than Bell’s Double Cream, and that’s saying something. Hides the 8% exceptionally well.
Founders Imperial Stout- Exactly what you’d want in an imperial stout. Big, complex, brilliant. Expected nothing less from Founders, though.
Lake Louie Milk Stout- Very nice balance, not too sweet, not too roasty. Gives Left Hand a run for it’s money. Would love to try this on nitro.
Milw. Brewing Polish Moon- Not bad, but nothing I’d write home about. Would be a decent entry point for the style, but there are better milk stouts out there.
Southern Tier Old Man Winter- Not a big “winter warmer” guy but I liked this one. Lot of body and nice hoppiness. Enough alcohol to warm you up a bit with out tasting like pie seasoning.
Great Lakes Christmas- Good, for the style. A nice dessert beer more than anything. Lots of caramel/cinnamon/nutmeg taste to it. Not sure I could drink more than one or two, though.
New Belgium Snow Day- Mediocre. Tasted like a little darker version of Fat Tire. Nothing remarkable about it.
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Had been quite awhile since I put together some tasting notes, so here goes. And my sampling has taken a big hit since The Bomb Shelter closed.
Firstly, your notes are impressive and well appreciated.
Secondly, when did the above happen? Was there just about a month ago. Great spot.
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Firstly, your notes are impressive and well appreciated.
Secondly, when did the above happen? Was there just about a month ago. Great spot.
The owner passed away in March, had a heart attack before opening the bar one day. He had a heart condition, only 46 years old. Very sad.
I drove by there the other day, and the sign on the door says it's closed until further notice. I hope they can find a buyer, that place is on my short list of favorite bars in Milwaukee.
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The owner passed away in March, had a heart attack before opening the bar one day. He had a heart condition, only 46 years old. Very sad.
I drove by there the other day, and the sign on the door says it's closed until further notice. I hope they can find a buyer, that place is on my short list of favorite bars in Milwaukee.
That's terrible to hear. Must have been just after I was there. Was in town for Georgetown game and stopped by after hearing so much about it. Walking out the door I was already looking forward to my return visit.
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If anyone is traveling from Chicago to Milwaukee for games (or on their way back)... http://www.mikelikesbeer.com/UMhwy.htm (http://www.mikelikesbeer.com/UMhwy.htm) is a great place that almost always has on solid micros, seasonal brews, and your status quo Wisconsin fare. The food is pretty stellar as well.
Some good friends of mine own the three of them, Uncle Mike's down by the lake has made to order burgers that are un-friggin-believable.
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If anyone is traveling from Chicago to Milwaukee for games (or on their way back)... http://www.mikelikesbeer.com/UMhwy.htm (http://www.mikelikesbeer.com/UMhwy.htm) is a great place that almost always has on solid micros, seasonal brews, and your status quo Wisconsin fare. The food is pretty stellar as well.
Some good friends of mine own the three of them, Uncle Mike's down by the lake has made to order burgers that are un-friggin-believable.
that'b Captain Mikes down by the lake, just in there last weekend - try the bacon wrapped shrimp appetizer, friggin' incredible for only $6
there are deals on restaurant.com all the time for all three locations
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I enjoyed the new Session IPA from Founders (All Day IPA). Really enjoyable beer... perfect for a post lawn-mowing refreshment.
Learned about it from Steve Dolinsky, who has a regular "Beer of the Week" feature presented by the owner of Hopleaf. There's also a nod to Two Brothers Domaine DuPage, which has been my favorite beer to pair with food for years.
http://stevedolinsky.com/?cat=50
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I love Founders Brewery. Their Porter is one of my all time favorite beers and is available all year.
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I love Founders Brewery. Their Porter is one of my all time favorite beers and is available all year.
Loved their "Old Curmudgeon" a little too much this weekend.
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Best Beer Region outside of Germany? The Pacific Northwest. No debate.
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Best Beer Region outside of Germany? The Pacific Northwest. No debate.
I know some Belgian Monks that might take issue with that proposition.
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I know some Belgian Monks that might take issue with that proposition.
Or Czech burghers. I like a Belgo style Abbey beers as much as the next guy but the beers in Oregon and Washington are stupendous.
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Or Czech burghers. I like a Belgo style Abbey beers as much as the next guy but the beers in Oregon and Washington are stupendous.
Abbey is just a small part....sours, lambic, pales, saison, farmhouse, single, dubble, triple, quad, strong ales, blondes.....Belgian produces the greatest variety and styles with the most complex flavors.....until someone out west starts messing with Brettanomyces or using lactic acid bacteria this discussion isn't really fair.
The PNW makes wonderful and some of the best APA and American IPA's in the world, but they are a lot like Novak...they only do that one thing world class.....
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Best Beer Region outside of Germany? The Pacific Northwest. No debate.
Opinions are like pretty boys.......
I'll take the centuries of perfecting a craft over the comparatively flash in a pan.
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.....until someone out west starts messing with Brettanomyces or using lactic acid bacteria this discussion isn't really fair.
Think about what you're saying. People in the PNW take to fads like flies to a horse's pretty boy... cut off the APA/IPA faucet and start importing aged nobles... my God, there would be a civil war in the PNW between the hop growers and brewers if someone started messing with sours out there.
EDIT --- Hmmm.... maybe I'm on to something. Perhaps I'll go home tonight and see what happens when I mix lambic with Soviet stout (a hyper-hopped imperial). Hopefully, I'll live to tell.
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Dark Horse Too Cream Stout- Phenomenal. Like it better than Bell’s Double Cream, and that’s saying something. Hides the 8% exceptionally well.
Tried on your recommendation - very good but like Bells Double Cream better....
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I know some Belgian Monks that might take issue with that proposition.
Westmalle Trappist Dubbel any day for me. mmmmmm
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Dark Horse Too Cream Stout- Phenomenal. Like it better than Bell’s Double Cream, and that’s saying something. Hides the 8% exceptionally well.
Tried on your recommendation - very good but like Bells Double Cream better....
So which is it
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MUfan12 say "Like it better than Bell’s Double Cream"
I say "very good but like Bells Double Cream better...."
So which is it
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Have been able to try three new things lately......
Six Point Bengali Tiger - IPA, 16oz can poured into a shaker pint....pretty good, but a typical hopped up IPA. It's not as good Two Hearted but it was a pretty good beer.
Six Point Resin - American Imperial / Double IPA, 16oz can poured into a tulip....it's a good beer, but again not great. Nice bitterness but still floral. It's a thick beer - which I really enjoyed. The taste does linger a bit, but I am a fan of that.
Not beer, but still really worth trying...
Virtue Cider's RedStreak - English Style Cider, draft, shaker pint - I finally saw this on draft and wanted to try this as I have only been able to have some samples in the office in the past. It's easily one of the top ciders I have ever tried. It's not sweet at all like Crispin or 99% of the others out on the market, but rather very dry and almost champagne like. It's extremely refreshing and clean. It's worth a try or at least ask for a taste if you see it.
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I stopped in Three Cellars in Franklin for the 1st time, neat set-up but wtf? their website states 'over 500 beers' - where? No way they offer even close to 500 beers as far as I could tell but they do have a great selection of midwest micros and the ability to buy single bottles is a plus
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MUfan12 say "Like it better than Bell’s Double Cream"
I say "very good but like Bells Double Cream better...."
Oh I see, first sentence was supposed to be quoted. Gotcha.
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Have been able to try three new things lately......
Six Point Bengali Tiger - IPA, 16oz can poured into a shaker pint....pretty good, but a typical hopped up IPA. It's not as good Two Hearted but it was a pretty good beer.
Six Point Resin - American Imperial / Double IPA, 16oz can poured into a tulip....it's a good beer, but again not great. Nice bitterness but still floral. It's a thick beer - which I really enjoyed. The taste does linger a bit, but I am a fan of that.
Not beer, but still really worth trying...
Virtue Cider's RedStreak - English Style Cider, draft, shaker pint - I finally saw this on draft and wanted to try this as I have only been able to have some samples in the office in the past. It's easily one of the top ciders I have ever tried. It's not sweet at all like Crispin or 99% of the others out on the market, but rather very dry and almost champagne like. It's extremely refreshing and clean. It's worth a try or at least ask for a taste if you see it.
Along the lines of 'not beer', I highly recommend "Zombie Killer" if you can find it.
http://www.bnektar.com/
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My summer list was recently released:
http://www.worldbeercup.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/WBC12-Winners-List1.pdf
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My summer list was recently released:
http://www.worldbeercup.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/WBC12-Winners-List1.pdf
Michelob Ultra???
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My summer list was recently released:
http://www.worldbeercup.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/WBC12-Winners-List1.pdf
Same. I was amazed at the amount of breweries that won that I have not heard of compared to years past. I believe they said entrants for this year's WBC were up about 20% from last year.
Revolution Brewery in Chicago has some amazing food, bacon covered popcorn..mmmmm.
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Does it make me a bitch if I like Summer Shandy? Also, anyone make their own shandy, rather than buying it?
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Does it make me a bitch if I like Summer Shandy? Also, anyone make their own shandy, rather than buying it?
It makes you a bitch, yes. :)
But everyone likes what they like.
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Category 44: American-Style Premium Lager or Specialty Lager, 37 Entries
Gold: Steel Reserve, Miller Brewing Co., Golden, CO
Silver: Evans Original, Cervecería Mexicana, Corona, CA
I refuse to recognize any beer governing body as legitimate if they award a gold medal, in any category, to Steel Reserve.
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Category 44: American-Style Premium Lager or Specialty Lager, 37 Entries
Gold: Steel Reserve, Miller Brewing Co., Golden, CO
Silver: Evans Original, Cervecería Mexicana, Corona, CA
I refuse to recognize any beer governing body as legitimate if they award a gold medal, in any category, to Steel Reserve.
They should at least change the category name to "Best way to get drunk cheap if you're in college or homeless".
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Does it make me a bitch if I like Summer Shandy? Also, anyone make their own shandy, rather than buying it?
Oh man that stuff is awful. Leiny's makes some good beer (Big Eddy), but that is not one of them.
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Had some Furthermore Knot Stock yesterday. It opened up ok, but nothing REALLY exciting. Some pepper hints, the rest was kinda nondescript.
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Had some Furthermore Knot Stock yesterday. It opened up ok, but nothing REALLY exciting. Some pepper hints, the rest was kinda nondescript.
I do knot like that beer. It is right up there with juniper and smoke infused beers with ones that I hate.
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It is right up there with juniper and smoke infused beers with ones that I hate.
+1, I don't want to drink a campfire when I have a beer
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Speaking of Furthermore, how's the Makeweight?
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I stopped in Three Cellars in Franklin for the 1st time, neat set-up but wtf? their website states 'over 500 beers' - where? No way they offer even close to 500 beers as far as I could tell but they do have a great selection of midwest micros and the ability to buy single bottles is a plus
They just recently cut out a lot of their imports-probably about 90% of them. They kept the ones that actually sold. They're still expanding their regional/national selection in order to fill the spaces the imports left behind.
I'm actually going there today, they've got Vintage Jinja Ninja and Saison DuPont on tap. They also have that Nebraska IPA (I think it was call Romancing the Cone) on tap-it is REEEALLY delicious.
If anyone is in the Wind Lake direction, definitely check out B&B Beverage. Very good selection (Probably Groppi-size) and the owner, Ahman, is really knowledgeable.
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Speaking of Furthermore, how's the Makeweight?
I like it. Very complex. Blend of American, British and Belgian IPA's. Has some good funk to it which I like. Kind of barnyardy but still has some smooth hops bitterness.
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http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/your_money/business_news/bells-brewery-opens-new-brewhouse
For all of you Bell's fans out there......
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Can Beer Save America?
Interesting read:
http://www.salon.com/2012/05/07/can_beer_save_america/singleton/
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Have been able to try three new things lately......
Six Point Bengali Tiger - IPA, 16oz can poured into a shaker pint....pretty good, but a typical hopped up IPA. It's not as good Two Hearted but it was a pretty good beer.
Six Point Resin - American Imperial / Double IPA, 16oz can poured into a tulip....it's a good beer, but again not great. Nice bitterness but still floral. It's a thick beer - which I really enjoyed. The taste does linger a bit, but I am a fan of that.
Not beer, but still really worth trying...
Virtue Cider's RedStreak - English Style Cider, draft, shaker pint - I finally saw this on draft and wanted to try this as I have only been able to have some samples in the office in the past. It's easily one of the top ciders I have ever tried. It's not sweet at all like Crispin or 99% of the others out on the market, but rather very dry and almost champagne like. It's extremely refreshing and clean. It's worth a try or at least ask for a taste if you see it.
Has anyone else tried RedStreak? I had it at the Hideout and was really impressed. Really hard to describe, neither a beer nor a wine but really good. A little dry and smelled like real apples with a little Autumn thrown in. I would be interested in hearing what others think.
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Has anyone had their hands on Lakefront's Wisconsinite yet?
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Has anyone had their hands on Lakefront's Wisconsinite yet?
Yes. I picked up a six pack this weekend. I'd say it is pretty similar to Hacker Pschorr but a little sweeter. Adding a lemon makes it quite a bit more bitter. As usual, it's a solid beer from Lakefront but nothing earth shattering.
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Any takes on more craft brewers using cans? I liken the switch, easier to carry, I own a bunch of can coozies...so yeah, pro can.
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I'm all for the can esp. since I pour it into a glass anyway.
Off the top of my head, now Sierra Nevada, Oskar blues and Milwaukee Brewing are canning besides some UK beers that have been for a while.
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The last time I had a microbrew out of a can it tasted like the can.
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The last time I had a microbrew out of a can it tasted like the can.
+1
I bought some Island Wheat once for a Metra ride into Chicago. Here I was trying to be cool with a micro in a can and everyone agreed it tasted like ass.
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You don't actually taste the can because the cans are lined but when it's up by your nose you smell the aluminum and that fools your senses into tasting it
if you pour the can contents into a glass you won't 'taste' the can
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You don't actually taste the can because the cans are lined but when it's up by your nose you smell the aluminum and that fools your senses into tasting it
if you pour the can contents into a glass you won't 'taste' the can
right, and that is what they intend for you to do... same with bottles.
pour into a glass.
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right, and that is what they intend for you to do... same with bottles.
pour into a glass.
Well that doesn't really work on a train ride now does it?
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Well that doesn't really work on a train ride now does it?
sure, one of the drinky thermos things people put coffee in would work just fine!
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I'm all for the can esp. since I pour it into a glass anyway.
Off the top of my head, now Sierra Nevada, Oskar blues and Milwaukee Brewing are canning besides some UK beers that have been for a while.
I'm a big fan of Oskar Blues. Their Old Chub is my favorite Scotch Ale out there.
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Other breweries that are doing cans include: New Belgium (Shift is solid), Sulry (Furious and Coffee Bender are both tastey), Half Acre, Goose, Six Point (I just had The Crisp and it was by far my favorite from them so far. Better than Resin and Bengali Tiger)...Also Revolution is about to launch it's production brewery in cans as well.
The nice thing about cans is they way more stable than bottles in the completely protect from light damage. They are also nice as you can bring them to beaches and places where glass often isn't allowed.
And if you're drinking a craft beer you should always try and pour it into a glass since so much of the flavor is from the aroma.
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Surly says that they use cans to be "green". That is what the owner claims. The head brewer claims this.
Why did Surly go with cans instead of bottles for most of the lineup? I've been a fan of beer in cans forever; Omar was receptive to my idea eventually. My wife Linda contributed the 16-ounce size idea. We brew with a high percentage of finishing hops and cans do not allow any light-struck off flavors to develop.
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Surly says that they use cans to be "green".
There is a lot of debate on how green cans really are. Yes, they cost much less to ship than bottles and therefore use less fuel but the mining process to extract aluminum has a huge impact on the environment. The only true green beers are draft only and sold locally only. Otherwise, it's really a horse a piece.
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the guys at Milwaukee Brewing also stress green and mentioned the percentage of cans that end up being recycled vs. glass bottles
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Chicago Craft Beer Week starts today, anyone heading out to any events?
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Does it make me a bitch if I like Summer Shandy? Also, anyone make their own shandy, rather than buying it?
I like the Leiney's Summer Shandy and Farson's Shandy (a brewer from the island of Malta).
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Other breweries that are doing cans include: New Belgium (Shift is solid), Sulry (Furious and Coffee Bender are both tastey), Half Acre, Goose, Six Point (I just had The Crisp and it was by far my favorite from them so far. Better than Resin and Bengali Tiger)...Also Revolution is about to launch it's production brewery in cans as well.
The nice thing about cans is they way more stable than bottles in the completely protect from light damage. They are also nice as you can bring them to beaches and places where glass often isn't allowed.
And if you're drinking a craft beer you should always try and pour it into a glass since so much of the flavor is from the aroma.
There's a microbrewery out here called the New England Brewery and they've used cans for awhile because they said it's less expensive to can beer than bottle it and it allows them to be more competitive price-wise. FWIW
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A shot in the dark but does anyone have good information on what will become of the Bomb Shelter?
I wonder how that would be handled whether they try and keep it in the family; look for new owner; or even look to sell off stock to us nerds.
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A shot in the dark but does anyone have good information on what will become of the Bomb Shelter?
I wonder how that would be handled whether they try and keep it in the family; look for new owner; or even look to sell off stock to us nerds.
They cleaned out the place, which will become another bar I guess. The landlord has been awful to deal with during this process, including trying to steal and sell off some of the memorabilia in there after the owner died.
At this point, I have heard the former manager and a few other people are looking for a new location. Nothing imminent, though.
Gotta say, it was sad driving by there last week and seeing the place boarded up, and the signs no longer there.
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They cleaned out the place, which will become another bar I guess. The landlord has been awful to deal with during this process, including trying to steal and sell off some of the memorabilia in there after the owner died.
At this point, I have heard the former manager and a few other people are looking for a new location. Nothing imminent, though.
Gotta say, it was sad driving by there last week and seeing the place boarded up, and the signs no longer there.
Thanks, man. I kind of figured it would be a torch job whether by a new owner or the landlord.
Really, really sucks for Milwaukee to lose that place.
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This past weekend I traveled down to Indy to visit some friends and had the pleasure of trying some new beers from Sun King as well as one from Flat 12 - both local breweries.
Sun King Osirus Pale Ale - damn this is a tasty beer. clean, refreshing with just a balanced hop bitterness. really good.
Sun King Wee Mac Brown Ale - a good beer, body a bit thin but I liked it.
Flat 12 Half Cycle IPA - meh, didn't care for this. tasted like home brew ipa, and not a good one.
Then on Monday I got to try Black Mission, the 3rd beer in our Goose Island Fulton and Wood innovation beers. It's an Abby Style Ale, close to a triple, that is brewed with Vienna Malts and then secondarily fermented with Black Mission figs as well as having lactose sugar added to boost the abv and add creaminess. It comes in at 8% and is great. A nice, easy fruit sweetness on the front that doesn't linger but finishes really dry due to the traditional lager malts. http://youtu.be/KMsgSuMoBZ0 (http://youtu.be/KMsgSuMoBZ0)
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Thanks, man. I kind of figured it would be a torch job whether by a new owner or the landlord.
Really, really sucks for Milwaukee to lose that place.
I recently read somewhere (I think a Beer Advocate thread) that the former bar manager and another partner have secured a place near Stubby's by Lakefront Brewery.
It'd be nice if it was kept on the southside, but beggars (me) can't be choosers.
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Checked out the new O'So brewhouse in Plover a few weekends ago. Very cool - all of the O'So brews on tap (many on nitro) and many, many other Wisconsin-originated micro-brews and specialty beers all on tap...
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OK. Summer brews... I'm an Oberon fan, and I actually like the Lakefront Wheat Monkey. I believe we had this going last summer as well, but there is always a chance for a new brew, or changes to an old brew.
Fade to Black by Lefthand is again amazing.... on tap at Uncle Mike's on Highway 94 in Kenosha.
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OK. Summer brews... I'm an Oberon fan, and I actually like the Lakefront Wheat Monkey. I believe we had this going last summer as well, but there is always a chance for a new brew, or changes to an old brew.
Fade to Black by Lefthand is again amazing.... on tap at Uncle Mike's on Highway 94 in Kenosha.
New Glarus Dancing Man is a great summer beer. It's pretty big for a wheat beer coming in over 7% ABV.
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New Glarus Dancing Man is a great summer beer. It's pretty big for a wheat beer coming in over 7% ABV.
Summer specific beers I like:
NG Dancing Man
Futhermore Fattyboomblatty
Goose Summertime
I also drink may more citrus hop beers in the summer like Gumball Head, Zombie Dust, Racer 5.....
Also this year Red Streak by Virtue Cider has been a solid choice.
For some reason I cannot get into Oberon, too sweet for my taste.
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Summer specific beers I like:
NG Dancing Man
Futhermore Fattyboomblatty
Goose Summertime
I also drink may more citrus hop beers in the summer like Gumball Head, Zombie Dust, Racer 5.....
Also this year Red Streak by Virtue Cider has been a solid choice.
I'd also toss Ale Asylum Bedlam on there, as well as Sweet Action from Sixpoint.
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Alright... gotta get some tasting notes out there.
Goose Island Marisol- Loved this complex beer. Belgian base with coriander, citrus, and almost some green tea notes. Very tasty.
Goose Island Pepe Nero- Rich, dark, and spicy. A lot going on but still kept its balance, really liked it.
Tallgrass Velvet Rooster- Sweeter than your average tripel, and more carbonated. Not bad, but was wanting more of that yeasty funk and spice to it.
Anderson Valley Boont Oude Bruijn- Sour brown ale, really not my thing.
Boulder Mojo IPA (nitro)- Very interesting, loved the balance between the hoppiness and the smoothness off the the nitro pour.
Sprecher Maibock- Good, but unremarkable. Pretty standard Maibock.
Sixpoint Sweet Action- As I mentioned before, one of my new go-to beers. It's a hopped up cream ale, very easy drinking with enough hops to keep things interesting.
Capital Hop Cream- Similar in theory to the Sweet Action, but not as good. It drinks more like a pale ale than anything else. Wouldn't throw it out of my fridge.
Sixpoint Crisp- I think Chili mentioned this one earlier, and I was a fan as well. Flavor wise, it reminded me of Carlsberg, except fresh and well made. Very nice beer.
Dark Horse Double Crooked Tree- Was able to snag a bottle, and it's remarkable. I've never had a hoppy beer with that high of an ABV have no noticeable bite. Best I've had in that style.
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Flying Dog Raging Bitch- Wasn't crazy about this one, too bitter and not enough Belgian. Ended up tasting like a weird IPA.
New Belgium Shift- Didn't know what to expect from a pale lager, but it's a really nice beer. The hops are there, but I think the lagering took a lot of their bite out. There's still some bitterness present, but the mellow hops add a nice floral note.
New Belgium Belgo- Decent Belgian style IPA. Prefer Bedlam to this one, though.
New Belgium Lychee Wild Ale- Went out on a limb and tried this one. It's tart, but had a nice sweetness from the lychee. And then out of nowhere came some cinnamon flavors, which helped round it out.
New Holland Golden Cap- Very good saison, enough spice notes to balance it out but not overwhelming. Good summer beer.
Lagunitas Censored- Great session beer, caramely aroma and a lot of malt up front, but the hops hit at the end.
Lagunitas Doppleweizen- Drank a lot like Dancing Man, but stronger. Huge wheat flavor and some warmth from the alcohol.
Lakefront Brad- Part of their "My Turn" series. Usually not a Scottish ale guy, but this one was very nice. Instead of a malt bomb, they actually hopped it up a bit.
Lakefront Wisconsinite- The story of this beer is awesome, the execution is alright. Easy enough drinking Weiss, but something was a bit off. Usually an ardent "don't fruit the beer" guy, but a lemon really helped brighten this one up.
Also... had an 15 month old bottle of 90 Minute that I aged. I know, I know, you're not supposed to age IPA's. But this beer was fantastic. The aging really transformed the beer and gave it more strength and balance.
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After scoring over a case of the 2012 Central Waters Peruvian Morning I was disapointed to read this today on their website
To Our Valued Fans:
After much scrutiny and tastings, we are announcing a voluntary recall of the 2012 batches of Peruvian Morning. The beer has begun to take on a distinct off flavor that is not our intention, and as we stand behind the quality of our beer, we are offering our customers the opportunity to exchange the product they feel is bad for something else.
We would like to clarify that this beer will not hurt you by drinking it, but the flavor profile is undesirable for the style. The nature of our barrel aging program, specifically Peruvian Morning, carries many variables, and a certain level of risk. We have implemented, and will continue to implement strategies to keep this from happening again.
We at Central Waters care very deeply about the quality of our beers, and as a small company every customer is important to us. As such, if you have Peruvian Morning that you feel has gone bad and would like an exchange, please send an email to peruvian@centralwaters.com and we will be in touch with you on a case by case basis.
Again, we apologize for the problem, it is unfortunately a nature of this business sometimes, we intend to make it right by everyone.
Thank you for your support, now and in the future.
Sincerely,
Central Waters Brewing Company
The 2011 batch was soo good, I drank one of the 2012 bottles so far and it was a bit 'off' but I hoped aging it some would help, guess it won't, waiting to see how CW replies to my email.
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Boulevard issued a very similar one for their Chocolate Ale. Wonder if there's a connection, or common ingredient at all.
http://www.boulevard.com/beers/chocolate-ale-refund-announcement/
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Boulevard issued a very similar one for their Chocolate Ale. Wonder if there's a connection, or common ingredient at all.
http://www.boulevard.com/beers/chocolate-ale-refund-announcement/
Nope, just them learning about how to properly barrel age. It's really really hard as the really good barrel aged programs know how to blend the best. So all of the programs are going to have bumps and even the top programs will have issues every once in a while.
Hopefully it is something like oxidation where they can reprop the beer into something else and not a bad infection.
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I'm going to Palm Tavern tonight in Bay View. I haven't been there in several years (although I live well within stumbling distance).
I'm sure I'm going to find some awesome beers that I haven't had before. Mmm... beer.
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Tried the bier garten at Estabrook park this afternoon. Very pleasant. Hoffbrau Dunkel, weissbier and original, on tap, in proper 1/2 liter and full liter glass mugs. I will be back. Enough shade, and very friendly patrons.
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Tried the bier garten at Estabrook park this afternoon. Very pleasant. Hoffbrau Dunkel, weissbier and original, on tap, in proper 1/2 liter and full liter glass mugs. I will be back. Enough shade, and very friendly patrons.
And you can bring your own Stein! Their pretzels looked big and tasty too.
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Had the Founders Red Rye P.A. Tonight, not usually an IPA guy, but this wad tastey. (if that's even a word.)
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I saw that the Sugar Maple will be named best beer bar in the country in the upcoming issue of Playboy
of course I doubt that every beer bar was judged but a nice PR boost for them anyway
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I saw that the Sugar Maple will be named best beer bar in the country in the upcoming issue of Playboy
of course I doubt that every beer bar was judged but a nice PR boost for them anyway
It's a good one. Bay View is fortunate to have three of the best in the country with Sugar Maple, The Palm and Roman's - which is my personal favorite. That doesn't even count Burnheart's which has gone from Hipster dungeon to a great beer bar. PJ has done great things there.
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Mrs. Red Stripe & I stopped in at the Horny Goat Sunday afternoon. We haven't been there since the early years, last time they had brewing equipment delivered but not yet operational.
Holy crap did they make some improvements outside!
Really love the outdoor set-up, we got a tour from the manager who mentioned they bought the marina across the river and will keep it a marina (I suspect so no one else could build condos there and have noise complaints) they bought land to the south and have plans to build a 4 story parking ramp and a larger brewery. Point still makes their packaged beer and they aren't totally satisfied with the product so want to bring it inhouse to control the process.
I suspect they do have issues with having such a small kitchen especially considering the large crowds they can handle outside.
I was disapointed that several beers were not available: Double IPA, Bock and the vanilla brown ale but I did really like the 2011 barley wine.
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Mrs. Red Stripe & I stopped in at the Horny Goat Sunday afternoon. We haven't been there since the early years, last time they had brewing equipment delivered but not yet operational.
Holy crap did they make some improvements outside!
Really love the outdoor set-up, we got a tour from the manager who mentioned they bought the marina across the river and will keep it a marina (I suspect so no one else could build condos there and have noise complaints) they bought land to the south and have plans to build a 4 story parking ramp and a larger brewery. Point still makes their packaged beer and they aren't totally satisfied with the product so want to bring it inhouse to control the process.
I suspect they do have issues with having such a small kitchen especially considering the large crowds they can handle outside.
I was disapointed that several beers were not available: Double IPA, Bock and the vanilla brown ale but I did really like the 2011 barley wine.
The brewery is a great place, I will agree. The beer is just okay though.
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I agree and that's why we hadn't been there in a few years. I hope as they bring more brewing inhouse that the product improves.
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The brewery is a great place, I will agree. The beer is just okay though.
Their beer sucks. I would rather stay sober than drink it - even if it's free. It's the worst beer I have almost ever had - I would rather drink Camo Ice. Also, the whole premise and marketing scheme is a disgrace and beyond stupid.
The physical bar is nice to play vball at however they refuse to hire enough waitstaff to ever work their.
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Their beer sucks. I would rather stay sober than drink it - even if it's free. It's the worst beer I have almost ever had - I would rather drink Camo Ice. Also, the whole premise and marketing scheme is a disgrace and beyond stupid.
The physical bar is nice to play vball at however they refuse to hire enough waitstaff to ever work their.
IDK, there were waitbabes everywhere you looked yesterday - now we were seated at the bar, table service might have been slower but that's one of the reasons we like to 'belly-up'
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Their beer sucks. I would rather stay sober than drink it - even if it's free. It's the worst beer I have almost ever had - I would rather drink Camo Ice.
I concur. Except I've never had Camo Ice.
The beer is just awful.
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I concur. Except I've never had Camo Ice.
The beer is just awful.
+1,000,000 Awful is a complement IMHO.
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First time in Benelux. Their menu of beer is too long.
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Heading to the Milwaukee Brewfest on Saturday... anyone been there? Any tips/things I should know?
In the meantime... I sampled a few recently-
Hinterland Saison- Pretty decent saison, nice spice notes. Pretty easy drinker.
Hinterland Whiteout- Didn't care for it... Double IPA with not enough of the citrus notes.
Boulevard Boss Tom's Golden Bock- Solid spring beer. Smooth, with just enough hops and a kiss of sweetness at the end.
O'so Spike's- Interesting beer. It's either a thin bock or an amber brewed with maple. That flavor added a nice subtle sweetness, without making you think you're drinking maple syrup.
Capital Weizen- Their summer seasonal this year. Did a nice job with it. Actually prefer it to Wisconsinite.
Milwaukee Brewing O-Gii- Fascinating beer. It's an imperial wit brewed with local tea. High alcohol, but hidden very well. I really liked it.
Milwaukee Brewing Black Iron- Their take on a black IPA. Heavier on the roasted notes than others I've had in the style. Hops were there, but not overpowering.
Milwaukee Brewing Outboard- Nice cream ale. Nothing spectacular, but a good summer beer.
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Heading to the Milwaukee Brewfest on Saturday... anyone been there? Any tips/things I should know?
Get there early because you will have to wait a long time in line to get in. Last year, I waited in line for an hour or so before we got in. Very frustrating. After that, it was a good time with plenty of great beers on hand.
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First time in Benelux. Their menu of beer is too long.
Have you been to Centraal or Hollander? Is the menu that much different?
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No. Live in Florida, and first time back in Mke in 4 yrs.
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Im currently enjoying a Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Barleywine, wowsa!
Never been one to drink barleywines...at all, but I recommend this one. Better suited for the winter
time given its alcohol content and body.
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Was in KC last week and had a glass of Tank 7 from Boulevard Brewery. Nummy.
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Here is a quick look at some of what we are bringing to Great Taste next weekend in Madison....
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y102/muspe02/BlendingClasses.jpg)
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Anyone going to the Great Taste this weekend in the Peoples Republic?
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Have you been to Centraal or Hollander? Is the menu that much different?
It's pretty much the same at all three places, given the times I've been there.
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I know it isn't beer, but if you can get your hands on some Zombie Killer, you should.
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Anyone going to the Great Taste this weekend in the Peoples Republic?
I will be there tomorrow! Just snuck a ticket off my friend.
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Well the beer was great. I had some of the Darklord aged in Cognac barrels, a KBS, and a King Henry.
And also, I have a hangover.
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Has anyone seen the Lagunitas Daytime Fractional IPA in Milwaukee yet?
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I'll be at the Thirsty Troll Brewfest today in Mt Horeb WI... anyone else going?
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Thought I would post this link...big release day for us: Goose Island Bourbon County Stout released today http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/food/stew/chi-goose-island-312-20120911,0,941586.story (http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/food/stew/chi-goose-island-312-20120911,0,941586.story)
For Milwaukee, call the usual suspects for distribution methods (Ray's, Discount, Three Cellars, etc.).
Chicago, it should be everywhere.
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Madison area?
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Madison area?
Pretty sure they will get some I just don't know the stores yet. Might want to call your favorite craft beer joint to see if they got some.
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For any New York City / Fairfield Co. alums. Harbor Yard is two blocks from the Bridgeport train station.
http://www.harborbrewfest.com/festival-info/
About the Harbor Brew Fest
The Harbor Light Foundation has planned an unforgettable beer festival for all of our attendees. Please join us Saturday, September 22, 2012 from 12pm – 5pm in the ball park at Harbor Yard for Fairfield County’s first beer festival. The event will tap off with a limited attendance Brewers Special from 12pm – 1pm. General Admission will begin at 1pm and we will pour until 5pm. General Admission ($35 per ticket) will get you an unforgettable day of beer tasting, great music from talented local bands, delicious food from CT’s favorite food trucks and a fun-filled day to enjoy with friends. Brewer’s Special ($50 per ticket) includes all of the above plus samples of reserve & specialty brews from participating breweries an hour before general admission. A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit the Harbor Light Foundation
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Have any of you taken a stroll to the Milwaukee Brewing Company? I highly reccomend you visiting this hidden gem in Milwaukee. I visited there several weeks ago and definitely got more than a $7 buck tour. In my opinion, it's better than Lake Front. Support your local brewery!
Check out these brewery tours
-Anchor Steam Brewery - San Francisco, CA. Make sure you get your reservation a couple months in advance. Great tour/tasting. Unique story behind the history of their beer.
-Sam Adams Brewery - Boston, MA. Short tour, however, great tasting afterwards. Pitchers of beer. Even better when kids are on tour = more beer for adults.
-Harpoon Brewery - Boston, MA. Just went to the tasting. It was ok. Kind of snooty.
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Big fan of the MKE Brewing Co. tour. Their goal is to get you drunk, and they aren't ashamed to admit it. Plus the beers are pretty good.
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My apologies if I've told this story already.....
Speaking of great brewery tours.
Back in 1980something, the then future Mrs. Chili and I are visiting an old 10 south Schroeder pal, and his UWM bride. Sh1tty weekend, raining. My pal, the dearly departed Greg Raffensperger suggests we go to this new brewery in Milwaukee, Sprecher.
We pay the $1.50 for the tour. Tour takes about 30 min. Tour guide pours us a few brews. Then he says "I gotta leave, someone at the brewery is getting married. Here's how you work the taps."
Sooooo, two hours later, an employee says "folks, I gotta head home in a while. Have a few more, and let's think about heading out.".
About an hour later, we left.... On to Zur Krones for a boot.
That was a good day. ;D
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Pretty sure they will get some I just don't know the stores yet. Might want to call your favorite craft beer joint to see if they got some.
Well, I've been searching for about two weeks now, and nothing in the Madison area yet. I shall not give up.
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Well, I've been searching for about two weeks now, and nothing in the Madison area yet. I shall not give up.
Bought the Bourbon County Stout at Binny's in the suburbs of Chicago, could not get it downtown. Great beer, flavor explosion and will knock you on your ass. Every bit of 15%.
Went to Hopleaf last night for a couple brewskis. Metropolitan Oktoberfest disappointing, actually overall I find there beers to be dissapointing. Given that it was on tap and the brewery is around the corner from Hopleaf makes it moreso. Belgium beer Dekoninck very good highly recommend.
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my buds & I used to tour the original Sprecher brewery several times a year just because it was like that, now days, their beer pretty much sucks and that warehouse they call a brewery has no character/charm
remember buying Sprecher when it only came in 1 liter flip-top bottles with a deposit?
My apologies if I've told this story already.....
Speaking of great brewery tours.
Back in 1980something, the then future Mrs. Chili and I are visiting an old 10 south Schroeder pal, and his UWM bride. Sh1tty weekend, raining. My pal, the dearly departed Greg Raffensperger suggests we go to this new brewery in Milwaukee, Sprecher.
We pay the $1.50 for the tour. Tour takes about 30 min. Tour guide pours us a few brews. Then he says "I gotta leave, someone at the brewery is getting married. Here's how you work the taps."
Sooooo, two hours later, an employee says "folks, I gotta head home in a while. Have a few more, and let's think about heading out.".
About an hour later, we left.... On to Zur Krones for a boot.
That was a good day. ;D
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I tried a bottle of Nebraska Brewing Black Betty, a bourbon barrel aged Imperial stout, OK but really about the same as a BCS or KBS and not worth the $20 they charge for the champagne size bottle
Got on a waiting list at Woodmans in Oak Creek for the BCS, so far it doesn't look like it's hit the stores in Milwaukee.
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Bought the Bourbon County Stout at Binny's in the suburbs of Chicago, could not get it downtown. Great beer, flavor explosion and will knock you on your ass. Every bit of 15%.
Went to Hopleaf last night for a couple brewskis. Metropolitan Oktoberfest disappointing, actually overall I find there beers to be dissapointing. Given that it was on tap and the brewery is around the corner from Hopleaf makes it moreso. Belgium beer Dekoninck very good highly recommend.
I got Breakfast Stout as my backup so I will be just fine.... Also picked up some Autumn Maple from the Bruery... I figured I may as well give it a shot. Got the wife some NG Enigma as she is a sour beer fan.
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Consumer Beverage got 8 cases of Bourbon County yesterday, still had 3 left when I got mine last night.
Rays said they have it and will put it out on Saturday.
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. Belgium beer Dekoninck very good highly recommend.
This was one of my favorites while going to school in Belgium. Have had a very hard time finding it in the states.
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Locked up some Bourbon County by getting on a list in Madison. Very excite.
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Looks like BCBS is all over Milwaukee right now - and for prices far lower than Chicago (even before tax). Let me know what you all think. Personally, I think it's great right now. Just a tad hot but at 15% it's fantastic.
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Looks like BCBS is all over Milwaukee right now - and for prices far lower than Chicago (even before tax). Let me know what you all think. Personally, I think it's great right now. Just a tad hot but at 15% it's fantastic.
I had it on tap at Erv's Mug right when the barrels were distributed. It is/was hot, but such a great beer. I managed to secure a single bottle so I'll sit on that.
I was at Everett's in South Beloit last Wednesday and the buyer there told me that people in Milwaukee were following beer trucks, waiting for the delivery to be made, and rushing inside to buy their alotments.
I know the beer is fantastic, but it's crazy that people stalk beer trucks.
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I had it on tap at Erv's Mug right when the barrels were distributed. It is/was hot, but such a great beer. I managed to secure a single bottle so I'll sit on that.
I was at Everett's in South Beloit last Wednesday and the buyer there told me that people in Milwaukee were following beer trucks, waiting for the delivery to be made, and rushing inside to buy their alotments.
I know the beer is fantastic, but it's crazy that people stalk beer trucks.
The truck chasing happens in Chicago every year except this year we made enough so you can still find it stores. Part of it how much you can get in trade for BCBS but it's still the best bourbon barrel aged stout on the market. (I have held this opinion even before I worked for GI).
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Central Waters finally responded to my June email last week, had given them up for dead. They said they will contact me when the 2013 batch is released in January about getting a free case of that batch and I can drink the rst of the 2012, good because my buds and I already drank half of it.
After scoring over a case of the 2012 Central Waters Peruvian Morning I was disapointed to read this today on their website
The 2011 batch was soo good, I drank one of the 2012 bottles so far and it was a bit 'off' but I hoped aging it some would help, guess it won't, waiting to see how CW replies to my email.
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My apologies if I've told this story already.....
Speaking of great brewery tours.
Back in 1980something, the then future Mrs. Chili and I are visiting an old 10 south Schroeder pal, and his UWM bride. Sh1tty weekend, raining. My pal, the dearly departed Greg Raffensperger suggests we go to this new brewery in Milwaukee, Sprecher.
We pay the $1.50 for the tour. Tour takes about 30 min. Tour guide pours us a few brews. Then he says "I gotta leave, someone at the brewery is getting married. Here's how you work the taps."
Sooooo, two hours later, an employee says "folks, I gotta head home in a while. Have a few more, and let's think about heading out.".
About an hour later, we left.... On to Zur Krones for a boot.
That was a good day. ;D
Never get enough of stories like that - thanks!
Had a Krankshaft at Pinstripes last night. Very enjoyable though seems more of a summer beer.
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Founder's Boltcutter. I had the one and only bottle I am likely to get my hands on. Unbelievably good.
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this is a great idea: http://blackfridaybeer.com/
http://blackfridaybeer.com/uploads/3/1/6/8/3168628/472252_orig.jpg
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this is a great idea: http://blackfridaybeer.com/
http://blackfridaybeer.com/uploads/3/1/6/8/3168628/472252_orig.jpg
We are doing this for the third year in a row at Binny's in Lincoln Park with a special launch. 1st year was Bourbon County Brand Stout Rare, last year was King Henry and this year is Bourbon County Brand Cherry Rye Stout and Bourbon County Brand Coffee Stout. Might as well kickoff big imperial black stouts on Black Friday.
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Founder's Boltcutter. I had the one and only bottle I am likely to get my hands on. Unbelievably good.
I has one of these bottles as well... cost me a pretty penny, but I got one.
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About time I put a summer/fall's worth of tasting notes in, aina?
O'so Third Wheel- Kinda earthy and floral, a wheat beer they called a Belgian. Wasn't terribly impressed with it.
New Holland White Hatter- A cross between a witbier and a pale ale. Nice citrus hops meshed well with the Belgian style spice. Not as good as Bedlam, but a good beer.
Sixpoint Resin- Big, hoppy double IPA. It was pretty run of the mill.
Southern Tier 2X Milk Stout- Fantastic beer. Everything you want from the style, in perfect balance. At 7.5%, it’s the perfect strength. Not too thin, but you can have more than one.
Southern Tier Harvest- My favorite beer of the fall. Malty, sweet, a touch of fruit, and more than enough hops. Wish I would have stocked up.
Southern Tier Crème Brulee Stout- Had it on tap with dessert one night. Loved the caramel and vanilla notes, nice warmth from the alcohol. Fun beer.
Milwaukee Brewing Weekend at Louie’s- An amber infused with blueberry and tea. It was interesting, a bit on the sweet side for my tastes. Aroma was fantastic.
Milwaukee Brewing Louie's Resurrection- Louie’s Demise aged in bourbon barrels. This was really well done. The malt stands up well, and that sweetness with the bourbon flavor is delicious.
Lake Louie Kiss the Lips- They broke away from the American IPA trend with this one. Not as aggressively hopped, nice citrus flavor and aroma. Decent beer.
Finch's Golden Wing- Wasn’t crazy about this one at all. There was a bitter, grassy flavor to it that I didn’t care for.
New Glarus Hometown Blonde- Another version of a pilsner, and I think this was far better than Two Women. It was near perfect for the style.
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New Belgium Red Hoptober- A hoppy red. Reminded me a bit of Fixed Gear, very solid brew.
Titletown Dark Helmet- First beer of theirs I’ve tried, and it was alright. Good schwarzbier, I dig a Kostritzer more though.
Bruery Autumn Maple- Either I got a bad glass, or the description of it was way off. I was expecting some sweet, spicy, vanilla notes. But there was a tartness that was overwhelming. Disappointing.
Kentucky Bourbon Ale- Had this on tap. Heavy bourbon flavor, thinner body than the Louie’s Resurrection. A nice sipper.
Lakefront Luther- A smoked rauchbier. Not sure it’s my style. It wasn’t bad, and the smoke wasn’t overpowering. Would be great with some BBQ/
Sun King Osiris- That growler didn’t last long. The ultimate session pale ale. Assertive hops, but very clean. Little lingering bitterness. Great beer.
Sun King Angle Juice- A touch hoppier than Osiris, this drinks more like an IPA than a pale ale. Not bad, though.
Atwater Vanilla Java Porter- Loved the idea of this beer, but the execution was lacking. Far too thin and watery for me.
Victory Festbier- A well made Marzen, in the top third of American Octoberfests.
New Glarus Serendipity- Their latest fruit beer. Crisp, tart, and a little sweet. Brewed with apples, cranberries, and cherries, then aged in oak. Each component can be picked out, but they all work together.
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I just had Lakefront Luther this past weekend. Wow, what an awesome Rauchbier. It is spot on to style and really great. Probably the best Lakefront beer I have ever had. Tasted like bacon in a bottle.
Also went to the MKE Brewery Tour. One thing for sure, they need to clean their lines at the brewery. Every beer has diacetyl in them.
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Also went to the MKE Brewery Tour. One thing for sure, they need to clean their lines at the brewery. Every beer has diacetyl in them.
That's disappointing. I have to wonder if they aren't quite prepared for how popular their tour has become.
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New Belgium Red Hoptober- A hoppy red. Reminded me a bit of Fixed Gear, very solid brew.
Titletown Dark Helmet- First beer of theirs I’ve tried, and it was alright. Good schwarzbier, I dig a Kostritzer more though.
Bruery Autumn Maple- Either I got a bad glass, or the description of it was way off. I was expecting some sweet, spicy, vanilla notes. But there was a tartness that was overwhelming. Disappointing.
Kentucky Bourbon Ale- Had this on tap. Heavy bourbon flavor, thinner body than the Louie’s Resurrection. A nice sipper.
Lakefront Luther- A smoked rauchbier. Not sure it’s my style. It wasn’t bad, and the smoke wasn’t overpowering. Would be great with some BBQ/
Sun King Osiris- That growler didn’t last long. The ultimate session pale ale. Assertive hops, but very clean. Little lingering bitterness. Great beer.
Sun King Angle Juice- A touch hoppier than Osiris, this drinks more like an IPA than a pale ale. Not bad, though.
Atwater Vanilla Java Porter- Loved the idea of this beer, but the execution was lacking. Far too thin and watery for me.
Victory Festbier- A well made Marzen, in the top third of American Octoberfests.
New Glarus Serendipity- Their latest fruit beer. Crisp, tart, and a little sweet. Brewed with apples, cranberries, and cherries, then aged in oak. Each component can be picked out, but they all work together.
You probably got a bad glass, but the yams add some sweetness to it.
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Also went to the MKE Brewery Tour. One thing for sure, they need to clean their lines at the brewery. Every beer has diacetyl in them.
It still amazes me how often it is that I go to a high-end restaurant, bar, taproom, etc. and can detect lacto or diacetyl in their tap lines. I especially enjoy when I don't order a sour and get something pulled from a line through which brett once flowed.
Illinois requires tap lines be cleaned once a week; I believe Wisconsin is once every two weeks. I've been to places in both states where I'd swear they weren't cleaned in a year.
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It still amazes me how often it is that I go to a high-end restaurant, bar, taproom, etc. and can detect lacto or diacetyl in their tap lines. I especially enjoy when I don't order a sour and get something pulled from a line through which brett once flowed.
Illinois requires tap lines be cleaned once a week; I believe Wisconsin is once every two weeks. I've been to places in both states where I'd swear they weren't cleaned in a year.
I know a bar in Illinois that has likely never cleaned them. Never good when everything tastes like Beast Ice.
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It still amazes me how often it is that I go to a high-end restaurant, bar, taproom, etc. and can detect lacto or diacetyl in their tap lines. I especially enjoy when I don't order a sour and get something pulled from a line through which brett once flowed.
Illinois requires tap lines be cleaned once a week; I believe Wisconsin is once every two weeks. I've been to places in both states where I'd swear they weren't cleaned in a year.
Well cleaning is a very subjective practice that not everyone does correctly with a caustic solution every time and acid every few cleanings to get the rest. Some just use a regular cleaner and run it through and don't do it long enough. Butter beer is my least favorite flavor and one I am very susceptible to. And much of this isn't the bars fault, they trust their cleaning company who probably is short changing them.
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Happy 79th Birthday 21st Amendment!!!!!
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Happy 79th Birthday 21st Amendment!!!!!
I think there's a bar in Washington D.C. called The 21st Amendment.
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I think there's a bar in Washington D.C. called The 21st Amendment.
Could be. It's also the name of a chain of liquor stores in Indiana and the law that repealed the 18th Amendment.
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Has anyone had the Lakefront Black Friday black IPA?
It's supposed to be fantastic, but now unavailable/very hard to get.
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Has anyone had the Lakefront Black Friday black IPA?
It's supposed to be fantastic, but now unavailable/very hard to get.
Heard good things as well, but I was too lazy to stand in line for it.
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Could be. It's also the name of a chain of liquor stores in Indiana and the law that repealed the 18th Amendment.
Someone confirm a rumor I heard but never bothered to check into... the 21st Amendments in Indy are still state-owned or operated?
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I think there's a bar in Washington D.C. called The 21st Amendment.
We got one in Boston.
http://www.21stboston.com/
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I had a bottle and was disappointed, I was actually glad I didn't have the opportunity to buy more.
I couldn't even tell that it was 10%ABV, the only flavor I got was the cascade hops, nothing else really broke through the hop flavor IMO. It was good but not $10/bottle good.
Has anyone had the Lakefront Black Friday black IPA?
It's supposed to be fantastic, but now unavailable/very hard to get.
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9 beers we no longer drink in America
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/nine-beers-americans-no-longer-drink-183045945.html
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What is everyone drinking tonight and tomorrow?
So far I have had the following or is in the hopper:
New Glarus Apple Ale
New Glarus Enigma
Goose Island Matilda
Goose Island Christmas Ale
And then some experimental Goose Island beers...
Tomorrow I have a GI Juliet and GI BCBS Coffee as well as some Surly Coffee Bender on tap along with the regular Goose beers.
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What is everyone drinking tonight and tomorrow?
So far I have had the following or is in the hopper:
New Glarus Apple Ale
New Glarus Enigma
Goose Island Matilda
Goose Island Christmas Ale
And then some experimental Goose Island beers...
Tomorrow I have a GI Juliet and GI BCBS Coffee as well as some Surly Coffee Bender on tap along with the regular Goose beers.
I cracked the Founder's Bolt Cutter with the old man. It was strong. But the warmer it got, the better it tasted.
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Started with 3 Floyd's Zombie Dust, then Leinies Big Eddy Imperial IPA, Founders Breakfast Stout, but then switched gears as we were planning to go to mass a little later.
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I'm back home in Alaska so I went with a trifecta of local stuff:
Midnight Sun Sockeye Red IPA
Midnight Sun Soliel Belgian Pale Ale
Broken Tooth Midtown Brown
Finished with some of the stout I brewed for pops.
Is anyone here on Untappd? I'd love you to add you guys. my user name is grizz_wald.
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I tried Three Floyds Zombie Dust on tap at Romans last night, I'm not great at describing what I tasted but I really loved the spicy hop flavors (Citra?) but after drinking a bit it seemed sort of thin and lackiing other than the hop taste.
After that I treid the O'so bourbon barrel aged Night Train, first I absolutely love the normal NT especially on nitro, well I think bourbon does for beer what bacon does for food = it improves everything, this beer was great, funny that I never heard of this one before.
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drowned the packer loss with Central Waters Bourbon Barrel Stout reserve series - awesome beer, possibly my new favorite or in top 5...
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Three Floyds Alpha Claus X-mas Porter was outstanding as well....
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I tried Three Floyds Zombie Dust on tap at Romans last night, I'm not great at describing what I tasted but I really loved the spicy hop flavors (Citra?) but after drinking a bit it seemed sort of thin and lackiing other than the hop taste.
Zombie Dust is a single-hop - lots of Citra and only Citra - and you've just experienced a single hop brew the same way many others have... as either good, great or awful, and sometimes it all three depending on how much you've drank. The unscientific rationale in homebrew circles is that if your taste buds become accustomed to one dominant taste/flavor/aroma (in this case, the Citra) in a beer, you can be desensitized to that taste after a few "samples" and be left with a very bland background of fermented malt water (which you described as "thin and lacking").
Trying to get my hands on a contract for few pounds of Amarillo, Mosaic and Citra (2013 grow season). Incidentally, Zombie Dust is one of the beers I've been wanting to clone, but I thought I might add another hop variety (hopback or dryhop) to give it some "complexity" so it doesn't get tired after 3 or 4 mugs. It's a great beer to sample and share... not so great as a sixer during an MU road game (for reasons mentioned about).
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^ Thanks for the explanation, I know what I like when consuming it but not always the 'why' I like/dislike something
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Well, I just managed to homebrew 5 gallons of vinegar. At least I know how to keg my 'beer' now. :-\
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Well, I just managed to homebrew 5 gallons of vinegar. At least I know how to keg my 'beer' now. :-\
What were you trying to make? Did you introduce Aceto or infection?
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What were you trying to make? Did you introduce Aceto or infection?
A simple brown ale. It was my first go at kegging my own so I wanted something that I knew was easy. Turned out that it was probably Aceto... which is a bummer. But at least I managed to carbonate my vinegar... so... small success?
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A simple brown ale. It was my first go at kegging my own so I wanted something that I knew was easy. Turned out that it was probably Aceto... which is a bummer. But at least I managed to carbonate my vinegar... so... small success?
What a shame...sounds like you'll have to brew again this weekend
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Tried Lakefront's 25th Anniversary Imperial Stout. Really enjoyed it. Well balanced, good flavor, and smooth for a 10% beer.
Also had MKE Brewing's Anodyne Coffee Brown. Solid beer, the coffee adds some depth to the standard brown ale. If they bottled it, I'd buy it.
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A simple brown ale. It was my first go at kegging my own so I wanted something that I knew was easy. Turned out that it was probably Aceto... which is a bummer. But at least I managed to carbonate my vinegar... so... small success?
Out of curiosity... what type of keg and where did you get it from?
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Out of curiosity... what type of keg and where did you get it from?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornelius_keg
Corny keg. Brand new for xmas last year, unsure where my wife got it from... totally unused though. I've been slacking and didn't make a new batch of beer until early November this year... had to drink up the reserves and then there were some nice seasonals to try.
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornelius_keg
Corny keg. Brand new for xmas last year, unsure where my wife got it from... totally unused though. I've been slacking and didn't make a new batch of beer until early November this year... had to drink up the reserves and then there were some nice seasonals to try.
Yep... got a dozen or so of those in my basement... many years ago I had occasional contamination problems with cornies until I learned to properly (and completely) disassemble/clean/sanitize the things. But yours was brand new, so you got a mystery on your hands.
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Yep... got a dozen or so of those in my basement... many years ago I had occasional contamination problems with cornies until I learned to properly (and completely) disassemble/clean/sanitize the things. But yours was brand new, so you got a mystery on your hands.
I'm quite sure that the problem was my carboy and not the keg.
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Sorry for threadjacking this into a homebrew discussion, but the title doesn't say where you had to get the beer. The OP simply said good beer deserves its own discussion.
Ever since I overpurchased a few pounds of chocolate malt a few months ago, I've been experimenting with how dark I can make a (palatable) beer. I've gotten up to two pounds in a double-chocolate imperial I made last year, but the latest batch I only used one pound (all 5-gal batches, by the way, for those of you keeping score at home). I'm going to try breaking the 3-lb. barrier in a few weeks, but I need some inspiration... so my query:
What was the darkest beer you have ever had, and what do you remember about it?
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Sweaty Betty - Colorado Micro-Brew...Yum
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Sorry for threadjacking this into a homebrew discussion, but the title doesn't say where you had to get the beer. The OP simply said good beer deserves its own discussion.
Hey, by all means, talk away.
As someone who doesn't have the room (and likely the patience) for homebrewing, I find this interesting.
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Hey, by all means, talk away.
As someone who doesn't have the room (and likely the patience) for homebrewing, I find this interesting.
If you have room for two 5 gallon pails and a few cases of bottles you have room to homebrew!
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I currently have five 5 gallon batches lagering in the cellar ;D
I only do partial mashes, trying to keep it simple so 3 lbs. of any malts is too much for me.
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So, as I'm sure many of you know, the Bradley Center has a craft beer bar on the second level. I think it's called the Tap Room. It serves your typical solid crafts (Sierra Nevada PA, Ale Asylum Hopalicious, Lakefront Fixed Gear), your big beer "crafts" (Blue Moon/Shock Top/Leiney Stuff), and your English/Irish imports.
Aside from beer on tap, there's also bottled beer. More of the same usual, but solid craft beers/big beer alternatives/usual imports.
A few weeks ago, something caught my eye-The Tap Room sells bottles of Leiney's Big Eddy Russian Imperial Stout. I don't think I've had a better stadium/arena beer.
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Hard to pass up Ale Asylum Hopalicious on tap....
So, as I'm sure many of you know, the Bradley Center has a craft beer bar on the second level. I think it's called the Tap Room. It serves your typical solid crafts (Sierra Nevada PA, Ale Asylum Hopalicious, Lakefront Fixed Gear), your big beer "crafts" (Blue Moon/Shock Top/Leiney Stuff), and your English/Irish imports.
Aside from beer on tap, there's also bottled beer. More of the same usual, but solid craft beers/big beer alternatives/usual imports.
A few weeks ago, something caught my eye-The Tap Room sells bottles of Leiney's Big Eddy Russian Imperial Stout. I don't think I've had a better stadium/arena beer.
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Hard to pass up Ale Asylum Hopalicious on tap....
Try living 5 miles from the brewery.
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Try living 5 miles from the brewery.
Since your close, does Ale Asylum sell kegs out of the brewery to the public?
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Since your close, does Ale Asylum sell kegs out of the brewery to the public?
I've never asked, but they are carried at many area liquor stores. I had Hopalicious at my wedding 3 years ago.
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I've never asked, but they are carried at many area liquor stores. I had Hopalicious at my wedding 3 years ago.
I'll send them an email.
That's one thing I wish breweries in Wisconsin did a little bit better on. Many of the Chicago guys have keg reservations, sucks to make a trip and come away either empty-handed or without the brew you were really looking for.
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I'll send them an email.
That's one thing I wish breweries in Wisconsin did a little bit better on. Many of the Chicago guys have keg reservations, sucks to make a trip and come away either empty-handed or without the brew you were really looking for.
Also, their old building (They just opened a new one late last year) was tiny, and now they can produce a ton more... I think what you're suggesting would be a great idea.
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Since your close, does Ale Asylum sell kegs out of the brewery to the public?
That would be against the law.
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That would be against the law.
Because of distributor rules?
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Because of distributor rules?
Lots of three tier rules. Also, brewers in WI can only do 2 of 3 things. 1) Make Beer 2) Sell beer to wholesalers 3) Sell draft beer to consumers (ie brewpubs). The licencing is all wonky. Since they are a production brewery they cannot sell beer directly to consumers - it must to go to a retailer (as I think they may still be small enough to self distribute but I do not know) or the most likely it must go to a wholesaler for sale.
These are all the laws that were put in place after prohibition and it is what we call the three tier system. Though WI mucks it up by not allowing brewpubs to have production licences under the same umbrella. That is why MKE Brewing Co. broke away from the Milwaukee Ale House group. They had to in order to get proper licencing.
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Lots of three tier rules. Also, brewers in WI can only do 2 of 3 things. 1) Make Beer 2) Sell beer to wholesalers 3) Sell draft beer to consumers (ie brewpubs). The licencing is all wonky. Since they are a production brewery they cannot sell beer directly to consumers - it must to go to a retailer (as I think they may still be small enough to self distribute but I do not know) or the most likely it must go to a wholesaler for sale.
These are all the laws that were put in place after prohibition and it is what we call the three tier system. Though WI mucks it up by not allowing brewpubs to have production licences under the same umbrella. That is why MKE Brewing Co. broke away from the Milwaukee Ale House group. They had to in order to get proper licencing.
So is there a size limit? Obviously, a lot of brewpubs around here sell growlers of beer that you can take home... Is the law grey in that area? Or is it fine because its treated as a draft serving? What if the brewery were to try to subvert the law by dispensing a keg's worth? These laws are all so strange.
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Lots of three tier rules. Also, brewers in WI can only do 2 of 3 things. 1) Make Beer 2) Sell beer to wholesalers 3) Sell draft beer to consumers (ie brewpubs). The licencing is all wonky. Since they are a production brewery they cannot sell beer directly to consumers - it must to go to a retailer (as I think they may still be small enough to self distribute but I do not know) or the most likely it must go to a wholesaler for sale.
These are all the laws that were put in place after prohibition and it is what we call the three tier system. Though WI mucks it up by not allowing brewpubs to have production licences under the same umbrella. That is why MKE Brewing Co. broke away from the Milwaukee Ale House group. They had to in order to get proper licencing.
In addition to Hards questions, how does Lakefront sell kegs after their tours? I'm assuming that WI laws are different from the IL laws as well then?
Also, I revisited MKE Brewing since their rebranding by getting a six-pack sampler at Woodman's and wow. I completely poured one beer, and was not pleased by the others except for Polish Moon.
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Outside of all this there is a new brewpub that opened in Madison just before the new year... I want to go try it out badly. It is located in the old Ale Asylum building... Karben4
http://www.madisonmagazine.com/Blogs/The-Chow-Down/January-2013/New-Brew-at-Karben4/
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Currently enjoying a bomber of Lakefront IBA... nothing special, but it is still enjoyable.
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Currently enjoying a bomber of Lakefront IBA... nothing special, but it is still enjoyable.
It's decent.
It's no New Glarus Blacktop. That is a tasty IBA.
Have Fixed Gear in my new kegerator right now. Looking for another tall 1/4 barrel to accompany it.
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It's decent.
It's no New Glarus Blacktop. That is a tasty IBA.
Have Fixed Gear in my new kegerator right now. Looking for another tall 1/4 barrel to accompany it.
oooo kegerator... I can't wait to move and have room for one.
Blacktop is great though, you're right.
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oooo kegerator... I can't wait to move and have room for one.
Blacktop is great though, you're right.
My recommendation is to build your own, if you're looking for some direction let me know. I just finished mine and I love it.
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Hard to pass up Ale Asylum Hopalicious on tap....
Had my first one at the MU v. G'Town game. Would have been reason enough to go.
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Probably real late, but I got New Glarus Blacktop and it was fantastic.
I've always shied away from New Glarus because I always thought Spotted Cow was really overhyped. That IBA was very, very good.
Currently enjoying Fixed Gear and Anti-Hero IPA in my kegerator.
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Probably real late, but I got New Glarus Blacktop and it was fantastic.
I've always shied away from New Glarus because I always thought Spotted Cow was really overhyped. That IBA was very, very good.
Currently enjoying Fixed Gear and Anti-Hero IPA in my kegerator.
NG is great... except for the every day stuff.
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NG is great... except for the every day stuff.
Agree and disagree. I am not a fan of Spotted Cow or Fat Squirrel, but Moon Man is OUTSTANDING. As is their Thumbprint Series - almost all amazing. However, things like Belgian Red, Serendipity, Etc. are WAY WAY to sweet. Taste almost like cough syrup. Could really use souring bacteria to bring down the overpowering flavor.
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Agree and disagree. I am not a fan of Spotted Cow or Fat Squirrel, but Moon Man is OUTSTANDING. As is their Thumbprint Series - almost all amazing. However, things like Belgian Red, Serendipity, Etc. are WAY WAY to sweet. Taste almost like cough syrup. Could really use souring bacteria to bring down the overpowering flavor.
Chili,
Since I respect your opinion, what's you top 5 non-seasonal, non-speciality brews?
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Agree and disagree. I am not a fan of Spotted Cow or Fat Squirrel, but Moon Man is OUTSTANDING. As is their Thumbprint Series - almost all amazing. However, things like Belgian Red, Serendipity, Etc. are WAY WAY to sweet. Taste almost like cough syrup. Could really use souring bacteria to bring down the overpowering flavor.
I'll agree that Moon Man is great. I actually really like Dancing man wheat as well... and I'm not a big wheat fan. I have a bottle of Serendipity in the fridge I plan to drink tomorrow... Haven't had any yet. The thumbprint stuff is what I was referring to as really good (they can keep the apple pie or whatever). My wife is a huge fan of sour beer and of course is madly in love with Enigma.
As for the Red and Lambics etc... They are what they are.
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Agree and disagree. I am not a fan of Spotted Cow or Fat Squirrel, but Moon Man is OUTSTANDING. As is their Thumbprint Series - almost all amazing. However, things like Belgian Red, Serendipity, Etc. are WAY WAY to sweet. Taste almost like cough syrup. Could really use souring bacteria to bring down the overpowering flavor.
+1
One of my favorites
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Chili,
Since I respect your opinion, what's you top 5 non-seasonal, non-speciality brews?
Firestone Walker DBA - Easily my favorite session beer and so happy it's now in full time distribution in Chicago
Tripel Karmeliet - Love this beer, though it will kick you square in the balls if you have to many
Maui CoCoNuT Porter - I really wish this was available in the Midwest, but I could have a ton of these a lot. If you're on the WC, bring some home in your suitcase.
Alchemist Heady Topper - Fantastic DIPA
Revolution Anti Hero - Great IPA which doesn't kill you.
Corporate Shill --- but I love these beers:
Goose Island Sofie - I could drink these all day. It just tastes that good.
Goose Island IPA - It's perfectly balanced and you can have a few without your tongue getting destroyed.
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Probably real late, but I got New Glarus Blacktop and it was fantastic.
I've always shied away from New Glarus because I always thought Spotted Cow was really overhyped. That IBA was very, very good.
Currently enjoying Fixed Gear and Anti-Hero IPA in my kegerator.
Treated myself to a "refresher" of Black Top on Tuesday - hadn't had it in at least two years and was again impressed with how well balanced it is.
If you're in to the Black IPA/Cascadian Dark Ale style I highly rec. the Alaskan Brewing Company Black IPA. It's their spring seasonal and is still my favorite beer in the category (maybe tied with Firestone's Wookey Jack)
Chili: I'm assuming you work for GI based on what I've read here? Did I hear correctly that BCBS is going year-round?
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Treated myself to a "refresher" of Black Top on Tuesday - hadn't had it in at least two years and was again impressed with how well balanced it is.
If you're in to the Black IPA/Cascadian Dark Ale style I highly rec. the Alaskan Brewing Company Black IPA. It's their spring seasonal and is still my favorite beer in the category (maybe tied with Firestone's Wookey Jack)
Chili: I'm assuming you work for GI based on what I've read here? Did I hear correctly that BCBS is going year-round?
I do. And that would be impossible right now. We require that BCBS spend at least 1 hot cycle and 1 cold cycle (seasons) in the barrels which is typically takes 9-11 months. We are almost at capacity right now in our bourbon warehouse so I don't think we could. Now in the future would we have say a spring and fall release of BCBS - possibly. But right now it's not really in the cards, as much as I know.
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I don't think I've ever picked up GI IPA, not sure why. Sofie is great and I often find myself drinking Green Line often when in the city, especially concerts at the Congress.
Used to enjoy 312 at Hagerty's but drank myself off it. Created a real good chili recipe using 312.
I haven't had a Night stalker in years, loved that at the time.
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Hey Chili,
Is GI ever going to bottle the Imperial IPA, or will that always be tap only?
Maybe it is bottled and I just haven't seen any in the MKE area.
I've had plenty of taps/growlers-great beer.
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Firestone Walker offerings just showed up in my local liquor store, I've only had the Wookey Jack so far, but it is very nice, I will be going back for more. I have heard Two Brothers Imperial Stout is on tap nearby so I'm hoping to try that over the weekend, has anyone had that one?
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I do. And that would be impossible right now. We require that BCBS spend at least 1 hot cycle and 1 cold cycle (seasons) in the barrels which is typically takes 9-11 months. We are almost at capacity right now in our bourbon warehouse so I don't think we could. Now in the future would we have say a spring and fall release of BCBS - possibly. But right now it's not really in the cards, as much as I know.
Gotcha. Thanks for the clarification. I think I heard the buzz on Beer Advocate and I take everything I read there with about one million grains of salt. Especially when it comes to anything about Goose Island.
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Made the girlfriend open the bottle of Jolly Pumpkin Calabaza Blanca she bought yesterday (http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/9897/19306) and was more than impressed.
After binging on stout and porter earlier in the winter (including a not so fabulous homebrew porter) I've been on a wit kick and this might be my favorite of the bunch. I think they have bottles of it at Ray's if anyones interested. Good orange-wheat sweetness while still tasting nice and bright.
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Agree and disagree. I am not a fan of Spotted Cow or Fat Squirrel, but Moon Man is OUTSTANDING. As is their Thumbprint Series - almost all amazing. However, things like Belgian Red, Serendipity, Etc. are WAY WAY to sweet. Taste almost like cough syrup. Could really use souring bacteria to bring down the overpowering flavor.
Moon Man is a go-to for me. Every time I'm up for an MU game, stopping at Woodman's in Kenosha and picking up a case of Moon Man is a must.
I really wish they were still selling Engima right now too.
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Moon Man is a go-to for me. Every time I'm up for an MU game, stopping at Woodman's in Kenosha and picking up a case of Moon Man is a must.
I really wish they were still selling Engima right now too.
Do yourself a favor and get off at Drexel Avenue and go east two miles to the Oak Creek Woodman's.
Much better selection and not a pain in the ass.
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It's decent.
It's no New Glarus Blacktop. That is a tasty IBA.
Have Fixed Gear in my new kegerator right now. Looking for another tall 1/4 barrel to accompany it.
PTM: Thanks to you and others for the Black Top recommendation. Tried it last night (insincere apology to my brother in law for drinking his last bottle). Wow. Just outstanding.
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Picked up a bottle of Dreadnaught last week. Cracked it open after a half day at work today, and wow.
I've been up and down on 3Floyds, but this thing lives up to it's reputation.
Not light on the bitter, but not overwhelming. It's a fruity hop explosion with I'm tasting peach, mango, orange, lemon.
A bit pricey, but well-worth it for an occasion.
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Picked up a bottle of Dreadnaught last week. Cracked it open after a half day at work today, and wow.
I've been up and down on 3Floyds, but this thing lives up to it's reputation.
Not light on the bitter, but not overwhelming. It's a fruity hop explosion with I'm tasting peach, mango, orange, lemon.
A bit pricey, but well-worth it for an occasion.
I had Dreadnaught both bottled and on tap and didn't think it quite held up to some of 3 Floyd's other beers. I was a much bigger fan of the Rye da Tiger as I thought that Dreadnaught committed the one sin (in my mind) of IIPA - it was too sweet. I know that a lot of malt sweetness is somewhat to style in IIPA, but I thought Dreadnaught overdid it.
Then again, that's just like my opinion, man.
What other beers from FFF have you found good/lacking?
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I had Dreadnaught both bottled and on tap and didn't think it quite held up to some of 3 Floyd's other beers. I was a much bigger fan of the Rye da Tiger as I thought that Dreadnaught committed the one sin (in my mind) of IIPA - it was too sweet. I know that a lot of malt sweetness is somewhat to style in IIPA, but I thought Dreadnaught overdid it.
Then again, that's just like my opinion, man.
What other beers from FFF have you found good/lacking?
I think the Cheese Castle has a bottle of Rye da Tiger on their shelf, I was going to get it but they called my number for lunch.
Alpha King - Really, really good.
Robert the Bruce - Meh
Gumballhead - Overrated? I didn't think it was bad, but I think I was expecting more than I got.
Zombie Dust - Awesome
I've had a few bombers of others, having trouble recalling at this point.
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I think the Cheese Castle has a bottle of Rye da Tiger on their shelf, I was going to get it but they called my number for lunch.
Alpha King - Really, really good.
Robert the Bruce - Meh
Gumballhead - Overrated? I didn't think it was bad, but I think I was expecting more than I got.
Zombie Dust - Awesome
I've had a few bombers of others, having trouble recalling at this point.
Apocalypse Cow is awesome (DIPA with Lactose)
Arctic Panzer... Pretty good IPA.. but pretty boozy.
Rabid Rabbit... meh, but I don't really care for farmhouse ales.
Darklord... GLORIOUS
Moloko... I'm partial to milk stouts, but this one is damn good... really chewy
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Apocalypse Cow is awesome (DIPA with Lactose)
Arctic Panzer... Pretty good IPA.. but pretty boozy.
Rabid Rabbit... meh, but I don't really care for farmhouse ales.
Darklord... GLORIOUS
Moloko... I'm partial to milk stouts, but this one is damn good... really chewy
Darklord sucks!!!! Most overrated beer in the world. Tastes like hot soy sauce. I am sorry but that beer is just hype and hot garbage. I have bottles I will trade for anything but no one will take them.
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Darklord sucks!!!! Most overrated beer in the world. Tastes like hot soy sauce. I am sorry but that beer is just hype and hot garbage. I have bottles I will trade for anything but no one will take them.
I will trade you. Anything up here that you are interested in? (Madison area)
And to be fair, I had Darklord aged in Cognac barrels. I should have mentioned that above... and it was awesome.
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I think the Cheese Castle has a bottle of Rye da Tiger on their shelf, I was going to get it but they called my number for lunch.
Alpha King - Really, really good.
Robert the Bruce - Meh
Gumballhead - Overrated? I didn't think it was bad, but I think I was expecting more than I got.
Zombie Dust - Awesome
I've had a few bombers of others, having trouble recalling at this point.
Agree mostly, though I love Robert the Bruce. Do you not like Scotch Ale or just that particular Scotch Ale?
I also have the Behemoth barley wine aging right now, I'm hoping that is as good as I think it might be.
Side note: I was lucky to get some tickets to Midwinter Brewfest at the Milwaukee Ale House two weekends ago. Leine's was there pouring some of their experimental beers; they had a ghost chili imperial porter that was GREAT. I've had a few chili beers before, and while I would never get a six pack of any of them, this one really had a lot of heat while still tasting like Porter.
Also got to try some 3 Sheeps (new brewery in Sheboygan) and reccomend people give them a look. Their black wheat Ale (Baaaaad Boy) is a cross-over beer like Spotted Cow but with some good roasted malt flavor. Not an award-winner by any means, but it's good to see a new brewery making a beer that might garner them some popularity.
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I will trade you. Anything up here that you are interested in? (Madison area)
And to be fair, I had Darklord aged in Cognac barrels. I should have mentioned that above... and it was awesome.
I have had Vanilla Bean (which is pretty good), Brandy, Cognac and Pappy Van Winkle which were average at best. If you truly like Darklord you have to try other breweries which are doing a much better job.
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I will trade you. Anything up here that you are interested in? (Madison area)
And to be fair, I had Darklord aged in Cognac barrels. I should have mentioned that above... and it was awesome.
Have you had any of Karben 4's beer (I think that's their name). New to Madison - moved into the old Ale Asylum facility. I work with a friend of the owners and want to know how soon I should try to make it from MKE to Madison to check them out.
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Have you had any of Karben 4's beer (I think that's their name). New to Madison - moved into the old Ale Asylum facility. I work with a friend of the owners and want to know how soon I should try to make it from MKE to Madison to check them out.
Yes, quite delicious. I tried each of their beers one night. Worth the trip, and while you are here you can stop buy House of Brews... very small tasting room, but it is something else to try while you are in town.
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Darklord sucks!!!! Most overrated beer in the world. Tastes like hot soy sauce. I am sorry but that beer is just hype and hot garbage. I have bottles I will trade for anything but no one will take them.
I'd like to try it, if you want something the Cheese Castle has a decent eceletic selection.
Agree mostly, though I love Robert the Bruce. Do you not like Scotch Ale or just that particular Scotch Ale?
I'm not a huge fan of Scots mostly, but I can tolerate them. Just wasn't blown away. Seemed overcarbonated and didn't appreciate that toffee taste.
Also got to try some 3 Sheeps (new brewery in Sheboygan) and reccomend people give them a look. Their black wheat Ale (Baaaaad Boy) is a cross-over beer like Spotted Cow but with some good roasted malt flavor. Not an award-winner by any means, but it's good to see a new brewery making a beer that might garner them some popularity.
I've heard hype around 3 Sheeps from some coworkers in that area. Don't they brew some liquor out of there as well? Do they have a Waterslide or Rollercoast beer? That's what the guys were talking about. Need to keep an eye out for them.
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I've heard hype around 3 Sheeps from some coworkers in that area. Don't they brew some liquor out of there as well? Do they have a Waterslide or Rollercoast beer? That's what the guys were talking about. Need to keep an eye out for them.
Waterslide is their IPA. Not spectacular but a really solid offering for a new brewery.
If you're MKE based, there is a tasting of their beers at the Puddler's Hall beer club tonight (Bay View). $10 (I think) to try pretty much the whole line-up (and $1 off all beers the rest of the night + free popcorn and ping pong).
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I had Dreadnaught both bottled and on tap and didn't think it quite held up to some of 3 Floyd's other beers. I was a much bigger fan of the Rye da Tiger as I thought that Dreadnaught committed the one sin (in my mind) of IIPA - it was too sweet. I know that a lot of malt sweetness is somewhat to style in IIPA, but I thought Dreadnaught overdid it.
Then again, that's just like my opinion, man.
What other beers from FFF have you found good/lacking?
3Floyd favorites: Rye'da Tiger (or previously Rye'da Lightning), Zombie Dust, Alpha King, Dreadnaught.
Also very good: Arctic Panzer Wolf, Moloko, Alpha Klaus (seasonal), any other new hoppy creation they have on tap.
Not a big fan of: Robert the Bruce, Blackheart, Jinxproof, Gumballhead. These are good beers, but I think there are better choices for the styles.
I'm in the camp of liking Darklord, but maybe not to up to the hype.
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I like Dreadnaught and must confess I like Alpha King from time to time. Zombie dust not so much in fact did a tasting of that and Hopslam about a week ago at Hooligans and without a doubt I prefe Hopslam. Never had the chance to try Darklord.
I like scottish ales but Robert the Bruce never did it for me, hell, I like Rock Bottom's Naughty Scot better. Try New Glarus Winter Warmer for a scottish ale, I'm liking that one too.
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I like Dreadnaught and must confess I like Alpha King from time to time. Zombie dust not so much in fact did a tasting of that and Hopslam about a week ago at Hooligans and without a doubt I prefe Hopslam. Never had the chance to try Darklord.
I like scottish ales but Robert the Bruce never did it for me, hell, I like Rock Bottom's Naughty Scot better. Try New Glarus Winter Warmer for a scottish ale, I'm liking that one too.
While I love Hopslam, that wasn't the most fair fight since they're different styles of beer - Zombie Dust being an APA while Hopslam is a DIPA. Both are fantastic in their own different ways.
I recently had Hopslam and Pliny the Elder back to back and it was nearly impossible to taste the difference between the two since Hopslam really assaults your tastebuds.
And now it's time to grab a Hopslam from my fridge.
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We've always got Gumballhead in the fridge. That and NG Moon Man are my favorite sessions.
I think Dreadnaught is a fantastic beer and Alpha Klaus could be my favorite winter beer-cannot get enough of it.
I was lucky enough to get a bottle of Risgoop from a buddy who was traveling through. That was truly outstanding and I immediately wished I had another bottle.
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Also got to try some 3 Sheeps (new brewery in Sheboygan) and reccomend people give them a look. Their black wheat Ale (Baaaaad Boy) is a cross-over beer like Spotted Cow but with some good roasted malt flavor. Not an award-winner by any means, but it's good to see a new brewery making a beer that might garner them some popularity.
Dropped into Woodman's yesterday to pick up some essentials for the snow, so I got 6-pack of 3 Sheeps Really Cool Waterslides.
It's surprisingly good.
Like Anti-Hero it is an easy drinking IPA. Not a mouth torcher at all, but still gives nice flavors. Checks in at a light 6.2% for an IPA. Nice caramel flavors to start with a mid-range citrus mouthwash. Follows up with a bold pine bitter aftertaste.
I give it a 3.5/5. Will buy again, especially when mixing beers.
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Dropped into Woodman's yesterday to pick up some essentials for the snow, so I got 6-pack of 3 Sheeps Really Cool Waterslides.
It's surprisingly good.
Like Anti-Hero it is an easy drinking IPA. Not a mouth torcher at all, but still gives nice flavors. Checks in at a light 6.2% for an IPA. Nice caramel flavors to start with a mid-range citrus mouthwash. Follows up with a bold pine bitter aftertaste.
I give it a 3.5/5. Will buy again, especially when mixing beers.
This. I appreciated that it had a bit more bitter dryness to it then most IPAs in that ABV/price range. I feel like the trend in big IIPAs has led to maltier, sweeter IPAs across the board. I might have to start drinking more ESB to get more bitterness and less hop flavor on top of sweet malt.
AK Brewing Black IPA is still in stores. Still the only BIPA that takes down Black Top in my book.
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First Curmudgeon in a long time. Forgot how delicious.
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I bought a 4 pack of Central Waters bourbon barrel barleywine only to find out the next day 1 bottle was 99% empty. The others tasted great IMO. ;D
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I am enjoying the best beer that I have ever had. In Beaufort, SC, drinking a Seeing Double IPA out of Foothills Brewery in Ashville, NC. Might have somehting to do with the MU win. Just might. I think the "Seeing Double" comes from watching Vander Blue close out again.
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Has anyone tried MKE's Hop Happy?
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Has anyone tried MKE's Hop Happy?
At the brewery several times. Nothing crazy. All of their beer is good, but not great.
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Has anyone tried MKE's Hop Happy?
I prefer Lakefront's IPA to that. Hop Happy is alright, but there are better out there.
If you're looking for a hoppy session beer, try Founders All Day IPA. Really enjoyed it.
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Anyone got their hands on some KBS yet?
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Anyone got their hands on some KBS yet?
Was at the brewery last week for work and they gave us a few bottles but told us to wait a few weeks before opening it. Should be hitting store shelves soon.
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Release is set for April (from their website)
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Fischman's in Jefferson Park (Chicago) is having a KBS tapping 4/4: http://www.fischmanliquors.com/p/events.html
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http://www.freep.com/article/20130508/ENT/305080168/Craft-brewing-boom-changes-Grand-Rapids-culture-economy
http://www.freep.com/article/20130509/ent1005/305090051/
If any of you guys are planning a pilgrimage, PM me. We will toast MU together over GR's finest.
I had my KBS for the year. Strong. Smooth. You can taste the coffee, taste the chocolate, and feel the bourbon in your sinuses.
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http://www.freep.com/article/20130508/ENT/305080168/Craft-brewing-boom-changes-Grand-Rapids-culture-economy
http://www.freep.com/article/20130509/ent1005/305090051/
If any of you guys are planning a pilgrimage, PM me. We will toast MU together over GR's finest.
I had my KBS for the year. Strong. Smooth. You can taste the coffee, taste the chocolate, and feel the bourbon in your sinuses.
I would like to do this.
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Have you guys heard about what's going down at Soldier Field Saturday? http://www.americanbeerclassic.com/ Some other MU alums and I will be attending, looks pretty sweet.
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Sitting down with a beer and some playoff basketball... might as well post some tasting notes I had.
New Holland Night Tripper- Big imperial stout. Jet black, a thin tan head. Very good representation of the style. Would love to try it barrel aged, if they do that.
Pearl Street Stout- Really bad. Overly bitter, too carbonated. Did not care for it.
Tyranena Coffee Imperial Porter- A touch lighter than a stout. On the dry side from the oatmeal, but nice coffee/chocolate notes. Very good.
Lakefront "Chad" Barleywine- Holy balls. A huge, complex beer. Boozy, malty goodness. Bought another bottle to age.
Black Husky Pale Ale- Loved it. Dances on the Pale/IPA line, but really good. Assertively hopped, but balanced.
Black Husky Sproose Joose- Hated it. It's like they put a car air freshener in secondary fermentation. Pine flavors were overwhelming.
Tallgrass Buffalo Sweat- Had the Raspbery/Vanilla bean version from a firkin, and it was perfect. Smooth drinking stout with a touch of sweetness.
Abita Vanilla Double Dog- Had this on tap a few months back, and haven't been able to find it since. It was wonderful. I like Turbodog a lot, and they upped the strength while smoothing it out with Vanilla. Delicious.
New Glarus Edel Pils- Out of Two Women and Hometown Blonde, this was my favorite pilsner. I'm not crazy about the grassy/earthy finish those beers have, but the Edel Pils was smooth, almost creamy. Super easy drinker.
Capital Mutiny IPA- Didn't come in with terribly high expectations, since it's Capital's first IPA. It wasn't terrible, but I wouldn't buy it again. Unremarkable.
New Belgium Heavenly Feijoa- Not sure how much of a trippel this was. Drank more like a wild ale. Tropical sweet/tartness, and a well-hidden ABV. Interesting beer.
3 Sheeps Black Wheat- Was expecting a dunkel. Felt like I was drinking a porter. Not bad, but not one I'd seek out.
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A few more...
Abita Christmas- Disappointed. Usually these types of beers have a nice toffee maltiness, or are on the hoppy side. This was neither. Not sure what it was, to be honest. Mislabeled Turbodog?
Brau Brothers Moo Joos- Run of the mill milk stout. Nothing to write home about.
Boulder Never Summer- Decent winter warmer. Only 6%, so it didn't warm too much.
New Belgium Imperial Coffee Stout- Fantastic. Coffee and chocolate blended perfectly, and no burn despite it being 9%.
Capital Eternal Flame- This year's version was an imperial maibock mixed with Autumnal Fire, and last year's Flame. A big, malty bock with enough booze to spice it up. Love this concept, hope it continues.
Sprecher Hopfuzion- Enjoyed this one a lot. The wet hop addition almost gives it some green apple qualities. Refreshing session beer.
Revolution Fistmas- First beer from them that I've tried. Not bad. Expected more of a hop prescense.
Sierra Nevada Ruthless Rye- Really nice beer. Hops, caramel notes, with some spice from the rye to finish. Enjoyed it.
Alaskan Black IPA- Up there with NG's Black Top at the top of my list for the style. Excellent.
Dark Horse Kmita Kolsch- I love Dark Horse's beer. This one missed the mark. Poured a cloudy, dark caramel color. Not bad, but not a Kolsch.
Southern Tier Choklat- Might be my new dessert beer. Aroma was like chocolate milk, but the stout wasn't overly sweet.
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Anyone have an extra bottle of KBS they would like to send/sell/trade me?
Can't buy it in Florida and my stores in Georgia where I normally buy Breakfast Stout couldnt get their hands on any.
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I have an extra KBS I could send your way.
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I have an extra KBS I could send your way.
What a coincidence, I was just downloading your app.
What would you like in return?
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email me at john@thebeerfridge.com
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I had a few bottles of the New Glarus 20th Anniversary Belgian Dubbel this weekend - highly recommend it if you can find it while it lasts, it is apparently in very limited quantities of 1/2 liter bottles. Otto's and Discount each have a 2 bottle limit.
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Does anyone else here like Trappists? I did a full tasting of all 7 official Trappist breweries a little while back. They were all great, but to me the clear winners were Chimay Blue and Orval.
Also, I am going to Belgium later this year. Are there any great breweries that are worth checking out in person?
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Does anyone else here like Trappists? I did a full tasting of all 7 official Trappist breweries a little while back. They were all great, but to me the clear winners were Chimay Blue and Orval.
Also, I am going to Belgium later this year. Are there any great breweries that are worth checking out in person?
Cantillon
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Also, I am going to Belgium later this year. Are there any great breweries that are worth checking out in person?
Riva! It's my Grandpa's cousin's brewery
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Does anyone else here like Trappists? I did a full tasting of all 7 official Trappist breweries a little while back. They were all great, but to me the clear winners were Chimay Blue and Orval.
Also, I am going to Belgium later this year. Are there any great breweries that are worth checking out in person?
We used to hit the Belgian breweries when I was stationed at Spangdahlem. Orval is the best but they are only open at certain times and it can be bloody difficult to get in. I recall they had a lottery but the base MWR was always able to get some passes so we were able to visit. Chimay is a bit remote if you are in Brussels but that only adds to the pilgrimage vibe. Achel and Rochefort are also worth visiting. There is enough geographic distribution there to make one of them accessible. Proost!
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Riva! It's my Grandpa's cousin's brewery
That is very cool. I am not familiar with Riva but the Belgian breweries are all charming places. I think that would be a wonderful way to spend one's days. Making fine beer is a worthy craft that serves a noble purpose.
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We used to hit the Belgian breweries when I was stationed at Spangdahlem. Orval is the best but they are only open at certain times and it can be bloody difficult to get in. I recall they had a lottery but the base MWR was always able to get some passes so we were able to visit. Chimay is a bit remote if you are in Brussels but that only adds to the pilgrimage vibe. Achel and Rochefort are also worth visiting. There is enough geographic distribution there to make one of them accessible. Proost!
I have looked into Orval since they are one of the best Trappists, have a guest Chalet and are somewhat accesible via public transit (basically a commuter train and a bus will get you there from Brussels). But I am a little wary because in October it looks like they have no guided tours so you are basically on your own. Orval's monastery also has ruins dating from the 11th century while Chimay was built in the last 200 years, so the history factor leans in Orval's direction. Also wondering if you can comment on the whole visiting a monastery aspect. We are by no means out of control but we would like to drink and have a good time and wanted to make sure we wouldn't be interrupting someone's retreat or get scolded for downing a few too many.
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I have looked into Orval since they are one of the best Trappists, have a guest Chalet and are somewhat accesible via public transit (basically a commuter train and a bus will get you there from Brussels). But I am a little wary because in October it looks like they have no guided tours so you are basically on your own. Orval's monastery also has ruins dating from the 11th century while Chimay was built in the last 200 years, so the history factor leans in Orval's direction. Also wondering if you can comment on the whole visiting a monastery aspect. We are by no means out of control but we would like to drink and have a good time and wanted to make sure we wouldn't be interrupting someone's retreat or get scolded for downing a few too many.
The monks are good guys. They drink their product with every meal though I recall them saying that during the week it is a watered down "3.2" version. On weekends they revert to the real thing. They are evident during the tour and are certainly approachable.
As for environment, between the Flemish, Dutch, Germans, and Brits who will likely be there you will have to shout over their raucous amusements. In the world you have Horton Roe monks and Sebastian Moore monks. The Horton Roe monk is a surly, dour, morose sort while the Sebastian Moore monk is blithe, empathetic, and discerning. The Belgian Trappists are the latter. After all, they make the world's finest beer for God's sake!
Of the four monasteries I mentioned Orval would be the must see. As I mentioned, they are less accessible than the others so find out their hours before making the trek. The tour is definitely worth it as it is far more casual and interactive than the old Pabst/Schlitz/Miller tours we took back at MU.
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I have looked into Orval since they are one of the best Trappists, have a guest Chalet and are somewhat accesible via public transit (basically a commuter train and a bus will get you there from Brussels). But I am a little wary because in October it looks like they have no guided tours so you are basically on your own. Orval's monastery also has ruins dating from the 11th century while Chimay was built in the last 200 years, so the history factor leans in Orval's direction. Also wondering if you can comment on the whole visiting a monastery aspect. We are by no means out of control but we would like to drink and have a good time and wanted to make sure we wouldn't be interrupting someone's retreat or get scolded for downing a few too many.
Abbaye Notre-Dame d'Orval is one of the most enchanting pieces of land I've visited in my life. Full disclosure, I went in February just after a snowfall and saw four other people over the three hours I spent there. Much different then when most visit in the summer.
Things to know: you will not interact with the Monks; in fact, the old ruins and tutorial area as well as the shop are walled off from the cloister. The Guardian Angel is on premise and serves lighter fare and also the famous "petit" Orval of which keefe wrote about. Down the entry road is the Hotellerie d'Orval which is a smallish chalet that will err on the quieter side as does much of the surrounding area. I drove so not sure on the public transport and how accessible it really is.
As for a brewery suggestion, though in the opposite end of the country in West Flanders, the De Struise Brouwers are one of the finest examples of craftsmanship brewing in the world. Head brewer Urbain is a man of the world, Carlo is gregarious, and young Jay (Urbain's son-in-law and apprentice) loves talking with Americans. They are open only on Saturday from 2-6 in the afternoon but you could always visit St. Sixtus Abbey about four miles away for the (in)famous Westvleteren 12, 8, or Blond that morning.
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The monks are good guys. They drink their product with every meal though I recall them saying that during the week it is a watered down "3.2" version. On weekends they revert to the real thing. They are evident during the tour and are certainly approachable.
That is why Trappist Ale styles are Single (for every day drinking), Double (for weekends), Triple (for special occasions) and Quads (for very special occasions).
Orval is the sheeet! Love that beer. But if you're in Belgium look up every sour and farmhouse brewery you can. They are everywhere. I am hoping I get to go on our next work trip to Belgium soon, it's been few years since they have done one but it's a beer lovers dream.
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I studied in antwerp for 6 mos while at Marquette. It ruined me on domestic beers..
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Thanks for all of the feedback on Orval guys. I am definitely going to try to get there now. It sounds like an amazing place.
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Thanks for all of the feedback on Orval guys. I am definitely going to try to get there now. It sounds like an amazing place.
We often went there but that was 25 years ago. It is a real gem and the beer is superb. You won't go wrong.
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I had a few bottles of the New Glarus 20th Anniversary Belgian Dubbel this weekend - highly recommend it if you can find it while it lasts, it is apparently in very limited quantities of 1/2 liter bottles. Otto's and Discount each have a 2 bottle limit.
Had a bottle last night... really nice beer. Would be a nice candidate to age as well.
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Had a bottle last night... really nice beer. Would be a nice candidate to age as well.
I bought 2 cases (12 bottles/case) to cellar for a bit, nice to get a 'case' price no less instead of that darn 2 bottle limit at some places
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2 great summer beers I had last weekend with some friends tho not really new things along with a new thing coming out our brewery:
1) New Glarrus Berliner Weiss - hot damn this is a great drinking beer and is so sessionable at 3.5%. Light tartness comes through from the souring brew process but that is ballanced so perfectly with the addition of Riesling grapes. Thank god I am coming back up to Wisconsin this weekend so I can try and find a few cases of it.
2) Steigl Grapefruit Raddler (now in 16oz Tallboys) - Hell to the motherf*cking yes! Always a summer favorite of mine, but this traditional combination of Lager beer and grapefruit soda is just kickass! Beyond refreshing but you need to watch out as too many can make your stomach a little wonky.
3) Goose Island The Illinois IIPA (draft only) - our head brewer Jared knocked it out of the park with this one. It's a very refreshing and drinkable IIPA coming in around 8.5% ABV. Not overly sweet or a tongue scraper like so many IIPA, you can actually enjoy a few glasses of this but it is still right in style spec. It's draft only so I would recommend you watch your favorite watering holes for this one. It's good.
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Worst beer I ever had, sad to say, was "Milwaukee's Best". Beer so bad it made me quit drinking.
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Worst beer I ever had, sad to say, was "Milwaukee's Best". Beer so bad it made me quit drinking.
LOL, you actually quit drinking entirely? It is not a good beer but to hold that against every other beer? sorry but I'm almost crying I laughed so hard.
I would never drink MB although my wife loves their MBL (bless her heart, saves me a ton of $$$).
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2 great summer beers I had last weekend with some friends tho not really new things along with a new thing coming out our brewery:
1) New Glarrus Berliner Weiss - hot damn this is a great drinking beer and is so sessionable at 3.5%. Light tartness comes through from the souring brew process but that is ballanced so perfectly with the addition of Riesling grapes. Thank god I am coming back up to Wisconsin this weekend so I can try and find a few cases of it.
2) Steigl Grapefruit Raddler (now in 16oz Tallboys) - Hell to the motherf*cking yes! Always a summer favorite of mine, but this traditional combination of Lager beer and grapefruit soda is just kickass! Beyond refreshing but you need to watch out as too many can make your stomach a little wonky.
3) Goose Island The Illinois IIPA (draft only) - our head brewer Jared knocked it out of the park with this one. It's a very refreshing and drinkable IIPA coming in around 8.5% ABV. Not overly sweet or a tongue scraper like so many IIPA, you can actually enjoy a few glasses of this but it is still right in style spec. It's draft only so I would recommend you watch your favorite watering holes for this one. It's good.
First two sound like fruit juice. No thanks. Third one sounds awesome. Do you work for Goose Island?
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First two sound like fruit juice. No thanks. Third one sounds awesome. Do you work for Goose Island?
He does IIRC
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First two sound like fruit juice. No thanks. Third one sounds awesome. Do you work for Goose Island?
First one is definately not Fruit Juice. It's actually a sour, tart beer - and not like the other New Glarus ones such as Belgian Red. The grapes ad a subtle sweetness to the beer overall tartness that balances into something refreshing. But a Berliner Weiss is a traditional style where the mash is allowed to come to room temperature and actually naturally sour a bit. Takes about 24-48 hours for that happen the brewing process is completed.
The second one is a bit sweet but it's very refreshing and very traditional. Sort of speaks to my German soul. If you ever go to Oktoberfest in Munich, the majority of people will drink Raddlers during the day and Oktoberfest beers at night so they can drink longer due to the low ABV of Raddlers.
Last question, yes I do work for Goose Island. Also, if you see anu Sofie Paradisi in your markets, go drink it. I know Mike Roman had some at Roman's but it may be gone. Beer is the sheeet.
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First one is definately not Fruit Juice. It's actually a sour, tart beer - and not like the other New Glarus ones such as Belgian Red. The grapes ad a subtle sweetness to the beer overall tartness that balances into something refreshing. But a Berliner Weiss is a traditional style where the mash is allowed to come to room temperature and actually naturally sour a bit. Takes about 24-48 hours for that happen the brewing process is completed.
The second one is a bit sweet but it's very refreshing and very traditional. Sort of speaks to my German soul. If you ever go to Oktoberfest in Munich, the majority of people will drink Raddlers during the day and Oktoberfest beers at night so they can drink longer due to the low ABV of Raddlers.
Last question, yes I do work for Goose Island. Also, if you see anu Sofie Paradisi in your markets, go drink it. I know Mike Roman had some at Roman's but it may be gone. Beer is the sheeet.
Yeah, I've had Raddlers, had one at the Hofbrauhaus in Munich actually. Not my bag, but I get the appeal, especially in summer. I'll give the Berliner Weiss a shot.
Is the Sofie Paradisi different than the regular Sofie? That's my gf's favorite Goose Island beer. I prefer the Pere Jacques. Also love the Green Line and IPA. Did you have something to do with the Pere Jacques naming, Mr. Marquette alum? What do you do at the Goose? I live very near the Clybourn location. Has the A-B buyout changed things a bit?
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Are they distributing Stiegl in WI yet? I'm intrigued.
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Yeah, I've had Raddlers, had one at the Hofbrauhaus in Munich actually. Not my bag, but I get the appeal, especially in summer. I'll give the Berliner Weiss a shot.
Is the Sofie Paradisi different than the regular Sofie? That's my gf's favorite Goose Island beer. I prefer the Pere Jacques. Also love the Green Line and IPA. Did you have something to do with the Pere Jacques naming, Mr. Marquette alum? What do you do at the Goose? I live very near the Clybourn location. Has the A-B buyout changed things a bit?
Sofie Paradisi uses grapefruit instead of oranges in the barrel aging to give it a different flavor and mouth feel. It's dynamite. I think Clybourn has it on draft right now. Pere Jacques was before my time but it actually has a great naming story. Pere Jacques was actually the Abbott of the Orval Monastery in Belgium and gave our old Brew Master Greg Hall a tour once.
Not much has really changed. We now have the ability to utilize two of the AB breweries to brew some of our beers which has freed up a ton of capacity here in Chicago to make a lot more of the specialty beers like Bourbon County Brand Stout, Matilda, Sofie, Juliet, Madam Rose, etc. We also have the ability to do more kickass things like become the sponsor of the Pitchfork Music Festival again after a two year absence. Goose was the original sponsor so it's sort of like bringing it home. Also, now you can get a Goose IPA or Honkers at Fenway Park, Yankee Stadium and stadium/arena in Philly, LA Forum, etc.
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Also, if you see anu Sofie Paradisi in your markets, go drink it. I know Mike Roman had some at Roman's but it may be gone. Beer is the sheeet.
lools like he still has it on tap (from his website)
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I haven't had a Sapporo in years, maybe even decades, but their commercial is pretty cool:
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=K-Rs6YEZAt8
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I haven't had a Sapporo in years, maybe even decades, but their commercial is pretty cool:
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=K-Rs6YEZAt8
I have lived in Japan more than 20 years. The Japanese lagers are the finest in the world. Sapporo is an outstanding draft. As with many things the Japanese took a western concept and perfected it.
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Sapporo is good. I prefer Kirin Ichiban
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I have lived in Japan more than 20 years. The Japanese lagers are the finest in the world. Sapporo is an outstanding draft. As with many things the Japanese took a western concept and perfected it.
Wow. Japanese over German lagers.
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Tsingtao is a pretty solid Chinese lager
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Tsingtao is a pretty solid Chinese lager
Qingtao was the HQ of the German concession. The brewery was founded by German brewmeisters during the colonial period and made in accordance with the Reinheitsgebot. Tsingtao is an outstanding lager.
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Sapporo is good. I prefer Kirin Ichiban
Kirin, Asahi, and Sapporo are all excellent. The Sapporo sold in N America is brewed by Molson. It ain't the same.
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Qingtao was the HQ of the German concession. The brewery was founded by German brewmeisters during the colonial period and made in accordance with the Reinheitsgebot. Tsingtao is an outstanding lager.
I had to opportunity to visit the city of Qingdao. I unfortunately did not have the opportunity to visit the Old Town or see the original Tsingtao brewery.
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Kirin, Asahi, and Sapporo are all excellent. The Sapporo sold in N America is brewed by Molson. It ain't the same.
Kirin is owned by ABI.
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Kirin is owned by ABI.
Not sure what you mean by this as Kirin is a key member of the Mitusbishi keiretsu, one of Japan's 5 core Zaibatsu. Kirin is huge, with international holdings in agro, pharma, food, restaurants, logistics, real estate, and beverages. If you live in New England your are drinking Kirin Coca Cola. Kirin brews Bud and Heineken in Japan under license. Why anyone would order Bud in Tokyo is beyond me.
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Why anyone would order Bud in Tokyo anywhere is beyond me.
Fixed it for you.
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Wow. Japanese over German lagers.
This is all making me really curious about Italian lagers.
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Not sure what you mean by this as Kirin is a key member of the Mitusbishi keiretsu, one of Japan's 5 core Zaibatsu. Kirin is huge, with international holdings in agro, pharma, food, restaurants, logistics, real estate, and beverages. If you live in New England your are drinking Kirin Coca Cola. Kirin brews Bud and Heineken in Japan under license. Why anyone would order Bud in Tokyo is beyond me.
You are correct, I am mistaken. ABI and Kirin have a JV agreement for ABI to brew Kirin beers in the US.
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You are correct, I am mistaken. ABI and Kirin have a JV agreement for ABI to brew Kirin beers in the US.
That’s ok, it’s the beer that counts. It's actually a cross licensing agreement as there is no shared equity but the market effect is the same. Kirin is a major shareholder in another of the world's great beers - San Miguel. San Miguel is really not all that great as a beer but anyone who has served in either the USAF or USN and has spent time at Subic Bay has probably consumed a goodly quantity of this Pale Pilsen nectar. San Miguel ensured a good time would be had by all and provided memories that are far richer than gold.
The Fightin’ Samurai of Misawa AB hung out at The Nipa Hut while the World Famous Iron Claws of NAS Atsugi called The Marmont their home away from home. San Miguel was the beverage of choice in both and through that magical elixir loves were found or lost, courage instilled, battles fought once more, wars waged and ultimately won, cancers cured, baluts consumed, games of smiles enacted, virgins converted, business ventures launched, and the world’s great problems were reduced to manageable proportions.
And while the harsh tropical daybreak and the oily perfume of JP 4 brought one crashing back to a reality that in reflection wasn’t all that bad it was the lubricant of San Miguel that greased the skids of youthful exuberance. Through the passage of time the warriors have come and gone in one long unbroken line of blue but the San Miguel remains. Always the San Miguel… Ito Ang Beer!
The Nipa Hut, Angeles City, Outside the Main Gate of Clark AB on the MacArthur Highway, Pampanga Province. Probably one of the world's most storied Fighter Bars. The Hut outlasted both the Berlin Wall and the Soviet Empire.
(http://zcap.freeyellow.com/dangeles001.jpg)
Flight Suit Patch awarded for earning the coveted Nipa Hut 50 Mission Qual. Paid for in Blood it commanded immediate respect in the Fighter community.
(http://i.ebayimg.com/t/CLARK-AB-ANGELES-CITY-PHILIPPINES-BAR-RUNNIING-PATCH-50-MISSIONS-NIPA-HUT-Y-/00/s/NzI3WDcwMA==/$(KGrHqJ,!lIE+25kqPC7BQFs11f6h!~~60_35.JPG)
Flight Suit Patch for the World's Greatest F16 Viper Squadron, the Fighting Samurai of the 14th FS, Misawa AB, Aomori Prefecture, Japan. The Samurai were known to frequent the Nipa Hut during Cope Thunder TDYs. They came, they conquered, they drank.
"Where do we get such Men?"
(http://www.ericsusafpatches.nl/Fighter/Squadron/14%20FS%20SAMURAI%20JM001.jpg)
The Bridge Over Sh1t River: Outside the Main Gate of NAS Cubi Point, Gordon Avenue in Olongapo City, Zambales Province, Republic of the Philippines.
The Marmont Bar and Aviator Recreation Center stands like an Oasis in the Desert. A variety of thirsts were slaked within those obliging walls.
(http://www.pensacolafishingforum.com/attachments/f22/15511d1294768404t-olongapo-city-philippines-crapriverolongapo1972-jpg)
The Mighty Iron Claws on the eve of Desert Storm. First in over Baghdad, they busted Saddam's cherry. Combat Legends were born that day.
(http://ww1.hdnux.com/photos/02/31/41/628840/3/628x471.jpg)
Carnival in Olongapo City. San Miguel takes her rightful place as the Queen of Fat Tuesday.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v490/reyrefran/pakshet%20101/omg5.jpg)
The Cubi Officer's Club: THE finest Fighter Bar anywhere! Serving San Miguel to thirsty aviators since WWII.
(http://www.fighterpilotuniversity.com/files/9813/5277/4519/cubibar2.jpg)
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but where are the cartoons?
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but where are the cartoons?
(http://imgc.allpostersimages.com/images/P-473-488-90/60/6068/47YD100Z/posters/jack-ziegler-man-surrounded-by-empty-beer-cans-asleep-in-a-chair-with-a-copy-of-beer-new-yorker-cartoon.jpg)
(http://imgc.allpostersimages.com/images/P-473-488-90/60/6007/KVGB100Z/posters/frank-cotham-i-doubt-that-a-children-s-book-about-beer-would-sell-new-yorker-cartoon.jpg)
(http://imgc.allpostersimages.com/images/P-473-488-90/60/6057/8O9D100Z/posters/michael-crawford-ann-tells-us-you-experimented-a-little-with-light-beer-in-college-new-yorker-cartoon.jpg)
(http://imgc.artprintimages.com/images/art-print/bernard-schoenbaum--to-motherhood-apple-pie-and-beer--new-yorker-cartoon_i-G-66-6615-2IHE100Z.jpg)
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Meanwhile... Dogfish Head will be distributing to WI again by the end of the year. Good news.
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Meanwhile... Dogfish Head will be distributing to WI again by the end of the year. Good news.
Now that is a genuinely great brewer with some real legs. I compare it with our local Issaquah Rogue Brewhouse. Both make a superb Brown Ale.
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Meanwhile... Dogfish Head will be distributing to WI again by the end of the year. Good news.
I would put Rogue in the same elite level as Dogfish. I encourage you to sample these beers.
http://rogue.com/
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Meanwhile... Dogfish Head will be distributing to WI again by the end of the year. Good news.
Outside of 75 min and Festina Peche - meh. The whole constant hopping thing is a marketing gimmick. Also, Sam's use of spices and other filler ingredients is cute and such, but I don't think it makes outstanding beers.
Needless to say, Dogfish is better marketing company IMO than brewery.
Same with Rogue. The fact they even sell that Maple Bacon Beer is a travesty. That is beer is disgusting.
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Outside of 75 min and Festina Peche - meh. The whole constant hopping thing is a marketing gimmick. Also, Sam's use of spices and other filler ingredients is cute and such, but I don't think it makes outstanding beers.
Needless to say, Dogfish is better marketing company IMO than brewery.
Same with Rogue. The fact they even sell that Maple Bacon Beer is a travesty. That is beer is disgusting.
I have no particular expertise in beer other than a palate hatched in the misty alleys of Georgetown, nurtured in the smoky air of the Lanche and Lenny's then honed in the world's great dive bars. But I did come to recognize then celebrate the differences in regionals from having traveled every continent and time spent living in England, Japan, and Germany. Personally, I like the great micros here in the PNW because that is what is readily available.
Rogue has a fantastic brewhouse in Issaquah offering a prodigious selection of exceptional quality. Are they the best in the world? I couldn't say. But they offer a variety of styles and types of unsurpassed quality in a convivial atmosphere. I have brought German colleagues from T-Mobile/Deutsch Telekom to Rogue and they rate the various Alt and Kolsch styles as being worthy of the names.
For what it's worth, the PNW has been an epicenter of the microbrewery revolution. Elysian, Pike, Red Hook, Rogue, Diamond Knot, Fremont, Naked City, Pyramid, Hale's, Road Dog, Georgetown, Mac and Jack, Schooner, Twisp River, Deschutes, Full Sail, Kettle House, Boundary Bay, Sleeping Giant, Roots, Widmer, etc... all craft world-class gems that beguile, intrigue, and enchant. To suggest that any of these do not make superb beer is both petty and naive.
While I appreciate great beer it cannot compare in complexity, depth, richness, and vitality to wine or single malt. But thank god for great beer, regardless of origin.
Boundary Bay, Bellingham, WA
(http://cdn1.matadornetwork.com/matadortrips.com/docs/wp-content/images/posts/20090424-eric02.jpg)
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I have no particular expertise in beer other than a palate hatched in the misty alleys of Georgetown, nurtured in the smoky air of the Lanche and Lenny's then honed in the world's great dive bars. But I did come to recognize then celebrate the differences in regionals from having traveled every continent and time spent living in England, Japan, and Germany. Personally, I like the great micros here in the PNW because that is what is readily available.
Rogue has a fantastic brewhouse in Issaquah offering a prodigious selection of exceptional quality. Are they the best in the world? I couldn't say. But they offer a variety of styles and types of unsurpassed quality in a convivial atmosphere. I have brought German colleagues from T-Mobile/Deutsch Telekom to Rogue and they rate the various Alt and Kolsch styles as being worthy of the names.
For what it's worth, the PNW has been an epicenter of the microbrewery revolution. Elysian, Pike, Red Hook, Rogue, Diamond Knot, Fremont, Naked City, Pyramid, Hale's, Road Dog, Georgetown, Mac and Jack, Schooner, Twisp River, Deschutes, Full Sail, Kettle House, Boundary Bay, Sleeping Giant, Roots, Widmer, etc... all craft world-class gems that beguile, intrigue, and enchant. To suggest that any of these do not make superb beer is both petty and naive.
While I appreciate great beer it cannot compare in complexity, depth, richness, and vitality to wine or single malt. But thank god for great beer, regardless of origin.
Boundary Bay, Bellingham, WA
(http://cdn1.matadornetwork.com/matadortrips.com/docs/wp-content/images/posts/20090424-eric02.jpg)
I am a big fan of Manny's Pale Ale and tried to bring back a growler in my suitcase during my last trip to Seattle. There are a lot of great breweries up in that area tho I think you need to include NoCal too for Russian River, Bear Republic, Etc.
I have also heard Rogue's taproom has a lot of great beers but I need to get to Portland and Oregon soon. But yes, thank god for the expansion of good beer. Problem is, there are a lot of new craft brewers opening up that are making bad beer which I hope doesn't hurt the overall movement.
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I gotta say, Grand Rapids is more of the epicenter of the micro movement than the PNW. Could just be my midwest influence, but it's hard to beat. Founders, Bells, Dark Horse, Grand Rapids, HopCat, New Holland and more all within a 20-30 minutes is incredible.
I also usually pass on Dogfish, it's a trap for rookies.
Rogue has good stuff, like Dead Guy, but anyone who likes the Maple Bacon should be sentenced to drinking Blatz for the rest of eternity.
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I gotta say, Grand Rapids is more of the epicenter of the micro movement than the PNW. Could just be my midwest influence, but it's hard to beat. Founders, Bells, Dark Horse, Grand Rapids, HopCat, New Holland and more all within a 20-30 minutes is incredible.
I also usually pass on Dogfish, it's a trap for rookies.
Rogue has good stuff, like Dead Guy, but anyone who likes the Maple Bacon should be sentenced to drinking Blatz for the rest of eternity.
Founders & Bells yes. Dark Horse has some great hits but some big misses. You forgot Brewery Vivant in Grand Rapids - doing some great stuff. New Holland, meh. If you're ever in Holland, MI skip New Holland and walk three doors down to Our Brewing Co. Great guys and great beer. Don't forget Green Bush as well as new craft Cider companies popping up.
I also think mass in Chicagoland is starting to pick up steam with original Goose Island and now Revolution, Three Floyds, Half Acre, Pipeworks, Two Brothers, etc.
Needless to say, there is a lot of good beer to drink.
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I am a big fan of Manny's Pale Ale and tried to bring back a growler in my suitcase during my last trip to Seattle. There are a lot of great breweries up in that area tho I think you need to include NoCal too for Russian River, Bear Republic, Etc.
I have also heard Rogue's taproom has a lot of great beers but I need to get to Portland and Oregon soon. But yes, thank god for the expansion of good beer. Problem is, there are a lot of new craft brewers opening up that are making bad beer which I hope doesn't hurt the overall movement.
NorCal has a distinguished roster of brewers offering up a celebrated menu. We often traveled to Napa and Sonoma and I always insisted on stops at both Russian River and Bear Republic. Russian’s Damnation and both Pliny IPA’s are more than noteworthy while Bear’s Stouts are stellar. Healdsburg was one of my bride’s favorite little California wine country towns so I was fortunate to squeeze in an hour or two at the Republic while she hit the local galleries.
Other outstanding NorCal micros beyond Anchor and Sierra I would recommend include Lost Coast in Eureka (Downtown Brown,) Mad River in Blue Lake (Steelhead Extra Pale,) and Moylan’s in Novato (Imperial Stout.)
Manny’s is a nicely hopped pale ale with a citrus nose and bittersweet tongue. It finishes nicely and pairs well with grilled seafood. Personally, my preference in Seattle is Mac and Jack’s African Amber. It is ubiquitous here and the go-to drink of many. It is unfiltered, has minimal bitterness, nicely spiced with floral and citrus top notes, and a creaminess reminiscent of great English ales.
Oregon boasts Rogue, Full Sail, Widmer, and Deschutes. If you have never been to Bend it is a great town delivering a full meal deal 4 Season outdoor experience. When we skied Mt Bachelor we stayed in Bend and always visited Deschutes. An incredible brewery and the food was actually rather good. If in Portland I recommend Rogue’s distillery in the Pearl. They have tours but more compelling are the 40 some taps.
Let me know if you come through Seattle. I’ll take you out to Rogue’s Issaquah Brewhouse. I am a citizen of Rogue Nation!
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I gotta say, Grand Rapids is more of the epicenter of the micro movement than the PNW. Could just be my midwest influence, but it's hard to beat. Founders, Bells, Dark Horse, Grand Rapids, HopCat, New Holland and more all within a 20-30 minutes is incredible.
I also usually pass on Dogfish, it's a trap for rookies.
Rogue has good stuff, like Dead Guy, but anyone who likes the Maple Bacon should be sentenced to drinking Blatz for the rest of eternity.
I think one of the big reasons for Micro growth in the PNW is that we grow some of the best hops in the world. A neighbor is a German hops buyer for brewers back in the Fatherland. According to him the best hops are from Hallertau but the Yakima, Willamette, and Canyon hopyards in the PNW are almost the equal.
When I was in Ann Arbor the only beer I recall was Strohs. Yea. Strohs.
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Outside of 75 min and Festina Peche - meh. The whole constant hopping thing is a marketing gimmick. Also, Sam's use of spices and other filler ingredients is cute and such, but I don't think it makes outstanding beers.
Needless to say, Dogfish is better marketing company IMO than brewery.
Same with Rogue. The fact they even sell that Maple Bacon Beer is a travesty. That is beer is disgusting.
I get the stance that Sam (and more Mariah) knew about marketing early on than many breweries ever will but I do think they have enough good beers in a large (perhaps too large) portfolio to be considered one of the more influential brewers in the country. Palo, Burton, Shelter are pretty tasty mainstays. I think Immort, Fort, and Urkontinent are nice occasional brews. The Sierra Nevada collabs have been good, especially Life & Limb version.
I don't drink Rogue.
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I get the stance that Sam (and more Mariah) knew about marketing early on than many breweries ever will but I do think they have enough good beers in a large (perhaps too large) portfolio to be considered one of the more influential brewers in the country. Palo, Burton, Shelter are pretty tasty mainstays. I think Immort, Fort, and Urkontinent are nice occasional brews. The Sierra Nevada collabs have been good, especially Life & Limb version.
Their beers have almost become redundant, especially the hoppy ones. I think calling them "a trap for rookies" is unfair, though. Palo Santo, Festina, and Midas Touch are all very solid.
I'm all about breweries pushing limits and trying new things, even if they come across as gimmicky. I'll look past that if they come up with some good stuff.
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that is good news, only wish Stone would do the same
Meanwhile... Dogfish Head will be distributing to WI again by the end of the year. Good news.
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I gotta say, Grand Rapids is more of the epicenter of the micro movement than the PNW. Could just be my midwest influence, but it's hard to beat. Founders, Bells, Dark Horse, Grand Rapids, HopCat, New Holland and more all within a 20-30 minutes is incredible.
I also usually pass on Dogfish, it's a trap for rookies.
Rogue has good stuff, like Dead Guy, but anyone who likes the Maple Bacon should be sentenced to drinking Blatz for the rest of eternity.
Dark Horse is solid - has some great IPAs
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Founders & Bells yes. Dark Horse has some great hits but some big misses. You forgot Brewery Vivant in Grand Rapids - doing some great stuff. New Holland, meh. If you're ever in Holland, MI skip New Holland and walk three doors down to Our Brewing Co. Great guys and great beer. Don't forget Green Bush as well as new craft Cider companies popping up.
I also think mass in Chicagoland is starting to pick up steam with original Goose Island and now Revolution, Three Floyds, Half Acre, Pipeworks, Two Brothers, etc.
Needless to say, there is a lot of good beer to drink.
..living in Grand Rapids....I am not a fan of Brewery Vivant. Love their location, love their atmosphere, not so much their beer. Founders, of course. Personal favorite right now is Harmony brewing. They are more of a brewpub. Their dining room is about the size of a McCormick triple, but they combine their own beer (decent) with wood-fired pizzas (decadent). Helluva combo. Also, the Mitten. Another brewpub with chairs from the old Tiger stadium and a baseball motif. If you don't want to be tied down to a particular brewery, I recommend a trip to Graydon's Crossing, which has one of the most incredible beer menu's around ( http://graydonscrossing.com/drink/ )
And if anybody is making the trip to GR, PM me and we will toast MU hoops and good beer.
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Rogue has good stuff, like Dead Guy, but anyone who likes the Maple Bacon should be sentenced to drinking Blatz for the rest of eternity.
I know Rogue does some funky stuff. But you need to be from the PNW to understand Maple Bacon. There is a genuine story to Maple Bacon which was part of a promotion Rogue did with Voodoo Donuts in Portland. It was entirely tongue in cheek and the reactions expressed here to the very notion of a Maple Bacon Beer is precisely the response the creators of brew and pastry hoped to elicit from outlanders. Celebrating the off-beat is an art form here.
Portlandians have a saying: "Keep Portland Weird." They take this challenge very seriously as a lifestyle marker. Maple Bacon donuts and beer is part of that tradition.
If you haven't spent time in the PNW you probably won't get it. The people are independent to a fault and cherish individualism to an extreme. Gifted with incredible natural beauty Alaska, BC, Washington, Oregon, and NorCal offers an enviable lifestyle that is unique and defies convention. Vancouver is a cultural sister of Portland much more than it is to Toronto and certainly Calgary.
So, yes, Rogue and Voodoo make maple bacon products that are embraced locally and questioned if not reviled on the other side of the Cascades. And the locals wouldn't have it any other way.
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GtnLwak7H6M/TRrZmMIeybI/AAAAAAAAEic/CwfMihakm4U/s1600/A%2BKeep%2BPortland%2BWeird%2B2.jpg)
(https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRQrjLsv0ID4C_hLkQLzzbKSeMk8EXpWCiFKfDAjRm9uRsBq9RX)
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3226/2830915761_815b49aec6_m.jpg)
(http://www.portlandmercury.com/binary/8ee9/1335805454-dragginganoxthroughwater.jpg)
(http://www.bumfuzzle.com/Pictures_VW/USA/Oregon/OR%20Portland%20Weird!.jpg)
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Y0WKPapPruk/Srd5A-KVL3I/AAAAAAAAAnk/IXEu8kDUePY/s400/IMG_2220.jpg)
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/24/us/24portlandia.html?_r=0
http://www.ifc.com/shows/portlandia
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Their beers have almost become redundant, especially the hoppy ones. I think calling them "a trap for rookies" is unfair, though. Palo Santo, Festina, and Midas Touch are all very solid.
I'm all about breweries pushing limits and trying new things, even if they come across as gimmicky. I'll look past that if they come up with some good stuff.
Redundant is an interesting word. A lot of their releases these last two to three years have been in the same vain and have felt like drinking the same beer just with a different color on the label. And that should put people off.
Ironically, for a brewery that can be called out for style over substance, their brewpub always has a few interesting homebrew selections from their workforce. You can still see some legitimate experimentation.
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New Belgium Tour de Fat Update:
http://www.treehugger.com/corporate-responsibility/sometimes-the-combination-of-beer-and-bikes-can-mix.html
(http://media.treehugger.com/assets/images/2011/10/New-Belgium-Tour-De-Fat-Parade.jpg.492x0_q85_crop-smart.jpg)
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New Belgium Tour de Fat Update:
http://www.treehugger.com/corporate-responsibility/sometimes-the-combination-of-beer-and-bikes-can-mix.html
(http://media.treehugger.com/assets/images/2011/10/New-Belgium-Tour-De-Fat-Parade.jpg.492x0_q85_crop-smart.jpg)
I will be going today in Chicago. Always a fun time.
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I will be going today in Chicago. Always a fun time.
Do give us an update. These are fun events.
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Do give us an update. These are fun events.
Due to doctors orders I couldn't ride my bike in the parade ride, but it is a good time. Great bands. Good friends. Nice weather.
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Due to doctors orders I couldn't ride my bike in the parade ride, but it is a good time. Great bands. Good friends. Nice weather.
Roger that. These are fun events with some fine beer.
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Tried a beer for the first time the other day that I absolutely loved.
It's called Weihenstephaner Hefeweiss.
Wow, was it good! Gonna buy some (I hope) at my local beer and wine store today.
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^ that's one of the best and rated as such here: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/252/731
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^ that's one of the best and rated as such here: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/252/731
Thanks for the link, Red.
All I know is that I sampled lots of beer during a weekend in Asheville, which calls itself "Beer City," and that easliy was the best I quaffed.
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Tried a beer for the first time the other day that I absolutely loved.
It's called Weihenstephaner Hefeweiss.
Wow, was it good! Gonna buy some (I hope) at my local beer and wine store today.
The Cheese Castle usually has Weihen.
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The Cheese Castle usually has Weihen.
That's good to know. We'll be doing the Chicago-Milwaukee trip very soon. Gotta stop and pick up a sixer!
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Had a New Belgium French Aramis "IPA"
Holy christ, it was awful. I wonder if they got a bad keg, but it was terrible. Not hoppy despite having 3 different kinds of hops. Flat, watered down.
I don't know what to say about it... I choked it down.
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That's good to know. We'll be doing the Chicago-Milwaukee trip very soon. Gotta stop and pick up a sixer!
That will be 6 different bottles though.
Cheese Castle has a nice selection, but like all tourist traps they charge for it.
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That will be 6 different bottles though.
Cheese Castle has a nice selection, but like all tourist traps they charge for it.
Are you talking about that place just over the WI-IL state line? I think it's the Mars Cheese Castle? I thought that was just a tourist trap so I always gave it a miss. Little did I know it had great beer.
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Are you talking about that place just over the WI-IL state line? I think it's the Mars Cheese Castle? I thought that was just a tourist trap so I always gave it a miss. Little did I know it had great beer.
Why wouldn't you just go to Woodman's? Better selection and the best prices. Plus, you get a 10% discount for every case you buy.
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Why wouldn't you just go to Woodman's? Better selection and the best prices. Plus, you get a 10% discount for every case you buy.
Sold!
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Tried a beer for the first time the other day that I absolutely loved.
It's called Weihenstephaner Hefeweiss.
Wow, was it good! Gonna buy some (I hope) at my local beer and wine store today.
I've been making a clone of this beer for years, and it gets better every time.
[Little known fact... one of the best things for nursing mothers is a good hefe. Wife is now 8-1/2 months pregnant, and there are about a million cells of Wyeast 3068 growing on my stirplate right now. Some women get jewelry or a vacation as a "push present"... my wife gets a keg of hefeweizen.]
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I've been making a clone of this beer for years, and it gets better every time.
[Little known fact... one of the best things for nursing mothers is a good hefe. Wife is now 8-1/2 months pregnant, and there are about a million cells of Wyeast 3068 growing on my stirplate right now. Some women get jewelry or a vacation as a "push present"... my wife gets a keg of hefeweizen.]
Best wishes, benny, for a smooth landing~!!
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Why wouldn't you just go to Woodman's? Better selection and the best prices. Plus, you get a 10% discount for every case you buy.
The Woodman's in Kenosha is great for your standard craft 6-packs. Large selection, of year-rounds and some seasonals. Anything beyond that and they won't have it.
The Woodman's in Oak Creek will pick up the special runs and crafts though.
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Best wishes, benny, for a smooth landing~!!
No worries... even if the beer doesn't turn out to be what I'm expecting, it's still my beer and I'll love it until the day I kick it.
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No worries... even if the beer doesn't turn out to be what I'm expecting, it's still my beer and I'll love it until the day I kick it.
Uh, I was referring to your wife delivering
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Uh, I was referring to your wife delivering
I would have expected my quip to go mach-mach over your average scooper, but a person such as yourself, having the artistic stranglehold of the English language as you do? For shame, Keefe.
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I've been making a clone of this beer for years, and it gets better every time.
[Little known fact... one of the best things for nursing mothers is a good hefe. Wife is now 8-1/2 months pregnant, and there are about a million cells of Wyeast 3068 growing on my stirplate right now. Some women get jewelry or a vacation as a "push present"... my wife gets a keg of hefeweizen.]
Oh my God ... I know you're having a baby and all, but is there room in your home? I am (mostly) house-trained and I rarely bite.
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I would have expected my quip to go mach-mach over your average scooper, but a person such as yourself, having the artistic stranglehold of the English language as you do? For shame, Keefe.
Roger that. Even Ichiro goes O for 5 occasionally!
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I shared a bottle with the MRS. of New Glarus Strawberry Rhubarb last night. From what I've read online this might temporarily replace the Raspberry Tart. This I believe was naturally fermented outdoors in oak vessels similiar to the recent Wild Sour ale.
Mostly strawberry smell and the initial taste is mostly strawberry but then you taste the tartness of the rhubarb. The Mrs. really loved it and I thought it was pretty good especially since I thought I would hate it. Perhaps just a little aging might smooth out the strawberry some? Although this was OK right now. Here's a flier showing how they must have sourced their rhubarb
(https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/421223_10151585392288700_86659462_n.jpg)
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The Woodman's in Kenosha is great for your standard craft 6-packs. Large selection, of year-rounds and some seasonals. Anything beyond that and they won't have it.
The Woodman's in Oak Creek will pick up the special runs and crafts though.
Ended up getting my beer at someplace called Ray's in Milwaukee that my little brother knew about. Good thing, cuz Woodman's didn't have it. But Woodman's did have 12-packs of Hacker Pschorr's wheat beer at a great price, so that worked out nicely. Gonna have a few tonight at Millennium Park with some buddies. Can't wait!
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I know this may be a strange place to ask, but is there anyone around that has two spare tickets to the Great Taste of the Midwest in Madison on 8/17?
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I know this may be a strange place to ask, but is there anyone around that has two spare tickets to the Great Taste of the Midwest in Madison on 8/17?
There are always tickets available in Madison. Brewers / Breweries almost always order more than they need and will unload them at face day of bc they don't know how many people will show up.
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There are always tickets available in Madison. Brewers / Breweries almost always order more than they need and will unload them at face day of bc they don't know how many people will show up.
I got one last year for $10 over, which is nothing. To be honest, I just want to make sure I get one.
Pretty sad that I am a member of the group that puts it on, and they don't have preferred tickets available to members.
My problem is that I can't imagine standing in line for 7+ hours to attend a beer tasting.
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Lagunitas is building a big brewery in Chicago:
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20130727/ISSUE01/307279977/this-man-soon-will-be-chicagos%20biggest-brewer?r=9997H0364478A8T (http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20130727/ISSUE01/307279977/this-man-soon-will-be-chicagos%20biggest-brewer?r=9997H0364478A8T)
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Lagunitas is building a big brewery in Chicago:
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20130727/ISSUE01/307279977/this-man-soon-will-be-chicagos%20biggest-brewer?r=9997H0364478A8T (http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20130727/ISSUE01/307279977/this-man-soon-will-be-chicagos%20biggest-brewer?r=9997H0364478A8T)
They still don't have any brewing permits yet. They won't be open for quite some time - most likely not for another year or so.
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They still don't have any brewing permits yet. They won't be open for quite some time - most likely not for another year or so.
Knowing Chicago, you're probably right. :)
Chili, do you get to make it to the Great Taste in Madison? I had a glass of King Henry last year, and it was awesome... I wonder if you know what your group is bringing this year.
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Knowing Chicago, you're probably right. :)
Chili, do you get to make it to the Great Taste in Madison? I had a glass of King Henry last year, and it was awesome... I wonder if you know what your group is bringing this year.
I will be there again this year working (and enjoying the festival) ... as to what we are bringing .... 8-) 8-) 8-)
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I will be there again this year working (and enjoying the festival) ... as to what we are bringing .... 8-) 8-) 8-)
I'll be the dude in the Marquette shirt... assuming I can remember to wear it.
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Any good beer bars in Lake Geneva, WI?
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Any good beer bars in Lake Geneva, WI?
Unfortunately, not really.
Sprecher has a restaurant that will have all their brews available. Pretty good food as well.
Geneva Lake Brewery is a bit outside of town in an industrial park, but not worth a visit. The only 'okay' beer is their No Wake IPA.
Grand Geneva does a tasting the first weekend of November which is pretty good. All the usual Midwest crafts are there.
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I didn't think Lake Geneva had a decent bar, let alone a solid micro serving pub. I will be there for the week, and was hopeful that had changed since last year. You'd think all that suburban money would bring one or two decent pubs about. Oh well.
Being in Kenosha (with the Uncle Mike's franchises and Slice make things easy to come by. They always have a solid tap/bottle offering for the beer palette.
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I didn't think Lake Geneva had a decent bar, let alone a solid micro serving pub. I will be there for the week, and was hopeful that had changed since last year. You'd think all that suburban money would bring one or two decent pubs about. Oh well.
Being in Kenosha (with the Uncle Mike's franchises and Slice make things easy to come by. They always have a solid tap/bottle offering for the beer palette.
They do have a nice homebrew store, so there's that.
Anyway, a craft bar in LG would have to do some bango business if anyone wants to fund a start-up for me.
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They do have a nice homebrew store, so there's that.
Anyway, a craft bar in LG would have to do some bango business if anyone wants to fund a start-up for me.
Sugar Shack
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Sugar Shack
Yeah, just turn the downstairs into a nice bar with seating. Leave the upstairs alone for when ZFB and 4ever ditch their families and meet for the night.
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Anyone else headed to the Peoples Republic of Madison this weekend?
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Anyone else headed to the Peoples Republic of Madison this weekend?
Me, if I can manage to find some tickets between now and 1pm Saturday.
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Anyone else headed to the Peoples Republic of Madison this weekend?
Ticket in hand for my 1st Great Taste. Heading there tomorrow evening to catch one or a few of the pre-parties/beer tastings.
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Ticket in hand for my 1st Great Taste. Heading there tomorrow evening to catch one or a few of the pre-parties/beer tastings.
Anywhere in particular? If not, I can recommend a spot...
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Chili, what time are you guys going to be opening your stuff at Madison's? Any idea when the BCS will hit the taps? :-D
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Anywhere in particular? If not, I can recommend a spot...
Recommendations are always welcomed. Madison's and Maduro Cigar Bar have been discussed in the group so far.
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Recommendations are always welcomed. Madison's and Maduro Cigar Bar have been discussed in the group so far.
Both great choices. I assume you've been to the greattaste.org website to check out which breweries are going to be at each place. Madison's won't have food... I think it is just a martini bar. Maduro is pretty hip.
Personally, I am going to check out the Three Floyd's specialties at Argus (near the square). Depending on what Chili says regarding the CBS releases I may stop over at Madisons for a beer (I've had most of the others they have listed).
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Both great choices. I assume you've been to the greattaste.org website to check out which breweries are going to be at each place. Madison's won't have food... I think it is just a martini bar. Maduro is pretty hip.
Personally, I am going to check out the Three Floyd's specialties at Argus (near the square). Depending on what Chili says regarding the CBS releases I may stop over at Madisons for a beer (I've had most of the others they have listed).
Safe assumption to make. So many choices with so little time. Argus has been tossed into the ring of potentials.
This adventure I'll be more of a tourist with my buddy being the guide. He is the "beer geek" and I drink whatever is in front of me. I'm learning though.
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I'm at Argus right now. Having a "in the name of suffering" by 3f. Its amazing. Bipa... But would be awesome in a bourbon or brandy barrel for a while.
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Also I will no longer be wearing an MU t shirt. I was comped a 6 pack by my liquor store so I am wearing their shirt... Trixies!
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Well I drank entirely too much. From Goose I managed (went early) to have a Buffalo Tase (sp?) BCS, and I did a flight of the Haila (sp?) peach barrels and bugs... which was interesting.
I can't say what my favorite beer from yesterday was, but its interesting to note that almost every major brewery had a barrel aged beer. After a while they all start to taste the same because the flavor from the barrels is so overpowering.
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I received a bottle of Chocolate Covered Beaver Nuts (chocolate peanut butter imperial stout) from a friend that got it from the batch made by this guy in the video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpwytsrrkBc&list=TL1skLoTPUmA8
Holy cow was this good and you couldn't taste that it was 9.3%abv, I didn't think it sounded good but was I wrong. I've already ordered the powdered peanut butter online to make my own batch of this.
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http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2013/09/founders_mango_magnifico_wins.html#incart_river_default
Tried it at the brewery, not my thing. Not a good aroma. The flavor didn't appeal to me. Habanero dominated the flavor. It burned all of the way down. But to each their own, I guess.
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http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2013/09/founders_mango_magnifico_wins.html#incart_river_default
Tried it at the brewery, not my thing. Not a good aroma. The flavor didn't appeal to me. Habanero dominated the flavor. It burned all of the way down. But to each their own, I guess.
Had it at Great Taste - not good. Haven't really been impressed with this series from Founders like I thought I would be.
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Spent a bit of time in the City last weekend for Riotfest, got connected with an old love of mine, Daisy Cutter. The only Pale I like more than Daisy Cutter is Sierra Nevada. Also tried out a bunch at Half Acre's tap room. Akari Shogun was a nice taste with a subdued wheat. Space, their IPA was also fantastic. I really hope HC expands outside of Cook County.
In the fridge I have two 1/4 barrels of Fixed Gear and Really Cool Waterslides IPA. Picked up New Glarus' Staghorn, very good Octoberfest. I have Revolution's Octoberfest sitting next to it, not nearly as good. A bit boring actually.
For some reason, I decided to try MKE Brewing again and picked up a 6-pack of Pull Chain. God it sucks, if anyone wants a holiday 5-pack of this crap I'll give it to you.
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By state.
http://www.thrillist.com/drink/nation/americas-50-best-craft-breweries-state-by-state?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social+&utm_content=pages&utm_campaign=thrillist
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By state.
http://www.thrillist.com/drink/nation/americas-50-best-craft-breweries-state-by-state?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social+&utm_content=pages&utm_campaign=thrillist
Aaaaaand the quest to go to every one of these breweries has begun.
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Aaaaaand the quest to go to every one of these breweries has begun.
I have been to Surly only 49 to go.
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I've been to every brewery in Wisconsin, and they picked correctly.
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I would drink Central Waters all day before New Glarus...
I've been to every brewery in Wisconsin, and they picked correctly.
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Just like I'd drink Lake Louie, and Ale Asylum before New Glarus.
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Seriously, you think there are other breweries better than New Glarus? Their Thumbprint series on top of Moon Man, Edel Pils, Staghorn are the best beers made in WI. Granted the CW Barrel Aged Program makes some great beers, New Glarus as a whole is tops.
It's also BS they kept us (Goose Island) out bc of our owner. I still firmly say the beers coming out of our Fulton St. Brewery here in Chicago are the best in IL and some of the best in the world.
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Correct, New Glarus puts out some great stuff, most people just know them for Spotted Cow and Fat Squirrel, and while that stuff is good, the Thumbprint series really puts it in a class above the rest.
Plus I interpreted the article as being about the breweries themselves, not just the beer, and if you've ever been to the (new) New Glarus Brewery, built in the last 5 years, its amazing. Its a craft beer mecca. You could literally spend a whole day there.
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Correct, New Glarus puts out some great stuff, most people just know them for Spotted Cow and Fat Squirrel, and while that stuff is good, the Thumbprint series really puts it in a class above the rest.
Plus I interpreted the article as being about the breweries themselves, not just the beer, and if you've ever been to the (new) New Glarus Brewery, built in the last 5 years, its amazing. Its a craft beer mecca. You could literally spend a whole day there.
+1
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Spent a bit of time in the City last weekend for Riotfest, got connected with an old love of mine, Daisy Cutter. The only Pale I like more than Daisy Cutter is Zombie Dust. Also tried out a bunch at Half Acre's tap room. Akari Shogun was a nice taste with a subdued wheat. Space, their IPA was also fantastic. I really hope HC expands outside of Cook County.
In the fridge I have two 1/4 barrels of Fixed Gear and Really Cool Waterslides IPA. Picked up New Glarus' Staghorn, very good Octoberfest. I have Revolution's Octoberfest sitting next to it, not nearly as good. A bit boring actually.
For some reason, I decided to try MKE Brewing again and picked up a 6-pack of Pull Chain. God it sucks, if anyone wants a holiday 5-pack of this crap I'll give it to you.
I'm a Chi resident, and Daisy Cutter is good stuff, but I hate it out of a can, and they are really pushing that hard in grocery stores. It just tastes metallic to me. But its great on tap. Its one of the few beers whose taste brings me directly to memories of the first times I drank it in grad school. Its like time traveling.
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What the hell is in Samuel Adams. My buddy had one and developed a serious BONER! He had it so long, we kicked his a$$ out of the man-cave. Glad I don't drink anymore (Thank you Milwaukee's Best).
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They are now the US distributor of 3 Penis Wine.
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Correct, New Glarus puts out some great stuff, most people just know them for Spotted Cow and Fat Squirrel, and while that stuff is good, the Thumbprint series really puts it in a class above the rest.
the Fat Squirrel is now extinct
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the Fat Squirrel is now extinct
Sad.
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I'm a Chi resident, and Daisy Cutter is good stuff, but I hate it out of a can, and they are really pushing that hard in grocery stores. It just tastes metallic to me. But its great on tap. Its one of the few beers whose taste brings me directly to memories of the first times I drank it in grad school. Its like time traveling.
If you're a beer connoisseur, (I assume you are since you participate in this thread) and you drink from the can or from the bottle, allow me give you this coupon... Of course redeemable if I ever see you in person. If you do a side by side of bottles vs cans poured into a glass, I doubt you can tell the difference.
(http://forum.maplewoodonline.com/uploads/2008/06/Bitch%20Slap%20Coupon.jpg)
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It's also BS they kept us (Goose Island) out bc of our owner. I still firmly say the beers coming out of our Fulton St. Brewery here in Chicago are the best in IL and some of the best in the world.
Just curious, how many barrels do you put out a year?
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Seriously, you think there are other breweries better than New Glarus? Their Thumbprint series on top of Moon Man, Edel Pils, Staghorn are the best beers made in WI. Granted the CW Barrel Aged Program makes some great beers, New Glarus as a whole is tops.
It's also BS they kept us (Goose Island) out bc of our owner. I still firmly say the beers coming out of our Fulton St. Brewery here in Chicago are the best in IL and some of the best in the world.
While I can appreciate what New Glarus does, it is over saturation for me. I see it all the time, and everyone has it on tap. It isn't special. Sure they make a lot of great beers, but they're established and haven't done a whole lot of experimentation lately. Their thumbprint stuff was great the first year, but now it is just a seasonal thing rather than one offs. Their beer is quite good, but its gone stale for me since I live about 20 miles from NG.
http://www.businessinsider.com/experts-pick-best-beers-in-the-world-2013-9
This should make you feel better.
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I'm a Chi resident, and Daisy Cutter is good stuff, but I hate it out of a can, and they are really pushing that hard in grocery stores. It just tastes metallic to me. But its great on tap. Its one of the few beers whose taste brings me directly to memories of the first times I drank it in grad school. Its like time traveling.
Well, the can is just a 1/124th scale model of a 1/2 barrel. Pour that tasty goodness into a glass.
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http://www.businessinsider.com/experts-pick-best-beers-in-the-world-2013-9
This should make you feel better.
Surly Fest is tomorrow and cannot wait for Darkness next month.
http://www.surlybrewing.com/eventsblog/
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Just curious, how many barrels do you put out a year?
Out of our Chicago brewery, about 80k barrels.
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Out of our Chicago brewery, about 80k barrels.
Is anything made at the Wrigleyville brewery? Or is that just for show?
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If you're a beer connoisseur, (I assume you are since you participate in this thread) and you drink from the can or from the bottle, allow me give you this coupon... Of course redeemable if I ever see you in person. If you do a side by side of bottles vs cans poured into a glass, I doubt you can tell the difference.
(http://forum.maplewoodonline.com/uploads/2008/06/Bitch%20Slap%20Coupon.jpg)
I know you're just messing around, but I'm confused. What's wrong with drinking from a can when its how they serve it at a bar? Am I really supposed to be that guy who asks for a glass?
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Is anything made at the Wrigleyville brewery? Or is that just for show?
15 Barrel System - it's a brewpub, not a production brewery. The beer brewed their is either sold at Wrigleyville or Clybourn.
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I know you're just messing around, but I'm confused. What's wrong with drinking from a can when its how they serve it at a bar? Am I really supposed to be that guy who asks for a glass?
When you drink from a can you will smell metal which will give beer a metal taste. Aroma is a HUGE part of beer. Also, beer in a bottle or can is at a higher CO2 than draft and needs to be poured out in order to release some excess carbonation. That is why canned and bottle beer makes you feel more bloated if you drink it without pouring it in a glass.
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When you drink from a can you will smell metal which will give beer a metal taste. Aroma is a HUGE part of beer. Also, beer in a bottle or can is at a higher CO2 than draft and needs to be poured out in order to release some excess carbonation. That is why canned and bottle beer makes you feel more bloated if you drink it without pouring it in a glass.
Interesting. Didn't know all that. Especially the co2 bit
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While I can appreciate what New Glarus does, it is over saturation for me. I see it all the time, and everyone has it on tap. It isn't special. Sure they make a lot of great beers, but they're established and haven't done a whole lot of experimentation lately. Their thumbprint stuff was great the first year, but now it is just a seasonal thing rather than one offs. Their beer is quite good, but its gone stale for me since I live about 20 miles from NG.
http://www.businessinsider.com/experts-pick-best-beers-in-the-world-2013-9
This should make you feel better.
I think their experimentation and quality one-offs have been off the charts lately. In the last few months their thumbprints have included a Berliner Weiss (best berliner I've ever had) and a Wild Sour Ale (first time New Glarus has made this beer, and fantastic... my favorite american sour outside of Russian River), in addition to the Very Sour Blackberry Ale they just released, and the 20th Anniversary Strong Ale, AND the Strawberry Rhubarb fruit beer. What other breweries have released this many new, diverse products over a few month span?
Their new sour barrel room was recently completed and we are finally starting reap the rewards. The Wild Sour Ale was brewed almost 3 years ago if I recall correctly... so I'm very excited to see what else they having coming down the pipeline. I wouldn't be surprised if they developed into the 'Russian River of the Midwest' in regards to sours.
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I think their experimentation and quality one-offs have been off the charts lately. In the last few months their thumbprints have included a Berliner Weiss (best berliner I've ever had) and a Wild Sour Ale (first time New Glarus has made this beer, and fantastic... my favorite american sour outside of Russian River), in addition to the Very Sour Blackberry Ale they just released, and the 20th Anniversary Strong Ale, AND the Strawberry Rhubarb fruit beer. What other breweries have released this many new, diverse products over a few month span?
Their new sour barrel room was recently completed and we are finally starting reap the rewards. The Wild Sour Ale was brewed almost 3 years ago if I recall correctly... so I'm very excited to see what else they having coming down the pipeline. I wouldn't be surprised if they developed into the 'Russian River of the Midwest' in regards to sours.
The Berliner was great and the addition of grape skins was extremely smart but to call them a possible RR of the MW, no way. And if you think their sours are good I would love to invite you try any of the Goose Island 3 current sisters (Lolita, Juliet & Madam Rose) plus we are releasing 2 other new sisters next month too. I would put our sours against anyone's and they can hold their own. We are continuing to grow the nations oldest and largest barrel aging program.
Another brewery to look at is Perennial in St. Louis, their Berliner was ridiculous.
All that said, Russian River sours are still the sheeet!
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The Berliner was great and the addition of grape skins was extremely smart but to call them a possible RR of the MW, no way. And if you think their sours are good I would love to invite you try any of the Goose Island 3 current sisters (Lolita, Juliet & Madam Rose) plus we are releasing 2 other new sisters next month too. I would put our sours against anyone's and they can hold their own. We are continuing to grow the nations oldest and largest barrel aging program.
Another brewery to look at is Perennial in St. Louis, their Berliner was ridiculous.
All that said, Russian River sours are still the sheeet!
You are absolutely correct, I don't believe NG deserves the title of 'RR of the MW' right now. I'm simply hoping their new sour barrel room will develop that reputation for them eventually. The sour wild ale they just released was great and [I hope] a sign of much more to come.
I will have to grab a bottle of those 3 you mentioned. The last GI Belgian I had was Sofie I believe... and I'm not a huge fan of Brett so I've stayed away from the others... but those 3 you mentioned sound great. I wish you guys would put a better description than "Belgian Style Ale" on the front, it makes it hard to distinguish between the Belgian Pale Ale/Farmhouse Ales (which I don't like), and the Sours/Flanders (which I love).
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You are absolutely correct, I don't believe NG deserves the title of 'RR of the MW' right now. I'm simply hoping their new sour barrel room will develop that reputation for them eventually. The sour wild ale they just released was great and [I hope] a sign of much more to come.
I will have to grab a bottle of those 3 you mentioned. The last GI Belgian I had was Sofie I believe... and I'm not a huge fan of Brett so I've stayed away from the others... but those 3 you mentioned sound great. I wish you guys would put a better description than "Belgian Style Ale" on the front, it makes it hard to distinguish between the Belgian Pale Ale/Farmhouse Ales (which I don't like), and the Sours/Flanders (which I love).
We changed the labels last year to say the style. ;D
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We changed the labels last year to say the style. ;D
It was a nice move as I had the same complaint.
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When you drink from a can you will smell metal which will give beer a metal taste. Aroma is a HUGE part of beer. Also, beer in a bottle or can is at a higher CO2 than draft and needs to be poured out in order to release some excess carbonation. That is why canned and bottle beer makes you feel more bloated if you drink it without pouring it in a glass.
^ Also, as I've mentioned, the taste profile of a can pour is closer to a draft pour than a bottle. A good portion of this is because there is no UV degradation in cans, so they can't skunk.
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We changed the labels last year to say the style. ;D
The older labels were better looking, but I was never sure what I was getting until I opened it. :)
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http://now.msn.com/hair-of-the-dog-dave-rare-craft-beer-on-sale-for-2-grand (http://now.msn.com/hair-of-the-dog-dave-rare-craft-beer-on-sale-for-2-grand)
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Chili,
You doing the Chicago Idea Week tour @ Goose?
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Picked up a couple of specials at Binny's last night.
3 Floyds Broodoo and Pipeworks Glaucus.
Never found any Pipeworks this far north, excited for that.
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making a trip to the Stevens Point area to attend the O'so 6th birthday bash Saturday and figured we'd also check out tours at Central Waters and the Point Brewery (might as well we had time to kill)
anything else worth seeing up that-a-way?
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making a trip to the Stevens Point area to attend the O'so 6th birthday bash Saturday and figured we'd also check out tours at Central Waters and the Point Brewery (might as well we had time to kill)
anything else worth seeing up that-a-way?
Point is definitely worth seeing. Its a nice tour.
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Anyone going to Beer Hoptacular in Chicago this weekend?
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On my way to New Orleans for a long wekend. Any local breweries worth checking out? (I have an all afternoon "mixology" demo one day which should be interesting, too).
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On my way to New Orleans for a long wekend. Any local breweries worth checking out? (I have an all afternoon "mixology" demo one day which should be interesting, too).
If you're willing to drive 30 miles, Abita is a possibilty.
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Thanks, Hards. Won't be able to make that drive, but I'll look for it locally.
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Thanks, Hards. Won't be able to make that drive, but I'll look for it locally.
Had an Abita Restoration Ale last night. Not too distinctive, but much better than the Buffalo Trace, basil and ginger ale concoction I made the mistake of trying (my fault). The craft cocktail movement has jumped the shark. Back to Manhattans.
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Meijer stores in the area now have microbrews priced by the bottle. You can go pick up 6 microbrews from 6 different brewers, put them in a carton, and pay the combined bottle price. So, pick a Founders, Breckenridge Porter, New Glarus, Mt. Pleasant, Arcadia, and Bell's. Take the 6 different flavors home. Mmmmmmmmmmmm.
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Meijer stores in the area now have microbrews priced by the bottle. You can go pick up 6 microbrews from 6 different brewers, put them in a carton, and pay the combined bottle price. So, pick a Founders, Breckenridge Porter, New Glarus, Mt. Pleasant, Arcadia, and Bell's. Take the 6 different flavors home. Mmmmmmmmmmmm.
Ooooo I heard they have this new thing coming out called Super Nintendo too!
But for real, they've had these mix and matchers in WI for almost a decade. ;D
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I'm jealous. New to Michigan. I HAVE mixed and matched at Founder's and Bell's, but doing at a grocery with a wide palette of microbrews is new here.
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I'm jealous. New to Michigan. I HAVE mixed and matched at Founder's and Bell's, but doing at a grocery with a wide palette of microbrews is new here.
They have New Glarus in MI?
Highly recommend Dark Horse Brewery out of Marshall, MI
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We went to the O’so Brewing 6th birthday bash/fundraiser for Toys for Tots on Saturday. Their taproom has 40 taps and for this they brought out special batches and used all 40. We got through all the ones we wanted to. some of the best IMO were the Barrel aged Spikes, Brett Dank, Hot Train, the Bourbon Night Trains and Barrel aged Kartoffel. The Spikes are interesting as they are not brewed with any water but with maple sap (not syrup) in place of water and they were good, I was surprised I liked them but the barrel one was fantastic.
On Nitro
Vanilla Coffee Night Train – Night Train infused with locally roasted coffee and vanilla beans
Rusty Red
Randall (DFH introduced a device in 2003 called Randall the Enamel Animal, an organoleptic hop transduced module which ‘Randallizes’ a beer by passing through a large plastic tube filled with a flavor enhancer, often raw hops or fruit or coffees beans)
The Big O – wheat ale served though a mystery fruit
Seasonals
Dank 2012 – Winter imperial Red ale aged on a blend of French & American Brandied oak
Spikes Maple 2011 – (Thaw) beer brewed with maple sap in place of water and aged on toasted maple chips
Special (these are beers that we may never brew again
Imperial Black Scotch – Scotch ale brewed big and dark with a hint of smoke
Ya-da-sun Weizen – Decoction mashed, Classic Hefe
Black my eyes, double black IPA
Kartoffel Bock – Potato Maibock brewed for Beer Geeks TV
The Hammer – White cedar aged Imperial Blonde brewed for Aleman in Chicago
Hot Train – Night Train infused with Sweet Datil Peppers
Vanilla Lupulin – 2012 Lupulin Maximus infused with Vanilla beans
Bourbon Aged
Bourbon Night Train 2011 – Straight Night Train aged in Heaven Hill barrels
Bourbon Night Train 2012 – same as above different year
Barrel aged Imperial Scotch Ale – Scotch ale aged in Rye barrels
Barrel aged Kartoffel Bock – Beer Geeks TV Potato Maibock aged in Rye barrels
Barrel aged Dominator – Huge Doppelbock aged in Bernheim Wheat whiskey barrels
Barrel aged Spikes – Spikes Maple aged in Elijah Craig barrels
Funky (These beers all spent time in wood barrels that were inoculated with wild yeasts at different stages of development
Grand Cru – this funky Belgian has been growing at O’so for some time
Brett’n Red – Rusty Red aged on Brett Brux
Brett’n Dinger – Hopdinger refermented with Brett Brux
Rusty Wood – Rusty Red aged in used bourbon barrels
Brett Dank – Dank Imperial Red aged in Brettanomyces barrels
Faster Than Dawn – Night Train aged in our Wee on the Lam barrels
Brett Dominator – Doppelbock aged in, what the hell, why not?
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Summer Shandy.
https://newblog.beerhunt.com/index.php/the-most-popular-beer-in-each-state-of-the-usa-listed/
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First mix n match dream 6 pack. Atwater Java Porter, New Holland Dragon's Milk, Bell's Winter White, Founder' IPA and Porter, Fat Tire Ale. Mmmmmmmmmmm.
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Still mesmerized by Three Floyd's Dreadnaught every time I drink it - had one to get over the first half of the ASU game.
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I'm doing some shopping on Black Friday...
BCBS, and hopefully I land some Rye, BW, and coffee from the drawing I am in. ;D
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In Wi for Thanksgiving, so get to bring home some New Glarus products.
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I grabbed some of the Lakefront Black Friday Ale this morning. Haven't tried it yet, though.
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Had a great day beer hunting today in Chicago picking up a few of all of the Goose Island Black Friday releases. Some regular, coffee, barleywine, backyard rye and coconut. Now time to watch hoops on TV.
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Uncle Mikes in Kenosha on Highway 50 does a Black Friday brewfest.
Listed beers (last year they snuck in some extras, which were fantastic):
Founders KBS, Founders Imperial Stout, Bell's Black Note, Goose Island Big John, Goose Island Bourbon County Coffee, and Goose Island Night Stalker 2009 and 2010
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Anybody try Bernies Tap Room in downtown Waukesha? Nice place, great beer selection on tap. Founders Oatmeal Stout, Three Floyd's Alpha King, Ale Asylum Action Jackson among many other good stouts and IPA's. highly recommended...
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Enjoying my first Three Floyd's Arctic Panzer Wolf imperial India Pale Ale. Damn.
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Enjoying my first Three Floyd's Arctic Panzer Wolf imperial India Pale Ale. Damn.
Hell of a name
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Enjoying my first Three Floyd's Arctic Panzer Wolf imperial India Pale Ale. Damn.
I actually have one of those in my fridge, maybe I'll open it for Wisconsin.
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Good call. And I am reminded, again, as this thread demonstrates, that we are so lucky to be living in the golden age if brewing. Before going to the bull/heat game (I can't tell you how unexcited I am for this game), I wound up at two establishments with phenomenal beer and pub food (Lone Wolf and Haymarket Pub & Brewery, across the street from each other with another dozen places with similar selections within walking distance). I love me some Rhinelander returnable bottles back in the day, but only b/c I was ignorant if te possibilities.
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Well, based on the first half, I couldn't have been more wrong. Miami is currently a one an team.
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Been awhile since I did a recent beer post.
Threw a 1/2 bbl of Half Acre Daisy Cutter and a 1/4 bbl of Spotted Cow in the kegerator two weeks ago. If you've never had Daisy Cutter, highly recommended when in Chicagoland.
Other tastings:
Green Bullt Triple IPA by Green Flash Brewing. - Had at Uncle Mike's. Lots of fragrance, sweet malt and tart hops, decent carbonation, lots of grapefruit. It's a solid IPA, not a favorite.
Bitter Woman IPA by Tyranena - Also at Uncle Mike's. Coworker said he tried it and wasn't good. I've always heard good things, so tried it. It's not that good.
Pull Chain Pale Ale by MKE Brewing - One of the worst pale's I've ever tried. Just bland and thin.
Serendipity by New Glarus -Not usually my style, but it is very good. All three fruits can be tasted nicely. Little too much carbonation, but goes with the style.
Ninja v. Unicorn by Pipeworks - Outstanding and now one of my favorite IPAs. Great mix of floral and citrus and not a mouth killer.
ESB by Redhook - Meh. It's an alright ESB that's true to the style. Pretty boring.
Celebration Ale by Sierra Nevada - Great seasonal that's perfect for winter.
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Discovered a pretty good beer video podcast on iTunes..."The Beer Temple"
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From Dogfish Head's website:
We’re happy to share that beer is on the way to our first few wholesalers in the state of Wisconsin! Yesterday, Sam waved goodbye to the first truck to head to the state in more than two years. The truck was stocked with 90 Minute IPA, Indian Brown Ale, Midas Touch, Palo Santo Marron, Burton Baton, Tweason’ale, 75 Minute IPA, Namaste, Hellhound On My Ale, Sah’Tea, Theobroma and Kvasir.
The first wholesalers to be appointed in Wisconsin are Frank Beer in Madison, La Crosse Beverage of La Crosse, Kay Distributing in De Pere/Green Bay and Lee Beverage in Oshkosh and Eau Claire. Additional Wisconsin wholesalers are expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.
In addition to shipping the beer, some of our folks will be shipping out next week for launch events. We’ll be pouring our off-centered ales and sharing our beer-infused brats at events in Lacrosse, De Pere, Madison, Oshkosh and hopefully at least one more happening spot. For details on all our Wisconsin launch events as they are added, keep an eye on the Events page of our website.
- See more at: http://www.dogfish.com/community/blogfish/members/anonymous/wisconsin-and-rhode-island-wholesalers-announced.htm#sthash.ZR3MxorS.dpuf
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Discovered a pretty good beer video podcast on iTunes..."The Beer Temple"
Also owns a solid bottle shop in Chicago. Great guy. Samples great beer all the time in his store.
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From Dogfish Head's website:
We’re happy to share that beer is on the way to our first few wholesalers in the state of Wisconsin! Yesterday, Sam waved goodbye to the first truck to head to the state in more than two years. The truck was stocked with 90 Minute IPA, Indian Brown Ale, Midas Touch, Palo Santo Marron, Burton Baton, Tweason’ale, 75 Minute IPA, Namaste, Hellhound On My Ale, Sah’Tea, Theobroma and Kvasir.
The first wholesalers to be appointed in Wisconsin are Frank Beer in Madison, La Crosse Beverage of La Crosse, Kay Distributing in De Pere/Green Bay and Lee Beverage in Oshkosh and Eau Claire. Additional Wisconsin wholesalers are expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.
In addition to shipping the beer, some of our folks will be shipping out next week for launch events. We’ll be pouring our off-centered ales and sharing our beer-infused brats at events in Lacrosse, De Pere, Madison, Oshkosh and hopefully at least one more happening spot. For details on all our Wisconsin launch events as they are added, keep an eye on the Events page of our website.
- See more at: http://www.dogfish.com/community/blogfish/members/anonymous/wisconsin-and-rhode-island-wholesalers-announced.htm#sthash.ZR3MxorS.dpuf
I knew I knew!!! Forgot to post yesterday when I found out from the local liquor store!
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Also owns a solid bottle shop in Chicago. Great guy. Samples great beer all the time in his store.
I live in Chicago... what's the shop?
Edit: Nevermind, found it. Its The Beer Temple. Duh. Looks cool, I'll have to check it out.
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Also owns a solid bottle shop in Chicago. Great guy. Samples great beer all the time in his store.
I liked the podcast in early days from his apartment. He's a little scatter-brained now trying to do it in the shop which is understandable getting a business up and running. Also, I liked when his wife was on to temper his tangents into annoyance which are few but still present.
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New Holland Dragon's Milk. Similar to Founder's Kentucky Breakfast Stout. Thick, aged in bourbon barrels, hint of vanilla. 10% alcohol. I opened it and my wife said she could smell the bourbon. A good way to wash away the Wiscy game on Saturday night.
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New Holland Dragon's Milk. Similar to Founder's Kentucky Breakfast Stout. Thick, aged in bourbon barrels, hint of vanilla. 10% alcohol. I opened it and my wife said she could smell the bourbon. A good way to wash away the Wiscy game on Saturday night.
I really like it and it is available year round... a tad pricey though.
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I liked it, too. I just don't think I could make a habit of it.
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Well, my latest homebrew came out as a 'banana' porter... cheap yeast probably.
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Well, my latest homebrew came out as a 'banana' porter... cheap yeast probably.
Weissen yeast? That has a banana character.
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IPA list.
http://www.thrillist.com/drink/nation/the-definitive-top-10-ipas-as-chosen-by-a-hopped-up-panel-of-beer-writers?
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IPA list.
http://www.thrillist.com/drink/nation/the-definitive-top-10-ipas-as-chosen-by-a-hopped-up-panel-of-beer-writers?
That's a good list. #14 is my local brewer and it must be a new brew for them as it's the first I heard of the made an IPA.
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IPA list.
http://www.thrillist.com/drink/nation/the-definitive-top-10-ipas-as-chosen-by-a-hopped-up-panel-of-beer-writers?
Good list but not a single English Style IPA - all American Style IPA's. I would say Top 10 American Style "ie West Coast" IPA's.
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Good list but not a single English Style IPA - all American Style IPA's. I would say Top 10 American Style "ie West Coast" IPA's.
Care to explain the difference?
Do English Style IPAs include Black IPAs?
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Care to explain the difference?
Do English Style IPAs include Black IPAs?
West Coast IPAs are usually hop-dominated. Finishes dry, limited malt flavor. Terminology comes from the styles of hops located in the Pacific Northwest, but not limited to just West Coast breweries. See the top ten in that list
English IPAs which are less bitter, more earthly. Usually more floral flavor profiles and darker color. 60 minute Dogfish, Goose's IPA
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West Coast IPAs are usually hop-dominated. Finishes dry, limited malt flavor. Terminology comes from the styles of hops located in the Pacific Northwest, but not limited to just West Coast breweries. See the top ten in that list
English IPAs which are less bitter, more earthly. Usually more floral flavor profiles and darker color. 60 minute Dogfish, Goose's IPA
Personally it comes down to balance in the beer. English IPA's are more balanced with a healthy amount of malt character where American IPA's tilt much heavier to the hop side. Now to really turn the geek up on this conversation, here are the BJCP (Beer Judge Certification Program) style guides for American IPA and English IPA:
14A. English IPA
Aroma: A moderate to moderately high hop aroma of floral, earthy or fruity nature is typical, although the intensity of hop character is usually lower than American versions. A slightly grassy dry-hop aroma is acceptable, but not required. A moderate caramel-like or toasty malt presence is common. Low to moderate fruitiness, either from esters or hops, can be present. Some versions may have a sulfury note, although this character is not mandatory.
Appearance: Color ranges from golden amber to light copper, but most are pale to medium amber with an orange-ish tint. Should be clear, although unfiltered dry-hopped versions may be a bit hazy. Good head stand with off-white color should persist.
Flavor: Hop flavor is medium to high, with a moderate to assertive hop bitterness. The hop flavor should be similar to the aroma (floral, earthy, fruity, and/or slightly grassy). Malt flavor should be medium-low to medium-high, but should be noticeable, pleasant, and support the hop aspect. The malt should show an English character and be somewhat bready, biscuit-like, toasty, toffee-like and/or caramelly. Despite the substantial hop character typical of these beers, sufficient malt flavor, body and complexity to support the hops will provide the best balance. Very low levels of diacetyl are acceptable, and fruitiness from the fermentation or hops adds to the overall complexity. Finish is medium to dry, and bitterness may linger into the aftertaste but should not be harsh. If high sulfate water is used, a distinctively minerally, dry finish, some sulfur flavor, and a lingering bitterness are usually present. Some clean alcohol flavor can be noted in stronger versions. Oak is inappropriate in this style.
Mouthfeel: Smooth, medium-light to medium-bodied mouthfeel without hop-derived astringency, although moderate to medium-high carbonation can combine to render an overall dry sensation in the presence of malt sweetness. Some smooth alcohol warming can and should be sensed in stronger (but not all) versions.
Overall Impression: A hoppy, moderately strong pale ale that features characteristics consistent with the use of English malt, hops and yeast. Has less hop character and a more pronounced malt flavor than American versions.
History: Brewed to survive the voyage from England to India. The temperature extremes and rolling of the seas resulted in a highly attenuated beer upon arrival. English pale ales were derived from India Pale Ales.
Comments: A pale ale brewed to an increased gravity and hop rate. Modern versions of English IPAs generally pale in comparison (pun intended) to their ancestors. The term “IPA” is loosely applied in commercial English beers today, and has been (incorrectly) used in beers below 4% ABV. Generally will have more finish hops and less fruitiness and/or caramel than English pale ales and bitters. Fresher versions will obviously have a more significant finishing hop character.
Ingredients: Pale ale malt (well-modified and suitable for single-temperature infusion mashing); English hops; English yeast that can give a fruity or sulfury/minerally profile. Refined sugar may be used in some versions. High sulfate and low carbonate water is essential to achieving a pleasant hop bitterness in authentic Burton versions, although not all examples will exhibit the strong sulfate character.
Vital Statistics: OG: 1.050 – 1.075
IBUs: 40 – 60 FG: 1.010 – 1.018
SRM: 8 – 14 ABV: 5 – 7.5%
Commercial Examples: Meantime India Pale Ale, Freeminer Trafalgar IPA, Fuller's IPA, Ridgeway Bad Elf, Summit India Pale Ale, Samuel Smith's India Ale, Hampshire Pride of Romsey IPA, Burton Bridge Empire IPA,Middle Ages ImPailed Ale, Goose Island IPA, Brooklyn East India Pale Ale
14B. American IPA
Aroma: A prominent to intense hop aroma with a citrusy, floral, perfume-like, resinous, piney, and/or fruity character derived from American hops. Many versions are dry hopped and can have an additional grassy aroma, although this is not required. Some clean malty sweetness may be found in the background, but should be at a lower level than in English examples. Fruitiness, either from esters or hops, may also be detected in some versions, although a neutral fermentation character is also acceptable. Some alcohol may be noted.
Appearance: Color ranges from medium gold to medium reddish copper; some versions can have an orange-ish tint. Should be clear, although unfiltered dry-hopped versions may be a bit hazy. Good head stand with white to off-white color should persist.
Flavor: Hop flavor is medium to high, and should reflect an American hop character with citrusy, floral, resinous, piney or fruity aspects. Medium-high to very high hop bitterness, although the malt backbone will support the strong hop character and provide the best balance. Malt flavor should be low to medium, and is generally clean and malty sweet although some caramel or toasty flavors are acceptable at low levels. No diacetyl. Low fruitiness is acceptable but not required. The bitterness may linger into the aftertaste but should not be harsh. Medium-dry to dry finish. Some clean alcohol flavor can be noted in stronger versions. Oak is inappropriate in this style. May be slightly sulfury, but most examples do not exhibit this character.
Mouthfeel: Smooth, medium-light to medium-bodied mouthfeel without hop-derived astringency, although moderate to medium-high carbonation can combine to render an overall dry sensation in the presence of malt sweetness. Some smooth alcohol warming can and should be sensed in stronger (but not all) versions. Body is generally less than in English counterparts.
Overall Impression: A decidedly hoppy and bitter, moderately strong American pale ale.
History: An American version of the historical English style, brewed using American ingredients and attitude.
Ingredients: Pale ale malt (well-modified and suitable for single-temperature infusion mashing); American hops; American yeast that can give a clean or slightly fruity profile. Generally all-malt, but mashed at lower temperatures for high attenuation. Water character varies from soft to moderately sulfate. Versions with a noticeable Rye character (“RyePA”) should be entered in the Specialty category.
Vital Statistics: OG: 1.056 – 1.075
IBUs: 40 – 70 FG: 1.010 – 1.018
SRM: 6 – 15 ABV: 5.5 – 7.5%
Commercial Examples: Bell’s Two-Hearted Ale, AleSmith IPA, Russian River Blind Pig IPA, Stone IPA, Three Floyds Alpha King, Great Divide Titan IPA, Bear Republic Racer 5 IPA, Victory Hop Devil, Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale, Anderson Valley Hop Ottin’, Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA, Founder’s Centennial IPA, Anchor Liberty Ale, Harpoon IPA, Avery IPA
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Care to explain the difference?
Do English Style IPAs include Black IPAs?
I would slate Black IPA/Cascadian Dark Ale/IBA under American IPA as it was a style developed in the US. That's not to say that Black IPAs with English-style hopping don't exist, but the vast majority are using American hops and have flavors more consistent with American IPA.
I'm trying to think of a good example of a 'black English IPA' and am drawing a blank.
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Personally it comes down to balance in the beer. English IPA's are more balanced with a healthy amount of malt character where American IPA's tilt much heavier to the hop side. Now to really turn the geek up on this conversation, here are the BJCP (Beer Judge Certification Program) style guides for American IPA and English IPA:
14A. English IPA
Aroma: A moderate to moderately high hop aroma of floral, earthy or fruity nature is typical, although the intensity of hop character is usually lower than American versions. A slightly grassy dry-hop aroma is acceptable, but not required. A moderate caramel-like or toasty malt presence is common. Low to moderate fruitiness, either from esters or hops, can be present. Some versions may have a sulfury note, although this character is not mandatory.
Appearance: Color ranges from golden amber to light copper, but most are pale to medium amber with an orange-ish tint. Should be clear, although unfiltered dry-hopped versions may be a bit hazy. Good head stand with off-white color should persist.
Flavor: Hop flavor is medium to high, with a moderate to assertive hop bitterness. The hop flavor should be similar to the aroma (floral, earthy, fruity, and/or slightly grassy). Malt flavor should be medium-low to medium-high, but should be noticeable, pleasant, and support the hop aspect. The malt should show an English character and be somewhat bready, biscuit-like, toasty, toffee-like and/or caramelly. Despite the substantial hop character typical of these beers, sufficient malt flavor, body and complexity to support the hops will provide the best balance. Very low levels of diacetyl are acceptable, and fruitiness from the fermentation or hops adds to the overall complexity. Finish is medium to dry, and bitterness may linger into the aftertaste but should not be harsh. If high sulfate water is used, a distinctively minerally, dry finish, some sulfur flavor, and a lingering bitterness are usually present. Some clean alcohol flavor can be noted in stronger versions. Oak is inappropriate in this style.
Mouthfeel: Smooth, medium-light to medium-bodied mouthfeel without hop-derived astringency, although moderate to medium-high carbonation can combine to render an overall dry sensation in the presence of malt sweetness. Some smooth alcohol warming can and should be sensed in stronger (but not all) versions.
Overall Impression: A hoppy, moderately strong pale ale that features characteristics consistent with the use of English malt, hops and yeast. Has less hop character and a more pronounced malt flavor than American versions.
History: Brewed to survive the voyage from England to India. The temperature extremes and rolling of the seas resulted in a highly attenuated beer upon arrival. English pale ales were derived from India Pale Ales.
Comments: A pale ale brewed to an increased gravity and hop rate. Modern versions of English IPAs generally pale in comparison (pun intended) to their ancestors. The term “IPA” is loosely applied in commercial English beers today, and has been (incorrectly) used in beers below 4% ABV. Generally will have more finish hops and less fruitiness and/or caramel than English pale ales and bitters. Fresher versions will obviously have a more significant finishing hop character.
Ingredients: Pale ale malt (well-modified and suitable for single-temperature infusion mashing); English hops; English yeast that can give a fruity or sulfury/minerally profile. Refined sugar may be used in some versions. High sulfate and low carbonate water is essential to achieving a pleasant hop bitterness in authentic Burton versions, although not all examples will exhibit the strong sulfate character.
Vital Statistics: OG: 1.050 – 1.075
IBUs: 40 – 60 FG: 1.010 – 1.018
SRM: 8 – 14 ABV: 5 – 7.5%
Commercial Examples: Meantime India Pale Ale, Freeminer Trafalgar IPA, Fuller's IPA, Ridgeway Bad Elf, Summit India Pale Ale, Samuel Smith's India Ale, Hampshire Pride of Romsey IPA, Burton Bridge Empire IPA,Middle Ages ImPailed Ale, Goose Island IPA, Brooklyn East India Pale Ale
14B. American IPA
Aroma: A prominent to intense hop aroma with a citrusy, floral, perfume-like, resinous, piney, and/or fruity character derived from American hops. Many versions are dry hopped and can have an additional grassy aroma, although this is not required. Some clean malty sweetness may be found in the background, but should be at a lower level than in English examples. Fruitiness, either from esters or hops, may also be detected in some versions, although a neutral fermentation character is also acceptable. Some alcohol may be noted.
Appearance: Color ranges from medium gold to medium reddish copper; some versions can have an orange-ish tint. Should be clear, although unfiltered dry-hopped versions may be a bit hazy. Good head stand with white to off-white color should persist.
Flavor: Hop flavor is medium to high, and should reflect an American hop character with citrusy, floral, resinous, piney or fruity aspects. Medium-high to very high hop bitterness, although the malt backbone will support the strong hop character and provide the best balance. Malt flavor should be low to medium, and is generally clean and malty sweet although some caramel or toasty flavors are acceptable at low levels. No diacetyl. Low fruitiness is acceptable but not required. The bitterness may linger into the aftertaste but should not be harsh. Medium-dry to dry finish. Some clean alcohol flavor can be noted in stronger versions. Oak is inappropriate in this style. May be slightly sulfury, but most examples do not exhibit this character.
Mouthfeel: Smooth, medium-light to medium-bodied mouthfeel without hop-derived astringency, although moderate to medium-high carbonation can combine to render an overall dry sensation in the presence of malt sweetness. Some smooth alcohol warming can and should be sensed in stronger (but not all) versions. Body is generally less than in English counterparts.
Overall Impression: A decidedly hoppy and bitter, moderately strong American pale ale.
History: An American version of the historical English style, brewed using American ingredients and attitude.
Ingredients: Pale ale malt (well-modified and suitable for single-temperature infusion mashing); American hops; American yeast that can give a clean or slightly fruity profile. Generally all-malt, but mashed at lower temperatures for high attenuation. Water character varies from soft to moderately sulfate. Versions with a noticeable Rye character (“RyePA”) should be entered in the Specialty category.
Vital Statistics: OG: 1.056 – 1.075
IBUs: 40 – 70 FG: 1.010 – 1.018
SRM: 6 – 15 ABV: 5.5 – 7.5%
Commercial Examples: Bell’s Two-Hearted Ale, AleSmith IPA, Russian River Blind Pig IPA, Stone IPA, Three Floyds Alpha King, Great Divide Titan IPA, Bear Republic Racer 5 IPA, Victory Hop Devil, Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale, Anderson Valley Hop Ottin’, Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA, Founder’s Centennial IPA, Anchor Liberty Ale, Harpoon IPA, Avery IPA
Fully torqued.
https://www.youtube.com/v/5E1JLR-h_bE
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Local brewer here is #5 on the list. Pic from Alary's Bar.
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Local brewer here is #5 on the list. Pic from Alary's Bar.
Love Surly. When will it be available outside the Twins?
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Love Surly. When will it be available outside the Twins?
It's in Chicago now. I have Hell and Coffee Bender in my fridge right now. Came back about a month ago.
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Love Surly. When will it be available outside the Twins?
Furious has been at every suburban bar for a couple weeks now.
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I guess we need to hijack a truck on its way to Chicago then...
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After a 3 year absence they are back in Chicago.
http://www.surlybrewing.com/eventsblog/
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The Cheese Castle is taping a keg of Bourbon County Stout on Christmas Eve at 9A. They will fill growlers.
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Back home in Waukesha so I swung by Discount Liquor for a sixer of some New Glarus and picked up their Cabin Fever Honey Bock - very tasty. Great 6% beer that's easy to drink.
Also found out they still have Goose Island Bourbon County, Coffee & Barleywine - 1 bottle limit per person. Head in if you haven't gotten your fill.
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^ I went to the Oklahoma Ave. location on the 26th, nothing but single bottles of BC stout available then
We stopped in Burnhearts Saturday night and they had the BC barleywine on tap. I found it a bit too sweet, I prefer the stout to the barleywine I guess. I'm a big fan of barleywines so was kind of surprised by this.
I also went to 3 Cellars Sat. morning to check out the Alesmith bourbon barrel Old Numbscull and Wee Heavy but at $42/bottle I had to pass, I'll invest that kind of $ in scotch but not a bottle of beer.
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^ I went to the Oklahoma Ave. location on the 26th, nothing but single bottles of BC stout available then
We stopped in Burnhearts Saturday night and they had the BC barleywine on tap. I found it a bit too sweet, I prefer the stout to the barleywine I guess. I'm a big fan of barleywines so was kind of surprised by this.
I also went to 3 Cellars Sat. morning to check out the Alesmith bourbon barrel Old Numbscull and Wee Heavy but at $42/bottle I had to pass, I'll invest that kind of $ in scotch but not a bottle of beer.
Woodmans in Sun Prairie has those two bottles @ $34 each. Still too much for me.
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If Villanova wasn't coming in on Jan. 25th I would go to the Central Waters 16th Anniversary party that day. >:(
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What do you blokes think of Leinenkugel's Snowdrift Vanilla Porter? Had some on tap at Leff's Lucky Town and thought well of it.
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Relevant to our earlier discussion of Trappist beers...
http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2014/01/10/trappists-spencer-tap-monk-mystique-launching-brewery/FBgfeHbf5lr5NjOfP8Jd8J/story.html
I'm very excited, to say the least
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What do you blokes think of Leinenkugel's Snowdrift Vanilla Porter? Had some on tap at Leff's Lucky Town and thought well of it.
Haven't tried it, but I only get Lienie's if there is literally nothing but Bud and Miller garbage available. About the only Lienie's I can choke down is the Creamy Dark.
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What do you blokes think of Leinenkugel's Snowdrift Vanilla Porter? Had some on tap at Leff's Lucky Town and thought well of it.
Tried it. Like Breckenridge Vanilla Porter, it's too fake and overpowering for me. Real vanilla in beer can be a difficult nut to control so when you use fake it's just not good IMO. When going with porter / stouts with alternative ingredients I am a bigger fan coffee, milk sugar and nitrogenation.
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Tried it. Like Breckenridge Vanilla Porter, it's too fake and overpowering for me. Real vanilla in beer can be a difficult nut to control so when you use fake it's just not good IMO. When going with porter / stouts with alternative ingredients I am a bigger fan coffee, milk sugar and nitrogenation.
Milk stouts are delicious
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What do you blokes think of Leinenkugel's Snowdrift Vanilla Porter? Had some on tap at Leff's Lucky Town and thought well of it.
A nice drinkable brew. Quite sweet, but I enjoyed it. On a similar note, if anyone here can get their hands on Boulder Brewing Shake (Chocolate Porter), it's quite good.
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A nice drinkable brew. Quite sweet, but I enjoyed it. On a similar note, if anyone here can get their hands on Boulder Brewing Shake (Chocolate Porter), it's quite good.
I really think central waters does a nice job with their winter stouts. I'm a big fan of their satin solitude.
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Little late to the party here but Revolution's seasonal Fistmas they just ran out of was great, and Two Brothers' seasonal Hop Centric is my favorite. Gotta try if you like double IPAs. Too bad it's only out for limited runs in late summer/early fall. Mayflower's IPA (from Plymouth, MA) I really like too, but haven't seen it outside of the Northeast.
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If you're looking for Fistmas, call Binnys they have stock. My guy was offering a 5 gallon keg for $65, but I don't have any room for it anytime soon.
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Hipsters ordering beer:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/13/hipsters-beer_n_4590592.html?utm_hp_ref=email_share
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We're checking out the Epic tasting/launch at 3 Cellars tonight, haven't bought any of theirs yet since Discount started carrying them
Epic Brewing Wisconsin Launch Party – Thursday, January 16th – 5-9pm
Epic Brewery from Utah has now entered Wisconsin and this will be a great chance to get up close and personal with them.
Enjoy sampling of eight Epic varieties, meet Michael Malachowski from the brewery, and with every 2 bottle of Epic beers you purchase, you will receive a commemorative Epic Glass to take home! This event is FREE and no reservations are needed.
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Anyone familiar with the Beer Dabler at the Winter Carnival?
http://www.thebeerdabbler.com/
Worth going to? Any recommendations on brews to try?
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Bells just released their annual run of Hopslam, fantastic!
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Anyone familiar with the Beer Dabler at the Winter Carnival?
http://www.thebeerdabbler.com/
Worth going to? Any recommendations on brews to try?
High saturday of 7. Winds up to 25mph. 7000 tickets sold. 150 breweries in attendance. Sold out event.
Where Beer meets brrr.
Gonna piss icicles.
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Bells just released their annual run of Hopslam, fantastic!
Crap, I was going to get some after work today. Will have to stop on the way to the game tomorrow.
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Did I miss the Spirits Thread?
Don't mean to piss any of you off, but if anyone has tried Pappy Van Winkle bourbon and is willing to share their experience?
Thank you.
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For you barrel aged beer lovers....
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20140131/NEWS07/140139966/goose-island-lands-larger-warehouse-for-more-bourbon-county-brew (http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20140131/NEWS07/140139966/goose-island-lands-larger-warehouse-for-more-bourbon-county-brew)
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Bell's Smitten Golden Rye Ale.......Smooth. In a league with an Oberon, but the rye definitely tastes a slightly different.
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Relevant to our earlier discussion of Trappist beers...
http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2014/01/10/trappists-spencer-tap-monk-mystique-launching-brewery/FBgfeHbf5lr5NjOfP8Jd8J/story.html
I'm very excited, to say the least
Sounds like it may be worth a try. Gotta believe you'll need to be nearby to get some for quite a while.
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Bell's Smitten Golden Rye Ale.......Smooth. In a league with an Oberon, but the rye definitely tastes a slightly different.
Tried the Bell's Smitten, it is very good, I think it is better than Oberon, a very full flavor for a "golden" beer.
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So what are everyone's thoughts on the new Wisconsin Brewery?
I picked up their sampler, all pretty standard, generic offerings.
Interesting that they believe they will double New Glarus' production in the first year. They certainly have the financial backing, advertising and equipment, but what good is all that if your beer isn't anything beyond average?
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So what are everyone's thoughts on the new Wisconsin Brewery?
I picked up their sampler, all pretty standard, generic offerings.
Interesting that they believe they will double New Glarus' production in the first year. They certainly have the financial backing, advertising and equipment, but what good is all that if your beer isn't anything beyond average?
Haven't tried their stuff yet. Kirby knows his stuff, but his sweet spot is the bocks he brewed at Capital. This will be an interesting experiment for him as well.
From the looks of everything, I think they're shooting for the Leinie zone. Average, not too challenging products for people who want to drink "craft" beer.
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Haven't tried their stuff yet. Kirby knows his stuff, but his sweet spot is the bocks he brewed at Capital. This will be an interesting experiment for him as well.
From the looks of everything, I think they're shooting for the Leinie zone. Average, not too challenging products for people who want to drink "craft" beer.
Oh, you mean the 'make bunches of money' zone.
Haven't had their beer, nothing really looked interesting to me.
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http://fox17online.com/2014/02/17/founders-kbs-week-to-include-special-tap-events-hotel-packages/
Founders has decided to hype the release of KBS this year. Because it needed more hype. ::) So good. So strong.
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http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2014/03/founders_kbs_backstory.html#incart_river_default
Ordinarily, my favorite week of the year. KBS hits the market, NCAA tourney. Ah, well, a couple of these and I will forget about MU's year.
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Got my KBS bottle (single :( ) yesterday...
then picked these up.
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/t1.0-9/1970846_10100575098799394_4609841485025687531_n.jpg)
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Got my KBS bottle (single :( ) yesterday...
then picked these up.
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/t1.0-9/1970846_10100575098799394_4609841485025687531_n.jpg)
If you buy 3, do you get a 20 sided dice for free?
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If you buy 3, do you get a 20 sided dice for free?
Wow, killed it.
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If you buy 3, do you get a 20 sided dice for free?
Because a TV show is the same thing as Dungeons and Dragons?
No. :D
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Because a TV is the same thing as Dungeons and Dragons?
No. :D
Hopefully that wasn't a question from your SAT prep course booklet.
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If you buy 3, do you get a 20 sided dice for free?
It's a funny world we live in when a guy who frequents an Internet message board can try to make fun of others for being a geek.
To get back on topic, it looks like I missed the bottle release of KBS this year. All my usually beer spots had week day releases and by the time I go off work they were sold out. I did make it to the sugar maple tapping last week and got 2 glasses before the keg kicked. Fantastic stuff.
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So I finally found a 6-pack of Zombie Dust this year. Has someting changed?
Don't get me wrong here, it's good. Really good.
However, I do not think it's the best APA ever though. Give me Sierra Nevada, Daisy Cutter, Burning River and Founders over Zombie Dust.
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It's a funny world we live in when a guy who frequents an Internet message board can try to make fun of others for being a geek.
To get back on topic, it looks like I missed the bottle release of KBS this year. All my usually beer spots had week day releases and by the time I go off work they were sold out. I did make it to the sugar maple tapping last week and got 2 glasses before the keg kicked. Fantastic stuff.
I wasn't making fun of him. In fact, I appreciate the geeky passion and give it utmost respect. If I opened a fridge and saw those 3 bottles, I would be amused. Definitely a great conversation starter! Let me know how they taste!
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So I finally found a 6-pack of Zombie Dust this year. Has someting changed?
Don't get me wrong here, it's good. Really good.
However, I do not think it's the best APA ever though. Give me Sierra Nevada, Daisy Cutter, Burning River and Founders over Zombie Dust.
Agreed. ZD is good, but not out of this world.
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I could drink Daisy Cutter every day for the rest of my life and be ok with it.
Went on the Half Acre tour a couple weeks ago, its worth a trip, if you are in the Chicago area.
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Today is National Beer Day!
1st day after Prohibition that beer was legal, booze was still illegal until the end of the year.
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Today is National Beer Day!
1st day after Prohibition that beer was legal, booze was still illegal until the end of the year.
In order to enjoy this day, don't you have to have at least 1 scar on your liver?
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Today is National Beer Day!
1st day after Prohibition that beer was legal, booze was still illegal until the end of the year.
Holy sh*t! National Beer Day is my birthday and I didn't know it?!!!! Well I've been celebrating properly anyways.
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Sitting in Smalley's Carribean BBQ right now, enjoying a Midnight Ryder American Black Ale from Indeed Brewing Co.
Nummy
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Agreed. ZD is good, but not out of this world.
I really enjoyed my Zombie Dust.
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I tried DuClaw Brewing's Sweet Baby Jesus (a chocolate peanut butter porter) at the in-laws yesterday, from Baltimore and pretty good IMO, don't knock the peanut butter beers until you've tried some. I also had their Dirty Little Freak (coconut chocolate brown ale), not bad considering it had coconut in it but not great either. Yes, these were given to me by a woman, you knew they were chick beers from the styles.
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Local golf course had Left Hand Sawtooth Ale on nitro. It was very nice after a round of golf...
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I was lucky enough to try some Epic Big Bad Baptist. WOW is that a strong start…. was too cold at first. Once it warmed up, it was an excellent glass.
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Anyone get their hands on the Sierra Nevada Beer Camp Across America 12-pack? If so, thoughts?
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I was lucky enough to try some Epic Big Bad Baptist. WOW is that a strong start…. was too cold at first. Once it warmed up, it was an excellent glass.
I have a bottle down in the cellar. :)
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Anyone get their hands on the Sierra Nevada Beer Camp Across America 12-pack? If so, thoughts?
Sharing a few of them tonight with a friend (who was cool enough to share these with me) - I'll report back.
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I've started trying to drink local beer only. Wherever I'm at I try to find a good beer that is relatively close.
I'm no beer expert, but I had what I thought was a great "Alt" beer from Metropolitan Brewery at a restaurant a few weeks ago. They don't list this particular beer on their website. It is a beer that I'd never buy if I saw the bottle first,but since I was at a restaurant, it didn't come into play. The bottle had some video game type of robot on it. Very Strange.
Anyway, has anyone tried any of the other beers from this company: http://metrobrewing.com/
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A friend of mine got a bottle of Pliny the Elder for me the other day. It was really outstanding.
I also had the opportunity to sample a Dark Lord. My disappointment is immeasurable. Borderline undrinkable
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Sitting in Smalley's Carribean BBQ
Roy?
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A friend of mine got a bottle of Pliny the Elder for me the other day. It was really outstanding.
I also had the opportunity to sample a Dark Lord. My disappointment is immeasurable. Borderline undrinkable
Too sweet?
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A friend of mine got a bottle of Pliny the Elder for me the other day. It was really outstanding.
I also had the opportunity to sample a Dark Lord. My disappointment is immeasurable. Borderline undrinkable
Most overrated beer in the world. It tastes like boozy hot soy sauce. I still, and I am ashamed I spent so much money on them, about 14 bottles in my cellar.
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Most overrated beer in the world. It tastes like boozy hot soy sauce. I still, and I am ashamed I spent so much money on them, about 14 bottles in my cellar.
I love 3Floyds, and I always wanted to try Dark Lord, when I finally had the opportunity I was shocked, it was not what I expected. I love challenging beers, but Dark Lord tasted like a mixture of motor oil and bourbon. That being said, I wouldn't say it's overrated, but BIG in every way. First taste is holy crap, it levels out ok, but the bottom of the glass as it warms up is wow. Not a session beer, I wouldn't buy 14 of them, but worth the effort to try if you dabble in beer tasting.
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I love 3Floyds, and I always wanted to try Dark Lord, when I finally had the opportunity I was shocked, it was not what I expected. I love challenging beers, but Dark Lord tasted like a mixture of motor oil and bourbon. That being said, I wouldn't say it's overrated, but BIG in every way. First taste is holy crap, it levels out ok, but the bottom of the glass as it warms up is wow. Not a session beer, I wouldn't buy 14 of them, but worth the effort to try if you dabble in beer tasting.
Completely disagree. The beer is hot mess and completely out of balance for a Russian Imperial Stout and even Barrel Aged beers. I think FFF does a great job with hoppy beers but and some of their monthly beers (Moloko for instant) but Dark Lord just sucks.
Now the event is still a blast to go to every year - but would never spend a dime on another bottle. If any wants any verticals let me know.
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Completely disagree. The beer is hot mess and completely out of balance for a Russian Imperial Stout and even Barrel Aged beers. I think FFF does a great job with hoppy beers but and some of their monthly beers (Moloko for instant) but Dark Lord just sucks.
Now the event is still a blast to go to every year - but would never spend a dime on another bottle. If any wants any verticals let me know.
I've never had a chance, interested.
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Completely disagree. The beer is hot mess and completely out of balance for a Russian Imperial Stout and even Barrel Aged beers. I think FFF does a great job with hoppy beers but and some of their monthly beers (Moloko for instant) but Dark Lord just sucks.
Now the event is still a blast to go to every year - but would never spend a dime on another bottle. If any wants any verticals let me know.
Had you always disliked it or was it standard fare early in your beer drinking and perhaps lost luster as your palate developed? It's a beer that certainly engenders strong opinion either way.
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Had you always disliked it or was it standard fare early in your beer drinking and perhaps lost luster as your palate developed? It's a beer that certainly engenders strong opinion either way.
It's always been a hot mess but I didn't realize as much until I started drinking much better Imperial Stouts like Alesmith Speedway, Founders Breakfast Stout, etc. Then there are the barrel aged stouts which kick the crap out of DL like Goose Island Bourbon County Stout (yes I work for them but ours is the original and still best), Alesmith Barrel Aged Speedway Stout, some years of Founders Kentucky Breakfast Stout, Central Waters Bourbon Barrel Aged Stout, ect. I just think Dark Lord is all hype and not a good beer. Also, they are prone to infection problems at times.
Now for a different thing, if anyone is looking to drink a ton of insane beers this Saturday at 6pm at Goose Island Wrigleyville as we try and raise money for one of our former brewers kids who has brain cancer. Here are the details as well as what we're (Goose Island) are bringing:
Goose Island Wrigleyville is celebrating their 15th Anniversary. In collaboration with the Illinois Craft Brewers' Guild, we invite you to join us for an evening of local beer and food in the shadow of Wrigley Field.
Proceeds benefit Gordon Biersch and former Goose Island brewer, John Wyzkiewicz's six year old son, Bodhi, who in May 2013 was diagnosed with a highly malignant form of childhood brain cancer, medulloblastoma. His prognosis is excellent, and the Chicagoland craft beer community has rallied to raise money to help defray some of the costs associated with Bodhi's ongoing care.
Be sure to purchase an official 2015 Brewers of Goose Island Beer Company Calendar. Trust us, you don't want to pass up this calendar. All Proceeds from calendar will go directly to the family of Bodhi.
Tickets: http://goose15.brownpapertickets.com/ (http://goose15.brownpapertickets.com/)
-Participating Breweries include:
-Revolution Brewing
-Rock Bottom - Warrenville
-Temperance Beer Company
-Atlas Brewing Company along
-Penrose Brewing
-Perennial Artisan Ales
-Solemn Oath Brewery
-Illuminated Brew Works
-Goose Island Beer Co.
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10511077_753718545507_9079294669650150391_n.jpg?oh=4df9d6a8837fbe206b0be2b9580d4e26&oe=5457BED8&__gda__=1412989093_bbd41a6011ff65acc1244059e7090bef)
We are also very excited about Gunthorp Farms joining us for this event for a pig roast in our Beer Garden!
*Check back for more participating breweries.
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I've started trying to drink local beer only. Wherever I'm at I try to find a good beer that is relatively close.
I'm no beer expert, but I had what I thought was a great "Alt" beer from Metropolitan Brewery at a restaurant a few weeks ago. They don't list this particular beer on their website. It is a beer that I'd never buy if I saw the bottle first,but since I was at a restaurant, it didn't come into play. The bottle had some video game type of robot on it. Very Strange.
Anyway, has anyone tried any of the other beers from this company: http://metrobrewing.com/
Metropolitan is great. Right up there with Pipeworks as a great up and comer.
Metro only produces traditional lagers, an art not practiced much in the IPA craft typhoon lately. The beer you drank is actually Iron Works, a great offering. The 'alt' part is short for Altbier, German for Old Beer. Alt's use top fermenting yeast and are aged at a cooler temperature which give them a crisp, fruitier taste. I actually happen to have Iron Works along with some Generator (really good dopple) in my basement.
If you're in Chicago, grab Metro for lagers, Pipeworks for Ales and Goose Island to keep Chili happy.
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It's always been a hot mess but I didn't realize as much until I started drinking much better Imperial Stouts like Alesmith Speedway, Founders Breakfast Stout, etc. Then there are the barrel aged stouts which kick the crap out of DL like Goose Island Bourbon County Stout (yes I work for them but ours is the original and still best), Alesmith Barrel Aged Speedway Stout, some years of Founders Kentucky Breakfast Stout, Central Waters Bourbon Barrel Aged Stout, ect. I just think Dark Lord is all hype and not a good beer. Also, they are prone to infection problems at times.
It truly is amazing what is available at a fairly regular clip within this category but, as we know, hype can drive a beer for so long it seems some places go for that rather than quality.
I'm partial to Belgians so anything Struise does whether in barrel or not with Black Albert, Delphine, their Damnation series is in my cellar. Cigar City's Zhukov is tasty. Thornbridge and Thirsty Dog both have an underrated RIS. One of the best I've ever had is by TAPS out of SoCal called Remy. Blew me out of my chair as if I was at a late night bordello.
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Metropolitan is great. Right up there with Pipeworks as a great up and comer.
Metro only produces traditional lagers, an art not practiced much in the IPA craft typhoon lately. The beer you drank is actually Iron Works, a great offering. The 'alt' part is short for Altbier, German for Old Beer. Alt's use top fermenting yeast and are aged at a cooler temperature which give them a crisp, fruitier taste. I actually happen to have Iron Works along with some Generator (really good dopple) in my basement.
If you're in Chicago, grab Metro for lagers, Pipeworks for Ales and Goose Island to keep Chili happy.
Don't forget about Half Acre either.
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Don't forget about Half Acre either.
I didn't. I love Half Acre too, Daisy Cutter is better than Zombie Dust and you can buy it anyday of the week.
Pipeworks just dominated the Ales and Metro for lagers. Half Acre for everything.
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I assume that Metropolitan is only available in Chicago? I really liked that AltBier. I'm not big on IPA's. More of an Pale Al or Czech-Pilsner, Guiness, or Kolsch drinker.
I've noticed that Goose Island is not brewed in Chicago anymore. Disappointing. Or is the product sold in Chicago still brewed there?
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I assume that Metropolitan is only available in Chicago? I really liked that AltBier. I'm not big on IPA's. More of an Pale Al or Czech-Pilsner, Guiness, or Kolsch drinker.
I've noticed that Goose Island is not brewed in Chicago anymore. Disappointing. Or is the product sold in Chicago still brewed there?
Most of their stuff is still brewed in Chicago. I believe only 312 and Honker's Ale are brewed out of state in New York and Colorado since Anheuser-Busch InBev bought Goose Island in 2011. Don't worry though all the good stuff (ie. the Bourbon County line and the Vintage Ale line) is still brewed in Chicago.
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I assume that Metropolitan is only available in Chicago? I really liked that AltBier. I'm not big on IPA's. More of an Pale Al or Czech-Pilsner, Guiness, or Kolsch drinker.
I've noticed that Goose Island is not brewed in Chicago anymore. Disappointing. Or is the product sold in Chicago still brewed there?
Correct, metro-Chicagoland only.
As JoeSmith said, GI does their own brewing still, but not 312 & Honk's.
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I assume that Metropolitan is only available in Chicago? I really liked that AltBier. I'm not big on IPA's. More of an Pale Al or Czech-Pilsner, Guiness, or Kolsch drinker.
I've noticed that Goose Island is not brewed in Chicago anymore. Disappointing. Or is the product sold in Chicago still brewed there?
Nope, I am sitting in our marketing office right now with our brewers in a meeting. We still brew 75% of different beers at our Fulton Street Brewery.
To add to Chicago Breweries my favorites are Off Color, Penrose(well they're in Geneva), Revolution, Two Brothers Sidekick Pale Ale (also in the burbs) & Half Acre.
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speaking of beer in Chicago
http://chicagoist.com/2014/07/13/check_out_the_beermiscuous_map_of_c.php (http://chicagoist.com/2014/07/13/check_out_the_beermiscuous_map_of_c.php)
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bookmark
http://beermiscuous.com/tagged/drinklocal (http://beermiscuous.com/tagged/drinklocal)
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I think Revolution usually needs to be thrown into the Chicago brewery conversation as well. I've really liked everything I've tried (mainly Anti-Hero, Double Fist), the only one of their beers I've had that I don't really care for is the Rosa.
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I think Revolution usually needs to be thrown into the Chicago brewery conversation as well. I've really liked everything I've tried (mainly Anti-Hero, Double Fist), the only one of their beers I've had that I don't really care for is the Rosa.
Agree. Revolution is the best in Chicago.
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Most of their stuff is still brewed in Chicago. I believe only 312 and Honker's Ale are brewed out of state in New York and Colorado since Anheuser-Busch InBev bought Goose Island in 2011. Don't worry though all the good stuff (ie. the Bourbon County line and the Vintage Ale line) is still brewed in Chicago.
Good to know. My grocery store only has the stuff not brewed in Chicago (brewed in Colorado). I guess it is time to shop somewhere else :)
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Anyone know of any good breweries or brew pubs in Philly?
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Anyone know of any good breweries or brew pubs in Philly?
When in doubt, check on BeerAdvocate.
http://www.beeradvocate.com/place/city/13/
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I'm partial to Belgians so anything Struise does whether in barrel or not with Black Albert, Delphine, their Damnation series is in my cellar.
I share your taste for Belgian beers, and have found that Boulevard Brewery in KC does some fantastic ones. The Sixth Glass strong Belgian ale, Long Strange Tripel and Tank 7 Farmhouse Ale are all excellent. IMHO the Boulevard offerings are worlds better than the "standard" US-made Belgian offerings from Ommegang.
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NM
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I think Revolution usually needs to be thrown into the Chicago brewery conversation as well. I've really liked everything I've tried (mainly Anti-Hero, Double Fist), the only one of their beers I've had that I don't really care for is the Rosa.
Agree 100%. Their Bottom Up Wit is probably my favorite beer right now, and I'm a big fan of their Cross of Gold, Anti-Hero, and Double Fist on the IPA side. The Rosa is interesting. And by interesting, I mean it doesn't taste like beer.
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For inquiring minds:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/food/chi-goose-island-bourbon-county-stout-lineup-20140801-story.html (http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/food/chi-goose-island-bourbon-county-stout-lineup-20140801-story.html)
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Great Taste is tomorrow, I know I've got my tickets... Anyone that is interested here is the lineup for the local bars that pair with breweries!
http://greattaste.org/great_taste_eve/
See you there!
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I've had a few bottles of Central Waters La Petit Mort - a collaboration with Local Option. I really like this one.
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Ballantine is back after years of disappearance....the original IPA in the U.S.
http://gizmodo.com/how-pabst-brought-a-136-year-old-beer-back-from-the-dea-1628690352
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Enjoyed a few Founders All Day IPAs over the weekend. Good hop, not over powering, but really solid and smooth going down. A bonus, the 15 pack of cans, is only $18.
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Swung by 3 floyds over the weekend. Picked up their Man - o - Awe, which I absolutely love. Big APA fan here. Like the IPAs and DIPAS but am a little more particular in those categories.
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Enjoyed a few Founders All Day IPAs over the weekend. Good hop, not over powering, but really solid and smooth going down. A bonus, the 15 pack of cans, is only $18.
Founder's decided to make a mainstream, easy drinking, lighter summer beer, realizing they had nothing for the casual beer drinker. I agree with your assessment.
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Founder's decided to make a mainstream, easy drinking, lighter summer beer, realizing they had nothing for the casual beer drinker. I agree with your assessment.
It's also about 1/2 their volume and cans cost 1/2 of what bottles do. So why not try and grab market share / shelf space by offering some savings to consumers while still making more money than you would have if it was bottles. Very smart strategy.
Also, all "session IPA's" are really just dry hopped pale ales but I am a fan of them. You can drink the crap out of them. Another really good one is Popup by Boulevard.
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Going to pimp my own beers but here are the first reviews of this years BCBS beers.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/food/ct-food-2014-bourbon-county-stout-20141017-story.html#page=1 (http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/food/ct-food-2014-bourbon-county-stout-20141017-story.html#page=1)
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Going to pimp my own beers but here are the first reviews of this years BCBS beers.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/food/ct-food-2014-bourbon-county-stout-20141017-story.html#page=1 (http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/food/ct-food-2014-bourbon-county-stout-20141017-story.html#page=1)
I couldn't access it since I'm not a Tribune digital plus member.
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I couldn't access it since I'm not a Tribune digital plus member.
Bourbon County Stout beers: Exclusive preview tasting
A popular yearly tradition
Bourbon County Brand Stout has grown into a family of beers with a devoted following. Here, beer fans line up for a release of BCS Coffee in 2012. (E. Jason Wambsgans, Chicago Tribune)
By Josh Noel,
Chicago Tribune
Sitting down for the first taste of this year's Goose Island BCS beers
What you can expect from BCS beers this fall.
When it came time to brew its 1,000th batch of beer 22 years ago, the Goose Island brewpub on Clybourn Avenue wanted to do something special. So then-brewmaster Greg Hall made the darkest, booziest stout he could and let it sit in a bourbon barrel — a relatively rare practice at the time. He named the beer Bourbon County Stout and nervously trotted it out for his customers.
BCS, as drinkers came to call it, has traveled an unlikely path since those early days, both literally (the beer is now available in all 50 states) and figuratively (as of this writing, seven of the world's top 20 beers hail from the BCS family, according to the industry-watching BeerGraphs website).
Since 1992, BCS has grown from a single beer to a family of brews, each weighty, boozy and aged in whiskey barrels. Goose is releasing five BCS beers this year, all, as usual, on the day after Thanksgiving. It is one of the biggest single beer release days in Chicago for a few reasons: the scarcity of BCS, the fact that it is an appealing trade chip among beer collectors, and the fact that the beer is worth aging because it changes in the bottle.
This week, I sat down with Brett Porter, Goose Island brewmaster, and Mike Siegel, manager of innovation, to taste and discuss this year's crop: classic BCS; a barleywine; BCS with vanilla, aged in rye whiskey barrels; Proprietor's BCS (essentially a chocolate-cinnamon version); and BCS with coffee.
Bourbon County Barleywine
Introduced last year, Bourbon County Brand Barleywine Ale returns and will continue to be an annual Black Friday release.
"People like it," Porter said. "We like it. It's fun beer to make. We want to add a layer of complexity to an English-style barleywine."
That's where the barrel — a former bourbon barrel that later housed BCS — comes in, adding notes of char, bourbon and just a whisper of stout to the barleywine.
This year's barleywine is immensely smooth and round, taking the drinker on a lightly syrupy journey through some decadent flavors: toffee, caramel and vanilla. While true of all BCS beers, the barleywine is an ideal winter sipper. Preferably beside a fire. After a day of skiing. On a bearskin rug. (Actually, make that a mock bearskin rug.)
Porter, Siegel and I shared a bottle alongside last year's version. The 2014 barleywine was a bit darker and, I thought, preferable for both its prolonged, varied sweetness and how well it hid its 12.1 percent alcohol. It's a smooth and beautiful ride.
Siegel agreed: "The first sip of last year's is a lot of burnt sugar that rises to a peak, then quickly comes back down. The sweetness on this year's is drawn out. I like that."
Porter declined to pick a favorite.
Barleywine
Goose Island is releasing Bourbon County Barleywine for the second year. It will continue to be an annual release.
CAPTION
Vanilla Rye
Goose Island Brewery
Bourbon County Vanilla Rye is Goose Island's first vanilla BCS since 2010.
CAPTION
The original
Goose Island Brewery
Bourbon County Stout was first brewed at Goose Island's Clybourn brewpub in 1992.
CAPTION
Coffee
Goose Island Brewery
Bourbon County Coffee is a long-time annual release and one of Goose Island's most popular.
CAPTION
Proprietor's
Goose Island Brewery
Bourbon County Proprietor's is a Chicago-only release with ingredients that change every year.
"One isn't better than the other, but people are going to have a lot of fun comparing them," he said. "I'd happily drink either one."
Available nationally in four-packs of 12-ounce bottles.
Bourbon County Stout
As much as we tend to think of the original Bourbon County Stout as a fixed recipe that is released every year, that's not quite the case.
"There's variation from year to year, and there isn't any way around it," Porter said. "I don't think it's a bad thing."
Though Goose aims to reproduce the same base beer every year, a number of factors vary what winds up in bottles.
"There's the weather in Chicago (while the beer is aging in bourbon barrels), the mix of distiller barrels we use and the barrel manufacturers themselves," Porter said. "We don't have a lot of control over the final product in some ways."
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But in other ways they do, and that's where Siegel comes in. His job is to blend the thousands of barrels into a final product. But even the final product varies; BCS was bottled this year on six different dates, leading to even greater variation.
Siegel said tasting straight out of the barrels reveals two general characteristics of Bourbon County Stout: one is boozy and warming, and takes on berry notes; the other features a smoother, more caramel-like roast.
"For me the ideal BCS has all the different layers of flavor," Porter said. "Cherry, vanilla, roast, coffee, chocolate — all the layers of flavor in the blend. That is my goal as the brewmaster: infinite complexity."
As for the bottle of 2014 BCS we cracked open, I don't know that it was infinitely complex, but, oh, lord, was it tasty. I find BCS hit and miss — the misses have come when it's too hot with alcohol, and lacking the balance that Porter described — but always interesting.
The version we tried, bottled on Sept. 14 (the date is printed on the back label), was missing some of the boozy-cherry notes, but I didn't miss them. It was instead among the most ready-to-drink BCS beers I've tasted: silky, free of alcohol burn and loaded with vanilla. Siegel called it "a locomotive of vanilla."
Some people might miss the boozy burn, but not me. Porter didn't either.
"What I don't like about BCS is the witch hazel and hot alcohol burn," he said. "I like what it does to me, and the feeling, but I don't like the flavor. I don't get that flavor out of this bottle."
I brought along a bottle of 2012 BCS to compare and it was a wholly different experience, popping with the very cherry-heavy, boozy edge missing in the 2014 bottle. But it had obviously mellowed during the past two years. This is why people age BCS.
"It's a beautiful flavor," Porter said. "It's an '1812 Overture' of flavor in your mouth."
Delicious indeed, and it underscored how great the variation can be in Bourbon County Stout from year to year and bottle to bottle.
Available nationally in four-packs of 12-ounce bottles.
Proprietor's BCS
Goose released its first Proprietor's BCS last year; the featured ingredient was coconut. Fresh from the bottle, it was a magnificent swirl of coconut, chocolate and booze. Absolute decadence, and, in relative scarcity, one of the brewery's most sought-after beers.
This year's version is equally memorable — and will be equally hard to come by — with an ingredient lineup so wide that Siegel joked it should be called "BCS Massive Carbon Footprint" — cassia bark from Vietnam, cocoa nibs from Congo, coconut water from Thailand and Mexican panela sugar.
The base beer is a tweaked version of Bourbon County Stout, brewed with the addition of rye. The initial idea was a cassia bark (cinnamon, essentially) and cocoa nib BCS aged in rye whiskey barrels. But the result was slightly astringent, leading Goose to make a syrup of coconut water and Mexican sugar that was added as a final step.
The syrup is "not a huge component" of the finished product, Siegel said: "It's meant to add a little sweetness and flavor along the way."
I barely recognized the coconut or Mexican sugar, but the syrup is quite apparent, which makes the beer relatively sweet — possibly too cloying for some. But not me. Proprietor's bursts with cinnamon to balance the sweet, then releases into a wonderfully long spicy chocolate finish. It's an admirable balance of sweet (syrup), spicy (cocoa nibs) and savory (cinnamon).
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"Someone at the brewery said it reminded them of Mexican hot chocolate," Siegel said.
Yes. Exactly.
"We didn't want a spiced BCS," Porter said. "We wanted a beer that accentuated the flavors already in BCS."
Like last year, Proprietor's will be available only in Chicago, a tradition that Porter said will continue as a thank you to the city.
"We are in the spot we are because of the people in Chicago who have bought our beer," he said.
(And, let's be honest — it's a smart way for Goose to burnish its Chicago credibility since being sold to Anheuser-Busch InBev in 2011.)
Because availability will be limited, if you get your hands on one bottle, my suggestion is to drink it fresh; it's difficult to imagine the beer getting much better. If you get two, try one fresh and store one (at room temperature, in the dark) for four to six months. And if you get three, give one to me.
Available in Chicago in 22-ounce bottles.
BCS Coffee
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Another annual release, but with a different coffee every year that's procured by Intelligentsia. This year's is a Rwandan bean called Zirikana.
I'm going to be honest. We were at the end of the tasting, and my note-taking got a little lazy. Rather than fake my way through, I'll just convey exactly what I wrote:
"No acidity — nice."
"Chocolate, coffee."
"Boozy, delicious iced coffee."
"Coffee. Yum."
"Brett says there's maple in there. Yes."
So there you have it. This year's BCS Coffee features a low-acidity bean, lots of aromatic coffee punch and very light maple notes (though there is no maple added to the beer). Come to think of it, there was also a light touch of berry flavor at the beer's edges. Porter says it's his favorite version of the beer yet.
Available nationally in four-packs of 12-ounce bottles.
Vanilla Rye
Wait — "Where's Vanilla Rye?" you might ask. I certainly did when I realized it wasn't on the table.
"Not ready yet," Siegel said.
Goose Island released a Vanilla BCS in 2010, and it became one of the most storied and sought-after beers in the brewery's history. Goose is rolling out a new version this year aged in rye, not bourbon, barrels.
I'll return to the brewery in a couple of weeks to try it and will let you know how it goes. I have a feeling it will go quite well.
jbnoel@tribune.com
Twitter @joshbnoel
Copyright © 2014, Chicago Tribune
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So when's the MUScoop official tasting, Chili?
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Bourbon County Stout beers: Exclusive preview tasting.................
Thank you for the copy/paste.
Good to hear the Barleywine is back. And my experience was the same last year with initial sweetness dulling so this year's will be good to try.
And, Mexican hot chocolate. ;D
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For those of us who will be outside of Chicago (I'll be in Milwaukee) is there a suggested strategy to picking these up on Black Friday?
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For those of us who will be outside of Chicago (I'll be in Milwaukee) is there a suggested strategy to picking these up on Black Friday?
If I told you that I'd have to kill you - skip the BC and go to Lakefront Brewery for their Black Friday Imperial Black PA
My brother gets on a list at Woodmans of all places
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For those of us who will be outside of Chicago (I'll be in Milwaukee) is there a suggested strategy to picking these up on Black Friday?
Go to two or three "craft" stores now and zero in on one manager and ask what their strategy will be. Some have a list you can put your name on. Some hold it back for "regular" customers. Some put out one four pack at a time. Some will hold a bottle for you. All depends on how big their head is that they'll get Bourbon County.
At least, that's how it is in Jersey. Chili could probably have a better idea roughly the types of numbers that the Milwaukee market will see and perhaps it's slightly easier to find then I know it will be in a place like mine.
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Go to two or three "craft" stores now and zero in on one manager and ask what their strategy will be. Some have a list you can put your name on. Some hold it back for "regular" customers. Some put out one four pack at a time. Some will hold a bottle for you. All depends on how big their head is that they'll get Bourbon County.
At least, that's how it is in Jersey. Chili could probably have a better idea roughly the types of numbers that the Milwaukee market will see and perhaps it's slightly easier to find then I know it will be in a place like mine.
That's my plan for now. I'm gonna start calling a few places to see if I can even "pre pay" for it
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Anyone else heading up to the O'so 7th birthday party this Saturday?
It's that time of the year again, when O'so takes over all 40 taps with our own rare offerings, and we party for the kids! This years goal is to raise $10000 for Toys for Tots. Your $15 at the door goes to Toys for Tots! We will also be releasing a number of treats in 750ml bottles, with straight Bourbon Barrel Night Train and a blackberry BBNT among them. Don't miss this event!
Had a blast last year and recruited my brother and his wife to join us this time around. We'll hit Central Waters (only 15 miles from O'so) on Friday for a tour and growler fills.
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Update - O'so announced the beer list for Saturday. The BA means barrel aged. The BA Spikes was one of my favorites last year. Spikes is made with NO water, using maple sap in place of water.
Brewery only bottle releases:
O'so Bourbon Barrel aged Imperial Night Train- 2000 bottles @ $12.50 ea
O'so Bourbon Barrel aged Blackberry Imperial Night Train- 2000 bottles @ 12.50
O'so Bourbon Barrel aged Imperial Night Train aged with Poblano Peppers- 2000 bottles @ 12.50
Funk Factory and O'so Brewing Kriek Lambic style beer- 1000 bottles, corked and caged, 2 bottle limit @ $20.00
Bourbon barrel beers are first come first served, while supplies last!
These are all amazing beers all in 750mL, cash preffered, 3% upcharge for any credit card purchases. We are working on getting an ATM for the event but no commitment yet.
$15 @ the door or a toy valued at $15 gets you in the door.....it does not get you beers. This is a charity event for Toys 4 tots, please stress this. My thought's, if you have $150 to drop on a case of beer, you can afford a charitable donation.
There will be 40 O'so beers on tap, including the bottle released beers and a cask of Saskatoon Berry aged Lambic style beer.
Here is a list of the beers on tap:
Winds of Change
Grand Cru
Faster than Dawn
Brett n Red
Funky Lady
Fantome Brett
Brett Pils
Restless Soul
Coffee sour Blonde
O'so Raydiant Sour Red
BA IMP Night Train
BA IMP Night Train w/coconut and nibs
BA Convenient Distraction
BA IMP Night Train w/blackberry
BA IMP Night Train w/Poblano
BA Night Train 12
BA Dominator (aged in Burheim barrels)
BA Spikes (aged in Elijah Craig barrels)
3rd Wheel 14
Spikes 14
Picnic Ants 14
Nitroberfest
Doe in Heat 14
Lupulin Max 14
El Smashem IPA
Holy Wa Belgian Golden Strong
Sweet Lady Stout
ESB
Traditional English Mild
Belgian brown rye-PA
Wheat Wine
Nitro Black Scotch
Convenient Distraction
Kartoffel Bock (As seen on Beer Geeks)
Hopdinger
Nitro Train
Big O
Rusty Red
Memory Lane
Hop Whoopin
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Going to pimp my own beers
Late to the game on this thread, but I have to tell you Chili, Goose Island Sophie is truly nectar of the gods. Perfection IMO. A waiter in NYC introduced me to Duvel about a decade ago, which was also life-changing. But then I had my first Sophie about four years ago. I drink it all summer long. Just bought another case in the large format bottles for the winter.
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Anyone a fan of Liftbridge in Stillwater? That have their Barley Wine coming out next Saturday.
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Amazing event - the Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Night Train with Blackberry was awesome.
Anyone else heading up to the O'so 7th birthday party this Saturday?
Had a blast last year and recruited my brother and his wife to join us this time around. We'll hit Central Waters (only 15 miles from O'so) on Friday for a tour and growler fills.
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Late to the game on this thread, but I have to tell you Chili, Goose Island Sophie is truly nectar of the gods. Perfection IMO. A waiter in NYC introduced me to Duvel about a decade ago, which was also life-changing. But then I had my first Sophie about four years ago. I drink it all summer long. Just bought another case in the large format bottles for the winter.
Sounds like you need to make a trip to Belgium (or at least the Belgian section in your local beer store). Lots of good stuff there.
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Anyone lining up for BCS today?
Thinking about it...store nearby is selling at 3P.
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Anyone lining up for BCS today?
Thinking about it...store nearby is selling at 3P.
got a case but no one had the variants here, also grabbed Central Waters Bourbon stout
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got a case but no one had the variants here, also grabbed Central Waters Bourbon stout
New wholesaler in Chicago decided to cut supply of variants to most shops....even i got shutout at my normal honey holes.
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I got nothing...at all...heard there was plenty of Coffee to go around, but Vanilla Rye and Proprietors was extremely scarce.
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Mentioned in the game thread. Got 3 bottles of BCS, only the only variant I saw was the barleywine. But...that store had a one bottle limit, so I just picked up "regular" since I'm not a huge barleywine fan (and I love normal BCS).
However...I also got a tip that a local store has a couple 5gal kegs of it, so I may pick one up tomorrow....(I have a kegerator)
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Mentioned in the game thread. Got 3 bottles of BCS, only the only variant I saw was the barleywine. But...that store had a one bottle limit, so I just picked up "regular" since I'm not a huge barleywine fan (and I love normal BCS).
However...I also got a tip that a local store has a couple 5gal kegs of it, so I may pick one up tomorrow....(I have a kegerator)
GTFO....A KEG?
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GTFO....A KEG?
I know...dangerous, right!?!?!
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I know...dangerous, right!?!?!
So jelly right now....
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So jelly right now....
We'll see if I get it (I mean, if they still have it tomorrow morning), If I do I'll post a pic. It'd be my most expensive keg ever. The current record holder was the 20 liter of Chimay white that I got a few years ago.
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We'll see if I get it (I mean, if they still have it tomorrow morning), If I do I'll post a pic. It'd be my most expensive keg ever. The current record holder was the 20 liter of Chimay white that I got a few years ago.
What's the tag?
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What's the tag?
Kegs can be had Binny's Marcy usually around this time if you're willing pay - but you must go to the degobah.
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What's the tag?
$250 for 5 gal (about $4.50 per 12/oz)
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New wholesaler in Chicago decided to cut supply of variants to most shops....even i got shutout at my normal honey holes.
I thought you worked for Goose? Was I mistaken? If not, you don't get a token in-house bottle as a thank you?
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I thought you worked for Goose? Was I mistaken? If not, you don't get a token in-house bottle as a thank you?
We do get an employee allotment however I wanted more Proprietors if I could get some, but I didn't. Plus I like to be out at stores talking to fans. Though, the bar events are now more fun as my hangover today would indicate.
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We'll see if I get it (I mean, if they still have it tomorrow morning), If I do I'll post a pic. It'd be my most expensive keg ever. The current record holder was the 20 liter of Chimay white that I got a few years ago.
Sadly, It was reserved already this morning. But, they thought they could get more, I have to call their beer guy on Monday.
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We do get an employee allotment however I wanted more Proprietors if I could get some, but I didn't. Plus I like to be out at stores talking to fans. Though, the bar events are now more fun as my hangover today would indicate.
One other question I have is that I've noticed this year's stout has two different abv markings (13.8 & 14.4). Is that down to the climate during barreling?
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One other question I have is that I've noticed this year's stout has two different abv markings (13.8 & 14.4). Is that down to the climate during barreling?
Correct. We normally do not control any of the temps in the bourbon barrel warehouse (only in the wine barrel part) but this past winter was so damn cold in Chicago we actually turned the heaters on a few days as we were scared the beer might freeze.
My personal taste is that I actually like the lower ABV - on both. Easier to drink right out of the bottle.
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Correct. We normally do not control any of the temps in the bourbon barrel warehouse (only in the wine barrel part) but this past winter was so damn cold in Chicago we actually turned the heaters on a few days as we were scared the beer might freeze.
My personal taste is that I actually like the lower ABV - on both. Easier to drink right out of the bottle.
Reinforces the living product. I find at times people expect it the same every single vintage without understanding the variables involved. Got to look around and try both versions.
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Founders Canadian Breakfast stout being released in very limited quantities. Good luck.
http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2014/12/cbs_founders_michigan.html#incart_river
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Founders Canadian Breakfast stout being released in very limited quantities. Good luck.
http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2014/12/cbs_founders_michigan.html#incart_river
I had several bottles of IIRC, the 2009 release, those really needed a long time in the cellar to be at their prime but damn were they good then. Romans had the 2011 on tap in '12 and I didn't think it tasted like it was quite matured enough yet, besides the crazy price of something like $10 for 5 oz.
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We'll see if I get it (I mean, if they still have it tomorrow morning), If I do I'll post a pic. It'd be my most expensive keg ever. The current record holder was the 20 liter of Chimay white that I got a few years ago.
Didn't even know you could buy kegs of Chimay, I've only ever seen it in bottles around here.
I want a keg of Chimay Bleu now....
To the guy who said he liked Duvel, try a Tripel Karmeliet, much better IMHO.
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Just got back from Honolulu and wanted to put a plug in for Kona Brewery. Pretty much every product we tried was very enjoyable. (Of course, it could have been the setting also. ;) ) They have a restaurant on the island which is also worth a trip. Nice setting, good food and they brought samplers while we waited for our pizza.
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Didn't even know you could buy kegs of Chimay, I've only ever seen it in bottles around here.
I want a keg of Chimay Bleu now....
To the guy who said he liked Duvel, try a Tripel Karmeliet, much better IMHO.
How much would a keg of chimay run you, like 600 bucks?
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Just got back from Honolulu and wanted to put a plug in for Kona Brewery. Pretty much every product we tried was very enjoyable. (Of course, it could have been the setting also. ;) ) They have a restaurant on the island which is also worth a trip. Nice setting, good food and they brought samplers while we waited for our pizza.
Did you have anything from Maui Brewing Co.? Their Coconut Porter is one of my favorite beers of all time.
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Nope. Don't recall seeing anything offered in the bars we went to, and only a few Kona offerings in our small (but lively) hotel bar. Coconut Porter sounds unique to say the least.
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Did you have anything from Maui Brewing Co.? Their Coconut Porter is one of my favorite beers of all time.
That stuff is so good that my wife and I brought a few coconuts home from Maui for the sole purpose of cloning the beer. The exchange went something like this:
Wife: "Why are you bringing coconuts home?"
Me: "For beer."
Wife: "I'll grab some more."
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Nope. Don't recall seeing anything offered in the bars we went to, and only a few Kona offerings in our small (but lively) hotel bar. Coconut Porter sounds unique to say the least.
Huh, they distribute to Colorado (and it looks like most of the western states, plus Virginia and Maryland). I didn't think coconut porter was that hard to get :)
Speaking of which, I've been meaning to mention, a buddy of mine has been looking for someone in Wisconsin to do so beer trading with (i.e. - You ship him stuff from New Glarus and other tasty and harder to find goodies from the state, and he reciprocates back to you with Colorado and other west coast hard to find stuff). He's got quite an extensive collection, so if any beer snobs already have a good cellar, and would like to do some trading, PM me. I'll get you two in contact.
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Founders Canadian Breakfast stout being released in very limited quantities. Good luck.
http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2014/12/cbs_founders_michigan.html#incart_river
I've had this a few times now. It's easily the best beer I've ever tried. You can taste the bourbon, but it's still very smooth with a nice chocolate flavor.
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I've had this a few times now. It's easily the best beer I've ever tried. You can taste the bourbon, but it's still very smooth with a nice chocolate flavor.
Just to add on to my own post, for anyone in GR, Founder's seems to have actually made enough CBS this time. It's still hard to get outside their taproom, but I was there tonight (for the second straight weekend) and it was available the entire time I was there
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Thanks for the tip. I will have to visit their construction site....err....tasting room this week. For those who don't know, they are doing a huge expansion right now.
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Went to Lift Bridge yesterday and picked up their Commander barley wine ale. $18 for a 750ml bottle.
They've run out of it on tap, and have a few cases left.
Note: barrel aged too.
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For a couple actual tasting notes tried a couple bottles yesteday...
Port Brewing Barrel Aged Santa's Little Helper (Stout) - The first couple ounces were sweet, but good. After that the sweetness was too much and it wasn't as enjoyable.
Copper Kettle Well Bred - Barrel Aged Barleywine - Not likely available to those outside Denver, but a good aged barleywine. I enjoyed, even though I don't usually like the sweetness of barleywine. Still..more enjoyable than the aforementioned stout.
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Wife bought a smoked vanilla porter by Stone Brewing (San Diego) yesterday. Highly reminiscent of the last iterations of my past trials to see how much chocolate malt I could cram into a batch before it offended. Completely overwhelmed the smoked malt. However, highly recommended if you like your porter on the burnt side.
Huh, they distribute to Colorado (and it looks like most of the western states, plus Virginia and Maryland). I didn't think coconut porter was that hard to get :)
Speaking of which, I've been meaning to mention, a buddy of mine has been looking for someone in Wisconsin to do so beer trading with (i.e. - You ship him stuff from New Glarus and other tasty and harder to find goodies from the state, and he reciprocates back to you with Colorado and other west coast hard to find stuff). He's got quite an extensive collection, so if any beer snobs already have a good cellar, and would like to do some trading, PM me. I'll get you two in contact.
Didn't know Maui shipped as far inland as CO... is Coco Porter an easy find? I'm in Denver next week and might have to pick some up. Sure beats a take-home gift from the airport.
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Wife bought a smoked vanilla porter by Stone Brewing (San Diego) yesterday. Highly reminiscent of the last iterations of my past trials to see how much chocolate malt I could cram into a batch before it offended. Completely overwhelmed the smoked malt. However, highly recommended if you like your porter on the burnt side.
I'm a huge fan of stone and I've really disliked their smoked porters. The smoked chipotle porter was pretty awful, the chipotle flavor wasn't exactly what you would call "subtle."
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I'm a huge fan of stone and I've really disliked their smoked porters. The smoked chipotle porter was pretty awful, the chipotle flavor wasn't exactly what you would call "subtle."
I usually really like smoked beers, but I have to agree that Stone's are not very good. Tastes like what I imagine a dirty sweatsock would. Now Alaska Smoked Porter - AMAZING!
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The Chicago Tribune had an article about Minneapolis Breweries. Just came back from there this weekend and got a chance to visit the new Surly Brewery beer hall. Worth the trip. Enjoyed several beverages (liked their seasonal Mild) with good food and a great atmosphere. Also had the chance to tour Lift Bridge in Stillwater, another enjoyable outing.
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The Chicago Tribune had an article about Minneapolis Breweries. Just came back from there this weekend and got a chance to visit the new Surly Brewery beer hall. Worth the trip. Enjoyed several beverages (liked their seasonal Mild) with good food and a great atmosphere. Also had the chance to tour Lift Bridge in Stillwater, another enjoyable outing.
A visit to any brewery named Surly has to end in a good time.
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No clocks on the wall. Why?
"I don't care what time it is. I just know it's Surly" (rimshot)
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We checked out the new Brass Tap in Greenfield for the MU game Wednesday, 80 beers on tap and none by Miller-Coors or AB (got to buy those in bottles). Still some growing pains being so new like the bartenders don't know the beers or even where everything is. They will fill 32 oz. growlers of any beer on tap, something about Greenfield ordinances don't allow 64 oz. growlers.
I tried a Brau Brothers peated scotch ale - I had never heard of this MN brewery before, a bit disappointing, thin head and little peat flavor.
BTW, they currently have Goose Island bourbon County stout and barleywine on tap.
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We checked out the new Brass Tap in Greenfield for the MU game Wednesday, 80 beers on tap and none by Miller-Coors or AB (got to buy those in bottles). Still some growing pains being so new like the bartenders don't know the beers or even where everything is. They will fill 32 oz. growlers of any beer on tap, something about Greenfield ordinances don't allow 64 oz. growlers.
I tried a Brau Brothers peated scotch ale - I had never heard of this MN brewery before, a bit disappointing, thin head and little peat flavor.
BTW, they currently have Goose Island bourbon County stout and barleywine on tap.
Nice to hear. Need my bonus check.
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Update: no growler fills on high abv brews like Bourbon County at Brass Tap. Still available on tap though #cheers
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After two years of searching, found a Pipeworks' "Hey Careful Man, There's a Beverage Here".
Milk Stout that is light and delicious.
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Just picked up SN Camp 2015, very very nice. Will keep me company during this end of times blizzard.
http://www.sierranevada.com/beer/seasonal/beer-camp-hoppy-lager
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Just picked up SN Camp 2015, very very nice. Will keep me company during this end of times blizzard.
http://www.sierranevada.com/beer/seasonal/beer-camp-hoppy-lager
Saw that at my local Kroger last night.
I still owe you a 6 pack of something.
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http://www.perrinbrewing.com/#perrin-brewing-company
My current favorite local beer is the Perrin Black Ale. I know it is on tap in about a 30 mile radius, but I don't think it has really gone outside Michigan yet.
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Didn't know Maui shipped as far inland as CO... is Coco Porter an easy find? I'm in Denver next week and might have to pick some up. Sure beats a take-home gift from the airport.
Sorry...completely missed this. Not always easy to find, but I think primarily because the distributor doesn't get much. I'll see it pop up on shelves occasionally, and then be gone in a month or so.
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Fathers Day suggestion if any of my kids are reading this:
http://Www.beercapmaps.com
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Sorry...completely missed this. Not always easy to find, but I think primarily because the distributor doesn't get much. I'll see it pop up on shelves occasionally, and then be gone in a month or so.
Hey Rocky, I'm going to be in the Denver area next weekend for some skiing and good times with friends....where's a good place to go for quality microbrews on tap? Specifically quality porters and stouts?
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Hey Rocky, I'm going to be in the Denver area next weekend for some skiing and good times with friends....where's a good place to go for quality microbrews on tap? Specifically quality porters and stouts?
Bummer, you just missed Stout Month (Feb) at Vine St. Pub (Mountain Sun...etc)! But, we still have lots of beer...no fear! A good start with taphouses....(and one brewery)
Denver - Falling Rock Taphouse, Freshcraft, Cheeky Monk, World of Beer, Hops & Pie (This is the only one I haven't been to)
Boulder - Backcountry Pizza , Avery Brewery (new location, 30 taps, will fill a growler with anything...even 16% beers)
Winter Park - Cheeky Monk
Breckenridge - Après Handcrafted Libations
Vail - Vail Ale House
If there's any specific beer you're looking for, let me know.
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Going to Hawaii (5 days in Kaoai and 5 in Hilo) as a Road Scholar. Any recommendations as to local brews?
Thanks.
wb
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Going to Hawaii (5 days in Kaoai and 5 in Hilo) as a Road Scholar. Any recommendations as to local brews?
Thanks.
wb
Maui Brewing Co. -- their coconut porter is fantastic.
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Going to Hawaii (5 days in Kaoai and 5 in Hilo) as a Road Scholar. Any recommendations as to local brews?
Thanks.
wb
Don't know when you are going, but the Kona Brewers Festival is upcoming. Hopefully, that overlaps your Hilo stay.
http://konabrewersfestival.com
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The Miller High Life guy died. 36! Yikes! R.I.P.
http://m.tmz.com/#Article/2015/03/10/miller-high-life-guy-dead-windell-middlebrooks-commercial-dies
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Maui Brewing Co. -- their coconut porter is fantastic.
https://mauitime.com/food-drink/restaurant/get-a-back-stage-pass-to-maui-brewing-company-in-kihei/?hvid=48iyeL
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so did anyone else manage to get any KBS?
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so did anyone else manage to get any KBS?
I've been fiending to try it, but I don't think I want it as bad as most who get it. At least the Binny's near me always has a BCBS on tap year round which will tide me over.
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I've been fiending to try it, but I don't think I want it as bad as most who get it. At least the Binny's near me always has a BCBS on tap year round which will tide me over.
Even though I am biased, BCBS is better than KBS so you should be ok.
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Even though I am biased, BCBS is better than KBS so you should be ok.
It's not even close how much better BCBS is than KBS. Although BCBCS vs. KBS would be more fair of a comparison in terms of style, but BCBCS makes the disparity even greater over KBS.
KBS is a good beer but not worth the trouble.
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Even though I am biased, BCBS is better than KBS so you should be ok.
I try a bunch of "top rated" Bourbon Stouts (though never had KBS), and BCBS is consistently the most enjoyable. Kudos to them for keeping a consistent product that also hard to rival.
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It's not even close how much better BCBS is than KBS. Although BCBCS vs. KBS would be more fair of a comparison in terms of style, but BCBCS makes the disparity even greater over KBS.
KBS is a good beer but not worth the trouble.
I agree, we did another comparison between the 2 last night and BCS won again
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For those in the Detroit area, check out the new bar in Corktown called Brew Detroit. Some of my buddies brew their own beer and it recently went on tap there. It's a Belgium Wit called Witwalker. Not only is the beer delicious, but the bar/brewery is really cool. They have 10 or so taps with most of them being their own beer, but then they allow local brewers to brew their own beer within their facility and put it on tap for all to enjoy.
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OK. I can die now. I had Zombie dust on tap tonight. I believe.
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OK. I can die now. I had Zombie dust on tap tonight. I believe.
Kinda disappointing?
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Kinda disappointing?
The opposite. It was so good. I know why people claim it's unbelievable. It is.
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The opposite. It was so good. I know why people claim it's unbelievable. It is.
Yeah, I like it, but my face didn't melt off, so disappointing.
I'll still take Daisy Cutter over it.
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Yeah, I like it, but my face didn't melt off, so disappointing.
I'll still take Daisy Cutter over it.
Funny you say that. I was with someone whose favorite beer is Daisy Cutter. He had two Zombie Dusts then had a Daisy Cutter. Maybe it was beCause of the switch but he said the Zombie Dust was soo much better.
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Funny you say that. I was with someone whose favorite beer is Daisy Cutter. He had two Zombie Dusts then had a Daisy Cutter. Maybe it was beCause of the switch but he said the Zombie Dust was soo much better.
And there are still better beers than Zombie Dust. If you get out west try Apocalypse IPA by 10 Barrel - it's better than Zombie. I also feel that Zombie Dust was big like 2 years ago. Sculpin I think is better too. Grapefruit Sculpin even more so. Again, just my thoughts. Still a good beer. But Zombie is also not as good as it used to be since they now use a hop blend.
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I make my own using all Citra hops
Anyone else try Weyerbacher Sunday Morning stout? Other than a crappy name, IMO it is much better than the over-hyped KBS.
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Article about a MU grad who started his own brewery. Pretty cool stuff.
https://medium.com/@MUBusiness/a-new-beer-baron-f1e3b9c7a5fe
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Article about a MU grad who started his own brewery. Pretty cool stuff.
https://medium.com/@MUBusiness/a-new-beer-baron-f1e3b9c7a5fe
I just had their IPA a couple weekends ago in Lake Geneva, it was really good.
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I just had their IPA a couple weekends ago in Lake Geneva, it was really good.
One of the best labels in the game.
(http://i.imgur.com/KSvRFOP.jpg)
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I've had a few of the Karben4 beers and haven't been blown away. Fantasy Factory was okay, but there are a bunch of IPA's I'd have before that one.
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Add me to the Daisy Cutter over Zombie Dust list.
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Just got a few new ones from Pearl Street Brewery. They were advertising at Discount so I got a few of their 6 packs. Java lava and Smoking Hemp Porter are both really good.
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Good news--Surly is finally coming to Milwaukee:
http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/beer/surly-brewing-finally-makes-its-way-to-milwaukee-beer-scene-b99495418z1-304364711.html
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Going to Brenner Brewing Friday, anyone been or had any of their beers?
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I just had their IPA a couple weekends ago in Lake Geneva, it was really good.
I'm a not a huge fan of IPA's but I really like Fantasy Factory. Stone IPA and Firestone's Union Jack are really good as well.
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Going to Brenner Brewing Friday, anyone been or had any of their beers?
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.
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Add me to the Daisy Cutter over Zombie Dust list.
Give Senita (another pale ale) by Half Acre a try. I love Daisy Cutter and I'd say Senita is better. It definitely does have that distinct Half Acre grassy/citrus taste like Daisy Cutter though
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Give Senita (another pale ale) by Half Acre a try. I love Daisy Cutter and I'd say Senita is better. It definitely does have that distinct Half Acre grassy/citrus taste like Daisy Cutter though
+1
Just not as available as DC.
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I'll take a Bell's Two Hearted or Founder's Dark Penance if I wanna go bitter beer face.
I still prefer a stout/porter drinker, any time of year. Left Hand Milk Stout (Nitro) is my first choice, Founder's Porter and Southern Tier Creme Brulee are also excellent.
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Love Zombie Dust and Fantasy factory....Both in my fridge right now.
I toured Sam Adams, Harpoon, and Allagash Breweries last week. Boston/Maine has themselves some fantastic beer!
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Love Zombie Dust and Fantasy factory....Both in my fridge right now.
I toured Sam Adams, Harpoon, and Allagash Breweries last week. Boston/Maine has themselves some fantastic beer!
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?
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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?
Jack's Abby makes some delicious lagers.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Magic Hat Brewing is great in Vermont....#9 is an outstanding beer.
It's psychedelic-like inside the brewery if I recall too.
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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.
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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.
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We're going to check out Brenner Brewing this afternoon, still need to check out Biloba Brewing.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Quinn's Amber Lager by Pecotonica Beer Company. Delicious! Like Fat Tire but better!
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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
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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)
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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If anyone is in Denver (or visiting), stop by Copper Kettle for some of their Sobremesa. Tequila aged English strong ale. Pretty awesome beer, on tap and in bombers.
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Sam Adams Cherry Wheat.
That is the worst beer that has every existed in the history of things existing. I would let Hitler pick a different beer if someone gave him one of those.
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That is the worst beer that has every existed in the history of things existing. I would let Hitler pick a different beer if someone gave him one of those.
I would have said Leinenkugel Berry Weiss, but that doesn't make you wrong.
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That is the worst beer that has every existed in the history of things existing. I would let Hitler pick a different beer if someone gave him one of those.
This made my laugh out loud at my office. And I agree.
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That is the worst beer that has every existed in the history of things existing. I would let Hitler pick a different beer if someone gave him one of those.
even worse than Bell's Cherry Stout?
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even worse than Bell's Cherry Stout?
Definitely, it is the only beer in my life I've ever not been able to force myself to finish.
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Hate to break it to you progressive beer lovers out there, but apparently you can be misogynist a-hole just by drinking the wrong beer:
http://www.slate.com/articles/life/drink/2015/07/craft_beer_sexism_labels_like_raging_bitch_and_happy_ending_only_alienate.html
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Hate to break it to you progressive beer lovers out there, but apparently you can be misogynist a-hole just by drinking the wrong beer:
http://www.slate.com/articles/life/drink/2015/07/craft_beer_sexism_labels_like_raging_bitch_and_happy_ending_only_alienate.html
Listen I'm a misogynist a-hole for a lot of reasons besides the beers I choose to drink....thank you very much.
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Hate to break it to you progressive beer lovers out there, but apparently you can be misogynist a-hole just by drinking the wrong beer:
http://www.slate.com/articles/life/drink/2015/07/craft_beer_sexism_labels_like_raging_bitch_and_happy_ending_only_alienate.html
All labels have to get government approval, maybe we need to revise this approval process in light of the recent Confederate flag news?
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I know its a long shot, but does anyone here have extras for the Great Taste of the Midwest? I'm about out of options, and we have 2 tickets for 3 people.
anyone? :)
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Hate to break it to you progressive beer lovers out there, but apparently you can be misogynist a-hole just by drinking the wrong beer:
http://www.slate.com/articles/life/drink/2015/07/craft_beer_sexism_labels_like_raging_bitch_and_happy_ending_only_alienate.html
Chick, what's your favorite microbrew?
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Chick, what's your favorite microbrew?
I like variety too much to pick just one.
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I like variety too much to pick just one.
Thoughts Glow?
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From O'so Brewing's FB page re: State Fair
I wanted to take a moment to explain to everyone why O'so will not be at the Wisconsin State Fair this year. The State Fair has always been a "pay to play" which means breweries and their wholesalers pay loads of money to get their products on tap at the Micro tent (BTW, we love you Benno). State Fair is not alone in pay to play activities. Just about every large event where you see Bud or Miller as the advertised beer is pay to play.
In years past, O'so would pay along with several of our colleague breweries to gain access to the State Fair and chocked it up as an advertising opportunity. This year the fees went up so much that we decided that we could not continue with good conscience. O'so is fortunate to be at a size where we can afford to pay the $130 per half barrel (this is lower than some breweries pay because we have an awesome wholesaler in the area) but there are many great small Wisconsin breweries that produce excellent products made in this great state that can not afford the "pay to play" scheme.
It's a damn shame that Budweiser is allowed to spend so much money that they have a giant pavilion at the fair and they are not even a Wisconsin product while most Wisconsin breweries cannot afford to pay for the marketing opportunity to showcase their products. The craft breweries (and their wholesalers) that you see at the state fair make no money for producing the beer, packaging, warehousing and delivering the beer.
So when you don't see O'so at the state fair, know that we are still a vibrant, bustling brewery that makes kick ass beer. We are standing on principle and saying "No More!" We can't continue to be part of a scheme that we believe so strongly against.
Cheers!
Team O'so
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From O'so Brewing's FB page re: State Fair
I wanted to take a moment to explain to everyone why O'so will not be at the Wisconsin State Fair this year. The State Fair has always been a "pay to play" which means breweries and their wholesalers pay loads of money to get their products on tap at the Micro tent (BTW, we love you Benno). State Fair is not alone in pay to play activities. Just about every large event where you see Bud or Miller as the advertised beer is pay to play.
In years past, O'so would pay along with several of our colleague breweries to gain access to the State Fair and chocked it up as an advertising opportunity. This year the fees went up so much that we decided that we could not continue with good conscience. O'so is fortunate to be at a size where we can afford to pay the $130 per half barrel (this is lower than some breweries pay because we have an awesome wholesaler in the area) but there are many great small Wisconsin breweries that produce excellent products made in this great state that can not afford the "pay to play" scheme.
It's a damn shame that Budweiser is allowed to spend so much money that they have a giant pavilion at the fair and they are not even a Wisconsin product while most Wisconsin breweries cannot afford to pay for the marketing opportunity to showcase their products. The craft breweries (and their wholesalers) that you see at the state fair make no money for producing the beer, packaging, warehousing and delivering the beer.
So when you don't see O'so at the state fair, know that we are still a vibrant, bustling brewery that makes kick ass beer. We are standing on principle and saying "No More!" We can't continue to be part of a scheme that we believe so strongly against.
Cheers!
Team O'so
There are also many great homebrewers in Wisconsin (with or without dreams of their own start-up) who aren't even able to "pay to play" under the law. It's hilarious that O'so wants to take this position that the State Fair is supposed to about exhibiting the best and most representative of the state (which it is) yet conveniently forget that these fairs rose to popularity by individuals exhibiting their work and wares, not businesses. Most, if not all, "gratis" exhibitors at the state fair are either individual persons or a group of persons who aren't in the rabbit-breeding or pie-making business to make a living.
Sorry O'so, but you're a vendor, not an exhibitor, and that's a distinction you've chosen to ignore. You have no business hawking your craft at a state or county fair unless you've paid to be there. It's called advertising and it costs whatever someone is willing to pay for it, in this case, it's $130/hbbl. If you're not willing to step up, somebody else will.
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http://www.thrillist.com/drink/nation/the-best-craft-brewery-in-every-state-in-america (http://www.thrillist.com/drink/nation/the-best-craft-brewery-in-every-state-in-america)
Interesting 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 8-)
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I don't think MKE is very good
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I don't think MKE is very good
Why do you say that?
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I don't think MKE is very good
I've enjoyed many bottles of their Walk Off Tripel release
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I've enjoyed many bottles of their Walk Off Tripel release
I'm a big fan of their Louie's Resurrection but I'm a big fan of bourbon aged beers and porters/stouts
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MKE has a great brewery tour though. All you can drink for $10.
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I don't think MKE is very good
They have their hits and misses. I like Litta Bitta and Increase Wheat in the summer. Louie's Resurrection is good as well.
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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?
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If you're limiting me to 1 brewery only (other than my own stuff), currently I'd say Central Waters partly due to familiarity, they make great bourbon barrel brews, and very solid imperial stout, DIPA and scotch ale.
Was tempted to go Russian River or Firestone Walker but am only familiar with a few of each of theirs, the CW lineup has more variety that I'm familiar with.
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MKE tour is great and the guys are awesome there. There's some taste in some of their beers that I didn't like. Guess I should give then another shot.
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.
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I would probably have to go with Founders. A good mix of styles, all done very well.
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I'd go with New Glarus. They have a solid range and I can only think of a few of theirs that I haven't liked throughout the years.
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some interesting comments in this (long) post on Lagunitas' Tumbler account regarding the bizness side of brewing.
http://lagunitast.tumblr.com/page/2
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Benny's Picobrewery. With the varieties of yeast, hops and grain that I have on hand right now, I can make damn near any style of beer at a fraction of the cost.
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Hill Farmstead, Founders or New Glarus
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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.
They look interesting but have yet to see their brews which begs the question, wth are they expanding to NY and CO but not WI?
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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?
Russian River. Because they have a lot of success in the brewing industry, but still haven't expanded so much that they dilute their excellent products.
Longer story: I've had Pliny the Elder/Younger plenty (very good), Blind Pig (also very good), and a few of their collaborations. But when I visited the brewery, and ordered a sampler, complete with all 22 beers on tap, I was blown away. Very good, only a couple mediocre beers in the batch.
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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'd agree, that if you have regular access to their beers, New Glarus really just makes tasty, really drinkable beers, that aren't especially unique. But, since they don't distribute outside the state lines of Wisconsin, it makes their very enjoyable, drinkable beers a highly sought after commodity in the 49 states that can't get their beers.
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1. Surly Brewing Company
2. Bell's Beer
3. Left Hand Brewing Co.
4. Lakefront Brewery
5. Miller High Life (the old man worked there for almost forty years, may he rest in peace)(lot's of lay offs until they cranked out Lite)
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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.
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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 was at the Brass Tap a few weeks ago when Jim Klisch happened to be there pouring samples of "Tom" and a few others. I thanked him for Lakefront providing homebrew recipes to Northern Brewer for their Black IPA and ESB and mentioned that unfortunately I stopped buying his Black IPA after that since I always have a case or 3 on hand now. I probably shouldn't have pointed that out, sorry fellow brewers (although I did mention that I tell everyone that has one it's a Lakefront clone).
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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?
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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?
With the caveat of having never been, my understanding is that the events held at pubs in Denver are just as(more?) worthwhile of a visit moreso then the actual Festival.
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Ballast Point by a nose over Firestone Walker and 3Floyds.
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http://www.thrillist.com/drink/nation/the-best-craft-brewery-in-every-state-in-america (http://www.thrillist.com/drink/nation/the-best-craft-brewery-in-every-state-in-america)
Interesting 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 8-)
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%+.
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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%+.
I agree. As a non-Wisconsin resident NG remains the standard bearer for me. I think Central Waters has a fantastic barrel program but their core lineup is middle of the road and they're the only one I can think of being remotely in the conversation. Since leaving the area near 15 years ago I haven't found a brewery with the consistency of NG for as long of a period as NG has been on the top.
My desert island choice would be De Struise from Belgium.
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Lately I have been really enjoying Red Oak Amber from Red Oak Brewery outside Greensboro, N.C.
As smooth as any Amber I have tried. Outstanding both on tap and in bottles. Very, very easy to enjoy.
It's unpasteurized and unfiltered with no artificial ingredients, so bottles need to be refrigerated -- which is no problem because I want them cold and ready to drink!!
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Founders for me. Excellent lineup, great diversity, and its all great.
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New Glarus is fantastic but unfortunately they stop making a lot of great beers. Imperial Saison, Black Wheat, Road Slush, etc. Most of their regulars are good not great. Spotted Cow has really gone down hill over the years. Now it's overproduced. Someone even tried ordering one last month when I was at Ale Asylum! SC's on my list of formerly great beers that aren't what they used to be. Honey Weiss, Blue Moon, and 312 Urban Wheat are also on the list. Only difference is that MillerCoors and Budweiser never got their hands on Spotted Cow.
Ale Asylum is very good. My two favorites are Diablo and Tripel Nova but both are seasonals only available for short time frames. Madtown Nutbrown is another good one. Not an IPA fan so I'm not into Hopalicious but others who are love it.
I've heard Karben 4 is good but haven't tried them yet. Coincidently K4 is in the old Ale Asylum brewery.
Central Waters used to have a Vienna Lager that I just loved. Unfortunately one of the brewers left and took that recipe with him. Their exotics don't align with my pallet and their regulars are nothing special. Some great guys though the couple of times I've met them.
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.
One of my favorites you won't find in stores is One Barrel in Madison. Only available on site and as the name implies it is made one barrel at a time. Hit up the brewery tasting room for some great beers ranging from the simple to the exotic.
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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.
Back in the early 90's, we took a tour of the old Sprecher brewery on rainy Saturday. The tour took about 20 minutes. They left us alone in the tap room for 3 hours! One of the best days of my life. Sprecher is good stuff
Had an Odell Fernet Aged Porter on tap a week ago. Simply wonderful. Trying to find a place locally that sells it by the bottle.
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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%+.
Thats interesting, when I went on the MKE Tour (it was over a year ago), the high ABV beers were completely undrinkable, the lower ABV beers tasted fine (although I'm not a huge fan of MKE brewing). The Hop Freak they had tapped for it was one of the worst beers I've ever tasted...never had it out of the can so I don't know if it was a bad batch.
I also hate O-Gii to begin with so there's that too.
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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.
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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?
I'm assuming you're talking about the Great American Beer Festival? If so, yes I have done it when it came through Soldier Field a couple years ago. It was an awesome time and I definitely recommend it. I went with a large crew of friends, but I see no reason why it wouldn't be a good time solo. We actually ended up taking over the Stone Brewery tent and things got a little out of hand. If I remember correctly when you buy your ticket they claim that there's a limit on how many beers you can have, but once you show up it's all you can drink. Not a single tent was collecting tickets or trying to enforce a drink limit.
I hope this is what you were taking about, otherwise sorry for the rambling.
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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.
I haven't had Sprecher in a while. It's a shame they pasteurize it now.
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(http://www.beerflavorwheel.com/_/rsrc/1262053667343/home/wheel.png?height=400&width=400)
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For any of you Cantillon fans out there, the 2015 Zwanze Day locations were released.
https://beerservedrare.wordpress.com/tag/zwanze-day-2015/
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I haven't had Sprecher in a while. It's a shame they pasteurize it now.
I am still waiting on the results of any blind taste test where testers are able to consistently discern a difference between Pasteurized and non-Pasteurized beer.
I can't help but to believe that "non-pasteurized beer" is simply a marketing gimmick once employed by Coors that's evolved into a tagline for craft brewers who can't afford Pasteurization equipment. Yet once these craft brewers increase production & start shipping their beer, their tune changes entirely.
And this is coming from someone who never Pasteurizes beer.
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I am still waiting on the results of any blind taste test where testers are able to consistently discern a difference between Pasteurized and non-Pasteurized beer.
I can't help but to believe that "non-pasteurized beer" is simply a marketing gimmick once employed by Coors that's evolved into a tagline for craft brewers who can't afford Pasteurization equipment. Yet once these craft brewers increase production & start shipping their beer, their tune changes entirely.
And this is coming from someone who never Pasteurizes beer.
It does have an impact on the beer.
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I am still waiting on the results of any blind taste test where testers are able to consistently discern a difference between Pasteurized and non-Pasteurized beer.
I can't help but to believe that "non-pasteurized beer" is simply a marketing gimmick once employed by Coors that's evolved into a tagline for craft brewers who can't afford Pasteurization equipment. Yet once these craft brewers increase production & start shipping their beer, their tune changes entirely.
And this is coming from someone who never Pasteurizes beer.
If it would be possible to A/B test Sprecher's Oktoberfest from before they pasteurized with the version they make now it would be easy to tell, the one now has about 50-60% of the flavor, maybe Randy made recipe changes too but I always placed the blame on the known change of pasteurizing it.
The only 2 Mindblocks and Oktoberfests I used to look for were Sprecher and Hacher Pschorr.
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It does have an impact on the beer.
Of course it has an impact on the beer, but are we talking about simple changes at the molecular level or something can actually be discerned by the average consumer? I'm sure a veteran BJCP judge could probably pick out the pasteurized beer in an A/B test... but I'm willing to bet that any BJCP judge - if given ten random beers, one of which was Pasteurized - he/she will pick out the Pasteurized beer only 10% of the time.
What I'm getting at is that Pasteurization isn't necessarily a bad thing. Recipes change all the time. Hop and grain crops can vary from year to year. Water profiles are constantly changing. Heck, even the shelf time of a beer can alter the finished product. Whether a beer is Pasteurized or not is just one component of a beer's overall profile. In fact, Pasteurization may actually improve a beer's profile.
Not sure what happened at Sprecher... but one thing to keep in mind is that when breweries make the change to Pasteurization, they're typically increasing their distribution and trying to reach new markets... and many times, that can be accompanied by changes to the beer - be it recipe or process - to make it more available and/or appealing to wider audiences.
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Of course it has an impact on the beer, but are we talking about simple changes at the molecular level or something can actually be discerned by the average consumer? I'm sure a veteran BJCP judge could probably pick out the pasteurized beer in an A/B test... but I'm willing to bet that any BJCP judge - if given ten random beers, one of which was Pasteurized - he/she will pick out the Pasteurized beer only 10% of the time.
What I'm getting at is that Pasteurization isn't necessarily a bad thing. Recipes change all the time. Hop and grain crops can vary from year to year. Water profiles are constantly changing. Heck, even the shelf time of a beer can alter the finished product. Whether a beer is Pasteurized or not is just one component of a beer's overall profile. In fact, Pasteurization may actually improve a beer's profile.
Not sure what happened at Sprecher... but one thing to keep in mind is that when breweries make the change to Pasteurization, they're typically increasing their distribution and trying to reach new markets... and many times, that can be accompanied by changes to the beer - be it recipe or process - to make it more available and/or appealing to wider audiences.
It does have a difference that is not a positive for the beer. It's why we don't pasteurize our beer at the big breweries even though they have the best pasteurizers in the world. There are 2 things that pasteurization is good for:
1) killing off critters that could harm the beer. this isn't needed if you're a good brewer who CIP's (cleans) very well and you use very quality ingredients
2) extends shelf life and makes it more shelf stable -- also means you don't need to refrigerate it.
Also, you cannot bottle condition if you pasteurize. Trust me, dead yeast is one of the worst tastes and smells in the world.
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It was nice being able to buy GI bourbon county vanilla rye and the coffee stout at the state fair on Saturday
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Wisconsin Craft Beer Fest at The Harley October 23-24
http://www.wisconsincraftbeerfestival.com
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So if you're ever flying on Aer Lingus, you can get this beer:
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So if you're ever flying on Aer Lingus, you can get this beer:
Now available outside Indiana!
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Is the flavor pretentious but ultimately disappointing?
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Is the flavor pretentious but ultimately disappointing?
The brewery is great at procuring top-notch ingredients, but the final product never measures up.
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Has trouble developing that 'big' flavor.
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Can never land a tallboy.
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Mostly got lucky with that one batch of hops they got in.
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Served best in a karategi.
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consuming it might cause one to lose control of their ATV
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I drinx dat Surly Bender
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Best beer in Africa
http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/07/travel/namibia-beer/index.html
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Heineken buys 50% of Lagunatis, take that Goose Island.
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Glow and I made the pilgrimage to Chippewa Falls this weekend. Wenthe to the local ice cream parlor and indulged in some Oktoberfest-flavored ice cream.
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Heineken buys 50% of Lagunatis, take that Goose Island.
What should I take? Tony is a good businessman but he did just want John did. Something Tony railed John for.
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What should I take? Tony is a good businessman but he did just want John did. Something Tony railed John for.
Goose wasn't the only one. Magee made big waves the last few years browbeating all of those who "sold out" or "leveraged" or "took investment" from the big boys. His pivot from here will be fascinating to watch.
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Favorite Oktoberfest brews?
I need a couple new ones to try.
Favorite thus far is Great Lakes Brewing.
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Not one of my favorite styles, but I really like New Glarus' Staghorn and Southern Tier Harvest.
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Glow and I made the pilgrimage to Chippewa Falls this weekend. Wenthe to the local ice cream parlor and indulged in some Oktoberfest-flavored ice cream.
Please tell me that the pilgrimage included, well, actually going to the brewery.
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Favorite Oktoberfest brews?
I need a couple new ones to try.
Favorite thus far is Great Lakes Brewing.
I'll 2nd MUFan2 with Staghorn - it's great and my favorite.
I also really like Goose Oktoberfest (homer plug I know) but it's a damb good beer. Firestone's Oaktoberfest is solid too.
Spaten is my favorite of the Munich Fest Biers.
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So if you're ever flying on Aer Lingus, you can get this beer:
Fungi the Dingle Dolphin is a much more renowned in Dingle (and beyond) than Tom Crean. As should be the case, of course.
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What should I take? Tony is a good businessman but he did just want John did. Something Tony railed John for.
I know Tony has put down others for doing similar but still, roughly $500M for just a 50% share vs. $39M for 100% of GI's ownership.
Note: I don't know the size of GI at time of sale vs. Lagunitas but did find data showing that in 2010 GI was rated the 22nd largest US brewer vs. Lagunitas clocking in at #31.
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Favorite Oktoberfest brews?
I need a couple new ones to try.
Favorite thus far is Great Lakes Brewing.
Sam Adams is the first Oktoberfest beer I buy every year. Haven't found many Oktoberfest beers I haven't liked though.
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I know Tony has put down others for doing similar but still, roughly $500M for just a 50% share vs. $39M for 100% of GI's ownership.
Note: I don't know the size of GI at time of sale vs. Lagunitas but did find data showing that in 2010 GI was rated the 22nd largest US brewer vs. Lagunitas clocking in at #31.
comparing the two sales is like comparing apples to tbones. i would look more at what Duvel just paid for FW (roughly $220MM). Tony made out like a bandit.
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Favorite Oktoberfest brews?
I need a couple new ones to try.
Favorite thus far is Great Lakes Brewing.
Need to try Great Lakes Oktoberfest, have a sixer in my fridge waiting for the weekend.
Staghorn is great, and I thought O'So's oktobeerfest to be solid. I'm not a general fan of Sierra Nevada but their oktoberfest was ok.
I know its not a Marzen but I really liked Sculpin's Pumpkin Down which is a Pumpkin version of their Piper Down Scottish Ale.
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comparing the two sales is like comparing apples to tbones. i would look more at what Duvel just paid for FW (roughly $220MM). Tony made out like a bandit.
Ah Duvel.....
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As the weather turns from weissbier weather (if you haven't had Weihenstephaner, do so now) to Oktoberfest weather, I'm going to plug two events:
1. Oktoberfest at Old Heidelberg Park in Glendale for the next three weekends. Fun times. I bust out the lederhosen and the atrophied German-major language skills.
2. If you are in the craft beer industry (or know someone who is), I'm speaking at a seminar/reception on Thursday 9/17 hosted by my law firm and an accounting firm. We'll be covering regulatory issues (in the news a lot recently here in Milwaukee), alternative financing options, accounting and more. And drinking good WI beer. PM me for more details and I'll send you a link.
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I guess I'll only drink Lakefront going forward.....
http://www.jsonline.com/business/budweiser-parent-company-confirms-interest-in-acquiring-sabmiller-b99577947z1-327861331.html
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I guess I'll only drink Lakefront going forward.....
http://www.jsonline.com/business/budweiser-parent-company-confirms-interest-in-acquiring-sabmiller-b99577947z1-327861331.html
Miller's gonna be spun off if this happens....MolsonCoors will acquire them and consolidate operations. The question is, what craft brands go with Miller and what stay with InBev and what get jettisoned.
I hate InBev brands, only ones I allow myself to drink are the Germans (Lowenbrau, Spaten, and Franziskaner)
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Miller's gonna be spun off if this happens....MolsonCoors will acquire them and consolidate operations. The question is, what craft brands go with Miller and what stay with InBev and what get jettisoned.
I hate InBev brands, only ones I allow myself to drink are the Germans (Lowenbrau, Spaten, and Franziskaner)
Is Molson Coors not under the SABMiller umbrella?
And are you saying that this is only for the smaller brands, and that AB InBev doesn't want Miller or Coors?
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Is Molson Coors not under the SABMiller umbrella?
And are you saying that this is only for the smaller brands, and that AB InBev doesn't want Miller or Coors?
Molson Coors is a separate company. MillerCoors is a joint venture between SABMiller and MolsonCoors for just the US market.
InBev's interest in SABMiller is largely for their global brands, as the expansion of the beer market is occurring in places like Asia.
This would be bad news for Milwaukee if it happens. InBev would likely downsize anything Milwaukee based even more. If Miller was indeed absorbed into MolsonCoors, those jobs would likely be moved out to Denver. I find it hard to see the JV operations in Chicago remaining if this indeed comes to fruition.
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Is Molson Coors not under the SABMiller umbrella?
And are you saying that this is only for the smaller brands, and that AB InBev doesn't want Miller or Coors?
InBev can't have Coors and/or Miller because of US anti-trust considerations.
Molson Coors and SABMiller have a joint operation agreement, they have stakes in each other's company but neither owns the other.
MolsonCoors stands on it's own so can't be part of the SABMiller acquisition by InBev. If InBev aquires SABMiller, they would have to spin off Miller otherwise they would own greater than 60% of US domestic sales. When Miller is spun off it will be far too small to stand on it's own and will get gobbled up by Molson Coors.
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Molson Coors is a separate company. MillerCoors is a joint venture between SABMiller and MolsonCoors for just the US market.
InBev's interest in SABMiller is largely for their global brands, as the expansion of the beer market is occurring in places like Asia.
This would be bad news for Milwaukee if it happens. InBev would likely downsize anything Milwaukee based even more. If Miller was indeed absorbed into MolsonCoors, those jobs would likely be moved out to Denver. I find it hard to see the JV operations in Chicago remaining if this indeed comes to fruition.
Yep, if InBev acquires SABMiller.....Milwaukee and Chicago will each lose an HQ operation as it will all go to Golden. Long term, I think MolsonCoors keeps some operations in Milwaukee as part of the brand effort but you will likely see a significant decrease in corporate donations as well as involvement in the Milwaukee community.
That's the doomsday scenario, I could be wrong, I thought the same thing when M&I was purchased by BMO, but it hasn't seemed to have been an appreciable drop off to date.
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Hmmm, Thursday's choices, DFH tap takeover at Rays or GI Bourbon County tap takeover at Romans
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Hmmm, Thursday's choices, DFH tap takeover at Rays or GI Bourbon County tap takeover at Romans
Myabe it's a regional bias, but the GI BC takeover would be the no-brainer for me.
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Myabe it's a regional bias, but the GI BC takeover would be the no-brainer for me.
hard to pass up
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Miller's gonna be spun off if this happens....MolsonCoors will acquire them and consolidate operations. The question is, what craft brands go with Miller and what stay with InBev and what get jettisoned.
I hate InBev brands, only ones I allow myself to drink are the Germans (Lowenbrau, Spaten, and Franziskaner)
You're missing a lot of great beer then - just saying. More BCBS, Apocalypse IPA, Grand Prestige, Mitten for the rest of us.
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Myabe it's a regional bias, but the GI BC takeover would be the no-brainer for me.
Smart man there. Also, can big Mike a bit too.
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Molson Coors is a separate company. MillerCoors is a joint venture between SABMiller and MolsonCoors for just the US market.
InBev's interest in SABMiller is largely for their global brands, as the expansion of the beer market is occurring in places like Asia.
This would be bad news for Milwaukee if it happens. InBev would likely downsize anything Milwaukee based even more. If Miller was indeed absorbed into MolsonCoors, those jobs would likely be moved out to Denver. I find it hard to see the JV operations in Chicago remaining if this indeed comes to fruition.
Asia is part of it but the markets most wanted the presence in Africa & Australia. Columbia is another one.
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Thanks to JWags and 03 for the info
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http://www.mlive.com/beer/2015/09/a_guide_to_grand_rapids_brewer.html#0
So, if this inspires anyone to road trip..... microbrewery tour on top of Artprize or something like that, PM me.
http://www.artprize.org/
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Yep, if InBev acquires SABMiller.....Milwaukee and Chicago will each lose an HQ operation as it will all go to Golden. Long term, I think MolsonCoors keeps some operations in Milwaukee as part of the brand effort but you will likely see a significant decrease in corporate donations as well as involvement in the Milwaukee community.
That's the doomsday scenario, I could be wrong, I thought the same thing when M&I was purchased by BMO, but it hasn't seemed to have been an appreciable drop off to date.
I wouldn't be surprised if Miller was spun-off to PE and eventually IPO'd. Miller can stand on its own two feet; the beer business is all about distribution, not necessarily size/sales/production. Though since distribution was part of the consolidation of operations agreement with MolsonCoors, I'm not sure that would be as clean of a divorce as one could hope (who knows, maybe the agreement has some sort of dissolution plan).
However, it could be a huge marketing coup to stake claim to being the largest US brewer... and Milwaukee is still synonymous with beer, so there would be a huge hit to the brand to move out of Wisconsin. As people move towards craft beer and many imports are falling out of favor, there could be a huge opportunity for someone to come in and fill the void of a "great American brewer."
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I wouldn't be surprised if Miller was spun-off to PE and eventually IPO'd. Miller can stand on its own two feet; the beer business is all about distribution, not necessarily size/sales/production. Though since distribution was part of the consolidation of operations agreement with MolsonCoors, I'm not sure that would be as clean of a divorce as one could hope (who knows, maybe the agreement has some sort of dissolution plan).
However, it could be a huge marketing coup to stake claim to being the largest US brewer... and Milwaukee is still synonymous with beer, so there would be a huge hit to the brand to move out of Wisconsin. As people move towards craft beer and many imports are falling out of favor, there could be a huge opportunity for someone to come in and fill the void of a "great American brewer."
Actually the production efficiency is much more critical than you may realize. My company does a lot of work with Miller in Milwaukee and getting significant production volumes to justify the existence of plants is critical plus the current partnership allows for regional production to easy distribution costs as well (Coors for east coast sales is brewed in Milwaukee and Miller for west coast sales is brewed in Golden, etc)
And while I agree with your marketing idea being a powerful one, I don't think it requires a stand alone company to pull it off. First, the general public (anyone not posting in a 64 page thread dedicated to beer on a college basketball internet message forum) isn't sophisticated enough to know if a company really is an American brewery or not. Hell, the vast majority of general beer drinkers I know that would buy Miller have no idea that Third Shift is a Miller beer or that Leine's is owned by Miller, etc. Not sure that Miller standing by itself would be a market driver.
Now where it may work from a business perspective is the move towards contract brewing. Most micro's that are mass produced go through a contract brewer. A ton of Wisconsin micro brews go through Point or Minhas brewing. Some national Wisconsin brands are contact brewed in Ashville, NC for east coast distribution, etc. So Miller could become an American brewer but likely wouldn't have manufacturing in Milwaukee.
Bottom line, I don't see Miller(as Miller) production in Milwaukee surviving a successful InBev acquisition of SAB
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And while I agree with your marketing idea being a powerful one, I don't think it requires a stand alone company to pull it off. First, the general public (anyone not posting in a 64 page thread dedicated to beer on a college basketball internet message forum) isn't sophisticated enough to know if a company really is an American brewery or not. Hell, the vast majority of general beer drinkers I know that would buy Miller have no idea that Third Shift is a Miller beer or that Leine's is owned by Miller, etc. Not sure that Miller standing by itself would be a market driver.
I agree that many Americans have no idea that Miller - technically - is no longer an American company; however, looking at the profile of a typical macro beer drinker, I think they would care about this issue just enough that a well-run marketing/education campaign by a stand-alone (and truly American) Miller could elicit powerful results.
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If anyone is in Denver this weekend, and looking for GABF tickets, I can currently get 2 tickets for tonight, and 4 tickets for the Sat evening session. All at cost ($84.25 with all fees I beleive).
That said, I'm not going, I think all the special tappings around town are a better time than the fest itself. Spent last night at hops and pie - some delicious taps. Will definitely be out Fri and Sat night.
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Asia is part of it but the markets most wanted the presence in Africa & Australia. Columbia is another one.
*Colombia
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I don't know if anyone has been to a old German Beer Hall but what are your favorites there? I'm not familiar enough with them to know which is good.
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I don't know if anyone has been to a old German Beer Hall but what are your favorites there? I'm not familiar enough with them to know which is good.
Maibock
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Maibock
This is the correct answer
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Maibock
So possessive - how out Ourbock?
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So possessive - how out Ourbock?
[/quit So possessive - how out Ourbock?
Principal PC?
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comparing the two sales is like comparing apples to tbones. i would look more at what Duvel just paid for FW (roughly $220MM). Tony made out like a bandit.
I've read the details for the GI BCS Rare release party. Crazy price of $60/bottle if one is lucky enough to win the lottery and pay $40 for the right to attend. Any chance you can hook up some Scoopers? 8-)
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Principal PC?
Great... pretty soon Rocky is going to be teaching us the Canadian alphabet.
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I've read the details for the GI BCS Rare release party. Crazy price of $60/bottle if one is lucky enough to win the lottery and pay $40 for the right to attend. Any chance you can hook up some Scoopers? 8-)
lmao. $60 a bottle? get real. There are plenty of places that do it just as well, and you don't have to worry about price.
That is totally absurd. BCBS etc is great, but come on.
Save yourself $50 and pick up a 4 pack of anything that is bourbon aged by Central Waters. Sure it doesn't have the label, but I'd love to put them to taste test next to each other and have anyone but the most discerning of experts tell me there is a big difference.
$60? GFY.
Edit: I'm sure they are dispensing 'rare' vintages, but seriously, its not such a difference in years in bottle. I have a 2012 BCBS sitting in my basement... sure im excited, but I'm not $60 excited.
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lmao. $60 a bottle? get real. There are plenty of places that do it just as well, and you don't have to worry about price.
That is totally absurd. BCBS etc is great, but come on.
Save yourself $50 and pick up a 4 pack of anything that is bourbon aged by Central Waters. Sure it doesn't have the label, but I'd love to put them to taste test next to each other and have anyone but the most discerning of experts tell me there is a big difference.
$60? GFY.
Edit: I'm sure they are dispensing 'rare' vintages, but seriously, its not such a difference in years in bottle. I have a 2012 BCBS sitting in my basement... sure im excited, but I'm not $60 excited.
Actually, $60 is right in line with the current market. Like it or not, GI invented the bourbon stout so they will trade on brand. Also like it or not, GI Rare is exactly what it is labeled.........rare. That adds value. An added like it or not, a two year aging in a 35 year old named barrel is going to add to the price.
All in all, at that price, there will be zero beads of sweat wondering if this will sell. It will be gone in a matter of minutes.
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Save yourself $50 and pick up a 4 pack of anything that is bourbon aged by Central Waters. Sure it doesn't have the label, but I'd love to put them to taste test next to each other and have anyone but the most discerning of experts tell me there is a big difference.
1st, I love Central Waters bourbon stout and buy as many as possible (over 1 case on hand now) BUT we have done comparisons to BCS and sorry to say GI wins that one, although CW is half the price a the standard BCS.
Who knows if the 35YO barrels were actually legit or counterfeit: http://thebourbontruth.tumblr.com/post/60733494018/more-fun-than-a-barrel-of-monkeys-the-truth
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I don't feel the need to stand in line for BCS.
There are too many other good beers I haven't tried yet and come without hassle.
This is also the same rationale I use for Three Floyds.
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1st, I love Central Waters bourbon stout and buy as many as possible (over 1 case on hand now) BUT we have done comparisons to BCS and sorry to say GI wins that one, although CW is half the price a the standard BCS.
Who knows if the 35YO barrels were actually legit or counterfeit: http://thebourbontruth.tumblr.com/post/60733494018/more-fun-than-a-barrel-of-monkeys-the-truth
They're legit. If you want to see them swing on by sometime and I'll show you around.
Also, this beer is great. It's right in line with the 1st BCBS Rare we did 5 years ago.
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lmao. $60 a bottle? get real. There are plenty of places that do it just as well, and you don't have to worry about price.
That is totally absurd. BCBS etc is great, but come on.
Save yourself $50 and pick up a 4 pack of anything that is bourbon aged by Central Waters. Sure it doesn't have the label, but I'd love to put them to taste test next to each other and have anyone but the most discerning of experts tell me there is a big difference.
$60? GFY.
Edit: I'm sure they are dispensing 'rare' vintages, but seriously, its not such a difference in years in bottle. I have a 2012 BCBS sitting in my basement... sure im excited, but I'm not $60 excited.
This beer is different than regular BCBS. Instead of the standard 8-10 year Heaven Hill barrels aged for 10 mo it's 35 year Heaven Hill Barrels and has been aged for 2 years.
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They're legit. If you want to see them swing on by sometime and I'll show you around.
Also, this beer is great. It's right in line with the 1st BCBS Rare we did 5 years ago.
So, how about I swing by on Nov 13 :)
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So, how about I swing by on Nov 13 :)
I can show you the outside of the warehouse that day.
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Actually, $60 is right in line with the current market. Like it or not, GI invented the bourbon stout so they will trade on brand. Also like it or not, GI Rare is exactly what it is labeled.........rare. That adds value. An added like it or not, a two year aging in a 35 year old named barrel is going to add to the price.
All in all, at that price, there will be zero beads of sweat wondering if this will sell. It will be gone in a matter of minutes.
We actually just completed a 12 part web based documentary on the story of Bourbon County Brand Stout and released the first part today. You can view it here: http://www.gooseisland.com/gritandgrain.html (http://www.gooseisland.com/gritandgrain.html)
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I can show you the outside of the warehouse that day.
So you're saying I have to enter the lottery like everyone else...
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I've got a 2010 Lambic currently aging in 25-year-old stainless steel in my basement. I'm sure I'm not going to fool a BJCP veteran, but I could probably dupe a few rubes into thinking it was the best beer they ever tasted (even though it hit its peak in mid 2013).
I'm with Hards... at $60/bottle, it better look like this:
(http://affotd.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/giant-carlsburg.jpg?w=584)
We actually just completed a 12 part web based documentary on the story of Bourbon County Brand Stout and released the first part today. You can view it here: http://www.gooseisland.com/gritandgrain.html (http://www.gooseisland.com/gritandgrain.html)
"Fact starts to blend with myth, and myth takes away from the process."
P.T. Barnum, eh?
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I've got a 2010 Lambic currently aging in 25-year-old stainless steel in my basement. I'm sure I'm not going to fool a BJCP veteran, but I could probably dupe a few rubes into thinking it was the best beer they ever tasted (even though it hit its peak in mid 2013).
I'm with Hards... at $60/bottle, it better look like this:
(http://affotd.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/giant-carlsburg.jpg?w=584)
"Fact starts to blend with myth, and myth takes away from the process."
P.T. Barnum, eh?
http://goodbeerhunting.com/blog/2015/9/30/critical-drinking-what-beer-costs-why-we-need-more-flexibility-in-the-market
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This beer is different than regular BCBS. Instead of the standard 8-10 year Heaven Hill barrels aged for 10 mo it's 35 year Heaven Hill Barrels and has been aged for 2 years.
At least it's different then. I assume you've tried it. Would you say the flavor profile is significantly different from BCBS? That's kinda what I was implying (albeit in a rather rude manner, for which I apologize).
$60 is just off the charts expensive. I love beer and pay out the nose for it, but I guess there is a line for me.
Now, would I love to try it? Absolutely.
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At least it's different then. I assume you've tried it. Would you say the flavor profile is significantly different from BCBS? That's kinda what I was implying (albeit in a rather rude manner, for which I apologize).
$60 is just off the charts expensive. I love beer and pay out the nose for it, but I guess there is a line for me.
Now, would I love to try it? Absolutely.
The sole impetus for my starting to homebrew imperials was because I was too cheap to pay $20 for a bottle of Dark Lord and too lazy to drive to Munster.
Now, I'm starting to scout for whiskey barrels.
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The sole impetus for my starting to homebrew imperials was because I was too cheap to pay $20 for a bottle of Dark Lord and too lazy to drive to Munster.
Now, I'm starting to scout for whiskey barrels.
Why not just use toasted oak spirals soaked in your bourbon choice instead? You can only get 1 use out of an expensive barrel, the 2nd time won't be as good as the 1st use anyway. Spirals only cost about $10.
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The sole impetus for my starting to homebrew imperials was because I was too cheap to pay $20 for a bottle of Dark Lord and too lazy to drive to Munster.
Now, I'm starting to scout for whiskey barrels.
I've used chunks of whiskey barrels from the local distillery in my 5 gallon batches. Two 6 x 1/2 inch staves dropped in the secondary gave me a great flavor. It's too bad I made it before I switched to all grain brewing. Kits always taste a little bit off to me.
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I've used chunks of whiskey barrels from the local distillery in my 5 gallon batches. Two 6 x 1/2 inch staves dropped in the secondary gave me a great flavor. It's too bad I made it before I switched to all grain brewing. Kits always taste a little bit off to me.
You should try aging after fermentation is complete. Never tried it on a home brew scale but it's worth a try as it's how we do it on the big scale. Just curious if it would make a big difference.
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You should try aging after fermentation is complete. Never tried it on a home brew scale but it's worth a try as it's how we do it on the big scale. Just curious if it would make a big difference.
I would imagine that you probably don't want the wood - or any porous or absorbent material, for that matter - in contact during active fermentation for one reason: acetaldehyde. It would be a good way to give aged beer a nice "green" flavor.
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You should try aging after fermentation is complete. Never tried it on a home brew scale but it's worth a try as it's how we do it on the big scale. Just curious if it would make a big difference.
I should have been more clear. I dropped the staves in after secondary was completed. Let sit for 9 months. Mistakes were made... but oh well. It's still pretty good for a homebrew
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For a 5 gallon batch of stout, I soak 1-2 oz. of medium toasted oak spirals in a liter of bourbon for 3 weeks and then dump all of it into the secondary after fermentation stops, bottle 3 weeks later.
9 months might lend to a pretty strong oak flavor although that should fade as it ages.
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No rare day invite for me. Anybody get the chance to go (and need a +1 :) )?
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No rare day invite for me. Anybody get the chance to go (and need a +1 :) )?
Well blow me. I got an invite that went to my spam box on Oct 20, with the requirement to buy tickets within 24-hours. Just saw it tonight. I heard the original folks had 3 days to buy, so I was checking the spam box every couple days.
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Here's an interesting story about Best/Pabst family scandals back in the 1800's. I've never heard these stories before but they must have really rocked the boat back then.
http://mkemurmur.tumblr.com/post/2904513359/lost-milwaukee-the-schandein-mansion
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I had the Great Lakes burning River, and Founders old Dirty Bastard last night for the 1st time. Both were solid but nothing amazing. I've had better from both Brewers. I also had Zombie dust for the 1st time a couple weeks ago, and that was unreal. One of the best beers I've ever had.
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I had the Great Lakes burning River, and Founders old Dirty Bastard last night for the 1st time. Both were solid but nothing amazing. I've had better from both Brewers. I also had Zombie dust for the 1st time a couple weeks ago, and that was unreal. One of the best beers I've ever had.
I like the Dortmunder Gold.
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I like the Dortmunder Gold.
Same here, the Dort is good. From what I've had I think I like their Edmund Fitzgerald Porter the best though
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Same here, the Dort is good. From what I've had I think I like their Edmund Fitzgerald Porter the best though
The Fitz is my favorite of Great Lakes and it may be my favorite mainstream Porter in general.
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When I used to business travel to Cleveland, I used to find a way to come home with a 6-pack of Great Lakes wrapped up in my suitcase and a bottle of Bertman's mustard.
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IMHO Great Lakes best beer by far is Nosferatu. If you're lucky you can still find some on the shelves.
Picked up a 4 pack of Backwoods Bastard tonight... I still have two stashed away from last year...
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Their christmas beer is also pretty outstanding, if you like that sort of thing.
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Their christmas beer is also pretty outstanding, if you like that sort of thing.
Their Christmas sucks...it's like a yankee candle blew it's load in your mouth - way to much spice. Anywho, had a 2012 Firestone Walker Double DBA tonight amongst toher things (2014 BCBS, 2013 Cantillon) but tit was great. Back to whiskey.
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Went on a little shopping spree yesterday.
Found 24 packs of Goose IPA for $15. Picked up four.
Also found FFF Dreadnaught, Alpha King & Gumball head.
Got my first set of Pipeworks Ninja v. Unicorn in cans. I also snagged the last bottle of Brown & Stirred, which is a Manhattan inspired ale.
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Went on a little shopping spree yesterday.
Found 24 packs of Goose IPA for $15. Picked up four.
Also found FFF Dreadnaught, Alpha King & Gumball head.
Got my first set of Pipeworks Ninja v. Unicorn in cans. I also snagged the last bottle of Brown & Stirred, which is a Manhattan inspired ale.
How long will it take you to get through the 96 cans of Goose?
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How long will it take you to get through the 96 cans of Goose?
I've got a couple parties coming up, and I'll bring a case to look like a solid party guest.
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Went on a little shopping spree yesterday.
Found 24 packs of Goose IPA for $15. Picked up four.
Also found FFF Dreadnaught, Alpha King & Gumball head.
Got my first set of Pipeworks Ninja v. Unicorn in cans. I also snagged the last bottle of Brown & Stirred, which is a Manhattan inspired ale.
Love Dreadnaught and Alpha King; Ninja v. Unicorn outstanding and now in cans, which is nice (it's a staple).
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I've got a couple parties coming up, and I'll bring a case to look like a solid party guest.
That is solid party guest manners. A lost art these days.
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Love Dreadnaught and Alpha King; Ninja v. Unicorn outstanding and now in cans, which is nice (it's a staple).
Curious on where the folks on this thread stand on cans vs bottles. I get all the arguments but I still think it comes down to personal preference whether you'd prefer cans or bottles.
I will say, I generally prefer bottles but I like that some very nice beers are canning because that makes life so much easier to bring a good beer in the golf bag.
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Curious on where the folks on this thread stand on cans vs bottles. I get all the arguments but I still think it comes down to personal preference whether you'd prefer cans or bottles.
I will say, I generally prefer bottles but I like that some very nice beers are canning because that makes life so much easier to bring a good beer in the golf bag.
I'm a big fan of cans, easier. Beer needs to be poured out of the vessel anyway.
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Curious on where the folks on this thread stand on cans vs bottles. I get all the arguments but I still think it comes down to personal preference whether you'd prefer cans or bottles.
I will say, I generally prefer bottles but I like that some very nice beers are canning because that makes life so much easier to bring a good beer in the golf bag.
I have always liked nice cans.
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Curious on where the folks on this thread stand on cans vs bottles. I get all the arguments but I still think it comes down to personal preference whether you'd prefer cans or bottles.
I will say, I generally prefer bottles but I like that some very nice beers are canning because that makes life so much easier to bring a good beer in the golf bag.
I only purchase cans. It's a combo of more options being canned these days and just simple logistics in it being easier to stack in the fridge and packing for a trip.
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When there is a choice, I am agnostic with two exceptions: if I cannot pour, I prefer a bottle (avoiding the "tin" stank); if transport/convenience is an issue, I prefer cans.
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I prefer bottles unless it's Guinness then you need to buy the can with the gizmo doohickey thing in it to make it like the draught product.
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When there is a choice, I am agnostic with two exceptions: if I cannot pour, I prefer a bottle (avoiding the "tin" stank); if transport/convenience is an issue, I prefer cans.
That's where I'm at.
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When there is a choice, I am agnostic with two exceptions: if I cannot pour, I prefer a bottle (avoiding the "tin" stank); if transport/convenience is an issue, I prefer cans.
Out of curiosity, what have you had recently from a can that had a tin stink?
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Out of curiosity, what have you had recently from a can that had a tin stink?
Shouldn't be any stank. All aluminum cans are coated. But I guess there is a scent if you're going straight from the can.
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Shouldn't be any stank. All aluminum cans are coated. But I guess there is a scent if you're going straight from the can.
When you taste metal it's actually you smelling the can which adds the metal taste. As mentioned before, all cans in the US are powder coated so there is no beer / metal contact.
The biggest issue with cans is the canning lines that some breweries have in that they older canning lines that allow too much oxygen into the package.
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Isn't 90% of taste coming from our nose? Perhaps not that high but it's amazing how much influence that has to turn us on to, and then off of, a tin stink with can drinking.
The Alchemist's Heady Topper has the famous preference for drinking straight from the can. I'll drink the last two ounces from a tallboy can after I pour and that doesn't throw my senses off. Maybe it's not enough ounces to do so.
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Stank may have been a bit overstated. I don't know the science, and it may even be a psychosomatic-type reaction, but when I drink from a can (hey-ho), I get a whiff of metal. Not overwhelming, maybe not a stank, but a whiff.
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Constellation Brands Inc., the maker of Robert Mondavi wines and Svedka vodka, agreed to acquire Ballast Point Brewing & Spirits for $1 billion to add a line of craft brews to its beer portfolio.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-11-16/constellation-to-acquire-ballast-point-brewery-for-1-billion
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Constellation Brands Inc., the maker of Robert Mondavi wines and Svedka vodka, agreed to acquire Ballast Point Brewing & Spirits for $1 billion to add a line of craft brews to its beer portfolio.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-11-16/constellation-to-acquire-ballast-point-brewery-for-1-billion
Also sell Corona in the USA too. That's a lot of cheddar.
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Chili, do you have any idea how many bottles of the Bourbon County variants, specifically, Prop, Regal and Rare are coming to the suburban Binny's locations on Black Friday. South suburbs if that helps.
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Chili, do you have any idea how many bottles of the Bourbon County variants, specifically, Prop, Regal and Rare are coming to the suburban Binny's locations on Black Friday. South suburbs if that helps.
No idea. That is all handled by Lakeshore Beverage our distributor. Hopefully more than last year as it seemed everyone except Binny's Marcey got much less than previous years. I would reach out to your local Binny's buyer. Here is a blog outlining what to expect this year at Binny's: http://www.binnys.com/blog/blackfriday2015/#sthash.6NeB3kEe.dpbs (http://www.binnys.com/blog/blackfriday2015/#sthash.6NeB3kEe.dpbs)
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No idea. That is all handled by Lakeshore Beverage our distributor. Hopefully more than last year as it seemed everyone except Binny's Marcey got much less than previous years. I would reach out to your local Binny's buyer. Here is a blog outlining what to expect this year at Binny's: http://www.binnys.com/blog/blackfriday2015/#sthash.6NeB3kEe.dpbs (http://www.binnys.com/blog/blackfriday2015/#sthash.6NeB3kEe.dpbs)
Sounds good, thanks
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This makes me very happy:
http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/beer/milwaukee-snags-an-allocation-of-chimay-grand-reserve-on-tap-for-the-holidays-b99615864z1.html
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So, anyone get in a fistfight over their allotment of GI Bourbon County and variants?
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So, anyone get in a fistfight over their allotment of GI Bourbon County and variants?
Not at all - and I ended up with more than I expected to get. I did get shut out on Rye, but that was kinda my own laziness.
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So, anyone get in a fistfight over their allotment of GI Bourbon County and variants?
Didn't even bother this year
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We walked into Lakefront Brewery at noon on Friday because we saw on TV that they were pouring taps of Black Friday, never thought I'd be able to buy 3 bottles at 12:30pm. I feel sorry for those that stood in line, well maybe not too much. :)
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Jersey doesn't get much so I've never lost my head like so many others but reading about some mayhem in different spots with truck chasers, raffles gone rogue, and wardrobe changes, etc. just to get bottles is amusing.
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I'm in the St. Paul area tonight... any specific beers that are only in MN that I should grab? Probably headed to Surly tonight to see their new place. Anywhere else I should check out?
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I'm in the St. Paul area tonight... any specific beers that are only in MN that I should grab? Probably headed to Surly tonight to see their new place. Anywhere else I should check out?
Maybe too late to change your plans but I'm a fan of Dangerous Man and Fair State Co-op which are both in NE Minneapolis. When in St. Paul, Happy Gnome is always worth a stop for one of its 30 taps.
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Maybe too late to change your plans but I'm a fan of Dangerous Man and Fair State Co-op which are both in NE Minneapolis. When in St. Paul, Happy Gnome is always worth a stop for one of its 30 taps.
Thanks for the ideas... it wasn't too late, but we decided to try Surly... there was a hour and twenty minute wait for a table so we noped out and got some garbage by our hotel.
If we had more time, I'd have checked out Happy Gnome for sure. St. Paul is a beautiful city. The lights in Rice park were great last night.
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Perhaps Chili can add comments/details to this from GI:
To our loyal fans,
Each year you stand in long lines in the cold to get your hands on Bourbon County Stout and the special variants. This is beer that we hope is shared on special occasions, or maybe even makes the occasion special. Beer that we truly hope helps strengthen bonds and makes lasting memories.
I want you to know that the entire team at Goose Island puts our heart and soul into making Bourbon County, and we understand and appreciate your high expectations for them. It is always our intention to put forth the best beer we can craft. When we don’t meet those expectations we take it personally, and we want to make it right.
It has come to our attention that since bottling the 2015 Bourbon County Coffee and Bourbon County Barleywine, they have developed flavors that are not consistent with our expectation of how these beers should taste. That’s not to say the beer doesn’t taste good, in fact some drinkers may enjoy it very much. However, it doesn’t meet our standards for the taste profile of these beers.
All of our beer goes through a very thorough quality oversight process including sensory and microbiology programs. This by no means is a guarantee of success especially with barrel aged beers. Both of these beers have drifted out of their target character thus leading us to provide refunds for anyone who is unsatisfied with them. Anyone who would like a refund for 2015 Bourbon County Coffee or 2015 Bourbon County Barleywine, please contact us at 1-800-Goose-Me.
In spite of the risks inherent with barrel aging, our quest to grow these beers and our barrel aging program will persevere. I hope you continue to join us in this adventure.
Very Truly,
Jared Jankoski
http://www.gooseisland.com/blog?id=post_11
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Perhaps Chili can add comments/details to this from GI:
To our loyal fans,
Each year you stand in long lines in the cold to get your hands on Bourbon County Stout and the special variants. This is beer that we hope is shared on special occasions, or maybe even makes the occasion special. Beer that we truly hope helps strengthen bonds and makes lasting memories.
I want you to know that the entire team at Goose Island puts our heart and soul into making Bourbon County, and we understand and appreciate your high expectations for them. It is always our intention to put forth the best beer we can craft. When we don’t meet those expectations we take it personally, and we want to make it right.
It has come to our attention that since bottling the 2015 Bourbon County Coffee and Bourbon County Barleywine, they have developed flavors that are not consistent with our expectation of how these beers should taste. That’s not to say the beer doesn’t taste good, in fact some drinkers may enjoy it very much. However, it doesn’t meet our standards for the taste profile of these beers.
All of our beer goes through a very thorough quality oversight process including sensory and microbiology programs. This by no means is a guarantee of success especially with barrel aged beers. Both of these beers have drifted out of their target character thus leading us to provide refunds for anyone who is unsatisfied with them. Anyone who would like a refund for 2015 Bourbon County Coffee or 2015 Bourbon County Barleywine, please contact us at 1-800-Goose-Me.
In spite of the risks inherent with barrel aging, our quest to grow these beers and our barrel aging program will persevere. I hope you continue to join us in this adventure.
Very Truly,
Jared Jankoski
http://www.gooseisland.com/blog?id=post_11
Smart move. Anheuser-Busch has deep pockets, so why not offer refunds if you mess up?
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Boo:
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2016/02/22/a-b-inbev-to-buy-goose-island-brewpub-in-chicago.html
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Boo:
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2016/02/22/a-b-inbev-to-buy-goose-island-brewpub-in-chicago.html
Great. Now that beer is going to be effed up.
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Great. Now that beer is going to be effed up.
Another Brazillian Wax by G3.
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Great. Now that beer is going to be effed up.
It's largely a token move. The brewery was already owned by them, they're just finally taking over the "pub" and making it a taproom.
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Great. Now that beer is going to be effed up.
Would you care to elaborate on how we f*cked up? Curious.
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Perhaps Chili can add comments/details to this from GI:
To our loyal fans,
Each year you stand in long lines in the cold to get your hands on Bourbon County Stout and the special variants. This is beer that we hope is shared on special occasions, or maybe even makes the occasion special. Beer that we truly hope helps strengthen bonds and makes lasting memories.
I want you to know that the entire team at Goose Island puts our heart and soul into making Bourbon County, and we understand and appreciate your high expectations for them. It is always our intention to put forth the best beer we can craft. When we don’t meet those expectations we take it personally, and we want to make it right.
It has come to our attention that since bottling the 2015 Bourbon County Coffee and Bourbon County Barleywine, they have developed flavors that are not consistent with our expectation of how these beers should taste. That’s not to say the beer doesn’t taste good, in fact some drinkers may enjoy it very much. However, it doesn’t meet our standards for the taste profile of these beers.
All of our beer goes through a very thorough quality oversight process including sensory and microbiology programs. This by no means is a guarantee of success especially with barrel aged beers. Both of these beers have drifted out of their target character thus leading us to provide refunds for anyone who is unsatisfied with them. Anyone who would like a refund for 2015 Bourbon County Coffee or 2015 Bourbon County Barleywine, please contact us at 1-800-Goose-Me.
In spite of the risks inherent with barrel aging, our quest to grow these beers and our barrel aging program will persevere. I hope you continue to join us in this adventure.
Very Truly,
Jared Jankoski
http://www.gooseisland.com/blog?id=post_11
Sorry, been traveling for a bit. We still actually do not know why the off flavors are showing in some bottles. It's not an infection (pedo, lacto, etc) but we don't know what. Wish we did. It's not all of them but we have some bottles that definitely are not what we intended so we're doing the right thing and offering people their money back. We always stand behind our beer and it's not what we intended we want to do right by our fans.
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Boo:
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2016/02/22/a-b-inbev-to-buy-goose-island-brewpub-in-chicago.html
Does John Hall not deserve to retire?
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Sure, he does. I'm happy for him, but I'm saddened that the place will never be the same.
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Sure, he does. I'm happy for him, but I'm saddened that the place will never be the same.
How will it not be the same?
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Here's one example: My spouse doesn't much care for beer. She'd go in there with me knowing she could get a Captain & Coke. Now she won't be so inclined.
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Here's one example: My spouse doesn't much care for beer. She'd go in there with me knowing she could get a Captain & Coke. Now she won't be so inclined.
True. That's on the IL legislature.
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Sorry, been traveling for a bit. We still actually do not know why the off flavors are showing in some bottles. It's not an infection (pedo, lacto, etc) but we don't know what. Wish we did. It's not all of them but we have some bottles that definitely are not what we intended so we're doing the right thing and offering people their money back. We always stand behind our beer and it's not what we intended we want to do right by our fans.
I know Central Waters had problems with their Peruvian Morning more than once that apparently was somehow caused by the coffee added but that couldn't have happened to your barleywine obviously.
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I know Central Waters had problems with their Peruvian Morning more than once that apparently was somehow caused by the coffee added but that couldn't have happened to your barleywine obviously.
I know that was one of the first things the lab looked at was the coffee bc of what CW has had to go through. But like I said, it's not the entire batch. All of my bottles I have opened have been find. Would love to find out what the issue is so we can make sure it doesn't happen again.
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Chili, I noticed Green Line is now sold in bottles....makes me very happy, although sort of ruins the exclusivity factor.
I also loved Blue Line when I tried it last year. Is that coming back?
Last question...any chance they open another brewpub to replace the closed Wrigleyville one, or are they just going to keep it at 1 brewpub going forward?
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Would you care to elaborate on how we f*cked up? Curious.
It has simply been my personal experience that when an successful entrepreneurial company gets taken over by a huge corporation, the product typically goes to hell.
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Hey Chili, welcome back.
Not to pile on, but the last several cases of canned IPA have been blowing up on me, regardless of temperature. You ever hear of that? It had to be 5 cases worth. Wasn't a huge deal, just had to open them over the sink and let it settle out.
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Hey Chili, welcome back.
Not to pile on, but the last several cases of canned IPA have been blowing up on me, regardless of temperature. You ever hear of that? It had to be 5 cases worth. Wasn't a huge deal, just had to open them over the sink and let it settle out.
Call 1-800-Goose-Me - they'll be able to help you out. Just have one of the cans with you so you can read them the batch code. That shouldn't be happening.
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Chili, I noticed Green Line is now sold in bottles....makes me very happy, although sort of ruins the exclusivity factor.
I also loved Blue Line when I tried it last year. Is that coming back?
Last question...any chance they open another brewpub to replace the closed Wrigleyville one, or are they just going to keep it at 1 brewpub going forward?
Green Line in bottles & cans will be great. Needed a pale ale in the lineup globally so why not make it that one? Right.
Blue Line = Four Star Pils. Same beer. Blue Line was the test name we used in Chicago. And it was really successful.
Right now we're going to stick with 1 pub in Chicago but I have heard the Rickets have big plans for the area. It's really in their hands now. But we have opened up a tasting room at the Fulton Street Brewery (1800 W. Fulton) which is open Thu-Sun. Should check it out. Even though it's my office, it's a fantastic place to try and a lot of cool beer.
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Green Line in bottles & cans will be great. Needed a pale ale in the lineup globally so why not make it that one? Right.
Blue Line = Four Star Pils. Same beer. Blue Line was the test name we used in Chicago. And it was really successful.
Right now we're going to stick with 1 pub in Chicago but I have heard the Rickets have big plans for the area. It's really in their hands now. But we have opened up a tasting room at the Fulton Street Brewery (1800 W. Fulton) which is open Thu-Sun. Should check it out. Even though it's my office, it's a fantastic place to try and a lot of cool beer.
Awesome! Thanks for the info. I saw the Four Star Pils but didn't know that was the same beer. I'll have to get a pack at my next trip to Jewel.
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It has simply been my personal experience that when an successful entrepreneurial company gets taken over by a huge corporation, the product typically goes to hell.
Clearly you are unfamiliar with their Bourbon County Stout brand. You also may be unfamiliar with their "Sisters" brand.
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Clearly you are unfamiliar with their Bourbon County Stout brand. You also may be unfamiliar with their "Sisters" brand.
How long have they owned it? Give them time.....
I speak from multiple personal experiences on both the consumer side and on the entrepreneurial company side.
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How long have they owned it? Give them time.....
I speak from multiple personal experiences on both the consumer side and on the entrepreneurial company side.
We're going on six years and the demand for both brands is rising. I understand you may be embittered from personal failings and/or experience. However, that doesn't mean it happens every single time.
To stay on topic, can you give us specific examples of what beers you consider to be "effed up" since the AB InBev purchase?
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We're going on six years and the demand for both brands is rising. I understand you may be embittered from personal failings and/or experience. However, that doesn't mean it happens every single time.
To stay on topic, can you give us specific examples of what beers you consider to be "effed up" since the AB InBev purchase?
I didn't say anything specifically about beers, but I can give you other examples. Here's one:
When Glow and I lived in Newton Massachusetts, our house was down the street from a tiny storefront carryout place. It was barely big enough to hold the rotisserie, a small cafeteria-like steam table, and the two guys that owned the business. The only thing they sold was whole rotisserie chickens and family-size sides. The food was amazing and they had lines out the door seven days a week. It was called Boston Chicken.
It got purchased and expanded nationwide, changed its name to Boston Market, and doesn't even begin to resemble the original concept. It's crap, and I have not been to one in close to a decade.
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We're going on six years and the demand for both brands is rising. I understand you may be embittered from personal failings and/or experience. However, that doesn't mean it happens every single time.
To stay on topic, can you give us specific examples of what beers you consider to be "effed up" since the AB InBev purchase?
Bud Light and Busch. Ugly
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I didn't say anything specifically about beers, but I can give you other examples. Here's one:
When Glow and I lived in Newton Massachusetts, our house was down the street from a tiny storefront carryout place. It was barely big enough to hold the rotisserie, a small cafeteria-like steam table, and the two guys that owned the business. The only thing they sold was whole rotisserie chickens and family-size sides. The food was amazing and they had lines out the door seven days a week. It was called Boston Chicken.
It got purchased and expanded nationwide, changed its name to Boston Market, and doesn't even begin to resemble the original concept. It's crap, and I have not been to one in close to a decade.
Earlier in the thread (Reply #1675) you wrote, "Great. Now that beer is going be effed up". You specifically wrote something about the beers. In The Beer Thread.
As I wrote in #1695, it's clear you are embittered and we now know it's over your breast meat not being the same as it once was. It's also clear you have not a clue regarding the Goose Island topic on hand and just wanted to vent on something that has zero to do with AB InBev's purchase of the Goose Island Clyburn pub.
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Earlier in the thread (Reply #1675) you wrote, "Great. Now that beer is going be effed up". You specifically wrote something about the beers. In The Beer Thread.
As I wrote in #1695, it's clear you are embittered and we now know it's over your breast meat not being the same as it once was. It's also clear you have not a clue regarding the Goose Island topic on hand and just wanted to vent on something that has zero to do with AB InBev's purchase of the Goose Island Clyburn pub.
(http://s2.quickmeme.com/img/27/27dd39065116dd636291836c3b557377bd42c8e34d83bce986e9ff4fe0e604f0.jpg)
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(http://s2.quickmeme.com/img/27/27dd39065116dd636291836c3b557377bd42c8e34d83bce986e9ff4fe0e604f0.jpg)
If only all middle aged midwest dopes were as hip as you.
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Any Scoopers going to Dark Lord Day? Got tickets for the first time this year -- group B.
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Any Scoopers going to Dark Lord Day? Got tickets for the first time this year -- group B.
Right here, the queue system for tickets seemed to have some hiccups but a few buddies and I got tickets. Ended up in group D, hopefully some decent variants will be available by that group time.
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http://ftw.usatoday.com/2016/03/finding-the-united-states-best-craft-beer-final-round
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http://ftw.usatoday.com/2016/03/finding-the-united-states-best-craft-beer-final-round
Great Final Four. I'd go Pliny
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I don't know who the Beer selection committee was, but there must have been a lot of crappy auto-qualifiers into the round of 64. Not a horrible FF, but probably wouldn't be my choice.
Hopefully the Vegas Beer 16 had a better field.
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Hopefully the Vegas Beer 16 had a better field.
They could only get 8:
PBR
Schlitz
High Life
Yuengling
Genny Cream
Summer Shandy
Grain Belt
Lone Star
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Great Final Four. I'd go Pliny
except Bell's 2-Hearted fans must have stuffed the ballot box
Note: I was told at Discount Liquor Thursday that KBS should be on sale about 6pm Friday at both stores
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except Bell's 2-Hearted fans must have stuffed the ballot box
Note: I was told at Discount Liquor Thursday that KBS should be on sale about 6pm Friday at both stores
There is a keg of KBS being tapped at Hop Cat in Madison at 4pm on Monday.
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Visiting my wife's extended family in Wisconsin. Talking about KBS. Was asked how it compares to New Holland Dragon's Milk. DM is about 90% as potent from a taste perspective as KBS. But you can find it year round. IMO, if you can get a KBS, it is worth the effort once.
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Had the chance to visit and sample Kona Brewings Makana series they made for the Kona Brewers Festival.
Of special note was 4never's Ai-na choice (Earth), Water (Kai), Wind (Makini) and Fire (Wela). The Ai-na Brown Ale was my fav from that series, although I have a thing for Reds (Fire).
http://konabrewingco.com/makana-series/
Also got a sample of First Rock which was their original recipe for Fire Rock Pale Ale. Loved the Hakeo Pineapple ISA. Yummy.
Kona just broke ground on a new brewery that will increase capacity 10 times to 100,000 barrels. They will add a can line as well as expanding draught. All bottles of Kona are brewed in the Pacific NW, btw, as there are no bottle makers in Hawaii. This is right (almost) next to the current brewery and restaurant which will stay in place. Interesting that they use their spent grain in their pizza crust...which is outstanding.
Fun festival if anyone gets to visit the Big Island.
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Not wanting to sound too old school but has anyone noticed the dearth of MaiBock this year. Randy Sprecher used to have a very decent one this time of year went to Ray's and couldn't find even one.
On an even more depressing note there were 6 or 7 Grapefruit Shandy's available
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Lakefront rolled out a new one this year, Schell's usually has a few types but I prefer doppels, I like the German imports like Celebrator, Korbinian, Optimator or else my own: Companionator
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Not wanting to sound too old school but has anyone noticed the dearth of MaiBock this year. Randy Sprecher used to have a very decent one this time of year went to Ray's and couldn't find even one.
On an even more depressing note there were 6 or 7 Grapefruit Shandy's available
Fruity beer has seemingly become all the rage again(mostly around IPAs) and for some reason it depresses me. I just don't care for them and it seems a cynical play to get "average" drinkers into craft beers.
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Lakefront rolled out a new one this year, Schell's usually has a few types but I prefer doppels, I like the German imports like Celebrator, Korbinian, Optimator or else my own: Companionator
Lakefront toned down their former Big Easy, which weighed in at almost 9%.
Fruity beer has seemingly become all the rage again (mostly around IPAs) and for some reason it depresses me.
Noticing that as well. Lotta citrus IPAs out there this spring. I'm not necessarily anti-fruit (I'll knock back a few radlers during the summer) but that fad can go away anytime.
More than anything else, I think it's brewers trying to inch ahead in an incredibly saturated IPA market.
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Lakefront toned down their former Big Easy, which weighed in at almost 9%.
Noticing that as well. Lotta citrus IPAs out there this spring. I'm not necessarily anti-fruit (I'll knock back a few radlers during the summer) but that fad can go away anytime.
More than anything else, I think it's brewers trying to inch ahead in an incredibly saturated IPA market.
Listen, I love me a radler, especially if I'm in Germany, but this is out of hand.
And I don't get why IPAs are A) saturated and B) citrus flavors are the key to expand it. IPAs seem like the most "difficult" of the styles to attract a wide audience, so why are there so many? Is it saturated with the craft elite and to open it up to more drinkers they are "cirtifying" the style?
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sours are becoming the new IPA
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Agree and if once one craft brewery overpowers the beer taste with some infused fruit flavor do you really need 10 more. And wasn't this already available i.e. vodka and lemonade (or whatever)
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Lakefront cancelling Big Easy was a punch to the gut for me.
I used to love them, but making it easy to only like them lately.
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Thoughts on Capitol's maibock? I think it's decent, not great.
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Thoughts on Capitol's maibock? I think it's decent, not great.
that fairly describes every Capitol brew I have tasted
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that fairly describes every Capitol brew I have tasted
That's a great point. Capital seems to have really nailed down the good enough approach.
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sours are becoming the new IPA
In that they are overproduced and overliked or in that they are the new "inaccessible" beer only for the discerning beer drinker?
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In that they are overproduced and overliked or in that they are the new "inaccessible" beer only for the discerning beer drinker?
lol, I guess your 1st option sort of aligns with my thoughts that the sour style is the latest fad trend that every brewery feels compelled to get into like IPAs have been for the previous 10 years
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lol, I guess your 1st option sort of aligns with my thoughts that the sour style is the latest fad trend that every brewery feels compelled to get into like IPAs have been for the previous 10 years
I fear you are right, I really enjoy sours and I don't want them to become IPAs
We might be 5 years from a Tangerine Sour Beer by Travelling Beer company
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On Friday night, my wife had a sour ipa from Epic. It was actually really delicious.
Also, I picked up two bottles of KBS on Saturday!
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A bunch of us decided to pay our 1st visits to 2 of the newer breweries around Milwaukee. We started at Biloba in Brookfield and they had a couple of decent beers and some non-descript to downright awful ones but that taproom is terrible especially if they happen to have a patron with an overly loud and obnoxious voice as they did during our visit.
Our next stop was to Raised Grain in Waukesha, what a step up in taprooms, much larger and several big screens tuned to sports. They have 12 tap lines so we shared several flights to sample as much as we could. They had an IPA made with Galena hops that was not impressive but everything else was quite good and some like the Black Walnut stout were excellent per our group.
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Just had a couple of Surly Smoked.
Good golly, that was some darned tasty brew. Num num.
Smoked would pair well with Sonoran Habenero.
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Just had a couple of Surly Smoked.
Good golly, that was some darned tasty brew. Num num.
Smoked would pair well with Sonoran Habenero.
I had that with a pork chop dish during a Surly beer dinner at the happy gnome about 8 years ago. I agree great stuff.
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Was out in Denver over Memorial day weekend, took some time to visit Avery brewing in their new facility and loved it. A lot good experimentals, sours, and barrel aged beers. Brand new facility and solid food choices. Great place and I highly recommend.
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http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2016/07/grand_rapids_brewery_to_make_b.html#incart_river_home
Brewery Vivant's specialty is Belgian style brews. Not my personal favorite. Brewery is in a former funeral home. A 10-30 minute drive from the venues if you are in Grand Rapids for the basketball showcases.
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Had a 25 oz bottle of The Crooked Hobo, a Baltic Porter from Ahnapee Brewery in Algoma, WI. Whiskey barrel aged. Veeeery good. And I have no clue what makes it a "Baltic" Porter. Or what that even means.
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Had a 25 oz bottle of The Crooked Hobo, a Baltic Porter from Ahnapee Brewery in Algoma, WI. Whiskey barrel aged. Veeeery good. And I have no clue what makes it a "Baltic" Porter. Or what that even means.
At this point I believe it's marketing, a baltic porter used to be a stronger version of the standard porter that was sent from Norway/Sweden to the Dutch(across the North Sea) in the 1700s. I don't think there is any particular function to the name any more. Sort of like there is functionally no difference between a porter and a stout that I can determine.
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Had a 25 oz bottle of The Crooked Hobo, a Baltic Porter from Ahnapee Brewery in Algoma, WI. Whiskey barrel aged. Veeeery good. And I have no clue what makes it a "Baltic" Porter. Or what that even means.
BJCP Guidelines on Baltic Porter
9C. Baltic Porter
Overall Impression: A Baltic Porter often has the malt flavors reminiscent of an English porter and the restrained roast of a schwarzbier, but with a higher OG and alcohol content than either. Very complex, with multi-layered malt and dark fruit flavors.
Aroma: Rich malty sweetness often containing caramel, toffee, nutty to deep toast, and/or licorice notes. Complex alcohol and ester profile of moderate strength, and reminiscent of plums, prunes, raisins, cherries or currants, occasionally with a vinous Port-like quality. Some darker malt character that is deep chocolate, coffee or molasses but never burnt. No hops. No sourness. Very smooth.
Appearance: Dark reddish-copper to opaque dark brown (not black). Thick, persistent tan-colored head. Clear, although darker versions can be opaque.
Flavor: As with aroma, has a rich malty sweetness with a complex blend of deep malt, dried fruit esters, and alcohol. Has a prominent yet smooth schwarzbier-like roasted flavor that
stops short of burnt. Mouth-filling and very smooth. Clean lager character. Starts sweet but darker malt flavors quickly dominates and persists through finish. Just a touch dry with a hint of roast coffee or licorice in the finish. Malt can have a caramel, toffee, nutty, molasses and/or licorice complexity. Light hints of black currant and dark fruits. Medium-low to medium bitterness from malt and hops, just to provide balance. Hop flavor from slightly spicy hops ranges from none to medium-low.
Mouthfeel: Generally quite full-bodied and smooth, with a well-aged alcohol warmth. Medium to medium-high carbonation, making it seem even more mouth-filling. Not heavy on the tongue due to carbonation level.
Comments: May also be described today as an Imperial Porter, although heavily roasted or hopped versions are not appropriate for this style. Most versions are in the 7–8.5% ABV range. Danish breweries often refer to them as Stouts, which indicates their historic lineage from the days when Porter was
used as a generic name for Porter and Stout.
History: Traditional beer from countries bordering the Baltic Sea, developed indigenously after higher-gravity export brown or imperial stouts from England were established. Historically top-fermented, many breweries adapted the recipes for bottom-fermenting yeast along with the rest of their production.
Characteristic Ingredients: Generally lager yeast (cold fermented if using ale yeast, as is required when brewed in Russia). Debittered chocolate or black malt. Munich or Vienna base malt. Continental hops (Saazer-type, typically). May contain crystal malts and/or adjuncts. Brown or amber malt common in historical recipes.
Style Comparison: Much less roasted and smoother than an Imperial Stout, typically with less alcohol. Lacks the roasty qualities of stouts in general, more taking on the roasted-butnot-burnt characteristics of a schwarzbier. Quite fruity compared to other porters. Higher alcohol than other porters.
Vital Statistics:
OG: 1.060 – 1.090
IBUs: 20 – 40 FG: 1.016 – 1.024
SRM: 17 – 30 ABV: 6.5 – 9.5%
Commercial Examples: Aldaris Porteris, Baltika #6 Porter, Devils Backbone Danzig, Okocim Porter, Sinebrychoff Porter, Zywiec Porter
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At this point I believe it's marketing, a baltic porter used to be a stronger version of the standard porter that was sent from Norway/Sweden to the Dutch(across the North Sea) in the 1700s. I don't think there is any particular function to the name any more. Sort of like there is functionally no difference between a porter and a stout that I can determine.
Chili's BJCP copy/paste gives all the detail one needs. The short version could be Baltic Porter is a lager so there's more nuance than just a marketing ploy.
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Anyone whose been abroad have any recommendations for decent British Domestics? Month out from going to London and just kind of realized that I won't have Miller Lite out there.
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Anyone whose been abroad have any recommendations for decent British Domestics? Month out from going to London and just kind of realized that I won't have Miller Lite out there.
In terms of traditional breweries you have one of fav's in Fullers. In terms of local craft you have Camden Town, Beaverton, Brew By Numbers and many more.
Also, make sure you take a Saturday and head to the Bermondsey Beer Mile. It's one of the best beer experiences in the world.
http://thecitylane.com/london-the-bermondsey-beer-mile/ (http://thecitylane.com/london-the-bermondsey-beer-mile/)
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Anyone whose been abroad have any recommendations for decent British Domestics? Month out from going to London and just kind of realized that I won't have Miller Lite out there.
Miller Lite and decent are colliding in the same thought??? I suppose it could be worse, could have been Bud Lite or Ice House or something
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Miller Lite and decent are colliding in the same thought??? I suppose it could be worse, could have been Bud Lite or Ice House or something
You have you realize what I drank at Marquette. Keystone, Natty Light and PBR for days. I know there are way better beers than Miller Lite but it's my go to beer for nights out. Cheap and fine for what it is.
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Any of you Sophisticats hit up the Beer Spa in Prague or Budapest? Nice to relax in the public baths in a hot tub of barley, malt and hops with a free flowing tapper within reach.
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I spent this past weekend up in Portland Maine. Great coastal city with great food and an awesome craft beer scene. I think there are 11 breweries in town most notably Allagash and Shipyard. Allagash white is great and widely distributed so I'd give it a try if you haven't already. I tried a bunch of other local brews from several different breweries in town and they were all really good. I'd recommend a visit to Portland if you're ever in NE in the summertime
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I spent this past weekend up in Portland Maine. Great coastal city with great food and an awesome craft beer scene. I think there are 11 breweries in town most notably Allagash and Shipyard. Allagash white is great and widely distributed so I'd give it a try if you haven't already. I tried a bunch of other local brews from several different breweries in town and they were all really good. I'd recommend a visit to Portland if you're ever in NE in the summertime
Love Shipyard's Pumpkin....my favorite of the autumn seasonal beers.
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Any of you Sophisticats hit up the Beer Spa in Prague or Budapest? Nice to relax in the public baths in a hot tub of barley, malt and hops with a free flowing tapper within reach.
First one stateside, if you're interested. A stone's throw from Bend's 20+ breweries. Just don't go on Rodeo weekend.
http://www.hopinthespa.com (http://www.hopinthespa.com)
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I spent this past weekend up in Portland Maine. Great coastal city with great food and an awesome craft beer scene. I think there are 11 breweries in town most notably Allagash and Shipyard. Allagash white is great and widely distributed so I'd give it a try if you haven't already. I tried a bunch of other local brews from several different breweries in town and they were all really good. I'd recommend a visit to Portland if you're ever in NE in the summertime
Portland is a great city.
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Love Shipyard's Pumpkin....my favorite of the autumn seasonal beers.
Mine too. And the brewery in Downtown Portland, ME is very cool to visit!
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Love Shipyard's Pumpkin....my favorite of the autumn seasonal beers.
Pumpkin does not belong in beer at all IMO. The fall bastardization of beer is at ridiculous levels.
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Pumpkin does not belong in beer at all IMO. The fall bastardization of beer is at ridiculous levels.
There is definitely some truth to your statement but I look at it from two perspectives: can there be good beer even if the style is over commercialized and do these styles bring more people to the yard so to speak.
Like with any style the Yam beers can be over-created and over produced as a marketing scheme but there are definitely some very good yams and they aren't any more or less worth of being beers than some IPAs(grapefruit anyone?), Shandys(Raddler) or a Marzen. I happen to think some really good yams worth having are Shipyard(especially the Imperial version) Pumpkin Down by Ballast, Pumking by Southern Tier and Pimp[KY]n from Avery. Are there some really bad ones or overhyped, absolutely but that doesn't invalidate the style any more than a bad IPA, etc
As far as the usefulness of the style/commercialization, I think the yams are very good even though some may look down their nose at them. The Pumpkin and Marzen's are how I got my wife into beers and now she drinks all sorts of different beers...it was a gateway drug of sorts. In fact, she was pregnant last fall so I had to run out and buy a bunch of her favorite fall beers so she could have them when our son was born in November. Took up a whole shelf on my basement FoMB(Fridge of Many Beers pronounced like tomb). To me that's awesome, and it's great that new drinkers can be brought into the fold. I hate fruity beers generally and fruit IPAs specifically....but I totally get why they exist and would never poo poo them.
Just my opinion I guess. {steps off soapbox}
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There is definitely some truth to your statement but I look at it from two perspectives: can there be good beer even if the style is over commercialized and do these styles bring more people to the yard so to speak.
Like with any style the Yam beers can be over-created and over produced as a marketing scheme but there are definitely some very good yams and they aren't any more or less worth of being beers than some IPAs(grapefruit anyone?), Shandys(Raddler) or a Marzen. I happen to think some really good yams worth having are Shipyard(especially the Imperial version) Pumpkin Down by Ballast, Pumking by Southern Tier and Pimp[KY]n from Avery. Are there some really bad ones or overhyped, absolutely but that doesn't invalidate the style any more than a bad IPA, etc
As far as the usefulness of the style/commercialization, I think the yams are very good even though some may look down their nose at them. The Pumpkin and Marzen's are how I got my wife into beers and now she drinks all sorts of different beers...it was a gateway drug of sorts. In fact, she was pregnant last fall so I had to run out and buy a bunch of her favorite fall beers so she could have them when our son was born in November. Took up a whole shelf on my basement FoMB(Fridge of Many Beers pronounced like tomb). To me that's awesome, and it's great that new drinkers can be brought into the fold. I hate fruity beers generally and fruit IPAs specifically....but I totally get why they exist and would never poo poo them.
Just my opinion I guess. {steps off soapbox}
There is only one way to drink pumpkin beers IMO, pouring them down the drain. Bleck!
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My brother who lives in Milwaukee just visited me here in Charlotte last week. We went to a couple great bars who had some of the area's fantastic craft beers on tap.
My effen brother ordered effen PBR every time.
Heartbreaking.
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My brother who lives in Milwaukee just visited me here in Charlotte last week. We went to a couple great bars who had some of the area's fantastic craft beers on tap.
My effen brother ordered effen PBR every time.
Heartbreaking.
Sounds like the kind of guy that kicks puppies
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Any beer lovers here heading to Great Taste in the Peoples Republic on Saturday? I'll be the bearded one with a beer shirt on.
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Any beer lovers here heading to Great Taste in the Peoples Republic on Saturday? I'll be the bearded one with a beer shirt on.
Would if I could, but I'll be up in the UP drinking PBR while playing 54 holes....otherwise I would have joined you in the beard, beer shirt
my favorite:
(http://i3.cpcache.com/product/1061372269/beer_bear_deer_tshirt.jpg?width=350&height=350&Filters=%5B%7B%22name%22%3A%22crop%22%2C%22value%22%3A%7B%22x%22%3A58.3%2C%22y%22%3A0%2C%22w%22%3A233.3%2C%22h%22%3A280.0%7D%2C%22sequence%22%3A1%7D%2C%7B%22name%22%3A%22background%22%2C%22value%22%3A%22F2F2F2%22%2C%22sequence%22%3A2%7D%5D)
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Sounds like the kind of guy that kicks puppies
Nah, but he PBR-boards people who are withholding information.
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Nah, but he PBR-boards people who are withholding information.
He'd fit right in with the group we have going up to the UP this weekend for our annual golf outing. 11 of us two years ago drank Island Resort and Casino out of PBRs in one night....had to switch to Coors
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If anyone is in the SW burbs of Chicago, the head brewer of Metal Monkey in Romeoville is MU '00
Damn fine beer. And they make beers with different twists
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Recently had an Allagash Curieux (Bourbon Barrel-Aged Tripel), and it probably was one of the 10 best beers I've ever tasted. Unique and bursting with flavor.
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Any beer lovers here heading to Great Taste in the Peoples Republic on Saturday? I'll be the bearded one with a beer shirt on.
I'll be there as always. I usually wear my local liquor store's shirt (they give a free 6 pack to anyone who does... Trixie's btw), but maybe something else this year.
And yes, I get your joke. Everyone that attends will be wearing a beer shirt and 90% of dudes have beards!
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Central Waters BBA Quad is tasty, they should have rolled this one out years ago instead of the BBA cherry stout.
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Heading to Zoo Brew tonight....not expecting a ton of new beers, but District 14 did surprise pleasantly last year so hoping for a repeat.
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Counter-intuitively, I have a real problem with bars that have 100 taps of micros and crafts on the wall. Seemingly, it would be heaven for guys like me (us), but it with that many choices, it takes me five minutes to decide what I actually want, and that's four extra minutes of sobriety I'll never get back. Applying the same principle, putting a guy like me in San Diego - micro capital of the world - is pretty much Webster's definition of indecisiveness.... with 120+ breweries in the county and only five days at my disposal (with limited hours each day), I definitely need a plan going in.
Accordingly, one would think a family vacation would relieve me of the burden of necessitating a choice, but in my infinite "wisdom" (which, strangely, only manifests when it involves beer), I decided to purchase an airplane ticket for my mother, a/k/a the complimentary babysitting service. Which brings me back to my original quandary... 5 days, 120 choices and so far, Stone is the only one on the list (primarily because it's dinner one of the nights).
So, my Cicerones..... what suggestions have you?? Who's been where? Whatdidya think? Whatdya recommend? Etc.
All else equal, my wife and I prefer tasting rooms to brewpubs, but good beer and a decent selection (less than 100, of course) wins every time.
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Counter-intuitively, I have a real problem with bars that have 100 taps of micros and crafts on the wall. Seemingly, it would be heaven for guys like me (us), but it with that many choices, it takes me five minutes to decide what I actually want, and that's four extra minutes of sobriety I'll never get back. Applying the same principle, putting a guy like me in San Diego - micro capital of the world - is pretty much Webster's definition of indecisiveness.... with 120+ breweries in the county and only five days at my disposal (with limited hours each day), I definitely need a plan going in.
Accordingly, one would think a family vacation would relieve me of the burden of necessitating a choice, but in my infinite "wisdom" (which, strangely, only manifests when it involves beer), I decided to purchase an airplane ticket for my mother, a/k/a the complimentary babysitting service. Which brings me back to my original quandary... 5 days, 120 choices and so far, Stone is the only one on the list (primarily because it's dinner one of the nights).
So, my Cicerones..... what suggestions have you?? Who's been where? Whatdidya think? Whatdya recommend? Etc.
All else equal, my wife and I prefer tasting rooms to brewpubs, but good beer and a decent selection (less than 100, of course) wins every time.
You should take time to drive out to Alpine. 40 minutes from downtown. Well worth it. It has maintained it's high quality on-site output even through the turbulent packaging deal with Green Flash
North Park neighborhood is your nirvana: Hamiltons and Toronado are two of best bars around plus Rip Current, Hess, and Belching Beaver have tasting room locations there.
Societe and AleSmith are both quality and highly rated, though the latter is farther north in San Diego county not the city proper.
Finally, if you're already visiting Stone it's worth checking out Pizza Port's Ocean Beach location. One block from the ocean, quality brews, and you can avoid some of the mayhem of ordering their pizza since dinner is at Stone.
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Had a few new beers this weekend. They were new to me but I'm sure some of you have tried them before.
Founders Mosaic Promise
Had a small sample and didn't care for it. Too bitter for my taste. (I don't like IPA's and APA's are hit or miss).
3 Floyds Alpha King
After FMP, I moved on to sample this one and really liked it. Enough to order a pint. The citrus nose and subtle caramel malt sweetness was followed by a hoppy (but not too hoppy) finish. The complexity and taste gives Alpha King the nod over Mosaic Prose.
New Belgium 1554 Black Lager
Fall is here; time to break out the darks and reds. Superb beer. Balanced, clean, and a hint of chocolate. Like drinking a lighter Guinness. (The real stuff made in Dublin, not the Canadian imposter swill).
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Counter-intuitively, I have a real problem with bars that have 100 taps of micros and crafts on the wall. Seemingly, it would be heaven for guys like me (us), but it with that many choices, it takes me five minutes to decide what I actually want, and that's four extra minutes of sobriety I'll never get back. Applying the same principle, putting a guy like me in San Diego - micro capital of the world - is pretty much Webster's definition of indecisiveness.... with 120+ breweries in the county and only five days at my disposal (with limited hours each day), I definitely need a plan going in.
Accordingly, one would think a family vacation would relieve me of the burden of necessitating a choice, but in my infinite "wisdom" (which, strangely, only manifests when it involves beer), I decided to purchase an airplane ticket for my mother, a/k/a the complimentary babysitting service. Which brings me back to my original quandary... 5 days, 120 choices and so far, Stone is the only one on the list (primarily because it's dinner one of the nights).
So, my Cicerones..... what suggestions have you?? Who's been where? Whatdidya think? Whatdya recommend? Etc.
All else equal, my wife and I prefer tasting rooms to brewpubs, but good beer and a decent selection (less than 100, of course) wins every time.
Ballast Point is absolutely a must. What's more, make your decisions easier by going the experimental tasting only
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Founder's Pale Joe. Special limited edition for Art Prize. Pale Ale brewed with Coffee. Pretty sure it is a love/hate thing.
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Founder's Pale Joe. Special limited edition for Art Prize. Pale Ale brewed with Coffee. Pretty sure it is a love/hate thing.
Just had Stone's Mocha IPA not too long ago. Surprised at how much I liked it.
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Counter-intuitively, I have a real problem with bars that have 100 taps of micros and crafts on the wall. Seemingly, it would be heaven for guys like me (us), but it with that many choices, it takes me five minutes to decide what I actually want, and that's four extra minutes of sobriety I'll never get back. Applying the same principle, putting a guy like me in San Diego - micro capital of the world - is pretty much Webster's definition of indecisiveness.... with 120+ breweries in the county and only five days at my disposal (with limited hours each day), I definitely need a plan going in.
Accordingly, one would think a family vacation would relieve me of the burden of necessitating a choice, but in my infinite "wisdom" (which, strangely, only manifests when it involves beer), I decided to purchase an airplane ticket for my mother, a/k/a the complimentary babysitting service. Which brings me back to my original quandary... 5 days, 120 choices and so far, Stone is the only one on the list (primarily because it's dinner one of the nights).
So, my Cicerones..... what suggestions have you?? Who's been where? Whatdidya think? Whatdya recommend? Etc.
All else equal, my wife and I prefer tasting rooms to brewpubs, but good beer and a decent selection (less than 100, of course) wins every time.
If I were picking I'd go with:
Modern Times
Port Brewing/The Lost Abbey
AleSmith
Societe
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Founder's Pale Joe. Special limited edition for Art Prize. Pale Ale brewed with Coffee. Pretty sure it is a love/hate thing.
Thoughts? I saw it at the store and really love Founder's in general... but Coffee Pale Ale is just a little too much for me.
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A friend that works for Anchor Steam brought a few bottles of the legendary Pliny The Elder (Russian River Brewing Company) back from NoCal last week and gave me one. Clean, grapefruit and pine scent, but too bitter for my taste. I'm not, however, much of an IPA fan. Or in this case, a DIPA.
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A friend that works for Anchor Steam brought a few bottles of the legendary Pliny The Elder (Russian River Brewing Company) back from NoCal last week and gave me one. Clean, grapefruit and pine scent, but too bitter for my taste. I'm not, however, much of an IPA fan. Or in this case, a DIPA.
Great beer when fresh. Consecration is my favorite beer of theirs. If you ever get a chance to get up to Santa Rosa (or Napa / Sonoma), their brewpub is a must stop to get the tasting paddle.
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Great beer when fresh. Consecration is my favorite beer of theirs. If you ever get a chance to get up to Santa Rosa (or Napa / Sonoma), their brewpub is a must stop to get the tasting paddle.
Must stop, seconded. Without hyperbole, I say it alone is worth a pilgrimage. Dynamite brewery with nearly every style.
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Great beer when fresh. Consecration is my favorite beer of theirs. If you ever get a chance to get up to Santa Rosa (or Napa / Sonoma), their brewpub is a must stop to get the tasting paddle.
I've got a Consecration in my fridge right (distributed around Denver during GABF). Been to the brewery a couple times - if you haven't been recently - go early and prepare to wait. There's almost always a line now.
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I've got a Consecration in my fridge right (distributed around Denver during GABF). Been to the brewery a couple times - if you haven't been recently - go early and prepare to wait. There's almost always a line now.
Nearly two hours when the wife and I went last August.
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I've got a Consecration in my fridge right (distributed around Denver during GABF). Been to the brewery a couple times - if you haven't been recently - go early and prepare to wait. There's almost always a line now.
Fridge? Make sure you leave that thing out on the counter for a n hour or two before drinking to fully enjoy it's flavor.
I'll step off my beer case now.
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Had a Bells Black Note last week. Was outstanding, and very different from any of the other bourbon barrel stouts I have tried.
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Goose closing brewpub for five months to renovate.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/dining/drink/beer/ct-food-goose-island-brewpub-renovations-20170103-story.html
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I was back in the Great State of Wisconsin over Christmas and was driving to Green Bay to visit with friends when we pulled over in Neenah to visit Lion's Tail Brewing
http://lionstailbrewing.com/ (http://lionstailbrewing.com/)
Two thumbs up.
The brewery is located in building from the 1890's that used to be an insurance company, which give it a fairly unique ambiance. The beers were quite good. They had a pineapple (just the right hint) golden wheat that had been barreled in rum casks for an extra kick, and the Quicksand brown sugar oatmeal stout was good as well. They were sadly out of the Belgian trappist ale at the moment.
Definitely worth a visit if you are in the area.
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Edit: Double post.
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I was back in the Great State of Wisconsin over Christmas and was driving to Green Bay to visit with friends when we pulled over in Neenah to visit Lion's Tail Brewing
http://lionstailbrewing.com/ (http://lionstailbrewing.com/)
They were sadly out of the Belgian trappist ale at the moment.
FYI, there are a limited number of trappist breweries in the world. The term "trappist" is a specific certification that only 7 breweries have. Their beer really should be called "Abbey style".
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FYI, there are a limited number of trappist breweries in the world. The term "trappist" is a specific certification that only 7 breweries have. Their beer really should be called "Abbey style".
I admit, I looked around the brew kettles and saw absolutely zero monks hanging around back there.
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I admit, I looked around the brew kettles and saw absolutely zero monks hanging around back there.
And I'm pretty sure they aren't giving their profits away either.
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Don't have time to go through 72 pages so quickly, when cannonball running from MN back to IL, what do I bring back (i.e. what's a must-have craft/micro sold in stores in MN that's not available in IL)?
e.g. Surly doesn't count because I can get that at Binnys.
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Don't have time to go through 72 pages so quickly, when cannonball running from MN back to IL, what do I bring back (i.e. what's a must-have craft/micro sold in stores in MN that's not available in IL)?
GrainBelt
e.g. Surly doesn't count because I can get that at Binnys.
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Don't have time to go through 72 pages so quickly, when cannonball running from MN back to IL, what do I bring back (i.e. what's a must-have craft/micro sold in stores in MN that's not available in IL)?
e.g. Surly doesn't count because I can get that at Binnys.
Stop in WI for New Glarus other than that go to Iowa for the really good Toppling Goliath. Or else, drink local in Chicago. Hailstorm, Brickstone, Pipeworks, Half Acre, Goose, Rev - you're good to go.
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We get it in WI, so I'm sure you'll get it in IL, but I've enjoyed a few of Fulton's offerings.
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go to Iowa for the really good Toppling Goliath.
This. If you like IPA's you should get some from TG.
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This. If you like IPA's you should get some from TG.
But they distribute to Wisconsin as well.
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Funny, I saw TG at Trader Joe's on Friday, hadn't seen it before. I will have to give it a try.
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Ended up picking up a Bent Paddle (Golden IPA) - decent but nothing to write home about - and another one that was a perfect balance of quality and memorability... both the beer and my recollection of what it's called was gone within 24 hours.
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I don't know if any one else in WI has been following the battle between the Tavern League etc. and state's craft breweries/wineries. It seems they suspect the Tavern League might attempt to insert changes to Chapter 125 of WI State code at the last minute of the budget bill process. The changes could force all tasting rooms to be closed. Raised Grain Brewery in Waukesha has penned an open letter mentioning that would probably put them out of business.
Here is a link to the Raised Grain letter which includes a form letter you can send to your reps in Madison (as well as a link to find who your reps are).
http://www.raisedgrainbrewing.com/news-blog/open-letter-opposing-budget-bill-amendments
Friends & Fans,
We did not start Raised Grain with the intent of getting involved in politics. However, we feel that our hand is being forced by the threat of a last minute amendment to this year's State Budget Bill that would jeopardize the very existence of our brewery. Please read below and reach out to your State Representative and urge them to support the craft brewing business in Wisconsin.
The proposed language would "more strictly define" the three-tier system, which consists of manufacturers (breweries big and small), wholesalers/distributors, and retailers (bars/restaurants/liquor stores). If this were to unfold, we could lose our right to self-distribute and our right to have a taproom. Without these avenues, we are unable to build our brand as we choose to.
More importantly, we wouldn't be able to afford the sizable investments we have made in a new building, a shiny new brewhouse, new fermenters, a new canning line and all the other brewery equipment we will be purchasing. We'd close in under a month without taproom revenue.
Raised Grain would be gone. It's that simple.
We are not unique in this situation. There are many other small start-up breweries in Wisconsin that would face the same fate. Probably some mid-to-large craft breweries, too.
The outlook for Wisconsin would be bleak. The trend for craft beer is "local, local, local." If Wisconsin were to lose many of its 140 craft breweries, this would affect so many industries, including tourism (which is partially driven by craft breweries), as well as bars and restaurants that would not have any local beer options to serve.
As we near two years of operations, we have developed strong relationships with nearly 100 bars, restaurants and liquor stores (and counting). We support their growth by supplying them with exciting (fresh) beer choices that help their businesses grow and attract new customers.
We donated over $6,000 worth of goods and services to local charities in our first year of operation. We are on track to double that this year. Again, we are not unique in this regard. Craft breweries play very active roles within their local communities.
Please take the time to voice your opposition to any last-minute amendments to this year's Budget Bill that would so negatively impact Raised Grain, other craft breweries, you as craft beer fans, and the great State of Wisconsin. You can find your State Senator and Representative information on the State of Wisconsin website.
Thank you,
- Raised Grain Brewing Co.
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Don't have time to go through 72 pages so quickly, when cannonball running from MN back to IL, what do I bring back (i.e. what's a must-have craft/micro sold in stores in MN that's not available in IL)?
e.g. Surly doesn't count because I can get that at Binnys.
Dangerous Man brewing is fantastic in Minn. I know it is out of season tastewise but their Peanut butter porter is something special. Their other beers are all good too.
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Dangerous Man brewing is fantastic in Minn. I know it is out of season tastewise but their Peanut butter porter is something special. Their other beers are all good too.
My favorites in Minny:
--Steel Toe Brewing in St. Louis Park, MN. Very good IPA (Size 7)
--LTD Brewing in Hopkins, MN. Great selection of beer and a better ambiance than the above
--Inbound Brew Co. in the North Loop (Minneapolis, MN). Dog allowed inside, great selection and food trucks every day
--Able in Northeast (Minneapolis, MN). Very cool space, great IPA and dogs allowed.
--Clockwerks Brewing downtown (Minneapolis, MN). New and I've only been a handful of times, but the beer is great. They reserve a tap for a rotating local homebrew recipe.
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My favorites in Minny:
--Steel Toe Brewing in St. Louis Park, MN. Very good IPA (Size 7)
--LTD Brewing in Hopkins, MN. Great selection of beer and a better ambiance than the above
--Inbound Brew Co. in the North Loop (Minneapolis, MN). Dog allowed inside, great selection and food trucks every day
--Able in Northeast (Minneapolis, MN). Very cool space, great IPA and dogs allowed.
--Clockwerks Brewing downtown (Minneapolis, MN). New and I've only been a handful of times, but the beer is great. They reserve a tap for a rotating local homebrew recipe.
I'll have to check them out next time I roll through Minneapolis. I only had one day so my time was limited and Surly did a number on me early on.
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If you are into sours, had a great one from a brewery in Brookfield the other weekend. It's a sour they produced from their bourbon barrel aged smoked porter (Smokin Gramma, which is also good) called Sour Smokin Gramma. Highly recommended
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amusing article....and Hamm's wins.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/dining/foodfocus/ct-macro-beer-tasting-food-0712-20170706-story.html (http://www.chicagotribune.com/dining/foodfocus/ct-macro-beer-tasting-food-0712-20170706-story.html)
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Brewing up a NEDIPA... hope it turns out alright.
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Brewing up a NEDIPA... hope it turns out alright.
New England IPA?
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Brewing up a NEDIPA... hope it turns out alright.
Few questions:
What was your grain bill? Yeast strain? Using hop powder?
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New England IPA?
looks like that would be New England Double IPA
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Few questions:
What was your grain bill? Yeast strain? Using hop powder?
Mostly UK Pale Ale almost 13lbs.
4oz caravienne
4oz Torrified Wheat
So yeah the grain bill is pretty boring. I'm not sure why I even bothered adding the caravienne and torrified wheat... since 4 oz???...
Used both American Ale Wyeast 1056 and American Ale II Wyeast 1272... this is because the local brew store was out of the London 3 Wyeast 1318.
currently fermenting like crazy even though its in a 63F basement... 70F on its own.
I did not use hop powder, I have a ton of varieties of hops in this thing... Chinook mostly (out of Simcoe, so I am making do), Centennial, Cascade, Columbus (SUPER INTERESTING HOP), Mandarina Bavaria, Citra... Some added at knockout, then 30 min steep, and another 30 min steep... plus there will be two seperate dry hop additions...
OG was a tad low around 1.064... so the ABV shouldn't be as high as I wanted (in fact, I probably shouldn't call it a DIPA at all), but its homebrew and that is what I expect to happen.
Calling this a NEDIPA may be a bit of a stretch, but it will be interesting.
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Mostly UK Pale Ale almost 13lbs.
4oz caravienne
4oz Torrified Wheat
So yeah the grain bill is pretty boring. I'm not sure why I even bothered adding the caravienne and torrified wheat... since 4 oz???...
Used both American Ale Wyeast 1056 and American Ale II Wyeast 1272... this is because the local brew store was out of the London 3 Wyeast 1318.
currently fermenting like crazy even though its in a 63F basement... 70F on its own.
I did not use hop powder, I have a ton of varieties of hops in this thing... Chinook mostly (out of Simcoe, so I am making do), Centennial, Cascade, Columbus (SUPER INTERESTING HOP), Mandarina Bavaria, Citra... Some added at knockout, then 30 min steep, and another 30 min steep... plus there will be two seperate dry hop additions...
OG was a tad low around 1.064... so the ABV shouldn't be as high as I wanted (in fact, I probably shouldn't call it a DIPA at all), but its homebrew and that is what I expect to happen.
Calling this a NEDIPA may be a bit of a stretch, but it will be interesting.
Yeah, it sounds more like an intense DIPA vs. NE since a NE style has almost no bittering. Also, an addition of oats can really help round the body to give it the the creamy texture. One thing to watch when making a NE is that since you leave the yeast in, you need to manage hop additions so it's not too bitter. I asked about hop powder because it can really help you get that juicy character you want from a NE IPA.
Good luck and let us know how your current beer turns out.
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Yeah, it sounds more like an intense DIPA vs. NE since a NE style has almost no bittering. Also, an addition of oats can really help round the body to give it the the creamy texture. One thing to watch when making a NE is that since you leave the yeast in, you need to manage hop additions so it's not too bitter. I asked about hop powder because it can really help you get that juicy character you want from a NE IPA.
Good luck and let us know how your current beer turns out.
Funny part is it is supposed to be a Heady Topper clone... of course I had to alter it a bit.
But I guess I shouldn't have called it a NEDIPA in the first place.
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I don't know if any one else in WI has been following the battle between the Tavern League etc. and state's craft breweries/wineries. It seems they suspect the Tavern League might attempt to insert changes to Chapter 125 of WI State code at the last minute of the budget bill process. The changes could force all tasting rooms to be closed. Raised Grain Brewery in Waukesha has penned an open letter mentioning that would probably put them out of business.
Here is a link to the Raised Grain letter which includes a form letter you can send to your reps in Madison (as well as a link to find who your reps are).
http://www.raisedgrainbrewing.com/news-blog/open-letter-opposing-budget-bill-amendments
Friends & Fans,
We did not start Raised Grain with the intent of getting involved in politics. However, we feel that our hand is being forced by the threat of a last minute amendment to this year's State Budget Bill that would jeopardize the very existence of our brewery. Please read below and reach out to your State Representative and urge them to support the craft brewing business in Wisconsin.
The proposed language would "more strictly define" the three-tier system, which consists of manufacturers (breweries big and small), wholesalers/distributors, and retailers (bars/restaurants/liquor stores). If this were to unfold, we could lose our right to self-distribute and our right to have a taproom. Without these avenues, we are unable to build our brand as we choose to.
More importantly, we wouldn't be able to afford the sizable investments we have made in a new building, a shiny new brewhouse, new fermenters, a new canning line and all the other brewery equipment we will be purchasing. We'd close in under a month without taproom revenue.
Raised Grain would be gone. It's that simple.
We are not unique in this situation. There are many other small start-up breweries in Wisconsin that would face the same fate. Probably some mid-to-large craft breweries, too.
The outlook for Wisconsin would be bleak. The trend for craft beer is "local, local, local." If Wisconsin were to lose many of its 140 craft breweries, this would affect so many industries, including tourism (which is partially driven by craft breweries), as well as bars and restaurants that would not have any local beer options to serve.
As we near two years of operations, we have developed strong relationships with nearly 100 bars, restaurants and liquor stores (and counting). We support their growth by supplying them with exciting (fresh) beer choices that help their businesses grow and attract new customers.
We donated over $6,000 worth of goods and services to local charities in our first year of operation. We are on track to double that this year. Again, we are not unique in this regard. Craft breweries play very active roles within their local communities.
Please take the time to voice your opposition to any last-minute amendments to this year's Budget Bill that would so negatively impact Raised Grain, other craft breweries, you as craft beer fans, and the great State of Wisconsin. You can find your State Senator and Representative information on the State of Wisconsin website.
Thank you,
- Raised Grain Brewing Co.
Not too surprised as they truly have exploded on the scene. Good thing the craft brewers' lobbyist was on his/her game.
Speaking of this, want to give a shout out to Leinenkugel tasting room. Stopped by last week. 5 tasters for $5 and you get to keep the glass is a good deal. Would have liked a little better selection though. Wanted to try their watermelon shandy but not offered. I'm not a big shandy guy but that one intrigued me.
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Wanted to try their watermelon shandy but not offered. I'm not a big shandy guy but that one intrigued me.
No...you're lucky. Watermelon + beer is never a good idea.
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No...you're lucky. Watermelon + beer is never a good idea.
Bought a 12 pack of a pumpkin beer of theirs in the autumn. Drank 1. It was horrible. Brought it deer hunting. 10 were thrown out
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Bought a 12 pack of a pumpkin beer of theirs in the autumn. Drank 1. It was horrible. Brought it deer hunting. 10 were thrown out
The proper way to drink all pumpkin beer is to open it and immediately pour it down the drain.
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The proper way to drink all pumpkin beer is to open it and immediately pour it down the drain.
Some people brought pumpkin beer to a party at my house last year, I am looking forward to returning it back to their Labor Day party next month.
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The proper way to drink all pumpkin beer is to open it and immediately pour it down the drain.
There are a couple drinkable pumpkin beers
Voodoo Caution! Contains Real Pumpkin Barleywine
Lakefront's Brandy Barrel Aged Doppelbock
Can't say I've enjoyed many other pumpkin beers. I've got a Cigar City Good Gourd Have Mercy (double barrel - rum and bourbon) that I'll open this fall. I've heard that one is pretty good too.
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GTOTM this weekend. Anyone going?
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Not sure if Wachusett Brewery gets out of New England, but this has been one of favs in awhile.
https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/wachusett-wally/481639/
(https://scontent-sea1-1.cdninstagram.com/t51.2885-15/s480x480/e35/17818176_516083448781001_1565476478009737216_n.jpg?ig_cache_key=MTQ4OTQ4ODU1MTE2MzExNDEwNg%3D%3D.2)
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Not sure if Wachusett Brewery gets out of New England, but this has been one of favs in awhile.
https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/wachusett-wally/481639/
(https://scontent-sea1-1.cdninstagram.com/t51.2885-15/s480x480/e35/17818176_516083448781001_1565476478009737216_n.jpg?ig_cache_key=MTQ4OTQ4ODU1MTE2MzExNDEwNg%3D%3D.2)
Not sure it makes it out of MA!
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They sell Wachusett in Connecticut, but perhaps not every one of their brews.
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Not sure it makes it out of MA!
Bummer, most of their stuff is okay, nothing earth shattering..
But this is perfect blend of citrus, bite, is unfiltered which I like
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Maybe you want some of this for Halloween season?
Very tasty stuff.
https://tworoadsbrewing.com/beers/view/roadsmarys-baby
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Bummer, most of their stuff is okay, nothing earth shattering..
But this is perfect blend of citrus, bite, is unfiltered which I like
The NEIPA style is fantasic
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these are pretty tasty and now available year round
(https://www.boulevard.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/WBSBarrelsSm.png)
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No...you're lucky. Watermelon + beer is never a good idea.
One exception (for me anyway): Ballast Point Watermelon Dorado Double IPA--been one of my go-to's the last two summers. I generally don't like fruit in my beer (not a fan of sours or saisons etc). It's a bit harsh but full of flavor with great color and feel. Most reviewers, however, pan it.
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Sitting in El Bait Shop in Des Moines. 250 beers
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Next up, Central Waters Scotch Ale. Quite tasty. Des Moines is growing on me.
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I might wander over on Friday:
8 a.m.: Lakefront Brewery,1872 N. Commerce St., will sell its Russian Imperial Stout Black Friday in 750-milliliter bottles for $15 (limit three). Also available while supplies last is Special Reserve XXX — beer aged in bourbon barrels from 2014 through 2016 for $25. Also look for coffee and breakfast burritos to be sold outside.
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No...you're lucky. Watermelon + beer is never a good idea.
Worse, I recently had a watermelon and sea salt concoction (I refuse to call it beer) called Green Zebra from Founders. Ick.
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I might wander over on Friday:
8 a.m.: Lakefront Brewery,1872 N. Commerce St., will sell its Russian Imperial Stout Black Friday in 750-milliliter bottles for $15 (limit three). Also available while supplies last is Special Reserve XXX — beer aged in bourbon barrels from 2014 through 2016 for $25. Also look for coffee and breakfast burritos to be sold outside.
I'm thinking the same.
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http://www.jsonline.com/story/entertainment/beer/2017/11/20/brenner-brewing-announces-close-week/882354001/ (http://www.jsonline.com/story/entertainment/beer/2017/11/20/brenner-brewing-announces-close-week/882354001/)
Good local brewery going out of business. Got too big too fast and I think fell victim to the explosion of brewery competition over the last 3 years
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Not sure how this happens. Also not sure why their bacon bomb beer was their flagship beer. Now that I think more, I see why they're closing.
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http://www.jsonline.com/story/entertainment/beer/2017/11/20/brenner-brewing-announces-close-week/882354001/ (http://www.jsonline.com/story/entertainment/beer/2017/11/20/brenner-brewing-announces-close-week/882354001/)
Good local brewery going out of business. Got too big too fast and I think fell victim to the explosion of brewery competition over the last 3 years
Eh. The only beer he brewed that I was really impressed with was the Witchcraft Imperial Stout he made a few years back.
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Any quality breweries in the Green Bay area?
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http://www.jsonline.com/story/entertainment/beer/2017/11/20/brenner-brewing-announces-close-week/882354001/ (http://www.jsonline.com/story/entertainment/beer/2017/11/20/brenner-brewing-announces-close-week/882354001/)
Good local brewery going out of business. Got too big too fast and I think fell victim to the explosion of brewery competition over the last 3 years
He fell victim to brewing an inferior product.
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Any quality breweries in the Green Bay area?
I'm not familiar with breweries in Green Bay proper, (Hinterland has a large footprint across the street from Lambeau, but I've not tried the product) but there's one in Algoma that I've frequented and can recommend:
http://www.ahnapeebrewery.com/
Der Bayerische Dunkel ist gut.
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If you are going to go as far as Algoma, I highly recommend Lion's Tail in Neenah
http://lionstailbrewing.com/
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Thanks much, fellas.
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I'm not familiar with breweries in Green Bay proper, (Hinterland has a large footprint across the street from Lambeau, but I've not tried the product) but there's one in Algoma that I've frequented and can recommend:
http://www.ahnapeebrewery.com/
Der Bayerische Dunkel ist gut.
Sorry late to the party. Titletown is a fun little tour - reminds me a lot of Lakefront. Beer is pretty good, tour is pretty fun, tap room on the roof is a cool place to hang out. Just a good way to kill off a couple hours, but not something you'll kick yourself for years if you miss.
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Any quality breweries in the Green Bay area?
Hinterlands for sure.
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So how'd everyone do in their BCBS search? Not much variety in CO, got 5 bottles BCBS, one BCBW. I should restate that - a few cases of coffee and northwoods got here, but I was about 5-10 places too far back in line to get either of those.
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So how'd everyone do in their BCBS search? Not much variety in CO, got 5 bottles BCBS, one BCBW. I should restate that - a few cases of coffee and northwoods got here, but I was about 5-10 places too far back in line to get either of those.
Pro tip for DIY BSBS Coffee...make a 24 steep of your favorite dark roasted cold brew in a French press. The the next blend 1 part coffee with 9 parts Original BCBS to make a BCBS Coffee. If you want to make this year's, just get Intelligentsia Black Cat Espresso.
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So how'd everyone do in their BCBS search? Not much variety in CO, got 5 bottles BCBS, one BCBW. I should restate that - a few cases of coffee and northwoods got here, but I was about 5-10 places too far back in line to get either of those.
Allotment was up and the line a bit shorter at my local Binny's this year. Walked in after the line was depleted and got 4 BCBS and 2 Barleywine. Probably could have obtained other variants had I got there an hour earlier.
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So how'd everyone do in their BCBS search? Not much variety in CO, got 5 bottles BCBS, one BCBW. I should restate that - a few cases of coffee and northwoods got here, but I was about 5-10 places too far back in line to get either of those.
Didn't hunt for any, just stopped at a gas station this morning that was fully stocked, no limit. They didn't have any idea of what they had. Got BCBS, coffee and Northwoods.
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Didn't hunt for any, just stopped at a gas station this morning that was fully stocked, no limit. They didn't have any idea of what they had. Got BCBS, coffee and Northwoods.
I hear these stories, but these sorts of things seem to never happen in Colorado.
Pro tip for DIY BSBS Coffee...
Good tip. I don't even like coffee+beer, would have given that one to friends!
Allotment was up and the line a bit shorter at my local Binny's this year.
Line wasn't bad here, but I heard allotment was down here, possibly due to an AB spat with the local brewers association.
http://www.coloradoan.com/story/life/food/2016/09/16/craft-brewers-boot-breckenridge-over--b-ownership/90282644/
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I hear these stories, but these sorts of things seem to never happen in Colorado.
Good tip. I don't even like coffee+beer, would have given that one to friends!
Line wasn't bad here, but I heard allotment was down here, possibly due to an AB spat with the local brewers association.
http://www.coloradoan.com/story/life/food/2016/09/16/craft-brewers-boot-breckenridge-over--b-ownership/90282644/
That is 100% not the case.
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I went to Lakefront Brewery instead of getting the 1 bottle limit nearby. Should get some BCBS later this week when my stepson calls on some of his accounts that put these aside for him.
A friend in SoCal took this pic at a Costco
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That is 100% not the case.
OK, well there certainly was not as much to go around here....
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OK, well there certainly was not as much to go around here....
Remember that local wholesalers are the ones who sell to retailers - not Goose. And the wholesaler in Denver is hot garbage. They really suck.
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Not sure how much anyone is into cider, but this one is a must try if the distribution makes it out anywhere (might just be OR and WA). It is a wild yeast fermented pear cider. One of the best I have personally ever tried. Art and Science Humble Perry
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Not sure how much anyone is into cider, but this one is a must try if the distribution makes it out anywhere (might just be OR and WA). It is a wild yeast fermented pear cider. One of the best I have personally ever tried. Art and Science Humble Perry
Looks like they have all the licensing to buy online and ship to IL and WI!
http://www.artandsciencenw.com/purchase-products/
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So how'd everyone do in their BCBS search? Not much variety in CO, got 5 bottles BCBS, one BCBW. I should restate that - a few cases of coffee and northwoods got here, but I was about 5-10 places too far back in line to get either of those.
Got about 14 regular, 4 BW and 2 Coffee.
Whole Foods this Friday to try to get some other variants
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Got about 14 regular, 4 BW and 2 Coffee.
Whole Foods this Friday to try to get some other variants
Nice haul. I got 2 regular 2017, 1 2015 Regal Rye, and a 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 vertical of regulars.
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While in Brooklyn last weekend, checked out Other Half brewing.
Lots of IPA experimentation, highly recommend.
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Had founders CBS tonight. It was meh probably going to try for prop tomorrow instead
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Had founders CBS tonight. It was meh probably going to try for prop tomorrow instead
Where did you have it? I thought it wasn't supposed to be released until today.
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Where did you have it? I thought it wasn't supposed to be released until today.
Sheffield's in Chicago had it on tap last night.
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Had founders CBS tonight. It was meh probably going to try for prop tomorrow instead
It's just slightly sweeter KBS - which really isn't Founders best BA beer.
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It's just slightly sweeter KBS - which really isn't Founders best BA beer.
Well, I picked up a 750 of it from Sendik's last night, so maybe I'll give it a year or so in the cellar and crack it out for Xmas next year and report back.
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FYI, Discount Liquor held back Bourbon County, they still have some available for the asking at the registers. (It was in their add in the Sunday paper.)
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Well, I picked up a 750 of it from Sendik's last night, so maybe I'll give it a year or so in the cellar and crack it out for Xmas next year and report back.
Had it last weekend - it's average. I just don't think Founders does a good job with barrel aged stouts. KBS nor CBS is that great.
They are one of my top 3 breweries but this style is not great.
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Had it last weekend - it's average. I just don't think Founders does a good job with barrel aged stouts. KBS nor CBS is that great.
They are one of my top 3 breweries but this style is not great.
+1 KBS and CBS are very overrated, CBS more so. Great brewery but their barrel program needs some work.
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FYI, Discount Liquor held back Bourbon County, they still have some available for the asking at the registers. (It was in their add in the Sunday paper.)
Did they hold back the variants to?
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Did they hold back the variants to?
AFAIK, no just the stout.
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AFAIK, no just the stout.
Damn
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Had it last weekend - it's average. I just don't think Founders does a good job with barrel aged stouts. KBS nor CBS is that great.
They are one of my top 3 breweries but this style is not great.
Unpopular opinion coming. I will take the Barrel Program at Central Waters over both.
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Unpopular opinion coming. I will take the Barrel Program at Central Waters over both.
I don't see that as unpopular. I see it as you recognizing quality.
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New Holland Brewing Company, limited batch, Caramel Salt Dragon's Milk. Regular Dragon's Milk is a bourbon barrel stout.
Initial flavor is the Caramel, then the bourbon hits the back of your throat, then the salt lingers just a bit. 11.5% ABV.
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Anyone try Jameson Irish whiskey Caskmates (finished in IPA barrels). I'm not a fan of IPA's (trend toward the malty side of the scale) but was curious as to what it might add to whiskey.
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Has anyone had any experience with any Brooklyn Brew Shop home brew kits? I've got the Everyday IPA kit mash going on the stove right now while sipping on some New Belgium Voodoo Ranger. The last kit I used came out tolerable but far from good. I'm hoping this is a better recipe. Well, that, and hopefully I'm getting a little better at this with each batch.
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Anyone try Jameson Irish whiskey Caskmates (finished in IPA barrels). I'm not a fan of IPA's (trend toward the malty side of the scale) but was curious as to what it might add to whiskey.
Yes it's terrible tastes watery. And considering Jameson isn't exactly full of flavor already that's saying something.
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Yes it's terrible tastes watery. And considering Jameson isn't exactly full of flavor already that's saying something.
We must be drinking different Jamesons. Whenever I have it, it tastes like Murphy's, Marquette Gyro, and bad decisions all wrapped into one drink.
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Has anyone had any experience with any Brooklyn Brew Shop home brew kits? I've got the Everyday IPA kit mash going on the stove right now while sipping on some New Belgium Voodoo Ranger. The last kit I used came out tolerable but far from good. I'm hoping this is a better recipe. Well, that, and hopefully I'm getting a little better at this with each batch.
That's what I used the first (and so far only) time I brewed. Wasn't perfect, but I was satisfied. Being my first time, I can't put any blame on the ingredients.
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We must be drinking different Jamesons. Whenever I have it, it tastes like Murphy's, Marquette Gyro, and bad decisions all wrapped into one drink.
Yeah your memories of Jameson started wayyyy later in life than mine. To me it's medicine for a cold. Hot Toddy's for the win!
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Never had the Goose Bourbon County stout before. Local store(Jacksonville, fl) got some i today and looking forward to tipping it back.
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Anyone have thoughts on 3 Sheeps? I haven't tried them yet, but I was looking into to who was making some new/good beer in MKE & Wisconsin and came across them.
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Anyone have thoughts on 3 Sheeps? I haven't tried them yet, but I was looking into to who was making some new/good beer in MKE & Wisconsin and came across them.
I used to frequent their Really Cool Waterslides IPA.
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3 Sheeps Cashmere Hammer (nitro in the bottle!), Uber Joe and Roll out the Barrel (Chardonnay version) are excellent IMO
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Anyone have thoughts on 3 Sheeps? I haven't tried them yet, but I was looking into to who was making some new/good beer in MKE & Wisconsin and came across them.
I like the Baaad Boy Black Wheat.
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I was looking into to who was making some new/good beer in MKE & Wisconsin and came across them.
Check out Third Space and Good City if you haven't already. Third Space makes some fun stuff, and GC makes some solid APA/IPAs.
Outside of the area, I'm super intrigued by Untitled Art. Some of the styles are a little out there, but the beers I've had from them have been good. Price point is high, though.
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Check out Third Space and Good City if you haven't already. Third Space makes some fun stuff, and GC makes some solid APA/IPAs.
Outside of the area, I'm super intrigued by Untitled Art. Some of the styles are a little out there, but the beers I've had from them have been good. Price point is high, though.
Thanks, Untitled Art looks right up my alley and I'll definitely check out Third Space too.
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I like the Baaad Boy Black Wheat.
Pretty sure that one has been discontinued.
Raised Grain in Waukesha makes some of the best beers around town of the newer breweries. It might sound odd but the peanut butter porter from Westallion isn't bad.
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Pretty sure that one has been discontinued.
Raised Grain in Waukesha makes some of the best beers around town of the newer breweries. It might sound odd but the peanut butter porter from Westallion isn't bad.
Bummer! That was the one beer of theirs I liked.
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Anyone have thoughts on 3 Sheeps? I haven't tried them yet, but I was looking into to who was making some new/good beer in MKE & Wisconsin and came across them.
Stopped by this past winter. Good stuff. I especially liked the Paid Time Off (coconut / black walnut) though it may be gone now. But lots of other good brews too.
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I thoroughly enjoying the Alt Bier here in Dusseldorf. It's a style I rarely see in the USA. The little glasses it's served in is fun.
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I thoroughly enjoying the Alt Bier here in Dusseldorf. It's a style I rarely see in the USA. The little glasses it's served in is fun.
Is it like a tray of kolsch?
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/e8/dc/d4/e8dcd463dcfc2ed1aa5c49173d3a8539.jpg)
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Same size glass but beer is dark in color and light in taste. It's been explained to me that Dusseldorf and Köln are rivals like Boston and New York. Don't order Kolsch in Dusseldorf and don't order Alt in Köln.
I am visiting Köln tomorrow on my off day.
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Same size glass but beer is dark in color and light in taste. It's been explained to me that Dusseldorf and Köln are rivals like Boston and New York. Don't order Kolsch in Dusseldorf and don't order Alt in Köln.
I am visiting Köln tomorrow on my off day.
Lots of fun. Also play the game of who can get the most marks on their coaster. If you have a lot of time try to head to Bamburg for Rausch Bier. My wife lived in Dusseldorf for 2.5 years and it's where we got engaged so it has a special place in my heart. We have quite a few friends who still live their too.
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Lots of fun. Also play the game of who can get the most marks on their coaster. If you have a lot of time try to head to Bamburg for Rausch Bier. My wife lived in Dusseldorf for 2.5 years and it's where we got engaged so it has a special place in my heart. We have quite a few friends who still live their too.
Chili, A beautiful place. For my morning run, have been enjoying the pedestrian only paths and sidewalks on the Rhine and throughout the city. Was in the Aldstadt last night and there is no fair way to explain all the people drinking beer in all the zillion pubs and restaurants. Incredible! Had to force myself back to the hotel.....
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Is it like a tray of kolsch?
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/e8/dc/d4/e8dcd463dcfc2ed1aa5c49173d3a8539.jpg)
I thoroughly enjoyed the Kolsch on my visit to Cologne on Saturday. I made sure to take ample time outs from visiting historical places to enjoying Kolsch. I had the pleasure of sharing a table and discussing things with some Germans.
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Bucket List checked—had my first Pliny the Elder and Blind Pig at Monk’s in Philly last weekend. I now understand all of the fuss.
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I've been a few times now to the Ballast Point tap room which opened a few weeks ago in the West Loop. Around thirty of their beers on tap (with more rotating in), including Barrel Aged Victory at Sea. Great space, very good food. I think a concept they may roll out in other places too (currently in a few spots in CA and one in VA).
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I've been a few times now to the Ballast Point tap room which opened a few weeks ago in the West Loop. Around thirty of their beers on tap (with more rotating in), including Barrel Aged Victory at Sea. Great space, very good food. I think a concept they may roll out in other places too (currently in a few spots in CA and one in VA).
STZ stock over $232. I made a lot of Scoopers rich.
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I've been a few times now to the Ballast Point tap room which opened a few weeks ago in the West Loop. Around thirty of their beers on tap (with more rotating in), including Barrel Aged Victory at Sea. Great space, very good food. I think a concept they may roll out in other places too (currently in a few spots in CA and one in VA).
Personally I find their concept stupid. They don't even brew on site. Well, they make 1 batch on a big home brew system a week - woopie!. What's the point? Personally it feels like some marketing person in their offices on Michigan Ave thought they needed a spot in Chicago now that they're based here with Constellation.
From their spot in the West Loop you could go to quite a few better tasting rooms with beer made on site within 10-15 minutes. Also places with better food.
Just my $.02.
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Personally I find their concept stupid. They don't even brew on site. Well, they make 1 batch on a big home brew system a week - woopie!. What's the point? Personally it feels like some marketing person in their offices on Michigan Ave thought they needed a spot in Chicago now that they're based here with Constellation.
From their spot in the West Loop you could go to quite a few better tasting rooms with beer made on site within 10-15 minutes. Also places with better food.
Just my $.02.
And I have! This is just another option (and a great one for me as I like many BP beers).
You are right that it is an exercise in branding/marketing. I just think it is an enjoyable one. Agree to disagree.
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If anyone will be in the Austin, Tx area in the near future, the Black Sparrow Rauch by The Texas Beer Company is OUTSTANDING. Actual brewery is out in Taylor, TX, roughly 30 minutes north of Austin.
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Just opened a 2012 BCBS... yes, today.
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Doesn't like every town have their own brewery now? Every week I see news of another brewery opening somewhere in Connecticut.
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Just opened a 2012 BCBS... yes, today.
Nice. Drank my vertical that included a '12 last year. Now I've just got '13-'17 left. Regular '15 (not rare, not tainted) is still the best! (I've done a few vertical tastings that included it). In fact it sadly clobbered the '15 rare :( Not a good beer value for the rare.
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2014 BC stout on tap right now @ Erv's mug.
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In my opinion there is a lot of bad beer in the local Milwaukee craft brewery tap rooms right now. Too many brew masters trying to be cute with creative beers, rather than producing a consistently decent product. And the whole IPA menu imbalance has already been discussed, but continues.
Which leads me to the reason for this post: I was invited to sample the beers at http://www.gatheringplacebrewing.com/ yesterday and I came away very impressed. Quality beers are being brewed there. I really enjoyed the winter seasonal. And they offer more than just one or two beers on the malty side of the scale.
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In my opinion there is a lot of bad beer in the local Milwaukee craft brewery tap rooms right now. Too many brew masters trying to be cute with creative beers, rather than producing a consistently decent product. And the whole IPA menu imbalance has already been discussed, but continues.
Which leads me to the reason for this post: I was invited to sample the beers at http://www.gatheringplacebrewing.com/ yesterday and I came away very impressed. Quality beers are being brewed there. I really enjoyed the winter seasonal. And they offer more than just one or two beers on the malty side of the scale.
The tap room is a great place to try the one-offs and see what works and what doesn't. That said, I don't think Eagle Park needs 8 NEIPAs and 4 Milkshake IPAs on their menu.
I had some of Gathering Place's beer shortly after they opened and it was hit or miss. Hopefully they're hitting their stride. Rooting for them, as they are a MU alumni biz.
Semi-related... anyone been able to find the new Lakefront BA Barleywine in MKE?
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Doesn't like every town have their own brewery now? Every week I see news of another brewery opening somewhere in Connecticut.
Every town has its own brewery with a flagship IPA, amber, and porter. And they all taste about the same. They also all look the same. Or maybe that is just the trend here in the PNW. The innovation is dying.
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Every town has its own brewery with a flagship IPA, amber, and porter. And they all taste about the same. They also all look the same.
There’s a lot of this, but I would guess it’ll start swinging the other way before too long. Brewing unspectacular beer seems pretty scalable, so I think a restaurants and pubs are just adding brewing. But it’s to the point where places with good beer lists are sticking in my head more often than brewpubs.
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There’s a lot of this, but I would guess it’ll start swinging the other way before too long. Brewing unspectacular beer seems pretty scalable, so I think a restaurants and pubs are just adding brewing. But it’s to the point where places with good beer lists are sticking in my head more often than brewpubs.
I would agree with you there. I rarely hit up the breweries here much anymore (Portland) because it’s kinda been there done that, the city breweries rightfully cater to the tourist crowd and it’s just not very imaginative anymore (couple exceptions that continuously delight). But the tap room down the street from me has 30 taps of every style imaginable. No contest.
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The tap room is a great place to try the one-offs and see what works and what doesn't. That said, I don't think Eagle Park needs 8 NEIPAs and 4 Milkshake IPAs on their menu.
I had some of Gathering Place's beer shortly after they opened and it was hit or miss. Hopefully they're hitting their stride. Rooting for them, as they are a MU alumni biz.
Semi-related... anyone been able to find the new Lakefront BA Barleywine in MKE?
Making NEIPAs in the Midwest. Nice.
3rd Space has a Midwest IPA? Is that trying to mimic NEIPAs?
I keep wondering when the saturation point will be. The guy in my local liquor store said the new local breweries here in CT are still pulling sales from the national brands and are not yet cannibalizing each other.
Trying to be different, a brewery opened in New Haven in 2018 and they only make German style beers. Another brewery just tried making Belgian style beers but they had to take on contract brewing to survive.
Each region of Germany has there own breweries and most instances their own style to boot. (When I was in Dusseldorf, there are six breweries and they pretty much only make Alt Beer and you won't see any other brands ) Maybe this is where it will head?
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We beer drinkers owe a lot to 70 year-old stiltwalkers
https://twitter.com/BBCArchive/status/1099988627713474560 (https://twitter.com/BBCArchive/status/1099988627713474560)
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Boston Beer Co. and Dogfish Head to merge
https://www.brewbound.com/news/boston-beer-company-and-dogfish-head-agree-to-merge-in-300-million-deal
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Work took me to Washburn, Wisconsin earlier this week (Bayfield County seat). Had a pint or three of Lake Superior Brewing Company "Sir Duluth Oatmeal Stout." Thinner than many stouts, but very drinkable.
https://lakesuperiorbrewing.com/
Never heard of the brewery.
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Great Taste of the Midwest today. Anyone going?
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Picked up three different 4 packs of Pueblo Vida. Phenomenal beer and can see why it's known as the best in AZ.
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Projekt Brewing out of Eau Claire has some great beer. I had their milkshake IPA and was blown away.
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Projekt Brewing out of Eau Claire has some great beer. I had their milkshake IPA and was blown away.
Papikuk was really solid from them as well.
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Papikuk was really solid from them as well.
Where have you found it around the area? The one spot I found in Lake Geneva is having trouble stocking.
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Where have you found it around the area? The one spot I found in Lake Geneva is having trouble stocking.
I found it at Discount earlier this summer. I think Ray's gets it in every now and then as well.
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Projekt Brewing out of Eau Claire has some great beer. I had their milkshake IPA and was blown away.
They're interesting... I like some of their stuff... but some of their IPAs are just acid. People go nuts for some of them, but they are terrible at balance.
I think their motto is, "Throw expensive hops at it, and lower the PH"!
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They're interesting... I like some of their stuff... but some of their IPAs are just acid. People go nuts for some of them, but they are terrible at balance.
I think their motto is, "Throw expensive hops at it, and lower the PH"!
I can see that, but I like it.
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So what's new around Milwaukee and worth checking out this weekend?
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So what's new around Milwaukee and worth checking out this weekend?
How new is new?
Taprooms I've enjoyed visiting- Third Space, Eagle Park, 1840 Brewing. Gathering Place in Riverwest was started by an alum, though I haven't been in there yet.
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How new is new?
Taprooms I've enjoyed visiting- Third Space, Eagle Park, 1840 Brewing. Gathering Place in Riverwest was started by an alum, though I haven't been in there yet.
All spots I haven't been to. Basically anything new since 2014 that isn't Mobcraft or Goodcity is new to me!
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How new is new?
Taprooms I've enjoyed visiting- Third Space, Eagle Park, 1840 Brewing. Gathering Place in Riverwest was started by an alum, though I haven't been in there yet.
Agree with these all. Gathering Place, great people but not great beer. I'd put Hacienda on the list.
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Agree with these all. Gathering Place, great people but not great beer. I'd put Hacienda on the list.
I'll second Hacienda and add Black Husky.
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I'll second Hacienda and add Black Husky.
Totally forgot about Hacienda. Great space and some super fun beer.
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Went to Raised Grain with my GF's friends who live in Waukesha. Imperial stout was a bit weak. Had quite the selection good not great IPAs, and a delicious limited release Black IPA
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Went to Raised Grain with my GF's friends who live in Waukesha. Imperial stout was a bit weak. Had quite the selection good not great IPAs, and a delicious limited release Black IPA
Forgot about that place. Couple of physicians run it. Did you have any food?
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Forgot about that place. Couple of physicians run it. Did you have any food?
I didn't. Standard brewery food, "artisan" pizzas, giant pretzels, wings etc.
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I didn't. Standard brewery food, "artisan" pizzas, giant pretzels, wings etc.
For me, their beer is so so.
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For me, their beer is so so.
Yeah there was nothing I disliked but nothing I'd tell everyone to get. Considering it's in Waukesha it's better than having another granite city or rock bottom! Lol
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Horseshoes and hand grenades from central waters?
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Been doing various Noon Whistle Gummy's for ages but decided to go with the guava sour recently and it was life changing. Went back today and left with two growlers and two four packs of their sours. (Plus a couple gummy's)
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Phantom Bride IPA by Belching Beaver Brewery is my favorite IPA these days. It's a good beer in my opinion and I like the Brewery name too :)
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Phantom Bride IPA by Belching Beaver Brewery is my favorite IPA these days. It's a good beer in my opinion and I like the Brewery name too :)
The Deftones IPA? I figured it was a gimmick and crappy. Being a fan, I should get some already.
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Been doing various Noon Whistle Gummy's for ages but decided to go with the guava sour recently and it was life changing. Went back today and left with two growlers and two four packs of their sours. (Plus a couple gummy's)
How’s it going there lately? I’ve never been, but love their stuff. I have the time to run down there lately, if I can escape the family.
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How’s it going there lately? I’ve never been, but love their stuff. I have the time to run down there lately, if I can escape the family.
There was a pretty steady line of about 6 cars pulling up and leaving with curbside orders. So seems like they'll weather the storm. If you make it down there get the lemon blueberry sour, brewery only and it's delicious.
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If you're in MKE and looking for a nice sour... I picked up a 4 pack of Fruit Salad Berliner from Vennture yesterday. Really well done... Nice tartness, not too sweet, and really soft on the palate.
Alphabetical Order from Company Brewing is another nice one. Pink Guava gose. I've been trying to support the breweries who aren't doing much in distro, since their taproom business is such a huge part of what they do.
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Phantom Bride IPA by Belching Beaver Brewery is my favorite IPA these days. It's a good beer in my opinion and I like the Brewery name too :)
Quaffed that qui...oh never mind.
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I had a growler of Mikkeller beer geek breakfast — pretty great.
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Opened the Untitled Art/Angry Chair BA Maple Vanilla Chocolate Stout tonight. Thought I'd give it a few months to mellow. Narrator: It did not mellow.
Big flavors everywhere with this thing. Not as much barrel as I thought. I've had a few of UA's pastry stouts, and I'm beginning to think they're just not my thing. Too sweet for me.
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Great Taste of the Midwest cancelled.
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Opened the Untitled Art/Angry Chair BA Maple Vanilla Chocolate Stout tonight. Thought I'd give it a few months to mellow. Narrator: It did not mellow.
Big flavors everywhere with this thing. Not as much barrel as I thought. I've had a few of UA's pastry stouts, and I'm beginning to think they're just not my thing. Too sweet for me.
Everything i've had from untitled art has been terrible. Overly sweet, artificial, underfermented mess. Don't understand the hype they receive at all.
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Everything i've had from untitled art has been terrible. Overly sweet, artificial, underfermented mess. Don't understand the hype they receive at all.
I've had some good ones from them, but they can be hit and miss. Overly sweet is where they tend to miss with me.
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Everything i've had from untitled art has been terrible. Overly sweet, artificial, underfermented mess. Don't understand the hype they receive at all.
Generally, I agree. I think it's harder to swallow than their price point!
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Great Taste of the Midwest cancelled.
Knew it was going to happen, but this is a kick in the nuts.
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One of the most popular breweries here, Legion, never used to can or bottle their beers, I guess because they never felt they needed to. But with their taprooms closed, they are canning now, and I just picked up a couple 4-packs of delicious Juicy Jay IPA.
I like supporting one of my favorite breweries, and I certainly like this delicious NE IPA.
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One of the most popular breweries here, Legion, never used to can or bottle their beers, I guess because they never felt they needed to. But with their taprooms closed, they are canning now, and I just picked up a couple 4-packs of delicious Juicy Jay IPA.
I like supporting one of my favorite breweries, and I certainly like this delicious NE IPA.
keep that cold and drink within a few days if they just picked up a canning line.
enjoy.
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Got my dark lord allotment yesterday. 8-)
First time getting it myself so I'm pretty pumped.
Also stopped off at 18th Street Brewery in Hammond on the way back which I'd heard good things about. Would definitely go back.
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Anyone find some gems yesterday?
Was able to grab two of the Lakefront BF stout and barleywine. Got some BCBS and one each of the #4, Caramella, and Kentucky Fog. Overall pretty happy with the haul.
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Anyone find some gems yesterday?
Was able to grab two of the Lakefront BF stout and barleywine. Got some BCBS and one each of the #4, Caramella, and Kentucky Fog. Overall pretty happy with the haul.
I grabbed the Good City bourbon stout with raspberries and that was really good. Nothing overpowering, which I was worried about with the raspberries.
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They opened a new beer garden by my house and I walked there and back tonight - got in a little exercise and tried a couple good beers :). They had an Eagle Park Brewery event tonight and I was really looking forward to trying the Pineapple Upside Down Cake Vegan Milkshake IPA - it did not disappoint - liked it a lot. I think I will be spending a lot of time this summer at this beer garden :) - they have a nice selection of craft beers regularly and some fun events like tonight.
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They opened a new beer garden by my house and I walked there and back tonight - got in a little exercise and tried a couple good beers :). They had an Eagle Park Brewery event tonight and I was really looking forward to trying the Pineapple Upside Down Cake Vegan Milkshake IPA - it did not disappoint - liked it a lot. I think I will be spending a lot of time this summer at this beer garden :) - they have a nice selection of craft beers regularly and some fun events like tonight.
Awesome! I wish the one in Madison was walkable from my place!
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They opened a new beer garden by my house and I walked there and back tonight - got in a little exercise and tried a couple good beers :). They had an Eagle Park Brewery event tonight and I was really looking forward to trying the Pineapple Upside Down Cake Vegan Milkshake IPA - it did not disappoint - liked it a lot. I think I will be spending a lot of time this summer at this beer garden :) - they have a nice selection of craft beers regularly and some fun events like tonight.
Is that “The Tap”? I know they are putting one in Waukesha and Bayshore Mall.
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Awesome! I wish the one in Madison was walkable from my place!
Anything's walkable if you put your mind to it.
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Anything's walkable if you put your mind to it.
Are you Lewis or Clark?
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Is that “The Tap”? I know they are putting one in Waukesha and Bayshore Mall.
Yes - the Tap Yard in Waukesha opened this week and I think I saw the one at Bayshore opens next week. There's also one in Milwaukee and they have a reward you can get if you check into all 3 locations in the same month.
They have a really nice beer selection - I think I'll be spending a bit too much money there this summer :).
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I decided this was an appropriate thread for some wisdom I just uncovered........
'After doing some yardwork yesterday I sat down and had a cold beer.
The day was quite beautiful, and my drink facilitated some deep thinking.
My wife walked by and asked what I was doing. I said, "Nothing."
Now the reason I said "nothing" instead of saying "just thinking" is because she then would have asked, "Thinking about what?"
At that point I would have had to explain that men are deep thinkers about various topics, which would lead to other questions. She left me alone.
After another beer I pondered the age old question:
What is more painful, giving birth or getting kicked in the nuts?
Women always maintain that giving birth is way more painful than a guy getting kicked in the nuts, but how could they know?
Well, after another beer or two, and some more heavy deductive thinking, I have come up with the answer to that question.
Getting kicked in the nuts is more painful than having a baby. Even though I obviously couldn't really know, here is the reason for my conclusion:
A year or so after giving birth, a woman will often say, "It might be nice to have another child."
I have never heard a guy say, "You know, I think I would like another kick in the nuts."
I rest my case.
Time for another beer.'
Brilliant.
Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there.
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Took my family visiting from Seattle to one of my favorite Charlotte breweries yesterday, Lower Left, and we enjoyed (among others) their wonderfully named (and delicious) hazy IPA:
Juicy McJuiceface.
Then we went down the street to Shake Shack, so darn close to a perfect late-afternoon/early-evening of healthy consumption!!
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Bell's has been sold. Larry Bell is retiring.
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Bell's has been sold. Larry Bell is retiring.
I just saw him, albeit briefly, in Scottsdale for a quick cocktail hour and no mention of it. Due to this he's no longer invited to my wedding.
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Bell's has been sold. Larry Bell is retiring.
Damn, hope they don't mess with what is working.
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Damn, hope they don't mess with what is working.
What WAS working? double cream stout maybe, I never was much a fan of Bells
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What WAS working? double cream stout maybe, I never was much a fan of Bells
Two Hearted
Hopslam
all of the planet series
Consecrator Doppelbock
Expedition Stout
OBERON
Third Coast Old Ale
IMO, they're one of the best of the Midwest.
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What WAS working? double cream stout maybe, I never was much a fan of Bells
Bell's Porter is extremely good. Two Hearted and Oberon are pretty tasty as well. I hope they continue these unchanged.
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OK, I can get behind Hopslam and Expedition, I was not familiar with the planet series but would have interest in Saturn or Uranus. I never saw the lure of 2 Hearted or Oberon.
Good thing there is plenty of options for us all, my current favorite brew is Backwoods Bastard, love that it's out all year now.
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OK, I can get behind Hopslam and Expedition, I was not familiar with the planet series but would have interest in Saturn or Uranus. I never saw the lure of 2 Hearted or Oberon.
Good thing there is plenty of options for us all, my current favorite brew is Backwoods Bastard, love that it's out all year now.
Founder's is amazing and I love Backwoods Bastard as well.
Oberon is a great beer to start the summer and a top notch wheat beer for a warm June Saturday after cutting the grass or watching the sunset.
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What WAS working? double cream stout maybe, I never was much a fan of Bells
They sell Bells out here in Connecticut. I never bought because I have too many good local choices.
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Has anyone tried the Indeed Pistachio Cream Ale? Maybe I'm crazy but it's not half bad.
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Has anyone tried the Indeed Pistachio Cream Ale? Maybe I'm crazy but it's not half bad.
I’m also a fan
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Definitely in my summer rotation. It's pretty dang good.
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Has anyone tried the Indeed Pistachio Cream Ale? Maybe I'm crazy but it's not half bad.
I like this beer as well (and typically don't like Indeed's beers very much). For those that like it, Point has a seasonal pistachio brown ale that is also delicious.
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Got my dark lord allotment today, chemtrail and hanjee for variants. It's gonna be a good Christmas season
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Got my dark lord allotment today, chemtrail and hanjee for variants. It's gonna be a good Christmas season
Three Floyd's? Be extremely careful Galway. That can inflict quite a bit of damage if you get carried away
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Three Floyd's? Be extremely careful Galway. That can inflict quite a bit of damage if you get carried away
Yup 3 Floyd's, took the trip to lovely Hammond Munster, IN during an extended lunch.
And don't worry I have a whole whisk(e)y & stout room dedicated to containing any said damage ;)
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Yup 3 Floyd's, took the trip to lovely Hammond, IN during an extended lunch.
And don't worry I have a whole whisk(e)y & stout room dedicated to containing any said damage ;)
My cousin lives in St. John, IN which I think is about 30 mins away from Munster. He knows the owners fairly well. According to my cousin, when they started years ago, they literally had no idea what they were doing from a business perspective. They also didn't particularly care about making any coin. Apparently, after 10 yrs or so, they decided maybe they should do this thing for a living. I think they made the right choice.
I believe people used to line up for Dark Lord when they made like 15 bottles a year. Are they still limiting their production?
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My cousin lives in St. John, IN which I think is about 30 mins away from Munster. He knows the owners fairly well. According to my cousin, when they started years ago, they literally had no idea what they were doing from a business perspective. They also didn't particularly care about making any coin. Apparently, after 10 yrs or so, they decided maybe they should do this thing for a living. I think they made the right choice.
I believe people used to line up for Dark Lord when they made like 15 bottles a year. Are they still limiting their production?
Yes they release it once a year and it's limited. They might not care but between the quality of beer (despite being ridiculously hoppy for certain styles) and food they're doing it right. Excited to see what comes out of the new distillery.
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Yes they release it once a year and it's limited. They might not care but between the quality of beer (despite being ridiculously hoppy for certain styles) and food they're doing it right. Excited to see what comes out of the new distillery.
I like stories when the quality of the product(s) destermine ultimate success. Clearly there was huge word of mouth with 3 Floyd's.
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I'd heard great things about Zombie Dust for years but could never find anywhere to get it. Finally got some from a liquor store and then didn't even end up liking it that much :) . It wasn't horrible but it had been so hyped to me and don't think it could ever live up to its hype. We stopped at 3 Floyds for lunch on our way to Indy a few years ago (a little out of the way but a fun stop) and I picked up a few of their beers to take home then - I discovered I liked some of their other beers better than Zombie Dust.
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I'd heard great things about Zombie Dust for years but could never find anywhere to get it. Finally got some from a liquor store and then didn't even end up liking it that much :) . It wasn't horrible but it had been so hyped to me and don't think it could ever live up to its hype. We stopped at 3 Floyds for lunch on our way to Indy a few years ago (a little out of the way but a fun stop) and I picked up a few of their beers to take home then - I discovered I liked some of their other beers better than Zombie Dust.
I'm with you,. I haven't had it for a few years but never thought it was worth the hype. I like Robert the Bruce if it still exists.
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https://www.reuters.com/business/exclusive-treasury-wants-stir-up-us-alcohol-market-help-smaller-players-2022-02-09/
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https://www.reuters.com/business/exclusive-treasury-wants-stir-up-us-alcohol-market-help-smaller-players-2022-02-09/
Good in theory, doubt much changes, especially in Wisconsin.
The big producers and wholesalers have a lot of finiancial muscle that make it hard for the little guys to be competitive. Hopefully, we see this lessen but my hunch is, it’ll be business as usual
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Anybody else Jonesing for Maibock being available again. One of my favorite Holidays.
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Anybody else Jonesing for Maibock being available again. One of my favorite Holidays.
Dopplebock is the holiday beer.
Maibock (May bock) is the spring beer so you won't have to wait long. Lakefront Brewery made (if they still do) one of the best maibocks that I remember.
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Lakefront's Maibock just came out. Capital used to have a pretty good one, but it's been years (and several changes there) since I've had it.
I'm hoping Dovetail's makes it up to MKE.
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Dopplebock is the holiday beer.
Maibock (May bock) is the spring beer so you won't have to wait long. Lakefront Brewery made (if they still do) one of the best maibocks that I remember.
My Holidays revolve around beer releases
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My Holidays revolve around beer releases
The 6 foot PBR case release? ;D
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The 6 foot PBR case release? ;D
For me that is National Sleeping in Tomorrow Day.
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I'm having a Chimay Green. I must say it's excellent, perhaps the best of the Chimay's. I thought 10% would be too much but it is going down very smoothly.
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I have never tried the green, but will do so at first opportunity, given how good the rest of their line-up is.
Have you tried Gulden Draak? It's 10.5% and unbelievably smooth. That and St. Bernardus are both 99 rated beers. Different from one another, but both delicious.
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Gulden Draak, very similar to Duvel right? Was always one of my favorites.
Haven't had the Chimay green, but have a bomber in the blue chilling in the fridge.
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Gulden Draak, very similar to Duvel right? Was always one of my favorites.
Haven't had the Chimay green, but have a bomber in the blue chilling in the fridge.
Smoother than Duvel, IMO, but somewhat different style, too. Duvel is a Strong Ale, while Gulden Draak is kind of unique in that is a dark triple, so it combines being a triple with being a quad; I've heard it called a triple-and-a-half. They also make a straight quad (the 9000), which isn't bad, but I prefer the original (which they refer to as the Classic).
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I have never tried the green, but will do so at first opportunity, given how good the rest of their line-up is.
Have you tried Gulden Draak? It's 10.5% and unbelievably smooth. That and St. Bernardus are both 99 rated beers. Different from one another, but both delicious.
I have had G-Draak a number of times.
is that considered a Belgian Strong Ale? Excellent beer. I'm not sure if Chimay Green isthat good, I think it's definitely a little different than both a quad or triple. Smooth, but with several complex flavors and a bit yeasty but in a good way. I think it has a very slight apricot overtone but it's not sweet or too hoppy. It's $26 a 4-Pack but I really enjoyed my first one.
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I just poured an Orval. Has anyone had this beer? I'm kinda stumped. I have no idea how to describe it. It's labeled a Belgian Trappist Ale but doesn't resemble a Trappist at all and is under 7% ABV. It may be the most unusual beer I've ever tried. It's definitely funky but not in a bad way.
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I just poured an Orval. Has anyone had this beer? I'm kinda stumped. I have no idea how to describe it. It's labeled a Belgian Trappist Ale but doesn't resemble a Trappist at all and is under 7% ABV. It may be the most unusual beer I've ever tried. It's definitely funky but not in a bad way.
Plenty of experience. Visited the Abbey. A chalice of that at A L'Ange Gardien is divine.
Trappist is a moniker for beer produced by monks, not a specific style. Orval is a Belgian Pale that gets it's funk from the yeast which is Brett Brux.
Typical styles produced by Trappist would be a blonde, a dubbel, a tripel, a quad, or even a light Patersbier. Orval stands out on its own since that abbey only brews that one style (though they do have a "petit" version only available at A L'Ange Gardien). It's great.
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Plenty of experience. Visited the Abbey. A chalice of that at A L'Ange Gardien is divine.
Trappist is a moniker for beer produced by monks, not a specific style. Orval is a Belgian Pale that gets it's funk from the yeast which is Brett Brux.
Typical styles produced by Trappist would be a blonde, a dubbel, a tripel, a quad, or even a light Patersbier. Orval stands out on its own since that abbey only brews that one style (though they do have a "petit" version only available at A L'Ange Gardien). It's great.
Ty Golden Avalanche. I think I actually liked it the more sips I had last night. I would agree it definitely stands out. Any thoughts on your favorite quads?
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Always enjoyed Chimay when I lived in Belgium
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I like Gulden Draak 9000, a quad.
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Ty Golden Avalanche. I think I actually liked it the more sips I had last night. I would agree it definitely stands out. Any thoughts on your favorite quads?
For me, the standard in that quad style is the St. Bernardus ABT 12. They've been at it for so long that its dialed in to just about the highest quality you could expect.
I agree on Spotcheck's suggestion about the Gulden Draak. Very tasty. My other favorite is the Straffe Hendrik by De Halve Maan but I'm not too sure that's readily available here in the States.
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I like Gulden Draak 9000, a quad.
Personally, I like the original Gulden Draak more than the 9000, though I've heard the former described as "a triple-and-a-half".
Saint Bernardus is the other clear stud in the quad category.
Not quads, but I also currently like both the vanilla rye porter and dark and stormy reserve offerings from Central Waters.
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Not quads, but I also currently like both the vanilla porter and dark and stormy reserve offerings from Central Waters.
If it can still be found, IMO the best CW offering currently is His Dudeness, an Imperial Stout w/ Cocoa Nibs, Lactose, Vanilla Beans, Coffee Beans, & Brown Sugar
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Enjoying my last Alt Beer in Dusseldorf. Off to Budapest tomorrow.
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Personally, I like the original Gulden Draak more than the 9000, though I've heard the former described as "a triple-and-a-half".
Saint Bernardus is the other clear stud in the quad category.
Not quads, but I also currently like both the vanilla rye porter and dark and stormy reserve offerings from Central Waters.
I think Central Waters has a quad?
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For me, the standard in that quad style is the St. Bernardus ABT 12. They've been at it for so long that its dialed in to just about the highest quality you could expect.
I agree on Spotcheck's suggestion about the Gulden Draak. Very tasty. My other favorite is the Straffe Hendrik by De Halve Maan but I'm not too sure that's readily available here in the States.
Yes, St.Bernardus 12 is excellent. I actually like their blonde a lot too. Have you had Rochefort 10 or La Trappe's quad? I think L-Traappe is superb.
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I think Central Waters has a quad?
Not during my recent visit, but it could very well be a seasonal or a one-off like their Brewer's Reserve line.
I have become a big fan of rauchbiers, though they are pretty hard to find. The offerings from Aecht Schlenkerla are about the only ones I can get my hands on consistently, though there is a brewery in Austin, Live Oak, that is known for their smoked beers and has multiple different types year round, they just don't distribute very far.
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Not during my recent visit, but it could very well be a seasonal or a one-off like their Brewer's Reserve line.
I have become a big fan of rauchbiers, though they are pretty hard to find. The offerings from Aecht Schlenkerla are about the only ones I can get my hands on consistently, though there is a brewery in Austin, Live Oak, that is known for their smoked beers and has multiple different types year round, they just don't distribute very far.
Ya....I guess their quad was a limited.
I think I had a German smoked beer before that was quote good but I can't remember for sure.
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Yes, St.Bernardus 12 is excellent. I actually like their blonde a lot too. Have you had Rochefort 10 or La Trappe's quad? I think L-Traappe is superb.
Both are very good. La Trappe a bit underrated amongst the masses. They do it right.
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Both are very good. La Trappe a bit underrated amongst the masses. They do it right.
Yes! There are a few Belgian beers that I had in Leuven and Brugge that I can't find here. Brugge Tripel, Tongelo, and the Hoegaarden Grand Cru. WTF? I would also like to try Westleeven? but good luck with that. :(
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If you like quads Boulevard brewing from Kansas City, MO is as fine of an attempt as you'll see in the US.
IMO, of course.
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If you like quads Boulevard brewing from Kansas City, MO is as fine of an attempt as you'll see in the US.
IMO, of course.
I agree. And the barrel-aged quad is a treat as well.
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Yes! There are a few Belgian beers that I had in Leuven and Brugge that I can't find here. Brugge Tripel, Tongelo, and the Hoegaarden Grand Cru. WTF? I would also like to try Westleeven? but good luck with that. :(
You've had it without knowing it. ;)
St. Bernardus ABT 12 and Westy 12 are indecipherable in a blind tasting. In fact, St. Bernardus brewed Westy 12 (calling it St. Sixtus) starting sometime in the 40s until 1992 when the monks took back the entirety of production.
Like most food/beverage experiences the story and branding add in the exotics for Westy (and all three of their offerings are really very good) but having had both more times than I can remember enjoying the St. Bernardus isn't a step down in quality at all.
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You've had it without knowing it. ;)
St. Bernardus ABT 12 and Westy 12 are indecipherable in a blind tasting. In fact, St. Bernardus brewed Westy 12 (calling it St. Sixtus) starting sometime in the 40s until 1992 when the monks took back the entirety of production.
Like most food/beverage experiences the story and branding add in the exotics for Westy (and all three of their offerings are really very good) but having had both more times than I can remember enjoying the St. Bernardus isn't a step down in quality at all.
Really? Cool. I never knew that! Now I don't feel so deprived. :)
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I still remember buying St. Sixtus at the Market Basket in Butler for $1/bottle out of the clearance cart.
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I still remember buying St. Sixtus at the Market Basket in Butler for $1/bottle out of the clearance cart.
This is just flat out remarkable. What a world.
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I'm having a Val-Dieu on tap.
Excellent, excellent, beer.
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Ale Asylum to close
https://madison.com/business/ale-asylum-madisons-largest-craft-brewing-company-closes-its-doors/article_ac787248-4f5f-5918-95ee-a9e6ddd40f53.html?utm_campaign=snd-autopilot&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_Wisconsin_State_Journal&fbclid=IwAR1Y36i7zPzrytz8uWWxBneoL8M1SpIhmzu0xkZHHUoLvfm-4FltJngvnrs&fs=e&s=cl
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Had my first Delirium Nocturnum over the weekend. That was one smooth, delicious Belgian strong ale.
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Had my first Delirium Nocturnum over the weekend. That was one smooth, delicious Belgian strong ale.
Is the Nocturnum 8.5% like Tremens?
I've come to the conclusion that St.Bernadus 12 and La Trappe are the best quads and Val Dieu is the best power Blonde. I have yet to try Westmalle. Rochefort 10 is a wee bit too sweet for me. Orval is really growing on me. I'm grateful to have this beer in my rotation.
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Is the Nocturnum 8.5% like Tremens?
I've come to the conclusion that St.Bernadus 12 and La Trappe are the best quads and Val Dieu is the best power Blonde. I have yet to try Westmalle. Rochefort 10 is a wee bit too sweet for me. Orval is really growing on me. I'm grateful to have this beer in my rotation.
Yep, a sneaky 8.5%. Nocturnum does have a little sweetness to it, but I'd urge you to try one.
I'm a big fan of Westmalle's dubble and tripel. Definitely give them a try.
We have a brewery here in Charlotte, Sugar Creek, that has the best Belgian-style dubbel in town IMHO. They also have one of my go-to refreshing beers, a blood orange IPA they call The Big O.
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Yep, a sneaky 8.5%. Nocturnum does have a little sweetness to it, but I'd urge you to try one.
I'm a big fan of Westmalle's dubble and tripel. Definitely give them a try.
We have a brewery here in Charlotte, Sugar Creek, that has the best Belgian-style dubbel in town IMHO. They also have one of my go-to refreshing beers, a blood orange IPA they call The Big O.
I rarely like IPA's. My overall take is we're better off with 2 Belgians than pretty much any other beer plan unless you want to get wasted. I often have Guinness and a solid Euro Pilsner or Lager in my fridge. As far as microbrews? Call me crazy but they seem pointless to me if you've had the Belgian arsenal.
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Had my first Delirium Nocturnum over the weekend. That was one smooth, delicious Belgian strong ale.
Their home base in Brussels is a fun spot... but it is ALWAYS packed.
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Their home base in Brussels is a fun spot... but it is ALWAYS packed.
Either in 2023 or 2024, we're planning on doing a Belgium and Germany trip that will feature more than a little beer. Thanks for that tip.
I rarely like IPA's. My overall take is we're better off with 2 Belgians than pretty much any other beer plan unless you want to get wasted. I often have Guinness and a solid Euro Pilsner or Lager in my fridge. As far as microbrews? Call me crazy but they seem pointless to me if you've had the Belgian arsenal.
I admit that I'm a sucker for hazy IPAs. I especially like Mosaic hops but I'll try any of them. What I really like is trying a variety of things. I used to dislike sours but now I really like some Berliners and Goses. I'll quaff an occasional wheat, amber or regular IPA. I like a good Lager, too. But I don't like coffee, so that eliminates a lot of stouts.
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I seem to have lost all beer taste except for the best hazy IPAs...
Either in 2023 or 2024, we're planning on doing a Belgium and Germany trip that will feature more than a little beer. Thanks for that tip.
I admit that I'm a sucker for hazy IPAs. I especially like Mosaic hops but I'll try any of them. What I really like is trying a variety of things. I used to dislike sours but now I really like some Berliners and Goses. I'll quaff an occasional wheat, amber or regular IPA. I like a good Lager, too. But I don't like coffee, so that eliminates a lot of stouts.
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Gouden Carolus is also a solid Tripel.
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don't sleep on Kasteel or Piraat (not a quad) either
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don't sleep on Kasteel or Piraat (not a quad) either
I'll have to snag a Kasteel. Pirrat is another prime-time Belgian brew. The monks really knew what they were doing.
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Ale Asylum to close
https://madison.com/business/ale-asylum-madisons-largest-craft-brewing-company-closes-its-doors/article_ac787248-4f5f-5918-95ee-a9e6ddd40f53.html?utm_campaign=snd-autopilot&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_Wisconsin_State_Journal&fbclid=IwAR1Y36i7zPzrytz8uWWxBneoL8M1SpIhmzu0xkZHHUoLvfm-4FltJngvnrs&fs=e&s=cl
Seeing this trend in my area as well. Two breweries went down in the last three months, and three overall this year. Pandemic + oversaturation.
OTOH, was in SF/San Jose for the last week and every brewery I visited (4) was packed.
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Seeing this trend in my area as well. Two breweries went down in the last three months, and three overall this year. Pandemic + oversaturation.
OTOH, was in SF/San Jose for the last week and every brewery I visited (4) was packed.
The problem with Ale Asylum is that they served food, which brings down margins considerably, had too large a taphouse, and every one of their beers was really hoppy. Which I don't mind, but others do.
I think the smaller, beer only type places are going to be just fine. Their margins are usually north of 40%, so it doesn't take huge crowds to cover costs.
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The problem with Ale Asylum is that they served food, which brings down margins considerably, had too large a taphouse, and every one of their beers was really hoppy. Which I don't mind, but others do.
I think the smaller, beer only type places are going to be just fine. Their margins are usually north of 40%, so it doesn't take huge crowds to cover costs.
Maybe, but their beer was also pretty overrated.
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don't sleep on Kasteel or Piraat (not a quad) either
Damn, I had one of those Kasteel Nitro Quads not all that long ago and it was terrific.
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Seeing this trend in my area as well. Two breweries went down in the last three months, and three overall this year. Pandemic + oversaturation.
OTOH, was in SF/San Jose for the last week and every brewery I visited (4) was packed.
Charlotte has become a beer mecca, approaching 50 breweries here. (When we moved here in 2010, there were 2!) A couple of breweries went out of business during Covid, but several have opened in the last 2 years, and we're getting a second one in my little suburb soon.
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Maybe, but their beer was also pretty overrated.
I agree with that.
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The problem with Ale Asylum is that they served food, which brings down margins considerably, had too large a taphouse, and every one of their beers was really hoppy. Which I don't mind, but others do.
I think the smaller, beer only type places are going to be just fine. Their margins are usually north of 40%, so it doesn't take huge crowds to cover costs.
Very off base.
the taphouse wasn't too big, but the brewery they built was. I frequently stopped in AA and there was nowhere to sit near the bar. The other option was tables, but they felt so separated from anything fun at the brewery. Also, not every beer was hoppy. They had a full palate of beers. Big Slick, Unshadowed, FVCK COVID... etc. A ton of seasonal Belgian styles... they had everything. UNFORTUNATELY, they started chasing the fads and buying expensive hops... and the beers they made with those hops were totally garbage and unrefined. They sat on the shelf and AA totally lost their identity. Ambergeddon and Hopalicious were great beers, and they got away from pushing them. It was a remarkable business failure.
The 'restaurant' at AA was also garbo, but it had a very small menu that was mostly sandwich stuff, IIRC. It was totally unremarkable and should never have existed.
AA failed due to the rapid expensive expansion, beer consistency on the scale up, and getting away from their wheelhouse.
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Very off base.
the taphouse wasn't too big, but the brewery they built was. I frequently stopped in AA and there was nowhere to sit near the bar. The other option was tables, but they felt so separated from anything fun at the brewery. Also, not every beer was hoppy. They had a full palate of beers. Big Slick, Unshadowed, FVCK COVID... etc. A ton of seasonal Belgian styles... they had everything. UNFORTUNATELY, they started chasing the fads and buying expensive hops... and the beers they made with those hops were totally garbage and unrefined. They sat on the shelf and AA totally lost their identity. Ambergeddon and Hopalicious were great beers, and they got away from pushing them. It was a remarkable business failure.
The 'restaurant' at AA was also garbo, but it had a very small menu that was mostly sandwich stuff, IIRC. It was totally unremarkable and should never have existed.
AA failed due to the rapid expensive expansion, beer consistency on the scale up, and getting away from their wheelhouse.
One could almost replace AA with MKE Brewing Co. and have the same story.
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Nope, nope, nope. Never wanted dessert that tasted like the ‘Lanche.
Miller High Life Makes an Ice Cream Bar That Tastes Like Dive Bars
https://www.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/news/where-to-buy-dive-bar-ice-cream-bar-miller-high-life-tipsy-scoop
In honor of the institution that is dive bars and the 100th anniversary of the ice cream bar, Miller High Life partnered with Tipsy Scoop to create the Ice Cream Dive Bar. This ice cream is, of course, infused with High Life, but also a peanut swirl to reflect the peanut shells always found on the floor of those bars, a bit of tobacco smoke flavor, as well as a caramel swirl, sprinkle of carbonated candy and a dark chocolate dip.
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Nope, nope, nope. Never wanted dessert that tasted like the ‘Lanche.
Miller High Life Makes an Ice Cream Bar That Tastes Like Dive Bars
https://www.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/news/where-to-buy-dive-bar-ice-cream-bar-miller-high-life-tipsy-scoop
In honor of the institution that is dive bars and the 100th anniversary of the ice cream bar, Miller High Life partnered with Tipsy Scoop to create the Ice Cream Dive Bar. This ice cream is, of course, infused with High Life, but also a peanut swirl to reflect the peanut shells always found on the floor of those bars, a bit of tobacco smoke flavor, as well as a caramel swirl, sprinkle of carbonated candy and a dark chocolate dip.
How about a bit of vomit for the proverbial cherry on top?
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How about a bit of vomit for the proverbial cherry on top?
The butt end comes with embedded glass shards
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How do you turn a naked beer slide into a flavor?
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MKE Brewing is no more. A new brewery will be taking over the 9th street facility.
Two WI craft OGs gone this year.
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MKE Brewing is no more. A new brewery will be taking over the 9th street facility.
Two WI craft OGs gone this year.
I had to Google. That was favorite Milwaukee brewery to visit. That's too bad.
Over expansion?
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I had to Google. That was favorite Milwaukee brewery to visit. That's too bad.
Over expansion?
Owners ready to be done.
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MKE Brewing is no more. A new brewery will be taking over the 9th street facility.
Two WI craft OGs gone this year.
And the state shrugs. Average brewer and the only time I went to their place was to do the 'open house' portion.
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And the state shrugs. Average brewer and the only time I went to their place was to do the 'open house' portion.
Agree, never had anything exciting or interesting. Very middle of the road.
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Agree, never had anything exciting or interesting. Very middle of the road.
Totally agree.
Looks like they sold to Pilot Project Brewing? Seems like a massive space for a small brewery incubator.
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Totally agree.
Looks like they sold to Pilot Project Brewing? Seems like a massive space for a small brewery incubator.
That’s something.
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One of our bigger breweries, Sycamore Brewing, is back again with new sex-themed labels for its Xmas ale.
https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/whats-in-store/article268931602.html?ac_cid=DM728285&ac_bid=1426226778
Sycamore Brewing’s risqué Christmas ale labels are a bit subtler this year, but still might land them on some people’s naughty list.
Over the past three years, the cans have been wrapped in labels with sex toys in the shape of snowflakes, gingerbread men in bondage and reindeer in sexual positions. The annual holiday release has sparked controversy, resulting in the cans being pulled in 2019 because of frisky reindeer, a design that the state liquor board had not approved at the time.
This year, the Charlotte brewery rolled out two approved designs where you have to look closely to see elves wrapping sex toys tagged for mom and dad, and the other, elves wearing sweaters with images of past labels.
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Jamaica's Red Stripe was actually 1st brewed by Galena Brewing (1833-1938) in IL.(https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3da02c1/2147483647/strip/true/crop/566x370+0+0/resize/1760x1150!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fc2%2F34%2F3a1dd9244316a567ff50491c2964%2Filhis1011.jpg)
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One of our bigger breweries, Sycamore Brewing, is back again with new sex-themed labels for its Xmas ale.
https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/whats-in-store/article268931602.html?ac_cid=DM728285&ac_bid=1426226778
Sycamore Brewing’s risqué Christmas ale labels are a bit subtler this year, but still might land them on some people’s naughty list.
Over the past three years, the cans have been wrapped in labels with sex toys in the shape of snowflakes, gingerbread men in bondage and reindeer in sexual positions. The annual holiday release has sparked controversy, resulting in the cans being pulled in 2019 because of frisky reindeer, a design that the state liquor board had not approved at the time.
This year, the Charlotte brewery rolled out two approved designs where you have to look closely to see elves wrapping sex toys tagged for mom and dad, and the other, elves wearing sweaters with images of past labels.
Paywall!?!
(https://scontent-den4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/315659810_2413924898775349_1080764559776151658_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=340051&_nc_ohc=UWyr0DIyUdoAX8qUEVG&_nc_ht=scontent-den4-1.xx&oh=00_AfD_eNXcr37ysn-_IfE4pZUEKXIibs8v6YuoKP72XFBa5Q&oe=6381DDDC)
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Jamaica's Red Stripe was actually 1st brewed by Galena Brewing (1833-1938) in IL.(https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3da02c1/2147483647/strip/true/crop/566x370+0+0/resize/1760x1150!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fc2%2F34%2F3a1dd9244316a567ff50491c2964%2Filhis1011.jpg)
Cool.......did James Bond not know this?
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Jamaica's Red Stripe was actually 1st brewed by Galena Brewing (1833-1938) in IL.(https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3da02c1/2147483647/strip/true/crop/566x370+0+0/resize/1760x1150!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fc2%2F34%2F3a1dd9244316a567ff50491c2964%2Filhis1011.jpg)
And now the US distributed Red Stripe is brewed in LaCrosse, at the old Old Style brewery.
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And now the US distributed Red Stripe is brewed in LaCrosse, at the old Old Style brewery.
Brewing was moved back to Kingston in 2016 after Diageo became owners
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Brewing was moved back to Kingston in 2016 after Diageo became owners
Well, Wikipedia says different. 8-)
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Well, Wikipedia says different. 8-)
Wiki has part of the answer if you kept reading. If you buy any the label states made in Kingston. It also tastes better since that move. The RS made in the US tasted like crap.
In 2012, Diageo moved production of the U.S. supply of Red Stripe from Jamaica to the U.S.; The supply is produced by City Brewing Co. in La Crosse, Wisconsin and the Latrobe Brewing Company in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, which was the main brewery for Rolling Rock for over 60 years. Desnoes & Geddes will still make Red Stripe for Jamaica, Brazil, Canada and Europe.[7]
On 7 September 2016 the company celebrated the shipment of the first container of Red Stripe to be exported to the United States from Jamaica in 4 years. The company says this historic move is core to the company's mission of re-establishing Jamaica as the global hub for the Jamaican brand.
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Wiki has part of the answer if you kept reading. If you buy any the label states made in Kingston. It also tastes better since that move. The RS made in the US tasted like crap.
Hey, I found a fact that was interesting regardless of the rest of the story. I'm chicos. ;D
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KBBS
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I'm having a Fuller's ESB on tap. Holy crap......excellent brew.
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I'm having a Fuller's ESB on tap. Holy crap......excellent brew.
I agree with this assessment. Thanks for the reminder!
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Does anyone have a list of beers I can drink that aren’t being cancelled?
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I agree with this assessment. Thanks for the reminder!
I'm not sure I've had it for at least 10 yrs. it sort of reminds me of a good Marzen? I
I dunno.
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I'm not sure I've had it for at least 10 yrs. it sort of reminds me of a good Marzen? I
I dunno.
lager vs. ale?
I brewed a clone of Fuller's ESB and Vintage ale many times (both were a favorite) and several marzen recipes but never thought there was any similarity in the styles
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lager vs. ale?
I brewed a clone of Fuller's ESB and Vintage ale many times (both were a favorite) and several marzen recipes but never thought there was any similarity in the styles
I accept your expertise S-Check.
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I'm not sure I've had it for at least 10 yrs. it sort of reminds me of a good Marzen? I
I dunno.
What? Those styles are completely different.
My bad, didn't see Billy said so.
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Anyone see that new bud lite commercial ?
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5 best German Brews? I know there are vast differences but the three I generally buy or snag on tap are: Schnieder-Weisse, Goffel, and the Ayinger Marzen O-Fest (when they have it). Reissdorf does have a cool glass.
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5 best German Brews? I know there are vast differences but the three I generally buy or snag on tap are: Schnieder-Weisse, Goffel, and the Ayinger Marzen O-Fest (when they have it). Reissdorf does have a cool glass.
We don't see most of the German brews on the shelves here. Gaffel is one of 6 Kolsch brewers.
It depends where in Germany you are to what is brewed. Dusseldorf - only Alt beers; Cologne - only Kolsch beers; Munich - Helles or Dunkel beers and the fest beers are only seen for Octoberfest; Hamburg/NW Germany - you get the Beck's beer types; Berlin - Weiss beers
I usually hit the supermarket when I'm there for work and pack a few bottles in the suitcase for home.
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5 best German Brews? I know there are vast differences but the three I generally buy or snag on tap are: Schnieder-Weisse, Goffel, and the Ayinger Marzen O-Fest (when they have it). Reissdorf does have a cool glass.
Personally, I love Augustiner-Bräu beers. I also like Köstritzer Schwarzbier and Franziskaner Hefe
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Optimator is hard for me to pass up
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5 best German Brews? I know there are vast differences but the three I generally buy or snag on tap are: Schnieder-Weisse, Goffel, and the Ayinger Marzen O-Fest (when they have it). Reissdorf does have a cool glass.
That question, as noted in the replies will vary widely from area to area (heck town to town) in Germany.
We don't see most of the German brews on the shelves here. Gaffel is one of 6 Kolsch brewers.
It depends where in Germany you are to what is brewed. Dusseldorf - only Alt beers; Cologne - only Kolsch beers; Munich - Helles or Dunkel beers and the fest beers are only seen for Octoberfest; Hamburg/NW Germany - you get the Beck's beer types; Berlin - Weiss beers
I usually hit the supermarket when I'm there for work and pack a few bottles in the suitcase for home.
I wouldn't say only, but primarily. In the town near where my company is located in Germany, their local brewery has several types on tap. And when you order a sampler, each type is served in a miniature of the proper class.
I am not sure I am welcome back in Cologne. I mentioned that I do not like Kolsch beer. I left there much the way Dr. Frankenstein left town, with villagers chasing with torches and pitchforks.
Personally, I love Augustiner-Bräu beers. I also like Köstritzer Schwarzbier and Franziskaner Hefe
Nothing better than sitting at the Augustiner-Keller biergarten in Munich in nice weather (along with several hundred of your closest friends) - or their cellar in winter.
BTW, I like a good dunkel or a dunkelweiss, but hard to get in the US.
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That question, as noted in the replies will vary widely from area to area (heck town to town) in Germany.
I wouldn't say only, but primarily. In the town near where my company is located in Germany, their local brewery has several types on tap. And when you order a sampler, each type is served in a miniature of the proper class.
I am not sure I am welcome back in Cologne. I mentioned that I do not like Kolsch beer. I left there much the way Dr. Frankenstein left town, with villagers chasing with torches and pitchforks.
Nothing better than sitting at the Augustiner-Keller biergarten in Munich in nice weather (along with several hundred of your closest friends) - or their cellar in winter.
BTW, I like a good dunkel or a dunkelweiss, but hard to get in the US.
I love all of the above.
I was just in Augustiner Munich twice this past November. I went back a second time for dinner.
I can't find Alt bier here. I found one by a brewer in Burlington, VT and purchase for home when visiting the daughter.
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Radenberger is an interesting Pilsner if you haven't had it.
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How to tell you found a good local tavern in Germany when this is how they track your beer tab.
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How to tell you found a good local tavern in Germany when this is how they track your beer tab.
That looks like a back shoulder tattoo from the thumbnail.
Germans, eh? 8-)
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That looks like a back shoulder tattoo from the thumbnail.
Germans, eh? 8-)
I thought the same.
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That looks like a back shoulder tattoo from the thumbnail.
Germans, eh? 8-)
Crap, now I can't unsee that!!! ;D
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How to tell you found a good local tavern in Germany when this is how they track your beer tab.
The coaster on the table and the waiter marks for every beer served.
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That looks like a back shoulder tattoo from the thumbnail.
Germans, eh? 8-)
That should be the tattoo the loser of the next Scoop bet has to get.
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I will be in Munich with my bride and another couple September 18-21 and any tips on Octoberfest would be greatly appreciated.
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I will be in Munich with my bride and another couple September 18-21 and any tips on Oktoberfest would be greatly appreciated.
Download the app.
If you plan on wearing Weisn gear, make it authentic. Liederhosen T shirts nicht gut.
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I will be in Munich with my bride and another couple September 18-21 and any tips on Octoberfest would be greatly appreciated.
Get your hotels last month.
Seriously. Don't wait.
Plot your trip from your hotel to the grounds and memorize it.
You can sit at tables that are marked, "Reserved" unless the people they are reserved for show up. Order more than you think you need since the servers are extremely busy.
Don't get lost from the walk to and from the bathroom and your table.
Talk to strangers. We met people from all over the world.
Drink Augusteiner.
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Drink Augusteiner.
+1,000,000!
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We have an AirBNB outside the city and planning on taking the train into Munich. Do we need to make reservations in the tents?
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We have an AirBNB outside the city and planning on taking the train into Munich. Do we need to make reservations in the tents?
Get the DB Deutsche Bahn app for the trains.
There also a Munchen S-Bahn app that's DB app targeted to Munich.
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I will be in Munich with my bride and another couple September 18-21 and any tips on Octoberfest would be greatly appreciated.
Make sure you visit Oktoberfest Kotzhügel. No first time visit to Oktoberfest is complete without it! ;)
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Schnitzel!
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Do they still serve the little weisswursts as street food on a plate with spicy mustard, sauerkraut and a wooden fork? They were delicious but that memory is circa 1983.
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Do they still serve the little weisswursts as street food on a plate with spicy mustard, sauerkraut and a wooden fork? They were delicious but that memory is circa 1983.
Currywurst is all the rage and Domer kebabs from all the Turkish Germans.
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We have an AirBNB outside the city and planning on taking the train into Munich. Do we need to make reservations in the tents?
Glad you have a place lined up!
You don't need to make reservations.
Also, the busiest weekend is the first weekend. It'll be packed. Be patient.