The Beer Thread

[Spotcheck Billy]

I still remember buying St. Sixtus at the Market Basket in Butler for $1/bottle out of the clearance cart.

[Golden Avalanche]

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.

[MuggsyB]

I'm having a Val-Dieu on tap.

Excellent, excellent, beer.

[Dr. Blackheart]

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

[MU82]

Had my first Delirium Nocturnum over the weekend. That was one smooth, delicious Belgian strong ale.

[MuggsyB]

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.

[MU82]

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.

[MuggsyB]

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.

[Hards Alumni]

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.

[MU82]

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.

[PointWarrior]

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.

[MuggsyB]

Gouden Carolus is also a solid Tripel. 

[Spotcheck Billy]

don't sleep on Kasteel or Piraat (not a quad) either

[MuggsyB]

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.

[TSmith34, Inc.]

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.

[The Sultan]

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.

[MuggsyB]

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. 

[MU82]

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.

[MU82]

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.

[The Sultan]

Maybe, but their beer was also pretty overrated. 

I agree with that.

[Hards Alumni]

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.

[Spotcheck Billy]

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.

[pbiflyer]

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.

[lawdog77]

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?

[TSmith34, Inc.]

How about a bit of vomit for the proverbial cherry on top?

The butt end comes with embedded glass shards