The Beer Thread

[MUBurrow]

Sam Adams Light clocks in around 124 calories

SO MANY F*CKIN' HAWPS!!!!

[jtrash37]

Delerium Noel..... YUM!

[Golden Avalanche]

Delerium Noel..... YUM!

On this note, has anyone had De Struise Tsjeeses or Tsjeeses Reserva?

Both are excellent as is the Kerkom Winterkoniske.

[reinko]

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.

[mugrad2006]

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.

[Hards Alumni]

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.

[jtrash37]

I've thought of trying some home brewing.  How difficult is it?  $$$$?  Ingredients vs. Flavor?

[Hards Alumni]

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.

[jtrash37]

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!

[damuts222]

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. 

[karavotsos]

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. 

[JimmyB!]

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.

[damuts222]

 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.

[Spotcheck Billy]

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)

[Chili]

Pretty cool event for Milwaukee people: http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/entertainment/137219003.html

[Ron Paul]

Pretty cool event for Milwaukee people: http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/entertainment/137219003.html

Also it was put together by a Marquette alum.

[tower912]

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.   

[Henry Sugar]

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.

[Chili]

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.

[MUfan12]

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. 

[Chili]

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.

[Spotcheck Billy]

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

[reinko]

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!

[tower912]

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. 

[SaintPaulWarrior]

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!