The Beer Thread

[Hards Alumni]

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.

[karavotsos]

Has anyone seen the Lagunitas Daytime Fractional IPA in Milwaukee yet?

[Hards Alumni]

I'll be at the Thirsty Troll Brewfest today in Mt Horeb WI... anyone else going?

[Chili]

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

For Milwaukee, call the usual suspects for distribution methods (Ray's, Discount, Three Cellars, etc.).
Chicago, it should be everywhere.

[Hards Alumni]

Madison area?

[Chili]

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.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

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

[mueagle84]

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.

[cheebs09]

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.

[real chili 83]

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.  

[Hards Alumni]

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.

[damuts222]

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.

[Spotcheck Billy]

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.  

[Spotcheck Billy]

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.

[Hards Alumni]

  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.

[Spotcheck Billy]

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.

[MU B2002]

. 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.

[Hards Alumni]

Locked up some Bourbon County by getting on a list in Madison.  Very excite.

[Chili]

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.

[TheButlerDidIt]

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.

[Chili]

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).

[Spotcheck Billy]

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.

[Spaniel with a Short Tail]

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.  

Never get enough of stories like that - thanks!

Had a Krankshaft at Pinstripes last night. Very enjoyable though seems more of a summer beer.

[tower912]

Founder's Boltcutter.   I had the one and only bottle I am likely to get my hands on.   Unbelievably good.   

[Spotcheck Billy]

this is a great idea: http://blackfridaybeer.com/

http://blackfridaybeer.com/uploads/3/1/6/8/3168628/472252_orig.jpg