Beer Thread

[tdb810]

Hey California beer enthusiasts:  bob and I are hitting San Diego in November. Gimme some beer/brew pub advice would ya?

oh man, the San Diego area has some of THE BEST breweries in the entire state.

-Port Brewing Co
-The Lost Abbey
-The Bruery (actually in O.C., absolutely phenominal!)
-Ballast Point
-Stone
-Alesmith
-Green Flash

I think there are about 20-30 breweries in the greater SD area, the ones above are some of my favs.

Not sure when you'll be there, but San Diego Beer Week is Nov. 4-13  http://sdbw.org/

OH man WF, thanks so much for the info!!!!  We will be there Nov 2-10, so perfect timing for beer week! 

[NoVa_NoLa]

Just read this article...which for me is spot on.  After reading it, I read some of the comments  ::) I know, I know...but I've decided to stop calling myself a beer snob.  I simply like to drink what I think tastes good to me.  I think I'll keep the "beer nerd" label though...

Why I Don't Drink Budweiser...and Why I'm Not Alone

http://blog.seattlepi.com/thepourfool/2011/09/14/why-i-dont-drink-budweiser-and-why-im-not-alone/

[iLikeBeer]

Just read this article...which for me is spot on.  After reading it, I read some of the comments  ::) I know, I know...but I've decided to stop calling myself a beer snob.  I simply like to drink what I think tastes good to me.  I think I'll keep the "beer nerd" label though...

Why I Don't Drink Budweiser...and Why I'm Not Alone

http://blog.seattlepi.com/thepourfool/2011/09/14/why-i-dont-drink-budweiser-and-why-im-not-alone/

Nice read!  I especially liked the following quote from the article:

Of all the social mythos that's arisen around our "traditional" beers, the "manliness" aspect is easily the most puzzling and blindly irrational. It's always been part of the strategies of BudMillerCoorsPabst to insinuate that microbrew drinkers are effete, artsy snobs who like "bitter beers", and to more sutbly question the patriotism of those who would abandon "our American beer". How it's "manly" to refer, as Bud fans always do, to craft beers as "too strong" is beyond me.

I love the last part!   

[YouAre_GivenToFly]

Mmmmmmm....

[mjk73]

I'll be in Chicago soon and I'm hoping I can get SOMETHING from Goose Island.

I've actually been in a beer rut the last oh 2 weeks? I actually have had 1 adult beverage in about 3. WTFH?!?! I'm sure a lot has to do with the marathon training but I just haven't felt like partaking. Fall and Winter are when I go dark on my beers so I'm hoping the beer mood kicks in soon as there is so much I want/need to get and try.

[aMillionDreams]

I quit my teaching gig to do brewing full time at BBC.  We just hired one of dogfishhead's head brewers so I can't wait to show him what I can do and hopefully get a salaried position once he starts.  Until then I'm just crossing my fingers and jumping into the void, which is much easier when there's a lot of good beer around to drink! Cheers! 

[Penny Lane]

I quit my teaching gig to do brewing full time at BBC.  We just hired one of dogfishhead's head brewers so I can't wait to show him what I can do and hopefully get a salaried position once he starts.  Until then I'm just crossing my fingers and jumping into the void, which is much easier when there's a lot of good beer around to drink! Cheers! 

Good luck, D! Way to follow one of your million dreams!  ;)

[Jane]

I quit my teaching gig to do brewing full time at BBC.  We just hired one of dogfishhead's head brewers so I can't wait to show him what I can do and hopefully get a salaried position once he starts.  Until then I'm just crossing my fingers and jumping into the void, which is much easier when there's a lot of good beer around to drink! Cheers! 

BBC? breckenridge?

going to a little beer fest down the street from me in two weeks. I'm excited because there will be a bunch of brewerys i enjoy there.

[aMillionDreams]

I quit my teaching gig to do brewing full time at BBC.  We just hired one of dogfishhead's head brewers so I can't wait to show him what I can do and hopefully get a salaried position once he starts.  Until then I'm just crossing my fingers and jumping into the void, which is much easier when there's a lot of good beer around to drink! Cheers! 

BBC? breckenridge?

going to a little beer fest down the street from me in two weeks. I'm excited because there will be a bunch of brewerys i enjoy there.

yeah, I guess I should specify. There are like 8 BBCs not including British Broadcasting Company.  It's Bluegrass Brewing Company in Louisville.  Kentucky's largest microbrewery.  Working beer fests is one of the best parts of the job.

[walterfredo]

I'm dying to get my hands on a Founders Canadian Breakfast Stout...I realize they're extremely hard to come by, but if anyone wants to make trade via the mail please let me know.  I can get all the good west coast beers. 

[mjk73]

I'm hitting Binny's this weekend, I'll keep an eye out.

[ALady]

They don't have it.  Chicago only got a few bottles and I'm not even sure any made it to store shelves; there's a raffle at one bar here to win the chance to buy one  ;D


I maaaaay have a line on one, fredo - if it pans out, I'll bring it out to San Francisco next week  :)

[mjk73]

Founders KBS was almost impossible to get this year at least down here.

[Ghosts_on_TV]

Anyone have that Guiness Black Lager yet? Wondering how it is.

[walterfredo]

I maaaaay have a line on one, fredo - if it pans out, I'll bring it out to San Francisco next week  :)

thanks (either way).  And thanks mjk too. 

I think it's nearly impossible. 

[Jaimoe]

I'm having a lovely pint of Danish Faxe in the backyard of my new house. The weather is fabulous for this time of year: mid 70s!

[johnnYYac]

 :-\

Last night, I used one of my Gouden Carolus glasses with Miller Lite.  Am I going to Hell?

[headhunter]

:-\

Last night, I used one of my Gouden Carolus glasses with Miller Lite.  Am I going to Hell?

Hopefully not. Rumor has it that all they serve there IS Miller Lite.

[NoVa_NoLa]

Have had this bottle sitting around for a bit, but finally opened it.  Delicious!  Wish I'd bought a few extra bottles...

edited to add:  I just read some of the reviews on Beer Advocate for this beer and some note a piney taste.  I did not taste any pine.  For me, it was definitely more grapefruity...as some of the reviews note, this is probably the blackest black IPA that I've ever enjoyed.  There are definitely some coffee notes...man, I need another bottle!



Love the bottle text:
In the 15 years since we entered the craft brewing world, change has come not in a straight line, but as an exponential curve. The craft brewing movement has long been called a "revolution." But today the air is so thick with revolution, it's palpable. No longer is it only an awareness among the faithful; the unconverted are beginning to feel it as well. Denial and ignorance are disappearing in favor of opened eyes, curiosity and the sense that there's something larger out there. For far too long we have been lied to. For far too long we have been oppressed by the notion that dumbed-down-lowest-common-denominator-mediocrity was all that we could, and should, expect. You might think we're talking only about the world of brewing, but we're not. There is a myriad of products out there masquerading as cheeses, coffee, chocolates, breads...hell, there is stuff pretending to be 'food' that our great grandmothers would not recognize as such. Yet the craft brewing movement, together with the artisanal food movement, is making much progress. Where the industrial companies can't dismiss or bury us, they are attempting to copy us with cheap facsimiles. Yes, chances are if you are holding this bottle, you understand these things to be true about the world of brewing. You also likely understand the importance of our fight at Stone against accepted 'norms' over the last 15 years. We believed that America was ready to embrace things made with artistry and passion. You have spoken. Your response has been clear. We are not merely consumers to be spoon-fed whatever commodities need to be unloaded for a profit. We have only just begun to move the needle of this revolution, & mediocrity still reigns. Consider that when you reject dumbed down, industrialized food and drink, you also support craft brewing. The line is nearly seamless; we are fighting the same battle. We will not win in our lifetime, as the powers are too entrenched, and the masses too…fooled. And shackled. However, this is a revolution of ideas and of taste, and we will win. How do you want to be viewed by your children, and your children's children? As a hero, or as the oppressed? (Those that don't think they have been oppressed are already lost.) Ultimately, it's up to you to decide. We hope you'll stand with us. Strong and unyielding. You are needed. This bottle and its glorious contents are a celebration of you, brothers and sisters, and your importance in this fight. Cheers to all we've accomplished together in the past fifteen years, and cheers to the adventure ahead!

http://www.stonebrew.com/anniv/ale/

[Apeskies]

Hey California beer enthusiasts:  bob and I are hitting San Diego in November. Gimme some beer/brew pub advice would ya?

oh man, the San Diego area has some of THE BEST breweries in the entire state.

-Port Brewing Co
-The Lost Abbey
-The Bruery (actually in O.C., absolutely phenominal!)
-Ballast Point
-Stone
-Alesmith
-Green Flash

I think there are about 20-30 breweries in the greater SD area, the ones above are some of my favs.

Not sure when you'll be there, but San Diego Beer Week is Nov. 4-13  http://sdbw.org/

OH man WF, thanks so much for the info!!!!  We will be there Nov 2-10, so perfect timing for beer week!

Man, I love living here  8) Green Flash opened their new location not long ago in Mira Mesa and it's pretty cool! They have outdoor picnic benches on the side. I haven't gone recently so they might have changed a couple things. They have their 9th anniversary on the 12th of November
http://www.greenflashbrew.com/
Sounds like it will be a good time 8) Also, Mission Brewery opened up their new location Downtown not too long ago and it's great! Dog friendly, too.

Enjoy beer week in my city, I know I will!!!