Beer Thread

[mjk73]

Goose Island is widely available and will be available everywhere soon, I'd assume, since they were recently purchased by Budweiser.

Still trying to forget this. I really hope InBev leaves them alone to do their own thing. I know it won't happen, but we can hope.

[YouAre_GivenToFly]

Moose Drool Brown Ale is some delicious stuff.

[ophidiophobia]

Moose Drool Brown Ale is some delicious stuff.

I bought my neighbor a 6 pack went I saw MMJ in Kansas City during August. I try to find him the strangest thing the liquor store has for sale. He never said much about it, but next time I see him I'll try and ask.
I have had the Trout Slayer before and it was pretty good.

[capt. scotty]

I guess they are a good gateway craft brewer to start with, but there certainly are much more adventurous and better tasting breweries out there IMO. Goose Island for example. And yes, I'm on a big GI kick again. Gearing up for my trip to Chicago for a Binney's and a GI run while there.

Im sure I only had their regulars when I was in Iowa, but I wasnt really impressed with the Goose Island's I had when I was out there. On the other hand, not sure if Ive had a New Belgium that I didnt like. I dont see how a beer or really a brewery can be overrated. No one's tastebuds are the same. If you love or hate a beer, that doesnt really make it overrated. I, for one, love Fat Tire, probably even moreso because NB isnt available here so its a treat when I can get it. Never tasted a beer like it, so I think it should get credit for that. When I was in North Carolina a couple weeks ago, we left the day before Hurricane Irene hit. A bunch of people were getting hurricane supplies/food & water, but I bought 5 12ers of Fat Tire. Still havent had a chance to taste Ranger yet.

That is crazy that its the 3rd largest American brewery, but now that I think about it, Im guessing Anheiser-Busch and Coors arent American owned, so I guess that means just Sam Adams and another brewery (Dogfish maybe?) are bigger than it? I could see that.

[capt. scotty]

Moose Drool Brown Ale is some delicious stuff.

Indeed. I liked all the Big Sky Brewery beers I had out there - MD, Scape Goat Pale Ale, Big Sky IPA, Trout Slayer.

I think my favorite that I had out there was Bayern's Dancing Trout Ale. Good stuff.

I dont think its brewed in Montana, but another beer I first had out there was Widmer Bros Drop Top Amber Ale. Actually, that might have been my favorite  ;D. Little did I know I can find it at a few beer distributors out here in PA!

[capt. scotty]

Picked up a nice variety of brewage last week for myself for my bday. Basically just went with styles I like, and ended up happy:

-Anderson Valley Brewing Hop Ottin' IPA     http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/193/611

-Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron Brown Ale    http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/10099/33832

-Southampton Publick House's Double White Ale    http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/10099/33832

-New Holland Brewing Sundog Amber Ale    http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/335/6343

-Widmer Brothers Drifter Pale Ale   http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/8/46767

-New Holland Brewing Farmhouse Hatter Belgian IPA   http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/335/69489

-Avery Brewing White Rascal Belgian-style White Ale   http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/30/9689

-Weyerbacher Blanche Belgian-style Wit    http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/392/1636

-Weyerbacher QUAD Abbey-style Quadruple Ale    http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/392/1635

-Dogfish Head Namaste White Ale   http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/10099/53453


First time I think Ive bought at least hand picked 6 pack and wasnt disappointed with any of them. Sundog and Blanche werent anything special but still good. That Drifter had 1 of the more interesting flavor profiles Ive had with a Pale, a lot of hop flavor with minimal bitterness. I mentioned Widmer Brothers in my previous post, they seem like a solid brewery. Highly recommend trying the DFH Palo Santo Marron, as well as that Farmhouse Hatter, Hop Ottin' IPA, and Namaste. Although in Namaste's case, not sure it was worth $13 for a 26oz bottle. I couldve gotten 3 12% alcohol Palo Santo Marron's for that same price.

When looking at bottles, the Palo Santo had me sold at "aged in 10,000 gallon barrels crafted from Paraguayan Palo Santo wood, the largest wooden brewing vessels built in America since before the prohibition" 

[mjk73]

I love Quads

[ALady]

Someone recommend me some good California beers I can pick up in the Bay Area.

[peafunk31]

Someone recommend me some good California beers I can pick up in the Bay Area.

Doesn't look to be exactly down the street from the Bay Area (40ish miles according to Google Maps, zoomed out), but Bear Republic Racer 5 is one of my all time favorite beers. The brewpub is located in Healdsburg. I'm sure you'd be able to pick it up in the Bay Area if you don't want to make the trek to the brewpub. Hell, I can get it in Philly. Racer 5 is scary good

[mjk73]

Someone recommend me some good California beers I can pick up in the Bay Area.

I think you can get Russian River Brewing in the Bay Area. Also, one of my friends lived in San Fran and frequented this amazing looking place in Oakland.

http://thetrappist.com/

[walterfredo]

Someone recommend me some good California beers I can pick up in the Bay Area.

Russian River is a great recommendation, arguably the best brewery in the state.  They're in Santa Rosa, which is about a half hour+ north of SF.  Other great CA breweries I'd highly recommend....

-The Bruery
-Firestone Walker
-Port Brewing Co.
-Lost Abbey (made by the same peeps as Port, amazing beers!!)
-Lagunitas
-North Coast
-Bear Republic
-Alesmith
-Ballast Point
-Drakes
-Green Flash
-Deschutes (from OR, try the Abyss or XXI if you can find it)

The Trappist is amazing, I go there as often as humanly possible.  We were just there last Friday night.  The East Bay is where it's at, come on over to the sunny side of the bay!  The Trappist has a very limited food selection as well, but the best grilled cheese sandos ever.  Pastrami sando is top shelf too.

Also in Oakland is the Beer Revolution http://beer-revolution.com/ the place is a beer lovers dream, 50ish beers on tap, and 4 massive slider door refrigerators full of ridiculous selections of bottle beers, you can buy them to go, and probably the best beer selection in the entire bay.  They have most Russian River beers in bottles that you can drink there or take with you to go. 

In SF itself, best beer store is probably City Beer http://www.citybeerstore.com/

Also, Zeitgeist in SF is a great beer pub http://zeitgeistsf.com/beer.html 

as is the Toronado on  Haight  http://www.toronado.com/


(go to the Trappist!)

[mjk73]

I want to go to the Trappist so often that people organize an intervention.

[vespachick]

Racer 5.  Why does every body I know who loves beer, love you so???

Anderson Valley, Boonte Amber is my fave from California.

(Ninkasi seasonals are the bomb, but they're out of Eugene, OR).

Also: Deschutes, while delicious, is owned by a raging, right, nut-job. That beer is banned in our home.  FYI.

[kotchishm]

Racer 5.  Why does every body I know who loves beer, love you so???

Anderson Valley, Boonte Amber is my fave from California.

(Ninkasi seasonals are the bomb, but they're out of Eugene, OR).

Also: Deschutes, while delicious, is owned by a raging, right, nut-job. That beer is banned in our home.  FYI.

Not a fan of the Racer 5 don't know what it is.  Maybe the Microsoft Paint-made label?  Dunno haha

[walterfredo]

I don't do the Racer 5 either, but I don't do any IPAs, just don't like them (call me crazy)

agree with Anderson Valley, amazing brewery with consistently great beers...didn't mention them because I assume she can get those in Chi...they pretty much distribute everywhere. 

[peafunk31]

If you don't dig on IPAs, then definitely not for you. But, if you're a fan, then this is where its at. Getting thirsty just making this post!

[tdb810]

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

[walterfredo]

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/

[kotchishm]

If you don't dig on IPAs, then definitely not for you. But, if you're a fan, then this is where its at. Getting thirsty just making this post!

Might have to give it another shot because of this photo.  Look at the color!

[ALady]

Thanks for the recs, all!  I'm taking notes.  We don't get Russian River, Alesmith, Ninkasi or Deschutes in Illinois, so those are high on my list for bottles to bring home as souvenirs (though it sounds like I may have to swallow my political ideals along with my beer...oof).

The Trappist is but a 20 minute BART ride from where I'm staying...oh, that could be trouble  :o 

Tried these last night:
New Belgium Kick - just okay. Didn't really taste the pumpkin or cranberry. Kind of nondescript as sours go.
Petrus Aged Pale - now this was a sassy sour. Really nice and tart without being overwhelming.
Three Floyds Munsterfest - my favorite of the night. Nutty and malty with a nice crisp finish. Sweet and sessiony.
Three Floyds Zombie Dust - lovely hoppy aroma but I'm just not an IPA kind of girl.
Emelisse Espresso Stout - nice but sort of a thin/watery mouthfeel for the style.