Beer Thread

[Sticky Icky Green Stuff]

Has anyone come across Hopslam yet?  I found some yesterday at $21 for a sixer.  That's at least $5 more than I paid last year.  Did they jack their price way up or did I get hosed?

Anyway, glad to have it again.  I'm either better at tasting beer now or I just didn't notice how grapefruity this beer was before.  Fun beer to drink but I'm not sure if I'll buy any more at that price.

yeah that shit aint cheap.  it was like 18.99 plus tax and deposit so it ran just over 20bucks for a fucking 6pack.  had a pretty hilarious little chat about the beer with the dude who worked there.   also got the two hearted and gotta say, it's half the price, 7percent instead of 10percent and tastes better than hopslam.  will never buy hopslam again.  overpriced as fuuuuuck.

[Jon T.]

Has anyone come across Hopslam yet?  I found some yesterday at $21 for a sixer.  That's at least $5 more than I paid last year.  Did they jack their price way up or did I get hosed?

Anyway, glad to have it again.  I'm either better at tasting beer now or I just didn't notice how grapefruity this beer was before.  Fun beer to drink but I'm not sure if I'll buy any more at that price.

yeah that shit aint cheap.  it was like 18.99 plus tax and deposit so it ran just over 20bucks for a fucking 6pack.  had a pretty hilarious little chat about the beer with the dude who worked there.   also got the two hearted and gotta say, it's half the price, 7percent instead of 10percent and tastes better than hopslam.  will never buy hopslam again.  overpriced as fuuuuuck.

I didn't stay true to my word for too long.  I ended up coming across more this weekend and bought two more six packs.   I woke up with 8 on Sunday morning and had one for breakfast that wasn't bad so I had another for dessert.  We had a couple Mardi Gras parades this weekend and I'm pretty sure I took a couple of years off my life.   Good news is I still have 6 that should last me a good long while considering I may never drink again.  ugh.

[Jon T.]

PS- and since this is the beer thread, I thought I'd throw in that I tried the Bud Light Platinum this weekend, too.  Since we were having a marathon weekend, I figured I would give it a shot and it would be a better session beer than what I normally like to drink.  It was pretty disgusting.  The best way I could explain it was like a drinking a Bud Light with a tiny chaser of bad vodka.  They upped the alcohol just for the sake of upping the alcohol.  If anybody tells you it's not bad, do not talk to that person ever again.

[mjk73]

PS- and since this is the beer thread, I thought I'd throw in that I tried the Bud Light Platinum this weekend, too.  Since we were having a marathon weekend, I figured I would give it a shot and it would be a better session beer than what I normally like to drink.  It was pretty disgusting.  The best way I could explain it was like a drinking a Bud Light with a tiny chaser of bad vodka.  They upped the alcohol just for the sake of upping the alcohol.  If anybody tells you it's not bad, do not talk to that person ever again.

And they only upped it to 6.5%. Uhh, I regualrly drink stuff that is double that AB. 6.5% is nothing

[Hawkeye]

PS- and since this is the beer thread, I thought I'd throw in that I tried the Bud Light Platinum this weekend, too.  Since we were having a marathon weekend, I figured I would give it a shot and it would be a better session beer than what I normally like to drink.  It was pretty disgusting.  The best way I could explain it was like a drinking a Bud Light with a tiny chaser of bad vodka.  They upped the alcohol just for the sake of upping the alcohol.  If anybody tells you it's not bad, do not talk to that person ever again.

LOL I had people tell me that it was good...haven't tried it yet, but I was going to.  They actually can't keep it in stock at some of the bars around here...it sells that fast.  Tells you what kind of beer-drinking town this is  ::)

[Jon T.]

PS- and since this is the beer thread, I thought I'd throw in that I tried the Bud Light Platinum this weekend, too.  Since we were having a marathon weekend, I figured I would give it a shot and it would be a better session beer than what I normally like to drink.  It was pretty disgusting.  The best way I could explain it was like a drinking a Bud Light with a tiny chaser of bad vodka.  They upped the alcohol just for the sake of upping the alcohol.  If anybody tells you it's not bad, do not talk to that person ever again.

LOL I had people tell me that it was good...haven't tried it yet, but I was going to.  They actually can't keep it in stock at some of the bars around here...it sells that fast.  Tells you what kind of beer-drinking town this is  ::)

That's what made me think of it.  My friends were drinking them and they we're all like "it's not bad, it's pretty strong".  Those guys now have one less friend. ;D  Anyway, I say try it anyway. Just try and get it at a bar so you don't end up with 5 leftover beers.

MJK, I 6.5% sounds right.  The rubbing alcohol taste is so prevalent, it actually tastes stronger. 

[walterfredo]

I just went on a trip to Florida over the weekend and went on a major beer bender... drank tons of beers that I hadn't previously tried.

Beer jaunt started in the bay before I flew out, Barrel aged night at the Livermore Saloon as part of SF beer week.  Had the following:

DFH Ta Henket:  very unusual beer.  Liked it, didn't love it.  Very unique.

DFH World Wide Stout:  I thought this one was great.  I thought the flavor was exceptional considering the ridiculously high ABV, definitely not overwhelmingly boozy. Very much enjoyed it.  DFH beers are all over the place in my book.

Ballast Point Barrel aged Sea Monster:  Very good, not mind blowing though, but very solid.  Would definitely drink it again if it was available

Liefmans Kriekbier:  Enjoyed this one far more than I would have expected.  Very sweet and fruity.  Thought it was great, and would love to drink more of it.  Not for everyone, lots of cherry flavor, great desert beer.

Firestone Walker Sucaba:  I'm not a Barley wine fan generally, but this one was phenomenal.  Almost had me wondering if they were mistakenly serving the XV anny, because it tasted so similar to me.  Absolutely loved it.

Then off to Florida...

Picked up some beers immediately at the Whole Foods in South Beach, was hoping for a better selection, but still was able to pick up several things I'd never tried.

Cigar City Maduro Brown:  I thought it was mediocre.  I enjoyed it, but probably wouldn't buy much more of it if it was available here.

Terrapin Moo-hoo:  as the name implied, it tasted just like yoo-hoo.  Pass.  Didn't like it at all, tasted like chocolate milk.

Then went to an amazing place in south beach, Abraxas.  Amazing beer selection, most of which were extremely taxed.  But I was on vacation, and my buddies were buying the beers and we went a little overboard.

Hopslam:  on draft, first time trying it.  I don't typically like IPAs, but thought it was exceptional.

Brooklyn Black Ops ($40 a bottle!).  This is something I've been really wanting to try.  I thought it was very, very good, but definitely not in the same league as CBS, KBS, Parabola, Eclipse, etc.  Very good though, would love to try it again when I wasn't so sauced.

Bruery/Cigar City Dos Costas Oeste (cedar):  one of the most unique beers I think I've ever tried.  Definitely like it, but couldn't quite put my finger on the source of the unusual taste.  Anyone else have this?  Would love to hear others opinions.   

Cigar City Jose Marti:  Phenomenal.  Would love to get my hands on more of this.

Cigar City Marshal Zhukov's Imperial Stout:  same as above.

Southern Tier Oat:  Delicious

Oskar Blues Ten FIDY:  amazing stuff!  Had several of these.  I can get this sometimes in Cali but have always passed.  Will definitely be stocking up next time I see it.

...I guess these aren't really 'reviews' but just how I felt about some new beers I tried over the weekend.  I know I'm missing several as well. 

[Sticky Icky Green Stuff]

what is "Honey Brown"? why do I always see it? is it good or bullshit?

[walterfredo]

bullshit

[Devil Ledbetter]

If you're ever in Maine, try the Allagash. It goes best with anything at J's Oyster Bar in Portland.

[Ruckus]

bullshit

this..

One hell of a tour there Walter.  I had some Oskar Blues Tenfidy this past weekend as well.  Might be my favorite Oskar Blues I've tried. 

Though I'm not a huge New Belgium fan, I had some of their La Folie Sour Brown Ale last week and found it to be excellent.  If you are into sours, though I've only tried 3 proper ones, the La Folie held its own.

[mjk73]

So pre show beverages were as such as the Schlafly Tap Room

Chocolate Orange Stout- Phenomanal

New Zealand IPA- Excellent. I'm not a hugh IPA but I needed something crisp after the stout and my tongue destroying spicy falafel. Not very bitter thankfully. HOWEVER, it had an amazing grapefruit aroma and subtle grapefruit notes in the flavor.

Really hope the decide to bottle both. I'd buy.

[Penny Lane]

If you're ever in Maine, try the Allagash. It goes best with anything at J's Oyster Bar in Portland.

LOVE Allagash--and I'm not a beer girl..

[Sticky Icky Green Stuff]

I've begun my journey thru the flavors of bells beer.

accidently bought third coast beer thinking it was the third coast old ale.  realized there was a slight difference by about 5+percent.  third coast is straight I guess.  reminds me of a higher end sam adams boston lager or something.  two hearted is better. 

[TEO]

Thought of another good starter IPA for you SIGS...Lakefront out of Milwaukee if you can find it. Straight up Hops (usually see flakes floating in brew) with low barley. Really good intro. prolly try to pick up some soon myself. Glad to see you are sporting the Two Heart it is very popular around here...

[mjk73]

Thought of another good starter IPA for you SIGS...Lakefront out of Milwaukee if you can find it. Straight up Hops (usually see flakes floating in brew) with low barley. Really good intro. prolly try to pick up some soon myself. Glad to see you are sporting the Two Heart it is very popular around here...

Come to St Louis and go to Schlafly and try the New Zealand IPA. It's only on tap at the Tap Room. So good.

[Sticky Icky Green Stuff]

Thought of another good starter IPA for you SIGS...Lakefront out of Milwaukee if you can find it. Straight up Hops (usually see flakes floating in brew) with low barley. Really good intro. prolly try to pick up some soon myself. Glad to see you are sporting the Two Heart it is very popular around here...

I'm tempted to take a couple pics of the stores coolers and post them here and have you guys tell me what to try next.  it'd be easier if I knew visually what I was looking for via 6pack box design or something.   soon I'll have my own brewery and you sluts will be beggin me for freebees and handouts.

[walterfredo]

You have a smartphone sticky? If you do just do a google search of the beer when you're in the store, usually the first page will be the beer advocate page for that beer and you can scope its rating. That's what I do for beers I don't know. If its above 90 I usually give it a taste, if it's below 85 I usually pass.

[ALady]

Now that's some wise counsel (I do it too  ;D).

[johnnYYac]

You have a smartphone sticky? If you do just do a google search of the beer when you're in the store, usually the first page will be the beer advocate page for that beer and you can scope its rating. That's what I do for beers I don't know. If its above 90 I usually give it a taste, if it's below 85 I usually pass.

Has anyone found a good app along these lines?  Something that might scan barcodes and go to a ratings site?  Sounds like a good idea.

EDIT - found this; no scan function and some reviews say its limited, but...

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/7-800+-beer-brands-free/id299434331?mt=8&ls=1