The OFFICIAL Craft Beer Thread

Okay . . . let's try this again.

Moderators: Shirley, Sabo, brian, rass, DaveInSeattle

User avatar
A_B
The Dude
Posts: 23323
Joined: Mon Mar 11, 2013 7:36 am
Location: Getting them boards like a wolf in the chicken pen.

Re: The OFFICIAL Craft Beer Thread

Post by A_B »

I bought some IPAs ffor national IPA day. Rheingeist Slow Jam and Stone Fear Movie Lions DIPA. Haven't had either yet but looking forward to opening in a bit.
You know what you need? A lyrical sucker punch to the face.
User avatar
Sabo
The Dude
Posts: 5466
Joined: Mon Mar 11, 2013 8:33 am
Location: On the trail

Re: The OFFICIAL Craft Beer Thread

Post by Sabo »

A_B wrote: Sat Aug 04, 2018 1:16 pm I bought some IPAs ffor national IPA day. Rheingeist Slow Jam and Stone Fear Movie Lions DIPA. Haven't had either yet but looking forward to opening in a bit.
I think 75 percent of Rhinegeist’s beers are IPAs, so they should have a good idea on how to make a good one.
Birds don’t suck. They lack the necessary anatomical structures to do so.
User avatar
govmentchedda
The Dude
Posts: 12673
Joined: Mon Mar 11, 2013 4:36 pm

Re: The OFFICIAL Craft Beer Thread

Post by govmentchedda »

Really liked the Rhinegeists I had in the spring.
Until everything is less insane, I'm mixing weed with wine.
User avatar
A_B
The Dude
Posts: 23323
Joined: Mon Mar 11, 2013 7:36 am
Location: Getting them boards like a wolf in the chicken pen.

Re: The OFFICIAL Craft Beer Thread

Post by A_B »

There are few I don’t care for.
You know what you need? A lyrical sucker punch to the face.
User avatar
Sabo
The Dude
Posts: 5466
Joined: Mon Mar 11, 2013 8:33 am
Location: On the trail

Re: The OFFICIAL Craft Beer Thread

Post by Sabo »

I'm not a big fan of Cougar or Hans, but their rye IPA is outstanding.
Birds don’t suck. They lack the necessary anatomical structures to do so.
User avatar
A_B
The Dude
Posts: 23323
Joined: Mon Mar 11, 2013 7:36 am
Location: Getting them boards like a wolf in the chicken pen.

Re: The OFFICIAL Craft Beer Thread

Post by A_B »

Both are good but I’ll give the edge to the stone
You know what you need? A lyrical sucker punch to the face.
User avatar
Brontoburglar
The Dude
Posts: 5851
Joined: Mon Mar 18, 2013 7:20 am

Re: The OFFICIAL Craft Beer Thread

Post by Brontoburglar »

IPA day is also chocolate chip cookie day?
"We're not the smartest people in the world. We go down the straightaway and turn left. That's literally what we do." -- Clint Bowyer
User avatar
The Sybian
The Dude
Posts: 18870
Joined: Tue Mar 19, 2013 10:36 am
Location: Working in the Crap Part of Jersey

Re: The OFFICIAL Craft Beer Thread

Post by The Sybian »

mister d wrote: Sat Aug 04, 2018 10:37 am Not enough supply to meet demand and, more importantly, it’s a good that’s objectively better the quicker you get it. But also a lot of them suck and there’s going to be a massive cliff at some point, both locals that never had the quality to exist and majors who leveraged themselves filling markets that have sense filled themselves. Like 7 years ago I bet my most drank state was CA, now it’s NJ by a mile. If I still lived in MA with nearby access to Trillium and Lamplighter I might not set foot in a distributor for a month or two at a time.
This. Trillium blew my pants off. Actually just finished the last of the only Trillium that fell short of phenomenal (Pot & Kettle porter with chocolate). Also just had my first Tree House (Julius). It's great, sure, but not my favorite. Too much like orange juice.

Which NJ breweries are you drinking? Carton and Kane for sure, curious what else you are liking. Bolero Snort is still hit or miss. I'll only buy single cans or 750 bottles of stouts or porters. Their IPAs can be really good and often uniquely interesting, but not worth buying a 4-pack. I like going to Twin Elephant. Always some interesting beers and the owners are really cool. Still a bit hit or miss, but it's a fun adventure to see how they are doing. I feel like they are continuing to improve. Czig Meister is pretty good, too.
An honest to God cult of personality - formed around a failed steak salesman.
-Pruitt
User avatar
mister d
The Dude
Posts: 29047
Joined: Tue Mar 12, 2013 8:15 am

Re: The OFFICIAL Craft Beer Thread

Post by mister d »

1. Twin Elephant
2. Kane
3. Icarus
4. Brix City

The rest are on singular recs only. Brotherton has fallen off and I’ve had enough meh Bolero that they’re mostly a pass. Did have a very nice NEIPA from Czig Meister yesterday at Stirling Hotel.
Johnnie wrote: Sat Sep 10, 2022 8:13 pmOh shit, you just reminded me about toilet paper.
User avatar
The Sybian
The Dude
Posts: 18870
Joined: Tue Mar 19, 2013 10:36 am
Location: Working in the Crap Part of Jersey

Re: The OFFICIAL Craft Beer Thread

Post by The Sybian »

mister d wrote: Sun Aug 05, 2018 9:18 am 1. Twin Elephant
2. Kane
3. Icarus
4. Brix City

The rest are on singular recs only. Brotherton has fallen off and I’ve had enough meh Bolero that they’re mostly a pass. Did have a very nice NEIPA from Czig Meister yesterday at Stirling Hotel.
Forgot about Brix. I need to seek them out more. Had 2 or 3 from them, and always impressed.

And blown away by Bolero Snort's Free Bully! NEIPA with sea salt. Amazing. Grapefruity, and slightly reminiscent of a Gose in the finish. Creamy mouthfeel from the oats was nice.

Image
An honest to God cult of personality - formed around a failed steak salesman.
-Pruitt
User avatar
Rush2112
The Dude
Posts: 7281
Joined: Mon Mar 11, 2013 4:35 pm
Location: Cyrus X-1
Contact:

Re: The OFFICIAL Craft Beer Thread

Post by Rush2112 »

Anyone had any Hudson Valley Brewing beers as of yet?

Supposedly the next thang.
Did you see that ludicrous display last night?
User avatar
mister d
The Dude
Posts: 29047
Joined: Tue Mar 12, 2013 8:15 am

Re: The OFFICIAL Craft Beer Thread

Post by mister d »

I've had Pillow Hat, which is a 4% IPA. About as good as you can get at that low of an ABV.
Johnnie wrote: Sat Sep 10, 2022 8:13 pmOh shit, you just reminded me about toilet paper.
User avatar
The Sybian
The Dude
Posts: 18870
Joined: Tue Mar 19, 2013 10:36 am
Location: Working in the Crap Part of Jersey

Re: The OFFICIAL Craft Beer Thread

Post by The Sybian »

Rush2112 wrote: Mon Aug 13, 2018 4:24 pm Anyone had any Hudson Valley Brewing beers as of yet?

Supposedly the next thang.
Not yet, but there are a bunch of breweries in the area that are supposed to be great. Newburgh Brewing is right across the river, had 3 or 4 from them, all good, but nothing great. Saurez Family is supposed to be great, and Equilibrium is supposed to be a near clone of Trillium.
An honest to God cult of personality - formed around a failed steak salesman.
-Pruitt
User avatar
mister d
The Dude
Posts: 29047
Joined: Tue Mar 12, 2013 8:15 am

Re: The OFFICIAL Craft Beer Thread

Post by mister d »

Boy do I have some bad news about equilibrium.
Johnnie wrote: Sat Sep 10, 2022 8:13 pmOh shit, you just reminded me about toilet paper.
User avatar
mister d
The Dude
Posts: 29047
Joined: Tue Mar 12, 2013 8:15 am

Re: The OFFICIAL Craft Beer Thread

Post by mister d »

(They’re good, but I’d heard the same “next Trillium” stuff (and may be why you heard that?) but they definitely aren’t. Twin Elephant is better. Twin Elephant is under-hyped around here.)
Johnnie wrote: Sat Sep 10, 2022 8:13 pmOh shit, you just reminded me about toilet paper.
User avatar
Rush2112
The Dude
Posts: 7281
Joined: Mon Mar 11, 2013 4:35 pm
Location: Cyrus X-1
Contact:

Re: The OFFICIAL Craft Beer Thread

Post by Rush2112 »

So Boston and Hudson Valley both go top-tier (or near) in beer after I leave. Fuck. Guess I'll have to make due with the CO beers.

(Though most of the top tier aren't in distro, or good distro, and too far away to go with two small kids)
Did you see that ludicrous display last night?
User avatar
sancarlos
The Dude
Posts: 18063
Joined: Fri Mar 15, 2013 1:46 pm
Location: NorCal via Colorado

Re: The OFFICIAL Craft Beer Thread

Post by sancarlos »

Really enjoying this tonight:
Image
"What a bunch of pedantic pricks." - sybian
User avatar
mister d
The Dude
Posts: 29047
Joined: Tue Mar 12, 2013 8:15 am

Re: The OFFICIAL Craft Beer Thread

Post by mister d »

Rush2112 wrote: Mon Aug 13, 2018 9:24 pm So Boston and Hudson Valley both go top-tier (or near) in beer after I leave. Fuck. Guess I'll have to make due with the CO beers.

(Though most of the top tier aren't in distro, or good distro, and too far away to go with two small kids)
It only takes one, really. There's only one near me and >50% of my buys would be fucked if they closed.
Johnnie wrote: Sat Sep 10, 2022 8:13 pmOh shit, you just reminded me about toilet paper.
User avatar
Rush2112
The Dude
Posts: 7281
Joined: Mon Mar 11, 2013 4:35 pm
Location: Cyrus X-1
Contact:

Re: The OFFICIAL Craft Beer Thread

Post by Rush2112 »

The closest brewery to us is really good, but not nothing the kids go wild for. The two hot places in CO are about 45/60 minutes away. One is really good from the beers I've had (Outer Range) the other Weldwerks has brewed like 100 different beers and they certainly aren't hitting on everything, (I've had 5 or 6...meh to pretty good) but the mustached ones still go gaga.
Did you see that ludicrous display last night?
User avatar
DaveInSeattle
The Dude
Posts: 8391
Joined: Mon Mar 18, 2013 5:51 am
Location: Seattle, WA

Re: The OFFICIAL Craft Beer Thread

Post by DaveInSeattle »

I'm in Bend on holiday, and we did the 'Bike Pub Crawl' tonight. We didn't go too crazy...only 3 different breweries (last time we were here we hit 7), mostly because I have my daughters with me.

Anyways, we went to Crux, 10 Barrel, and Immersion. All were excellent.
User avatar
DaveInSeattle
The Dude
Posts: 8391
Joined: Mon Mar 18, 2013 5:51 am
Location: Seattle, WA

Re: The OFFICIAL Craft Beer Thread

Post by DaveInSeattle »

Also...last night we went to the Bend Brewfest https://bendbrewfest.com/.

An overwhelming amount of beers to try. After a while, it became like wine-tasting, where your taste buds are blown out, and you just say 'Hmm...pretty good'. I did have a really good saison, and some good mexican lagers (which seems to be a thing this year). I also learned that I really don't like barrel-aged beers.
User avatar
rass
The Dude
Posts: 20209
Joined: Mon Mar 18, 2013 9:41 am
Location: N effin' J

Re: The OFFICIAL Craft Beer Thread

Post by rass »

Hey mis terd and Syb*, Tiffs has Head High 1000th Batch, if you want to try it.

*and cerrano, if you’re back
I felt aswirl with warm secretions.
User avatar
mister d
The Dude
Posts: 29047
Joined: Tue Mar 12, 2013 8:15 am

Re: The OFFICIAL Craft Beer Thread

Post by mister d »

Oooo, any idea when it tapped? I'd love to try it but also know I can't get there tonight or probably tomorrow. And also as I'm typing this remembered I'm going to Asbury on Thursday and may be able to find some.
Johnnie wrote: Sat Sep 10, 2022 8:13 pmOh shit, you just reminded me about toilet paper.
User avatar
rass
The Dude
Posts: 20209
Joined: Mon Mar 18, 2013 9:41 am
Location: N effin' J

Re: The OFFICIAL Craft Beer Thread

Post by rass »

Don’t know, though the manager said she just printed out the new beer list (and needs to fix it because they left the description and ABV of it off the menu).
I felt aswirl with warm secretions.
User avatar
rass
The Dude
Posts: 20209
Joined: Mon Mar 18, 2013 9:41 am
Location: N effin' J

Re: The OFFICIAL Craft Beer Thread

Post by rass »

The East Hanover Wegmans (which I journeyed to last month to get Head High) has Industial Arts Wrench.
I felt aswirl with warm secretions.
User avatar
The Sybian
The Dude
Posts: 18870
Joined: Tue Mar 19, 2013 10:36 am
Location: Working in the Crap Part of Jersey

Re: The OFFICIAL Craft Beer Thread

Post by The Sybian »

rass wrote: Fri Aug 24, 2018 6:33 pm The East Hanover Wegmans (which I journeyed to last month to get Head High) has Industial Arts Wrench.
Finally got around to trying Wrench a few weeks ago. Very solid NE IPA.
An honest to God cult of personality - formed around a failed steak salesman.
-Pruitt
User avatar
DSafetyGuy
The Dude
Posts: 8730
Joined: Mon Mar 18, 2013 12:29 pm
Location: Behind the high school

Re: The OFFICIAL Craft Beer Thread

Post by DSafetyGuy »

The Sybian wrote: Fri Aug 24, 2018 10:19 pm
rass wrote: Fri Aug 24, 2018 6:33 pm The East Hanover Wegmans (which I journeyed to last month to get Head High) has Industial Arts Wrench.
Finally got around to trying Wrench a few weeks ago. Very solid NE IPA.
I had it last weekend. Pretty good.
“All I'm sayin' is, he comes near me, I'll put him in the wall.”
User avatar
Rush2112
The Dude
Posts: 7281
Joined: Mon Mar 11, 2013 4:35 pm
Location: Cyrus X-1
Contact:

Re: The OFFICIAL Craft Beer Thread

Post by Rush2112 »

Had some beers with Giff and Mrs. Giff today. (He had a Blind Pig and a Comrade Thunder Donkey DIPA, I had the Comrade, a Melvin and a Two-hearted (just got to CO full-time!) and the Mrs. had a local apricot cider.

Excellent people! (they didn't invite me back to the hotel)
Did you see that ludicrous display last night?
User avatar
Giff
The Dude
Posts: 10803
Joined: Mon Mar 25, 2013 3:26 pm

Re: The OFFICIAL Craft Beer Thread

Post by Giff »

Great meeting you!
well this is gonna be someone's new signature - bronto
User avatar
brian
The Dude
Posts: 27742
Joined: Mon Mar 18, 2013 10:52 am
Location: Downtown Las Vegas

Re: The OFFICIAL Craft Beer Thread

Post by brian »

If you ever find yourself in Western North Carolina check out Balsam Falls Brewing Conpany. Very, very good beer and literally three doors down from the “police station” in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.
Bandwagon fan of the 2023 STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS!
User avatar
Rush2112
The Dude
Posts: 7281
Joined: Mon Mar 11, 2013 4:35 pm
Location: Cyrus X-1
Contact:

Re: The OFFICIAL Craft Beer Thread

Post by Rush2112 »

Had a Spaghetti Gose at WeldWerks Brewing the other day. WW is the hot kid in Colorado. They do some really good NEIPAs and their stouts can be amazing, They've been on a 100 new beers in 2018 kick and I believe they'll hit the mark before GABF next week.

The Spaghetti Gose was made with tomatoes, pasta, and dry "hopped" with oregano and basil. I had 5 oz or so of it, which is all I needed. It was interesting and well crafted, but not something I want in liquid form again. Nose of marinara, first taste was of V8, then the salt of the gose, the herbs and a finish of roasted tomatoes.
Did you see that ludicrous display last night?
User avatar
govmentchedda
The Dude
Posts: 12673
Joined: Mon Mar 11, 2013 4:36 pm

Re: The OFFICIAL Craft Beer Thread

Post by govmentchedda »

Cigar City and Oskar Blues now distributing to Norway, Sweden, and Finland.
Until everything is less insane, I'm mixing weed with wine.
User avatar
Rush2112
The Dude
Posts: 7281
Joined: Mon Mar 11, 2013 4:35 pm
Location: Cyrus X-1
Contact:

Re: The OFFICIAL Craft Beer Thread

Post by Rush2112 »

Did you see that ludicrous display last night?
User avatar
wlu_lax6
The Dude
Posts: 10402
Joined: Tue Mar 12, 2013 7:16 am

Re: The OFFICIAL Craft Beer Thread

Post by wlu_lax6 »

Caboose brewing is right off the bike path near my house. Have never stopped but have heard great things.
Great American Restaurants, Sweetwater Tavern Centreville is overrated and you can skip.
Lots of people around here like Lost Rhino Brewing Co, but I also think you can do better
Mad Fox Brewing Co is partially owned by an old co-worker of mine (Rick Garvin, but more likely Bill Madden will be there as he usually is a judge). They have won medals for their beers in the past. The Orange Whip is fantastic but think they have won for Kellerbier Kolsch (yup Gold in 2011)
Port City Brewing Co is another local. Good beer but would not go out of my way to try.
Union Craft is VERY Good beer from Baltimore. The owner and his wife are high school friends of mine (If he is there his name is Adam Benesch, a tall guy with a red beard and big Phish fan). Not sure what they will have available but love their Blackwing. It is my favorite. I am not a big sour guy, but if you like that Old Pro is very good for the style of beer. Duck pin, Double Duck Pin, and Steady Eddy are very solid.
Heard good thing about Atlas Brew Works from DC but have not had there beer yet.
User avatar
Rush2112
The Dude
Posts: 7281
Joined: Mon Mar 11, 2013 4:35 pm
Location: Cyrus X-1
Contact:

Re: The OFFICIAL Craft Beer Thread

Post by Rush2112 »

Right on.

Have two free hours (one each night) on Thursday and Friday so will try to check them out,
Did you see that ludicrous display last night?
User avatar
The Sybian
The Dude
Posts: 18870
Joined: Tue Mar 19, 2013 10:36 am
Location: Working in the Crap Part of Jersey

Re: The OFFICIAL Craft Beer Thread

Post by The Sybian »

Disappointing showing from NJ and NY. Kane is really good, and the few I've tried from Dark City were good, but nothing special. I've heard The Referend Bier Blendery is doing some cool stuff, but haven't had anything yet. There are so many great breweries in NY now, but they aren't going. Gun Hill's stout that I tried was great.
An honest to God cult of personality - formed around a failed steak salesman.
-Pruitt
User avatar
mister d
The Dude
Posts: 29047
Joined: Tue Mar 12, 2013 8:15 am

Re: The OFFICIAL Craft Beer Thread

Post by mister d »

Icarus (NJ) is legit. Lamplighter of course.
Johnnie wrote: Sat Sep 10, 2022 8:13 pmOh shit, you just reminded me about toilet paper.
User avatar
A_B
The Dude
Posts: 23323
Joined: Mon Mar 11, 2013 7:36 am
Location: Getting them boards like a wolf in the chicken pen.

Re: The OFFICIAL Craft Beer Thread

Post by A_B »

I didn’t shAre my Boston beer story. Will Monday if I remember.
You know what you need? A lyrical sucker punch to the face.
User avatar
The Sybian
The Dude
Posts: 18870
Joined: Tue Mar 19, 2013 10:36 am
Location: Working in the Crap Part of Jersey

Re: The OFFICIAL Craft Beer Thread

Post by The Sybian »

Enjoying the fuck out of Carton's Dunning Kruger. The first couple were good, but I think it took a few weeks to meld together. Another creative bizarre beer from Carton. Very light colored and crisp Pale Ale with lactose and oats and vanilla. The experiment was to create the taste of lemons through late hopping. It's lemony, but just slightly at the end. It's somehow 7%, but really delicate. I could see slamming these on a hot day and paying for it later. Super refreshing.
An honest to God cult of personality - formed around a failed steak salesman.
-Pruitt
User avatar
Rush2112
The Dude
Posts: 7281
Joined: Mon Mar 11, 2013 4:35 pm
Location: Cyrus X-1
Contact:

Re: The OFFICIAL Craft Beer Thread

Post by Rush2112 »

Focal Banger on tap in town. I love GABF week.
Did you see that ludicrous display last night?
Post Reply