The OFFICIAL Craft Beer Thread

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Thu Jan 26, 2017 8:26 pm

I thought it was stupid. If you have any regular sculpin, you can mix it to make it palatable.

bapo! · Post by **bapo!** » Thu Jan 26, 2017 8:36 pm

I don't know if I would say 'stupid.' Maybe just an interesting idea that wasn't executed well. I had that Dogfish Head beer with wasabi a couple of years ago, and it was much more muted. I didn't notice the heat until the beer warmed.

I just saw it mentioned on the previous page that Ballast Point was bought by a multi-national. I had either forgotten or didn't know that. Sad!

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Thu Jan 26, 2017 8:40 pm

Yup. That's probably the most not-bought beer for me of the last ~2 years. Or Founders All Day. Tough one to take.

A good hot beer can be great but when you turn it into Bad Ass Bob's Fucking Lava IPA its dumb. A blood orange habanero I had in Charleston was pretty amazing. Citrus + peppers is very good.

Ryan · Post by **Ryan** » Thu Jan 26, 2017 8:44 pm

I barely liked the Pineapple Sculpin. Anything after the grapefruit was just like "quit while you're ahead"

Had Otter Creek Free Flow tonight. It's in my top 3 for "beers that taste like that"

bapo! · Post by **bapo!** » Thu Jan 26, 2017 8:51 pm

Otter Creek was my gateway craft beer, back when I had limits on how much I was willing to spend on this stuff. 'It looks like the same thing, and it's $10 cheaper, so I'll buy this.' From what I've read, they've kind of raised their game in recent years.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Thu Jan 26, 2017 8:53 pm

Oh? I never got into them. And I think someone said Long Trail had a really good IPA out now too, which is weird. New England had so many truly shitty craft breweries for a long while.

bapo! · Post by **bapo!** » Thu Jan 26, 2017 8:57 pm

Yeah, I was going to mention Long Trail in that post. I might be conflating the two. I mean, if you're drinking Maine and Alchemist every day, you won't be impressed, but they're both perfectly fine.

teeteebee · Post by **teeteebee** » Thu Jan 26, 2017 8:58 pm

Hopslam 2017. Just as good as I remember. Canned on the 17th.

Next up the Stone Enjoy By 02.14.17 - Chocolate and Coffee IPA. Interesting.

Also, saw that New Belgium rebranded the Slow Ride, Ranger and Rampant into a three level IPA offering with VooDoo in the name. Changed the recipe a little and I can say that the new version of the Ranger is pretty nice.

Oh and Nugget Nectar of course.

bapo! · Post by **bapo!** » Thu Jan 26, 2017 9:11 pm

I should buy Hop Slam this year. Haven't had it in ages. Same goes for Nugget Nectar. The beer world has grown and changed so much, and it's weird to feel nostalgia for things I drank in, like, 2010.

I used to do a better job of cataloguing stuff. I'm going to comb thru my memory tomorrow and see if I can remember stuff I've tried in the past year or so.

Here's a recommendation: Harpoon's porter. It's a basic low-ABV porter, nothing that's going to get a lot of attention, but it's very good. It tastes like a beer version of chocolate milk. If that sounds like your thing, give it a shot.

sancarlos · Post by **sancarlos** » Thu Jan 26, 2017 9:31 pm

I got a couple sixers each of Alesmith Nut Brown Ale and Lagunitas Brown Shugga. So I'm good for awhile.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Thu Jan 26, 2017 9:47 pm

Alesmith is probably the most underrated "big" brewery.

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Fri Jan 27, 2017 8:29 am

sancarlos wrote:I got a couple sixers each of Alesmith Nut Brown Ale and Lagunitas Brown Shugga. So I'm good for awhile.

Does "awhile" mean, "til sunday"?

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Fri Jan 27, 2017 12:26 pm

mister d wrote:Alesmith is probably the most underrated "big" brewery.

You think it's underrated? I thought it had a reputation as a top tier "big" brewery. Deserved, from what I've tried.

My parent's picked up some Hop Slam for me this week. Didn't even hit the shelf yet, but my Mom actually asked when it was coming in, and they just got that morning. I'm so proud of her. Just 2 more weeks until they visit. I hope it's still good by then (mostly kidding).

DaveInSeattle · Post by **DaveInSeattle** » Fri Jan 27, 2017 1:16 pm

Lagunitas has opened a small brewery/tap room here in Seattle. Our "Pedal for a Pint" group from work went on Wednesday evening. Place was pretty cool, and the beer was fantastic.

Rush2112 · Post by **Rush2112** » Fri Jan 27, 2017 1:23 pm

HopSlam is coming to Colorado!!!

As for Alesmith, I think it does fly a bit under the radar. Aside from Speedway I don't see people going all nuts for it, though they have some really strong stuff.

In regards to the old guard VT breweries, they have upped their game. Long Trail and especially Otter Creek have vastly improved / rebranded / etc.

I tried the NB Voodoo replacement for Rampant. Wasn't that impressed. Makes me sad, Rampant was the not bad DIPA that I could get at the place at the end of my street for 8$ a sixer when I just needed some beer and didn't want to drive to the awesome bottle shop on the other side of the highway.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Fri Jan 27, 2017 1:35 pm

The Sybian wrote:You think it's underrated? I thought it had a reputation as a top tier "big" brewery. Deserved, from what I've tried.

I don't know? Never heard too much hype versus the rest of the CAs, most of which are now owned, but I'd put them a clear tier above.

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Fri Jan 27, 2017 1:48 pm

mister d wrote:
The Sybian wrote:You think it's underrated? I thought it had a reputation as a top tier "big" brewery. Deserved, from what I've tried.
I don't know? Never heard too much hype versus the rest of the CAs, most of which are now owned, but I'd put them a clear tier above.

Maybe NJ was sleeping on Alesmith because it just arrived in the past 6 months or so.

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Fri Jan 27, 2017 2:41 pm

Just had two good ones at the local brewery. Knotty pine IPA is excellent from country boy if you're ever close enough to find one.

P.D.X. · Post by **P.D.X.** » Fri Jan 27, 2017 4:09 pm

Stout month lineup for those that will be in CO in Feb.

https://www.porchdrinking.com/articles/ ... th-lineup/

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Fri Jan 27, 2017 4:14 pm

28 house stouts???

Rush2112 · Post by **Rush2112** » Fri Jan 27, 2017 11:32 pm

mister d wrote:28 house stouts???

It's pretty crazy. Glad they have the 5 locations so you can actually get in once in awhile.

BTW PDX I know it's on the other side of town for you, but Under The Sun is typically a little less crowded. We should get together for a couple of pints sometime.

Brontoburglar · Post by **Brontoburglar** » Sat Jan 28, 2017 4:16 pm

tonight is the night to see how this year's batch of Hopslam turned out

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Sat Jan 28, 2017 5:45 pm

Hopslam 20 bucks here.

Brontoburglar · Post by **Brontoburglar** » Sun Jan 29, 2017 1:13 pm

A_B wrote:Hopslam 20 bucks here.

I paid $18 for a 6. It was really good. I'll probably have another today. Only took two over to my brother's and gave the other to the SIL.

I'll have a better verdict after more.

I offset this by finding pint cans of guinness at Costco for $25 a case. that's a steal.

P.D.X. · Post by **P.D.X.** » Sun Jan 29, 2017 2:04 pm

Rush2112 wrote:
mister d wrote:28 house stouts???
It's pretty crazy. Glad they have the 5 locations so you can actually get in once in awhile.

BTW PDX I know it's on the other side of town for you, but Under The Sun is typically a little less crowded. We should get together for a couple of pints sometime.

I'm down. Actually never been there.

teeteebee · Post by **teeteebee** » Sun Jan 29, 2017 7:07 pm

Had GI Bourbon County today. All it's cracked up to be. Brought home a small growler as well.

Also had KBS. Very good but not quite as good as GI.

Rush2112 · Post by **Rush2112** » Sun Feb 05, 2017 12:08 am

Had a couple of Hopslams on tap tonight. Very good, but while I'll pay the 6 for a pint if I find it again, don't think I'd seek it out. Like a few freely available locals more.

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Mon Feb 06, 2017 8:57 pm

Brontoburglar wrote:
A_B wrote:Hopslam 20 bucks here.
I paid $18 for a 6. It was really good. I'll probably have another today. Only took two over to my brother's and gave the other to the SIL.

I'll have a better verdict after more.

I offset this by finding pint cans of guinness at Costco for $25 a case. that's a steal.

Problem there is you are stuck with a case of Guinness.

Brontoburglar · Post by **Brontoburglar** » Mon Feb 06, 2017 10:42 pm

The Sybian wrote:
Problem there is you are stuck with a case of Guinness.

favorite non-niche beer by far. I can drink Guinness like water.

sancarlos · Post by **sancarlos** » Mon Feb 06, 2017 10:55 pm

Brontoburglar wrote:
The Sybian wrote: Problem there is you are stuck with a case of Guinness.
favorite non-niche beer by far. I can drink Guinness like water.

This is a bit of a non-sequitur I'll admit, but that comment reminds me of the first time A) I ever drank Guinness, and B) I ever drank with Irishmen. I had recently moved to California and knew very few people. So, when the brother of the Irish admin for my department asked me if I wanted to go out with him and his friend for a couple beers after work, I was happy to join them. At the Irish pub, we each got a pint of Guinness. I think I was finishing my second sip when one of them said to the other, "That was great. Everybody ready for another?"

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Mon Feb 06, 2017 11:15 pm

Brontoburglar wrote:
The Sybian wrote:
Problem there is you are stuck with a case of Guinness.
favorite non-niche beer by far. I can drink Guinness like water.

Just busting balls.

DaveInSeattle · Post by **DaveInSeattle** » Thu Feb 09, 2017 1:07 pm

Can't remember who it was on FB that suggested I check out local Seattle brewery Cloudburst. My work "Pedal For A Pint Wednesday" group went there last night, and the "Alternative Facts" IPA was fantastic. Subtle flavor, not overbearingly hoppy like so many IPA's.

Didn't have the courage to try the "Swedish Prison Orgy" Triple IPA.

Rush2112 · Post by **Rush2112** » Thu Feb 09, 2017 2:55 pm

DaveInSeattle wrote:Can't remember who it was on FB that suggested I check out local Seattle brewery Cloudburst. My work "Pedal For A Pint Wednesday" group went there last night, and the "Alternative Facts" IPA was fantastic. Subtle flavor, not overbearingly hoppy like so many IPA's.

Didn't have the courage to try the "Swedish Prison Orgy" Triple IPA.

'Twas me. Glad you enjoyed.

I like the doubles and triple IPAs a lot more these days. I don't mind hops, but I need some malt backbone.

DaveInSeattle · Post by **DaveInSeattle** » Thu Feb 09, 2017 6:47 pm

Rush2112 wrote:
DaveInSeattle wrote:Can't remember who it was on FB that suggested I check out local Seattle brewery Cloudburst. My work "Pedal For A Pint Wednesday" group went there last night, and the "Alternative Facts" IPA was fantastic. Subtle flavor, not overbearingly hoppy like so many IPA's.

Didn't have the courage to try the "Swedish Prison Orgy" Triple IPA.
'Twas me. Glad you enjoyed.

I like the doubles and triple IPAs a lot more these days. I don't mind hops, but I need some malt backbone.

The alcohol content of the doubles and triples kind of puts me off when I have to either drive or ride my bike home.

Place was pretty cool...in a warehouse type space that used to be a bike shop, about 2 blocks from the Pike Place Market. Very busy.

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Thu Feb 16, 2017 10:35 am

Walmart Craft Beer not so Craft...rather it is just Genny. But solid name for a brewery "Trouble Brewing"
http://www.avclub.com/article/walmart-b ... ery-250375

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Thu Feb 16, 2017 11:59 am

I'm on my 11th dry day due to this stupid illness. Longest complete break in a while.

sancarlos · Post by **sancarlos** » Thu Feb 16, 2017 12:45 pm

wlu_lax6 wrote:Walmart Craft Beer not so Craft...rather it is just Genny. But solid name for a brewery "Trouble Brewing"
http://www.avclub.com/article/walmart-b ... ery-250375

Speaking of craft beer that isn't really craft beer... the other day the wife and I visited a local pub for a pint. The bartendress told me that the night before they had done a promotion for Trooper beer, an English brew that is made by Robinson's Brewery but according to the website it's "created by" (I shit you not) the aging metal band, Iron Maiden. So, the label and promotion swag are all Iron Maiden-related. I'm not sure how that relationship works and I guess I don't care. The beer was a passable stout but nothing special. (It comes in other styles too). And, for buying a pint, they let me keep the logo glass and gave me some stickers and stuff. So, I got that going for me. Which is... nice?

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Thu Feb 16, 2017 1:48 pm

sancarlos wrote:
wlu_lax6 wrote:Walmart Craft Beer not so Craft...rather it is just Genny. But solid name for a brewery "Trouble Brewing"
http://www.avclub.com/article/walmart-b ... ery-250375
Speaking of craft beer that isn't really craft beer... the other day the wife and I visited a local pub for a pint. The bartendress told me that the night before they had done a promotion for Trooper beer, an English brew that is made by Robinson's Brewery but according to the website it's "created by" (I shit you not) the aging metal band, Iron Maiden. So, the label and promotion swag are all Iron Maiden-related. I'm not sure how that relationship works and I guess I don't care. The beer was a passable stout but nothing special. (It comes in other styles too). And, for buying a pint, they let me keep the logo glass and gave me some stickers and stuff. So, I got that going for me. Which is... nice?

Probably better than

http://www.mmmhops.com/

Lemmy is Beer

T-shirt beer?

Okay this is by Cigar City

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Fri Feb 17, 2017 12:25 am

mister d wrote:I'm on my 11th dry day due to this stupid illness. Longest complete break in a while.

Jesus, I legit shuddered at that thought. I haven't gone that long since I was 15 or 16.

On the bright side, I am enjoying a HopSlam. Great beer, but so many others caught up to it. I know I said it last year, but if I first had this beer 4 years ago, I would have blown a load. Have a bottle of Nugget Nectar in the fridge, just to see how spoiled I've become. 4 or 5 years ago, I was blown away.

For Jersey guys, and neighboring states if they grow, had my first beer from Magnify. Been hearing great things, and bought a 4pack of Vine and Shine IPA. Really good New Englandish IPA. Shockingly flavorful for an IPA (that isn't a DIPA). Also, Carton is now brewing additional batches out of Two Roads. For the first time ever, I saw Carton on the shelf a week after it's release. Almost always kept hidden, or gone immediately. I was at Joe Canals in Woodbridge, and asked if they had any. Guy said they had 10 cases of Unjunct Stout, and much more of Boat Beer and 077xx. Said they drastically increased their shipments, and expect it to grow. They are keeping Carton on the shelf now, and have enough that it lasts a few days. Very excited.

P.D.X. · Post by **P.D.X.** » Fri Feb 24, 2017 6:35 pm

Well deserved Friday work beer: