The OFFICIAL Craft Beer Thread

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Fri Apr 11, 2014 10:12 am

sancarlos wrote:Whenever I see Rush's new avatar, ,I think that Ed Romero has returned to the Swamp.

And then you are disappointed that it is just Rush.

Rush2112 · Post by **Rush2112** » Fri Apr 11, 2014 10:51 am

The Sybian wrote:
sancarlos wrote:Whenever I see Rush's new avatar, ,I think that Ed Romero has returned to the Swamp.
And then you are disappointed that it is just Rush.

So am I.

(Ed told me he's staying away because every time he leaves the Swamp the Sox win the Series.)

Giff · Post by **Giff** » Fri Apr 11, 2014 1:56 pm

Rush2112 wrote:
The Sybian wrote:
sancarlos wrote:Whenever I see Rush's new avatar, ,I think that Ed Romero has returned to the Swamp.
And then you are disappointed that it is just Rush.
So am I.

(Ed told me he's staying away because every time he leaves the Swamp the Sox win the Series.)

I hereby announce my retirement in April 2018.

Rush2112 · Post by **Rush2112** » Tue Apr 15, 2014 2:31 pm

Hey Tampa folks, keg of KBS is headed your way

govmentchedda · Post by **govmentchedda** » Tue Apr 15, 2014 4:28 pm

Rush2112 wrote:Hey Tampa folks, keg of KBS is headed your way

Giddy up! I may have to make my way over there on Sunday. Sounds like a nice reward for putting up with the inlaws on Easter.

rass · Post by **rass** » Fri Apr 18, 2014 7:39 pm

Got back to the apparently shitty BuyRite with a bottle and filled up on the Kane Head High. It is pretty good. My dad got the Captain Lawrence IPA. I'll try that tomorrow.

Went out to dinner tonight and had Ommegang Hop House on tap. They also had SN Ruthless Rye, which I really like. Plus great fucking burgers.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Fri Apr 18, 2014 8:00 pm

I really like the Captain Lawrence pale and whatever their bomber DIPA is, but I do not like the IPA. And I've tried, because I like them and the idea of them as a great NY area local.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Fri Apr 18, 2014 8:03 pm

Also, I think my first trip was during my "absence", Peekskill Brewery in NY is amazing. Either they're going to be a major player down the road or the head brewer (formerly of Ithaca, who I don't believe has ownership stake in Peekskill) is going to break off and make something else big. They have a coffee pale ale which shouldn't work and does tremendously, plus easily the best IPA I've had in the state (and top 5 overall) in Higher Standard. As of right now they don't bottle and only ship to a select few bars in NYC so you have to seek them out hard to find them, but totally worth it.

devilfluff · Post by **devilfluff** » Fri Apr 18, 2014 8:29 pm

I haven't had Capt Lawrence's IPA, but their triple IPA(seeking alpha) is outstanding.

I had a second bottle of Maine's Another One tonight. I seriously under rated it the first time. It is fantastic. Totally worth the price of admission.

Post by **Sabo** » Fri Apr 18, 2014 8:30 pm

devilfluff wrote:I haven't had Capt Lawrence's IPA, but their triple IPA(seeking alpha) is outstanding.

I had a second bottle of Maine's Another One tonight. I seriously under rated it the first time. It is fantastic. Totally worth the price of admission.

Hey Fluff, you're on the clock for the mock NFL draft ...

Brontoburglar · Post by **Brontoburglar** » Fri Apr 18, 2014 8:36 pm

I got a four-pack of Stone at Costoco. Loved the Black IPA but not a fan of the Arrogant Bastard. It was a good beer, I could tell that, but it just didn't resonate with me. Still have the IPA and Russian Imperial to go.

Got a sixer of the Bell's Oberon tonight. Looking forward to trying that. It may be a party beer for two weeks from now. I'm going to want good beers that I can drink multiples of.

My buddy found a Founder's KBS four-pack tonight. Apparently the cashier told him to age the crap out of it. I've never seen it around here and I really want to find it. Looks incredible.

devilfluff · Post by **devilfluff** » Fri Apr 18, 2014 8:40 pm

Sabo wrote:
devilfluff wrote:I haven't had Capt Lawrence's IPA, but their triple IPA(seeking alpha) is outstanding.

I had a second bottle of Maine's Another One tonight. I seriously under rated it the first time. It is fantastic. Totally worth the price of admission.
Hey Fluff, you're on the clock for the mock NFL draft ...

My pick will be in shortly.

devilfluff · Post by **devilfluff** » Fri Apr 18, 2014 8:42 pm

Brontoburglar wrote:My buddy found a Founder's KBS four-pack tonight. Apparently the cashier told him to age the crap out of it. I've never seen it around here and I really want to find it. Looks incredible.

I hunted the hell out of my area to score 1 bottle. It pretty much sells out the day shops release it. It is very good. Sometimes I question if it is worth the chase, though.

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Fri Apr 18, 2014 9:29 pm

devilfluff wrote:
Brontoburglar wrote:My buddy found a Founder's KBS four-pack tonight. Apparently the cashier told him to age the crap out of it. I've never seen it around here and I really want to find it. Looks incredible.
I hunted the hell out of my area to score 1 bottle. It pretty much sells out the day shops release it. It is very good. Sometimes I question if it is worth the chase, though.

I talked to sales guys in 2 stores that had it. They both said it never touched the shelves. They were held for a people on a waiting list. However good the beer is, nothing could match the hype.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Sat Apr 19, 2014 1:40 pm

I always hate those "I found this rare and awesome beer on the goddamn shelf" stories unless I'm the one telling it.

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Sat Apr 19, 2014 5:48 pm

So the wife is down for the Garden State Beer Fest. Who is with me? Cerrano? Rass? Any of you South Jersyites or New Yorkers?

cerrano · Post by **cerrano** » Sat Apr 19, 2014 5:58 pm

The Sybian wrote:So the wife is down for the Garden State Beer Fest. Who is with me? Cerrano? Rass? Any of you South Jersyites or New Yorkers?

i wish. mrs. cerrano bought (off) broadway tix to celebrate her best friend's bday, so i'm as happy as joe biden at church*.

* i just feel like he'd be dying to get out of there so he could race his hotwheels and watch "the baseball bunch"

devilfluff · Post by **devilfluff** » Sat Apr 19, 2014 9:00 pm

The Sybian wrote:So the wife is down for the Garden State Beer Fest. Who is with me? Cerrano? Rass? Any of you South Jersyites or New Yorkers?

It's the 10th, right? I'll check with the wife if we have plans. She is usually down for a beerfest, though.

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Sat Apr 19, 2014 10:07 pm

devilfluff wrote:
The Sybian wrote:So the wife is down for the Garden State Beer Fest. Who is with me? Cerrano? Rass? Any of you South Jersyites or New Yorkers?
It's the 10th, right? I'll check with the wife if we have plans. She is usually down for a beerfest, though.

Yep. Here is a link to the site. In the last week or so, they greatly increased the list of breweries from 10 or 12 to over 50.

http://gardenstatebrewfest.com/

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Mon Apr 21, 2014 9:04 am

You can park in our driveway. Its a nice driveway.

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Mon Apr 21, 2014 9:13 am

mister d wrote:You can park in our driveway. Its a nice driveway.

Park? That car ain't driving itself home. I walked home last time, 3 miles iirc, but it was nice to walk off the drunk a bit before going home to child rearing duties. "Marge, send the kids to the neighbors, I'm coming home loaded." My wife didn't find that funny the first time I said it during that walk, but I think she found it funny the 30th time. I could tell by her stopping her persistent drone of telling me to shut up.

Thanks for the offer, I may come back later that day and park in your front yard or living room, depending on how much later I it is.

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Mon Apr 21, 2014 9:17 am

For whatever reason Deschutes Brewery now has a huge presence in Lexington. Got a big bottle of Stonehenge Emperimental IPA saturday and really liked it.

Brontoburglar · Post by **Brontoburglar** » Mon Apr 21, 2014 9:18 am

AB_skin_test wrote:For whatever reason Deschutes Brewery now has a huge presence in Lexington. Got a big bottle of Stonehenge Emperimental IPA saturday and really liked it.

Yeah, my store had about 5 different types of it when I was there Friday. It seemed like more than before.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Mon Apr 21, 2014 9:46 am

I don't think I could walk 3 miles post-beerfest without peeing.

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Mon Apr 21, 2014 9:49 am

mister d wrote:I don't think I could walk 3 miles post-beerfest without peeing.

Permission to use your driveway?

rass · Post by **rass** » Mon Apr 21, 2014 9:57 am

The Sybian wrote:So the wife is down for the Garden State Beer Fest. Who is with me? Cerrano? Rass? Any of you South Jersyites or New Yorkers?

Didn't you start a separate thread already? And why do they keep scheduling this on Mother's Day weekend? How about we just get a couple of beers at some point without the trappings of a festival?

sancarlos · Post by **sancarlos** » Mon Apr 21, 2014 10:18 am

They have a big indoor/outdoor higher-end food court in downtown San Jose with a variety of bars and good food vendors. Great place to go before a Sharks' game. But, among many food and drink choices, the vendor that caught my eye was this: I saw a long lineup of guys alongside a huge wall of refrigerated craft beer selections. You get in line, and grab a big bottle of beer from the wall fridge as the line takes you past the selection you choose. At the front of the line, you pay and they give you a pint beer glass and open your bottle for you (You are required to drink it on-premises). What a great business. They quickly sell tons of great beer, with almost no overhead or labor - just one guy at the register, and a helper to open bottles and occasionally re-stock.

Rush2112 · Post by **Rush2112** » Mon Apr 21, 2014 10:22 am

AB_skin_test wrote:For whatever reason Deschutes Brewery now has a huge presence in Lexington. Got a big bottle of Stonehenge Emperimental IPA saturday and really liked it.

Is that the Hophenge?

I really like that and the Chasin' Freshies IPA. Really solid IPAs.

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Mon Apr 21, 2014 10:25 am

rass wrote:
The Sybian wrote:So the wife is down for the Garden State Beer Fest. Who is with me? Cerrano? Rass? Any of you South Jersyites or New Yorkers?
Didn't you start a separate thread already? And why do they keep scheduling this on Mother's Day weekend? How about we just get a couple of beers at some point without the trappings of a festival?

Sorry, Surly. I was going to suggest a Trap Rock meet up. Convenient for everyone except you and Cerrano.

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Mon Apr 21, 2014 10:27 am

Rush2112 wrote:
AB_skin_test wrote:For whatever reason Deschutes Brewery now has a huge presence in Lexington. Got a big bottle of Stonehenge Emperimental IPA saturday and really liked it.
Is that the Hophenge?

I really like that and the Chasin' Freshies IPA. Really solid IPAs.

yes..Hop Henge..that was it.

Rush2112 · Post by **Rush2112** » Mon Apr 21, 2014 10:33 am

I really like Deschutes. Their shelf beers are all good and reasonably priced, then the Abyss, Dissident, Black Butte anniversary, and Green Monster whales are all fantastic.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Mon Apr 21, 2014 11:16 am

Trap Rock just put a relatively solid IPA on (Desperado) after having relatively terrible ones. Lack of high chairs costs them Mister D business.

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Mon Apr 21, 2014 12:11 pm

mister d wrote:Trap Rock just put a relatively solid IPA on (Desperado) after having relatively terrible ones. Lack of high chairs costs them Mister D business.

How short are you? Does Trap Rock still have their Scotch Ale on tap? Really wanted to try that.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Mon Apr 21, 2014 1:51 pm

No idea. Scotch ale is an always pass for me.

rass · Post by **rass** » Mon Apr 21, 2014 2:06 pm

The Sybian wrote:
mister d wrote:Trap Rock just put a relatively solid IPA on (Desperado) after having relatively terrible ones. Lack of high chairs costs them Mister D business.
How short are you? Does Trap Rock still have their Scotch Ale on tap? Really wanted to try that.

I honestly read that as him bitching about short barstools (at first).

It's only 20 minutes away for me. Mondays and Wednesdays are no good for me, but otherwise I'm good.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Mon May 12, 2014 8:39 am

You guys go to the beer fest?

Pruitt · Post by **Pruitt** » Mon May 12, 2014 11:28 am

Lord have mercy - smooth and 11%. Every once in a while our provincial booze monopoly picks a winner.

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Mon May 12, 2014 11:28 am

mister d wrote:You guys go to the beer fest?

Sure did. My wife had several friends that were supposed to meet us there, and every one of them bailed last minute. One's kids was in a car accident (no excuse), one's dog got sick and had to go to vet, one went on meds for severe migraines, and one went AWOL. I was hoping she would have friends to entertain her. Kane won the Sybian's choice award, and it wasn't even close. They had a coffee milk porter that was absolutely amazing. Their Overhead DIPA was fantastic, 2. Brooklyn Brewery had a really nice beer called Cuvee Noir (I think). Highly unusual. Founders Elysian was fuckawful. Blood Orange mixed in. I was burping blood orange flavor 5 hours later. Carton's Boat session beer tasted like Coors Light. Super watery, no flavor. My wife even found it too watery and Amstel is her favorite beer. She really liked the Brooklyn Summer. It was OK, but not my taste at all.

Rush2112 · Post by **Rush2112** » Mon May 12, 2014 11:40 am

Drank the shite out of MI beers last week.

Really hate not being able to get Bell's Two Hearted on a regular basis. Also stay the hell away from DragonMead's "Trippel." They call it Final Absolution and it's a sugar bomb. I had one and while at 10% it packs a punch one should not have a wicked hangover after 4 beers, this is not an isolated incident...two colleagues at the conference had the same problem after a just a few others and one Final Absolution.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Mon May 12, 2014 11:47 am

Boat beer actually isn't that bad *if* you drink it as your first beer of the night. Can't go to it after a DIPA or even a legit IPA, but if you started with that and then had Coors Light, you'd notice the difference big time.

I nearly got that Elysian (not Founders, they're a usually solid Seattle brewery) at Wine Library yesterday but passed out of the exact fear you just confirmed.