Booze The recommend-a-beer thread

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Azagthoth said:
I still need to get around to the Anderson Valley 20th Anniversary. Their Hop Ottin IPA is by far one of my favorite IPAs, so I am sure the 20th will be in fashion as well.

The Union Jack is absolutely killer ! I had no problem putting 3 down in a sitting, but definitely wouldn't go past that.

I just picked up Serpents Stout from The Lost Abbey. I will report back on that once I've tried it.
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I've been slowly making my way through the Lost Abbey selections. They have been good but I haven't tried the Saison style ones. I don't particularly care for that style. It also originally scared me as all Lost Abbey brews have raisins added in the brewing process. I usually stay away from anything with added fruits. I do plan to visit Lost Abbey in May. They bought the old Stone facility. I had been there to visit Stone many times.
 
Serpents Stout:

This one is definitely up there with Stone's Imperial Russian Stout and the Old Rasputin from North Coast. Easily makes my top 5 Imperial Stout list and for several reasons. The carbonation is flawless. The aroma is out of this world and definitely one that grabs your focus immediately and lets you know this one ain't fooling around. It really is as smooth and crisp as the best Belgian ales out there (this one actually reminds me of the Trois Pistoles and La Terrible a bit because of the chocolate malt). The coffee and alcohol on the back end aren't overpowering, just appropriately there. It has a nice hint of vanilla with complex dark fruits underlying this delicious stout.

Don't think twice about dishing out $13 bucks for this beauty. It sure as hell is worth it. I don't know if a Belgian Russian Imperial Stout style exists, but if it did - this is a prime example. That was the impression I got based on its smoothness and complexity.

By the way, it is very drinkable at 11% ABV. Took me about an hour to finish it, and actually got better as the brew came closer to room temperature.
 
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Arrogant Ba said:
I've been slowly making my way through the Lost Abbey selections. They have been good but I haven't tried the Saison style ones. I don't particularly care for that style. It also originally scared me as all Lost Abbey brews have raisins added in the brewing process. I usually stay away from anything with added fruits. I do plan to visit Lost Abbey in May. They bought the old Stone facility. I had been there to visit Stone many times.
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Lost Abbey is excellent beer!!!!
 
Quick question.... I tried a beer at a sports a while back and I can't remember what it was called, but it was amazing... The waitress brought me 3 different kinds of Heff and one of them seriously tasted like blueberries.... Does anyone know what that is called? I really want some more..... =)
 
lithium said:
Quick question.... I tried a beer at a sports a while back and I can't remember what it was called, but it was amazing... The waitress brought me 3 different kinds of Heff and one of them seriously tasted like blueberries.... Does anyone know what that is called? I really want some more..... =)
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Maybe they brought you a blueberry wheat ale..... There are multiple breweries out there that have "Blueberry Wheat" as the name for their blueberry wheat ale. What restaurant/bar did you have this at? My friend got one in a sampler from the yardhouse, and it was some type of blueberry pale ale that I believe came from Hawaii.... Might that be it ?

Did you try actual other hefs, or were they the wheat ales like Pyramid and Widmer that everybody mistakes as a hef? It really bugs me when I hear people order a "hef", instead of asking for a Pyramid or Widmer. Both of those beers are garbabe in my opinion. I also can't stand hearing a bartender say "we've got hef" when in actuality they don't. Widmer and Pyramid are nothing even remotely close to an actual hefeweizen. Bad mass marketing for you there.

Go with a Paulaner or Franziskaner to get an idea of how a genuine hefeweizen is. You'll love them and most likely never put down a Pyramid or Widmer ever again. BJ's has a decent hef too.
 
Azagthoth said:
Maybe they brought you a blueberry wheat ale..... There are multiple breweries out there that have "Blueberry Wheat" as the name for their blueberry wheat ale. What restaurant/bar did you have this at? My friend got one in a sampler from the yardhouse, and it was some type of blueberry pale ale that I believe came from Hawaii.... Might that be it ?

Did you try actual other hefs, or were they the wheat ales like Pyramid and Widmer that everybody mistakes as a hef? It really bugs me when I hear people order a "hef", instead of asking for a Pyramid or Widmer. Both of those beers are garbabe in my opinion. I also can't stand hearing a bartender say "we've got hef" when in actuality they don't. Widmer and Pyramid are nothing even remotely close to an actual hefeweizen. Bad mass marketing for you there.

Go with a Paulaner or Franziskaner to get an idea of how a genuine hefeweizen is. You'll love them and most likely never put down a Pyramid or Widmer ever again. BJ's has a decent hef too.
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I personally am against those fruity beers. Waste of beer in my opinion.

I was up near Sacramento recently and River City Brewing has a pretty nice Hef
 
Some new ones I tried this week

Lagunitas - Lucky 13 Mondo Large Red Ale

Beer Advocate has this one classified as an American Strong Ale but I highly disagree and would throw it into the Imperial Red Ale category. In a nutshell, this one was one chewy all malt brew. It had a great hop smell in the nose, but there was barely any hop taste in the mouth which bummed me out. Beautiful color to it and nice lacing, but in the end really did nothing for me. Wasn't bad but I just wouldn't go out of my way for it.

Lagunitas - Olde Gnarlywine

Not too shabby for a barley wine. I guess I am spoiled with great ones like Bigfoot and The Angel's Share that in turn make this one from Lagunitas less appealing. It was pretty damn sweet and had a killer smell, but the body was ltoo light for what I'd expect from a barley wine. I wouldn't go out of my way for this one either (or any Lagunitas brew for that matter) but definitely try it and see what you think. Maybe there is something I am missing. In the end, everything I've had from Lagunitas just doesn't cut it. Not bad, but their output is just barely above average in my opinion.
 
Azagthoth said:
Some new ones I tried this week

Lagunitas - Lucky 13 Mondo Large Red Ale

Beer Advocate has this one classified as an American Strong Ale but I highly disagree and would throw it into the Imperial Red Ale category. In a nutshell, this one was one chewy all malt brew. It had a great hop smell in the nose, but there was barely any hop taste in the mouth which bummed me out. Beautiful color to it and nice lacing, but in the end really did nothing for me. Wasn't bad but I just wouldn't go out of my way for it.

Lagunitas - Olde Gnarlywine

Not too shabby for a barley wine. I guess I am spoiled with great ones like Bigfoot and The Angel's Share that in turn make this one from Lagunitas less appealing. It was pretty damn sweet and had a killer smell, but the body was ltoo light for what I'd expect from a barley wine. I wouldn't go out of my way for this one either (or any Lagunitas brew for that matter) but definitely try it and see what you think. Maybe there is something I am missing. In the end, everything I've had from Lagunitas just doesn't cut it. Not bad, but their output is just barely above average in my opinion.
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I know I have said this before AZ, but I am really impressed. You have come so far in just a few years from the guy chugging swill in his backyard.

Bravo!
 
I picked these up from the store yesterday and will report back as I consume them

Koningshoeven - Tripel
The Lost Abbey - Lost & Found Abbey Ale
The Lost Abbey - Avant Garde
The Lost Abbey - Devotion Ale
Founder's - Founder's Black Rye
Port Brewing - Old Viscosity
Rogue - Mom Hefeweizen (I think it's just a new name for the previous Half-e-weizen)

Ever since I tried the Serpent's Stout and The Angel's Share, The Lost Abbey has become a quick favorite.
 
Met up with psychopick at BevMo on Friday. Picked up Dogfish 90 Minute IPA. Impressed by the hops and full bodies taste. A very fulfilling brew coming in at 9% alcohol.
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Also picked up Sringboard Ale by New Belgium. Haven't tried it yet to review.
 
mitchrock said:
Met up with psychopick at BevMo on Friday. Picked up Dogfish 90 Minute IPA. Impressed by the hops and full bodies taste. A very fulfilling brew coming in at 9% alcohol.
90Min_2shot.JPG


Also picked up Sringboard Ale by New Belgium. Haven't tried it yet to review.
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I was disappointed with the Springboard.

However, that Dogfish Head 90 minutes IPA is absolutely outstanding. One of the best Double IPAs out there. An excellent balance of malt and hops with a great body to it.
 
Just though I'd give you all a heads up on the Sam Adams Summer Ale that was just released. Last year it really was one of my favorite summer brews by far. Picked some up on Friday night and I don't know what the hell they did wrong here..... far too much lemon, no malt, tastes like Widmer !!! Perhaps I got a bad 12 pack or maybe they are trying to cut cost and use less ingredients.... I'd like to hear if anybody else encountered this as well.
 
Azagthoth said:
Just though I'd give you all a heads up on the Sam Adams Summer Ale that was just released. Last year it really was one of my favorite summer brews by far. Picked some up on Friday night and I don't know what the hell they did wrong here..... far too much lemon, no malt, tastes like Widmer !!! Perhaps I got a bad 12 pack or maybe they are trying to cut cost and use less ingredients.... I'd like to hear if anybody else encountered this as well.
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Crap. The thing I hate about that beer is that it tastes different every year. It goes anywhere from damn good to awful

I guess it is on the awful end of the spectrum this year
 
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KingsJohn/Obediah said:
Crap. The thing I hate about that beer is that it tastes different every year. It goes anywhere from damn good to awful

I guess it is on the awful end of the spectrum this year
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It might just be a slightly skunked pack. I'd buy some from somewhere else and try again.
 
Azagthoth said:
I was disappointed with the Springboard.

However, that Dogfish Head 90 minutes IPA is absolutely outstanding. One of the best Double IPAs out there. An excellent balance of malt and hops with a great body to it.
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I made the mistake of trying it after a Dogfish. The two really clashed.

I will have another Thursday night & submit my findings.
 
psychopuck said:
I made the mistake of trying it after a Dogfish. The two really clashed.

I will have another Thursday night & submit my findings.
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Understandable. I find its best not to mix any beers period, but if you are then definitely start with something at the bottom like a pale ale then work your way up to a Double IPA. You really can't get a true taste if your palate is destroyed to begin with.
 
KingsJohn/Obediah said:
Crap. The thing I hate about that beer is that it tastes different every year. It goes anywhere from damn good to awful

I guess it is on the awful end of the spectrum this year
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Is it common for them to change the recipe each year? I know some breweries do that with their seasonals and it really pisses me off.
 
Last night I went with Curieux from Allagash. It's a bourbon barrel aged tripel. Finally I can say that I've had a brew from Allagash that I really enjoyed. Everything I have had from them up to this point was mediocre at best. Really didn't care much for their dubbel, tripel, or FOUR in previous tastings.

Now, onto the good stuff !

The reflection of bourbon is very well suited in this perfectly carbonated tripel. Lots of tropical and sweet fruit in both the aroma and mouth. The 11% ABV is quite present and gives a spicy touch to this smooth brew during the finish. This one was definitely a sipper for me, and didn't go bad as it got warmer during the session.

This bottle ran me just under 20 bucks and was definitely worth it. Very limited so grab one while they are still available !
 
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