Booze The recommend-a-beer thread

[Azagthoth]

Blows the pants off? Hmmm, I guess that's a matter of opinion. I'll take a Pliny any day over Mongo...but that's just me.

What do you think of Knuckle Sandwich?

Of course its just opinion, and I do stand by my statement of it blowing the pants off of PTE. I would go for the Mongo first, every time. I was that impressed.

Haven't had the Knuckle Sandwich yet. Gotta get around to that. Any thoughts on it? Can you pick up a bottle anywhere other than the brewery?

 

[Azagthoth]

Good article about brewing in Germany from Slate.

Slate: Why German beer culture is in decline - Slate.com - msnbc.com

And on the Pliny vs. ???? Can't we all agree that Pliny simply IS a great beer? Better for some, less so for others. But in the big picture, it cannot be said that it's not a supreme beer.

Of course Pliny is a great beer. Its just one I dont ever feel the need to drink again. Had it, enjoyed it, but there are more accessible Double IPAs out there that I would want to drink instead. I feel the same way about Pliny the Younger. Had it once, enjoyed it, but am definitely not going to wait in a line of 100+ people to hopefully snag a glass at Hollingshead.

I really like the double ipas that somehow slip under the beergeek radar, like Hop Stoopid. That stuff was wondrous, and inexpensive in the true Lagunitas fashion.

 

[Stormy2213]

Of course Pliny is a great beer. Its just one I dont ever feel the need to drink again. Had it, enjoyed it, but there are more accessible Double IPAs out there that I would want to drink instead. I feel the same way about Pliny the Younger. Had it once, enjoyed it, but am definitely not going to wait in a line of 100+ people to hopefully snag a glass at Hollingshead.

I really like the double ipas that somehow slip under the beergeek radar, like Hop Stoopid. That stuff was wondrous, and inexpensive in the true Lagunitas fashion.

Yes, Lagunitas flies under the radar of most and I haven't had a single beer from them that I didn't find to be great. Well, the Brown Sugga' was a bit much for me, but all in all, anything you get there is good. Hop Stoopid is very good. Little Sumpin' Sumpin' and Little Sumpin' Extra, uber good imo. I love that stuff when it comes out. I drink a LOT of both when I find them.

As for Pliny, well, we don't get it distributed around here. We get it if somebody makes a run up and brings a case back so we don't get it often. When we do, I imbibe.

For similar, we can get Sculpin here and KRBC JO IPA often and those are "go to" for me. Haven't been able to get the Citra IPA here but once and I missed out. Can get the DFH 90 Minute everywhere and frankly, it's not all "that" to me. Love the Green Flash IIPA and Pour House gets that about once every 3 months. It blows (the keg) after a couple of days. Port Brewing Hop 15 lasts about the same, though it's a tough one to sink more than 1-2 of. A bit on the heavy side. The SN Hoptimum is great, but as others have said, a bit pricey. Racer X, like all Bear Republic beers, outstanding. That's another under the radar brewery that makes damn fine brews. So, enough of THAT. Seeking Hop Salad and Citra IPA. Gotta try those both.

BTW, there is a new brewery based in SLO, TapIt (Tap It Brewing Co.™ - Fine Hand Crafted Ales - San Luis Obispo) , and as reluctant as I was going into tasting their IPA, I was suitably impressed. It's a pretty damn good IPA. Pour House has it on tap now and is considering replacing the Union Jack (on constant) for awhile. Their APA (American Pale Ale) is all sorts of meh though. Word is they're also going to try their hand at distilling and the first booze will be a SLO single malt whisky. Count me intrigued. I'll report on when they release it and when I try it. Rooting for the home team with these guys. I hope they kill it like Charlie Sheen kills it!

 

[rinkrat]

The World's Strongest Beers

 

[mitchrock]

still need to get a hold of the 120 minute IPA

 

[BeerMan]

That's sad. Back in the day Pete's was one of the few craft beers you could get all over the place. Pete's Wicked Ale was pretty good from what I recall. Looks like another case of a big brewer buying a small one and letting it die off due to neglect.

sad ending. Pete's is one of the few that got me started on the craft beers. their Wicked Ale and Strawberry Blonde were my favorites, til I broadened my horizon.

RIP Pete's.

 

[Azagthoth]

still need to get a hold of the 120 minute IPA

It was easy to get a few years back, but I rarely see it. You aren't missing out on anything, though. It literally smells like Shoe Goo, and tasted as such. I split it with about 5 other people, and it resulted in a drain pour.

 

[Stormy2213]

still need to get a hold of the 120 minute IPA

It was easy to get a few years back, but I rarely see it. You aren't missing out on anything, though. It literally smells like Shoe Goo, and tasted as such. I split it with about 5 other people, and it resulted in a drain pour.

I've heard that from all the beer friends I have who have gotten their hands on it. The consensus is that it's not a good beer so don't waste your money if you find it.

 

[Arrogant Ba$tard]

Of course its just opinion, and I do stand by my statement of it blowing the pants off of PTE. I would go for the Mongo first, every time. I was that impressed.

Haven't had the Knuckle Sandwich yet. Gotta get around to that. Any thoughts on it? Can you pick up a bottle anywhere other than the brewery?

The Bootleggers Knuckle Sandwich is outstanding. They are out of it everywhere I have checked. I have one left in the fridge. Another pretty good DIPA is Great Divide Hercules Double IPA. I recently did a flight of IPAs during the Super Bowl and one of the stars was the Firestone Double Jack.

As for Pliny the Elder, I do love it and am lucky to have a source close to home that gets it at least twice a month. Blind Pig sometimes as well.

 

[mitchrock]

HAd a couple of Dogfish Head Burton Batons last night. Great stuff Maynerd.

 

[sonnyboy11]

Just a reminder for you beerheads today- Angel City has a beerfest going on all weekend right across from its new location in downtown. They'll have their beers there plus craft beers from other brewers. I haven't been by yet but expectin to go after the game today

216 South Alameda Street, Los Angeles, CA - Google Maps

 

[UnholyGoalie]

Just finished a bottle of Stone/Port/GF Highway 78. Eh, pretty pedestrian. Mild chocolate malt and not a whole lot else. Alcohol content not well hidden. Lacks depth. Much better scotch ales out there.

Last night had a bottle of Scuplin. Excellent. Of all the IPA's I've had, this one gave me the most nuances of fruit. Had hints of apricot and melon within the hops. Enjoyed it.

Friday night got tanked on pints of 90min IPA (overly sweet but okay), Andy Gator (okay, nothing special), Alagash Black (enjoyed. will have to revisit this one), and Ten Fidy.

 

[BeerMan]

Just finished a bottle of Stone/Port/GF Highway 78. Eh, pretty pedestrian. Mild chocolate malt and not a whole lot else. Alcohol content not well hidden. Lacks depth. Much better scotch ales out there.

thanks for that. now I'll know to not get that bottle next time I hit the store.

btw, I just had the Double Jack. I found it to be a bit harsh as it was not easily drinkable. my wench liked it, though.

 

[Azagthoth]

I picked up a new one over the weekend that I hadn't seen before, the Scaldis Triple. I loved their Noel, so I figured their Triple would be right on par - but no! A very bland, uninspired, and basic triple. Not worth the 16 dollar price tag

A buddy of mine was at some tasting in Phoenix over the weekend, and brought me back a growler of The Lost Abbey's Red Poppy. Absolutely delicious (I've had it before) again, this time around. Apparently, Tomme Arthur of the LA threw in a keg of the stuff for this tasting, or something like that. So my buddy was able to bring back a full growler and asked if I wanted it......and of course I did!

 

[Azagthoth]

Alrighty folks!

With the warmer days approaching (85 yesterday), I am definitely going into the same transition I did last summer (PBR, craft lagers, etc) as the barleywines and imperial stouts are slightly less appealing in general during the summers here. We had plans to BBQ some burgers last night, so I dropped by the new Fresh N Easy and picked up some ****ing awesome jalapeno/poblano burger patties for me, and the bacon cheddar patties for my wife. Of course, I had to drop by the beer section, and came across a beer I noted last time I was there, called Dutch Republic 1581. $3.99/6 pack. I figured, why the hell not??? I was going to be BBQing, and what better than to throw back a few cold ones while grilling. So I picked up a 6'er, popped one open when I got home to start BBQing, and I LOVED it! Put it down in a matter of minutes, and went onto my second of the BBQing session. No bull****, no glasses for a pour, just drank them straight out of the bottle! Definitely brought me back to the high school days of beer consumption

I want to call it a Heineken clone to some extent, as the Euro Pale Lager (specifically the Holland sub-style if you will) was evident. However, even though this beer comes in a green bottle - I detected NO skunk to it! Also, it isn't nearly as heavy as Heineken is. This stuff is far better than some of its competitors (Orangeboom, 3 Horses, etc) and at 4 dollars a 6 pack, you can simply not beat it. No joke, I could have put down 12 of these last night if I felt like it.

Definitely recommended for those on a budget, or prefer to go cheap when going cheap during the hot summer months. I'm definitely picking up more of this next time I go to Fresh n Easy!

Some of these cheap beers can really go a long way if you look for them. These "cheap" beers, are less expensive, and far better than your Bud, Miller, and Coors stuff. I have nothing but the utmost of respect for many of these underground blue collar lawnmowing type of beers.

 

[UnholyGoalie]

I just don't seem to ever get an impulse to stray away from my beloved dark beers, weather be damned. There are some good lighter beers I've had, though. Kona Longboard Lager being one.

To me pale lagers all tend to taste the same and they all tend to taste similar to the Bud/MGD/Coors of the world, so I tend to stay away.

 

[Azagthoth]

I just don't seem to ever get an impulse to stray away from my beloved dark beers, weather be damned. There are some good lighter beers I've had, though.

I don't either, but if its new to me, I'll try it for the sake of having something new to add to the list. Turns out, this one was definitely a winner for both its taste and price, which is a rare bonus.

 

[BeerMan]

To me pale lagers all tend to taste the same and they all tend to taste similar to the Bud/MGD/Coors of the world, so I tend to stay away.

I wholeheartedly agree. I just have to remind myself that as I go about picking up a pack of lagers.

has anyone tried the Hermitage stuff? I've been reading up on it ever since I got that Bevmo special in the email recently. here's the link to a pretty well-written review of three of Hermitage's stuff.

Beers in Review: Hermitage Ale of the Hermit, Menage a Singe and Hoptopia Double IPA | BetterBeerBlog

I'll look into grabbing one of their IPAs and check back with you.

 

[UnholyGoalie]

The Irondale Double Chocolate stout I talked about a page or so ago I believe is brewed by Hermitage. It sucked, to be honest. But I'm up for trying something new.

 

[mitchrock]

The Menage a Singe should be a great beer with three monkeys on the label! Actually tried it with psychopuck a year ago. OVER CARBONATED which is a shame because what was left was monkey bliss.