Let's talk Beer - Page 4

What's up, Ron, midwesteners, westerners and my Pennsylvannian compadres!

I'll have to second all your sentiments on Victory Hop Devil IPA, that bad boy was the first beer I ever felt passionate about! Currently sampling Saranac's Lager... it's not as good as their Adirondak Amber- ain't no Yeungling either!- but has a curious taste that grows on you.

Randy,

Me and my friends have been dying to sample (more likely get knocked on our fanny!) by some Arrogant Bastard. GOnna have to force our friend in CA to import some for us.

What's this Austin City Limits thing? Anything with Stevie can't be all bad!

Well, the Arrogant Bastard might be able to be found in PA. There's a shop in Allentown (Shangy's) that has a ton of stuff. Of course, only problem is having to buy a whole case. Get some friends together and do an exchange. Check out Stone's Website for distribution info.

Austin City Limits is an old show on PBS. It's taped live and then aired. Not sure if it is still going though. A few weeks ago they had Jimmy Buffet circa 1983, and then last night Stevie Ray Vaughan from 1988. Awesome.

Bottoms Up!

Benjamin_L, have you visited the Victory brewery, yet? I keep intending to do so, but usually end up going to Stoudt's.

I haven't been too happy with Saranac on the whole, but maybe that's because my first taste was of a blueberry-flavored brew (blech!).

-j

Jay, thanks for the link! Arrogant Bastard's web site never mentioned any distributors in PA!


Good lord, Victory's brewery is located almost in my backyard and I didn't even know it... that just shot up to the front of my to-do list. I haven't even visited the Standard Tap yet, weak eh?

Saranac's trail mix cases have a good bit of variety, but I think their adirondak amber is definitely king among them.

Is Stoudt's a decent place?

I always enjoy Sunday trips to Stoudt's. Do call ahead to check times and for any special events. Start off with the brewery tour, usually led by Ed Stoudt. End with a trip to the beer garden.

Make sure to save room for sausages (and rotkraut!) or a pulled pork sandwich if they roast a pig that day. Pick up whatever attracts you from their on-site bakery, too (I love their multi-grain bread).

More info: http://www.stoudtsbeer.com.

And the Standard Tap is outstanding. I've never been disappointed there. Check out Ortlieb's (just a stumble away) while you're in the area, especially if you like jazz.

-j

Anyone ever try anything from Mt. St. Helena brewery.

I picked up a 6 of one of their ales for our annual Octoberfest this year (put off until this spring because of an injury to the host).

Incidentally for those who care I got it at beverages and more.

Hey all, new to this thread.
How on earth did I miss it? I love beer!

Well, I don't consider myself a real beer drinker(meaning haven't tried a lot of different kinds), or claim to know anything about it, other than I like to drink it.

Beers I drink most often are:

Alexander Keith's
Creemore Springs Premium Lager
Creemore Springs urBock
And when I want to save a couple bucks per 12 pack,
Molson Export

I was at the liquor store today, and picked up a 6 of Grolsch Blond. Never had it before, but I'm quite enjoying it.

This is my first venture into anything non-HT in this forum since I apparently am still clueless in that regard, but I must say, I do love beer!

When I was 15 I was the chick drinking Budweiser while all my friends were drinking wine coolers.

Luv tha beer!


My favorite beer: ICE cold and crisp on a 100 degree day in Texas.

I just stocked up on my Samual Smith's Taddy Porter. YUMMY!!!

I wish I could get Yuengling around here... I quite enjoyed my samples I had up north. Import it to Alabamistan damn you!!!

Ahhhh yes... I'm a HUGE porter fan. My favorites include:

-Grants
-Fullers (Love the stuff but I have a very hard time getting it)
-Anchor (I've found I've enjoyed most of Anchor's lineup!)


I too have had several peopl tell me about the Alaskan Smoked porter... I'm hunting for it too!

Ok. Porter's is the theme. Had to stop by the store and pick-up some provisions per the wife and it happens to be next to a cigar/wine/beer specialty shop.

They had several Stone products, Ruination IPA, Smoked Porter and Arrogant Bastard but I went for the local Richmond Brewery, Legend Chocolate Porter in a 22 oz Bomber bottle.

Poured very nicely, nice deep color, very nice head. Nose, kinda sweet, but not overpowering. Initially sip, not too bad. A very different taste than the Stone Smoked Porter. A sweeter, less complex flavor. Not as heavy. Finished it and had room for more. Overall preferred the Stone product though, had a more complex flavor.

It's been a while since I had the Yuengling Porter, but when I was in the Lehigh Valley, it was the best bargain going. You could pick up a case for about $15. Even better on tap. Yum!

I can't wait for tomorrow though. Taking Valentine's Day off, heading out to a local museum and then to a late lunch at a new Richmond establishment,the Capital Ale House. Thirty brews on tap and 200 bottles. Looks like they'll have the Belgiums that my wife likes-she's a big fan of Dubbels-and even better they have Victory Hop Devil IPA and Stone Smoked Porter on TAP!

Will report back my findings.

Bottoms Up!

A wife who's a fan of Belgians, you hit the lotto man.

I'll have some reviews tomorrow to report.

Jin, Fuller's is a brilliant brewery. Their 1845 , I will review tomorrow. Already a favorite

The liking of Belgian beers helps. She's not a huge fan and all, but makes it more enjoyable when going to such an establishment. I think I can count on one hand the number of times she's had a beer just to have a beer at home, but she's willing to give them a try when out.

There was a small brewery back in the Lehigh Valley, Weyerbacher, that had a nice Dubbel and Trippel seasonally. We would stop by there every few weeks to try out something new on tap. Miss that place since moving down here. Saw some of there beers at a local shop, and the prices for a sixer were pretty steep. They're the manufacturer of the hoppiest beer I've had, which I mentioned earlier, the Weyerbacher Hops Infusion.

Cheers!

I know you guys don't live in Canada, but maybe you could help me out.

Where would I find all these beers that are being listed here? The only place I know of that carries the more "exotic" beer is the LCBO here in Ontario.

When I was there picking up Grolsch Blonde, I saw maybe one or two of the many beers listed here, but that's it.

Any Canadians reading this thread care to lend me a helping hand?

Andy, you should try all the Unibroe outings. They are a Canadian brewery that does some wonderful brews. Especially their Trois Pistoles which is comparable with a Chimay Blue. This is an award winning brewery that is highly respected in beer tasting circles.
Mind you they are very complex, and bodied ales. They'll be nowhere near the pilsner style of a Molson or Labatt's.

ok skipped on the Stone Smoked Porter and the Fuller's 1845 and went for the Fuller's London Porter. Man, does Fuller's do a great porter,

Pours a charcoal black with a nice tan head that dissipates to a beige ocean water lace. The nose is of burnt malt with hints of espresso bean and cocoa. The taste is a fire, smoky malt up front. Bit of chocolate and coffee accompany in the middle. A finish of slight hops but that wonderful smoky coffee taste on the back of the tongue. This one is a solid medium body. Not light-medium , like many porters. Porters tend to taste like their thrown together, which is explanatory if you know the history of the style. Fuller's London Porter though, tastes very crafted. It is classy, complex and very luxurious. Another one of their brews that is almost perfect. Just a gorgeous brew.

Ron, and others, I know your taste for porters and stouts. This one doesn't smoke, or do anything fancy. This, like all Fuller's line, is just the epitome of solid brewing.

Go out and get it!

next review.....Samuel Smith's Taddy Porter


Randy, on the price issue. Someone told me and read in here that the Stone products are pretty pricy on the east coast. Well, I finally found someone who carries Victory. They wanted $10.99 a six/pk! The Wine Country is pretty cheap on their brews, so I'm sure it would be even more somewhere else. I would have paid it if they had the HopDevil but they were out.

Ron, I have put in an order for the HopDevil. When I get it, you'll receive a package at the normal LW drop-off. May take a while though. Hehehe, the beer cartel.

I have my local cellar looking for it. Haven't received a call back yet. He said he should have a case of it for me by Tuesday, for which a 6 pack of it is yours. I'll keep ya posted. I didn't think to call LW to see if they could special order. That may be a back-up plan.

Hey guys,

I just wanted to comment on a personal favorite of mine - Sapporo Draft Beer. I really, really like this beer, partly because I think it tastes great (although I readily admit to not being a great connoisseur of beer), and partly because it brings back wonderful memories of the summer I spent in Japan two years ago.

I worked at two hotels in Hokkaido, and one of them had a beer garden on the top floor. It was so fantastic to get done with a day's work, take off your tie, sit outside in the breeze and have a nice cold one while relaxing with co-workers. It was the best, most satisfying beer-drinking experience I've ever had.

I've had Sapporo here in the USA, and I still think it's a great beer, but it's impossible to duplicate that same experience. Also, I've heard varying stories about American distribution of Sapporo. The can (or bottle) says it's imported, but I read in Consumer Reports that it's brewed and distributed by Anheuser-Busch. Granted, this is the same magazine that rated Natural Light the second-best tasting beer, but I was wondering what the true story is.

Anyway, just wanted to share my high opinion of Sapporo. Oh, I've also had the Sapporo Reserve (which I never saw in Japan), and I didn't like it as much as the original draft.

Sounds like I need to move away from Alabamastan to Kali just for the better beer selection

Eric, I went to the Sapporo Bier Garten in Hokkaido and had a blast. All you can eat and drink. While my tastes in beer do not include Sapporo's style any longer, it was still lots of fun there.

Hi Gents.

Been away from the HTF for a few days due to other things (mainly snow/sleet/freezing rain) Yuck.

Anyway, had a good time at the Capital Ale House on Valentine's Day. Got there at about 4 or so and it was empty. Filled up with after work crowd by about 5:30 or so. We had some burgers and enjoyed a few brews. I definitely would return. Very impressive menu of both tapped brews but also bottles as well. Staff was pretty knowledgable as well. Meaning, if I asked a question about a brew, I got a pretty good response and description.

First beer. Anderson Valley Barley Flats Stout On Draft. Very nice deep color. Held a nice head. Good Aroma. Very nice taste, a slight sweetness, roasted flavor. Really liked it.

Second beer. Smuttynose Robust Porter On draft. Really nice head and color. More pugent taste to it than the Stout, less sweet, slightly lingering roasted aftertaste Not too bad. Would order another.

Third beer. Fordham Oyster Stout On draft. Served with no head, lingering of one that was there? Too long on the bar? Deep color. Good roasted flavor, but a bit watery at the end. The weakest of the three. Kinda disappointing.

Wife's beer. Dogfish Head Snowblower Ale On draft. Very nice deep amber color. Very nice lacy head. Nice sweetness in aroma and spicy, sweet taste. Very good. I enjoyed my tastes of this one.



Geez Zen, $10.99 a sixer! Yikes. I can find it here in Richmond for $6.99. Understand about the $$. Just as Stone's gotta ship out here, Victory's gotta ship out to the west coast. Hopefully, we east coasters haven't set your expectations too high. I'm sure that you will enjoy
the brew.

Cheers. Gotta go scrape, shovel, remove about 6 inches of sleet, snow and ice from the driveways and walks. Only benefit is the office was closed today because of the icy roads...

Had some San Rafael Pale Ale yesterday.

I'm no beer critic, but I know what I like.

It was alright, lil hoppy, a little too bitter for my tastes. light ale-ish color as you might expect. All in all, a mediocre experience.