The Beer Thread

Just got back from a trip to San Diego. Had no car to was limited to downtown. Enjoyed trips to Coronado brewing (schwarzbier and an Idiot IPA), Pizza Port (sharkbite red, tarantula black IPA and Alesmith speedway stout) and Downtown Johnny Browns (something sour, can't remember exactly what though  ;D)

Also, thanks to Southwests bags fly free dealio I also hit up a great bottle shop and checked a case of mixed Russian River, Alesmith, Ballast Point, Lost Abbey and Port.  ;D

I finally tried the DC Brau Public Ale.  It's not bad but way overpriced at $11.99 for a 6 pack.  I am fine paying that price for a worthwhile craft beer, but not an average pale ale that isn't any better than Sierra.

Fortunate to grab a kegcan of Bell's Hopslam up in Pa. last month.  Couldn't believe it was still around. Truely a thing of beauty…..waiting for just the right time to tap!  Been getting it the last three years or so upon release in bottles but never had the pleasure of a draft.

Bagley wrote:
Anyone have any experience with milk stouts? Sounds like it's similar to a guiness, a little sweeter with a hint of chocolate and/or coffee. I hear Left Hand makes a good one.

I'd check out Duck-Rabbit's, probably the best brewery in NC. They focus only on making dark beer without much marketing, brewpub, etc. You'd think they were in Asheville with all the dark brews, but are actually near the coast. It's fairly easy to find locally.

Williamsburg Alewerks also has a few good milk stouts but I think they're seasonal?

Mackeson XXX used to be my favorite but isn't brewed in the US anymore. UK version isn't as high an ABV.

Was in Wisconsin last week and got to enjoy a full keg of New Glarus' "Spotted Cow," which I love.  Also tried Ale Asylum's "Bedlam" which was really, really tasty……

Stone and Lost Abbey and others are accessible via public transportation, just sayin.

http://www.sandiegoisbrewing.com/2010/04/sprinter-san-diego-breweries.html

brennser wrote:
Just got back from a trip to San Diego. Had no car to was limited to downtown. Enjoyed trips to Coronado brewing (schwarzbier and an Idiot IPA), Pizza Port (sharkbite red, tarantula black IPA and Alesmith speedway stout) and Downtown Johnny Browns (something sour, can't remember exactly what though  ;D)

Also, thanks to Southwests bags fly free dealio I also hit up a great bottle shop and checked a case of mixed Russian River, Alesmith, Ballast Point, Lost Abbey and Port.  ;D

just being pedantic more like

I had about 5 hours on Sunday afternoon and didn't want to spend 2 of those on a train, or to spend 40 minutes walking the mile to and from Lost Abbey and Stone

And I'm really not that crazy about Stone beers

brennser wrote:
And I'm really not that crazy about Stone beers

tried their 2010 vertical epic. . . .it was terrible.  course, i realize i defeated the purpose of an epic vertical by drinking it early, but still. . .the chamomile was overwhelming.

Ah, that makes sense.

I'm not a big Stone fan either. I haven't met one I'd turn down, but still a bit overrated.

brennser wrote:
just being pedantic more like

I had about 5 hours on Sunday afternoon and didn't want to spend 2 of those on a train, or to spend 40 minutes walking the mile to and from Lost Abbey and Stone

And I'm really not that crazy about Stone beers

Epic beer weekend - in addition to the normal fare on offer at various BBQs

On Saturday with an old friend in town I cracked open bottles of Pliny, Blind Pig, Gnomegang, Ozzy, Brooklyn 1 and KBS among others

Sunday BBQ and Beer at the Big Hunt with more KBS on draught, New Holland Mole Ocho and Evolution barrel aged RIS

Monday evening was the launch of 3 Stars brewing "Syndicate" Saison at Churchkey - very crisp and refreshing, the peppercorns add a nice bite

where in northern virginia, can one find a good selection of founders beer that is carried on a regular basis?  i went to that bastard wegmans in gainsville and they had no founders.  how dare they!  i came to the conclusion that i did not like their beer selection though i did purchase a few, tall corsendonks and maybe one four pack of ommegang abbey.  i showed them.

Whole Foods in Fairfax, Norm's in Vienna, or Rick's in Alexandria.

Total Wines sometimes, but they can be hit and miss.

Whole Foods currently has Founders Old Curmudgeon 09 and Founders Red Eye on draft.

walkonby wrote:
where in northern virginia, can one find a good selection of founders beer that is carried on a regular basis?  i went to that bastard wegmans in gainsville and they had no founders.  how dare they!  i came to the conclusion that i did not like their beer selection though i did purchase a few, tall corsendonks and maybe one four pack of ommegang abbey.  i showed them.

James wrote:
Whole Foods currently has Founders Old Curmudgeon 09 and Founders Red Eye on draft.

And note that different Whole Foods have different beers on tap - my local ones (Vienna, Reston and Fairfax) generally update on Facebook.

nice.  i love fellow beer snobs.  thanks.

Tried out a slew of beers over the weekend….

Bought a box of Sierra Nevada's "Boot Camp" sampler- Fail.  the California Common was probably the best of them all.  The double IPA was way too bitter on the back end, the Juniper Black Ale did not get good marks, and the weizenbock was ok.

Sierra Nevada Ovila dubbel-  very good.

Sam Adams' 48th Parallel IPA- meh

Sam Adams' Double Bock imperial- this was my favorite mass produced Sam Adams; still enjoyed this one.

Lost Abbey Inferno- that was pretty nice

Full Sail Hop Pursuit- solid.

We did a comparison of a two month old Pliny the Elder and a 4.5 month old Hopslam (our next to last one of the year) over the weekend. The Hopslam had lost a little bit, but both very nice.

another one of those deal-of-the-day thingies:

$12 for a Five Beer Flight plus a Full Pint at RFD
http://sowhatsthedeal.com/promotions/12-five-beer-flight-plus-full-pint-rfd

I know where I'll be drinking beer in July. Hopping for some Three Floyds and Russian River, for starters.


Back again! This year even bigger and better. All July long every Paradiso location will be pouring nothing but IPAs on draft. Come try Domestic IPAs, International IPAs, Black IPAs, Imperial IPAs, Wheat IPAs and IPAs not normally in DC.
Paired with our special pizza, ?IP(izz)A?

i must upload pics of my latest purchase.  a good beer haul is such a delightful feeling.  some of these beers hopefully will be new ones on most but all will be "da bomb."

and i never understand ipas.  god i hate ipas.  i don't even know why i hate them.  i just do.