Calling all hop-heads...
Thursday, August 2nd is "I.P.A. Day"
http://www.craftbeer.com/pages/stories/craft-beer-muses/show?title=ipa-day-returns-on-august-2nd
Celebrate Thirsty Thirsday with a tall, cold India Pale Ale and enjoy the magnificence of the Humulus lupulus and all of its variants. I'll be grabbing a 6-pack of my personal favorite, Harpoon, on my way home... now, what to pair it with?
ianimal 
Calico696 Interesting - IPA is just about all I drink in terms of beer. My favorite is Flying Dog Brewery's Raging B--ch. Unbelievably good... if you like IPA. http://flyingdogales.com/beers/#/Canis+Major/Raging+Bitch That's my daily go-to (I drink about 1 beer every other day in hot weather only... not exactly a huge consumer!)
Rebecka Love a good hoppy beer. Hop-a-lot-amus is a good IPA from River Horse.
Hop Hazard is really good from them as well, but it has a super strong hop taste. Think I have one floating around my fridge.
MeisterNJ Calico
Which IPA's have you tried? I was the same way once, only drank stouts, porters, and lagers. That was until my wife purchased a 6 pack of troegs nugget nectar, not really an IPA, but got me hooked on the sweeter hoppy beers. It also seams like the more you drink, the more your tastebuds become "numb" to the bitterness. I still prefer the sweeter citrusy IPA's over the Piney stuff.
If you want to give the style a second chance, here are some of my favorite, less bitter "IPA's"
Troegs- Nugget Nectar
Dogfish Head - 90 minute IPA
Lagunitas - Lil Sumpin Sumpin
Lagunitas - Lagunitas Sucks "Christmas Ale" (Yes, that's the real name)
Ithaca - Flower Power
Bells - Two Hearted (currently on tap at my house) ;-)
CraftBeerLover CraftBeerLover - I have tried too many to list, but not the ones you listed. Just don't care for it. Need and IBU under 30 usually. Will look into the few you listed here. Thanks.
Rebecka - Speaking of Flying Dog, I love their In Heat Wheat. Yum!
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale was probably my first introduction many many many years ago to what a hoppy tasting beer was.
I first tried Harpoon on draught at a bar in Boston about a decade ago and then took the tour of their brewery and have been a fan ever since. Like Rebecka, I also am a big fan of the Raging Bitch IPA and I've tried just about every IPA that Bottle King or Bourbon Street has to offer.
I've enjoyed them all, but Harpoon remains my "go-to". In addition to the IPA, Harpoon also makes UFO Hefeweizen and Munich Dark, which are among my favorite Weiss und Dunkel beers respectively as well. It's a great operation they have up there. They actually had a brewhouse fabricated in Germany, shipped across the Atlantic in containers and constructed on site... pretty cool.
Has anyone tried Longboard or Fire Rock? Kona Brewing Company. Very good pale ales. Longboard has been my favorite of late. You can't find it everywhere, but Shoprite Liquors in Chester has it.
Thanks for the suggestion, MeisterNJ... I haven't, but I will be keeping an eye out for them.
pair with a steak on the grill and a side of sautéed mushrooms, onions and red bell pepper.
Ginny 
Jazzykatt Dogfish 60 minute IPA is my favorite and always in stock. I also like stone ruination and Victory Hop Devil.
I just picked up a 4 pack of 120 minute IPA. $28 for 4 bottles. Ouch. Going to let it age for next 5 months. Should be ready to drink at Christmas.
sackFlying Fish Hopfish IPA is another very good
http://flyingfish.com/beers/hopfish_ipa.html
CBGB Love beer, HATE IPA. I like actually tasting the MALT in the beverage instead of just the HOPS.
JeffersonRepub JR, I like a nice malty doppelbock or marzen as well. Just because you love steak doesn't mean you can't enjoy a nice pork chop from time to time (-;
Thx for that list, cbgb... lots I haven't tried. The Harpoon Leviathan imperial at 10% ABV and 122 IBU sounds right up my alley.
ianimal...
Fellow Harpoon fan here as well. Never toured their Boston brewery but have been to their Windsor VT brewery a couple of times.
I'm currently on a Sierra Nevada kick. I just ran out of their Pale Ale in the kegerator and IPA Day will be celebrated with some Torpedo!
http://www.sierranevada.com/beers/torpedo.html
Vic That's the old Catamount Brewery in Vermont, right, Vic? I'd like to get up there some time as well.
What's a keg of SNPA go for... $200?
Not sure if it was previously Catamount or not. According to the link it was built in 1998 and purchased by Harpoon in 2000:
http://www.harpoonbrewery.com/index.cfm?pid=28493
Nah, I had a 1/6th keg of SNPA. Picked it up from Bottle King over in Mansfield for around $60 back during the beginning of July.
Yes, Harpoon is located in the old Catamount brewery. We stopped in there last summer. Nice brewery with a cool restaurant and bar area.
Just tapped my American Pale Ale last night, perfect! I was disappointed at the lack of hoppiness of my traditional IPA last summer. The American has so much more hoppiness. Not over the top, but just enough. Home brewing is where it's at! I used to pick up a growler at the Long Valley brew pub for 13 bucks, now I make the same thing myself for about 5 or 6 bucks.
Bruin Check out this thread, MeisterNJ...
http://www.hackettstownlife.com/forum/378254#t378321
The first thing you should do is get this book and read it... twice. Then, go out and get some equipment and brew up your own batch.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Complete-Homebrewing-Third-Edition/dp/0060531053/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1343913502&sr=8-1&keywords=papazian+homebrewing
I got as far as buying the book and reading it the first time... then golf (and yard work) season started and I got distracted from it. I hope to get back to it in the near future. Maybe if I spent less time on here.... lol.
Anyone remember Ballantine IPA? It was a pretty good one and we always loved the riddles they had on the underside of the cap.
MikeGuida MeisterNJ: You don't have to buy a book if you don't want to. Just check out the following web site. It is a very good introduction for a new brewer.
http://www.howtobrew.com/
Just tapped a half keg of Long Trail IPA which I'm thinking will get me through the Winter! It was a bit cheaper than most half keg IPA's at Bottle King. Bottle King charged me $125 plus tax. It's regularly $5 more according to my receipt. Most other IPA half kegs I inquired about were in the $155-$165 range (Harpoon, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Sierra Nevada Torpedo and a few others). I have some others I'd like to try out but with 15+ gallons of beer now in the kegerator probably not until the Spring :-)
The lady manager there Minh (Not sure of the spelling) is always nice and very very helpful whenever I order my kegs there.
Stone IPA - nectar of the gods.
Stone Ruination IPA - reserve nectar of the gods.
Other IPA's range from OK to pretty good...
jjmonth4 Oh my! Belgian beers are the most sought after in the world. This is why.
http://www.examiner.com/article/rare-belgian-beer-begins-limited-us-debut-as-online-bids-reach-100s
JJ,
Agreed...the Stone IPA's are fantastic! Their kegs are too $$$ for me. I buy them by the bottle, 4pack, 6 pack when the $$ allows. Good stuff!
Calico, wow oh my is right!
Stone , Sierra , and Homebrew rule it all. But bear republic is making its way. As of this moment my hand is tied not being able to brew. Been trying to adopt a keg and can't decide which way to go.....
And Vic, until the spring? Will it stay fresh that long??
Atthedrivein Just beginning to enjoy my Belgian Tripel I brewed over the summer. Bottle conditioned in corked and caged bottles, ala Trappist monk style. MMMMM, good rocky head.
Atthedrivein,
I read somewhere that most beers are good in a kegerator for up to 120 days (4 months) or so. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong. If I am, let me know so I can start drinking faster!!
Cowgirl1 Beer in a kegerator will stay good for months, but IPAs have their hops fade after about 3-4 weeks after that the beer usually is a malt ale, stouts on the other hand stay great for well over 4 months. Usually when buying an IPA most customers will get a 1/6 keg instead of a 1/2
Valleyliquors I find the 1/6 kegs are too expensive for the amount of product in them (around 5 gallons or 2 and a half cases / 60 beers).
Tried a beer a friend gave us last night made out of oyster shells. Dark beer ale like nutty taste. Not a fan!
Christine +1 what Valleyliquors said. Drink the hoppy stuff up before hops fade away. Others last pretty long in the cold under pressure. Even my homebrew lasts easily up to a year. Have a keg of Irish stout since March and it still tastes great. My homebrew is not pasteurized, so the higher the alcohol, the longer it can sit around.
Life is too short to drink crappy beer. I just started home brewing this fall. So far I've done an Oktoberfest that turned out pretty good, especially for my first batch. Porter that came out really good. And an Oatmeal Stout that needs another week in the bottle. Just put a Dubbel in the carboy. There's a homebrew store, love2brew, a mile from work. Makes things easy and no shipping costs.
Exellent. Don't forget to join NJHopz. Great group, we meet right in H-town once a month.
Christ Almighty I've died and gone to HOP HEAVEN!!! From one of my favorite brewerys no less.....
http://www.nj.com/entertainment/dining/index.ssf/2013/06/beer_of_the_week_sierra_nevada.html#incart_more_entertainment
Anyone try it yet?
I would also think this is very timely considering the home brew store about to open on Main St.
GC Hoptimum is great definitly worth a try for hoppy beer lovers
http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/sierra-nevada-hoptimum/117825/
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/140/55939
I have it at my store but you should be able to find it anywhere sierra nevada is sold
becca Nice Vic, can't wait to try it. I like a hoppy cold one. How does it compare to HopHazard?
When does the new brew store open?
Had Captain Lawrence IPA last week for the first time (draught). I thought it was really good, but I figured it was only something I could get at a bar in NYC. I walk into A&P Liquors this weekend and BOOM - it is staring me in the face.
CR37 Stone IPA - you can't go wrong with this one, unless you get one that's been on the shelf for too long.
Even then, you could do worse.....
I thought Hoptimum was a brand new offering from Sierra Nevada but then I noticed the beer label in the link I posted says 2011:
http://imgick.nj.com/home/njo-media/width620/img/entertainment_impact_dining/photo/sierra-nevada-hoptimum-double-imperial-ipa-beer-of-the-weekpng-d7a5eb998ec1b6e2.png
Then I also noticed the reviews for it on Ratebeer.com go as far back as 2010. Guess it's been around a while...but it's a new one to me.
It was new to my husband too, and he drinks almost exclusively IPAs. Bottle King was selling a 4-pack of the Hoptimum for $10. He picked one up yesterday.
Tracy Thanks for the update Tracy. I'll be in the area tomorrow and will be stopping in for a pack!
Also don't forget to use your Bottle King Discount Club Card. I had the cashier swipe my card and got $1 off the Hoptimum 4-pack.
Finally got my hands on some Hoptimum. Good stuff! Not quite as strong as HopHazard. A little sweeter. I like it.
Was in Bottle King in Mansfield tonight and noticed they are clearing out various beers from Mankato Brewery (6 packs) for $5!!
I never heard of this brewery (They've only been around since 2012) but for $5 I sure as heck wasn't going to be walking out empty handed!! I decided to try their Haymaker IPA. Price was regularly over $10 for $5. Not bad.....thought it would be a bit more hoppy but that's okay. If interested get these while you can. The clerk said they will not be restocking the Mankato brewery product line.
https://bkbrewblog.wordpress.com/2014/10/15/mankato-haymaker-ipa/
http://mankatobrewery.com/haymakeripa/
Good looking out. Thanks.
Anyone seen any Dogfish 120 min IPA lately? Been over a year since I had some.
Got some last month. I was looking for Stone Barrel Aged but the gent working there said no. He has seen me enough to know I'm a regular because he asked if I wanted something special. He went to the cooler and brought out Guinness 1759 but at $35 I passed , he suggested Game of Thrones , again I passed that's when the 120 came out. $10 for a 12oz bottle but worth it. He said he will sell only one bottle a day.
You may have to ask for it , you never know.
I have some 120 in my fridge. Guy at work got a four pack for me. I have one once in awhile.
I recently tracked down Firestone Walker 18th Anniv. Not as good as I imagined. It's like a Chimay, so if you like that, you'll love it. Very expensive.
http://www.firestonebeer.com/beers/products/eighteen
Their Union Jack IPA is really good.
Has anybody had Boaks? Excellent beer brewed in NJ.
The Monster Mash is superb , Russian Imperial Stout 10% abv 100 IBU
Two Blind Monks , A Belgian Dubbel is very tasty and a 4pk is in my fridge now
Where do you buy Boaks? I checked their website and the nearest place to me is Wegmans in Nazareth.
or you can try Hvalur 2 with it's special ingredient
http://www.stedji.com/hvalur-1-2.html
I'll have to try Boaks. Never heard of it. My go to brew lately (besides my own) is Little Sumpin' Sumpin'. Love that beer. Anything Lagunitas makes is great, in my experience.
CBGB - I don't know if they sell it by the bottle or if it's available widely enough in the stores, but I could try to bring some back. Going to that place is so far off the beaten track I got no shot at going there in person. I wouldn't get your hopes up though, by all reports even Canadians drinking red beer won't touch anything with an Icelandic label. You'd hope a micro can do better, but I wouldn't could on it.
Joe Canal's sells Einstok which is Icelandic beer.
Didn't see the Hvular beer. Hey I'd drink it. If you can bring back some of that GC that would be both awesome and Impressive.
CBGB - The local swill they serve on the plane that everyone complains about is called "Egils". I know I could get one of those back here, but if you'd be happy with something from either Steðja or Einstök I'll see what I can do. Some research says Einstök is in the second city, Akureyri which isn't on my plans. But then again if I can't go where I wanted to, it's actually my backup idea. In any case my suitcase hopefully has room for one maybe two bottles if I find it. Good thing it's my last stop. I don't want to be carrying around a lot of liquids for extended periods.
Perfect thread to pop up.
I absolutely *LOVE* strong IPA...
I am a hophead no doubt. The stronger the better. I want my beer to kick me in the face.
- for record, my entire life I love everything strong- dark chocolate, red wine, horseradish, wasabi, heavy metal, punk music, fast cars, fast motorcycles, dirtbikes, etc, etc.
Hops are awesome.
This night alone, I have had 2 Sierra Nevada Torpedo, 2 Firestone IPA (prefer their double IPA but the store didn't have any) and a dogfish 60 minute... eh.. maybe overrated?
About to head out to Chester for the Thai Kitchen for dinner tonight.. yup..yup. Strong flavors.. :)
Josh Most of what I've had from Dogfish, including their 60- and 90- minute IPA, is overrated, IMO.
Stone (when I have the money) and Victory make good, consistent beer.
Weyerbacher, Troegs, Cricket Hill (don't know if this stuff is really brewed in Fairfield NJ, but tastes like it) don't impress me much.....along with many others, on a price-value basis.
BTW, the $5/ 6 pack stuff on clearance at Bottle King....if any is left....is so-so. The Haymaker is decent...for $5, but that Lucid Brewing stuff had some serious issues.
Neither was ever worth $10.
Try Victory's current seasonal, Hop Ranch
http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/345/104028/
Winecountry Resin by Sixpoint Brewing is an awesome tasting double IPA. Talk about a flavor blast , Resin has it. 9.1abv and 103 IBU , look for Resin in those funky tall skinny cans!
"BTW, the $5/ 6 pack stuff on clearance at Bottle King....if any is left....is so-so. The Haymaker is decent...for $5, but that Lucid Brewing stuff had some serious issues.
Neither was ever worth $10."
Agreed. The night I bought the Haymaker 6 pack the clerk told me that I picked out the "best" of that $5 assortment of beers.
Where do you get Resin, CBGB? Would love to try it.
Have you guys ever had Hop Ranger by New Belgium Brewing? Pretty good IPA.
Tried the Resin. Good stuff, thanks for the rec. Also picked up the Firestone Double Jack. I like that one as well.
In addition to the Rogue 7 Hop IPA, I also picked up the Stone Brewery sampler (three bottles each of Arrogant Bastard Ale, Sublimely Self-Righteous Black IPA, Ruination IPA and the flagship Stone IPA - probably the best sampler pack ever assembled...) with a sixer of Harpoon Chocolate Stout to occasionally wash away the bitterness and the permanent pucker that the 90+ IBUs tend to create. To say it was a great weekend for beer would be a gross understatement.
I've pretty much worked my way through my local Bourbon Street's craft brew inventory, though... I need fresh blood.
Try Super Saver Liquors in Somerville, ianimal. Their craft brew inventory is the best I've seen. It's huge and the prices are very good.
Bottle King in Ledgewood has Boaks. I'll try that next.
Thanks, MNJ... it's a bit out of my way, but if I'm ever in the neighborhood, I'll stop in and check them out.
Darbycrashridesagain Thanks guys for the Sixpoint Resin rec. Definitely looks interesting. Will try to pick some up tomorrow. Per their website it's sold not too far from me at Mountain Valley Liquors in Oxford.
Also, Meister where do you find Hop Ranger by New Belgium Brewing? I checked their website and only see locations down in Delaware and Maryland. Business must be good, I see they are opening a second brewery down in Asheville NC. Sierra Nevada also recently built a second brewery in the area.
http://www.newbelgium.com/community/ashevillebrewery/news.aspx
My weekend had some stellar beers!! Best one was
Category 5 from Due South Brewing
The most powerful IPA in the Due South Category series, the Cat 5 is big on hops and big on flavor. Clocking in at 8.5% ABV and 96 IBU’s, the first bands of malts will make way for the surge of hops on the palate. Designed for the true hophead, this is not a beer for the faint of heart.
Someone told me that Free Bridge Wine & Liquors has a big craft beer selection. It's next to Jimmy's Hot Dogs and is where the Box Car used to be. I'll check it out this weekend.
Other highlights included
Monk IPA from Inlet Brewing , it's a Belgian Style IPA 6.0% ABV 75 IBU’s and delish
Two from Cigar City Brewing , Jai Alai IPA and Maduro Brown Ale , both excellent
Two from Funky Buddha , Hop Gun IPA and Floridian Hefeweizen , decent , I liked the hefeweizen.
Vic, you can't get anything from New Belgium around here. Only out of state. I get it when I'm down South or out West. I should have put that caveat in. I had the Ranger in Hilton Head, SC. Fat Tire is one of my favorite beers.
I had heard they were opening an Eastern location. Hopefully that will bring their beer our way.
Gotcha Meister thanks. Yes hopefully we see their beer up this way once the new NC brewery goes live.
their beer will be coming into NJ this year not sure when, but their reps have been in the state looking at all the distributors placements on craft beer products at various stores and bars.
Currently drinking a Smuttynose 'DURTY'.
There is a picture of a guy on a dirtbike, going up a bank, front wheel in the air, guy falling off the back barely hanging on..completely covered in mud.
That got my attention, as I've done that many times myself. :)
Package says a hoppy brown ale. So, seeing the word hoppy I read on...
It is a brown ale based on a double IPA. SOLD!!
I really like it. At least for this time of year.
I wouldn't mow the grass with it, in hot humid weather..I'd shoot for something lighter and crisper.. but it is pretty damn tasty.
I just brewed a hoppy American Brown Ale that should be ready for consumption in a couple days. Can't wait to try it.
Great to hear winecountry. Looking fwd to getting their stuff when I feel like it.
Last night, I tried Exit 4 American Trippel by Flying Fish. Definitely a solid ale... big malt flavor with some fruitiness and a hint of spice... slightly bitter on the back end, but not anywhere near an IPA level. Also surprisingly drinkable for an ABV that comes in at 9.5%; usually, those are one and done for me but somehow I managed to drink three while playing cards, lol.
"three while playing cards"
Can I get in on that action? I'd like to see what trying to bluff someone off a pot looks like after 3 x 9.5% $:)
I'd get in on that action. How much was your donation last night, ianimal?
I'll have to try the Exit 4. Sounds good.
Last night was the first week of league play, tournament style where you accumulate points based on finish each week. $120 buy-in for the season, ten weeks for points and a championship night in Week 11. The top 2 or 3 guys get a room in AC and a free buy-in to a big poker tournament at Borgata or Harrah's (or recently, sometimes The Sands, depending on what they have going on)... usually $500+ buy-in with 500-1,000 players or better. We've cashed a few times but no one's hit big money yet.
Last night, I took 1st place out of 11 with 4 kills. It didn't end until 11:30, so I didn't stick around for the cash game afterwards.
I am enjoying my Icelandic beer sans whale parts.
A simple yet tasty pale ale. If all you want is to be kicked in the face then skip this one but if you want a tasty fresh crisp pale ale then give it a try.
Einstok Icelandic Pale Ale.
I have some Hookers in the fridge for tomorrow.
Tried the sixpoint resin tonight........good stuff! Was $10 and change for the six pack at mountain valley liquors yesterday. I also saw another beer of theirs called hi-res in a 4 pack. Will have to try that one next time!
Cbgb, you have hookers in the fridge? Are we going to see you in an upcoming episode of Criminal Minds?
Was thinking the same thing ianimal. But that might have something to do with Extra Special Agent Jareau....
I'll have to check that one out too Vic. I have a load of Fat Tire and Ranger IPA coming my way. Buddy was in DE and asked me if I wanted him to pick some up for me. Like he needed to ask.
Hooker Brewery Chocolate Truffle Stout
and it is superb , the first taste is am amazing blast of chocolate which settles down into a fine chocolate stout as ye drinks it
i try hard not be snobbish about my beers,
i like molsons golden, coors banquet; miller genuine draft, budweiser and ballentines ale,
i dont have the extra bucks for these expensive brews, but i have learned a lot from this discussion, one thing i've learned here is that there are some really horrible names for some very expensive brews,
oh yes, and rolling rock, i like that one too. Is gennesse cream ale on the 'too cheap to talk about' list?
BrotherDog 
CraftBeerBob Who's being snobbish, BD? Just some guys talking about different beer. I like to try ...and make....different ones. Drink whatever you like.
BD, you also have to realize that most of these beers have 7-10% ABV versus 4 to 5% for the beers you mentioned. So, yeah, they may cost twice as much or a little more, but you only have to drink half as much and the flavor profile is so much deeper. So it's not really a money issue, it's more a quantity issue. If I'm going to be drinking all day at a picnic or something, I'll definitely go with Banquet or Miller Lite. If I'm having a beer or two with dinner, then I'll go with a craft beer.
And then there's the issue of who you would rather support... the multinational corporate brewers or the local "mom and pop" who produce less beer in a year than AB-InBev spills on the floor in a typical day...
I love when people call someone a snob simply because some of us appreciate and enjoy higher quality items.
Fact- there is such a thing as cheap beer, cheap food, cheap clothes, cheap cars. Some people don't care and happily buy that stuff. But that doesn't make someone a snob for liking something better.
I'd happily pay less for a good beer.. but the raw ingredients alone cost substantially more for a strong double IPA, American IPA, etc. I've brewed my own, I've seen the prices and volume of the hops.
BrotherDog, I don't drink ANY of the beers you listed. Not because they are cheap, but because they don't taste good to me. I like strong beer. That is just my preference, just like I prefer dark chocolate and won't touch white chocolate. Good dark chocolate cost more simply for the ingredients as well.
Can someone change the title of this thread to hop-snob?
i have always been oriented to support the little guy, im a lifelong fan of the underdog,
meister: not calling anybody anything, just making a statement about myself, wish i could enjoy some of these expensive brews, i really do, and i have learned a lot by reading this thread
some of the names do turn me off though, i guess theres a fine line in marketing between being distinctive and being weird, personally i would spend a little more time coming up with better names that appeal to a wider audience while still maintaining a noticeable uniqueness,
Gotcha BD. They're not all expensive. Broaden your horizon if you can. Or make your own. After initial investment, it's fairly economical. And they taste really good. Almost as good as what you can buy. I just made a hoppy American Brown that came out great.
CraftBeerBob, I would consider it. Face value if I did. Not looking to make anything.
Message me Meister if you would. It will be awhile for I get south of here. I am hoping when they build the brewery in NC that they will be distributing to NJ. Until then we need to depend on hop heads like ourselves.
LT meister;
i would love to learn how to brew my own beer, not sure how to get started in the cheapest manor possible,
i mean cases of bud and miller are above 20 bucks now! can't i brew an equal amount for less than that?
It's more than the ingredients used. My George Foreman Grill and I can only do so much no matter how good the ingredients. There is the brewing process , the equipment used , the skill of the brewers etc etc
I won't drink those cheap poorly brewed beers either. I always bring my own beer to the party. Everybody has their own reasons for drinking the beer they select. I like to experiment with new breweries and flavors and try not to have a closed mind. Just leave hot peppers out of MY beer.
$20 a case is less than $1 a bottle. sounds very inexpensive.
i can remember when bud raised the price on a case of bud in cans to 6 dollars, and i swore that i would never buy it again, think i held out for about a week,
i havent had much opportunity to try some of these esoteric, very expensive, oddly named beers, try to drink whats offered without evaluating the quality too harshly,
just dont have the money to spend on stuff like that. so how cheaply can a case of beer be brewed at home? and how do you brew alcohol strength consistently?
Once you have the equipment, you can brew a couple cases of beer for about $40. Especially if you clean and re-use old bottles, which I do. The initial equipment costs around $80-$100. A little more if you don't already have a large pot for brewing. Stop into a brew supply and chat them up. They'll be glad to get you started.
CraftBeerBob, I won't have the Fat Tire in hand for awhile anyhow I'll PM you. And from what I've read, the brewery is built in NC, so we shouldn't have too long a wait. Later this year hopefully.
I enjoyed the last of my Mad Elf from the holidays. Good to the last drop.
Thanks Meister let me know.
Another reason to drink more beer: http://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/beer-hops-might-help-prevent-alzheimer%E2%80%99s/ar-AA8RleG
Nice to know that at this rate, I'll never get Alzheimer's.
I picked up some River Horse Tripel Horse this weekend. Very tasty Belgian-style Tripel with a pretty hefty 10% ABV wallop.
I wish that I would have saved one of the Flying Fish Exit 4 American Tripels so that I could taste them side by side and compare the two. My "beer memory" is very fleeting for some reason... the 10% ABV might have something to do with that, lol.
I've had the Tripel. Good stuff. I like River Horse in general. Solid beers that are different than most brews out there.
A friend brought over Flying Dog - Double Dog IPA that I am currently drinking- 11.5ABV
Not bad.
Has anyone ever had Samichlaus? I used to drink it at Jekyll & Hyde's in the Village back in the '90s.. I think it was 14% ABV and was about the strongest beer around at the time. Of course, that was before BrewDog took it to the absurd with the 100+ proof beers.
Looking forward to Sierra Nevada's new Hop Hunter IPA. Should be hitting stores soon.
http://www.sierranevada.com/beer/year-round/hop-hunter-ipa
Last night's selection was Thomas Jefferson's Tavern Ale by Yards Brewing Co. Strong ale at 8% ABV with hints of honey, rye and wheat. I would definitely buy it again.
Just heard about this place in P'burg from a poker buddy last night. Hope to check it out shortly... it's BYOFood with 50 craft beers on tap. Apparently, it's right next to Marianna's, so the "food" thing kind of takes care of itself. (Calico did you notice it when you were there a few weeks ago?)
http://www.gnarlybrews.com/
I'll definitely try that BeerFan. I've really taken a liking to Resin. It's right up there with Lagunitas and Union Jack.
I've had the Tavern Ale. Pretty good stuff. Some of the Founder's brews are similar.
50 craft brews on tap? I vote we watch MLB Opening Day there!
ianimal - No. WTF? I was just there last Saturday night and didn't notice anything. Looks really cool.
Looking at their FB page, apparently they opened for business on SB Sunday. That would explain why you didn't notice it the night before, lol.
But they should have had a sign up....no? If they did, we didn't notice it at all. But we might have been blinded by hunger and the anticipation of a good meal. :-)
Marianna's fronts on Stockton Street. I'm guessing this place is in the same building (the old silk mill) but along the long side where you park for the restaurant.
Is that a giant Jenga or just an extreme close-up of a normal sized one? LOL, it's hard to tell...
So, what are you and Horatio doing tomorrow night? (-;
thanks for all the advice meister, appreciate it;
40 bucks to brew two cases sounds expensive to me, im gonna try for less than that, use stuff i have already
100 dollars to get started sounds very high to me also, guess im living a different lifestyle than most around here (where's the tolerance?)
will try to get setup with a process cheap as possible,
thanks again
Very nice selection. I saw some of the sixpoint crisp at Wegman's last Sunday. Has anyone had that? I've been drinking some of the Speakeasy Prohibition lately. Not bad.
BD, upthread you said Bud and Miller are above $20 a case. At ~$40 for two cases you would be brewing much better tasting craft brew for the same price. Craft brew that has a higher ABV. That's pretty reasonable, no? Especially since ONE case of craft brew can easily run you $40.
You probably can get started for less than $100. They have kits that make smaller batches that are more reasonable to start. You can start there if you wish. Now that I've been brewing for a couple of years and recycle all of my bottles, my only costs are for ingredients and bottle caps. Ingredient kits run anywhere from $28-$50.
thanks, im going for a minimalist 'can do it all myself' approach to many things in my life
those who know me well, know this is true,
recycle, redeploy, reuse, reassign, build it yourself with stuff you already have, or can find, or someone else has thrown away.
practical yankee thrift is a good thing imo, more of us should try it;
so will try to do this as cheap as is possible while still coming up with a drinkable brew,
have never brewed beer before, have made some hard cider, but thats it, so we will see
My husband has been brewing for a couple of months now. He initially invested in the kettle and burner, got a fermenter for free on a sale with some other purchases, but he made his own wort chiller and reuses bottles. I got him the bottle drying rack, some cleaner and a couple kits for Christmas. He can brew 5 gallons of craft beer for about 30-35 dollars now.
Allagash Black is delicious. This place is friggin' huge and it's right next door to an indoor golf facility. I think I'll be spending the rest of the winter here, lol.
BrotherDog,
If you want to brew the beer well, you will find yourself quickly upgrading if you start with cheap equipment.
Like many things in life, sometimes trying to pinch a penny costs you more in the not so long run.
If you think $40 for 2 cases, or $100 for proper equipment is too much.. you are probably better off saving your time and effort and just drinking even cheaper 'beer' than what you do now.
Why pay for the big name (and advertising budget) of Bud or Miller...when it doesn't taste good anyway. Go for the cheap stuff. :)
Man, I have to hit the liquor store. So many beers to try, so little time. Damn job.
Fer sure Meister
Has anybody gone to our NJ Breweries for tastings or tours? I've been to a few and enjoyed the tours and of course the beer.
I had Port Brewing Company's Old Viscosity Ale yesterday. A real nice dark ale aged in oak barrels and packs quite a punch at 10abv but so smooth. I will be trying more from Port.
I've been to Riverhorse when they were still in Lambertville. Tour and tasting. I've had many of the brews at the Long Valley Brew Pub ( actually landscaped the place while at my college summer job) and the Harvest Moon. Love the Lazy Jake Porter and the Red Ale, respectively. Need to hit some more of our local breweries.
Just saw via Facebook that the Draught House in Washington has some Sixpoint Hi-Res on tap! I've been really lovin the Resin as of late. Thanks guys for the recommendations here!!
Decisions , Decisions
Gnarly's for 50 on tap!!
Resin at Draught House ( even if my only visit here was unimpressive )
Sorry, Calico... it was just your normal, every-day sized Jenga. But, they have a stainless steel bar and you can write your flight choices right on it with a dry-erase pen, for whatever novelty value that's worth.
Most beers are served as pints for $6 or $7, but some of the stronger ones are served as 12 oz. Pick four 5-oz samples in a flight for $10.
Here's the front side of the beer list:
Wychwood Ginger Beard
just about the worst tasting beer I've ever had. I bought a bottle last night and dumped about half way. It tastes like a very syrupy ginger ale , way too sweet for my tastes and way too sweet for a beer.
maybe Cricket Hill tonight
Have to re-stock my Resin supply. Maybe pick up some Union Jack while I'm at it and some Allagash Black too.
Hi I just saw this thread and was wondering if any of you hop heads were interested in any aged craft beer for trade? I have many varieties from many breweries.
AudioNut My brother does trading. I think through the league of extraordinary beer drinkers web site or something like that. I'm thinking whatever I can get locally anybody else can get locally.
BUT if I could get Pseudo Sue from Toppling Goliath or Sue from Yazoo Brewing I would fer suer talk trades.
Decided to get more from Sixpoint
Beast Mode Porter
nice chocolate/coffee taste in the first bit of the tasting but then....whoa what was that. a shot of bitter in the back of the taste. at first I thought , what the hey but by the end of my first glassful I'm thinking Yeah Sixpoint knows how to make BEER
superb ......taste of a porter with some hops kick too
Haven't found Allagash Black yet. Seen the white all over. Picked up some Ballantine IPA yesterday. Supposed to be the 'First' IPA, or so they say. Will give it a review.
That Beast Mode Porter sounds good CBGB.
Anyone ever have Southern Tier IPA? I was in Mountain Valley Liquors in Oxford last night and the guy working there was raving about it.
http://www.stbcbeer.com/works-2-cols/ipa-beer-page/
Allagash Black tastes a lot like how CBGB described the Beast Mode Porter... coffee and chocolate on the front end and bitter hoppy deliciousness at the back.
Ballantine IPA is made by Pabst (or whoever bought Pabst) and is at best an "homage" to what people think they remember what Ballantine IPA tasted like. No actual recipe (mash bill?) survived so they tried to recreate it using written descriptions of how it tasted. I saw it in the store but couldn't bring myself to pay $10 for a 6-pack when I could get a 12-pack of PBR for $8.50, lol.
several years ago I spotted a six of Ballantine and decided to try it since I couldn't remember seeing any for a long time. The woman at the register said "Put it back , you won't like it. I know you and you always buy the good stuff"
Thanks ianimal. I knew there must be something behind the Ballantine IPA, as I'd never seen it before. We'll see how they did. I'm surprised they couldn't find an unopened bottle of it in someone's basement.
Here's a story about the reintroduction of Ballantine IPA, if you are interested... there are probably better articles, but this one didn't get flagged by the firewall, lol.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2014/08/13/pabst-to-bring-back-ballantine-ipa/14013995/
I tried the Ballantine, - don't bother.
Archie Bunker would be rolling over in his grave.
...and PBR? Seriously? I am going to break out my beer snob card again..
JerryG used to get grand union beer for .99 cents a six pack, those days are gone i guess
used to buy rolling rock in little 7oz bottles, 1.71 for an 18 pack, those were the days.
around that same time, you could walk into a tavern and get a mug of beer for .35/.40 cents, short beers were .15 to .20 cents. and a rum and coke or 7 and 7 was .50/.75 cents.
those days are long gone, but somehow still seems like it was just yesterday
how about a 'rot gut' beer? like carlings black label ?
Black label? Ugh. Might be the worst beer ever. Alcoholic landscaping boss used to send me to the liquor store in Califon for it. Five and change for a case. I don't know how it could rot your gut. You need more than trace amounts of ethanol for that.
Back in the 60's when my Dad was in the Army Reserves he would come home with a trunk filled with Carlings after his two week stint. Must have been really cheap at the PX.
I was just at Boonton liquor outlet and they didn't have Allagash Black , sorry mon but I checked.
Did get Southern Tier 2XIPA and Ballast Point Sculpin though.
I'll let ya know later after work
There's a time and place for everything, Josh. Just because I love a big, hoppy beer doesn't mean that I can't enjoy the dreaded "American light lager " occasionally. An ice cold PBR or Coors Banquet or 6 after cutting the lawn on a hot day really hits the spot in a way that an IPA just can't. But you're entitled to your opinion... everybody's got one.
I love Filet mignon, Osso Buco, raw oysters, rack of lamb and king crab legs, too. That doesn't mean I think I'm too good for a slice of pizza or some Toby's hot dogs from time to time.
I think Carling is still the number one selling beer in England. Crazy, right?
I'll take a Yuengling after mowing the lawn if I want something lighter. No Coors-that's one beer I never liked. Miller Lite is ok in a pinch.
I thought the Brits are supposed to know something about beer? I sure hope to the heavens they don't drink that swill at room temp.
A great light lager to drink that has real good flavor is Longboard Island Lager by Kona Brewing Co. Solid beer.
dont see bock beers in springtime any more, why not?
used to like lewaunbraue dark (correct my spelling please) and tuborg dark, don't see them in the stores anymore,
The second best-selling beer over there is Foster's, which is just as odd to me.
I don't know that I would classify the Brits as big beer experts... there was a time long ago when I thought Bass Ale was great, but I've since reconsidered. Probably one too many skunky pints at bars that didn't sell enough of it, lol. Same thing with Newcastle Brown Ale.
The only English brewery that I absolutely love is Samuel Smith. And I'm sure that they also have their share of wonderful craft brewers as we do, but I haven't found anything worth drinking from there over here in recent years... but if someone wants to recommend something, I'd be happy to try it.
I remember Lowenbrau... I think Miller had the rights to brew it over here in the '70s and '80s. It's still one of Munich's biggest breweries but their exports to the States are next to none.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oUBaCyXWNk
Smithwick's is pretty good. I still enjoy a Bass from time to time.
I've been reading 'Proof, The Science of Booze'. I find it fascinating. It gets into everything from the origins of booze (beer/wine/spirits) to the science of taste, distillation, yeast, fermentation, etc. I will give a disclaimer that I am an Eng/Science nerd so the science stuff may not appeal to everyone.
The frequenters of this thread would probably enjoy it.
ianimal - You'll love this one. My late uncle who lived in the UK informed me Bass you get here in the US is brewed by Carling in Canada. They can still say it's "imported" and people get fooled. But Carling in the UK is brewed by Bass over there. One of them bought the other, and then got bought back out again by someone else. Keeps everything clear as mud.
Löwenbräu - They bought the right to use the name but not the recipe. They filled bottles with some hideous imposter swill and ruined the name over here. Löwenbräu is owned by Spaten so just buy some of that and help out my distant cousins. ;-)
BD - Heller bock, the beer used to kick off the spring opening of beer tent season is certainly available over in PA. I'd be sure you can get it here too at the places that carry all the craft beers. But you'll probably have a heart attack when you see the price. It's not exactly consistent with 99 cent K-Mart ties or Grand Union Beer.
PS - I still maintain without a doubt the world's worst ever was Utica Club rat beer. Stunk like a rat drowned in a vat of sour grapes a skunk had puked.
Q: "What do you do if one of those rats gets in the tank?"
A: "We just skim them off the top."
I'm with Josh here. I don't care how hot and sweaty I am , I'm not drinking crap beer.
My hot weather beer is a good quality hefe weizen.
Immortal Beloved from Los Muertos is my current favorite hefe weizen.
Can't go wrong with Hoegaarden and if I'm slumming then Blue Moon will do.
Btw Los Muertos is making some real fine beers. I've tried a few and all were good. And the art work is too cool
Hmmm. A beer called 'The Dead'? Dead what?
I've had some Spaten. Good stuff.
GC, if it comes from Canada, it is imported. Why the quotes? Shouldn't they be around 'Bass'? Last time I checked, we haven't annexed Moose country.
Rogue Ales to release "Right Hand of Doom Red Ale" tomorrow in celebration of Hellboy's 21st "birthday".
http://comicbook.com/2015/02/18/hellboy-turns-21-and-rogue-ales-gets-him-his-first-beer/
MeisterNJ - Sorry if it wasn't clear, but my use of quotes on imported was just to point out that's exactly what it says on the packaging. When I said "fooled" I wasn't referring to whether it was imported or not but instead was saying people think it's the Bass brewed over in England.
I know, hence the quotes should be around Bass. ;)
CBGB: Dia De Los Muertos Cervesas? Count me in!
Both Southern Tier 2XIPA and Ballast Point Sculpin were superb.
Try either or both , you'll be happy you did!!!
You all need to go check out Angry Erik brewery up in Sussex County. Lafayette area. Fantastic brews and cool place. BYOF
Tried the Ballantine IPA last night. I thought it was fine. Had a funny taste at first, kinda like soap, but it was fine after the first sip. Won't be running out to get more, but it's not bad, IMO.
Meister my thoughts exactly on the Ballantine IPA. Was in the Wharton Shoprite liquor store after work this morning and saw the Southern Tier 2X IPA ($11) and Ballast Point Sculpin. Picked up the six pack of Southern Tier.....good stuff! But I still like the Sixpoint Resin more! Will have to give the Ballast a try next time.
Picked up Flying Dog's Double Dog Double IPA last night. $13.99+Tax for a six-pack
It's good; nice body, very hoppy finish. But, it tastes exactly the same as Raging Bitch as I recall it. The only difference is in ABV... 11.5% versus 8.3 for Raging Bitch.
Had some Limbo IPA from Long a Trail tonite. I like there other stuff so figured I'd try it. It was good and very different. It surprises at first with a very strong citrus/pine note. Then mellows out and drinks easy. 7.6 ABV.
Also picked up a 22oz of Allagash Black for tomorrow night.
The Allagash Black was good. Very Chocolate-y with a bit of coffee. I didn't get much of the hops on the back end. Solid porter.
I tried cooking with hops for the first time yesterday. Something I've been thinking about doing for a few months. I bought simcoe hops randomly from the list. I decided to try it in homemade split pea soup. I used a tad bit more than I thought I should. I figured this way if the hops were going to alter the flavor it will be noticed.
And it was noticed. Also worth noting is it was my first attempt at split pea soup.
The soup had a strong hop flavor , kind of pungent but interesting tasting.
Also I spotted 3 Minnesota beers at Bottle King Morris Plains at $5 a six. Lift Bridge Saison and Badger Hill White IPA & Special Bitter. I got the rather tasty WIPA
When did you add the hops, and how much? Adding them at the end of cooking may have resulted in less bitterness.
I have some leftover hops, and a new ice cream maker, and have tempted to try hop ice cream.
I added the hops about half way but that was the idea , to get that hop taste in the food. Not sure what I'll try next.
If I was going to use hops in ice cream I'd make vanilla , why mix or cover it with other flavors.
Maybe use hops in a cirtrusy sorbet... lemon, grapefruit, whatever...
Pea soup? Not so much for me (-;
sheanimal is always complaining that I never give her any good gift ideas for me and she is always stuck getting me GCs to Home Depot or Amazon. The last actual gift she got me was my Komado Grill last Father's Day. We've got our wedding anniversary coming up in early April.... and guess who's getting a KEGERATOR just in time for BBQ season to start in earnest. I may have to quit my job and move onto the patio full-time. I don't recall ever being this excited on Christmas eve. It's time to start doing some hard core sampling so I can decide what my first sixth will be...
Nice ianimal. Choose wisely! Home office is always complaining that I don't give her gift ideas as well. And when I do, it's 'you don't need that'. So then, don't ask me if you're just going to shoot it down.
I've never considered cooking with hops. I'm sure I could come up with something to try it in. Piggybacking off of ianimal's citrusy sorbet idea, why not try steeping them in a citrus cocktail? Something with grapefruit would work well in theory. Add some bitters and vodka. Might be alright.
Has anyone had the Carton brewing IPA? I've heard it's good.
I have looked for this beer for at least a month since I read about it on their website.
cricket hill bourbon barrel aged porter. It is a reserve ale and it is Amazing!!!
Every sip leaves a lingering taste of chocolate. WOW I am going back for a few more bottles
I've been wondering about Carton meself.
Well that's different. Just tapped at the Draught House in Washington...Stone's Japanese Green Tea IPA.
GC - I have a question concerning the Utica beer you despise I think. I may be confused but just to clear it up and it is probably just me or my lack of understanding what I read on wiki. but I found myself to be hating on the pale ale they offered but is that what refreshment you were referring to?is it possible or probable that the saranac beer is from the same distillery or company because that I did like actually like in fact I am quite fond of. But i shall not be considerd a connoisseur by any means lol.
Also I justice read that the pale ale was the first beer to be legally sold after prohibition. Is it possible you just had a leftover from the early 1900s . Just kidding.
CS CBBG - Where would I find CARTON? Actually to go a bit deeper and me being new to the area, is there any local pubs,taverns I can wonder into for something a bit off the beaten path as far as refreshments go?
The last time I was at Marley's and according to their website, Carton's 077XX (their Double IPA) is on draft. And at $5 a pint, it's a good price!
Drinking Carton's 077XX right now. Delicious. I'd put it in my top 10 IPA's. Maybe top 5.
CS - The most despised rat beer is known as "Utica Club". It has been around for years and is so bad my father would open that crap on a Saturday afternoon and no one would go in the same room for hours.
Since I lived close, it become one of the standard five things we used to do for company. Go to the BHOF, Howes Caves, Catskill Game Farm, North Pole NY, and take the Utica Club tour. I did that tour as a kid far too many times and saw a couple of rodents in the shadows from the very start. The place has a pack of rats that regularly gets into everything. On one tour, one guy got up the courage to point over in their general direction and asked what they do if one of those ever get into the vats? Without skipping a beat, clearly having an answer far to quickly to think it had never been asked before, the guide casually stated they skim them off the top.
Yes, that's the same Matt Brewery that currently goes by the name Saranac. Home of the infamous Schultz & Dooley:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yn7b2djfMKY
Rat beer. Literally. After taking the tour I knew the reason for the stench on Saturday afternoons.
agree utica club is rat beer, is it still available?
RR and Bud both have rice in their brew recipes, i think that's why they both have a cleaner taste to them, it's the rice.
whatever happened to genessee cream ale? is it still as good as it was in the 70's ?d
i miss reingold the dry beer, i liked it when it was dry, why don't they brew it that way today? i think there's a market for it.
Bud strictly uses rice as their cheap adjunct. I think RR uses a blend of rice and corn. Miller/Coors uses corn exclusively.
An excellent book about the beer industry is Beer Blast written by Philip van Munching. It is available at the Hackettstown Public Library. Read it and learn about "The Inside Story of the Brewing Industry's Bizarre Battles for Your Money "
A fascinating look into the industry.
http://tinyurl.com/po2lbw3
So Carton makes a quality IPA , were you at Marley's? I'm thinking , wing night and $5 Cartons!!!!! if Marley's actually has both and on the same night.
Oskar Blues
Has anybody tried their beers/
Dale's Pale Ale is the most common they sell. Nothing common in the taste though. I've heard good things about Dale's and finally had some NYE. Excellent taste a nice balance.
Last night I had Oskar Blues Ten Fidy. again a beer I kept seeing and thinking maybe next time. especially since a 4 pack is about $15. but I finally got it.
For me it's a mixed review. here is their description
This titanic, immensely viscous stout is loaded with inimitable flavors of chocolate-covered caramel and coffee and hides a hefty 98 IBUs underneath the smooth blanket of malt.
And 10.5 abv might I add. I was overwhelmed actually. Too much of everything. I didn't taste the balance like Sixpoint Beast Mode has. But talk about a thick beer , WOW. And the flavors are Titanic and immense. I took my time on this one.
and I have some hookers in the fridge........lol
their Nor'Easter Lager , their winter seasonal. which is why it was probably on sale. great prices on the pumpkin and xmas stuff too
Dale's Pale Ale - making canned beer cool again (-;
Does the Ten Fiddy come only in cans as well?
cans indeed
cans are making a comeback. Finch's out of Chicago is another quality beer sold in cans. of course Sixpoint , 21st Ammendment.....etc
The Carton Brewing 077XX IPA I was drinking last night comes in a can. I don't find any difference. If the beer's good, that's what matters.
I wasn't a big fan of Brew Free or Die IPA from 21A. It was ok, but not anything special, IMO. Dale's Pale Ale was much better overall, although different, obviously.
Nothing wrong with canned beer. What is a keg, after all, if not a very large aluminum can? But there was always a difference in taste between the two from brands that offered both. For instance, Heineken in a can tasted quite different than Heineken in a bottle. Maybe it was simply the skunkiness that beer in green bottles get, but it was slightly more sour than the canned stuff.
I love Ten Fidy, looks like your pouring motor oil from your tap. Old Chub is great too.
Had a Sam Adams Rebel Rider session IPA this past weekend. It was surprisingly good, especially where hop aroma is concerned - smells just like my chest freezer...in a good way.
PS - Don't store hops in your chest freezer, unless they are really well-wrapped.
I had another beer foam up on me today. Does anybody know why this happens? I pour the beer into the glass and at least 90% is foam. If I pour real slow and try to touch only the glass it helps but not much since the glass is filled with foam.
Do you wash your glasses in the dishwasher? If so, there's a chance that you have detergent residue that is acting as thousands of nucleation sites that are causing all the CO2 to bubble out of solution all at once. Try hand washing the glass before you use it.
I don't use a dishwasher. I even tried 3 different glasses to see if it was from the glass but all three foamed over.
That's odd, then. What are you pouring? If it's worth my while, I'll load the kids in the car and be right over. Just PM me your address (-;
Are you by chance keeping your beer in an outside refrigerator and keeping your glasses inside at room temp. I have seen this cause mass foam as well.
22oz bottle of Big Muddy Monster India Style Brown Ale. Nothing unusual about the refrigerator or the glasses. I wonder if the beer was old. Would this cause foaming?
too funny Ianimal , but I'm wondering if us hopheads should meet up
Beer selection in the Cayman Islands is really poor. At least at the hotel and restaurants. Not an IPA to be found. I've had to subsist on mojitos and wine. Local beer wasn't much better than Budweiser.
You should be able to find a Dark and Stormy, which is a cocktail of dark rum and ginger beer. It's not an IPA, but it's a heck of a lot more manly than a mojito (-;
I drink whatever I like ianimal. and yes they have dark and stormys. What's wrong with a mojito? It's like one ingredient away from a margarita.
You're sipping cocktails on a beach in the Caribbean and you give a rats ass about what I think of your cocktail of choice? I'm flattered (-;
Seriously though, I'm just joking. Mojitos are fine if you like them. I was just offering an alternative. Rum punch is another favorite of mine when I'm down there. Oddly enough, you can't get a real Rumrunner though... for whatever reason, blackberry brandy isn't imported to the islands from what I was told.
Just tapped at the Draught House....Firestone Walker Double Jack (Double IPA) out of CA. I never heard of it. Anyone ever have it and is it worth checking out?
So many micro's out there sooo little time!
http://www.firestonebeer.com/home.php
"Local beer wasn't much better than Budweiser."
i like budweiser. nothing wrong with it, its a good premium beer
BD, the Budweiser Marketing Dept called. They thank you and they want to know what they did right.
Vic, I've had Firestone Walker Double IPA. Very good.
You're right Ian, with this view I don't care what anyone thinks.
I've had Firestone Union Jack at Touch Base in Chester NY , which is across the street from Rushing Duck Brewery. Free tastings at Rushing Duck. Firestone is a really tasty beer. Going to have to get me some double IPA.
Chester NY is a bit of a drive but a good day for me. The Heritage Trail is right next to both the Touch Base Pub and Rushing Duck. About 23 mile bike ride on a paved surface , then free tastings at Rushing Duck followed by a meal at Touch Base.
Who is the Author of this quote as posted above
>>>i have always been oriented to support the little guy, im a lifelong fan of the underdog,<<<<
I'll just call him "The Source"
i said it cbgb, what's your point? why are you calling me "the source" ?
still like Bud, it's a good beer for me
Budweiser is premium beer? Snort!
Firestone Walker is excellent beer. Not cheap though. A 4 pack of double jack is something like 12 if I remember correctly.
I prefer the double over the regular.. but I always prefer a double IPA, or imperial over a single..
Drought House also has Brew Dog Hardcore IPA in a bottle which is very good. It is a double / imperial IPA as well, and they also have the Brew Dog standard IPA.
Tonight is open mic and taco. Might need to head over.
One of the things I like about some beers is the creative descriptions.
Here is what Butternuts has to say about their Moo Thunder , which I am enjoying as I write this. A very likable milk stout that is a perfect everyday drinker.
"This stout beer pays tribute to the Butternuts Brewery's former life as a dairy farm. It's a more drinkable version of the Stout breed than its heavy, boorish and smelly European sisters. We use lactose sugar for body and mouthfeel; not too strong, not too viscous at 4.9% abv. Unlike a true bovine it has a malty, roasty aroma and a dry finish but no tail or teats, and leaves no unsightly cow pies laying around the yard for you to step in.."
sounds very drinkable, how much does it cost?
cow pies, you know what? the grass is always greener over a cow pie
is genessee cream ale a 'milk' beer?
My Bourbon Street finally started carrying some Sixpoint styles. Unfortunately, Resin and Hi-Res aren't among them, so I picked up some Bengali IPA last night. Delicious, classic IPA flavor. Very good beer.
I also picked up a 22-oz Old Viscosity Ale from Port Brewing Co. Very thick and dark with a head you can float a hubcap on.
I had a Dark and Stormy the other day. Meh. Not my thing.
I'll give the Sixpoint Bengali a try now that I'm home.
Pretty funny description on the Old Viscosity Ale label... (hope it's high enough resolution to be legible)
Have a great place for you guys to try. Destination Dogs in New Brunswick. Great beer selection and the food is awesome. Just went today for the first time for lunch and I had the Choripan (chorizo with chimichurri) and the Bun Mi, washed down with Lagunitas NightTime Ale.
Menu is like nothing you've seen.
http://www.destinationdogs.com/our-menu.html
My new favorite lunch spot, and New Brunswick has a lot of them.
Nice... they've got PBR Tall Boys. I'll need to pound three of them before I'm ready to shell out $8 for a hot dog (-;
Trust me ian, they're worth it. A coworker has been raving about this place for a couple weeks and they took me out for a belated birthday lunch. It exceeded expectations.
New release from Weyerbacher this weekend...
http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/food/index.ssf/2015/03/weyerbacher_celebrating_new_st.html#incart_m-rpt-2
Picked up Dogfish Head Namaste on my way home tonight. It's their version of an orange-coriander witbier. Meh. It's not just unremarkable for the genre; I would go so far as to say it's below average. I'll definitely never buy it again.
I also grabbed a 4-pack of Ten Fidy. I have much higher hopes for that (-;
used to drink old frothingslosh, it was an ok beer to have on occasion,
can't find it around anymore, what happened to it?
Butternuts is sold in cans and usually about $7 for a six pack. 4 basic beers , Snapperhead IPA , Pork Slap Pale Ale , Moo Thunder and a hefeweizen.
www.oldefrothingsloshbrewing.com
if the link doesn't work , here is a quick summary for you.
as for olde frothingslosh they are still around but have been bought out by a brewer so big that they are not only Brand A they are also Brand B. olde frothingslosh makes their beer for Brand AB and Brand AB then feeds it to their very large horses, these very large horses convert olde frothingslosh into Brand AB's beer line.
So there you have , you are not only smarter bud wiser.
We checked out Gnarly Brews Tap Room last night. They had a great selection of beers on tap and the people who run it were really nice. 50 beers on tap and a wide selection of bottled micros for take away.
I had a Beach Haus Pilsner and a Ommegang Hennepin. Delicious!
Here's their website.
http://www.gnarlybrews.com
Funny you should ask, CBGB. I'm enjoying my fourth and final one as I write this. It's a big, complex beer as one would expect from a Russian Imperial. Every sip yields a different flavor profile... coffee, chocolate and roasted malt, sure. But then there's the occasional caramel hint and I can swear there's a licorice layer in there as well. Almost certain that I tasted cherries in there as well. All in all, it's probably the best new beer I've tasted this year. Crazy pricey though. Bourbon Street has this policy of covering up the prices with their ratings and I didn't even check because it didn't matter. But that and the Namaste ran me $27 and I'm pretty sure the Namaste was $10... so that leaves $15 for the four pack of Ten Fidy. Worth every penny.
Has anyone seen the new Stella Artois commercial? They admit to using corn in their beer (although they call it "maize" as if that makes it any better, lol). I wonder if it always had it or if that's an AB/InBev alteration to the mash bill.
Sip is right Ianimal , you don't chugalug Ten Fidy. I am having my second can now. Just got home from work and cooked up some dinner. I still can't believe how thick this stuff is. I usually get home from work at 11pm and have not been in the mood for it , something much lighter was in order.
I think the best beer for 2015 so far has been Due South Category 5 IPA.
Although the Weyerbacher Sunday and that La Chouffe look good. I'll see if I can find either.
Had another Firestone Double Jack last night. I take my recommendation back. After drinking it, I don't remember why I liked it. Kinda boring tasting without punch. Maybe my tastes have changed significantly after having the Carton 077XX and Sixpoint Resin.
There I am at the register... about to pay for my St. Patricks Day Bourbon... when I glance to the left at the "impulse buy" shelf... the clouds part, the sky explodes in blinding light....
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaa
Sixpoint Resin, as I live and breathe. Not in the cooler, not on the shelf but right next to the register... tempting me like a Hershey bar to an 8-year old. Never one to practice self-denial without a damn good reason (and Lent isn't NEARLY reason enough), I quickly shoved aside any doubt and added it to my purchase. I'm not sure how much it cost, only that I had to have it.
Now, I anxiously wait for my refrigerator to draw enough heat out of those sexy little cans for me to enjoy it. I'll give it an hour and then it's ice-bath time...
LOL ianimal! I definitely hear ya. It's a favorite of mine as well!
FYI...Not sure if this is still the case but Mountain Valley Liquors in Oxford was actually one of the cheaper places to get Sixpoint Resin in the area. The sixpack was $10.50 I think it was. I noticed they were even cheaper than Bottle King in Mansfield. Mountain Valley went out of stock on the Resin (Yes I was partially responsible for that!) about 2 weeks ago when I was last in there. Not sure if they have since restocked.
Nice ianimal. Give in, it's worth it. If you want to chill them faster, put them in ice and add a little salt.
I am not a fan of hops right now. I dry hopped an imperial IPA with 4oz of pellet hops.
I guess a lot of the hop "residue" made it from the carboy to the keg. I've had the keg apart at least 5 times so far because it keep's clogging the dip stick and out post/poppet. Had to take a break and drink the 8 ounces of beer I could get out of the tap in between each clog. ;-)
I always cold-crash before kegging. Drops everything to the bottom, makes it very easy to put clear beer right into the keg.
The_Bishop I was going to cold crash, but chose not to to, due to a combination of me being impatient and slightly paranoid about liquid being sucked back into the better bottle. I figured it would "cold crash" in the keg anyway.
Lesson learned.
Its all better now though. Took 2 more cleanings, still have residue, but not large enough to clog.
Tried Sixpoint's Crisp last night, Very light pilsner-style lager with a pretty shallow flavor profile. It was ok, but to be honest, I'd much rather drink PBR if I'm drinking that style of beer, especially when you consider the price of each, lol.
I'd agree with those assessments of Crisp. Not a strong flavor. Glad I tried it at a bar and didn't buy a 4 pack.
MNJ, any rec's of hard to find beers that you know they carry at the Super Saver for tomorrow?
Hmmm. I don't know what's 'rare' or hard to find. Schoffenhofer maybe? That's more of a summer beer. Their selection is really good. Prepare to spend at least 20min staring at it. They have at least a dozen different Rauschbiers, if you like those. I read about someone recommending Aecht Schlenkerla Eiche from Brauerel HellerTrum, so when I make it over there I'm going to see if they have that. It's a Dopplebock on Oak Smoke. Sounds interesting.
Very good wine selection as well.
Yeah, oddly their website doesn't even hint at the fact that they sell beer,, lol... it's all about the wine and spirits.
Wow, that's a lost marketing opportunity.
Will you be taking 202 up to Bridgewater? Wegmans in Branchburg has a good selection as well (They've remodeled their beer and wine shop recently). And their prices are slightly better than SS in many instances (and they advertise as such). If you have time it's worth the stop as well.
202? You mean 22? I can take that or 78, it's pretty much the same from where I am. If I have time, I'll check out the Wegmans. Thanks..,
No, I meant 202. That's where Wegmans is. It's about 4 miles SW of Super Saver. Not far, esp. if it's not rush hour.
Let me know if anybody sees Weyerbacher Sunday Stout. I have not looked for it yet. Going to Joe Canals tomorrow. Hopefully I will find it there. If not I'll pick up some more Hookers.
Ah... no, 202 is way out of my way if I'm heading to Branchburg; I would have to go up and over Stanton Mountain and pick it up somewhere in in Readington probably. Not sure if I would do that on a regular day... maybe... but definitely not in a snowstorm. I already have a Wegmans in PA that I frequent anyway, so I'll probably just stick with the SuperSaver on the way to BDubs. Thanks for the heads-up though.
It's actually not that bad. You would just turn on Milltown rd from 22. 2miles and make a left. Wegmans is right there. Up to you. I may go on a 'scouting' mission for you tonight ianimal and stop at SS. It's kinda on my way home, but sort of a PITA to get to where it is on 22E when coming from 287N and then again to turn around and get headed north on 287 again to go home, esp. around 6PM.
That's why I planned to take 22 the whole way, rather than taking 78 to 287 to 22. According to google maps, I should be able to "right in, right out" of SS and still be heading in the right direction to get to BWW. No need for the scouting mission, but I appreciate it.
Back on-topic, I also picked up a 6-pack of Flying Dog's Mexican Hot Chocolate Stout last night, but I didn't get the chance to try it yet. I'll let you know how it is later on...
CBGB, Sunday morning stout was at mountain valley at Oxford yesterday, didn't see a price though.
They also had founders blushing monk if anyone's looking for that. I had some at the Extreme Beer fest a few years back, and it's a great raspberry, tart beer. 17.00 a bottle though.
The results of my mission. I picked a good night. Free samples from Otter Creek and a free pint glass with a sixes. I liked the citra mantra, so I bought it. Nice citrus notes. Smooth finish. Read that Sculpin was really good, so picked that up. Pretty darn pricey. Hope you're sitting down BD....15$ for the six pack. And I got the other brews I was looking for.
Nice choices Meister , I have always liked Long trail and rauchbiers.
Thanks for the info on the Weyerbacher.
Thanks. Are Otter Creek and Long Trail related? Wondered why I got a Long Trail glass with the OC purchase. They had a Hop session beer sample that I didn't care for.
Here's a pic to give you an idea of SS's selection. There's more out of sight on the left side too.
"Are Otter Creek and Long Trail related?"
They are both in VT, but other than that I don't think so.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_Trail_Brewing_Company
"In 2010, Long Trail Brewing Company acquired Otter Creek Brewing and with it Wolaver's Organic Brewery."
No, thank YOU... I'm leaving for Super Saver in a few minutes. Feels like Christmas morning (-;
Thanks ianimal. Learned something new.
I've been to both Otter Creek and Long Trail breweries (along with many others in VT). The last time we were at Long Trail, my husband (huge Double Bag fan 7.2%) discovered Triple Bag 11%. It was new at the time, or at least we had never seen it yet. I remember the bartender saying, "It's like Double Bag on steroids." LMAO
Was at Mountain Valley Liquors in Washington this morning across from Shoprite. They are sold out at both their locations of Sixpoint Resin. I decided to give Sierra Nevada's Hop Hunter IPA ($10 and change with tax) a try. Not bad but I don't see myself running back to buy more. I prefer their Torpedo brew over the Hop Hunter.
http://www.sierranevada.com/beer/year-round/hop-hunter-ipa
Yeah Meister, Sculpin is crazy pricey!!! I too was scoping it out some weeks back based on good reviews here. I nearly fell over when I first saw the price tag.
Ooooooh. There's a Grapefruit Sculpin as well. I will have to hunt that down.
Yeah Vic. Sticker shock for sure. When it comes to Sierra Nevada, I'm partial to the Hoptimum.
Sierra Nevada Flipside Red IPA is really good stuff
http://www.sierranevada.com/beer/seasonal/flipside-red-ipa
Bastards double charged me for the bomber of Stone Smoked Porter. I'm trying to do a cost-benefit analysis in my head of whether or not it's worth $7.99 to fight traffic in both directions and go back. I'm leaning towards no...
So today expecting more snow than we received, I stopped at the store and bought the following-
WeyerBacher - Sunday Morning Stout.
Sierra Nevada - Hop Hunter
Sierra Nevada - Nooner
Stone - Delicious IPA
Of the 4, I like the stone the best.
I still prefer Torpedo, but this is a good lawn mowing beer.
The other 3 I won't be buying again...
That stinks ianimal. The Sculpin is very good, but not $15 good. I'd rather drink the citra mantra.
Stone makes good stuff Josh.
My weekend buys are
Weyerbacher Sunday stout which I will have tomorrow.
Wild Onion Brewing Hop Slayer Double IPA
Hop slayer was an impulse buy. I was looking around Joe Canal's and saw Defiant's Double IPA and decided YES a double IPA but not that one. I saw Hop Slayer and Wild Onion and said YUP that's the one.
This is AWESOME!!! almost as thick as Ten Fidy , not so much in the pour but in the taste. Here is their description
HOPS SLAYER
Style: Double IPA
An intense Double IPA brewed for the "hopheads" of the world. This robust ale is so full of malt and hops that you can almost chew on it. Served in a snifter to bring out all of the nuances of malt, hop, and alcohol.
ABV
8.2%
IBU
100
PACKAGE
4 Pack & Draft
AVAILABILITY
Year Round
Very piney in taste with slight citrus , nice deep color , can't see through this one.
100% satisfied with Hop Slayer. The can really only said Double IPA and 8.2 so it was an impulse/random/intuitive buy
An interesting story about the owners of Wild Onion. They opened in 1997 but in 2000 they won $90mil in the lottery. Expanded and upgraded. I can tell from the beer , well invested winnings.
Question>>> for any Iron Maiden fans. Has anybody tried the Iron Maiden Trooper beer? I see it at Joe Canal's but I don't think I've seen it anywhere else. Just wondering
www.ironmaidenbeer.com
It was still a successful run. Got bombers of Imperial Russian Stout, Double Bastard, Quadrotitricale and Smoked Porter all from Stone; Ruckus's Hoptimus Prime Double IPA and Cinder Bock from Sam Adams, which is a Rauch Bock. Then I got a 4-pack of Weyerbacher's Belgian Quad and a sixer of Oskar Blues's Old Chub, which is a Scotch Ale. This should last me a while (-;
Updating a previous post, the Flying Dog Mexican Hot Chocolate Stout is delicious, but I'm a big fan of the style.
Josh , just wondering what you thought of Sunday Morning Stout. I don't like it at all. I like a nice dark stout. I anticipate the roasted malts , the coffee , the chocolate when I pour a stout. I knew Sunday Morning is 11.3abv but my senses were shocked anyway from the first taste to the bottom of the glass by the overwhelming alcohol. Very disappointing for me. I think if Weyerbacher toned it down a few points to maybe 9abv then it would be a stellar beer. The typical stout flavors are hidden in the taste but way too much alcohol for me.
I mixed it up half'n'half with some Moo Thunder today and it's much better.
Weyerbacher, Troegs, Lion and some other breweries seem to have a problem with fusel alcohols (characterized by a hot, sharp, unpleasant alcohol /solvent flavor) in their higher-gravity beers. Supposedly, this is caused by high fermentation temperatures or too much yeast. I guess this helps them crank out the product, since fermentation times can be shortened this way.
If I notice this flavor in a brand more than once, and the beer isn't old or improperly stored, it goes on my not-worth-it-unless-its-on-a-really-good-sale list. Lion Brewery products are usually the only ones to make it on that list, since the other two seem to consistently fart higher than their ass, price-wise.
Your mileage may vary, of course.
I'll have to try the Hop Slayer CBGB. Which Joe Canal's location?
Glad you had a successful run, ianimal, despite the overcharging.
Had the Aecht Schlernka Eiche last night. Oak smoked doppelbock. I liked it. Not too smoky, nice caramel flavors.
any place nearby to get Firestone Walker Double Jack IPA ?
I'm talking about the quadpack....
I really liked this beer....
BrownEyesGuy BEG, I've gotten it at Shoprite Liquors in Chester and Bottle King in Ledgewood. Super Saver has it as well.
There's a Joe Canal's in Woodbridge. Close enough to work for a lunch trip, so I'll be hitting that one day this week.
Ruckus's (Allentown, PA) Hoptimus Prime has a very ambitious name that didn't QUITE live up to its billing, but it's definitely a very good Double IPA. Heady, fruity and bitter with a high ABV that isn't all that noticeable until you try to stand up and get another beer from the fridge... that's when the 9% ABV rears its head and gives you two slaps across the mouth. Definitely not a disappointment by any stretch... I'm just not sure it deserves the King of the Autobots moniker.
Now, Old Chub.... WOW. My previous experience with "Scotch Ales" was pretty much limited to a bottle of McEwan's a very long time ago that I don't recall liking that much. But this. This was.... incredible. Very thick and dark pouring out of the can... the head wasn't overly dense, almost Coke-like, but it really had staying power that left a lace trail all the way down the pint glass. The flavor was very full-bodied and heavy with a complex malt profile and a sweet, almost molasses-like, finish. It's definitely a good contrast to an IPA. I heard that they now offer it with a nitro charge in a pint can at 6.9% ABV, rather than the original uncharged 12-ounce at 8%. I would definitely like to try it, primarily for it's effect on the mouth feel. If anyone sees it (Old Chub Nitro), please let me know... I didn't notice it at the Super Saver, but I may just have overlooked it.
Josh , just wondering what you thought of Sunday Morning Stout. ...overwhelming alcohol.
-CBGB
Weyerbacher, Troegs, Lion and some other breweries seem to have a problem with fusel alcohols (characterized by a hot, sharp, unpleasant alcohol /solvent flavor) in their higher-gravity beers. If I notice this flavor in a brand more than once, and the beer isn't old or improperly stored, it goes on my not-worth-it.... list
Agreed with both of you.
I tend to find that breweries seem to have a 'taste' profile, regardless of the style of beer. I'm not sure why as there are many factors.. but it seems to hold true.
That being said- Weyerbacher is on my NOPE list now.
Sunday morning stout *could* be a good beer if they could just reel in the overwhelming alcohol taste.. which is hard for me to say since I *love* and routinely drink beers with 9-10+ABV. They just need to temper it with something.. a little attention to detail goes a long way. But I've been burned by this same bad taste on their other beers- blithering idiot for example.
I was going to say the same thing about blithering idiot. Barley wine style do have high abv but again the alcohol taste was too much in blithering idiot. I have enjoyed other Weyerbacher beers so I will be selective if I ever buy again.
If you like old chub, you should try founders dirty bastard, and then backwoods bastard. Backwoods is the barrel aged version of dirty bastard, and is a limited release, but not so limited that it's impossible to find.
I love the Ballast Point Sculpin. When I saw that there was also a Habanero Sculpin, curiosity got the best of me. Well, I might as well have torn $15 into confetti and thrown it out of my car window. Only worth buying if there are 6 of you who want to split the cost, take one sip of your bottle, laugh at how weird/gross it is, and dump the rest out.
Interesting conversation about fusel alcohols and the effect on the flavor. Personally, I think a lot has to do with the style of beer. An IPA can have a very high ABV without the sharp alcohol bite because of the masking effects of the citrus and bitter notes. There's a reason why orange, cranberry and grapefruit juices are popular mixers for spirits. Stouts, too... seem to hold off that bite. Maybe it's the dark roasted malts?
But for Strong Ales and Barleywines, I always kind of figured it was part of the cost of admission. Even the true Belgians, Tripels and Quads, especially, have that bite to them in my experience... but I haven't necessarily viewed it as a bad thing. But then again, I enjoy sipping a glass of 130 proof barrel strength bourbon neat, too, so maybe I'm not the guy to ask.
Any suggestions of a strong ale, say 9.5 or better, without a strong alcohol flavor to compare? The Weyerbacher Quad I just picked up definitely has it going on. I have the Double Bastard bomber that I haven't cracked open yet. At 11.2%, it would definitely qualify.
Thanks for the suggestion, craftbeerlover... I'll definitely give it a try.
CR37 you have found my beer mantra
keep your peppers out of my beer
it really does taste awful
I had a sip of a jalapeno beer about 20 years ago; that was bad enough. I can't imagine how awful a habanero beer would be. I have a feeling that they should be marketed much more toward chili heads than beer drinkers, lol.
The ianimal/Calico beer tasting show will be on the road this Friday at Gnarly's Tap Room and Bottle Shop in P'burg. They are having 3 bands from 8-11. Feel free to meet-up with us for a beer and some live music. We plan on arriving around 7:30. Hope to see some of you there.
http://www.gnarlybrews.com
Sounds like a fine evening of fun and brews and I haven't seen the two of you in ages but...............
it is an hour drive and I work until 11pm Friday night. hopefully next time
Ah, that makes sense then. I didn't think you were just a slow driver. LOL
Yeah, Dover to P'burg would be a haul for sure. Hopefully, we can catch up at some point soon.
Meeting up with friends on Fri night, so I can't make it. Next time.
Went out for dinner and they had Carton Boat on tap. Very good beer. I would definitely buy it.
Cooking with Hops part 2
My brother suggested hopping a cream sauce but I was thinking about the citrus aspect and it hit me.
Mojo criollo is one of my favorite marinades. I got some country style pork ribs and soaked them 3 hours in the mojo criollo and a bit of the simcoe hops.
It came out really good. I'll be doing that again fer sure. or maybe on some wings
Currently enjoying a Flying Dog "Bloodline" Blood Orange IPA at the Tilted Kilt. It's different. Not sure if I'm all that crazy about it.
"Stacy's Mom IPA" by Evil Genius is up next...
Stacy's mom has got it going on... kinda. Very pale for an IPA but at the same time, it has an intriguing sticky resiny flavor to it. It's very reminiscent of the humulus's cousin, if you catch my drift. It would probably pair well with brownies, lol.
I had more of the Citra Mantra last night and the Limbo IPA. Like them both a lot.
Shoprite Liquors has individual bottles of Grapefruit Sculpin so I opted to try one for $2.99 versus the six-pack at $16. It was pretty good but I have no idea why it's so expensive.
Lastly, a Great Lakes Commodore Perry IPA. Easily the best of the bunch. Three craft pints, total price $14.25. Gotta love Pennsy. Would have easily cost $20-25 in Jersey.
Here's a good reason to move to Dallas / Ft. Worth:
http://www.thrillist.com/drink/nation/free-beer-for-life-at-texas-intrinsic-brewing
Not exactly 'free'.
Has anyone tried the Flying Fish Grand Cru? It's an abbey style ale. I'm hoping to try it tonight at Gnarly's, if it hasn't kicked.
Flying Fish Grand Cru is quite good. It has been a few years since I've had it but I'm sure it is still a quality GC. Not quite as good as Rodenbach Grand Cru , that's the best I've ever had anyway.
I am a big fan of Flying Fish and like all their beers so I may be a bit biased.......hahhah
I've wondered about Great Lakes Commodore Perry IPA , the Great Lakes stuff I've had was good. So was the Evil Genius. My daughter bought me an Evil Genius variety 12pack that was delish. I said I prefer the idea of Evil Genius over Arrogant Bastard...hahhah.
My son chose one of this weekends beers for me. And by sheer coincidence picked Wild Onion Paddy Ale which is a nice drinker.
I chose Old Dominion Double D double IPA , very tasty but not as good as Wild Onion Hop Slayer. 9.0abv and 90ibu with Zythos, Crystal, Citra, Bravo Hops
Thumbs up for the Grapefruit Sculpin. I bought a single bottle. Just the right amount of citrus. Easy drinking. Grapefruit Sculpin >> Regular Sculpin, IMO. I'll be picking up a six pack next time.
Of course the Grand Cru was kicked at Gnarly's. I had a couple really tasty beers instead, but can't for the life of me remember which ones. LMAO
Calico, I remember you really liking the Schneider Aventinus.
I got to try Founder's Dirty Bastard scotch ale at the recommendation of Craftbeerlover. It was very good, but I didn't think it was as good as I remembered Old Chub to be. Other than that, I don't remember any specific beers that I tried... I just remember liking them all, lol.
All in all, it was a fun few hours. Met some cool older people and some cool younger people and everyone had a good time.
I had also picked up the Sierra Nevada IPA sampler on Friday. A six-pack each of Blindfold Black IPA, Golden IPA, Ruthless Rye IPA and Torpedo Extra IPA. The Torpedo is the only one I had previously. Loved the Blindfold, liked the Ruthless a lot and the Torpedo is a classic. If I saw the Golden on the shelf in the future, I probably wouldn't buy it, but it wasn't bad. None of them were super super hoppy, ranging from 55 to 70 IBUs.
Yes, thanks ianimal. It was tasty, and at 8.2% not surprising I didn't remember the name. ;-)
Enjoying some Stone Enjoy By 04.20.15 IPA tonight. Picked the 22oz bottle up at the Bottle King in Mansfield this evening. Got to talking about IPA's with one of the employees there and he pointed me towards it. Said it flies off the shelf and it will be available in 6 packs soon. Maybe it's all in my head but it tastes incredibly fresh!
http://enjoyby.stonebrewing.com/
He was also telling me about Founders KBS which will be released on Saturday. There are signs all over the store promoting this. Two six packs per customer I believe he said. First come first serve. Personally not a fan of chocolate and coffee in my beer but just wanted to spread the word for anyone interested.
http://foundersbrewing.com/our-beer/kbs/
kbs is a 4pk, great beer, but weyerbacher sunday morning stout gives it run for its money for almost half the price.
Thanks winecountry. Just wondering if anyone here ever headed up to Brattleboro VT and visited McNeill's Brewery? Before I got married it was pretty much a yearly pilgrimage for me and my buddies back in the mid 2000's. Talk about a cast of characters in the place but some of the beers were pretty tasty.
http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/100/
https://www.facebook.com/McNeillsBrewery
Stone's got its 420 on, huh? Interesting, I'll keep an eye out. How much was the bomber, $7.99 or so?
What does "KBS" stand for? I clicked on the link but my company firewall said "nuh-hunt-uh... not today".
ok, you guys are gonna be shocked, i had a guiness black lager, (yes i did)
it was a good beer, heady without being headstrong, heavy for a lager, and very black, but not as thick as their stout.
throughly enjoyed it, and am looking forward to the rest of the two six packs in bottles that came my way quite unexpectedly.
still like bud, it's not my favorite, but is quite doable, so it is what it is.
question: Molson Golden. Is it an ale or a lager? they say it's both, but does it shade to one side or the other?
KBS used to be called Kentucky Breakfast Stout, but they can't use the word Kentucky for the same reason KFC no longer uses Kentucky.
Ales and lagers are created via different fermentation processes, so when they claim that Molson Golden is "both", what they mean is that they physically mix the two styles together to create a hybrid end-product. In my experience, the end-product shades toward neither; rather, it more closely resembles skunk urine than any recognizable beer style.
I always heard that KFC changed their name because of the negative connotation associated with "Fried", not Kentucky... but thank you for clarifying KBS for me.
you know what skunk urine tastes like?
wow!
that's quite an admission,
so you don't like molson golden ? i thought it was a pretty good beer.
"Guinness in a BOTTLE?????? Sigh......"
yeah, well, you got a good point there of course, beggars can't be choosers, bottles is what i got, i generally don't have the opportunity to be in a place that has it on tap, that has to the best way to get any beer (imo)
hey, at least it wasn't a 'bud', and at least it wasn't in cans,
I am wondering if WineCountry read our reviews on Sunday Morning Stout?
I've had McNeil's Bitter Ale recently and it was decent but a bit mild considering the name. I have not been to the pub though.
As I mentioned before cans are making a comeback. Some of the best beers I've had recently are canned. Of course working for one of the largest Aluminum companies in the world has nothing to do with that opinion....at all.
I use my 24oz reusable can of Sixpoint Bengali as my travel can for water.
well yeah, very good point, tap beer is usually in aluminum kegs, correct?
kegs are like a big can, aren't they?
so why does beer out of 12 oz cans taste so different?
now used to love miller high life out of the clear bottles, but the same beer in the can was horrid, i just don't get why that would be.
now look, if it's a choice between canned beer or no beer, i will go with the can. that's a given.
CBGB, the alcohol should mellow out with age, but overall a great beer, I do read your reviews and read this thread regularly to allow me to better understand the clientele in this area
I forgot to add that I left two bottles of Sunday out to warm to room temperature. The first I mixed with MooThunder but the second one I drank and the alcohol bite did mellow out and was much more drinkable.
"Stone's got its 420 on, huh? Interesting, I'll keep an eye out. How much was the bomber, $7.99 or so?"
ianimal, yep exactly. $7.99 for the bomber. Bottle King Mansfield had a bunch in stock as of yesterday.
Thanks, Vic... I think I'll wait to pay $12 for 72-ounces instead of $8 for 22. I already know I'll like it (-;
Check out the massive hops bill:
Ahtanum, Super Galena, Simcoe, Amarillo, Delta, Target, Calypso, Cascade, Citra, Galaxy, Nelson Sauvin, Motueka and Helga
I have a feeling Enjoy By 6 packs will be closer to $15, if not more. Have to remember, their 4 packs of Ruination sell for about $12 already. Either way, still cheaper per ounce than a $8 bomber.
Vic - That's a NC grocery store which is why people are so surprised they would even have it to begin with.
I saw online that Free Bridge had it on tap so I drove down there. They have it; it just isn't tapped yet ):
I was tempted to ask which keg was emptiest and sit down and finish the mf'er so I could take home a fresh growler of 4:20, lol.
Sack,
No, I didn't buy the KBS. It actually goes on sale Saturday 4/4 at the Bottle King in Mansfield.
Calico, this place has all the ambience of that place in Oxford you dragged me to... but check out these draft prices, lol
https://www.beermenus.com/places/2477-the-wardell-pub-freebridge-wine-and-spirits
The Exchange in Rockaway has $13 growlers on Tuesday and a nice selection. The website says 26 on tap but I don't remember that many.
Ledgewood Bottle King has the Stone Enjoy By 4.20 six packs. Clerk said they just started selling them today. They would only sell me 1. Going price is $14.99.
I got a pint and filled my growler with 420 at Free Bridge Liquors yesterday. $4 for the pint and $16 for the growler. I'd still like to taste the bottled version, though. I'll keep looking... I'm not going to head all the way to Ledgewood for it, though. I'll check Little Bros in Flemington tonight. They have a good selection from what I hear.
Was just at the Shoprite Liquors in Byram. My first time there. Nice selection of beers! Unfortunately no Stone 420 to be had.
BrownEyesGuy said..."any place nearby to get Firestone Walker Double Jack IPA ?
I'm talking about the quadpack....
I really liked this beer...."
MeisterNJ said..."BEG, I've gotten it at Shoprite Liquors in Chester and Bottle King in Ledgewood. Super Saver has it as well."
I saw the quad pack today at Shoprite Liquors in Byram. I was going to pick up a pack but I already blew the budget at the Bottle King on the Stone 4.20 ($15) and got curious while there with Lagunitas beers (Never had one) and picked up their Maximus IPA ($11).
https://lagunitas.com/beers/maximus/
Vic, you won't be disappointed. Lagunitas makes great beer. Pivked up a six of Little sumpin' sumpin' today. Better than the double jack IMO.
https://www.oldesaratogabrew.com/menu.html
They make the Indian (British) Kingfisher beer as well under license, not bad stuff. Anyone knows who sells it locally?
Meanwhile I grabbed a case of Sagres (Portugues) beer for a brunch tomorrow -- decent commercial beer...
iJay 
I like Finch's a lot. I keep passing up on the Threadless by them. IDKW but I should get it next trip.
But all this talk of Enjoy By and I know my brother swears by the stuff I decided to give it a go. A 22oz is chilling along with a 22oz 17st Smoked Amber and a 4pk of Big Eddy Russian Imperial Stout.
to be enjoyed soon
FYI and just my opinion: Sixpoint Resin is the Red Dog of beers that claim to be a testament to the hop. No serious defects for such a high alcohol beer, except for a distinct lack of hop flavor and aroma. Moderate bitterness. Not worth $13 a six in my book.
Guinness Blonde is a disgrace. I picked up a six for a party, expecting the usual mass-appeal mild flavor of yerbasic entry level beer at your local brewpub. Turns out this overpriced swill is contract brewed by the same people who bring you Iron City...and it tastes like it. Not even worth $6.99 on sale at Bottle King. This is a sign that Guiness has taken the same approach as InBev, marketing a "premium" brand which has been co-opted into contract brewed swill.
Speaking of InBev, Have you had a Beck's lately?
Big Muddy is on my Never Again list. This is the second bottle of foam from them. The 17st Smoked Amber foamed up just like the brown ale .
Port Brewing Company is moving up on my top ten list. Old Viscosity is superb and tonight after a not so good day at work I am 100% enjoying...................
Mongo IPA , just a fine balance of hops and 8.5 and a citrusy/piney taste that I love. not to mention my 2nd favorite beer glass that is now filthy with Belgian lace !!!!
(internet pic of glass not my actual with Mongo)
I will buy any Port Brewing stuff that I find from here on
I just finished shopping for the weekend's libations at Bourbon Street. It took about 20 minutes but I finally settled on Flying Dog's Gonzo Imperial Porter and Sixpoint's Abigale Abbey Ale. They should help get me through a weekend of yard work, lol.
PBC has an offering called Older Viscosity, which is Old Viscosity that's been aged in bourbon barrels. I saw it at Bourbon Street today but it was like $13 for a 375mL bottle so I passed, lol. I think it was around 12% ABV
A most excellent day at Joe Canal's
They had singles for $1.29 so I bought all 5 cans of Resin!!!
and 2 each of Wild Onion Phat Chance Blonde, Wild Onion Jack Stout and Ithaca Beer Green Trail IPA
and the Abigale
Heading to Angry Eric's today. If you have not been there to fill a grunt or growler you should definitely make the trip to Lafayette NJ. They have a tasting room as well and its BYOF.
Lehigh Valley HopsFest, benefitting the Celtic Cultural Alliance, is scheduled for 1pm, Saturday June 13th at the Celtic Classic competition field at Main and Lehigh Streets in Bethlehem... $40 GA or $65 for VIP tickets, $10 for designated driver tickets. 60 different breweries will offer over 130 different beers for tasting.
http://www.celticfest.org/lv_hopsfest
Anyone lucky enough to ever get their hands on some Alchemist Heady Topper? Never tried it but would love to!!
http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/27039/16814/
http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/01/25/atop-beer-food-chain-heady-topper-spurs-vermont-liquid-gold-rush/BLlk4nHgfBXkD9std009pI/story.html
Definitely on the list, Vic. Drinking Le Freak by Green Flash Brewery. Meh. It's a Belgian Style Imperial IPA. Just ok. You get a bit of the Belgian and a bit of hops. It's trying to do too much, and none of it well. Wouldn't buy it again.
Village Idiot in SJersey brews Teddy Hopper , wouldn't mind giving it a try.
I had green Flash Road Warrior Rye IPA , didn't care for it much and I really like rye beers too. Bear Republic Hop Rod Rye is real good.
How is the Abigale Ianimal? I found it to be an easy drinking not too hoppy but flavorful Belgian. I'd buy again.
I really enjoyed the Abigale as well, CBGB. I'd rank it after Resin but ahead of Bengali on my list of favorite offerings from Sixpoint.
But, the real star of the weekend was the Gonzo Imperial Porter from Flying Dog... thick and rich with a 9.2 ABV. After this and the Mexican Hot Chocolate Stout that I loved a month or two ago, I would say that Flying Dog's real talent lies in the darker beers, although I enjoy their IPA selections as well.
Was just at Mountain Valley Liquors in Oxford and picked up a bomber of Mongo IPA. Was also pleasantly surprised to see they had Stone Enjoy By IPA bombers and just had to get one of them as well!!
Vic, how much for the Enjoy By 4/20 IPA up there? Bourbon Street had it in bombers only but they wanted 11.99 for it. I'm going to wait and see how much they want for it on 4/19, lol.
lol ianimal,
The Stone Enjoy By was a buck more than the bombers at Bottle King in Mansfield a couple weeks back. I just paid $8.99 for the Stone and $7.99 for Port's Mongo IPA. Looked like they only had 3 bombers of the Stone left in stock. Are folks here getting the Mongo as a six pack? The clerk told me they weren't available in six's.
Was going to try out a six pack of Six Point's Abigale but it seemed a little pricey at almost $13 I think it was.
Mongo is always the big bottle that I've seen.
It is good.. but if I have the chance, Hop Stoopid is still better for me. :)
Picked up a bomber of Port Brewing's Anniversary Ale. I have to say that it paired very well with Shop Rite fried chicken, lol. Loaded with hops and a big 10% ABV. The label didn't give an IBU rating but I would guess it's 80+.
Bourbon Street also just got in Sixpoint's Hi-Res, so I couldn't resist picking up a 4-pack. At $10.99, I can't help but think I'll be suffering from buyer's remorse at some point, lol. A 6-pack of Resin is only $2 more. But at least I can say I tried it.
I also grabbed a 4-pack of Victory's Storm King Imperial Stout and a Harpoon IPA sampler.
Damn me for not checking the bottles! I got screwed on the Mongo. Tastes kinda flat. Looked at the neck of the bottle and see it was bottled back in July of 2013. In contrast the Stone Enjoy By I also picked up today was bottled exactly a month ago. Damn... live and learn.....be sure to check those "bottled on" dates!!
Yeah CBGB I really need to get over to that Joe Canal's in Parsippany!! Its right down Rt 46 from my job. Timing is always difficult though when you work the night shift!
Another new micro brewery coming to the area in Mt. Olive.
http://www.newjerseyhills.com/mt_olive_chronicle/news/bottoms-up-as-flanders-beer-lovers-to-open-microbrewery/article_a98d9589-0520-5b61-addf-9cc3a30abd55.html?mode=jqm
I'm not sure all of these places are going to survive if the area gets flooded with them.
Flooded yes Calico, but at least at this point the market isn't saturated. Look at all the guys above and how into it they are. And what prices they're willing to pay. Particularly if some of the places open restaurants as well like LVBP, then there should still be more room to grow. Particularly Morris County could easily support one in both Morristown and Parsippany without really blinking.
I read that there's a new brewery opening up something like every 16 hours. And there's a real strain on the hop supply. It's a golden age of beer, but I think we're near the height of it.
That may explain the names of the two breweries mentioned. All the good names are taken. C'mon , Jersey Girl Brewing. I always thought the term Jersey Girl was derogatory similar to Valley Girl. Bad choice particularly since it is two males opening Jersey Girl.
But Man Skirt wins my prize for AWFUL 100% I won't go there based on the stupid name prize for brewery names. IDKW but that name turns me off so much.
"What's in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet." - Shakespeare
I know what you mean though.
Anybody going to the Big Brew Fest May 9 at the Sussex County Fairgrounds?
not sure if $53 is a good value but over 200 unlimited beers?? could be
http://bigbrewnj.com/sussex/
not worth the price, just based on the list, plus one of the main craft beer distributors refuses to deal with the person in charge so you wont see any of their brands there. I'd recommend going to atlantic city beer fest
Thanks for the heads up CBGB. The date is right around the corner and hadn't heard anything about it.
I'll let the wife know as I see The Empanada Guy's food truck will be there as well. Have heard good things about his food. Spanish food for her and beer for me and all is good!
Seems kinda pricey though we'll see...
They found Da Pappy! Well at least da Pappy robbers:
http://www.wsj.com/articles/nine-indicted-in-bourbon-heist-involving-wild-turkey-pappy-van-winkle-1429636255
Today Is Beer Day
http://www.dw.de/ein-hoch-auf-das-deutsche-bier/a-18399219?maca=de_facebooktest_2013-02
Old Gent Finally got around to trying the Houblon Chouffe Dobbelen IPA Tripel. Really good. Nice herbal/citrus notes throughout. Not too strong on the hops, which is a good thing. Would definitely buy it again. 9% ABV.
http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/321/27804/
Last night, I finally got around to drinking the Sam Adams Cinder Bock that I picked up back in March. It's a smoked doppelbock (Rauchbock) that blends a smoky aroma and front end with a sweet, malty finish. It was pretty good, but nothing that I would run right out and buy again... more of a novelty, than a go-to of any consequence. I think it was 9.4 ABV.
I like rauchbiers , haven't had one in way too long. The best I've had is Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier. Not a taste for everybody fer sure.
Tonight I am having Port Brewing Anniversary Ale and as all things Port Brewing it is superb. I read that Port also makes Lost Abbey , I will be on the prowl for some.
http://lostabbey.com/
Wild Onion Hop Slayer for the rest of the weekend.
or panko crusted Asian spiced chicken.
I had St John Tropical Mango last night. When the title says mango it should taste like mango.....and it did. tasty little diversion but not enough to put in my rotation
Tried quite a few new beers this weekend:
New Holland Dragons Milk 11%
Founders Devil Dancer 12%
Epic Sour Apple Saison 8.1%
Carton Decoy 12%
Avery the Czar imperial Stout 11%
Most were very good. I wasn't crazy about the Saison but that may have been due to the state of my palate after the Dragon and Devil.
The Dragons Milk and Avery the Czar were demonstrably the best of the bunch, but the Dragons Milk is what I chose to fill my growler with... Thick and creamy with chocolate, coffee and vanilla notes. Definitely a 95+ in my opinion.
100% agree with the Dragon's Milk , awesome indeed , so much flavor.
I'll try the Founders Devil Dancer looks good on the website!!
Had Ommegang Fleur de Houblon tonight, a summer ale. Good stuff. I would buy it again. I only picked it up because I hadn't seen it before. Got it at Stew Leonard's wine in Paramus. It was surprising because I wasn't impressed with that store. I also picked up the Ommegang IPA. Will try that next.
Dragon's Milk is intriguing. I will look out for it.
What did you think of the Decoy, ianimal?
Honestly, MNJ... I didn't DIS-like the Carton Decoy, but I wasn't a huge fan either. It had elements of a Belgian tripel or even a quad, but there were some odd spice notes to it that weren't altogether pleasing to my palate.
The girl behind the bar said that it was a "winter warmer" style and I definitely get that... Some of the spice notes would have been better suited in a mulled wine than a beer, IMO. Like I said, not terrible, but I probably wouldn't ever choose it off the shelf, either.
No Devil Dancer at Morris Plains Bottle King so I got
Cricket Hill Colonel Blides. The bottle says cask ale , the box and website say ESB. I say DELISH!!!
I do like a fine ESB and this is one of them.
Can anybody recommend an other ESB to try other than Fullers and Flying Fish , which are my two fave ESBs , making Colonel Blides #3
Saw this one pop up on the Hot Deal forums that may be of interest so I'll mention it within this thread:
Amazon.com has 2-Pack of 19-oz Spiegelau IPA Beer Glasses on sale for $14.99. Shipping is free with Prime or if you spend $35 or more.
http://www.amazon.com/Spiegelau-2-Pack-Classics-Glass-19-Ounce/dp/B00BTPUT3S?tag=slicinc-20&ascsubtag=6fd38bb751184c728b3d76d808e10d22
Per camelcamelcamel.com this is currently at it's lowest (best) price point:
http://camelcamelcamel.com/Spiegelau-2-Pack-Classics-Glass-19-Ounce/product/B00BTPUT3S
I got my husband those glasses for our anniversary last year, but I got the 6 pack and I think I paid about $40.
cool looking glasses
I like drinking from a yard or half yard glass on occasion , makes it a bit of an adventure !!
A half yard is mere child's play; it's a full yard that tests the true mettle of the beer drinker. If you don't rotate it just right as you're drinking it, you're going to wear the last half pint or so, LOL.
I stopped in Wine Country Sunday. I must say they have an excellent selection of 22oz bottles. Next time I'm in H-Town I will get a supply. There were many breweries I hadn't heard of to pick from.
To celebrate Cinco De Mayo I bought a six pack of Dia de los Muertos The Necromancer Chocolate Stout. and to help me celebrate Shoprite liquors has a coupon for $1 off any Mexican beer!!
It will have to wait until after work . I like everything this brewey makes so I'm sure this chocolate stout will be good as well.
There's nothing there that bourbon heads don't already know, MNJ. It's not like Beam, Inc. is trying to hide the fact that they make Knob Creek, Booker's and a bunch of other bourbons that are a lot better than their white labeled flagship. Two bourbons can have the same exact mash bill and have completely different characteristics due to the barrel, its location in the rickhouse and the weather in any given aging period (along with 100 other variables).
Here's an interesting article with a chart that provides the "family tree" of bourbons. It's a great reference to have... and even keep handy. For a few months, I never went bourbon shopping without it (-;
http://www.gq.com/life/food/201311/bourbon-whiskey-family-tree
But I agree that the terminology of "craft bourbon" is meaningless... just as meaningless as the term "craft beer", which now refers to every single brewer in the United States other than AB InBev, Miller-Coors and Pabst.
I knew a little about it ian. The book that I read, 'Proof, The Science of Booze' touched on it and the different effects of time, temp., barrel, distillation, weather, even location within one warehouse.
On a related note: There was a pretty good segment on 60 min this past Sunday about some Scotch distilleries on an island (forget the name). I had never heard of any of them. It was one of Bob Simon's last assignments. They finished the piece for him.
Ok, back to hops.
MeisterNJ..I saw the piece on 60 Minutes too! I was surprised to see that their oak barrels were from the US since they had no oak trees. Very interesting piece.
Bessie Single Hop "Warrior" Imperial IPA by Flying Dog Brewery was my beer of choice last weekend. Flying Dog has been putting out a series of Imperial IPAs using only a single variety of hop, as opposed to the six or more varieties that are typically used in making an IPA.
Eh... it was certainly bitter, as the hop variety used (Warrior) is typically used for initial bittering only and not supplementarily for flavoring or aroma. At 10% ABV, it packed a wallop, but I wasn't overly crazy about the taste, to be honest. The flavor complexity just wasn't there... probably one of my least favorite FDB offerings ever. I wish I would have gotten the "Kujo" Imperial Coffee Stout instead, lol.
The piece concentrated on oak barrels from the US because the Islay products are generally bourbon aged and not sherry. They did casually mention some come from Spain. If they were doing a piece on the mainland distillers, some use only Spanish sherry casks. There may not be oak in Islay, but there are oak trees in Scotland. Using barrels from US and Spain is for the flavor of the previous contents, not just because they don't have local oak.
Stopped at the Wardell to do a little growler shopping for poker night. Of course, I have to do a little sampling while I'm here...
Lagunitas Imperial Red - 7.5% ABV - $3/pint - great body, slightly hoppy finish. Lag never disappoints.
Stone Ruination 2.0 - 8.5% ABV - $3/12 oz tulip - even better than the original, if that's possible.
Hmm. Those intrigue me. I've been meaning to pick up some Brown Shugga. Well, anything Lagunitas intrigues me. The guy's book is pretty entertaining. He made 3 batches of homebrew and jumped right into the deep end, starting the brewery.
Yup, 5.00 growler (with the purchase f a pint) every Thursday after Erik arrives
Brown Shugga' is good, but I would probably have a hard time tasting the difference between it and Little 'Sumpin 'Sumpin or the like. Shoprite only had the quart size. Bit much to drink in one sitting. Good thing about home brewing is that I have the necessary equipment to re-cap it and put it back in the fridge.
Thanks much to WineCountry for the Knee Deep Brewing Co. Belgo Hoptologist Double IPA. WOW is all I can say.
Which made me feel bad for the Epic Spiral Jetty I had a short time later because it is a fine beer but nowhere worthy of Belgo Hoptologist Double IPA
And tonight's Meantime Russian Imperial Stout is most excellent.
good to have a shop where I know I can get something interesting and GOOD
The $5 Growler Thursday is indeed in effect (thanks a ton for the 411; I had no clue, lol) but you have to buy two pints in order to qualify. Not a problem for me, I assure you.
I had a redux of the Lagunitas Imperial Red and it was just as delicious the second time around.
My second choice was the Carton BDG (brunch, dinner, grub) Country Ale. Perhaps it was that my palate was on overload from the Lagunitas; maybe it was because the BDG was designed for food pairing; or maybe it was because that it just wasn't very good... but I honestly disliked this beer. And after my previous experience with Decoy; I'm pretty much soured on the brand as well. They seem to be so overly reliant on trying to capture the wine pairing market and developing beers to pair with food that they've neglected to do what's truly important... brew a badass beer that's great on its own and let other people worry about what food it tastes best with.
I filled my growler with Left Hand's Fade to Black Volume 5 (I'm a sucker for an old school Metallica reference, lol). It's a Black Rye Ale with an ABV of 7.8%. Didn't have a chance to try it... will review when I do.
Needed my Hop fix today so I stopped in at Mountain Valley Liquors in Washington on Rt 31 across from Shoprite. I noticed they had Hoptimum from Sierra Nevada. First time I can remember seeing it in liquor stores this year so I picked up the 4 pack ($9.99). My lot was bottled on 4/17/15. Looking forward to enjoying it this weekend.
http://www.sierranevada.com/beer/high-altitude/hoptimum-imperial-ipa
Also of note.....the next Stone Enjoy By brew is a few weeks away. http://enjoyby.stonebrewing.com/stone-enjoy-070415-ipa
It is true , sometimes ya just don't like what a particular brewer has to offer. Riverhorse is a good example for me. I just don't like their beers. Good thing we are in the midst of a beer explosion. Lots of choices and good stuff too.
Tonight I came home and found hidden way in the back of the fridge.........one last Abigale and it was perfecto!! and it just hit me..duh A Big Ale
hahhah
I was flipping through the pages of "The Complete Encyclopedia of Beer" © 2002 and was wondering if some of the American microbreweries , as they were called at that time , were still around. Acme , Pete's Wicked , Cellis for example.
I stopped in at Joe Canals yesterday and on their $1.29 singles shelf was Acme California Ale. Quite a tasty ale indeed. Also got Wild Onion Hefty Weiss , a quality Hefe. To complete a six pack I also got Evil Genius Turtle Power (grapefruit pale ale) , Ithacas DayDreamer (American Kolsch) , Day Of the Dead DOA IPA and 3 Beards Bearded Lady ( ryr & raspberry Belgian pale ale)
Also had Port Brewing Wipe Out IPA which is good but I preferred Mongo
Pete's Wicked Ale was one of my favorites back in the early to mid '90s. They go all the way back to the very beginning with Sam Adams and Anchor Steam. Sadly, I think they closed a couple years ago.
ianimal - I met Pete in the 90's. He was the speaker at a computer conference. Everyone was all gung ho on the beer, and the outsourced business model was interesting at the time. Unfortunately the contract brewer they chose was the Rat Hole of Utica. Couldn't hack the competition, got bought out, and then just stopped making it. When everything is manufactured and sourced by someone else, there really isn't much to "close". ;-)
Totally forgot all about Pete's Wicked Ale! If memory serves me correctly, I believe I was able to take a quick sip of the stuff when I finally became legal in 1994 but then it was gone...LOL
CBGB thanks for the heads up on the Allentown brew fest.
Anyone ever hear of NJ Beer Company?? I never knew NJ had a brewery on beautiful Tonnelle Ave (Yes I'm being sarcastic!) in North Bergen NJ LOL!! I saw their IPA in Bottle King in Mansfield a couple weeks ago. $12 for a six pack!!?? Gut tells me it's probably not worth it??
The Fade to Black Volume 5 by Left Hand was outstanding; I would definitely buy it again. I've developed a real taste for rye beers.
Does anyone know if Homebrew U sells growler caps? I think sheanimal threw mine away, lol... in her defense, I probably left it sitting on the counter looking like something that SHOULD be thrown away.
I've seen NJ Beer Company listed in the NJ Brewers Guild and may have seen their beers on the shelf. I was looking for some breweries to visit but decided a drive to N. Bergen wasn't appealing.
100% agree Ianimal. I have liked rye beers for some time now and had Great Lakes Rye of the Tiger the other day , served at The Exchange and it is superb. I'll get Fade To Black next. Not all rye's have enough rye in them to satisfy. Long Valley Brew Pubs was the weakest effort and the Bearded Lady raspberry Rye was huge on raspberry but the rye wasn't to be found.
What about rye whisky?
I have a buddy who I went to college with who's attempting to convert me to rye whiskey, lol. I'm still primarily a bourbon guy but I have tried several ryes produced by what I consider to be bourbon distillers. Knob Creek's and Michter's ryes were very good. A couple others weren't as good... Jim Beam Rye comes to mind.
Whistle Pig is probably the best I've personally had. I also have a bottle of George Washington's Unaged Rye that I got at Mount Vernon a few years ago, when they first reopened the distillery and started making whiskey to George's specifications again. I haven't opened it yet; not sure what I'm waiting for... probably the fact that it cost $100 for a half bottle, lol.
The Wardell now has d'Achouffe Houblon Chouffe on tap. Standard price for a 64-oz growler is $24... I wonder if they'll let it go for $5 tomorrow. Lots of other interesting selections newly on draught as well... Innis & Gunn Irish Whiskey Cask, Stone Imperial Russian Stout with Chai Spices, Neshaminy Creek Blitzkrieg Hops Double IPA, Magic Hat Big Hundo...
Almost forgot... last Saturday afternoon, I went to a clam bake/crab fest after finishing a round of golf. For the occasion, I picked up bombers of Lagunitas's Hop Stoopid and Cappuccino Stout, neither of which I had tried previously. Both were impressive in their own right; overall, the Hop Stoopid was better, (inasmuch as you can compare two completely different beer styles), but I would definitely pick up the Cap Stout again, too.
Ianimal, have you tried Hudson Four Grain Bourbon? I was pleasantly surprised. To my novice palate I thought it was as good as Four Roses or Makers.
I am really liking Evil Genius beers.
I've had several of their offerings and have not been disappointed yet.
Turtle Power Grapefruit Pale Ale being the latest is simply a delicious beer
No, MNJ, I haven't... but I have tried their "Baby Bourbon" and thought it was very good. I'll keep an eye out for the Four Grain. Thanks...
ianimal, the $5 growlers are filled with whatever keg's they're trying to kick that week. One of the bartenders told us it actually is kind of a gamble, because they'll only fill it after you pay and they don't guarantee a full fill lol. But we went last weekend and tried some of the new stuff. The Stone Chai Stout smells incredible, but the Innis & Gunn was the smoothest whiskey cask stout I've ever tried. Might go tonight and see if that one's closed to be kicked, fingers crossed...
Fuji, I went down last night before poker and got essentially the same story from the bartender Rob. They lift the kegs on Wednesday night and the 12 lightest are the ones that they fill for $5 on Thursday... and they don't guarantee a full pour.
The Innis & Gunn was nothing short of amazing. I also had the Houblon Chouffe and the Neshaminy Blitzkrieg, both of which were winners as well. The Blitzkrieg had a very similar hop profile to Stone Ruination.
That place is great. There's very rarely a lot of people there, but I have great conversation every time. It's relatively quiet and everyone loves good beer and loves to talk about it.
Here you go, Fuji... the 12 beers listed as "Specials" are the ones eligible for the $5 growler refill today. I&G isn't one of them, unfortunately...
https://www.beermenus.com/places/2477-the-wardell-pub-freebridge-wine-and-spirits
Thanks ianimal! I tried the Kane Morning Bell as well and that may now be my favorite coffee porter/stout. Real deep roasted coffee flavor. May make the trip just to pick it up and try some new stuff out.
I may need to find my way to Wardell this weekend. I'm looking at Great Divide Orabelle and a few mentioned. I'll be on the motorcycle so nothing too potent.
Is there on site parking?
Houblon Chouffe and Carton Decoy are good beers. I'll have to make my way over to P'Burg soon.
I just saw this on craigslist , a record and cd shop in P-Burg.
https://newjersey.craigslist.org/emd/5034583872.html
So now I am fer sure going to P-Burg this weekend
Good eye, CBGB! I find myself heading out to Pburg every weekend these days between Gnarlys, Wardell, and all the great food places in between and in Easton. And now a record store! Awesome
Yeah, there's plenty of parking, CBGB. Usually you can park right next to the rear entrance, but on the off chance that there are vehicles parked there, there's a fairly large municipal lot right next to it. Even if cars ARE parked there, I'm sure you can find a big enough space to squeeze your bike into, lol.
The record shop that just opened is in the Phillipsburg Mall, which isn't technically in Phillipsburg... it's half in Lopatcong and half in Pohatcong (-;
Hahhah.....I know not to argue boundaries and borders with you , Ianimal!!
I decided to go for something BIG. After an excellent bicycle ride through Loantaka in Morristown I hit Midtown Liquors. Small shop but nice selection.
Avery The Maharaja Imperial IPA with a hefty 10.2abv and 102 IBU
but I meant BIG and tonight I will attempt Knee Deep Brewing Simtra....hahhah
a nice step up from their awesome Belgo Hoptologist
Simtra weighs in at 11.25abv and 131 IBU
Loantaka is a nice park. Very flat. I always thought it was in Chatham, but no, it is Morristown. Found out the hard way that the trail dead ends in Green Village (we were walking).
Simtra sounds interesting. I'll have to pick some up.
Meister , you can extend the walk or ride. I cross over Woodland to the path that goes around Giralda Farms to Madison Ave. At that point you can head down Treadwell back To Loantaka or if you really want to extend it you can head up to Convent Station and take the Traction Line past FDU where it ends. I then take the Traction Line the other direction to Morristown , and back. I wouldn't walk that but on a bike it is a sweet ride.
I didn't do Traction today but managed a18.5 miles and hit 28mph on Woodland
Simtra is 131 IBUs?!?
Damn... Hi-Res is only 115, lol... here's CBGB after his first sip (-;
Hop-Heads , go find some Simtra. Knee Deep knows how to make BIG beer right. Where Weyerbacher failed for me with the high abv Knee Deep succeeds. Simtra is awesome , I taste peach and fruit and of course a big bitter kick. I fer sure feel the alcohol but it wasn't overwhelming. El Perfecto!!!!!
Hoping to be at Wardells tomorrow around 1 or 2pm , depends on how long I am at the record/cd shop
Unfortunately, I'll be on the golf course during that time period. We'll have to catch up some other time.
Wardell Pub is a nice place. I had three beers and several pleasant conversations. $3 a pour.....unreal value. Had Great Divide Orabelle , Maine Beer Peeper and Innis & Gunn Irish Whiskey Cask. All very good.
Met craftbeerlover , nice to have a beer and conversation
and got 3 LPs from the record shop too.
ShopRite Liquors and Gary's Wine don't have the Simtra. Gary's says they will be getting some at some point. Guess I'll have to make my way over to Midtown in the meantime. Picked up some Hopstoopid as a consolation.
CBGB, did you know that record store is owned by the same people that own Selling Tales here in town?
I did not know that. I tried going to Selling Tales a few times but the were never open for business even during the posted hours.
sheanimal asked me to get her some Berry Weiss (Can't Get Enough of Your Beer, Babe) from Leinenkuegel for the BBQ today. So, in keeping with the theme, I picked up Grapefruit Sculpin from Ballast Point and Come Hell or High Watermelon from 21A.
My only previous 21A encounter was Brew Free or Die IPA, which I didn't care for... although I drank it directly from the can, which is a no-no that I wasn't aware of at the time, lol. Maybe I should give it another shot.
CBGB - nice meeting you Saturday. My wife and I stop in to Freebridge (Wardell) whenever we are up that way, always a great conversation at the bar, and you cant beat 3.00 a beer.
Grapefruit Sculpin is good stuff. I almost picked it up at Wegmans today. Picked up Innis and Gunn toasted Oak IPA. Also did a sampler pack. Lagunitas sucks, under cover ale, and Maximus. Plus Firestone Easy Jack, Harpoon Summer Ale, and Ommegang Rare Vos. Looking fwd to it.
HopStoopid is good stuff. 102 IBU's, so pretty smooth drinking. Would definitely buy again.
$3 a pour is insanely good and a great selection.
May have to get Hop Stoopid soon.
My Memorial day beer was Long Trail Mostly Cloudy , super delicious Belgian Witbier , spicy ( coriander?) some citrus zest , very refreshing on a hot day after a hot bike ride on The Columbia Trail. Went to Califon for the parade and mostly the music at the ceremony. Some friends playing old timey music. Figured biking in would be easy and avoid the parade traffic. as such in Califon...hahhah
My Memorial Day beer was Ballast Point's Dorado Double IPA. Enjoyable but pricey coming in slightly cheaper than their Sculpin. Next up will be to try some of that HopStoopid which sounds interesting.
Picked up a couple items at Super Saver. One of them was Kentucky Rye Barrel IPA. Pricey at $13 a 4 pack. Better be good! I had gone looking for the Knee Deep Simtra. They said they were getting some today. I know where I'll be after work.
Are you a beer geek or a beer snob? I'm geek all the way.
http://www.foodandwine.com/fwx/drink/how-tell-if-you-are-beer-geek-or-beer-snob
Kentucky Rye Barrel IPA is good. Nice hints of rye and bourbon. 10%ABV, so one was enough. Would go great with a burger. Pairing it with sausage and pepper pasta wasn't the best idea.
Anybody know anything about this new brewery. I have read they will be having a grand opening Friday.
Magnify Brewing Company in Fairfield NJ.
Knee Deep has done it again. Hopaillo Triple IPA , another amazing beer, thick juicy tropical fruits a hint of pine , simply a delish beer. Add home made mushroom pizza and one of the best movies I have ever seen and I thoroughly enjoyed Sunday night.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqD9Dm_DMN8
"Anybody know anything about this new brewery. I have read they will be having a grand opening Friday.
Magnify Brewing Company in Fairfield NJ"
Oh wow it's only 2 minutes away from my job in that business park area of Fairfield on Route 46! Will have to try... though it won't be easy working 3rd shift lol....thanks!
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Magnify+Brewing+Company/@40.861931,-74.318867,15z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x65cd92b5578f7bee
Early reviews so far look good!
http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/magnify-brewing-company-fairfield-nj.293674/
Funny, I passed Magnify yesterday. I was on my way to a reclaimed wood place in that complex. Will definitely have to give them a try.
Magnify is about 10 miles from me. I should stop by for a pint or two.
Vic , I got off midnight shift a few years ago after working midnights for 18 years. I am really liking afternoon shift. If the day shift opens I will take it. That's the hard part about a small department , one person per shift. Doesn't matter how long I've been there if one person is senior , they get day shift. And I never could get home at 7-7:30am and have a beer. Some can I can't.
Interesting side by side tasting tonight.
Lagunitas Hop Stoopid and Neshaminy Creek County Line IPA.
Hop Stoopid weighs in at 8abv , 102 IBU and 1.085 OG
County Line has 6.6abv , 65 IBU and 1.055 OG , Warrior, Chinook, Columbus, Simcoe, and Centennial hops
both 22oz bottles and enjoyed with some white chili ( tasty but nowhere as good as SueR's white chili ) while watching 300 with my son.
Hop Stoopid surprised me by being bit mild. That is to say when compared to County Line's very thick , coats my mouth hop flavor. Both are well priced but I liked Neshaminy Creek much better.
CBGB,
No doubt 18 years is a long time working those hours. I've been midnight's since 2005. No problems here getting home by 8AM and popping a cold one by 8:30AM! :-)
Also, if anyone gets down to the Bayshore of Monmouth County (My old stomping grounds) I just found out yesterday of some (new?) breweries in that area. I don't know anything about them. I'm thinking they probably popped up after I moved out this way in 2009:
Belford section of Middletown:
http://www.belfordbrewing.com/
Atlantic Highlands:
http://cartonbrewing.com/
Carton makes some good beers. I enjoy them.
Finally procured the Knee Deep Brewing Simtra. Can't wait to try it.
Lagunitas Brown 'Shugga is very good. Not overly sweet and good for summer.
I brewed a blackberry red ale last night. Brooklyn Brewery recipe. Can't wait till it's bottled and ready.
I finally decided to pop the cork on my Gulden Draak Brewmasters edition 10.5 circa 8/2013
This is as good as it gets. Aged in whiskey barrels , it has a smooth tart/sour taste as a good Belgian ale should but with a nice kick from the 10.5.
Big thanks to me brother who gave me the Gulden Draak special Brewmasters edition back in October.
Anyone see Stone Enjoy By 07.04.15 around at all? They didn't have any at Mountain Valley in Oxford yesterday. I see it's on tap at the Draught House.
How much are you bringing home GC?
The Stout is rated #2 Icelandic beer on this site
http://www.ratebeer.com/country/iceland/95/
CBGB - at this point I'm not bringing any home. The question about worth is not rhetorical, you're looking at about US$100 worth of beer there. That's too much for me to bring back a whole six pack. I'm wanted to check interest before I consider even a single bottle at that price. That's the reason for the question. Those are small bottles too by the way, not European .5 liters.
It does say I'm mobile, doesn't it? ;-)
Truthfully, I'm in Estonia preparing to go back to Iceland. The picture was on the way here.
Saw the Icelandic Stout at Mountain Valley Liquors in Washington earlier today.$6 for a 12oz bottle! Too rich for my blood. lol
I think I found my new favorite beer.
"The Kragle" IPA - Free Will Brewing Co.
I'd drink this over my normal go to- Sierra Nevada Torpedo, although torpedo is cheaper.
Well, let me take a step back- if money and alcohol content aren't a concern, I still like Firestone Walker Double Jack. I'll need to do a back to back taste test of those..and I'll throw in Sam Adams Rebel Rouser double IPA and Brewdog Hardcore IPA...
But for a normal IPA- Kragle is awesome.
Free Will makes some outstanding brews. I like their COB , coffee oatmeal brown.
Techno IPA is good as well
Found some Stone Enjoy By 07.04.15 at the Bottle King in Mansfield this evening. Picked up a couple bombers and left some for you guys! :-)
They were sold out in the six packs.
Josh will check out Free Will thanks! I love Torpedo as well.
Guinness looking to get a piece of the IPA pie?
http://beerstreetjournal.com/guinness-nitro-ipa-coming-stateside-in-11-2oz-cans/
Enjoying the Longboard Ale (Kona Brewing) drafts in Maui. Just a great summer beer. Maui Brewing has some decent brews as well. Their blonde is solid.
Had to stop while I was here. Some very good beers including a lemongrass wheat, double IPA, and a red ale that were exclusive to the brewpub.
Nice Meister!
I went to an outdoor party on Saturday and picked up a 15 pack of Founders All Day IPA. Never had it before. Good stuff! Only 4.7% ABV.
http://foundersbrewing.com/our-beer/all-day-ipa/
Has anyone seen 1Z Enuff at any area liquor stores? Looks like a solid IPA based on the reviews I've seen that packs a punch at 11% ABV!!
http://revbrew.com/beer/detail/1zenuff
"Craftbeerbob:
You all need to go check out Angry Erik brewery up in Sussex County. Lafayette area. Fantastic brews and cool place. BYOF"
I noticed the other day that The Jefferson Diner on Route 15 is offering up Angry Erik brews. I'm not sure if it's on tap or in bottles.
My go to brew this summer has been the Pinner. Just a solid easy drinking IPA. That and the Blackberry Red that I brewed. It came out really good (Brooklyn Brewery recipe). Great summer beer as well.
All Day IPA is good as well and I've been wanting to try the Angry Erik. Next time I'm up that way will have to drop in.
Lafayette House had Angry Erik Viva Verde on tap a few weeks ago. It's a Jalapeno IPA. It was surprisingly good. I don't think Angry Erik has started bottling any of their beers yet. They're just available on draft and in growlers at the brewery and various bars/restaurants in the area.
$5 Growler specials at the Wardell today:
Allagash Odyssey (8.3%), typically $24
Ballast Point Sculpin IPA (7.0%), $16
D'Achouffe N'Ice Chouffe (10.0%), $16
Founders All Day IPA (4.7%), $12
Kane Head High IPA (6.5%), $12
Lagunitas A Little Sumpin' Extra! Ale (8.5%), $12
Saison Dupont Cuvee Dry Hopping (6.5%), $39
Schofferhofer Grapefruit Hefeweizen (2.5%), $12
Stone IPA (6.9%), $16
The Allagash Odyssey is awesome... I think that's what I'll be getting.
If you are into sours, try the Sour Monkey at Wardell's. It's not extremely sour, just enough to be refreshing. I could drink a growler by myself.
Has anyone seen Neshaminy Creek's The Shape of Hops To Come available in the area?? Looks like it's right up my alley and have also heard good things!
http://neshaminycreekbrewing.com/beers/the-shape-of-hops-to-come-imperial-ipa/
how big is a growler? is it a specific size or does the capacity vary?
is it a quart? a half gallon? how many fluid ounces? can they be as small as a pint?
are there any gallon sized growlers available?
Typical Growler is 64oz. but there are also 32oz available now at most places. Gallon sized ones do exist but they arent common in NJ. They are most commonly amber glass jugs with a resealable lid. Each place reserves the right to not refill a growler, based on a whole bunch of things including cleanliness, volume of container, size of container, and whether the growler was originally purchased from them or not.
Thanks TheDude for the info. I've never gotten into growlers. This from Neshaminy Creek. Sounds like they're not big on growlers either:
http://neshaminycreekbrewing.com/2015/06/30/shape-of-hops-to-come-release-july-1st/
Found The Kragle IPA again, after having to buy many other, mostly disappointing beers.
It still tickles my taste buds the right way, same as last time. I'm really liking it.
:)
Yeah, it's fantastic, MNJ. Next time you go to Yinzerville, go to Fat Head's Saloon... it's on Carson Street in the South Side. Great beer and really good food, too. Try the South Side Slopes... it's a grilled kielbasa and pierogi sandwich with cheese and fried onions and horseradish sauce. Just don't expect Control to go anywhere near you for the next day and a half (-;
http://www.fatheadspittsburgh.com/beer.html
Nice. I'll be in the 'burgh in a couple weeks. Grilled kielbasa and pierogi sandwich is right up Control's alley, so it should cancel out....
This thread is almost exactly three years old, if you can believe it. I've had a lot of different IPAs since then and I'm not sure if I've had Harpoon (my favorite at the time) more than once or twice in all that time. There are just too many others popping up all the time that I need to try, lol.
National IPA Day returns August 6th... I'm guessing it's always the first Thursday in August as it was Thursday, August 2nd back in 2012.
Wow ianimal 3 years? Time flies. Same here concerning Harpoon!!! This thread has really gotten me into IPA's and at the same time made my wallet a little lighter but it's all good! It's been very interesting reading and alot of fun.
Picked up a 4pk this morning of Neshaminy Creek's The Shape of Hops To Come at the Mansfield Bottle King. 4pk of 16oz cans for $10.
You'll probably have to go in and ask for it specifically like I did. There were none out on the floor. I asked about anything from Carton but they had nothing in stock.
Meister just saw your post above about Fat Head's Headhunter. I've never had it but I have some on order through my local liquor store. Hopefully their local distributors can come through! I'll post here if they do. Yes, reviews look solid!
Vic, the Wardell has something like six different Carton selections on tap currently. Check them out on beermenus.com.
Had Otter Creek's Slice of IPA yesterday at The Counter in New Brunswick. I liked it and would get it again. If you're ever near there check The Counter out. Great build your own burger, taken to the extreme.
http://www.thecounterburger.com/
I got the Southwestern Burger Bowl. It was delicious.
And World of Beers is next door, which I can't believe I haven't been to yet. I know where lunch is next week....
Just bought 2 more 6 packs of The Kragle... ;)
And a 4-pack of Great Lakes- Lake Erie Monster, Imperial IPA
ianimal thanks for the heads up on Wardell. Never been there but plan on checking it out on Monday. Looks amazing!
Meister, I will definitely have to check out The Counter when down in central NJ. Those burgers look and sound amazing! Concerning Fat Head Brewery a buddy of mine said they don't have a distributor in NJ. That was as of earlier this year when he last checked. It's a shame as it looks like all their offerings are solid.
Anyone ever have anything from NoDa Brewery out of Charlotte NC?? Of course their Hop, Drop and Roll IPA caught my eye. Sadly it appears this one may not be available in NJ either :-(
http://nodabrewing.com/home/
Vic - Does it count if I turned around in their parking lot??? ;-)
My sister in law sells things in one of those shops on North Davidson and it's a good place to eat. Can't help much on the drink side.
Vic - Does it count if I turned around in their parking lot??? ;-)
Haha GC we'll let you slide this time... but next time please be sure to load up while there and drive direct to my house! :-)
Fat Head's has a very limited distribution. They only produced 15,000 bbls last year but are expected to increase to 20,000 bbls this year... but that's still 50% less than even the 30,000 bbls that a smallish brewery like Weyerbacher's produces in a given year.
Had Riverhorse Cherry Wheat last night, well, just a sip as I bought it for the wife. Good stuff but wouldn't drink more than one.
I swear my taste buds are changing. Had a Ballantine IPA last night that's been sitting in the back of the fridge for months and I liked it better than I remember.
Ballantine is horrible.
(and to be fair, it is a made up recipe now, as no one knows what the original consisted of)
Looks like yet another new brewery in the State. Cypress Brewery in Edison:
http://cypressbrewing.com/
Vic - Sorry, but no driving to NC for me. I get into a separate state of consciousness after driving anything longer than 5 hours in a day.
Happy IPA Day to all my fellow hop heads:
http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2015/08/ipa-day-is-august-6th-are-you-ready.html
I was in the Wharton Shoprite earlier this morning and was going to celebrate IPA day with a bomber of Clown Shoes Space Cake Double IPA:
http://www.clownshoesbeer.com/cs_beer/space-cake/
However there were so many on the shelf I was worried that it may be no good.
Turns out reviews aren't so bad??
http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/22951/113602/
http://bentriverbrewing.com/Our-Brews
Some damn good beer, knocked some back in Moline recently...
Ah, the Quad Cities... not the world's most popular vacation spot, but I had a blast when visiting a buddy in Davenport IA.
Just jokes, iJay... I figured you were there for the annual Anti-Teacher's Convention (-;
The Pre-Fest has begun. Can't wait to try the Sixpoint Imperial Porter...
Family reunion sparked by an uncle's 80th birthday. I have relatives in Davenport and Bettendorf but people came from across the country...
Love the sixpoint. Wife and I are planning to hit 'Smorgasburg', the outdoor market in Brooklyn, in the fall. Brooklyn Brewery and I believe Sixpoint have stalls. And Brooklyn Brewery is a couple blocks away so I may as well make my way over there.
Looking forward to Fat Heads tomorrow ianimal.
Enjoying some Anheuser-Busch InBev oooops I mean Elysian ;-) Space Dust IPA tonight. Not bad , solid IPA, but certainly not worth the $15 6 pack price I paid!
http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/elysian-space-dust-ipa/173579/
I see Carton came out with a new release yesterday....IDIPA.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DZx28H-lV08
Another trip to the Wardell... so many new beers, so little blood to absorb the alcohol....
Lagunitas High Westified Imperial Coffee Stout (12% AbV)
"Ale brewed with Coffee from our friends at Petaluma Coffee & Tea, then aged in Rye Whiskey barrels from our friends at High West Distillery in Park City, Utah … barrels that held High West’s Double Rye and American Prairie Bourbon, to be exact." - crazy good. Might be my new favorite Lag
Weyerbacher Tango 2014 (10.6%) - Belgian Strong Ale brewed with cherries - pretty good. Sweet, but not overly so
Stone Bourbon Barrel Arrogant Bastard Ale (7.2%) - exactly what it sounds like. If there was a way to improve on the Arrogant one, bourbon barrels were it. Smooth and delicious with a slightly bourbony finish.
RIP to South Jersey's Village Idiot Brewing Company Co-Founder Rich Palmay who passed away Wednesday evening.
Had a Brooklyn Brewery Brooklyn Blast Double IPA at lunch today. Very good. Followed it up with an Amendment Brew Free! or Die IPA which wasn't as good. Maybe I was comparing it too much to the Brooklyn, but it just wasn't doing it for me.
Imperial Coffee Stout... but I've never been one to turn down an ice cream sandwich, either (-;
Enjoying some Stone Thunderstruck IPA tonight which was released earlier this month. Good stuff! Very tasty.
Found it at the Shoprite Liquors in Wharton Saturday for $9 a bomber.
Stone never disappoints.
http://www.stonebrewing.com/anniv/ale/
I just found out this place yesterday for the first time called Shangy's in Emmaus PA.
https://www.facebook.com/shangysthebeerauthority/info
http://www.yelp.com/biz/shangys-the-retail-beer-authority-emmaus
Any of you guys ever make the trip out to PA to check it out? It's about 45-50 minutes from me. Wondering if it's worth the drive. Only thing is you have to buy by the case/keg no 6 packs etc. etc.
It sounds like they've been around forever out there.
I stopped in the Greenwich Bourbon Street yesterday and I swear that there were at least thirty different brands of "pumpkin beer" in the cooler. Yuk. What a waste of space... they didn't even have any regrigerated Resin because all the shelf space was devoted to that nonsense. That's one fad that can't end soon enough for me...
I agree ianimal. Get your gourds out of my beer.
I've been having a Resin while grilling the past couple of weeks. Usually followed by a Little Sumpin' Sumpin'. Both are great with burgers and bbq.
Strayed from the IPAs tonight for some Belgian style white ale....Liliko'l Kepolo from Avery Brewing out in Boulder CO that I heard good things about. I didn't think it was available in NJ but stumbled upon the pricey 4 12oz can pack ($12) while at the Shoprite in Wharton.
http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/30/62866/
Didn't care for it at first but it's slowly growing on me.
Thanks Ianimal , SueR gave me the heads up on your post since I am not on HL anymore.
We hit Wardell Sunday. There was an Arts Fair across the river so we walked it. Then did some tubing on the river. I had a Gyro at Jimmy's next door that is super good. I had Carton 077XX which is a top notch DIPA and with my gyro I had Lagunitas Cappuccino Stout. Kane Parhelion Imperial IPA is superb too.
Not much ( none ) Wheat ales or Wits on tap
Will try to get back to Wardell/Jimmy's again soon. Eat outside on the picnic table with a pint or two. I will post again with a time and day if anybody wants to meet up.
P.S. the BEST beer I have had recently is Abita Wrought Iron IPA , the aromas and tastes are perfect for my tastes. I am getting away from the high abv beers and settling in to a 6-7abv 60-80IBU range. Beers like Wild Onion Misfit , Knee Deep Breaking Bud and now Carton 077XX
Can't go wrong with Carton 077XX. Had a couple good beers in Charleston, SC over the weekend, including this one. Very tasty. Had another that I thought was really excellent, but I didn't quite get the name from the server. I'll figure it out. Charleston is an awesome town. Food is unreal.
I heard Kane's head High IPA is gonna be available In cans soon. Ballast point is delicious along with carton
townie14 Had Green Flash West Coast IPA. Good, solid beer but I wouldn't say it stands out.
Called the bar to get the name of the tasty IPA. Coast Hopart IPA. Highly recommend.
http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/16354/39236/
Stone RuinTen Triple IPA: "A stage dive into a mosh pit of hops" - about as good as it gets
Thanks Meister!
Nice ianimal!! Will keep an eye out for it. Speaking of Stone...their latest Enjoy By (10-31-15) should be in stores any day. I believe it began shipping on 9/25.
Carton just had another new release this past weekend: Hoppun
http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/26817/131994/
They must have put it on after I left... there were quite a few empty stanchions. Luckily, it's only a ten minute drive (-;
I've been enjoying Flying Fish Abby Dubbel, give it a try.
The Carton Brew, Hop Pun tasted a bit watery to me but that could been just me.
Roywhite Long Trail Harvest Ale last night. Lower Alcohol content then other seasonals but good flavor and good session brew. Bought at shop rite.
brewed my first gallon of homebrew ipa yesterday with the help of SueR. All went well and it is bubbling and fermenting away.
looking to be at Wardells around 1:30-2 today.
Had the 120 Minute on Saturday afternoon... very boozy, like Blithering Idiot on steroids, but I guess that's to be expected with an 18% ABV. A full pint of it might just kill some people.
For me, I would never categorize at as an IPA from the taste profile. The alcohol actually overwhelms the hops and there's more of a malty sweetness at the back end, almost like a Belgian quad. I forgot to ask them it was a fresh keg or "aged" like they tend to do down there. If it was from last year or earlier, that may explain the loss of the IPA hoppiness.
Roywhite, I picked up a sixer of the FF Abbey Dubbel on your recommendation. Thanks. It's a solid Belgian at a decent price. It's not often that I get anything in the single digits anymore, lol.
Glad I could recommend something to such experienced beer people.
I'm having trouble getting myself to accept $10+ 6 packs and $7 pints.
Welcome to homebrewing CBGB. Just be sure to keep everything clean and you shouldn't have problems. Currently I have a Fall brew bubbling away. Tried to recreate the beer that the BrewDogs brewed in Brooklyn. It has roasted apples and Applejack in it. Hope it turns out ok. I also am trying my first hard cider. Not a big cider guy, but it's so easy that I figured I'd give it a go. That might be one for the missus. If it doesn't turn out I can always distill it into Applejack.
Was in the Byram area today and decided to swing by Shoprite liquors on 206 in hopes of scoring some Stone Enjoy By and Stone Ruin Ten. Kind of a disappointing visit as they didn't have either.
I wanted something new to try so I picked up the last six pack of Funk Brewing (Emmaus PA) "Citrus" IPA. 7% ABV
http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/34006/114558/
Smell that citrus the minute you pop the can. I'm sure these would go down real easy on a hot summer day!
The bartender at Wardell was asking me if I had been to Funk Brewery yet when I was down there over the weekend. I confessed that I hadn't, but that it's on my list of locals to visit. I also made sure to mention that Manskirt had just opened... so hopefully that word of mouth will spread and generate some interest among the Southern WC/ LV beer lovers to take the trek up Route 57
Good point ianimal!
Thanks Meister but Chester is a bit out of my way. My travels never really take me over that way.
I really need to hit up that Joe Canal's in Parsippany one of these days not too far from my job. I know some folks here were saying their beer selection is excellent. And locally I really need to make it down to Wardell Pub. Have never been there before.
Have we reached a new price point with the Stone Enjoy By releases?? Shoprite Liquors in Wharton charging $17 + tax for the six packs?? Really? They also had the bombers in stock for $9. No Ruin Ten to be had.
I think the Enjoy By 4/20 was listed at $12.99 for a 22-oz bomber at Bourbon Street when it was released... needless to say, I passed, lol.
But, I got a big bargain there last night. Someone mislabeled the Sixpoint Resin six-packs at $8.99 on the refrigerator shelf. It rang up at $12.99 like it was supposed to, but when I showed the guy at the register the tag, he took the tag down but gave me the beer for $8.99. Score...
Stopped at Bourbon Street... they had Stone Enjoy By 10.31.15 for 16.99 a six-pack and 7.99 for a bomber.
FAR more interesting though... Stone Enjoy AFTER 10.31.16... an IPA spiked with brettanomyces, a wild yeast that supposedly does funky stuff to beer. I picked one up and stashed it in the basement. Whether I can wait over a year to open it remains to be seen, lol.
http://www.stonebrewing.com/enjoyafter/
Oooooh. Resin for 8.99? That was a score ianimal. Is it me or does it seem like you hit a bar or liquor store daily? Haha.
Ha... I can see how you might get that impression, but no. Usually, it's liquor store on Wednesday for poker night beer and stop at the Wardell for a couple pours after work on Friday.
Yesterday, I stopped at the liquor store specifically to see if they had the Enjoy By and wound up walking out with Enjoy After instead. And then there was the special trip to the Wardell for the 120 Minute last Saturday. But other than that, it's fairly regimented, lol.
Has anybody tried Guinness Nitro IPA ?
looks like the big brewer is jumping into the IPA game. The reviews are not too good. Some say the nitro does not go well with an IPA , some say the hop taste is too mild.
I have always found that a lot the of aroma is missing from beers served over nitro compared to the same beers served with CO2. This probably effects the taste a bit.
Just the aroma? Wonder why.
Ever have the oatmeal stout at LV Brew Pub, really like that one.
Not sure why.
Might be because beers that are made to be served over nitrogen are carbonated at a lower volume of co2, which means less co2 bubbles to push the aroma from the beer.
CO2 is also more acidic, which may accentuate the hop bitterness.
I only ate at the LV Brewpub once, and don't remember the beers I had. The most recent nitro beer I had was Old Chub, and it was pretty tasty.
Enjoying a delish Robust Porter tonight whilst watching the game.
Draken Robust Porter by Kelsen Brewing Co out of Derry NH
deep rich classic porter
Had the RuinTen last night. Good stuff. Went great with roasted chicken and vegetables.
Stopped into Bourbon St last night. Nice store. No Enjoy After so I picked up some Stone Enjoy By and enjoyed it by last night (well, one anyhow). Good stuff. Nice price on Pinner so I picked that up as well. And the Sam Elliot lookalike recommended a Bourbon Imperial Stout that I picked up. I half expected him to try and sell me a Ram truck too......
Last weekend I was fortunate enough to score Weyerbacher's first Double IPA release of the "year". They will be releasing four new IPAs each year, starting each fall; a Double IPA in the fall and winter and a Single IPA in spring and summer. It was very good... even though it was heavily hopped with Cascade, Simcoe and Mosaic varieties, that Weyerbacher "booziness" came through pretty strong - 9% ABV, no IBU rating given - $11.99 for a 4-pack
I also got my hands on SENSI 2015 Wet Hop Ale from Sixpoint. Yummy... wet hopped with Amarillo and Cascade cones fresh from the fields. Very sharp and refreshing... 6.3% ABV and 64 IBUs - $14.99 for a 6-pack
I went to Delaware last week and visited a few breweries.
Mispillion River Brewing - their logo is very classic and dignified looking but then ..........the beers have names like Holy Crap , Not Today Satan and SueR favorite Reach Around IPA.
I got a 4pk of their TLP (Threat Level Purple) Imperial IPA 11%abv 100 IBU. ready for this weekends beer pleasures.
Also went to Rubber Soul BC actually in Maryland , brought some Jamaican food from Reggae Soul Café , Soul 2 Soul........................NICE!!!
Only a few choices that were decent enough.
3rd Wave Brewing Co. is superb. 15 draft choices with a huge range of varieties. 3rd wave had my favorite of the week a smoked Rye IPA. But everything I had at 3rd Wave was quite good. White IPA and a BIG WOW for their Sunset Peach Wheat , the peach aroma had me sniffing with every sip. Took home a growler of Sunset Peach too.
Dewey Beer Co where I had a fantastic Rye IPA
Big Oyster Brewery where I had a fine pale ale and a super tasty dipa and SueR liked the Hipster Hefe.
16 Mile BC was OK nothing special IMO
Dogfish Head Pub (not the brewery) had a great time dancing to a ska band and drinking Namaste but I am not a fan of Dogfish and didn't care for the other two I had that night or any of their beers really.
CBGB funny you mention Mispillion River brewery. I saw their Holy Crap for the first time last week at Wharton Shoprite. I had never heard of them so I held off purchasing until I could see some reviews. They must have just gotten it in as there were no prices posted.
That Guinness IPA is pretty flavorless. I've had a Founders IPA on nitro once at Gnarly Brews and it was delicious and hoppy, so I don't think it's the nitro's fault.
I couldn't post last night. I got a message stating "......let someone else have a turn."
Finally , the first batch of our collaborative home brew is ready to consume. A nice classic IPA that I think came out rather good , very drinkable maybe a slight after taste on the last swallow. Which I have been told might be the bottle conditioning( or maybe not) Sues Brews and Ya Mon Beer will try a wheat or witbier next.
Mispillion is making some quality beers. Wonka Bar is a creamy smooth milk stout with a sweeeeet chocolate taste. Holy Crap is an Imperial Red ale with a perfect malt hop balance. I will see if Joe Canal is selling , if not then off to The Cave at SR Wharton.
Bought one of these Spiegelau beer glasses on clearance at Marshalls for $2
only one glass but a steal
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00SA2ZX5W/ref=s9_hps_bw_g79_i1
Thanks for the Sixpoint Sensi 2015 reco , a real nice beer , I can smell the hops with every sip , finding its way through a thick foamy head to deliver a crisp hop flavor.
Got a bomber of RuinTen also
Has anyone tried this?: http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/132/43969/
BiL said it was pretty good.
Hibe Victory Golden Monkey, had my first this weekend. If you like their Hop Devil, this is similar in hop- ness, also described similar to Miesters link above.
Full Pint Brewing is making some serious Ales. I have had several and all have been quite good and then I had their...........GUS IPA
WOW!!! Hop fans will love GUS. All they say is 100+ IBU. but an extremely flavourful drinkable beer.
http://www.fullpintbrewing.com/brews.html
I haven't tried that particular style, MNJ, but I find Rogue to be one of those breweries (like Stone) that rarely "misses" with an offering.
Their Dead Guy Ale (maibock) is one of my all time favorites and I've also had a chocolate stout, an oatmeal stout, their 7-Hop IPA and their Christmas beer (Santa's Private Reserve) and they've all been phenomenal... with the caveat that I stay away from their "Voodoo Donut" line. Just not a fan of maple syrup or fruit (other than hoppy grapefruit goodness) flavors in my beers.
I called around. Seems like it will be available in the next week or so.
On another note, anyone see the 'best' whiskey of 2015?: Only 30$.
http://coolmaterial.com/food-drink/jim-murray-best-whisky/
I'll be picking up a bottle tonight.
Canadian Rye? It might be the best "whisky", but it's not the best whiskey, lol. I would probably prefer it to scotch, but to American Rye and Bourbon whiskeys... I'm not convinced. I will also need to pick up a bottle tonight (-;
Meh. Jim Murray now has zero credibility. It wasn't terrible or anything, but... meh.
Well that's disappointing. I picked a bottle up tonight. Might just give it to a co-worker who was also interested. For $40 it was worth a stop.
You weren't wowed by it either? Or you didn't even open it? Don't take my word for it; maybe you'll love it.
Haven't opened it yet. And yes, I may like it as I do prefer Scotch to 'regular' whiskey, though I have had some good whiskeys recently like Hudson Valley.
I did pick up some Dead Guy Ale last night. It is pretty darn good. Nice solid ale. Kind of like what Boston Lager is to Lagers.
You won't be confusing it with scotch, that's for sure. It's definitely a rye, through and through.
As for me, I guess I'll be modifying Dimebag's "Black Tooth Grin" recipe somewhat...
https://munchies.vice.com/articles/dimebag-darrells-black-tooth-grin-is-his-drinkable-legacy
Anybody know where to buy cans of Carton beer? I have called several shops but none have it. Went to a Firestone Walker tap night on Tuesday but Carton Epitome was the best of the night. Firestones Wookey Jack a close second. Thanks too much
Wardell gets Carton in cans, but only rarely. I'll ask tomorrow while I'm there and let you know.
According to the search function on the Carton website, here are "Retail Can" locations within 25 miles of Dover... good luck (-;
ShopRite Wines & Spirits of Byram
8.5 miles
90 Route 206 NorthByram Township, NJ 07874(973) 347-2830
Gary's Wine Bernardsville
11.3 miles
100 Morristown RoadBernardsville, NJ 07924(908) 766-6699
Gary's Wine Madison
11.7 miles
121 Main StreetMadison, NJ 07940(973) 822-0200
ShopRite Wines & Spirits of Caldwell
14.9 miles
478 Bloomfield AvenueCaldwell, NJ 07006(973) 226-8400
ShopRite Liquors of Franklin Boro
15.5 miles
100 State Route 23Franklin, NJ 07416(973) 827-5787
Gary's Wine Wayne
15.7 miles
1308 Rt. 23 NorthWayne, NJ 07470(973) 633-3900
Merit Liquors
18.5 miles
571 Bloomfield AvenueMontclair, NJ 07042(973) 746-1733
Super Buy-Rite North Plainfield
19.1 miles
967 Route 22 WNorth Plainfield, NJ 07060(908) 755-3815
ShopRite Wines and Spirits of Westfield
20.0 miles
333 South Avenue EastWestfield, NJ 07090(908) 232-8700
I've bought Carton at Gary's in Bernardsville and Super Saver in Somerville (rt. 22 near the Bridgewater mall)
I've bought Carton (077XX) at Shoprite Liquors in Byram back during the summer. They didn't have it out on the shelves. I had to ask for it.
And to think I used to live right down the highway (Route 36) from Carton!
I called Gary's and a few other listed places. I will call Byram Shoprite tomorrow.
Thanks for the help.
Also plenty of Stone Enjoy By 12.25.15 in stock at Shoprite Liquors in Wharton this morning. No sixpack sightings but the bombers were $8.99.
Thanks Vic. Have to plan some Christmas shopping over that way. You must have been there at 9 on the button......
Haha yeah pretty much Meister...get out of work at 7AM...food shopping at Shoprite Wharton from 7:30-8-30AM with a quick swing through the liquor store portion of the store shortly after 8:30AM (Liquor store opens at 8AM in Wharton). Love shopping without the crowds!
Tried the Northen Harvest Rye. Thought it was pretty good for a whiskey. Pretty smooth, good flavor. Not much of an aftertaste.
Also tried Stone Cali-Belgie IPA. So-so. Little too much going on between being a Belgian and an IPA. Might be first Stone product I didn't really like.
Byram Shoprite only had Carton Boat but it is a very tasty session IPA.
BUT I had to ask for it since I didn't see any Carton beers on the shelves. They keep the Carton stuff in the cooler in the back and yes one has to ask to get it.
Don't eat the yellow snow, drink it! I also went to buy a bottle of scotch for one of the guys who works for me. Went to checkout at Bourbon St. and for the same price they had the glenlivet gift box. I'll be keeping the 15 and 18 year old shooters for myself. Score.
Surprised to see tonight that the Bottle King in Mansfield still has Stone Enjoy By 12.25.15 in stock. Bombers were going for $7.99. No sign of any sixpacks.
CBGB,
Freebridge wine and spirits in Phillipsburg posted an hour ago on their Facebook page that they have cans of Carton 077 in stock. Just call to be sure they still have stock before you make the drive over! Good Luck!
CBGB, let me know if you want me to grab you some. We can arrange a meeting whenever...
If it is Epitome then 100% hell yeah!!!
I called Liquor Factory and they said they had Boat and 0077 and another I don't remember. Of course they told me that before and when I got there I was told they were having a Carton Tap night that night and were not selling any Carton beer until then
Wardell only had 077XX and Sit Down Son and there was a limit of one 4-pack of 077XX to a customer because they only got 5 cases of it.
It's in my trunk and it's yours if you want it.
Got a couple of bottles of Goose Island Bourbon County. Going to pop one open and let one sit for a year.
Great Christmas in the 'burgh. BiL gave me a case of Fathead, as well as a bomber from Penn Brewery. Had an Otter Creek Kentucky Ryed IPA at lunch. Very tasty even though the rye taste is faint.
Visited Magnify Brewing today. Excellent beer , bad at making proper change.
I had a pint of their Black Wheat and a half pint of the pale ale. The black wheat is so good I filled a growler of it. The pale ale has a hint of peach for a tasty sessionable ale.
But they tried to short change me $10.
That's the one in Fairfield, right? Have to make my way over there. There's a cool reclaimed wood store in that complex.
Had this one last night during the Steeler game. Excellent beer, and I'm not big on Chimays.
Yep they're Fairfield...pretty much right around the corner from my job. Good to hear they weren't impacted by the big fire in that complex some weeks back.
http://magnifybrewing.com/
Wow. Hope the reclaimed wood store (insert ianimal snark here...) wasn't affected.
I got a growler from Crime and Punishment in Philadelphia
100 IBUs To Life , their IPA coming in at a drinkable 6.5abv and 100 IBU , a clear pale pour with a thin white head. The first thing I notice is a sweet hop aroma , the taste is bitter but the low abv makes it a tasty easy yet very bitter tasting beer for me. Big time hops in this rewarding beer.
Carton's Regular Coffee Imperial Cream Ale is on tap at Wardell. Absolutely amazing... 12% ABV and they serve it in coffee cups. If you want to try it, leave NOW!!!!
SueR Honestly, with the coffee aroma in your nose and the sweet finish on your palate, combined with the drinking vessel... it definitely had the one-of-a-kind experience of sitting at the diner counter sipping a cup of "light and sweet". Combine that with the high booze content that was virtually unnoticeable... could be dangerous, lol.
I've been enjoying the espresso stout that I made. Came out really good. Nice coffee and chocolate flavors. Now I have to serve it in a coffee cup! Why the hell didn't I think of that? And I brought back some Bell's Two Hearted Ale. Really good stuff. http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/287/1093/
Another winner was Lagunitas Bitter Oats Imperial IPA. 10.5% ABV. Big and boozilicious... creamy mouthfeel from the oats and that big hoppy punch in the mouth that Lag is known for.
Then I got my $5 growler filled with Yards Old Bartholomew... just felt like it was going to be a 10.3% barleywine weekend. Good snow shoveling beer, lol...
"Lagunitas Bitter Oats Imperial IPA. 10.5% ABV. "
What? Where is this? Never heard of it!!! Sounds right up my ally
It's currently on tap at the Wardell Pub in Pburg. Where one can find it in bottles, I have no idea. I haven't seen it at Bourbon Street.
Bitter Oats was a limited release in 22 oz. bottles. Bottle King in Mansfield had some, but not sure if any is left.
WOW as in WOW my snowbound beer of choice is SUPERB
Blitzkrieg Hops from Saucony Creek. An English Double IPA. The most piney tasting beer I've had yet. The flavor just coats the tongue and refuses to leave. SUPERB indeed.
and not just because it's named after a song by the greatest rock band
Wp 
Thumbs up for Sixpoint's newest "cycliquid", C.R.E.A.M. It's a cream ale brewed with milk sugar and coffee. Light and sweet... definitely coffee mug worthy. 7.2% ABV.
In case you were wondering, like I automatically do when I see an acronym... Craft Rules Everything Around Me.
Thanks Ianimal, I will give it a try. Sixpoint .....It's Mad Science.
Maybe I will do a side by side with Flying Fish Coffee IPA
or any other non stout/porter with coffee ya hop heads can recommend
MeisterNJ, Hop Juju season has begun... make the call (-;
http://fatheadspittsburgh.com/Fat%20Heads%20On%20Tap.pdf
Interesting look in to bourbon theft in Kentucky, including Pappy:
http://www.mensjournal.com/magazine/print-view/the-great-whiskey-heist-20160128
Sue's Brews and Ya Mon Beer are currently enjoying batch #3 a hoppy pilsner we call Happy Pills. A nice every day beer with just enough hop taste to make it hophead worthy.
Batch #4 is a Chocolate Maple Porter and due to be released for our drinking pleasures in April. No name for it yet.
The craft mergers continue. I've been wanting to try Cigar City's Jai Alai for the longest time but could never find it. Hopeful now they can expand their distribution network into NJ! http://www.brewbound.com/news/fireman-capital-to-purchase-cigar-city
Alas, I am on a malt beverage hiatus currently. Double alas, it's $5 growler day at the Wardell and opening day of March Madness to boot.
TRIPLE alas... Weyerbacher Sunday Morning Stout is on the $5 growler list and Carton 077XX and Carton Cosmonaut Russian Imperial Stout are both on tap.
Good thing I work on the 1st floor....
FYI for anyone looking for Carton 077XX in cans. I'm currently at Shoprite Liquors in Byram and just snagged a 4pack. $14.99 plus tax. I think they raised the price. You have to ask the clerk for it as they have it hiding in the back. Clerk said he has two cases left.
BTW...it's nice and fresh! Just brewed on 3/10!!
A bit of a drive but try Wegman's in Easton PA. They have had Jai Alai in stock in the past.
I happened to be in the Easton area today and decided to make the trek over to Wegman's for the first time. Thanks Craft Beer Man! Score!! Nice haul...got me some Jai Alai and saw they had plenty of Stone Enjoy By 4.20.16 in both bombers and 6 packs ($16.99). Heck they even had some old bombers of Stone Enjoy By 2.14.16 STILL on the shelf! It was enjoyable walking the aisles checking out the selection. Many beers you don't see on the shelves here in NJ.
I also purchased last week a bomber of Bolero Snort Brewery's OVB Creamsicle IPA from Bottle King I still have to try. I've seen some pretty good reviews on it. Some saying it's Bolero Snort's best release yet.
Hearing good reviews about this 2016 series from Lagunitas! Dank and hoppy. It's a monster at 11.5% Abv. Be sure to check it out!
https://lagunitas.com/beers/waldos
Vic, thanks for the rec on The Waldo's...dankalicious. I picked up a sixer of that and a 4-pack of NCBC Blitzkrieg Hop pounders for $26, lol.
No prob ianimal..glad to hear you got some The Waldos!! I went searching for some at Shoprite Liquors in Wharton and in Byram but no luck. The guy in the Byram store said they were only allotted two cases which they got in last week and quickly sold out.
Also, speaking of the Byram location they now stock Carton 077XX out in open in the display case no longer hiding it in back. They had plenty in stock as of Thursday morning. They also have Carton IDIPA but it's in the back and you have to ask for it. Kinda pricey though at $17 for a 4 pack of 16oz cans.
http://cartonbrewing.com/beers/idipa/
Enjoying a visit toForgotten Boardwalk with SueR. She had a flight and I had a nitro Funnel Cake. Grabbed a six of Pocket Trick imperial IPA and a bomber of Black Tie Imperial oatmeal coffee stout withblack tea , orange blossom water , star anise and crushed tamarind.
Next week they are having 7 firkin varaiations of the Funnel Cake and several vendors. Sounds likea fun day
Never had their Fat Tire but finished off my last bottle of Rampant Imperial IPA from New Belgium last week. Not bad. I remember Meister further up this thread saying their Ranger IPA was pretty good.
http://www.newbelgium.com/beer/rampant
Currently drinking a Carton IDIPA. I definitely prefer their 077XX over the IDIPA. Next up I'd like to get my hands on some Carton All Orange Everything IPA...
http://www.idrinkgoodbeer.com/craft-beer-blog/orange/
The latest from Jersey Girl Brewery. 115 IBU!!??
"Jersey Girl IPA, 6.3% 115 IBU, coming at you guys this weekend, brewed with 75 pounds and eight varieties of hops, and finished with a healthy dry hopping of Amarillo and Citra, this unfiltered beer is bursting with bright citrus and floral notes and a smooth malt balance. This beer is for the inner hop head in you!"
Nice!! Looks like Kane is up and running now with their canning line! Unfortunately it will still take a ride all the way down to Monmouth County to get some :(
https://www.instagram.com/p/BE1IlV2i9kC/
I've been drinking New Belgium pretty exclusively the last few weeks. I wasn't wowed by their Fat Tire, but it was ok. Rampant is great and Ranger and Citradelic are both above average as well. At 9.99 for all of them, it's practically a bargain these days, lol.
Did not care for Rampant. Fruit= blah.
Ranger is good- drank 2 today.
Would love to try the Waldo posted above.
Fat tire was the goto when I was stationed in Colorado in the Army 20 years ago, but that was compared to everyone drinking MGD, coors, bud, etc..
Once you get a taste for hops, you never go back. :)
Fruit? Rampant is an Imperial IPA. No fruit, other than the typical IPA citrus grapefruit notes.
You're probably thinking of the Citradelic, which is a tangerine IPA. It's ok, as is Ranger, but neither is as good as Rampant.
"Would love to try the Waldo posted above."
Josh, try the Bottle King in Mansfield. I got a nice surprise Friday when I was there snagging the second to last 6 pack of Waldo out on the floor. They MAY have since put another case out on the floor for sale? Worth a shot.
Thanks Vic.
As for the Rampant- read the description from the makers themselves-
"with heavy peach tones"
http://www.newbelgium.com/beer/rampant
Burly and bitter, RAMPANT IMPERIAL IPA , pours a pure copper and carries the sheen of a rightly hopped beer. The Mosaic and Calypso hops bring stonefruit to the front seat, and the addition of Centennials nod towards citrus for a well-rounded aroma."
So, the "heavy peach tones" are due to a combination of Mosaic and Calypso hops, not because there's actually fruit in the beer...
Well, there is probably not 'actual fruit' in most fruit drinks.. so I guess a more accurate description would be that a fruit flavor profile is not what I want in my beer. :)
I would guess that the fruit flavors in most fruit drinks don't come from hops either. So, you don't like grapefruit-y IPAs either? You must not be that big a fan of IPAs... most have a fruit component to their flavor profile to one degree or another.
To be honest, I didn't pick up on any peach flavors at all, but then again it's probably been at least 30 years since I had a stonefruit of any kind in any form and wouldn't know one if I tripped over it, lol.
Hit Wardells Saturday night and wanted to have something other than my usual tastes.
Carton's Carton Of Milk was an excellent first choice. A smooth creamy stout it is.
Followed that up with Demented Asparte which is a cream ale flavored with strawberries. I really liked it, just what I was thinking when I said I wanted a little something different. Now I really need to get down to Demented!!!
You should have given me a heads up, CBGB. I could have gotten out for a little bit. Let me know next time you're in the neighborhood.
Stopped at Super Saver yesterday. I had some New Belgium Slow Ride last night. Good solid IPA. Also picked up some Stacy's Mom IPA from Evil Genius. I liked that one better. Ranger is good as well.
Been drinking Fat Tire ever since my first ski trip out West. I like it. Solid beer.
ianimal - This is probably TMI for most, but if you really want to know something about how hops affects the flavor chemistry, this article goes into it.
http://byo.com/hops/item/848-hop-chemistry-homebrew-science
The key is in the "oxygen compounds" section. Aldehydes C-8, C-9, C-12, C-14, and C-16 are responsible for lemon, lime, orange, peach, and strawberry type flavors. The esther it talks about is flowery but others are responsible for the banana like flavor of wheat beers. One way or the other, you're right that it would take quite a bit to not have those things in beer that contains hops.
I don't mind a bitter citrus. Pine notes are even better. Never liked peaches, real or otherwise. Just my preference.
3rd Wave Brewing in Delaware makes a peach wheat beer that I liked so much I bought a growler of it.
http://www.3rdwavebrewingco.com/beer/sunset-peach
Will do Ianimal. Went to Almond Tree Manor after for some live rock and non-contact moshing. Hahhah I tried to slam into the biggest dude there and I think it surprised him. All these youngsters were flying all over but no slamming...hahhah
Josh - You'd be a better cola or Scotch drinker. One of the secrets to Coke and Pepsi is neroli and the less expensive pettigrain. They are bitter orange products. If you like pine then the phenolic type Scotches like Ardbeg, Laphroig, Lagavulin, or Caol Ila. There was a discussion in a distillers forum some time ago that said the old time belief that those tastes came from sea side aging is wrong. Modern chemical science has shown it comes from smoking the malt.
For beer the problem is the same oxidation of hops that causes some phenols and pine notes you like also causes aldehydes (C-8, C-14) and orange/lemon as well as peach/nectarine you don't like.
Trust me, I drink more than my fair share of all sorts of beers, mostly strong imperial, american, double, IPA..
I enjoy Jack & coke or Tito & tonic depending on mood and weather, but they don't travel well- I work in my garage a lot and beer is easier in that environment.
Almond Tree Manor has live music now? That's interesting. I'll give the guy credit, he's trying everything. I can practically walk there from my house... not that I would, mind you... but it's in the realm of theoretical possibility (-;
MNJ, if you ever run out of Bell's Two Hearted when you aren't about to make a run for the 'Burgher, there's a place in Allentown, PA called the Cork and Cage that carries it ($14 a sixer)... should save you about 9 hours in travel time, round trip (-;
https://www.beermenus.com/places/29356-cork-and-cage-craft-bottle-shop
No, Fatheads has a MUCH smaller distribution area. I think there's a bar or two in Philly that has it on tap, but for six-packs and cases, it's almost exclusively Ohio and Western PA. (and Oregon, but that's a whole different brewery and distribution market).
Of course, now that I say that, I find that they recently expanded into the Philly market in a big way... and as close to us as Doylestown, but not to the Lehigh Valley yet.
http://www.phillymag.com/foobooz/2016/01/11/fat-heads-beer-philadelphia/
Thanks ian. Saw the New Belgium Citradelic on shelves yesterday. You say Ranger is better? I resisted and didn't pick it up. I have some beer to consume before I go getting more.
No, I liked Citradelic and Ranger about the same. I just happened to like Rampant quite a bit more. Probably the 8.5 ABV for Rampant v. 6.5 for Ranger and 6.0 for the Citradelic... at the same price (-;
If you like citrusy IPAs, you should enjoy the Citradelic quite a bit.
I like some citrusy IPA's. Grapefruit Sculpin for example. Pinner has a good citrus note to it. I'll have to try the Citradelic.
Speaking of citrus and beers, haven't had the Citra Mantra from Otter Creek lately. I'll have to track some down. Really good beer.
Bottle King in Mansfield had two cases of bombers earlier today of Stone Enjoy By 5.30.16 Tangerine IPA. No sign of any six packs.
Bought a sixer of the citradelic. Don't care for it. Anyone have a waldo lying around and want to trade for 5 of these? ;)
Stopped at Byram Shoprite liquors today for some Carton Brewing , they always have some. They had Cartons SS CREAM but at $20.99 for a four pack I said Whaaat? and passed
But did get two bombers of Kuka Imperial Rye IPA with Andean Maca root.....WOW this is a seriously good beer. Not quite as thick as Ten-Fiddy but as close as any beer I've had recently. IDK if its the maca or the rye or both buy the flavor sets it apart , 20% rye malt and 9.4abv. I am glad I bought two so I can have another tomorrow.
Also picked up a six of Wild Onion Faux Pas Belgian IPA. so for the same $20.99 I got a six of excellent beer and two bombers of GREAT beer.
If anybody spots Wild Onion's two newest PLEASE let me know where. Otis Wet Hopped IPA or Bloodline Black IPA.
Back from the 'burgh. All stocked up on Fat Head Head Hunter IPA and Bell's Two Hearted Ale. Tried some of the Deschutes NWPA too. Just ok. Prob wouldn't get it again.
Tried the Citradelic too. Thought it wasn't bad.
I'm not getting Sixpoint's Puff offering . Tastes the same to me as their Resin. For the same price stick with the Resin with the six pack instead of the Puff four pack!!
Tastes like Resin because it WAS Resin... just dry-hopped one more time and bottled right off the tank without being filtered. I'll buy it just for the cool-ass can (-;
You think you're stupid? I said it was "bottled" into a can (-;
Have you seen it around anywhere? I'm currently at the office so I have a better radius of places to shop than I would normally have on a Sunday afternoon...
Never mind... They had it in stock at the Wardell. It was actually $1 cheaper than Resin here.
I paid $14; Resin is $15. Wardell is known for cheap craft draught... package goods, not so much (-;
Stone Enjoy By 7.4.16 is out on shelves now. However I wasn't willing to shell out $18 for a six-pack at Mountain Valley Liquors in Oxford!
If anyone is a fan of Firestone Walker Brewery (Pasa Robles, CA), Wardell has about five selections currently on tap. I tried the Double Jack Imperial IPA (9.5% ABV) and thought it was fantastic. Definitely hopperrific, but with more sweet malt balance than many Imperial/Double IPAs.
I also had the Schlafly (St. Louis, MO) American IPA (7.2% ABV) and enjoyed that as well. Much less malt than the FSW and it made me pucker just a tad...
I like FW. Their Union Jack is a solid IPA. Wookie Jack and Double Jack are pretty good too. Is there a Double Jack and a Double Jack Imperial?
I served Firestone IPA and Lagunita's IPA at my wedding. I figured it was my wedding, and I wasn't going to have crappy beer. I also had shrimp, shrimp and more shrimp. Shrimp cocktail, shrimp on the sushi table, shrimp with the filet at dinner. I love shrimp..and beer. :)
Double Jack is awesome- and almost always on tap at the Tap House in Mansfield.
Meister- a double IPA and an Imperial IPA are essentially the same thing.
Yeah, same thing, MeisterNJ... in addition to the Double Jack, they have Easy Jack (Session IPA 4.5%), Union Jack (standard IPA 7.5%), Pivo Hoppy Pils (Pilsner 5.3%) and Velvet Merlin (Stout 5.5%).
I think the guy said they were all 1/2 kegs so hopefully I'll get a chance to try the rest before they kick.
Easy Jack is good stuff too. I had the 18 anniversary blend too, as mentioned awhile ago. Nothing special IMO. Especially wasn't worth stalking Shoprite Liquors for a couple weeks.
Picked up a sixer of Flying Dog "The Truth" Imperial IPA. Easily the best IPA in their repertoire. I much prefer their Porters and Stouts, but this one really hit the mark. Dank and piney with a string resiney finish. At 8.7% ABV, it's not their strongest, but two or three will give you a nice punch in the mouth, I would think.
Had Yards Cape of Good Hope Imp IPA tonight. 8.5 ABV. Very good. Imp IPA's usually have overpowering alcohol that is a little much for me, but not this one. Very smooth.
Yards makes good stuff. Had it in Philly. Haven't seen the cape of good hope. Where did you find it?
Oh yea- bought a sixer of Stone Mocha IPA last night. Haven't tried it yet due to not wanting to have caffeine before bed.
I normally wouldn't try such a thing..as mocha typically goes with darker beer. But I trust Stone so I'll give it a shot.
Had some South Carolina beer. One Claw Rye Pale Ale from Westbrook Brewing rates a 8.5 , Hilton Head Session IPA is very good and has the funkiest color I've ever seen in a beer and Southern Barrel Takeaway IPA is a solid IPA.
I noticed Bear Republic has returned to NJ for our consumption. They brew some outstanding beers. If y'all haven't tried Bear Republic then CBGB says "give 'em a try"
Claremont Tavern in Bernardsville, Josh. I don't like all of Yards' offerings, but this is very good. Claremont usually has a few nice draft offerings and they change them regularly.
Sixpoint Puff is insanely GOOD..............and $10.99 at Bottle King in Morris Plains.
Puff, The Truth and Cape of Good Hope all have a similar taste profile to me. Really, really enjoyed all three.
I had Puff last night. Good stuff. Can definitley taste the higher alcohol, but it's not overpowering. I didn't get as good a perspective on it as I had it while mowing the lawn and it had warmed a bit. I'l have another tonight and cement my impressions.
Who makes the Truth?
The Truth is brewed by Flying Dog Brewery. Check my next to last post from three days ago.
You want The Truth? YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!!!! (-;
I want to pick up something for my husband for Father's Day. He's basically a beer snob now, and prefers to brew his own, but for the sake of gift giving, I want to get him something he might not have tried before, or something that is perhaps harder to brew at home. Suggestions? He enjoys bitter hoppy beers. Thanks!
For something cool and unique I will suggest Omnipollo. Their beers are among the best I've had and the art on the labels are cool. A good selection of Omnipollo can be found at Wine Country on 517.
http://www.omnipollo.com/beer/
Had another Puff last night. It is basically an industrial strength Resin. Good stuff, but Resin will get the job done.
I'll have to find THE TRUTH ianimal and check it out.
Picked up "Space Juice" Double IPA by Long Trail tonight. Not bad, but not worth $16 for a 4-pack of pounders...
Thanks for the recommendation, CBGB. I just wandered into Buy Rite in Chatham for some research and I'm still pretty stumped. Locally, my husband prefers Jersey Girl beer and didn't much care for Manskirt. He also enjoys Cricket Hill in Fairfield. Have you tried Twin Elephant? I could run down there and fill a growler.
I didn't see the Omnipollo you mentioned at Buy Rite, but I might check out Gary's in Madison tomorrow at lunch.
Had Carton's Sit Dowvn Son tonight. Good, not great. Little too light for me. Interesting origin story though. Check it out.
I believe Sit Down Son is a co-brew between Carton and Smuttynose in NH? I saw it at Shoprite Liquors in Byram some months back but passed since it seemed too light for my taste. At the time they also had "Space Juice" which was insanely priced at like $18!! It stayed on the shelf!! LOL
I had Bolero Snort's ExploraBull IPA the other night. Picked up at Bottle King in Mansfield about 3 weeks ago. It was just okay I thought. Kinda what I was expecting from this Brewery. Won't be running out to buy more anytime soon.
http://www.boozyburbs.com/2015/08/25/explorabull-ipa-launches-from-bolero-snort-brewery/
Ianimal don't think I've ever had a Flying Dog brew but will keep an eye out for "The Truth" along with CBGB's "Omnipollo" recommendation. Thanks all!
Carton/Smuttynose Sit Down Son is similar to Sixpoint's The Crisp, in that they are billed as "artisanal" American Pale Lagers... think Budweiser that you're paying $11 a 6-pack for (or 4x16oz in the case of SDS), lol.
Plus, the SDS is brewed as a "session" meaning that it has a low ABV too... 4% versus 5% for Budweiser. No thanks to either one...
I'd agree with that ianimal, I wouldn't go out of my way to get a SDS again.
Found The Truth yesterday at Wegman's. Will be enjoying one tonight.
I ended up getting my husband The Truth. He really enjoyed it.
Yesterday he bought himself the Firestone variety pack.
Wardell has 077XX and Boat in cans but it's flying off the shelves here on Growler Day.
Enjoying a few pours at Czig Meister. Forge IPA and a Nitro stout perfect with a mushroom pizza
Looking forward to trying Troegs "Nimble Giant" double IPA this Holiday weekend. It only comes around but once a year and I've been hearing good things about it. Shoprite Liquors in Wharton had plenty in stock this morning. $13.99 plus tax for 4 16oz cans.
http://www.brewbound.com/news/troegs-independent-brewing-releases-nimble-giant-double-ipa
I am bragging about Wardell's and their rotation and $3 pours
Ooooops are they really $4.50 now??
Finally stopped at Czig thursday evening, and while the beer was good, it was WARM. Not happy about that. They were busy, but not packed. and ALL the beers were warm (we did flights). I like what they've done with the place tho- I predict they will have success.
Walked around the corner to Man Skirt and got a COLD beer.
Stopped by Conclave in Flemmington today. Some really good beers! Had their hoppy pale ale, IPA, milk stout, and Mexican morning stout. Hoppy pale ale and the Mexican stout really stood out. The Mexican stout is brewed with Aleppo peppers. Has vanilla and chocalate notes to start, then the heat builds up at the finish. Really unique and tasty beer. Wound up taking a growler of the hoppy pale ale home. Would have taken some Mexican stout home but they only make a small batch and they only have tastings. Definite thumbs up to Conclave.
CBGB, they were still $3 when I was there Thursday. I had one Founders Redankulous and two Port Brewing Anniversary Ales and filled a growler with Majestic Saison... all for $14.98.
But looking at Beer Menus just now, it looks like you're right. At $3, the place was a gem. At $4.50, you start to notice what a dump it is, lol.
Also visited Lunacy Brewing in Magnolia NJ, a few miles from my Mom's house.
They are really good. Their Kolsch was right there with Czig's I also had Coco Loco Creme ale which was insanely delish!!
Planned on going to Atco Brewing and Berlin Brewing both in SJ but I cut my trip short. Atco has a smoked double rye IPA I was drooling to try.........oh well next visit down south Jersey
Too true Ianimal , a 50% increase is a bit much. Still better priced than most........I will still stop in for a pint and a gyro or maybe try the bbq place nearby
Got a nice surprise while walking the aisles of Shoprite Liquors in Wharton this morning. Came across the last three 4 packs of Neshaminy Creek's The Shape of Hops To Come. $10.99 plus tax.
http://neshaminycreekbrewing.com/2016/06/29/shape-of-hops-to-come-release-update/
Enjoying a pint and a flight with SueR at Twin Elephant in Chatham. The Saison is spot on. The Red Wheat has a perfect blend of fresh wheat and hops. An American wheat with hibiscus..........funky!! And lastly a coconut porter that is Wow
Nice enjoy CBGB and SueR!
Not up my alley but I love how Carton keeps pushing the envelope....Carton Sakura brewed with cherry blossoms!!??
http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=d19a01f8684f6875a07560cf2&id=773bc76a85
On my last can tonight of Neshaminy Creek's The Shape of Hops To Come..very enjoyable hoppy goodness. Pop that can and it smells sooo good!! Have to find more! Nimble Giant also enjoyable, so smooth....that 9% ABV can easily sneak up on you.
Had some pretty darn good beers this weekend. Mexican Cake, by Westbrook. Imperial IPA. Really tasty. Went great with the beef tenderloin I did on the grill yesterday.
FatHead Session Ale. Similar to their Headhunter IPA, less alcohol. Good easy drinking beer.
Really good Bourbon Stout at Czig Meister. Too bad they aren't doing Growlers. Also stopped in to Man Skirt. I liked everything they had. IPA was very good as was the English Brown Ale.
Aunt Sally Sour Ale by Lagunitas. Definitely different. Not super sour, but still can't drink more than one. Probably wouldn't go out of my way to buy again.
Fat Heads was one of the few breweries around the country to whom Stone gave their Arrogant Bastard recipe. The Fat Heads version is currently on tap at the Saloon. Hopefully, it's still on tap when I get out there next weekend.
http://fatheadspittsburgh.com/Fat%20Heads%20On%20Tap.pdf
Mexican cake will be very difficult to find in NJ, very few stores get westbrook items, btw mexican cake is not an imperial ipa, It is a stout aged on cacoa nibs, vanilla beans, cinnamon sticks and habanero peppers
Wine & Whiskey Where does one find Mexican Cake? I don't think I've seen anything by Westbrook anywhere I shop for beer.
Wine &Whiskey, it says Imperial Stout right on the bottle. 10.5% ABV. Am I missing something? Beer advocate also lists it as such: https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/24134/78011/
I got it at Bottle Republic in Somerset. It's at the corner of Easton Ave and Cedar Grove Lane. It's a new store and they have a pretty good selection.
It's not that far from Super Saver, ianimal, if you want to make a serious beer run....
MNJ, in your first post, you referred to it as an Imperial "IPA", not "Stout". That was the correction W&W made.
I doubt I'm going to drive all the way to Somerset to pay $25 for a 22-oz bomber of anything, lol. But I'll put the location in Google maps and if I'm ever in the area, I'll pick one up.
Oh, my bad. I type too fast sometimes.
It wasn't $25. $17 for the bomber. I got it with my BiL in mind because it was his bday on Sunday. Have to take care of my FatHead supplier.....
Really? That's a great price. Everywhere else I've seen online is $22-25. I'm STILL not driving all the way to Somerset (-;
If I'm not mistaken, yeah, that's what it was. I might have to pick one up on the way home....
Ianimal, Correction, it's 19.25$ (With tax). Well, was. Stopped and got their last bottle tonight.
Fyi....Bottle King in Mansfield now sells Magnify beers. Well two of them at least....Low Visibility IPA and the one I bought Pollinator Farmhouse IPA. 4 pack cans of the Pollinator were $13.49 plus tax. LowVis was a couple bucks cheaper. Looking forward to trying Magnify for the first time!
Nice. I've been meaning to get over there. Almost did yesterday because there's a reclaimed wood place in the same complex. Let me know what you think Vic.
Has anyone had the bourbon barrel Arrogant Bastard Ale? Picked some up today. Will try them this week.
I saw a tweet on Magnify's website saying ALL Bottle King's received shipments of Magnify this past Friday.
Just tried some of their Pollinator. Pours a super hazy cloudy yellow color. Aroma has a very floral hoppiness to it, with honey notes coming through as well.
First sip has a rush of earthy hop flavor with a very mild finish. No lingering bitterness at all. This is really earthy - the farmhouse character really shines through. The honey helps this beer finish relatively dry, and imparts more farmhouse style flavor. Not sure if I'd call this an IPA, more of a saison?, but this is complex enough to keep the palate intrigued. Goes down very easy considering the ABV.
At $14 per 4 pack I may pass on buying again due to price. Solid offering though from Magnify.
MNJ, I've had the Bourbon Barrel Aged Arrogant Bastard both on draught and from a bottle. They're both good, but I think I liked it off the keg slightly more.
They also make something called Double Bastard in the Rye, which as you may have guessed is Double Arrogant Bastard aged in Templeton rye barrels. Amazing stuff, but it'll cost you about $22-25 for a bomber.
Also, interesting to note is that the entire "Arrogant" line has been split off of Stone's standard line and has been given the name "Arrogant Brewing."
I'm in Maine now enjoying some outstanding beers. Barreled Souls in Saco is amazing. SueR and I were blown away by everything we tried. Puft was best, a chocolate stout that was pure bliss. Barreled Souls covered it all, gose or ipa or imlerial red ipa. WOW.
We are in Belfast now at Marshall Wharf Brewing. Good beer. Their rauchbier is smoky heaven in a glass. And check out the rustic biergarten. FUNKY!!!!
Agreed, CBGB! But the biergarten actually looks a bit better at night, even with the caution tape! Haha
CBGB/Sue,
Try Maine Beer Company in Freeport. I've read great reviews on their brews!
http://www.mainebeercompany.com
Thanks Vic, we may stop on the way home. We did a schooner cruise in Camden and lunch in a pub there. They had Maine Lunch on tap, very good indeed and we have a bottle of MO to bring home.
"We did a schooner cruise..."
You dumb bastard... it's not a schooner, it's a SAILBOAT!!! (-;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4E9rn7zGKI
Lmno, very funny Ianimal.
We did a reggae cruise Sunday too. Not sure what kind of boat though......hahhah
We visited a very local brewery today. Threshers Brewing Co have only been open 3 weeks in fact their grand opening is this Saturday. Four beers on tap. A really tasty Citra ipa, a fine pale ale, their brown ale is top notch and SueR was the first to post on untapped and an excellent Firefly wheat.
I spotted a small sign on the road, brewery with an arrow. We had to go. Real small breweries like Threshers are the true gems.
threshersbrewingco.com
Picked up Magnify Pollinator while on a Home Depot run (installed a new hot water heater tonight). I like it. VERY floral. I'm surprised there aren't honey bees circling it. Speaking of bees, got stung three times tonight while working in my garden.
Tally for the night: 3 bee stings, 3 beers, 3 hours, one trip to home depot (win), one Youtube tutorial on soldering....... and mission accomplished on the water heater. There may have been 3..... dozen curses mixed in.....
Happy IPA Day!! Yay, a day dedicated to my favorite kind of beer! CBGB and I had some really good ones today during the Steins and Vines tasting, at the Maine Lobster Festival. Sebago by far was the best, with Simmer Down, followed closely by Rock Harbor's Beacon. What a great day to celebrate my two favorite things....beer and lobster!! :)
Not impressed by Arrogant Bourbon Barrel Ale. I'll have to see if I can find it on draught somewhere before I pronounce it dead to me. Can't quite put my finger on it, but it didn't wow me.
Hit Kane Brewing in Ocean Twp yesterday. They're doing great things. Their Hop Lab Citra was the star. Head High IPA is always good, and it's stronger brother Overhead as well. They had a Sour Cherry Stout that was real good (wife's favorite). Single Fin Belgian Blonde is solid. Wound up taking a growler of the Citra home. They also had nice 2L stainless vacuum insulated growlers for $45, which isn't bad.
Stone Enjoy By Labor Day (9/5) has been out since the beginning of the month. Very surprised I have yet to see it in any liquor stores two weeks after the fact. Weird.
Meister glad to hear you enjoyed Magnify Pollinator. Well done on the water heater install. Mine is due (Bradford White)....going on 17 years old!! I'm on borrowed time I'm sure!
Replace your anodes and your water heater will last a LOOONG time.
Read here for a LOT of good info- http://www.waterheaterrescue.com
I was at Monks in Philly yesterday for a few awesome beers- I just don't remember what they were called. One was an IPA by Russian River.
Russian River IPAs
Include blind pig, pliny the elder, and pliny the younger
Finally cracked open the Maine Beer Company MO pale ale!!! Wow this is a tasty pale ale indeed. very fresh tasting.I will be on the lookout for more from Maine BC
Dinner tonight was accompanied by Conshocken Brewing's Blood Money, a blood orange IPA and man-o-man did it live up to the blood orange billing. The aroma is dank with orange aromas and this IPA has a distinct orange flavor. WELL DONE Conshocken!!!
NJ does not get any Russian River unfortunately, Philadelpia area does but no IPAs in bottles just draft, best bet is to make friends woth someone in california and have then ship you the beer
Thanks Vic. Mine was about 18 years old (Rheem, replaced with an A.O. Smith. 75 gal). Yeah, you're due! It's not that hard. Just three connections, so don't be afraid....
I LOVE a good "Hop Bomb". Picked up the last 4 pack (12oz cans) of Hop Crisis Imperial IPA on the shelf at Bottle King in Mansfield on Monday ($10.99). This is made by 21st Amendment Brewery out in California. Tasty stuff!
Loving that 9.7% ABV and 94 IBU's :-)
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/735/42063/
Damn, MNJ... 75 gallons? There's only two of you, right? Do you wash your car(s) with hot water? (-;
Ha, I just replaced like for like. I never run out....... We do have guests from time to time. House full of in-laws a couple weeks ago.
And if it's Jan, yes, I do use hot water....
CBGB picked us up a bomber of Stone's 20th Anniversary Citracado IPA. And we liked it! We can definitely feel the 9% abv. Citracado Parkway is located near the brewery, but it also describes the beer itself. They use Citra hops and avacado flower honey. Nice copper color, pours a thin 1 inch white head. Has a bit of a barrel aged taste and the honey gives it a nice sweetness. :)
Was in VA for the weekend. There was a craft brew place that we went to while the ladies went shopping. They had samples on draft. Some good local brews. Best of the bunch was Fair Winds Howling Gale West Coast IPA. Very good beer. Had a different flavor that other Left Coast IPA's that I've had. Picked up a six of that and another bourbon stout that I will try this week.
I was in Virginia Sunday. Stopped at Ammo Brewing. Im not convinced of the accuracy of their beer stats but the Semi-Bomb IPA I had was quite good. Claims to be 7%abv and 180ibu. I dont know about that. See the pic for the one I passed on. Had to drive to Four Oaks NC still. Where I visited the most excellent Double Barley and had Touche IPA and a peaches and cream wheat to go with a tasty gyro.
After going to Ammo I went to a church in town built in 1734.
Nice CBGB. We actually went to a working gristmill in Millwood VA, circa 1785. They were grinding buckwheat. It was very neat to see it in action. I picked up some grits and rye flour. Going to make some rye bread. If it's any good I'll make a loaf for Meister Oktoberfest. I'll also try making polenta with the corn grits.
Hit Magnify on Saturday. They have some really nice beers. Best of the bunch was their Maine Event, a very citrusy New England Style IPA. Limited release. Outstanding beer.
The blackwheat is also very good. They were out of their Low Visibility Citrusy Pale Ale, really wanted to try that.
Had the Dr. Mosaic IPA. It was ok. Had a funny, almost astringent taste to it. Maybe the batch was off?
I am enjoying another fine offering from Omnipollo
Symzonia - Imperial Stout conditioned on Ethiopian coffee, Madagascan vanilla beans, Brazilian cocoa nibs & carefully weighed cinnamon sticks.
An incredibly smooth drinker even at 13% abv , so I sipped my way to mellow : ]
Give me a 4 pack of those and let me sit in front of my fireplace for the evening on a cold winter night.
Would need to be a heavy snow forecast so I don't need to get up for work in the morning though. :)
Hahhah very clever Ianimal . Omnipollo can be bought at Wine and Whiskey Country in Hackettstown Rt 517 small strip mall with a Fulton Bank. Wine Country has an excellent selection of beers, well worth a stop.
not so locally in Boonton at Liquor Outlet.
Is this the same owners and therefore selection as the wine whiskey country I pass all the time for work between Chester and Mendham?
Was wondering the same thing Josh.
Was up in Quebec City over the weekend. They have a pretty decent craft beer scene up north. Boreale was a common brand and their IPA was solid. Had a couple others. Cool old city. Really good food, including one of the best pasta dishes I've ever had.
When I think Quebec beer, I think La Fin du Monde... (Unibrew is the name of the brewery, I think). Delicious big-bodied Belgian-style Tripel... I wash down my steak at Le Cellier in Epcot with two of them every time I get dragged down there.
La fin du monde is one of my favorites! I also found it at Epcot. Manager at Bottle King ordered it for me so I could have it here. Yummy!
Renter Liquor Outlet in Boonton carries a few Unibroue items
http://www.liquoroutletwinecellars.com/main.asp?request=SEARCH&search=Unibroue
Including La fin du monde. I also like their Blanche de Chambly
Sitting at the tap house having several Bear Republic Racer 5 IPA. I have seen it in the store but never bought it, don't make my mistake - it is good!!
Anyone nearby, feel free to come down, I will be here for a while. :)
Saw a new (to me) offering from Oskar Blues at the local Bourbon Street tonight, so I grabbed it. Kind of pricey at $10 for a 4x12 @ 6.5ABV, but I'm a sucker for a coffee Porter. It was off the shelf, so I'll give the Hotbox a day in the cold box before partaking.
Bhavik - W&W Country Food and Wine list of best IPA's, by state. I've only had a few of them.
http://www.foodandwine.com/slideshows/best-ipas-america
I've got six notches on my IPA belt from that list. So much beer, so little time, lol.
Yep. I've only had three. Haven't even heard of the majority of them, even ones in neighboring states.
Will have to put the BiL on Bell's Hopslam trail this winter.
Check that, I've had five. Thought Pliny the Elder is good, but not worth the hype. Heavy Seas Loose cannon is good stuff.
At Jughead Brewing in Tinton Falls. Enjoying a RyePA whilst SueR taps in with a flight. Excellent beer. Perhaps a kolsch next
Picked up a 4-pack of Seeking Alpha Triple IPA by Capt Lawrence on my way home from work this afternoon. Very boozy. Tastes more like a hoppy Belgian quad than an IPA, but it's pretty tasty. No ABV listed on the bottle or packaging, but Beer Menus lists it at 11%
Went to Saucony Creek Brewing today in Kutztown. They had some nice offerings. Solid IPA, real good maple beer (fall in a glass), and a blueberry belgian that was surprisingly good, probably because the blueberry is subtle. They had pretty good food too. Had some tasty fried oyster tacos.
Looking for Smuttynose Smuttlabs Thelema. Smuttynose website doesn't show anything close. Has anyone ever seen it somewhere local?
I picked up a sixer of Stone Xocoveza on my way home tonight. WOW!!!
Think of an Imperial Stout spiced like a winter warmer. Some cocoa, cinnamon, nutmeg, chili, vanilla... Might be my favorite "winter" beer ever. Ironic that it's 80 degrees out though, lol.
Haven't heard of it, and have been hit or miss honestly on Stone- they haven't lived up to the 'name' on all the weird 'collaborations' they have put out in the last couple years- but your description sounds good for the upcoming winter. Where can we find it? (and what made you chose that on a 80 degree day?) ;)
"and what made you chose that on a 80 degree day?"
It didn't have the word "pumpkin" anywhere on the packaging. (-;
I picked mine up at Bourbon Street in Greenwich, but I think it's available in wide release so you should find it at your liquor store of choice.
Btw, totally agree about the strange collaborations; I tend to avoid them as well.
Thought the Hippotizing IPA was average, ianimal. A little to much wheat comes through, IMO. I am a River Horse fan. Loved the HopHazard. Too bad they don't make it anymore. I do agree though, they have had some misses.
Went to Jersey Girl last weekend. Their IPA is pretty good and the Octoberfest is one of the better ones I've had this fall. Solid Coffee Porter too.
In South Jersey again , this time to celebrate my mom's 82nd birthday. We hit a beer garden for a tasty Yards Philadelphia Pale ale and a not so good Magic Hat Belgo Sutra.
We then hit Lunacy Brewing Co for some excellent beers. Mom enjoyed their kolsch,Rocket Chocolate Peanut Butter Stout and coffee porter. I had a delish C-3PA ipa and SueR enjoyed a flight of C-3PA,Sanitarium Double IPA and two more I don't recall. Lunacy is a fun place on a Friday night and their beers are excellent.
Saturday SueR and I went to Village Idiot Brewing, they use a token system to purchase beers, not sure why but no matter their brews are top notch. We had seven of them, yumm!!!
And to finish the weekend we brought home a four pack of some Cheap Labor, a thick mouthful of citrusy hops from Brix City.
At 3rd Wave Brewing in Delmar Delaware enjoying a flight with SueR. The Hoppy Belgian Saison is AMAZING bringing home a growler. SueR has a flight of excellent of IPAs.
Stopped at Blue Earl in Smyrna De on Thursday and they were really good as well.
From my weekend in the 'Burgh, I brought home a case of Fat Heads Headhunter, a 12-pack of their Holly Jolly Christmas Ale and a case of Bell's Two Hearted. I'm saving the HJ for the holidays and the Headhunter is fantastic as always. I'm surprised that I'm not as big a fan of the B2H as others have been though.
It's good, and if you're going to make a single hop IPA, the Centennial is probably your best bet... but it just seemed to be lacking something. The malt/hop balance was great, but the hop profile left something to be desired. A little Simcoe or Cascade would take it from an 85 to well over a 90 in my book.
I like the B2H. Solid easy drinking IPA. Actually, the Centennial is meh in my book. Different strokes...
Headhunter is one of the best. Definitely top 3 in my book. I'm almost out, but will be re-stocking when I'm in the 'Burgh over Thanksgiving.
???
Centennial is the only hop variety used in B2H. Unless you thought I was referring to the Founders brand IPA with that name. I'm not a big fan of that either.
Waited all year for Carton Epitome
Grabbed two four packs at Byram Shoprite
all I can say is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Stocked up on Fathead Headhunter, Bell's two hearted ale, and Bell's Expedition stout while out in the 'burgh. The Expedition is a very smooth Imperial Stout (10.5%). The high ABV doesn't overpower it. Good recommendation from a co- worker. Very expensive though.
Checked out a few new beers this weekend. Mega Boss IPA from Newburgh (NY) Brewing. I like it. Very floral and probably even better in summer. Also stopped by Beach Haus Brewing in Belmar. Beers are ok. They have a Rye ale that's pretty good. The others I tasted in the short time I was there ( in between a memorial service and related luncheon) didn't wow me.
I got two bombers from my daughter for my birthday. Omnipollo Bianca and Rogue sriracha stout.
She knows what I like. When I crack the Rogue I will let y'all know how it tastes.
Not sure I could drink a beer called all chicken white / Italian / girl. Where are they going with that? Who brews it? I do greatly enjoy chicken in a biscuit crackers.
And I love sriracha- but in a beer? Can't bring myself to drop the coin.
Let us know how they are. Thanks!!
Omnipollo is the brand, a gypsy brewer based in Sweden but traveling the world to brew. Their beers are among the best I have had. The webpage lists Bianca as a Gose but the bottle only states "Ale with natural flavor and lactose added." This is a real nice Gose but if one wants to try a gose I would suggest Westbrook Brewing.
http://www.omnipollo.com/beer/
Westbrook makes some good beer. Tried a few of their brews when I was in Charleston. The Mexican Cake is awesome.
Had LBIPA from NJ Brewing this past week. They have it at Shoprite Liquors in Chester.. Really good. Another floral East Coast IPA. Very easy drinking. Also had a colleague pick me up a growler from Wet Ticket Brewing in Rahway. Oatmeal Imperial Stout. Really good. Smooth, not too alcoholic, with a good finish. I will have to visit them soon. Next time I have to pick up the wife from EWR I'll go a little early.....
Finally had the Rogue Sriracha Hot stout last night and I liked it. I would get more. The little hint of sriracha increased as the beer warmed and those last few sips were quite flavorful.
Oskar Blues Death By Coconut is another beer I will recommend.
Asking for some help from my fellow hopheads. Looking for Ballast Point Victory At Sea Coconut. If ya spot it let me know where, thanks much.
Victory at Sea Coconut and Peppermint spotted at Bourbon Street in Greenwich. $10.99 for a bomber each.
Came across Flying Dog Brewery's Horn Dog Barleywine this weekend. Similar in flavor profile to Blithering Idiot, but slightly less boozy. At 10.2% ABV, it's not quite as strong as the Weyerbacher, which is 11 something, but the Horn Dog comes in a 6-pack instead of a 4-pack. Overall, a very good representation of the genre... high malt content, big bodied fruit flavors, fig and maybe plum. Definitely drinks more like a wine than a beer.
Vote for NJ's best craft brewery. Tough decision being there's lots of great ones to choose from.
http://www.nj.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2017/03/njs_best_craft_brewery_vote_for_your_favorite_jers.html#incart_river_home
Btw, finally got to try the Victory At Sea Coconut, thanks to CBGB, and WOW!! It was really good! :)
Polished off a 4 pack over the weekend and picked up another tonight of Neshaminy Creek's Shape of Hops to Come. Always was a fan of this hop bomb. Word has it it's now available year round! Been getting these at Bourbon Street Liquors on Route 31 in Clinton for $12. Clerk said they just got them in on Friday and have been selling VERY well.
http://neshaminycreekbrewing.com/2017/02/21/the-shape-of-hops-to-come-going-full-time/
I am in Florida to visit my 4 month old granddaughter so may as well get some beers along the way.
Stopped at Strangeways in Richmond and had GWAR Blood a tasty hoppy red ale. Grabbed two bombers on the way out.
In NC I bought a six of Aviator Brewing Co's Hogwild IPA. Their website says IBUs target of 202. It is indeed a hopwild beer and delish.
But tonight my daughter bought Funky Buddah Maple Bacon Coffee Porter......A M A Z I N G !!!!!
Big thank you shoutout to friend and fellow hophead MeisterNJ for hooking me up with a 4-pack of Hop Juju, the holy grail of the Fatheads Brewery line. You're the man...
You're very welcome my friend. Btw, you can tell your wife you went to the gym yesterday......
I wanted a Black IPA for my weekend beer and spotted Departed Soles A Dark Night.
It wasn't until I got home that I read in tiny letters at the top of the can that this beer is gluten free. Departed Soles lists water, sorghum, carafa, hops , dry yeast as the ingredients.
A Dark Night pours fizzy and dark with a dank hops aroma but the first taste is both surprisingly spot on Black IPA but also chalky followed by a bit of aftertaste I did not like. I don't need gluten free so won't be buying again.
Anybody going to Beer BBQ Bacon this Saturday at Lewis Morris Park?
Went to Cape May for the weekend and had the opportunity to try Coastal Evacuation Double IPA from Cape May Brewing Company. Very heavy on the Centennial hops and thus reminded me of Bell's Two-Hearted... but with slightly more citrusy balance than the single-hop B2H. Overall, pretty good, but nothing spectacular. ABV was in the neighborhood of 8%, IIRC.
Thank you for the invite SueR , we had a F-U-N tasting 30 different beers and chowing down on a few bacon wrapped foods.
My Top Three:
1. Backwards Flag Mil Spec Black IPA - wow so good I had three of them
2. Cricket Hill Black IPA - since CH announced it I have been itching to get some, excellent.
3. Czig Meister Pineapple Habanero IPA
I do like my BIPAs and those two were outstanding.
Now if I can only figure out how I got the band's business card that I later found in my pocket.
Also a big shout out to Double Nickel for the key chain and koozie freebies.
I couldn't make it to Lewis Morris. Would have loved to.
A co-worker made a Pliny the Elder clone batch. It was his first beer making experience. Tell you what, it came out awesome. I'm enjoying one now. It's so good that I'm going to get the supplies and make a batch myself.
Cigar City's Jai Alai IPA........I used to have to travel to the Wegman's in Easton PA for this but good to see it's now available here in NJ. I found it at the Shoprite Liquors in Wharton on Friday. Clerk said it came in last Wednesday via Hunterdon Distributors:
http://www.hunterdonbrewing.com/
Yes!!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BSeYYE1AMPl/
Vic, funny you mentioned Jai Alai. I just saw that it was an answer on Jeopardy tonight! Great beer too, btw. :)
Jai Alai is good stuff. Drank plenty of that when I was in Miami.
On another note, I've been unsuccessful in tracking down Mexican Cake this year. It's supposedly been distributed, according to Westbrook Brewing's website, but the two liquor stores I've checked haven't gotten yet. Damn, hope I didn't miss out.
According to BeerMenus, Cambridge Wines in Morristown has Mexican Cake in stock as of May 20th... $18 for a bomber.
Just checked with Cambridge. That was actually the last bit of stock they had from 2016 and they just sold out. 2017 vintage is due in soon.
Grabbed a 4 pack of Czig Meister USS Galaxy Imperial IPA for SueR's birthday. Fantastic beer and then did a flight consisting of
1. VooDoo Brewing White Magick of the Sun Imperial Wheat Ale- tasty
2. Kuka Brewing American IPA - picked this one up at the brewery. Great people at Kuka and not just because they gave the birthday gal free beer.
3. Czig Meister IIPA picked up within moments of the release
4. Double Nickel Brick Face Imperial Red IPA - got this one at Joe Canals in South Jersey (millville), WOW 10abv 90IBU totally delish.
Had some decent beers out in Orange County. Most memorable was the Far Out IPA from Bootleggers in Fullerton. Sadly, couldn't track down any Pliny the Elder. Seemed to be in between shipments at the stores I tried.
The Wardell Pub currently has Jai Alai on draught. May swing by after work to see how much better it is off the tap....
Picked up another 6 pack of Jai Alai at Bourbon St Liquors in Clinton this evening. The cans I got from there and from Shoprite in Wharton last week were canned on 5/19. After the canning date on the bottom of the can it says, "Try dancing now". Not sure what that means??
Anyone ever have this one from Avery Brewing, The Maharaja Imperial IPA? I saw it on the shelf at Bourbon St liquors but didn't feel like shelling out the nearly $15 bucks for a 4 pack!
https://www.averybrewing.com/beers/the-maharaja
Was surprised to see Jai Alai just now for sale at Nykun's store in Great Meadows. Unfortunately none of the four six packs could be sold because there was no price in their system!!
Cashiers had never seen it before and where asking me what it's called. LoL
I've found some really under-the-radar and wonderful beers at Nykun's. Love that little place.
Preaching to the choir?
http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2017/07/03/532250762/how-the-story-of-beer-is-the-story-of-america?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_content=20170703
Yankeefan Hey Yank fan. I once read a similar article comparing the advent of beer brewing to mans development of civilization. Mmmmm beer.
Anybody ever go to Ironpigs park? They have $2 beers happy hour pregame.
Went to Vermont for vacation, stayed in Burlington for 4th of July. A great city full of some fine breweries. Went to 5, Magic Hat, Prohibition Pig, Queen City, Switchback and Zero Gravity. I liked Zero Gravity best.
But what is a Vermont Beer Vacation without Heady Topper? Had a can at Skinny Pancake café the first night then took a shot at the ONLY Wednesday delivery of Heady Topper to Burlington and as we got off the highway WHAT??? the Heady Topper truck is right in front of us. Follow that truck, hahhah.
Got some Heady Topper fresh off the truck!!!
Damn. Nice CBGB. Have to get my hands on one of those sometime.
Went to Twin Elephant in Chatham yesterday. Solid beers. Their Imperial Saison is very good. The Chesshoppin Double IPA was pretty good too.
My Pliny the Elder clone came out real good. Takes awhile to brew, but well worth it.
Happy IPA Day!!!
Stopped by at Angry Erik to celebrate. I had two pints of Browbeater brown IPA, WOW Hoppy Heidi #13 is a perfect brown IPA, a balance of hops malts but mostly that smoky almost cigarlike taste a brown should have. SueR celebrated with a flight of delicious IPA's. and to help us celebrate we had SueR's homemade keilbasa and sauerkraut.
Happy IPA Day indeed
It doesn't matter what kind of sausage, but a grain type of soup with beer is a winner. I make "Moore St Soup" from a combination of htown brewery and local ingredients. Barley is a great platform for soup. Choose Man Skirt or Czigmeister for your leek soup or rustic ingredients. A winner every time.
GC, one of the ingredients I used in cooking the sauerkraut is one of our home brews, a pineapple honey wheat. I think it worked well in the recipe. :)
I'd be very willing to be a taste tester. ;-)
Most typical ingredient in kraut is apple. Might be an interesting though to try some cider in that recipe.
Wife and I hit the Chester Brew Fest a couple weeks ago. A ton of NJ breweries were represented. Enjoyed offerings from Angry Erik, Cypress (Middlesex), 902, Trap Rock, etc. Some very good brews and food. Best beer of the day came from Cypress. a double IPA. Can't recall the name. Two Ton brewing had some good offerings as well. A couple non NJ breweries were there as well like Victory and Firestone Walker (I'm a big fan of FW). It was a surprisingly good turnout. Tickets were pricey at $55, but you did get to taste as much as you want. There was a $20 discount if you signed up early, but we missed that. Hope they do it again. I definitely have to make it over to Cypress. It's not that far from work.
Scottso Haha GC! I doubt there'd be any left after lunch today. Perhaps another time. :)
And don't worry, I know what I'm doing. There most certainly is apple in this dish!
Had lots of different brews in Hilton Head last week. This one was the best:
https://untappd.com/b/low-tide-brewing-tie-one-off-ipa/1492466
Great flavor with a nice citrus/malt profile. It really stood out as different from any IPA I've had recently.
MeisterNJ, I haven't had that one, but Hilton Head Brewing Company's Session IPA is one of my favorites and I've been dying to have it again. Wish we could get it here in Jersey.
I think Low tide is fairly new. It was only available on tap at a few locations.
Hilton Head Brewing does have some good stuff too, didn't get around to that one, wish I would've known. Had a few different offerings from Sweetwater. They make solid brews.
Wegmans in East Hanover has Heavy Seas Loose Cannon IPA. Really good beer. I've had it on tap a couple of times, this is the first time I've seen it in bottles.
I brewed a batch of Black IPA that is now ready to drink and it is delish. I used mostly El Dorado Hops and Midnight wheat to get the color.
pictured with my tofu surprise made mostly with SueR hot peppers
If that tofu is made with the habeneros, "Surprise!!". Smokin' Hot! Good, but smokin'. I made raspberry mango chicken stir fry with mine. And it was the bomb!!
Picked this up the other day at Wegmans. Pretty good version of a New England IPA. I went to Demented earlier this year and nothing blew me away, but I think that was because most of what they had available aren't my favorite styles.
https://untappd.com/b/demented-brewing-company-gallows-hill/1900969
Had Cigar City Cafe con Leche stout yesterday. Pretty tasty. Nice coffee flavor that didn't overpower the beer.
Couple favorites from my area
Legion brewing Juicy J
Birdsong brewery higher ground
Legal remedy brewing justice juice
Noda brewery hop drop and roll
Most of these are in Charlotte legal remedy is actually in rock Hill South Carolina
Bryan_NC Cool Bryan. I had some tasty beers when we were Hilton Head and Charleston. Coast Brewing had some good ones. There was a startup one that had a great IPA, can't remember the name. It was only available on tap at a couple places. I'll try and look it up.
Nice yeh I remember having a few from holy city brewing in charleston which is popular. Savannah also has a few good ones.
https://www.fortnonsensebrewing.com/
Fort Nonsense Brewing opens Jan 27 in Denville
not a single beer listed on their webpage , I'm sure they will have some I like to know what to expect before visiting
Cool. I'll have to check them out. I had read about them awhile ago and forgot about them. Thanks CBGB.
Btw, the SC beer I couldn't remember was Tie One Off IPA by Low Tide. I actually mentioned it upthread. Doh. That's a great beer.
Scored a case of Sunday Morning Stout at Weyerbacher's Tap Room this morning. $96 for six 4-packs. Luckily, I had one of those $50 Sweet Deals GCs for WTR that only cost me $25, so it was only $71 out of pocket (which still works out to $3 a beer, but at 12.7% ABV, each one is practically 2-1/2 beers). Unfortunately, I have to work this afternoon so I won't be able to enjoy one until next Sunday Morning, lol.
Maybe. But it seems more like you're more concerned with ABV. Who's going to compete with 95%???
I have been enjoying a most excellent home brew for a few weeks now. It's a Pina Colada IPA brewed by Sue's Brews. I don't recall the hops used but pineapple and baked coconut was put into the both primary and secondary fermentations.
Caught In the Rain is a smooth flavorful IPA that blends the hops, pineapple and coconut to perfection.
hopping for another batch soon
Nice. I've never had a pineapple/coconut IPA. I'm intrigued.
Stopped by Conclave on Saturday and got growler of their Backspin IPA. I like it. Good solid brew.
Hmmm.....this looks like a good plan. Haha
Btw CBGB, glad you're enjoying Caught in the Rain so much, as am I. We did good! :) Definitely need to do another (bigger) batch very soon.
SueR - That might be a bit of a surprise to the neighbor who thought they would do you a favor with their snow blower. ;-)
LoL GC. I actually have a great neighbor that does the whole sidewalk with his atv with plow! I'm very grateful for that. The driveway......that's all mine. Though if he knew, he might be scooping up those beers for himself! haha
Stopped in at Wet Ticket in Rahway yesterday. Their bourbon barrel oatmeal stout is delicious. Their IPA's? Not so much. Trolley Hopper (New England style IPA) is good, their West Coast and Simcoe not so much. Not enough hop flavor and the West Coast was a little too resinous without the bitter hit. Pecan Porter had not pecan taste. Their hoppy pale ale, Rahway Pale Ale, was better than their IPA's.
I don't do facebook. What is this all about? Is there a normal webpage?
I love beer. :)
Sue's Brews and Ya Mon Beer just brewed their finest creation to date. Bam Bam IPA, crisp slightly hazy and a mouthful of hops.
We used mostly 2 row pale with some vienna and flaked oat in the grain bill, Wyeast London Ale III 1318 and a healthy dose of Warrior and El Dorado hops.
next up is a pale ale with german mandarina bavaria hops we call The Switch since the recipe had a different hop
and also a Honey Wheat Mosaic we will call Honey Wheat Mosaic.....nice
This is my favorite thread of all time. Has anyone else gone back and read the entire thread again (more than once) or am I the only beer degenerate on that level?
Regrettably, I've been staying off the hops for the last 4 months in order to try and get rid of some of that "baby weight" I've been carrying around the last 4-5 years, lol. 30 pounds down, but man do I miss it.
I peruse from time to time.
ianimal, cut out lunch or something! Do it for the beer!
Finally made it to Fort Nonsense. Have to say, it's one of the better ones I've been to. I would put it in the top 5. Their Oktoberfest is outstanding.
dog fish 120 min IPA is now in stores for those that are into it. I used BeerMenus to find a store that had it. $35 for a 4 pack is what I paid.
New Jersey alcohol board issues new rules for local breweries
http://newjersey.news12.com/story/39163666/new-jersey-alcohol-board-issues-new-rules-for-local-breweries
Joe Friday I'm actually not a fan of 120. Too strong. I had one after consuming a few other beers and it really knocked me on my backside. Just not enjoyable, IMO.
Weyerbacher Taproom 50% off Gift certificates now available... hurry, they go very quickly.
https://www.sweetdealscumulus.com/deal/allentown/weyerbacher-brewing-company-101918
What are everyone's favorite NJ brews? I'm partial to Cape May's Coastal Evacuation DIPA, Magnify's Maine Event NEIPA, and LBIPA from NJ Beer. Kane Head High is also excellent.
I like many Cape May beers.
Might stop on the way home today and get some more- weather is turning nice.
Ianimal- 1 beer? Or 1 specific type of beer?
Damn. Good for you ianimal. I've cut back a little. Carton 077xx is a good choice for one beer.
So many great NJ beers to chose from but I will off the cuff say
1. Epitome by Carton Brewing. Imperial Black IPA released on Black Friday. This years version is a "double dry hyped" 10.3% 100IBU GEM. I have one left and will be doing a dark beer flight this weekend with Epitome, Young's Double Chocolate, Ramstein Ink and Harviestoun old engine oil.
2. Shadow Warrior by Angry Erik. An amazing Black Ale.
3. Blackhop Black IPA by Backward Flag. Been wanting more of this for too long.
4. Caught In the Rain by Sue's Brews & Ya Mon Beer. A most delicious Pina Colada IPA
5. Black Dynomite by 902 Brewing. yep another Black IPA
found three Maine Brewing Co beers in Pine Brook at Wine & Whiskey
I got Tiny Beautiful Something pale ale
Juice Theory DIPA from Barebottle Brewery
TOP TEN beer here, a serious juice hop bomb. uses Strata and Motu hops which I never heard of.
even has the recipe on the label for a five gallon batch.
My son got this for me along with 4 others from tavour.com
Not a fan of the north east juicy cloudy fruity stuff. I like old school west coast bitter piney...
My personal order of the IPA's: West Coast>New England>>> American. I do like both coasts' style. American is too wheaty for me. As for examples, West Coast: Little 'Sumpin 'Sumpin from Lagunitas, New England: Maine Event from Maginify. Nothing good comes to mind for American. I just had a Heaven, Hell, or Hoboken from 902 brewing and didn't really like it.
Just had Maine Lunch. After seeing it listed here. What a great IPA. I now need lots of it.
Just cracked open a hoppy New American ale from Foreign Objects. I like it. Don't like the price though. Paid 8 bucks for one tall boy. Glad I only bought one.
I had some Fat Heads Benjamin Danklin IPA on tap, superb beer. and a six pack of Fat Heads Head Hunter, excellent.
VooDoo Brewing Good Vibes DIPA is even better!!
Mrs.Ward I forgot about this thread.
Friends of mine went on a Maine/Vermont beercation and brought me back a mixed case from Maine Beer Co. I got two bottles each of Lunch, Dinner, A Tiny Beautiful Something, Black Barn Program No. 2, and Spring, and the remainder of the case was Peeper, which is my all-time favorite beer. Now my problem is exercising enough self-control to make them last awhile.
Monty 
Foley Brothers Big Bang was an excellent IPA. They are a Vermont Brewer. Hard to find, got it at a store in PA. Better than some of the Alchemist ones I've had
Elmo Fat Heads makes great beer. Their Strange Magic was my brew of choice this past weekend. Always love a good Head Hunter.
No... but there are exceptions to be made. I just cracked 210, so I would be willing to throw caution to the wind for a Head Hunter or Hop Juju fresh from the tap.
Guess it'll have to wait until my next trip to the 'Burgh... probably late August, early September. I'll likely wait till September since that's when the quarterly release of the Juju is...
I'll be back in the 'Burgh this time next week. I have a decent stockpile of Fatheads.
Hope JuJu is definitely worth an exception. Good job on the weightloss ianimal. 210? Damn. Maybe I'll quit the suds for a little while if I can drop the same 15 lbs I keep finding.
FYI, if you ever happen to run low... Wegman's in Lower Nazareth Twp, PA now sells Head Hunter in 6-pack bottles and Sunshine Daydream (Session IPA) in 15-pack cans. It's easy to get in eastern PA packaged, I just haven't been able to find anyone who's serving it straight from the barrel.
Edit... the Saloon has Hop Juju on the draught menu. I envy you, bro... have one for me.
http://fatheads.com/assets/pgh_draftlist.pdf
Oh man, I'll have to see if we can make it over there. I'll be in Schenley Park most of the weekend. Can't be that far.
My brother brought me crazy good beers from Phoenix
all Wren House collabs
The Seventeen IPA with Superstition Meadery
Electric wren IPA with Electric Brewing
Coffee + Friends Imperial Coffee Stout with Modern Times beer
Departures Fake Flight DIPA with Outer Range
TY bro
Schenley Park? Check out the Phipps Conservatory while you're there... definitely gives Longwood Gardens a run for their money overall. Great place to spend half as day or so.
And you're right, Fatheads isnt far from there... just across the Mon, actually.
Hitting the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix. This will be my third year. Really cool event.
Just left Fatheads Saloon. The Divine Swine is just that. Divine. And I left with a few four packs of JuJu.
I’m drinking a Pinner. Been enjoying the local South Carolina brew. Low Tide and Coast brewing stand out.
The middle beer is Pineapple Misfit from Wild Onion Brewing
Wild Onion is one of my faves and I am always on the lookout for new Wild Onion releases, like the pineapple version of their most excellent Misfit IPA.
I find Wild Onion at various stores in the area, Byram Shoprite,
Best Cellars Wine & Spirits Ledgewood
Sandy's Budd Lake etc
Bourbon Street carries their Misfit IPA and Hop Slayer DIPA.
Both are good, but neither are at the top of my list for either genre.
Stopped at the Califon Bourbon Street and picked up these two excellent IPAs
I never had a beer from Wyoming so picking Melvin was easy, real nice fruity mellow taste. Melvin is in the picture.
I chose Big Mother for the colors on the can and its a TIPA. similar to Melvin with a bit more of abv.
Looks like I have to make a trip over to Bourbon street. Next time I'm fishing over that way.
Checked out High Rail Brewing in High Bridge yesterday. Good beer. They only have 4 brews to start, with a couple more on the way. Session IPA was a standout.
and I was at Real Deal BBQ Saturday, just 5 minutes away
will need to check it out, thanks
Session anything is meh to me. I'm not a 'lite' kinda guy.
Has anyone hit up the new brewery in Long Valley yet?
Well, it had very strong flavor for a session IPA.
We passed by Chilton Mill. Didn't know there was another brewery coming to LV. Hopefully they have some stuff suitable for heavyweight Josh.
Looks like there's also a BBQ joint opening, Pulled Fork. Reviews of the Stockton location are very good.
I am enjoying beers from 2SP brewing.
Right now their hazy IPA , Up & Out is perfect whilst bbqing on the deck on a hot day.
I had their most delicious pale ale recently, Back & Forth
I will be looking for more 2SP styles or buy the two I've had
I have been drinking Zywiec 1881 Porter a lot recently.
9.5 abv to start but the flavor is classic porter. dark malty a bit of coffee a bit of chocolate and smooth
did I mention $1.99 for a 22oz bomber!
I had the Zywiec pilsner at the Polish-American festival in Doylestown, PA last summer. It was pretty good... definitely on par with Stella or Urquell, anyway.
Where do you get the 2SP, CBGB?
I picked up a case of Hop JuJu when I was in Pittsburgh over the hoidays. One of my favs. I also picked up a couple bombers of Westbrook Mexican Cake. Another of my favs.
Stratford NJ near my Mom's house
Warwick Wines and Spirits, great beer selection for a small shop
"up that way" - that's "down" isn't it??
CBGB - That's White Horse Pike in that area, right? My father's side of the family is all Atco & Waterford further down the road.
South Jersey, Atco is close by. Home of the famous dragway and a good brewery
https://www.atcobrewingcompany.com/
GoSox Nice! Which Shoprite Liquors?
Picked up some Chilton Mill crowlers before all the madness really hit. Had their NEIPA and Apricot Sour. Both were pretty good. I've only had a couple of sours and wasn't going to buy it, but they mentioned they won best beer at the Morristown Brewfest. I liked it. I also have a Belgian Tripel and Bourbon Stout of theirs that I'll try next.
Wow Meister you really experiment eh? I only ever had 1 sour and it was gross.
Bitter is my thing, so I usually stick to IPA preferably with an ABV of 7 or more.
I also greatly prefer a west coast style with a little pine, grass nature.. which have unfortunately been harder to find in recent years due to all this hazy fruit nonsense. ;)
In Feb the wife and I were back in Philly, stopped in Monks and I had several Pliny the Elder, while she had a Blind Pig. They had Double Jack on tap as well. Love that place.
Not that I won't drink the Heady Topper- bring it on!!
I'll try anything, and like a little bit of everything. But I do love the hops most. Nothing wrong with a good West Coast IPA. Little 'Sumpin 'Sumpin, Union Jack, etc. Pliny the Elder is very good. I've even cloned it. And I do like NEIPA's as well. Like I said, I'm not into sours either, but the Apricot version from Chilton was tasty. It was subtle and smooth.
Lately I've been into Belgians. They're growing on me.
Monks sold Pliney the Younger the day after we left Philly. I really wish I could have stayed and had some.
My recent motorcycle rides have all seem to lead me to a liquor store, what used to be a beer run is now shopping for essentials whilst enjoying the outdoors, hahhah.
beer run menu:
Sixpoint Hootie Hazi IPA
21st Amendment Tasty IPA
Springdale IPA
Three's Brewing Dare To Know Double Dry Hopped IPA
Voodoo Ranger Hop Avenger IPA
Belhaven Brewery Black Scottish Stout Nitro
Marlowe Artisanal Ales Nagging Curiosity Hoppy Blonde
Karmic Daaru Beer Space Komet Sitra IPA
Forgotten Boardwalk Brewing Co. Funnel Cake Boardwalk Ale
El Segundo Steve Austin's Broken Skull IPA
Cigar City Brewing Fancy Papers Hazy IPA
I think I got them all.
best on the list is Marlowe Artisanal Ales Nagging Curiosity Hoppy Blonde
just an incredible flavor but they are all excellent.
I figured ;). I will have to try and pick some of those up. When the madness dies down.
I'm pretty good on beer, for now. I have a dozen Hop JuJu (might be my fav beer), Half a keg of a Belgian Quad I brewed, and two cases of a Citra Pale Ale I just bottled. A few other odds and ends.
The pic I post about Heady was from the Shoprite Liquors in Clinton. Also Wine and Whiskey Cellars in Independence Twp on Rt 517 will also be carrying it.
I have some homebrew also. a few centennial Ipa, a bunch of peanut butter ipa and even more of my black ipa. have not tried the black ipa yet. maybe this weekend
Cask and Kettle are open 2 days if you are looking for supplies
I have love2brew a mile away from work. Good guys. Their recipes are tasty. Just cracked open the new pale ale last night. Great flavor. Came out slightly weaker than I expected, but that will be good for summer.
I was able to get Heady Topper at the Bottle King in Mansfield today. Nice to have it available. They also had Maine Beer Co.'s Peeper Ale in stock. I'll be in hops heaven at quittin' time this evening. Cheers, everybody!
Wasn't a fan of Maine, and I tried all the varieties available. They just lacked any flavor or punch to me. Although I would try dinner if I ever saw it anywhere.
Is the Heady brewed in Vermont?
Lawsons contracted to Two Roads in Connecticut. Just wondering if Alchemist did the same.
Wow. That's wild. Maine Beer Co. is pretty much my favorite brewery (of the breweries I've tried, obviously). I've never heard anyone say any of their beers lacked flavor before. I *do* know several people who think they're too hoppy or too strong, but never the opposite.
Monty- that is why I want to try dinner, the DIPA. Kick it up a notch.
Many people think any ipa, heck pale ales even is 'too hoppy'....they drink Blue Moon, Bud, Coors, Miller, Stella, Heineken, etc.
So yea- I tend towards the extreme end of the scale. :)
CBGB- Two Roads have a couple good beers I've tried, so I personally wouldn't discount them on that- especially if following a recipe, unless you are a strong believer in the water makes the beer.
apalachian trails hoppy trails, new trail lightning bug hazy ipa, lancaster hop belly , spring house an a-peeling situation and fat head strange magic.
on vacation in E-town Pa and picked up a few beers
Wow. I have to check back here more often. Does Bottle King in general have Heady Topper or just Mansfield? I'm going to have to check the Ledgewood location.
Re: Maine brews, I am a lover of hops as well and I didn't think they're beers lack flavor. I've had lunch and dinner.
And when I say I love hops, I love the potent stuff as well. Ever have Hop Hazard from River Horse, Josh? Shame it's not available anymore.
"Does Bottle King in general have Heady Topper or just Mansfield? "
The Mansfield Bottle King had Heady Topper just that one time in early May, as did a number of outlets all over NJ. Quite a lot of those same placed also had Focal Banger at that time. What little I had read at the time lead me (and others) to assume that this was the beginning of The Alchemist opening up regular, ongoing distribution in Jersey. But to my knowledge, no stores have had any since.
I know that this thread has become the default thread for everything beer-related, but going back to the very first post from 8 years ago... National IPA Day is this Thursday, August 6th. Enjoy...
http://www.hackettstownlife.com/forum/440187#t710750
You know... I STILL haven't opened this beer, lol.
Damn, I thought regular Heady distribution was a given. Oh well. I do have one can that a co-worker generously gave me. Been saving it for the right night.
The BeerMenus phone app shows that a few stores "near" Hackettstown still have some Heady, but "near" is a relative term. Also, some of the stores are selling it at restaurant prices.
Honestly, I forgot all about it, MNJ... but yeah, I'm still off the suds. But, I'm thinking I'll make a trip to Wegmans in PA on Thursday for some Head Hunter in honor of IPA Day.
Looks like I've got some yard work to do... lost a main branch off one of my dogwood trees.
Gotcha ian. Headhunter would be a beer worthy of IPA day. Or some JuJu.
I was lucky. Not much in the way of storm damage. Had a large branch hit my car on the way to an interview on Tuesday. Lost power for a couple days. Have a generator, so not that bad. Lots of beer in the meantime. Even got a round in at Architects.
Spoke with someone at Shoprite Liquors in Chester. He said Heady distribution in NJ was only while Alchemist's taproom closed. Looks like a one time event. Oh well.
No its not just while it the tap room is closed, it is supposed to come every 4-6 weeks
Bhavik-WC "No its not just while it the tap room is closed, it is supposed to come every 4-6 weeks"
Well, they've certainly missed that boat.
New triple IPA from Stone. At 10.8% APV not too sure I'm making it into work tomorrow!! LOL!!
Have you guys watched the documentary on Amazon about opening a Stone brewery in Germany? I found it pretty interesting.
Wasn't that a "Brew Dogs" episode?
IIRC, they were having issues because few, if any, of their beers conform to Reinheitsgebot...
Funny... I hadn't heard this before.
https://www.brewbound.com/news/stone-brewing-unloads-berlin-brewery-to-brewdog/
Here's the Brewdogs episode that I remembered watching...
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4642850/
Interesting- https://www.brewbound.com/news/stone-brewings-greg-koch-star-documentary
Sounds like he pissed off a lot of people with a holier than thou attitude.
I still like the but based on those articles, I might not like the man.
I'll have to see if I can find the video.
Well, funny you should say that. The Brewdogs make an appearance, ianimal.
Yes, he did piss off a bunch of people. He also had to wade through regulations, German working laws, problems with the old building he was restoring, etc. I will say, he had a grand vision. And the place did turn out beautiful.
The Germans aren't (weren't?) into the craft beer craze. They prefer their low alcohol staples, in large quantities. I found that surprising. I found decent craft beer bar in Italy for crying out loud.
I'll have to catch that episode of Brewdogs ianimal. Missed that one. That was a good show. Those two are great. Glad to see the eps are available on Prime.
Ruined again is FANTASTIC.
Amazingly well done. Smooth, flavorful, dank, strong... hides the 10.8 amazingly well.
Probably one of the best beers I have ever had when you analyze beers and what they are working with and how they manage the result.
I'm not saying there aren't also great favorable beers at less abv and cost... but if you like big beer - this is top caliper.
On the other end of the scale- I typically walk all the isles looking for double/imperial/american.. and go down a notch to single ipa if needed.
I don't often go for pale ale...but I recently decided to try a beer that I have seen for many many many years and never bought it- Dales Pale Ale.
Love it- no regrets. I like it better than Sierra Nevada Pale ale.
If you haven't had it- get it and pound em.
But this Ruined Again? LEAVE IT ALONE- I want more to buy.
Dale's Pale Ale is solid. I like Pinner even better.
Will have to search out the Ruined Again. Sounds right up my alley.
I see that 3 Floyds is in NJ. excellent Indiana brewery. Zombie Dust is their staple, an undead pale ale. Ive also had Lazersnake IPA and Gumballhead wheat ale. all worth trying.
Pictured is part one of last weeks vacation.
I've had Zombie Dust, at Wrigley Field. It was good, didn't wow me, but then again beer in a giant plastic cup at the ballpark that wasn't at the right temp is probably isn't the best judging conditions.
Unexpectedly found some Zombie Dust. And picked up Ruined again while I was at it.
I haven't tried the 3 floyds yet...because I couldn't pass up getting more Ruined Again..again
Did you happen to notice if they had any 20-year old Pappy van Winkle on the shelf? Asking for a friend, lol
callitlikeIseeit MeisterNJ where did you find the Zombie Dust? I have my brother bring me some every time he comes home from Indy. I would love to have it more often. I am not a great searcher like you guys on here.
"Not hard to get if you are willing to pay. Is that the problem?"
Assuming you're talking about PvW, I'm more than willing to pay the $200 MSRP at any liquor store that has it. What I'm NOT willing to do is pay some on-line jerkoff $1,500 for a bottle.
Not because I couldn't afford it, but because it just isn't worth it when there are plenty of fantastic bourbon labels in the $100 to $200 range...
Gary's Wine in Bernardsville, Mrs. Ward. If it's there I suspect it may be elsewhere in NJ as well.
Ruined Again didn't wow me, to be honest. It's smooth, but I thought it rather ordinary in flavor.
Just my opinion Josh. Didn't impress me. Smoother/easier drinking than other similar ABV brews? Yes. Flavor isn't there for me. Hops aren't that strong. Don't recall offhand what it reminds me of. Maybe just the regular Stone IPA? Anyhow, More for you.
On another note, Fort Nonsense has more of their Oktoberfest available, which is outstanding.
I found Zombie Dust at Mansfield Bottle King and am so happy. I would have never thought to look for the 3 Floyd’s here. Thank you all for posting what you find, I have discovered a few good brews in this thread.
The hoppier a beer is, the quicker the "rate of decay". The same batch that Josh raved about a month ago could easily have degraded in flavor profile in the past four weeks to that of a mortal IPA like the standard Stone-branded IPA, especially if not stored properly, i.e., allowed to sit at room temperature to make room in the chill chest for all of those infernal pumpkin beers (-;
Meister and josh inspired me to do some beer shopping today on my day off. looks like a seven beer drink off. no point in including Heady Topper, surely the winner.
Top row l-r
Wandering Into the Fog (El Dorado) Abomination Brewing Company 8.6abv
Stone Ruined Again Triple IPA 10.8abv
Jack's Abby Mass Rising Double Hoppy Lager 100IBU 8.0abv
Bottom l-r
Fully Saturated Double Daisy Cutter Half Acre 8.0abv
It Was All A Dream 902 Brewing Imperial Jersey City IPA 10.0abv
Double Ponyboy Frost Beer Works IPA - Imperial / Double 8% ABV
Don't Dial In And Focus Aslin Beer Company Triple dry Hopped IPA 5.5abv
I picked up a 4 pack of Daisy Cutter. That's good stuff.
ianimal, you sure about 'rate of decay' with hops? If that was the case, we wouldn't have 'IPA's', right?
I thought hops acted like a preservative, true or not...
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/jan/30/brief-history-of-ipa-india-pale-ale-empire-drinks
Daisy Cutter is very good but this is a special release version
HALF ACRE
Fully Saturated Double Daisy Cutter
It's imperial Daisy Cutter double dry hopped and fermented with a blend of Conan and London III yeasts till it bursts. It will circulate a current of peach, farm fresh strawberry electro flavors throughout your home. 8% ABV.
Beer Drink Off results:
Fully Saturated Double Daisy Cutter THE BEST of the group pictured above.
Ruined Again is good, very dry hops compete with the alcohol but not good enough to buy again.
Pictured here is my latest beer buy. L-R
South Street Brewery Satan's Pony Red Ale
Big Ugly Brewing Rockers IPA 6.8abv 88IBU
Pale Fire Brewing Arrant IPA 7.5abv 85IBU
Jackie O's Mystic Mama dry hopped west coast IPA
Bold Rock dry hopped hard apple cider
Elysian Space Dust is now a go to beer for me. so much that I brewed a clone. ready to taste compare by easter.
I'll have to try that CBGB. I've found some Heady Topper locally that I've been enjoying. It's good, but I don't think it quite lives up to it's considerable hype.
My favorite lately has been Wrench, from Industrial Arts. Solid floral IPA.
We are being encouraged to support local business but local business should encourage customers as well
this is plain ridiculous
https://www.tiffsmorrisplains.com/beers-on-draft-1
Michael Damn, Tiffs isn't too far from me. I'll have to check it out.
Speaking of local. I've had some very good brews from Chilton Mill. They're talented. I want to try their new IPA, 'Smooth'.
@Michael, if you like that one, you'll enjoy 'Hazeway' by Winding Path. Similar. Very good. Avail in PA.
I didn't look at the prices, maybe I should have...
Anyone use Brewhardware in Whitehouse? I need a new brew store.
There used to be a Tiff's at the NE corner of NJSH Route 31 and Molasses Hill Road in Clinton Township that I frequented for lunch because it was just up the road from my office... then the manager embezzled a bunch of cash and they went belly up. I've also been to the original Tiffany's in Pine Brook several times and loved the ribs.
But if I'm in Morris Plains, I'm most likely eating at Arthur's Tavern...
That's the last one open, I think, ianimal. I was never impressed. Always thought their signature Delmonico was an over salted mess. May as well just continue on to Morristown and go to Roots.
If you like a good NE style IPA, this is a real good one:
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/37622/473175/
Can find it in PA. Haven't seen it in NJ.
Can't stand NE IPA but that is all anyone is making- trying to get a buck I guess.
I am a west coast IPA guy...and they are hard to come by these days.
I like a good West Coast IPA as well. In fact, I'll be brewing a Pliny the Elder clone soon.
Lagunitas is always good.
Never even heard of it CBGB. I'd give it a try next time I'm out that way.
Picked up some of Fort Nonsense's Oktoberfest which is one of the best out there, IMO. A little early, especially since I am not one to rush the end of summer, but it will wait for at least the end of Sept.
3wbdwnj When was opening night? Buttzville Brewing looks like a definite stop at some point.
thanks 3w
Any homebrewers here? I've been growing hops, and have a lot of fresh Cascade hops I can share. There are way too many for me to use. They're still on the vine, but they're basically ripe.
Josh G I was at Buttzville's opening day. Beers are solid, and it's a cool space. Also, the owners are super cool people. Definitely worth the drive out.
Joe Fisher Hello Josh G. I homebrew from time to time. No need for cascade hops soon. Do they freeze?
My next brew will be a Belgian quad for the winter, I'm thinking.
Hey Meister,
Yeah, I think they do. I froze a bunch in bags last year and they worked well. Send me a message if you want to come by and grab some.
I bought some Aldi beer, Hopping Nomad Session IPA, 4.5abv 42 IBU and it is an excellent tasting beer with a real nice flavor burst of various hops.
and at an amazing $6.50 for a six pack
1 1/2 years without a post? Sheesh.
Enjoyed a new beer today- Peak Brewing Co- Super Fresh Double IPA
Yum.
Sorry I quit drinking 2 years ago … after a 20 plus year relationship with drinking we broke up and the break up did not go well …Let’s just say it was train wreck…(I did lose 70lbs by just stop drinking and eating better) … Now Beer…. I do miss an Ice Cold IPA after cutting the grass on a hot summer day. HEY BEER DRINKERS … Hope you saw in the news that Czigs being recognized as a top brewery in NJ.
LibertyThinker 
New (for me, anyway) release from Lagunitas... gonna limit myself to two. it's outdoor movie night and I still have to figure out the inflatable movie screen, lol
That's been around a long time...but I've only ever seen it in cans...
I just got back from a road trip- and LOVED the beers by Lacumbre brewing.
They have THREE different IPA with 100 IBU.
YUM.
So... I've been working in Phillipsburg since the beginning of the year, which is great since my once 25-30 minute commute to Clinton Township has been whittled down to 8-10 minutes depending on how the traffic lights fall.
The one drawback is that I've had to drive to Hunterdon County every other week to stock up on Carton and Kane products because Bourbon Street only carried them in their Hunterdon County locations (maybe Somerset and others east of here, too, but not Warren).
Well, lo and behold, I went to the one on Memorial Parkway in Pburg last Friday and they were now stocking both labels there... although they still don't have it in Greenwich or Pohatcong. First Popeye's, now this... I am not going to die a thin man.
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