Wine and Beer Enthusiasts

[D.T.]

As I'm not from the States (and the US used to produce truly dreadful stuff masquerading as beer), I'm not familiar with any of the brands you posted earlier, except for the Innis & Gunn range.

They are an extremely good Scottish company, (and actually do very well in both Canada and the US) and produce some terrific beers. Indeed, I would consider myself a big fan of their beers.

If the other beers you mentioned can be considered the equal of Innis & Gunn, then I am certainly open to the idea of sampling them. Moreover, I am delighted to learn that microbreweries of quality are now increasingly a feature of life in many parts of the US; this is very good news indeed.

I&G is excellent! They have some hard to find products of theirs (“limited editions”) that are even better than the “regular” products. The others I posted about definitely stack up to I&G in terms of overall quality, though of course, taste is very subjective and my recent purchases were a pretty wide range of styles.

Microbrews/breweries are indeed on the map. Heck, you can go into a large, mainstream grocery and find unique and excellent products vs. years ago where only a few liquor stores carried anything, and even then it was a small section with less than a dozen choices. Funny enough, our pattern of eating out is slightly dictated by the beer (and/or wine/other) options but that rarely limits us, especially around this area where local restaurants really support the local breweries (FWIW, I live in the St. Augustine area which has a really interesting history, and very good about supporting the local economy).

Oh, Oberon! I miss it dearly! I lived in Michigan for many years, and in the summertime it was on tap nearly everywhere. It was my go-to beer if I didn't want to make a decision (and often even when I did). Alas, Bells is not distributed in California.

That is a bit of a bummer, it’s a great beer. I meant to mention above, I’ve seen the Two Hearted Ale at quite a few stores, I’ll have to make a point to get it now.

 

[mobilehaathi]

That is a bit of a bummer, it’s a great beer. I meant to mention above, I’ve seen the Two Hearted Ale at quite a few stores, I’ll have to make a point to get it now.

Yeah it is, and actually Left Hand isn't distributed in CA either. Fortunately, I end up traveling regularly to a state that distributes both, so at least I can enjoy them when I'm on the road.

I can't complain too much though, since we have plenty of great options.

 

[Liberty.]

I'm jealous for the craft beer scene you have over in the US.

 

[Dythuger]

Cleaned up the cellar a bit last night. I didn't realize how much I had. I need to start drinking up I suppose. The iPas go fast as they should. I have a bad habit of storing the stouts.

 

[D.T.]

Cleaned up the cellar a bit last night. I didn't realize how much I had. I need to start drinking up I suppose. The iPas go fast as they should. I have a bad habit of storing the stouts.

View attachment 499244

View attachment 499245

Send me your address and I’ll help you out with that excess stock

 

[Happybunny]

Cleaned up the cellar a bit last night. I didn't realize how much I had. I need to start drinking up I suppose. The iPas go fast as they should. I have a bad habit of storing the stouts.

View attachment 499244

View attachment 499245

Very impressed, I have had a Founders Bolt Cutter, the last time I was in the USA.

 

[GoCubsGo]

Cleaned up the cellar a bit last night. I didn't realize how much I had. I need to start drinking up I suppose. The iPas go fast as they should. I have a bad habit of storing the stouts.

View attachment 499244

View attachment 499245

Do you ever do trades? I want Dark Lord bad. Depending upon where you live, there may be things I get that you cannot. For example, I probably have a bottle of Wicked Weed lying around. They do not bottle lots but they have recently bottled stuff from their Funkatorium that I may have access to on a one bottle per limit.

 

[Dythuger]

Very impressed, I have had a Founders Bolt Cutter, the last time I was in the USA.

Boot cutter was great. I had one on tap when it first came out and a couple bottles since then. It's real good but still had a bit of alcohol taste to it. I am holding on to that bottle for another ~year because I think it will be just about perfect then.

Do you ever do trades? I want Dark Lord bad. Depending upon where you live, there may be things I get that you cannot. For example, I probably have a bottle of Wicked Weed lying around. They do not bottle lots but they have recently bottled stuff from their Funkatorium that I may have access to on a one bottle per limit.

I do do trades on occasion. My darklord is on hold though. I have two of every year going back 5 years. So I can't break up a vertical. I was getting about ~8 a year for the first couple because my wife would go with me. Those were the days. Still got my fill and able to trade 3-4 away.

But the last couple years she didn't come. The allotments were 3 and 4. So after my annual trade for a hunahpu and then adding two to the vertical. I had one bottle to drink fresh.

I am looking forward to opening a vertical one of these days. Probably next dark lord day.

Good luck in your search. May is the time to try and trade dark lord day is the end of April and there is tons of it out there. If some of my friends have extras I'll get in contact with you.

 

[Dythuger]

I have w problem with collecting empty bottles too . Luckily the wife is understanding.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Cleaned up the cellar a bit last night. I didn't realize how much I had. I need to start drinking up I suppose. The iPas go fast as they should. I have a bad habit of storing the stouts.

View attachment 499244

View attachment 499245

Impressive, I'll give you that. Very impressive.

Send me your address and I’ll help you out with that excess stock

I won't say this unworthy thought crossed my mind (my own cellar is pretty well stocked) but I like the way your mind works…….

 

[Dythuger]

Impressive, I'll give you that. Very impressive.

I have put some hard work into acquiring a lot of these. Also made some good friends over the years all over the US that I trade with. But location is key. I have been fortunate to live in a region that crushes craft beer. And extremely fortunate to live 5 minutes from 3floyds. Easy for me to get the limited stuff if I am at home.

The whole scene has become too much work though. It's so popular now and jerks pretty much follow beer trucks around. I can't play that game.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I have put some hard work into acquiring a lot of these. Also made some good friends over the years all over the US that I trade with. But location is key. I have been fortunate to live in a region that crushes craft beer. And extremely fortunate to live 5 minutes from 3floyds. Easy for me to get the limited stuff if I am at home.

The whole scene has become too much work though. It's so popular now and jerks pretty much follow beer trucks around. I can't play that game.

Well, I am delighted to note that the whole idea of craft beer production (and consumption) seems to have taken solid root in the US.

I agree with you that location is key; urban centres offer considerably more scope - in terms of openness to new ideas, better potential market, more possible customers, possible critical mass…..in that regard.

And your beer cellar is still very impressive…….

 

[Dythuger]

Well, I am delighted to note that the whole idea of craft beer production (and consumption) seems to have taken solid root in the US.


.

It's been around for a while. But it's all relative. I mean we don't really have monasteries with monks brewing for centuries like Belgium.

It is great though to stop by a butcher and get some food. Then stop by a brewery and get fresh quality beer. The six pack I got from 3 floyds last night was bottled yesterday. Doesn't get better than that.

And now there are breweries just about everywhere. So obtaining good beer is a possibility for so many people. 10 years ago it was possible, if you were lucky enough to live by micro brewery.

US has stouts and ipas down. They push the envelope and have some really creative concoctions. What I would really like to see further developed is sours. We have Russian River and hill farmstead who make world class examples. But if you don't live in Vermont or California, it's just as difficult to get as cantilion.

 

[mobilehaathi]

US has stouts and ipas down. They push the envelope and have some really creative concoctions. What I would really like to see further developed is sours. We have Russian River and hill farmstead who make world class examples. But if you don't live in Vermont or California, it's just as difficult to get as cantilion.

Russian River doesn't even distribute in my county even though I'm <2 hrs drive away from Santa Rosa. Alcohol distribution in the US is a mess.

 

[Dythuger]

Russian River doesn't even distribute in my county even though I'm <2 hrs drive away from Santa Rosa. Alcohol distribution in the US is a mess.

That's really rough. It is a mess. Thanks to the big three and the three tier distribution system.

At the same time. To produce that quality, their distribution reach can't be that big. Which is why the, just make more, mentality doesn't really work.

But two hours away. They should really take care of their area better.

 

[rhett7660]

Russian River doesn't even distribute in my county even though I'm <2 hrs drive away from Santa Rosa. Alcohol distribution in the US is a mess.

Having talked to several of my bartenders at numerous restaurants and pubs that I frequent, "a mess" is an understatement.

 

[Dythuger]

Having talked to several of my bartenders at numerous restaurants and pubs that I frequent, "a mess" is an understatement.

Yes it's sloppy.

What I think has changed, aside from the growth in craft beer drinkers, is where these beers are now available.

When I first started it was certain liquor stores and bars/restaurants that even thought about serving these types of beers. Now everyone wants a piece of the action. I see craft beer at my local grocery store chain. It was not like that just as recently as a couple years ago.

It varies by state. But to be able to self distribute, sell on Sunday's (in IN, such a stupid law) you have to be under a certain amount of barrels per year. So they cannot just make more. And we all know who has the lobbying power to keep that barrel limit low.

Last year three floyds and sun King (Indianapolis) made a beer and lobbied to get the limit raised. Slightly.

Colorado has done some real good things to make it better in their state. Here's a very good documentary about distribution in Colorado if anyone is interested.

http://youtu.be/x1bGPqBjtHM

 

[mobilehaathi]

That's really rough. It is a mess. Thanks to the big three and the three tier distribution system.

At the same time. To produce that quality, their distribution reach can't be that big. Which is why the, just make more, mentality doesn't really work.

But two hours away. They should really take care of their area better.

Yes, I wouldn't want these folks to pump up volume and sacrifice quality. If there isn't enough to make it across the country, so be it! But it would be nice not to have to drive out of my way for a Pliny the Elder given just how close they are...

Having talked to several of my bartenders at numerous restaurants and pubs that I frequent, "a mess" is an understatement.

Oh yes, you're right. I've chatted up bartenders and wine sellers in CA, MI, and AL: I think cluster**** is probably more accurate.

 

[Dythuger]

Yes, I wouldn't want these folks to pump up volume and sacrifice quality. If there isn't enough to make it across the country, so be it! But it would be nice not to have to drive out of my way for a Pliny the Elder given just how close they are...







Oh yes, you're right. I've chatted up bartenders and wine sellers in CA, MI, and AL: I think cluster**** is probably more accurate.

Mmmm. Pliney. My wife's personal favorite. Never have gotten my hands on the younger. But I would def pick up a bottle or two of the elder a couple times week if I lived in CA. Blind pig is another great offering. At ~$5 a pint, I consider thise a great value.

The good thing about it selling out so quickly is when you do find it, you know it's fresh.

 

[mobilehaathi]

Mmmm. Pliney. My wife's personal favorite. Never have gotten my hands on the younger. But I would def pick up a bottle or two of the elder a couple times week if I lived in CA. Blind pig is another great offering. At ~$5 a pint, I consider thise a great value.

The good thing about it selling out so quickly is when you do find it, you know it's fresh.

Oy, the Younger is so hard to get. 6hr wait at the pub when it's released last I heard....

 

[rhett7660]

Yes, I wouldn't want these folks to pump up volume and sacrifice quality. If there isn't enough to make it across the country, so be it! But it would be nice not to have to drive out of my way for a Pliny the Elder given just how close they are...

Oh yes, you're right. I've chatted up bartenders and wine sellers in CA, MI, and AL: I think cluster**** is probably more accurate.

Hahaha.. I was lucky re: Pliny the Elder, there were five spots within a 30 minute drive that had it either on tap, bottler or both! Most of the locations didn't even have a line. If I upped my driving to about an hour (LA Traffic) that list doubles!

Cluster F, is an excellent choice of words for the way alcohol is handled at the restaurant and bar level.

 

[Dythuger]

Hahaha.. I was lucky re: Pliny the Elder, there were five spots within a 30 minute drive that had it either on tap, bottler or both! Most of the locations didn't even have a line. If I upped my driving to about an hour (LA Traffic) that list doubles!



Cluster F, is an excellent choice of words for the way alcohol is handled at the restaurant and bar level.

It's really amazing. Again with my three floyds references. I can go to a slew of liquor stores and have a good selection. Bars by my house will have 5 different ones on tap. You drive 40 minutes north to Chicago or 30 minutes east and it might as well be a unicorn. Liquor stores selling six packs by the single bottle and what not.

Bells, founders, stone, and dogfish head have always impressed me with their reach.

 

[GoCubsGo]

Boot cutter was great. I had one on tap when it first came out and a couple bottles since then. It's real good but still had a bit of alcohol taste to it. I am holding on to that bottle for another ~year because I think it will be just about perfect then.






I do do trades on occasion. My darklord is on hold though. I have two of every year going back 5 years. So I can't break up a vertical. I was getting about ~8 a year for the first couple because my wife would go with me. Those were the days. Still got my fill and able to trade 3-4 away.

But the last couple years she didn't come. The allotments were 3 and 4. So after my annual trade for a hunahpu and then adding two to the vertical. I had one bottle to drink fresh.

I am looking forward to opening a vertical one of these days. Probably next dark lord day.

Good luck in your search. May is the time to try and trade dark lord day is the end of April and there is tons of it out there. If some of my friends have extras I'll get in contact with you.

Thanks. I definitely know the time to get that is around May but I saw the bottles and became idealistic.

I have put some hard work into acquiring a lot of these. Also made some good friends over the years all over the US that I trade with. But location is key. I have been fortunate to live in a region that crushes craft beer. And extremely fortunate to live 5 minutes from 3floyds. Easy for me to get the limited stuff if I am at home.

The whole scene has become too much work though. It's so popular now and jerks pretty much follow beer trucks around. I can't play that game.

That chasing beer trucks and waiting in line overnight is not my thing. I visit a small bottle shop in town and have become friends with the owners. The distributor though is different than even Raleigh. Raleigh gets more and their prices are better. I figure there are so many great things to drink I can skip running around and potentially jeopardizing my job because my focus is chasing craft beer.

It's been around for a while. But it's all relative. I mean we don't really have monasteries with monks brewing for centuries like Belgium.

It is great though to stop by a butcher and get some food. Then stop by a brewery and get fresh quality beer. The six pack I got from 3 floyds last night was bottled yesterday. Doesn't get better than that.

And now there are breweries just about everywhere. So obtaining good beer is a possibility for so many people. 10 years ago it was possible, if you were lucky enough to live by micro brewery.

US has stouts and ipas down. They push the envelope and have some really creative concoctions. What I would really like to see further developed is sours. We have Russian River and hill farmstead who make world class examples. But if you don't live in Vermont or California, it's just as difficult to get as cantilion.

Cascade is wonderful and just hit NC. At $30 a bottle though, purchases are definitely thought out and unlikely, mostly. Wicked Weed has made themselves noticed here and they're getting more well-known pretty much through the trading market. They do funk well, very well.

Mmmm. Pliney. My wife's personal favorite. Never have gotten my hands on the younger. But I would def pick up a bottle or two of the elder a couple times week if I lived in CA. Blind pig is another great offering. At ~$5 a pint, I consider thise a great value.

The good thing about it selling out so quickly is when you do find it, you know it's fresh.

PtE is tap only, I thought. They have distributed kegs to CO and PA because the owner has buddies in those areas. Otherwise, I'll never get PtE unless I happen upon one of those locations. I love PtY though, it's solid.

 

[Dythuger]

Thanks. I definitely know the time to get that is around May but I saw the bottles and became idealistic.





That chasing beer trucks and waiting in line overnight is not my thing. I visit a small bottle shop in town and have become friends with the owners. The distributor though is different than even Raleigh. Raleigh gets more and their prices are better. I figure there are so many great things to drink I can skip running around and potentially jeopardizing my job because my focus is chasing craft beer.



Cascade is wonderful and just hit NC. At $30 a bottle though, purchases are definitely thought out and unlikely, mostly. Wicked Weed has made themselves noticed here and they're getting more well-known pretty much through the trading market. They do funk well, very well.



PtE is tap only, I thought. They have distributed kegs to CO and PA because the owner has buddies in those areas. Otherwise, I'll never get PtE unless I happen upon one of those locations. I love PtY though, it's solid.

I think your hot the younger and elder mixed up. But ya. You have to know someone in the west coast to have a chance. And as far as the younger, you have to find someone that can get a growler filled and send it too you quickly. I haven't made that friend just yet.

I got a growler of double citra from hill farmstead like that. Soooo good.

 

[mobilehaathi]

Enjoying a yummy Stone Smoked Porter this evening!