NEVERENDING ♾️ The NEVERENDING Beer Thread

[Mark]

IPA's

2. Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA, Milton, Del.

Read this so I bought it. In my humble opinion Two Hearted Ale (it's an IPA, by Bells) is better.

Don't get me wrong, the 60 Minute is good, perhaps great, but Two Hearted Ale has more emphh and flavour, it is my favourite IPA.

Quiz time: Hemingway once wrote about fishing on the Big Two Hearted River. Catching grasshoppers in the dew, and bare hooking them and fishing them on a fly rod. Which river was it? It is a bute, but the Big Two Hearted River is pure poetry. The Two Hearted River is a great trout stream with runs of beautiful steelhead with the energy and beauty of Lake Superior.

 

[noottamevas]

The six pack sampler

A lot of places allow you to make your own six pack by mixing several different micros into one six pack. I've never been a fan because one beer is usually not enough for me to form an opinion. But they got a bunch of new/different micros in this week and I was having a hard time deciding so I went ahead and bought a sampler. What's everyone's thoughts on the sampler? Do you take advantage or prefer all the same flavor in one box?

 

[kjel]

A lot of places allow you to make your own six pack by mixing several different micros into one six pack. I've never been a fan because one beer is usually not enough for me to form an opinion. But they got a bunch of new/different micros in this week and I was having a hard time deciding so I went ahead and bought a sampler. What's everyone's thoughts on the sampler? Do you take advantage or prefer all the same flavor in one box?

I do this mostly for seasonal type beer. Mostly though its a minimum six pack because as you said 1 is just not enough especially if you are drinking with someone else. Who want's to share a beer especially when it's good!

 

[imaplanner]

2. Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA, Milton, Del.

Read this so I bought it. In my humble opinion Two Hearted Ale (it's an IPA, by Bells) is better.

Don't get me wrong, the 60 Minute is good, perhaps great, but Two Hearted Ale has more emphh and flavour, it is my favourite IPA.

.

I have not had the opportunity to try the Two Hearted Ale- in fact I have never seen it here in the PNW but I will keep an eye out.

I like the 60 minute Dogfish Head. Its very good - but not great IMO. It actually reminds me a bit of Pyramid Thunderhead IPA which is much cheaper and more available here in the PNW - although the 60 minute dogfish head is definately better.

Now the Dogfish Head 90 minute IPA is another story - that is one very very good and potent beer. I had one of those tonight and proceeded to follow it up with a Winterhook, a Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale, an Elysian Brewey Bifrost winter ale and a Pyramid snowcap. It's a darn good thing I have tomorrow off.

 

[Joe Iliff]

Top 10 cities for beer lovers:

So, ShermansTravel.com has compiled a list of the Top 10 cities for beer lovers.

The list is:

1. Amsterdam, The Netherlands
2. Berlin, Germany
3. Brugge, Belgium
4. Burlington, Vermont, USA
5. Dublin, Ireland
6. Mexico City, Mexico
7. Montreal, Quebec, Canada
8. Portland, Oregon, USA
9. Prague, Czech Republic
10. Sapporo, Japan

So, has anyone enjoyed a beer, cerveza, bier, or stout in any of these cities?

Any of this on your beer-drinking vacation wish list?

You could almost do Burlington and Montreal in one trip, they're close together, yes?

Please comment and discuss.

 

[munibulldog]

I'd say Brugge, Dublin and Portland belong on the list. The rest are marginal.

I am within 60 minute drive time of the following:

3 Floyds
Bells
Founders
New Holland
plus a few more lesser known breweries.

Beat that!

 

[prana]

Well, you're not going to see Two Hearted in the PNW except at a beer festival maybe. Bell's distribution is pretty limited to Michigan and some surrounding states. Last I spoke with the owners, their plans for expansion were just to keep up with current demands and didn't include more states. I did find it curious that they entered almost 15 beers in the California State Fair competition though. Hmmmm???

And you're absolutely correct, the 90 Minute is a much better beer and a much better comparison to Two Hearted. Low hop level IPAs like 60 Minute are a dime a dozen anymore, especially in Colorado and PNW, but 90 Minute kicks it up to a very enjoyable level.

On the other hand...I rolled through some of Anhauser-Busch's microbrew attempts last night. Wild Hop Lager, although better than the macros, was still a disappointment. Very little earthy hop flavor and if it wasn't really, really cold I started to get that typical bad lager aftertaste. Found it curious that it was Organic certified though.

More later

 

[Maister]

Sapporo Japan??? I've had Sapporo lager before (about 20 years ago) but that struck me as standard macro-brew pilsner style lager. Have they since created a burgeoning micro-brew industry I'm unaware of?

 

[mgk920]

One city omission that should completely discredit that list....




:b:MILWAUKEE, WI:b:!!!!

:-D

The micros within a couple of hours' radius of Milwaukee, including here in the Appleton area, are first rate operations that consistantly win top awards in national brewing competitions. We've got it pretty good here!

:b::b:

Mike

 

[JNA]

Should this be moved to City and Places or merged with never ending beer thread ?

 

[michaelskis]

I am shocked that Pottsville, PA is not on the list.... It is the home of America’s Oldest Brewery, the home of Yuengling!

 

[Miles Ignatius]

Major Oversight!

For the true hophead or the lager lover, "It's Denver, Stupid"

• Flying Dog
• Breckinridge
• Falling Rock Tap House
• Great Divide
• Wynkoop

and, within immediate proximity..

• Avery
• Chesire Cat
• Left Hand
• Golden City
• Mountain Sun
• New Belgium
• O'Dells
• Oskar Blues
• Twisted Pine

There's likely more but I think you get the idea.....:b: :b: :b: :b: :b:

Also think the list slighted the UK; I was in London this year and truly believe it merits attention!

 

[Sandi]

Denver is definitely in there! I was there for an October fest one year, what a place, and what GREAT beer

I have to stand for Richmond, VA too. It's not too big of a city so travel time from one place to another is a lot of fun with a lot of people footing the same path.

I've heard a lot about Austin, TX too.

 

[prana]

for the real beer traveller, here is my list but NOT in any order:

Brussels
Denver
San Diego
Portland, OR
Brugge
Essen
Amsterdam
New York
London
Copenhagen

Honorable mentions to
Boston
Berlin
San Francisco
Potland, Maine

 

[DetroitPlanner]

I've had a pint at St. James Gate, Dublin.

I'm surprised K-zoo ain't on there.

 

[michaelskis]

I'm surprised K-zoo ain't on there.

Well other than Bells, Kraftbrew, Olde Peninsula, and Bilbo’s we don’t have anyone who makes beer around here.

 

[DetroitPlanner]

Well other than Bells, Kraftbrew, Olde Peninsula, and Bilbo’s we don’t have anyone who makes beer around here.

I wonder if there is a beer maker per capita ratio?

 

[donk]

I've had

Blanche de Brugge in Brugge - great wheat beer
Heineken in Amsterdam
Molson in Montreal -not sure why it is on the list, maybe interbrew?
Creemore in Creemore
Labatt 50 in London, ON
Keiths in halifax
Moosehead in Halifax
Sleemans in Guelph
Too many ot list in Brussels and Liege
Neustadt 10 W 30 in Neustadt
Steelback in Kincardine

the list could go on.....

 

[Luca]

Amsterdam, The Netherlands yep

Berlin, Germany surely Munich? yep

Brugge, Belgium yep

Burlington, Vermont, USA ?? on what basis ??

Dublin, Ireland yep

Mexico City, Mexico ?? on what basis ??

Montreal, Quebec, Canada ?? on what basis ??

Portland, Oregon, USA ?? on what basis ??

Prague, Czech Republic yep

Sapporo, Japan very, very inferior beer, might as well put 'St. Louis.


I must say I kinda disagree with the whole "microbreweries" slant. I love 'em, don't get me wrong. They mean you can now get good beer in the US, most places. But to me a 'beer town' is a town where everybody naturally and regualry drinks the good stuff, not jsut a small elite.

 

[nerudite]

Portland, Oregon, USA ?? on what basis ??

There are a TON of microbrews in Portland (supposedly the most pubs/microbrews per capita anywhere in the world), and they have the annual Beer Festival which is a huge draw to beer-oriented travellers (which is what the article is about).

 

[prana]

Portland, Oregon, USA ?? on what basis ??
But to me a 'beer town' is a town where everybody naturally and regualry drinks the good stuff, not jsut a small elite.

Sorry, but this contradiction in logic couldn't go unnoticed. Portland is commonly known as the beer mecca of the US, if not one of the top spots in the world. Micros and imports dominate the beer scene which is one of the most active in the country. Nearly every restaurant, pub, grocery store, local market, and gas station have a selection of beers that puts most of the world to shame. In the US, if you're local corner convenience/ gas station has more cooler doors of local microbeers than macros, you're a bonified beer town.

One of the finest Bottle shops in the country:
Belmont Station Bottle Shop

One of the top 10 beer bars in the country:
Horse Brass Pub

But to me a 'beer town' is a town where everybody naturally and regualry drinks the good stuff, not jsut a small elite.

Sorry Luca...look closer to home...

Bud in the UK

Budweiser International
For more information, contact:
Dan Pierce, USA, 314.577.7197
Michelle Norman, U.K., +44.208.334.9007
Michael Lourie, USA, 314.577.9928
ANHEUSER-BUSCH INTERNATIONAL
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom (U.K.) is the largest and most profitable European market for the international company, where Budweiser has long held its position as the No. 1 premium packaged lager in bars, pubs, clubs and restaurants. Budweiser sales reached a record high in 2005 and today, one out of every three premium brands sold in the U.K. is a Budweiser. Anheuser-Busch also markets Michelob, Michelob ULTRA, BE and Bud Ice in the U.K.

Anheuser-Busch’s success in the U.K. is largely due to a tradition of strong marketing activities, the company’s dedicated sales force and a commitment to delivering the highest quality products to U.K. beer drinkers.

 

[Tranplanner]

I'm thinking someone just looked at where the biggest/best known beer companies have their HQs and based the list on that

 

[Maister]

I'm thinking someone just looked at where the biggest/best known beer companies have their HQs and based the list on that

I'm kinda getting that impression too.

 

[prana]

Even more to the point of where this list came from...where does Sherman Travel sell vacation packages? It's totally ridiculous! Just trying to hook a sucker using beer as an advertising slant.

Another honorable mention to Philly! Can't believe I forgot that one.

 

[gicarto]

Madison, WI

 

[NHPlanner]

So, ShermansTravel.com has compiled a list of the Top 10 cities for beer lovers.<snipped>

Moderator note:

Merged into the neverending beer thread.

 

[kjel]

I am shocked that Pottsville, PA is not on the list.... It is the home of America’s Oldest Brewery, the home of Yuengling!

me likey Yuengling...never had it til I moved to NJ. The bar was out of what I wanted so I gave it a whirl.

 

[Mark]

I have not had the opportunity to try the Two Hearted Ale- in fact I have never seen it here in the PNW but I will keep an eye out.

I like the 60 minute Dogfish Head. Its very good - but not great IMO. It actually reminds me a bit of Pyramid Thunderhead IPA which is much cheaper and more available here in the PNW - although the 60 minute dogfish head is definately better.

Now the Dogfish Head 90 minute IPA is another story - that is one very very good and potent beer. I had one of those tonight and proceeded to follow it up with a Winterhook, a Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale, an Elysian Brewey Bifrost winter ale and a Pyramid snowcap. It's a darn good thing I have tomorrow off.

Perhaps the reference was regarding the 90 Minute IPA, it is $10 for a 4 pack. But, I love my Two Hearted Ale. Just bought an Avery IPA six. Good but I like the 2hearted.

 

[Sandi]

me likey Yuengling...never had it til I moved to NJ. The bar was out of what I wanted so I gave it a whirl.

ummmm! I love it-the lager! Grew up in PA, continuing on to VA where I was thrilled to see they had it.

 

[Mark]

Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA

Finally went to the local grocery store and bought Dogfish Head 90 Minute Imperial IPA. Over $10 for a 4 pack. Very good!!!!!! But expensive.

But I still love Two Hearted Ale. The 90 Minute Imperial IPA is so smooth. It is a great brew. I just love the distinctive taste of the the Two Hearted Ale. It has great flavours.

A side note, my grocery store had two new Bells products, Laker Lager and Hell Hath No Fury Ale. The Lager is lame. The new ale is an American Dubbel Dark Bock of some sorts, which is ok. Just ok. Not top notch.

 

[JNA]

10 great places to see what's brewing in beer
Headline from USA TODAY: http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/life/20061201/dd_great01.art.htm

Highlight:

Hold the bubbly, roll out the barrel! We're closer to Champagne season than to Oktoberfest, but for many holiday revelers, nothing beats a tall, cold one. And nothing gets you in the spirit like going to the source. For USA TODAY, Michael Kuderka, author of The Essential Reference of Domestic Brewers and Their Bottled Brands (MC Basset, $47.50; essential-reference.com), gives Ron Schoolmeester a sampling of favorite tours of smaller breweries nationwide. Tour schedules vary, so call ahead. Cheers!

Some of the places mentioned:
New Belgium Brewing Co., Fort Collins, Colo

Yards Brewing Co., Philadelphia (APA Conference Laefest Site ?)

 

[JNA]

From the AP Wire: State Says No to Santa Label
http://www.newsday.com/news/nationw...67708.story?coll=sns-ap-nationworld-headlines

Highlights:

In a complaint filed in federal court, Shelton Brothers accuses the Maine Bureau of Liquor Enforcement of censorship for denying applications for labels for Santa's Butt Winter Porter and two other beers it wants to sell in Maine.

The dispute recalls a similar squabble last year when Connecticut told Shelton Brothers it had problems with its Seriously Bad Elf ale.

In years past, the company has had labels challenged in a few states, including Ohio, North Carolina and Missouri....

The lawsuit was brought by the Maine Civil Liberties Union, which says the beer labels are entitled to First Amendment protection.

"There is no good reason for the state to censor art, even art found on a beer label," said Zachary Heiden, staff attorney for the MCLU.

What do you think about censorship of beer labels ?
On the Shelton Brothers website are the offending labels -
http://www.sheltonbrothers.com/beers/

 

[JNA]

MODs Please fix the article link:

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/ny-bc-ny--beerlabels1201dec01,0,3567817.story

Thank You.

 

[zman]

Odell brweing in Fort Collins has a couple new experimental IPAs on tap. They also offer a Normal Sampler and a Pilor Brew Sampler. I got the Pilot sampler. It was good and i took home their experiental IPA to enjoy on Saturday night and Sunday morning.
Good bitterness, and good dose of Hops. A slight Pine flavor (my favorite!!)

I also got a growler from New Belgium and the next one is free!!!

 

[prana]

Anyone have a way to get Denver Post archived articles without paying $2.95??

I'm looking for this one about New Belgium opening a "hub" pub in DIA:

DIA seeks Colorado flavor
Big chains may yield to local stores to give fliers a strong sense of place
Kelly Yamanouchi and Kristi Arellano

Denver Post Staff Writers
November 6, 2006; Page E-01
Section: BUSINESS
Article ID: 1334822 -- 791 words
Denver International Airport managers want to turn a walk through the airport into a Colorado experience.

DIA's concourses are now lined with the likes of McDonald's, Hudson Booksellers and Panda Express, the same kinds of restaurants and stores that can be found in hundreds of other places across the nation.

But travelers may be more likely to spend their money at the airport if they think they are getting something uniquely Colorado.

 

[zman]

Anyone have a way to get Denver Post archived articles without paying $2.95??

I'm looking for this one about New Belgium opening a "hub" pub in DIA:

Hopefully a better stop than my usual Gin and Tonic in the United Airlines terminal...
What a neat idea. :-D

 

[michaelskis]

Happy Repeal Prohibition Anniversary!

It was this day in 1933 that Prohibition was repealed allowing Alcohol to be produced and sold in the United Sates. The Yuengling brewery celebrates with the production of Winner Beer and ships a truckload to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Hmmm someone was brewing!

 

[jmac]

Anderson Valley Winter Solstice just might be the best beer ever, and several of the local watering holes have it on tap. I might be in a monogamous beer relationship until the kegs kick. :-$ :b:

 

[Maister]

Christmas is only a couple weeks away. Anyone have recommendations for an Old Ale worthy of a dinner party?

 

[prana]

Christmas is only a couple weeks away. Anyone have recommendations for an Old Ale worthy of a dinner party?

Ahhh...what a glorious time of year for beer lovers! Micros and imports all putting out their winter warmers and barleywines and then the aged and vintage Old Ales and Strong Ales seem to magically make their way up from the cellar! I love it!

Old Ales that always seem to be brought during those special dinners at our place:
JW Lees...any year and most are available from '96 to '06
Thomas Hardy...Shelton Brothers just released a whole series from '97-current. Older might be harder to find but worth the effort.
Fuller's Vintage...2003-current readily available, little bigger bottle, boxed
North Coast Old Stock...2003, 2005 and 2006 should be pretty easy to find. Older is definitely harder and I'm not sure what happened to 2004

Christmas Ales:
Anchor Our Special Ale...any year within the last 10 is super drinkable right now
Gouden Carolous...super smooth, slightly spicy
Blaugies La Moneuse Noel...always a favorite for the Belgian fan
La Chouffe...not necessarily a xmas beer, but that little elf is so damn popular

By the way...zman specifically...35 new beers just got dropped on our store yesterday including some of the above and Bad Elf, Very Bad Elf, Seriously Bad Elf, Santa's Butt, Lump of Coal, Petrus Winter, etc, etc, etc

 

[zman]

By the way...zman specifically...35 new beers just got dropped on our store yesterday including some of the above and Bad Elf, Very Bad Elf, Seriously Bad Elf, Santa's Butt, Lump of Coal, Petrus Winter, etc, etc, etc

You working Saturday? I know you work Friday but my butt will be in a seat at the Crown Pub tomorrow night. I may have to stop by and check it out. You guys peddling Celebration too?

 

[prana]

You working Saturday? I know you work Friday but my butt will be in a seat at the Crown Pub tomorrow night. I may have to stop by and check it out. You guys peddling Celebration too?

I'll be there 9-4 on Saturday. Yep, Celebration is in. Isolation, Hibernation, Winter Warlock, Old Jubilation, Jubelale too. Waiting impatiently on Anchor Our Special Ale still.

 

[biscuit]

Mrs. biscuit had an event last night at Penn Brewery. and reported back that the St. Nikolaus Bock was finally on tap and was super tasty. :b:

Anderson Valley Winter Solstice just might be the best beer ever, and several of the local watering holes have it on tap. I might be in a monogamous beer relationship until the kegs kick. :-$ :b:

Never had it, but may have to treat myself after finals. Care to pass along which fine drinking establishments in the East End have it?

 

[jmac]

Mrs. biscuit had an event last night at Penn Brewery. and reported back that the St. Nikolaus Bock was finally on tap and was super tasty. :b:

I love that stuff! Well, that's the end of my monogamous beer relationship. I wasn't ready to commit anyway.

Never had it, but may have to treat myself after finals. Care to pass along which fine drinking establishments in the East End have it?

I've had the Winter Solstice at Point Brugge and Sharp Edge (East Lib or Crafton) so far, and D's is supposed to have it too. Shoot me a PM if you need a drinking buddy. :-D :b:

 

[Planit]

Started out the Christmas Season right this weekend. Purchased for the week:

Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale
Sierra Nevada Wheat Ale (for Ms. P)
Loose Cannon (Clipper) Hop3 IPA
Delirium Nocturnum (need to buy another 4-pack of this one now) :-D

Big Owl - go to Gails and find the pink elephant (Del. Noc.) you won't be sorry!!! JMAC knows what I'm talkin' about.

 

[Big Owl]

Big Owl - go to Gails and find the pink elephant (Del. Noc.) you won't be sorry!!! JMAC knows what I'm talkin' about.

Thanks for the suggestion i was planning on stopping by there this afternoon for some christmas presents for someone.... okay me but nevertheless i'll have to take a look at. It is very convienient as it is near my daughters doctors office, so i take her for her 9 month shots:-( and she and i go home she gets pain reliever and i get beer.;-)

The Fridge was cleaned out this weekend and i found a growler of summer ale and pyramid snow cap. The summer ale was still good as it was never opened:-$ and i don't know how last years snow cap will be... I don't want to throw it out but i don't know if i want to drink it either.

 

[biscuit]

Big Owl - go to Gails and find the pink elephant (Del. Noc.) you won't be sorry!!! JMAC knows what I'm talkin' about.

The awesomeness of the of the Delirium Nocturnum wouldn't have anything to do with its 9% ABV now would it? :-b

It reminds you of what you've been drinking.

 

[jmac]

Big Owl - go to Gails and find the pink elephant (Del. Noc.) you won't be sorry!!! JMAC knows what I'm talkin' about.

Thanks Planit... now I'll have visions of pink elephants dancing through my head all day. :-D The Nocturnum is very tasty.

 

[Otis]

Beer and banana

A friend who used to live here is back visiting for the holidays. She lives in Germany now. She brought her boyfriend with her, a native German. He says he puts banana juice in his beer!:-c

Three questions: (1) Have you ever heard of someone putting banana juice in beer? (2) What other weird stuff have you heard of people putting in beer (a shot is not weird)? (3) And how do you get juice out of a banana?

 

[SW MI Planner]

A friend who used to live here is back visiting for the holidays. She lives in Germany now. She brought her boyfriend with her, a native German. He says he puts banana juice in his beer!:-c

Three questions: (1) Have you ever heard of someone putting banana juice in beer? (2) What other weird stuff have you heard of people putting in beer (a shot is not weird)? (3) And how do you get juice out of a banana?

Never heard of banana juice in beer, much less banana juice at all :-c My sister lives in the UP and a lot of people add tomato juice to their beer. Yuck! Of course I don't like tomotoes so I am slightly biased.