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NEVERENDING ♾️ The NEVERENDING Beer Thread

Picked up a 6-pack of this over the weekend:

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Quite tasty! It says it's made with toasted coconut - and I love coconut! - but I can barely taste it. It's a generally good beer, and is definately better colder.
 
I was in Boston a few weeks back and really enjoyed Allagash from Portland Maine. I checked and it is not available in my area. I did not like it enough to ship it back but enjoyed it enough to check their website to see if it was sold in my area. Also, I got to try Narragansett ...from what I understand its the PBR of New England.
 
Dan said:
Drinking a 24 ounce can of Genesee Beer. 99¢ at Wegmans.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ga4y9i21igM
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Boy, doesn't that just make you want to run out and buy some Genesee? I guess they were trying hard back then to establish a strong regional identity with their brand. When I watched the commercial I kept waiting for Mayor Quimby to jump out and say "Chowder? No, it's chowdah...chowdah!"

As an aside note, I saw they had both Genny cream ale and beer in the grocery store last time I was in Frankenmuth. Bought a six pack of both more or less just to say I did.
 
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hilldweller said:
Gansett', as it's called, is better than Pabst IMO. But similar to PBR in that it's revered by hipster-types who would never drink Bud/Miller/Coors products
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As long as we're talking old-school beer, I have to admit that right now, I'm drinking a 1960s formula Schlitz. For an American light lager, it's not too bad! A bit on the bitter side, and more complicated than other ALLs. Not quite a lawnmower like Bud or Coors, but a good lounger for a summer night; a nice alternative to a session or wheat.

I'd love to see a revival of lost American local and regional beers from the era. For my hometown, that would include Iroquois, Beck's, Simon Pure, and Phoenix.
 
Has anyone else tried Brooklyn Brewery's stout recently? I had never even heard of Brooklyn Brewery until a few months ago (but understand they've been brewing for years), but when I recently tried their stout I was quite impressed. I've been on a stout kick lately (I know, shouldn't I be doing this in fall or winter?:r:), my all time fave is Old Rasputin Russian Imperial, but there are many other great stouts out there including Bell's Kalamazoo Stout, Sheaf (haven't seen this Australian brew on the shelves in a while - wonder why?), and of course Guinness. What are some of your favorite stouts?

btw Dan I am of much the same mind where old school Schlitz is concerned; different engouh from most ALL's to set it a little apart, but still quite accessible.
 
Maister said:
Has anyone else tried Brooklyn Brewery's stout recently? I had never even heard of Brooklyn Brewery until a few months ago (but understand they've been brewing for years), but when I recently tried their stout I was quite impressed. I've been on a stout kick lately (I know, shouldn't I be doing this in fall or winter?:r:), my all time fave is Old Rasputin Russian Imperial, but there are many other great stouts out there including Bell's Kalamazoo Stout, Sheaf (haven't seen this Australian brew on the shelves in a while - wonder why?), and of course Guinness. What are some of your favorite stouts?
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Bell's Kalamazoo Stout and Guinness are my top two.

Much like you, I go with waves of different beers. Sam Adams Lager is my go to beer, but right now, I am into IPA's. As it starts to cool off, I am likely to shift gears into the porter family. A guy this weekend was telling me about a pumpkin porter that he had last fall. Not sure how well that would go over... he did not remember the name, but he said it tasted just like a smooth pumpkin pie.
 
Speaking of old school beers, the last time I had Rhinelander was around 1983. What made this the ultimate summertime-irrigate-your-innards beer was the fact that it was not very carbonated. One could accordingly place a cold one against one's forehead and proceed to chug obscene quantities. It hasn't been on the shelves for years locally but I guess they still make Rhinelander....anyone had it recently? Is it the same beer I remember from my youth?
 
Was in the Detroit area last week and had the new King Helles Double Lager at the Royal Oak Brewery. Excellent. I give it a two taps up.
 
ofos said:
Was in the Detroit area last week and had the new King Helles Double Lager at the Royal Oak Brewery. Excellent. I give it a two taps up.
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That's a good place to have a beer. It was on the Royal Oak Beer Stroll list last September. I will be making the stroll an annual occasion. :)
 
ofos said:
Was in the Detroit area last week and had the new King Helles Double Lager at the Royal Oak Brewery. Excellent. I give it a two taps up.
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btrage said:
That's a good place to have a beer. It was on the Royal Oak Beer Stroll list last September. I will be making the stroll an annual occasion. :)
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Personally, I've never been real impressed with Royal Oak Brewery. Bastone usually has the better brew IMO. That being said, I wouldn't turn down Royal Oak and, in fact, we used to go there quite often because they have a shuttle to Tiger games so we would ride our bikes from our Apartments at Crooks and Big Beaver, drink at the bar in Royal Oak and get a free ride to and from the game and then have a couple more beers before riding back home (or occasionally walking out bicycles for safety's sake).

The best beer I've had from Royal Oak Brewery was a java porter that they do on occasion in conjunction with Chazzano Coffee in Ferndale - the place with the best coffee that I've had in Metro Detroit.

A beer stroll sounds like a good idea. I may have to keep an eye out if they do one this year as well...
 
WSU MUP Student said:
Personally, I've never been real impressed with Royal Oak Brewery. Bastone usually has the better brew IMO. That being said, I wouldn't turn down Royal Oak and, in fact, we used to go there quite often because they have a shuttle to Tiger games so we would ride our bikes from our Apartments at Crooks and Big Beaver, drink at the bar in Royal Oak and get a free ride to and from the game and then have a couple more beers before riding back home (or occasionally walking out bicycles for safety's sake).

The best beer I've had from Royal Oak Brewery was a java porter that they do on occasion in conjunction with Chazzano Coffee in Ferndale - the place with the best coffee that I've had in Metro Detroit.

A beer stroll sounds like a good idea. I may have to keep an eye out if they do one this year as well...
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I like the atmosphere more than the beer. My brother-in-law, step-father-in-law and I did the Beer Stroll last year. $30 ticket got you 2 beer samples and 2 food samples at about 25 bars/restaurants. We got started late and were rushing through. A lot of the places gave you more than just a sample of beers though, and most of the beers were IPAs, dark lagers, stouts, etc. so I was pretty full by the time we were done. This year, we voweed to start early so we can pace ourselves :)
 
Michigan Brewing Company/Celis

Suprised I didn't see anything posted about MBC going down. Loved Celis Gran Cru and White; both world class in their style. MBC Imperial IPA and Stout were great. They also had a pretty good home brew supply store.

Went to a lake party yesterday and stopped at a Meijer and found a six of Celis White. Look's like my last six. Guess the Lansing location is staying open. Don't know how that is working out.
 
MI Brewer's Guild Summer Festival

Anyone going to the Michigan Brewer's Guild Summer Beer Festival July 27 & 28th, in Ypsi? My third year in a row. Hopefully we don't get bad showers like the previous two years, you had to wade in storm water to get refills.
 
Mark said:
Anyone going to the Michigan Brewer's Guild Summer Beer Festival July 27 & 28th, in Ypsi? My third year in a row. Hopefully we don't get bad showers like the previous two years, you had to wade in storm water to get refills.
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I currently have a schedule conflict but am trying like heck to resolve it (and by 'resolve' I mean go to the Brewer's Guild Festival instead of that stupid family obligation:-{).

This past weekend was a glorious one for beer consumption. I tried over a dozen different positively yummy beers. The most noteworthy IMO was brewed by Founders....I loved their Kentucky Breakfast Stout, it was awesomeness incarnate. There's a noticeable bourbon taste going on (you just know it was aged in old Kentucky bourbon barrels) as well as coffee and chocolate goin' on. Truly a stout for the ages. Like its name suggests, this is a good one to eat for breakfast!
 
Since we like commenting on certifications, their value and merits -

here is one for you -
What is a Cicerone?

The word Cicerone (pronounced sis-uh-rohn) has been chosen to designate those with proven expertise in selecting, acquiring and serving today’s wide range of beers. The titles “Certified Cicerone®” and “Master Cicerone®” are protected certification trademarks. Only those who have passed the requisite test of knowledge and tasting skill can call themselves a Cicerone.
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http://www.cicerone.org/
 
Mark said:
Suprised I didn't see anything posted about MBC going down. Loved Celis Gran Cru and White; both world class in their style. MBC Imperial IPA and Stout were great. They also had a pretty good home brew supply store.

Went to a lake party yesterday and stopped at a Meijer and found a six of Celis White. Look's like my last six. Guess the Lansing location is staying open. Don't know how that is working out.
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The brewery closed, they had an auction early July. Apparently MillerCoors bought most of it including brands and equipment. The restuarant in downtown may still be open, not sure.

Mark said:
Anyone going to the Michigan Brewer's Guild Summer Beer Festival July 27 & 28th, in Ypsi? My third year in a row. Hopefully we don't get bad showers like the previous two years, you had to wade in storm water to get refills.
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I've gone to the winter one a few times, never the summer one. Planned on it last year but it was too darn hot. I would love to get to the UP festival some September.

I said before Dark Horse was my favorite. Now, even more so after I heard this: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/27/dark-horse-brewery-nickelback_n_1630986.html
 
Mark said:
Anyone going to the Michigan Brewer's Guild Summer Beer Festival July 27 & 28th, in Ypsi? My third year in a row. Hopefully we don't get bad showers like the previous two years, you had to wade in storm water to get refills.
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I wanted to go each of the past couple of years and always had something else I had to do that particular weekend. This year I am free both days but my normal drinking partner for this type of event is currently touring the MLB stadiums of the Midwest (jerk). I am still considering going tomorrow though if I can convince another friend to go with me. I've heard that the summer one in Ypsi is always a pretty good time but that the crowds have gotten VERY large over the past few years and some of the brewers will run out of their stuff fairly quickly. Any truth to those rumors?
 
Devoted this past weekend to all the great brews by Great Lakes Brewing Co. My favorite non-seasonal brew has to be their Edmund Fitzgerald Porter. I also give them props for not overdoing the finishing hops in their IPA (I forget what it was called).
 
I'm sad to hear about Celis going down. I actually have a Celis Grand Cru sitting in my fridge right now. I guess once I drink it I'll have to save the bottle for nostalgia.

I heard mention of Founders Kentucky Breakfast Stout (or KBS as it's sometimes known). GREAT stuff. One of the best beers I've ever had, in fact. Right up there with Dark Lord Imperial Stout.
 
Rygor said:
I heard mention of Founders Kentucky Breakfast Stout (or KBS as it's sometimes known). GREAT stuff. One of the best beers I've ever had, in fact. Right up there with Dark Lord Imperial Stout.
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I've had both KBS and CBS (Canadian Breakfast Stout). Although both were very good, I can't say they would be favorites. Once in a while, sitting on the deck in a cool evening does work fine.
 
Rygor said:
I'm sad to hear about Celis going down. I actually have a Celis Grand Cru sitting in my fridge right now. I guess once I drink it I'll have to save the bottle for nostalgia.

I heard mention of Founders Kentucky Breakfast Stout (or KBS as it's sometimes known). GREAT stuff. One of the best beers I've ever had, in fact. Right up there with Dark Lord Imperial Stout.
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In my comments up-thread you can see I too think Founder's KBS is an awesome beer. If I'm not mistaken, I think Founders won 'best beer' with it in some prestigous beer competition.
 
New Belgium Beers are finally available here in Michigan. Now if we could only get Russian River beers here...

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(the label on the Fat Tire reads "Peddling straight to the Great Lake State")
 
The summer season is coming to an end and the bright blue six-pack carriers of Oberon will no longer be on the store sleves. Already appearring are the pumpkin ales and oktoberfest beers. Me thinks its time for another Beer Exchange...maybe Oktoberfest beers only exchange?

WSU are you in the mood to run the exchange since you have the previous participants information?
 
A while back I was cleaning out the kitchen and went through my several pint glasses. In the mix was one from Anderson Valley Brewing. Their logo features a bear with antlers and I immediately thought of our own Bear (I also sent him the glass).

Last night at one of my favorite watering holes, the featured brewery was Anderson Valley. What a coincidence with the loss of our Bear this morning. Anyway I was going to post here eariler, but the sad news made me forget until now.


If you get a chance to try Anderson Valley's Hop Ottin do it. It's a 7% IPA and I first thought it would be an over the top hoopy brew. Quite the contrary. It is a very pleasant beer - think Bells Two-Hearted Pale and it's close.
 
Planit said:
The summer season is coming to an end and the bright blue six-pack carriers of Oberon will no longer be on the store sleves. Already appearring are the pumpkin ales and oktoberfest beers. Me thinks its time for another Beer Exchange...maybe Oktoberfest beers only exchange?

WSU are you in the mood to run the exchange since you have the previous participants information?
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Did you get to the Front Street Brewery when you were in town for the conference? I don't know how well a growler transports however.
 
Very happy the last few weeks to have fall seasonal beers on the menu. I've had a few St. Arnold's Oktoberfest bottles, some Nut Tumbler Brown Ale, Blue Moon Pumpkin Ale, and will pick up some St. Arnold's Pumkinator this weekend - assuming there's any left on the shelf.

Tried the Shiner Oktoberfest and the St. Arnold's next to each other. While the Shiner verison is good, St. Arnold makes the best.
 
That's a strong brew man

The World’s Strongest Beer Has 65% Alcohol Content

By Casey Chan

If you’re looking for something stronger than a beer… but still want a beer, let me introduce Armageddon by Brewmeister. It’s a beer that’s 65% ABV. You heard that right, it’s 130 proof beer. Sounds delicious!


Beer usually only has 5%-10% ABV so to sip on some brew that’s 65% is really, really ridiculous. Still, Brewmeister promises that Armageddon is delicious:

Despite being 65%, this beer has lots of flavour. It’s slightly sweet, hoppy, malty and retains much of the yeast present during fermentation.

Bottles are conditioned but we recommend people drink this in 35ml measures. So drink with friends to save it going flat.

The beer is made in Scotland and isn’t sold in the US but if you’re lucky, maybe you can sneak one in through the online store. Beer is good and strong beer is even better so I can’t even imagine the greatness of the world’s strongest beer.
 
Went to the good beer store last evening. As luck would have it, a tasting was going on and I got to sample 5 different beers :D
Came home with some nice Scottish Ales, a Winter Warmer and 2 bombers of Double Bastard Ale - a blend of Arrongant Bastard and Lucky Bastrd Ales. This has received some great reviews and I cant wait to open a bottle tonight. I've had Arrongant Bastard before but can never find Lucky Bastard (always seems to be sold out). CHEERS to me!



Double posting again here...
 
If you like a taste of peaches in your seasonal :b:brew, try Shiner's Holiday Cheer today!

Haven't been able to find St. Arnold's Pumpkinator on the shelves, so I've stuck with my other St. Arnold's faves and trying some other new/seasonal brews. However, I'm off all alcohol for a while with the dental surgery, so what's left in the fridge will be there a while.
 
Hi Zoning Goddess!

Ithaca Brewing Company: Cascazilla

While sauntering around the summit, trying to decide which beer to try next, we were beckoned to by the nicest lady. Long, grey hair poking out from under a Patagonia baseball cap, she looked like a woman who drives an old Volvo station wagon and has seen her fair share of Phish shows. "Come drink our beer," she said. So we asked what we should try. Her decision was snap: "Try Cascazilla. It's my favorite."

And so we did, and it became one of our favorites too. The beer poured an elegant red color, with ample carbonation and a light brown head. It smelled like fresh hops and sweet malts. We picked up Cascade hops, which gave it a brilliant, spicy citrus flavor and aroma, with caramel malts giving it a balancing sweetness. It finishes dry. Cascazilla made for an excellent, over-hopped red ale.
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Added to the fridge: sixers of Great Lakes Christmas Ale, Middle Ages Wizard's Winter Ale, Ithaca Cold Front. Middle Ages is probably the geekiest craft brewery around.
 
Planit said:
A while back I was cleaning out the kitchen and went through my several pint glasses. In the mix was one from Anderson Valley Brewing. Their logo features a bear with antlers and I immediately thought of our own Bear (I also sent him the glass)..
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A Belk! it's bahl hornin!


Planit said:
If you get a chance to try Anderson Valley's Hop Ottin do it. It's a 7% IPA and I first thought it would be an over the top hoopy brew. Quite the contrary. It is a very pleasant beer - think Bells Two-Hearted Pale and it's close.
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I haven't had a Hop Ottin in a few years. I remember hating it but I love Bell's Two-Hearted. I might have to try the hop ottin again.
 
Sam Adams Holiday Sampler Pack is in stores. Tried their new "White Christmas" blend. It was very smooth wheat ale with a great balance of holiday spices.
 
Salmissra said:
If you like a taste of peaches in your seasonal :b:brew, try Shiner's Holiday Cheer today!

Haven't been able to find St. Arnold's Pumpkinator on the shelves, so I've stuck with my other St. Arnold's faves and trying some other new/seasonal brews. However, I'm off all alcohol for a while with the dental surgery, so what's left in the fridge will be there a while.
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I tried the Shiner's holiday this weekend and really enjoyed it...but Shiner is almost a staple in our house. They make the best black lager I have ever had.

I had St. Arnold's for the first time when I was in Houston a month or so ago and thought all of their beers were great. Too bad they don't distribute to AZ.

Tonight I am meeting Rygor for some 4 Peaks Pumpkin Porter. The funny thing is I don't like pumpkins and I don't like porters but the combination is magical.
 
Hi Maister...

Last night had a tasting of Left Hand Brewery products out of Longmont, Colorado. They brew a smoked porter called Smoke Jumper. I beleive you would love and on par with your lust for Aecht Schlenkerlas. It's not my pint of choice however.

I enjoyed the 400 Pound Monkey IPA - which was not over hoppy and VERY drinkable. Second on my list was Fade to Black (Vol. 4) Black IPA.
 
Brocktoon said:
I tried the Shiner's holiday this weekend and really enjoyed it...but Shiner is almost a staple in our house. They make the best black lager I have ever had.
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You mean their "holiday cheer"?
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I tried that for the first time last week and liked it too. Nice and citrusy. I don't think I've ever disliked anything made by Shiner.

Planit said:
Last night had a tasting of Left Hand Brewery products out of Longmont, Colorado. They brew a smoked porter called Smoke Jumper
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I would be very interested to try that one.
 
Today, Grand Rapids Brewing Company will open it's door and become the 20th brewery in West Michigan, and the first all organic.
LINK

"If you go to any of the breweries in town, Hopcat, Founders, Vivant, the new one on the west side called The Mitten, they're all crowded all the time, and in fact, some of them have had problems keeping beer in stock, they are running out of beer they're so busy," Sellers said.
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It has a great location next door to the arena, across the street from B-Dubs, and just a block down from Hopcat. I look forward to checking it out. I even have several Grand Rapids Brewing Company bottles from before prohibition.
 
A trip to the beer store.

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Breakfast beer.

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Hi Maister!

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Hi Maister!

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More geek beer from Middle Ages.

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Dude ...

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All Mikeller and Brewdog. I know Mikeller beers are well-regarded, but I can't justify spending six or seven bucks on a 12 ounce (355 peace loving, culturally refined European milliliter) bottle. I've had some of his beers before, and was underwhelmed.

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Nothing but Belgians. This may sound lowbrow, but Wittekerke is probably in my Top 10 list of all-around utility beers.

Left with a six of Mother's MIlk Stout from Keegan Ales, a 750 of Sunrise Coffee Stout from Cortland Beer Company, and a 750 of Dragonslayer from Middle Ages.

Going to Cleveland for Christmas. Any suggestions for Bell's varietals I should bring back? (Founders is available here in NY.)
 
Dan said:
A trip to the beer store.
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Hi Maister!

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Hi Maister!:not::(

Going to Cleveland for Christmas. Any suggestions for Bell's varietals I should bring back? (Founders is available here in NY.)
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I just finished a six of Bell's Christmas Ale. I'd give Shiner Christmas Cheer slightly higher marks, but it's definitely worth picking up a six if you can get it.

(BTW it looks like they have an awesome selection at that party store Dan, where'd you take the pics?)
 
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Went to a beer tasting put on at my local friendly neighborhood good beer store last night. The tasting was for Innis & Gunn Cask Ales out of Edinburgh, Scotland. Here's the background:

Innis and Gunn was born by accident. A fantastic, delicious accident. It all began when a famous whisky distiller contacted Master Brewer Dougal Sharp to tell him that they wanted to produce an ale-finished whisky. Dougal proposed a special recipe and a special technique. He created a unique ale to impart a smooth, beery character to the oak barrels. This would in turn flavor the maturing whisky. The distillers were delighted that the process worked and the resulting Ale Cask reserve Whisky was a real success.
It was only many months later, after thousands of gallons of beer had been used to season the oak barrels (then tragically, thrown away), that Dougal received a call that would change everything.
"You have got to taste this beer that we are pouring away. The workers have sampled it and they say it tastes absolutely delicious," They were right. The first tasting of this 'oak barrel' beer was an unforgettable moment - it was delicious, and had a flavor unlike any beer Dougal had ever tasted. It had been completely transformed by its time in the special barrels used at the distillery.
Dougal believed so strongly in the potential of this unique discovery that he promptly quit his job to concentrate on perfecting the process and bringing Innis & Gunn to market.
When the launch came, a whole new oak aged beer style was born. Though many are difficult to find, look for Innis & Gunn beers aged in oak barrels that once held rum, scotch whisky, bourbon, spiced rum, Irish whisky and more.

Just like a smart thirfty scotsman. Ya dunno twrow way gud ale laddies!

We sampled the Original - it has hints of vanilla and toffee and was very drinkable - and Rum Cask - which had a a very smooth tasting finish. I can't wait to find the Irish Whisky Cask. If you can find it, buy it. You won't be disappointed.
 
I went to the recently opened Grand Rapids Brewing Company last Saturday for one.

They only had two of their own brews left on tap but tons of guest brews. I tried their porter. It was very flavorful and smooth. I will go back.

The atmosphere was surprising... nothing like what I expected. A good part of the bar resembled a cross between "Angry Scandinavian Modern" and "1960's European Pop". The walls were a beige color with simple dark brown square trim. The walls had large prints of 1960's European beach style posters advertising GRBC. It also have the European beer garden style seating with long rows of rectangular tables without crossing isles.

I had envisioned 1900 east coast/ Midwest saloon.
 
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