A New Nice Beer Thread

k · **Posted:** Tue Jan 24, 2012 3:07 pm

Good news for those of you in ATL I reckon:

Bells Wrote:

Feb. 11: Hopslam will be one the beers featured at the Winter Beer Carnival in Atlanta.

Just found out my local store will not be getting any Hopslam or Black Note. Bummer.

On a completely unrelated note, I am off work today, the wife and kid are out of town, and I still had this Espresso Oak Yeti looking at me this morning, so I figured what the hell. I whipped up some chorizo and eggs poured a glass of this and I am loving it. I have read some bad reviews of this, so maybe my view is tainted as I can't compare it to other Great Divide releases, but this is a huge beer man. Weirdly earthy, almost even peaty I suppose (maybe this is the hops partying with the oak, I have no idea, it's good though), bready, big black coffee and burnt sugars/chocolate happening. Just delicious all the way around. What a great way to start my day.

Cap'n Squirrgle · **Posted:** Tue Jan 24, 2012 5:42 pm

I love those days.

two guns holla · **Posted:** Tue Jan 24, 2012 10:34 pm

Black Magic Putin Wrote:

Yail Bloor Wrote:

Cap'n Squirrgle Wrote:

Duck Rabbit makes some incredibly good beer, I suspect (from the one Derris sent me). There was craft in that bottle.

Even the Scotch Ale I didn't like was at least well made. It didn't taste cheap, just not to my tastes.

what blows my mind is that it's from a shithole little eastern NC town that I've never even heard of.

Yea I had never heard of Farmville either. Just got a bullet keg of Duck Rabbit Amber for the kegerator, and its been a hit thus far.

Yail Bloor · **Posted:** Tue Jan 24, 2012 10:43 pm

We almost missed it:

Speaking of North Carolina, did you guys know that Sierra Nevada is opening a brewery in Asheville?

two guns holla · **Posted:** Tue Jan 24, 2012 10:53 pm

Yea, I heard that about Sierra Nevada the other weekend. Awesome news.

Rick Derris · **Posted:** Wed Jan 25, 2012 12:47 am

Yail Bloor Wrote:

Speaking of North Carolina, did you guys know that Sierra Nevada is opening a brewery in Asheville?

Is it happening? I had a conversation in December with one of Femderris's girlfriends husband who lives in Black Mountain, NC (where the brewery was proposed) and said that it may not happen.

As part of the proposal they wanted a massive tens of million dollar upgrade of the exit interchange at the proposed location. He said as of then, the state hadn't approved it.

It would be a bad move because I think New Belgium was taking a wait and see approach on this because if it moves ahead they are proposing putting their East Coast brewery there as well.

Yail Bloor · **Posted:** Wed Jan 25, 2012 8:50 am

The article I read said Mills River, not Black Mountain.

Rick Derris · **Posted:** Wed Jan 25, 2012 11:07 am

Yail Bloor Wrote:

The article I read said Mills River, not Black Mountain.

Just saw an article about it. I guess the guy I talked to was just lamenting the fact Black Mtn was probably not going to get it. He was hoping it would be good for Pisgah Brewing for whatever reason. The folks around there REALLY support that brewery.

Still, looks like it's still going to be just a few miles from Asheville.

Cap'n Squirrgle · **Posted:** Wed Jan 25, 2012 5:16 pm

Just brought a coworker beer snob guy a Two Hearted, Satisfaction Jacksin, and a Spotted Cow. He's gonna bring me a Pliny tomorrow... he's got a guy in CA who mails them to him. Woo Hoo!

Cap'n Squirrgle · **Posted:** Wed Jan 25, 2012 6:09 pm

Recents...

Founders - Imperial Stout

Yeeeeeeeeooooooouch my god this was good a' hell. Hugely thick, seriously almost chewy. And it had that "imperial" flavor to it, where it's a little dry. Tons of booze, impossibly dense flavor, amazing balance, and without question a proper "experience" beer. If I may be honest, it's beers like this one that keep making me pause and stall in trying to buy home brewing gear... I can't make something this good, and if I can't make something this good, then what can I make that's worth the trouble? There's no way I can top this. Fucking Founders, man. Just unstoppable. I stashed one for later. A+

Berkshire Brewing Co - Steel Rail Pale Ale

Growlers! I FINALLY got to the killer craft beer store in Belmont a few weekends ago, and they had several flavors from BBC. I like this pale, I've had one or two before in 22oz bombers, and I had guests coming over. It's creamy, almost bready, and has a wierd flavor I can't really identify. The net effect is that it's likeable and different but not incredible. A solid local. B

Crispin - Ciders

Sampled some of the wife's ciders. The one on the left with irish brewer's yeast and molasses was actually not as good as the classic english dry. These are better than Magner's and Strongbow and all that sugary stuff, but not as good as the stuff that comes out of western Mass. That is some amazing, delicate, flavorful shit. These are ok. B

Atwater Block Brewery - Voodoo Vator

Proves the old addage that if they can't make a good label, they probably can't make a good beer either. This was watery, boring, and not worth the trouble. I tried. C-

Isaak's Of Salem - Dry Honey Wine

I don't know if I just don't really dig meade, or if this was wonky, but it had a very wierd background flavor. It was pleasant, and I could drink it, but I wouldn't be tempted to get more. Kinda sweet, kinda dry, a little flowery, and then (funk). C+

Uinta - Tilted Smile Imperial Pilsner

More excellence from Colorado, though not a home run. This wasn't better than the Crooked Line IPA, but it's really well made. I guess the problem is that turning up the volume on a Pilsner is wierd... it's meant to be a subtle flavor, so when it gets cranked to 11 it doesn't really make sense. Still lots of respect for these guys. B

Rick Derris · **Posted:** Wed Jan 25, 2012 6:38 pm

Lambics and Ciders are a huge hole in my beer repertoire. Don't really know where to begin.

Although, I do have a Rodenbach Grand Cru in my "cellar".

Dick Meatwood · **Posted:** Wed Jan 25, 2012 6:49 pm

Your best bet with lambics is just to sample a little bit of one when someone else has some. Like a sip.

Promethium · **Posted:** Wed Jan 25, 2012 7:26 pm

Crispin Ciders is actually located in Minnesota, they just produce some of their products in England. I got to try a bunch of their products when a beer rep was trying to get my friend to stock them at a craft beer bar here in Lincoln.

As for Sour beers, I would start with Flanders Red Ales and then move onto the Lambics. I really enjoy Cantillon for Sours, especially Gueuze, but Boon makes some great Lambics as well.
I would suggest having a tasting party and splitting a bottle or bottles, or finding a craft beer bar that serves sampler flights if you are worried you won't like them.

Yail Bloor · **Posted:** Wed Jan 25, 2012 8:01 pm

Hey Cap, just FYI, Uinta is located in Utah (additionally, brewery is 85% wind, 15% solar powered)

discostu · **Posted:** Wed Jan 25, 2012 8:48 pm

http://www.sierranevada.com/about/news.html

Quote:

Sierra Nevada Chooses Asheville‐Area for Eastern Brewery Expansion

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Bill Manley
(530) 893--‐3520
Billm@sierranevada.com

CHICO, Calif. — Jan. 25, 2012 —Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. is pleased to announce that it has chosen a site in western North Carolina for the future home of an East Coast brewery. The site, approximately 90 acres in the Henderson County Town of Mills River— along the French Broad River, 12 miles south of Asheville — will be home to the new production facility, as well as a proposed restaurant and gift shop. “We are thrilled to have found an ideal location in western North Carolina for our second brewery,” says Ken Grossman, founder of Sierra Nevada. “The beer culture, water quality and quality of life are excellent. We feel lucky to be a part of this community.”

The new facility will add much needed capacity for Sierra Nevada, and will allow for the quick shipment of brewery-fresh beer to consumers in the east. The East Coast brewery will start with a capacity around 300,000 barrels, with room to grow. The added barrelage will accommodate wider production of the myriad of seasonal beers and bottled specialties Sierra Nevada has produced in recent years, as well as an expansion of the brewery’s well‐known flagship product: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.

Sierra Nevada began the search for a new location several years ago. The brewery looked at hundreds of potential sites, eventually narrowing the search down to a handful of locations. The list of criteria was long and included quantifiable factors such as ease of shipping and water quality, as well as quality of life issues for its employees. Sierra Nevada has a reputation for a laid-back brewery culture and a love of the outdoors, and the new facility will retain this same tone. The Asheville area offers Sierra Nevada Brewing the perfect confluence of community, recreation and craft beer culture.

Sierra Nevada’s eastern brewery site is expected to employ approximately 90 workers, with additional staff in the restaurant to follow. The brewery anticipates being operational by early 2014.

shiv · **Posted:** Thu Jan 26, 2012 1:39 am

Cap'n Squirrgle Wrote:

Recents...

Founders - Imperial Stout

Yeeeeeeeeooooooouch my god this was good a' hell. Hugely thick, seriously almost chewy. And it had that "imperial" flavor to it, where it's a little dry. Tons of booze, impossibly dense flavor, amazing balance, and without question a proper "experience" beer. If I may be honest, it's beers like this one that keep making me pause and stall in trying to buy home brewing gear... I can't make something this good, and if I can't make something this good, then what can I make that's worth the trouble? There's no way I can top this. Fucking Founders, man. Just unstoppable. I stashed one for later. A+

i'm gonna have to find this now. i had their centennial ipa the other day and loved it.

Isaak's Of Salem - Dry Honey Wine

I don't know if I just don't really dig meade, or if this was wonky, but it had a very wierd background flavor. It was pleasant, and I could drink it, but I wouldn't be tempted to get more. Kinda sweet, kinda dry, a little flowery, and then (funk). C+

i haven't had a lot of mead but we stopped at maine mead works in portland on the way up to bar harbor and they had some really great stuff. we bought about 8 bottles. i think they were trying to get it distributed down here but i haven't seen it around.

edit: just checked their website and apparently a few places around here have it.

Rick Derris · **Posted:** Thu Jan 26, 2012 12:39 pm

k Wrote:

Good news for those of you in ATL I reckon:

Bells Wrote:

Feb. 11: Hopslam will be one the beers featured at the Winter Beer Carnival in Atlanta.

Just found out my local store will not be getting any Hopslam or Black Note. Bummer.

It's too bad that Winter Beer Fest is horrible. A couple of good beers but they offer up Bud Light and Yuengling to "taste".

Apparently Hopslam made it in at Green's Beverage here and both locations sold out in less than an hour. Same goes for a a craft beer store (AleYeah) that got it yesterday. Sold out in a couple hours. While people were at work.

I'm on twitter right now waiting for the store by my office to tweet that it's in. It's supposed to be there today.

This shit is out of control and annoying.

Cap'n Squirrgle · **Posted:** Thu Jan 26, 2012 1:59 pm

Rick Derris Wrote:

Apparently Hopslam made it in at Green's Beverage here and both locations sold out in less than an hour. Same goes for a a craft beer store (AleYeah) that got it yesterday. Sold out in a couple hours. While people were at work.

I'm on twitter right now waiting for the store by my office to tweet that it's in. It's supposed to be there today.

This shit is out of control and annoying.

I was chatting up the beer guy at the grocery store by my house (the one with a gigantic beer selection, better than most beer stores). I asked about Goose Island Burb Co, and he said "yeah we got, like, 4 cases in and they sold out in 2 days." I told him I still have a 2009 at home that I bought from that store and he said "Good move, those age really well. Yeah remember back then, how long those beers would sit on the shelf? I would put ten of those things on the shelf on sunday night and by friday there would still be 6 out there. Now it's like piranhas on a pork chop. You guys are rabid."

I am still mildly surprised / thrilled that at that grocery store, Founders 4 packs of things like that Imperial Stout and Backwoods Bastard are pretty reliably available. Oh speaking of...

The guy at work I brought beers to yesterday? He brought me a Pliny, a Blind Pig, and a Backwoods Bastard. Holy fucking shit I'm happy.

discostu · **Posted:** Thu Jan 26, 2012 3:00 pm

Rick Derris Wrote:

He was hoping it would be good for Pisgah Brewing for whatever reason. The folks around there REALLY support that brewery.

It's because they make really fucking good beer. I never go to Asheville without making a stop by the Black Mountain taproom at the brewery for a flight and a pint.

Rick Derris · **Posted:** Thu Jan 26, 2012 4:06 pm

Cap'n Squirrgle Wrote:

Founders - Imperial Stout

Cap, I haven't put any beer mugs on our registry yet and I kind of like these. Where did you get them?

Rick Derris · **Posted:** Thu Jan 26, 2012 4:09 pm

Oh, and the Twitter announcement went out just after Noon and I now have 2 6-packs of Hopslam. Bottled 1/10/12. $17 a freaking sixer. What a racket.

Talked to a buddy here at work who went just after 1pm and it was already sold out. 18 cases in record time.

Not surprisingly, ran into Ol' Bloor there making a score as well.

Cap'n Squirrgle · **Posted:** Thu Jan 26, 2012 7:55 pm

Ha ha ha you guys are hooked.

I have no idea where those mugs came from... Xmas present circa 1998.

Yail Bloor · **Posted:** Thu Jan 26, 2012 8:10 pm

Rick Derris Wrote:

Oh, and the Twitter announcement went out just after Noon and I now have 2 6-packs of Hopslam. Bottled 1/10/12. $17 a freaking sixer. What a racket.

Grainy cellphone footage of Mr. Derris in front of Mt. Hopslam

Rick Derris · **Posted:** Thu Jan 26, 2012 9:56 pm

I got to say, after downing this first Hopslam, it isn't far and away better than the Founder's Double Trouble and I didn't have to leave work in the middle of the day after monitoring twitter to get that because it would sell out.

Take that for what it's worth.

Not to say that this isn't fucking awesome.

Does anyone make a year round DIPA this good? The closest I can think of is the Lagunitas Lil Sumpin Sumpin and it's not really a DIPA nor this good (but still good).

shiv · **Posted:** Thu Jan 26, 2012 9:59 pm

Rick Derris Wrote:

Does anyone make a year round DIPA this good? The closest I can think of is the Lagunitas Lil Sumpin Sumpin and it's not really a DIPA nor this good (but still good).

Dogfish 90 Minute? Lagunitus Maximus?

A New Nice Beer Thread

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