Captial is the best "everyday" brewery I've yet to encounter. Cap Amber is friggin GOOD for its price / repeatability. If that's unclear, I mean that some delicious beers are only fun to drink once in a while, ie Tadcaster, triplebocks, etc. For being available in 12 packs of cans (crushable, less recycling to take out) for like $9.50, that's some well-made shit. Plus the seasonals are great.

Anything Bell's makes is going to be surprisingly well-made, full of hops, and unforgetable. Loves me some Olberon / 2-Hearted.

Great Dane is ok. Local brewpub that ships kegs all over locally, no bottling.

Bert Grant's Perfect Porter is the shit! I haven't had that in years. I love Rogue Dead Guy Ale, as well.

Another KILLER is Red Seal Pale Ale!

My neighborhood bar in Brooklyn had Dead Guy on tap for a while. "Hey John, 'nother Dead Guy over here!"

Squirrgle... how long you been in Madison?
The same cousin also helped start the late, lamented Madison Muskies Minor League (Single-A, Oakland affilliate) ballclub back in the 80's. He started the brewery after being ousted from management by the A's organization.

Been here but 5 years, ATL transplant of course. Nowadays, the Mallards are doing very well for themselves. Those games usually sell out or come close, which is impressive for minor league ball. People host the players in their homes for the year for free - and there's a waiting list to host them.

i live right across the street from bells brewery.......

another one of my favs is winter white (seasonal - replaces oberon, similar to blue moon)

Choice. Love them Bells' Ales! Even the burps taste goog.

shit will knock you on your ass

and it's a downingtown beer (about 45 minutes from philly)

I got married outside of Traverse City.
We served Oberon (then "Sol Sun) on tap to our wedding guests.

wow....totally forgot about good ole SolSun..i still have a bell's t shirt with solsun on it......

my new favorite Portland microbrew
http://www.rootsorganicbrewing.com/

Rogue is the shit, I will agree. Also, around the holidays, you can't go wrong with some Lagunitas Brown Shugga. (I have a soft spot for breweries that have dogs for mascots)

No not at all. I hadn't really posted here in months and was going to spend one night in Madison and maybe another when I flew home. My girlfriend and I went to the Essen Haus to have some beers and then went to the Flatiron grill for a few more and then had dineer at the cafe continental....then drove to Tomah, WI.

I wasn't trying to slight anyone but i wasn't really sure if i was going to get to spend any time there anyway and beasically got a few hours on the 19th.

I'll add a few more to my list.

I haven't touched a drop since last Thursday.

other than the home brew, I have bought these most recently:

Real Ale Brewing Company:


Rio Blanco Pale Ale
Deep golden and malty, with a spicy hop flavor and a subtle, well-balanced hop bitterness, Rio Blanco is a uniquely Texan interpretation of an English-style pale ale. The addition of Czech hops gives the ale a refreshing crispness and flavor that will satisfy you under the hottest Texas sun.

Full Moon Pale Rye Ale
Tawny red and full of malt and hops, Full Moon’s unique flavor quells your palate’s longing for something truly distinctive. Marrying the smooth sweetness of malted rye and barley, the ale’s rich body is complemented by ample helpings of American hops. The culmination of our efforts is an assertive American pale ale, a hop lovers dream.

Brewhouse Brown Ale
Caramel brown with a hint of chocolate, Brewhouse Brown melds four kinds of malt to create a satisfying, thirst-quenching brew. Best enjoyed at 55 degrees, this ale is slightly rich and roasty, yet leaves a dry finish. It is the perfect companion for a hearty meal.

just cloned a batch this past weekend of:
Fireman's #4 Blonde Ale
This light bodied blonde ale is perfectly balanced with a touch of Crystal hops for bittering and aromatics. Fireman's #4 is a great choice on any hot Texas summer day or pair it with spicy foods to help you put out the fire. Check out Fireman's Texas Cruzers: http://www.firemansbikes.com/

need to try:

Sisyphus Barleywine Ale (seasonal)
Measuring between 10 and 11% ABV, depending on the year, this barleywine was Real Ale's first seasonal product. It is uncharacteristically smooth for this style of beer, as it is created with five different kinds of hops. It also displays a rich malt character, and the healthy portion of hops gives it a distinctive dry and balanced finish. Sisyphus Barleywine Style Ale, weighing in around 480 calories per 12 ounce serving, is not for the faint of heart. Makes a great nightcap!

Shade Grown Coffee Porter (seasonal)
A rich, robust porter with a dry finish. Brewed with organic hops, malted barley, and Ruta Maya Shade Grown organic coffee beans from Chiapas, Mexico.

11/29/05:

Northern Lights - Amber Ale (5 - My favorite amber...and that's saying a lot...made near my hometown of Spokane, WA).
New Glarus - Spotted Cow (3 - light and not very flavorful)
New Glarus - Staghorn (Oktoberfest) (4)
Capitol Brewery - Oktoberfest (3 a bit too bubbly for my tastes and somewhat sweet)
Oscars - Chocolate Oatmeal Stout (4 - smooth and tasty)
Three Floyds - Robert the Bruce Scottish Ale (4.3 well dark for an ale)
Rogue - American Amber (4)
Rogue - St. Rogue's Red Ale (4.5 delicious)
Alaskan - Winter Ale (4.5 outstanding winter ale this year with a nice dark and fruity flavor)

Currently in my fridge:

Rogue - Mocha Porter
Rogue - Brutal Bitter
Full Sail - Wassail
Bridgeport - Ebenezer Ale
Theakston - Old Peculiar
Steelhead - Scotch Porter
Steelhead - Extra Stout
Alaska Winter
Samuel Smith Winter Welcome
Flying Dog - Gonzo Imperial Porter

Not a big barleywine fan

I do like me some Stone's Arrogant Bastard Ale every now and again and if i'm lucky this winter i might be able to snag a few Double Bastards when i'm in Spokane.

Todd - That's cool about your cousin and Capital. I only had the Oktoberfest when I was visiting WI.

The local beer bar has just tapped a ten year old keg of Rogue's Old Crustacean barley wine.

$8 for 12oz.

I've had it before, but the hops really mellowed out with age, still very intense.

Dude, you and me. this weekend. +candles and after dinner buttsex

Rogue - St. Rogue's Red Ale (4.5 delicious)

love it. i don't drink, but occasionally i've had a few of these.

no shit. i forgot what the alcohol content on it was but it was pretty obscene.

+feathers?

if you insist

11/30:

Bridgeport - Ebenezer Ale - Bottled Conditioned (4 - smooth with mild hoppyiness)
Fullsail - Wassail Winter Ale (4 - more hoppy then the ebenezer..good full flavor)

Off to the Boise on friday to get more good stuff.

damn, wish you guys could join me for this:

http://www.holidayale.com/html/home.html

and here's a list of the breweries participating:

http://www.holidayale.com/html/breweries04.html

Tonight

Rogue - Dead Guy Ale - lovely
Big Sky Brewing - Powder Hound Winter Ale - malty i think