A New Nice Beer Thread

Yail Bloor · **Posted:** Tue Nov 15, 2011 5:55 pm

Ok, some recently consumed canned product:

21st Amendment Back In Black Black IPA: Didn't really think very much of this one. The hoppiness wasn't that defined, there was no maltiness to speak of (are Black IPA's supposed to be more malty? I think this is the first one I've ever had) and the whole thing was just sort of blah and slightly metallic. Not terrible, just there.

Butternuts Porkslap Pale Ale: I know that there are some fans of this here, but I don't get it. Has a really sharp and unappealing aftertaste that almost made drinking it a chore. Luckily, we were tailgaiting and LooGAR helped me out on consumption.

Avery Ellie's Brown Ale: This, on the other hand, was the perfect fall tailgating beer: Flavorful, delicious cold and as it warmed up and low enough ABV that I was still in fine fighting shape at game time. To co-opt Squirg's "lawnmower beer" analogy this might be a good "leaf raking beer"

21st Amendment Allies Win The War! Ale Brewed With Dates: This, I really liked. (The first 21st Amendment brew that I can say that about); Nicely hoppy and complex, distinctive flavors, enough booze to do the trick without destroying you, etc. I'd definitely drink it again though it was a little pricey for only a four pack. Cool ass graphics as well. Restored my faith in 21A's potential after the disaster with Back In Black.

Have any of you guys tried the Founder's Devil Dancer? It's a triple IPA at something like 12% ABV. Saw a stray four pack of it the other day but was deterred by the price tag so I stayed away.

Edit: Actually, I just looked and Allies Win The War! is 8.5%....This explains a lot.

Promethium · **Posted:** Tue Nov 15, 2011 6:12 pm

We lost Left Hand and Avery after struggling to keep Great Divide here. I believe Avery will be distributing beer here again this spring, they just temporarily pulled out to revise their business plan.
I was also informed that Lagunitas is attempting to distribute beer here. The contracts aren't in place, but if everything goes right, they'll be distributing beer here in the early part of 2012.
I think a few of the Big guns of the craft beer scene are trying to compete with Nebraska Brewing Co. on their own turf after they won a couple Gold Medals at GABF.

I had the Sierra Nevada Southern Hemisphere wet hop IPA with lunch today. It took a few sips for me to properly enjoy it. I thought it was a bit unbalanced hop wise at first sip.

two guns holla · **Posted:** Tue Nov 15, 2011 6:28 pm

two guns holla Wrote:

Friday night I got a sixer of Anderson Valley Winter Solstice Ale cans. Really good. I've enjoyed both this and the Boont Amber Ale from Anderson Valley. Nice winter ale, and enjoyed having some outside on the patio of the house where the birthday party for a friend was. I'd give it an A-.

Had this a couple times recently on draft and damned if it ain't ridiculously good. My current favorite beer.

Also got a pony keg of Shiner Holiday Cheer in the kegerator last Friday. Got it on the recommendation of the beer guy at the store and actually hadn't had it before. Also, it was a plus that I could get a pony of this instead of a bullet of most other craft beers. Pretty good dunkelweizen but very fragrant and fruity. I don't regret getting it, but its prob a solid B for me. Still very drinkable.

Cap'n Squirrgle · **Posted:** Wed Nov 16, 2011 11:00 am

Yail Bloor Wrote:

Ok, some recently consumed canned product:

21st Amendment Back In Black Black IPA: These guys are so hit-or-miss. I like that they're swinging hard but some of their stuff misses the mark (ANY mark) by a long shot. This one is close to being good but I can see what you mean. Not their best.

Butternuts Porkslap Pale Ale: 50% of the enjoyment of this beer, I think, is the marketing. But I don't find anything bitter or off-putting about it, it always strikes me as pretty mellow, amber, chewy, and maybe a little hoppy by the end.

Avery Ellie's Brown Ale: Avery rarely missteps. And this one is good as hell - reminds me a LOT actually of the brown ale from Smuttynose up in NH. Both are so good and solid.

21st Amendment Allies Win The War! Ale Brewed With Dates: Never seen it.

Have any of you guys tried the Founder's Devil Dancer? It's a triple IPA at something like 12% ABV. Saw a stray four pack of it the other day but was deterred by the price tag so I stayed away. No but if Founders makes it, I would buy it.

Senator LooGAR · **Posted:** Wed Nov 16, 2011 12:42 pm

Andrew Knowlton, a detestable little fleeb who would rather drink a glass of shit from the source, comes down on Growlers in Bon Appetit

shiv · **Posted:** Wed Nov 16, 2011 2:07 pm

Cap'n Squirrgle Wrote:

Yail Bloor Wrote:

Ok, some recently consumed canned product:

21st Amendment Back In Black Black IPA: These guys are so hit-or-miss. I like that they're swinging hard but some of their stuff misses the mark (ANY mark) by a long shot. This one is close to being good but I can see what you mean. Not their best. I think the only ones they do really well are the Brew Free Or Die IPA, Hop Crisis Imperial IPA and Monk's Blood.

21st Amendment Allies Win The War! Ale Brewed With Dates: Never seen it. I had this over the weekend but I thought at first it was Monk's Blood with different packaging because that's what it came up as on the receipt. I liked it alright but it's not their best and it's too expensive for a 4 pack.

Senator LooGAR · **Posted:** Wed Nov 16, 2011 2:10 pm

Yeah - I like Porkslap. It's easy drinking ala Sierra or something, but it has a cool name/can/logo.

billy g · **Joined:** Mon Oct 25, 2004 1:41 pm **Posts:** 9020

Sen Lil Luke LooGAR Wrote:

Yeah - I like Porkslap. It's easy drinking ala Sierra or something, but it has a cool name/can/logo.

I'll take any opportunity to say that I really hate Sierra. I was back east this weekend and went to a decent beer store looking for something that I can't find in CA. The only thing I found was Porkslap. I couldn't bring myself to get it though. Haven't ever tried it before but something tells me now that I was right to leave it in the store.

Tried this last night:

Hair of the Dog - Ruth

Nothing that will blow you away but pretty good pale ale. At least a B+. I've been pretty impressed with all of the beers that I've tried by them so far.

Cap'n Squirrgle · **Posted:** Wed Nov 16, 2011 3:28 pm

Pork Slap is not an "experience" beer. Just a solid local.

billy g · **Joined:** Mon Oct 25, 2004 1:41 pm **Posts:** 9020

Cap'n Squirrgle Wrote:

Pork Slap is not an "experience" beer. Just a solid local.

It's probably ok. I just wasn't interested enough in trying it to buy a six pack when I was only back east for a few days. I was disappointed that I couldn't find more that I can't get here though. I was hoping to stumble on Founders.

Cap'n Squirrgle · **Posted:** Wed Nov 16, 2011 3:37 pm

No that does suck. I get almost angry when I pop up somewhere new for a short amount of time, and I run into the best beer store I can quickly find, and everything in there is familiar. You did right. And Founders would've done you right. Do you have Boulevard out there? Quickly becoming a favorite of mine.

e-stone · **Posted:** Wed Nov 16, 2011 6:42 pm

might've been covered before, but any of youse on untappd?

billy g · **Joined:** Mon Oct 25, 2004 1:41 pm **Posts:** 9020

Cap'n Squirrgle Wrote:

Do you have Boulevard out there? Quickly becoming a favorite of mine.

I don't remember ever seeing it but I wouldn't have known to look. Thanks. I'll keep my eye out.

shiv · **Posted:** Wed Nov 16, 2011 10:07 pm

pretty much all i drink lately.

Cap'n Squirrgle · **Posted:** Wed Nov 16, 2011 10:12 pm

That shat is Good.

Senator LooGAR · **Posted:** Wed Nov 16, 2011 10:53 pm

Billy - Porkslap tastes nothing like Sierra, I just likened it to that because like Sierra, I could drink 100 of them and not get bored.

Kyle - Boulevard rules. We went to the brewery when we were in KC. And, they have a brewpub/bar IN KCI AIRPORT. I got delayed there once and spent 3 hours getting DESTROYED. I still wonder what my life would be like had I gotten on the plane to Salt Lake City like the girl with X sewn into her underwear asked me to.

billy g · **Joined:** Mon Oct 25, 2004 1:41 pm **Posts:** 9020

Sen Lil Luke LooGAR Wrote:

Billy - Porkslap tastes nothing like Sierra, I just likened it to that because like Sierra, I could drink 100 of them and not get bored.

I understood that. Like I said though, I'll take any opportunity to say that I really hate Sierra.

Cap'n Squirrgle · **Posted:** Thu Nov 17, 2011 11:52 am

Sen Lil Luke LooGAR Wrote:

Billy - Porkslap tastes nothing like Sierra, I just likened it to that because like Sierra, I could drink 100 of them and not get bored.

Kyle - Boulevard rules. We went to the brewery when we were in KC. And, they have a brewpub/bar IN KCI AIRPORT. I got delayed there once and spent 3 hours getting DESTROYED. I still wonder what my life would be like had I gotten on the plane to Salt Lake City like the girl with X sewn into her underwear asked me to.

I'm gonna have to pick up some Boulevard stuff for next week. Got friends staying with us for the holiday.

nobody · **Posted:** Thu Nov 17, 2011 12:04 pm

Lots of the Schlafly Schwarzbier going down around here lately. Hope they keep making it.

Cap'n Squirrgle · **Posted:** Thu Nov 17, 2011 12:17 pm

I had a bad schwartzbier experience in Germany with Kostritzer. My brewery owned them, so I got it free too, and I took home a bunch but didn't really like it. Too sweet. Since then I don't think I've tried any others...

Rick Derris · **Posted:** Thu Nov 17, 2011 12:45 pm

Yail Bloor Wrote:

Ok, some recently consumed canned product:

21st Amendment Back In Black Black IPA: Didn't really think very much of this one. The hoppiness wasn't that defined, there was no maltiness to speak of (are Black IPA's supposed to be more malty? I think this is the first one I've ever had) and the whole thing was just sort of blah and slightly metallic. Not terrible, just there.

Avery Ellie's Brown Ale: This, on the other hand, was the perfect fall tailgating beer: Flavorful, delicious cold and as it warmed up and low enough ABV that I was still in fine fighting shape at game time. To co-opt Squirg's "lawnmower beer" analogy this might be a good "leaf raking beer"

More proof that taste is in the mouth of the drinker. That Back in Black is the only thing I've had from 21st that I like. But, none of their stuff has me running for a 4 or 6 pack really. That Avery was pretty good. Tasty enough to hold your attention but forgettable enough to socialize.

For the record my tailgating beer last weekend was North Coast Blue Star Wheat and Stone Levitation Ale. And of course my old pal Bud Light.

Picked up a mix and match 4 pack last night of some stuff I've never tried:

Sam Smith Winter Welcome Ale
Innis & Gunn - Original
Victory Storm King
Sweetwater Motor Boat (ESB)

Cap'n Squirrgle · **Posted:** Thu Nov 17, 2011 12:49 pm

Rick Derris Wrote:

Sam Smith Winter Welcome Ale
Innis & Gunn - Original
Victory Storm King
Sweetwater Motor Boat (ESB)

Can't wait to see what you think of some of those.

PopTodd · **Posted:** Thu Nov 17, 2011 1:28 pm

Is Sam Smith's still making Old Fezziwig?
Wife used to love that one. I was gonna pick some up for her, but haven't been able to find it around here for a while.
Not quite the season yet?

Cap'n Squirrgle · **Posted:** Thu Nov 17, 2011 1:29 pm

Fezziwig is by Sam Adams, and I think they do make it but I only ever see it in their christmas sampler 12 pack. Used to see it in bombers but I haven't lately.

Yail Bloor · **Posted:** Thu Nov 17, 2011 1:29 pm

Rick Derris Wrote:

For the record my tailgating beer last weekend was North Coast Blue Star Wheat and Stone Levitation Ale. And of course my old pal Bud Light.

Forgot I had one of your Blue Star's...a pretty forgettable beer actually. Not bad or anything but North Coast casts a long shadow for me so I expect to be wowed.

I had to bail quickly, so if I forgot to say so at the time, thanks for the Two Hearted at the place Downtown--next one's on me.

A New Nice Beer Thread

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