The Beer Thread: 2009 – 2012

[fstorm1]

So, the new old Schlitz finally hits the Fox Valley this week. I had been told by a number of sales folks that it had been out already for some time. Never had the oomph to buy a 12 pack, and guess my hunch was right. S'much as I like bars and beer, I really don't have the urge to go out to try one beer. And during the week isn't the best time to go out keggling, at least not for me. Oh, well. Guess I'll wait a little longer.

[logan82]

Mmm, Hops N Props tomorrow. I have been looking forward to this for over a year. Wife and I are meeting friends to eat and then proceeding to the event. I doubt it can possibly live up to my expectations, but at least it is a night out without the kids or driving.

[fstorm1]

Well, attended Hops and Props on Saturday, and while I (eagerly) await Logan's comments and such, thought I'd offer mine. First, there were approxiamately 50 or so booths (includes a no-show, a wine booth, a gourmet sodas booth, an Oshkosh homebrewers booth, a mike's Hard Lemonade booth, and a couple bar/restaurant booths). Also, there were 12 booths on hand that featured beer's I'd already tried, so I skipped them. There were also 11 brweries that I didn't try any offerings from, so that should equal 25 beers tried.

 

Here's a rundown:

Bell's Kalamazoo Stout (ok); Special Double Cream Stout (good)

Blucreek Brewing AltBier (good)

Breckenridge's Pandora's Bock (ok)

Buffalo Water Beer Co. Bison Blonde (ok)

Capital (already tried available beers)

Central Waters Brewing Co. Honey Blonde (good)

Dark Horse Brewing Co. Blueberry Stout (good)

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery (tried none)

Esser's Cross Plains (tried none)

Fauerbach Brewing Co. (tried none)

Flying Dog Brewery (already tried available)

The Fort Collins Brewery (already tried available)

Founders Brewery Co. (tried none)

Fox River Brewing Co. Blackberry Wit (terrible, "worst in show")

Goose Island (wanted Matilda, missed)

Grand Teton Brew. Co. (tried none)

Green Bay Rackers (tried none)

Hook and Ladder Brew. Co. (tried none)

Keweenaw Brew. Co. Red Jacket Amber (ok)

Lagunitas Brew. Co. (already tried avail.)

Lakefront Brew. Co. (already tried avail.)

Leinenkugels Classic Amber (ok)

Lost Coast Brew. Downtown Brown (ok)

Margaritaville Brew. Co. (Land shark Lager) (already tried)

Michelob Brew. Co. (already tried avail.)

Milwaukee Ale House (missed them, tried none)

Moylan's Brewery Kilt Lifter Scotch Ale (Excellent)

New Glarus Black Wheat (good, too warm)

New Holland Brew. Co. (tried none)

Brewery Ommegang Witte Ale (great); Abbey Ale (excellent)

O'So Brewing Doppel (ok); Black Scotch (great)

Pabst/Coors Classic Schlitz (ok)

Pyramid Brewery (already tried avail.)

Redhook Ale Brewery (already tried avail.)

Rogue Brewery Dead Guy Ale (good); American Amber (poor)

Sand Creek Brew. Co. (already tried avail.)

Sierra Nevada Brew. Co. (already tried avail.)

Silver Creek Brew. Co. COUND'T FIND THEM, NO SHOW? Missed their root beer

Sprecher Brew. Co. Inc. Black Bavarian (good)

Steamworks Brew. Co. (tried none)

Stevens Point Brewery American Brown (poor)

Summit Brew. Co. (already tried avail.)

Titletown Brew. Co. (tried none)

Two Brothers Brew. Co. Cane and Ebel (ok)

Upland Brew. Co. (already tried avail.)

Viking Brew. Co. Invader (great)

Warbird Brewing Thunderbolt Wheat (good)

Water Street Brewery (already tried avail.)

Weyerbacher Brew. Co. Merry Monks (Excellent, "best in show")

 

Random thoughts: Great to see O'so Brewing there. I distinctly remember buying their "Big O" almost a year ago from my nice liquor lady, shortly after they hit the market...they make a number of very good brews; Apparently Silver Creek Brew. Co. from Cedarburg, makers of a spectacular root beer, was a no show, bit of a downer (moreso for my nice lady friend); there were a number of breweries I'd never heard of, which was cool; I'd hoped by some miracle that The Dane and Shipwrecked would be present, but no; food was okay, nothing spectacular...one of the things that bugs me is that the idea behind this is beer tasting, yet they serve food which has very distinct and pallette ruining tastes...mexican and barbeque just two of them...I realize that food taste is important, but they could've offered more "bland" foods, but I'm almost certainly in the minority on this one; just like last year, way too many youngsters there just to get drunk (my biggest complaint)...I'm such a party pooper; good music from several "small" bands; finally got to try the "Classic Schlitz"...not too bad, very easy drinking; just like last year, there weren't nearly enough "water booths" to rinse glasses and cleanse pallette; bathrooms were and adventure...long lines for the men's facilities at two locations (guess that was bound to happen what with the size of the facilities); still big believer that they should have one of these events in the summer, as there were prcious few wheat's/summer brews available; very happy to see that New Glarus had there Black Wheat available, albeit hidden...no signage announcing that had it there...just ahppened to see an open bottle of it off to the side of their table...when I asked the gentleman for a taste, he looked at me like I asked him for his wallet...then he said "Sneak peak, not even available yet"...but he still looked like he was maybe holding it for someone else...it was good, strong chocolate and coffee characters...but it was warmer than room temperature, and I prefer my wheat's colder...still looking forward ot it's release...the real winners of the night were the Tripel's...several very good one's, including Ommegang's Abbey Ale, and the best beer I had all night, Weyerbacher Brewing's Merry Monks; lot's of booths ran out of beer after only about and hour and a half; Breckenridge has a wheat (Hefe Proper) which they didn't have available but advertised...folks serving told me they'd never seen it in this area...anybody?; Leinie's Classic Amber is exactly like the rest of their "library", easy to drink, but "dumbed" down for the masses; not sure Ommengang makes a bad beer, amazing stuff; happy to finally try a Rogue brew or two;

 

A few other comments: I wrestled for several weeks how it was that I would be able to carry around a zip bag of saltines. Eventually, I just ended up wearing a dress shirt and keeping one bag in my breast pocket, then, after some begging, my nice lady friend kept another in her purse. But while shuffling around, I saw 4 people with necklaces of yarn which carried pretzels. I almost messed myself when I saw them. What a great idea, and how stupid am I for not thinking of that?!? I'll have to steal that idea for next year. Also, during one of my escapades to a men's room, the gentleman next to me set his beer on the "urinal shelf" while using the stall. Not 5 seconds later, the chrome plumbing that he had place d his glass under, dripped right into his glass. Yikes. He was just a tad unhappy, and I'm pretty sure any of us in there at the time let him have it each time we saw him on the floor. And, yes, he did continue to use the glass.

 

If'n I think of anything else, I'll add...

[logan82]

Well, not nearly as much to say as fstorm. We didn't try the food at all. We went to Water City Grill to eat beforehand and I am glad I did. The lines for the food looked pretty long. They honestly could have replaced the food with bowls of pretzels and more water booths. At the very least they could have put the food booth in the first room off to one side somewhere so that people weren't all lined up in beer booth areas. I was thinking where they had the Michelob, budweiser, and wine booth. I was also disappointed by an almost complete absence of wheats. There were however lots of ales. My wife and I only stuck around for an hour and a half. We are thinking of trying to get a bigger group for next year. We went and me one of my friends out at Peabody's where they had a really good stout/porter on tap. Can't remember what it was, but it had a big H on the tapper.

 

We had tried almost one beer from 50-60% of the breweries that were represented. We completely skipped Lienkugles, Point, and Capitol breweries having already tired most of their beers.

 

Beers of note from my wife and I.

 

Dark Horse Brewery Tres Blueberry Stout - nice dark stout with small hint of blueberry

Brewery Ommegang Chocolate Indulgence

Weltenburger Kloster Hefe Weissbier Dunkel

[fstorm1]

From what you mentioned, logan, I'm guessing you had access to the internationals, yes? Didn't do it this year. I agree completely on your analysis of the event (outside of the beer). The lack of wheat's is my biggest complaint, hence my summer idea. I'm doubting I'm the first, or last, to want a show when the temperature is warmer.

 

Keep an eye out for the New Glarus Black Wheat. As you seem to enjoy dark's and wheat's it may be right up your alley. Also like to mention that the Stone Soup that was at the show was even better than the bottles I've enjoyed. Almost seemed fresher, or even just tapped.

 

There's also the "18th Annual N.E.W. Beer Festival" in Appleton at The Wave Bar and Grill on April 5th. Here's some infos.

[EdgarDiazRocks]

Wow. I'm still stunned how craft brewing is still in its infancy in the midwest. Redhook and Rougue are about the only two Macro Beers that would show at a west coast festival. I looked a few of the brewers up (Viking, Keweenaw and Upland) and were surprised how many offering some of them had. (and BTW, cans?) Right now in the Northwest it's all about the IPA.

 

Don't get me wrong, I'm sure some of them are really good beers, I just still have flashbacks to my 3 year internment in the TC, when my only option for "micro" was Summit and Capitol. Period. Which is why I'll always hold Capitol in somewhat high regard. At least to god it wasn't Summit. I hope a few more smaller crafts find footing there.

 

What beer did the Green Bay Rackers have there? An entry from a home brew alliance would be high on my list.

 

And perusing their website, one of y'all really needs to go to this next weekend in Wausau.

[logan82]

Yes I had access to the internationals. I am 50/50 on doing that part again. I think that my wife and I recognized and had tried most of what they had there before going.

 

I have to admit being a little overwhelmed with the event being my first time at one. I think next year I will do things a little differently.

 

1. Eat beforehand - many booths ran out of half their beer starting at about an hour in. We couldn't try but 2 of the beers brought by Central Waters Brewery

 

2. Get there at least half an hour early - They won't let you in, but you can look through the book they hand out and decide what you really want to try. I feel I didn't get the best experience I could have and most of that was my own fault.

 

3. Remember to cleanse the palate - By the time we left, we couldn't taste much and that sort of defeats the purpose

 

I am eagerly awaiting the Black Wheat, but until then I am content with the Stone Soup. Overall I had a really good experience and am 100% sure I want to go again next year. If anybody likes IPA, it was well represented.

[tristarscoop]

Did the New Glarus tour this weekend and you Dancing Man fans will be happy to know that the girl behind the counter whipped out a little calendar thingy and said that it's coming out a little earlier than usual this year. She said April.

 

They had some Apple Ale which is from their small batch series. I bought two bottles, so I'll be trying that soon.

[fstorm1]

Having now gone twice, the biggest thing that my nice lady friend and I will change (assuming we go next year), is to head for the back of building as soon as we walk in the door. This year, as we entered, the front part was absolutely packed. It seemed like everybody was moving in one gigantic mob towards the back. We never really found any room to breath, if that makes sense. Who knows who they'll have next year, but since they had New Glarus last year and Bell's this year right at the front, first breweries out of the chute, it may be difficult to just pass them by and move on (the first three breweries this year, in fact, where Bell's, Breckenridge, and Coors/Pabst, who had the classic Schlitz available on tap...couldn't pass any of those). But, we'll see. Still fun, and logan, if I run into you next year, you can have some of my crackers, or pretzels, or whatever I may be hiding in a pocket or wearing around my neck.

 

Thanks for the info, tristarscoop. I've been keeping an eye on N.G.'s schedule (danced a little jig when I saw that Stone Soup was a regular yearly), still shows May for DaMan, but April would be just that much better. I still have 14 bottles of DaMan from last year. Had one for my birthday on Sunday, still tasted yummy delicious. Guess I'll have to clear some space in the cellar a bit earlier this year.

[TooLiveBrew]

Right now in the Northwest it's all about the IPA.

 

Must have something to do with how well the hops seem to grow out here?

 

 

Thanks for the recaps of Hops & Props, guys. Sounds like it was a worthwhile event.

[SoundsFan17]

I went out to the bar the other night and had Rogue XS Imperial IPA, 9.5%abv and came in a ceramic bottle. It was really good, but I have had better. I tried the XS Imperial Stout recently too and it was really really good at about 11.5%. I then decided I would balance it with a Meantime London Porter. It was good, probably the best porter I have ever had. Then I had Dogfishhead Theobromas. Long story short, I drank these great beers too fast and got wasted. So I think I'm gonna stick to water for awhile.

[Ando Calrissian]

So I was out last night with a buddy and was thrilled to discover Three Floyds Alpha King on tap at Hooligans. It's only the second time I've had it and only the first time on tap, but I've got to say, it was a bit less "big" than I remembered it being. Don't get me wrong, it was quite tasty, but it didn't live up to my memory of it. Maybe I'll have to go back and give it another try...

 

At the moment I'm enjoying my final bottle of New Glarus's Alt. Since my return to Wisconsin this is by far the best seasonal I've had (and I've just gotten started!). Every time I have this beer I fall for it all over again.

[logan82]

Enjoy the New Glarus ALT while you can. I believe it was taken off their schedule for this year.

 

Just got an E-mail asking how I liked Hops N Props. I am sure others got one as well, but if you went and didn't get one PM me and I will send you the address.

 

Good news on Dancing Man coming out early. I will start me search for Black Wheat this weekend.

 

Another beer I liked at HNP was Dogfishhead 60 Minute IPA. Didn't like the 90 min.

[Ando Calrissian]

Another beer I liked at HNP was Dogfishhead 60 Minute IPA. Didn't like the 90 min.

 

I'm with you on 60 minute but not the 90. I think 90 is a wonderful, wonderful beer that I've not had enough of. Maybe I've just been going through a hop craving phase that hasn't been satisfied yet.

[logan82]

I am sitting here drinking a Black Wheat. It is a really dark beer. On par with a porter or stout. Slightly brown head. I think my wife will like it. Sort of a roasted nut taste. Think I will stick with the Stone Soup until the Dancing Man appears again.

 

Edit: Yup, the wife loves it. Likes it even better than the Coffee Stout. It is a quality beer, just a little dark for my taste.

[Ando Calrissian]

I just had the pleasure of hanging out at Surgar Maple in Bayview for a little bit. It was my first time there and well, I'd really been intending on heading to Cafe Centraal until the Dogfish Head beer sign in the window caught my attention.

 

My first brew was a Bell's Hopslam which was outstandlingly good. It's amazing you could get in IPA with that many BTUs to be so drinkable. Kudos to Bells on that one.

 

I was thrilled that they had Weyerbacher's (from Easton, PA) Double Simcoe IPA (which you really ought to sample if you love hops) and Heresy Imperial Stout on tap. But, for my second brew I went for Furthermore's Thermorefer and I do have to say that I admired their brewing spirit on that beer. Made with beets and black pepper it really reminded me (flavor wise) of a saison. Body wise it was much heavier than I was expecting. The flavor makes this beer worth it. I'd definately buy more.

[logan82]

May be old news to some, but it looks like New Belgium should be in Wisconsin by the end of summer. Link

The creative flurry comes as the brewery is poised to enter six new markets as well; North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Indiana, South Dakota and Wisconsin all by end of summer. New Belgium is still vetting distributors in potential markets

.

[blatzlight]

May be old news to some, but it looks like New Belgium should be in Wisconsin by the end of summer. Link

The creative flurry comes as the brewery is poised to enter six new markets as well; North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Indiana, South Dakota and Wisconsin all by end of summer. New Belgium is still vetting distributors in potential markets

.

I recently spoke to someone at the brewery and it should be here by mid April. They will have Fat Tire, Mothership Wit & 1554 here.

[Beerambassador]

May be old news to some, but it looks like New Belgium should be in Wisconsin by the end of summer. Link

The creative flurry comes as the brewery is poised to enter six new markets as well; North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Indiana, South Dakota and Wisconsin all by end of summer. New Belgium is still vetting distributors in potential markets

.

I recently spoke to someone at the brewery and it should be here by mid April. They will have Fat Tire, Mothership Wit & 1554 here.

Hopefully that's just the start. All three are good/decent beers, but I want more than that!

[TooLiveBrew]

That's cool news, thanks for sharing logan. I hadn't heard that. New Belgium isn't one of my favorite breweries, but it's certainly a good one & if nothing else having some new beers to try is always a good thing. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

[Baldkin]

A friend and I are trying to track down mini-kegs of Bell's Two Hearted to drink while we watch basketball Thursday and Friday. If anyone knows where we might find them in the Milwaukee area, and/or has experience with them (Are they worth it?) let me know!

[Beerambassador]

I can't help you with finding one, heck, I can't find any myself. But I bought one last year and it was awesome. We sucked it down too fast to have problems with it going flat.

[logan82]

New Belgium isn't one of may favorites either, but more variety is nice. My mom and step dad love New Belgium. They are a "green" brewery.

 

Edit: Shot off an E-mail to my mom and step dad. They are bringing New Belgium 1554 to our baseball cookout this weekend. Not sure what I am bringing yet, New Glarus Black Wheat or Stone Soup most likely.

 

Post edit: I really should link to the website that the news article was linked from. I think the link is off the first page now.

Madison Beer Review

[SeriesFinale]

If you had more time, I'd suggest just making the six hour drive to Kalamazoo and picking the kegs up at Bell's yourself. When I lived in Chicago, we'd do that all the time--go over there, have a pint or two with a sandwich at their place (pretty nice), and take the keg back for a party that evening. Of course, we were somewhat closer.

[SeriesFinale]

We were talking about 21st Amendment a bit today in the San Francisco thread, they're a local microbrewpub that's recently started selling cans of its beer in Northern California (and BevMos, I believe).

 

Anyway, today they announced that they're rolling out a seasonal beer called "Spring Tweet" in honor of Twitter....make it stop!!!