The Beer Thread: 2009 – 2012

[EdgarDiazRocks]

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).

I've been there. The food was fine but the signature Watermelon Wheat was horrid (I'm really not a fruit beer guy), and it was flowing like water that night. The other offerings were similar to average/good. I liked the venue the best of the SF Brew Pubs by far 'tho. SF is an odd beer town. They try, but they tend to care more about the "atmosphere" than the beer itself.

[Ando Calrissian]

Just got home from dinner where I thoroughly enjoyed a Brother Thelonius.

[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).

I've been there. The food was fine but the signature Watermelon Wheat was horrid (I'm really not a fruit beer guy), and it was flowing like water that night. The other offerings were similar to average/good. I liked the venue the best of the SF Brew Pubs by far 'tho. SF is an odd beer town. They try, but they tend to care more about the "atmosphere" than the beer itself.

Most of the best local stuff is made just outside of town, although Anchor Steam is often my sesh beer

 

I do love that Watermelon Wheat though, actually, and I'm not a big fruit beer guy, either.

[Ando Calrissian]

Well, today the agreement of sale was signed for my house. To celebrate (as much as one can when selling their home these days), I'm sipping an Avery Maharaja Double IPA and my wife is enjoying a Heavy Weizen from Southern Tier. What can I say, I really like them both. The Maharaja is doing everything I want a double IPA to do. I don't go for them too often, but when I do I'm always feel like I'm enjoying one for the first time. It's a happy night.

[craigharmann]

If you can get your hands on it, Shiner, Shiner, Shiner. Great Texas beer. Pretty much anything they put out, Light, Bock, Black....it's all good. Great flavor and taste, very smooth. You won't be sorry.

[Ando Calrissian]

Well, last night I had my first New Glarus Black Wheat and found it delicious. That is a great dunkel. The thing I couldn't get over was how creamy it was.

 

In other news, I've landed some Capital Blonde Dopplebock and a Founder's Kentucky Breakfast Stout and will be giving them a ride later this evening. I can't wait to try that KBS.

[logan82]

New Glarus is one of those breweries that doesn't put out a poor quality beer. If you have a favorite style of beer and they make it, you should try it. Luckily the Black Wheat is out till the end of May. Just over a month till D-Man. Stone Soup should hold me over until then.

[GormanHarvey]

Love almost all of the New Glarus beers - can't stand dancing man wheat though

[Ando Calrissian]

Granted, there's a load of WI beers that I haven't had yet, but I'm developing a strong feeling for New Glarus and that's mostly off of my opinion of their wheats. I must say though, I do not really like Fat Squirrel or the Coffee Stout. In particular, int's not that the Coffee Stout is bad by any stretch, for it's style it's a great example, I've just hit my limit on coffee stouts.

 

Capital deserves all the credit in the world though for their lagers as they really do a consisent and admirable job with them.

[colbyjack]

Since fruity beers were brought up, has anyone tried Dark Horse's Blueberry Stout? I'm not a big stout fan, but in my opinion it is as close to a perfect beer as I've ever had. That doesn't mean it is one of my favorites, but when I drink it I can taste the near-perfect craftsmanship that went into brewing it.

 

I recently discovered that Lakefront's Bridge Burner is their Anniversary Ale. How did I miss that? At nearly 10% alcohol, there's a reason Lakefront doesn't feature this brew too much on their tours, and also charge about $5/22 oz. bottle for it in stores (better than the $9/bottle price of the anniversary ale). Have one of these suckers around dinner time and you'll be heading to bed early http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif.

 

I picked up a six-pack of Capitol's Blonde Dopplebock and enjoyed a couple of bottle this weekend. It's good, but not great, at least not my cup of tea. Their Mai Bock this spring on the other hand is an amazing brew, better than I remember, and has rivaled my favorite beer of all-time, Sprecher's Mai Bock (which isn't as good of a batch as last year's).

 

I also agree that it's hard to go wrong with a New Glarus beer, and this is coming from a guy who thinks their Fat Squirrel, especially if you can find it on tap, is their finest brew. You also can't go wrong with a Capitol brew, something I can't say for my two favorite Milwaukee breweries, Sprecher and Lakefront.

[Ando Calrissian]

Their Mai Bock this spring on the other hand is an amazing brew.

 

I gave their Maibock a ride and it didn't blow my hair back. It was't bad, it just didn't do a whole lot for me. The doppel, on the other hand...

 

Maybe, I need to drink some more, but it seems as though NG is raising the bar a bit.

[logan82]

Since fruity beers were brought up, has anyone tried Dark Horse's Blueberry Stout?

 

My wife had that at Hops N Props and she loved it. You can taste the blueberry, but it isn't very strong. If I liked stouts I would buy it. I haven't come across it in a store in Wisconsin yet.

 

Love almost all of the New Glarus beers - can't stand dancing man wheat though

 

Not aimed at you in particular just in general I would think that people who like wheat beer would like D-Man. Now the Crack'd I can understand wheat beer drinkers not liking. It is much hoppier than a normal wheat. Probably the APA/american wheat mixture. Of course everybody's preferences are different and beer is very diverse.

[fstorm1]

Couple days ago I finally had a chance to sit down and really take in the Black Wheat. Although I had tried it at Hops & Props (just a sip, doesn't really count), and also had some two weekends back (also doesn't count, as I was at the future in-laws and was, well, getting blasted), this was the first time with everything set for a trial. Anyway, it was good, but disappointing. I compare it to Crack'd Wheat in that the "other" stuff added to the wheat just dominates too much. The Crack'd's hops profile diminishes as it warms, and I can get my beloved banana/clove/wheat goodness, but only just barely. Same with the Black. I've mentioned how I'm not a huge fan of hoppy brews (though I've learned to accept lower bite versions), but I've grown to enjoy, to an extent, darker brews, particularily the "sweeter, buttered bread" darks. But in the case with the Black, the coffee/chocolate so dominates that I have a very difficult time finding my wheat.

 

Wheat's are certainly a difficult bird to deal with when adding foreign flavors, so delicate. Very, very easy to ruin. Of all the wheat beer tries (American, hefe, etc) I've now had the best are just left to themselves.

 

For what it's worth, another yea on the Blueberry Stout, and a big yea on Capital's Maibock, my favorite of that style. Coincidentally, I also had my first Rogue, their Dead Man's Ale, which is their Maibock. Good, but I think the Capital was better.

 

Best beer I've had in the past few weeks is Delirium Tremens. Although listed as a Belgian Strong Pale Ale, the hops were nearly non existent. Very sweet and delicious. Also gets points for having not only pink elephants but also alligators on the bottle.

[Marc Newfield of Dreams]

Had the Kentucky Breakfast Stout last night. Unbelievable. Makes the All-Beer first team.

 

It'd be great with some eggs and bacon, haha.

[Gobias Industries]

Fat Tire is a one of the best beers I have ever tried, so I'm pretty excited about the New Belgium news.

[GormanHarvey]

Personally one of my favorite beers (top 3 at least) is Berghoff Red Bock Winter Ale. It's a limited edition seasonal they do and I absolutely love it. Which is surprising because it has a fairly strong coffee tone to it and I hate coffee. (sorry if tone is the wrong word - I am far from a beer expert). I discovered it while visiting some friends in Monroe - we went to Turner Hall for fish and I ordered a tap of Berghoff Dark and they were out of it and the bartender recommended this. I'm sure glad he did! Sort of reminds me of Leinie's Octoberfest.

 

My apologies if this beer has already been mentioned on this thread, but I wasn't about to read through some of the 40 pages I haven't read.

[GormanHarvey]

Fat Tire is a one of the best beers I have ever tried, so I'm pretty excited about the New Belgium news.

Love the Fat Tire. Have you ever had their Sunshine Wheat? I personally think that is even better

[TooLiveBrew]

My apologies if this beer has already been mentioned on this thread, but I wasn't about to read through some of the 40 pages I haven't read.

 

Ha... can't say I blame you. I don't remember anyone pointing out the Red Bock, so thanks. Sounds like a brew I'd really like.

[datrain711]

New Glarus Black Wheat--I really love the mouthfeel on this beer. The wheat and creamy mixture to me is very refreshing

New Glarus Iced Barleywine- this is a BIG beer. I only drank 2 and that was plenty. Very diverse flavor profile, and alcohol is as well hidden as possible for a beer that is about 14% ABV

 

Ommegang Abbey Ale- had a 750ml for the marquette and badger 2nd round games. this was a terrific beer. Brewery Ommegang never disappoints.

 

 

 

With the addition of so many "beer" bars in the milwaukee area, I was wondering if anyone was interested in doing a "Beer thread bar crawl" at some point. It would be cool if we could do it some day there was a game on.

 

I would definitely be willing to organize it.

[TooLiveBrew]

Oh man is that a great idea. Wish I could get in on that.

[logan82]

With the addition of so many "beer" bars in the milwaukee area, I was wondering if anyone was interested in doing a "Beer thread bar crawl" at some point. It would be cool if we could do it some day there was a game on.

 

I would definitely be willing to organize it.

 

Wish you had come up with that idea 5 years ago, before the kids and marriage.

 

sorry if tone is the wrong word - I am far from a beer expert

 

Don't worry. Many of us can't describe a beer beyond good/bad. Myself included. I may have to give the Berghoff beers another try. My wife and I thought they were watered down versions of good beer last time we tried some. Much like many of Lienenkugel's beer.

[fstorm1]

May have mentioned the Red Bock at some point in the life of this thread, mainly 'cause I also liked it when I first tried it (quick search shows April of last year). Actually took a Berghoff mixed 12-pack on the trip to the future in-laws (yes, as a butter-up-the-future-father-in-law gift) couple weekends ago. As I mixed in some of New Glarus stuff, meant that I had some Berghoff for my own enjoyment at home. And Wednesday night, it was a Red Bock that I had. Yummy stuff. And coolness on finding a place with the Dark on tap. The only other one I know who has it is The Joynt in Eau Claire. Last night I had their "Prairie Lager" (formerly "Original Lager"?-what's with their name changes anyway?), and even that was better than average.

 

Tried that Ommegang at Hops & Props. Agreed, it's spectacular. One of the best I tried all night.

 

And don't worry about the tone or language. I use "aroma" and "yummy" and consider them to be fancy descriptions.

[TooLiveBrew]

hahaha! Fancy, elaborate, accurate... all of the above. Just a not-so-subtle point to my lead post:

 

p.s. -- I'll be the first to admit that I have little to no 'beer-cabulary' - that is, the technical terminology of describing and/or reviewing beer. However, don't be afraid to make up your own words and terms to describe whatever it is you want. Likewise, don't shy away from using official language/terminology if you know it. Any and all beers are welcome, this is an equal-opportunity-beereview

 

http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif I don't think there have been more than a small handful of posters in the thread that actually know their way around beer/brewing terminologies. I'm sure not one of them, either.

 

 

I may have to give the Berghoff beers another try. My wife and I thought they were watered down versions of good beer last time we tried some. Much like many of Lienenkugel's beer.

 

I used to feel that way, but I don't know if Berghoff has changed their brews or if I just was completely ignorant. They make a lot of good stuff. Really, accross the board they're pretty impressive as a brewery imo.

[GormanHarvey]

And coolness on finding a place with the Dark on tap. The only other one I know who has it is The Joynt in Eau Claire. Last night I had their "Prairie Lager" (formerly "Original Lager"?-what's with their name changes anyway?), and even that was better than average.

The good old Joynt! Haven't been there for happy hour in awhile now, but during my college days I used to enjoy many 35 cent Berghoff Dark tappers. Too many!!!

[blatzlight]

Having a Furthermore Fatty Boombalatty. Pretty darn tasty. It is just a hodge podge of styles which doesn't surprise me coming from them. It is Belgium White crossed with a Pale. Damn this is good. I really am starting to think Furthermore is the most underrated brewery in the state.