The Beer Thread: 2009 – 2012

[Beerambassador]

Haven't tried it yet. There are reviews of it on Beer Advocate, so it must be out. Might have to go looking for it. I've really been into lambic lately, and this will be a bit more affordable then a true lambic from Belgium.

 

As an aside, am I the only one who didn't know Magic Hat distributes in Wisconsin? I picked up a sampler pack last week. Most of it is "eh." But the Odd Notion Fall '09 is a Belgian stout and it's fantastic.

[Invader3K]

This is all reminding me I need to get off my butt and brew a new batch of beer very soon. I got lazy over the summer and didn't make anything.

[diomedeh2]

I take it that's the Lambic that logan referenced?

 

Correct, I should have noted that a little more clearly. I've seen the reviews on BA as well, so I'm hoping to score a few when I head back.

[diomedeh2]

midwest entries: Sprecher (bringing the Mai Bock . . .any good?) and Summit (eww . . .)

 

Still, this is my big event of the year!

 

EDR, did you have a chance to try Boulevard's Tank 7? I'm curious about the corn flake addition...

[logan82]

If you want the New Glarus Lambic you will have to go to the brewery to get it. Their R&D series isn't sold in stores, at least not that I have heard. News on the lambic.

[Beerambassador]

It's not an R&D beer, it's an Unplugged.

[Baldkin]

I tried 2 degrees below zero by New Belgium this past week, enjoyed it very much.

 

It's an IPA, but not as hoppy as, say, Alpha King or Bell's Two Hearted. Very tasty.

[diomedeh2]

Yea, 2 Below is a pretty solid seasonal. Good, not spectacular. Had a pint at the NB Hub in Denver Int'l last Sunday. Hard to beat when your typical airport fare is domestic domestic domestic.

[logan82]

Yup, you are correct. Cran-bic is an unplugged beer. I might have misunderstood what was said during the interview or he considers the Unplugged series a R&D series, which it really is.

 

Who else makes a lambic that would be easy to find in the Madison area?

[diomedeh2]

Who else makes a lambic that would be easy to find in the Madison area?

 

The basic example you'll probably find most often is Lindemans, though not sure which flavors you'd be able to get. Odds are the Framboise.

 

I really can't think of another widely available lambic...maybe Cantillon?

[TooLiveBrew]

If you're looking for Lambics made near Madison, I'm not sure. But I'd have to guess you could find Lambics at a good liquor store, or somewhere like Woodman's.

[logan82]

I have to admit I am not a fan of many if any of the New Glarus Unplugged beers. I think their lineup outside of those are all really good to great. I like that they do the Unplugged series. Nobody I know who tried the Old English Porter liked it. I think out of 3 bottles(no idea where the 4th went) there was a total of maybe half a glass drank. I am glad that they brewed it so I got a chance to try a porter like it was originally intended over a century ago. I am sure other breweries are doing the same, but New Glarus makes it easily accessible to me.

 

I would prefer a Lambic made in Wisconsin, but I meant something I could find in the Madison area. I am not familiar with Lambic's at all. Looking up Lindeman's it looks a little familiar and is probably something I can find at the Woodmans like TLB suggested.

[diomedeh2]

Yea, Woodman's should have it. The framboise is easily accessible, pretty fruity (raspberry), and I think fairly moderate in the ABV department.

[Beerambassador]

Technically....and I hate to sound like a beer snob, but what the heck...lambics by definition have to come from a certain area of Belgium (read the wikipedia entry Lambic. It's like champagne has to come from a certain region of France, otherwise it's a sparkling white wine. That said, your best bet is to find a "true" lambic at Woodman's or an upscale liquor store. Tyranena, according to their website, still has their blueberry lambic on tap in the tasting room. Or you can always go to Brasserie V on Monroe Street. I would assume they would have some lambic there. Woodman's has Lindemans in several flavors. I've never had it, but I've heard it's kind of the McDonald's of lambics.

 

Edit: The American equivalent is the American Wild Ale, you could look who makes them on BeerAdvocate, but I think most of those wouldn't be easy to find...and I just realized Ommegang's Three Philosophers is a lambic blend made with real lambic. Probably a couple bucks cheaper than an import.

[Beerambassador]

Cran-bic is out and about now. Went to Woodman's East, no dice, but found it at a small liquor store in Cottage Grove. Looking forward to trying it. Woodman's only other lambic was Lindeman's, which was about $9 for a 750 ml, $5 for a 12 oz. They also had Three Philosophers in four-packs and 750 ml bottles.

[diomedeh2]

Technically....and I hate to sound like a beer snob, but what the heck...lambics by definition have to come from a certain area of Belgium (read the wikipedia entry Lambic. It's like champagne has to come from a certain region of France, otherwise it's a sparkling white wine. That said, your best bet is to find a "true" lambic at Woodman's or an upscale liquor store. Tyranena, according to their website, still has their blueberry lambic on tap in the tasting room. Or you can always go to Brasserie V on Monroe Street. I would assume they would have some lambic there. Woodman's has Lindemans in several flavors. I've never had it, but I've heard it's kind of the McDonald's of lambics.

 

Edit: The American equivalent is the American Wild Ale, you could look who makes them on BeerAdvocate, but I think most of those wouldn't be easy to find...and I just realized Ommegang's Three Philosophers is a lambic blend made with real lambic. Probably a couple bucks cheaper than an import.

 

You are absolutely correct on the use of lambic...

 

I would qualify the American Wild as a similar beer in nature, but the boundaries are seemingly limitless. I will say that it's currently my favorite "style"...I have a bottle of Interlude from Allagash in the fridge, as well as some tasty La Roja from Jolly Pumpkin, (a brewery from which I'd like to obtain many more beers), and a 3L bottle of Temptation from Russian River on the table.

 

And while I think it's technically designated as a quadrupel (though it is blended with kriek), the Three Philosophers should be fairly accessible as well.

[logan82]

I don't think Lambic is a style I would like. Not a big fan of fruity beer. I would still like to try one or two at some point.

[Beerambassador]

Lambic has fruit in it, but it's not a girly wine cooler-ish beer at all. They're sour and funky from the wild yeast. Cran-bic was sour and funky, but no overly funky.

[logan82]

I am sitting here drinking a 2° Below Ale for New Belgium. I think it is pretty good. I also liked their Hoptober. A month or so back my wife had the Arcadia Ales Jaw-Jacker Ale. Not a pumpkin ale despite what the packaging would lead you to believe.

[blatzlight]

This weekend tried three new beers.

 

Three Floyds Alpha Klaus: It is a real good porter, very chocolaty but with bitter hops note. It is like Alpha King with a lot of chocolate malt.

 

Three Floyds Broo Doo: AMAZING beer. It is their harvest ale and it is "wet hoped". It is really hoppy in a good way but has some malt back so it is not just a hopbomb. But it is freaking awesome.

 

Lakefront Local Acre Lager: I was able to get three sample bombers of this from my guy. I was not a fan. No one in our group liked it. Thought it had a really funky flavor that was not enjoyable. I will try full production bottle once it comes out in three weeks. I hope it is better than preproduction samples.

[ManOfTheBeer]

I'm really looking forward to trying NG Cranbic. I've heard great things so far, but it doesn't seem to be available here in the West Bend. For the poster who mentioned Jolly Pumpkin, +1000. Phenomenal funk brewery. I also hate to say this because good beer should have nothing to do with marketing, but Jolly Pumpkin has amazing label design as well.

 

 

For those looking for lambics in the Madison area...you may want to check out The Malt House on hwy 151 in Madison (across the street from Red Letter News). It's housed in a Civil War-era tavern building, but it's the best Belgian bar I've ever been to. I've had some ridiculously sour almost vinegary beers there, as well as some excellent Oud Bruins and Flanders Reds. You want good Belgian beer, look no further.

[TooLiveBrew]

I am sitting here drinking a 2° Below Ale for New Belgium. I think it is pretty good. I also liked their Hoptober. A month or so back my wife had the Arcadia Ales Jaw-Jacker Ale. Not a pumpkin ale despite what the packaging would lead you to believe.

 

I just tried a 2-below yesterday, and I like it too. Had the NG Staghorn (Oktoberfest) for the first time as well... very good Oktoberfest brew. I hope we can get some more 'winter warmer' reviews in the coming days/weeks... there's a lotta great stuff out there this time of year. I'm going to have some Capital Winter Skal tomorrow.

[logan82]

The 2° Below has a 6.6% ABV. Had the NG Snowshoe Red Ale which I thought was pretty good. I believe the Goose Island winter seasonal was pretty popular last year.

[TooLiveBrew]

Hah... NG's Snowshoe is next on my list/in the fridge. I tend to like Red Ales, so I'm guessing this will be no different.

 

Oh, and the Capital Skal is really good as well.

[logan82]

Just got back from Thanksgiving at my mom's and we had quite a selection of beer to taste.

 

Lindeman's Kriek - Lambic, I really don't like fruity beer and would say it is similar to NG Wisconsin Belgium Red but not as sweet. Much like a wine cooler.

 

Cranberry Special Ale, Sand Creek Brewery - Cranberry wasn't very strong, didn't like it.

 

Shine On, Central Waters - I thought it was good and wouldn't turn it down if offered. Wouldn't go out of my way to get it again either.

 

and my favorite, Ommegang Abbey Ale. Fantastic beer made in Cooperstown, New York. I guess the style is a Dubbel. My first thought(and my brother in law's) was wheat beer. Don't swirl it though.

 

Edit: Just browsing the Ommegang website and it looks like residents of New York can order beer over the internet. I really wish we could do that for breweries within Wisconsin. Our distribution laws in this state suck big time.