re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

I'm really into Yuengling Bocks and the new Sam Adams beer right now

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

My last few were

DFH Black & Blue
Trappistes Rochefort 10
Delirium Nocturnum

I'd had the last 2 before though

The black and blue was nice for an occasional beer.. nice tart from the berries, well-carbonated, nice and crisp malt, not much alch taste for being 10pct abv.. just a little.. a bit overpriced though

the trappistes rochefort is one that I go to every now and again, very well balanced beer, one of the 7 trappist monk breweries in the world (think Chimay if you're not familiar).. flavor has a lot of "winter weather" components like figs, raisins, a little nuttiness, a bit of malty sweetness, the head lasts awhile like any good head should ;) .. I've never tried the 8 or the 6 (diff alch levels, the 10 is 11.2 I think) though, but no big reason to, plus the 10 is easier to find.. all around a great beer

by now pretty much everyone has tried nocturnum I believe, got it to split with a friend who had only tried the tremens

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

[quote=BringBackJoeT;654677]For those of you in the DC-VA-MD area, you might remember Tupper's Hop Pocket Ale. Bob and Ellie Tupper, from Bethesda, are beer aficianados, and they came up with a recipe for an absolutely delicious IPA that they called Tupper's Hop Pocket Ale. They had the Dominion Brewing Company, a Virginia-based brewer, brew the Hop Pocket. However, a couple of years ago, the Dominion owners sold their brewery (the Dominion name and beers still exist, but are simply being brewed and sold by another brewer), and Bob and Ellie went looking for another brewer. Two years later, they've found another brewer, and Tupper's will officially be back on the market. They are having parties in the area to celebrate its return in the next few weeks. The first is at Hard Times in Bethesda on Jan. 19th, and then the DC Brickskellar bar on the 20th. I'm going to the latter event.

If you live in the area and haven't tried Tupper's, I recommend its purchase when its finally back on area beer shelves. More info about the upcoming events through the link below.

[URL="http://www.tuppersbeers.com/TuppersBeer/News/News.html"]News[/URL][/quote]
Thanks for the tip man, I'll keep my eyes out.

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

[quote=GhettoDogAllStars;654687]I recently tried the Alaskan Winter Ale, and it's pretty good. It's brewed with spruce tips, which sounds kinda funny, but you can taste the pine a little and it adds to the "winterness". I'd recommend it.[/quote]I like the sound of that.

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

[quote=Mattyk;656561]That's a good little side topic... what beer turned you on to real beer?

For me it was Guinness. Before that I was living in a bud lite world. So sad.[/quote]

I mean I guess you could say Heineken or Grolsch took me out of Miller Lite Land; but I wouldn't call it good enough to be that bridge by any means. Never have been a big fan of Guinness and drank a bit of Newcastle before "moving on up." For the life of me I can't remember what my first microbrew was.

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

[quote=GMScud;656566]
If I'm out with the guys having more than one or two drinks, I still drink Miller Lite. Bud Light is water and I avoid all the other crap too.[/quote]
high 5 on that one

can't stand bud light, etc

at least miller lite has a bit of flavor to it

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

You know that Bud light wheat isn't half bad I have to admit.

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

[quote=Mattyk;660810]You know that Bud light wheat isn't half bad I have to admit.[/quote]
Yeah I'll actually give that one a bit of credit myself.

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

So tonight was Sam Adams Double Bock, from the Imperial Series, which I've had before

It's not bad but a couple of things could make it so much better.. great head, very malty, very alcoholy.. it's almost like they tried to hide the alcohol behind the sweetness, but it didn't quite work, the alcohol comes in strong towards the end

an interesting beer to try, but we'll leave it at 2 times not completely sold on it

picked up a 12pk of otter creek variety.. winter ale, copper ale, pale ale

otter creek winter ale - solid brew, chocolatey malts, some berry (raspberry or such), a bit toasted in the malt, could finish a bit sweeter.. good for 1 or 2 bottles a sitting

otter creek copper ale - solid head, nice natural taste with earthy hops, a bit starchy (bread taste?) with higher carbonation, finishes pretty quickly.. liked this one the most out of the bunch

otter creek pale ale - like many other american pale ales, starts off with a bit of sweetness.. caramelish.. becomes apricoty and maybe a bit of honey, crisp dry and hoppy floral finish.. very easy to drink, would recommend

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

Legend Brewery here in Richmond puts out some decent stuff and recently have started bottling in 6 six packs (before they only did 22 ounces). Check it out, especially their Brown Ale. I rarely drink anything other than Pales or IPAs, but when I take a hops break Legend's Brown Ale is in the rotation with Guiness and Newcastle. Try it out.

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

I had the Sam Adams winter lager recently for the first time, and I really liked it. I actually don't go to Sam Adams too frequently--it's not that I dislike Sam, but I'm just not as big a fan as many others are. The winter lager, however, was very tasty.

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

[quote=BringBackJoeT;661481]I had the Sam Adams winter lager recently for the first time, and I really liked it. I actually don't go to Sam Adams too frequently--it's not that I dislike Sam, but I'm just not as big a fan as many others are. The winter lager, however, was very tasty.[/quote]

The Boston Lager might be the worst tasting beer of all time.

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

[quote=WaldSkins;660766]I'm really into Yuengling Bocks and the new Sam Adams beer right now[/quote]
I had a 6er of the Bock yesterday. It was good, but didn't blow me away. There wasn't much depth, but maybe I was reaching too much.

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

[quote=BDBohnzie;661534]I had a 6er of the Bock yesterday. It was good, but didn't blow me away. There wasn't much depth, but maybe I was reaching too much.[/quote]


Yea it's good but it doesn't blow me away

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

[quote=WaldSkins;661519]The Boston Lager might be the worst tasting beer of all time.[/quote]
haha definitely not a fan of that one

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

Bought a 6 of Brooklyn Winter Ale (or lager can't remember). I'm very impressed. Very good brew.

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

Speaking of microbrews in general, I'm thinking about heading to my local beer supply store to pick up a growler. I figure, with a brewery down the street (Flying Dog) and 2 local brewpubs, having a grower would be a great way to try different beers. Does anyone else use this approach?

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

I've got a growler and it's definitely a great (and cheap) way to sample fresh local brews.

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

[quote=BDBohnzie;665159]Speaking of microbrews in general, I'm thinking about heading to my local beer supply store to pick up a growler. I figure, with a brewery down the street (Flying Dog) and 2 local brewpubs, having a grower would be a great way to try different beers. Does anyone else use this approach?[/quote]
highly recommended

sanitize well!

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

tried out the sam adams noble pils, not too bad at all.. went great with pizza to wash it down

also had a few of the rj rockers mix pack.. interesting stuff, not bad at all.. was very chilled when we got it, flavors came out much better after being brought closer to room temp, especially the peach one

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

Abita jockamo IPA was exellent. The best IPA I've ever tried.

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

[quote=BDBohnzie;665159]Speaking of microbrews in general, I'm thinking about heading to my local beer supply store to pick up a growler. I figure, with a brewery down the street (Flying Dog) and 2 local brewpubs, having a grower would be a great way to try different beers. Does anyone else use this approach?[/quote]

Used to do it in college...very cool

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

My wife loves wheat beers, so someone brought Sam Adams Coastal Wheat to the house last weekend for her birthday. I had the last 2 last night. Very smooth, light beer that goes down quite nicely. Similar to hoegaarden, but with more lemon flavor.

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

Good Doc on Beer making in America.

[url=http://beerwarsmovie.com/]Beer Wars Movie[/url]

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

[quote=mredskins;673838]Good Doc on Beer making in America.

[url=http://beerwarsmovie.com/]Beer Wars Movie[/url][/quote]

great movie!

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

These guys have made a name for themselves on the Delmarva Shore (hon), and are slowly creeping to the west side of the bay:

[url=http://www.evolutioncraftbrewing.com/home.htm]:::EVOLUTION CRAFT BREWING COMPANY:::[/url]

I have yet to try any of their beers, but if you see them on tap at your local watering hole, give them a try.

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

dogfish Aprihop is pretty decent can't really taste the apricot but it adds something quite nice to an ipa

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

Yeah they actually reformulated it this year because they thought that it had gotten too apricoty/sweet compared to when they first introduced it. I've only had it once but it was pretty clearly containing the apricot flavor. I'd be interested in trying it now that it's supposed to be more low key.

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

Speaking of Dogfish Head, they just hired a new brewmaster:
[url=http://capegazette.com/storiescurrent/201003/dogfish_delee12.html]CapeGazette.com - Floris Delée accepts post as brewmaster at Dogfish Head Craft Brewery in Milton[/url]

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

[quote=BDBohnzie;684588]Speaking of Dogfish Head, they just hired a new brewmaster:
[URL="http://capegazette.com/storiescurrent/201003/dogfish_delee12.html"]CapeGazette.com - Floris Delée accepts post as brewmaster at Dogfish Head Craft Brewery in Milton[/URL][/quote]
Didn't see that, man has quite the resume.

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

Speaking of Dogfish Head, my parents just bought a place down at the beach and their next door neighbor works at the brewery. Dad came back this past weekend with a case of 60 Minute IPA that she gave him...so I'm going to have to develop some rapport with her as well.

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

[quote=BDBohnzie;687079]Speaking of Dogfish Head, my parents just bought a place down at the beach and their next door neighbor works at the brewery. Dad came back this past weekend with a case of 60 Minute IPA that she gave him...so I'm going to have to develop some rapport with her as well.[/quote]


Looking forward to going to the restaurant this year on my vacation to the shore.

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

[quote=mredskins;687087]Looking forward to going to the restaurant this year on my vacation to the shore.[/quote]
Food's decent, but the beer and booze seal the deal. If you have the time, or if it's a crappy weather day, head up to the brewery. Great little tour and now that the expansion is done, I would presume the bocce courts have been reinstalled.

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

Had Wells Banana Bread, man I love banana bread so that was awesome

Friend picked up some Raison D'Extra (like the Raison D'Etre but this one is 18% ABV) by DFH but I didn't get a chance to try it.

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

I was in DE over the weekend and came back with a 6er of Shiner Bock. It's some pretty good stuff.

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

[quote=WaldSkins;687250]I was in DE over the weekend and came back with a 6er of Shiner Bock. It's some pretty good stuff.[/quote]
You can't find that around your way?

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

I dont think they sell shinerbock in PA

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

man just had a 120 min

god I love that stuff

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

[quote=BDBohnzie;687079]Speaking of Dogfish Head, my parents just bought a place down at the beach and their next door neighbor works at the brewery. Dad came back this past weekend with a case of 60 Minute IPA that she gave him...so I'm going to have to develop some rapport with her as well.[/quote]


Very nice. Good to have friends in beer places.

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

[quote=BringBackJoeT;654677]For those of you in the DC-VA-MD area, you might remember Tupper's Hop Pocket Ale. Bob and Ellie Tupper, from Bethesda, are beer aficianados, and they came up with a recipe for an absolutely delicious IPA that they called Tupper's Hop Pocket Ale. They had the Dominion Brewing Company, a Virginia-based brewer, brew the Hop Pocket. However, a couple of years ago, the Dominion owners sold their brewery (the Dominion name and beers still exist, but are simply being brewed and sold by another brewer), and Bob and Ellie went looking for another brewer. Two years later, they've found another brewer, and Tupper's will officially be back on the market. They are having parties in the area to celebrate its return in the next few weeks. The first is at Hard Times in Bethesda on Jan. 19th, and then the DC Brickskellar bar on the 20th. I'm going to the latter event.

If you live in the area and haven't tried Tupper's, I recommend its purchase when its finally back on area beer shelves. More info about the upcoming events through the link below.

[url=http://www.tuppersbeers.com/TuppersBeer/News/News.html]News[/url][/quote]

Finally found Tuppers Hop Pocket Ale in the city over the weekend. Im so thrilled that got this shit brewing again. Wow, its like seeing an old girlfriend and hitting it for old times sake...If you want to try one of the original hoppy beers that did it well and continues to do it well, pick it up.

Also want to give props to Lagunitas Hop Stoopid Ale. Most of these "double hop, trippled hop, super duper hop" ales and IPAs are garbage because the taste is unbalance. But Lagunitas is one of the very very few with very high IBUs get it right. Picked up another 22 of this over the weekend and its awesome. Try it out.