Why does Houston get zero mind blowing Imperial Stouts?

Discussion in 'Southwest' started by Daemose, Sep 5, 2012.

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  1. maltmuncher

    maltmuncher Initiate (0) Aug 22, 2012

    Odd, cause for the most part I have been able to locate pretty much any "craft" item I have wanted within about a 30 mile radius of Dallas just by calling around. Now at times its only during "release" but its still items I can get--jsut have to drive for them a little farther than the "gas" station up the road. :astonished:
     
  2. maltmuncher

    maltmuncher Initiate (0) Aug 22, 2012

    To add to that at times places like whole foods & central market have been large helps and I think its cause the "beer" stores run out faster from people check with them first.

    Damn now I gave my secret away :slight_frown:
     
  3. CellarGimp

    CellarGimp Initiate (0) Sep 14, 2011 Missouri

    I find Ten Fidy to be more dark fruit, vinous and almost port-like, than hoppy. Its such a pleasure to drink. Stone IRS and Yeti are way more bitter, but Stone ages incredibly well. 6 - 12 months on it and its just amazing. The rough edges come off and it really shines.

    BTW - Just drank a Sam Smiths Imperial Stout. Not mind blowing but a really nice, very English version. Not overly roasty, but again soft, fruity and good alcohol complexity given the relatively low strength at 7%.
     
  4. Daemose

    Daemose Maven (1,407) Oct 3, 2011 Texas

    Yeah, I had Sam Smith's a while back, honestly I don't remember what it tastes like though.

    Ten Fidy is good, I just prefer chocolatey, creamier stouts.
     
  5. pwsoldier

    pwsoldier Initiate (0) Apr 26, 2007 Minnesota

    I'm shocked that no one has mentioned Old Rasputin. World-class and easily available year-round. Ten Fidy and Brooklyn BCS are worth stocking up on as well (and probably more available out-of-season than some people realize). And I love all things Yeti.

    Beanbone is right, TX has come a very long way in the last 5 years in terms of craft beer. Hell, when I first got into craft beer in 2007, San Antonio had one very average brewery, one beer bar that was worth a shit, no Alon, no Spec's, no Gabriel's Superstore, and a small fraction of the out-of-state beers we see today. The ONLY Stone beers on the shelf were Arrogant Bastard and IPA. No Deschutes, no Brooklyn, no Boulevard, no Oskar Blues. Other cities were probably slightly better off than us *cough*Austin*cough*, but still barren compared to to today.

    SA now has three breweries and at least four more in the works, and I know other cities have seen similar or greater growth. Thanks to the recent change in label laws, the largest beer retailer in the city is literally running out of room for new beer (we're working to fix that though). There are plenty of bar/pub options for good beer. I went to Austin the other day and thought I was back on the East Coast more on more than one occasion (Banger's is amazing, btw). TX beer has come a very long way in a relatively short period of time, and watching the progression and even become involved in the retail market has been an incredible experience for me. There's always room for improvement, but I'm sure BA's in most other states feel the same way about their respective markets.
     
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  6. blatherbeard

    blatherbeard Initiate (0) Sep 30, 2007 Texas

    Nitro Left hand Milk stout?

    regular left hand milk stout?

    Im a hop hater, but i find Vampire Slayer and Blaecorn Unidragon pretty light on the hop forward taste of their other beers.

    Just a few suggestions if you had overlooked them as well.

    Id kill for ST mocha or Choklat.
     
  7. tigrstylz

    tigrstylz Initiate (0) Jan 10, 2012 Texas

    I think that the point (imho) is that Texas has access to the hop forward and JK stouts. Not traditional... Try the SS Buried Hatchet, LH Nitro/Milk Stout, Brooklyn Chocolate, Old Raspy.. Funny somebody mentioned it, MooHoo tastes like beer Ovaltine...delicious!!! Ask the bros for what your taste is in stouts are and they will lead you well.... Albeit, not Imperials..
     
  8. lindsey624

    lindsey624 Initiate (0) Feb 14, 2009 Texas

    Or you could travel and drink all of the freshest imperial stouts that market has to offer. Then come back to houston and drink as many local, fresh brews as possible. Who knows, drink more of the local beer and maybe they'll listen and brew you that super dank imperial stout that for some reason you can't currently find here. I'm sure shipping a beer via fedex is how Founders expects you to enjoy breakfast stout to it's fullest extent
     
    air likes this.
  9. Daemose

    Daemose Maven (1,407) Oct 3, 2011 Texas

    Obviously, :rolling_eyes:.
     
  10. Daemose

    Daemose Maven (1,407) Oct 3, 2011 Texas

    Those are all good beers, but I think blatherbeard's last sentence summed my feelings up just now.
     
  11. kevinscott

    kevinscott Zealot (595) Oct 21, 2008 Texas

    A few more stouts to look out for:
    (512) Cascabel Cream Stout - 2012 batch was fantastic, but I didn't like the 2011 (winter/spring? seasonal)
    Austin Beerworks Sputnik - big coffee stout (winter seasonal)
    Clown Shoe's Chocolate Sombrero
     
  12. drummermattie02

    drummermattie02 Initiate (0) May 10, 2009 Texas

    Not sure where to even start here…

    OK, moving along.

    With a little bit of legwork, this is actually a pretty easy beer to get now. Just keep your eyes open when it is released in late fall.

    49 out of 50 states do not get Surly, and the only imperial stout they make is tough to get even in MN.


    First, if you think less than $8 per bomber equivalent is ridiculous for a beer, then most imperial stouts are probably not in the cards for you. Give Ten Fidy 2 years and I suspect you might feel differently about it.

    Ultimately, I get it. You want beers you can’t get here and they taste better to you as a result. That’s fine, we’ve all been there; hell, I’m still there on even-numbered days. But I’m sure you see the problem, right? Make these beers available in TX, and their taste falls off; that imperial stout begins to taste too roasty/burnt/chocolaty/creamy/hoppy for you, and you seek out the next best thing from outside of your distribution area.

    So do you really want more mind-blowing imperial stouts in Houston? Because I think it’s pretty evident from this thread that we already have quite a few, for all palates.
     
  13. DanzBorin

    DanzBorin Initiate (0) Apr 11, 2012 Texas

    It's not that good. I actually got one as a throw in and have it sitting at home. It's way too sweet.

    Southern Star Creme Brûlée Buried Hatchet on the other hand was awesome!

    Also, Southern Tier is easy to trade for. In the last month I've picked up:
    Creme Brûlée
    Mokah
    Chocolat
    Insidious
    Gemeni
    Cuvée 1
    Cuvée 3
    Barrel Aged Backburner

    All with locals
     
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  14. johnsaulrubio

    johnsaulrubio Initiate (0) Dec 2, 2006 Texas

    Go grab a case of Courage Russian Imperial Stout, put it away for a year, and drink it over the following 4 years.

    You're welcome.
     
  15. ChanChan

    ChanChan Maven (1,341) Dec 12, 2009 California

    Do you get Old Rasputin in Houston? Its obviously not a limited release but it is an awesome non-barrel aged Imperial Stout! Try it next to a Ten Fidy and you won't be disappointed!
     
  16. DanzBorin

    DanzBorin Initiate (0) Apr 11, 2012 Texas

    We get Raspy! It's yum!
     
  17. greenspointexas

    greenspointexas Initiate (0) Jan 16, 2011 Texas

    IMO, this is the best RIS available in Texas. Excellent stuff
     
    FUNKPhD likes this.
  18. JCDenver

    JCDenver Zealot (586) Feb 8, 2010 Texas
    Trader

    We get all the LOF beers.
     
  19. DanzBorin

    DanzBorin Initiate (0) Apr 11, 2012 Texas

    I'll have to seek this out. Never even heard of it. :grimacing:

    Also, people need to try Outer Darkness by Squatters. That's a solid RIS as well.
     
    LadyOfMuchBeer and Exiled like this.
  20. jamescain

    jamescain Initiate (0) Jul 14, 2009 Texas

    Dont forget that rarity plays a large factor in the taste of an RIS :slight_smile:
     
    jl28r1 likes this.
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