Is there an IPA or other type of ale that is incredible in it's own right, maybe even bordering on legendary (ha ha) but more readily available? Thanks and Merry Christmas.
Few of them far as the ratings go; nothing quite attains the status Younger has but for easily available/easily traded for, HopSlam will be out soon and Abrasive is currently available. Also, this question is suited best to the Trading Help forum.
http://beeradvocate.com/lists/style/140 Print this list, take it to your local bottle shop and ask them what they can get. You'll notice that some of the highest rated DIPA's are probably not what you'd expect... Ruination, 90 min, Double Jack... These are all readily available (at least where I'm from). It should be more about what flavors you like in your beer and less about what every one else thinks about it IMO. Merry Christmas
2 on that list are readily available. And 2 are seasonally available (and not now). 2 more were limited and are now retired. Good luck with that. As for the original question... it's better served in the Southwest forum. The brewery in your avatar just had a seasonal brew this summer ... SS Pro-Am 2012 that was a DIPA that was absolutely out of this world. Hitting Houston right now in bottles is Deep Ellum IPA, which is a completely wonderful IPA... local to Dallas and just now being sent out in bottles. I'm more of a sour and stout drinker than anything, but we do get some fantastic IPA selections from Stone, Lagunitas, Bear Republic, and Sierra Nevada amongst others along with many fantastic Deschutes varieties that other parts of the country crave and enjoy. Check out the 'Best of 2012 Texas Craft Beer' thread over at the Southwest forum for more ideas: http://beeradvocate.com/community/threads/best-texas-craft-beer-of-2012.56658/ And please. Never trust the top 50 (it's the official hype train, woo! woo!) and drink local.
If you type in google Beer Advocate Beers of Fame Pliny the ELDER is #1. The younger and other brews have way less reviews. That said Pliny the Younger is only in kegs this year and the ELDER is by far the best DIPA I have ever had. Lives up to the hype.
You'll probably never get younger in Texas, usually Cali only... May be a few kegs that make it to Philly area, not sure about that. Bt def not to texas
trading? he just wants to go pick up some beer, not do an ip for whatever he can get his hands on in texas?
Lagunitas Hop Stoopid Stone Ruination St Arnold Endeavour Ska Modus Hoperandi Full Sail IPA Deep Vellum IPA (depending on where in TX you are) (512) IPA All of the above are excellent and most of them are readily available here in TX.
I'm down to about 8 of these left. No direct replacement. Little Sumpin' Sumpin' is close. Still isn't quite the same, but if you hanker ZD and can't get it, you probably won't be disappointed.
I really meant if you can find it fresh. Its difficult to find anything but oooollllllldd bottles some places.
My original post was altered when moved to the Southwest section, and mentioned Pliny the Younger. Is there anything, IPA or another style, available in Texas (preferrably Houston area) that has achieved that legendary, "must try before you die" status...or is at least in the same ballpark, quality wise? Thanks again.
I try to "support my local brewery". Several Saint Arnold products and Southern Star Pine Belt Pale Ale have often graced my fridge.
There is no beer on earth as hyped/over hyped as the Younger. Not much is even close to the Elder in that department.
Ah yes, it certainly is very important to check the bottle dates on Endeavour.. I've seen plenty of bottles from old releases out there before..
I'm fairly certain that they are draft only outside of the DFW area. They self-distribute, so it may be a little while before they are getting bottles out to other markets in Texas. Anyone know what all they are bottling at this point?
