Having just moved from Germany, Bitburger would be way down on my list of go to Pilsners, but I think much of the US is hurting for solid Pilsners. Luckily, this is not the case in Portland. Engelberg Pils, is one of my all time favorites and can easily be put up against any German pilsner, Heater Allen is very solid as well.
Mad River Steelhead Extra Stout & Smuttynose Robust Porter are two standout regulars that I crave from time to time.
I'm sure it is. Just one of my personal favs and kinda my gateway into craft. (even though its not craft)
Yea I remember seeing this quite plentifully at City Beer last Dec (FW XIV) yet I couldn't find XV anywhere... also City Beer was charging $35 a bottle for it so, yea.
FWIW I stopped by the brewery last week and they have a special box of 14, 15 & 16 selling for $125. After seeing that I didn't feel so dumb for buying at least 2 bottles of each when they came out! Even better, they had bottles of 13 for sale at the restaurant for $100 a pop, dine in only!
I gotta second this one. Rayon Vert is the one beer I've found myself regularly encouraging other folks to try this year.
Lagunitas Brown Shugga and Maine Beer Mean Old Tom were both first time haves for me this year. They were also both pleasantly delicious. Parabola and BCBS were also first times, but based on how hard they were to find in my area I would give them partial whale status.
Ever been to those Wholefoods 20% off events? Earlier this year the beer buyer found a few bottles of FW13 in the storage, I think I paid around $15 each. (20% off the original retail price)
Whoa that's awesome. I always do the rounds when they have the 20% off days, it's a great time to do some cellar building and try stuff I've had my eyes on. Last time the beer guy gave me some Cantillon from the back, but some 13 would be cool too
The rio Reserva is no whale but... it does cost 35-40 for a bottle. It is one of the best quads I ever had though.
Bells - This one goes to 11 ale I had a tasting of fresh Pliny vs. fresh Heady Topper, then we finished up by drinking a 6 pack of 11 ale. Different styles, yes, but everyone agreed that the 11 ale was the star of the night.
Stillwater Premium and for whale status Schneider Hopfen Weise aged in Pinot/Gin barrels as part of the Zymatore project.
Stuff I tried for the first time this year? Ballast Point Big Eye. Tried a lot of new stuff when I went to SF on spring break and I keep coming back to that as a surprise. The Pliny was good too, but I was expecting that.
It should be Ipswich Oatmeal Stout, which has blown me away every time I have tried it. However, Deschutes's Red Chair blew me away even more. So, Deschutes Red Chair.
I have to agree with this 1. Sebago bbbw for the win! Had it side by side with Firestone Walker Sucaba And it was not close
For me the biggest surprise will be when Punk IPA more or less tastes the same over two successive batches.
Nope it was the beer guy from the Whole Foods on Bascom in San Jose (unfortuntely I'm terrible with names, but he was a cool dude and deserves a shout out.)
Peep out FRESH Sculpin. Blows awayyyy big eye and is just as good as Pliny, just way different and opposite ends of the hop spectrum. Big tropical smells and tastes and quite a bit drier than Pliny.
FW Wookey Jack... especially on tap! Not a huge fan of Cascadian/Black IPA's. This is really fantastic! Cortland Brewing Flight Level 410 BBA Barleywine... KILLER!!! Adirondack Imperial Cream Ale... Wish they'd bottle this! De Struise Black Albert... Why did I have to have this? It's forever gonna make enjoying any other Belgian RIS a problem! DAMN NEAR PERFECT!!!
Those of us who are married don't need our testes anymore. So what can I get in the way of whales for swimmers? But seriously, Evil Twin Imperial Biscotti Break is golden!
Second that. I thought it could have had a touch more wheat if they were going for a traditional BW, but either way it's a great beer. I must have drank a quarter of the keg at my local by myself.
Thanks for sharing bro. Just thanks. So hurt right now. Couldnt even send a handbottle. You act like I made you drink the worlds worst barleywine on a dare of something and now hold that against me. Oh wait..........That was a real thing. Cheers!
Haha don't tear yourself up over it, it was perversely enjoyable for the first hour or so until the headache came on But yeah, I tried pretty hard to get a growler fill but no dice. I have a feeling they'll be making it again, I'll see what I can do! Cheers dude
