Yes, the Vin de Cereale is lovely, can't speak to the otherwise unobtainable Foederbier, but surely you know I'm talking about their primary line Classic proper, and Grand Cru, too. And trading up the Alexander for the Redbach is just criminal...
Bert Grant & all of his great beers. He redefined many of the styles that are now mainstays of craft brewing. Perhaps the first IPA & RIS done American style back on the mid 80's. Great examples of those styles (at least in my memory).
That's true about the Cream Stout- I really liked that one, but the ubiquitous Red Barrel never really did it for me. I'll also add Young's Ram Brewery- Old Nick, Ramrod and their Oatmeal Stout were reliable and tasty. I just loved their yeast profile in everything they made.
Never cared for Alexander. I always thought that classic Rodenbach fell between two stools: a beer that was trying to have mass appeal and be quite traditional at the same time.
If you knew how Watneys Cream Stout was brewed you might not be so keen. Mostly pasteurised ullage with loads of caramel and sugar.
Stone Coast in Portland, ME. Their 1260 was awesome. Castle In The Clouds in NH. Ye Olde Chucklehead barleywine was the best.
+1. I never knew of them but found a bottle of Pompier, St.Florian, Big O, and Rustwagen on a beer scavenging run last year. Loved all four of them. Sad I can't get any more.
I have to throw in another vote for Grants. Also Hawks Brewing in Oregon. Killer oatmeal stout, a solid IPA, and the Sweet Amber was one of the best malt liquors I've ever had.
You ever drink a warm Bud light? that is was what i thought all beer tasted like until i discovered a keg of Watney's at a party. Epiphany for sure. Cheers
Another vote for Bert Grant and his whole lineup. New Albion will always be a fond memory. Palo Alto Brewing Co. London Real Ale and River City Brewing Bock were favorites many moons ago...
Hands down for me is Young & Co. Brewery PLC, before the merger w/Wells. Such a shame and a loss, truly miss the styles that I cut my teeth on in my early 20's i.e. Young's Oatmeal Stout, Old Nick, RamRod...now the only thing I seem to find in the NE Ohio area is the Young's Double Chocolate Stout, just can't seem to get with it.
Definitely Heavyweight. They were doing things ahead of their time. Last I heard, they were still brewing but only here and there for particular restaurants like Fette Sau in Brooklyn, NY. They did for awhile though. Doubt they are still doing that. The brewer just wanted to retire I believe.
Tom Baker and Peggy Zwerver, owners of Heavyweight, opened Earth Bread + Brewery in Philadelphia in 2008.
Awesome. Definitely need to check that out. Spoke to them at a Beer Festival and they were telling me they were tired of the "circuit" they were caught in trying to do all these festivals and promoting the beer. Very happy they are still around.
Living in the Pacific NW, I have unfortunately seen many breweries come and go. A list of some of my old favs are: Grants (mandarin hef, porter) Saxon/Nor'Wester/Portland Brewing (Benchmark Olde Ale) Pacific Rim (Driftwood, Ring of Fire) Roots Organic Brewing (Epic Ale!)
How I miss the Ram Brewery in London. I've been fortunate to have taken many vacations to England with more to come and I always loved my pilgrimmage to Young's. It's been so painful that only once since 06 have I even went back to that area. The Brewery Tap was wonderful and the late Mr. Young himself personally responded to me after I complimented his beers, staff, and taproom. The building is still there and protected, they were supposed to reopen the taproom. Sadly it has not happened and I wonder if it ever will.
