Got Beer?

Trappist Westvleteren. For a lifetime commitment, this would be it.

That's sort of like "You can only have one brandy the rest of your life... OK, I'll go with Louis XIII"

To put it in some perspective, Surly has 10 times the output that Westvleteren does.

Quick twitch response would be Schells. My list of breweries I've visited is relatively short but Hoops Brewing in Duluth is the one that stands out above the others. Again, I don't have a big list to check against.

Augustiner. If you ever happen to be in Munich for Oktoberfest, this is where the locals go. If I only had one beer to drink for the rest of my life, Augustiner festbier would be it.

Well, then narrow down the question. You can buy it regularly over there.

I'll allow it.

My thinking behind it was the brewery might not even have your favorite beer of all time but do you want to be stuck drinking just one or two beers forever or would you want variety and that on average would please your palate throughout the year. Your needs of course may be different so pick what you like.

In that regard it would be hard for me to not pick from Surly, Founders, Tree House, Stone, Chimay, Bell's, Goose Island, Other Half, etc.

Slap Shot wrote:

I'll allow it.

My thinking behind it was the brewery might not even have your favorite beer of all time but do you want to be stuck drinking just one or two beers forever or would you want variety and that on average would please your palate throughout the year. Your needs of course may be different so pick what you like.

In that regard it would be hard for me to not pick from Surly, Founders, Tree House, Stone, Chimay, Bell's, Goose Island, Other Half, etc.

And Westie has 3 slightly different beers, but that quality is SO top notch...

Otherwise I would probably choose LTD, to be truthful. Are they the BESTEST? Nope. Do they miss? Very rarely. Do they have variety? Constantly.

Edit: per Untapped, in the 7 years they've been open, they've had 698 beers.

Slap Shot wrote:

I'll allow it.

My thinking behind it was the brewery might not even have your favorite beer of all time but do you want to be stuck drinking just one or two beers forever or would you want variety and that on average would please your palate throughout the year. Your needs of course may be different so pick what you like.

In that regard it would be hard for me to not pick from Surly, Founders, Tree House, Stone, Chimay, Bell's, Goose Island, Other Half, etc.

It was answered earlier but I’d probably pick Schells. They’ve got always been a favorite of mine and a brewery I rarely have had a beer from. I also don’t need 8,243,668 different IPAs to have

davescharf wrote:

Slap Shot wrote:

I'll allow it.

My thinking behind it was the brewery might not even have your favorite beer of all time but do you want to be stuck drinking just one or two beers forever or would you want variety and that on average would please your palate throughout the year. Your needs of course may be different so pick what you like.

In that regard it would be hard for me to not pick from Surly, Founders, Tree House, Stone, Chimay, Bell's, Goose Island, Other Half, etc.

It was answered earlier but I’d probably pick Schells. They’ve got always been a favorite of mine and a brewery I rarely have had a beer from. I also don’t need 8,243,668 different IPAs to have

Yeah this is a solid pick, and the fact you enjoy them is really all that matters.

davescharf wrote:

Slap Shot wrote:

I'll allow it.

My thinking behind it was the brewery might not even have your favorite beer of all time but do you want to be stuck drinking just one or two beers forever or would you want variety and that on average would please your palate throughout the year. Your needs of course may be different so pick what you like.

In that regard it would be hard for me to not pick from Surly, Founders, Tree House, Stone, Chimay, Bell's, Goose Island, Other Half, etc.

It was answered earlier but I’d probably pick Schells. They’ve got always been a favorite of mine and a brewery I rarely have had a beer from. I also don’t need 8,243,668 different IPAs to have

That's why I chose LTD. They have a multiple of styles to choose from, every time. IPAs to sours to stouts to lawnmower beers. Bent Paddle is pretty much the same way, Back Channel, also. They're not out to necessarily WOW you, they want to try and have something for everyone.

I'll have to say Lupulin. It is not than just the beer going into that though. I'm good friends with a couple employees and have gotten to know a few others. Also know a lot of the faces at the tables and bar when I walk in.

It's a good reason.

Tried the Wabasha Red Desert IPA. I wouldn't put it in a top list or anything but it was very solid.

My poor dad loves beer and can walk to Lupulin in about 5 minutes. However he hates anything hoppy

I think I’ve finally brought enough of their non IPAs over for him to try that he’s going there once in awhile now.

Castle Danger Ode IPA and Wabasha Red Desert Ale. The former is ok but nothing to write home about. The latter isn't spectacular but I would not hesitate buying it again.

Found 2 bottles of Weller Special Reserve bourbon in northern WI. My wife wasn’t amused when I told her it would be a nice birthday present

Since arriving in August I've tried to make sure I buy a different beer every time to soak in as much variety as I can while I'm here. So far I've had one that I would swear by and actively try to go back to - Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale. Now I can add a 2nd to that list - Insight Hop Spin New England IPA. Plenty of flavor but I didn't feel overwhelmed after 2 cans. Even better that it's locally made.

Blackstack is my favorite MN brewery. I was informed earlier in this thread that one of their main brewers went to Insight, and the HopSpin series is one of his projects there - not just continuing the older offerings they had.

So if you like that, I would suggest Local 755, and really anything else from Black Stack.

BlackStack are killers for all varieties of IPAs. Their doubles and triples are awesome.

My wife bought me a bottle of Kings County Straight Bourbon Whiskey for my birthday. I know nothing about it so I’m curious to try it. She was going to buy me Woodford Double Oaked but the gal at Top Ten recommended this.

Kings County does good work. My favorite is their peated bourbon.

I’m sure she said no to this because she doesn’t need anymore smoky flavored beverages in the house. I’m pretty sure she’s still upset about the smell from Hammerheart’s Bog Burial from a few years ago

I haven't actually seen the Peated on a shelf anywhere in Minnesota. Tasted it at a festival a year and a half ago. But, I've liked several of their offerings.

Right now I feel like Blackstack ,Modist and Oliphant are slamming their IPA’s. All of those breweries have been around for a while and also brewing on the same systems for a while to dial in their brews.

FWIW also some very good peeps at all 3 breweries.

The Bog Burial...God, that was the peat of all peats, the smoked of all smoked. Brisket In A Bottle.

Bought a 2-for-1 at Shorewood Liquor last weekend:

2013 Boulder Killer Penguin barleywine

Epic Big Bad Baptist Batch #19 (which turned out to be brewed in Jan '13).

Cracked the Baptist tonight. It held up. :dance: Delicious. The barleywine...I'll wait on. I've had Killer Penguin before, it's rather tasty. I have high hopes.

Edited post, the Baptist was Jan '13, not Oct.

No 2021 George T Stagg

https://whiskeyraiders.com/bourbon/george-t-stagg-2021-buffalo-trace-antique-collection/

I had to double-check to make sure I wasn't reading The Onion

Given what they released in 2019, the fact they couldn't come up with a good batch this year is very telling.

Agreed on the 2019. It was good, but it wasn't STAGG quality.

I brought a bottle of Woodford Double Oaked to reunion / HOF induction this weekend for a teammate.

After the induction I we had an afterparty in a hotel breakfast area. The cork could have been tossed right off the get go.

I had to think about this for a hot moment. The store I work at has a couple different bottles of it. About $100/per. I'll look into it this Sat when I work.

Not sure any of them are $100 bottles

I know at least one is. Did a price check for a customer. Dunno if that's fair price or not, but that's what we were charging.

I mean that as "It's a good bourbon, but I wouldn't pay three digits for it". If it were in the$70-80 range, probably

Gotcha. I know my store is a bit higher prices on some stuff. Indie store. Doesn't mean it's fair, it is what it is.

I'm still not sure what to think of Kings County -- I like the idea, but just not at the price. I'd rather get barrel pick's of KC, RR and ER than what I've had so far from Kings County.

I get it though that craft bourbon is a tough market. You're starting to almost pay for the production costs, not the quality... much like what happens in Napa and Bourdeaux. When Stagg BTAC started, it was a $40 bottle.

And fair... the Fair comes around once a year before school starts.

As far as beer, I have one of these cans, (came up in a Twitter thing). Gonna be a very special occasion for me to crack it, though.

http://washingtonbeerblog.com/the-beer-that-broke-tavour-a-50-can-of-barleywine/

I don't recommend having more than 1 or 2 at a time, but having my first crack at a Deschutes Abyss Imperial Stout and it is glorious.

I think I drank all mine out of the cellar last winter but for awhile I had every release from 2012 on. I generally have enjoyed it once it’s about a year old because the licorice flavor in it mellows out enough for me. That said it’s an excellent beer.

Abyss? They are now in 4 packs, as of at least this year.

Wait 3 years. For me, the molasses was just way too strong when the bottle was cracked fresh.

I might not be here in 3 years.

Plus it was in the cooler.

Can you fly it back? Serious question.

I could and I will bring some back with me but likely I will do cans not bottles. I'm also being somewhat facetious as I honestly don't know if I'll still be there or back full time.

The other factor that's unique for me that you guys need to realize is unless I drive to Manila my access to quality beers there is somewhat limited. So while I'm here I'm exploring, trying as many beers new to me and not worrying about starting a collection. It's just a treat for me to be able to try a beer this good that storage isn't even my vocabulary.

I am very aware of your lack of access. Sucks. I am honestly trying to figure out options, due to lack of access, lack of storage, etc. Might give ya some sh*, just because, but I'd rather you have a nice selection of beers.

The Rube wrote:

I am very aware of your lack of access. Sucks. I am honestly trying to figure out options, due to lack of access, lack of storage, etc. Might give ya some sh*, just because, but I'd rather you have a nice selection of beers.

Yeah no worries Rube. The lack of options there does suck but in all honesty it could be worse so I just roll with it and someday I'll be back and have more to choose from. 1st world problems.

I’d be doing the exact same thing if I were you. I still do when I travel to a new city.

If you’re here until the end of the month you’ll be able to buy Darkness on Halloween. I was disappointed in last years but it’s still a favorite for me.

I’ve always been more comfortable traveling with bottles wrapped in clothing. I haven’t had any issues with cans but it’s just been a personal preference

I've brought back many a beer from CO by sticking the bottles/cans in socks. Never had an issue for breakage.

BIG game tonight, so decided to have a big beer. 2016 Perrin No Rules. I have a 5 year vertical of said beer (2016-20), and I promised myself I would save the bottles for certain important occasions. I would think BUF-KC qualifies. Could get a 2-game lead in the conference, or end up being tied in the conference....

Edit: to be clear, only having ONE bottle of the vertical. Otherwise, that would be dangerous (and stupid).

Mine was around $70 for the straight bourbon whiskey. I'm drinking it right now and I'm liking it quite a bit. I told my wife now I only need about 5 or 6 other bottles of good bourbon/whiskey so I can do some in depth research as to what I really like best

The Kings' were indeed $99.99 at the store. IMO, PROBABLY better choices at that price point, especially when davescharf is saying $70 at whatever store he got it at. That's a big jump.

At $70, I could see myself grabbing a bottle.