BEER Thread!

Over the weekend I found out that Annheiser Busch bought out Goose Island Brewery for $39 million. Apparently Goose Island already had a long-standing distribution deal with AB. I haven't seen it out in MA, but if it means Goose Island is going nation-wide I'm all for it. I just hope it doesn't mean bad beer in a trustworthy label down the road.

S0LIDARITY wrote:

Over the weekend I found out that Annheiser Busch bought out Goose Island Brewery for $39 million. Apparently Goose Island already had a long-standing distribution deal with AB. I haven't seen it out in MA, but if it means Goose Island is going nation-wide I'm all for it. I just hope it doesn't mean bad beer in a trustworthy label down the road.

I agree about better distribution being a good thing if you like what they make. Doesn't hurt to keep an eye on things, though. Those big corporations can be sneaky. Did you ever watch the beer wars documentary? It's fascinating.

I did see that on Netflix. I liked it, but I don't remember all the details. IIRC, it was very hard for new/small breweries to get into distribution channels at the time of filming. I also remember that Moonshot sounded gross, and the reviews on beer advocate confirmed my suspicion.

I think things have changed a little since Beer Wars. I know we certainly have a lot more choice now than we did before. That said I don't think they've changed anywhere near enough. The amount of shelf space dedicated to micro brews hasn't increased much, if at all at my local grocery store. The local beer/wine/liquor specialty store is doing well and has a large amount of stock available. They have very little space for bud, but light, etcetera. As the local grocery stores were remodeled many of them have put in dedicated liquor areas that have significantly more room for beer than the non-remodeled ones. The shelf space they dedicate to AB/Miller-Coors hasn't decreased but the extra space is generally dedicated to smaller beer companies. You still can't get anything but AB/M-C in smaller towns around Iowa (with a few exceptions) but in larger areas like Cedar Rapids you have a lot more choice than you did five years ago. One positive for me is that with AB buying GI I can now get GI beer when I'm visiting my wife's parents. A few years ago the best I was going to get was Michelob Amber Bock.

I enjoyed Goose Island but I feel there are so many other breweries worth trying that don't contribute to the AB monopoly so I tend not to buy it anymore. I will buy it when it's a choice between GI and Bud/Miller/Coors. The smaller breweries tend to take some risks that AB isn't going to do. I like the innovation of smaller breweries. You'd never get something like Tallgrass Oasis from Annheiser Busch. I want beers like that to succeed so that they will continue to innovate and take risks.

Yeah, I do think that a lot changed since that documentary. I feel like the microbrewery distribution situation in Oregon is really good. I see microbrewery trucks driving around all the time. In most grocery stores, 1/3 to half of the beer section will usually be devoted to microbrews. The price is also very reasonable in Oregon. 6-packs of microbrews are $7-10.

On another subject entirely, I tried Bell's Hopslam for the first time this past weekend, and I was underwhelmed.

I'm not sure whether it makes me less of a beer snob than I though I was, or what, but I prefer Sierra Nevada Torpedo.

I watched "Beer Wars" a few months back, and I was dumbstruck by the distribution laws. I'm amazed any craft beers make it to retail if they have to rely on the big guys for distribution.

I can't recall, but are those laws national or state? And how does a state start to get rid of them if they want?

I believe that nearly all liquor laws are at the state level, even the drinking age. The drinking age catch is that if it's less than 21, that state loses all Federal highway funding.

I've only tried one GI beer it was on draft at a bar in Chicago. It was their Belgian White, I'm usually not wild about those but it was enjoyable. Now that EvilHomer3K has reminded me that a GI purchase means $ for AB, I'll probably choose something over it when I find it next. I have a tough time finding beer that's not from New England out here though. The Trader Joe's in Peabody has been kind to bring me CA beers and Ommegang brews at very reasonable prices but at local chains I have a tough time finding anything that was brewed west of VT or south of Brooklyn.

misplacedbravado wrote:

On another subject entirely, I tried Bell's Hopslam for the first time this past weekend, and I was underwhelmed.

I'm not sure whether it makes me less of a beer snob than I though I was, or what, but I prefer Sierra Nevada Torpedo.

I've never really cared for Hopslam; it's got this thick, oversweet cloying character I really don't care for, it's like an IIPA with syrup added. I know it's got honey in its sugar load, not sure if that has anything to do with it, but it's got that gooey sort of sweetness. Pretty different stylistically from Torpedo, though.

misplacedbravado wrote:

On another subject entirely, I tried Bell's Hopslam for the first time this past weekend, and I was underwhelmed.

I'm not sure whether it makes me less of a beer snob than I though I was, or what, but I prefer Sierra Nevada Torpedo.

Sometimes a good beer just isn't your thing. Even within the same styles you can have two beers where you love one and hate another. Any beer that has a wheat beer like flavor to it (a bit sour IMO) is a no go for me. I've had some IPAs that have that sour note to them and...ugh.

I tend to have a problem with beers that have banana flavored esters. For some reason it tends to be overpowering to me. There are definitely some good Belgians, but I tend to like the ones that play down the banana.

I really pick up on diacetyl and hate buttery flavored beers. Yuck. I also dislike lots of diacetyl in wines. It's just way too buttery for me. I usually am not a fan of Cab Savs for this reason.

MilkmanDanimal wrote:

I've never really cared for Hopslam; it's got this thick, oversweet cloying character I really don't care for, it's like an IIPA with syrup added. I know it's got honey in its sugar load, not sure if that has anything to do with it, but it's got that gooey sort of sweetness. Pretty different stylistically from Torpedo, though.

Are they not considered the same style? I thought they both counted as "Imperial IPAs" or whatever, by virtue of being extra-strong and heavily hopped.

Either way, it sounds like we both have the same problem with Hopslam.

misplacedbravado wrote:
MilkmanDanimal wrote:

I've never really cared for Hopslam; it's got this thick, oversweet cloying character I really don't care for, it's like an IIPA with syrup added. I know it's got honey in its sugar load, not sure if that has anything to do with it, but it's got that gooey sort of sweetness. Pretty different stylistically from Torpedo, though.

Are they not considered the same style? I thought they both counted as "Imperial IPAs" or whatever, by virtue of being extra-strong and heavily hopped.

Either way, it sounds like we both have the same problem with Hopslam.

Torpedo is an "IPA and a half"; I think it's like 7-7.5% or so, and Hopslam is at least 9. Going on memory, but Hopslam always seemed like an attempt to make an even bigger than usual IIPA. Shame I don't like it, because I'm a huge fan of Two Hearted and Expedition, and think the Kalamazoo Stout is the best stout around. Everybody has misses, though.

S0LIDARITY wrote:

I have a tough time finding beer that's not from New England out here though.

I'm surprised, I've been able to find a lot of West o' the Mississippi beers here. Stone, Rogue, Sierra Nevada, and Boulder seem to be pretty common around my usual spots around town. When I was in Nor. Cal over Christmas we were telling my in-laws about how great Rogue's Hazelnut was and that it'd be simple to find so close to the brewery, since we can readily find Rogue in Boston. We ended up going to like 4 stores until we found any Rogue (happily they had the Hazelnut) so I figure it can be even easier to get West Coast beers here sometimes

Also, something I've noticed is that the smaller breweries that get picked up by the larger ones seem to be pushing diversity really hard. Windmer Bros and Sam Adams both seem to be pushing tons of new beers lately. I don't know if it's parent corporate pressure, but it's not the worst effect I could imagine.

S0LIDARITY wrote:

I have a tough time finding anything that was brewed west of VT or south of Brooklyn.

How easy is your access to Hill Farmstead?

carrotpanic wrote:

Fseven, I get a similar throat closing thing with certain beers. I haven't figured it out yet.

I'd be interested if you discover any patterns or clues as to what gives you that reaction.

@FSeven, according to the Hill Farmstead website the closest location where Hill Farmstead is served is in Montpelier, which is like a 3 hour drive. I'm not sure how to find where it's distributed to retailers.

Edwin wrote:

It's the water.

The last time I got sick drinking, I was drinking Olympia.

In town we have one liquor store and a Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart's beer selection is awful. Sam Adam's is the best you can get. They started carrying Henry Weinhard's, but the shelve space for that is diminishing weekly. The liquor store in town has a limited section of local stuff, primarily Mother's Brewing from Springfield, MO, a few German imports which are always out of date, Sam Adam's and some New Belgium stuff.

The store that I frequent in Joplin has two aisles dedicated to crafts and build your own 6-packs. I can find almost everything that's talked about in the thread and I'm extremely pleased with their dedication to good beer.

Turns out that I like intensely hopped beer.
Whether it's regarded as a good beer or not, I bought Boneshaker unfiltered IPA. It's product of Amsterdam Brewery.

I'll be honest; I bought it to get the most bang I could out of my healthy drinking maximum of two beverages. (Kind of short circuits the healthy part, doesn't it?) It's a strong 7.1%

Well, seems like, I like hops. It's similar to the Flying Monkey's Hoptical Illusion. A little better though, I think.

I like hops and they're conspicuously absent from most North American Beer. Or perhaps most lager.

Hoptical Illusion, and this Boneshaker, are the first beers that I've really drunk for the flavour.

Any suggestions that I may be able to get in Ontario

Oh. dear. God! Rogue Double Chocolate Stout. Viscosity is insane, like *drinking* insanely delicious bread. The cascade hops offset the bold and rich sweetness perfectly, leading to an enjoyable, lingering dessert-like finish. Don't waste sharing this with a best friend. Share it with a friend or acquaintance who actually likes beer and bond over the experience.

I just saw this at the store. If I didn't already have two bottles of rum, a bottle of scotch and whiskey, I would've gotten it.

IMAGE(http://www.theperfectlyhappyman.com/uploads/hopworks-secession-cascadian-dark-ale.jpg)

For reference, I love the history of comical secessionist movements like Cascadia and the Conch Republic.

That's an excellent beer by the way. Also, their standard 7-Grain Stout is also one of my favorite stouts if not the favorite. The HUB restaurant/breweries are very fun places to go to. They have great beer, good food, and good vibes.

Edwin wrote:

For reference, I love the history of comical secessionist movements like Cascadia and the Conch Republic.

We should get you some Lakefront Bridgeburner then. It comes with it's own similar history.

Like chocolate? Like Chocolate Stout?

IMAGE(http://cdn.foodbeast.com.s3.amazonaws.com/content/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Clipboard01.jpg)

How about drinking chocolate stout from a chocolate glass?

IMAGE(http://i.imgur.com/hVjIxYU.gif)

So that's what a double chocolate stout is.

tanstaafl wrote:

Like chocolate? Like Chocolate Stout?

IMAGE(http://cdn.foodbeast.com.s3.amazonaws.com/content/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Clipboard01.jpg)

How about drinking chocolate stout from a chocolate glass?

Chocolate spoons for stirring your hot coco go on sale around Valentine's Day in Japan, too.

The main problem I see with the beer is that, well, I ordered a set of eight beers from this brewery a while ago and, while I've not had its imperial choc stout, I did try the (also v.day themed) choc-orange one, as well as a vanilla one and some other sweet variety. None of these were particularly pleasant.

Kind of want the glass, though, although it may soon enough to easiest just to pick your own poison and drink it from a hollow Easter egg...

Great Lakes Brewing has a new double IPA.

Unfortunately, it costs the same as 90 minute for a 4 pack and isn't nearly as good.

/shrug

Cross posting from the kickstarter thread...

I know you all finish off all the beer from your growlers when you open them just like I do, but just in case you have "a friend" who doesn't...

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...

I officially recognize Imperial Stouts aged in bourbon casks as the best beer ever.

IMAGE(http://www.fullsailbrewing.com/client/Full-Sail--Bourbon-Imperial-Stout.jpg)