Trader Joe's Bourbon

[Josh]

So, this is basically a 90 proof Benchmark?

The TJ's around here don't sell liquor either, except for O'Mara's Irish Cream. They do sell wine, beer and the like.

[squire]

Can't say, don't recall that level of bitterness in Benchmark.

[BigPenguin]

If it's anything like their private-label beer, I will run away quickly!

The last time I was at TJ's, the beer with their label on it is made by a Canadian Brewery by the name of Unibroue. They're known for making Belgian style ales. So the beer they make for TJ's is usually a Belgian style ale. To the average beer drinker, Belgians probably aren't on your list of beers to drink. If it's something you like, the TJ's beer is not that bad.

[squire]

Unibroue makes some good stuff, their Tres Pistoles is a classic.

[Josh]

The last time I was at TJ's, the beer with their label on it is made by a Canadian Brewery by the name of Unibroue. They're known for making Belgian style ales. So the beer they make for TJ's is usually a Belgian style ale. To the average beer drinker, Belgians probably aren't on your list of beers to drink. If it's something you like, the TJ's beer is not that bad.

I'm a fan of their vintage ale series. I usually get two bottles a year. One to drink right away and one to drink a year later. They really seem to hit their peak at 6-12 mos.

Their bottled beer in various styles is pretty good too. Their simpler times lager is awful, but no worse than similar brand name beers.

[BigPenguin]

I've only seen the one Vintage Ale in the 20oz bottles that Unibroue makes for them. I haven't seen 6 packs or other stuff from them. Then again, I don't get into that store a lot.

[soonami]

I've only seen the one Vintage Ale in the 20oz bottles that Unibroue makes for them. I haven't seen 6 packs or other stuff from them. Then again, I don't get into that store a lot.

I'm a fan of their vintage ale series. I usually get two bottles a year. One to drink right away and one to drink a year later. They really seem to hit their peak at 6-12 mos.

Their bottled beer in various styles is pretty good too. Their simpler times lager is awful, but no worse than similar brand name beers.

The last time I was at TJ's, the beer with their label on it is made by a Canadian Brewery by the name of Unibroue. They're known for making Belgian style ales. So the beer they make for TJ's is usually a Belgian style ale. To the average beer drinker, Belgians probably aren't on your list of beers to drink. If it's something you like, the TJ's beer is not that bad.

Those 25 oz Cork and caged Trader Joe's Vintage Ale brewed by Unibroue is a very high quality product and at ~$7 is a very good price for a beer of 10% abv strength and in that format.

There are other beers that are great but not all of them are winners. I've heard all the Mission Street beers are brewed at Firestone Walker, some of the German-style beers are brewed by Gordon Biersch

[unclebunk]

I'm a fan of their vintage ale series. I usually get two bottles a year. One to drink right away and one to drink a year later. They really seem to hit their peak at 6-12 mos.

Their bottled beer in various styles is pretty good too. Their simpler times lager is awful, but no worse than similar brand name beers.

Those 25 oz Cork and caged Trader Joe's Vintage Ale brewed by Unibroue is a very high quality product and at ~$7 is a very good price for a beer of 10% abv strength and in that format.

There are other beers that are great but not all of them are winners. I've heard all the Mission Street beers are brewed at Firestone Walker, some of the German-style beers are brewed by Gordon Biersch

I thoroughly enjoy the Vintage Ale myself and was happy to see the arrival of the 2012 edition. Unibroue does indeed make good beer and these bombers are only $4.99 (!) at my local TJ's which is why I have five of them.

[OscarV]

I stopped at the Ann Arbor trader Joe's today and they don't sell spirits.
Just as well because from some previous posts it sounds like it'd just 90prf Benchmark, glad they didn't sell spirits.

Way off topic here so delete this if it is not appropiate,.....but I stopped at a store down the road I haven't been to in a while to see if they had any Old Rip's.
They had none but I did see about 6 or 7 bottles of "Baby Saz", I thought this stuff was cut back and no one could get it.

[Brisko]

I've been seeing more Baby Saz in the Twin Cities lately. Not a glut, but it can be had.