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What Beer Are You Drinking? - Spring 2012


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I know I am way behind the curve, but I just had my first IPA, Sweetwater from Atlanta. It was very bitter and gave a strong impression of juniper to my nose, and a strong taste of grapefruit. It was not objectionable, but it was very different from anything I've ever had, before.

Tim

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Firestone Walker's Sucaba (formerly Abacus). Great big bourbon-barrel-aged barleywine. My memory insists that it's on par with Goose Island's King Henry, but I'm not willing to open my last Henry to find out.

Of course, King Henry was a lot better back when we thought that the fact it was aged in PVW23 barrels meant something.... :lol:

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Firestone Walker's Sucaba (formerly Abacus). Great big bourbon-barrel-aged barleywine. My memory insists that it's on par with Goose Island's King Henry, but I'm not willing to open my last Henry to find out.

Of course, King Henry was a lot better back when we thought that the fact it was aged in PVW23 barrels meant something.... :lol:

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I had a Sucaba the other week. I'm just not a big fan of the barleywine style. I enjoyed my bottle (and cellared another one), but it really was a little one-sided for my taste. I much preferred the Anniversary Ale from FW, which I guess contained some of the Sucaba, among other beers.

I can take or leave standard barleywines (much prefer imperial stouts), and don't keep many on hand. Prefer English to American, as I'm not a huge hophead. But the handful of barrel-aged barleywines of either type that I've had have left me in a happy state.

I really like the Central Waters barrel-aged offering, and at $12 a four pack it's a great value and a nice way to enjoy a solo pour without negating the next four hours of neural activity. I have one from Uinta called Cockeyed Cooper that I need to try one of these eves.

FW XV is great. I know a place out my way that still has a few if you're looking. I look forward to trying FW's BBA stout, Parabola, when it comes out sometime in the next month or so.

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I know I am way behind the curve, but I just had my first IPA, Sweetwater from Atlanta. It was very bitter and gave a strong impression of juniper to my nose, and a strong taste of grapefruit. It was not objectionable, but it was very different from anything I've ever had, before.

Tim

Just for kicks try a west coast IPA. I think Stone is in Ala now. (I'm used to running across the state line for my brews and whiskey.) Look for Stone IPA. For a nice contrast to Stone try Dogfish Head 60 minute IPA.

Stone IPA is probably a good example of a west coast hop bomb. (Stone has hoppier beers but most come in 22oz bottles which aren't allowed in AL yet - BUT, if Stone Ruination is available in 12oz bottles now, I'd suggest it over the regular IPA.) The Dogfish Head (from Delaware) is a little maltier and makes for a good comparison of different takes on the same style.

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Central Waters IPA and a slew of New Glarus beers, sadly none of which are available here in Illinois. Thankfully, my cousins in Wisconsin continue to mule me all the New Glarus I need!:cool:

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Central Waters IPA and a slew of New Glarus beers, sadly none of which are available here in Illinois. Thankfully, my cousins in Wisconsin continue to mule me all the New Glarus I need!:cool:

I'm headed up across the border in a few weeks to hunt down mass quantities of the New Glarus IIPA for the wife. Truly an outstanding beer, and only available for a few months.

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Founders Porter while I relax after a busy day, and a day with the roofers pounding away while we have the roof redone. I think this is my favorite Porter of those that I've tried. Did a Porter Showdown last weekend with the porter offerings from Founders, Great Lakes, Sweetwater, Bell's, and Sierra Nevada. Founders was far and away the creamiest, biggest, and flavorful of the 5. The Great Lakes, Sweetwater and Bell's were pretty much equal, with each having various "better" characteristics. And, surprisingly (since I love many of their beers) the Sierra Nevada was a very distant last place. Just nothing compared to the others.

Now, it's time for whiskey.

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Founders Porter while I relax after a busy day, and a day with the roofers pounding away while we have the roof redone. I think this is my favorite Porter of those that I've tried. Did a Porter Showdown last weekend with the porter offerings from Founders, Great Lakes, Sweetwater, Bell's, and Sierra Nevada. Founders was far and away the creamiest, biggest, and flavorful of the 5. The Great Lakes, Sweetwater and Bell's were pretty much equal, with each having various "better" characteristics. And, surprisingly (since I love many of their beers) the Sierra Nevada was a very distant last place. Just nothing compared to the others.

Now, it's time for whiskey.

Should have thrown a Sam Smith's Taddy Porter into the mix!

Drinking some Sam Smith's Oatmeal Stout tonight after work.

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Founders Porter while I relax after a busy day, and a day with the roofers pounding away while we have the roof redone. I think this is my favorite Porter of those that I've tried. Did a Porter Showdown last weekend with the porter offerings from Founders, Great Lakes, Sweetwater, Bell's, and Sierra Nevada. Founders was far and away the creamiest, biggest, and flavorful of the 5. The Great Lakes, Sweetwater and Bell's were pretty much equal, with each having various "better" characteristics. And, surprisingly (since I love many of their beers) the Sierra Nevada was a very distant last place. Just nothing compared to the others.

Now, it's time for whiskey.

I am a big fan of Founders Porter. I'd throw Anchor Porter into the mix as well.

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Duly noted, Gents! Will add to the mix for Round 2. Thanks.

:toast:

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Odell IPA. I've forgotten just how good this beer is. Hoppy, but more in the way of hop flavor and aroma than bitterness.

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Should have thrown a Sam Smith's Taddy Porter into the mix!

I really like the Taddy as well, but it was a bit light compared to the Founders.

I am a big fan of Founders Porter. I'd throw Anchor Porter into the mix as well.

I too love Anchor Porter, but I love it for completely different reasons than Founders. Anchor is probably the lightest porter I've had, which I very much enjoy, but I don't see it comparing very equally to Founders, which is much richer, if I recall correctly.

Bell's Two Hearted Ale. This stuff rocks!

Agree, I can't stand my fridge without em! Nice avatar!

I revisited some Great Lakes Burning River. You just can't go wrong with this stuff. I suppose it's a bit on the mild side, but it's hitting the spot around this time of year.

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Despite the rather cold temps last night, I went with something light, crisp and refreshing: Anchor Summer, an American wheat ale with a nice, fluffy head. Hit the spot!

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St. Feuillien Brune Belgian Abbey Ale - I love this brewery. I think this is their basic brown ale, but it is rich, full-bodied, light on the funk, and really nice with the 70 deg. weather that has arrived.

I had a St. Feuillien on tap in Hamden CT that was their Christmas/holiday ale I believe. That was out of this world. I don't think they bottled it because I've never seen it, but if you get a chance to try it (more in the colder months) I highly recommend it.

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Despite the rather cold temps last night, I went with something light, crisp and refreshing: Anchor Summer, an American wheat ale with a nice, fluffy head. Hit the spot!
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Some Tsingtao with some Szechuan food.

Also had some Stone Black IPA after drinking some Brugablahsomething 18 scotch with a friend. I think I drink more bourbon than scotch since I can't pronounce any of those names.

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NH Farmhouse Hatter with burgers tonight, good combo. Opened a 2007 120 last night, exquisite.

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Williamsburg Alewerks Washington Porter... just ok for me.. decent flavor but a thin mouth feel....

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Just pulled some Chimay out of storage after 6 months. Even yummier than drinking it fresh from the store.

Guinness, of course, and Ugly Pug from Rahr Brothers.

I've got a double chocolate stout, that will be my first chocolate stout, so I'm looking forward to it for tonight.

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