Craft Beer Thread

Borgy wrote

I wonder whether you had Firestone's standard IPA (Union Jack) or Imperial IPA (Double Jack). Either way, at 7.5 and 9.5 ABV respectively, maybe not the beer to have when you're having more than one.

Pretty sure it was the 7.5. It was the second highest ABV and the highest one was 8.6 I think.

Drinking a Firestone Walker Double Jack now

Great beer

It's 9.5% according to the bottle

I've got my first batch of home brew IPA fermenting right now.  We'll see how she does.  I'll let you know in about a month.

For you, Coach:

I had some of this at a weekend gathering. I am still not a fan of IPAs.

x10003q wrote

I had some of this at a weekend gathering. I am still not a fan of IPAs.

And that is IMHO, not a great one...except for hot summer afternoons.  

Ok.  Who lives in Vermont and wants to get me some Heady Topper?

I don't live in Vermont, but try to always have Heady Topper in my refridgerator.

From the Onion:

Insufferable Man Utters Words ‘Craft Beer Movement’

PORTLAND, OR—Sources within local pub Sullivan’s confirmed Thursday that an insufferably awful bar patron used the phrase “craft beer movement” in a fully sincere, unironic sentence. “I think the craft beer movement has completely revolutionized the bottled and draft beer industry,” said the truly unbearable man as he ordered another Fat Tire, seemingly unaware that the words coming out of his mouth were making all in earshot feel an acute mixture of revulsion and rage. “The flavor profiles alone are so much more complex, and I think the true innovators in the movement have reinvented beer, and craft beer specifically, as a luxury item.” At press time, the insufferable male was speaking at length, and without prompting, about his own home brew.

New Craft Brewery in Mass:

New Trappist Monk Brewery

Arguably the best craft lager made in Cleveland.

Arguably the best brown ale available at the store we just went to.

Stone IPA.  Arguably better than any other west coast competitor.

Like West Coast IPAs? Try Green Flash too.

Borgy wrote

Like West Coast IPAs? Try Green Flash too.

Agreed, IMHO Green Flash is tastier than Stone's.  I'm generally more partial to the Double IPA's as well. Coach, if you like the Stone IPA, try their "Enjoy By" series. DIPA's with enjoy by dates. The beer is only out and on the shelves for about a month before the expiration date ensuring some of the freshest beer you can get.  Much more flavorful than Stone's regular IPA.

LOL as you guys may know I am clueless about beer.

My buddy Dave is a barkeep/restaurant owner (emeritus), who knows his beer for sure.

I did him a solid yesterday and he wanted to repay the favor by buying me dinner. I wanted to stay home and cookout so he stopped at a beer speciality store on the way home that sells beer by the bottle.  I think his goal was to school me. Apparently they were out of Green Flash.

We split each beer and he was insistent that we drink them in a specific order.

Harv:  "Hey Dave, help me sound opinionated, maybe I can start an argument in the beer thread."

After a failed few attempts, he said, "let's see if this guys know their stuff" and told me to post this:

Harvey wrote

Stone IPA.  Arguably better than any other west coast competitor.

...to see if anyone would defend Green Flash, his favorite.

We never got to the bottles of Longboard, Yeti and Little Bastard.

Bait swallowed, hook, line and sinker.

Borgy wrote

Bait swallowed, hook, line and sinker.

More like you guys passed Dave's test with flyin colors.

We normally buy cans when in the mtns, because it easier. But tonight in North Creek I eyed the fancy bottles.

I've had the the Sierra Nevada in far upper left.  Maybe the Sam Adams, hard to tell with SA.

I have no experience with the rest. Maybe Magic Hat.  I think I heard good things about Davidson but not sure.

Anyway, what say you beer guys about the selection in the supermarket in the Crick?

Blue moon does not belong on that shelf with real beer