NT, What Beer Do You Drink?

[swaynomics930]

BCBCS (and three others) are on draft at the bar right by my place. Like it a lot better than the regular.




Ended up going with the BC Coffee, Xoco, and Prairie Christmas. This place is literally 50 ft away from my apartment. Pretty dang awesome. 

Dude where do you live??? Lol

 

[meyer23]

 
BCBCS (and three others) are on draft at the bar right by my place. Like it a lot better than the regular.

Ended up going with the BC Coffee, Xoco, and Prairie Christmas. This place is literally 50 ft away from my apartment. Pretty dang awesome. 

Menu looks familiar . 

 

[Chopper]

That's Brass Tap in Orlando.

Comp Ford - they actually took it off and are going to let it sit for a while and bring it back a little later.

 

[slighted]

I was in Orlando all last week and didn't know Brass Tap had it like that.

Only went to The Guesthouse and Imperial.

 

 

[wallyhopp]

Not sure how to approach the current beer situation in the NE. I dont even remember hearing about Treehouse or Trillium back when I was MA a couple years back. All my trips were ahead of their time. Even the NY area. All i remember from two plus years back was Captain Lawrence, and a god damn place in Times Square we visisted

 

Man listen, the current beer situation in NE is probably at a golden era in the beer world. Sure there's Treehouse and Trillium, which in MA probably producing nothing but home run hoppy beers. We got Night Shift Brewery in MA making some funky tart sours, coffee porters and then even top rated ipa beers like the 87 Double IPA, Whirlpool pale and Morph series can. We got Jack's Abby making hoppy lagers and tasty barrel aged baltic porters. Wormtown Be Hoppy IPA in Worcester, MA. We also Mystic Brewery in Chelsea, MA making fantastic saisons and wild ales.

Even outside MA there's Captains Daughter Double IPA from Grey Sail in Rhode Island. Kent Falls, New England Brewing Company, OEC and Two Roads in Connecticut making good stuff. But my personal favorite is Portland, Maine. I recommend you and also many folks out there to pick some Substance ale or SWISH double IPA cans from Bissell Brothers. The good thing about Bissell brothers is those guy are next door to Foundation Brewing, whom also make a great Double IPA called Epiphany that is probably good as Fiddlehead Mastermind, Sip of Sushine and King Julius. 

Now that's what I like to see. Great info. The under the radar places are the best. I'm sure its crazy there now.

How new would you place most of these places? I think we went to the NE back in 2008-2009 which doesn't seem too long ago, *then in 2013 to the NYC area.
General list of places I remember visiting. Redhook, Portsmouth Brewery, Federal Jacks Brewpub , Saco Maine Brewery, Grittys in Portland, SeaDog in NH. I think I remember Allagash but they werent open that day. Nothing was really around Portland at that time. I think VT for the most part was off our radar. We also hit up the Sam Adams brewery in east Boston. Even then, it did not seem like many areas had a presence of craft beer. Unless we were looking in the wrong directory,our options wwere definitely limited.

From Salem, to Ipswitch, to Hampton NH was generally where I was driving/hanging out/looking for beer. I even had some family just north of Hartford. Monson would have been just a short drive north. I was in school back then, so really no commitments. Now with a real job, taking time out to visit fam out there is tougher. I missed this big breakthrough by about 5 yrs it seems. Luckily my own area is having quite the breakthrough too. So I dont feel so bad. La Cumbre holds me over nicely.

 

[Comparison Ford]

My roommate just spilled a Xocoveza all over my bedspread. 

What's worse is that I gave him that Xocoveza out of my own stash. 

 

[slighted]

 
My roommate just spilled a Xocoveza all over my bedspread. 

What's worse is that I gave him that Xocoveza out of my own stash. 

He deserves this:

 

[Comparison Ford]

Oh don't worry...he's already sulking in his room after the wrath I just laid upon him.

What's worse is that he was bold about it.  He was sitting on my bed watching the Ranger game.  He decided to put his glass on the edge of the bed resting against the headboard.  I called him out on it and told him to move the glass and he decided to slam the bed with his fist to show that it wasn't going anywhere.  I told him to move it anyways.  He moved it towards the center of the bed and decided to not pay attention to it.  Next thing you know it's all over the bedspread.  He (drunkenly) tried to justify it, but I let him have it and told him to go back to his room. 

 

[stork]

Oh don't worry...he's already sulking in his room after the wrath I just laid upon him.

this the same roomate that's depressed or w.e.??

hope that wasn't the $20 dollar version...:x

 

[panaricanretro]

dirtwolfof369

Yeah I have to make it a point to go up to Bissell Bros next time I'm up in Portland Maine. I live in Boston and still haven't had a chance to take advantage of a lot of the breweries we have here, although I've tried most if not all of them on taps or bottled. Probably gonna hit up Nightshift soon as well as CBC and slumbrew.

My favorites at the moment in Portland are Maine Beer Co., although I haven't been able to get up there when they have "dinner" going out, but "lunch" is amazing.

Also mad slept on is Banded Horn out in Biddeford, ME. Try Daikaiju (double IPA) if they have it.

 

[celticspride34]

We can't keep Bissell Brothers or Banded Horn in Stock where I work... People love paying $10 for a pint ...

 

[earldagoat]

 

[wallyhopp]

Word of caution for you all.

DONT age coffee beers.

I did some comparison tastings last night

I bought a 2014 xocoveza along with some fresh stuff. I shoulda went with another sixer. So much of the aromas and flavors that makes XOCO what it is, is just gone. It' turns into a raisin like soy sauce tasting light bodied beer. 2015 wins out by so much.

2014 Founders Breakfast stout went head to head with the 2015 version. 2014 lacks at least 70% of its coffee aroma and the other vibrant flavors. I guess if you are a fan of the subtle nature that many stouts have, its worth it. But these bigger tasting beers fade soo soo much.

Tonight, some family bought me a case of the hopology sam adams 6 pack mixed case. So far, its not looking good

 

[salazaro44]

Word of caution for you all.

DONT age coffee beers.

I did some comparison tastings last night

I bought a 2014 xocoveza along with some fresh stuff. I shoulda went with another sixer. So much of the aromas and flavors that makes XOCO what it is, is just gone. It' turns into a raisin like soy sauce tasting light bodied beer. 2015 wins out by so much.

2014 Founders Breakfast stout went head to head with the 2015 version. 2014 lacks at least 70% of its coffee aroma and the other vibrant flavors. I guess if you are a fan of the subtle nature that many stouts have, its worth it. But these bigger tasting beers fade soo soo much.

Tonight, some family bought me a case of the hopology sam adams 6 pack mixed case. So far, its not looking good

Coffee, spices etc don't age well at all. I just picked up my bruery mocha Wednesday's and they went straight to the fridge

 

[wallyhopp]

Word of caution for you all.

DONT age coffee beers.

I did some comparison tastings last night

I bought a 2014 xocoveza along with some fresh stuff. I shoulda went with another sixer. So much of the aromas and flavors that makes XOCO what it is, is just gone. It' turns into a raisin like soy sauce tasting light bodied beer. 2015 wins out by so much.

2014 Founders Breakfast stout went head to head with the 2015 version. 2014 lacks at least 70% of its coffee aroma and the other vibrant flavors. I guess if you are a fan of the subtle nature that many stouts have, its worth it. But these bigger tasting beers fade soo soo much.

Tonight, some family bought me a case of the hopology sam adams 6 pack mixed case. So far, its not looking good

Coffee, spices etc don't age well at all. I just picked up my bruery mocha Wednesday's and they went straight to the fridge

True.

Fridge or not, these beers age progressively over time. I say no more than six months from release, even in your fridge.

Some beers just fall into your lap. I was hungry for some FBS last August and found someone who was able to still find some. I loved it initially. Then when Founders came to my state for the first time, and I got a keg of FBS, plus many four packs, I wondered WHAT THE HELL I WAS SO EXCITED ABOUT.

Then with Xocoveza. My local beer store held onto 3-4 bottles of the AUgust 2014 bomber release of Xocoveza when they released the 2015 version a couple weeks back. For $11/bomber, just $2 more than a whole year prior, I thought the experiment would be worthwhile. Those ugly decisions ADD UP.

Tonight.. Some 10/14 Ten Fidy vs. 11/15 Ten Fidy.. A straight forward no additive stout will get its shine. I want to say the older one may actually win out here.


And btw, The Sam adams Hopology pack was a crock. I appreciate the gift from family for christmas.

AT least there is booze in that there boor. But beyond that.. So forgettable

 

[panaricanretro]

Tried Ballast Point Victory at sea tonight and it's a really good beer. Was trying to stick to just one tonight but tempted to crack open the other one I have in the fridge.

 

[slighted]

Tried Ballast Point Victory at sea tonight and it's a really good beer. Was trying to stick to just one tonight but tempted to crack open the other one I have in the fridge.

Nice coincidence; copped the last 6-pack at my local store.

Definitely started out 2016 well with this.

 

[wallyhopp]

I definitely think we are on a up swing of the adjunct added porters, stouts, and other heavier styled beers.

Coffee and Vanilla are such notable sensory objects for every walk of life. It makes sense that its in a beer.

Heck, there's already grapefruit sculpin, pineapple sculpin, and the various other beers we don't quite understand how they get those flavors there. Those are simply IPAs. So maybe every genre of beer is suspect. Is it actual juice added in secondary fermentation? Is it added in during the boil? Does it even matter how? Xocoveza is another example... That death of coconut is something special too.. I am seeing a slow progression AWAY from the normal beers, and more into those that can add certain "flavors" whether naturally added during fermentation/boil, or just simply extract after the fact. It doesn't seem to matter. Beer now is almost less of its core element of beer than it ever has been.. I think that's a good thing.

A barebones stout can be tough to swallow for so so many. But add in cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla beans, and something unique happens.

 

[dirtwolfof369]

@dirtwolfof369

Yeah I have to make it a point to go up to Bissell Bros next time I'm up in Portland Maine. I live in Boston and still haven't had a chance to take advantage of a lot of the breweries we have here, although I've tried most if not all of them on taps or bottled. Probably gonna hit up Nightshift soon as well as CBC and slumbrew.

My favorites at the moment in Portland are Maine Beer Co., although I haven't been able to get up there when they have "dinner" going out, but "lunch" is amazing.

Also mad slept on is Banded Horn out in Biddeford, ME. Try Daikaiju (double IPA) if they have it.

Being in Boston has its perk honestly because you got Trillium and Treehouse that can easily be traded for golden gems from Russian River, Other Half, Modern Time and Cigar City. I can't wait for next month when Extreme Beer Fest comes into town because of what some of the best breweries will be pouring.

Nightshift is killing it and don't get the appraisal they should. If you end up visiting their taproom then try the Cape Codder Weiss, Santilli IPA or soon to be released Apple Brandy barrel aged baltic porter, Elevenses, which taste quite amazing from a few samples I've had.

I think the Maine Beer Dinner release is worth it if you bring a few people to tag along because it's only 1 case limit per a person. I did it the last release with my girlfriend and we were standing in line for 4 hours after getting their at 4:30 in the morning with 700 other people. (My girl was so pissed at me for that and  for even leaving her at the hotel while hopping another big line at the Bissell Brother can and Foundation Brewing release. Not even a nice lobster dinner in downtown Portland made up for it.) Man I swear that felt like a Jordan release but at least you can snag a few cases also of Lunch, Another One IPA, A tiny beautiful something and Hop project. 

 

[panaricanretro]

Nightshift Santilli was really good. They remind me of Stone's Enjoy By IPA where they basically will push out a batch at a time that tastes different every time.

 

[troublebound666]

I can't wait for next month when Extreme Beer Fest comes into town because of what some of the best breweries will be pouring.

It's too bad that's associated with the Alstrom brothers, but there's some solid choices in that lineup.

Make sure to hit up TRVE Brewing's booth (out of Denver)...their stuff is on point. Seriously great beer.

 

[jbug88]

This was my saturday night. :x
I'm too old for this ish....

left to right
Xoco Charred, Xoco 2015, Monkish Haiku de Saison, Enjoy After, Black Tuesday 2015, Track #8, Darkstar November, BCBS, Bastard in the Rye, Stickee Monkee 2015

 

[kngpin88]

The line up tonight. Terrapin Poivre Potion is a solid saison.

 

[neosole89]

This was my saturday night. :x
I'm too old for this ish....

left to right
Xoco Charred, Xoco 2015, Monkish Haiku de Saison, Enjoy After, Black Tuesday 2015, Track #8, Darkstar November, BCBS, Bastard in the Rye, Stickee Monkee 2015

That's an average of what? 10% ABV? I'd definitely be hurting the next day

 

[stillin729]

This was my saturday night. :x
I'm too old for this ish....

left to right
Xoco Charred, Xoco 2015, Monkish Haiku de Saison, Enjoy After, Black Tuesday 2015, Track #8, Darkstar November, BCBS, Bastard in the Rye, Stickee Monkee 2015

You finished all of that :x

I'd be dead