Got my hands on Deschutes/Distelhauser collaboration, Doppel Dinkel Bock Conflux No. 3 last weekend.

Smoothest beer I've ever had with a 10%+ ABV. Highly recommend!

Here's how this collaboration worked -- I know because I've been to Brasserie de Blaugies during a brewday for this beer:

Shaun Hill of Hill Farmstead went to Blaugies to brew the first batch with the Carlier family of Blaugies. Essentially it is a buckwheat saison (Blaugies specializes in old-school rustic grainbills in their traditional farmhouse ales). It absolutely tastes like a Blaugies beer, particularly like Saison d'Epeautre (their classic spelt saison which Shaun loves so much), only it uses Amarillo hops. The Amarillo hop schedule was Shaun's major contribution to the beer.

In this sense it tastes like Boulevard Tank 7 if Tank 7 were brewed more traditionally (weird grains, complete dryness). It's an awesome beer. Blaugies brews it once a year now.

It doesn't at all taste like a Hill Farmstead saison, for what its worth. It's a Blaugies beer all the way. So expect a beautifully dry beer with slightly brackish water and not something with lactic sourness and that smooth Hill Farmstead well water.

Most collabos will see the two breweries come up with a recipe together and brew it at one of their brewhouses, packaged & distributed through that brewery's network. Like Boulevard's numbered Collaboration series.

Sometimes brewers will choose to brew the beer in both places and package individually. This has happened with Boulevard & Sierra Nevada's Terra Incognita, for example.

USUALLY it's the former. A collabo where both all breweries package their own batches is much rarer for obvious logistical reasons.

picked up festina peche and victory kirsch gose for a bbq on a hot ass day

Had close to 10 3oz samples of a 2014 Proprietor's BCBS keg last night at the Chicago Ale Fest. They pretty much ran me out of their booth.

Firestone Walker Opal Saison. A little hoppier (bitter) than most saisons, but really enjoyable.
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Yeah, I really liked it.

If anyone is going to the Perennial Beer Fest in St. Louis this weekend, be sure to try our local boys from Ozark Beer Company. They're bringing a saison and a Bourbon Barrel Aged Belgian Golden.

Here's the writeup on the Boll Weevil Saison:
Boll Weevil, a Pesky Farmhouse Ale is a beautiful Brett Beer developed by Jesse Gagnon specifically for the Midwest Belgian Beer Fest. It is a blend of farmhouse ale hopped with the New Zealand hop Wakatu then aged for four months in Bourbon Barrels. Brettanomyces and Lacto Bacillus were added in the barrel. A summer saison was then brewed independently for an even blend with the barrel aged beer. The saison’s fresh and light nose hoists the barrel’s presence and with a slightly peppery finish, the saison smooths out the dryness of the barrel beer.

Tried 5 Rabbit Cerveceria's 5 Vulture last night. It's an Oaxacan Style dark ale brewed with ancho chili. They have an interesting concept in that they're trying to tap the Chicago Latin American market with craft beers. They chose Chicago over other cities due to our large Latin population and craft scene. Despite my enjoyment of all things Mexican, I've never found a chili beer that I cared for. This was a good beer, not great, and if I were to drink it again I'd most certainly pair it with an appropriate Mexican dish. Very interesting concept though and something I plan to follow.

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Opened a Boulevard Aztec Chocolate Stout... what did you all think about it?

Disappointed with it, but not bad, I guess.

Coors Light ... anybody ever tried it ?

I'm not a big beer aficionado, I usually only drink Red Stripe. But I saw this at the liquor store today and figured I'd share.

I've dumped several out onto the ground, does that count?

Don't think less of me, but I'm just going with a Corona and lime this evening sitting around the grill.

I'm slacking

Just tried North Coast Old No. 38 Stout - very nice