Whereas I love the prototypical west coast hop bombs. I'll take the Stone Ruinten or the Green Flash Palate Wrecker over Hopslam any day of the weak and twice on Sunday. Not to say I'm strictly a hop head, but I do love that style. Also, I missed the distribution for Waldo's, but now that I live across the river from Indiana, 3 Floyds isn't as hard to get as it used to be. Store I went into had a nice collection of bombers and sixers of Zombie Dust, Robert the Bruce and Alpha King. Also still had an Alpha Claus, which I've never had.

If you guys enjoy Hopslam, you should definitely try this https://barrelsandmash.files.wordpre...ve_closeup.jpg

While I'm excited about seeing Bell and Laguna taste become readily available in my area, I do worry about quality. I believe that when some of these breweries begin upping production in order to supply more areas, then the quality starts to lack.

In Lagunitas case, I know they opened up a second brewery in Chicago. I would assume that's what we're being distributed, and the last six pack of Sucks I tried was not that great.

I did enjoy the Two Hearted I had this week, but it wasn't as good as I remembered (although I admit the first time I had it was on tap in KC with some great bbq, which probably made the beer even better).

Chicago Craft Beer Week kicked off yesterday. If you're ever looking for a good time to visit Chicago, this is a pretty good one. 13 days of craft beer events and special beer releases throughout the entire city.

Another brewer on the rise up here is Mikerphone. He made the local news last week when social media blew up after he cut off an account for price gouging customers due to the high demand for his beers. Each of his releases seem to get better and better.

http://i1290.photobucket.com/albums/...pswtkjw4xi.jpg

Also, there is a definite freshness/price point issue with Ballast Point around here. There's 6 month old $15+ 6-packs sitting on Target shelves here. It went from a couple 6-packs of Sculpin and maybe one or two other fish 6ers to end caps full of all varieties in what seemed like overnight.

Finally found some Boulevard brewing bottles here in Phoenix!

Too bad at the grocery store 2 minutes from my place it was a 25oz bottle for $9.99. Seems a bit steep? They had Tank 7 and the Sixth glass.

Did look online and Total Wine can get your a 4pk of 12oz bottles of Tank 7 for $10.99.

At least it's showing up here. I emailed boulevard brewing over a year ago and they told me they didn't have any of their beers making it to Arizona yet. I just checked their beer finder and it's now in a few grocery stores and a nice little restaurant by us that looks to even have some boulevard taps now! So this is progress!

That's about the going rate for a widely distributed 750ml bottle.

Visited Grand Rapids a few weekends ago. Part of the trip was a brewery crawl. Visited five:

Grand Rapids Brewing Company: Had lunch and beer. Honey Brown Ale was pretty good.

Founders: Had Dirty Bastard and Mango Magnifico. Magnifico is a dangerous beer 10% ABV with not a hint of alcohol taste. Tasted like a Mango- tamarind punch with a spicy kick at the end.

Elk: Got a flight of ESB, Hefeweizen, cream soda ale, amber ale, and coffee stout. Coffee stout was the best. Hefeweizen was most disappointing as it was weak. Cream Soda ale was odd. Sweet up front, then beer bitterness, then a cream soda vanilla aftertaste.

Brewery Vivant: Had Wit, Raspberry ale, Malt Guild, and hard cider. The cider was the best very tart and dry. Everything was good. Wished they distributed outside of Michigan.

Harmony Brewing and Pizza: Had Grand Jubilation which was a Berliner Weisee half and half with lemonade. Very good and sour. The lemonade wasn't sweet so it didn't come off as cloying.

Ranked:

Founders
Brewery Vivant
Harmony
Grand Rapids Brewing
Elk

Ok well not bad then! Just checked their beer finder map and there are multiple grocery stores and even some restaurants by us carrying them now. I looked up my email I sent to them and it was almost exactly a year ago and they weren't here yet. The email said they were looking at expanding in the next 1-2 years. I am beyond pumped today. I've been looking forever here!

I have to travel to GR a few times a year for work. Brewery Vivant is definitely on my list when I'm there next.

Agree on Mango Magnifico being a dangerous drinker, but I do find it boozy. I had it at Founders and out of the bottle in Chicago. A lot of people (I know) don't like it but I really enjoy it.

Cool. I don't know about Phoenix, but beermenus.com is a pretty good tool around here for tracking down beers. It's up to the individual stores/bars/restaurants to update their list, so sometimes accuracy can be an issue, but it might be worth checking out in your area.

Did the mango taste like beer at all?

What's the consensus on the boulevard tropical? I'm a fan, but I have s soft spot for any citrus IPA.

I like it

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Anyone mention Heffeweizen(sp?) yet?

Not really. The Mango and tamarind really overwhelms any malt or hops taste.

I'm betting I could tatse the beer.

I hate beer lol

There are so many quality beers that have completely different flavor profiles that I am surprised someone actually hates all beer.

The Bud, Coors, Miller stuff is pretty lackluster. Still an IPA isn't going to taste like a Hefeweizen which isn't going to taste like a Stout which isn't going to taste like a Saison.

For you since it seems you might like fruity flavors I would recommend a good hefeweizen like Franziskaner. It should taste like ripe banana and cloves.

One of my favorite beers

http://cdnbevmo.nrostores.com/media/.../9/1/91878.jpg

Having a Blue Moon Cinnamon Horchata Ale.

It is actually quite good. The slightly sweet cinnamon taste goes well with just a slight bitterness in the beer.

I'm digging the sour beers lately.

Hyvee up here had Love Child on sale for 13.99

Was at a pub by our house. They had love child for $17.99.

I had a Kriek lambic on tap and it was very good.

I'm headed to KC next weekend for some Royals games. Planning to stop by Stockyard and Torn Label while I'm there.

Does anyone know if Crane bottles can be found around the city, or are they brewery only?

Crane stuff is available all over and is fairly easy to find.

Torn Label is really good, Stockyard is just OK.

Thanks.

Glad I checked TL's Facebook page, looks like they are having a ticketed event on Saturday. So Friday it is.

I had an IPA from Cinder Block a month or so ago while in KC that was pretty solid.

You had much of their stuff?

Yes, I've had pretty much everything they do. Their beers are solid. Nothing mind blowing or extra crazy, but all well executed with no off flavors.

Try DoubleShift as well, good people

The bartenders are cool there, but the beers are terrible. Hopefully as time goes on, they will get better.

I'm sure they will. I found them similar to most other local breweries in quality, which is to say that they're typically middlin'.. Most appear to agree (via Untappd TL 3.72*, DoubleShift 3.39*)

One of the best IPAs I've had

You can believe those numbers all you want, no skin off my back. There is seriously no comparison between those two breweries. The quality and consistency of Torn Label's beers are far beyond anything Double Shift has brewed.

I might swing into DS while I'm down at TL. I didn't realize they both had Sat afternoon hours, that works much better with my schedule.

I know TL fills 64oz growlers, anyone know if they'll fill a 32oz? I suppose I could call them.

I don't see why they wouldn't.

At Torn Label now, 64 oz fills only.

You should break some shit in protest. Video it for us and let us know ho that works out for you.

Yeah start head butting people.

Fun times

Does anybody sneeze a lot when drinking beer? Especially IPA's? Man, I can sneeze over 10 times when I drink that stuff.

Ha, I did lug a 32oz from Chicago but I had a feeling so I'm not hurt. Lot of places don't fill 32, they just do a better job of letting you know on their website ahead of time.

That said, the Equinox IPA I had at TL was great and I bought a couple bombers to bring home. Enjoyed the space and the beer convos there. Highly recommended to visitors.

That's Hang Em High, batch 6, I believe. Very tasty beer.

Their hop game is on point.

I have really enjoyed their Friday night one-off kegs, the Rough Draught series. Last week's was called Idiot Control, an oatmeal stout with coconut and vanilla.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...544315685a.jpg


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DIAF

Big fan of a certain type of sours. I mostly like the traditional Belgian ones but not meaning Lambics and more Flanders/Flemish reds. Seems like the good ones are had to find and pricey. Probably the best beer I ever had is Russian River Consecration.

Huh?

Went to 8th Wonder here in Houston, had three beers.

Rocket Fuel: Coffee Stout. A pretty good coffee stout. Not a high ABV so you can drink a few without feeling it.
Dome Faux'm (Dome Foam): A cream ale. It was beer, nothing special. Not terrible either.
Phramhouse: Agave Saison. Very strong agave taste but not really the spice you expect with a saison and a low ABV.

Overall, there was nothing terrible but nothing great. The location and price is right though.

Yep, batch 6. They had batch 7 on tap as well which was El Dorado, but I didn't have time to try it. I grabbed a bottle of KC P'Rye'D to go too.

I stopped by Stockyard yesterday too. Cool space but their beers were just ok. I'd be spending a lot of time at TL if I still lived in KC.

Growler advice please. We've never owned one as we aren't huge beer drinkers, more liquor/cocktails.

Place down the street we found has tons of taps and growler fills. Wife says we need an insulated growler. I just think we need a cheap glass one.

What's the difference and does it matter? How long does beer stay good in a growler?

I use this one from time to time.

http://i1290.photobucket.com/albums/...psokukeodd.jpg

I can't speak to insulated growlers, I only have glass. I try to consume them within a week of being filled at the max and once opened within 24 hours depending on the beer. Ideally, the sooner the better though.

Yeah, I try not to sit on a growler for more than 24 hours.

Got a Crowler and two four packs of Ghost in the Machine today, along with two four packs Parish's new IPA, Opus Vert.

Edit: That Ghost was bottled Wednesday, too....so it's freeeeesh.

Buffalo Bayou must be brewing their Gingerbread Stout all year now. Picked one up with a new label.

I wonder how breweries/craft beer stores decide what sizes theyear will fill?

The craft beer store in Lafayette will only fill 32 oz. growlers. It has to be a special occasion to get a 64 oz pour.

That's my joint. I'm overdue for a trip to Houston.

MoBrew, which is a block from my place, has this on tap. I'm absolutely addicted... Needed "several" tonight trying to adjust to the Royals' style of play....

http://i65.tinypic.com/wtg079.jpg

It is actually going to VA with a sixer of Santo in exchange for a case of Yuengling Black & Tans.

New Label:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/KB...4=w538-h955-no

Nice. Never been a Santo fan, and I haven't tried Yuengling black & tan, but I really enjoyed that gingerbread stout.

What bar do you visit when you're in Houston? I just always go to the flying saucer because it's a safe bet, but I'd like to try something new.

Depends. I go to Reserve 101 because it is right across the street from work. Its focus is more on whiskey than beer though. Flying Saucer is good. The Conservatory is also really cool being sort of a beer garden with a lot of taps, 40 some I believe, and four separate restaurants to go eat at in a small court. 8th Wonder's taproom is really close to work as well and the price is right, $4 for a beer. They don't sell bottled beer though. I did see cans at HEB tonight so I guess they are distributing more.

Thanks. The Conservatory sounds nice. The wife would love that. I think she's tired of eating the Flying Saucer's pretzel app while I drink beer.

8th Wonder is another one. It is in a little seedy area but the price is right. $4 for a beer. They only serve their beer but they have a neat little set up with a food truck in their outside sitting area.

8th Wonder was my initial choice when I visited Buffalo Bayou back in late 2014. They were closed that weekend, though. I definitely still plan to check them out.

Yeah, I'm not sure, maybe state or local laws? Chicago will pretty much fill anything from anywhere and cap and seal it. Then places like HF will only fill certain sizes, types, and you have to bring your own cap.

Hopefully crowlers will become the standard at some point down the road.

I thought the flying saucer in kc sucked ass. Maximum drink limit? DUMB

Damn, that's a nice looking one! I might have to look for something cool like that since our Growlers will be sitting out on our bar when not in use.

Thanks.

Was it actually enforced? I've been to both the KC and StL locations numerous times and have never been cutoff.

Couldn't tell you, we were gonna order and were to where they said the limit was before we even got menus so we left and went to minskys.

I've never had a problem with cut off limits at the Flying Saucer. The only problem I've ever had at any Flying Saucer was at the one in Fort Worth. They wouldn't let me build my own flight.

Anybody have any luck finding boulevard Zon? I found two bottles in Wichita. It's my favorite beer and they are retiring it. I'll pay someone who runs across some. I'll be in KC next month.

They don't sell it in Oklahoma.

Went to the place located by us that rotates quite a few taps from around the country. Asked about Boulevard Brewing and he said he had some stuff from them last month. Good to know for the future. Went with a local brew tonight in a growler. My wife never drinks beer. Outside of ciders, the first beer she ever finished was a sour a few weekends ago. Went with another sour tonight that she actually liked. It's progress I suppose.

Dubina Guns N Goses
4.5% ABV Gose
Dubina Brewing Company
Glendale, AZ
Tart and slightly salty from the addition of pink Himalayan sea salt.


http://i.imgur.com/1W2hhO4.jpg

I'm a fan of Dubina, been to their taproom twice while down for spring training. They seem to focus on unique Euro styles. I've had a Grodziskie there that was like drinking a pureed smoked sausage, and a Sahti which was excellent. I'll probably hit them again when I'm down in March.

Pic from last March.

http://i1290.photobucket.com/albums/...psyrffotgj.jpg

Looks awesome. I've never been to much of this because the wife doesn't like beer, but now she's actually trying some and seems to like the sours. So I'll have to check that place out. Adding these places on Facebook so I can see what they have on tap.


My 64oz growler was killed in less than 24 hours.

The wife just got back from Colorado and brought me a 4-pack of Funkwerks Tropic King. Daaaaamn. Really nice.

Also brought me back a 750 of their Punch, a wine barrel aged Saison. I haven't opened it yet.

I had the Tropic King and Nelson Sauvin in Houston last weekend. I preferred the Sauvin, but both were very good.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...3ed9600507.jpg

I just left Parish Brewing with a case of Ghost in The Machine. I got such good stuff in return last time I gave away bottles, that I'm looking to do trades this time. These were bottled just five days ago. Anyone interested, just let me know. I'll send them out as quick as possible.

I would but I only have Yuengling Black & Tan at the moment and I am very much not a IPA fan.

I'd be interested. Nothing that special locally to trade, but I do have access to 3 Floyds.

I do still have 6 2015 BBQs, but I'm not sure that I want to part with them. The 2015s didn't blow me away and I'm hoping a little age will help that.

Got a lovely package in the mail today. Now for the good/bad news. Surprisingly, the 3rd place I called had some Zombie Dust, so that will be heading your way shortly. The bad news part is they had a 2 bottle limit, so I don't get any! Really thought it would take me longer to get some for you, but luck is on your side.

I love this place

I just got home from a business trip to Grand Rapids and did a 5 Michigan breweries in 5 days self challenge.

Brewery Vivant - great taproom (old funeral home) and friendly people. Good beers, just not my preferred styles.

Founders - I've been before but it's another good taproom. Tried a couple experimental hopped beers and BA reDANKulous

Bell's - swung through Kalamazoo on my way home. Of course had to get a Two Hearted at the source

Tapistry - eh, across the street from Transient Artisan Ales

Transient Artisan Ales - finally got a chance to visit their taproom. Super raw space, but his barrel aged releases are on point. Highly recommend any TAA beers you can find.

I brought a haul of MI beers home with me, mostly Odd Sides we don't get here and some Jolly Pumpkins. There's certainly worse places to travel for work.

Transient is really, really good. They were pouring at a 2nd Shift festival in New Haven that I went to last year. Barrel aged saisons all day, and nobody had a clue who they were so there was never a line. I chatted them up for a while and got pretty trashed from the massive pours they were hooking me up with.