For those in TX you might want to check your HEB for Bourbon County Stout. I was able to pick up a bomber for $11.

Goose Island's pub taps a candy cane version of one of their barrel aged stouts in December for an Xmas toy drive. This year they did Candy County using 2017 BCBS. I didn't go this year due to this Erector Set screwed into my head, but I was thinking about either pouring a BCBS over a couple of those chewable candy cane sticks and just letting it sit while it comes to room temp or popping a bottle and dropping a candy cane stick in it and recapping it with my homebrew capper and letting it sit. Poor man's improvisation, but what the heck.

I'll report back.

Had the pleasure of sipping on the 2017 Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Barleywine tonight while my wife and I prepped our son's Christmas for tomorrow morning, thanks to KCUnited. This dude has pretty much kept me up to my elbows in quality Chicago beer the last couple of years. Cheers to a great trading partner, and Merry Christmas to all!

For a moment I considered opening my BCBS Reserve tonight. I didn’t end up doing it. Not really sure what special occasion will warrant it, but I’m looking forward to when that day comes.

Cheers to you, man. I'll be celebrating this afternoon over a session of amazing Louisiana beers. Merry Christmas.

So I popped a 2017 BCBS last night and dropped in a chewable candy cane and tried to recap it with my homebrew capper. Should've known those BCBS bottles wouldn't take a standard cap, so I stuck a wine stopper in it and wrapped in press and seal. Poured today and the candy cane had completely dissolved into the beer. Aroma is big peppermint and the taste is of a boozy York peppermint patty. It lost a bit of carbonation, but still recommended if you have an extra BCBS to spare for science.

http://i.imgur.com/NZdeqwN.jpg?1

Nice. I actually came to the same realization recently, trying to put a cap on one of those bottles. Sounds like a great idea!

Opened one of my blueberry juice/almond extract BCSs the other night, it was excellent.

****ing awesome picture.

You mean regular Glad press and seal, or is that a home brewing term? I've got two bottles left of the BCBS, and would like to try this for the wife and myself to share.

Blasphemy, simply put, blasphemy.

The beer gods will be pouring Hamm's down your butthole for that...:D:D:D

Yeah, I used Glad Press and Seal, mostly because I let it go overnight which is probably unnecessary. I found that those chewable candy cane sticks will completely dissolve into the beer in about 2 hours. So if I were to do it again, I'd drop the candy cane stick into the bottle a couple hours before I planned on drinking it and just use the wine stopper. Honestly though, you could probably just stick the candy cane into the glass with the beer and let it sit for awhile and be fine. Also, I felt that 2 of those chewable candy cane sticks made it a tad too sweet, just 1 would be enough. Not sure about the hard candy canes, but I'm sure those would work similarly. These are the ones I used:

https://i.imgur.com/k13K4k1.jpg?1

Beers for the long weekend:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/F0...=w1688-h949-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/oy...=w1688-h949-no

Left to Right:

Breckenridge Christmas Ale - Winter Warmer
Paulaner Salvator - Doppelbock
Four Peaks Kilt Lifter - Scotch Ale
Mikkeller Hallo Ich Bin Berliner Weisse - Berliner Weisse
Atwater Vanilla Java Porter - Porter
New Republic Marlinspike - Moreish Porter
Southern Star Blood Belt - Blood Orange Ale
Goose Island Bourbon Count Brand Stout - Bourbon Barrel Aged Stout
No Labels Perpetual Peace - Bourbon Barrel Aged Wee Heavy Ale
Belhaven Scottish Ale - Scotch Ale
Left Hand Milk Stout (Nitro) - Nitro Milk Stout

Only one Ive tried of those is the Milk Stout Nitro. I didnt care for it at all, still have two from the 6er sitting in the back of my fridge. I thought it had little to no flavor.

You have to try the Paulaner Salvator, that is the original doppelbock and the reason why most doppelbocks have -ator at the end of their name. Bavarian brewers love in jokes.

guzzled a CBS for Christmas. I'd sampled it at a local Founders tap takeover (got to sample BS/ KBS/ CBS side by side plus some BA Arrogant Bastard, etc.)

Kilt Lifter is solid... not my usual style, but it's on tap at enough places around here that I'll have one if it's the best option.

Springfield folks, I'm sipping the brandy barrel aged Mothers MILF right now (ITS THE HOLIDAYS!!). Man, it's riding the line between enjoyable and soy sauce. Definitely some unique flavors going on.

Thanks! Not sure if I can find the chewable candy cane sticks in this tiny little town, but I should be able to manage getting this done.

So the No Labels Perpetual Peace is fantastic. Like a less harsh Backwoods Bastard.

Have you ever been up to Conroe to check out the breweries up there?

I was at B-52 Brewing last night, and they were really impressive. They're doing a lot of creative brewing, including a saison with coffee and orange juice/zest. I was skeptical of that particular beer at first, but it was surprisingly tasty.

Among the other winners they had last night were a barrel aged blonde barleywine and a whole line-up of solid IPAs (I know IPAs aren't your thing, but these were really good). Wheeze the Shake was probably their most unique IPA. NE style IPA conditioned on raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, vanilla beans, and milk sugar. It poured out a dark purple and had a slight tartness due to all the fruit, and still had the lactose/milk sugar sweetness that come with the milkshake IPAs. It was a really interesting beer. The Pocket Tots series was bomb as well, one NE Style IPA and one strawberry milkshake IPA.

Even not being a fan of IPAs, I think it's worth your time to check their tap menu and hit them up. Just solid, interesting beer.

I've been to both Southern Star and Copperhead in Conroe as well, but I will not pass through there again without stopping at B-52.

Haven't made it up to Conroe yet. I haven't hit them all in Houston yet either.

If you ever hit 8th Wonder I hope they have Side Business available. It is a tequila barrel aged Gose and it really takes the edge off the Gose if you don't like the sour and salty taste.

Has Busch Light been said?

I have to say I'm coming around on IPA's. I still prefer a good stout but Ive recently tried Two Hearted, Founder's All Day/Centennial, Mother's Snapback and Duvel Triple Hop Citrus. I'm sure these are all mild but still tasty.

The first IPA I ever tried scared me away from them for a couple years, Mother's Lil Helper...it tasted like a Christmas tree in a bottle, absolutely disgusting but glad I decided to give them a chance again.

I am not a fan of the overwhelming hoppy bitterness. I prefer sour, wheat, or malty brews.

Ahh yes, forgot I also have some Lagunitas Little Sumpin'. I didnt care for it as much but its drinkable. Ive been holding off on the Dogfish Head, I know its wildly popular but Ive been told its a lot more hoppy than the ones Ive tried/liked. Im trying to build up my IPA palate more before I take that plunge, its definitely been an acquired taste for me.

There is a really wide range of flavors in IPA and I know a few others who are not fans of super hoppy beers. The strange thing I don't like about IPA's is that most of the bartenders overpour the drafts and then the glass or handle is sticky as shit and the napkin or coaster stick to the bottom of the glass also. IPA's seem to be the most sticky beers I've ever had.

I'm not a fan of flavored or seasonal beers with any citrus, spice, or things like pumpkin flavors. Wheat beers are my least favorite.

Here's multiple rating of IPA's

https://beerconnoisseur.com/articles/top-41-ipas

https://www.beeradvocate.com/lists/style/116/

http://draftmag.com/50-best-ipas-america/

https://www.thrillist.com/drink/nati...f-beer-writers \

https://beerandbrewing.com/cbb-beer-reviews/top/IPA

Not a fan of the style and all of its derivatives at all. If I want something fruity a Berliner Weisee, Sour fruit ale, or Saison is a much better option.

Okay, the blood orange ale is interesting. It tastes like orange juice (not sweet orange juice as blood oranges are less sweet than normal oranges) with a hint of bitter beer aftertaste. I don't know what to think of it. Some sips I like it and others I don't....

Possibly too much citrus if you take too many sips too soon? Just like drinking too much OJ all at once....

When I was back in DC a week ago, the office complex has a giant shared kitchen and common area with a keg for beer. The week I was there that had some cranberry beer. Tasted like complete shit. Poured a small glass, took a brief sip and tossed it out. Just an awful combo of flavors. :Lin:

I was in the same boat as you a month or so ago. Then a friend talked me into trying different ones, and forcing myself to drink them. It was an acquired taste for me, the more and more I drank the more my palate developed for them and I started to appreciate the different flavors the different types of hops brought out.

Im still not a huge fan, the extremely bitter "pine tree" IPA's are still disgusting to me but I definitely have an appreciation for them now.

Usually sour fruit and beer go well together. Possibly too sweet on the cranberry. Tart cherry, raspberry, and lemon all are great combos with beer.

This afternoon at Whole Foods here in Scottsdale I went for lunch, a curry chicken salad sandwich and Chinese cole slaw and started with a Four Peaks Double Knot IPA.

Then I started chatting with some people sitting next to me at the bar counter and the guy said to try the Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA draft at $7 for a 5oz pour at 20% ABV, that's right 20% ABV!!!

HOLY SHIT! Stuff was killer. First sip was a little overwhelming but it settled down and it took about 30 minutes to finish. They had a four pack on the shelf for sale and the price was........$39.99 for a 4 pack!!! WOW-just wow.....

Worth the try for sure and the female waitress also let me try a 1 oz sample of their Old School Barleywine at 15% ABV. That had a too strong punch and not a huge fan. It had a unique flavor.

A few of those and I would be slumped over at Whole Foods!

Having a Lagunitas Sucks for the first time. A little too hoppy for me but not horrible. I most definitely prefer the single hop IPA's.

I don't drink beer much, mostly bourbon anymore when I do drink (which is occasionally). Any of you boys willing to recommend a nice beer for Lewdog to purchase at TotalWine for the game. My store is Goodyear, AZ when searching.

I like Sours, Saison, Red/Brown/Amber Ales, Porters and Stouts.

http://www.totalwine.com/

Took a quick look.

Founders Breakfast Stout
Founders Rubaeus
Schnieder Weisse Aventinus
Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout
Ayinger Oktoberfest-Marzen
Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock

Look for Epic Big Bad Baptist. One of the better shelf bourbon barrel stouts.

If it’s anything like Boulevard’s bourbon barrel aged beer, I wasn’t a fan.

It’s been too long since I’ve had a barrel aged Boulevard stout so I can’t compare other than I believe Boulevards is whiskey barrel aged. It is worth noting though that Big Bad Baptist is a coffee stout.

So, fellas, I finally got around to trying this. I thought it turned out pretty well. I didn't find the chewable sticks that KCUnited used, but I found red bird brand chewable peppermints, so pretty much the same thing. I figured three of them equaled a single stick, so I went with that. I couldn t find our wine stopper, but luckily a boulevard cork shoved right in there. I letnit sit for a couple of hours, and the peppermint was dissolved when I poured it. There was a solid amount peppermint aroma and taste.

The wife wanted even more peppermint, so I dropped another two in her glass as she drank it. She said she enjoyed it more as those two peppermints started to dissolve.

However, she was drunk 3/4 of the way through the glass, so when I went to finish it for her, it was way to sweet with the added two peppermints being completely dissolved. Either way, we enjoyed. Thanks for the tip, KCUnited. Might try it again for her this weekend.

I assume you like your saisons more on the tart side, rather than hoppy?

Definitely. I've had a few Saisons I liked but not sure what they were or why I liked them since I know there can be a difference across them. lol

I just looked this up and read about it. It sounds delicious!

And ****....out of stock at my Total Wine.

Those all look like great choices.

After looking them up I think it's between the Founders, Aventinus, Sam Smith.

My lineup for gameday. Finally found the Sam Smith Oatmeal Holy Grail.

Don't know how accurate this is, but..
https://www.taphunter.com/beer/epic-...ptist/37578199


Stone Xocoveza is really good.

I miss Dragon's Milk, not distributed here... brought back a 4 pack from KC over Thanksgiving and it didn't last long.

Well I went and did some Mix and Match at Total Wine. Nothing like hitting the booze store at 9 a.m. Had the store to myself. Their Mix and Match section has expanded tremendously. It used to have a handful of sour choices and now contains multiple shelves of them. I also can believe all the Boulevard releases I was seeing. They make a ton of beer there it seems.

https://i.imgur.com/5EMf4sJ.jpg

That Founder's Breakfast Stout is easily in my top 3 favorite beers of all time, maybe even my favorite. Enjoy!

I've yet to be disappointed with a Ballast Point beer, it's one of my favorites here.

Great to hear! That’s the first one I’m cracking today.

Awesome. I know I’ve had theirs before but not this. I’ve been so into the bourbon scene this past year, I’ve rarely drank much beer. These are all new. I forgot how awesome Total Wine’s selection of beer is and now it’s expanded it seems for things I like such as Sours.

I've made a few Total Wine/BevMo runs.. I tend to buy more from BevMo even though it seems like Total Wine has a larger selection of beer.

Damn, this Founders Breakfast Stout is fantastic!

Thanks boys.

Enjoy the game and the beer!

Drinking a Ballast Point Victory at Sea. This stuff is amazing. Still doesn't top Founder's Breakfast Stout in the coffee beer category for me but its pretty close.

Pleasantly surprised by the New Belgium Sour Saison. I'm a sucker for the style, so I purchased. I enjoy (and I'm not a huge fan of most of NB's offerings these days).

I had dragons milk at yard house and it’s to die for.

If you like fruity drinks that are easy on the pallatte then try timmermans strawberry

Annual Hopslam post. I didn't pick any up but there definitely seems to be more mini-kegs around here this year. Always wanted to grab one of those.

https://i.imgur.com/auiQ9hH.jpg?1

X2 I really like it and I am not a fan of NB beers.

I like it because it actually tastes like a beer, still. A lot of sours that have come out since the style has become more popular are pretty one-note and just taste... sour. This one actually has some saison funk happening behind the sour.

Please pardon the Facebook status meets Instagram post but after 132 days I've been extracted from the halo today and I'm doing a little Monday afternoon celebrating.

https://i.imgur.com/FQR0Owg.jpg?1

Very Green is a mighty fine way to celebrate!

I've been meaning to ask if the halo finally got removed. Nice beer selection for the celebration!

And that glassware is top notch.

Figured I’d check off a long time want for the occasion. Turned out the biggest reason to celebrate were these swolled up traps I developed carrying around that extra 10lbs on my head for 4.5 months lol.

I think it's time to update that list in the header.

Maybe been mentioned because they are a Missouri brewery, but I really like the Revelation and Pacification stouts made by Public House out of St. James/Rolla.

Looks like I'll be making a road trip to Toppling Goliath in March for Assassin. I've never had it, but its a top 20 beer on BeerAdvocate with a ton of hype.

We've recently started getting fresh, Decorah, IA brewed, Toppling Goliath hops delivered and they've been really good to great.

As usual, I have struck out again. Any Toppling Goliath lottery, I should just stop trying.

This is gonna sound odd, but...

For years, IPA's have been my go to beer. Several months back, I began getting severely congested every time I drank. Now I'm miserable any time I drink an IPA. Have switched exclusively to stouts/porters/browns, which I had never been a fan of before.

With all that said, can you guys recommend some beers for me to try?

Stuff I've had so far that I like:

BCS (obviously)
4 Hands Chocolate Milk Stout and Absence of Light
Deschutes Black Butte Porter and Obsidian Stout
Founders Lizard of Koz
Public House Revelation and Pacification Stouts
Dogfish Indian Brown

Samuel Smith Organic Chocolate (so smooth and delicious)
ODell Jolly Russian (if you can find it)
New Holland Dragon's Milk (not as good as BCS, but still pretty damn good)
Great Divide Yeti (Chocolate and Espresso are both excellent)
Southern Tier Choklat (well, anything by Southern Tier)
Ballast Point Victory at Sea (not 100% sure they distribute in MO)
Epic Big Bad Baptist (I found out this past summer they distribute in KS, not sure if they've made it to MO)
Firestone Walker Parabola
Prairie Artisan Ales BA Bomb! (or regular Bomb!)

http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showp...postcount=3701

Ive heard that about IPA's, you're not alone. They give me pretty bad heartburn but I still drink them.

I'll have to disagree with Bearcat's Samuel Smith Organic Chocolate Stout, the chocolate in it tasted very "imitation" to me but the SS Oatmeal stout is one of the best beers I've ever had. I will second his Ballast Point Victory at Sea, its great and is sold in MO...at least here in Springfield anyway.

Founder's Breakfast Stout is one of my all-time favorites...if you like a coffee stout I haven't found one better but Victory at Sea is close. If you want something really strong I'd recommend New Holland's Dragon's Milk, Bell's Expedition Stout and North Coast Old Rasputin.

That sucks, my brother has a minor version of what you describe as well. Do Double IPA's do this to you as well?

Anyway -

Samuel Smiths Taddy Porter is one of the best porters you can buy in my opinion.

Bur Oak - Boon County Brown is good, I assume you can get that in your area.

North Coast - Old Rasputin Imperial Russian Stout is freaking fantastic. (edit: didn't see already mentioned but yea X2)

How do Belgian beers treat you?

Thanks!

I had a sample of Victory at Sea the other night at Mellow Mushroom. Wasn't a fan, which I found odd considering it seems to be a universal favorite.

Doubles kill me as well, I passed on Hopslam this year because of it. I don't drink Belgians very often.

I don't know the right answer, but it is frustrating reading about all the people who enter and win but have no real intention of attending.

There's a LOT of great brewery's that are fairly new that don't distribute yet. Some of the best beer I've had is from places like Cerberus in Colorado Springs and Dead Armadillo from Tulsa. Neither one distributes yet.

Belching Beaver Peanut butter chocolate stout is very similar to that 4 hands chocolate milk stout, just with peanut butter.

Boulder Beer shake is very good.

Meh, it's no big deal. I'll get to try the beers, but I won't lie, it sounds fun to head up to Decorah for a release.

Hold on. Tulsa has ANOTHER good brewery?

American Solera, Prairie, and now this Dead Armadillo... though they get points detracted for Marshall, which by and large, sucks.

Yes Marshall sucks ass. Yet they distribute lol. Definitely check out Dead Armadillo. Tulsa has 4 new breweries that opened within the last few months. Oklahoma itself has proven to be a good brewery state.

Also, Prairie moved out of Tulsa. They still have a taproom there, but they're officially from OKC now.

Prairie has pretty much always been brewed in Kreb's OK at Choc Brewery which is owned by Kreb's Brewing.

Kreb's bought Prairie as well last year and the guys from Prairie opened American Solera.

Long story short Prarie didn't really move anywhere, at least as far as I can tell anyway.

Ok, I got ya. So Kreb's bought Prairie last year and now their main brewery is based out of there?

What I know is that they are no longer considered "local" to the KC market because they left the 250 mile radius which Tulsa just sits inside of.