Best New Beer You've Tried Recently?

[FlashRedGLS1.8T]

What year is that Thomas Hardy's Ale? The last one I had was a 2006, a few years ago.

[pat_ernzen]

What year is that Thomas Hardy's Ale? The last one I had was a 2006, a few years ago.

It's a 2008, which I believe was the last year they produced it.

[pat_ernzen]

Haven't been drinking much, but here's some the stuff I've tried lately.

The Luck 13.alt was one of the few Lagunitas bottled releases (from the last few years) that I hadn't tried. I liked it alright, but not one of their better beers, IMO. Maybe just not my style. I've never had the normal Lucky 13.


The Black Phoenix is a great beer. Second time I've tasted it, but first I've had a full bottle to myself. Feel like it's a difficult style to pull off well and they did that and more. Would certainly recommend it to anyone that can get it in their area (which I don't think is many, unfortunately).


Undercover Shut-Down. Have had this quite a few times and love it. One of my favorites and I'll certainly be drinking more now that it's in season.


Drinking this now. Cool label, mediocre beer. Glad I didn't hold onto it any longer, though (it's about 19 months old).


Got this, too. Will enjoy it a year or more from now, haha. I don't really want to wait, but given the price (one of the most expensive beers I've bought in terms of $/oz) and the fact that it has a "BEST AFTER" date on it, I don't mind waiting, really.

[dave.l.h.]

cool thread guys...
I have a (possibly dumb) question:

in the last year or so i've been branching out and trying a lot of new things beer-wise. I've had trouble with a few 750's when i open them...i seem to lose about a quarter of my beer out the top in foam. is this unavoidable with some beers? happened to me recently with cigar city's improvisacion and swamp head saison du swamp.

[pat_ernzen]

Not really anything you can do about it other than have a wide glass ready. Some beers are just gushers. Sometimes due to over carbonation from the get go, sometimes from infection. If it gushes and seems sour, it's probably infection, but it's relatively rare. Some breweries seem to have consistent problems with it while others have no issues.

[SSj4G60]

Hit up http://www.newburghbrewing.com/ this past weekend. Their Brewmaster used to be at Brooklyn Brewery, enjoyed their Saison and Cream Ale. The whole building was really nice, they re-purposed materials they tore up to make room for the vats as either Tap handles or for the tables in the tasting room.

[Techun]

cool thread guys...
I have a (possibly dumb) question:

in the last year or so i've been branching out and trying a lot of new things beer-wise. I've had trouble with a few 750's when i open them...i seem to lose about a quarter of my beer out the top in foam. is this unavoidable with some beers? happened to me recently with cigar city's improvisacion and swamp head saison du swamp.

I have never had this happen before. Have a big glass handy I guess..

[pat_ernzen]

Drinking Evil Twin Yin. A draft PINT. $1.

[Heathcliff Huxtable]

remembered i posted in the wrong thread

had Sam Adams Norse Legend Sahti on draft. not too shabby.


also popped a DeuS Saturday. I was hoping it was everything i would want in a beer and more, but it had a bit too much nutmeg sweetness for me to really enjoy

[rdubVr6]

had this on sunday, sooooo good i need to get another bottle asap!

[Kameirocco]

GREAT beer.

[Max Rebo]

Recently for me... Pretty much anything from Green Flash that I can find here in PA.

West Coast IPA
Trippel -- This stuff is like liquid crack. Awesome.
Rayon Vert
Hop Head Red
Palate Wrecker (DIPA) -- Awesome just for the name. Tastes great, too.
Double Stout
Imperial IPA
I have not yet tried Le Freak.

Some other good ones recently:

DFH Noble Rot -- This one surprised me. I didn't know what to expect. It goes down like a beer, but it has the flavors of a Sauvignon Blanc. Very tasty.

Ale Smith IPA
Ale Smith ESB

Anderson Valley Summer Solstice

Sixpoint Resin

Verhaeghe Echte Kriekenbier

Founder's Cerise

Bear Republic Racer 5 IPA

Southampton Double White

I'm thirsty now.

[Techun]

Significantly better than blue moon, but not nearly as common

[pat_ernzen]

Drinking a Stone VE11. Been a bit since I've had it, but I feel like it's getting MUCH better with some more age on it. The big VE day is not too far off now. Funny that of all the beers I have in the fridge, it turns out the VE11 is one of very few easily replaceable beers in my fridge. I have beers I can go out and buy easy enough, but not aged bottles. I really need to get some more daily drinkers in there. If this sounds kind of stupid to you, I agree with you.

[FBMphil]

Picked up these two on my way home from work last night to commemorate my surviving the first week of a new job (not my photos):






My thoughts: I really enjoy New Holland's brews but hadn't really tried their smaller batch offerings. I wasn't blown away by this, but it was a solid, solid $5 bomber. Really tight carbonation for a saison-style beer (mouthfeel was identical to La Fin du Monde), and the added yeast factor worked well with the hops. Super enjoyable summer beer.

Hop Rod Rye is f***ing awesome. I've tried BR's Racer 5 and stout and enjoyed them both, but I REALLY liked this stuff. Not as bitter as other RyePAs from Founders, Sierra Nevada, etc., but much spicier and rye-ier than the rest. SUPER creamy, too. A+ beverage right there.

[adrew]

Pretty good — kind of tastes like a fancier Shiner.
(From St. Arnold in Houston)


(not my pic)

Also tried these while out of town last week, trying local stuff. Both were pretty solid.

Birmingham:


Mississippi:

(my pics)

[leitmotif]

Pretty good — kind of tastes like a fancier Shiner.

Santo is not bad. They call it black Kolsch. I'd say if you dig Saint Arnold and Shiner, check out Saint Arnold's Spring Bock. More of a Maibock but it blows Shiner out of the water.

I've cut myself off from beer a bit, except last weekend when I went to the Flying Saucer's beer fest. I'd say the highlight of that was Rodenbach Grand Cru which I haven't had since I lived in CA. So yeah... I hate to give up beer all together but for health reasons I have to really cut back even more than I already did which was Fri. and Sat. only. It is hard when the thing you love makes you ill.

[adrew]

I like Shiner all right, but will only really get it if it's the only alternative to Bud or something. Lately I have just been trying to stick with Texas breweries. Our favorite is still the Buried Hatchet from Southern Star but I might have to switch to Rahr this month since Costco has variety packs for $25.

Sorry to hear about the gut issues — I've been going through something kind of similar that's restricting what I can eat. Beer is not included, fortunately.

[leitmotif]

I like Shiner all right, but will only really get it if it's the only alternative to Bud or something. Lately I have just been trying to stick with Texas breweries. Our favorite is still the Buried Hatchet from Southern Star but I might have to switch to Rahr this month since Costco has variety packs for $25.

Sorry to hear about the gut issues — I've been going through something kind of similar that's restricting what I can eat. Beer is not included, fortunately.

Rahr has some decent seasonals but I'm not personally a huge fan of their year round beers. Can't beat the Costco deal though. Unfortunately my favorite Texas breweries either don't package, only bottle in 750ml bottles or they can but only distribute in Austin. I would love some Austin Beer Works or Hops and Grain (both canned) during the summer. I'll have to haul some back next time I go to Austin.

[Kameirocco]

i came

[Heathcliff Huxtable]

have a half case of New Holland Black Tulip coming my way tomorrow . hope it's as good as previous batches.

happy hour with customers tonight. Sharp Edge Brasserie, 1/2 off Belgian Drafts 4:30-6:30

[evosky]

Went to a HH yesterday and got Mama's Little Yella Pils by Oskar Blues in a supermug. Great golden color, great refreshing pils. Was glad I got it on a perfect summer day

[pat_ernzen]

Went downtown to pickup my brother's car and he lives right next a number of bars with pretty decent beer selections. Promised my buddy a glass of Parabola on tap for driving me down and when we got there, it was gone. ;_; It was on the night before and I completely missed it in draft form this year (and every other year). My buddy wasn't happy about this news, either. Found out my brother had eight glasses of the stuff while it was on as he lives within walking distance of the place and they had it on for a while. Jerk.

About to go work on my Rambler a bit and feel a 24oz can of PBR may be in order... Current temperature outside: 107*f.

Went to a HH yesterday and got Mama's Little Yella Pils by Oskar Blues in a supermug. Great golden color, great refreshing pils. Was glad I got it on a perfect summer day

Been a while since I've had it, but I like Oskar Blues' beers in general. Little overpriced, IMO, though. But I do love the fact that they date their cans.

[WickedMatt02]

Not new... but saved one from January... Great Lakes makes some FANTASTIC beers that they don't distribute or even serve anywhere but their own brewpub.

[odj]

Tried a couple of new things this past weekend.



I did *not* like this. Too acidic, muddled flavor. Almost poured my glass out.



Very tasty stout. I picked up an extra bottle to age. I think the bit of sharpness on the front end will fade a bit with time. Smooth and drinkable, with a nice blend of flavor, hint of chocolate on the nose.

i came

HUB!!! I've been dreaming about their IPA (just the regular hopworks one) for a while. Waaaaaaaaaaant.

[Heathcliff Huxtable]

drinking a fantastic Schneider Weisse Mein Nelson Sauvin

[pat_ernzen]

Very tasty stout. I picked up an extra bottle to age. I think the bit of sharpness on the front end will fade a bit with time. Smooth and drinkable, with a nice blend of flavor, hint of chocolate on the nose.

I've heard very good things about B.O.R.I.S. and the variations. Not surprised you enjoyed it. And not surprised the DFH was disappointing, either.

Tonight was New Belgium LoF / Lost Abbey Collab Brett Beer... Seriously disappointing. Not really sour at all and just kind of funky... Glad I didn't buy a bottle. After that was Hoptimum and Wookey Jack. Big improvement. Got the last pint of Wookey Jack before it blew, too. Bonus. Thinking this isn't the end for me tonight, though...

[Viktor Vaughn]

If you like IPA's, then here is the list.

Lunch (hard to find, but worth the search. Top of the line)

Racer 5

Stone IPA

Dales Pale Ale (hoppy for an pale ale)

Nectar IPA (kind of sweet though)

Sent from the Droiiiiid!

[pat_ernzen]

If you like IPA's, then here is the list.
Lunch (hard to find, but worth the search. Top of the line)
Racer 5
Stone IPA
Dales Pale Ale (hoppy for an pale ale)
Nectar IPA (kind of sweet though)
Sent from the Droiiiiid!

Haven't had Lunch, but have had the others and can't agree with this list.
Working off of your list...

Heady Topper
Sculpin or Mongo
Ruination
Two Hearted
Double Jack

Like I said, that's just going off your list.

Currently drinking an Odell IPA.

[Viktor Vaughn]

Haven't had Lunch, but have had the others and can't agree with this list.
Working off of your list...

Heady Topper
Sculpin or Mongo
Ruination
Two Hearted
Double Jack

Like I said, that's just going off your list.

Currently drinking an Odell IPA.

Love Ruination. Double Jack its cool too, has a similar fruit backdrop as the Nectar, perhaps because they come out of the same brewery (Firestone).

That being said, I was thinking more IPA, than I was double and imperial.

I like a bit less abv so that I can drink more of them :p

Would have listed Union Jack (Doubles little bro) had I remembered. In the meantime I will try a few of the ones I haven't had when I get a chance

Also, I have heard that Lunch comes second only to Pliny the Elder. I have never had out and am dying for a Cali friend to score me some.


Sent from the Droiiiiid!

[leitmotif]

I had some French biere de garde last night but I'm not sure the name, I think it starts with a G. It was really good.

Picked up a couple of growlers, one I'm taking to a BBQ later today. It's called Live Oak Hefeweizen. Really good TX beer I've had several times. I guess a growler of it is decent trade bait, though I'm not really into trading. Also picked up a bottle of Gulden Draak 9000.

[pat_ernzen]

Love Ruination. Double Jack its cool too, has a similar fruit backdrop as the Nectar, perhaps because they come out of the same brewery (Firestone).
That being said, I was thinking more IPA, than I was double and imperial.
I like a bit less abv so that I can drink more of them :p
Would have listed Union Jack (Doubles little bro) had I remembered. In the meantime I will try a few of the ones I haven't had when I get a chance
Also, I have heard that Lunch comes second only to Pliny the Elder. I have never had out and am dying for a Cali friend to score me some.

Yeah, with my list I was really just trying to match up your list with what I felt was a better beer, keeping the same brewer or region. That's why I said Double Jack in place of Nectar IPA. Didn't really think about the fact that I was going up to IIPAs with most of my selections. Again, I don't know about Lunch, but I'm not that impressed by Pliny. Don't get me wrong, it's a great beer, but I didn't think it's the pinnacle of IPAs/IIPAs or really lives up to the hype. I've had it out of a bottle (few weeks old) and on tap. I'd put Heady Topper above Pliny with no hesitation. Bootlegger's Knuckle Sandwich is way up there for me, but I'd have to try it again. I think I'd put Port's Mongo on cask above Pliny, too, but maybe that's not fair. There's just so many great hoppy beers out there.

If we're talking APAs, Zombie Dust has to be the best I've had. Their Alpha King is fantastic, too. Dale's is certainly one of the best I can easily get, though.

[Manu44]

Holy crap is this good....

[Heathcliff Huxtable]

...has never been said by anyone ever about that beer

[Kameirocco]

...has never been said by anyone ever about that beer

i've had it, it was interesting and it maybe something i'd brine a chicken in or something, but i don't think i'll have it again.
my GF got it for me, and she doesn't eat any pork at all, so it was up to me to chug a lug...