Best New Beer You've Tried Recently?

[Turbio!]

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!

I'm not a huge fan of Dale's. It's just not that balanced, it's just hops hops hops HOPS.

While I'm dissing on beloved IPAs, I had a Pliny the Elder the other day...and it was excellent, but not any more so than Odell's, Stone, or even Great Divide's entrants in the field.

I love me some IPA, but I think they're sort of becoming one-dimensional. Okay, cool, mad hops. Woo. Now what? There's only so many ways a ****load of hops can taste.

[pat_ernzen]

I'm not a huge fan of Dale's. It's just not that balanced, it's just hops hops hops HOPS.

While I'm dissing on beloved IPAs, I had a Pliny the Elder the other day...and it was excellent, but not any more so than Odell's, Stone, or even Great Divide's entrants in the field.

I love me some IPA, but I think they're sort of becoming one-dimensional. Okay, cool, mad hops. Woo. Now what? There's only so many ways a ****load of hops can taste.

Like I said, I've had a LOT of hoppy beers, but Heady Topper just did it for me.

Today was:

Lagunitas Lucky 13 (draft)
Sierra Nevada Hoptimum (draft)
DFH Burton Baton (draft)
Thomas Hardy's Ale (2008, bottle)

My conclusion... American beer > British beer. Sorry.

[thebestever]

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.

yes.

i think i drank at least 7 cans of heady topper over the weekend through last night. i still have 5 more in my fridge!

and, has anyone had stone 10th anniversary yet? apparently it rivals pliny... getting really good reviews too.

[Viktor Vaughn]

yes.

i think i drank at least 7 cans of heady topper over the weekend through last night. i still have 5 more in my fridge!

and, has anyone had stone 10th anniversary yet? apparently it rivals pliny... getting really good reviews too.

I think so, it's labeled Ruination. Had it the other day. Really good, 10.9 was a bit too much for my liking through.

I hope I can find that hopper somewhere here in the northeast!

Sent from the Droiiiiid!

[n0rdicalex.]

whoa, just saw this pop up in my facebook newsfeed:



going to have to source one! never had voodoo donuts, but it still sounds great.

[leitmotif]

I'm not a huge fan of Dale's. It's just not that balanced, it's just hops hops hops HOPS.

While I'm dissing on beloved IPAs, I had a Pliny the Elder the other day...and it was excellent, but not any more so than Odell's, Stone, or even Great Divide's entrants in the field.

I love me some IPA, but I think they're sort of becoming one-dimensional. Okay, cool, mad hops. Woo. Now what? There's only so many ways a ****load of hops can taste.

Just remember, Pliny was the original DIPA. This is probably why it is the gold standard and the treasured beer. I love Pliny. I took it for granted when I lived I SoCal.

I've been on a break from good for a while. I over did it and now mainly drink all the other styles I used to pass over when I was hop mad.

[pat_ernzen]

yes.
i think i drank at least 7 cans of heady topper over the weekend through last night. i still have 5 more in my fridge!
and, has anyone had stone 10th anniversary yet? apparently it rivals pliny... getting really good reviews too.

Dude, so jealous. Will definitely have to get myself some more at some point. Want to get at least four cans next time, though. I just felt stingy and needed more after two cans.

And no, I haven't tried Ruination 10th yet. Hasn't shown up in the valley yet, unfortunately. Also looking forward to their Smoked Porter variations. We'll probably see those whenever it is that Ruination 10th shows up (supposed to be middle of this month).

Stone will be on to their 16th Anniversary beer this year. If last year's was any indication, it should be a great beer. And then there's the 12.12.12 Vertical Epic! Looking forward to drinking a bunch of it on tap, as it should be best fresh. Also planning two separate tastings with all my bottles. Should be fun. Lot of big/fun stuff from Stone this year, it seems.

whoa, just saw this pop up in my facebook newsfeed:
http://uncrate.com/p/2011/11/rogue-v...oughnut-xl.jpg
going to have to source one! never had voodoo donuts, but it still sounds great.

Wouldn't bother. For every one person that likes it, there seems to be ten that don't. Have a bottle in my fridge right now, actually. Bought it as a gift for someone and never gave it to them. May never drink it, haha. At least the bottle is pretty cool looking, I guess.

Just remember, Pliny was the original DIPA. This is probably why it is the gold standard and the treasured beer. I love Pliny. I took it for granted when I lived I SoCal.
I've been on a break from good for a while. I over did it and now mainly drink all the other styles I used to pass over when I was hop mad.

Yeah, I don't mean to knock Pliny by any means. It's definitely a GREAT beer, but for someone like me, where it's a pain in the ass to get it, I'd rather just have something else that's on the same level and can be bought super fresh at a local store. If I'm going to make a big effort to get a beer like that, I'd go for Heady Topper for sure. Or seek out something like Alpine's various offerings.

[leitmotif]

Yeah, I don't mean to knock Pliny by any means. It's definitely a GREAT beer, but for someone like me, where it's a pain in the ass to get it, I'd rather just have something else that's on the same level and can be bought super fresh at a local store. If I'm going to make a big effort to get a beer like that, I'd go for Heady Topper for sure. Or seek out something like Alpine's various offerings.

I don't blame you one bit. Unfortunately, fresh out here means sitting in the distributor's warehouse for a month + while waiting for TABC approval.

I've had Bootlegger's Knuckle Sandwich, not super fresh but still amazing. And I agree with out about Alpine. Must also mention Kern River's IPA's. But still, I'm hopped out. My friend is on vacation in Nor Cal currently and bringing some good stuff back and I'll be going home in Sept. and visiting my Grandma who is about 30ish min. from both Firestone taprooms.

[Kameirocco]

whoa, just saw this pop up in my facebook newsfeed:

[IMG]http://uncrate.com/p/2011/11/rogue-voodoo-doughnut-xl.jpg[IMG]

going to have to source one! never had voodoo donuts, but it still sounds great.

you should be able to order it on their website. only order one though... unless you want to brine a pork loin in it or something lol

:EDIT: here ya'r sir

http://rogue.com/store/products/Rogu...ml-Bottle.html

[n0rdicalex.]

ah cool, thanks for the heads up!

local beer store said they could order it too, so i might have them do it. judging by the reviews, i probably won't like it, but might as well try it anyway.

[pat_ernzen]

Tonight was...

Lagunitas Undercover Shut-Down
Lagunitas IPA
Manzinita IPA
Gouden Carolus Cuvee Van De Keizer Blauw/Blue (2009)
Deschutes Twilight Ale

And I came home with a Russian River Consecration and a Hair of the Dog Doggie Claws 2011. Good times.

[thebestever]

Dude, so jealous. Will definitely have to get myself some more at some point. Want to get at least four cans next time, though. I just felt stingy and needed more after two cans.

And no, I haven't tried Ruination 10th yet. Hasn't shown up in the valley yet, unfortunately. Also looking forward to their Smoked Porter variations. We'll probably see those whenever it is that Ruination 10th shows up (supposed to be middle of this month).

Stone will be on to their 16th Anniversary beer this year. If last year's was any indication, it should be a great beer. And then there's the 12.12.12 Vertical Epic! Looking forward to drinking a bunch of it on tap, as it should be best fresh. Also planning two separate tastings with all my bottles. Should be fun. Lot of big/fun stuff from Stone this year, it seems.

we finished up the HT last night. :cry: now i am contemplating my next trip to VT. most of the package stores limit you to 4 4-packs because it's so hard for them to even get in VT.

and yep, looks like a good stone year. i'm excited because i haven't been that amped about stone beers for a while.

i'm trying to think about what other beers i had yesterday:

sixpoint apollo
sixpoint the crisp <3
new england brewing co 668
goose island sofie
rastafarye

i think thats it.

[ChrisTaco]

whoa, just saw this pop up in my facebook newsfeed:

going to have to source one! never had voodoo donuts, but it still sounds great.

IMO don't waste your time. It's really not good at all. Great as a donut, not as a beer though.

Just remember, Pliny was the original DIPA. This is probably why it is the gold standard and the treasured beer. I love Pliny. I took it for granted when I lived I SoCal.

I've been on a break from good for a while. I over did it and now mainly drink all the other styles I used to pass over when I was hop mad.

Pliny is good don't get me wrong, but there are better DIPAs IMO.

I did have some HopSlam the other night. Great beer.
DFH Immort Ale (reminded me a lot of their Paolo Santo Marron) which both are really fantastic beers.
DFH Sah'tea (tried it, won't do it again, not a fan at all). Chai flavors just throw me off for a beer.
Stone TBA (fantastic collab beer from Bear Republic, Stone, and Fat Head breweries). I would drink this consistently if it wasn't so hard to get.
Rogue Morimoto Soba - loved it. Backend had a hint of sake-ish flavor. Has become a regular beer for me.

[Viktor Vaughn]

Don't want to go too far off topic but, how many beers are you guys putting back nightly?

Sent from the Droiiiiid!

[leitmotif]

Don't want to go too far off topic but, how many beers are you guys putting back nightly?

Sent from the Droiiiiid!

I only drink Friday and Saturdays. Fridays I'll have 2-3, except last night I had 4. Depending on my day for Saturday I'll knock back like 5 or 6.

[pat_ernzen]

I drink probably five nights a week, but usually it's only one beer for like four of those nights. I'd say on the average week I might end up drinking something like 6-8 beers total. Some weeks it's much, much more than that. But they're atypical.

[pat_ernzen]

Picked this up this morning and it's a damn good deal. A great three year old 9% ABV barleywine for less than $5.50? I mean, come on. I'll very likely be buying a couple more while they're still there.



This same shop is one I've mentioned before. It has all kinds of rare, great beers but no beer buyers. Stuff just sits there for years. Refrigerated, but not ENTIRELY out of the light. Other stuff I saw there today:

2009 LoF La Folie
LoF Transatlantique Kriek
2008 Thomas Hardy's (not really uncommon around here)
t Smisje Grande Reserva
2009 Mikkeler Black
Stone Collab. El Camino (Un)Real Black Ale
Crispin Stagger Lee
2007 Chimay Grand Reserve magnum
2008 Anchor Our Special Ale magnum
2010 Older Viscosity
2008 Old Guardian
2009 Angel's Share

...and a bunch of other stuff. This wouldn't be that remarkable except that it's a grocery store.

[thebestever]

^^^^ do not buy the angel's share.


as far as drinking. i try to limit myself to friday to sunday but if i drink during the week, it's like 1 to 2 beers... friday to sunday might be up to 4 beers... but more like 2 to 3.

rare occasions i go out and drink like 6, and then feel like crap the next day.

[pat_ernzen]

^^^^ do not buy the angel's share.

Yeah, I wasn't planning on it.

[pat_ernzen]

Awww yeeeah. Sold out FAST here. Like, all bottles gone on the first day in many shops despite bottle limits. Luckily, for me, I obviously got my hands on some. It didn't come without effort, though, haha.

Was going to drink one today, but it ended up being a longer day than I hoped and I have to be up in the morning. Damn it. Definitely will be opening one or two over the weekend. Also got a bottle of the Smoked Porter with Chipotle. Vanilla Beans hasn't hit shelves around here yet. Plan on buying at least one bottle of that one.

[leitmotif]

^^^^ do not buy the angel's share.

Whats wrong with angel's share? flat like the 09?

[thebestever]

Whats wrong with angel's share? flat like the 09?

yes, he was referring to the 09 angel's share.

i got to have the ruination 10th anniversary on Wednesday at Eli Canon's... they had a Stone night and had it on tap. It's really good, I don't know if I would put it at Pliny level like I've heard people say, but it's certainly delicious, and I am going to try to get my hands on a bottle or two (highly unlikely as my friend went to our package store and got her allotment of 1 bottle and when she went back they were sold out).

[pat_ernzen]

i got to have the ruination 10th anniversary on Wednesday at Eli Canon's... they had a Stone night and had it on tap. It's really good, I don't know if I would put it at Pliny level like I've heard people say, but it's certainly delicious, and I am going to try to get my hands on a bottle or two (highly unlikely as my friend went to our package store and got her allotment of 1 bottle and when she went back they were sold out).

Drinking it now and it's so, so good. I'd at least put it on the same level as Pliny. But then, I only paid $6 a bottle and just had to drive to a store to get it. It sold out so very fast here... seems pretty much every store was out the same day they got it. Think I'm actually very lucky to have gotten three bottles.

Coming home today with a few more beers, I realized I have a lot of Stone beers at the moment. Far more than any other brewery.

Pictured:
VE 06.06.06 x1
VE 07.07.07 x3
VE 08.08.08 x2
VE 09.09.09 x2
VE 10.10.10 x3
VE 11.11.11 x3
Bottle Works 13th x1
Ruination 10th x3
Lukcy Basartd x1
Old Guardian 2010 x1
Old Guardian Belgo x1
Double Bastard 2008 x1
Cherry Chocolate Stout x1
Smoked Porter w/ Chipotle Peppers x2



Though, I'm now less one Ruination 10th since this photo and very likely less one Smoked Porter shortly. Have more VEs than I realized. Forgot I had three 07s and three 10s.

[Shawn O]

Visited Chicago last weekend and we went to 3 Floyds just across the border.

Got 2 cases of Gumballhead, a case of Pride and Joy, and 2 cases of Zombie Dust! Several bomboers of Arctic Panzer Wolf, Dreadnaught, Apocalypse Cow, and Blackheart!

Their brew pub has EXCELLENT food and they had BA Robert The Bruce on tap!

Got a bunch of Half Acre Daisy Cutter and a bunch of DFH as well on the way out of town including a couple bombers of Theobroma and Ta Henket.

Nothing special overall but none of it is in Minneapolis (yet).

[pat_ernzen]

Dude, jealous. Had one bottle of Zombie Dust and absolutely loved it. Arctic Panzer Wolf, Dreadnaught and Apocalypse Cow are all beers I REALLY want. Have had a handful of 3Floyds beers and have never been disappointed. Wasn't crazy about the standard Robert the Bruce, but malty beers just aren't my style.

[pat_ernzen]

Finishing off a Smoked Porter w/ Chipotle Peppers and, honestly, it's like 90% the same thing as Lefthand Fade to Black V.3 at two to three times the price. Really not impressed. Still really want to try the Vanilla Beans version, though.

[odj]

Jesus, Pat, that's quite the Stone haul. Glad you're enjoying the vertical epic's, though I haven't been to into them.

This was a good week for beer, for me at least. Ye olde beer fridge is sparse, so I broke out some stuff I've been aging.



I finished the last of the breakfast stout I've been holding on to since December or thereabouts - it got so much smoother and the flavors melded wonderfully.



Had the last pumpkin porter I had. Still not a huge pumpkin beer fan - it still had the mellow, smooth pumpkin tast on the front end, but the back end and aftertaste were quite nice.



I picked up two growlers of DC Brau's special edition Oaked Penn Quarter Porter. I like the regular bottles - quite a bit - but this was just incredible. The extra flavor from the whiskey barrels complimented the porter and created a complex, but always complimentary flavor. Big and tasty.

[kweetech]

been knocking through a 4pack of Founder's Devil Dancer...never had a chance to try it before. Really smooth and balanced for a 12% "triple" ipa...good stuff.

[Kameirocco]

ah cool, thanks for the heads up!

local beer store said they could order it too, so i might have them do it. judging by the reviews, i probably won't like it, but might as well try it anyway.

I Think i just saw like 12 cases at fred meyer yesterday, i was all wtf!? and only like 3 were gone lol

[cwescapexlt4x4]

On Friday I was able to get a bottle of the Ruination 10th and a bottle of the Vanilla bean, smoked porter. Waiting to try these probably next weekend! They held these in the backroom (under lock & key) but if you ask the right person they'll get them for you.

[pat_ernzen]

That's how it was here for the Ruination 10th. And I wouldn't wait until next weekend on the Ruination. The sooner the better.

[odj]

I got lucky today, managed to snag two bottles of the 10th!

[patrikman]

Hey Matt, is that new/larger brewery done yet? This **** is delicious!

[FBMphil]

Finishing off a Smoked Porter w/ Chipotle Peppers and, honestly, it's like 90% the same thing as Lefthand Fade to Black V.3 at two to three times the price. Really not impressed. Still really want to try the Vanilla Beans version, though.

Picked up the smoked w/ chipotle and vanilla beans tonight, along with Double Jack from Firestone.

The chipotle was smoky and surprisingly spicy, not anything extraordinary, but I enjoyed it.

I'm a couple sips into the vanilla bean and ... WHOA. Seriously good stuff.

[pat_ernzen]

Got a bottle of the Vanilla in the fridge and another bottle of R10th in the car. Turns out I can easily get a bunch of it. Thinking that I'll be drinking one tonight.