re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

[quote=Mattyk;1061186]If I had to pick one beer to have for the rest of my life, SN Pale just might be my pick.

I did one of those make your own sixer deals at the grocery store the other day, all SN brews. Pale, Torpedo, and Ruthless Rye.[/quote]Yeah, Harris Teeter is where I've been getting the "make your own six pack" to try microbrews in my area.

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

[quote=ArtMonkDrillz;1061180][IMG]http://s.pikabu.ru/images/big_size_comm/2012-08_6/13459862467878.gif[/IMG][/quote]

Maybe it was a California phenomenon but quite lot of beverage items there would disappear from the shelves after many years or just be a flash in the pan and vanish. Then through this thing called the internet you find out some brand that you thought died 30 years ago is selling like crazy up in Washington State.
So I thought it was very likely SN pale ale may have just come to the region where the poster lived. There are lots of products that have been around for ever that are marketed only in a small region.

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

SN Pale is pretty common all over. Even my corner gas station has it.

I used to love SN - especially the pale ale. I remember hearing they sold out to one of the major breweries several years back? Not sure if this is true or if that means it isnt an official microbrew anymore but for some reason I stopped drinking it at that point.

SN is by far and away my favorite brewery, I always have something from them in my fridge. I just had a four pack of Bigfoot Ale Barley Wine recently, I'd never seen it before. For a barley wine style w a 9.6 alc % it was damn smooth. If you happen to spot it I would highly recommend picking some up if you like SN.

[url]http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/140/2671/[/url]

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

[quote=mlmdub130;1061324]SN is by far and away my favorite brewery, I always have something from them in my fridge. I just had a four pack of Bigfoot Ale Barley Wine recently, I'd never seen it before. For a barley wine style w a 9.6 alc % it was damn smooth. If you happen to spot it I would highly recommend picking some up if you like SN.

[url=http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/140/2671/]Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Barleywine Style Ale | Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. | Chico, CA | BeerAdvocate[/url][/quote]

Good stuff, goes down a little too easy

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

[url=http://www.slyfoxbeer.com/]SLY FOX BEER | Phoenixville & Pottstown Pennsylvania | Craft Brewed Beer | Microbrewery & Restaurant in PA[/url]

This is just making it down to our favorite watering hole here and man, it is amazing. Only the pils and lager right now, but both are ultra complex considering the styles. The lager is one of the best I've had in a while (Helles I believe?).

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

Had Stone Go to ipa last night and I must say it was absolutely wonderful. Great session IPA at 4.2 %.

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

[quote=TheMalcolmConnection;1061338][URL="http://www.slyfoxbeer.com/"]SLY FOX BEER | Phoenixville & Pottstown Pennsylvania | Craft Brewed Beer | Microbrewery & Restaurant in PA[/URL]

This is just making it down to our favorite watering hole here and man, it is amazing. Only the pils and lager right now, but both are ultra complex considering the styles. The lager is one of the best I've had in a while (Helles I believe?).[/quote]

As much as the Philly area sucks (Eagles fans etc.) it is a great area for craft beer. If you like Sly Fox, do yourself a favor and try anything by Victory Brewing or Troegs.

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

I'm throwing these down right now. Beats SN Pale in hop flavor, smooth finish, and best of all alcohol content!

[url=http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/345/99873/]DirtWolf | Victory Brewing Company | Downingtown, PA | BeerAdvocate[/url]

[IMG]http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/06/yhyge3et.jpg[/IMG]
Orange, lemongrass, coriander, and peppercorns.

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

So many beers, so little time...

During Preakness weekend, I finally got my mitts on [url=http://flyingdogbrewery.com/beers/dead-rise/]Dead Rise | Flying Dog BreweryFlying Dog Brewery[/url] and wasn't disappointed. It's a good summer beer. You don't get the Old Bay flavor in the beer itself, but I got it in the back of my throat as I drank it down. I know this beer has been a love it or hate it beer for most people, but I enjoyed it.

My favorite beer of late has to be [url=http://www.newbelgium.com/beer/detail.aspx?id=98a17b1b-eeda-4394-91fd-5310c60e9906]Summer Helles - New Belgium Brewing[/url] - Great beer, easy drinking. I always feel being in the minority when I tell people I don't like Fat Tire, but everything else I've tried by New Belgium I've liked, and their Summer Helles is no exception.

[url]https://www.samueladams.com/craft-beers/porch-rocker[/url] - Wife got a 6er of this for her, and I had one. It's a shandy style beer, but to me it was more of a beer with a slight lemonade taste, whereas most shandy beers I've had were lemonade heavy. I found it refreshing.

Took a mini vacation over the past weekend and got a 6er of [url=http://ciscobrewers.com/beer/summer-lager]Summer Lager :: Cisco Brewers, Triple Eight Distillery, Nantucket Vineyard[/url] - Decent beer. First thought in my mind was a better tasting Natty Boh.

Also got the misses a 6er of [url=http://www.saranac.com/our-beers/seasonal-beers/]Saranac Shandy[/url] and wished I had gotten another 6er of Sam Adams Porch Rocker. Very lemonade forward. Geared towards those who live off of Mike's Hard Lemonade.

This is not the best thread to catch up on at work. 😰

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

drank a couple flying do blood orange ale last night.

not bad. about 7% abv so it just barely passes one of my mandatory requirements. i think im turning into the cheapest dude around. i wont pay $8-10 bucks for a sixer unless it is at least 7%.

im finding with flying dog, there isnt much difference taste wise btw their raging bitch, snake head, the truth, blood orange (noticeably more fruity)

interested in the Sly Fox. will try to find when im up there

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

I've been loving me some Hop Nosh lately.

[url=http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/1416/73764/]Hop Nosh IPA | Uinta Brewing Company | Salt Lake City, UT | BeerAdvocate[/url]

Dogfish Head Namaste.

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

I think we need to agree to a definition of a micro brew -

for me, it has to be localized. any beer i can get coast to coast is a domestic beer, not a micro beer.

[url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microbrewery]Microbrewery - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/url]

seems some consensus is that a micro brewery cannot produce more than 15k barrels per year.

this is kinda interesting below re craft beers (which i think a lot of folks are talking about in this thread)

"regional craft breweries, which make between 15,000 US beer barrels (1,800,000 L) and 6,000,000 US beer barrels (700,000,000 L), of which at least 50% is all malt or contains adjuncts that are used only to enhance flavor"

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

[quote=over the mountain;1074268]I think we need to agree to a definition of a micro brew -

for me, it has to be localized. any beer i can get coast to coast is a domestic beer, not a micro beer.

[url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microbrewery]Microbrewery - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/url]

seems some consensus is that a micro brewery cannot produce more than 15k barrels per year.

this is kinda interesting below re craft beers (which i think a lot of folks are talking about in this thread)

"regional craft breweries, which make between 15,000 US beer barrels (1,800,000 L) and 6,000,000 US beer barrels (700,000,000 L), of which at least 50% is all malt or contains adjuncts that are used only to enhance flavor"[/quote]

I think this is an evolving definition, but alot of businesses often referred to the "dark beers" as 2 or 3 beers on their menu as "micro brews." So that was the term that tended to stick if anything A) wasnt a mass produced american light beer or B) anything that wasnt an import.

Lets just rename the thread Lets talk good brews. Otherwise im going to get drunk trying to figure out if it is actually a microbrew. Anybody mentions coors or bud and they get banned for life.

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

my beer store just raised prices so now its $10.42 for the truth or ragin bitch so i decided to just get a sixer of flying dog's double IPA for $13 and some change. has something like 12% abv.

it was good, id prefer the truth or something less strong. at 12% i cant really drink more than 2 on a work night.

also had a couple morretis last night - italian budweiser. it was good, crisp and clean. i liked it for a daytime summer beer or w a light seafood.

had flying dog's pearl necklace on tap last night, good. tasted like a murphys.

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

[url=http://www.homebrewersassociation.org/news/zymurgys-2014-best-beers-america/]Zymurgy’s 2014 Best Beers in America | American Homebrewers Association[/url]

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

[quote=Mattyk;1074433][url=http://www.homebrewersassociation.org/news/zymurgys-2014-best-beers-america/]Zymurgy’s 2014 Best Beers in America | American Homebrewers Association[/url][/quote]

Ive had the top 4, couple others in the top 10. 2 Hearted is probably my favorite beer. I've talked here before about Pliny the Elder...simply amazing stuff.

Ive never been much of a Founders fan, but everywhere i look I see people raving about them...time to retry. But I see their high ratings are for stouts and Im not a stout guy ever unless its Guinness. Its Guinness or nothing, thats just how I roll, stay loyal to no. 1.

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

i need to try that Pliny the elder. i might have before but cant remember.

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

Another thing about that list, the Colorado breweries rated way to low...Left Hand, Great Divide, Avery and Oskar Blues could all be in the top ten. Brenckenridge should at least make the list.

Goose Island, Founders, Dogfish(way overrated IMO) too high....

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

[quote=over the mountain;1074437]i need to try that Pliny the elder. i might have before but cant remember.[/quote]

you would remember, its not on the east coast and they stated many times they (Russian River) arent increasing production

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

[quote=Chico23231;1074436]Ive had the top 4, couple others in the top 10. 2 Hearted is probably my favorite beer. I've talked here before about Pliny the Elder...simply amazing stuff.

Ive never been much of a Founders fan, but everywhere i look I see people raving about them...time to retry. But I see their high ratings are for stouts and Im not a stout guy ever unless its Guinness. Its Guinness or nothing, thats just how I roll, stay loyal to no. 1.[/quote]

Founders Breakfast Stout is definitely super tasty, probably one of the best stouts out there IMO.

Somehow I haven't had Bells Two Hearted yet, I need to make that happen soon.

Was on South St in Philly a couple weeks ago and had a few Yards Love Stouts. Wow.

Bout to try this....
[IMG]http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/21/my3abu3e.jpg[/IMG]

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

[quote=Mattyk;1074433][url=http://www.homebrewersassociation.org/news/zymurgys-2014-best-beers-america/]Zymurgy’s 2014 Best Beers in America | American Homebrewers Association[/url][/quote]

I've had all except #11,14,22,28, and 41. KBS is one I've been searching for for a while. It sells out here in a matter of minutes. Next year I will try for Pliny the Younger in Philly. Two Hearted is one of the best IPA's out there. Even people who don't like IPA's can dig Two Hearted.

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

[quote=Mattyk;1074476]Founders Breakfast Stout is definitely super tasty, probably one of the best stouts out there IMO.

Somehow I haven't had Bells Two Hearted yet, I need to make that happen soon.[/quote]

I actually remember the first time I had two hearted, a definitive beer drinking moment in my life.

Ok picked up some founders breakfast stout, also some sammie smiths organic chocolate stout. Than realized it was hot out so just in case some Leinenkugels summer shandy. I think im good for this evening.

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

[quote=punch it in;1074485]Bout to try this....
[IMG]http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/21/my3abu3e.jpg[/IMG][/quote]

Goes great mixed with Young's Double Chocolate stout!

[QUOTE=Mattyk;1074512]Goes great mixed with Young's Double Chocolate stout![/QUOTE]


Dammit Why didnt i think of that. Thanks for the idea though. I just purchased the sam smiths chocolate stout too. I will remember that.

[IMG]http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/22/ehume7yg.jpg[/IMG]
I dont think there us a better summer beer than this.

[QUOTE=punch it in;1074517]Dammit Why didnt i think of that. Thanks for the idea though. I just purchased the sam smiths chocolate stout too. I will remember that.[/QUOTE]


Try it with the Smiths, I'm sure that would work too

[QUOTE=Chico23231;1074507]I actually remember the first time I had two hearted, a definitive beer drinking moment in my life.[/QUOTE]


Grabbed a sixer today and having one right now. I can definitely see it being a regular in my rotation.

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

[quote=TheMalcolmConnection;1061338][url=http://www.slyfoxbeer.com/]SLY FOX BEER | Phoenixville & Pottstown Pennsylvania | Craft Brewed Beer | Microbrewery & Restaurant in PA[/url]

This is just making it down to our favorite watering hole here and man, it is amazing. Only the pils and lager right now, but both are ultra complex considering the styles. The lager is one of the best I've had in a while (Helles I believe?).[/quote]

i tried the sly fox IPA when i was waiting for my food from ohhs and ahhs on U street .... and holy cow that is a great beer. better than anything flying dog makes and those guys are my go to.

might have to drive up to pottstown to grab a few cases

(i name dropped Ohhs and Ahhs in there bc thats the best soul food ive ever eaten .. not really your traditional soul food bc they dont cook pig and there is no pig feet or chitlin but it was amazing)

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

[quote=punch it in;1074521][IMG]http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/22/ehume7yg.jpg[/IMG]
I dont think there us a better summer beer than this.[/quote]

I don't think there's a better beer period. You just forgot the lemon. Abita has a Purple Haze Raspberry Wheat that's pretty damn good too.

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

[quote=punch it in;1074521][IMG]http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/22/ehume7yg.jpg[/IMG]
I dont think there us a better summer beer than this.[/quote]
If you like this, you'll love Sam Adams Porch Rocker. The Saranac Shandy is quite similar to Leinie's Shandy. Porch Rocker to me is better because it's beer first.

re: Let's talk microbrews good beer
 

Summer Shandy? Come on guys my wife and her girlfriends drink that.