Have any of you guys tried any of the Trader Joe's stuff? My wife brought home one of their vintage ale things last night. Despite the decent reviews on RateBeer, I'm skeptical.
― i kant believe it's not buffon (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Monday, 4 March 2013 21:26 (eleven years ago) link
If you like Fin Du Monde, it is from the same brewery (Unibroue) in Montreal, and a little more session-y than FdM. There's some discussion of it upthread iirc.
― Jersey Al (Albert R. Broccoli), Monday, 4 March 2013 21:29 (eleven years ago) link
Oh yeah, okay, I ctrl-F'd those threads. Fin du Monde is fine, maybe I'll give it a go this week.
― i kant believe it's not buffon (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Monday, 4 March 2013 21:32 (eleven years ago) link
It's closer to Trois Pistoles than Fin du Monde, at least in terms of style. And I'm not sure I'd call it "session-y" at 9%. That said, a good-quality Belgian dark ale is a great deal for $4.99, IMO.
― jaymc, Monday, 4 March 2013 21:58 (eleven years ago) link
Don't know how many of you outside of the Midwest get Central Waters brews but their Peruvian Morning is an excellent barrel aged coffee stout
it's so good
― queeple qua queeple (Jordan), Monday, 4 March 2013 22:01 (eleven years ago) link
― i kant believe it's not buffon (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Monday, March 4, 2013 4:26 PM Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
As you'll see in this and the TJ's thread, I'm a stan of the beer. I can pretty easily put away a whole bottle if I have nothing to do the next morning.
― space phwoar (Hurting 2), Monday, 4 March 2013 22:05 (eleven years ago) link
TJ's beer is pretty bland imo, the 'double IPA' barely tastes like a decent regular IPA.
― queeple qua queeple (Jordan), Monday, 4 March 2013 22:08 (eleven years ago) link
agreed, but the trader joe's anniversary ale or whatever it's called (the unibroue one) is a vastly different proposition from the rest of their stuff - i don't know who contract-brews their other beers but it sure ain't unibroue
― scream blahula scream (govern yourself accordingly), Monday, 4 March 2013 22:17 (eleven years ago) link
yeah, the other beers are a totally differnt thing, I'm talking about the vintage ale
― space phwoar (Hurting 2), Monday, 4 March 2013 22:30 (eleven years ago) link
Are you referring to the Botswain label wrt the double IPA, Jordan? I didn't think that was their label, and I don't recall a DIPA of the ones that are labeled TJs. I don't care for the Botswains I've tried, even at $2/bomber.
― nickn, Monday, 4 March 2013 22:44 (eleven years ago) link
I thought the Boatswain was borderline awful.
― space phwoar (Hurting 2), Monday, 4 March 2013 22:59 (eleven years ago) link
It tasted like hipster malt liquor.
so evidently i am one of 50 people who just "won" this: http://www.hillfarmstead.com/collected-works/
― call all destroyer, Tuesday, 5 March 2013 15:17 (eleven years ago) link
sick!
― scream blahula scream (govern yourself accordingly), Tuesday, 5 March 2013 15:22 (eleven years ago) link
i'd really like to try some hill farmstead. outside traveling up to VT tho i don't know how i'll get any
― Mordy, Tuesday, 5 March 2013 15:22 (eleven years ago) link
i think hf occasionally makes it to philly on draft?
― call all destroyer, Tuesday, 5 March 2013 15:28 (eleven years ago) link
so i've heard but i haven't seen any since i started srsly drinking
― Mordy, Tuesday, 5 March 2013 15:31 (eleven years ago) link
Are you referring to the Botswain label wrt the double IPA, Jordan?
yeah, that was it.
― queeple qua queeple (Jordan), Tuesday, 5 March 2013 15:52 (eleven years ago) link
http://frenchoaktv.com/2010/10/the-breweries-behind-traders-joes-private-label-beer/
Boatswain appears to be contract-brewed by Minhas (http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/435), which is sort of notoriously low-rated on BeerAdvocate. This lineup may be outdated (it predates the A-B Goose Island takeover, for one thing), but it's interesting info nonetheless.
― scream blahula scream (govern yourself accordingly), Tuesday, 5 March 2013 16:19 (eleven years ago) link
jeff box update--double daisy cutter is great stuff, i like the hop profile a lot (like, that is how you use simcoe) and it's combined with a really nice mouthfeel.
― call all destroyer, Thursday, 7 March 2013 03:08 (eleven years ago) link
oh wow, had no idea goose island made stockyard and black toad, will definitely have to try.
The Gordon Biersch and Firestone-Walker beers I've had there are all very decent for the money, if nothing special.
― space phwoar (Hurting 2), Thursday, 7 March 2013 03:19 (eleven years ago) link
i dig the black toad. my wife's fave beer is the mission st. pale ale, so we drink a lot of that tbh.
― i guess i'd just rather listen to canned heat? (ian), Thursday, 7 March 2013 03:20 (eleven years ago) link
i always forget what beers I take for granted here that others can't find elsewhere.
This. I mean, the fact that I can roll down to the grocery store literally 1/4 mile from my house and pick up sixers of Revolution stuff is pretty awesome. Symptom of critical mass of craft beer or w/e, I'm perfectly fine with having convenient access to some great fucking beer.
― i kant believe it's not buffon (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Thursday, 7 March 2013 04:07 (eleven years ago) link
Glad you liked it. If I had unlimited money to send beer, I would have sent a four pack of regular Daisy Cutter too. Great every day beer and the beer I've drank the most of over the last 2 years.
Of yours, I've drank the Zoe (shared with jaymc) and Our Finest Regards. Zoe was another beer that ended up being hoppier than I expected. Very good. OFR was great, I love barleywines so much. I don't get to drink a lot of english style barleywines, good stuff.
― Jeff, Friday, 8 March 2013 01:16 (eleven years ago) link
Heading up to Wisconsin, may stock up on some New Glarus and/or Central Waters. Any suggestions? Peruvian Stout?
― Josh in Chicago, Friday, 8 March 2013 02:36 (eleven years ago) link
You can still get most of the CW stuff in the city, peruvian morning included.
― Jeff, Friday, 8 March 2013 02:51 (eleven years ago) link
My 4-pack of Surly Furious arrives tomorrow afternoon.
― Jersey Al (Albert R. Broccoli), Friday, 8 March 2013 03:02 (eleven years ago) link
Sam Adams Double Agent IPA surprisingly good. I like the flavor of the hops they use.
― space phwoar (Hurting 2), Friday, 8 March 2013 03:31 (eleven years ago) link
Re: new glarus, I haven't gotten this but oh damn
http://www.newglarusbrewing.com/index.cfm/beers/OurBeers/Beer/serendipity
― O_o-O_O-o_O (jjjusten), Friday, 8 March 2013 04:04 (eleven years ago) link
Now that I have found that fuck it, I'm taking a trip to wisconsin
― O_o-O_O-o_O (jjjusten), Friday, 8 March 2013 04:09 (eleven years ago) link
Chicagoans! I'll be visiting your manor in the next couple of weeks, hooray. Can you give me any tips for good quality stores in which to find a really good selection of craft beer? We're staying in Bucktown this time, which is a change from our usual Andersonville / Logan Square haunts, so places in that zone especially welcome, as are stores with a decent selection of bourbon.
I (and more importantly my ex-Chicagoan lovely wife) know a selection of bars around that end, but any advice on ace new places much appreciated also.
― Tim, Friday, 8 March 2013 07:51 (eleven years ago) link
Don't know much about bourbon or Bucktown, but here's the usual suspects:
The Noble GrapePuerto Rico Food & LiquorsWalgreens Greektown (seriously)Before You GoWest Lakeview LiquorsBottles and CansThe Beer TempleWarehouse LiquorsPrinters Row Wine ShopMaria's Packaged GoodsAny Binnys
I haven't been to all these, but they are generally well regarded. You can find most of what they have on beermenus.com.
New places, when were you last here? There is new stuff all the time. In your sorta general area, go to Revolution, Haymarket, Map Room, Local Option. There is actually going to be an awesome beer event at Local Option next week celebrating Pi day. Amazing draft list: http://localoptionbier.com/2013/03/04/pi-observance-day-3-14-2013/
― Jeff, Friday, 8 March 2013 12:26 (eleven years ago) link
VAS Foremost have a decent bourbon selection. Can't really go wrong with Binny's, though.
― every hippie that goes home bloody feels like a martyr back in the city (dan m), Friday, 8 March 2013 12:32 (eleven years ago) link
Bangers & Lace is close to Bucktown too, they're relatively new.
― every hippie that goes home bloody feels like a martyr back in the city (dan m), Friday, 8 March 2013 12:33 (eleven years ago) link
Yes! I forgot B&L. Awesome bar.
I didn't list Vas because I've had a couple of bad experiences there. They do some price gouging on special releases.
― Jeff, Friday, 8 March 2013 12:34 (eleven years ago) link
I was last in Chicago around Christmas (think we discussed Bangers and Lace upthread a little bit, good place but they peeved me somewhat).
We arrive on the 15th, so will miss that event, which is a shame. Our first couple of days will be spent in sunny Rockford, IL anyhow.
Thanks for the advice. If anyone's totally desperate for a bottle of something easily purchasable in London I could be persuaded to drag a couple across...
― Tim, Friday, 8 March 2013 12:44 (eleven years ago) link
Yeah, probably nothing much new since Christmas. Enjoy Rockford! I ran a 10K up there once through too much snow. So I have bad memories.
― Jeff, Friday, 8 March 2013 13:01 (eleven years ago) link
You have bad memories, I have in-laws.
Actually my in-laws are decent folks, but Rockford itself is... well, it's no Chicago, as you know.
― Tim, Friday, 8 March 2013 13:34 (eleven years ago) link
Asked a friend who lives in Bucktown and he recommends Olivia's Market.
― Jeff, Friday, 8 March 2013 15:49 (eleven years ago) link
going to an Allagash tasting tnite
unrelated: http://www.birchbox.com/men/guide/post/4-beers-that-are-good-for-your-skin
― Mordy, Friday, 8 March 2013 20:02 (eleven years ago) link
Decent Bucktown liquor store well-stocked with craft beer:http://www.yelp.com/biz/dannys-buy-low-chicago
― jaymc, Friday, 8 March 2013 20:35 (eleven years ago) link
Thanks for the advice chums.
― Tim, Saturday, 9 March 2013 13:11 (eleven years ago) link
drain poured this: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/1924/28938
and i rarely don't finish a beer but it was TERRIBLE
― Mordy, Monday, 11 March 2013 19:13 (eleven years ago) link
"naked fish" does not inspire confidence.
― call all destroyer, Monday, 11 March 2013 19:16 (eleven years ago) link
ok, in general i think the alaskan stuff is pretty mediocre, but their new Hopothermia Double IPA wins the crown for being the worst beer I have had in years.
Serendipity on the other hand is doooooooope, cellaring a bottle as well to bring out some more funk. at this point it is more tart than sour, but you can smell the sour taking shape in there.
― O_o-O_O-o_O (jjjusten), Monday, 11 March 2013 19:30 (eleven years ago) link
where are you going in WI? i would check for:
-O'So (their Lupulin Maximus is an all-time fav, same for Night Train)-Lake Louie (Mr. Mephisto imperial stout, they have a nice scotch ale and cream ale too)-Ale Asylum-Furthermore (Oscura is a great + unique coffee beer)-Tyranena (Rocky's Revenge bourbon brown ale, whatever the seasonal special is)
― queeple qua queeple (Jordan), Monday, 11 March 2013 19:37 (eleven years ago) link
my cousin is going up to CT this week and offered to pick me up some beers while he's there -- any advice?
― Mordy, Monday, 11 March 2013 19:37 (eleven years ago) link
new england brewing co.--they used to distribute up here but have since scaled back. their canned offerings should be around throughout ct though, and if he's anywhere near new heaven he should stop by and get some growlers.
― call all destroyer, Monday, 11 March 2013 19:42 (eleven years ago) link
Furthermore Knot Stock is one of my all time fave weird beers, ipa brewed with black pepper, it is badass.
― O_o-O_O-o_O (jjjusten), Monday, 11 March 2013 20:48 (eleven years ago) link
Tried the next sam adams spring thaw -- the White Lantern. A pleasant, apricotty wheat beer -- tasty enough that I opened a second one. Probably a good summer party beer.
― space phwoar (Hurting 2), Monday, 11 March 2013 21:14 (eleven years ago) link