Beer in the new era

you got a webmail from me too

You know where I live, send me beer eh?

yaaaaaaah

I hate this limited stuff, but I feel very fortunate to be able to go on the hunt now and again. One of the guys working at Binny's winced when he saw the price my beers rang up to: a "mere" $40. But he's totally right, it's such a luxury, which is why I always try to help my buds if I find something they want.

Ok I got paranoid so I went back and sure enough, I got the last two Proprietors for cad and Mordy. Still some Backyard on the shelves and I wouldnt be surprised if they restock the coconut shit tonight or tomorrow. I'll keep checking back.

Thank you dan!!!!!!!!!!

aw man you're the best

I'm not in your area but I'm sure people are wondering, "Where is this magical store?"

Treasure Island Foods on 55th/Lake Park in Chicago.

Hyde Park ftw!

Any idea if the coffee is as scarce as rumored this year? Even though it's being sold in 4-packs, I've yet to find a store that didn't break those 4-packs up for individual sale.

Yup, the HP TI is the best. A little spendy for groceries but they always have good stuff.

I had to ask this little old dude who was stocking wine and beer if they had any coffee, but he went into the back and came right out with it. It wouldn't surprise me at all if they have a stockpile of all the varieties that they're putting out slowly, it's not a store with a ton of alcohol or a lot of turnover.

You might as well just buy everything!

Man, I thought I had some Coffee Stout today, but forever fuck Irving Park Liquors. Maybe these dudes have always had a shitty rep, but I've never been there before and I'll never go back again. All week they've been updating their Beer Menus page to say they've got the BC Coffee Stout (I've been trying to track it down like a madman). Anyway, thought it was likely an oversight or something, but I figured I'd stop on my way through town back from Champaign to home. About 45 minutes out I called them verify. Dude that answered sez, "yep, we've got about three bottles but, no, I won't hold them for you, come on though". So I get there, walk in and ask. Dude behind the counter (who's voice was DISTINCTLY the same dude from the phone) laughs and says, "HA! we were out 45 minutes into Black Friday" and gives this other guy sitting in a folding chair in front of the counter a "get a loud of this fuckin' guy" look. I said, "I just spoke with you on the phone and said you had some as of 45 minutes ago". He goes, "don't know who that was, but it's not true". I called him out on it and he got really indignant and then tried to give me the hard sell on some Pipeworks stuff, was like badgering me without mercy. Walked out and will never return.

Glad you found some dan!!! Wish I'd saw this post before heading through the city today.

"loud" = "load", obvs

I'm almost glad it's not distributed out here, saves a lot of hassle.

Yeah, it's been so much more stress this year. I'm giving up on getting a Coffee Stout at this point. To give my story a happier end, I went over to The Beer Temple and picked up some good stuff, nothing special, but it was nice to talk to some friendly people about beer. He said he's heard the rumors about a "spoiled" batch of Coffee, but that so far he's heard from Goose Island that it's not true. He said he wouldn't expect many more varietals to trickle out.

Have you seen the Beer Temple gift baskets? Those look awesome. Pricy but awesome.

Yeah, drooled over those today, couldn't justify it though.

They still had Coffee and Barleywine at that place (Artista?) at the corner of California and Armitage earlier today. Probably because they're asking $32.50 for them, but still--they've got some.

Asking $32 for a 12oz?!

Meanwhile, what's with Goose Island's farmhouse ales? $30 for Gillian? Those others? They're not hard to find at all here. No hype? No excitement? Are they any good?

They're very good but so expensive

yeah i passed on gillian, i'm sure it's well done but $30 is crazy.

Whoops, no--that price is for a 4 pack.

Halia was delicious.

Rocked an Amstel Light tonight at work holiday party.

baller

When my wife's company had a box at Hawks/Bulls games I would always hit up Amstel cans first in the ol' fridge.

Man, there's so much good stuff worth chasing, but it's so much easier, and more relaxing, and sometimes more satisfying to just go with an Amstel or Wild Turkey 101 or whatever. No pressure, doesn't feel like drinking money...

money tastes delicious

http://static.squarespace.com/static/523d035de4b0f99c83ed886d/t/5249efd0e4b05a243810e0f3/1380577234947/cash-for-golden-ale.jpg?format=500w

I've been complaining for years to get better beer at the holiday party. I'd kill for even a 312 there.

got a couple cases of bourbon county coffee in yesterday at the shop. i haven't had one yet. might split with a buddy later.

what i was stoked to try today was the brooklyn fire & ice smoked oatmeal porter. really good. not too smokey but it's def there.

That beer label is amazing

If any Mpls/STpl peeps need bourbon county variants, I have the hookup, but it's going to be seriously irritating. I guess if others need stuff, I can work on that and ship.

variants still haven't hit the boston area. supposedly two are in the warehouse and they're waiting for the third. weird part is western mass and the outer suburbs got all the variants last week. kinda holding my breath but i think i'll be able to track 'em down.

Stumbled upon a 4 pack of barleywine yesterday and thanks to Dan got a Proprietors today. So the only variant I won't have is the backyard rye.

we made it as far as victory brewing today before conditions became too treacherous + we had to turn back. we're rescheduling our beercation for next week. nothing really mind-blowing at victory - had a glass of hop devil off nitro which was pretty delish. apparently tours are closed until they open their new/larger facility :(

split an afternoon BCBS coffee with my girlfriend yesterday, the first thing we've had from our stash, and it lived up to expectations.

now i'm about to make beer pancakes, brb.

now drinking: Bittersweet Lenny's R.I.P.A. from Schmaltz. This is good. Not overly boozy but a def alcohol kick. Floral/citrus hops, not a ton of rye in the flavor tho.

to be digging soon:
dark horse Fore Smoked Stout
Southern Tier 2XMAS

also have another BCCS in the fridge as well as a mad elf for when i am feeling festive.

also got the Schlafly T IPA, which i am psyched to try.

T stands for Tasmanian, btw. And I am expecting similar to the Jai Alai IPA; citrusy but also tropical fruit flavors/pine etc.

Question about growler etiquette:

I got my hands on a growler of pretty unusual beer and would like to share it with friends, unfortunately we usually meet at a centrally located pub which has a great selection.

Have you guys ever taken a growler out with you? I usually have consumed them at friends' houses, or parks when the weather's nice.

Seems weird that most eateries will allow a corkage for wine but taking a growler into a bar is like a taboo... could be wrong though or maybe I haven't found the right place yet.

Discus.

If it's a BYOB place, then there should be no issue?

yeah i mean if the place in question is a bar that serves their own beer they're not gonna allow a growler in. is there a byob restaurant you guys could meet at?

i would also agree that a restaurant that charges corkage should be bright enough to let you bring in beer if you paid corkage.

I'm even willing to pour two glasses for the bartenders (1/4th of the growler?) in good faith but we'll see. Haven't tried any BYOB places yet but that's a good idea.

idk where you are but there are legal issues for some bars w/r/t outside beverages. it's not that they don't want to, it's that they can get in trouble.

also what in the world is in the growler?

Anyone had Surly before? It's a big deal, I guess, that it's back in Chicago for the first time since 2010. Not limited, thank goodness, but I'm not sure where to start.

i've tried abrasive and furious, they were both excellent