wilconut Posted April 2, 2015 Author Share Posted April 2, 2015 Granted, I'm still somewhat new to the craft beer landscape, so admittedly some of the 'whales' still hold some appeal for me. But I have noticed in the last few months my appreciation has grown for beers that are more expertly crafted than their super-hyped counterparts. I think it's kind of like discovering what makes authentic Italian food so wonderful is the simplicity, the restraint, the care put into it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hixter Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 Those of us attending Solid Sound should lug a few local beers to the festival for a parking lot bottle exchange. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
knotgreen Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 I'm down! Boston local here, but travel around New England for beer. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Moss Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 Jealous of you west coasters with access to Deschutes. Sierra Nevada Torpedo is great too. For local IPAs, Slumbrew's Flagraiser is a great one. And Smuttynose is unfairly taken for granted.That hop henge is amazing. And only $6 for a bomber here in CO. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bleedorange Posted April 3, 2015 Share Posted April 3, 2015 Stone's Enjoy By 4/20/15 is really good. It's nice that it's in 12 oz. bottles now. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Winston Legthigh Posted April 4, 2015 Share Posted April 4, 2015 Found a 12er of Summit Saga IPA (I don't like it as much as their EPA, but I'll take it) at Caputo's, of all places (maybe some Chicago suburbanites would know what I'm talking about. I never heard of one until I moved out to Downers Grove) - for the completely reasonable price of $13.50. That's another gripe I have about the mainstream craft breweries I like - no 12ers available. Bell's, Half Acre, 2 Brothers. Step it up! I'm not very adventurous when it comes to new beer. I know what I like, so I keep getting what I like. I'm sure all the others are fine - when I travel I always try to find a local brew on tap, but when I'm buying bottles for me, I go with what I know, and I stick with brews that honor the purity law (plus yeast, of course). No pumpkin ale for me, please. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tinnitus photography Posted April 5, 2015 Share Posted April 5, 2015 Tiinnitus, have you made it over to Trillium yet? Their IPAs are a must. Fort Point Pale Ale puts Zombie Dust to shame, IMO.made it over and bought 12 btls, six of Congress St IPA and six of Melcher St IPA drank a Congress after skiing yesterday and holy shit this stuff is good. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
knotgreen Posted April 5, 2015 Share Posted April 5, 2015 made it over and bought 12 btls, six of Congress St IPA and six of Melcher St IPA drank a Congress after skiing yesterday and holy shit this stuff is good.Awesome to hear! His hoppy beers really are fantastic. I went in on Saturday for a growler fill of Fort Point Pale Ale and wish I got more. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
calvino Posted April 6, 2015 Share Posted April 6, 2015 Enjoying the below after hosting an Easter feast --- potent but pretty smooth and drinkable for a high alcohol content brew.Still haven't made it to their Chicago brewery --- friends have, though - all say it's quite the site. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Moss Posted April 7, 2015 Share Posted April 7, 2015 If you get a chance to try Vindication brewing I would highly recommend. They were called "Kettle and Stone" until Stone brewing put the squeeze on so they changed the name. Some of the absolute best beer coming out of Colorado. They are really adamant about not using squid bladders and antifoam and whatever in the process. Great people and amazing beer. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hixter Posted April 7, 2015 Share Posted April 7, 2015 They are really adamant about not using squid bladders and antifoam and whatever in the process.A lot of vegetarians and vegans don't realize that isinglass (fish bladders) and gelatin are sometimes used to clear beer. There aren't many alternatives other than filtering, but that can strip away flavors and yeast. I don't mind cloudy beer, so it's fine if no finings are used. Moss, I use Irish Moss in the boil kettle to help haze-causing proteins settle out. It works fine and it's made from algae, so it's not a problem for the veggies. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
IRememberDBoon Posted April 7, 2015 Share Posted April 7, 2015 seems like Hardywood from right here in Richmond VA is getting a lot of national attention. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Moss Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 A lot of vegetarians and vegans don't realize that isinglass (fish bladders) and gelatin are sometimes used to clear beer. There aren't many alternatives other than filtering, but that can strip away flavors and yeast. I don't mind cloudy beer, so it's fine if no finings are used. Moss, I use Irish Moss in the boil kettle to help haze-causing proteins settle out. It works fine and it's made from algae, so it's not a problem for the veggies.[/quote Yeah thes guys use Irish Moss on everything. They are launching something called Brewtegrity to spread the word. I can taste the diff.] Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hixter Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 They are launching something called Brewtegrity to spread the word.Interesting. It seems their biggest target is silicone-based anti-foam agents. I've sometimes used them in the past to control kettle boil-overs (I typically have 13.5 gallons of wort boiling in a 15.5-gallon pot, so there's not much room to spare) but it's only a drop per gallon and I usually forget to even bring the bottle out of the fridge. I wonder what their take on sanitizers is? Home brewers use non-rinse sanitizers, so there's always a bit of sanitizer left in the bottle/keg/fermenter. I've read that yeast will actually consume the sanitizer, but I don't know if that's actually true. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tinnitus photography Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 what's a non-rinse sanitizer? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hixter Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 That should have read "no-rinse." It's a food-safe, acid-based product used to sanitize equipment and containers. No-rinse means that it can be left in place without removing it. For instance, you'd sanitize a fermenter or bottle with it prior to filling, but a small amount of the sanitizer will still be in the vessel as it's being filled. StarSan is a commonly used product. http://www.fivestarchemicals.com/wp-content/uploads/Star-San-HB4.pdf Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Moss Posted April 9, 2015 Share Posted April 9, 2015 Interesting. It seems their biggest target is silicone-based anti-foam agents. I've sometimes used them in the past to control kettle boil-overs (I typically have 13.5 gallons of wort boiling in a 15.5-gallon pot, so there's not much room to spare) but it's only a drop per gallon and I usually forget to even bring the bottle out of the fridge. I wonder what their take on sanitizers is? Home brewers use non-rinse sanitizers, so there's always a bit of sanitizer left in the bottle/keg/fermenter. I've read that yeast will actually consume the sanitizer, but I don't know if that's actually true. It's tough for them in this competitive market not to use the anti-foams. They could easily get another 10% yield in the fermentor if they did. I remember talking to them about the sanitizers and I know they were pretty adamant about that area also. They focus on good aseptic technique more than anything. They will talk your ear off whenever you are in there. I'm not sure they even make a beer that's under 6% alcohol and they are generous with the pour so I am not really in any state to remember all the nuance by the time I leave. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hixter Posted April 9, 2015 Share Posted April 9, 2015 I have friends in Denver, but they're dope-smoking punks and they say that Boulder is full of dope-smoking hippies, so we rarely venture into the city. Maybe we can check it out the next time I'm in Denver for the Great American Beer Festival. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tinnitus photography Posted April 9, 2015 Share Posted April 9, 2015 don't be afraid of Denver pot smokers. join them in a 4/20 celebration:http://www.ogdentheatre.com/events/detail/268371 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hixter Posted April 9, 2015 Share Posted April 9, 2015 don't be afraid of Denver pot smokers. join them in a 4/20 celebration:http://www.ogdentheatre.com/events/detail/268371I smoked half of Colombia back in the 70s and 80s, but I have no desire to smoke weed anymore. It's so potent these days that it seems like a real drug and it's just not fun anymore. My friends are big smokers, but they are not happy about all the crusty, dreadlocked vagrants who have migrated to Denver and beg for weed and change all day. They're even talking about moving out of the city. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Plumplechook Posted April 10, 2015 Share Posted April 10, 2015 This list of top 10 beers inspired by music includes 'Pot Kettle Black' from Kiwi craft beer makers The Yeastie Boys. I think they presented Wilco with a case of this last time they toured NZ. http://tapsmagazine.com/taps-list-10-beer-name-inspired-by-music/ http://www.yeastieboys.co.nz/beer/PKB/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Winston Legthigh Posted April 11, 2015 Share Posted April 11, 2015 It wasn't until I was an adult that I realized that Smokey and The Bandit was about a beer run. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John Smith Posted April 12, 2015 Share Posted April 12, 2015 B double E double R U N Beer run. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lost highway Posted April 13, 2015 Share Posted April 13, 2015 My little neighborhood brewery finally brought back their sour stout that legend has it was initially an accident. But, now that it's getting warm I might have to see which American micro-brew can make the best fake pilsner. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hixter Posted April 13, 2015 Share Posted April 13, 2015 But, now that it's getting warm I might have to see which American micro-brew can make the best fake pilsner.I like Firestone Walker's Pivo. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.