Beer

[Sgt. Pepper]

I'm really into Dogfish, but then again, they are about 35 miles from my house. Their Punkin Ale, which is in season now, is probably the best on the market. They only brew this a couple months of the year and when it's gone, it's gone.

However, for the real beer lover, you need to go to Asheville, NC. It's the craft brew capital of the U.S. I was just down there and it's incredible. Fortunately, I have family in the area and I've visited many times. If you are into craft brews, it's a must do trip.

 

[holt7153]

I've not had that one. I don't care much for Shock Top.

I'm not a fan of most Shock Top stuff, but I like this apple wheat one.

 

[TheProphet]

I'm really into Dogfish, but then again, they are about 35 miles from my house. Their Punkin Ale, which is in season now, is probably the best on the market. They only brew this a couple months of the year and when it's gone, it's gone.

However, for the real beer lover, you need to go to Asheville, NC. It's the craft brew capital of the U.S. I was just down there and it's incredible. Fortunately, I have family in the area and I've visited many times. If you are into craft brews, it's a must do trip.

I snagged a 4 pack of Dogfish Punkin earlier in the season. If I hadn't just bought a $70 kitchen knife a few minutes before, I would have grabbed another 5. Awesome brew.

 

[Sgt. Pepper]

I snagged a 4 pack of Dogfish Punkin earlier in the season. If I hadn't just bought a $70 kitchen knife a few minutes before, I would have grabbed another 5. Awesome brew.

For me, the best part of Dogfish's Punkin Ale is that it doesn't taste like pumpkin pie. It has the right balance of pumpkin, brown sugar, cinnamon, etc... where you get the essence rather than a piece of pumpkin pie. Dogfish does a nice job with all of its infused brews.

 

[Sgt. Pepper]

I'm not a fan of most Shock Top stuff, but I like this apple wheat one.

I'm not either, but then again, it's an anheuser-busch/in-bev product.

 

[TheProphet]

Sgt. Pepper, how often do you see Dogfish 120 up there? I would assume it's in a much larger supply there than down here in Texas.

 

[Spooky28]

I'm really into Dogfish, but then again, they are about 35 miles from my house. Their Punkin Ale, which is in season now, is probably the best on the market. They only brew this a couple months of the year and when it's gone, it's gone.

However, for the real beer lover, you need to go to Asheville, NC. It's the craft brew capital of the U.S. I was just down there and it's incredible. Fortunately, I have family in the area and I've visited many times. If you are into craft brews, it's a must do trip.

Strange, as much as I love my craft beer I've not done Asheville and it's only a few hours away. I spent a week in Milwaukee this summer and had a total blast touring local craft breweries. Loved Lakefront Brewery, so much fun. But Milwaukee Brewing Co now officially has the best beer I've ever had (I like most anywhere from a wheat to my favorite bock) in their O-Gii | Milwaukee Brewing Co.. It was recommended to me in a pub in downtown Milwaukee and after I took my first skeptical sip and passed it around to all of the hard core beer drinkers in my group we were ALL sold.

 

[Sgt. Pepper]

Strange, as much as I love my craft beer I've not done Asheville and it's only a few hours away. I spent a week in Milwaukee this summer and had a total blast touring local craft breweries. Loved Lakefront Brewery, so much fun. But Milwaukee Brewing Co now officially has the best beer I've ever had (I like most anywhere from a wheat to my favorite bock) in their O-Gii | Milwaukee Brewing Co.. It was recommended to me in a pub in downtown Milwaukee and after I took my first skeptical sip and passed it around to all of the hard core beer drinkers in my group we were ALL sold.

Cool, sounds like a great time with good brew.

You must go to Asheville. Of course, have a designated driver or get a hotel. My last trip was with my brother (who lives in the area) and my sis-n-law as the DD. Don't make the mistake we made. LOL We had planned on 4 breweries and during our tour added a 5th at the end. Somehow we made it to the car and the sis-n-law was more than gracious in dealing with us. If/when you go, talk to me and i'll give you a heads-up on a few places to visit, but it's all good.

The food scene is awesome there also.

 

[Oberon75]

On the subject of pumpkin beers has anyone tried the Shock Top Pumpkin Wheat? I had a few Shock Top Honeycrisp Apple Wheat beers last night and I really like it (I'm a big fan of fruity beers). For some reason I find the fruity ones help bring out the taste of a good e-juice.

If you like Shock Top Pumpkin, you should seek out some of the other pumpkin beers. You will love them far more.

The reason people say they don't like Shock Top is because it's an Anheuser Busch product. Try something like Punkin Ale from Dogfish Head and your opinion of Shock Top will drastically change. It's kind of like using a Blu or Mark Ten ecig because they have no idea what's available at the vape shop.

 

[TheProphet]

I'm really into Dogfish, but then again, they are about 35 miles from my house. Their Punkin Ale, which is in season now, is probably the best on the market. They only brew this a couple months of the year and when it's gone, it's gone.

However, for the real beer lover, you need to go to Asheville, NC. It's the craft brew capital of the U.S. I was just down there and it's incredible. Fortunately, I have family in the area and I've visited many times. If you are into craft brews, it's a must do trip.

. .

Sgt. Pepper, how often do you see Dogfish 120 up there? I would assume it's in a much larger supply there than down here in Texas.

 

[Sgt. Pepper]

. .

They only brew it twice a year. That time happens to be now. However, at $13-15 a bottle I usually take a pass. But it has an incredible taste. I can buy their 90ipa for $9 a 4 pack. I may try to get down to their restaurant/pub in Rehoboth beach to see if they have it on tap. They offer beers on tap at the restaurant that you can't get anywhere else.

 

[Oberon75]

There are only a couple IPA's I have ever liked. One being the 90 Minute and the other being Bells Two Hearted. Bells Hopslam is great too which is a double IPA that's a lot like Two Hearted. Problem is, it's a very limited release and costs $16 to $20 for a 6 pack. I believe brewing starts the last week of Jan and stops the first week of March.

 

[TheProphet]

I've only ever had 2 IPAs and enjoyed them both, first was Stone's Ruination and then Stone's Enjoy By 7-4-14.

 

[Spooky28]

Cool, sounds like a great time with good brew.

You must go to Asheville. Of course, have a designated driver or get a hotel. My last trip was with my brother (who lives in the area) and my sis-n-law as the DD. Don't make the mistake we made. LOL We had planned on 4 breweries and during our tour added a 5th at the end. Somehow we made it to the car and the sis-n-law was more than gracious in dealing with us. If/when you go, talk to me and i'll give you a heads-up on a few places to visit, but it's all good.

The food scene is awesome there also.

We used a taxi in Milwaukee. It isn't only the tours but all of the good restaurants with their house brew and tastings at each meal but oh so fun. I was with a group of pretty serious wine and beer folks from Washington State. They were kind of biased towards anything produced there but found plenty to love in Milwaukee.

We always stay at the Grove Park In in Asheville, I'm thinking a late Christmas gift to ourselves in the Spring. I'll be in touch!

 

[Sgt. Pepper]

We used a taxi in Milwaukee. It isn't only the tours but all of the good restaurants with their house brew and tastings at each meal but oh so fun. I was with a group of pretty serious wine and beer folks from Washington State. They were kind of biased towards anything produced there but found plenty to love in Milwaukee.

We always stay at the Grove Park In in Asheville, I'm thinking a late Christmas gift to ourselves in the Spring. I'll be in touch!

The DD was kind of tongue-n-cheek. I wouldn't expect anything different from a responsible like yourself to use a cab.

The Grove Park Inn is killer. You can take a cab into town and go for it.

Yes, I know many people from the West and their snippety way towards any craft brew outside their area.

There are paid tours in Asheville, but they're really not worth it, we make our own tour; however, you may get a chance to meet the brew master, but it is never guaranteed.

 

[Spooky28]

The DD was kind of tongue-n-cheek. I wouldn't expect anything different from a responsible like yourself to use a cab.

The Grove Park Inn is killer. You can take a cab into town and go for it.

Yes, I know many people from the West and their snippety way towards any craft brew outside their area.

There are paid tours in Asheville, but they're really not worth it, we make our own tour; however, you may get a chance to meet the brew master, but it is never guaranteed.

If you EVER get to Milwaukee go to Lakefront Brewery and do their tour. Go so you can have lunch - really well done Milwaukee made German sausage type food with all of the fixins. And have a beer with lunch. Buy your ticket - it's $7 and what a steal. The tour guides are required to have some comedic training prior and they are just fun enough and very knowledgeable. 5 very large "tastings" later and a ticket to fill up your glass and you realize you've spent a very enjoyable couple of hours. THEN call back the taxi and head for the Horny Goat to sample some of their beer right on the water in the open air bar. I know we went a couple more places after that...

I'm thinking another road trip is in order and soon.

 

[Oberon75]

I've only ever had 2 IPAs and enjoyed them both, first was Stone's Ruination and then Stone's Enjoy By 7-4-14.

You got lucky then because there are some pretty bad ones out there. The only Stone brews I have ever had were Arrogant ....... and Oaked Arrogant ........ I really enjoyed them both so perhaps I'll give those a try.

The big problem I have with a lot of IPA's is, they don't have a lot of complexity. They load them with as many hops as possible but there isn't much else going on.

That's why I like Bells Two Hearted so much. There's a lot of hops there but there's also a malt sweetness that slices straight down the middle. Since this is one of Bells flagships, it's possible to find it outside of MI. If you can get some, I highly recommend it.

http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/287/1093/

 

[TheProphet]

I didn't care much for Stone's Arrogant ........ Made a quick run to the liquor store during lunch today and grabbed a bottle of Dogfish 120 and Avery Pump[KY]n. I'm going to miss my pumpkin beers when fall is gone. On the upside, winter is coming and that means Stone's Smoked Porter with Vanilla will be back.

I don't think I can get Bell's here, but New Holland should be available soon.

 

[Sgt. Pepper]

I didn't care much for Stone's Arrogant ........ Made a quick run to the liquor store during lunch today and grabbed a bottle of Dogfish 120 and Avery Pump[KY]n. I'm going to miss my pumpkin beers when fall is gone. On the upside, winter is coming and that means Stone's Smoked Porter with Vanilla will be back.

I don't think I can get Bell's here, but New Holland should be available soon.

glad to see you were able to pick up some 120. tell me what ya think?

 

[TheProphet]

Will do, I'll probably crack it open next week. Should have bought 2 bottles, but didn't want to spend $35 on 3 bottles of beer.