A New Beer Thread

My report from my Montana trip ... went two four spots in Missoula with the mission of not having anything I could get on the East Coast. Found some very interesting beers.

Started off at Big Sky Brewing Company, where they do free tastings up from. Limit four six-ounce sample. Not bad. Tip the barkeep, for sure. But that's basically the equivalent of two free beers, fresh as can be.

Was a big fan of the Powder Hound Winter Ale, which is 7.2% ABV but goes down tremendously smooth. Dangerously smooth. Their Big Sky IPA is fantastic, perfectly hop balanced. Moose Drool is their signature ale. It's great, but I've had it many times before. Tried their Scape Goat Pale Ale because I'd heard so many good things about it. Pretty tasty and light.

Went down to the Iron Horse Brew Pub after for a little noshing and more sampling. It was there that I found a beer that has befuddled my palate like no other: Deschutes' Chainbreaker IPA. It's a white IPA, which I've never heard of before. Basically, it starts with the floral aroma/flavor of a Belgian and finishes with the bitter kick of an IPA. It's cloudy and light, like a Belgian. I HATE Belgian beers, so I was skeptical. But I really liked it, even if after every sip I couldn't figure out why I liked it. Very confusing brew.

Other beers I tried: New Belgium has a special Imperial IPA that was really flavorful. Also, I gave the IPA from Kettlehouse Brewery in town a shot. Pretty good as well.

Headed down to the Rhino, which has 52 beers on tap. Rogue has a Double Dead Guy Ale on tap. They sell Dead Guy this way but not the double. Another fantastic beer. Tried an IPA from California, but the name escapes me. Also had an old standby that I wish they'd sell out this way, Deschutes Mirror Pond Pale Ale.

 

I piced up some of this for the first time this weekend:



I flipped over it.
Just fantastic.

 

That one is a favorite of mine.

 

Green Flash makes some solid beers. Had a couple on draft the other night.

 

It's the first Green Flash beer I've had.
It was really good.

 

Douchebag.

Fine human being.

 

http://ht.ly/f6M4S

Brace for the cold months ahead with our Stout Blowout!
Tuesday, November 20 from 6pm

This special tapping event will feature 15 of the biggest and best stouts available in Chicago. Some we’ve been saving for months just to bring it all together on this one night!

Goose Island Bourbon County Stout
Goose Island Bourbon County Stout Coffee Stout
Three Floyds Hell’s Black Intelligencer
Firestone Walker Parabola
Firestone Walker Velvet Merkin
Mikkeller Soft DK
Greenbush & SmallBar Templeton Rye Barrel-aged Mr. Hyde
Greenbush & SmallBar Mr. Hyde
Founders Breakfast Stout
Against the Grain Bo & Luc
Bells Cherry Stout
New Belgium’s first ever stout! Imperial Coffee Chocolate Stout
Solemn Oath Grumpess
Southern Tier Creme Brule
Stillwater Perfect Crime Hollow Point

SmallBar Division
2049 West Division
773-772-2727

 

Hennepin Farmhouse Saison

Had it on tap with a margarita pizza at Joe Squared in Baltimore. Deelish

If you ever go to Cooperstown, the Ommegang brewery is nearby. I've never been but I do like their beer

 

I made a Euro-style Bock that was dry-hopped with homemade Cascade hops.

My Special Sections Editor said he wasn't sure how to describe it...but he did notice he sucked two of them down before even wondering...so I guess that is good.

Wife just cracked into the new Leiny's Vanilla Porter. Looking forward to one when I get home.

 

Not a big stout nor coffee fan, but I really liked that Greenbush Barrel-Aged Mr. Hyde. That brewery is one to watch, a small place in a tiny burgh in SW Michigan by the Indiana border, they make some pretty tasty beer.

Parabola and the BCS series have all been great for me. ST Creme Brulee? Not so much...diabetes in a glass.

 

Had Odell's La Calavera ... a pumpkin chili stout ... the other night. Surprisingly delicious.

http://beerstreetjournal.com/odell-rio-grande-create-pumpkin-chili-stout/

 

Starr Hill Cryptical Imperial Stout the other night ... mmmmmmmm.