A New Beer Thread

I was just at Allagash a few weeks ago and missed the Coolship Red release by a couple of days. I did leave with a bottle of Golden Brett, which was excellent. I've been debating taking next Monday off from work to make the drive up for Little Sal...it's only a 90-minute drive...

I know you said in the other thread that you won't be stopping in Boston for your trip, but if you pass through consider stopping at Jack's Abby in Framingham or Trillium in Boston (Nightshift and Mystic are also great). If your route takes you through Central Mass., then Treehouse Brewing should be a stop as well.

 

We would love to make a Jack's Abbey stop but the only day we could do that is Sunday, and they aren't open. Will look for some bottles at shops - I've had several of their bottled offerings and haven't had a bad one yet.

I have someone picking me up a couple bottles from Night Shift (Berliner and Meyer Lemon Saison). There will be Treehouse and Trillium growlers to share at our festival. Our CT friends hosting are near Willimantic, so they're heading to Treehouse on Thursday night for some pre-gaming and getting growlers. Looking forward to it.

Hope Lil Sal lasts more than just Monday Glad to hear Golden Brett is good, and hope there is still stock left of that one, too.

I think I'll be spending more on beer than on hotels this trip.

 

Be prepared with that Triple Bock. I've opened two bottles (of the 1995 vintage, granted, which universally is considered the better of the two vintages) in recent years and really dig it (small samples only, even being a little bottle you should prepare to share it with a few folks) but it is NOT for everyone. I liken it to a good port rather than a beer. The 97 vintage tends to be more soy sauce-esque, so if you can't drink it use it as a marinade.

 

Sounds like you are well covered!

I'm glad you'll get to try Trillium as it's become one of my favorite breweries. I actually bought a new to me Night Shift bottle the other day called Rose; it's aged with rosemary and pink peppercorns so it should be interesting. I might try to pair it with some fish next week.

 

:thumbsup:

Looking forward to discovering some new spots on this trip. Really wish Oxbow were open when we'll be in Portland but no such luck.

Also want to hit Lost Nation and Fiddleheads when in Burlington, VT. The Lost Nation Gose is getting really good pub on the beer sites, and I do like a good Gose.

 

It took me about 2 hours to drink. Wife didn't like it so I drank the whole thing...yes, very saucy.

 

You deserve a medal...or a rubber room with a jacket that buttons in the back.

 

Leave no man...or drop...behind!

 

My drain has sampled many an awful brew, including several I concocted back in the day.

Same with various beer festivals. I see people wandering around hammered and can never understand why, even drinking high-gravity bombs. Small sample sizes, drink lots of water (one rinse and one drink between each sample, or at least every other one) and eat something. And if you don't like it, pour the rest. Hell, I've dumped out a couple ounces of some of the best brews I've ever tasted at festivals...it was just time to move on to the next one.

Maybe that makes me strange, but it's been a LOOOONG time since I've been falling down drunk at one...though I did fall three times leaving the Michigan Brewers Guild Winter Festival in Grand Rapids last February, but that's because the parking lot was nothing but ice. The beer had NOTHING to do with it, I am certain :wink:

 

Are you from W. Michigan? I was visiting my parents in E. Lansing this winter and took a side trip to GR and hit Brewery Vivant. Very good Belgian-style ales -- I was pretty surprised. Having my parents still living in Michigan suits me well -- my dad makes a lot of trips out here, where Bell's doesn't distribute, and ensures I'm always well stocked with Two-Hearted, Hopslam and Oberon.

And I live in Framingham, home of Jack's Abby (my wife also works with Abby, who's married to brewmaster Jack), so when I'm not drinking Bell's, I'm drinking freshly filled growlers of Hoponius, Mass Rising and Framinghammer. The barrel-aged varieties of Framinghammer are well worth a trip out here, but they go fast.

 

Other side of the state but Mrs Fly and I get to the west side several times a year. Vivant is such an awesome building (turn of the century funeral home) and they do Belgian styles quite well. Owner is a past partner in New Holland who wanted to go his own way and do more experimental brewing, rather than worrying about expanding distribution channels.

Very cool being able to get great beers that Jack's Abby does - I see the BA Framinghammer varietals are due out again in June. They're also coming out with a Barrel-Aged Cherry Berliner Braun later this month, which sound tres interesting.

We're both fortunate to have so many great brews at our disposal! :cheers:

 

Loved BV! I went to the American Homebrewers Assoc. rally at New Holland a few months ago and hit up BV on the way out of town. Great place! Loved the red and their Belgian IPA. Plus, it's an easy laugh when they use the word "Coq" in one of their beers.

I will be at the national conference next month. Can't wait to find a few more places in GR.