Quote:
Originally Posted by citanul
Hoagie -
Counterpoint: I think it's a lot more fun to hear about the super-fragmented local craft beer scene than an infrequent feed of people sampling the ratebeer top 100. Even if I'm not going to ever sample some local distribution only place from Phoenix, it's cool to see what's happening out there in the world. The beer world has gotten more interesting, even if some forums/etc reflect a trend toward a specific small set of beers. And, I think it's cool to see how trends coalesce around the country.
Yes, this exactly!
Some beers I had over the holiday break:
Historically, I've always preferred Alpha King, and didn't really care for Zombie Dust at all. But randomly seeing it on the shelf in Ohio was so surprising that I bought a 6-pack. I liked it much more than I thought I would. Would buy again.
I'm a huge fan of local brewer Wolf's Ridge, and had previously been blown away by their Bourbon Barrel Aged Barleywine. So I was excited to go with my wife to their anniversary party, where this was one of their released beers. Big let down. I'm not even sure I finished it. To rub salt in the wound, I ended up seeing this on the shelf at a local beer store, confirming that buying tickets to that party was a huge waste of money.
So happy to open this favorite of mine. Oh, wait.
This is what happens when your wife sees you open a beer and reminds you that you have to go pick someone up.
Anyway, the slight delay caused no problems. Ages Well indeed - this is still so, so good. This might have been my last bottle, which is disappointing.
Did a little experiment with two bottles in the same night. The first was a bottle of regular-ass 3F geuze bottled January 2015.
The second was a bottle of 3F Golden Blend bottled less than a year earlier. (Includes 4 year old lambic in addition to the normal mix of 1-, 2-, and 3- year lambic.) The regular geuze was good, but the Golden Blend was elite. Not much carbonation, but it just felt more substantial (almost thicker) in the way that Tilquin squared seems to me. Love this beer so much.
Speaking of Tilquin, opened up a couple of bottles:
This was a bottle of the original 2010-2011 batch, which continues to be otherworldly. Exactly the opposite of the Golden Blend, in that it was super light and crisp, but absolutely delicious.
This was something I'd been excited to try - Tilquin with red currants. It was quite good, but not worth the price/effort to get. In a blind test, I'd probably prefer the Tilquin Quetsche (plums), and I definitely prefer regular geuze. Still happy to try and would probably buy if I saw it sitting on a shelf.
Finally, this just kicks so much ass:
I'm sad that they didn't distribute Hop Stalker this year, but Head Hunter IPA in 6-packs scratches me right where I itch.