Hops Chops

[Brad S.]

I'm currently really into Imperial Stouts, been trying as many as I can get my hands on. Maybe I'll try to do some reviews of the better ones here soon... and simply say avoid these.... I'll have to consult my notes.

But favorite brewery is hands down Avery Brewing here in Boulder Colorado. Half the reason I like them though can only be experienced by regulars to Boulder. Every friday they tap a new Keg. This is almost always a brand new experimental brew they have never done before. So its a suprise to even them... Some have been terrible, most good, some , incredible!!!!!!! But what I like is they dont really listen to start brewing rules, they say 'Hmmm this could be cool, lets try it" They arent afraid to fail. Alot of brewerys are safe... Avery... not so much.
Bold, kick you in the face brews.

[Bluntrauma]

Hey thanks for all the recommendations. I will add several of these to my list. So, a friend had told me that I had to try Sierra Nevada IPA. Had one last night and not too sure I like it. Seemed really dry and bitter. Then had a Shiner Frost and it was pretty good. Followed it with a Bud Ice and it tasted like crap.

Funny, I have drank Bud Ice for years and thought it was good. Now, comparatively not so much. Clovisc and Canis I am really checking out the lists you provided. Thanks for taking the time to post.

FIMS if you like Guinness more power to you but that one was a bit much for me. I couldn't decide whether to swallow it or chew it. :)

Stonetone I'll try the DFH 190. So far I have been pretty happy with the 2 beers of theirs that I've tried.

Brad I'll check out Avery as well.

I am pretty lucky to live right down the street from a place that I never knew had one of the better beer selections in the area. Mr. G's for anyone in the DFW area.

Looks like I'm all stocked up to watch the Cowboys hand Philly their *** today. :eek: :D ....................I hope.

[clovisc]

hey bluntrauma!

did you have sierra nevada's torpedo extra IPA? that's a good one... my girlfriend's favorite beer. it's a pretty standard west coast style "double IPA" (or "imperial IPA") done very well. they're a bit of an acquired taste. 90 IBUs (international bitterness units) is almost twice as hoppy as most traditional "american style IPAs." some of my homebrewed IPAs go as high as 141 IBUs. :D

brad -- you should try to find alaskan brewery's baltic porter ale. it's not a lager (like traditional baltic porter), but rather, a russian imperial stout type base (ale). they age it on oak, with lots of cherries and vanilla beans... gets REALLY smooth and vibrant tasting. like an amazingly psychadelic russian imperial stout. it's available in limited quantities around xmas -- it's currently available.

[Bluntrauma]

I have one of the Torpedo's in my mixed 6 that I haven't tried yet but I'll sure check it out. Yeah that SN IPA was pretty bitter. I am learning that beer styles can be acquired so it's not off my list yet.

Need to figure out something good to cleanse the palete between different beers. Figured that out last night when I switched from one to another. Ginger works for Sushi, _________ works for beer? :D

[Monkeywrangler]

Shiner Black
Chimay Grande Reserve
About anything from New Glarus brewery, esp. Wisconsin Belgian Red

[Bluntrauma]

Just got back from Central Market and grabbed a few beers to add the the mix...

Arrogant Bastard
an 8 pack mix of Flying Dog
Bear Republic Hop Rod Rye
Samuel Smith's Imperial Sout

[vampyrewolf]

You know, every time I hear Jason talking about beer and his homebrew, I get more tempted to make a road trip to Alaska for a few beer. It's only 1300 miles from me.

[clovisc]

Need to figure out something good to cleanse the palete between different beers. Figured that out last night when I switched from one to another. Ginger works for Sushi, _________ works for beer? :D

depends on the beer, but in most cases, i like smoked meats... salmon, venison, even salami.

hope you'll grow to appreciate IPAs.

imperial reds are fun, too... kinda like a cross between a red ale, and an IPA. not quite as much hop kick... more "balanced" than an imperial IPA... :D

[stonetone]

Bluntrauma, IPAs are definitely an acquired taste, much like learning to appreciate a good scotch. It takes a while to get used to them, and they might spoil your appreciation of other brews.

clovisc: 140 IBUs? That sounds incredible!

I splurged on some Stone Ruination yesterday, great stuff.

[Brad S.]

brad -- you should try to find alaskan brewery's baltic porter ale. it's not a lager (like traditional baltic porter), but rather, a russian imperial stout type base (ale). they age it on oak, with lots of cherries and vanilla beans... gets REALLY smooth and vibrant tasting. like an amazingly psychadelic russian imperial stout. it's available in limited quantities around xmas -- it's currently available.

Will do! I think ive seen it at some shop in the area, hope I can find it, sounds incredible. Once the double IPA im brewing finishes up, I'm gonna brew a russian imperial stout. Still working out the reciepe though.

[Brad S.]

Just checked my usual source. Out of stock

[clovisc]

Will do! I think ive seen it at some shop in the area, hope I can find it, sounds incredible. Once the double IPA im brewing finishes up, I'm gonna brew a russian imperial stout. Still working out the reciepe though.

i've brewed a russian imperial -- and a lower-gravity baltic porter ale trying to get close to alaskan brewery's (it was my first ever batch). both were AWESOME. my russian imperial came out better than old rasputin... even "just" using extract w. specialty grains. just make sure you give the russian imperial extra, extra, extra time to ferment before bottling or you will be like me, recapping after a few explosions... :D :eek:

[Bluntrauma]

Well just finished off a bottle of Young's double chocolate stout. really liked it. Cracked open a FD Old Scratch. Tastes much better than it did last night. Must have something to do with that shut out of the Eagles by the Cowboys. :D

[Shifty]

If I had to choose my top 4 ....

- Warsteiner Premium Verum
- Newcastle Brown Ale
- Stella Artois
- Beck's

[BBQ BOY]

I quit drinking beer for a long time. I started have one or two but can't get past the first one. I get FULL!!!! it feels like the beer is swelling inside of me and my gut sticks out.
Also, on my wife's side of the family they drink American beers primarily Such as Bud products. They think that id you drink all of these exotic beers then you are a girly man. They are pretty big dudes so I do not say much about it.

[clovisc]

Also, on my wife's side of the family they drink American beers primarily Such as Bud products. They think that id you drink all of these exotic beers then you are a girly man. They are pretty big dudes so I do not say much about it.

HA!!! sounds like they haven't been introduced to imperial IPA, or russian imperial stout...

[Psychopomp]

HA!!! sounds like they haven't been introduced to imperial IPA, or russian imperial stout...

Sounds like they haven't been introduced to beer, period. We get a lot of things right in America, but mass producing beer just isn't one of them. I've said it before, and I say it in all seriousness: typical American beer makes me ashamed to be an American.

Beer has to have flavor and body. Not water and as few calories and carbs as you can possibly put into it.

[stonetone]

Picked up a new one tonight: Bell's Hopslam Double IPA.

I understand it's a limited to once per year, available this month and next, in FL, IN, KY, MI, MN, MO, NC, ND, OH, PA, VA, and WI. (per the Bell's site...)

Amazing, amazing brew that assaults the senses up front, but smooths out nicely on the way down, perilously drinkable at 10%. I can't even describe how good it is, except to say it turns a Stone Ruination into a just another beer if you drink one after a Hopslam.

Cheers!

[Hector Castro]

Bluntrauma,

You have to go to Hall's in Grapevine. They have a cooler about 50ft long stocked with nothing but good beer. The regular beer is in the other 12 ft around the corner. If you have not tried Anchor Old Fog Horn or Sierra Nevada Bigfoot, you are missing out. Nothing like a good Barley wine.
Paulaner Salvator is also another good one. Big Buck steak house attached to Bass Pro has some really good beer, as well as BJ's Brewhouse and pizza.
I am in Bedford, let me know if you head this way, we can grab a beer and talk knives.

[Bushbadger]

I'm originally from Burton-upon-Trent in England and I now live in Philadelphia. I'm happy that I can get some English ale in bottles here but nothing beats a pint of Marstons Pedigree bitter, now that I miss...