Posted on 10/23/2009 9:10:52 PM PDT by pissant
In the surprisingly small world of big-league craft brewing, there are some names - young as the community is - that carry a little magic in them: Port Brewing of San Marcos, CA...Three Floyds Brewing of Munster, Indiana...Victory Brewing of Downington, PA...Stone Brewing of Escondido, California...Russian River...North Coast...Dogfish Head...Founder's...Surly... Firestone-Walker...Goose Island...and the list goes on and on. They're everywhere - literally. Allagash, in Maine, is perhaps America's best brewer of Belgian-style ales. Ommegang, in Cooperstown, New York, is the leading innovator of Belgian ales given a left-handed American spin. Great Divide, in downtown Denver, is world-famous for it's high-octane, hop-crazy style. AleSmith, in San Diego, scores consistent 90-point+ ratings on practically all it's beers. Even in my own home state of North Carolina - which had TWO craft breweries when I left in 1992 - there's Duck Rabbit Brewing, which is quickly building a national-grade reputation.
Over the past ten+ years, I've made an effort to taste as many beers from as many of these brewers as I possibly could; sometimes going to great lengths to get to places where those not distributed in Seattle could be found. On a trip back to Washington, DC/Virginia/North Carolina, I finally got to taste the Three Floyds ales, which more than lived up to the hype. Some have come to me: Russian River, Bear Republic, Port Brewing, and Firestone-Walker have all recently signed on with Seattle distributors. And my last trip to Denver was nothing less than revelatory: Breckenridge, Great Divide, Boulder Brewing, Left Hand, Avery, Del Norte, Twisted Pine, Oskar Blues and Wynkoop all got me for a short while. California brewers you can't find here, like Green Flash, were on tap in Denver's pubs.
(Excerpt) Read more at blog.seattlepi.com ...
Dogfish and Harpoon’s UFO brand are good, Sierra Nevada’s also a reliable choice. Was not impressed by “Big Kahuna” at Costco last time I was on the Left Coast over the summer.
North Coasts’ “Alt Nouveau” back in the 80’s and early 90’s was THE BEST! Fresh off the tap.... in pitchers no less.
I know everybody sez it cannot be done—has anyone ever “bottled” homebrew in Mason jars????
I met one guy so far who claimed to have done so regularly.
The Pottery Barn has some nice Mason Jars w/handles—makes a goo beer mug.
Goose Island IPA is the best pale ale I’ve found to date.
Drinking with George ‘Norm’ Wendt
complete with beer chugging contest.
;o)
Spotted Cow is an excellent brew. We’re always on the hunt for some when we cross the Cheddar Curtain.
Not sure they would hold up under the pressure of the natural carbonation, but worth a try.
Bookmark.
I know right where you are. my pops lives up from you. on the down grade from crystal blvd. and the samoa cook house is a “never miss” when i go back home
New Glarus Brewing Company:
http://www.newglarusbrewing.com/
“In 1995 and 1999, the New Glarus Brewing Company was named one of the World’s Ten Best Breweries at the World Brewery Championship. This competition involved more than three hundred breweries from 28 countries who submitted over 700 beers.
More recently our little brewery was named Midsize Brewery of the Year in 2005 and again in 2006 at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver, Colorado. Dan Carey, Diploma Master Brewer, was also named Brewer of the Year in both 2005 and 2006 at the Great American Beer Festival.”
Wisconsin. Knows. Beer.
Even when no one else is... :)
Thank you, PL! I didn’t see your post...and I posted them as a fave as well. :)
PBR. ROFLMAO! :)
St Peter’s is far far better. It’s not made in america though.
http://www.stpetersbrewery.co.uk/store/product.asp?s=m3Yee9177669&strParents=69&CAT_ID=73&P_ID=193
it’s also godawful expensive.
I want a good malt vinegar. There aren’t any.
LOL
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.