Beer Thread 2.0? Maybe a lil bourbon?

Status
Not open for further replies.
#1      

Illinell

Illinell
'03 IMPE All Star
Bridgeport, Chicago
Illinell
I was just getting a bit nostalgic and looking through my old posts (I don't post much). There used to be a beer thread that was used to share beer reviews and other things.

The thread was locked so I'm hoping this doesn't break any rules (no offense taken if Dan deletes).

So, what's everyone drinking, any breweries or distillieries you dig, etc.

Me:
- I'm still a glutton for hazies, sours, and balanced stouts
- For bourbon, love about anything sazarac, four roses
 
#3      
AZILL
Hmmmm interesting first response... lol. By Bud do you mean the specific beer (think frogs) or perhaps one under their corp. umbrella? I am partial to many of the Goose Island brews (Sofie & Matilda, others) and the Thanksgiving releases of the various Bourbon Barrel offerings (all of them are great but can cost you some big $$$). I don't search out craft beer anymore like I used to. There is just so much of it out there now! Both my girls attended college on the West Coast so visiting them in SoCal and Portland during the early 2k's. There was a LOT of good beers being crafted back then that few knew about because it was in it's infancy.
 
Last edited:
#5      
AZILL
I've always wanted to do a Bourbon trail tour vacation. I'd have a grand or 2 set aside to get some Distillery only releases.... but I feel like the 'investors' would have those release dates bookmarked and credit cards ready to buy everything..... My LEAST favorite thing about how the whole 'Special Release' of Craft beers and Bourbon/Whisky has become a speculative thing....
 
Last edited:
#6      
Illinell
AZILL said:
Hmmmm interesting first response... lol. By Bud do you mean the specific beer (think frogs) or perhaps one under their corp. umbrella? I am partial to many of the Goose Island brews (Sofie & Matilda, others) and the Thanksgiving releases of the various Bourbon Barrel offerings (all of them are great but can cost you some big $$$). I don't search out craft beer anymore like I used to. There is just so much of it out there now! Both my girls attended college on the West Coast so visiting them in SoCal and Portland during the early 2k's. There was a LOT of good beers being crafted back then that few knew about because it was in it's infancy.
Click to expand...
Ha. Yeah, cannabis and Covid definitely impacted the space. Totally different than six years ago.

I lived in NYC for 10 years as the NE craft beer scene was taking off and loved it. Chicago has always been a bastion for good breweries, but to see a ton of new ones get started at the same time was pretty awesome. Seattle and Portland are great too (my brother lives in Portland), with places like Great Notion being fantastic.

I still love craft, and hitting local breweries here in Chicago is a blast. Monochrome, Sun Catcher, Alulu, Whiner, and Marz are some awesome Southside offerings if you ever get down here.

As far as spirits, Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare, and all Weller are fantastic. I've been drinking McKenna a lot too, as well as some local / blended offerings.
 
#7      
Boskydell
My favorite beer came in an oversized green bottle with a flip top. Unfortunately, no longer available in the states, but an Urquell will do the trick. As far as whisky, I like the kind they bottle in Isla - peaty af.
 
#8      
band camp
Beer I like right now is made by Narrow Gauge. It's called 'OJ Run', great hazy.
I'm just starting my bourbon journey. I've been enjoying an 'Ol Fashion' at dinner with the wife and a neat bourbon, usually Trace, with the father in law every now and again.
 
#9      
Illinell
band camp said:
Beer I like right now is made by Narrow Gauge. It's called 'OJ Run', great hazy.
I'm just starting my bourbon journey. I've been enjoying an 'Ol Fashion' at dinner with the wife and a neat bourbon, usually Trace, with the father in law every now and again.
Click to expand...
Nice. If you're down by STL I'd strongly suggest Side Project. Cory (owner / brewer) and his wife are amazign people and they make some of the best beer in the world. 4 Hands, Perennial, and others are also fantastic down there.
 
#10      
Illinell
Boskydell said:
My favorite beer came in an oversized green bottle with a flip top. Unfortunately, no longer available in the states, but an Urquell will do the trick. As far as whisky, I like the kind they bottle in Isla - peaty af.
Click to expand...
Laphroig at all? Used to be my go to before I turned to the bourbon.
 
#13      
WolfpackIllini
Boskydell said:
Prefer Lagavulin, although the good stuff- 16yr old- is well over a 100$ these days.
Click to expand...
I saw Lagavulin 16 at Costco here in NV for around $80 iirc, so check your local store.
Costco also has a house Islay (once in a while) for $40 that I like for a daily drinker.
If you like Lagavulin, have you tried Ardbeg?
Ardbeg Coryvreckan is my favorite, but it is now $135, so not a daily drinker.
 
#14      
Boskydell
WolfpackIllini said:
I saw Lagavulin 16 at Costco here in NV for around $80 iirc, so check your local store.
Costco also has a house Islay (once in a while) for $40 that I like for a daily drinker.
If you like Lagavulin, have you tried Ardbeg?
Ardbeg Coryvreckan is my favorite, but it is now $135, so not a daily drinker.
Click to expand...
Yes, the five and I believe the ten. Both vvg. When I lived near a Trader Joe's, they had a house Islay for twenty bucks called Islay Sky I think, that was a poor man's Lavagulin. Used to drink a lot of it.
 
#15      
Defrost
Illinell said:
Nice. If you're down by STL I'd strongly suggest Side Project. Cory (owner / brewer) and his wife are amazign people and they make some of the best beer in the world. 4 Hands, Perennial, and others are also fantastic down there.
Click to expand...
Lived outside StL for a while, agree all these are great. I also like urban chestnut. Great recommendations for people in that area!
 
#16      
KBLEE
I switched from mainly craft beer to mainly bourbon a couple years before COVID. I am not a "tater" chasing all of the allocated stuff, as I quickly realized you can get similar quality at much better prices if you know what to look for. Enjoying higher proof bourbon, my go-to daily drinker is OGD 114 or Wild Turkey Rare Breed. I have also found success with store picks from Yellowstone, Heaven's Door, Old Elk and others.
 
#17      
Illinell
KBLEE said:
I switched from mainly craft beer to mainly bourbon a couple years before COVID. I am not a "tater" chasing all of the allocated stuff, as I quickly realized you can get similar quality at much better prices if you know what to look for. Enjoying higher proof bourbon, my go-to daily drinker is OGD 114 or Wild Turkey Rare Breed. I have also found success with store picks from Yellowstone, Heaven's Door, Old Elk and others.
Click to expand...
Yep, agreed. Four Roses Small Batch Select is phenomenal. Also, Costco has had some amazing deals lately on Heavin Hill 10, McKenna, and others. Happy to say the bubble is bursting and it's easier to get some good options.
 
#18      
KBLEE
Illinell said:
Yep, agreed. Four Roses Small Batch Select is phenomenal. Also, Costco has had some amazing deals lately on Heavin Hill 10, McKenna, and others. Happy to say the bubble is bursting and it's easier to get some good options.
Click to expand...

I work near the Costco in Oak Brook and have never come across anything of note. However, with all of the Binny's locations and Woodman's (North Aurora) I can usually find something decent. It is definitely nice to be able to find McKenna 10 on the shelves again.
 
#20      
AZILL
I see posts on Reddit frequently about getting excellent deals on great/rare whiskey/bourbon... NEVER happens at my Costco. I suspect it is primarily in the midwest that this happens, shorter shipping routes from Tenn/KY. I was introduced to OGD114 this past summer's trip to Illinois. Had never had it before and I loved it! To me it was great neat and I was able to do 3 pours, no problem. A secret cheap pleasure of mine is Very Old Bartons 100 proof. Don't buy the 86 proof! I can drink it neat but mostly use it in Old Fashions. The easy to find WT101 is my typical pour for an OF or with soda.
 
Last edited:
#21      
bdutts
Illinell said:
I was just getting a bit nostalgic and looking through my old posts (I don't post much). There used to be a beer thread that was used to share beer reviews and other things.

The thread was locked so I'm hoping this doesn't break any rules (no offense taken if Dan deletes).

So, what's everyone drinking, any breweries or distillieries you dig, etc.

Me:
- I'm still a glutton for hazies, sours, and balanced stouts
- For bourbon, love about anything sazarac, four roses
Click to expand...
Great thread!

Beer: West Coast IPAs are my favorite, but I drink just about anything except sours (Czech pils are an underrated style for those that like bitterness). I get as many Bourbon County Stout variants that I can get down in Houston and drink some of those over the course of the year and cellar the rest. I save some of the special ones for when folks come for a visit.

I am also a homebrewer (since 1994) and after a couple year hiatus, I started back up, brewing 1 gallon all grain batches. After 5 failed batches (they were drinkable but not what I was expecting to make), I made 3 SMaSH (single malt and single hop) batches - all West Coast IPAs with different hops - and I finally have my process dialed in. I will remake two of the three batches with different hops schedules to optimize hop additions. But I'm happy with the results this time.

I have been drinking a lot more wine these days. My preference is red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon is my favorite red) and we usually get a bottle when we go out for dinner and then I'll have another glass when we get home.

Whisky (notice I spelled it the Scottish way): Scotch whisky is my preference. Bowmore 12, Glengoyne (their 18 year is exceptional) and I have a handful of sherry and port cask finished whiskies as well. I think we probably have 15 or so at home. I'm not a huge Bourbon guy but we have some pretty decent ones at home that my wife drinks. I haven't had any whisky in a while so thanks for the reminder to have one this weekend!
 
Last edited:
#22      
GrayGhost77
bdutts said:
Great thread!

Beer: West Coast IPAs are my favorite, but I drink just about anything except sours (Czech pils are an underrated style for those that like bitterness). I get as many Bourbon County Stout variants that I can get down in Houston and drink some of those over the course of the year and cellar the rest. I save some of the special ones for when folks come for a visit.

I am also a homebrewer (since 1994) and after a couple year hiatus, I started back up, brewing 1 gallon all grain batches. After 5 failed batches (they were drinkable but not what I was expecting to make), I made 3 SMaSH (single malt and single hop) batches - all West Coast IPAs with different hops - and I finally have my process dialed in. I will remake two of the three batches with different hops schedules to optimize hop additions. But I'm happy with the results this time.

I have been drinking a lot more wine these days. My preference is red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon is my favorite red) and we usually get a bottle when we go out for dinner and then I'll have another glass when we get home.

Whisky (notice I spelled it the Scottish way): Scotch whisky is my preference. Bowmore 12, Glengoyne (their 18 year is exceptional) and I have a handful of sherry and port cask finished whiskies as well. I think we probably have 15 or so at home. I'm not a huge Bourbon guy but we have some pretty decent ones at home that my wife drinks. I haven't had any whisky in a while so thanks for the reminder to have one this weekend!
Click to expand...
Like you, I'll drink almost any style but am less fond of overly hoppy beers or extreme coffee stouts etc. I'm not into homebrewing but I'll drink almost anybody else's home brew if they want to give me some. ;)

As for whisky, lately I've been a fan of Japanese versions. Nikka is a favorite along with some Suntory varieties. So smooth. But I'm not too picky and will enjoy just about any kind.
 
#23      
IllinoisssssssVarsity
I drink almost exclusively liquor these days. Beer is too heavy for me. If it’s not miller lite it sits in my stomach like a whole meal lol.

I keep it pretty simple.

1. Bulleit Rye on the rocks for an everyday sip.

2. Woodford double oak when I wanna change it up.

3. My gf got me some buffalo trace which I’m really enjoying.

4. My favorite buy in my area was called Black Ridge but it’s not highly available.

5. Favorite ever was Arran 10. Got that one in Germany. 1792 Small Batch and Jefferson’s Ocean were also really freaking good as well
 
#25      
Illinell
bdutts said:
Great thread!

Beer: West Coast IPAs are my favorite, but I drink just about anything except sours (Czech pils are an underrated style for those that like bitterness). I get as many Bourbon County Stout variants that I can get down in Houston and drink some of those over the course of the year and cellar the rest. I save some of the special ones for when folks come for a visit.

I am also a homebrewer (since 1994) and after a couple year hiatus, I started back up, brewing 1 gallon all grain batches. After 5 failed batches (they were drinkable but not what I was expecting to make), I made 3 SMaSH (single malt and single hop) batches - all West Coast IPAs with different hops - and I finally have my process dialed in. I will remake two of the three batches with different hops schedules to optimize hop additions. But I'm happy with the results this time.

I have been drinking a lot more wine these days. My preference is red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon is my favorite red) and we usually get a bottle when we go out for dinner and then I'll have another glass when we get home.

Whisky (notice I spelled it the Scottish way): Scotch whisky is my preference. Bowmore 12, Glengoyne (their 18 year is exceptional) and I have a handful of sherry and port cask finished whiskies as well. I think we probably have 15 or so at home. I'm not a huge Bourbon guy but we have some pretty decent ones at home that my wife drinks. I haven't had any whisky in a while so thanks for the reminder to have one this weekend!
Click to expand...
Very cool. Love a west coast IPA as well. Otho g beats that bitter but citrusy punch.

Tried brewing myself but I stink at it. Something about drinking while I’m doing g it that didn’t work. I own a brewery in Chicago now, but leave the brewing to others.

I’ll drink scotch too, but the price and taste typically lead me back to bourbon. Irish whiskey is pretty great though and I’ll go for Redbreast any time.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back