Beer Thread

[Buck Turgidson]

Arizona Wilderness won Rate Beers top pick for Best New Brewers in the World. I've yet to try them out but they are close.

AZ

Did you ever try McFarland's brewery on 32nd & Washington (downtown Phx)? They had a really good porter. I didn't care much for their lighter beers. I don't think they're around anymore.

I had a group event there in 1999. Man, did we polish off a lot of beer. I probably knocked off a gallon of the porter. Still have the McFarland's merch (glasses, posters)

 

[Ransom Stoddard]

New to this forum. Is there a specific brand of beer that just goes perfectly with illini basketball? Other than keystone and natty ice

Dragon's Milk Bourbon Barrel Stout. You'll thank me.

 

[Epsilon]

Dragon's Milk Bourbon Barrel Stout. You'll thank me.

10% alcohol content - for calming nerves during close games, or forgetting bad ones.

 

[AzIlliniFan]

I'll have to check out the new Abyss. We'll need to k.i.t. through PM when that comes out. You may have had the Pelican ales or whatnot but probably at some local pub unless you made your way out to Pacific City, where they are located.

I'm not sure what the distribution looks like for these but I think the ones with the largest facilities for capacity are Deschutes, Full Sail, and Ninkasi. My recent favorite discoveries are the 10 Barrels Sinister Black IPA and the Fort George Vortex IPA, which I ironically discovered on a business trip to Minneapolis at a hotel bar.

Seems only a few cases of the Abyss make it to Phoenix, and I'm always back in Illinois when it's released. Had to pay a kings ransom to get 3 bottles of it this year online. Deschutes and Full Sail are widely available here, I'll have to look for the Ninkasi and the other 2 you listed.

 

[AzIlliniFan]

AZ

Did you ever try McFarland's brewery on 32nd & Washington (downtown Phx)? They had a really good porter. I didn't care much for their lighter beers. I don't think they're around anymore.

I had a group event there in 1999. Man, did we polish off a lot of beer. I probably knocked off a gallon of the porter. Still have the McFarland's merch (glasses, posters)

No I never heard of them or went there. I was really just getting into the craft beer thing about that time. My very first craft beer ever was at Hamburger Mary's in Portland, oh about 97/98 while vacationing there. I can't remember who it was made by but it was a Hefe and I was hooked! Once back in Az I found a place near where I lived that had craft beers. It was a place called Copper Canyon Bar and Grill in Tempe who put out some nice brews. They only had one location and sadly it's gone OOB. The other brewery that helped widen the appeal of craft beers to me is Oak Creek Canyon Brewery up in Sedona that I discovered on a Trout fishing trip. They have a couple locations going I heard. Now there are craft brewers nearly everywhere, and I love it!!

 

[KBLEE]

If they're winning even a simple Kona Lager will do, but you might want something stronger like an imperial IPA if not, or it's too close to call. :thumb:

Goose Island has one called The Illinois (seems appropriate) that I can higly recommend after last weekend (9% AVB and 95 IBU).

 

[pizzaman]

New to this forum. Is there a specific brand of beer that just goes perfectly with illini basketball? Other than keystone and natty ice

After a loss, consume keystone (or similar swill) till you heave your guts out.

For wins, a fine craft beer or two of your choice always goes down well.

 

[Epsilon]

Goose Island has one called The Illinois (seems appropriate) that I can higly recommend after last weekend (9% AVB and 95 IBU).

When I lived in the Chicagoland area I loved Goose Island, and when I came back to the area for a visit a few years ago, I was excited to pick up a six pack, but was sooo disappointed with it. I don't know if I just didn't used to know better, or if got worse. I had heard they got bought out by a big beer company - not sure if things went downhill from there...

 

[KBLEE]

When I lived in the Chicagoland area I loved Goose Island, and when I came back to the area for a visit a few years ago, I was excited to pick up a six pack, but was sooo disappointed with it. I don't know if I just didn't used to know better, or if got worse. I had heard they got bought out by a big beer company - not sure if things went downhill from there...

Goose Island has been hit or miss of late. The Illinois IIPA is a definite hit in my book.

 

[AzIlliniFan]

Goose Island has been hit or miss of late. The Illinois IIPA is a definite hit in my book.

Did you try their 25th Anniversary Ale? I brought a couple six packs back home with me over the holidays and just polished off the last of it a few days ago. That one I really enjoyed. I've had a few others but the names escape me. We get some of the Goose Island brews out here but I doubt anyone carries the Illinois. I'll be back in IL in July and will try and find some.

 

[Illinell]

Goose Island has one called The Illinois (seems appropriate) that I can higly recommend after last weekend (9% AVB and 95 IBU).

My wife and I bought this not too long ago and it is pretty good. You definitely get the alcohol, but in a beer that big it's hard not too.

We're still working on the Hopslam that we bought a month or so ago. First time is has been distributed in NYC so we went a little overboard (two cases). One of my favorites.

 

[Illinell]

When I lived in the Chicagoland area I loved Goose Island, and when I came back to the area for a visit a few years ago, I was excited to pick up a six pack, but was sooo disappointed with it. I don't know if I just didn't used to know better, or if got worse. I had heard they got bought out by a big beer company - not sure if things went downhill from there...

So many other good Chicago breweries now, I don't bother with GI too much when in Chicago (not to mention it has close to national distribution). My preferred breweries are:
3 Floyds
Revolution
Pipeworks
Half Acre
Piece (beer/pizza)
Two brothers
Various other micros in the area that have been popping up.

 

[KBLEE]

I really like Revolution. A Little Crazy has been my go-to beer of late.

 

[bdutts]

So many other good Chicago breweries now, I don't bother with GI too much when in Chicago (not to mention it has close to national distribution). My preferred breweries are:
3 Floyds
Revolution
Pipeworks
Half Acre
Piece (beer/pizza)
Two brothers
Various other micros in the area that have been popping up.

All-star list there. I love zombie dust and miss it terribly. Good thing we have BrewDog in our city. The flagship bar no less.

 

[Illinell]

All-star list there. I love zombie dust and miss it terribly. Good thing we have BrewDog in our city. The flagship bar no less.

Spiteful brewing is another of the super small locals that has been making good brew. Actually, Benny's has done a great job of pulling together a lot of very small brewers and getting them distribution.

All in all, very impressive beer scene in the Chicagoland area. Seems to beat NYC/Northeast a bit, at least in distribution terms. Now if Heady Topper was to become readily available in NYC that would all change dramatically....

 

[AzIlliniFan]

Spiteful brewing is another of the super small locals that has been making good brew. Actually, Benny's has done a great job of pulling together a lot of very small brewers and getting them distribution.

All in all, very impressive beer scene in the Chicagoland area. Seems to beat NYC/Northeast a bit, at least in distribution terms. Now if Heady Topper was to become readily available in NYC that would all change dramatically....

And you could expect me to place an immediate order with you! Too bad we don't have any IL posters from VT.

 

[KBLEE]

Now if Heady Topper was to become readily available in NYC that would all change dramatically....

My Brother lives in Vermont. I've got my fingers crossed that he going to come for a visit this summer and bring me some Heady Topper.

 

[Illinell]

And you could expect me to place an immediate order with you! Too bad we don't have any IL posters from VT.

I may be heading up there fairly soon.

No promises at all, but if I'm able to get to brewery I would definitely be up for sending a can or two out to some of the regulars on the board.

I'll keep the group updated.

 

[AzIlliniFan]

My Brother lives in Vermont. I've got my fingers crossed that he going to come for a visit this summer and bring me some Heady Topper.

That stuff isn't cheap, $60 a case or thereabouts. And from what I remember reading the brewery that makes it stopped making anything else since the stuff sells like hotcakes and they can't keep up. You'd think someone would be willing to invest with the owner and kick production up a notch or two, or ten!

 

[KBLEE]

That stuff isn't cheap, $60 a case or thereabouts.

Try $75.

 

[AzIlliniFan]

Try $75.

Doesn't surprise me at all. I'd pay that in a heartbeat. I like good beer!

 

[Soxfreak64]

I'm off to Belgium for eight weeks. Beer culture there is supposed to be incredible. Ill keep you guys updated.

 

[KansasIllini]

Definitely had a good night to quench my thirst for IPAs tonight at a draft party tonight. I brought over a few of the Red Hook Long Hammer IPAs, which I hadn't had in a long time, and had a few sips of the Deschutes Freshly Squeezed IPA, which only reminded me how much I like that one. Also traded one out for a Free State Stormchaser Summer IPA, from Lawrence, KS.

 

[bdutts]

I'm off to Belgium for eight weeks. Beer culture there is supposed to be incredible. Ill keep you guys updated.

Best beer in the world IMO. I love it there. I'll be heading to Bruge in the summer for a long weekend. I will only pay for coffee and beer while I'm there. No other liquids.

 

[Epsilon]

Best beer in the world IMO. I love it there. I'll be heading to Bruge in the summer for a long weekend. I will only pay for coffee and beer while I'm there. No other liquids.

Sounds like a day in the life. But seriously, it's probably cheaper than the bottled water.

BTW, another one of my local favorites (Sasquatch Brewery) had a szechwan peppercorn saison, and it was surprisingly good. Gotta love a good Belgian. Wittes and Saisons are among my favs now. Portland beer is great, but it can be a bit hoppy to enjoy on a regular basis (great IPAs though). Variety is good.