Beer you are drinking right now

[GatorAbe7]

Made one of these last night:

12 oz. of this:



4oz. of this:



and about 6-8 oz. of this:



Lot of alcohol for such a fruity drink.

[StrangeGator]

Originally Posted by scbeerman

A few beers that I have had in my recent travels (I sell many brands but these are not in my territory)

North Coast Scrimshaw Pilsner
Ninkasi Tricerahops Double IPA - outstanding

Never hear of that. I'll have to chase it down.

Originally Posted by scbeerman

Green Flash West Coast IPA - excellent
Lagunitas IPA - another good one

Couple of my favorites, though I prefer Laugunitas' Double IPAs; Maximus and Hop Stoopid.

Originally Posted by scbeerman

Real Ale Firemans Four Blonde Ale and Lost Gold IPA
Sweetwater Happy Ending

Have yet to try a brew from Sweetwater that impressed me, but it's been a few years. Looks like they're starting to get a little more creative. There hasn't been much of a craft brewery culture in the south as in other regions. Maybe they're starting to catch up.

[scbeerman]

Ninkasi is out of Portland, Oregon, and primarily on the west coast. In terms of growth, it is one of the hottest craft breweries (as is Lagunitas).

Sweetwater is known more for sessionable beers, meaning less alcohol (5% range), but they have several single bottle offerings which have higher alcohol levels.

[phatGator]

Originally Posted by iceman44

Covington Strawberry, which is much better than the Abita Strawberry.

Most people don't know this, but LA strawberries are different than those from the rest of the nation. They are special French varieties of strawberries. They are smaller, and well, sorta crinkly, but they are much juicier than those "beautiful" ones we are used to seeing elsewhere.

When strawberry season hits in LA, I always have a few Covington Strawberries. It's unfiltered and the taste of those LA strawberries is gorgeous. Just gorgeous.

Would love to try the Covington. I'll look for it next time in LA.

I lived in Belgium for two years. Once a UF classmate was visiting from Northern California and remarked how incredibly flavorful the strawberries were in Belgium. He told me a friend of his was a buyer for a CA grocery chain who told him they buy on appearance and not flavor. Big, symmetrical, and taste like styrofoam.

Our neighbor in Belgium had a strawberry farm and let friends go through after him and pick any leftovers.

I loved the fruited Lambics in Belgium: especially the Kriek (cherry) and Frambozen-Framboise (raspberry) from Lindemans and Belle-Vue.

[StrangeGator]

Originally Posted by scbeerman

Sweetwater is known more for sessionable beers, meaning less alcohol (5% range), but they have several single bottle offerings which have higher alcohol levels.

I've had their pale ale (420?) and a couple of other very basic craft beer styles. It's pretty hard to make an APA that stands out form the crowd.

[StrangeGator]

Originally Posted by scbeerman

Ninkasi is out of Portland, Oregon, and primarily on the west coast. In terms of growth, it is one of the hottest craft breweries (as is Lagunitas).

Not seeing Ninkasi here, but I've read some good reviews of their beers. Of the west coast craft breweries, Lagunitas and more recently, Stone have gotten a huge foothold here in Chicago. Stone actually operates an office here and piggybacks distribution with Two Brothers, a west suburban craft brewery.

I should ask the beer manager at the local Whole Foods if he knows anything about Ninkasi. I can also check the main Binny's (Formerly Sam's Wine) store on the north side. They're able to bring in products from breweries that don't even have distribution channels in Chicago.

[deebo65]

None right now, but intensly thinking about the beer I'm GOING to drink in roughly 2hrs. Good ole reliable PBR (on ice already) on my boat, crusing the lakes as the sun sets. CAN NOT WAIT!!!!!!

[G8rChuck85]

Originally Posted by deebo65

None right now, but intensly thinking about the beer I'm GOING to drink in roughly 2hrs. Good ole reliable PBR (on ice already) on my boat, crusing the lakes as the sun sets. CAN NOT WAIT!!!!!!

Sweet!!

[anstro76]

Originally Posted by StrangeGator

Have yet to try a brew from Sweetwater that impressed me, but it's been a few years. Looks like they're starting to get a little more creative. There hasn't been much of a craft brewery culture in the south as in other regions. Maybe they're starting to catch up.

i have to disagree. as far as #'s of breweries no region will ever catch up to the west. but as quality goes the south has just as much quality..sweetwater being on the forefront of the movement.

http://sweetwaterbrew.com/brews/awards/

[scbeerman]

West Coast seems to do a good job with the stronger IPAs probably due to its cooler climate. Lagunitas and Stone are two good performers now.

[iceman44]

Originally Posted by anstro76

i have to disagree. as far as #'s of breweries no region will ever catch up to the west. but as quality goes the south has just as much quality..sweetwater being on the forefront of the movement.

http://sweetwaterbrew.com/brews/awards/

Asheville alone makes up for the lack of top craft breweries in the South.

[LeafUF]

My beer of the week is ommegang abbey ale.

[lpjax]

From Jacksonville's best microbrewery, Bold City Brewery

1901 Red Ale

[phatGator]

I found Lagunitas at a local health food store today. Bought a six pack to try it, based on discussions here.

[northgagator]

Originally Posted by phatGator

I found Lagunitas at a local health food store today. Bought a six pack to try it, based on discussions here.

Beer at a health food store?

That just doesn't sound right.

Are sure you were not confused and that you were in a package store? LOL

Anyway, I like the way you shop!!!

[StrangeGator]

Originally Posted by northgagator

Beer at a health food store?

That just doesn't sound right.

Are sure you were not confused and that you were in a package store? LOL

Anyway, I like the way you shop!!!

Isn't Whole Foods a health food store? They have a better craft beer selection than any other grocery chain.

[phatGator]

Originally Posted by northgagator

Beer at a health food store?

That just doesn't sound right.

Are sure you were not confused and that you were in a package store? LOL

Anyway, I like the way you shop!!!

I laughed at myself standing at the cash register waiting to pay for a bottle of Coenzyme Q10 capsules and a sixpack of ale, and then reaching to the counter display to add a chocolate stout twinkie, made with Kalamazoo Stout and all organic baking ingredients.

[northgagator]

Originally Posted by phatGator

a chocolate stout twinkie, made with Kalamazoo Stout and all organic baking ingredients.

Can you send me one? Just kidding

As for drinking at the moment....I am breaking into a small bottle if Johnny Walker Blue. My son gave me a gift set of JW Black, Gold, and Blue. My wife got me a bottle of Glenn Feddich too. I was in Scotch heaven Christmas morning.

[StrangeGator]

Originally Posted by scbeerman

West Coast seems to do a good job with the stronger IPAs probably due to its cooler climate. Lagunitas and Stone are two good performers now.

There are some great ones out there. Pliny the Younger and Pliny the Elder are legendary, but I've never been able to get my hands on one. I think the midwest holds up almost head to head though. Bell's Hopslam, Three Floyd's Dreadnaught and Founders' Devil Dancer are some of the best I've ever had.

[iceman44]

I love great beer and drink plenty of it.

But how you people drink those double and triple IPAs is beyond me. It's swill IMHO building on a national craze around IPAs. Just hideous beer with no redeeming qualities that I can find.

Unless you like pure hops and "bitter beer face."