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binve (< 20)

For eldemonio: A Few Good Beers

Recs

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October 31, 2011 – Comments (27)

Hey man,

So I had a few beers this weeked that I know you would enjoy. They are all San Diego beers.

The first two are from your favorite brewery (and quickly becoming one of my favorites): Stone.

Every single Stone beer I have had so far, I have liked. I didn't think I would find one better than their Ruination IPA. ... but I did. Their Oaked Arrogant Bastard Ale. Holy sh**. That is the best beer that I have had in a very long time. Hoppy, assertive, complex. The nose is just fantastic.

The next one I had was the most 'interesting' (in a good way) beer I have had in a long time. It is their Cali-Belgique IPA. This thing is crazy! It is a hoppy and bright California IPA but made with a Belgian White beer yeast. These two styles should have nothing in common, but it strangely works. I can't say it was my favorite beer I have ever had, but I would put it in the top 10 of the most interesting beers I have ever had.

The third one is from Green Flash Brewing Co, and it is their Hop Head Red IPA. Awesome! They must have used an abundance of hops while dry hopping because the nose is just insane. Really assertive hop profile, but not jarring. Just a pleasure to drink.

I wouldnt be surprised if you've already had these, but I just wanted to share my love for them :)

27 Comments – Post Your Own

#1) On October 31, 2011 at 12:06 PM, Jbay76 (< 20) wrote:

Have you had Pliny the Elder, Pliny the Younger, or the Blind Pig yet from Russian River?

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#2) On October 31, 2011 at 12:23 PM, binve (< 20) wrote:

Jbay,

Can't say that I have. But I looked them up just now, and I have to say that I am intrigued :) Double and Triple IPAs are just fun :)

Breckenridge brewery makes a Small Batch 471 Double IPA that is great! (they also make and 'Extra' ESB that is quite delicious).

But my favorites are the Dogfish Head 90-min IPA and their glorious perfect 120-min IPA. The 120 min is a work of art!

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#3) On October 31, 2011 at 12:31 PM, kdakota630 (33.34) wrote:

binve

Wish I was out with you doing some beer sampling.  I love trying new ones, although I usually just stick with Bud (or Bud Select which I have to pick up in the U.S.).

But on the subject of alcohol, if you're a whisky drinker, I highly recommend Forty Creek Barrel Select.  It's won a number of awards, as well as the head guy winning Distiller of the Year at least once.  It's probably hard to find outside of Canada, but well worth the effort in my opinion.

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#4) On October 31, 2011 at 12:40 PM, eldemonio (98.81) wrote:

Thanks binve.  I've had all three, and you're right, they're pretty damn tasty. 

Green Flash makes some great beers - their West Coast IPA is also a must have. 

As for Stone - they put out a Vertical Epic beer each year, one month, one day later than previous year's release.  This year's 11.11.11 edition will be released on the 7th of Nov.  It's supposed to be a decilious amber with hints of Anaheim chiles and cinnamon. Check out their website for info on the past editions.  http://www.stonebrew.com/epic/index.php.htm 

I brewed yesterday - a vanilla porter.  I'll let you know how it turns out.  I don't typically make dark beers, but my buddy likes them and I'll drink anything. 

Take care and keep the beer recs coming.

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#5) On October 31, 2011 at 12:47 PM, eldemonio (98.81) wrote:

Russian River makes some remarkable beer.  Good rec.

If you can get your hands on anything from Oskar Blues, they are one of the best micro-breweries in the nation.  They have some imperial styles that will blow you away.

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#6) On October 31, 2011 at 1:01 PM, binve (< 20) wrote:

kdakota630 ,

>>Wish I was out with you doing some beer sampling.  I love trying new ones

Same here and me too!

>>But on the subject of alcohol, if you're a whisky drinker, I highly recommend Forty Creek Barrel Select.

Cool! I will definitely try to find it. One of my loves is scotch whisky (I have a number of favorites). And I haven't really tried a large variety of blended whiskey's, This one looks great (and with a recommendation from you, I will definitely seek it out)!. There are supposed to be some excellent distilleries in Michigan doing some nice blends (Grand Traverse in particular, I can say that their wheat vodka is astoundingly good). Maybe some day I need to take a Michigan to Ontario whiskey road trip :)

Thanks man!

eldemonio,

>>Thanks binve.  I've had all three, and you're right, they're pretty damn tasty. 

Awesome. I figured you had them already :)

>>As for Stone - they put out a Vertical Epic beer each year, one month, one day later than previous year's release.  This year's 11.11.11 edition will be released on the 7th of Nov.  It's supposed to be a decilious amber with hints of Anaheim chiles and cinnamon.

Nice! Sounds like a perfect November beer!

>>I brewed yesterday - a vanilla porter.  I'll let you know how it turns out.  I don't typically make dark beers, but my buddy likes them and I'll drink anything. 

Right on man!. Its been a while since I have had a good porter. Hmm.... I think I know what I am getting for my next 6-pack :)

Thanks man!..

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#7) On October 31, 2011 at 1:16 PM, kdakota630 (33.34) wrote:

binve

What do you recommend in terms of scotch?  I've just been trying a few lately myself, but really haven't experimented much, having mostly been a "whisky guy" most of my life.

That being said (or rather "typed"), I like experimenting with different whiskies and my wife happened to find Forty Creek for Christmas for me a few years ago based on a friend's recommendation and I've never looked back.  I still like trying different ones, but that one far and away is my favourite and recommend it every chance I get.

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#8) On October 31, 2011 at 1:43 PM, binve (< 20) wrote:

kdakota630 ,

I have a few favorites. And I usually like to alternate between buying something new and then going back to a favorite.

The ones that I go back to are: GlenLivet (when I want something clean), GlenMorangie and Macallan (when I want something a little more complex), but my real favorite is Talisker.

>>I still like trying different ones, but that one far and away is my favourite and recommend it every chance I get.

Yep, it is always nice to go back to a favorite taste :).

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#9) On October 31, 2011 at 5:06 PM, Option1307 (30.48) wrote:

Stone beer = happy times!

Probably the thing I miss the most from SD, well it's on the top 10 list anyway.

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#10) On October 31, 2011 at 5:13 PM, ryanalexanderson (< 20) wrote:

If I may humbly add a recommendation - St Peter's Organic Ale. 

It's British - so best served cellar temperature (or at least somewhere between cellar and refrigerator).

Should be available in many places - look for the oval green bottle.

If you're a real fan. and happen to be in the area, you should try it at the brew pub in London - one of my two favourite pubs in the city:

 http://www.stpetersbrewery.co.uk/london/default.htm

And if you REALLY like it - the brewery is set in a 700 year old hall in rural Suffolk, with good food!

http://www.stpetersbrewery.co.uk/hall/default.htm 

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#11) On October 31, 2011 at 7:22 PM, binve (< 20) wrote:

Option1307,

:)

ryanalexanderson ,

I have never seen it, but I will keep my eye out and give it a shot. Thanks!.

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#12) On October 31, 2011 at 8:12 PM, rofgile (99.00) wrote:

I started to brew a nice ale this weekend (Innkeeper Ale from Northern Brewer) - hopefully it'll turn out!

I really like Sam Adams Octoberfest  (miss october already..)

-Rof 

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#13) On October 31, 2011 at 8:15 PM, binve (< 20) wrote:

Hey rof,

>>I started to brew a nice ale this weekend (Innkeeper Ale from Northern Brewer) - hopefully it'll turn out!

Nice! NB has a great selection of quality ingredients.

>> I really like Sam Adams Octoberfest  (miss october already..)

Indeed!

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#14) On October 31, 2011 at 8:36 PM, iamlard (< 20) wrote:

Mmmmmm...beer.........

I'm a huge fan of Lagunitas IPA, but recently have tried Deschutes' Fresh Hop Mirror Pond Pale Ale...damn! that's good beer!

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#15) On October 31, 2011 at 8:41 PM, whereaminow (73.77) wrote:

I am so thirsty now :)

Best thread I've read in a while.

David

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#16) On October 31, 2011 at 8:52 PM, HarryCarysGhost (99.78) wrote:

My beer contains-The choicest Hops , Rice and best Barley@Malt.

It's funny that the few times I go into a microbrew, I just ask for whatever tastes like a BUD.

I am totally biased since I've been drinking it for 20 yrs, and own shares of the company.

Cheers.

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#17) On October 31, 2011 at 9:48 PM, binve (< 20) wrote:

iamlard ,

Agreed. Mirror Pond is a nice crip citrusy NW style pale ale. Lots of cascade hops, which i enjoy. Their Inversion IPA is also quite good.

whereaminow ,

Me too :) Thanks!

HarryCarysGhost,

>>I am totally biased since I've been drinking it for 20 yrs, and own shares of the company.

:) No worries. No snobs here. I am simply a self-proclaimed hop head :)..

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#18) On October 31, 2011 at 10:00 PM, JohnLeven (25.24) wrote:

Founder's red rye pa is amazing. Also Sierra Nevada Celebration and Southern Tier PumKing.

Cheers!

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#19) On October 31, 2011 at 10:11 PM, binve (< 20) wrote:

JohnLeven,

>>Founder's red rye pa is amazing

Cool, I will keep an eye out!

>>Also Sierra Nevada Celebration

That is a good one, and I am partial to their Hop Torpedo too.

>>and Southern Tier PumKing.

Haven't tried that one. I have tried at least a dozen pumpkin ales, trying to find something good for Halloween, but never really succeeding. One expection being Brooklyn Brewery Pumpkin Ale (which is quite good, really get the pumpking essence but well balance throughout). But I will give that one a shot!..

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#20) On November 01, 2011 at 3:50 AM, MGDG (38.64) wrote:

HarryCarysGhost

I don't drink Bud, but Anheuser Busch makes a decent Belgian White called Shock Top that I pick up at the local Grocery Store.

binve

 I'm not into the Hoppy stuff, but Guinness makes a Black Lager that I just recently started drinking and Sierra Nevada has a good Porter.

Years ago, I would drink a Porter from an Oregon Brewer called Mad Dog that was very good, but I haven't been able to find it in my area.

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#21) On November 01, 2011 at 9:05 AM, Jbay76 (< 20) wrote:

iamlard

I just had Lagunitas Hopped Stoopid IPA, super tasty and has made me want to make an IPA for the house, which I will next week

Option1307 

When I was goign to USD in the lates 90's, Stone was such a small brewery.  I recall first coming across their beer in an OB 7-11 store, fond memories.  In those days, an employee had access to 2 cases of beer, one keg and all the dregs of a keg they wanted a month.  it so happened that a good friend of  mine moved to OB and had a nieghbor who was a delivery guy for Stone brewery, suffice to say I spent a lot of time at her apartment:)

But, the thing I miss the most from SD is the surf, living at the beach, followed by the weather, followed by the proximity to Baja, dolphins, free-diving La Jolla during the summer months, paddling out and watching the fireworks from the ocean on july 4th.......

 So to the homebrewers here on TMF, who does all grain?  Anyone heard of the MCAB competition?  I'll be submitting a bourbon barrel imperial porter to it this January...yum :P

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#22) On November 01, 2011 at 9:36 AM, binve (< 20) wrote:

MGDG,

>> I'm not into the Hoppy stuff, but Guinness makes a Black Lager that I just recently started drinking and Sierra Nevada has a good Porter.

I love Guinness Draft. Especially for dessert (in place of coffee). That is my favorite way to finish a meal :). I don't believe I have had the SN porter (if I did, it was too long ago to remember).

Jbay76 ,

>> So to the homebrewers here on TMF, who does all grain?

I did. When I was big time into brewing a few years ago, I did the full monty: Grain Mill, Full wort boil, wort chiller, sparging system, mash tun, lauter tun, pitched my yeast into sterilized wort, etc. I made some really good stuff, and I miss it a lot. But work and a kid have intervened with beer brewing lately, but I will get back into is someday.

The part I hated was capping. So when I start back up, I will be getting a gross of Grolsch-type flip top bottles :).

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#23) On November 01, 2011 at 9:46 AM, Jbay76 (< 20) wrote:

binve

I just modified my bottling process this weekend inadverntly as I was trying to find a better bottling spigot.  I found this post and it's made the process soooooo much easier. It has cut down on my bottling time significantly, which includes cleanup, and is more ergonomic.  Now I just need a better kitchen layout to improve efficiency and decrease bottlgin time by another 15 mins or so.  

I've been wondering how I will be able to brew once I have kids, maybe that's when I open my brewery or switch to 10 gallon batches..........

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#24) On November 01, 2011 at 10:11 AM, Option1307 (30.48) wrote:

Jbay76

Wait you went to USD? Small world fellow alum, I graduated from there as well.

But, the thing I miss the most from SD is the surf, living at the beach, followed by the weather, followed by the proximity to Baja, dolphins, free-diving La Jolla during the summer months, paddling out and watching the fireworks from the ocean on july 4th.......

Agreed, the 6 years I spent in SD were some of my best memories. Although I was definitely ready to move on when the time came. That whole state is backwards... :)

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#25) On November 01, 2011 at 10:44 AM, Jbay76 (< 20) wrote:

Option1307

Funny, the world is small.  I graduated in 1999, and you?

I really miss SD, and CA in general as I am CA native who followed this crazy idea that I could find a better place to live in than SD or Carpinteria.  I've lived in enough places in this country and others to realize that they are all dysfunctional to a certain degree.  You just got to pick the one the fits your lifestyle/desires the best

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#26) On November 01, 2011 at 11:11 AM, Option1307 (30.48) wrote:

Graduated in 2007, good times there for sure. That place continues to grow and expand, have you been back recently? It is amazing with all the new construction etc.

I'm not knocking SD, it was a great experience/time for me while I was there, but simialr to yourself it sounds, I like to try out different places.

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#27) On November 01, 2011 at 11:26 AM, eldemonio (98.81) wrote:

My all grain brewing days will come back in about 17 years. 

For now, I use starter grains with extract.  It significantly cuts down on the time needed to brew.  Beggars can't be choosers.

Scotch and beer - this thread makes me want to go home and drink all day. 

Balvenie makes some excellent scotch.  Their Portwood 21 year is probably my favorite.  Kind of expensive, but well worth it.

If you're a peat freak, then you'll like the Lagavulin 16 year.  A little too peaty for my taste, but hey, some people actually like that sort of thing.     

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