gorocks99;1613856 wrote:Also, the American Beer Classic is happening at Soldier Field this weekend.

My buddy got tickets so we're going to that I think. 1 on Saturday if you're going.

Back from Wilmington. Had an awesome trip, performed in front of some cool crowds, met a shit load of people, and tried all kinds of different beers. I didn't see any Westbrook beers, which was a bummer. But these are the ones I had while I was there:

Red Oak Amber Lager - Didn't like it very much. Had kind of a weird aftertaste.
Natty Bo - I've always wanted to try one and saw it at one of the places before I went on stage. Glad I checked it off my list, but it was pretty shitty.
Cape Fear Redhead - Really really really good brew. One of my favorites from the weekend.
Boont Amber Ale - Had this a few times. It was one that was good to have a few of throughout the night.
Ellie's Brown Ale - Probably my second favorite that I had this weekend. Tasted so freaking good.
Hot Rod Red - Thought this one was just average. But I was also probably drunk when I had it.
Purple Haze - Someone bought it for me after a show. I've tried it before, and remembered thinking it was alright. But it wasn't very good.
Dram Tree Scottish Ale - Favorite beer of the weekend. I thought this one was so freaking good.

CoA, how was the trip? Make it to any breweries?

Trip was great, I appreciate Chicago bringing the good weather while I was there. Didn't make it to any breweries unfortunately, which is a shame bc my buddy lives less than 2 miles from Goose Island.

The beer fest was pretty cool event, got to be right on the field in the spaceship stadium (aka Solider Field). Lines weren't too bad and I didn't even make it through half my tickets. Great having some bell's/founders/3 floyds to pound while watching the draft though.

I did get to try a few half acre beers and they were excellent. Thanks for the recommendation.

Picked up some Trea Blueberry and Lagunitas Maximus. Delish.

sherm, check out Hoppin Frog in Akron. They just opened a taproom but I don't know how big it is.

Tried a couple of new brews the other night. My favorite was Smells Like a Safety Meeting from Dark Horse. Very good IPA. I bought Simtra Triple IPA from Knee Deep because it had really high ratings and the kid at the store called it a "Pliny Killer". Well, its not even in the same universe as Pliny, but its pretty good.....11.5% I think and didn't taste like it at all. Citra Dog from Thirsty Dog smelled like ass but tasted ok. I wouldn't recommend it though.

Mooney44Cards;1616160 wrote:sherm, check out Hoppin Frog in Akron. They just opened a taproom but I don't know how big it is.

Tried a couple of new brews the other night. My favorite was Smells Like a Safety Meeting from Dark Horse. Very good IPA. I bought Simtra Triple IPA from Knee Deep because it had really high ratings and the kid at the store called it a "Pliny Killer". Well, its not even in the same universe as Pliny, but its pretty good.....11.5% I think and didn't taste like it at all. Citra Dog from Thirsty Dog smelled like ass but tasted ok. I wouldn't recommend it though.

Got an email out to them. A dude from the Akron Beacon Journal sent me a message and wants to do an interview about the tour. So I figured we could capitalize on that with some places around that area. Hoppin' Frog was the first one I reached out to.

Thirsty Dog Bernese might be the best barleywine for the buck I've ever had. Holy schneikies.

As for Citra, you smell the bitterness too much. It does detract from the experience. I'd say it's probably one of their weaker beers.

Finally got to check out the Winking Lizard in Independence Ohio. Had a couple of barley pops there the past couple of nights. Basically found it by accident as it was next to my hotel. I thought it was Delmonico's as I didn't see a sign for Winking Lizard until I got in front of the place.

Kind of a younger crowd and the music was just a little loud...or it could just be me getting old and cranky.

It was nice to see they had Rivertown Roebling there. I had one because, well Cincinnati/Rivertown.

Hopefully I can finish up this project from Hell and head back to Cincy this afternoon.

Mooney44Cards;1616160 wrote: I bought Simtra Triple IPA from Knee Deep because it had really high ratings and the kid at the store called it a "Pliny Killer". Well, its not even in the same universe as Pliny, but its pretty good.....11.5% I think and didn't taste like it at all.

I tend to agree. I was expecting more from Knee Deep after having their Hoptologist. Also felt their Citra Extra was a little of a let down too.

Curly I'm with you, I hate loud music at a bar (unless it's awesome live music). Ruined my exp at the brew kettle

Is there a better deal for an ipa than Sierra Nevada torpedo for 13.99 a 12! Love it

iclfan2;1617087 wrote:Is there a better deal for an ipa than Sierra Nevada torpedo for 13.99 a 12! Love it

No, there is not. That's my official "ballin' on a budget" go-to.

I do like to go to the Lizardville in Fairlawn. They've got great whiskey there, a good beer selection, and the cigars aren't half bad.

Also, fuck Anheuser Busch. For those that don't know, sc is trying to pass a bill to attract brew pubs, in particular stone. Nothing in this law is something tht shouldn't have been allowed 20 years ago (prohibition era laws). AB wrote a letter to SC congress to complain. I'm so pissed (I love Busch light) but fuck them. http://www.scribd.com/mobile/doc/224630184#fullscreen

Stopped into Listermann's tonight for a few pints of the new barrel-aged Chickow. Heavenly Hill Chickow was amazing. It tasted like dessert in a bottle. Had a nice chocolate flavor. Pappy Chickow was delicious too. Much stronger bourbon flavor. It was definitely the more manly of the two.

iclfan2;1617095 wrote:... fuck Anheuser Busch.

Amen and amen.

ernest_t_bass;1617272 wrote:

Last night was a great night. Started with a Lagunitas Maximus, then followed with the above, then had a couple 10% abv Brooklyn Brewery Black Chocolate Stout (OMFG), and a Tres Blueberry Stout. The Black Choc. Stout was incredible. Going to have to get a lot more of those.

iclfan2;1617087 wrote:Is there a better deal for an ipa than Sierra Nevada torpedo for 13.99 a 12! Love it

Yes there is. Even though its a session IPA, Founders now has All Day IPA in 15-packs of cans for $17.99.

They went from 12-packs of cans for $19.99, expanded it to 15 packs and lowered the price $2.

It is now officially my go-to beer. (Oh and its way better in cans than bottles, stays fresher)

ETB how was the Rogue Voodoo compated to their other Voodoo doughnuts?

vdubb96;1617567 wrote:ETB how was the Rogue Voodoo compated to their other Voodoo doughnuts?

I've never had the others. I couldn't really pick up the raspberry or pretzel. Definitely got the chocolate. My highlight of the weekend was the Brooklyn Black Chocolate.

ernest_t_bass;1617570 wrote:I've never had the others. I couldn't really pick up the raspberry or pretzel. Definitely got the chocolate. My highlight of the weekend was the Brooklyn Black Chocolate.

Thanks for the great info!!!

I had Rivertowne Hala Kahiki this weekend, really enjoyed it.

I went to a free beer event at Goose Island's (fuck InBev) barrel house yesterday. Tried four different kinds of Bourbon County (including their Templeton and their Weller), along with a crap ton of other beers. Also almost threw up this morning as a result, but it was worth it.

gorocks99;1617584 wrote:I went to a free beer event at Goose Island's (fuck InBev) barrel house yesterday. Tried four different kinds of Bourbon County (including their Templeton and their Weller), along with a crap ton of other beers. Also almost threw up this morning as a result, but it was worth it.

Bought some Urban Pale Ale yesterday, and noticed that it's now bottled in NY and CO. F inbev.

gorocks99;1617584 wrote:I went to a free beer event at Goose Island's (fuck InBev) barrel house yesterday. Tried four different kinds of Bourbon County (including their Templeton and their Weller), along with a crap ton of other beers. Also almost threw up this morning as a result, but it was worth it.

That sounds awesome.