The Craft Beer Thread....

[Go Beavers]

This weekend is the Organic Beer Fest in Portland. I've never been, but am hoping to go.

If you go, give us a review of your faves.

[intodeep]

so mikkeller is not a "craft" beer but it is a good beer.

There are so many hoppy options by them. Anyone have any suggestions of which to try?

[Yellow Ledbelly]

I've not had any of theirs but my recommendation is always...TRY ALL OF THEM!

[mfc2006]

gonna pick up some tasty beers in a little bit.

[Jearlpam0925]

My best bud is having a baby sometime this weekend. Well, he's not; his wife is. Think I'm gonna stop by the Whole Foods and get her some flowers and him a nice bottle of Curieux(sp?).

[helplessdancer]

brewed in small batches
real wild blueberry beer
yum

[shep]

Was out to my local craft bar last night for darts and a couple of glasses... got to try:

Clown Shoes - Hoppy Feet
Santa Fe - State Pen Porter
Real Ale - Hans' Pils
Smaltz - Coney Island Mermaid Pilsner

Really enjoyed the State Pen Porter... have had a thing for porters lately. Been trying to stay away from the super heavy IPAs the last little while cause it's just so damn hot here in Texas and sipping them 1/2 warm just doesn't go with the season . The Hans' Pils was tasty as well, if I catch it next time I'm in specs and it's still on the shelves I'll pick up a sixer.

Also tried the DFH Festina Peach and Sam Adams Latitude 48 IPA... wasn't a big fan of the Festina, but I'm not much of a wheat guy...

I was in my local specs there yesterday and was super-surprised to find Burton Baton on the shelf.... Hasn't been any DFH coming around in a long time, and then this great IPA... only problem was a 4-pack was $17. I picked up 1.... put two bottles in the cupboard to try and two in the beer-aging fridge.... I'm pretty much outta space in there!

[FenwayFaithful]

Last night was pretty good:
Lagunitas Little Sumpin Sumpin Ale
Pyramid Apricot Ale
DFH 90 minute IPA

[Yellow Ledbelly]

Celebrated Mizzip Beer Day with a trip to the store yesterday morning and a Torpedo for the first round of celebration. Last night we tried the new Lazy Magnolia Timber Beast Rye IPA (8%!!!!!) and it was delicious. I'm not sure if it is as good as Ruthless Rye but it's right up there I think...or maybe I was just so excited.
Picked up several Abita offering previously unavailable here as well and the store will be getting a ton of new stuff today with even more expected by the end of the week. Good times.

The cool thing was that Abita and Yazoo loaded up for midnight runs into the state Saturday night because the beer wasn't even allowed to be within the state borders until after midnight. and lazy magnolia had a midnight bottling run on the Timber Beast....great work in getting as much new stuff in the stores as possible on the day the law changed

[adam42381]

so mikkeller is not a "craft" beer but it is a good beer.

There are so many hoppy options by them. Anyone have any suggestions of which to try?

I'd say Mikkeller definitely makes craft beer despite not having a brewery.

[strilo]

This weekend is the Organic Beer Fest in Portland. I've never been, but am hoping to go.

If you go, give us a review of your faves.

I did do a few RateBeer ratings and reviews...

Laht Neppur Strawberry Cream- Rating: 4.3 "Nice refreshing nose, smooth and sweet. This beer is drinkable and nice. Good for summer"

Uncommon Brewers Siamese Twin Ale- Rating: 5 "Very smooth and drinkable, especially for an 8.5% ABV beer. Rich tasting and perfect for cool cloudy days."

Eel River Acai Berry Wheat- Rating: 3.6 "Nice berry flavor, a bit weak on the wheat side. Has an aftertaste that reminds me of Captain Crunch with berries."

Mt. Emily Ale House Heifer-Weizen- Rating: 4.7 "Excellent Bavarian style Hefeweissbier. Low carbonation and smooth drinking."

[Yellow Ledbelly]

Had Abita's Save Our Shore pilsner Tuesday evening which was pretty nice and at a good price, I'd pick it up on a fairly regular basis.
Last night – this may or may not be craft – had Mons (canada) Abbey Blonde...not a big fan of the style at all but it was probably the most flavorful I've had...B+ We've got two more Mons beers to try....one a Dubbel and I don't remember what the other one is
Planning on another trip to the store in the next couple days for new to here high gravity beers from Tallgrass, Tommyknocker, Rogue and Red Brick

I'm really really loving the Lazy Magnolia Timber Beast but now am wishing i'd bought a couple more 4packs...I got three....because there has been a huge run on it...gonna be hard to find for a little bit I guess. But it's definitely a keeper

[adam42381]

Just got these today via trade from a member on BeerAdvocate. Russian River Pliny the Elder (2X), Stone Smoked Porter with Vanilla Bean, The Lost Abbey & New Belgium Mo Betta Bretta, The Lost Abbey Red Poppy, Russian River Beatification and Founders KBS '11.

[adam42381]

Holy shit, this stuff is good. You guys who live in their distribution area are some lucky bastards.

[Go Beavers]

Holy shit, this stuff is good. You guys who live in their distribution area are some lucky bastards.

The Holy Grail. A place in town had a keg a few weeks ago and sold $10 10oz. tasters for charity.