Microbrews, anybody like em?

[scubadude]

It seems that my life has veered away from music towards microbrews. Of late our country is undergoing a brewing revolution, and seems like it is finally reaching maturity as far as beer goes.

Until now Europe has been way ahead of the U.S.A, with breweries in practically every hamlet.

I'm sure that all of us have heard of Oktoberfest, where literally million of Germans, and people from all over the world, come to Germany to celebrate life with beer and great food.

Finally it seems that at we are in the same league with them. There are hundreds of microbrews for us to enjoy. I haven't seen much discussion on DU about this subject, and was wondering if it were possible to get a conversation going.

If you love microbrews please chime in. I am looking for some company here. Anyone listening? Anyone agreeing or disagreeing with me?

Right now I am enjoying a Lagunitas Black Rain, a very Imperial Stout brewed for Sam's Liquors. It is superb. Any thoughts on Imperial Stout or beer in general? Favorites?

Scuba

[rucky]

1. Stone is my favorite microbrewery

Arrogant Bastard Ale
Stone IPA
are my favorites.

I'll never turn down an IPA when I find one.

[ElboRuum]

3. How the hell does this happen to me?

I just got Rickrolled by an effing PIE CHART.

[Initech]

8. Ever tried Drakes?

They're a brewery out of San Fransisco. They brew some fuckin' awesome IPAs.

Oh and I love Stone Ruination.

[scubadude]

23. No I haven't, but I will now.

California is absolutely chock full of excellent microbrews.

Recently my wife and I did wine country. If I only knew then what I do now.

Drake's, added to the list. Thanks,

Scuba

[Initech]

58. Try the Expedition Ale.

One of my favorites right now.

[TroglodyteScholar]

14. Arrogant Bastard

I saw the Arrogant Bastard Ale in my liquor store the other day and was tempted, but passed it up. Should I go back and get it?

[Initech]

16. Get a 24 oz bottle of Arrogant Bastard and a 24 oz bottle of Double Bastard.

And mix the two together. Good shit.

[TroglodyteScholar]

33. I don't think the beer store here carries the Double Bastard...

...but I'll definitely get a 24oz of the AB the next time I'm there.

[rucky]

87. Double Bastard is not for beginners n/t

[Initech]

90. True. Very true.

[TroglodyteScholar]

117. Sipping an Arrogant Bastard now...

I'm not worthy!

[scubadude]

30. Yeah, Arrogant Bastard has a very large following,

and I like your avatar too!

Scuba

[TroglodyteScholar]

35. Yea I like your avatar, too!

My sig is usually a clever Zappa quote about democracy, but I had to go and change my name. Oh well, here's a patriotic picture instead:

[Catshrink]

66. Shiek Yurbouti.

[tigereye]

101. yes, it's very good!

[deucemagnet]

24. If you ever get to Buffalo, try a Lake Effect Pale Ale

at the Pearl Street Brewery. :9

[scubadude]

28. I'm buliding a list!

New York and New Jersey have some very good breweries, and I have never visited so I'm due!

Thank you for the tip,
Scuba

[sundog]

102. you should try their russian imperial stout

close to 11% - like nothing else

beautiful brew

comes out only once a year though & disappears almost instantly

i'll agree on the ipa - it's clean - i drink that regularly

[Sky Masterson]

2. A Microbrews is the only place in America where you can get a good beer.

Mass produced American beer is swill.

[Initech]

11. Got that right.

Bud, Miller and Coors are all horseshit. They all pretty much taste the same.

The only mass-produced American beer that's worth a damn is Sam Adams.

[scubadude]

21. I disagree with you guys to an extent.

The brews you mentioned are what many folks drink for refreshment, and to achieve an effect.

They love the stuff and that is o.k.. They are just ignorant or indifferent to the potential of beer. That is where we have the upper hand.

I just had some beers with folks from work. They deliberately passed up a bar I have been touting for a couple of weeks (with one of the fellows favorites) for a run of the mill sports bar. The bar I wanted to go to has 29 microbrews on tap, and is one of the best in the whole metropolitan area of Chicago and only 1 mile from work. Why did they do that? I have to believe they are just ignorant to the possibilities. It is my goal to edgucumate them on the subject! One stop by and the will forget that sports bar even exists...

Or so I fool myself into believing!

Scuba

[Initech]

119. Even your average run of the mill sports bar can have some good beers.

Every once in a while you could go to a place that has a kick-ass tap lineup. One of my favorite places has Alaskan Amber, and another one just started carrying Dogfish 90 Minute IPA. Another one has 50+ beers on tap with 47 of them being really good shit. You just have to know where to look.

[Bennyboy]

4. I am a NORCALian and craft brewer.....

and I love North Coast Brewing. And for Imperial Stout, there is not better than Old Rasputin.


And if you like Belgian style ales this is one of the truly great ones:

[scubadude]

25. Yes, Old Rasputin is some serious brew, but...

have you ever tried Goose Islands Bourbon County Stout? Or how about Surly Darkness? Perhaps some Three Floyd's Dark Lord would do the trick?

The stouts is where it is at for me. Right now I'm drinking Lagunitas Black Rain, which is brewed very near you.

I'll tell you what, if you ever are in Chicago I'll turn you on to some of the best Imperial Stout imaginable. Hopefully you'll reciprocate!

Good choice with Old Rasputin, one of my favorites,

Scuba

[Bennyboy]

29. I love Lagunitas...

As a brewer, I get to go to brew fests all summer long and check out other berrs. That only takes me around NORCAL and Oregon though, so i don't get much chance to have others.

lagunitas is the brewer for quite a few music festivals I attend too...

[scubadude]

34. You've got to come to Three Floyd's Dark Lord Days.

It is a complete blowout, with hundreds of brews present and folks from all over the world coming to get Dark Lord.

I can't tell you how many of the top beers are present. It seems like everywhere you turn you are being handed beers you never new existed and are the worse for not knowing. We are so lucky for these events. So lucky to be around the brewing renaissance that is going on now.

I love Lagunitas!

Best,
Scuba

[Initech]

5. I think Rogue is my favorite brewery right now.

Dead Guy
Morimoto Soba
Double Dead Guy
Hazelnut Brown
Captain Sig

All fuckin' awesome beers.

[rucky]

6. Shakespeare Stout is the shizz

[scubadude]

36. I really like their Santa's Reserve Ale

It is very chocolaty and super on a cold winters evening! Warms the heart for sure! One of the brews that got me crazy into this stuff!

Scuba

[Initech]

59. Never tried that one. Will add it to my list.

[Ikonoklast]

7. Great Lakes Brewing has a nice line-up.

Not a bad brew in the bunch. Love them all.

[Initech]

10. Great Lakes is good.

I go to Michigan a lot so I know a lot of the regional breweries there like New Holland (their "Mad Hatter" kicks major amounts of ass), New Glarus, and Atwater.

[TroglodyteScholar]

15. I thought New Glarus was only distributed in Wisconsin...

Was I misinformed? I REALLY wish the New Glarus beers were available here...so delicious....

[Initech]

54. You can get it in some parts of Michigan.

I swear I've had it there, if not then I was probably too drunk to remember.

[CatholicEdHead]

73. Yes you can only get it in Wisconsin

of course if you live on the border region you can easily jump it and get it in Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois.

[TroglodyteScholar]

13. I've only had the Burning River...

...but it was good enough that I wish I could find it down here!

[Radical Activist]

98. They do organic brews too.

They were a sponsor at Green Fest last year.

I'm partial to New Belgium. Their brewery is powered by wind and solar.

[sundog]

104. you had new belgium's abbey ale?

it's a yummy dubbel - does the trick

[Sheets of Easter]

114. Great beers.

I also recommend Willoughby Brewing Company if you're ever in the NE Ohio area. They don't bottle, but you can take home a growler of their brew. The Daisy Cutter IPA is killer.

[LeftyMom]

9. Nope, no beer drinkers in the lounge. Sorry.

[scubadude]

19. No beer drinkers, that's what I've experienced.

I live in suburban Chicago, and have a few posts directly related to events with awesome microbrews available, and it always seems like no one is interested.

For instance one of the mentioned breweries, Great Lakes Brewing, will be available tomorrow at an event I have posted about, yet I have almost been ignored.

I sure love this stuff, and have a lot to learn! Life is only so long, and we have something to be proud of. The U.S.A. is home to many of the best breweries in the world.

I am really interested in all of the beers mentioned so far, and hope to meet all DU'ers who love beer, and the almost certain political talk it inspires!

Thanks for all of the suggestions.

I submit Three Floyd's Brewery to the group. To go there (after a few samples) is almost a psychedelic experience (or so I am told). The freshest brews from the very top tier available anywhere.

Best,
Scuba

[Shakespeare]

22. She was being facetious.

:rofl:

Taverner posts a microbrew thread almost daily (to talk about what he's trying on a particular day), and it usually gets lots of responses.

Some of my favorites:

Anderson Valley's Hop Ottin' IPA
Bear Flag Brewing Company's Racer 5 IPA and Hop Rod Rye
Lagunitas Sirius Cream Ale (when you can find it) and Censored IPA

[scubadude]

37. So was I!

But I was also being honest. Several posts about events with no takers so far in a metropolitan area of 11 million people. There has been interest and I realize it is hard to get out sometimes.

I'll keep posting whenever an event occurs though. I love this stuff and know many of you do too!

Tomorrow at Brixie's in Brookfield!

Best,
Scuba

[Sebastian Doyle]

92. Hop Ottin is one of the best IPA's out there.

AVB makes a great Oatmeal Stout too. And their Winter Solstice seasonal ale is excellent as well. Can't find their stuff up here in Washington state all the time, but I always buy some when I see it.

http://www.avbc.com/

And the Lagunitas stuff as well. Really I don't think you could go wrong with any microbrew on the West Coast.

[TroglodyteScholar]

12. Me, me, me!

I used to hate beer until I found out that the beer I'd been drinking was garbage. My current favorite is Sweetwater IPA (brewed in Atlanta):


I'm kinda like rucky in that I'll never turn down an IPA..

I've got a friend/coworker who is a craft brewer...he keeps talking about opening a brewery, but I'm starting to think it's just a dream and nothing he'll ever act on. It's a shame, too, because he's produced some very strong and flavorful brews....

[scubadude]

20. I've got some Hopslam in the fridge, I'm sure that would whet you whistle!

nt

[TroglodyteScholar]

32. Hopslam???

Never heard of it, but judging by the name I like it already!

More hops, please!

[scubadude]

41. Yeah, Bell's Hopslam.

Here's a link http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/287/17112

Bell's is one of the best breweries around. If you ever get a chance to try this extremely limited production you should jump!

I have only had it on tap, although a six pack is sitting right next to me begging to be drank! I've got to finish this Black Rain first!

Scuba

[Initech]

55. Hopslam is the shit!

I so wish we could get Bells in California - definitely one of the best breweries in the country.

[Bucky]

17. Now THIS is what a micro brew looks like

Drink more than a couple of these, and you'll be in no condition to drive your Hotwheels back home.

[scubadude]

86. Don't see the Pick, Bucky.

Can't respond intelligently, so I'll go on anyway.

If it's a high ABV brew I like it.

Thanks,
Scuba

[Wapsie B]

18. The Amana Colonies is a place to get some decent brew

along with the Court Ave. Brewing Co. in Des Moines.


http://www.millstreambrewing.com/




http://www.courtavebrew.com/en/our_beer/

[scubadude]

84. They look great, and the best thing is they are not that far from Chicago!

I could do a long weekend loop trip going up through the Amana Colonies heading nort to the Twin Cities to hit Surly's.

Thanks for the tip and the great idea which flowed from it!

Scuba

[HopeHoops]

26. I just got back from the Appalacian Brew House (Harrisburg, PA) - great stuff.

[scubadude]

42. I'll try to remember them,,,

I almost thought your name was HopeHopps!

Scuba

[harmonicon]

27. I'm in

A lot of the "micro" brews are actually quite large companies now. Bell's is one of my favourites, and they're distributed in something like 5 or 10 states now, I think. On the super small side, some of the best beer I've ever had comes from a place called Craftsman Brewery, which is run entirely by two or three people in Pasadena, CA - they only sell kegs in the LA area.

What the US doesn't seem to have that Europe does is a regional type of variety. In Germany, different cities have different types of beer, like Alt Beer in Duesseldorf, and Kolsch in Cologne. The US doesn't really have anything like that. In same ways it's a good thing, because it means that a great bar in any US city will have tons of different great kinds of beer, but part of what makes beer in Europe interesting are the regional differences and local colour.

[scubadude]

43. Yes, Europe is sort of monochromatic.

One or two brews seem to dominate a locality. If you want something else, you have to go there.

GB is a little different. More selection. France more wine and Champagne. Italy, I don't know, never been, but I imagine wine.

I believe the USA can dominate in the world of beers. We may already!

Enjoy,

Scuba

[harmonicon]

45. the US definitely has the best variety

Where I live in the UK there are a large number of small breweries, but the differences between them aren't huge. Usually just a few styles of beer, but I like that appreciating a beer can be about the sometimes subtle, sometimes huge, differences between two local porters, bitters, IPAs, etc.

The best city for beer in Europe that I've been to is Strasbourg, France. There are several local breweries, like Fischer and Kronenbourg, but also small ones. It's close to both Germany and Belgium, so lots of beers from those countries are available.... man... great bars, beers, and memories of that place.

[scubadude]

47. Yeah, it's sick. We have bars here with 300 or more selections.

I'm going to an event tomorrow with at least 50 microbrews, plus the 29 that are continually on tap and a hundred or so available in bottles.

One thing we can't compare to GB on in any way is the age of our establishments. Not too long ago I was in a place called "The Royal Standard of England" outside of London that is almost 1000 years old. We don't come close to that here! The place is haunted! I loved it!

If you ever come to Chicago drop me a line and we'll tip a few together.

Cheers,
Scuba

[harmonicon]

49. I used to live in Chicago!

I know all about it. I'm glad that my home town, Grand Rapids, MI, now has a really fantastic beer bar to go along with some of the decent local breweries in the area. It's made the last two trips home more enjoyable for sure.

http://www.hopcatgr.com/main/About.aspx

[scubadude]

52. Yeah, Grand Rapids, love that town.

Bells, Founders, Dark Horse, little know but awesome Kuhnhenn Brewing Company, yeah, Michigan.

Last summer I was planning a Michigan brewery vacation, but ended up with an Isle Royale camping trip instead. It was great but somehow I feel cheated!

You're close, how does Dark Lord Days sound to you?

Scuba

[no name no slogan]

31. Prohibition killed off microbrewing in America

If not for that, we would have had a vibrant diversity of breweries and beers.

We've made a lot of progress in the last 30 years, though.

[scubadude]

44. You have a point but...

It is very funny and counter intuitive but one of the best Brew Schools in the world is in Chicago. The Siebel Institute of Technology. They have operated since 1868 except for the prohibition years and many of the best breweries in the world have roots there.

At any rate we now have some of the top rated beers in the world brewed in the U.S.A. and we need to be proud of it!

Scuba

[bluedigger]

38. Where ya been, Scubadude?

If you had surfaced in the last, oh, 15 years or so, you would have realized that beer is alive and well in the U.S. of A! I counted up the microbreweries in Maine back in the mid-90's and figured there was about one for every 20,000 residents - which must meet European standards! Maybe Maine was ahead of the curve for a change, but "as Maine goes, so goes the nation". Beer may now be one of the last products that we can "buy American". Drink local and enjoy!:toast:

[scubadude]

46. I've been right here for many years, as some of the old timers can relate!

I am only now becoming vocal on this subject however, after many years of closet enjoyment!

After all, wasn't it Zappa who said "You have to go into the closet, hey, where you will have, hey, a lot of fun!"

You could be right, perhaps Maine is on the forefront of the beer revolution. I've never been there but now I feel the draw!!!

I've been drinking Micro and Imports since the early 80's. I used to be shy, now I'm not!

Best for a great new brew,
Scuba (who you can't tell is have a great Imperial Stout right now!)

[bluedigger]

83. Speaking of "draw",

In Maine (Northeast) a drought is pronounced "draft", but in Iowa (Midwest) it's a "draw". I was a little confused my first time out of my territory! :rofl:

If you are serious about visiting the great state o' Maine, (hey, it is Vacationland), drop into Gritty Mcuff's for a Black Fly Stout! :beer:

http://www.grittys.com/index.php

[scubadude]

85. Yeah, the stout sounds right up my alley, so to speak....

Ahem!

Scuba

[Catshrink]

39. Black Butte Porter

[scubadude]

50. Added to the list!

Thank you,

Scuba

[Catshrink]

51. I've tried many but keep coming back to this one.

It's from DesChutes Brewery in Oregon. I've tried their others but this is my absolute favorite.

Here's a website that rates beers:

http://www.ratebeer.com/

[scubadude]

53. Yeah, DesChutes Brewery has some of the top beers in the world.

I know I've had some before but the exact names elude me at the moment. Count that one up to the Black Rain!

Good point,
Scuba

[Sebastian Doyle]

71. Obsidian Stout is my favorite Deschutes product.

I think I actually like it better than Guinness (though that might be considered blasphemy by some} :beer:

[scubadude]

80. Guiness is the very beginning of the Stouts.

That Obsidian looks a lot like the really heavy stuff that I favor. I'd love to try it.

The blacker and thicker the Stout is the better it is in my book, although I do prefer them sweet. Surly Darkness is my current favorite, although Bourbon County Stout or Kentucky Breakfast Stout are close behind.

Scuba

[rucky]

88. Dechutes makes some damn fine beer!

[TroglodyteScholar]

40. I hope this thread never dies

If ever I become filthy rich, I'll be a brew tourist.

[scubadude]

48. Hey, I haven't died yet, but if I do I know heaven is a huge brewery!

And all of my ancestors have just found out that they are the best places to hang around in! (Hi Mom and Dad)

That is the beauty of the Microbrew revolution. It is one of joy. Joy in visiting and enjoying the best life has to offer with the best folks who do.

Of course the same thing holds true for wineries. I have actually spent more time in wineries than breweries but that is a mistake I intend to correct!

Scuba

[TroglodyteScholar]

65. Okay, I've moved on...

...Sweetwater IPA before dinner, and now Dogfish Head 90 Minute Imperial IPA for after dinner.



First time drinking this one. The label says "ridiculous amount of English Two-row Barley," and I'm pretty sure that's an understatement. Golly this stuff is heavy, hoppy, and *sweet*. Here's a (somewhat manic) review by someone who actually knows how to write about beer: http://www.hallofbeers.com/2008/06/06/brew-reviews-dogfish-head-90-minute-ipabest-beer-ever/
I'm not quite THAT enthusiastic about it, but the person who commented on that review is dead-on--this is great "as a one at a time, once in a while brew."

On edit: next time I think I'll have a bottle of this before dinner :toast:

[scubadude]

67. Ah yes, Dogfish Head, another stand out brewery.

My favorite is Palo Santo Marron. A truly heady beer, perhaps a bit much for many, but sublime for me!

Good choice, the 90 and 120's are superb!

Scuba

[Xipe Totec]

56. CBC, If you're ever in Cambridge Mass n/t

http://www.cambrew.com/beer.html

[scubadude]

89. Those house brews look very tempting, and the prices are great!

Thanks for the tip,

Scuba

[DarkTirade]

57. Unfortunately the laws in this area make it so that it's damn near impossible to sell wine/liquor

and beer in the same store. So there are only a couple of stores around here that have a really good comprehensive beer selection. One of which is kind of near my route between work and school, but I never have the time to stop by. :(

[scubadude]

60. I had no idea there were limitations like that anywhere.

Illinois is pretty wide open as far as liquor laws go. One thing the distributors recently pushed through the legislature is a banning of cross state line sales of liquor of any sort (unless they do it). What this means is no more beer or wine clubs. This law has impacted me directly and I will be complaining about it shortly.

We have to fight for our right to...

Scuba

[DarkTirade]

61. Yeah, it was weird when I first moved here.

I went into a liquor store... wine, hard liquor, all kinds of crap... nary a beer in sight. On the flipside that beer store I mentioned is HUGE and has an amazing selection. Nothin' but beer. Quite bizarre. :)

[scubadude]

62. I know where I'd be hanging out.

In reality I dring maybe a couple of beers a week, well maybe a bit more lately. But I make sure that what I drink is among the absolute finest available, and I'm educating myself as quickly as posssiblle! Half kidding there!

Scuba

[DarkTirade]

64. Yeah, I have to settle for either Sam Adams or a few nearby companies that

have made it into my local grocery store's fridge. There's one from Vermont that I've bought a few times.

[scubadude]

76. I've got a bottle of Sam Adams Triple Bock waiting to experice.

It's a 1997 vintage, but almost everyone universally hates this brew. It's very complex, no carbonation, super strong, and to my mind very good indeed!

Scuba

[DarkTirade]

79. I decided to give their Irish Red a try.

So far I'm not a big fan, but its still better than any beer I ever had when I lived in a college apartment complex. :P I have yet to taste a Sam Adams beer that I didn't like.

[Catshrink]

63. I think the Lounge is fueled by microbrews

[scubadude]

77. It's a shame I don't do the lounge much anymore.

I used to, that's where I met my wife. Now that I've snatched her up I don't carouse anymore!

Scuba

[Bryan]

68. Me! Me! I like microbrews!

My shitty little burg boasts no fewer than three fine microbreweries:

http://www.newbelgium.com/ (my favorite: 1554 Black Ale)
http://www.fortcollinsbrewery.com/home.html (my favorite: Major Tom's Pomegranate Wheat)
http://www.odells.com/home.aspx (my favorite: 90 Shilling Ale)

My current favorite, however, is Oregon's Full Sail Brewery:

http://www.fullsailbrewing.com/

Their products are inexpensive, delicious, and inventive (summer parties are not complete without their Session Lager in the fun stubby bottles). The only problem they have is that they come up with spectacular special beers that they never add to the regular range (I think I drank every bottle of the 21st Anniversary Doppelbock that found its way out here).

[scubadude]

78. Hey, the Fort Collins area is a great spot.

Yes, excellent breweries. Great Skiing nearby too and one of the most livable towns in the country!


Scuba

[Initech]

82. All those are awesome.

Especially add Oskar Blues (Dale's Pale Ale).

[fizzgig]

103. major tom's is one of my favorite beers

i'm disappointed that more bars and restaurants in town don't carry it

[pokerfan]

69. Invented right here in Washington State, you know

Not beer, but the American microbrewery...

Interest spread to America, and in 1982 Grant's Brewery Pub in Yakima, Washington was opened, reviving the American "brewery taverns" of well-known early Americans as William Penn, Samuel Adams and Patrick Henry. The growth since then has been considerable: the Association of Brewers reports that in 2006 there were 1,389 regional craft breweries, microbreweries and brewpubs in the United States.

Ah, Washington. From kick-ass music to coffee to beer... is there nothing you can't do? :P

[scubadude]

74. Never been to Washington State, I sure would like to though...

I've heard that there are little breweries almost in every neighborhood brewing beers that are not available anywhere else. Very cool!

Scuba

[pokerfan]

105. one of the best in the state

check out the reviews:
http://www.pubcrawler.com/Template/ReviewWC.cfm/flat/BrewerID=513

[Sheets of Easter]

70. I caught the fever in the mid-90's.

Not long after I turned 21. I loved how trying a new beer became an adventure, rather than just a reason to get messed up. I can't even tolerate the swill that passes for domestic "pale lager" anymore.

I love really hoppy beers like IPAs, but I love stouts and porters as well. I'm not a big fan of lagers, pilsners and wheat beers, though.

[scubadude]

75. Hey, that means we're in the same club!

Ales and Stout's and Porters are by bag man.

Scuba

[CatholicEdHead]

72. New Glarus Brewery

nothing else comes close

/yum
//Spotted Cow

[scubadude]

81. New Glarus is on my list.

I have a list of all the Breweries within 250 miles or so from home. Close enough to make a long day trip out of or a weekend trip. There are quite a few in Wisconsin and also many in Michigan. Unfortunately the Surly Brewing Company in the Twin Cities is just a wee bit too far. Dang!

Scuba

[Burma Jones]

91. Dogfish Head - Delaware's Finest

http://www.dogfish.com/

[Initech]

94. One of my favorite bars just started carrying 90 minute IPA.

:woohoo:

[av8rdave]

96. I LOVE their IPA...can't remember where I had it, but it was great

[Sebastian Doyle]

93. Gotta give a shout out to the hometown microbrewery here....

http://www.fishbrewing.com/

Great selection of beers here, and even a few ciders for the non-beer drinkers. Don't know how wide a distribution the bottled stuff has, though I would hope it's available on the West Coast at least.

[yellowdogintexas]

95. Our local microbrewery, Rahr's has one called Blind Salamander that I like

quite a lot.

Good Dems, too

[Tuesday Afternoon]

97. I think they are fun...and seasonal brews can be a nice change.

:beer: :toast:

[Zavulon]

99. Love 'em.

Best I ever tasted was the Seabright in Santa Cruz. I prefer ambers, and theirs was the best I've ever had.

[tigereye]

100. yes, yes and yes

a local beer store has 100s and 100s of them to choose from in the "beer cave." It's so much fun to wander around in there.

[Initech]

106. There is a place in Costa Mesa that has a walk-in beer refridgerator.

It is quite fuckin' awesome.

[tigereye]

115. ours is in PIttsburgh!

[evlbstrd]

107. I love trying different brews from micros.

I also homebrew. I can't drink a Bud/Miller/Coors now.
Boulevard is my local micro. They're growing a lot, though. When are they not a micro?
Their Smokestack Series is very good.

[Mabus]

109. evlbstrd micro-micro brewery is my fave

Damn that Barley Wine was divine. It was so smooth it was simply evl.

[evlbstrd]

110. That's it!

It didn't have name until now.
I give you...

evlwne

You have to have the second e or it doesn't make sense.

We transferred this years' batch last weekend and measured the gravity. Whenever you do that, you get to sample! It already tastes fantastic. Another month or so in the fermenter and it should be ready bottle for Christmas. Plus, we make ten gallons at a time now instead of five.

[Mabus]

111. evlwne brought to you by evlbstrd and evlbll

You better save me a bottle!

[evlbstrd]

112. It has a ring to it.

But evlbb helped with this one. Bill was at work.
Hey, we managed to get some to you from the last batch and it was only two cases. That stuff was in big demand.

[Mabus]

113. You have a talent

And you're honing it well.

[Initech]

116. I have a brewery like that in my town.

They are called "The Bruery" (after the founder's last name - Rue). They brew some damn good beers, I like their Maple-flavored double bock they brew at Thanksgiving time.

I'm learning how to home brew as well.

[mentalsolstice]

108. Microbrews are an art unto themselves! nt

[laylah]

118. Coopersmith's

Green Chili beer is THE best, along with Fat Tire from Belgium Brewery in Ft. Collins.

[XemaSab]

120. NorCal has some good craft/microbrews

Lagunitas, Dogtown, Red Tail, that place in Ft. Bragg, Eel River, Eureka, Arcata, McKinleyville, Sierra... you could go on an epic tasting journey. :9