some damn good IPA's out there

[stapes]

If you can get the EnjoyBy ... get it. Definitely better than the regular stone
http://www.stonebrewing.com/enjoyby/

Ballast Point is solid, so's AleSmith

Got lucky and was at Beer Revolution right as they tapped the Enjoy By. Also picked up a few bombers of it. Feel grateful to have got some of the November and December release.

Decided to forego the trip up to Santa Rosa, Petaluma etc. and instead spent a day hopping around Livermore with some friends that live in Dublin - 1st St Ale House, the Saloon (Beer Baron) and Tap 25. Then swung by Perry's Liquor and stocked up. Lots of IPA tasting. Liked Drakes a lot out of the local CA brews. Had the Imperial but was hoping to get an Aroma Coma. Pliny is still just so good. That distinct flavor can't be beat. Had an Evil Cousin from Heretic that was tasty. Plenty of Big Daddy while out and about too. More but I forget. A little IPA'd out honestly. Transitioning to more stouts and red wine this time of year. Also flew home with a bottle each of Damnation, Supplication, Consecration and Temptation. Oh and a Dueling Pipers from Ale Industries. Should have brought an extra suitcase just for Pliny. Great trip. Next time I'll have to give some of you Bay area guys a ring.

Up in Napa went to Heitz, Benessere, and Lava Vine.

[smartyiak]

Sitting here drinking Clown Shoes "Muffin Top." Never heard of the brewery before today, but they got 6 or so IPAs...not bad.

[booner]

My new favorite

[SchralphMacchio]

Got lucky and was at Beer Revolution right as they tapped the Enjoy By. Also picked up a few bombers of it. Feel grateful to have got some of the November and December release.

Decided to forego the trip up to Santa Rosa, Petaluma etc. and instead spent a day hopping around Livermore with some friends that live in Dublin - 1st St Ale House, the Saloon (Beer Baron) and Tap 25. Then swung by Perry's Liquor and stocked up. Lots of IPA tasting. Liked Drakes a lot out of the local CA brews. Had the Imperial but was hoping to get an Aroma Coma. Pliny is still just so good. That distinct flavor can't be beat. Had an Evil Cousin from Heretic that was tasty. Plenty of Big Daddy while out and about too. More but I forget. A little IPA'd out honestly. Transitioning to more stouts and red wine this time of year. Also flew home with a bottle each of Damnation, Supplication, Consecration and Temptation. Oh and a Dueling Pipers from Ale Industries. Should have brought an extra suitcase just for Pliny. Great trip. Next time I'll have to give some of you Bay area guys a ring.

Up in Napa went to Heitz, Benessere, and Lava Vine.

AWESOME trip! Look me up next time you're out here. I feel like a boozecierge with all my friends as far as brewery/winery recs etc. Drakes is great for local ... if you love Pliny get your hands on Knee Deep Dr. Hoptologist. People call it the "Pliny Killer" and it beat Pliny for gold medal at 2012 DIPA festival.

Knee Deep is poised to become the next hot microbrew from NorCal. I hope Drake's can survive the brewmaster turnover, as I love their specialty ales, but Aroma Coma this year was nothing special ... last year was much much better. Speakeasy XV IIIPA is probably the most stunning recent NorCal beer release that I've had as far as hoppy beers go. If you like the Belgian crossover styles, Almanac is doing really good shit, and Calicraft is another Bay Area up and coming microbrewery poised to become a really special thing.

[Hugh Conway]

Sante Adairius - Simple Citra is an awesome hop beer if you find it on tap. They call it an APA (5% ABV) but imo it's what a "session IPA" should be. Really good beer, really good people there.

[BassBone]

Sorry if it's already been mentioned, but Tricerahops (from Ninkasi) is a delicious double IPA. Wish I could get it on the east coast. I jump at the chance to buy Heady Topper whenever I can, as that's the best local brew I've found in New England.

[My Pet Powder Goat]

I ran a bootlegging mission for a a case of Heady Toppers direct from the cannary and stopped by Montpelier's Three Penny taproom and enjoyed a couple (more) delicious IPAs.

Lawson's jade single-hop (VT)
7.2% abv
Unfiltered citrus-lavender?

Hill Farmstead Simco (VT)
single-hop pale ale
5.4%abv
unfiltered, very citrusy hop

Lawson's Hopzilla (VT)
double ipa 8.7abv
filtered, dark golden in color with a smooth, sweet finish of citrus and pine


I'm starting to think craft beer has finally "arrived"

[FlimFlamvanHam]

It may not be as bitter hopped as many of you like, but Central City Red Betty IPA brewed here in Vancouver is good. Cans only and best before date on bottom is 5 months from actual brew date.

If you're in Whistler/Vancouver and need a good IPA, this is readily available at all govt liquor stores. It's a bit on the pricy side even by Canadian standards @ $13.45 a 6pack but it does not suck.

[guroo270]

Sitting here drinking Clown Shoes "Muffin Top." Never heard of the brewery before today, but they got 6 or so IPAs...not bad.

I hope for your sake that's not a frosty mug.

Harpoon's Leviathan Double IPA

[joetron]

Bromontana, re: Firestone Walker Union Jack

I usually go to the 3300s sto' behind REI, or Sugarhouse. Sometimes Sugarhouse will be out, but 33rd always seems to have it.

[stapes]

AWESOME trip! Look me up next time you're out here. I feel like a boozecierge with all my friends as far as brewery/winery recs etc. Drakes is great for local ... if you love Pliny get your hands on Knee Deep Dr. Hoptologist. People call it the "Pliny Killer" and it beat Pliny for gold medal at 2012 DIPA festival.

Knee Deep is poised to become the next hot microbrew from NorCal. I hope Drake's can survive the brewmaster turnover, as I love their specialty ales, but Aroma Coma this year was nothing special ... last year was much much better. Speakeasy XV IIIPA is probably the most stunning recent NorCal beer release that I've had as far as hoppy beers go. If you like the Belgian crossover styles, Almanac is doing really good shit, and Calicraft is another Bay Area up and coming microbrewery poised to become a really special thing.

Will do Schralp. Should be getting out that way every few years, if not every year. Would love to get back to Beer Revolution and check out some other places as well.

Actually had a Calicraft Pale Ale at Chez Panisse (hit the cafe for lunch) that they were calling 'Chez Panisse Pale'. Was pretty good. Oh and that reminds me, next time I have to make a point to get a pizza from the Cheeseboard. Had a Line 51 Red Death IPA at BR that was more like a hoppy red. Supposedly they are a newer brewery out there too?

edit - just saw Calicraft is out of Walnut Creek which is where we stayed with my in-laws. Doesn't look like he has a taphouse/tasting room though. Maybe by next time....

[TheMessenger]

I ran a bootlegging mission for a a case of Heady Toppers direct from the cannary and stopped by Montpelier's Three Penny taproom and enjoyed a couple (more) delicious IPAs.

Lawson's jade single-hop (VT)
7.2% abv
Unfiltered citrus-lavender?

Hill Farmstead Simco (VT)
single-hop pale ale
5.4%abv
unfiltered, very citrusy hop

Lawson's Hopzilla (VT)
double ipa 8.7abv
filtered, dark golden in color with a smooth, sweet finish of citrus and pine


I'm starting to think craft beer has finally "arrived"

Beer isn't meant to taste like pine needles, lavender flowers and fucking grapefruit juice

Do you buy that shit at fucking Bed Bath and Beyond?

Just more proof IPA is pussy beer made by pussies for pussies.

Enjoying your bitchtits yet?

Lemme guess, you drive a Subaru, listen to NPR, are sensitive to women's issues and ride cross country.

[My Pet Powder Goat]

Beer isn't meant to taste like pine needles, lavender flowers and fucking grapefruit juice

Do you buy that shit at fucking Bed Bath and Beyond?

Just more proof IPA is pussy beer made by pussies for pussies.

Enjoying your bitchtits yet?

Most good beers have "note" or "hints" of different flavors, porters are smoky, stouts are sometimes choclolatey, I like IPA that have citrus to smooth out the bitterness,

....but hey keep drinking that Budweiser

[guroo270]

Beer isn't meant to taste like pine needles, lavender flowers and fucking grapefruit juice

Do you buy that shit at fucking Bed Bath and Beyond?

NO

Just more proof IPA is pussy beer made by pussies for pussies.

So stronger beer is for pussies? I bet my dry, almost straight Hendricks gin martini is too, because of the glass it comes in?

Enjoying your bitchtits yet?

Actually we are probably skinnier because we drink one or two real beers while you down a 12 pack of swill

Lemme guess, you drive a Subaru - YES

listen to NPR - NO

are sensitive to women's issues YES, BUT NOT LIKE, THEIR PERIOD AND SHIT. THEY CAN GTFO WITH THAT NOISE

and ride cross country. - HELL NO

JHGLJHGB

[snapt]

Knee Deep tap takeover at Capitol Beer and Tap Room in Sac in 12/6

The Berryessa Double Tap Imp IPA is really good if you like a hoppy wet taste. I like what Berryessa's been doing of late.

[Name Redacted]

Beer isn't meant to taste like pine needles, lavender flowers and fucking grapefruit juice

Do you buy that shit at fucking Bed Bath and Beyond?

Just more proof IPA is pussy beer made by pussies for pussies.

Enjoying your bitchtits yet?

Lemme guess, you drive a Subaru, listen to NPR, are sensitive to women's issues and ride cross country.

Lemme guess, you don't ski, still live with your parents, and weigh over 250 lbs. When not trolling TGR, you are playing World of Warcraft, eating hot pockets, and drinking Code Red Mountain Dew.

Beer isn't meant to taste like urine, but since the taste brings back memories of those golden showers the guys at band camp used to give you, then hey, to each his own.

[~mikey b]

good beer CAN taste like spruce needles - one of my best homebrews ever was an IPA with spruce tips in the last boil (5min) and dry hopped with spruce tips - fucking delicious

[~mikey b]

any good Truckee beer stores?
or do I have to go to Road Runner in Meyers?

[splitter]

any good Truckee beer stores?
or do I have to go to Road Runner in Meyers?

you'd drive from Truckee to Meyers for beer rather than the shorter trip to Reno and visit Craft?

[~mikey b]

No. Coming from west Sierra foothills. Can travel through Carson Pass or Donner Pass. Thanks for the Reno beta!

[ASmileyFace]

Picked up a couple bottles of Dogfish 90 minute IPA today.
Stupidly stoked to try them when I get a chance.

[splitter]

craft by chadbro, on Flickr

[gatorboy]

Any non-jong want to trade a few Plinys for a 750 ml of Goose Island's King Henry? I've got a few Henry's left that have been stored for about a year.

[~mikey b]

That shit is really good. My beer store guy had one sitting in the back for me for a year that he just gave me. He does that. "Oh, by the way, I've been keeping this cold for you..." Then presents me with a 2 year old Abyss or a year old KH. Best was the 4 pack of 4 year old Alaskan Smoked Porter. That shit gets better with age.

I'd trade, but I can't get Pliney anywhere close to me...

[abraham]

Best was the 4 pack of 4 year old Alaskan Smoked Porter. That shit gets better with age.

I would hope so, I was not a fan when I tried it pretty fresh. But I may just not be a fan of the smoked flavor. Does it mellow with age?