Best Brews: Your Favorites U.S. Breweries
Apr 10th, 2008, 05:48 AM
#41
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Add your European favorites here....I'd love even more motivation to same my $$$$ to head back there...
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...2&tid=35122776
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...2&tid=35122776
Apr 10th, 2008, 06:11 AM
#42
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Well, howdy neighbor. I've never done the Brooklyn Brewery tour because I think their beer is foul. My favorite brewery so far has been Otter Creek in Middlebury, Vermot. Fantastic beer, beautiful location and a really nice little operation. I went to Magic Hat in Feb. and was very impressed. Get there if you can - we are not getting their best products in the stores. The variety pack I always see has their worst beer. They're doing an organic line that's fabulous (Orlio). Next up for me, I hope, will be Long Trail - also in VT.
I like the beer at the Moab Brewery, but didn't find it to be a real brewery experience. It was like the Barley Creek Brewery in Tannersville, PA - really a restaurant with tanks. I got my husband a Mr. Beer brew kit for Christmas and he has turned out some of the best porter I've tasted (ok, not as good as Polygamy) but sorry - no tours!!
I'd love to go to the source of Voodoo Ale - very, very hard to get. Don't you just love the people who "don't drink beer", like everything out there is warm Budweiser? Another favorite is "there's no good American beer".
I like the beer at the Moab Brewery, but didn't find it to be a real brewery experience. It was like the Barley Creek Brewery in Tannersville, PA - really a restaurant with tanks. I got my husband a Mr. Beer brew kit for Christmas and he has turned out some of the best porter I've tasted (ok, not as good as Polygamy) but sorry - no tours!!
I'd love to go to the source of Voodoo Ale - very, very hard to get. Don't you just love the people who "don't drink beer", like everything out there is warm Budweiser? Another favorite is "there's no good American beer".
Apr 10th, 2008, 07:30 AM
#45
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You folks should all come to little ol' Boulder, Co. We've got, just in our hamlet:
Avery Brewing: http://www.averybrewing.com/ Big beers, at least 4 at about 15% and there are hop freaks!
Twisted Pine: http://www.twistedpinebrewing.com/home.html
Boulder Brewery:http://www.boulderbeer.com/ Alledgedly the oldest (still classified as) micro brewery in the US)
Mountain Sun (and Southern Sun in south Boulder) http://www.mountainsunpub.com/
Redfish Brew Pub: http://www.redfishbrewhouse.com/
BJs pizza (though a chain, most have their own brewmaster, as does Boulder's)http://www.bjsrestaurants.com/locati...il.aspx?lcID=8
And Walnut Brewing http://tinyurl.com/6s9vvn which is part of the Rockbottom chain, but was there before there was a rockbottom.
All make very fine beers and the last four are within walking distance of each other, all along the Pearl St walking Mall in Boulder, a site of it's own.
Of course, if you want to taste all of these beers, and most of your favorites from around the country, come to the Great American Beer Festival in Denver, last year, over 1800 beers. It happens in October this year.http://www.beertown.org/events/gabf/index.htm
Bill
Avery Brewing: http://www.averybrewing.com/ Big beers, at least 4 at about 15% and there are hop freaks!
Twisted Pine: http://www.twistedpinebrewing.com/home.html
Boulder Brewery:http://www.boulderbeer.com/ Alledgedly the oldest (still classified as) micro brewery in the US)
Mountain Sun (and Southern Sun in south Boulder) http://www.mountainsunpub.com/
Redfish Brew Pub: http://www.redfishbrewhouse.com/
BJs pizza (though a chain, most have their own brewmaster, as does Boulder's)http://www.bjsrestaurants.com/locati...il.aspx?lcID=8
And Walnut Brewing http://tinyurl.com/6s9vvn which is part of the Rockbottom chain, but was there before there was a rockbottom.
All make very fine beers and the last four are within walking distance of each other, all along the Pearl St walking Mall in Boulder, a site of it's own.
Of course, if you want to taste all of these beers, and most of your favorites from around the country, come to the Great American Beer Festival in Denver, last year, over 1800 beers. It happens in October this year.http://www.beertown.org/events/gabf/index.htm
Bill
Apr 10th, 2008, 01:01 PM
#48
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Caph....everytime I'm in Chicago I get "Goosed".
And I love Abita Turbodog!
Also liked the Great Basin Brewpub in Sparks NV.
A good place to start/end Hot August Nights and/or The Best of the West BBQ competition.
And I love Abita Turbodog!
Also liked the Great Basin Brewpub in Sparks NV.
A good place to start/end Hot August Nights and/or The Best of the West BBQ competition.
Apr 10th, 2008, 01:23 PM
#50
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Milk stouts tend to be sweeter than an irish stout for instance. Here is the official description:
Milk / Sweet Stouts are basically stouts that have a larger amount of residual dextrins and unfermented sugars that give the brew more body and a sweetness that counters the roasted character. Milk Stouts are very similar to Sweet Stouts, but brewers add unfermentable sugars, usually lactose, to the brew kettle to add body and some sweetness.
Bill
Milk / Sweet Stouts are basically stouts that have a larger amount of residual dextrins and unfermented sugars that give the brew more body and a sweetness that counters the roasted character. Milk Stouts are very similar to Sweet Stouts, but brewers add unfermentable sugars, usually lactose, to the brew kettle to add body and some sweetness.
Bill
Apr 10th, 2008, 01:35 PM
#51
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Thank you, Bill! So the added lactose is where the "milk" part of it comes in.
As I mentioned, Kal, I'm a fan of Goose Island. But my love affair with Honker's Ale has dimmed somewhat. After years of loving pretty much all dark beers, in the past several months I've developed a dislike of the floral taste in so many dark beers. Especially IPAs. Am I right in thinking it's the hops that gives it that flavor?
Fortunately, Goose Island makes several other beers that I still really like. Well, maybe not so fortunately in terms of my desire to lose weight!
As I mentioned, Kal, I'm a fan of Goose Island. But my love affair with Honker's Ale has dimmed somewhat. After years of loving pretty much all dark beers, in the past several months I've developed a dislike of the floral taste in so many dark beers. Especially IPAs. Am I right in thinking it's the hops that gives it that flavor?
Fortunately, Goose Island makes several other beers that I still really like. Well, maybe not so fortunately in terms of my desire to lose weight!
Apr 10th, 2008, 03:48 PM
#53
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I live in Madison, WI-- if you ever get to the Badger state try Capital Brewery www.capital-brewery.com Our favorite is the seasonal Capital Maibock. Island Wheat Ale is a new & popular beer. During the summer on Friday evenings Capital opens up a beer garden with live music. Another brewery right outside of Madison is the New Glarus Brewing Co. and spotted cow is one of the more popular beers.
Apr 11th, 2008, 10:14 AM
#54
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Oh, if only DH had time to answer. And I love the term "micro-tourist"--he's that and more. He's been to Munich and Belgium for birthday presents-- just for the beer!!!
We're from Michigan, so Bell's is an obvious fave. I just saw their Oberon (or as I still like to refer to it, Solsun)out in stores for the first time of the season.
We recently went to Stone Brewing north of San Diego, and I have to say that place was fabulous. Even if you are not a huge beer conniseur, the food and the atmosphere is amazing-- there is a little koi pond inside, out outside there is an amazing pond, firepit, big grassy open spaces, --- HIGHLY recommended.
There is also a pretty comprehensive site, beer travelers that lists most of the brewpubs in the country
http://www.beertravelers.com/
I know the next two on DH's list are omegang and dogfish head.
Cheers!!! And if you are in Michigan in July, the Michigan Beerfest is a great event -- almost all of the breweries in Michigan come together in one place for beer tasting and music-- good times!
We're from Michigan, so Bell's is an obvious fave. I just saw their Oberon (or as I still like to refer to it, Solsun)out in stores for the first time of the season.
We recently went to Stone Brewing north of San Diego, and I have to say that place was fabulous. Even if you are not a huge beer conniseur, the food and the atmosphere is amazing-- there is a little koi pond inside, out outside there is an amazing pond, firepit, big grassy open spaces, --- HIGHLY recommended.
There is also a pretty comprehensive site, beer travelers that lists most of the brewpubs in the country
http://www.beertravelers.com/
I know the next two on DH's list are omegang and dogfish head.
Cheers!!! And if you are in Michigan in July, the Michigan Beerfest is a great event -- almost all of the breweries in Michigan come together in one place for beer tasting and music-- good times!
Apr 11th, 2008, 03:56 PM
#55
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Caphs,
Hops...skips....jumps...dunno the answer.
I had some dark stuff with a pizza last Satnite.
It was the pizza place's own name and I didn't get a chance to ask them if they brew themselves or just have someone do it and they label it.
Good stuff.
I still like an ice cold Kona Brewing Co Fire Rock Pale Ale....while at the Sand Bar only!
Hops...skips....jumps...dunno the answer.
I had some dark stuff with a pizza last Satnite.
It was the pizza place's own name and I didn't get a chance to ask them if they brew themselves or just have someone do it and they label it.
Good stuff.
I still like an ice cold Kona Brewing Co Fire Rock Pale Ale....while at the Sand Bar only!
Apr 11th, 2008, 04:08 PM
#56
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Ithaca Brewery (Ithaca, NY) has several really good beers, including Cascasilla, a hoppy red ale, and Flower Power, a fragrant IPA. The brewery has a tasting room, but no food.
Flower Power is doing very well in a blind beer tasting tourney that I am a part of. See http://home.twcny.rr.com/jtonole/slo.../madness08.pdf
Flower Power is doing very well in a blind beer tasting tourney that I am a part of. See http://home.twcny.rr.com/jtonole/slo.../madness08.pdf
Apr 11th, 2008, 09:31 PM
#57
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Deschutes Brewery's Mirror Pond Pale Ale - mmmmmm...
But you really can't go wrong with just about any brewery here in Beervana (Portland, OR). For folks to like to sample 'em all, come join us for the Oregon Brewers Festival, which is always held over the last full weekend in July. It's a great event with microbrewed beers from all over the US - very laid back, and even family friendly, believe it or not. We always get there early, spread out a blanket under a tree on the waterfront, and spend the afternoon comparing tastes. You can't beat it!
But you really can't go wrong with just about any brewery here in Beervana (Portland, OR). For folks to like to sample 'em all, come join us for the Oregon Brewers Festival, which is always held over the last full weekend in July. It's a great event with microbrewed beers from all over the US - very laid back, and even family friendly, believe it or not. We always get there early, spread out a blanket under a tree on the waterfront, and spend the afternoon comparing tastes. You can't beat it!
Apr 12th, 2008, 03:34 AM
#58
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The Lone Star Brewery in San Antonio was very welcoming when I fronted up in 1979 and the beer wasn't bad either. They were pretty keen to have me do the full taste test when they discovered I was an Australian (funny that). What they didn't know was that in those days the occasional taste test at an overseas brewery (a boon to a skinflint backpacker) was pretty much the extent of my beer drinking. Anyway, it was an enjoyable afternoon - which went a long way to making up for the previous night on the Greyhound when everyone was kept awake by a stoned dude and his g'tar with the exclusive repertoire of 'Is anybody goin' to San Antone...'. Enough to drive anyone to drink.
Apr 14th, 2008, 08:11 AM
#60
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Love reading about these... had a beer this weekend that I really enjoyed on my recent trip to California. It's by the Bear Republic Brewing Company in Healdsburg, California. Has anyone ever been? I like their Racer IPA.
http://www.bearrepublic.com/
http://www.bearrepublic.com/
