I didn't see an official brews thread, so I figure I'd add one.  (Apologies if there's already one.  I did search.)

 

So what's everyone drinking tonight for the poll results?  Favorite beers?

 

As I stated in a specialty thread, I'll be drinking my favorite affordable tonight.  A 6-pack of Spatan Optimator.  Doesn't get much better than this.  $7.99/6 pack and oh so good.

 

I still have to decide what I'm going to pick up after work...

I'm going to Momocho for dinner so that will probably involve margaritas instead of beer, but...

 

Christmas Ale hit the market this weekend...I got my first case on Saturday around 2:00pm.  Apparently a lot of other people had the same idea as the gift shop at Great Lakes was packed (not on the shelves in stores yet, at least not Dave's in Ohio City).  They had an early sale special at midnight Friday Night / Saturday morning where, apprently, it was so packed they were handing out numbers and you could only buy two 6-packs per person!

I'm going with Great Lakes Octoberfest.

I'm going with Great Lakes Octoberfest.

 

YES for sure. great beer. too bad its seasonal :(

 

personal favorites - Honey Brown, Eliott Ness

 

and since i'm in college - favorite cheap domestick - coors light

The silver bullet will do it for me almost any night out, but my absolute favorite beer is Newcastle and Christmas Ale is a close second.

Stopped by Constantino's and picked up a six-pack of my beer (most favoritest of favorites):

 

 

Since they were out of six-packs of my partner's favorite, I picked up a case since that was all they had. Depending on the results, I may help myself to one or three:

I didn't see an official brews thread, so I figure I'd add one. (Apologies if there's already one. I did search.)

 

So what's everyone drinking tonight for the poll results? Favorite beers?

 

As I stated in a specialty thread, I'll be drinking my favorite affordable tonight. A 6-pack of Spatan Optimator. Doesn't get much better than this. $7.99/6 pack and oh so good.

 

 

I think you've mentioned this one in another thread.  Can you describe it for an ignorant man, such as myself?

^Agreed. I've heard it's a good bitter beer, so it sounds at first glance like it'd be right up my alley.

I like draft beer so I get growlers to go from the local breweries. It is always fresh and tasty.

Locals we go to:

Rock Bottom

Great Lakes (which offers no savings on beer to go. boo!)

Chop House

 

We rarely have bottles around.

That's one of a few things I give Ohio City over Tremont. However, we do have curbside recycling in our block - so every Friday morning the sound of smashing bottles echoes all over Tremont ;-)

I think you've mentioned this one in another thread. Can you describe it for an ignorant man, such as myself?

 

Well, it's considered to be a doppelbock, but it goes down so smoothly.  It's the only relatively "affordable" dark beer that I can drink one after the other like juice.  It also qualifies for the European definition of "malt liquor", which basically means it's higher alcohol (7%).

 

I'm not great at describing flavors but I strongly suggest you give it a shot.  You can just buy a single bottle from the cold section at Party Source, if you don't want to shell out for a 6-pack.

oooh  a beer thread...

 

Thanks for the heads up on Christmas Ale, I knew that my spidy sense was tingling for some reason. Now I know.

 

Fave Cheap has got to be Miller High Life in a bottle, priced to go at $7.00  a 12-pack including tax at the drug mart down the street.

 

I am a fan of IPA's especially Brooklyn Brewery's. My buddy's coffee shop/gallery/indy rock venue Bela Dubby on Madison in Lakewood (gratuitous shout out) has it on tap, I love to sneak in for a pint or two after work before heading home.

 

Can't go wrong with Dortmunder either....

I like draft beer so I get growlers to go from the local breweries. It is always fresh and tasty.

Locals we go to:

Rock Bottom

Great Lakes (which offers no savings on beer to go. boo!)

Chop House

 

We rarely have bottles around.

 

Peabody, how much is it to fill up a growler at each of those?

My buddy's coffee shop/gallery/indy rock venue Bela Dubby on Madison in Lakewood (gratuitous shout out) has it on tap, I love to sneak in for a pint or two after work before heading home.

 

Bela Dubby is a cool place, it has been too long since I was last there. I'll have to change that...

Peabody, how much is it to fill up a growler at each of those?

 

Most places like you to use their growler-and may not fill one from another brewery. I have been able to talk all the local breweries into filling mine from the rock bottom.

 

We have a 64 oz one from the Rock Bottom. This comes to 4 pints of fresh beer. 

Rock bottom: new growler 7.95 . Refill 6.95. you get a card that gets stamped each time you buy a growler and the 7th is Free.

 

Chop House: the first growler is a joke, I want to say something llike $20, and I think the refills are about $8 or 9. They refill my Rock Bottom one (same brewer/company) .

 

Great Lakes-first growler-also silly high-cannot recall. They have refilled my Rock bottom one grudgingly. Might have only done it b/c I am a somewhat familiar face. I cannot not recall the price, but essentially it is as high as it would be sitting at the bar drinking pints. I think they charge more for Christmas ale too.

 

The suburban brewers- Brew Kettle in Strongsville and Cornerstone in Berea are very reasonable, esp Brew Kettle. The Beer Engine in Lakewood is on the higher end like Great Lakes. you are basically paying premium prices.

That's a crime. A clean growler is a clean growler. They should fill up what ever you bring in there.....I think that the 64 oz is a pretty standard size, it's not like you are trying to scam more beer.

 

Sounds like Rockbottom is a pretty good deal.

Celebrator, the one that comes with the little plastic goat hanging on it.

Heading out to CBC this evening before the Jackets game for some Columbus Porter...delicious!

I have a year long project for 2008. My goal, by the end of the year, is to have tried 365 different kinds of beer. It may not sound like much, but it is actually quite a challenge to find 365 different brands/types of beer. The local grocery store my top out at around 50, if it has a good selection. The key to this will be microbrews and brewpubs, along with some specialty shops in the area that carry a wide selection of beers. (Namely: Jungle Jims in Fairfield, OH and Tha Party Source in Newport, KY.)

 

The list is slightly interactive, allowing the user to sort by various parameters, in ascending and descending order. If anyone has some suggestions for making it better, feel free to let me know.

 

The list may be found here.

That's a crime. A clean growler is a clean growler. They should fill up what ever you bring in there.....I think that the 64 oz is a pretty standard size, it's not like you are trying to scam more beer.

 

Sounds like Rockbottom is a pretty good deal.

It is pretty darn good. I prefer their specialty beers over the regular ones. Cleveland has a new breer and I am getting used to his style. He has some huge hits...and misses.  As far as them not wanting to fill another brewery's container I am not sure if hygiene is the issue. The growlers have the name of the brewery on it. My guess is Great Lakes does not want me showing up at a party with tasty Xmas ale and everyone thinking , "wow I gotta try that Rock Bottom" 

hydrobond that is a pretty impressive list.

 

 

I have a year long project for 2008. My goal, by the end of the year, is to have tried 365 different kinds of beer. It may not sound like much, but it is actually quite a challenge to find 365 different brands/types of beer. The local grocery store my top out at around 50, if it has a good selection. The key to this will be microbrews and brewpubs, along with some specialty shops in the area that carry a wide selection of beers. (Namely: Jungle Jims in Fairfield, OH and Tha Party Source in Newport, KY.)

 

The list is slightly interactive, allowing the user to sort by various parameters, in ascending and descending order. If anyone has some suggestions for making it better, feel free to let me know.

 

The list may be found here.

 

I'm absolutely shocked that you didn't enjoy (and rather hated) the Goose Island Matilda brew.  What did you not like about it?

Just three stars for Burning River? BANNED!!!

I hate microbrewed beer.  All I drink is Miller High Life, or occasionally Little Kings.  When I go to a bar and they don't have High Life, it upsets my entire night, although sometimes I get Heinekin in restaurants.  I used to get Wiedemann sometimes too but I think they're dead.  Shaefer might still be in business.   

 

If anyone remembers Goebel, that is what my dad drank all the time when I was a kid, or Milwaukee's Best.  Although the one time I stole beer out of the fridge when I was a teenager it was Top Hat, which is also out of business.     

Hydrobond, why only 2 stars for Dogfish 120? Thats something I really enjoy...can't have more than one though; its 20% abv! Be sure to add some Founders to your list, especially their Breakfast Stout- delish!

I wonder if The Party Source has Dogfish 120.  I'd love to try it.

^perhaps...its in KY right? I believe the abv laws as they relate to beer prohibit this from being sold in OH. FYI...its $10 for a 12oz bottle.

^That sounds about right.  Trappistes Rochefort 10 is 11.3% ABV, and it goes for $5.99/bottle.

^That sounds about right. Trappistes Rochefort 10 is 11.3% ABV, and it goes for $5.99/bottle.

 

Rochefort 10 is easily one of my all time favorite beers

I think you've mentioned this one in another thread.  Can you describe it for an ignorant man, such as myself?

 

Well, it's considered to be a doppelbock, but it goes down so smoothly.  It's the only relatively "affordable" dark beer that I can drink one after the other like juice.  It also qualifies for the European definition of "malt liquor", which basically means it's higher alcohol (7%).

 

I'm not great at describing flavors but I strongly suggest you give it a shot.  You can just buy a single bottle from the cold section at Party Source, if you don't want to shell out for a 6-pack.

 

Ooh, dopplebocks are delicious. 

 

I didn't make it to the Party Source Tuesday night, and had to settle for Newcastle and Christian Moerlein's Helles Lager, neither of them being a bad beer.  I'm definitely making it out to the Source tomorrow, though.  I can't wait to sample more Trappist beers.  :)

(words)

 

I'm absolutely shocked that you didn't enjoy (and rather hated) the Goose Island Matilda brew.  What did you not like about it?

 

I couldn't finish it.  One of three beers on the list I didn't finish.  (Cranberry Lambic and the Chili beer being the other two.) 

For some reason, I do not like Belgian style beer, especially the cask conditioned ones.  (I forget if the Matilda was or not, but I think it was.)  It's just a matter of personal preference.  That being said, the Trappist beers are pretty good.

 

Just three stars for Burning River? BANNED!!!

 

The Dortmunder Gold and Commodore Perry IPA are by far their best products.  But again, this is all opinion.

 

Hydrobond, why only 2 stars for Dogfish 120? Thats something I really enjoy...can't have more than one though; its 20% abv! Be sure to add some Founders to your list, especially their Breakfast Stout- delish!

 

The 60 minute IPA was awesome, the 90 minute IPA was amazing (I even had it through Randall the Enamel Animal at Ale Fest 2008 in Dayton), but the 120 minute just tasted bad.  I thought it might have been old, but the whole point of an IPA is that it survives longer than a normal ale...  I don't know if I just got a bad one or if it was characteristic of the 120 minute IPA, but it wasn't very good at all.  And at the outrageous price for a single bottle, I didn't see any reason to give it another shot.

 

I wonder if The Party Source has Dogfish 120.  I'd love to try it.

 

They do on occasion.  That is where I found my bottle.  It is not for sale in the state of Ohio, so your only shot in town is on the KY side of the river. 

I picked up one of these from Ludlow Wine and Craft Beers last night.  Very good!

 

I tried this at Downtown 140  2 weeks ago, and bought a couple six packs since. I love pumpkin flavored beer.

 

i was at the pub last night having a very mediocre brooklyn brewery pilsner draft & texting my brother....who was also at his pub having a very awesome great lakes brewery christmas ale draft.

 

bah, i hate you guys!!  :whip:  :drunk:  :shoot:

Life's good in the Cleve, enjoying some Hippie IPA right now courtesy of Buckeye Brewing Co.

^Seconded!

 

By the way, I picked up a giant bottle of a seasonal Sam Adams Chocolate Bock up in Austintown, OH, this past weekend.  I haven't tapped it yet, but I'm very curious about it's flavor.  I've had the Stout's Triple Chocolate before, which was absolutely horrible.  I've heard good things about this bock though.

For fancy fruity beer:

 

 

And Maine's Bar Harbor is a good option too.

 

those 2 are worlds apart. Lambiac is really tasty and is made differently than typical beer . AS fans know, it does not even taste like beer at all.  I think the blueberry is a flavored wheat. I actually don't like the Bar Harbor Ale. If you ever get to that area, you have to have Atlantic Brewery's beer. It is brewed on Mt Desert Island, and sells throughout Maine. The Cadillac Mountain Stout is the best micro I have ever had.

I've actually been told by some lambic connoisseurs that Frambois is far too sweet compared to a proper lambic, in order to appeal to mass markets.  Some other lambics I've had are indeed incredibly tart.

Lambiacs do run the range, I actually like the sour as much as the sweet. I think what makes them so good is the complexity of the flavors. If they are made right, it is more than just dumping syrup in beer.

I can't stand fruity beer. It gives me a headache. I'd rather drink wine or bubbly. I'd probably try that blueberry ale once though.

with the exception of the framboise (which I rarely have a taste for), I do not like sweet, fruity beers. If it is subtle, then maybe. I do not think the bar harbor ale is the best example of a fruit beer.

I love Burning River. Now that I live in Columbus it seems like it's a lot easier to find it.

We have the GL Christmas Ale on tap at the bar.  Supposedly it's even better that way.  I haven't tried yet I have been behaving.

 

Great beer I tried in Tulsa:  "Blackened Voodoo", made by Dixie I believe.

 

Wiedemann is what I used to drink and hope my dad didn't notice one missing.

GL Christmas ALe is better on tap. Actually so far I have had it at 3 other places, and it tastes best at Great Lakes. Either the taps are not maintained as well, or the serving temperature is too cold.

 

 

I took a photo of this proud trio at a 40th birthday party a few weeks ago:

 

For those not in the know, the center can is an unopened steel promo can of Hudy from the Superbowl XVII season and the one at left from the Superbowl XXIII season.  I had a six-pack of those XXIII cans on my shelf as decoration in high school and resisted every temptation to crack them open.  The can at right is an imitation steel can (they painted an aluminum can to look like steel) of the current reincarnation of Hudy Delight and was consumed shortly before this photo was taken. 

Burning River, Bud Lite (substitute miller if its not available), Stella Artois, Guiness are my favorite ones. I'll drink almost anything but I hate Killian's Irish Red. I bought a whole mini keg of it one time - worst beer I've ever had.

Coors light + red food coloring = Killians

^and^^Wow, I wouldn't agree at all about the Killian's.  It's miles above Bud Light or any of that garbage.  Sometimes, Killian's is the only good beer available at a bar--at least, the only one on which I'd be willing to spend my money.