Messages

31

All Grain Brewing / Re: Drink IPA's Fresh!

« on: December 13, 2012, 09:42:11 am »

Forgive my ignorance of the nuances of the 3 tier system, but does the distributor not purchase the beer from the brewery, then sell it to a retailer? So if the beer sits and goes out of date, one would assume that either the retailer or distributor would eat the cost (assuming they actually pull the product, which has not been my experience) instead of the brewer?

I'm not saying I know one way or the other, just making assumptions

32

All Grain Brewing / Re: Drink IPA's Fresh!

« on: December 07, 2012, 08:01:43 am »

The trouble with "best by" is it doesn't tell you when it was bottled. Fuller's beers have a "best before" date, but it must be a year or more after bottling. The last time I bought their ESB, it was oxidized and nothing like the beer I've had in England.

Founders has "bottled on" dates, which is nice. I'm with you on the Fullers beers, though

33

All Grain Brewing / Re: step mashing or single infusion

« on: December 07, 2012, 07:59:00 am »

The latest Beersmith podcast is on Saison. Nathan Smith covers doing a 100% pils beer. Its a good listen:

http://beersmith.com/blog/2012/11/27/brewing-saison-beer-with-nathan-smith-beersmith-podcast-50/

34

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: I'm a rebel, Dotty, a loner...

« on: December 06, 2012, 06:40:47 pm »

"He's having his bath"

"Ohhhhh reaaally? Where they hosing him down?"

35

All Grain Brewing / Re: Drink IPA's Fresh!

« on: November 28, 2012, 08:18:20 am »

There are a lot of stores in my area that have built up a huge craft beer section. The problem is that the stock just doesn't get turned over. I've stopped buying APA's/IPA's unless they have a "born on" date within 2-3 months, or they are a current seasonal release. I actually have better luck at stores with a small selection because I know that the common stuff like Harpoon IPA, SNPA, etc. gets turned around pretty quick.

I had the same issue with my local beer store, to the point that I won't buy ANY beer from them unless its date stamped. They have a huge selection, and a great staff, but it seems that nothing ever gets tossed. They were kind enough to order me a Stone beer I had brewed a clone of a while back that isn't available in our area. I went in and picked it up, and it was a year past the "best by". Huge chunks of proteins floating around in it, really nasty.  So in that case it's not just the store, but the distributor as well. They did refund my money, however. "Meijer", which is a Midwestern mega-grocery store chain out here, now has an entire MI/Craft beer section with a high turnover of product, and as much as I want to spend my $ with the little guys it's hard to turn down fresh beer at a better price.

36

All Grain Brewing / Re: Drink IPA's Fresh!

« on: November 28, 2012, 07:06:17 am »

Two Hearted Ale, that was bottled in July.  It did not taste like the Two Hearted I know.

Had one like that a month ago, totally agree. Which is why I love that both Founders and Bells date stamp their bottles. I won't buy any (IPA's) from either brewery that are more than 3 months past the bottling date.

Which brings me to the point: Why don't all breweries date stamp their bottles? Why would you want some nasty old oxidized beer out there? Anyone unfamiliar (or uneducated) with that beer is going think poorly of it. I think it's Goose Island that goes so far as to put an actual "best by" date on their bottles. As a consumer, I really appreciate that.

37

Commercial Beer Reviews / Hey Michigan

« on: November 28, 2012, 06:57:57 am »

I'm headed up to traverse city this weekend to celebrate my birthday, and as a gift I'm having 2 of my cornies filled, one at Shorts, the other at Right Brain. Anyone been to either taproom lately and can make a recommendation? I'm familiar (of course) with all of the year round stuff from Shorts, and most of the flagship beers at Right Brain, just looking for something pub only thats great.

Thanks!

38

Beer Recipes / Re: Solid Gold

« on: November 20, 2012, 09:56:57 am »

My first pint every time I go to the tap room is a nitro stout, then I dive into something new or hoppy. I've never had the solid gold, but  I have seen reference of it as an english pale ale, however.

Next time you get to GR, try Perrin Brewing Co over in Comstock. Very impressive so far. They snagged Nate Walser, who was one of the original brewers at Founders and was behind a lot of their beers. He's doing good things at Perrin. They are close to having the bottling and canning lines going, so it's taproom only at the moment, but well worth the trip. The Kona Brown is the best coffee beer I've had to date. IPA's are all excellent. Great RIS. And you can usually find a seat!

39

Beer Recipes / Re: Solid Gold

« on: November 20, 2012, 08:06:11 am »

didn't get a chance to chat with any knowledgeable folks at Founders at the time because the place was bombed with people.

Unless you go mid week, mid-day, it's gotten pretty ridiculous trying to find a seat. I get in there on the regular, if I get a chance I'll pick a brain or 2 for you.

Did you try the oatmeal stout on nitro?

40

Going Pro / Re: What have I done?

« on: November 17, 2012, 06:51:29 am »

“If you're going to try, go all the way. Otherwise, don't even start. This could mean losing girlfriends, wives, relatives and maybe even your mind. It could mean not eating for three or four days. It could mean freezing on a park bench. It could mean jail. It could mean derision. It could mean mockery--isolation. Isolation is the gift. All the others are a test of your endurance, of how much you really want to do it. And, you'll do it, despite rejection and the worst odds. And it will be better than anything else you can imagine. If you're going to try, go all the way. There is no other feeling like that. You will be alone with the gods, and the nights will flame with fire. You will ride life straight to perfect laughter. It's the only good fight there is.”

― Charles Bukowski

Best of luck Sean. Now I have one more reason to come to Colorado and drink beer.

41

Extract/Partial Mash Brewing / Re: Zombie Dust Clone (extract)

« on: November 14, 2012, 10:45:15 am »

Briess makes a munich extract

42

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Spilling Beer

« on: November 12, 2012, 09:55:21 am »

Can of Spot Shot and a wet/dry vac.

Poor mans carpet extractor.

43

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: These guys need to clean up their act

« on: November 09, 2012, 01:47:28 pm »

Bad comments galore here.

No doubt. Looks like they're going to need to hire someone to delete fb comments all day.

44

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: My first dumped batch

« on: November 09, 2012, 01:31:48 pm »

Damn. Sorry to hear it.

45

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: These guys need to clean up their act

« on: November 09, 2012, 01:23:19 pm »

Here's my post to their FB page:
Take a hint from some true world-class brewers. Collaboration, Not Litigation.

I tried to find their FB page, but I got 7 million results when I searched "strange brew"

Ironic.