Beer

[Dove]

This weekend will be Del's Shandys a lot! Plus the Lil Heavens in the basement. Plus margaritas!

 

[Mike75]

I love using this thread to up my beer game. Really enjoying this Easy Ryeda I just cracked open...

On another note, recently moved, does anyone know a store with goods offerings near Wilton/Weston/Ridgefield?

Ancona's in Ridgefield, Georgetown Package Store in Redding, Vista Beverage in South Salem, NY.

 

[pepband99]

I love using this thread to up my beer game. Really enjoying this Easy Ryeda I just cracked open...

On another note, recently moved, does anyone know a store with goods offerings near Wilton/Weston/Ridgefield?

Good to hear. Hit their brewery in Oxford, if you can.

 

[8893]

I love it!!!! Was drinking it last night ( green room at Pacific Standard) . It's perfect.

Found it on tap again yesterday, at Eli Cannon's. Tasted fantastic, again. Two things I noted though: First, I don't really get why it's a 12 oz. pour vs. 16 oz. for regular Sculpin. Same ABV. I'm sure it costs a little more, but 25%? I'd rather they give me a normal pour and charge me a little more. Second, it absolutely ruins your tastebuds for drinking anything else, so if there is another beer you want to try in the same session, have that first. I started with this and then had a Lawson's Super Session #2, which I normally enjoy. But on the heels of the Habanero Sculpin it tasted like Miller Lite. I had to go back to another Habanero Sculpin to end the session on a good note. I think the only logical next move after this beer, other than another one of the same, is a margarita.

 

[Northbound]

Ancona's in Ridgefield, Georgetown Package Store in Redding, Vista Beverage in South Salem, NY.

Vista Becerage. Popular place to go pick up beverages in high school ages ago. Haven't thought about that place in forever.

 

[StingLykOllie]

I was at Little Pub in Ridgefiled last weekend, they had a Maine Beer Company Zoe, its was a dark and hearty amber ale. Awesome beer, I recommend trying it out.

 

[August_West]

Found it on tap again yesterday, at Eli Cannon's. Tasted fantastic, again. Two things I noted though: First, I don't really get why it's a 12 oz. pour vs. 16 oz. for regular Sculpin. Same ABV. I'm sure it costs a little more, but 25%? I'd rather they give me a normal pour and charge me a little more. Second, it absolutely ruins your tastebuds for drinking anything else, so if there is another beer you want to try in the same session, have that first. I started with this and then had a Lawson's Super Session #2, which I normally enjoy. But on the heels of the Habanero Sculpin it tasted like Miller Lite. I had to go back to another Habanero Sculpin to end the session on a good note. I think the only logical next move after this beer, other than another one of the same, is a margarita.

yeah, I could see that . It will ruin your palate. It's really good though. I was using it to wash down som super fiery jungle curry from jeera. Was a great pairing

 

[8893]

yeah, I could see that . It will ruin your palate. It's really good though. I was using it to wash down som super fiery jungle curry from jeera. Was a great pairing

Jeera is pretty good. Tiny, but good.

 

[CTBasketball]

My brother-in-law moved to Norwalk a year ago, and Total Wine is all he talks about every time I see him. Gonna have to stop in there the next time I'm down his way.

Their beer is cheaper than usual, but everything else is normally priced. Especially liquor. They also have the cheapest kegs around, bought a keg of Natty Light for $65 every week.

 

[BoatShow]

Honeyspot is one of my favorite beers, but lil' heaven is the perfect summer beer in my mind. Can't wait to sit outside all day on Memorial Day drinking it out of cans.

Li'l Heaven fresh at the brewery is as good as it gets.

It's not really my thing, but for a fruit beer Road Jam is extremely drinkable.

 

[uconnisgood]

Maybe not the best (although up there)...but for $3 for a 24 ounce of 7.2% beer...Sierra Nevada Torpedo extra IPA does the trick for me. (Drinking it right now)

I also like Sea hag IPA by new England brewery. I'm a sucker for IPA's...although sometimes I get sick of them, been in the mood for them lately.

 

[Dove]

A thread promoting the Official 2nd Saturday For Suds Tour was quickly wisked to the OT board. So, if anyone is interested in New England Brewing Company on June 13 go to the OT board and give me a heads up.

Stoney Creek in July.

 

[Bezzz]

A thread promoting the Official 2nd Saturday For Suds Tour was quickly wisked to the OT board. So, if anyone is interested in New England Brewing Company on June 13 go to the OT board and give me a heads up.

Stoney Creek in July.

According to NEB's facebook page their tasting room is closed for renovations. Better check with them that they'll be open on the 13th.

 

[jibsey]

This doesn't help us much here in Connecticut but the best beer I ever had was in Prague, Czech Republic. They are number one in worldwide consumption for a reason (we are 14). Actually they drink a third more than second place at 145 liters per year. We drink 77. All you see when you drive around that country is fields of hops. I asked why they grew so many beans till they told me nope that's hops. They serve it half liter and liter glasses. The liter mug is like doing curls. Urquell from the tap ( not bottle), very fresh, delicious. If they are thirsty there even at 10 am they do not drink water, they get a beer. There are breweries everywhere. German beer was good but not like this stuff. Long way to go for a brew but if ever in the area.....

 

[alexd]

Dove - HAve you been to Stony Creek? Their new location on the Branford River is amazng. Huge deck...double doors that open to the deck....most restaurants would die for a location like this.....and the beer is just as good as the view.

 

[upstater]

According to NEB's facebook page their tasting room is closed for renovations. Better check with them that they'll be open on the 13th.

Can you buy 6 packs directly from them? Ill be in New Haven soon and would like to bring some beer back home.

 

[Bezzz]

Can you buy 6 packs directly from them? Ill be in New Haven soon and would like to bring some beer back home.

I've never been there so I don't know...give 'em a call.

 

[cw00dson24]

Can you buy 6 packs directly from them? Ill be in New Haven soon and would like to bring some beer back home.

Yes and No. For the most part they only fill growlers at the brewery. Every once in a while they will sell cans/bottles of special releases, but they do not sell cans of Seahag, 668, Gandhi, etc. at the brewery.

 

[upstater]

Yes and No. For the most part they only fill growlers at the brewery. Every once in a while they will sell cans/bottles of special releases, but they do not sell cans of Seahag, 668, Gandhi, etc. at the brewery.

Thanks. Any local stores in New Haven that stock them?

 

[Mike75]

Thanks. Any local stores in New Haven that stock them?

Go to Amity Wine just down the street

 

[Rico444]

Thanks. Any local stores in New Haven that stock them?

You should be able to find Sea Hag, 668, and Elm City Pils fairly easily. Gandhi Bot, not so much...they're not going to put it out on the shelf, you'll have to ask if they have some in back. They don't brew Fuzzy Baby Ducks very often, and when they do, it's not bottled. They'll tap a keg or two at the brewery, and every so often will send a keg out to a local restaurant. The last time it was on at the brewery, word got out before they opened, and a huge line formed. Before they even opened the doors, they put out a tweet saying if you're not in line already, you're not getting FBD as they knew it would be kicked by then. I'm still waiting to try the stuff myself; you have to be pretty quick about getting down to the brewery (or restaurant if they announce they have it) to try some.

 

[8893]

@upstater , I don't recall your beer preferences, but unless you're a fan of boozy, malty Belgian ales or average Pilsners, I wouldn't recommend loading up on either the 668 or Elm City Lager. They're both fine for what they are, but neither is extraordinary imo. I notice that a lot of the college kids seem to gravitate towards the 668 because it is sweet and boozy. The Elm City Lager is a decent warm weather quaffer, but nothing remarkable.

If you're an IPA fan, the Sea Hag is the one to load up on. And in the unlikely event that you find any Gandhi-Bot, grab as much of that as they will sell you.

I agree that Amity Wine is a good call, but you should be able to find it in lots of places around the greater New Haven area and beyond. Look at the dates on the tag on the six-packs and try and grab the freshest ones.

 

[upstater]

@upstater , I don't recall your beer preferences, but unless you're a fan of boozy, malty Belgian ales or average Pilsners, I wouldn't recommend loading up on either the 668 or Elm City Lager. They're both fine for what they are, but neither is extraordinary imo. I notice that a lot of the college kids seem to gravitate towards the 668 because it is sweet and boozy. The Elm City Lager is a decent warm weather quaffer, but nothing remarkable.

If you're an IPA fan, the Sea Hag is the one to load up on. And in the unlikely event that you find any Gandhi-Bot, grab as much of that as they will sell you.

I agree that Amity Wine is a good call, but you should be able to find it in lots of places around the greater New Haven area and beyond. Look at the dates on the tag on the six-packs and try and grab the freshest ones.

Thanks for the advice.

I basically drink Ommegang here in New York state, I like the Blonde Ales (the Belgian Style). Lately Ommegang has gone toward IPA, Belgian-style. Yeasty. Not as big a fan.

Always have some Anchor Steam in the fridge. I would buy Allagash (Maine) all day too but it comes and goes up here.

Otherwise, I am just drinking local beer (Flying Bison, Big Ditch and Community Beer Works). Of these, I think only Flying Bison distributes out of state. They do an excellent job.

Thanks for the advice on 668. I'll look for SeaHag. I had GandhiBot at a restaurant up here in Buffalo and liked it quite a bit.

 

[8893]

Thanks for the advice.

I basically drink Ommegang here in New York state, I like the Blonde Ales (the Belgian Style). Lately Ommegang has gone toward IPA, Belgian-style. Yeasty. Not as big a fan.

Always have some Anchor Steam in the fridge. I would buy Allagash (Maine) all day too but it comes and goes up here.

Otherwise, I am just drinking local beer (Flying Bison, Big Ditch and Community Beer Works). Of these, I think only Flying Bison distributes out of state. They do an excellent job.

Thanks for the advice on 668. I'll look for SeaHag. I had GandhiBot at a restaurant up here in Buffalo and liked it quite a bit.

Well scratch what I said then, because you might like 668 quite a bit given your preferences (it's a strong Belgian Blonde Ale). It sells like crazy for them, so obviously lots of people like it; just not my style. Funny, I'm not crazy about the styles Ommegang makes generally, but I recently tried their new IPA (Nirvana, I think?) and liked it a lot more than I expected to. It was not Belgian-style at all to my palate; tasted like a very good American IPA to me.

 

[Rico444]

Thanks for the advice.

I basically drink Ommegang here in New York state, I like the Blonde Ales (the Belgian Style). Lately Ommegang has gone toward IPA, Belgian-style. Yeasty. Not as big a fan.

Always have some Anchor Steam in the fridge. I would buy Allagash (Maine) all day too but it comes and goes up here.

Otherwise, I am just drinking local beer (Flying Bison, Big Ditch and Community Beer Works). Of these, I think only Flying Bison distributes out of state. They do an excellent job.

Thanks for the advice on 668. I'll look for SeaHag. I had GandhiBot at a restaurant up here in Buffalo and liked it quite a bit.

Ommegang....mmmmm. I really liked Three Philosophers. I'm planning on going up next August for (what should be) Mike Piazza's induction into the Hall of Fame, and can't wait to go to the brewery.

 

[defaultroute]

Question for you all. My family lives in northern Fairfield county and I'm meeting up with my father next weekend in VA. He is bringing down beer and I'm making a list. I'm pretty familiar with the CT beer scene. I know SoS will be near impossible to get. But I'm going to get some Mayflower Porter, and Back East. Summer Ale. I'm hearing good things about Grey Sail Captain's Daughter, but interested in some other recommendations. I like it all, but not belgians.

I'm familiar with Two Roads, Black Hog, Relic, Firefly Hollow, NEBCO, etc.... But looking for other recommendations. Thanks!

 

[upstater]

Well scratch what I said then, because you might like 668 quite a bit given your preferences (it's a strong Belgian Blonde Ale). It sells like crazy for them, so obviously lots of people like it; just not my style. Funny, I'm not crazy about the styles Ommegang makes generally, but I recently tried their new IPA (Nirvana, I think?) and liked it a lot more than I expected to. It was not Belgian-style at all to my palate; tasted like a very good American IPA to me.

Ommegang's Belgian Style IPA is Cooperstown Ale.

Right now I'm into something they make called Gnomegang (Belgian Blonde).

I was not a big Belgian style person because I associated Belgians with Kwak and Chimay, etc. But recently this place opened up the street (http://bmbflo.com/the-beer/) walking distance, 15 minutes, and I've had many of their Belgians, which are not sweet. A big fan of Belgians now.

 

[8893]

Question for you all. My family lives in northern Fairfield county and I'm meeting up with my father next weekend in VA. He is bringing down beer and I'm making a list. I'm pretty familiar with the CT beer scene. I know SoS will be near impossible to get. But I'm going to get some Mayflower Porter, and Back East. Summer Ale. I'm hearing good things about Grey Sail Captain's Daughter, but interested in some other recommendations. I like it all, but not belgians.

I'm familiar with Two Roads, Black Hog, Relic, Firefly Hollow, NEBCO, etc.... But looking for other recommendations. Thanks!

SoS should not be impossible. Tell them to go to whatever package stores they frequent most often and ask for it. They should be able to get at least a 4-pack for you. Same with Captain's Daughter.

Unless they are going to get growler fills for you at various CT breweries, there's nothing more I'd recommend beyond what you've covered, with the very notable exception of OEC in Oxford. I'm not generally a Belgian-style fan either, but I love Belgian sours, gose and similar styles, and the beers these guys are making are world-class, unique and stunning imo. If your father can get to their brewery and buy a few bottles of whatever they are selling, I'm guessing you would appreciate it.

 

[mauconnfan]

http://www.thesummerbrewfest.com/brewers-and-beer/

Went to the brewfest in Northampton MA yesterday with some couples. Great day, some real good beers, some not so good. I can tell you this as I tend to be a domestic beer drinker, it's not easy going through about 30-35 5-6oz samples and having your stomach feel really good. I mean it was like a time bomb as we grew into our 3rd hour LOL. Lefty's from Ludlow had an IPA that won the award for me and I'm not even an IPA guy. There was actually a couple good ciders there too as well as trying the Travelers lemon and grapefruit stuff which I lay know from commercials. Some big names, some locals were on hand and it was a fun day. Ended it at the East Side Grille for some dinner to ease the stomach woes and that worked excellent. A little walk around for the wives to shop and I found some nice ECCO golf shoes at Deals and Steals for 69 bucks normally 189. And of course people watching in town is always entertaining.

 

[methodology]

SoS should not be impossible. Tell them to go to whatever package stores they frequent most often and ask for it. They should be able to get at least a 4-pack for you. Same with Captain's Daughter.

Unless they are going to get growler fills for you at various CT breweries, there's nothing more I'd recommend beyond what you've covered, with the very notable exception of OEC in Oxford. I'm not generally a Belgian-style fan either, but I love Belgian sours, gose and similar styles, and the beers these guys are making are world-class, unique and stunning imo. If your father can get to their brewery and buy a few bottles of whatever they are selling, I'm guessing you would appreciate it.

SoS is starting to become impossible to find. I use to have a lot of luck at a packy I visit frequently but havent been able to score it in close to a month. After talking to the guy, he use to give me heads up when they were getting shipment, he told me the distributor and brewery are no longer telling places when they will be getting deliveries because there are too many truck chasers. They have even changed their delivery patterns to prevent the truck chasers. He also so once he gets it in one person finds out and they sell out in about hour or 2.

Was also told that Sea Hag will start to become very difficult to get. NEBCO is brewing it at full capacity right now so the package stores are getting the max amount they possible can but the popularity is starting to take off. My guy said dont be surprised if in a couple months its difficult to find Sea Hag.

Anyway if anyone is a root beer fan I picked up a 6 of "Not your Father's Root Beer" and I enjoyed them. I only drank a couple a night as they were a bit sweet but at 5.9% alcohol they are dangerous since they dont taste like beer at all and go down quick. Made a couple root beer floats with them also.