CS Booze Club.

[Tuxian]

Not exactly related, but I figured it would be right up your alley, Jester. I saw this, and couldn't help but think of you.

http://imgur.com/gallery/OVwgPaz

[Jester]

Of course it's related. This is the Booze Club. Just because most of what we do is post reviews on drinks doesn't mean that we have to limit ourselves to that. We can talk about cool bars we come across, and we probably should do that more often. In my defense, I have not been out of Key West since October, though this weekend in Fort Myers and next months trip to Orlando and Miami should give me some definite opportunities for just that.

By the way, that idea is brilliant, and I'd love to go to that bar, not only for the beer selection, but also to see if I could singlehandedly drive the price of a beer up.

[sms001]

Not exactly related, but I figured it would be right up your alley, Jester Booze Clubbers.

Very much related! We were just talking about Kzoo in another thread as well. Strange there's only one Bell's on there.

By the way, that idea is brilliant, and I'd love to go to that bar,

Ditto. I'm tentatively planning a crossing to troll land in the fall anyway.

see if I could singlehandedly drive the price of a beer up.

lol. I'VE cornered the market on Blackout Stout!


It's too bad this gizmo probably doesn't take SUPPLY into account as well. Be interesting to see how desperately some would want those last few Hefeweizens.

[Tuxian]

One drink that I've taken a liking to recently has been Angry Orchard Hard Cider, with a shot of Fireball in it, to give it a bit of kick. Local bartender suggested it to me.

Also I learned that while Buffalo Wild Wings is good for food, drinks there will kill you. I ordered that there, got a tall glass of cider. The cider was $6.25 (which isn't too outrageous, but still a bit steep), and then they charged me $5.75 for the shot of Fireball. Needless to say, I won't be drinking there ever again, just sodas.

Last weekend, I was at our local pub, and in an effort to expand my horizons, I decided to test out yet another brew from their 6 pages of alcohols. I decided to try the Erdinger Hefeweizen. 11.2oz bottle, 5.3% ABV. While it was okay, it was rather more, hmm, how to describe it... It left a rather spiky sensation on the back of my tongue that I didn't much care for. While I did finish the bottle (I paid for it, might as well not let it go to waste) it is not something that I would likely order again.

For the curious, here's a list of what they have to offer. I've debated trying a Stout next time, but I'm open to suggestions.

http://www.macfarlanescelticpub.com/beers/

[Victory Sabre]

I would also like to go to that bar, and try the "market".

Tonight I went to a local liquor store looking for the Beer Camp. It wasn't in yet, so, I went with a back up plan - Southern Tier Mokah Stout.

At 10%, oh boy!

As expected, looks like motor oil when poured. I'm surprised at how much head there was when I poured it. As for the nose, I do smell the hint of chocolate, and like it.

As for the taste. Not an overpowering taste, but as it's going down, you get a very stouty, chocolately, coffeey taste. I like it, and will give it a 6.5. I don't know if it's worth the $10 I spent on it, but it's good.

[Jester]

I'VE cornered the market on Blackout Stout!

Only because (1) I've never tried it, and (2) I'm not there.

It's too bad this gizmo probably doesn't take SUPPLY into account as well. Be interesting to see how desperately some would want those last few Hefeweizens.

I'd be driving the price of good hefes up, for certain. But based on demand, IPAs would be very expensive, which is fine for a guy like me who doesn't like most IPAs. But back to supply, if it took that into account, the Miller Lites would be only 25 cents a pop.

Also I learned that while Buffalo Wild Wings is good for food, drinks there will kill you. I ordered that there, got a tall glass of cider. The cider was $6.25 (which isn't too outrageous, but still a bit steep), and then they charged me $5.75 for the shot of Fireball. Needless to say, I won't be drinking there ever again, just sodas.

Well, technically you got two drinks, the cider and the shot. At my bar, if my memory serves me, the Orchard would be $6.50 and the fireball would be $6. I had a guy ordering doubles shots of Fireball in his. Orchard, and I had to charge for each one. Which, to be fair, I told him about, and he was fine with. And because I want people to be getting their money's worth, I fill the cider all the way up, and serve the Fireball on the side, so that they can sip a bit of the cider, and THEN add the shot(s).

For the curious, here's a list of what they have to offer. I've debated trying a Stout next time, but I'm open to suggestions.

http://www.macfarlanescelticpub.com/beers/

Since you asked for suggestions, here are my thoughts on their beer list. Keep in mind, though, that you and I may have different tastes. (I'm not big on most IPAs or Belgians, though there are exceptions to both.)



Brooklyn Lager--like it a lot.
JW Dundee`s Honey Brown--an old friend.
Killians Irish Red--another old friend.
Kronenbourg 1664--the French make great wine and cheese. This is neither.
Harp Lager--a classic.
Grolsch Lager--not bad, but there's better on this list.
Rogue Kells Irish Lager--don't think I've ever had it.
Abita Restoration--never had it.
Estrella Damm Lager--a good, honest, simple beer.
Tsingtao--the Chinese are worse than the French at making beer.
Modelo Especial--as much as I love the Negro Modelo, the Especial is basically crap.
Abita Amber--the real meaning of drinkability, unlike what those idiots at Bud Light seem to think. Tasty and refreshing, and goes down easy, but with flavor.
Samuel Adams Boston Lager--I prefer other offerings from Sam, but this is pretty good.
Hofbrau Dunkel--from my notes: "Average dunkel...for Germany, which makes it superior to most others."
St. Pauli Girl Dark--never had it.
Abita Golden--never had it.
Abita Light--never had it.
Becks Premier Light--never had it.
Amstel Light--it's Amstel, which makes it about the only light beer worth drinking.
Samuel Adams Light--never had it.
Rolling Rock--American swill.
Sapporo--average Japanese beer.
Murphy’s Irish Red--don't think I've had it. If I have, don't remember it, which may say something right there.
Oharas Irish Red--from my notes: "Not very impressive. Average. Smoothness saves it...barely."
Smithwicks--an Irish classic.
Guinness Stout--the nectar of the gods, though often an acquired taste.
Old No. 38 Stout--never had it.
Murphy’s Irish Stout--I know I've had it, but can't really recall much about it, other than the thought that if you're gonna have an Irish stout, why aren't you ordering a Guinness?
Oharas Irish Stout--from my notes: "Lighter body for a stout. Nice malty taste with hints of stone fruit."
Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout--a very nice example of the the style.
Delirium Nocturnum--from my notes: "Tasty, but sweet...rich, tasty, balanced."
Chimay Blue Label--not a fan of Chimay.
Unibroue Trois Pistoles--had it once, can't remember what I thought, people love it.
Unibroue Maudite--had it once, can't remember it.
Hobgoblin Dark Ale--never had it.
Samuel Smith Nut Brown Ale--the epitome of nut brown ales.
Abita Turbodog--rich, chocolatey, and tasty.
New Castle Brown Ale--a classic.
Rogue Hazelnut Brown Ale--good stuff.
Ola Dubh 12 Year--no idea what it tastes like, but I've had a bottle of it and of the 18 year sitting in my fridge for a year or two, just waiting for the right time. I ink they're gonna be special.
Fuller’s London Pride--from my notes: "Nice smooth beer. Hints of caramel round out a really pleasant brew."
Boddington’s--pleasant beer, but not one you want to let it warm up on you.
Samuel Adams Boston Ale--it's okay. They make better.
Belhaven Twisted Thistle--had it once, can't remember it.
Malheur 12--never had it.
Malheur 10--never had it.
Duvel Belgian--I found it light and tasty, but odd.
Affligem Blonde--had it, can't remember it.
Abita Andygator--had it, can't remember it.
Rogue Dead Guy Ale--delicious.
Shiner Bock--tasty, though not the be-all end-all that Texans would have you believe.
Spaten Optimator--from my notes: "Rich and malty, with notes of plum and chocolate. A bit too sweet. Lovely brown sugar finish."
Tin Roof Parade Ground Coffee Porter--never had it. Sounds tasty.
Rogue Mocha Porter--delicious!
Abita Strawberry Harvest Lager--very tasty, though sweet. Like strawberry jam almost.
Magic Hat #9--very nice and refreshing.
Lindemans Framboise--expensive, but tasty and sweet. If you like raspberries, you should love this.
Abita Purple Haze--a more restrained raspberry beer than the Lindemans. Very tasty.
Wells Banana Bread--on draft, fantastic. In bottles, meh.
Lindemans Cassis--never had it.
Lindemans Pomme--expensive, but tasty sweet and tart apple lambic.
Lindemans Peche Lambic--expensive, but tasty peach lambic.
Lindemans Kriek Lambic--expensive cherry lambic. Too sour for my tastes.
Samuel Smith’s Organic Chocolate Stout--a chocolate lover's heaven. Absolutely amazing. Like dessert. About to open on as soon as I finish my sandwich, but tuna doesn't go well with chocolate.
Young Chocolate Stout--this is probably Young's Double Chocolate Stout, which is an excellent example of the style, with balance, and rich and malty tastes of both chocolate and coffee.
Carlsberg--light but flavorful. Good session beer.
Bitburger--average beer, which is pretty bad considering it's German.
Warsteiner--had it, can't remember.
St. Pauli Girl--never had it.
Aecht Schlenkerla--fantastic smoke beer. If you don't like a VERY smoky flavor, this stuff rocks.
UFO White--delicious.
Southampton Double White--delicious.
Sterkens White Ale--never had it.
Wasatch Belgan White--never had it, but based on my experience with other offerings from this brewery, I'd be excited to try it.
Franziskaner--a classic hefeweizen.
Linenkugel’s--not sure if I've had this style (wit) from. Leinenkugel's before. (And this is the right spelling, despite what that beer menu says.)
Blue Moon--decent wit, but if you're gonna have this style, go for something better, like Hoegaarden.
Hoegaarden--a classic wit, which Blue Moon and Shock Top are based on.
Angry Orchard Cider--meh.
WoodChuck Cider Pear--one of my favorite ciders.
WoodChuck Cider Raspberry--not too shabby.
Strongbow--meh.
WoodChuck Cider Granny Smith--okay.
WoodChuck Cider Dark & Dry--never had it.
WoodChuck Cider Amber--can't remember.
Acme IPA--never had it.
Abita Jackamo IPA--never had it.
Anchor Old Foghorn--never had it.
Weihenstephan Hefe Weissbeer--my second favorite hefeweizen of all time.
Erdinger Hefeweizen--good hefe.
Erdinger Dunkelweizen--good dunkel hefe.
Warsteiner Dunkel--good, but not great.
New Belgium Trippel--with only one exception, New Belgium makes crap.
Affligem Abbey Ale Tripel--never had it.
Unibroue La Fin du Monde--the only thing the French ever did right with beer was colonize the area now known as Quebec, because while the French can't make beer, the French Canadians sure as hell can, and this is the proof!
Grimbergen Dubbel--never had it.
Chimay Red Label--don't care for Chimay.
Maredsous 8 Dubbel--never had it.
Anchor Steam--classic California beer, very tasty.
Wexford Irish Cream Ale--my friend Little Red's favorite beer ever. She gives it a 10. I only give it a 9. Which means it's fantastic.
Belhaven Scottish Ale--good, not great.
Fuller’s ESB--never had it.
Courage Russian Imperial Stout--never had it.
Alien Imperial Stout--never had it, on this or any other planet.
Old Rasputin--fantastic stuff! Have several bottles of it in my pantry.
Belhaven Scottish Stout--never had it.
Stone Sublimley Self-Righteous--not a fan, but people love it. I prefer Stone's wizardry with stouts.
New Belgium Ranger IPA--with only one exception, New Belgium makes crap.
Stone IPA--see my comments above on Stone.
Wasatch Pumpkin Ale--never had it, but based on the brew I have had from them, would definitely try it.
New Belgium Fat Tire--the staff at my local World of Beer has strict instructions that if I ever order a Fat Tire for myself, they are to cut me off immediately, because I am clearly too drunk to make decisions. I'd rather drink Mich Ultra.
O’Doul’s--I don't drink non-alcoholic beer, as it's a crime against nature.

[Victory Sabre]

lol. I'VE cornered the market on Blackout Stout!

So what is this Blackout Stout? sounds interesting.

[deadbody]

So what is this Blackout Stout? sounds interesting.

Great Lakes brewing. Pretty good stuff. Seasonal and limited, but it does get to MN.

[sms001]

Only because (1) I've never tried it, and (2) I'm not there.

You missed an option - because sms001 can out drink you.
Or maybe not. But isn't internet braggadocio fun?
Since the Redbirds moved so far upcoast, I can't see me hitting KW anytime soon, but once you've moved back to the desert I'll visit Scottsdale Friend and we can figure it out then. Your age and lifestyle definitely give you an edge, but I've been... practicing.

here are my thoughts on their beer list.

Little time on your hands? Seriously, nice list and good feedback.

Rolling Rock--American swill.
Samuel Smith’s Organic Chocolate Stout
New Belgium Trippel--with only one exception, New Belgium makes crap.
New Belgium Ranger IPA--with only one exception, New Belgium makes crap.
I don't drink non-alcoholic beer, as it's a crime against nature.

RR was is-that-all-that's-left-in-the-cooler? drinkable under Latrobe. There's a marked taste difference since AB took them over, and not for the better.

Sam's....Stout is my only 'request beer' when my wife runs down to Chicago. I even pass up the Chimay Triple (which I DO like) for an extra bottle.

So what is the New Belgium exception? I've had an American Blonde of theirs on tap back home that I thought was superb, but I don't recall the name.

lol - yeah, non-alc beer is like camping - it's spitting on five thousand years of civilization.

Great Lakes brewing. Pretty good stuff. Seasonal and limited, but it does get to MN.

Thanks db. An almost shiny black, toasted barley & chocolaty Russian Imperial. Very low alcohol taste despite its 9(?)abv. Keep an eye peeled come winter, Sabre.

[Jester]

You missed an option - because sms001 can out drink you.

I missed nothing. I listed all possible options.

Or maybe not. But isn't internet braggadocio fun?
Your age and lifestyle definitely give you an edge, but I've been... practicing.

Bring it. I'm 160, my drinking weight is 240. I went to Arizona State and have lived in. Key West for the last 15 years. I'm a professional.

Good luck.

Little time on your hands? Seriously, nice list and good feedback.

Eh. I was having dinner.

RR was is-that-all-that's-left-in-the-cooler? drinkable under Latrobe. There's a marked taste difference since AB took them over, and not for the better.

I didn't know it could get much worse.

So what is the New Belgium exception?

1554, their black beer. With all the shit I talk about New Belgium and almost all of it well-earned, even I have to admit the 1554 is utterly delicious, and without question their masterpiece. As bad as Fat Tire is, 1554 is genius.

Still don't know how such bad brewers came up with such a divine beer, but somehow they did. If you see it, and you like dark or semi-dark beer, buy it quickly. It won't be there long.

[Victory Sabre]

Deschutes Fresh Squeezed IPA.

There is a fruity smell to it, and that translates into the taste. It isn't a typical IPA. There is some IPAness to it, but this balances out the typical IPAness. If you don't like IPAs, you might want to try this. 6.5.

[Victory Sabre]

Halcyon Wheat.

Nice golden color. I can't really detect a nose to it. As for the taste, I was expecting more of a bland flavor to it, however, there is a lot of flavor to this beer. There is an almost sweetness to it. it's a really complex beer, in my opinion. I'll give it a 5.5.

[Victory Sabre]

Looking for the SN Beer Camp today, but it still isn't in yet, but they think it will next week. Instead I found Schell's 30th Anniversary Hefeweizen Series sampler 12 pack. It contains 4 different types. Their 1984 style Weiss Beer- The first wheat beer brewed in America since Prohibition, and is filtered. Their 2014 style Hefeweizen - Unfiltered with high carbination. Dampfbier - Experimential beer, all-barley ale, and mildly hopped. Weizenbock - Also experimential, and stronger made with the new Triskel hopps.

I can't wait to get home from work, in 7 1/2 hours to give this a try. Now off to the walking with it so it's cold when I leave.

[Jester]

I don't say this often....but I'm jealous.

Anyone who knows my love of wheat beers will understand.

[Victory Sabre]

And I'll start off with the 1984.

The color is what you'd expect in the hefweizen - nice golden color. Semi floral nose. Ton of head when poured.

Taste - They did one hell of a job back in 1984 with this beer. It is really flavorful, and delicious. Hints of fruit. Very delicious. 7 out of 10. It makes me want more, but I will move on to the 2014 after I'm done, knowing I've got 3 more.