Kevin's Watch

Stone Russian Imperial Stout - Really good. Bought a bottle and opened it last night. As I taste more of these I do taste and see the differences between those that are worth drinking and those that just arent up to snuff.

This one was damn good!

Stone RIS is one of the best beers on the planet!

RISs are wonderful, decadent beers, as a style. There are many that are great, and even the mediocre ones can be better than mediocre examples of other styles. But when you get ahold of one of the greats, it's sublime.

I highly recommend Bell's Expedition Stout. That's another truly great RIS that's easy to find. Founder's Imperial Stout is nice. Some of the other famous ones that I haven't tried are Dark Lord and Speedway. Try those if you can get them. I can't get them here.

Enjoy By IPA is one of my must-buys. One of my favorite IIPAs. I've had most batches since they started, but the 7/4/15 was a little sub-par. Or maybe it was my bottle. The 4/20/15 was awesome ... and not just for the numerical significance. [I also have the 4/20/14 pint glass.]

They're going to release an Enjoy By Black IPA soon. Watch for it, if you like the style. It's replacing Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale.

Cail, how is the home brew holding up? Still have any left? Notice any changes as they age?

I had to get a Stone RIS tonight after the recent discussion. Not really a summer beer, but damnit, that's what freedom is all about! Screw convention. Happy 4th weekend. Don't get blown up. Cheers.

The Faceplant IPA I brewed has changed character quite a bit. I still have a bit left, and it's been interesting to taste how it changes. I think it hit the sweet spot about 6 weeks after bottling, but it's still quite good.

6 weeks sounds about right, especially to reach its peak. I think that's the projected shelf life of Stone's Enjoy By IPA, too, btw. But I've found that homebrew can last longer if you treat it right. The beer fridge in the garage helps.

I did pick up some Bells Expedition Stout... thoroughly enjoyable!

Harpoon Maple Tap Imperial Porter. I picked up one of those and haven't cracked it yet but possibly tonight.

I tried to find some of the 'Enjoy by" IPA's but didn't find any. I have a local growler that will order beer for me. So I might see if they can pick me up some of those to try.

I tried Sucks again tonight. Much better! I can still taste all the flavors as before, but they seem 'brighter.' I think this one was fresher. The hops did their job and balanced out the malt backbone, making it not seem so out of kilter.

The Harpoon maple tap imperial porter was good. Not great but good. I savored it to the last drop. Ive also been enjoying the Bells Expedition. Thanks for the tip!!!

Zarathustra wrote:I tried Sucks again tonight. Much better! I can still taste all the flavors as before, but they seem 'brighter.' I think this one was fresher. The hops did their job and balanced out the malt backbone, making it not seem so out of kilter.

Awesome! This is readily available so its become something I keep around often.

Still looking for the Enjoy by IPA's.. we will see.

On a side note, I will be in Cincinnati this weekend and will stop by Jungle Jims to see what they might have. Also have plans to maybe hit Rhineguest.

Jungle Jims is crazy. Plan to spend some time there. It's huge.

Zarathustra wrote:Jungle Jims is crazy. Plan to spend some time there. It's huge.

Ive been there many times but not to look at the beer. But yeah, that place is HUGE and awesome!

Here is one I picked up to try today. Stones Farking Wheaton WootStout. A bit pricy but the nerd in me made me buy it because it had Wil Wheatons name on it.

Yeah, it's actually that Wil Wheaton. Turns out he's a craft beer enthusiast. I think he's a home brewer, too. I've seen him post in home brewing forums.

WooStout is plenty awesome.

Zarathustra wrote:Yeah, it's actually that Wil Wheaton. Turns out he's a craft beer enthusiast. I think he's a home brewer, too. I've seen him post in home brewing forums.

WooStout is plenty awesome.

Yes it was plenty awesome!!! Highly recommend this beer. Yeah its pricey but its really good.

I picked one up tonight. Paid $10 for a 22 oz bomber. Ouch.

It's pretty intense. I've forgotten just how good it was. Imperial stouts don't get much more Imperial than this!

I need to try some of that!

Tried the Alberta Clipper Porter from Great Lakes. It kinda sucked balls. It's not a "bad" beer, but I have high standards for my porter, and this raspberry abomination does not come close to meeting them.

I mean, it really sucks balls if you care about porters.

I tried Rhinegeist's Fool, which is a Saison Beer. It was all right, reminded me of 7-up more than beer, so I won't be getting it again. I want my beer to taste like beer, dammit!

I don't know if I mentioned this, but I had the Razz Wheat from Jackie-O's from the tap in Athens, OH a couple months ago (not in Jackie-O's, though. I got something else there) THAT was good, even though it is a raspberry abomination.

Finally, last week a friend and I had a miniature taste test with four Linequdelosl (however you spell that) shandys. Worst idea ever. Bleh.

So yeah, not much luck on the new beer front for me recently...

My wife brought home a case of Lagunitas A Little 'Sumptn Sumptn.



I couldn't be happier.

Cail wrote:My wife brought home a case of Lagunitas A Little 'Sumptn Sumptn.

Not that my validation makes the slightest difference, but you clearly married well.

Zarathustra wrote:I picked one up tonight. Paid $10 for a 22 oz bomber. Ouch.

It's pretty intense. I've forgotten just how good it was. Imperial stouts don't get much more Imperial than this!

I was out at the craft beer store and they had one of these for $8 so I went ahead and got another. I will be glad when fall gets here so the RIS's start being a more regular (and inexpensive) thing.

Now that I can get Lagunitas Sucks in a 6pack it has become a regular in my fridge.

Orlion wrote:
I tried Rhinegeist's Fool, which is a Saison Beer. It was all right, reminded me of 7-up more than beer, so I won't be getting it again. I want my beer to taste like beer, dammit!

I tried that when I was in Cincinnati last week. I agree with your assessment. My wife, however loved it!

While at Jungle Jim's, on Pint night, they had Kona brewing there. They had some really good beer. Their Castaway IPA reminded me a bit of Lagunitas IPA's in that they had a citris taste and smell. I also tried the Fire Rock pale ale which I also enjoyed.

Mt Carmel Brewing. They were pouring an Imperial IPA that was extremely good. Very hoppy, but balanced by the malts. The rest of the beers there were good but nothing I would rave about.

Fifty West - I have to say, I was not terribly impressed by anything they were serving. They had a coffee (ish) ale that was decent but was kind of like drinking a weak porter. I had their Bropocalypse Wow!(Belgian Rye Ale) as well. I figured with a name like that how could I go wrong... hmmmm pretty easy it seems.