Favorite "local" brewery

[Kiltlifter]

I'm completely amazed by the quality of the beers from New Glarus and Kalamazoo Brewery that I've had the good luck to trade for. In my area, my favorite "local" brewer has to be Dick's Brewing out of Centralia, WA. They put out an amazing variety of beer and all of them seem to be on the really "big" side of things ... both in taste and punch.

Just the other night I had my one year old Grand Cru that comes in at 10%. I went down to the local brew store this weekend to pick up some barleywine and the ones I was looking at were in the mid 9's. While I was there I also picked up a bottle of Dick's Double Diamond Winter Ale at 8.5%. Right now it has a quite noticable taste of alcohol but I'm betting that aging it a year would turn it into a quite fine brew. I'll have to pick up a couple more bottles.

So ... what's your favorite "local" brewery?

[Bryant]

I don't have a local brewery, but I do have some semi-locals as I am 90 miles from Atlanta Georgia. Atlanta has three good sized micro-breweries: Atlanta Brewing Company, Sweetwater Brewing Company and Dogwood Brewing Company. I am very happy that all of these brewers have very high quality brews, but the clear winner to me is Sweetwater. Their porter, ESB and "Blue" (a light, blueberry flavored ale) are exceptional.


Bryant

[newportstorm]

Rhode Island has only one brewery that bottles and distributes - Coastal Extreme Brewery, makers of Newport Storm. Their flagship Hurricane Amber is a pretty tame, entry-level craft brew. They do brew some tasty seasonals (IPA, malty Irish Red, Ofest & Porter). But their real talent shines through in their annual release - an unclassified, high gravity, potent brew named simply after the year it was brewed. '00 & '01 were fairly similar barleywine-style brews (save for a few ingredients), '02 is a big hoppy British-tasting brew (similar to a Fuller's Vintage) and '03 is a huge, malty lager (12% abv). Cool little brewery that I am thankful to have just down the street.

Cheers!

[wortchillergoal]

Middle Ages Brewery here in Syracuse. They have a great barelywine, Druid Fluid. A wonderful Scotch Ale, Kilt Tilter. A new beer and style call Tripel Crown(a Brithish Tripel). They feature many more, but these are their best.

[hops99]

Great Lakes in Cleveland - simply awesome, although it's about 90 minutes away from me.

Honorable Mention: Michigan Brewing in Webberville, Mich. - also about 90 minutes away, albeit in the other direction.

It's funny, because here in Northwest Ohio I'm within a 3 to 4 hour radius of tons of GREAT micros (Great Lakes, MBC, Kalamazoo Bell's, Penn Brewing, Goose Island, just to name a few), but the real local scene (in and around Toledo and Bowling Green) is pretty pathetic.

[chazwicke]

Probably my best local is Old Dominion Brewing. They make decent beers and lots of other succesful brewers have cut thier teeth there. John Mallet and Ron Barchet of Victory Brewing for example. We have other brewpubs that are good and we are close to Baltimore which also has lots of good brewpubs.

[barley ben]

I would have to say being from the Philly area that Yards is my personal favorite.Yards seems to do an unbelievable job of brewing English styled beer. Seems to me they are more about perserving the traditional than pushing the limits like many of the companies are getting into. Not that either are bad ideas! I just can't get enough of their offerings.

[steveh]

Capital Brewing of Middleton (Madison), WI has long been my easy answer to the question of my favorite micro-brewery. The fact that they're close enough for distribution may not make them exactly local, but I try to visit them whenever I'm in the area.

Brewmaster Kirby Nelson makes a great variety of well-crafted German style lagers as well as a Weizen and a Brown Ale. IMO his recipe for the Capital seasonal Weizen doppelbock has just about duplicated Schneider's Aventinus.

Runners up for second place would have to be Bell's, Sprecher, New Glarus, Lakefront, and 3 Floyds - not in any specific order, or any particular moment.

S.

[Payson]

Bryant, have you had the pleasure of trying Sweetwater's Festive ale? It's available on a limited basis. A few places have it on tap. Otherwise it's available in 750ml bottles. It's extraordinary.

[threecb]

Hi all!

Happy New Year! Just getting back to things from the Toronto trip, which I'll get into later this week, gonna take a while to catch up on posts!

Weighing in on this topic, though, I'd say Heavyweight in Ocean Twp, NJ for his innovative, big craft beers. Tom Baker makes some mighty fine brews that showcase his talents.

On the session beer front, I'd go with Flying Fish in Cherry Hill, NJ. I find myself buying them pretty consistently throughout the year, and their Summer Farmhouse Ale is a great drink for a hot day.

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by barley ben
I would have to say being from the Philly area that Yards is my personal favorite.Yards seems to do an unbelievable job of brewing English styled beer. Seems to me they are more about perserving the traditional than pushing the limits like many of the companies are getting into. Not that either are bad ideas! I just can't get enough of their offerings.

I think thier Imperial IPA pushes the limit. You are right. They do a great job.

[davesarman]

Summit Brewing - St. Paul, MN
Schell's Brewing - New Ulm, MN
New Glarus Brewing - New Glarus, WI
Kalamazoo Brewing (Bell's) - Kalamazoo, MI

[fidcastro]

I like Bayhawk Ales in Irvine. They make some good beers here in SoCal. I don't get to Irvine much, but I have gone through several of their kegs in my kegerator. My wife really likes the CPA, so I'm thinking about getting a keg of that later this week.

[unkle bik]

Originally posted by hops99
Great Lakes in Cleveland - simply awesome, although it's about 90 minutes away from me.



Agreed. They are a about 45 minutes away from me. Not just great beer, but great food & ambience. Old bar coverted into brewery in which is rumoured that Elliot Ness used drink after hours. Some say a bullet headed for him is buried into the mantlepiece above the bar.
My wife, friends, & myself make annual trek up ther every year the day after Thanksgiving to sample the latest batch of Christmas Ale. It is sacrilidge to sample before that date. Lately, we have been staying at hotel in Cleveburg after the"sampling."

On a side note, Great Lakes recycles much of their brewing process. Spent grains used to grow Portabello mushrooms that the restaurant serves. Used fry grease is used to propel the brewery's diesel van that is used to shuttle patrons back & forth to sporting events.

[fretlessman71]

There are only a few breweries around here... two brewpubs, Bosco's and Blackstone, do a very good job with their beer. Market street isn't too terribly bad either. But, since I grew up there and it looks like we're moving back there, I'll claim Colorado as my home and go from there....

Here are my favorites:
Odell's, Ft. Collins - 90 shilling is the GREATEST amber!
Left Hand, Longmont - can't wait to try their Imp. Stout
Bristol, Colorado Springs - they have a barelywine called Old No. 23 that rivals SN Bigfoot
New Belgium, Ft. Collins - Fat Tire notwithstanding, all of their beer is OUTstanding!

[chazwicke]

What do you think of Boscos? It seems to be one of the more well known Southern brewpubs.

[Beaver]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
There are only a few breweries around here... two brewpubs, Bosco's and Blackstone, do a very good job with their beer. Market street isn't too terribly bad either. But, since I grew up there and it looks like we're moving back there, I'll claim Colorado as my home and go from there....

Here are my favorites:
Odell's, Ft. Collins - 90 shilling is the GREATEST amber!
Left Hand, Longmont - can't wait to try their Imp. Stout
Bristol, Colorado Springs - they have a barelywine called Old No. 23 that rivals SN Bigfoot
New Belgium, Ft. Collins - Fat Tire notwithstanding, all of their beer is OUTstanding!

So what brings you back to CO?

I've never tried Bristol, I'll have to give them a try.

[fretlessman71]

Originally posted by chazwicke
What do you think of Boscos? It seems to be one of the more well known Southern brewpubs.

Bosco's is very good! They always seem to have at least one cask ale on hand. They also have a "flaming stone" brew where they heat a piece of granite up to the point where it's glowing and lower it into the wort, which instantly carmelizes some of the malt. Very tasty! Good food, too.

[fretlessman71]

Originally posted by Beaver
So what brings you back to CO?

I've never tried Bristol, I'll have to give them a try.

I'm tired of trying to play bass out here; I MUCH prefer playing in CO. I have opportunities to get back in with several of my old bands, get teaching going again, and be able to drink great brew straight from the brewery!

Bristol's well worth the effort. I think you can find them at the liquor store next to Wild Oats.

[steveh]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
They also have a "flaming stone" brew where they heat a piece of granite up to the point where it's glowing and lower it into the wort, which instantly carmelizes some of the malt. Very tasty! Good food, too.

Ahh, the old Steinbier method! Originally the hot stone was used as the heating element to boil the wort, the caramelization was a pleasant biproduct.

Do they then add the stone back into the beer during fermentation in order to utilize the crystalized sugars that collected on the stone for more attenuation (and flavor)?

S.

[fretlessman71]

Here... find out for yourself! (http://www.boscosbeer.com/flaming.htm)

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by steveh
Ahh, the old Steinbier method! Originally the hot stone was used as the heating element to boil the wort, the caramelization was a pleasant biproduct.

Do they then add the stone back into the beer during fermentation in order to utilize the crystalized sugars that collected on the stone for more attenuation (and flavor)?

S.

Brimstone Brewery that was in Baltimore used to make a stone beer that was tasty. I know Frederick Brewing aquired Brimstone and Wild Goose several years ago and I do not think they brew any of the Brimstone brews anymore. The guy that owned Brimstone had a college room mate who owns DuClaw Brewing just north of Baltimore.

[steveh]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
Here... find out for yourself! (http://www.boscosbeer.com/flaming.htm)

Since they, sort of, recycle the caramalized sugars into the next batch - I wonder how different the first batch tasted, and if the subsequent batches change as different sugars add to the flavors. Hmm.

Sure has a great color in the glass - and I have that Jackson book at home, have to read the segment on Boscos a little closer. They don't bottle, do they? Checked your PMs lately Fret?

S.

[fretlessman71]

No, they don't even do growlers (GROWL...). Just sent you a PM, steveh.

[hopjack13]

hmmm....alesmith has a blarney stoned, i've never tried it but just may have to give it a go.

[threecb]

Originally posted by steveh
Ahh, the old Steinbier method!

When I was at Boscos (Nashville location) I tried the Flaming Stone and agree that it's a nice beer. It was my wife's favorite out of what we tried..

I just read that Larry Horavitz (sp?), who just left Manayunk (in the Philly Suburbs), did a Steinbier as one of his last. It's being lagered for six weeks, I think, so he won't be there when it's tapped. (Actually, I think he's already gone to his next gig with Iron Hill at their new location set to open next month...)

[fretlessman71]

Is there a suitable way for the homebrewer to do this? I'm really curious.... how do I get something to 700 degrees in my apartment?:p

[steveh]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
Is there a suitable way for the homebrewer to do this? I'm really curious.... how do I get something to 700 degrees in my apartment?

Should I dial 9 - 1 - now in anticipation? ;)

S.

[fretlessman71]

Heeheehee.... maybe I'll just breathe into it - my wife says I'm full of hot air sometimes! :p

[hopjack13]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
Is there a suitable way for the homebrewer to do this? I'm really curious.... how do I get something to 700 degrees in my apartment?


acetylene

[threecb]

It seems like you may need to have some pyromaniacal tendencies for this style!

Here's an article on the Manayunk Stein Beer: Joe Sixpack (http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/entertainment/columnists/joe_sixpack/7573153.htm)

...be careful, fret!

[chazwicke]

Yep. Be very careful. Hey I was gone for 4 days and you swept way past me on posts Fret. Congrats on passing 800! Now not only am I lower on money ( I was in Vegas) but I am lower in posts too!

[hopjack13]

ahh , viva las vegas! i wont be going back there anytime soon. i went a couple months ago and got a speeding ticket, i lost the ticket and never got anything in the mail....it may have ran in to a warrent by now who knows? love them craps though, maybe someday the indian casinos down here will get some tables.

[fretlessman71]

Originally posted by chazwicke
Yep. Be very careful. Hey I was gone for 4 days and you swept way past me on posts Fret. Congrats on passing 800! Now not only am I lower on money ( I was in Vegas) but I am lower in posts too!

Don't worry... I'm sure both of those will change soon enough. :)

[fretlessman71]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
Don't worry... I'm sure both of those will change soon enough.

But not that soon..... :p

[chazwicke]

Well I at least hope to win some $$ when I go again next month. I have come home from there several times being up. I only lost about $800.00 this trip. Sad because at one point I was up to about $2,500.00. But of course you know how it goes. Easy come, easy go.

[hopjack13]

only $800? next time you feel like giving money away...the casinos have enough , they don't need more. i'll pm you my address ;)
if i start to loose too bad i usually get mad and walk away. i tell myself i shoulda just walk up ,handed the dealer the money and walked away. woulda been less stressful. it'ss what you feel you can loose , i figure a night out ,dinner ,movie, night club. what have you . i could spend $50, $100 $150 depending on where and what. so im paying for entertainment. same thing with the crap table, it's just another form of entertainment to me, i never take it serious. and if i loose my $$$ i don't feel bad, i just paid to have fun is all, and i paid what i was prepared to pay. plus i got free drinks!....sort of

[chazwicke]

Yeah thats how I look at it too. Entertainment. I was up and down all four days. A couple of times I was down so I bet $500.00 on Red on the roulette table and luckily I won both times. Talk about stressfull. I usually bet columns in roulette not colors or individual numbers. An average bet on that would be one or two hundred. I can count on one hand the times I've bet $500.00 on a single bet and two of those times were on this trip. Ah but it's only money. And there have been a few times when I actually have come home a decent winner. Maybe it all evens out in the end.

[hopjack13]

roulette is the only other game i play . i usually play 1-12 , 13-24 or 15-36 or is it 32? but i'll place there and take 1/3 of the board and the other 2/3rds i'll play 6 #'s or on a corner of 4 #'s i cover as much of the table with as little $$ as possible. you don't really win big but it keeps you alive. and if you loose it onces you have to turn around a win 2 or 3 times to make up for it. but like i said im not there to win, casinos aren't in the business of giving away money. i'm there for entertainment, and am just trying to stay on the table for as long as i can, ie... have fun, it's entertainment to me.

[chazwicke]

I usually play 2 of the columns and then you have 24 of 36 numbers covered and unless it ends up in the other column or one of the greens your good and the colums pay 2/1 so you will lose your bet on one column but pick up 2 on the other.

[hopjack13]

the tables i usually play don't carry good beer so that is always an issue, what tables/ casinos can you play at that carry snpa?

[thewiz]

I have to chime in .... I am fortunate enough to live in Chico, CA and although they really aren't just a 'local' anymore, it's the home of Sierra Nevada Brewery.....

Two of my favorite brews from them are Summerfest and Octoberfest....

Gordon Biersch's Golden Export is one of my favorite beers.... on the 'golden' or lighter side of things, but still very flavorful....

[steveh]

Originally posted by thewiz
Two of my favorite brews from them are Summerfest and Octoberfest....

Okay, I can't let this pass quietly into the morning: As Unofficial Lagermeister on RB.com, I want all of you Ale lovers to note the opinion of this fine young new member of our crowd, a resident of the lovely Chico, CA - hometown to Sierra Nevada Brewing - whose 2 favorite beers from the brewery are the only lagers they brew! :D

Welcome Wiz, and sorry to throw you into the mix so quickly. There is a friendly rivalry between Lagers and Ales here on the board, Sierra Nevada's Pale Ale being a big favorite.

But I agree with you, you are fortunate to live in Chico, SN is one of the finest micros in the land, and their on premise pub is wonderful. If you (anyone) haven't had the opportunity to visit, it's a must. The food is outstanding, and they keep a milder version of the PA (lighter body and alcohol - with just a bit less hop character, but just a bit) on draft - only available at the pub.

Do you know anyone who works at the Brewery? Do they still get a case of choice per week along with their pay? Talk about a benefits package!

S.

[threecb]

steve, you didn't point out that ALL 3 beers named in the wiz's thread are lagers! :p

maybe you have company!

[fretlessman71]

Originally posted by thewiz
I have to chime in .... I am fortunate enough to live in Chico, CA and although they really aren't just a 'local' anymore, it's the home of Sierra Nevada Brewery.....


You've got an extra double bed in your place, right? The wife and I are coming to visit for, oh, say a DECADE or so..... :D

When I'm rich my wife says she's going to take me to NoCal and let me tour the countryside, pint by pint... and SHE'S going to drive! WHAT A WOMAN!!!!!

[chazwicke]

Welcome Wiz. I toured Northern Cal back before I was married when she was just my girlfriend. I managed to hit 24 brewery/pubs on that trip. Although she is a good sport I'm not certain I could get away with that now. 10 maybe.

[Stodbrew]

Ahhh...Chico. Five of the best years of my life spent there. I used to frequent the brewery a lot when I lived there. Amazing place. usually at least 15 or so beers on tap at a given time. Their British style Best Bitter is absolutely incredible. Too bad they don't cask condition it though. I need to make my way back up to see friends that still live there.

[hopjack13]

Originally posted by steveh
Okay, If you (anyone) haven't had the opportunity to visit, it's a must. The food is outstanding.
i totally concure! i had a portabello mushroom sandwhich last time i was there and it was pretty dang good, also i don't remember what my brother had but it was real good too. i really liked the food and the beer was excellent! i admit though when i first walked in to the place i thought ' wow, am i going to be able to afford to eat here?' but the prices wern't that bad.

[steveh]

Originally posted by threecb
steve, you didn't point out that ALL 3 beers named in the wiz's thread are lagers! :p

I know, but GB is more known for lagers while SN made its name on ale!

And their lagers really are good, too.

S.

[steveh]

Okay, although I visited Chico for the express purpose of seeing SN a few years ago, here's a great story with a connection:

Back around '96 I was in Munich for the Springfest, a friend and I were in the Hofbrauhaus Biergarten enjoying a Helles or two when a group of 5 or 6 (obviously American) college guys walk in.

I can hear them talking as they peruse the menu and I guess at the accent being California (I have a cousin from the San Fran area).

We watch as one guy (one) orders a liter of Dunkel. They pass it around so they can all take a taste - my friend and I were rolling with laughter! They all sheepishly look over at us and I shout across the garten, "Don't be afraid of the dark!"

My friend and I go over to introduce ourselves and these guys turn out to be traveling Europe on their spring break from school. I ask where they go and one says, "Chico State." I just smile and shake my head and say, "Chiiico State..." One of them says, "You've heard of it?" Hah - we had a great visit the rest of the afternoon. Small world.

S.

PS - StodSteve -- you weren't one'a those guys, were you? :)

[chazwicke]

The Hofbrau house is certainly a place to meet new friends. I was there with two buddies and we met three Norweigians, a few Americans and three Finnish Soldiers who went AWOL for the weekend to visit Germany and drink beer. I drank 8 litres over the course of that evening and remember being "Best Friends" with all of them by nights end. We were all inviting each other to visit our respective countries and stay at each others houses. Now I can only remember two of the Norwegians names. I have been there on other occasions but not nearly as drunk as that night. I literally could hold no more beer! I left before my friends and staggered back to the hotel. They stayed and payed a much heavier price the next day. It was the next day that I discovered the Paulaner house and met an American who was there training to be a brewer and later found the Haxenouer (sp) restraunt which I have also been back to.

[Stodbrew]

Originally posted by steveh

PS - StodSteve -- you weren't one'a those guys, were you? :) [/B]


Wish I could say I was. Except for the being afraid of the dark thing. No way that's ever happened.

[hopjack13]

it's not som much as being affraid of the dark but being affraid of whats *IN* the dark! ;)

[steveh]

Hops und maltz, Gott erhaltz!

S.

[hopjack13]

Gott erhaltz!
zat like sayin cheers or sumpthin?
i thought prosit was cheers?
whats gott erhaltz?

[thewiz]

Originally posted by steveh
As Unofficial Lagermeister on RB.com

You and I gonna be good friends 8-)

Chico, CA - hometown to Sierra Nevada Brewing - whose 2 favorite beers from the brewery are the only lagers they brew! :D

Welcome Wiz

Thanks.... and actually they brew more than those 2... but those are the only 2 available outside the brewery.... since you've been to the brewery I'm surprised you haven't had the beer sampler....

Do you know anyone who works at the Brewery? Do they still get a case of choice per week along with their pay? Talk about a benefits package!

yes, yes and yes.....!

[thewiz]

OK - so many peeps been here.... sound off - where u all from?

[thewiz]

Originally posted by thewiz
OK - so many peeps been here.... sound off - where u all from?

Actually.... nm, I just found the thread title 'where does everyone live' .... lol

[steveh]

Originally posted by hopjack13
whats gott erhaltz?

It's what God deems proper to be put in the "dark!"

Hops und Maltz, Gott erhalts! Is an old German saying that roughly translates to, God provides all we need to put into the beer - so there's nothing in the "dark" to be afraid of! ;)

Prosit!
S.

[steveh]

Originally posted by thewiz
You and I gonna be good friends 8-)

Stand up and proclaim the wonders of good lager! Man does not live by ale alone! Not that it would be that bad a thing... ;)


.... since you've been to the brewery I'm surprised you haven't had the beer sampler....

That was so long ago, it's hard to recall just what I sampled, but it was Springtime, and I do remember tasting the SN Bock.

S.

[Stodbrew]

Originally posted by steveh [/i


That was so long ago, it's hard to recall just what I sampled, but it [I]was Springtime, and I do remember tasting the SN Bock.

S. [/B]


The Sierra Nevada Bock is delicious. I haven't seen it in bottles in a couple years, though. I wonder why they stopped bottling it.

[thewiz]

Originally posted by Stodbrew
The Sierra Nevada Bock is delicious. I haven't seen it in bottles in a couple years, though. I wonder why they stopped bottling it.

I went rounds someone about this subject (bottling) who works there.... I went to the brewery yesterday and looked at their wall containing everything they've ever bottled:

Pale, Bigfoot, Wheat, Celebration, Porter, Stout, Summerfest

and he was right.... that's all they've ever bottled.... my beef was Octoberfest bottled - but they haven't bottled that or the bock ever. It was only available at the brewery or in kegs.

[Stodbrew]

I know they used to bottle it. It was a light colored label with the obligatory goat/ram that said Sierra Nevada Pale Bock, and it was described as Malt Liquor (stupid labeling laws!). I also remember in 2002, when I put my bock on tap at the pub, doing a side by side comparison for the staff with the pale bock.


Cheers!


Steve

[fretlessman71]

Originally posted by Stodbrew
I know they used to bottle it. It was a light colored label with the obligatory goat/ram that said Sierra Nevada Pale Bock, and it was described as Malt Liquor (stupid labeling laws!). I also remember in 2002, when I put my bock on tap at the pub, doing a side by side comparison for the staff with the pale bock.


Cheers!


Steve

I've seen it as well! Steve, you're not imagining things.

[Stodbrew]

Thanks fret. I knew I wasn't imagining it.:D Any one else remember it?

[steveh]

Originally posted by Stodbrew
[B]Thanks fret. I knew I wasn't imagining it.:D Any one else remember it? [B]

Yeah, I do too - though quite a long time ago. At least 10 years.

Hey Wiz, don't go by the bottles on the wall, see if you can talk to someone on the marketing side. I wonder if I have a bottle in my collection somewhere, but since they've historically been twisters, I doubt it.

S.

PS - There are 2 "from the bottle" reviews at Beer Advocate.
http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/rate_results/140/3384/

[Doug123]

Up to a about a year ago I was in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Our favorite brewpub in town was Arbor Brewing Company. Great atmopshere, beer and food. They also have events each month featuring taste testing of different types of beers (depending on the season). An overall great place.

Now closer to the center of the state, I would have to say the Michigan Brewing Company. Not only do they serve great beer, but they're really the only place worth anything within an hour of me. Although the beer is the main draw, of course, it would be nice if they had a full menu of food to go along with it.

[thewiz]

If it was 10 years ago, that's possible.... I think the people I've talked to are thinking about the modern era - from when they went to kind of a micro to a regional.... or rather more of a commercial brewery..... but at least a couple people (that work there) will swear they've never bottled anything but those I've listed....