Firestone Invitational 2013: Best and Worst

Just one small comment on a couple of the ones you missed, Keene Idea was great, BA Indra Kunindra was not very good at all.

 

Raspberry Wild One was indeed fantastic!

 

Alesmith Cream Ale, Bell's Raspberry Wild One, Sun King Osiris and Braufactum Roog hit the spot--especially on such a friggin' hot day.

 

Favorites (in no particular order):
Raspberry Wild One
Grey Monday
Brandy Hunahpu
Keene Idea
BA Dark Lord (first pour session)
T25
2009 Rittenhouse Eclipse

Least Favorites:
Alesmith Cream Ale
Lil' Mikel
Spontan Cherry

Best of Bottle Share:
2011 Fou Foune (this is first in this section for a reason)
Bourbon Bois

Missed Out On, and Regret It:
Beauregarde
Hoppy Birthday
Habanero Sculpin

 

Cal Brandy BA Huna..everything else behind it

 

Favorites:

Cigar City Brandy Hunahpu's
Bruery Beauregard
Bruery ORB
Boneyard Nefarious
Ballast Point BA Indra Kunindra
3 Floyds Bourbon Dark Lord
Firestone Helldorado

Not so good:

Avery Hand Of Buddha
Boulevard Test Nelson Grape
Braufactum Roog

Did not live up to expectations:

Sierra Nevada Barrel-Aged Maple Stout
Rahr & Sons BA Tenderfoot
Stone Ruination IPA - Tropical Heat Edition

 

Of the beers I tried at the event (~10 of them)..

Best:
Raspberry Wild One
Keene Idea

Worst:
Bourbon Dark Lord
Brandy Hunahpu's

The rest were somewhere in the middle.

This is the correct answer. 'Nuff said.

 

Looking at those who posted prior to me, it appears that we have an epidemic on our hands and that many of you have unfortunately been afflicted with the Floridacea hypyngitis disease. Don't worry, the antiserum is currently in development and will soon be administered in the form of Duck Duck Gooze.

 

Yeah I really have no idea how anyone has that beer as a favorite. At least with Wild One I get where they're coming from even if I didn't enjoy it as much, Brandy Hunah was just "how can anyone think this is a world-class beer?" Oh well.

 

I know a pils doesn't stand up to barrel aged stouts and certainly doesn't have any flavor of rarity, but Birrifico Italiano's Tipo Pils was an extremely pleasant surprise to me. Maybe it was just a good change from heavier beers and/or perfect for the weather, but I was impressed by it and ended up enjoying it more than a lot of hyped beers I tried.

 

Best
Bells Raspberry wild one
Keene Idea
System of a Stout

Worst: (both where "Drain pours/grass")
Schizophrenia
Peach Whiskey BA Saison

Disappointments:
Brandy Huna

Honorable mention:
Kern 7th anniversary
Nefarious

 

I was with you right up until Duck Duck Gooze which suffered tremendously from Californicea hypyngitis.

 

Exactly, that is the antidote. It will put all these poor souls who posted above back on the path to recovery so that they can one day hype our own beers again, and avoid hyping other state's beers for them that just aren't that great to start with.

 

Sierra Nevada Brandy Aged Double Dubbel Was the Shit!!!!!!!!!

 

Hmmm, I didn't love it. My wife thought it was solid. I think Brandy BART was the best brandy barrel beer of the day.

 

To each there own.......

 

one more thing worst thing about that day was the HEAT!

 

The worst was not being able to go due to work. I'm enjoying what I can through all of your posts though. Thanks for sharing all of the good feedback.

 

The heat was brutal this year, but they did a lot to counteract that, and we were prepared as well. Also a bit more croweded this year then last, so lines were a bit longer, but it was still very spacious, and is such a great beer event. Looking forward to attending them for many years to come. I think the list is overall very well crafted, and there is something for everyone. The price, food, and unlimited pours makes such a great value too.