So a little over a year ago I started getting into craft beer and haven't stopped trying all the awesome flavors from... everywhere. I have a little Beer Book I keep record of every particular flavor I've tried. I'm at 199, with the last being an Alaskan Freeride APA. My next new beer I try will be my 200th and I wanted it to be something special. Something pricey. Something rare. What are some premium beers you've all tried that aren't just pricey, but actual very decent. Something from a "Barrel Collection" or limited release. Perhaps something with a cork top... What do you all suggest? cheers!
Hard to answer without knowing your preferred styles and your "already had" 199 list. Some stuff you can find in WA now that may be worthy of such honor (braindump in no particular order): 1) Firestone Walker Sucaba Barleywine 2) Old Rasputin Anniversary XVI Russian Imperial Stout 3) Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA 4) Deschutes Mirror Mirror Barleywine 5) Epic Big Bad Baptist Imperial Stout 6) Firestone Walker Anniversary XVII (few bottles should still be out there) 7) Lagunitas Sucks DIPA 8) Avery Maharaja DIPA 9) Dogfish Head World Wide Stout (few bottles should be left on select stores) 10) Black Raven Pour Les Oiseaux Saison (local! ) If you sit tight a week or so Firestone Walker Parabola should be in stock at a few places. Cheers!
I had my first parabola on Friday and I finished my first bottle of Sucaba just now. I prefer the former to the latter; parabola is the best imperial stout I've ever had. I highly recommend it.
epic post! i actually tried a verity pack of Firestone Walker somewhat recently... Very, very good stuff. I was surprised. Particularly liked the 805 and Union Jack! I'm leaning towards some of their Proprietor series beers... or two... or three... Yay Washington! Yay local!
A high alcohol Imperial Stout is the way to go. Parabola obviously would be great if you can find it but if you take the best rated bourbon barreled imperial stout you can find you probably can't go wrong.
Congratulations! I would say go over to the imports section and get a nice sour or kriek or a lambic. Of course a nice stout is always a good choice and maybe one of the eclipse or old rasputin. Something barrel aged something delicious! OR pick a brand new style that you have not had yet and forget about getting something pricey. I'm no help I know.
Just to let you all now, I got my pick. I grabbed two beers: Rogue* XS Dead Guy Ale 2013 - Strong Ale, and Stone* Old Guardian 2014 - Barley Wine First off, they were both amazing. I was particularly interested in Firestone's Vintage series since I really like them, but all I could find was their Double DBA. These were the first aged barrel beers (that I know of) that I had tried. And they were well worth it. I've had a lot of piss beers, and these were a real treat. I did not gulp them. I readied my snifter glass. and sipped throughout the night. Stone's Old Guardian was incredible. First barely wine I've tried. Strong stuff. I can really taste the complexity of the years and years in the barrel. Rogue's regular Dead Guy Ale is one of my favorite beers anyway. So their XS version jumped out at me. I can confidently say that out of the 201 beers I tried, XS DGA claims my no.1 spot. Epic.
Congratulations! I remember that day. Long ago. I suggest you go into a very respected store and tell them the situation. If they give you something lame, we'll all blast them with crappy reviews here.
lol, i went to Total Wine & More. They have a pretty good selection. It's a huge store that caters to a number of wine and spirits that shows wine, hard liquor, beer and specialty drinks all with the same level of attention.
