Your thoughts on Trader Joe's brews

Love the price, but hate the taste of their beer. I think i will save my money.

 

Had that Boatswain Double IPA and it was seriously one of the worst beers I've ever had. You get what you pay for.

Won't even bother with any of their other ones.

 

Echo on the stockyard stout. Very good and cheap price.
Anniversary Ale is also great for the price point.
What is great about TJs beer is that it is cheap enough to experiment with different beer types without too much capital investment.

 

Mission Street IPA is a good buy, Mission street blonde ale is a big money saver for me during the summer. TD's vintage is no steal but its a decent buy for the quality of the beer.

 

That Boatswain double only one I've had and never went back but found it good for a change. Good timing on making a six especially Six point never have seen that in their stores.

 

Both the double IPA and the regular IPA have a similar taste which is very disappointing. However, I like the Boatswain Ale and the Chocolate stout.

I tried all their other stuff (thanks to TJ's moving out of Mass and into NH) and it's decent, but nothing to write home about.

 

The TJ Vintage Ales are very good, and among the few I plunk down for a case, because they age so well.

The rest of TJ's beer offerings I've only sampled in passing. The Chocolate Stout was okay, but it, unlike the Vintage Ales, reminded me of the $3 Chuck, i.e., not terrible, but just not what I want to drink. With the Chuck, I pick it up to use when cooking.

 

Some of them are pretty solid.

 

the ol burro brews are not bad the apa and blonde 5$ 4 pack pint cans and 6$ for their ipa which is not bad i think I prefer it to golden roads standard ipa.

the only boatswain beers that are atleast palatable are the chocolate stout and heavy lift vessel HLV which is my favorite. Sad to hear fw isn't doing mission st beer anymore 6$ 6 packs are very nice tasting for the price.

The vintage ales by unibroue are a must try each yer but i usually only get one and drink it fresh but I've read they age well for up to 3 years.

 

I'll have to try the Oatmeal Stout. I think I've only had one of their brews, at a friend's, and was happy with it.

But the TJ's by me has had loads of Enjoy by on the shelves, as well as the Sixpoint Rad, and thats aside from the usual selection of Bell's and Founders, so I typically get sidetracked by those.

/first world problems

 

TJ's in Los Angeles are nightmares to park near, crowded aisles with people ramming carts into your ankles and none of the beers are refrigerated. As you can guess, I don't frequent them often. Last time I did, I noticed the Golden Road/Ol' Burro beers. NO, thanks.

 

Try the ol burro pale ale - it rocks - here's my review


http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/35243/125580/

I know it might sound over the top, but this beer was really good - probably better than anything I've had from golden road core lineup

 

I buy groceries at Trader Joe's because it's a grocery store. I buy my beer at a beer store. I still curse the Hop Hog IPA I purchased there in June 2008.

 

I have had their hefe, brown, and stout. They were just as good as some other craft beers but a fraction of the price, so, you know. Not bad.

 

A lot has changed since 2008. When major, respected brewers contract to provide the beer, you might just be missing out. I buy whatever I think might be good.

If you do your homework here, you can identify those that fit that bill, and those you might just want to skip.

See the review for Hop Hog IPA
http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/743/21324/

Contrast with the review for Providential Belgian Style Golden Ale
http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/10707/87945/

I would not tar the whole line up for a bad representative.

 

I pick up the Unibrou-brewed Vintage ales annually. It's like buying La Fin du Monde for $1 less. That's what I like about Trader Joe's brews. These are basically knock-off versions of the brews these contractors brew for their own markets but you can buy them cheaper with the Trader Joe's name on the label.

 

Nothing beats a 6 pack of Simpler Times for $3.99!

 

Always get the yearly Vintage Ale release, and the Mission Anniversary Ale was decent. You qualify it by saying, "for the price", but hey $3 - $5 for a decently drinkable bomber or 750 ml bottle is much appreciated by this BA!

 

Mine sells Chimay. Can't go wrong there.