Good beer in unexpected places

Where are you in Germany?

Not surprised about the beer in Lidl. When I lived in Germany I would go to the Globus in Kaiserslautern. The Braufactum had Boon, Brooklyn, Firestone Walker and a couple of others besides their own beer.

 

This little craft beer store on OCRACOKE, NC. -an island of 800 full time residents on the outer banks only reachable by ferry. Impressive selection on an island that is distinctly not "resorty.".


http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/36511//?view=ratings&ba=surfcaster

 

Trier. How so? I haven't seen any beer of the likes in German Lidls. I mean it kinda makes sense to see it in Luxemburg given its proximity. Can't say I was ever interested in the Braufactum beers but it's nice to have Firestone and Boon easily available.

 

Avery Kaiser, Tweak and Pump[KY]n at a gas station near Ashburn VA. Seen them no where else in the MD, DC, VA, area! What a pleasant surprise!

 

Because it is located in Luxembourg. If it was a Lidl in Germany carrying Belgian beers I would be shocked. The Lidl in the town I lived in was all German beer except Corona and Guinness. From my experience most Germans don't try non German beers. That isn't to say that goes for everyone, just the people I lived around. If it wasn't a Karlsberg Pils or insert any German beer they didn't try it.

Depending what you are looking for you should take a trip to Arlon, Belgium. Check out this site. It is in French but you can google translate it to German or English. http://miorgemihoublon.be/

Here is the Beer Advocate review of it. Note the address BA has isn't current as they moved last year to a bigger shop. http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/16548/

This was the best bottle shop I went to in Europe. It has hard to find Belgian beers along with Cantillon. They also bring in craft beer from the States, Italy, France, UK, Norway etc. While you are in town visit the local Carrefour market. You can get you more widely distributed Belgian beers for a great price.

 

I know, I've had that conversation with my father when I gave him a Belgian beer together with some wine for his birthday. I gotta admit I haven't had that issue with a lot of people my age (20-30), they were often quite open to at least trying the stuff I bring along. People on New Year's were actually happy about it and even thanked me for it.

Huh, I may actually do that at some point in the future. I am planning a trip to Antwerp at some point later this year to visit a friend, maybe he also knows some good spots thereabouts.

 

It is worth it sometime to stock up. I would go every 2-3 months. From the Ramstein AFB area it was around a 90 minute drive. I could get Belgian beers at a few places in the Kaiserslautern area at a higher price but going to Belgium was cheaper and a much better selection. That shop I linked had a better selection of American beer than the US air base did. I would drive up and spend 150 euros on beer and be good for awhile I also paid US prices for gas in Germany so that made it a little easier.

 

Yeah I don't really have a car so I guess I'd have to convince someone to drive. It should be about an hour drive from here I guess, by train it's 90 minutes but that's also way expensive (~60€ for a drive there and back) and that would probably be too impractical to stock up.

 

Wizzard's Brew in Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Orlando.

 

Sweetwater IPA on Draft for a Clippers vs Pelicans game in New Orleans.

 

Got my stash of Bourbon County at a small liquor store in North Louisiana. Had 4 4packs on the shelf. I showed restraint and only took 1. When St Arnolds Devine Reserve 14 came out, everyone in Houston wiped out he stash. Went up to local Kroger and they had like 20 bombers and 20 6 packs. Again only took one. Still wondering WTF I was thinking, should have grabbed another 6pack

 

I live in MD so...every gas station I've been to in WI because they all have New Glarus.

 

we have gas stations with dozens of taps for growlers, and car washes too that sell craft beer.

 

Went to a total hole-in-the-wall burger place/family resturaunt in indianapolis last week. They had 4 draft selections on the menu, all which underwhelmed me. I noticed a 5th draft handle from afar. As I walked to the bar to inspect I was shocked to find hopslam! The bartender had no clue what it was as he referred to it as "hop ale". I tried a small sample just to make sure it was the real deal. He then made the 2nd mistake of pouring me a full 16oz pint and then Proceeded to ring it up as two hearted for $4.95. #winning

 

Have to say the Denver Airport, if you had to get stuck at a airport that would be a good one.

 

Belikin

 

If you're ever in the US Virgin Islands, hit up the Pie Whole (St. Thomas in Frenchtown) and be shocked that a selection of beer like that exists in such a remote location.

 

Maybe this isn't fair because I was in Tampa on vacation but I found the legendary Jai Alai at a gas station.

 

Lil country store in Winchester, Va where I also scored delicious pie.

Cincinnati had a walk up on a sidewalk in a pretty residential area that sold a nice selection of singles.

*These were some years ago before craft was everywhere

 

In Victor, ID. At a pizza place. Nothing spectacular, but seriously - decent locally brewed beer in Victor, ID at apizza place? Kiss my buttocks.

http://wildlifebrewing.com