Pittsburgh - New Beers & Local Breweries

I've never been overly impressed with Troegs, unfortunately. Had a BA Flying Mouflan over the weekend and came away underwhelmed. It was good, but I thought it was sorta lacking in depth.

 

Haven't had a bunch of their BA stuff, but I didn't really dig the Flying Mouflan or the Jovial.

 

A BA barleywine is usually right up my alley so I was a little disappointed in it. It's good, don't get me wrong, I was just hoping for more.

 

I haven't had their Scratch beers. I am going off of the decline of Nugget Nectar, the inconsistency of Perpetual (which I do like when it is "on"), and the character I got in Hop Knife which I did not care for. I still love Troegs, and I will try out this DIPA when I come across it.

 

BA Mouflan is the shit.

 

I've never been a Troegs fan to be completely honest. I always thought Nugget Nectar was just okay and their standards to be pretty weak. Hop Knife impressed me, last year more than this year's, bitterness is a little sharp this year. But this beer is a different beast. Nimble Giant is for real. Trust me on this. Beg, barrow, and steal if you can get some.

 

Havent cracked my bottle yet. But it was only $12 at their market location in the strip.

 

I will second this. I was up there last week consulting at a new plant my boss bought and struck up a convo with the owner without even knowing who he was. He said they were getting in 12 bottles of Prairie Pirate Noir. I sat there and BS'd with him for awhile waiting for the truck when finally I had to leave before my boss started to wonder where I was. He offered to hold a bottle for me and would text me when they got them. He is a great dude and we have a little trade in the works for next time I am up there. Could not have asked for a better experience with an owner.

 

For those of you who frequent Vintage Estates and Chalet Premiere: Sounds like Maine Brewing is starting to distribute in Ohio.

 

I saw that too. There was nothing at either store as of Thursday around noon. Hopefully it pops up soon.

 

I wonder what the mile radius quarantine zone is around Pittsburgh for breweries to distribute - Maine, Half Acre, Firestone, probably more I can't think of

 

You'd think it has to have something to do with their wholesaler options, right?

 

I don't know toooo much about the Ohio wholesalers, but there seem to be just 2 big wholesalers as opposed to our 5. Wonder if that has anything to do with it.

 

I would think that would be encouraging for a brewery. More focus on less brands plus better contracts due to more competition.

 

In a way yes, but in another way no. The sheer amount of New Belgium product coming in for their launch and to be able to support a brewery that size year round almost immediately eliminated three of the smaller wholesalers.

 

Anyone need any shipping boxes? I have the following I need to get rid of...

15 bottle shipper (yup...15)
2x 12 bottle shippers
3 bottle shipper
1 bottle shipper

Preference to beer geeks in the south side during the day or cranberry area in the evenings...

 

If anyone wants to come to a bottle share at my house on either sept 17 or 19th shoot me a PM

 

I went to Vintage Estate Saturday and am totally in love with the place. I ended up spending entirely too much money. They pretty much have everything I want(saisons) at insanely good prices. Some of the stuff was priced barely above cost. Drafts were a little on the expensive side with nothing to write home about(at least while I was there) but their flatbread pizza was insanely good. Definately a fun day trip. I'll probably try to go monthly from now on.

 

There's a weird law in Ohio that states that all beer has to be priced the same. Which is good and bad. Buuuuuutttt very good for people in the neighboring states.

EDIT: upon further review, it seems it's not exactly like this. There's a "state minimum" which includes the cost plus state tax. But in my experience, most places Don't go much over this because it prices them out of the competition.

Double edit: I've had a beer or two tonight and don't know what the fuck I'm talking about.

 

I REALLY like that law. I tried to order a case of BFM 225 saison here and haven't heard anything back. Apparely Pittsburgh can get B .United stuff but no one really orders it( other than some items at Giant eagle shadyside) Vintage estates has it at 7.99 a bottle which blew me away. I would buy it in Philly for 13$ a bottle when I saw it.

I don't ever know what Im talking about beers involved or not.