Pittsburgh - New Beers & Local Breweries

Im very pro flight in general and especially for events like this. When theres 4-5 big barrel aged beers, how are you you supposed to drive home? That was an issue with the the voodoo stuff earlier this year as well. I asked for half/taster pour, and was told because it's limited they can't do it. What sense does that make? I was super drunk leaving there.

 

I can see both sides on the flight issue. I would advocate either doing no flights (which likely will happen) or only flights of everything (that way at least the bartenders don't have to write your choices down, etc.).

 

You limit yourself & accept that you can't have it all?

 

That's sound reasoning for why flights are a good idea in general. But, I think for this it's logistical: usually tasting events take place in bigger spaces--FH's only has so much counter space; it not a warehouse or brewpub.

While a number of us will want to run the gamut, these beers are largely known to us, and flights would primarily serve to satiate ticking (a practice I no doubt exhibit occasionally); agree with @Dogleg that keeping track of who ordered wholes/halves/flights would slow down what is sure to be surge demand.

Bring an HPV-free friend(s) and stagger your orders.

 

You're supposed to take personal responsibility for your decisions (if for some reason you absolutely HAVE to have every beer there, and are unable to find a DD or take a cab or uber, then I guess you're driving home drunk, which is probably a bad idea, but it's YOUR bad idea), and not expect everyone else at an event to have to wait because you want everything, you want it all right away, and in a specific size.

 

For the record, I'm very pro flight as well, in general. I think all breweries/brewpubs/beer bars should have some sort of flight option. But I feel bad ordering a flight on a regular Friday or Saturday night, when it's pretty busy and the bartender has to take 3x the time to get my order together, making several other people wait for their drinks in the meantime. I think it's just a downright bad idea to offer flights as an option for an event where you know the bar is going to be completely packed, especially when everyone's going to be getting there at the same time, so there's already going to be some unavoidable waiting time that they're trying to do everything they can to minimize.

 

...a giant eagle exclusive?

Shadyside_Beer twitter:
Two sour treats and a giant eagle exclusive 22oz dipa in from new belgium and the stoic from deschutes all in today.

 

Also, tomorrow at 4, rivertowne is tapping a pin of Maxwell's Scottish Ale aged on smoked pork shoulder and infused with PA maple syrup.

 

This reminds me of one of the worst beers I've ever had. I was at a tasting like 5 years ago and my friend pulled out a smoked fish barleywine he found in Philly or DC I think. It was just horrendous.

 

for the record, my "growler" comment was just a bit of sarcasm.
I would never try being first in line for anything, never mind this.
That being said, I'm very eager to try to get in there and try some delicious food and drink.

 

it takes two brain cells rubbing together to understand that there's no way they will fill growlers. it takes three brain cells to surmise that they will not be serving flights. i can attest that it required four brain cells to google the meaning of surmise.

 

Suspected as much. My "no growler" reply, either the third or forth assertion at that point was in jest as well, a bit of piling on, a la the "Who the fuck is David Chang" thread some time ago.

 

Anyone have a clue when the next "big" bottle release is happening? It's been awhile since I stood in a line. Voodoo likely after the first of the year; BG have anything in the works?

 

why you say that?

 

Just going off last year's release.

 

bullfrog (not that its local) is sometime like 9/26 or something.

 

I'm looking forward to the next big bottle release as well. Always a fun time to hang out and drink brews with like-minded beer peeps, and it's been a while since there's been a big beer event in Pittsburgh.

Voodoo's Meadeville location was the best for releases. With the brewpub right across the street from the city post office, nothing was more hilarious than seeing the horrified look of older people / moms with their children as they walked past neckbeards passed out on lawnchairs, hundreds of empty beer bottles, and groups of people boozing at 7 am in the middle of the street.

 

Remember it's not consistent, though. Wasn't the last barrel room before that one in September, almost two years before?

 

Well now that's depressing. Hopefully it won't be that long.

 

Caliente Draft House ‏@calientepdrafth 28m28 minutes ago
#friday #bloomfield @BrewGentlemen IPA with mangoes, dry hopped with Equinox and Mosaic hops #FIRKIN 7pm

https://twitter.com/calientepdrafth/status/638794373719826433