That looks amazing, how was it, I was planning on aging my Rubaeus to see if time makes it better (I don't really care for it fresh). But I would definitely go for that.
I thought I'd have the honor of closing out the first round, but it looks like @Smarty_Pints will be the one. That said, on with the pr0n.. Let me start by saying that the Fedex man sounded kind of pissed off when he called me on the intercom to drop off the box. Once I got home, I saw why. The 40 lbs box from @jrs3994243 was the reason, containing a great representation of Midwest brewing scene. He did a great packing job too, double boxed, every bottle in a ziplock bag and cocooned in bubble wrap. It literally took me over half an hour to unpack everything. Every time I thought I was done, there was still another layer of beers to go. I can't imagine how long it took him to pack it. Here are the cans: Blackrocks Coconut Brown - I love me some coconut. Motor City Brewing Ghettoblaster - I am a fan of mild ales and can't wait to try this one. Griffin Claw Brewing Norm's Raggedy-Ass IPA - Love the name. Brewery Vivant Farm Hand Farmhouse Ale - Really enjoyed visiting the brewery earlier this year, so this'll be great. Brewery Vivant Pumpkin Tart - I'm a tough pumpkin ale customer, but this sounds delicious. Blackrocks 51K IPA and MadTree Brewing PsycHOPathy - Already in the fridge. Next batch: Brew Kettle White Rajah IPA - Never had anything from these guys, sounds delicious. Greenbush BA Retribution - Should have been a want. I stopped at Greenbush on a Midwest roadtrip this past April and really enjoyed their beers, as well as food. Can you send me a brisket sandwich next time too? Greenbush Doom Slayer - Ale brewed with maple syrup. Sign me up. Dark Horse Plead The 5th - Just drank my last bottle of this, so now I have another! Dark Horse Bourbon BA Plead The 5th - So delicious, permanent want. Dark Horse One Oatmeal Stout - Should have been a want, love oatmeal stouts. Dark Horse 6 Pairs of Legs Maple Porter - More maple! Founders KBS - Need we say more. Founders Backwoods Bastard - Always happy to score a bottle of this 10% Wee Heavy. Now onto bigger bottles: OddSide Ales Nectar of the Brewer - Wheat ale with apricot. Never had anything from OddSide and this sounds right up my alley. OddSide Ales Snozzeberries - Wit IPA with cherries. Same here. OddSide Queen of Tarts - Love a great weissbier, can't wait to try this. New Glarus R&D Wild Barrel - Major want. Had one bottle from a previous trade, but was hesitant to open it just yet, so now I can. Perrin No Rules - a "15% Imperial Porter made with coconut and turbinado sugar then laid down and aged in bourbon barrels for several months"? I'm salivating already. Griffin Claw 2014 Bourbon Barrel Imperial Stout - Yum. This should have been a want as well. Maine Beer Company Mean Old Tom - One of MBC beers that have eluded me. Not anymore! New Glarus Oud Bruin - Never had this one, glad I get to now. New Glarus Enigma - A big fan of this wild ale. And now the entire box: This'll keep me going for a while. Thank you @jrs3994243 for an awesome box and introducing me to new Midwest breweries!
Well I have a FBS and a bottle of Blushing in my basement. May need to try this. How much blushing would you add to a bottle?
Blushing is pretty sweet and KBS has fairly high residual sweetness too. I'd probably start with 3:1 KBS to Blushing and go from there.
#VBS Couldn't wait to open this White Rajah IPA. Had to use a glass from a Midwestern brewery to match.
Yes indeed! Taking me a bit to post the Pron because it took me so long to unpack with all the bubble wrap and tape! Here we go! Thanks to @MikeMcGraw and his tobagganing buddies! First off, the packaging was impressive, as I alluded to. Double boxed with a big trash bag around the inner box. Inner box wrapped in bubble wrap. Each bottle inside wrapped in fresh bubble wrapped with the snot taped out of it and then in a ziploc bag! Inside the inner box, there was a smaller box(!!!) with a few cans inside wrapped in the same fashion. Needless to say, this box arrived in perfect shape. Probably took at least 20 minutes to unwrap. First, the big guys! Maine Lunch - incredi-beer! Had this a few months back and have been wanting my own bottle. Will probably split with my GF tomorrow night since she is a fan of IPAs Allagash Zohzo - haven't heard of this particular brew but I have never had a bottle of Allagash before, so super excited. Allagash has been a long time want! Trillium Fort Point - Have had a few bottles of Trillium and have loved everything, super excited to try this one! Little guys: Bissel Substance Ale - Another new brewery to me. Looks like its hoppy, which is always welcome, excited to try. Night Shift Whirlpool - Another brewery first for me, but this is one that has been on my wishlist. Sixpoint 4 beans - Have tried this once this year and enjoyed, love coffee beers and vanilla, so this is much appreciated Against the Grain Citra Ass Down - We now get some Against the Grain Locally, but I haven't bought any since they arrived here. The only time I tried this brew was when I sent a bomber home from my trip to San Francisco a year and half ago - intrigued to try this fresher than I had it before and the canned offering. Didn't take a family shot and I already stashed all of these in the fridge, so y'all aren't gonna get one, maybe some VBS shots. Finally, big thanks to Mike and his generosity in putting together a LIF. My first LIF win and a ton of stuff I'm super pumped to try! Another LIF box should be blowing a hole in someone's porch tomorrow...
Hey @Rion, how are those beers drinking? Hope you've made your way though a bunch of the hoppier stuff!
Drank my bottles of Boris the Crusher and The Great Pumpkin tonight at a share tonight. The Great Pumpkin was a definite highlight. Lots of cinnamon, allspice, and clove without all the over the top sweetness that a lot of other pumpkin beers have. Everyone was talking about it for quite a while.
It matters, but the old stuff will be just fine. Primarily in that the coffee is likely to be subdued compared to fresh. It'll still be very tasty, worry not about that.
Amazing box @jrs3994243! And dude that No Rules is FANTASTIC. Drink that White Rajah right away, fantastic beer and definitely much better fresh. edit: whoops, I clearly wasn't caught up, and you obviously didn't need my suggestion regarding White Rajah.
I prefer my FBS within the first 6 months but yep, I've had bottles between 2-3 years old and they're still tasty, different but tasty. and @andreizm your porch was graced with a helluva box my friend! Jelly I'm still working through my @Steban box, need to see what I've had and get some #vbs on here..
I've worked my way through a good amount of @LehighAce06 box. I killed the growlers, Todd the Axe Man (freaking fantastic) and shared the Hop Knife and the Gose with some friends. The Westy and the Supplication I will save for a special occasion.
Sweet LIF! Some great hoppy beers there by great breweries (Trillium, Bissell, Night Shift, MBC)! Did Mike send you that card too? @MikeMcGraw How is that Zohzo compared to say Eureka w/ Citra? Love, LOVE Eureka w/ Citra. Could drink that beer every day, all day!
You don't think @MikeMcGraw wants to go on an adventure with me? Adding hallmark cards is next level beer trading, brah...
I'm not sure that's a level I want to reach. However, this is coming from the guy who's been putting old furniture into his boxes.
