New to Ohio (2016)

Agreed. My big issue is the lack of carbonation on almost everything as well. Did you notice that?

I thought the first time we went it was just because they had just opened and the typical startup pains, but went again just a few weeks ago and thought the same exact thing. The flavors of a few beers had improved (not all, and the flavored stout they had was terrible and extremely artificial), but I have no desire to go back at this point.

 

Living in the Akron area, I will probably go back by default. It's as close as Hoppin Frog and Thirsty dog. R Shea might win out of those 3, if I want a brewery and not a bottle shop/bar

 

I thought all of his stuff was really dense, almost like everything was on nitro. It sort of killed the aromas at times, but I kind of liked the mouthfeel in most.

I've only had one beer there I rated over a 4, last Fall--I remember being impressed with their pumpkin selection. I normally don't like pumpkin brews much but they had a variety of at least 4-5 different takes, including one supposedly made like they did during colonial times, fall squash, carrots/parsnips and such, not necessarily with pumpkin. But the Imperial Pumpkin Stout was my favorite of the lineup.

I also thought their Oktoberfest was pretty solid and their sweet stuff/Lab Rat experiments (terrible nickname) seems to be a big hit, the only one I've had is the Pecan Pie. I've heard when they dry hop their shandy that it's explosive, but I haven't been there to try it, as it usually kicks within a few hours.

 

I only been to R. Shea's once but really enjoyed their beers for being a newer place. Every week the lab beer sound interesting. Plan on going down there next week for the anniversary

 

Sorry if this is the wrong spot to post this, did a search, figured this was most fitting. I'm just a lowly Illinoisan, completely ignorant of OH beer scene. Probably mostly due to the breweries I'm surrounded by, but I'm not sure how big distro is here either. Wife is going to Columbus this weekend. Staying in Crosswoods area near 270 and 23. She asked if there were any breweries or OH beer she wanted me to grab. First, I thought, how awesome is that?! Second, it dawned on me I know nothing. Her patience for getting stuff will be limited to a stop or two max. So somewhat readily available recs are great. Thanks and I look forward to some learnin'.

 

Has anyone had juju on tap right now? I have to say it's no where near as good as this past bottle release. I don't know if it's just because of the hops or they tried tweaking something but if so they need to go back to the last time and do that again

 

I picked up a growler of it last week and it was just as fantastic as I remember.

 

Anderson's in Dublin is an exit or two away on 270 and would be your best bet. Probably 15 mins away and it would be one of the only stops needed. Be sure to get Columbus Brewing's Bodhi, Brew Kettle's White Rajah, Fat Head's Head Hunter, etc. There are plenty of "Ohio Roadtrip" threads that should help with other suggestions.

 

Anytime I have had any of the pre-production releases at either location I think the same thing. It’s good, but not that OMG! Specialness that the production run always has. Last year, I had JuJu I believe three times in the months leading up to February with special releases and it just never was right. I almost avoided the bottle release because I didn’t care for it that much. But once that production batch was complete, it was spot on. The JuJu we know and love!

It makes perfect sense though… At least, my guess is that right now breweries are using the very last stock of the oldest hops in their inventory. Hops are just now being harvested. This makes sense why in December or whenever they brew the production batch, their hops are super-fresh at that point. Basically using the best possible ingredients at the time, so it’s going to the best it ever will be. This is why so many breweries brew their flagship DIPA’s in Dec/Jan, the hops are at their peak.

They really need to push GABF back another month or two so breweries have time to get those fresh hops in… But then I guess Fat Head’s would win gold in every hop category so that wouldn’t be fair, so I understand.

 

Keep in mind, these are the batches that win them many, many awards at GABF and elsewhere. Matt and co are funny dudes, but that crew will not put out a sub stadard beer, especially if it's being judged. Hopping is probably different for this batch than the bottles. I don't know that as fact; I'm guessing.

I only had one Juju ths year and it was great. Probably will go up thursday to the taphouse for more; it is supposed to be tapped then, but with them it's never a guarantee.

 

I will say that I think the bottles this year were better than any other year's bottles or drafts.

 

*dons flameproof suit*

I know I'm in the extreme minority, but hopefully this is far better than Celebration. I've had that beer probably 25 times, fresh, not so fresh, old, draft, bottle, and no matter what, it's always underwhelming. I'd rather drink Torpedo.

 

The now local to me shop Ollie's is tapping a keg of it tonight at Midnight. I foresee many an Uber call from there tonight.

 

I got you, message incoming in a few.

 

I suspect a lot of unfinished pours. Drains will be thoroughly cleaned tonight!

 

With the number of people who have said they were going, I'm going to say that there won't be many, if any, unfinished pours.

 

Have you had 120 Minute before? Just saying, not everyone knows what they're getting into.

 

I'm pretty sure people are responding to a Facebook event know what they are getting into.

It's not like they are pouring pints of it, they are likely 10 oz at the biggest.

 

Buckeye Beer Engine is also tapping a 120 Min. keg at midnight tonight. With it being 18% I'm kinda hoping the pour size would be more like 5-6oz. That's plenty!

 

World of Beer in Columbus (High St.) is doing a midnight tapping. $5.50 for 5oz, $11 for 10oz.