New to Ohio (2017)

you have my attention with this! I haven't seen it around Boardman yet, I will make a note to look for it, or figure a way to make the drive west

 

I stopped by early yesterday evening and had a La Tentadora and picked up a bottle of Vox Maris and the BA wee heavy Hadrian's Wall. Had the latter later on and liked it fine; needs more carbonation in the future but they're moving in the right direction plus I've been spoiled by Backwoods Bastard.

 

Maybe I totally missed it, but Odd Side is hitting Ohio this week.

 

Ironically I saw an entire case of it behind the counter at the beer bar at the Oakley Kroger yesterday.

 

There are lizardville tappings as well: http://www.winkinglizard.com/events

 

I called them today and they told me that they did not. Frustrating. The guy apparently did not know what was going on - he couldn't seem to tell me if they had DA or BA DA, but no where did he say that it said "with vanilla beans and coffee."

 

According to my Premium rep, Lagunitas is waiting for all the Citrusinensis to be sold out of their warehouse before they ship any Born Again Yesterday. After talking to him today there are 30 cases left so Born Again Yesterday should hit next week, but it will be only 12 packs this time.

 

Had Eventyr last week at the Lakewood location and it was great! Lots of brett, very tropical and dry too. Great beer. That location is also super cool. It was a bummer to see the place empty though.

 

Too bad "extended" doesn't mean a damn thing when they won't say how long it's usually aged for. 5 weeks? 5 months? 5 years? 5 times doesn't mean anything unfortunately.

 

For that matter, are they first, second or third use barrels. Not too many brewers reveal that. But, isn't what matters how it tastes?

 

I get where you are coming from.

I am not picking sides, but the one thing that I will say is that as someone whose palate seems to be exceedingly picky, I try to read through descriptions (and reviews-ultimately-if I have time) to get an idea if I will like something that I have never tried. One way I gouge this at times is with time in barrel for BA stouts. I've had a few 3-6 months BA beers that really just weren't my jam. I tend to prefer longer aging.

That said, beyond the perspective of needing information in-store, I don't like when it feels like a company is choosing to not reveal information. A company should want to tell you which barrels they used and tout how long it was aged. That should be a selling point. Not revealing commonly revealed information suggests that it might surprise and/or turn people off.

But yes, even if it was cured in an old sock, as long as it is safe to drink and tastes good, that is what should ultimately matter.

 

Agree on all fronts. Luckily, getting this specific beer to try out was really easy for me, so there was no risk. I too enjoy the longer aged/more usually more barrel fwd beers, and this hits the mark on that really well, whether aged for 10 days or 10 years. I would compare the bourbon barrel presence in this to that of a JO's bourbon barrel beer. Overall just really smooth and balanced though. Definitely one of their best.

 

I tried oddside hipster brunch and hazels nuts. I loved both beers esprecjally the hazels nuts. I don't think I have ever had a beer so spot on with the flavor. It tastes just like a choclate hazelnut candy bar

 

I love Hazels Nuts. Where did you come across it?

 

Beer Engine in Lakewood had it on tap.

 

That's disappointing because the one in Cleveland Heights seems to attract a steady clientele that make it a pleasant place to walk into. Not sure why Lakewood would be any different other than people have more options. It would be too bad if the new location was a losing undertaking.

 

Lakewood is absolutely packed with beer bars and restaurants, so it best be really good or unique if it's going to stick around. I liked the World of Beer they had out there, but it couldn't survive.

 

Just went to Bottlehouse last week for the first time and was blown away. We took home 12 bottles and that's with some of our favorites not even available in bottles. I hope they can do well in that location, because the beer/mead are crazy good and unique.

 

Oddside reminds me a bit of Listermann in that they brew a lot of interesting stuff you don't see other breweries doing. Their Apple Pie beer was really good as well.

Putting a Warning out now. The Mayan Mocha Stout was really good on tap, but in bottles it is straight pepper and nothing else. I would avoid if it pops up in bottles.

 

Oddsides is pretty cool, they sorta remind me of a Shorts Jr. They do quite a bit of flavored/infused stuff. I wouldn't say all of their beers are great but there's some solid, interesting ones out there.