What's your "Non-Whale" surprise beer this year?

Hey, everyone! Creepinjeeper, the noob, here. What exactly is a whale in beerspeak?

 

That is a beautiful statement,I will add Narwhal as mine.

 

I'm gonna go w/ New England Brewing's:

Galaxy hopped Pale ale

4.8% a.b.v. w/ a massive flavor explosion-Tasty,stuff.

Cheers All......

 

second the JP iO saison
Bell's The Oracle

 

Stillwater's Table Beer really surprised me. I had no expectations and it turned out to be the best beer that Stillwater's ever done.

 

A rare, hyped, and/or expensive beer. The point of this thread is to appreciate the less hyped and reasonably priced beers that we've tried that 'wowed' us.

 

Jacks Abby Mom & Pops Wet Hop Lager.

Good lord that was tasty.

Cheers!

 

Ha! For a second, I thought your avatar was a Tauntaun.

Anyway, non-whale surprise beer for this year . . . Epic's Utah Sage Saison, Stillwater's Cellar Door, and Jack's Abby's Hoponius Union were all outstanding.

 

I forgot to list the new belgium/alpine super IPA in my earlier post.

 

Logsdon Seizoen Bretta. An absolute joy to pour down ones throat.

 

Either everyone on page 1 expected it to be good and wasn't surprised when it was or they haven't had it yet (like me)?

 

I got into craft around this time last year, starting with SNPA. So, this was my first full year of craft drinking. That said, I was surprised and pleased very often, though the "newness" of craft drinking is wearing off. With that said, here are some of my first year surprises :

- Founder's Breakfast. I hate absolutely hate coffee. The first sip of FBS I had, I didn't like it, but I paid for it and was going to finish it. After sitting for a while, I sipped again and fell in love. This is a mainstay in my fridge and probably a top 3 overall for me.

- Ithaca Flower Power. I like IPAs, but most of them taste pretty much the same to me. FP is an exception. Like orange juice with hops soaking in it or something. Probably my current favorite beer.

- Hating BCBS and most sours. I have a few bottles of BCBS and Duchesse De Bourgogne that I'm not sure what to do with. Also had my first Berliner and couldn't finish it.

 

I didn't even know Serendipity was a thing until I did my twice-annual New Glarus run last week. And then I complained loudly because I wasn't going to be able to have my Thanksgiving Belgian Red. And then I shut right the hell up because it's the best thing that's ever happened.

 

No mentions of Sierra Nevada Narwhal, yet? We finally have a (fairly) inexpensive RIS that's better than Old Rasputin and almost as readily available right now?

Also, Logsdon's Fresh Hop Seizon.

 

Perennial Abraxus- probably the best spiced stout I will ever have
Founders RIS
Fantome Saison
Not exactly sure what qualifies as a non-whale, but those are the three beers I was most blow away with that I think aren't whales?

 

Sun King Pappy Van Muckle

 

viven imperial IPA. real nice stuff there ! way to small and unknown brewerie, they have like maybe 4 kinds of beer i guess, are 'unfindable' due to its unknown-being, not cause they're extremely wanted or such. cheap cheap beer, but can compete with some of the best IPAs , double and imerial IPAs out there. soesnt beat heady, but price/ quality... well.. this is THE beer

 

Brux was something I found to be tasty but underwhelming. I am saving my second bottle because I'd really like to see what the Brett will do to it in another year or so.

 

Everything I've tried from Marble Brewing Co out of New Mexico. Had a generous BA send me an IPA, a red, an anniversary(I think) and a Barrel Aged Imperial Stout. All have been exceptional. The Imp Stout was the best beer I've had in a while. Over BCBS, BA Pt5, KBS, etc.

Any locals can surely send me more of these brews and I'd be glad to send you MI brews.

 

I'd be happy to trade for the BCBS.