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

Stillwater Premium and for whale status Schneider Hopfen Weise aged in Pinot/Gin barrels as part of the Zymatore project.

 

Stuff I tried for the first time this year? Ballast Point Big Eye. Tried a lot of new stuff when I went to SF on spring break and I keep coming back to that as a surprise. The Pliny was good too, but I was expecting that.

 

It should be Ipswich Oatmeal Stout, which has blown me away every time I have tried it.

However, Deschutes's Red Chair blew me away even more.

So, Deschutes Red Chair.

 

I picked some up today. Brewed 11/24. Saw 2 places that had multiple cases of this left.

 

I have to agree with this 1. Sebago bbbw for the win! Had it side by side with Firestone Walker Sucaba And it was not close

 

Palate Wrecker!!!

Indian Brown Ale
And Bitch Creek ESB

 

For me the biggest surprise will be when Punk IPA more or less tastes the same over two successive batches.

 

Nope it was the beer guy from the Whole Foods on Bascom in San Jose (unfortuntely I'm terrible with names, but he was a cool dude and deserves a shout out.)

 

Ooooh, Palate Wrecker. Excellent nomination.

 

Yeah pretty cheap for how much brett they use in it. Love that motherfunking beer.

 

I'm on my way to buy more! I killed a 4 pack way faster than I should have.

 

Peep out FRESH Sculpin. Blows awayyyy big eye and is just as good as Pliny, just way different and opposite ends of the hop spectrum. Big tropical smells and tastes and quite a bit drier than Pliny.

 

Bear Republic Tartare. Just a fantastic Berliner Weisse.

 

FW Wookey Jack... especially on tap! Not a huge fan of Cascadian/Black IPA's. This is really fantastic!
Cortland Brewing Flight Level 410 BBA Barleywine... KILLER!!!
Adirondack Imperial Cream Ale... Wish they'd bottle this!
De Struise Black Albert... Why did I have to have this? It's forever gonna make enjoying any other Belgian RIS a problem! DAMN NEAR PERFECT!!!

 

Those of us who are married don't need our testes anymore. So what can I get in the way of whales for swimmers?

But seriously, Evil Twin Imperial Biscotti Break is golden!

 

Totally adhere to this statement! Phenomenal stuff

 

Second that. I thought it could have had a touch more wheat if they were going for a traditional BW, but either way it's a great beer. I must have drank a quarter of the keg at my local by myself.

 

Thanks for sharing bro. Just thanks. So hurt right now. Couldnt even send a handbottle. You act like I made you drink the worlds worst barleywine on a dare of something and now hold that against me. Oh wait..........That was a real thing.

Cheers!

 

Haha don't tear yourself up over it, it was perversely enjoyable for the first hour or so until the headache came on But yeah, I tried pretty hard to get a growler fill but no dice. I have a feeling they'll be making it again, I'll see what I can do! Cheers dude