I'd love your recommendations to expand my experience

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by Joelus, Sep 25, 2013.

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  1. Joelus

    Joelus Initiate (0) Sep 25, 2013 California

    Hi all,

    First time posting.

    Living in San Diego I'm pretty spoiled with all the great breweries around, too much fun to be had. But also I love to crack a bottle or two at home in the evening and over the last year or so I've started to build an idea of what I really enjoy.

    It seems that I am definitely a Belgian and Stout kinda guy, ironically not to keen on the Hops despite living in Hop-Diego.

    My current list of go-to favorites reads like this...

    Three Philosophers - Ommegang
    The Reverend - Avery
    Two Tortugas - Karl Strauss
    St. Bernadus Tripel
    Coming Home Holiday Ale - Grand teton
    Vertical Epic 10.10.10 - Stone
    Vertical Epic 11.11.11 Red Wine Barrels - Stone
    Vertical Epic 12.12.12 - Stone
    Russian Imperial Stout - Stone
    Horny Devil - Alesmith
    Gran Cru - Alesmith

    I'd really like to discover more ales that fall into the same categories as those above, I like full rich flavors without any bitterness, heavier ales that glide down and warm rather than bite and refresh.

    I'd love to hear your recommendations.

    Joel
     
  2. StoutSnob40

    StoutSnob40 Grand Pooh-Bah (4,611) Jan 4, 2013 California
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Grab a Rochefort 10. Seems to fit into your tasting preference.

    Also, think about expanding your styles.. Sample some Saisons like Boulevard Tank 7, Ommegang Hennepin or Pretty Things Jack D'Or. I have found all of those in San Diego, and they are fairly similar, in my mind, to Tripels.
     
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  3. DustinSWB

    DustinSWB Initiate (0) May 4, 2013 Florida

    North Coast PranQster is a great beer that would fit into to your current beer list. A lot of the other North Coast beers are very good as well.
     
    dianimal, zid, Joelus and 2 others like this.
  4. Donco

    Donco Pooh-Bah (1,639) Aug 12, 2013 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    Wish I had more access to some of the Stone stuff! I'm of the same ilk in preferences. Love Stone RIS!
    If you can find a bottle out there, try Clown Shoes Very Angry Beast or any of the stouts by Founders from Michigan.
     
  5. Joelus

    Joelus Initiate (0) Sep 25, 2013 California

    Nice!!!

    thanks guys, it's great to have new brews to test. I don't mind paying a little bit more for a decent bottle, but I must admit it does stop me being quite so adventurous as I would like sometimes, so a little advice goes a long way.
     
  6. PapaGoose03

    PapaGoose03 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,057) May 30, 2005 Michigan
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    Many new craft enthusiasts like the malt-forward beers like you do, but as time goes on and your experience widens you will also begin to enjoy hoppy beers. It always happens.

    For now, the malt-forward styles that I can think of off the top of my head would be Brown Ales, Scotch Ales, the Bock family, and English-style Barleywines (English-style uses less hops). From left to right in my list, the malt becomes more intense. There are other styles, but those will keep you busy.
     
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  7. MikeT77

    MikeT77 Initiate (0) Jul 2, 2010 New York

    Stone w00tstout is terrific, as is the Imperial Russian Stout (Espresso version, 2013 odd year release). There's also a bunch of stuff from The Bruery you might like as well. Anderson Valley Bourbon Barrel Stout is a recent fave of mine.
     
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  8. StoutSnob40

    StoutSnob40 Grand Pooh-Bah (4,611) Jan 4, 2013 California
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Aside from the Stouts, we seem to have some common tastes.. Here are some of my favorites that you can find pretty easily in SD:
    Allagash Tripel
    La Fin Du Monde
    St. Bernardus Abt 12
    Weihenstephaner Vitus
    Boulevard The Sixth Glass
    Ommegang Rare Vos

    Also, I never liked hoppy beers either until I started drinking some of the all time greats.. There are so many different types of IPAs, and it's just a matter of discovering some you enjoy. Start slow with a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.. If you're feeling more adventurous, try a Drake's Aroma Coma.

    Where do you usually shop?
     
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  9. Joelus

    Joelus Initiate (0) Sep 25, 2013 California

    Hi all, great to meet you!!!

    I usually shop at Windmall Farms and KnB here in San Diego, they are right down the road from my house.

    Yes the Stone W00tstout was absolutely awesome, and knock yer socks off potent lol. Yeah I keep trying to venture into the hoppy road, I guess I'm just not there yet, don't get me wrong I've had a nice few here and there on my travels around SoCal but nothing that stuck in my mind enough to want to hunt it down.

    I buddy of mine works for Sierra Nevada out in the PA area and we had a nice belgian style from them back in July but I can't remember what it was now, seemed to be some kind of special run.
     
  10. Erbayd

    Erbayd Aspirant (245) Jun 26, 2012 California

    I definitely agree with the North Coast Pranqster, and I'd recommend North Coast's Brother Thelonius as well. It seems to be readily available at any Vons, and it's kind of crazy how many awesome beer stores there are in SD. Have you been to Sorrento Wine & Spirits? Here are some other beers you might like:

    Alesmith Old Ale
    Port Brewing Old Viscosity (Older Viscosity is amazing too if you're willing to pay)
    Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron
    Dogfish Head Midas Touch
    Rogue Dead Guy & Double Dead Guy
    Lost Abbey Judgement Day (Any Lost Abbey beer really)
    Tripel Karmeliet
    Trader Joe's Vintage Ales & Belgian Style Golden Ale
    Duvel
    Chimay Blue
    Gulden Draak

    Also if you're interested in venturing into hoppy beers but still wanna stick with the belgian style then Stone's Cali-Belgique IPA and Green Flash's Le Freak are really great options.
     
  11. Joelus

    Joelus Initiate (0) Sep 25, 2013 California

    Thanks for all of these great options, I'm super excited to start working my way through this list.
     
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  12. StoutSnob40

    StoutSnob40 Grand Pooh-Bah (4,611) Jan 4, 2013 California
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Agreed.. Le Freak is bomb.
     
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  13. MADhombrewer

    MADhombrewer Initiate (0) Jun 4, 2008 Oregon

    Yeti, yeti, yeti

    That's Great Divide Yeti Imp Stout. Many variations

    My philosophy is: If I haven't had it, that what I will get.

    Enjoy the jorney.
     
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  14. TasterMike

    TasterMike Initiate (0) Sep 13, 2013 California

    I am pretty close to windmill and knb also. knb is kind of un organized but i think it makes it like a treasure hunt, fun sometimes. I just grabbed a 4pack of beire de chocolat by Almanac and really enjoyed it. You may like that one, also I second alesmiths old ale, it's right up your alley and on cask right now.
     
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  15. jivex5k

    jivex5k Initiate (0) Apr 13, 2011 Florida

    Old Rasputin
    And Storm King if you can get it.
     
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  16. Joelus

    Joelus Initiate (0) Sep 25, 2013 California

    I must admit I always enjoyed a glass of Polygamy Porter every time I had to make a connection at the Airport in Utah.
     
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  17. gatornation

    gatornation Grand High Pooh-Bah (10,388) Apr 18, 2007 Arizona
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    NC Old Rasputin and Pranqster and Green Flash Double Stout
     
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  18. Zorro

    Zorro Grand Pooh-Bah (3,258) Dec 25, 2003 California
    Pooh-Bah

    Try all the Firestone beers yet?

    Especially the Bourbon barrel aged beers.
     
  19. bubseymour

    bubseymour Grand Pooh-Bah (4,800) Oct 30, 2010 Maryland
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Westmalle Tripel

    As others mentioned Old Rasputin is always a great go-to American made Imperial Stout. A timeless Beer of Fame worthy beer.

    Samuel Smith's Organic Chocolate stout I really loved. Not as hoppy as some of our American offerings but the rich chocolate flavor is spot on and very well balanced.

    For standard Imperial Stouts, nothing beats the Founders Breakfast Stout. Get it if you can.
     
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  20. Joelus

    Joelus Initiate (0) Sep 25, 2013 California

    Well that's one hell of a list, can't wait!!!

    I'm starting to buy for Xmas, I want to have a very well stocked Belgian bar for the holidays and make sure I have a nice variety of curated beers that I can offer to my guests with confidence.

    Yesterday my wife stumbled across 11 bottles of Vertical Epic 12.12.12 sitting in a small grocery store, she swoofed up all 11 bottles at $3.99 a pop, they will make a good start to the Xmas lineup. :slight_smile:
     
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