Pittsburgh - New Beers & Local Breweries

Only had hoppy stuff and was disappointed with sue,intergaltic warrior and Pompeii

 

Isn't trading hoppy beers kind of a gamble? Not sure if TG dates their bottles or not, but you don't know how long the other guy has had the beer, how long it's been in their trunk, if they left it out in the sun, etc.

I only trade hoppy beers with one guy because I know he treats his beers right.

 

If anyone is curious, you will never find me advocating for aging beer. Most of it is gross by 2 years. Thomas Hardy's is an exception to that. This 2003 bottle is pretty nice though.

 

Gotta say...Sosus really didn't represent mosaic the way its capable of being represented. Really wanted to like that beer too...was a long time want...but it was a big ol disappointment. It's little brother Pompeii, on the other hand, acquitted itself quite well for a mosaic beer.

Granted, Sosus was a bottle...who knows how old. Pompeii was a fresh pour in their taproom.

 

I actually agree with this...except the thomas hardy stuff. Not that I disagree with that part either, just never had any of it. But aging? I never do it on purpose...only out of necessity.

 

Yup, Thomas Hardy's was one of the few remaining leftovers of a poorly conceived aging beer period. I bought a 4 pack of every year from 03-08. Fortunately I like it fresh, so if they ever start making it again, I can just buy a case and drink it all within a year or two.

I think there are probably a couple 7 year old DFH 120 mins kicking around this house that would make the garbage disposal gag.

 

Same here. I wanted to get more but I limited myself. I think I am in a different situation because the selection there was better than Meadville's Giant Eagle.

I would love to be closer to that. Good tap list and bottle selections

 

Come see Giant Eagle Meadville before throwing words like woeful around!

 

I had an '08 120 Minute last Christmas that was fucking glorious.

 

Penn brewery worth checking out?

 

I had a 2011 over the winter that was an awful pasty acetone taste. hhhccckkk pteh.

I enjoyed it. I split a flight. They had a good variety. Good food. Decent/normal prices. Pirates game on mute. And even a cover band that was cranking out dead tunes all night. I found the Penn Gold Lager to be one of my favorites. But then again, I am loyal to Budweiser. More off the beaten path was their Penndamonium barley wine. Light and sweet and tasty. They had a maibock which was good with grapenutty munich malt taste. The berlinerweiss was ok. And their dunkle was good. Nothing blew my mind, but I was pleased/would go back.

 

He hates the one names armchair by blue point though

 

Actually I think Penndemonium is their Maibock. http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/125/36925/
I think they do the German lager styles pretty well. It's not the cutting edge, innovative type stuff, but it has a place. And the location is pretty cool.

 

It's doubtful this has ever been said about a DFH beer before.

 

Apparently, you missed Bitches Brew and Squall

 

Nope. Neither were fucking glorious.

 

And thus begins another episode of "Which Beers Does Shuggy Enjoy?"

I have no idea how to make that sentence grammatically correct.

 

Never said I didn't enjoy them but fucking glorious? Come on now.

 

Isn't any trade that involves you a bit of a gamble?

 

There aren't many beers even worth aging. When I got into the hobby back in the day, it felt like you had to age beers. I used to age stouts, barleywines, big Belgian beers, etc....

It took me about 5 years to realize that 95% of these beers were better fresh, and it wasn't worth the time or the money I spent by buying 2 of many different beers (one to drink fresh, one to age).

Lambic is pretty much the only thing worth aging, with some exceptions like the Thomas Hardy that you mentioned.