Pittsburgh - New Beers & Local Breweries

There are a handful of non-lambic beers that I prefer aged. Some examples:
English-style barleywines like Old Horizontal and Gratitude (I know it is technically labelled an American barleywine) age with the best of them. I think slight oxidation actually adds to the character, but that is just me.
-Some- barrel aged barleywines like MOAS and Oak Horizontal I prefer with 2-3 years on them
-Some- RIS like Blackout Stout and Expedition Stout. The former is fantastic with 6 months to 4 years on it whereas I am not sure I have seen the upper limit on Expedition, but I have never had one yet where I felt it had gone over the hill.
- Some Old Ales/Strong ales such as Adam and Fred from HotD or Third Coast from Bell's can age quite well.

 

My Chicago guy sent me a 2008 Expedition as an extra once and it was fucking glorious. And at DLD the same friend had a growler of a blend he made of a 10 year vertical they did at a share the night before. Also fucking glorious.

 

I tend to like some of the higher ABV stuff with some more age on it. Black Tuesday and Chocolate Rain are both a lot better with at least a year on them IMO. I like BCBS and BCBBW both more with some time on them as well.

Like @kbuzz said I rarely intentionally age something, though. I just don't go through stuff quickly and as a result, some things sit for a little. I've got a 2013 bottle of Melange #3 that I really need to drink soon. Hard to tackle that one in the summer, though.

 

@HopFace did that with Gratitude vintages when we did a "Hell with a lid ON!" tasting. He also did it with a stout tasting we did. Come to think of it, the guy likes blending vintages....a lot! OBAMA!!!

 

Dogfish 75 minute on cask is incredible but I can't say I've ever seen it around here

 

Alas. The potent potables must have blurred my memory.

 

I'd recommend waiting til summer, when you can give those a little sun & let them develop a nice golden bronze.

 

FTFY. Fat Head's had it on cask at at a Dogfish tap takeover five years ago. I think that was its first appearance in Pittsburgh.

 

Has anyone heard anything about Cellar Works Brewing Co. out of Sarver, PA? Their website is very outdated, but their Facebook is pretty up to date. It looks like they do some beer festivals and events but it doesn't seem like they are fully up and running yet.

 

They've been on the "incubator" circuit for almost two years - I know they were at the Millvale Brewfest in 2013. Used to be called Cellar Door.

 

Slight possibility that I may find myself with a bit of a gap in my schedule around 2:00 today, but it looks like most breweries (understandably) don't open till four, at which point I'll need to be on my way back home. Currently considering Fat Heads (haven't tried Hop Fro yet), Blue Dust or Korner Pub. Anyone have a better suggestions in this general area?

 

Hop Fro is definitely worth checking out.

 

Wonder why the switch in names--if solely as a means of reinvention? I ask because "cellar door" is considered to be one of the most beautiful phrases in the English language, by a few literary greats and by foreign speakers who learn English.

 

In positive news, I did hear back from Hough's. It was a very nice response and I appreciate them following up. The meat of his response:

We understand that regular tap cleaning is very important and we hold ourselves to the standards set by the Brewers Association as well as the state. Draft maintenance is a big part of our business as we would never want to deter patrons from coming in to visit us. We did just pass a "surprise" state inspection last week for all of our tap lines and bar cleanliness. We have all documentation of routine maintenance and scheduled draft cleanings required by the state.

That to me is exactly what I hope for from a business and that kinda commitment puts to rest my apprehension about their tap lines.

Cheers to them for the response.

 

I assume it's from this:

http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/22150/58523/

 

Make sure you hit up Rubio's for some fish tacos too, while you're on the tasty fast food chain kick.

 

I remember this being mentioned in a film from the early 2000's, Donnie Darko. I thought it was just some bullshit made up for the movie.

 

At least they didn't over-sell it. "There is no better IPA out there." That seems believable.

Hahaha, she only drinks chair-themed beers. But she hated the chair-themed beer not from Couch Brewery. Who knew Untappd could be so much fun?

Edit: @tommyguz beat me to it.

 

Oh, Cary's a dude? I trust him even less.

 

I love watching the progression of your posts as you get caught up with thread...