Favorite Brewery? There Can Be Only One...

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by TriggerFingers, Feb 19, 2016.

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  1. TriggerFingers

    TriggerFingers Initiate (0) Apr 29, 2012 California

    All "Highlander" references aside, we have our favorites. Our choicest beers and brewers run the gamut of styles, philosophies, across states and even countries. But you have to pick ONE. Which brewery just "does it" for you? That one that rocks everything in their portfolio: the one you'll choose fresh anytime?

    Me?

    FIRESTONE WALKER

    I started thinking. First, I thought Sierra Nevada. But I have had a few less-than-stellar examples from them. I thought about F&W, I couldn't recall a bad beer that I have ever had from them. Be it a bottle, tap only, or Barrel Works release. I'm a California boy born and raised and was drinking Pale 31 back when it was just "Pale Ale" (circa 2004 and the only other offering was DBA) and enjoyed 805 back when you could only get it in the 805 (SLO, SB, or Ventura counties). All that aside, I had some 30 day old Double Jack tonight in bottles and Jesus Jones; that is more amazing than I remember!

    Alright, pick one. Top to bottom...who is your favorite brewer?
     
    #1 TriggerFingers, Feb 19, 2016
    Last edited: Feb 19, 2016
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  2. raynmoon

    raynmoon Initiate (0) Aug 13, 2011 Colorado

    Cellarmaker
     
    #2 raynmoon, Feb 19, 2016
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  3. do_ob

    do_ob Pooh-Bah (1,655) Feb 12, 2015 Kentucky
    Pooh-Bah

    Bell's

    or Founders

    damnit, I can't decide.
     
    #3 do_ob, Feb 19, 2016
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  4. Beerdsley419

    Beerdsley419 Initiate (0) Dec 25, 2015 Ohio

    If I had to pick one it would be founders I suppose, but my "short list" has a dozen breweries easy, hard choice!!
     
    #4 Beerdsley419, Feb 19, 2016
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  5. HorseheadsHophead

    HorseheadsHophead Grand Pooh-Bah (3,732) Sep 15, 2014 Colorado
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    It's a tie between Founders and Stone. I can't decide between the two, but it's definitely those two.
     
    #5 HorseheadsHophead, Feb 19, 2016
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  6. Dansac

    Dansac Pundit (912) Dec 6, 2014 California
    Trader

    Hill Farmstead.
     
    #6 Dansac, Feb 19, 2016
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  7. Beergasm1

    Beergasm1 Crusader (444) Jan 26, 2014 Massachusetts
    Trader

    Being from Massachusetts I'm surrounded by breweries known around the world. Sam adams, Tree house, Trillium, Harpoon, and Jack Abby are just a few, that I can think of.

    But having to choose one...

    I would choose...

    Tree House
     
    #7 Beergasm1, Feb 19, 2016
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  8. nerdboy19

    nerdboy19 Initiate (0) Sep 20, 2015 South Korea
    Trader

    Ballast Point. The Brewery that made me become a beer geek.
     
    #8 nerdboy19, Feb 19, 2016
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  9. Hoppedelic

    Hoppedelic Savant (1,065) Dec 6, 2010 California
    Trader

    Stone.
     
    #9 Hoppedelic, Feb 19, 2016
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  10. JackRWatkins

    JackRWatkins Maven (1,472) Nov 3, 2014 Georgia
    Trader

    great yet boring choice: Brouwerij St. Bernardus
     
    #10 JackRWatkins, Feb 19, 2016
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  11. CJNAPS

    CJNAPS Pooh-Bah (2,492) Nov 3, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah

    This is a hard one for me between Sierra Nevada and Russian River.

    I'm going with Russian River.
     
    #11 CJNAPS, Feb 19, 2016
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  12. Tdizzle

    Tdizzle Initiate (0) Dec 19, 2006 California

    Sierra Nevada. Although, I agree with the OP in that I have never had a bad, or even average, beer from Firestone Walker.
     
    #12 Tdizzle, Feb 19, 2016
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  13. CJNAPS

    CJNAPS Pooh-Bah (2,492) Nov 3, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah

    Firestone is a great brewery.
     
    #13 CJNAPS, Feb 19, 2016
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  14. hopnado

    hopnado Initiate (0) Aug 13, 2014 Michigan

    Short's even though they broke their promise :slight_frown:
     
    #14 hopnado, Feb 19, 2016
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  15. riverlen

    riverlen Pundit (852) Sep 16, 2009 Illinois

    I can think of several but overall I'd go with Bells. The variety of beers and how well they are done and a number of seasonals always keeps me wanting more and looking forward to the next season. Being unfiltered and unpasteurized gives me the feeling that this is how beer is intended to be. Plus Bells is the beer that carried me back home from the imports.
     
    #15 riverlen, Feb 19, 2016
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  16. TriggerFingers

    TriggerFingers Initiate (0) Apr 29, 2012 California

    I love RR. Was up there last week. Their sours are second to none. Hoppy beers? PtE, PtY, and my favorite Row 2 Hill 56. Aside from Blind Pig (which I didn't really care for), their portfolio is lights out. That may just be my 2nd with Sierra Nevada and Stone right in the hunt.
     
    #16 TriggerFingers, Feb 19, 2016
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  17. CJNAPS

    CJNAPS Pooh-Bah (2,492) Nov 3, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah

    Yeah I've been up there two times this pass week to hit younger twice, that is such a great beer and your right about the rest of their line up. and the vibe is so Chill...Cali vibes to a tee. cheers
     
    #17 CJNAPS, Feb 19, 2016
  18. The_Snow_Bird

    The_Snow_Bird Grand Pooh-Bah (3,557) May 7, 2015 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Cigar City
     
    #18 The_Snow_Bird, Feb 19, 2016
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  19. Tdizzle

    Tdizzle Initiate (0) Dec 19, 2006 California

    SN just has so many winners in their portfolio, in my opinion:
    • Pale Ale
    • Torpedo
    • Celebration
    • Bigfoot
    • Narwhal
    • Hoptimum
    • Hop Hunter
    • Nooner

    That's hard to beat.
     
    #19 Tdizzle, Feb 19, 2016
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  20. LakerLeith

    LakerLeith Initiate (0) Aug 11, 2013 California

    Sante Adairius Rustic Ales. Hands down
     
    #20 LakerLeith, Feb 19, 2016
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