Your Year In Beer (2018)

Enjoyed a lot of NE IPAs like most folks - however starting to gravitate back to the shelf stuff - Two Hearted, any Dogfish Head IPA, Stone IPA, Loose Cannon, etc. I feel like I'm discovering these beers "again". Easier on the wallet too..!

 

One of my highlights for 2018 was a visit to Portland, OR primarily to attend HomebrewCon but also to explore the local beer scene. The Portland area does indeed have a vibrant beer scene with plenty of hoppy beers to choose from but also quite a bit of high quality ‘traditional’ beers like Helles, Kolsch, Pilsner,…

One of my resolutions this year was to visit more of the new breweries opening up in my area. It seems like every week I read or hear about a new brewery opening. Below is something I posted yesterday about a Philly Pub Crawl I did last Saturday:

A Philly Pub Crawl

Yesterday my wife and I took the train into the city to visit a couple of new breweries:

Destination #1: Mainstay Brewing

Mainstay brewing is the new brewery that is co-owned by Brian O’Reilly (formerly of Sly Fox) that just opened last month. You can read about the Grand Opening here: https://www.breweriesinpa.com/grand-opening-mainstay-independent-brewing-co-philadelphia-pa/

Mainstay is in the old location of Yards Brewing on Delaware Avenue. I peeked into the brewing area: there is less equipment than what was there for Yards but still quite a few fermenters. I also saw a bunch of blank cans so it would seem that canning the beer is in the near future. In the brewpub area there were a dozen beers available. I drank a four beer sampler while my wife drank a pint of the Pilsner. My four beers were:

· Kolsch – I thought this beer was excellent

· Pilsner – I thought this beer was very good

· Continental Lager – this beer tasted like a Vienna Lager to me and I thought it was very good

· Hefeweizen (King Laird) – I thought this beer was very good

There were a couple of hoppy beers on the board but no ‘NEIPA’ beers to the best of my knowledge. You can read more here: https://mainstaybrewing.com/.

Destination #2: Yards Brewing

I have had beers at the new Yards Brewing location a handful of times with buddies; this was my wife’s first time. There is a long list of beer choices (20?). They had two beers on cask with one being a Porter w/coffee. I selected an imperial pint of that beer. My wife chose Rival IPA. I thought my cask Porter was very, very good. I followed up that beer with Washington Reserve (General Washington’s Tavern Porter which was barrel aged in Bourbon Barrels). I thought this beer was OUTSTANDING! We also ate lunch there with my choice being a Burger while my wife chose the Pork Sandwich. We were both extremely pleased with the food. Yards really is a complete package as regards high quality beer (with lots of choices) and high quality food.

I have beer to Yards about 4 times total on weekend days (always Saturdays I believe) and every time the place has been fully occupied. Luckily there is a lot of space so a large crowd can be readily accommodated. I have no idea how well attended Yards is other times of the week but based upon my experience this place is a gold mine!! Tom Kehoe deserves the Nobel Prize for economics for what he has done with his business.

Destination #3: Love City Brewing

I have wanted to visit this place for a few months after reading Craig Laban’s piece of: http://www.philly.com/philly/column...s-budding-beer-districts-latest-20180601.html

My wife chose a pint of a Brown Ale w/coffee while I did another 4 beer sampler of:

· Love City Lager – I thought this beer was excellent

· Unity IPA – I thought this beer was very good

· Eraserhood ‘NEIPA’ – I thought this beer was very good

· Helles – I though this beer was good

I later ordered a pint of Love City Lager. There is no one thing ‘special’ about this beer but it just seems to be a perfectly brewed lager – very enjoyable to drink.

This place has an eclectic appearance to it with exposed brick walls – a sort of industrial look to it. My wife repeatedly stated: “I really like the way this place looks”. This place only serves light fare (snack and such) but last night they had a food truck that was actually inside the building (back near the brewing area).

There is another nearby brewery of Roy Pitz but we just walked by without a visit/stop. I will have to add this place on the itinerary for the next Philly Pub Crawl.

Happy New Year everybody!

 

I too enjoy drinking a can or draft pint of a 'NEIPA' beer but more often than not after drinking one I really am not looking to drink a second. Now, for a beer such as Two Hearted after drinking one I definitely would like to have another.

And it is indeed a benefit that 'regular' IPAs do not cost $20+ a 4-pack.

Cheers!

 

Great thread @woodchipper
I reviewed 355 full pours this year and made it to 99 styles. I have made a concentrated effort to cut back on IPAs and seek out other styles that seem to be increasingly harder to find. American IPAs are still my most reviewed style but only 13% of my total. I saved up a number of strong / old ales and barleywines for a twelve days of Christmas run (in appropriate themed glassware) that has been a lot of fun so far.

Just a word of warning to lurkers, a thread like this at the end of 2015 is what sparked my active participation in BA!

Edit: I can't believe I forgot to mention an afternoon at Sierra Nevada Mills River in July. Wonderful place and worth a visit.

 

I managed to have just about 1 new beer/day on average for the year. Keeping steady with previous years. My reviews were up this year, I just passed 900 full reviews (1765 total beers) and I am hoping that will continue going forward.

The absolute beer highlight for the year for me was Aaron from Hill Farmstead. It was the best barleywine I have had, and it just left me wanting more.

On the travel side, a couple of trips to Vermont were had, one in which I visited more breweries than in previous trips...Four Quarters, Foam, Alchemist, Frost, and Burlington Beer Co. That trip left me nearly broke after spending $500 on beer to take home to Canada, and another $100 at the border to pay the Canadian Government.

Bellwoods Brewery (Toronto ON) began delivery to the rest of Ontario, which made things nice for me. I have ordered a couple of times, and I have enjoyed many of their beers as a result.

The goal for 2019 is to hit the west coast of the US for a visit. I would prefer either Portland or San Diego, but I guess I need to convince my wife. A layover in Denver would be nice if we went to San Diego.

 

Year in beer!
Well for 2018 I started going to local breweries. I had never gone before and I have now been to funky buddha twice and a couple of local, not as well known places. I was also gifted a card for flights at local breweries so I now know a few more local ones I have to try out. So thats kind of a wrap up as well as a resolution for 2019 in 1!
I also found some stouts I liked this year. Stouts are most challenging for me and something I typically have to share as well. This year I found a couple good ones at local breweries- at funky buddha the I'm so excited I'm scared- as well as their double brown French toast. I found this particularly amazing one at a local brewery that was a one off- so I've also learned the art of cyber stalking the brewery so I dont miss any other one offs I might enjoy. I also really enjoyed goose island BBA vanilla. BBA is also tough for me because sometimes I find the bourbon overpowering to the beer.
So basically I found a few new beers this year and new places to try them!

 

I still enjoy traveling to visit new breweries as a 'hobby', and not just those here in MI. I have a bucket list 'thing' to drink a beer while in every state plus DC (I've already completed the happy task of drinking a beer brewed in each state), so this year I traveled to KS just to tick that state. (MO, IL and IN drinking stops were made along the way). (AK, HI, NJ, CT and RI remain to be visited.)

Other travels involved trips to OR [twice, including a few days in Bend (love that little city)] which also involved a few breweries in NorCal, and a trip to FL. (It's great to be retired.)

The 7 states mentioned above involved visiting 60 new breweries (plus a handful of repeats along the way) and 5 eateries that were rated or reviewed here on BA, and those 65 places involved 399 new beers, although the vast majority were beers on sampler flights.

It was a fun year.

 

That's awesome! I can't really compete with state traveling- however I can say I've had guiness in Ireland and a couple ipas in Iceland. My next trip is not reeally known for beer so I'll have to ask advice closer to and see if anyone has any suggestions.

I do have a bucket list of traveling to more states and I really like the beer ideas- so maybe I'll add that to it!!!

 

That seems to be the case with a lot of folks.."one and done" with the NE IPAs. That's why I only buy singles, but will buy 6-packs of Two Hearted and easily consume 2-3 in one sitting.

 

2018 marked my 10 year anniversary on BA! This year I acquired 90 new beers (the most recent 21 accumulated over the past month but yet to be consumed ), visited 4 local breweries, participated in 2 BA online tastings, posted in 74 WBAYDN threads and - as always - really enjoyed the education, entertainment and camaraderie of being a BA member. Happy New Year BAs!

 

Finally made it to Portland (OR), after years of meaning to visit and it didn't disappoint in the slightest.

As far as things I've enjoyed, I've generally been pretty happy with most of the IPA's I've had. Not sure if they're tougher to screw up, but I feel like once most brewers started making either NEIPAs or pale-malt West Coast IPAs I haven't gotten many straight up bad IPAs. That's a good thing.

On the other hand, I feel like I've totally lost touch with the stout world. Everything is either barrel aged or featuring adjuncts. Most taste too boozy, oxidized, and at-best very similar to everything else out there. If I ever see a hoppy stout on a menu I feel obligated to order it because I might not ever see another one. You'd think the IPA fans would dig them (and black IPAs) but they don't seem to.

 

Beer highlights of 2018. This could be easily summed up with one entry...attended my first Firestone Walker IBF. What an amazing event! I can only hope to get more opportunities to attend in the future.

My five highest rated/reviewed beers of 2018:

1. FW Anniv. XX
2. Maui Imperial Coconut Porter
3. FW Coconut Rye Parabola
4. Alvarado Street Nelson Baby!
5. Fremont BBA Dark Star

 

Alrighty then, I have the envelope in hand, my awards for the best beers, and store, I have tried or visited for the first time in 2018 are:

Best beers:
Nuttercup from Brew Link
Kasteel Barista Chocolate Quad Belgian Ale from Van Honsebrouck

Best hoppy beers:
Enigma DDH Intergalactic Juice Hunter from Odd 13
Even Year from Wildcard

Best lagers:
Paulaner Oktoberfest Bier from Paulaner
Standard Lager from Fulton Beer

Best beer 5% or lower abv:
Little Wolf from Zero Gravity

Best store:
Kindred Spirits in Martinsburg, WV

 

I have quit chasing (somewhat) still stoked when I get a hop pack from SN (though that may not exist anymore). I have found that this has been the year of the pilsner for me. Half the time I go beer shopping there is a six pack or 2 of pilsner that is in the cart. Also have found that I don't feel the need to drink every new beer that comes out, I find that now I simply look at the menu and choose something that looks good, or one I have had that i enjoy. I have definitely cut back on reviews, enjoying the company way more. Notable experiences
1. Siren brewery in Wokingham England (great experience, beer and people, employee helped me work out the bus logistics)
2. ABGB in Austin. Their pilsners are legit, we didn't eat there, but going to make another trip to Austin and spend the day there.
3. Jester King. It is the legit shit. The employees are so laid back and helpful, I have never been to a brewery where everything they do is simply telling you to slow down. Doesn't matter if the line is 30 deep, the bartender will explain in depth the history/ingredients of a beer. Also lucked out on the silent release of Atrial Rubicite. Had a wonderful time with my wife and 2 daughters, yet another place I could simply spend the day at.
All in all a good year

 

Forgot my honorable mentions (Lawson's SOS, FW Maltose Falcons, and Pipeworks Ninja v. Unicorn). Many great beers in 2018, but all those listed got greater than a 4.5 for my palate and preferences. Wishing all a Happy and Healthy 2019!

 

Good year of beer drinking. Tried my first from Hill Farmstead, as well as some new to distro options here like Toppling Goliath and Bells. I have also gone through a good deal of the pilsners available at my local shop, a lot of which are great!

Have realized that lagers are a mainstay for me, and that pricey four packs of high abv IPAs are largely unnecessary. No need to make special trips to breweries either, as the variety in the shops is more than enough. Jack’s Abby is probably my brewery of the year, just for continued excellence in unassuming styles.

Drinking a bunch of German Oktoberfests this year was an eye opener, so I will also be looking out for more imports.

 

Also popped my CBS cherry this year, but I wouldn't say it changed my life. It was a fucking incredible beer and I will still, as always, seek out amazing beers! Cheers to the entire BA community and another year(s) of complaining about the haze craze

 

Had a great year of traveling and hitting some great breweries- Texas, Vermont, Florida, Montreal etc. Was happy to see some of the #linelyfe hype die down at multiple local breweries. So many great options from all over the place now, that I'm overwhelmed walking into local beer stores! The biggest thing I still love is how the Alchemist still charges $12.50 a four pack, while all of the haze craze breweries are going for 20-24$ now. 2018 was a big time "Belgian" year for me. I always enjoyed the style, but really had a lot of great ones this year. Sip of Sunshine being distributed to NY regularly was also huge.

 

I travel a bunch for work and recreation so;
1) Enjoyed pretty much everything Middle Ages makes while in the Syracuse airport during lake effect snow
2) Hit up Avenue Pub in New Orleans for some good beer from Parrish
3) Picked up that elusive bottle of MBCP at Funky Buddha in Oakland Park
4) Managed to hit up Brewer's Art and Max's Taphouse with some good friends this summer
5) Checked out the new Yard's Brewery in Philly (which is fantastic by the way)
6) Celebrated my birthday at 1940's Brewery which was also their anniversary of the taproom!
7) Brought back a bottle of Surly Darkness, and celebrated the find sipping a beer at Canal Park brewing staring at the base of Lake Superior
8) Found a great vegan restaurant\craft bar in Hollywood (Mohawk Bend). Nothing like pairing Russian River drafts with quinoa and veggies.
9) Made it to my 20th brewery in the Asheville area... and I'm nowhere close to complete.
10) Having a beer at Publick House in Boston to celebrate a friend's cancer has gone into remission.

 

I spent 2018 NOT drinking local, or so it feels like it. My early 2019 resolution is to focus on local craft a bit more. I will for sure still continue beer trading and enjoying out of state/area offerings but attempt to balance that out a bit.

In 2018 I was fortunate enough to visit breweries like Great Notion, Modern Times, Bottle Logic and Trillium etc.

My top 3 beers (new to me) were Modern Times ~ Harvest of Memories, Tree House ~ Green and Pure Project ~ Nine Nights with a honorable mention to Willmington ~ Weekend Vibes.

Went a little IPA heavy this year and I am hoping to diversify that a bit in 2019. Had my first lambic this year and would like to explore that a bit more in 2019 but that would definitely inflict more pain on my wallet than beer trading already does so I’ll have to see about that.

My favorite local/localish brewery continued to be Grand Teton Brewing. American Sour 2016 from them did not disappoint.

Like the OP I became a bit burned out on reviewing beer towards the end of 2018. I have a backlog of 15 or so beers that I managed to jot down tasting notes for but we will see. One thing I started to notice after attempting to review possibly 100 NEIPAs this year was that I started to run out of superlatives to describe said beers in the end a lot of the reviews bled together and became identical much like many of the beers themselves were. Hence the attempt at a palate reset in 2019.

Cheers