Oldies But Goodies - a Classics Appreciation Thread (2023)

It's not easy even around here but I was able to do just that a few months back now that I know how to decipher the bottling date code. It did not disappoint, and for me at least, is a link to memories of enjoyable North Coast (Mendocino) trips with my wife and others.

 

Did someone mention Albion? Now that's a true classic that I actually tried a time or two in high school.

 

Last Friday I went to Blue Point's ABInbev brewery for the first time, lured by their 25th anniversary celebration reissue of ESB keg. It tasted good. It might be similar to the original, but lacks the mellow hop character I remember. It could be my memory is foggy, but the British flavor isn't there for me. I did try their cask Oatmeal Stout and cask Hoptical Illusion, and they are better than I remember them. Taste bud move on as do brewery practices.

 

I'm a relatively new fan of Harpoon IPA. I had a draft in downtown Boston a couple of years ago, and became a fan. It has a 6.0 alcohol, on the low end for IPA (a plus for me). It shows its quality with a big lasting head and strong lacing. It has a balanced body and hop character. It's definitely a solid beer, and a bargain.

 

Not sure if it’s been mentioned yet but…Old Rasputin?

 

I just occasionally scroll down through the Hall of Fame Beers listing to see what my score is and what classic beers I should be able to easily find in my local beer store and decide what I’m in the mood for revisiting.

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/fame/

 

Just scanning down the top 250, does Rogue still put out the Shakespeare Oatmeal Stout or their Chocolate stout regularly? I haven’t had either of those yet. Also Brooklyn Black Ops?

 

I would also consider the annually released Old Stock Ale a classic. I just picked up a pack.

 

AFAIK Double Chocolate Stout and Black Ops both now come in 16oz 4packs. Not sure anyone needs 16oz of Black Ops, but hey it's better (and much cheaper) than bombers.

That being said the 16oz Black Ops is the "Four Roses" variant which I didn't enjoy as much when I tried it, and I believe they had some infection issues in the latest batch.

I've bought 2 4 packs of the Double Chocolate Stout since it moved to that format and enjoyed them. This used to be my favorite chocolate stout and only recently became surpassed by beers like KBS MMF.

I haven't seen standard Chocolate Stout or Shakespeare Oatmeal Stout in a long while though. Wish they still brewed (distributed?) Oatmeal Stout and Mocha Porter. Loved both of those beers.

 

They don't seem to release any of it at all where I live.

 

It was brewed again in around 2010 and to me it tasted much as I remember the 1993 version tasting. Still a superb beer. Marston’s, who now own the Courage brand (as well as many others), need to be encouraged to keep it alive.

 

I used to be able to easily find six packs of this around town... Man its so good!

 

Yeah - I did unintentionally ignore that short-lived Wells revival in my posts. Thanks for jogging my memory. I think the last time I had one it was 8 years old. I know I compared it to the Harvey's at some point (both with some age on them). I didn't have the Courage brewed stout until just now, so I clearly can't comment on how it might have tasted when fresh. The aged (or damaged) Courage beer resembled the Harvey's stout for what it's worth... and the Wells beer felt like a different animal to me. Much was said about the lack of brett in the Wells beer. I don't recall it ever taking on any sourness like the other beers, but rather simply showing more conventional signs of age. Maybe the Wells beer and the '93 Courage beer were quite similar when both fresh. Thanks for your perspective on the matter.

 

Don't want to read through the whole thread, but coming of drinking age in Kansas...it had to be Boulevard Wheat & Pale Ale. Plus, Fat Tire and 1554.

 

A few weeks ago I saw relatively fresh six packs of Arrogant Bastard and picked one up since it had been years since I had one. Drinking one now.