Oldies but Goodies Thread - Keeping the Classics Alive (2024)

Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout and Old Rasputin. Probably the first Imperial Stouts most of us BAs over 40 ever had. I still like both of them better than most of the newer, hipper RISs out now.
BBCS ages very well. I had the privilege of having one that had spent 14 years in the fridge at my aunt and uncle's lake home (I think my cousin's first husband left it in there, and after they split, not much in the way of beer drinkers in the family outside of me.) Tasted like ruby port and cocoa.

 

I’ve had a hankering for a Dale’s pale ale

 

I revisited some Smuttynose beers recently. Finestkind IPA still holds up as a great IPA. Good amount of bitterness, which is always welcome in my mind. Old Brown Dog Brown Ale was great too. Brought back memories of being in college.

 

Old Brown Dog was a staple for me in college as well--I used to arrive at parties with a personal 6 pack of it while everyone else drank dog piss and rubbing alcohol. Definitely need to grab a pack again. I've got a single Robust Porter in the fridge that I'm looking forward to.

 

I had both at the source last year after having neither for quite a while. So fucking good, especially the porter.

 

That's great to hear. My problem is that I don't drink much and always overload the fridge from Jack's Abby runs. Gotta find a lull and fill it with some Smutty.

 

Earlier this evening I drank a Von Trapp/Human Robot collaboratively brewed Pilsner. I would suggest you add some Von Trapp brewed beers to your list as well.

Cheers!

 

The problem with these "old classics" is that their prices have all gone up from what they were a decade ago and the quality of beer is the same so you have to justify if its worth it since there are other options out there.

For example, Long Trail Ale/Double Bag are old classics to me but a decade ago I used to get 6 packs of it for 7.49 or 7.99 and now those beers are 11.49 and close to 12 bucks. So Im questioning if its worth it compared to some brewery doing 16 oz can 4 packs for 12 bucks for a better quality beer. I'd say I'll get the old classics once in a while due to nostalgia but I wont buy them regularly. I just got some Breckenridge Vanilla Porter which is another old classic but it was 12.99 which is overpriced for what it is compared to what it used to be and I think Id rather get some better quality 4 pack 16 oz cans for the same price.

Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout is actually one of the best deals you can get for a old classic because its like 15.99 and its a 6 pack, not a 4 pack of 10% abv.

 

Oh I very much agree. I grabbed their summer variety pack a few years ago and it started me off on pale craft styles. I'd always felt that if I was going to spend craft money I'd stick to my favorite styles. But their Bohemian Pilsner and Kolsch rapidly changed my mind. Despite being one state away, their distribution is a bit spotty in my area. Their Dunkel and Rauchbier are on my list to seek out and try for the first time.

 

Bigfoot 2024 tasted like a stale old expired DIPA to me. Wonder if anyone else felt that.

 

Spotty distribution in Mass ? Hmmm. I wouldnt say its spotty in RI. Their beers are practically in every liquor store. I just had their Trosten Lager (smoked lager) and that one isnt in every store and is harder to find.

 

Another Smuttynose Finest Kind vote. ..I can't get it locally but I do miss that beer.... agreed on Old Rasputin too....can't get those locally anymore either...

 

We're saying the same thing. When one of your core beers is harder to find, that is a bit spotty. I can get all the Pilsner, Helles, and variety packs I want, but not always the two I mentioned above.