What's the best beer you've had the privilege of tasting at a special event?

same here! Honestly, I went through my untappd to see what I had. That was a long day of drinking wale blood.

 

Sam Adams Uptopia. 2 years in a row at a "whiskey club" monty meeting that was turned to beer tasting.

 

5 year vertical tasting of Alaskan Smoked Porter. Not my absolute favorite beer, but it was very cool to have 5 vintages laid out at once with some brewery reps a few years back.

 

I think probably the Privilege Ale at the 7th grade spelling bee. Old Mr. Thompson was a crafty corrupting influence. Looking back, this never actually happened. I don't even know anyone named Mr. Thompson.

 

I'd have to say it was Ithaca Hop Stash and Brute on tap at a wedding, summer '11. I pretty much just turned the keys over to my wife and had at it.

 

Stonewall ale at a stone beer dinner with Greg Koch. I dont think ill ever top that

 

Shit, I didnt include anything from the ORF tasting. Oil of Aphrodite, Eclipse EC 18, Bruery Otiose/White Chocolate/Mother Funker, and Beatification batch 5.

 

Cantillon Fou' Foune
GI King Henry
Black Tuesday

 

Cantillon Bourgogne Lambic

In the Summer of 2007, we had a huge gathering in Cleveland that brought people in from 7-8 states. The list was huge - HOTD Adam from the Wood Magnum, 3 Font. Millenium and 50th, just about every Pizza Port/Lost Abbey beer released up until then, etc. But the star of the show was the Cantillon above.

 

Surly Tea bagged Furious at the MN Autumn Brew Review a couple of years back.

 

My wife surprised me for my last birthday- I went to Stone, where Mitch Steele gave me a tour of the brewery, then shared 2012 RIS (before it went on sale), 2012 Old Guardian, and Bottlework's 13th Anniversary Ale (before it went on sale too).

Then two days later- at the Stone Farm Fresh Dinner, I sat right next to Greg Koch and Steve Wagner and had Arrogant Bastard out of the fermenter, as well as Ruination that had been kegged that day.

For me, it isn't the beer that was drank, it was the company that I was with. When Mitch Steele pours you a beer, it is automatically one of the most important beers of your life . . .

 

Came in to post this exact thing.

The bottle share at Crooked Stave that day was amazing as well.

 

2012 Two Brothers Hopjuice Fest
Ten Fidy Whiskey Barrell aged
Surly Five (3 of these at the end if the night was a mistake)- don't remember the rest

 

Bravo Brown by Firestone Walker, an imperial brown ale aged in brandy and bourbon barrels. Amazing brandy bomb of a beer!

 

# All the Stone Vertical Epic Ales w/ Greg, crew & friends

# Utopias from the barrel while hangin with Jim

Much much more ... best is somewhat subjective to the ambiance and people you are with as well IMO.

 

The first time I read this thread, I never looked at the content of your initial post. Anyway, that may be the best beer name of all time(at least for a nerd like me.)

 

2011 event at the Central City Tap House in Kalamazoo. Goose Island BCS 06-11, Bramble Rye, KH, Vanilla Stout, Coffee Stout, Lolita, Juliet, Rare, and as a bonus, The Livery Cherry bomb and trippel weizenbock. What an incredible night.

 

Oak cask darkness at darkness day 2011

 

Joe at my fav beer store had an awesome lineup of more than 40 beers at the tasting. Some of them:

2008 Dark Lord
2008 DFH WWS
2009 DFH Olde School
Vintage Behemoth
2008 and 2009 FBS
Avery Mephistopheles 2009 or 2010
Vintage DFH Raison D'Extra
2012 Ostuchi Old Stock Ale
2010 Double Bastard
Avery Samael's Ale.. don't remember the vintage
Westy 12
Samichlaus Classic Bier
Hoppin Frog Natasha Rocks

to a newbie that was like OMG.. best event so far. Most of these beers from his personal cellar. Thank you Joe. I cannot ask for more on a single day.

 

Surly Moe's Bender at Darkness Day 2010 and 2011. My first beer epiphany.