Average acclaimed beers that overwhelmed you?

I really like Widmer Bros Shaddock IPA. I thought it was pretty darn tasty.

Agree with Sweetwater IPA. I drank that stuff all week on vacation.

 

I thought the Boatswain HLV from Trader Joe's was really good value for the money.
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/435/76400

7%ABV, very drinkable, not mind-blowing by any means but a lot better than the standard BMC offerings out there (except obviously goose island)

 

Just went out and picked up 2 Double Bastards and 2 Lukcy Bastards... while at the store I saw XS Rogue IIPA. Never heard of it, but cool ceramic growler. Bought. Drank. Loved. I have no idea how acclaimed it is, but it Overwhelmed me!

Havent had the Bastards yet...

 

Fresh Saratoga Ipa was a mind blower to me this summer! Never Expected so much juicy tropical citrus fruit and bitter pine! FANTASTIC!

 

After my first one Friday, still wondering how Rumpkin doesn't rate as exceptional/world-class.

 

Widmer Pitch Black IPA and Brrrrrrboun are the first two that I thought of.

 

Thanks Grizzwranglin -- I've been reading this thread and holding my tongue because I can't say this beer is "average" or gets mixed reviews, but its relative lack of availability in the States for 8 years made it go down somewhat re: visibility. Thanks to Latis Imports.... Theakston's Old Peculier is finally available again (here in TX, at least), and it's just utterly phenomenal. Being more of a gin drinker than beer, it's rare that a beer completely blows me away --- but Old Peculier is absolutely one that does. Actually, just re-checking the OP review, BA'ers give it an 88 average, or merely "Good". Nice, so Old Peculier actually does fit the definition at the beginning of this thread. I've always had a strong partiality for Sam Smith's TaddyPorter/NutBrownAle and Wychwood Hobgoblin.... but I truly love Old Peculier. "The Legend", indeed.

 

Thornbridge Saint Petersburg - or at least the cask version. I still kind of regret only ordering 4 oz of it, because it was honestly much better than the bottle of Parabola I payed out the ass for that night.

 

Was just thinking recently...How Pretty Things Babayaga doesn't score well over 4 (or well over 90) is beyond me.


Also off the top of my head, I think Wachusett Green Monsta IPA deserves a lot more credit. Great fresh.

And another vote for Midas touch.

 

It has a good rating, but I never hear much about Bear Republic's Hop Rod Rye Ale. Then there's Revival Imperial Octoberfest, which I find amazing.

 

Without a doubt, Central Waters BA Cherry Stout!!! I love this stuff and all I can come up with it not getting its due acclaim is that the tart cherries just aren't for most. Hush, keep it quite as I don't want too many stealing it.

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/652/35984

 

I've always loved Left Hand's Milk Stout, but I had it on nitro-tap for the first time this weekend and could.not.stop.raving. It was wonderful.

 

I've always had a thing for Sam Adams Octoberfest. I have no idea what it is but whenever I have it one tap, or even in a glass for that matter I just savor every sip. An October staple for me.

 

Fresh Yazoo Hop Project is a great, easy-drinking beer.

 

Didn't even know they shipped bottles of the helles to North America - it's only available in cans here in Ontario.

 

Hell yeah, that's a fine beer right there. Liberty Ale as well.

Well, if were going to go with beers so commonly available they don't even cross peoples minds anymore, I really enjoy Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. And Summerfest too.

 

Shiner Bock and most other Shiner beers (I'm a Texan and love me some Shiner). Have been drinking a lot of Sweetwater, especially the IPAs, while in the southeast and think it is underrated. Also had some Blue Moon Harvest Pumpkin this fall and thought it was better than a lot of the higher rated pumpkin beers I tried this year.

 

I think the Smuttynose "Finestkind" IPA is one of the best examples of an American IPA I can get easily. It's a perfect IPA for around $8 where I Live.