I have a friend visiting Florida, South Carolina, & NY this week. I'm looking for recommendations from people on what I should ask them to bring me back to CA for beers that are good and we can't get out here.
Lots of great breweries in South Carolina. Anything and everything from Coast and Westbrook is worth picking up. Thomas Creek is pretty solid, RJ Rockers are OK.
I have received some Horsehead beers in BIF's lately and really liked them. That would be my recommendation for the New York area.
For florida i will second the cigar city recomendation as well as add saint somewhere if you are a fan of saisons.
brooklyn local 1 is a good one that stands out and is easy to get. sixpoint sweet action is great too. anything from ommegang
For NY - I strongly recommend Captain Lawrence in whatever style you like. Can't help with FL & SC though.
When your friend is in S.C. he should be able to get his hand on some Sweetwater. It's from ATL but he should be able to run into some--great stuff.
For identifying beers available in all of your mentioned states, but not in CA try http://www.seekabrew.com/
"Thomas Creek is pretty solid..." Disagree. With probable limited carrying space, Thomas Creek would be a waste of time. Pedestrian beers at best. R J Rocker's Black Perle is pretty good, Westbrook & Coast are worthy. Terrapin would be a better choice than Sweetwater IMAHO.
Cigar City 1st, Terrapin 2nd (7nth Sun and Dunedin shouldn't be discounted in Florida but I'm not sure how much they bottle). Sweetwater is just OK and St Somewhere is really hit and miss for me. Should be able to get Duck Rabbit in SC.
I think Atlanta brewing co, now called red brick. They make one of my favorite porters period. http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/864/58984/?ba=bros sold all over Florida I would think. I tried all their beers and this one is the winner.
