Best Collaboration Beers

over hyped and over priced usually. rarely do I bite. Brooklyn and Schneider did a few that I liked when I could find them cheap enough.
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/45/38700

 

I haven't had many, but what I have had were pretty underwhelming. Nevertheless, I really like collaboration beers as they are a reflection of how important the "community" portion of the craft community is. It's like when you see kick ass musicians get together and make an album. Rarely is the album better than what one of the musicians could have done on their own, but it's still nice to see the camaraderie and support for one another. Collaboration beers are a strength of the craft movement. They increase communication and appreciation among breweries and allow techniques (brewing, marketing, otherwise) to be shared. While the ultimate goal is surely to sell product, there is an element of "good faith" inherent in the process. Such behavior is rare in a world dominated by corporate ideals.

 

Very nicely worded.

 

Much like supergroups they rarely live up to the promise and potential involved.
Surprisingly little seem to be bend on trying to combine characteristic elements of both breweries involved.
Some of them have been interesting.

 

I enjoy them, Pipeworks and 18th st have a few together that are excellent , Three Floyds has a couple with Surly that are not bad either. My favorite is the Revolution/Firestone walker Dos Osos and its like 9$ for a bomber so it is reasonably priced.

 

Interesting how you compared craft beer to the music industry because I've been thinking of many similarities between the 2 industries lately.

 

My thoughts exactly, but I hope the trend continues. I love to support a community/industry that works together to try new things, even if the results are not earth shattering. Sometimes it's the only way to see some breweries make it into my state (another reason they get overhyped before they even show up).

 

There's tons.

 

Saison du Buff by Stone/Victory/Dogfish was an awesome brew. I hope they bring it back.

 

I just found some of Batch 2 can't wait to try.

 

Urine Trouble, Surly/3Floyds. I really would like a barreled aged variety. Just kidding!

 

Just tried Jack's Abby/Evil Twin Jack's Evil Brew last night, thought it was really good. Stone collabs are always good as well

 

Mikkeller / Brewdog / Nøgne Ø - Black Tokyo Horizon

 

Dieu du Ciel / Alchemist Moralite IPA
Dunham / Kissmeyer Leo's Early Breakfast IPA

 

Freedom of 78'-Half Acre and Short's
Ghost Stories Braggot - Cigar City and Bee Nectar
Captain Fantasy- Half Acre and Short"s

Of these beers Freedom of 78' is the only one that I found that was amazing and plan on revisiting every time it is released.

 

Pretty sure they'll brew this every year. Not sure it will always be a national release.

Stone's Dayman IPA was great, can't remember the brewery in Philly they teamed up with.

Super IPA was good, but still paled in comparison to Alpine's own APA's & IPA's. It gave the country a hint of what Alpine does, but not enough to satisfy Alpine regulars.

 

Annica was dat chronica

 

Terrapin and Cigar City Southern Slice

 

Maine Beer Company/Lawson's Fineset Liquids Collaboration Time I was very good.

 

Both have been mentioned, but Otter Creek/Lawson's Double Dose was incredible, and Stone/Farking/Wheaton w00stout was great.

Aside from Double Dose, Jack's Abby/Lawson's Smoked Maple Lager was probably my favorite collab. Really incredible brew.