What are your opinions of the best readily/currently available locals that are bottled/canned? I think my current favorite beer from Texas is Ranger Creek Small Batch #7 http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/23672/107943/ Any else have any suggestions I should try?
I think that beer has been pretty underrated due to their relatively shitty previous offerings. I'm almost certain it would be rated higher if it was a Karbach or Lakewood release.
Temptress is a solid imperial milk stout and probably the best "shelf" beer from DFW. Revolver Blood & Honey is worth a try. It didn't wow me, but some people love it. Community Mosaic, see above. I haven't liked any of Ranger Creek's beers and stopped buying them altogether after their responses here about their infected beers. Too much good craft beer around to waste my money on that.
Yeah, I did not know that they released Batch 7, and considering the mess that was the previous 1-5, I just gave up on that (did not bother with 6, and apparently 7). There are a ton of great breweries in Texas right now, and I am not shy with my opinion. Still, after how many years, the best single beer made in Texas is Live Oak Hefeweizen.
Doh, sorry, overlooked the part about bottled/canned. Still, LO Hefe is one of my favorites. As far as DFW goes, Community Trinity Tripel is excellent, and has been a staple in my fridge for a while.
Texas Big Beer is putting out some really interesting stuff lately. Don't overlook them. Very excited to try their White Chocolate Porter. It's a Queen's Limited Release.
Community and Cedar Creek definitely earned their GABF medals with Public Ale and Dubbel. The Lakewood Legendary Series has put out nothing bad to date. I don't know why, but I love the Rahr LaGrange and stock up on it every year. Peticolas Sit Down is now my favorite local though. It's gettin' good round these parts.
