Blue Lobster Brewing experiences?

A $1 3-4oz pour of each was my experience.

 

David is killing it. His Biere de Miel was great.

 

If David made a fruited beliner year round I would get my doctor to write me a perscription for a daily IV-drip. Talk about a great way to improve life.

 

I stopped in at Blue Lobster earlier this month, and I don't want to speak for him, but if I recall correctly David said that ideally he'd like to do just that. I believe the idea was to brew a Berliner year-round (possibly in bottles?) with different fruit from batch to batch. Sounds like a great idea to me. I really had no idea what to expect when I first read about Blue Lobster a year or so ago before they opened, but they are killing it for sure.

 

Grabbed a 2L of Excess on the way up to rafting, had a few tasters including the HamptonWeisse(which is now kicked) and on the way back I had the growler refilled with their Kolsh. Super friendly, very fun, and got a gold claw next door at the pizza spot for lunch. Highly recommend.

 

Made my first visit on Saturday. Unfortunately I think my experience was plagued slightly by my high expectations given comments and ratings on here.

I thought Gold Claw smelled great but fell flat on flavor...almost tasted non-existent. All I tasted was some bitterness and sharp carbonation.

The black IPA lacked a significant hop profile for my tastes in that style.

The Excess DIPA was the all-Columbus version and was an onion bomb. Didn't even finish it. I'd love to try the other "Excess" batch recipes, like the Galaxy edition.

The peat-smoked porter smelled nice but also fell a bit flat on taste. This was a theme for me...a few of the beers seemed to have very sharp carbonation that overshadowed any richness or depth in flavor. (It reminded me of what I don't like about many Harpoon beers.) I really wanted to like the porter, the description was right up my alley.

On the other hand, the Hamptonweisse was really enjoyable (purchased some of that) and it made the perfect accompaniment on the lake this weekend. But the easy standout for me was Stockholm Syndrome - now THAT is a lovely beer. I'll be back to get more growlers of SS, and will still try anything new on tap...and even revisit some of the beers I didn't love the first time. Because one thing I've learned is to never completely write off a beer until you've tried it twice (on two different occasions).

I'll echo the comments regarding the tasting room and staff. Nice space and nice people.

 

Seems I have and opposite opinion on some feedback from this beer but the black IPA is my favorite so far from them. I think it was just hoppy enough and had a lush chocolate flavor I rarely find in black ipas. Usually the flavors end up clashing for me and become astringent when they are too hoppy. This one was really enjoyable for me.

 

I actually don't disagree with you there. I thought the hop profile was just enough to be ok, but that's not what I personally want in the style. And I did get that nice chocolaty malt flavor... I just wished I found that in the porter. The black IPA probably had the most successful malt profile out of everything I tasted.

 

I actually had a pretty similar experience a few weeks ago, but didn't get to try the Hamptonweisse. I echo almost everything you said, includidng going back in a few weeks when I'm up there again on vacation to give them a 2nd try.

 

SS was great when I was there a few months ago...I really with I got a growler of that instead of the double galaxy which was good but not amazing. But I thought Gold Claw was great taste given the %.

 

I went for my first time yesterday and got a flight of samplers, $1 each to include what i remember was an APA, DIPA, Wheat IPA, Black IPA, Kolsch and Porter. I got one of my 750mls rebranded which was awesome and filled the Kolsch. None of the beers blew me away but they were solid. Cool atmosphere and I would definitely go back again.

 

I visited yesterday and I really liked the place. Reminds me of a small eatery without the food. The people were really nice and I left with growlers of Gold Claw, Sweet (Kolsch), & Ragged Neck Porter. They were all great representations of their respective style. I didn't go to the pizza and craft beer restaurant next door; does anyone know if its any good?

 

I went and enjoyed it.

 

Does Blue Lobster fill other brand growlers?

 

yes, as long as it's brown glass. they just put a Blue Lobster sticker on your growler (comes off easily though)

 

How are the lines on Saturdays?

 

Very relaxed. May wait 15 min max.

 

Bring a mule because you are going to want more than 2 of the Prairie Collab beer. It's fantastic.

 

They were selling 4 per on Sunday, and now the berlinerweisser bottle is being released. I read that as it will be there this weekend, anyone else reading that? At this rate I willbe able to drive there in my sleep. Hopefully we can get a status on prairie by Friday. If anyone around me needs it and it is still available I might be able to help someone grab that.

 

Confirming the 4 per person on Prairie Collab. Berliner is 6 bottles per person, 375ml.