Create My Haul

Discussion in 'New England' started by DGabe24, Mar 24, 2014.

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  1. DGabe24

    DGabe24 Initiate (194) Mar 24, 2014 New Jersey

    Hey everyone,

    First post and thread, and I apologize if this is a common repetitive thread here on the boards. I am stopping by a store today on my way home from work and was looking for some suggestions. I'm fairly new to the craft world and was hoping you could point me in a good direction to get started.

    Last week I tried Dog Fish Head 75 and let's just say I'm not advanced enough to appreciate it. Tasted bad, unless it was an old batch like someone mentioned.

    Other than that, my experience consists of stuff like Blue Moon, Sam Adams, Smithwicks, and a Goose Island 312 which was solid.

    Here's the store I'm visiting if anyone wants to see their selection:
    http://www.liquoroutletwinecellars.com/main.asp?request=REGIONPAGE&type=B

    It got good ratings here on BA so I'll give it a shot!

    Thanks in advance to anyone and everyone for the help.
     
    #1 DGabe24, Mar 24, 2014
  2. SirPutzly

    SirPutzly Crusader (469) Sep 11, 2012 Pennsylvania

    I'd say start by trying as much as possible. Do some mixed 6 packs to get a gauge on what you like. If you're into Blue Moon and 312 try a few other Belgian Wheat beers. Allagash White and Dogfish Namaste jumped out to me. Try some lighter ales and lagers as well. Great Lakes Dortmunders Gold, Anchor Steam and Victory Lager are all winners in my book. Try a few low IBU (bitterness unit) IPA's as well. Founders All Day IPA and Troegs Pale Ale come to mind. Really the best way to do it is try as much as possible and see what you like and what you don't. Hope this helps.
     
    #2 SirPutzly, Mar 24, 2014
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  3. abkayak

    abkayak Initiate (0) Jan 8, 2013 New York

    pretty good prices there..imo always good to go early on w/ mixed sixers till you narrow down what you do and don’t like...or stick to styles you know you like...or buy anything from founders and somewhat so from southern tier
     
    #3 abkayak, Mar 24, 2014
  4. DGabe24

    DGabe24 Initiate (194) Mar 24, 2014 New Jersey

    Thanks so much SirPutzly. That's exactly what I was looking for. I know it's tough giving specific advice as taste is very subjective, so I do intend on trying as much as possible, but now I have some direction at least.

    I'll report back with what I picked up and my experience. I picked up a mixed 6 pack once and I had a hard time not trying to drink it all that day, it's like buying yourself a gift you have to slowly open lol

    Yeah abkayak, the mixed 6'ers is what I'll be doing for sure. I didn't even know there was low IBU beers, now I can start looking into them and that will help me hone in what I like.
     
    #4 DGabe24, Mar 24, 2014
  5. jayneo74

    jayneo74 Initiate (0) May 14, 2013 New Jersey

    Welcome to the world of craft. I live 5 minutes from Liquor Outlent. They have a small selection of Pick 6 packs, a huge wall of bombers and many six packs/cases available from various craft brewers. The stuff you stated you liked is all on the beginner side of craft and some of it (blue moon, Smithwicks, Goose Island) isn't really craft. With that said, you may want to try some other wheat beers, lagers, and maybe some pale ales. Maybe pick up some pick sixes and a bomber or two. Stay away from full six packs because if you don't like it, you will probably waste it. Look for stuff by Allagash, Victory, Ramstein (for lagers), Founders and don't be afraid to try new styles. Some of the people there can make decent recommendations, it all depends on who you get. Look stuff up on your mobile phone using BA's mobile site or apps such as untappd.

    Enjoy...
     
    #5 jayneo74, Mar 24, 2014
  6. DGabe24

    DGabe24 Initiate (194) Mar 24, 2014 New Jersey

    Perfect, I'm going to write down the suggestions and use them when I make the 6 packs. I might grab a bomber or two, and I think the one style of beer I'm going to shy away for now is the IPA's. They just don't do it for me, and I read so much positive stuff about them. So I'm guessing it's just comes with experienced and more refined taste buds?

    I live right over in West Milford actually and my brothers in Boonton right up the hill from Walmart. This place couldn't be in more of an ideal location, so I hope I find some good stuff!
     
    #6 DGabe24, Mar 24, 2014
  7. jayneo74

    jayneo74 Initiate (0) May 14, 2013 New Jersey

    Another good way to introduce yourself to craft beer is going to good craft beer bars and ordering a flight. You get 4 small servings of beers to try. Pick 3 you would like and 1 outside of your comfort zone. Right down the block from Liquor Outlet in Boonton is Poor Henry's. They have 23 craft taps and do a good job rotating beers and styles. If you were to go today, you could try a flight of Allagash White (Wheat Beer like Blue Moon), Flying Dog Lucky SOB (Irish Red like Smithwicks), Carton Boat (American Pale Ale like 312) and Rogue Hazelnut Brown Nectar (American Brown Ale - different style you may like).
     
    #7 jayneo74, Mar 24, 2014
  8. DGabe24

    DGabe24 Initiate (194) Mar 24, 2014 New Jersey

    That sounds awesome, definitely going to give it a shot this weekend.
     
    #8 DGabe24, Mar 24, 2014
  9. DGabe24

    DGabe24 Initiate (194) Mar 24, 2014 New Jersey

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    Here's my haul, what do you guys think?
     
    #9 DGabe24, Mar 25, 2014
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  10. MisterBisco

    MisterBisco Initiate (0) Feb 18, 2009 New York

    I've seen mix-6es before, but I have to say, that is one of the most random assortments of beers I've ever seen.
     
    #10 MisterBisco, Mar 25, 2014
  11. abkayak

    abkayak Initiate (0) Jan 8, 2013 New York

    Wake up early drink the stouts for breakfast take it from there...gonna be an epic day
     
    #11 abkayak, Mar 25, 2014
  12. CassinoNorth

    CassinoNorth Initiate (0) Apr 5, 2013 New Jersey

    Liquor Outlet is probably the best store for craft in North Jersey but their mix a six selection leaves some to be desired it's usually pretty pedestrian compared to some I've seen.

    You certainly got variety in that bag though, see what you like then go on Thursdays when they get their new releases and make friends with the shop employees so they'll hook you up.
     
    #12 CassinoNorth, Mar 25, 2014
  13. ImPourTed

    ImPourTed Initiate (0) Feb 27, 2014 New York

    Very random 6ers but i guess thats the best way to find out your favorite styles. From your first post right off the bat i would suggest Allagash White. If belgians are you're style i suggest trying some tripels (la fin du monde, allagash tripel, tripel karmeliet) and quads or saisons.

    IPAs will grow on you eventually, i think Ithica Flower Power is a really good place to start.
     
    #13 ImPourTed, Mar 25, 2014
  14. DGabe24

    DGabe24 Initiate (194) Mar 24, 2014 New Jersey

    Yeah, there was no method to the madness when I was in there. To be honest the mix a six selection wasn't great. They had a huge wall of micros which was awesome, but I didn't want to start dropping $5-8 per bottle of stuff I didn't know I'd even like. So I grabbed what I thought was decent, and next few hauls I'll do the same mix a six but from other stores to continue my search for styles of beer I enjoy.

    Haha I took everyone's advice to try a bunch of different things and go from there. I'm flattered I achieved such randomness

    Sounds like a plan. Had the 312 and Leigenkugel vanilla porter last night. The 312 was actually just kind of average and not as good as I remember it. The vanilla porter surprised me. I started to enjoy it after a few sips and was actually pretty damn good.

    This was my exact experience lol Awesome selection of beers but damn that little section of mix a six was a dissapointment! I'm going to hit a few other stores around north jersey for some mix a six's, like Bottle King, Gary's Wine and Market, etc. and just keep building up some sort of idea about the styles of beer I like.
     
    #14 DGabe24, Mar 25, 2014
  15. DGabe24

    DGabe24 Initiate (194) Mar 24, 2014 New Jersey

    So I got ripped a little for this haul since it is so generic with BMC owned companies lol Oh well, I know it's not the micros people usually look for, but I think it will still serve its purpose!
     
    #15 DGabe24, Mar 25, 2014
  16. abkayak

    abkayak Initiate (0) Jan 8, 2013 New York

    U did great...u tried what u hadn't had...how was breakfast?
     
    #16 abkayak, Mar 25, 2014
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  17. jrnyc

    jrnyc Grand Pooh-Bah (3,012) Mar 21, 2010 New York
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Dive right in. I understand the concept of gateway beers, but go for the good stuff right away. Take a look at top 250 beer list and grab some of the obtainable beers. My first craft beer was Green Flash West Coast IPA. It was so unique to me and fast tracked my craft beer drinking. Now I am a full fledged hop head.

    Also, that DFH 75 should have a bottled on date on neck, when buying IPAs make sure you check the dates on bottle to make sure they are relatively fresh.
     
    #17 jrnyc, Mar 26, 2014
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  18. CassinoNorth

    CassinoNorth Initiate (0) Apr 5, 2013 New Jersey

    Yeah I'm with the poster above me, they should have all of these in stock; Rochefort 10, St Bernardus ABT 12, Nugget Nectar, Stone Enjoy By, Weihenstephaner Hefe, Oskar Blues Ten Fidy, Stone Imperial Russian Stout (just came out this week), Sculpin, La Fin Du Monde.

    Try those for sure, all pretty available top 150 beers.
     
    #18 CassinoNorth, Mar 26, 2014
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  19. mikeburd1128

    mikeburd1128 Maven (1,409) Oct 28, 2011 New Jersey

    Top 250 is great and all, but I think the Beers of Fame will be even better for you. Or hell, figure out what styles you like or want to get into, and look at the top beers in the style. The styles page: http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/style/. Or hell man, next time you're in the area, BM me. I'll meet you there and help you find some stuff if you want. Boonton is great. Maybe we can split some sixers or something so you don't have to commit to the whole thing.
     
    #19 mikeburd1128, Mar 26, 2014
    mythaeus, jrnyc and DGabe24 like this.
  20. DGabe24

    DGabe24 Initiate (194) Mar 24, 2014 New Jersey

    I had them last night actually, and like I mentioned below, that Ruthless Rye IPA surprised me which was pretty cool. The oatmeal milk stout didn't blow me away, and the Blonde Ale just tasted kind of generic to be honest. I'm sure its partially my palate, and partially that these are more macro than micro.

    Thanks for the heads up, I'll make sure to check the dates in the future for sure. I tried the SN Ruthless Rye IPA and it was surprisingly better. It took some warming up to but I started to really taste some good flavor and it made me more interested in finding some good IPA's that work for me.

    Alright I'll write these down today and check them out. Went through 3 of the ones I bought last night while playing some Counter Strike lmao The blonde ale, Ruthless IPA, and the oatmeal milk stout. The stout was kinda average, I'm sure there's better ones, and I'll stay open minded about this style. Like I said that SN IPA actually surprised me. I'm just hesitant to buy some of the better stuff so soon because it's like $8/bottle and that can get pricey quick lol Especially for this trial and error phase I''m going through

    Yea that'd be awesome Mike. My brother lives on Boonton ave and I'm 15mins from there down Rt 23, so I'm always around. That would help a lot to be honest, it's kind of overwhelming with such a huge selection and such little knowledge on what I even like. I used some apps to tell me about the beers, but the apps aren't advanced enough yet to tell me me what I'll like lol
     
    #20 DGabe24, Mar 26, 2014
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