Improving my top 10

Try some Ten Fidy or Yeti if you are a stout lover. also Founders Imperal Stout is close to the top of the list.

 

"....Will most likely make a beer / ski pilgrimage to Waterbury , Vt for a visit to the Alchemist..."

I believe I read that the Alchemist brewery was going to close to the public.

 

1) I don't have any particular beer recommendations for you-but with your travels you will be hitting a lot of regions and you never know what you are going to come across. Keep checking lists like these: http://www.beeradvocate.com/lists/style/140/

2) If you are able to get out of Chicago a little ways- Three Floyds Brewpub (28-30 miles outside of town) is definately worth the trip. Also- if you can while you are in Vermont get to Hill Farmstead.

For the record-
Everett is my favorite porter
Stone IRS is my favorite non-whale imperial stout
Heady Topper is my Favorite DIPA
There is no matching the quality of celebrator in a dopplebock

 

Bell's Black Note Stout. I just picked one up at a store yesterday, and although I haven't tried it yet, I have heard great things...

 

If you're heading to HF, I'd expect at least a couple of those in your current 10 to be replaced by them. At least.

 

I just scanned the positive deviations in your ratings to see which beers you might prefer more than others. I saw several lighter, Belgian-style examples. It's actually pretty common, but if you haven't had Allagash White yet I would strongly suggest it. Along the same lines, I prefer Weihenstephaner's Hefe to Vitus, so I would give that a go as well.

 

Trillium.

 

You have to get your your hands on

anything from the Alchemist
anything from Lawson's
anything from HF
anything from Fiddlehead
anything from Lost Nation
anything from Otter Creek
anything from Harpoon (not the Mass stuff)
anything from Long trail
anything from Switchback
anything from Magic Hat


Nothing from south of the Mason Dixon line pales in comparison.


Tongue now being taken out of cheek. And apologies to VT brewers I may have missed.

 

When in chicago, the staples will be Anti Hero and Daisy cutter. Both hoppy pales. By the time you get here Pipeworks may be canning Ninja vs Unicorn which is one of the best DIPAs in the country

Come to the great lakes board a week or 2 before your travels. We'll let you know. Or just PM me and we can do an IP trade

 

I'd say six months to a year. It's absolutely delicious

 

thanks mrhartounian. I was only referring to his potential Waterbury trip but I guess I should have specified.

 

You missed the train I was already bashed for mentioning a few Vermont beers for the OP to look out for when he visits next. Be more original next time.

 

In Chicago you should have a chance to pick up Three Floyd's and possibly Surly (limited distribution to CHI area). You can't go wrong with pretty much any beer either of these places put out.

 

While in Atlanta go to SweetWater brewing
If you are ever in Lake George , NY go to Adirondack Pub and Brewery. they have some kick ass beer.
In Cooperstown, NY is Ommegang and in Lakewood, NY is Southern Tier Brewing Co some good ones to see.

If you are ever in Central Florida try some stuff from Cigar City and Rapp Brewing, beer for beer I would put them up against most places

 

Since you're from MA, I'll make one simple suggestion. Check out Kelsen in Derry NH. They are new and small, but have a fantastic selection of beers. Their paradigm brown ale is without question my favorite brown ale ( my second being smuttynose brown dog). They also recently came out with a really good porter ( Draken) and are coming out with a stout later this year. They are also super friendly and love to talk beer....

 

Check out anything by tree house (monson, ma)

 

The only one you got right was Rochefort 10.

 

Based on your top 10, and the beers I have had I would suggest:

Surly Abrasive
Surly Darkness
Toppling Goliath Pseudo Sue
Cigar City Zhukov
Cigar City Hunahpu
Founders Imperial Stout