Planning my first beer trip, suggestions please?

Discussion in 'New England' started by SteelCity75, Mar 6, 2013.

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  1. SteelCity75

    SteelCity75 Initiate (0) Jan 14, 2013 Connecticut

    I'm planning on making a trip up to Pittsburgh pretty soon, and here is the list of brewers that they have that I've never tried. Any suggestions are welcome. I've got a short list that I want to try for sure, but I don't want to miss any really good beers, so I figured I'd see if you guys really like anything that I have overlooked.

    Victory, Tröegs, Erie, Lancaster, Full Pint, Bell’s, Brooklyn, 21st Amendment, New Holland, Boulder, Great Divide, Oskar Blues, Furthermore, Ballast Point, Peak Organic, Lagunitas, Duck Rabbit, Green, Flash, Founders, Stone, Unibroue,Young’s, Belhaven, Baltika, Sapporo, Czechvar, Wexford, Tetley’s, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu, Franziskaner, Lindemans, Corsendonk, Delirium, Kasteel.

    I know that's a lot of breweries, so feel free to shout out any suggestions among those breweries that you liked. My favorite types are IPAs and stouts, but I'm always willing to try anything once.
     
  2. RblWthACoz

    RblWthACoz Initiate (0) Aug 19, 2006 Pennsylvania

    Here are some more for your list:
    Draai Laag - if you like Belgian style ales. Limited availability though
    AleSmith - gotta know where to find it in the city, but you like IPAs, and theirs are world class.
    Coronado - IPAs are available in the 'Burgh
    Stillwater
    Russian River - Damnation only at the moment
    Terrapin
    Lost Abbey
    Elysian
    Rivertowne - they are canning now

    Suggestions on the breweries listed: any beer style they make that you are interested in, I'd buy. Baltika is Ba-boring. Sapporo too.
     
  3. Jake1605

    Jake1605 Initiate (0) Nov 24, 2009 Missouri

    Founders & Bell's are incredible. Great experiences will be had at those breweries. While in Michigan, try Jolly Pumpkin & New Holland.a little South hit up 3 Floyds, not too far outside Chicago. Worth the drive, hit up New Glarus in Wisconsin & Surly in Minneapolis.
     
  4. Jake1605

    Jake1605 Initiate (0) Nov 24, 2009 Missouri

    Are Russian River & Lost Abbey beers available in that area?
     
  5. RblWthACoz

    RblWthACoz Initiate (0) Aug 19, 2006 Pennsylvania

    :-)
     
  6. RblWthACoz

    RblWthACoz Initiate (0) Aug 19, 2006 Pennsylvania

    In addition, regarding available IPAs:

    Fat Head's Head Hunter - top rated IPA, must find/get for you
    Evolution Lot No. 3
    Twisted Pine
    Maine Beer Company - you like hops, so they're for you
    Great Lakes Brewing
    East End Big Hop

    I can't think of anything else besides those at the moment.
     
  7. atomic

    atomic Pundit (945) Sep 22, 2009 Illinois

    IMO damnation is over rated, and severely over priced. Russian River is an amazing brewery but that doesn't mean everything they touch turns to gold. I'd skip paying $5+ for a 12oz of this.

    But thats just like, my opinion man
     
    JackHorzempa and Tballz420 like this.
  8. Tballz420

    Tballz420 Initiate (0) Mar 4, 2003 Minnesota

    Bummer that you're taking a beer trip and aren't going to San Diego, Oregon or Colorado.

    Most of those breweries aren't actually located where you'll be, but looking over the list, if you are just planning on trying their beers out, you should be pretty set.

    I'd drop the Hofbrau, Franziskaner, Lindemans, Sapporo, and Czechver, and presusmably everything off of the last half of your list besides Delirium though (Hacker-Pschorr is dank, but its common. If you don't have access then give it a try).

    Where the hell do you live that you don't have access to any of your wants?
     
  9. SteelCity75

    SteelCity75 Initiate (0) Jan 14, 2013 Connecticut

    Well I guess the term "beer trip" means going to a brewery, I'm just going up north to go a beer shop to get new stuff, I'm not going to any breweries. And I love in West Virginia. Or in other words, the worst beer state in America.
     
  10. Tballz420

    Tballz420 Initiate (0) Mar 4, 2003 Minnesota

    Ah I see. Well in that case, I would recommend getting anything that you don't have access to that sounds appealing.

    To be honest, besides Sapporo, all of the breweries I told you to avoid I've liked their stuff. If you're just taking a road trip to grab a bunch of tasty brews, then just grab away. The entire point of the sport is to try all sorts of stuff and find out what you like
     
    PapaGoose03 likes this.
  11. SFACRKnight

    SFACRKnight Grand Pooh-Bah (3,348) Jan 20, 2012 Colorado
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    You should have gone to denver... :wink:
     
  12. Treyliff

    Treyliff Grand Pooh-Bah (5,025) Aug 10, 2010 West Virginia
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Sapporo, hofbrau, fanziskaner and lindemans are all available in WV. I'd definitely go for some Founders and Stone, you can't go wrong with any of their beers.
     
  13. Stinger80OH

    Stinger80OH Initiate (0) Nov 11, 2011 Ohio


    While in PGH, you really should try to make it to some of the area's drinking establishments. I recommend Hofbrauhaus, Church Brew Works, and East End. If you are short on time, skip those, go to Fat Head's, enjoy.
     
  14. PapaGoose03

    PapaGoose03 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,057) May 30, 2005 Michigan
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    Bell's, Founders and New Holland make great beers, so choose anything you find from them. The notables that you should easily find and get are Two Hearted IPA, Porter, and Kalamazoo Stout from Bell's, Founders Porter (but everything from Founders is notable), and New Holland's Dragon's Milk (if you like bourbon-barrel beers). New Holland's Pilgrim's Dole (wheatwine) is also on store shelves now, and it's a great beer.
     
  15. RyFikes

    RyFikes Zealot (591) Jan 3, 2013 New York

    I visited Troegs last year. I missed out on a tour, but it was still a real good time. Great atmosphere, it makes you want to sit down, relax, and drink all afternoon.
     
    OleDixie likes this.
  16. PapaGoose03

    PapaGoose03 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,057) May 30, 2005 Michigan
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    Yeah, we call this a 'beer run.'
     
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  17. hopfenunmaltz

    hopfenunmaltz Pooh-Bah (2,647) Jun 8, 2005 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah

    You should go to the Fathead's bar and have the Headhunter IPA.

    There is a Hofbraeuhaus in Pittsburgh if you want to go.
     
  18. VitoFerrante

    VitoFerrante Initiate (0) Sep 11, 2012 Pennsylvania

    You need to hit Full Pint and the Export, PA Rivertowne canning facility. Full Pint has a ton of beers that are high quality and Rivertowne is a serious contender. Also Penn Brewery. All good and super local quality!
     
  19. jbdpsu82

    jbdpsu82 Pundit (942) Aug 28, 2012 Pennsylvania
    Trader

    Lost Abbey is readily available in central PA. I know a place in York that has a shelf full of Lost Abbey stuff (of course it's not Cable Car or Duck Duck Gooze; I imagine that sold out rather quickly. Probably have to get there right when it comes in)

    As for Russian River... nowhere that I've noticed.
     
  20. sammy806

    sammy806 Pundit (834) Feb 29, 2008 Maryland

    If you're just looking for single bottles/six packs to try, you need to check out which places can sell as such in PA. Some strange laws there. Not sure of the route you would take to Pittsburgh and back but you may want to consider a detour to Vintage Estates in Boardman, Ohio, about an hour or so from Pittsburgh. Great selection. You can sample while you shop and flatbreads are available to nosh. Also, try to check out Bocktown.
     
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