SF beer week - essential RIS and sour bottled beers for a visitor

Discussion in 'Pacific' started by sanpedro, Dec 14, 2013.

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  1. sanpedro

    sanpedro Initiate (0) Sep 26, 2006 Australia

    I know 'I'm visiting SF threads' are common but I have trawled through threads and got an idea of best bars amd bottle shops to visit in between SF beer week events, so I'm not going to ask that question.

    I'm after some suggestions of what I should look out for in bottles to take back to Australia whilst I'm visiting for SF beer week?

    Specifically imperial stouts, barley wines and sours. I have Pliney and Drake Hopcalypse for DIPAs on my listed and based on other threads have got these stouts as potentials that might be avaiable, BA Speedway, The Abyss, Eclipse Variants, Parabola, Churchill's Finest Hour, BA Old Rasputin, Black Tuesday, Chocolate Rain.

    Are there any seasonal releases in Feb 2014 or year round releases that I should look out for when I'm in town for SF beer week?

    By way of background in Australia we can get the basic range of North Coast, Laguntias, Moylans, Marin, Heretic, Bear Republic & Firestone Walker, so I'm not after those unless there are seasonals I should look out for.

    Some other questions:
    I get the impression in US and Canada that small bottles and cans - 12 oz (not bombers) are only available in 6 packs not singles as a rule, is this right? Random example if I want to try 21st amendment Back in Black in cans I might have to buy a sixer.
     
    #1 sanpedro, Dec 14, 2013
  2. UCLABrewN84

    UCLABrewN84 Initiate (0) Mar 18, 2010 California

    Churchill's isn't distributed for sale. It was only sold to go at the pub in San Marcos. You might be able to do an in-person trade for one though.
     
    #2 UCLABrewN84, Dec 14, 2013
  3. danscott

    danscott Initiate (0) Jul 15, 2006 California

    Most places do not break up 6 packs. A few do.
     
    #3 danscott, Dec 14, 2013
  4. colonelforbin

    colonelforbin Initiate (0) Aug 23, 2007 California

    From your stout list, BA Speedway, Churchill's Finest Hour, Black Tuesday and Chocolate Rain will effectively be impossible to find. You will be lucky to find Abyss and Parabola at that time, though it's a possibility at the right out of the way store (still unlikely). BA Old Rasputin and Eclipse variants should be around due to their prices being fairly high. Revisit this thread closer to February and I and/or other BAs can help you locate good BA stouts that are at local stores.

    If you have desirable beers, in person trades could work for any of the above listed beers, defending on what you have. Would have to work that out in advance, in all likelihood, though.
     
    #4 colonelforbin, Dec 14, 2013
  5. thequillen

    thequillen Initiate (0) Nov 27, 2010 California

    Firestone's Sucaba comes out a month before. That's definitely worth seeking out and there still might be some around
     
    #5 thequillen, Dec 14, 2013
  6. sanpedro

    sanpedro Initiate (0) Sep 26, 2006 Australia

    Thanks for the info guys, I have better idea what to look out for, and I will do as Colonelforbin suggested and check back closer to the time.

    I will have think about trades, but not sure what I can bring from Australia that might be desirable.
     
    #6 sanpedro, Dec 15, 2013
  7. danscott

    danscott Initiate (0) Jul 15, 2006 California

    A bottle of Bundy?

    :wink:
     
    #7 danscott, Dec 15, 2013
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  8. Wowcoolman

    Wowcoolman Pooh-Bah (1,660) Sep 25, 2010 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Russian River sours come in 375 ml bottles (corked and caged) and pack easily to take home. If you're willing to pay the price tag, I second the Eclipse recommendation- Elijah Craig (12 and 18 year) and Four Roses being my favorite variants in distribution. There is also a Java Eclipse.
     
    #8 Wowcoolman, Dec 15, 2013
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