I am going to be attending a beer tasting party this coming weekend and I am responsible for bringing a 6 pack (or equivalent volume) of 2 different styles of beer.... IPA & Barleywine. I am looking for suggestions of good options for both that are somewhat easily accessible. Any help or suggestions is much appreciated?
It might help to know the make up of the group. I would give a different recommendation if they are hard core beer nerds or are recent converts.
Only a few of us are hard core about beer... the rest are mostly recent converts. So I am kind of in a weird spot, where I want to bring something that us more hard core can get a really cool experience, but at the same time not overwhelm the majority of newbies.
SN Bigfoot. Good Barleywine. You should have a TON of IPA options up there. Something by New Glarus out of Wisconsin maybe?
Looking at this a little differently. I think the hardcore contingent will need to understand that there are relative newbies involved and maybe temper expectations accordingly. This is a really good opportunity for advocacy, in my opinion, where the more adventurous veterans can help provide some guidance for the initiates. I guess maybe the expectations of the vets should maybe be tempered a little such that everyone understand it might not be the most adventurous tasting event and looked upon more as a teaching opportunity. It's hard to hit that cross section where everyone will be satisfied. You don't want to bore the regulars and you don't wantto scare of the new folks. The tastings I have enjoyed have run the gamut - some "easy" stuff and some over the wall things, but always a talk about each beer to set the expectations. And nobody has to come across as a know-it-all either, just kind of a guided tour. I like hearing about the more "pedestrian" offerings, seeing if I can learn something new. Then I also like to expand my "range" and taste something that might be more of a challenge - new style or a different representation of a familiar style. So an IPA - maybe an easy one like Founder's All Day and a more intense one to expand palates, for instance. Not sure any barley wines could be called "easy"... Echo checking with the natives as well - in MI you have plenty of choices, I believe!
I would buy three of each or split the beer with a variation on the barleywine english vs american. The hops will all taste the same after a whileso a good sample fo each beer is more important than trying 6 different beers.
If you want to keep your beers as being Michigan produced, I'll suggest Bell's Two Hearted, Founders All Day IPA, Tapistry's Reactor, or Black Rocks 51k. (Choose whichever of these that you find that is the freshest.) For Barleywines, how about Arcadia's Cereal Killer or Bell's Third Coast Old Ale (it's actually a barleywine regardless of what its name is). Barleywines are just now coming into season, so these beers may not be found on too many store shelves yet. I know that Arcadia has the Cereal Killer available at the Battle Creek brewery (probably in Kzoo too), although it's probably last year's version. (Which is okay if it's a year old.)
If you or any of your beer buddies has a Saturn from Bell's, I'd definitely suggest using that to fill a BW slot. I've had several people (family and friends) say that it's one of the best beers they've had, and it's only getting better as we speak. Being from Michigan you should have some, or know someone who has some. Inexpensive to boot, which is always a plus. I also second the Third Coast Old Ale and Cereal Killer (aged a coupe years if at all possible for an extra "wow" factor). As for IPA's, a couple very approachable balanced ones (balanced meaning more malt than say, All Day or 51k, would be Super G by White Flame and Reactor by Tapistry. Hope you have a great time! Tastings always are in my experience.
Another option for an IPA is New Holland Mad Hatter. They reformulated the recipe this year and it's an improvement over the old version. Some of my friends that had "given up" on the beer were pleasantly surprised by it.
Great suggestions mother goose! I second all of those, especially 51k. Not sure if double/imperial ipa's are fair game but fresh Dirtwolf is amazing if you're not sticking with MI breweries. Or a howler/growler of Kuhnhenn DRIPA if you're close to Warren.
I forgot to mention Citra pale ale/ipa from oddside if it's fresh. Eight degrees plato in Ferndale should have everything you're looking for if you live close to ferndale
