Is it just me, or does the area seem to lack breweries that produce the most sought-after beers (great regular releases, or limited releases, etc.) For example, California has Alesmith, the Bruery, Russian River; Michigan has Founders and Bells; Florida has Cigar City; Oklahoma has Prairie; Vermont has the Alchemist and Hill Farmstead. The list goes on and on. I ask because I'm always envious of the folks that live close by to any of these places and can access limited release stuff in person, or just stop by the brewery to pick something more rare up. There just doesn't seem to be anything of the sort in the area... Don't get me wrong, I realize we have a ton of great breweries in the area (Southern Tier, Sixpoint, Ithaca being some of my favorites) but just wondering if it's just a matter of perception since the beers made by local breweries are more widely available... or something else.
I don't think they do a ton, but Kane just put out ANTEAD which is pretty highly coveted. That's the only one I can think of immediately though.
Tired Hands seems to be the only one that gives Internet Beer Geeks teh bonerz. But I agree for as many production breweries there are between PA, NY and NJ most people come looking for Russian River when they come to Philly. That's not to say there isn't great beer being made in these states it's just that these breweries have a different business plan than the "be really small and make great beer that is hard to get" variety.
A lot of the breweries in this region have been doing it for quite a while and have big distro's. Limits the "I can't get it" factor. If a couple of the smaller brewer's start knocking it out of the park, this could change. Kane, Carton, Peekskill, Spring House, etc could be the next hyped beer. Since ANTEAD was amazing this year, Kane might be the one stepping to the plate.
For every day drinking, I can get my fill of hoppy ales and German-style lagers far superior to anything coming out of, well, just about any other place in the country. Just because every day beers like HopHands and Prima Pils don't cause the Internet to flip its shit doesn't mean I'm not extremely fortunate to have year-round access to them. Tired Hands does have that air about their special releases, but I'm mostly over them. I can walk in there any day of the week and pull something just as enjoyable from their tap lines. I kind of feel sorry for people who need the chase of a rare beer in order to appreciate a beer's greatness.
Tired Hands, Forest & Main, Selin's Grove, Bullfrog, Spring House (flavored stouts), Kane, Troegs (Splinter series, Nugget Nectar mainly) are all searched out. I think the BA's that are relatively in "the know" look for their stuff. This isn't to say that it's searched out on the scale of Russian River but still. Also, now that Terry has a separate "company" to bottle, I think a lot of his sours from Pizza Boy will be sought after. Burley Oak in MD is another one that has really stepped up their game. I wouldn't be surprised as they start bottling more of their barrel aged stuff if they gain some attention.
I feel, very fortunate to live in SEPA and have so many excellent beers to choose from. There are a number of local production breweries which I seek beers: Victory, Sly Fox, Stoudts, etc. In addition there are a number of high quality brewpubs of which some have been mentioned. Permit me to list some of my favorites: · Tired Hands · Forest & Main · Triumph (New Hope) · Iron Hill (multiple locations) · Barren Hill Tavern & Brewery · Etc. It is only a matter of time before more folks ‘discover’ Barren Hill Tavern & Brewery; the brewer there is Scott Morrison (The Dude) and he makes excellent beers! He was won numerous GABF awards from his previous brewing stints at McKenzie’s and Dock Street. Cheers to Scott (The Dude)!
It does seem the Tri-State breweries are more concerned about their year round beers and seasonal beers than limited releases.
Wait until Other Half in Gowanus, Brooklyn starts doing bottle releases - they've apparently got some good stuff aging right now. They've been absolutely KILLING IT with every beer they release. Their IPAs are possibly the best coming out of NY right now, and that's saying a lot.
I don't think it's open yet (they keep saying "soon"). You can get growler fills at Bierkraft as far as I know, when it's on tap there. A few other bars around Park Slope/South Brooklyn also do growler fills I believe - Double Windsor does baby growlers.
