Which breweries have your favorite core line-ups?

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by BirdsandHops, Jul 1, 2018.

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  1. BirdsandHops

    BirdsandHops Grand Pooh-Bah (3,061) Apr 14, 2008 Oregon
    Pooh-Bah

    With the seemingly increasing focus on seasonals, limited releases, one-offs, membership-only, etc. beers, core beers often get less attention and seem less exciting. Some smaller breweries seem to completely forego the concept now with a constantly rotating tap list. So what are some of you favorite breweries for their core beers that you can pretty reliably get year-round?

    Oskar Blues comes to my mind. While I haven't had Beerito since it's not really my thing, their core beers are all good to great in my book. Going to their Brevard taproom, I'm never disappointed if they only have a few uninteresting tap exclusives on because their core beers are so good.

    Surly also comes to mind. All of their hoppy beers are great (Xtra-Citra, Furious, Overrated, Todd) plus you have Bender and Coffee Bender which are good and Cynic-Ale which is solid.
     
    #1 BirdsandHops, Jul 1, 2018
  2. TonyLema1

    TonyLema1 Pooh-Bah (2,890) Nov 19, 2008 South Carolina
    Pooh-Bah

    The usuals

    Founders
    Bells
    Lagunitas
    Sierra Nevada is probably my favorite of the bunch
     
    #2 TonyLema1, Jul 2, 2018
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  3. rudiecantfail

    rudiecantfail Pooh-Bah (1,927) Aug 9, 2011 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    I love Victory, Lagunitas, Weyerbacher, Troegs, River Horse, Cape May & others. All have reliably available excellent beers.
     
    #3 rudiecantfail, Jul 2, 2018
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  4. dennis3951

    dennis3951 Initiate (0) Mar 6, 2008 New Jersey

    Sierra Nevada
     
    #4 dennis3951, Jul 2, 2018
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  5. mickyge

    mickyge Grand Pooh-Bah (4,232) Nov 1, 2014 Massachusetts
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I'll have to go local on this on
    Jack's Abby
    Wormtown
    Night Shift
    all have really good, readily available and fairly priced core brews
     
    #5 mickyge, Jul 2, 2018
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  6. PatrickCT

    PatrickCT Grand Pooh-Bah (3,776) Feb 18, 2015 Connecticut

    Sierra Nevada.
     
    #6 PatrickCT, Jul 2, 2018
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  7. BalancingBrooms

    BalancingBrooms Pooh-Bah (2,894) Aug 22, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    New Belgium comes to mind. 6 packs of dubbel, triple, and imperial ipa for or under $10. Count me in
     
    #7 BalancingBrooms, Jul 2, 2018
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  8. Riff

    Riff Pooh-Bah (1,673) May 12, 2016 Virginia
    Pooh-Bah

    Sierra Nevada
    Blue Mountain
     
    #8 Riff, Jul 2, 2018
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  9. Troutbeerbum

    Troutbeerbum Initiate (0) Dec 5, 2016 Maine

    Reliably year round=
    Sierra Nevada and Oskar Blues. It used to be Sierra Nevada and Otter Creek, but with the discontinuation of Backseat Berner and lack of fresh (within reason) mix packs, Oskar Blues has my money. Probably will go back to Otter Creek in the fall if coffee stout is still in the offering.
     
    #9 Troutbeerbum, Jul 2, 2018
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  10. ManBearPat

    ManBearPat Pooh-Bah (1,813) Dec 2, 2014 Colorado
    Pooh-Bah

    Odell hands down:
    Cutthroat
    90
    Ipa
    Rupture
    Drum roll
    Aaaand my new favorite beer... Colorado Lager
     
    #10 ManBearPat, Jul 2, 2018
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  11. WesMantooth

    WesMantooth Grand Pooh-Bah (4,844) Jan 8, 2014 Ohio
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Interesting question because a handful of my favorite breweries have a very sub par core lineup in my opinion. Would have to think about it for awhile, but my gut reaction (assuming year round offerings) would be Bell’s, Lagunitas, or Sixpoint
     
    #11 WesMantooth, Jul 2, 2018
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  12. HorseheadsHophead

    HorseheadsHophead Grand Pooh-Bah (3,732) Sep 15, 2014 Colorado
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Damn. Can't we include seasonals as a regular lineup? As long as they're regular seasonals? So many of my favorite beers from my favorite breweries are seasonals.
     
    #12 HorseheadsHophead, Jul 2, 2018
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  13. jakecattleco

    jakecattleco Grand Pooh-Bah (3,749) Sep 3, 2008 California
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Firestone Walker (if I can get it fresh).

    Jealous of those with access to Odell.
     
    #13 jakecattleco, Jul 2, 2018
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  14. RMW66

    RMW66 Savant (1,233) Sep 18, 2016 Australia
    BA4LYFE Society

    Of those I have had the good fortune to have tried and have reasonably regular access to I highly rate:
    Prairie Artisan Ales
    Founders
    Ballast Point
    Alesmith
    Firestone Walker
    Melvin
    Oskar Blues
    Arrogant Brewing
    Stone
    Westvleteren
    St Bernardus
    Rochefort
    Rodenbach
    Samuel Smith
    Unibroue
    Seems like a long list (and I am sure there are others) but I am always happy if I have one of these to hand. There is an even longer list of brewers whose beers I don't have access to but I reckon would also be outstanding and I would love to have the chance to add!
     
    #14 RMW66, Jul 2, 2018
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  15. shadyside

    shadyside Maven (1,270) Feb 27, 2011 Georgia

    Ommegang, Boulevard and St. Bernardus
     
    #15 shadyside, Jul 2, 2018
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  16. Fordcoyote15

    Fordcoyote15 Pooh-Bah (2,368) Nov 19, 2011 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Great lakes... world class German lagers, stellar porter, great pale ale etc...
     
    #16 Fordcoyote15, Jul 2, 2018
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  17. mkh012

    mkh012 Pooh-Bah (1,787) May 7, 2015 Colorado
    Pooh-Bah

    Kane's core is one-dimensional probably (a pale ale, IPA, and DIPA) but they're all solid and consistent representations of their respective styles. Being able to stroll in almost always and buy Sneak Box cans is nice.
     
    #17 mkh012, Jul 2, 2018
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  18. SoCal_Matt

    SoCal_Matt Savant (1,012) Jul 13, 2014 California
    Trader

    As many others have mentioned, Sierra Nevada would be one of my top picks. The other one that immediately comes to mind is Modern Times - especially now that Orderville is in cans and year round.
     
    #18 SoCal_Matt, Jul 2, 2018
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  19. Shanex

    Shanex Grand Pooh-Bah (4,960) Dec 10, 2015 France
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Sierra Nevada is a winner.

    Although Flying Dog while not overly popular here produce so many new beers every month that I wouldn’t rule them out.
     
    #19 Shanex, Jul 2, 2018
  20. Shanex

    Shanex Grand Pooh-Bah (4,960) Dec 10, 2015 France
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Regarding Belgium I will have to choose Brasserie d’achouffe.
     
    #20 Shanex, Jul 2, 2018
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