Year's best collaborations

Stone/Bear Republic/Fat heads- TBA or Stone/Dogfish Head/Victory Sasion Du Buff

 

You should pick up other Collabs...

 

Boulevard + Pretty Things = Stingo.

 

Like?...i have but havent tried Boulevard/Pretty Things-Stingo and Two Brothers/Brassserie Castelain-Diversey & Lille.

 

TBA

 

It might be the hipster choice but I would go with the "other" New Belgium + Alpine Beer Gouden Vallei. It's pretty obscure so you have probably never heard about it.

I also really liked More Brown than Black. Something in the aroma really really reminded me of passion fruit and I grew up in Hawaii so it instantly connected me back to my childhood.

 

Green Flash x St. Feuillien was amazing

 

Was just going to write this. I was actually surprised at the ratings on BA for this beer. Lower than I would have expected.

 

The first, not the second, right?

 

A few that popped in my head right away...
Hill Farmstead/Alchemist Walden
Hill Farmstead/Tired Hands Delicado
Hill Farmstead/Cigar City Nor

There seems to be a trend here.

 

Super IPA = Alpine Pure Hoppiness.

 

Havn't gotten around to drinking my collage yet.. but I REALLY enjoyed the Super IPA as well.

 

Haven't had too many collaborations this year, but from the ones I've had:
NB/LA Brett Beer: Not impressed, too phenolic, burnt plastic.
NB/Alpine Super IPA: Too sweet & boozy, not enough "fresh"/dry-hop character
SN/RR Brux: Lots of brett character (had it recently), not as much complexity as anticipated. Not worth the price.
Deschutes/HOTD Collage: Interesting, if a bit rough at first. It opened up after a couple sips and some warming up. Perhaps the most interesting beer I have had in 2012. Recommended.

 

I had Brux yesterday and it was freaking amazing to me. Not the best, but realllly good to me.

 

Linchpin White IPA
Super IPA

 

I liked it too, but i couldn't decide if it was a little subdued for the two breweries, or if it was just intentionally really refined and delicate. Had a bit of a futurama fry moment with it.

 

I am also digging the Jester King and Mikkeller Collabs. I have enjoyed everyone that they have put out this year.

 

Didn't try the Green Flash one, I really liked Bier D'Amitie though. Tasted like something totally new rather than just a hoppy belgian golden IMO.

 

De Proef/Hair of the Dog - Flander's Fred (head and shoulders above the rest)
NB/Alpine Brewing - Super IPA
Short's/Half Acre - Freedom of '78

 

I tried it at Green Flash and thought it was terrible (I haven't tried the St. Feuillien version yet). The guys working the taps at the brewery also disliked the beer - just way too much Coriander and hop bitterness, and perhaps some yeasty off-flavors. Who knows, I just thought it was medicinal, oddly spiced and poorly executed. Just a heads-up

I think it's funny all the people that enjoyed Brux. It's a boring beer with very little Brett character...a huge disappointment from those two breweries. Hopefully some age will bring out the Brett and bump this beer up to something of respectable quality. I mean, it was insanely better than New Belgium/Lost Abbey Brett Beer, but that's not saying much.

I was also disappointed in Collage - too much Dissident or pinot barrel gives it a harsh, tannic and almost acetic-like quality. It's complex, yes, but complex doesn't automatically mean good. I love the constituent beers and drink them regularly, but I don't think Collage is ready to drink yet. I have some more bottles in the cellar so I'll try it again in a few months.