Your thoughts on Trader Joe's brews

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by TurkeyFeathers, Jun 29, 2014.

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  1. TurkeyFeathers

    TurkeyFeathers Initiate (0) Jun 22, 2014 New York

    Had a couple last night JosephsBrau Bavarian Hefeweizen : it was decent for $1.09

    Boatswain Double IPA : $3 bomber. Not real hoppy and a bit of DFH 90 min caramel/malt taste. I'd drink it again

    Fat Weasel Ale : Ok red ale. Again for $1.09

    By no means the best beers I've had but not ashamed to say they were ok.
    Did build a 6 pack of a few Sixpoint beers for next to nothing $
     
    creepinjeeper likes this.
  2. offthelevel_bytheplumb

    offthelevel_bytheplumb Maven (1,277) Aug 19, 2013 Illinois

    I thought it was no good.
    I split a bomber of it with a buddy. If someone else payed for a bomber, and wanted to split it with me, I wouldn't turn it down. I'd never pay for it.

    I did enjoy the Vintage Ale from 2013, and I'm letting one sit for a year. I will continue to buy those annually for sure! I'm not as encouraged to try any of the other offerings.
     
  3. ONovoMexicano

    ONovoMexicano Initiate (0) Jun 14, 2012 New Mexico

    The San Jose beers, most of which I think are brewed by Gordon Biersch, can be pretty solid. The TJ's Summer is a decent kolsch.

    Stockyard Stout is excellent and I think is one of the brews that Firestone Walker does from them. Ditto the Anniversary Ale Imperial Brown. At least I really enjoyed it, although others on here didn't seem to as much.

    Finally, the Vintage Ale and other Unibroue beers are always outstanding and the price is unbeatable.

    Bottom line, check where the brew is made and if it's San Jose, it'll be decent, Paso Robles or Montreal and it will be great.

    The Wisconsin beers, of which Boatswain is one, are the least enjoyable I'd say.
     
  4. TheBrewo

    TheBrewo Initiate (0) Nov 11, 2010 New York

    We haven't minded the ones that we've tried. They probably get a few brownie points though because of their relationship with Firestone Walker.
     
  5. DarkDragon999

    DarkDragon999 Maven (1,331) Feb 13, 2013 Rhode Island

    Trader Joe's in RI doesn't sell alcohol. Very disapointing.
     
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  6. sharpski

    sharpski Grand Pooh-Bah (3,100) Oct 11, 2010 Oregon
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    The Mission St. Beers are from Firestone Walker, but FW is getting out of the contract brewing business (my guess is because they want the production capacity for themselves), so TJ's will have a new brand produced by Golden Road from LA.
     
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  7. jesskidden

    jesskidden Grand Pooh-Bah (3,145) Aug 10, 2005 New Jersey
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Apparently that is ending - Firestone Walker to Exit Contract Brewing Market.

    Ol' Burro brand. :rolling_eyes:

     
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  8. SirBottlecap

    SirBottlecap Initiate (0) Jan 28, 2013 California

    Stockyard Stout is also brewed by Gordon Biersch in San Jose. At least that's what the bottles from San Jose TJ's say. The Mission St. Anniversary is about the best $3 you'll ever spend!
     
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  9. Morakaton

    Morakaton Initiate (0) May 6, 2013 Michigan

    Been buying Vintage Ale sjnce 2011. Working on a 3 year vertical, $5 is cheap for a high quality Belgian Dark =D
     
  10. Donco

    Donco Pooh-Bah (1,639) Aug 12, 2013 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    Yep...same in "Backwards Land" (PA):angry:
     
  11. Foyle

    Foyle Maven (1,481) Sep 29, 2007 North Carolina

    I've only tried one -- the 2012 Vintage Ale. I thought it was very good (not excellent or outstanding, but still very enjoyable).
     
    Modernrickk likes this.
  12. MiWolfman

    MiWolfman Initiate (0) Aug 31, 2013 Michigan

    IMO Trader Joe's beer is great for their price. Recently I purchased a 6 pack of Stockyard Stout for less than 6 dollars. That is cheaper the some bottled water. Looking forward to try their other styles
     
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  13. mnredsoxfan69

    mnredsoxfan69 Initiate (0) Dec 27, 2013 Minnesota

    The 2013 is very good, but it need's some aging. I need to pick up a few for my cellar before they disappear.
     
  14. Eriktheipaman

    Eriktheipaman Pooh-Bah (2,303) Sep 4, 2010 California
    Pooh-Bah

    The Joseph Brau Summer has the most Diacityl from any commercial beer I've had. The other beers in the line are decent though for the price.
     
    IndyDad likes this.
  15. kell50

    kell50 Pooh-Bah (2,334) Jul 25, 2007 North Carolina
    Pooh-Bah

    Mission Street IPA is solid. Great price too, at 7$ a six pack.

    Stockyard Oatmeal Stout is one of my all time favorite of the style.

    Also, I never miss grabbing multiple bottles of Vintage Ale around the holidays.

    Trader Joes is great.
     
  16. ThisWangsChung

    ThisWangsChung Pooh-Bah (2,988) Oct 15, 2011 Maryland
    Pooh-Bah

    Their Stockyard oatmeal stout is genuinely amazing for its cheap price.
     
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  17. Seanvino

    Seanvino Devotee (399) Jan 5, 2009 California

    The Joseph Brau line is solid with Pale Bock, Dunkel Weizen and Winter Lager being in my favorites. The Stockyard Oatmeal Stout is an outstanding value. All the above mentioned are brewed by Gordon Biersch and have easy to read best by dating on the back label. The Vintage Ale and Golden Ale from Unibourne are real nice. Just had the Ol' Burro Tap 79 IPA (Golden Road) is a solid IPA and a good value but the packages don't seem to have a date on them and only 1 of the 4 cans had a readable date on the bottom of the can. Sad to see the Mission Street line going away and my local TJ's are already out of bombers. Wish I was able to grab a couple of Browns before they left the house.
     
  18. sixerofelixir

    sixerofelixir Initiate (0) Oct 27, 2009 Ohio

    I've been very impressed with the quality and price of Trader Joe's offerings. My three favorites so far:
    • Josephs Brau Bohemian Lager
    • Mission Street Anniversary Ale 2013
    • Trader Joe's Providential Belgian-Style
     
  19. Mouserat

    Mouserat Initiate (0) Dec 12, 2013 California

    When is this happening? I pick up a 6-pack every time I shop there and really like mission st. for the price
     
  20. MTBrewr

    MTBrewr Initiate (0) Jan 9, 2014 Minnesota

    In my opinion all the JosephBrau brews are very bland and there is nothing special to them. However, they are a great way to experience a ton of different styles for really cheap.
     
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