Too Many Beers To Try!

[Trent]

Gday guys
I am still overseas, but I have been as busy as a one legged man in an arse kicking competition, so I havent even been checking the internet, just been visiting friends and my fiancees relo's, and the odd brewery. Anyway, I will try and put up some pics another time, but just a quick post to let ya's knnow about beers I have tried. Just about all of the Phillips beers in Canada were really really good. I called him up when I was in Victoria, BC, and he let me come over to his brweery, gave me a pint of his espresso stout to drink while he showed me round. It was a fairly simple set-up, he is just in a commerical shed, with a few 20 hec fermenters (2000 L?), and he has 4 x 30 hec ones, and will be taking delivery of 2 more 30 hec in the next week or so. He's only a young fella, about 32 or so, and graciously gave me about half an hour of his time, and seeings as they are running at capacity, that was alot for him to give. I went to Vancouver Island brewery for an official tour, and got to taste all their beers, and most of them were pretty nice. I am not really into lagers, but their pilsner was delicious. I was the only guy on the tour that day, so when the assistant brewer walked past, I asked him how late in the boil they added their Czech hops to have such a good hop aroma/flavour. He told me they boiled them for 35 mins! I have a feeling he was not very assistant. Anyway, also went to the Canoe Club brewpub which has an almost faultless brown ale, and to spinnakers, which has a really good raspberry amber, scotch ale, and brown ale. Victoria (vancouver Island) has about 6 microbreweries and about as many again in brewpubs. Great place to visit. Now I am in LA, visiting mates, and I have been drunk since I got here! Straight into the SNPA again, then back into Arogant *******. I dont know if it is cause I have been brewing some fairly bitter beers, or my palate has matured, but it isnt as offensive or heavy as I remembered (as others on this site have said). Still a nice beer though. Went to the Library Alehouse for dinner last night, and tried a heap of different beers. they have hoegaarden and chimay on tap, as well as 27 other beers. Tried a hemp beer, a very tasty apricot wheat beer, some good browns, racer 5 IPA, and a few nice pales. There were a few that werent to my taste, but ya cant win em all. Right now I am staritng my stone appreciation night, cause my mate got me every special release for the lasst year. I am sipping on the Stone Imperial Russian Stout, the thickest pouring beer I have ever seen, you cant see through it ever holiding it to direct suun. It has some real roast/coffee/chocolate notes with some real kick at 10.8%. Very tasty. It gets better as it warms, and I am off to buy a few more bottles as a shop on the corner here still has a few bottles. About to get into the smoked Porter, then the Ruination IPA. Have the Double *******, Vertical Epic and Old Guardian Barleywine to go, but will save them till tomorrow when my palate is capable of tasting again. The Anniversary ale came out yesterday, so will be buying a few bottles of that when I find it. Actually on the Smoked Porter now (takes me a long time to typwe when I am under the influence) very nice porter, but not much smoke taste at all. Will be heading to the Stone Brewery for a tour on friday (I hope), and will be trying as many beers as I possible can between now and when I get home next week. Should also be visiting Pizza Port amd maybe Alesmith. The supermarket 2 blocks down has about 60 or 70 different beers, so I cant imagine I will be much use for the next few days, but if I get a chance I will learn how to put pictures onto the computer! And if anyone knows of any beers that shouldnt be missed while I am here, please let me know.
All the best, and I hope the weather is perferct for brewing
Trent

 

[Gough]

Bloody hell Trent :beerbang: Even by your standards that seems like a pretty powerful session :chug: Half your luck mate...

Keep tryin' them Yankee beers :beerbang: Is there a 'green with envy' emoticon around here anywhere?

Shawn.

 

[Doc]

Awesome Trent. You are definitely making the most of it.
The only one I'd add to the list is Pliny the Elder (Russian River Brewing). The only place you can get it in SD (that I could find) is at The Liars Club in Mission beach. The Liars club is an interesting bar. Very bohemian and eclectic.
Take some photos if you can of the Stone Brewery. I didn't make it there. It was too far out of town when I didn't have a car, and had already racked up a decent amount of dosh on cab fares.

Beers,
Doc

 

[kook]

Sounds like a load of fun Trent. Good luck with the beer hunting!!

You'll love Pizza Port and Alesmith. I've never made it there but I've tried Alesmith Barrel Aged Old Numbskull, and a few of the Stone beers (Runation IPA, Arrogant ******* & IPA).

 

[Weizguy]

Go hard, young Trent. :chug:

So, I believe that U R leaving all your clothes in the U.S. so U can bring more weight in beer back home.... :lol:

Will be great to catch up on your return, and U can give me some feeback on my Arrogant clone.

Seth :beerbang:

 

[Trent]

Gday all
Just a quick on this time (honest). I will try and put a few pics up next weekend when I get home. I must clarify, that a the nights when I have been trying 10 or 15 different beers, it has been in taster size glasses (4oz). Still gets ya hammered but. I have so far tried about 50 different beers, it has been a marathon, but an enjoyable one. The reason for this post, is I was just picking up some food in Trader Joes in Santa Monica, and they have James Squire Amber and Porter available there! You cant buy a case, only by the 6 pack, and cop this - it is $5.99 a 6 pack! Most californian micro's are $6.99-7.99 a 6 pack. And why cant we get squires for a buck a piece in Oz? Anyone have any ideas?
All the best
Trent

 

[Jazman]

It called tax or exise i dont think it is on beer over there