^Ah, that looks tasty.

You know what's actually pretty good also? Sam Adams Cherry Chocolate Bock. It's one of the components of their winter mix 12-pack this year and I quite like it--has a good "cherry cordial" flavor without being cloying at all. Would buy on its own if it were offered that way.

1/9/2014 8:17:37 PM

that's so funny, i find it undrinkable. to me it tastes like awful cherry syrup.

1/9/2014 8:36:31 PM

Last of its kind! (just got discontinued) Will enjoy this with the cold weather tonight:

1/22/2014 5:37:07 PM

anyone seen hopslam out yet? should be hitting stores by now (nc ship date was the 20th)

1/23/2014 2:19:09 PM

fuck hopslam

1/23/2014 2:26:06 PM

haha

i didn't get any last year, and i figure when it does hit stores, I can find it pretty easily down here (as "craft beer" extends to the michelob family for most folks around here). Only reason I got cold mountain is because it was released the morning I happened to go into total wine to get beer for my Xmas trip.

1/23/2014 2:31:05 PM

posts on BA make it sound like NC distributors aren't able to pick it up until next week. so you're probably looking toward first of next month.

1/23/2014 2:33:32 PM

ah good good

1/23/2014 2:36:47 PM

hopslam is a really good beer that is WAAAAAAAAY overrated. Give me Founders Double Trouble any day.

1/23/2014 3:09:47 PM

Quote :

"You know what's actually pretty good also? Sam Adams Cherry Chocolate Bock. It's one of the components of their winter mix 12-pack this year and I quite like it--has a good "cherry cordial" flavor without being cloying at all. Would buy on its own if it were offered that way."

I was surprised by this beer too.

Hopslam is one of those beers that will have a huge line out the door and a six-pack limit when it gets released. Its good, but not worth all the trouble, IMO

1/23/2014 3:23:26 PM

southern tier 2x IPA, Stone Ruination, and Goodknight by oscar blues are my favorite go-to beers, but I like to throw some other things into the mix

been a long time since i had hopslam, so I'm curious how it stacks up to these and other favorites, now that I can appreciate it (last time I had it, I was just starting to break my hop cherry). Hopefully I can report back!


By the same token, I did this with cold mountain this year- While good, it is definitely over priced and way too coveted. Gimme the trader joe's Unibroue xmas ale any day in terms of price, ease of acquisition, and over all tastiness. I'm sure that many of you would disagree, but that style of beer isn't something I mess around with much anyway, so maybe I'm over simplifying it.

1/23/2014 3:36:11 PM

Quote :

"You know what's actually pretty good also? Sam Adams Cherry Chocolate Bock. It's one of the components of their winter mix 12-pack this year and I quite like it--has a good "cherry cordial" flavor without being cloying at all. Would buy on its own if it were offered that way. "

Yes this was delicious when I had some a few years ago although I am not sure if it was cherry or just plain chocolate. Wish you could get it without having to buy the whole 12 pack though.

1/23/2014 3:45:47 PM

one of my favorite seasonals of all time is back as a "throwback" from New Beligium. Mighty Arrow pale ale. They discontinued it a few years ago, i guess to keep up with the constant need for "new styles" in the craft beer explosion. but it's back in limited release as part of the Folie collection 12 pack. I will enjoy these while I can.

1/24/2014 9:25:06 AM

Fundraiser for a documentary all about NC craft beer: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cammicam/brewconomy-a-documentary-about-nc-craft-beer

1/31/2014 12:24:38 PM

Got my Super Bowl Sunday started with a small growler of this delicious stout yesterday:

2/3/2014 1:22:59 PM

my buddy had southern tier 2x IPA on tap last night for the super bowl. I don't remember much after the 3rd quarter

I brought him some founders breakfast stout that I had won at a tournament, and some 90 minute as well for supplying the deliciousness (the southern tier is one of my current favorites)

2/3/2014 1:26:57 PM

so Tasty Beverage had about 15 cases of Hopslam today. I was about to leave the office to go on a site visit and saw them post about it on their facebook page, so I rolled up there (my office is about 5 minutes away). I stood in line for about 15 minutes and got myself a sixer. First time I've had Hopslam in my possession in about 4 years, which was before I was big into craft brews, we'll see how it stacks up.

They were doing one six pack a person and had about 8 cases left when I left around 12:30. Probably sold out by now.

Right now in my fridge I have a six pack of Hopslam, Lagunitas Sucks, and a four pack of Founders Imperial Stout. I was really close to picking up some New Belgium Snapshot at Tasty earlier (due to jeepin's post in this thread) but decided to save the $$, maybe next time

2/4/2014 2:53:01 PM

Anybody into sour beers?

Had this a couple weeks ago and im addicted.

First sip is like drinking a liquid warhead. smooth sailing after that.



http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/223/50772/

[Edited on February 4, 2014 at 3:17 PM. Reason : Hdhs]

[Edited on February 4, 2014 at 3:18 PM. Reason : Sbbd]

2/4/2014 3:17:25 PM

my buddy was huge into them before he sobered up. He always tries to get me to have them, and I have yet to find one that I like. I think DROD900 liked one of the sours he picked out, but it was so long ago and unappealing, that I can't remember which ones he got. Drod?

2/4/2014 3:19:58 PM

I wasnt sure what to think at first but once our mouth acclimates to the sourness the beer really shines through.

Nother good one: sour stout



[Edited on February 4, 2014 at 3:26 PM. Reason : Hd]

2/4/2014 3:26:01 PM

I think the one you're referring to is the Blue Point Sour Cherry Imperial Stout that I brought over to poker night a while back.

I'm actually kinda on the fence with sours, they either taste really good, or taste like bile to me. That, coupled with how expensive they normally are, keeps me away from trying too many of them.

I will say that over the summer Jeepin4x4, Restricted and I had a little bottle share and jeepin had some really really good sours, Cantillon, etc. He would definitely be a good person to ask about sours.

^I had that a couple months ago and loved it



[Edited on February 4, 2014 at 4:13 PM. Reason : asdf]

2/4/2014 4:12:39 PM

as i've said before sours are delicious but not for everyone. And there are tons of different varieties. If it's something you think you've tried one of and then are turned off from all of them you are missing out on a lot of great beer. Sours are still one of the few styles that I actively seek out.

Basically it comes down to this. Flemish and red/brown sours tend to have a vinegary sourness to them. if you have a preconceived distaste for vinegar this may be a hard style to enjoy. The blonde/golden sours tend to be more of a dry tart sour.

For someone just getting into sours i will recommend Rodenbach Grand Cru as a perfect entry to the flemish red/brown style and Petrus Golden as the perfect blonde style.

pucker up my friends.

2/4/2014 4:24:01 PM

Oh man, I love vinegar. So glad I clicked this thread.

2/4/2014 5:32:11 PM

Quote :

"so Tasty Beverage had about 15 cases of Hopslam today. I was about to leave the office to go on a site visit and saw them post about it on their facebook page, so I rolled up there (my office is about 5 minutes away). I stood in line for about 15 minutes and got myself a sixer. First time I've had Hopslam in my possession in about 4 years, which was before I was big into craft brews, we'll see how it stacks up."

tasty beverage was out by 3:30 when I called, Paddy O'beers was out of the bottles, but still had a little left on draft. I got a six pack at total wine in crossroads at about 4:30, but I believe there was only 1 left after that

2/4/2014 5:43:25 PM

Quote :

"I will say that over the summer Jeepin4x4, Restricted and I had a little bottle share and jeepin had some really really good sours"

We need to do that again.

2/4/2014 7:06:52 PM

One of these days I'll get around to getting my hands on some Hopslam. Until then, I'm more than content to settle for Lagunitas Sucks.

2/4/2014 7:13:00 PM

I got one 6 pack each of hopslam, one at total wine at crossroads and the one off capital.

2/4/2014 11:24:04 PM

Cuvee des Jacobins Rouge is probably one of the quintessential sour beers of all time. So classic. I try to keep a bottle around at all times. Rodenbach Grand Cru is also an excellent choice.

Other classic sours to keep around the house: Duchesse De Bourgogne, Petrus Aged Pale, Hanssens Oude Gueuze

2/5/2014 12:19:38 AM

Hanssens, so hot right now

2/5/2014 9:22:31 AM

Any leads on hopslam today?

2/5/2014 9:12:51 PM

first time getting some hopslam this go-round, and damn is it good.

2/5/2014 9:48:43 PM

^^^hahaha

It sits on the shelves year round here in CO and think it's better than most. Although if you see Tilquin that's my all-time favorite shelf gueuze. Followed by 1882 Black Label (though that's really hard to find recently), followed by Hanssens.

[Edited on February 5, 2014 at 9:53 PM. Reason : /]

2/5/2014 9:53:20 PM

hahaha i just posted that because every time i buy a bottle of it that's what i say to myself. It is usually readily available here too. Tilquin is fantastic and i know i've posted this before but Timmermans Oude Gueuze Limited Edition is another good one that can be readily found.

i think i may have to make another order out to Cascade

2/6/2014 8:11:13 AM

Got my bar to save me a 12 pack of Hopslam. First time ever trying it and it is quite delicious. Don't know if I'd scramble to different stores and wait forever in line...but I think its worth a small amount of time to procure.

2/6/2014 8:15:43 AM

The Beer Dispensary in Apex sold out of Hopslam bottles but they do have it on draft.

I had a few last night and it is quite delicious.

2/6/2014 10:26:33 AM

I have no life so this vinegary ale business is pretty much the only plans I have for tomorrow. Where can I get Rodenbach Grand Cru? My Total Wine only has Rodenbach Vintage and Rodenbach Flemish Red Ale.

2/6/2014 11:33:23 PM

^^^interested in selling a couple bottles?

2/7/2014 5:33:40 AM

Guess people didn't think to check the Bi-Lo downtown for Hopslam...they had about 4 cases left last night after every other place in town sold out on Tuesday.

^ Sorry, I'm keeping 12 at the house and have distributed several more to friends...not to mention the friends who I texted who probably cleared the Bi-Lo out last night.

2/7/2014 7:22:31 AM

cool, I could be down for a finders fee if you happen across more that is unaccounted for by friends (and you would be willing to hook up a random tdubber)

2/7/2014 8:44:47 AM

had some Ponysaurus at the event at Tasty last night. The Fig Saison was ok, but the IPA was glorious.

2/7/2014 9:11:54 AM

Are you talking about a Bi-Lo in Downtown Raleigh?

2/7/2014 10:51:11 AM

Glad I looked at this thread this morning. Ran by my bottle shop at lunch and they still had a couple of 6 packs behind the counter. Very happy they didn't have them all sitting out on the floor for people to grab.

2/7/2014 1:06:05 PM

Quote :

"Are you talking about a Bi-Lo in Downtown Raleigh? "

Charleston.

2/7/2014 1:07:58 PM

2/12/2014 9:41:46 PM

I really like this year's Sucaba. Delicious.

2/12/2014 11:06:20 PM

2/13/2014 12:53:08 AM

dont cook it!

2/13/2014 5:10:59 PM

I must be pretty unobservant- I just noticed last night that Uinta changed the name of their beer from hop notch to hop nosh... still delicious though!

http://www.brewbound.com/news/2013/uinta-brewing-changes-name-of-hop-notch-ipa-following-trademark-dispute

2/14/2014 12:07:23 PM

^interesting, I just saw someone buying a six pack of Hop Notch last week. It is a good beer though

I also wanna say that I tried NoDas Hop, Drop and Roll a couple weeks ago and it might be in my top 3 favorite IPAs now.

2/14/2014 7:52:04 PM

Anyone have any advice on a dedicated beer fridge? I am thinking something with a dual zone temp control to store different types of beer at different temperatures.

I have found this as a potential option: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Magic-Chef-16-Bottle-77-Can-Dual-Zone-Wine-and-Beverage-Cooler-MCWBC77DZC/202033279

2/24/2014 10:58:26 AM