The Bar Towel

I've been enjoying Saison Deux Fois La Taille lately. A very approachable saison made in Canada. https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/37562/184559/

I also had a Gulden Draak that has been cellaring for some years now. Amazing. Lots of complexity, more rounded character, love the esters. One of my very favourites.

beerstodiscover wrote:'12 Unibroue 17 - This seems to have developed a lot of bitterness over time. A woody-herbal-spicy astringency mixed with the sweet fruity notes one would expect. It was interesting and enjoyable, but I think this was past its prime.

Despite Unibroue's claims, this beer does not cellar well for many years. The once-great flavor profile becomes soft and disintegrated. Not bad and not great, just OK. It's a special beer in its own right though!
I did cellar Pistoles and Chambly for a longer time with no problems, in defense of Unibroue.

We did open a 2004 Fullers Vintage Ale together that my cousin held onto over several relocations and career changes - I have to say despite the likely abuse the boxed limited-edition was still intact, bready, and had some nice dark raisiny fruit but it truthfully wasn't all that interesting.
I bought this cousin and his GF the new Schneider Tap X Marie's Rendezvous. Cascade Dry Hopped Doppel Weizenbock! Sounds like a good chill-in-snowbank after an active day beer. AVV strength is right in between regular Doppel and the Eis. I'm betting this one is a great deal for the ten bucks.

I cracked a '13 unibroue 17 about 2 months ago,really "meh". Nothing special, not even as good as fresh imo......just ok. By the same token I had a 750ml 2012 fin du monde in the summer and felt the same way. Very disappointed, expecting more from it. On the flip side, I had a 2014 pistoles that was fantastic.

Great Lakes Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Solstice Stout.

At home tonight for New Year's Eve. Here's a vote against the 650 mL format. I liked this, but 473 or 500 mL would have been plenty enough.

Over the holidays:

At Milos' Craft Beer Emporium:
Wellington Quick Brown Fox ESB (cask)
Cheshire Valley Robust Porter (draft)

At Fuel Woodfire Grill:
Lagunitas 12th Of Never Ale (can)
Griffin Claw Stoned Off My Gourd (sample)
Great Lakes Christmas Ale (draft)

At home and some gatherings:
Great Lakes Lake Effect IPA
Founders PC Pils - American Hopped Pilsner
Rogue Yellow Snow IPA
Dogfish Head Beer For Breakfast Stout
Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale (2016)
Lagunitas Lucky 13 - Mondo Large Red Ale
Sierra Nevada Torpedo Extra IPA
Guinness Foreign Extra Stout
Dogfish Head Flesh & Blood IPA
Oskar Blues Ten FIDY Imperial Stout
Founders Azacca IPA

Bellwoods Farmageddon with Cherries.
I love cherries so I like this beer.

At home:
Ommegang Three Philosophers
Odd Side Ales I Want My HTV - Imperial Citra Pale Ale

cratez wrote:At home:
Ommegang Three Philosophers...

That is one very big bottle of Quad-ness... I think I will get into that one soon.
I've only had one or two (still tasty) small-size bottles that were likely not fresh, I think from a gift pack. Great brewery.

Belgian wrote:

cratez wrote:At home:
Ommegang Three Philosophers...

That is one very big bottle of Quad-ness... I think I will get into that one soon.
I've only had one or two (still tasty) small-size bottles that were likely not fresh, I think from a gift pack. Great brewery.

I don't always like that bottle size format but I had no problems crushing a 3 Philosophers and wanting another

Agreed on the format - I would much rather see this sold as 355ml singles or a 4 pack of small bottles - as I had to drink the bottle over the course of two nights, and still had a little bit left over (my smaller tulip glass fits about 330mls). But it's an outstanding beer that can't be passed up. Now that I think about it, I like pretty much everything that Ommegang does. Like Belgian said, a great brewery.

Yes, smaller formats for the high ABV beers would be nice. I still have a 355 mL Three Philosophers from a trip to the States two years ago, so I will enjoy that one on my own and perhaps share the 750 mL with some friends.

Speaking of smaller formats, I'm enjoying a can of Ten Fidy right now. Great beer when it feels like -20 Celsius outside and a 355 mL can is just the right amount for a Sunday. I will have to pick up a few more for the cellar before it disappears. Cheers!

cratez wrote:Agreed on the (3 Phils) format - I would much rather see this sold as 355ml singles or a 4 pack of small bottles - as I had to drink the bottle over the course of two nights...

I think anybody who doesn't have a champagne stopper for any big beer they want to set aside is killing themselves!
For the benefit of newer members / lurkers this is a simple compression seal gadget kitchen stores sell for two or three bucks. You put down the lever and it works to create a perfect airtight seal.

Smuttynose Finest Kind IPA - really good beer

I heard that Wvrst was recently pouring a vintage keg of 2014 BOYD. Sadly, I wasn't able to get there in time. So I substituted as best I could at Bar Hop Brewco last night:

Stone City Juggernaut
2015 GLB Solstice

Both have their relative merits and both were quite good, but neither is BOYD.