So I went on a trip once. Over a bridge. To a land that arcane liquor laws forgot. I'm talking about a place where you can mix and match six-packs, buy individuals bottles, and get access to some breweries that don't even have distribution in PA. I'm talking about little place called New Jersey.
Before we get ahead of ourselves, from the website, this is what we are dealing with...
Let us present to you a new, devastatingly fresh double IPA. While freshness is a key component of many beers - especially big, citrusy, floral IPAs - we've taken it further, a lot further, in this IPA. You see, we specifically brewed it NOT to last. We've not only gone to extensive lengths to ensure that you'll get this beer in your hands within an extraordinarily short window, we made sure that the Enjoy By date isn't randomly etched in tiny text somewhere on the label, to be overlooked by all but the most attentive of retailers and consumers. Instead, we're sending a clear message with the name of the beer itself that there is no better time than right now to enjoy this IPA.Completely spearheaded by @pppantalones, and mocked by many, we headed east on the turnpike to try and find this new release from Stone. Equipped with a map, that was developed through some research on Stone's ridiculously specific Enjoy By website, as well as monitoring some Tweets from the NJ distributor. Not to ruin the story, or cut it short, but we were fortunate enough to run into some. A lot of it actually. Enough to share. And this is the newsletter of those beers.
Enjoy By - Stone, CA. Double IPA. Message received. This is probably one of my favorite beers of all time, and currently being released to different markets all over the US. The current release (11.09.12) is in Ohio and Colorado. And has probably been off the shelves there within days of it's release. I am positive that the next time this beer makes it way east, especially if it ever sees PA, there will be lines, tickets, and long waits. You'll probably have to take a day off work if you want to get your hands on some. It's the second coming of Pliny the Younger. At least it's worth it, and when the CBE had it, you didn't even have to wait in line...
Somebody loves St Louis. I'm not going to tell you who, but check out some Twitter feeds and I'm sure you'll be able to figure it out. While in NJ, there were two Schlafly beers picked up. Their Dry Hopped APA, and Oktoberfest. I thought they were both very good, and would even go on to say that the APA was exceptional. Not over the top, but flavorful and hoppy nonetheless. The Oktoberfest was solid, but nothing crazy. I know someone who was at the brewery/pub once. Maybe he can tell you about it in the comments (hint, hint.)
Our Dry Hopped American Pale Ale (APA) is charged with American hops to create a bold, aromatic ale. Assertive hop flavor joins the pine/citrus aroma characteristic of American hops to balance the full body provided by North American malts. After fermentation, the beer circulates through a bed of Cascade and Chinook hops, boosting the distinctive hop aroma of this satisfying ale.Couldn't pass this picture up...
In the long view of the history of beer, American Pale Ale is a newcomer. Based on English Pale Ale, American brewers adapted this style into something new. Born out of the reverence English Pale Ales during the 1980’s American beer scene, APA is the bold, hoppier cousin of Pale Ale. With an emphasis on American hops, APA is gaining popularity with breweries racing to make these ales with such great hop characters.
Our Oktoberfest is a traditional Bavarian Märzen with a toasty malt aroma and slight caramel taste. This rich, amber lager is balanced by the use of German noble hops, while the lager yeast ferments cold and slow, creating a smooth, crisp beer.
Märzen, or Oktoberfest, has its origins in Bavaria, most likely before the 16th century. For public safety and brewing quality concerns, the Bavarian Brauordnung was decreed in 1539, stating that beer could only be brewed from September 29th (Saint Michael) to April 23rd (Saint George). Over the summer months, beers were stored, or lagered, in caves and stone cellars. The evolution of Oktoberfest came from the last brews of the year, in March (or Märzen), as these beers would be ready to drink for the Bavarian celebration, “Oktoberfest”.
When I first heard of Gritty McDuff's, it was because they supposedly have a really phenomenal stout. It's called Black Fly, and it is pretty well renown. They were at the Winter Beerfest at the Naval Yard about 3 years ago. No stout. Then Whole Foods came to town, and they started carrying Gritty's. I've never seen the Black Fly. So either they're holding out, or they just refuse to share. I guess it gets cold in Maine and they want to hold on to it, but is it too much to ask to share a bottle or two. I digress. We picked up "Maine's Best IPA." I've discovered that this probably used to be Gritty's "21 IPA." Don't ask how I came to that conclusion, but Ba didn't even have enough reviews for a grade for this guy, and the abv's were the same, so let's just go with it. It was ok. I didn't not like it, I didn't love it. And I'm still pissed about the Black Fly Stout. I will say that for 6.8% abv, the alcohol is hid very well.
Maine's Best IPA is a unique blend of American hops with a British body utilizing English 2-Row Pale malts. This IPA starts with a hoppy aroma and taste; ending with a sweet finish. Plenty of Munich and caramalts are used to give the beer that golden hue. There are fifty-six pounds of Cascade Hops used in each 50 barrel batch that is brewed! Then we finish the beer with Willamette & Warrior Hops, (Warrior is a high-alpha acid variety of hops).
Best for last, and when I say best, I think I mean funniest, because the Enjoy By was easily the best beer in this bunch. Actually, this one could have given it a run. I love Great Divide. I love Yeti. I've been at their brewery on the outskirts of Downtown Denver, and it is nothing except a great tasting room. We were having a lot of trouble picking beers to round out the twelve pack were were putting together for this little CBE excursion. The issue was that we already have access to the large majority of beers in NJ. So this was a little gamble. And it evoked this...
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The @greatdividebrew Rumble is so good I'm going to start oak-aging everything else in my fridge.
Great Divide Brewing That pretty much says it all about this one. Barrel aging goes one of two ways; perfectly, or overboard. There doesn't seem to be a middle ground. And this one is perfect. If the #TweetOfTheDay wasn't enough, here's the websites summary:
RUMBLE IPA is an American IPA with subtle nuance. Brewed with heavy handed additions of Pacific Northwest hops, this beer is gently aged on French and American oak resulting in a wonderful balance of bitterness, caramel sweetness, vanilla, and undertones of pine and citrus. Very inspiring.
And on that note, I'm putting this one to bed. Look forward to the CBESummary, which will have all of the beers, BeerAdvocate and RateBeer ratings at purchase, Home State, Brewer, ABV, style and the CBE Member who chose it. I'll also be putting together some fun facts, because it has the word fun in it.
