The Beer Forum - It's really a thread but we're too drunk to notice. - Page 115

Calandil · 05/05/09, 10:57 AM

While it's likely as not that none of you will ever get the opportunity to try it, there's a restaurant in Richmond, VA called Comfort. They have a really outrageous whiskey selection and an almost-equally-impressive beer list. Many of the beers they carry are local or regional, small-batch or the like.

Recently, I was there and had a whiskey-barrel stout with my dinner, and it was one of the best drinks I've ever had. If you're able, stop by there sometime and see if they still have the whiskey-barrel stout. Of course, I don't know who made it. It was a smallish brewery I'd never heard of before, but it was a damn fine pint.

Maligne · 05/05/09, 11:26 AM

Originally Posted by Calandil

While it's likely as not that none of you will ever get the opportunity to try it, there's a restaurant in Richmond, VA called Comfort. They have a really outrageous whiskey selection and an almost-equally-impressive beer list. Many of the beers they carry are local or regional, small-batch or the like.

Recently, I was there and had a whiskey-barrel stout with my dinner, and it was one of the best drinks I've ever had. If you're able, stop by there sometime and see if they still have the whiskey-barrel stout. Of course, I don't know who made it. It was a smallish brewery I'd never heard of before, but it was a damn fine pint.

I actually work about 5 minutes from Comfort. I've never been myself but I've heard great things about their food. Nothing about their beer selection though - I'll have to check it out. Funny you should mention it in regards to Richmond, however, since we're so blessed with Capital Alehouse.

Calandil · 05/05/09, 11:53 AM

Originally Posted by Maligne

I actually work about 5 minutes from Comfort. I've never been myself but I've heard great things about their food. Nothing about their beer selection though - I'll have to check it out. Funny you should mention it in regards to Richmond, however, since we're so blessed with Capital Alehouse.

Huh, small world. You should really check it out. It's one of the best restaurants I've found here. That and Croaker's Spot in Jackson Ward. If you make it to Comfort, their pork chop is really, really good and you can't leave without ordering the banana pudding. Seriously. It's like a hybrid banana pudding and creme brûlée and it's a a religious experience.

Capital Alehouse, for my money, is a good spot to booze, but not much else. I've never been too impressed with their food, but the local beer selection there is dynamite.

Alerian · 05/05/09, 3:45 PM

I've become a fan of Port Townsend (WA) brews lately. Had their pale ale at a fish & chips place. It was very good and so I picked up their Scottish and amber this past weekend at the neighborhood QFC and was impressed with both of those as well.

I think they're only available in the Seattle area and the Olympic Peninsula, but you're if in the NW, they're working checking out.

Slickshoes · 05/06/09, 10:47 AM

I was very pleased to find out I live about a quarter mile from a micro brewery called Firehouse. I had been drinking their ale on tap at a local place but never realized I lived right next to them. Now I can go right to the source.

I have always been a huge fan of micro breweries and San Diego has a vast array. There is a place called Pizza Port in Carlsbad that has so many different brews it would take months to try them all. I'm still working on it.

Denogran · 05/06/09, 1:42 PM

Originally Posted by Slickshoes

I was very pleased to find out I live about a quarter mile from a micro brewery called Firehouse. I had been drinking their ale on tap at a local place but never realized I lived right next to them. Now I can go right to the source.

I have always been a huge fan of micro breweries and San Diego has a vast array. There is a place called Pizza Port in Carlsbad that has so many different brews it would take months to try them all. I'm still working on it.

Pizza Port has a restaurant in Solano Beach too, which is closer to you if you're down by Firehouse. Also, Ballast Point has a tap room at the Homebrew Mart on Linda Vista Road, which is also pretty close to you. They have some pretty tasty beers too.

Also, there's Stone brewery up in Escondido, which is just plain amazing, and the actual Pizza Port/Lost Abbey brewery is up in Escondido as well, though I've not had a chance to go there.

Add in Karl Strauss, Green Flash( some of the best IPAs ever ), and Coronado Brewing Company and you can easily fill up a couple of weekends down here by only visiting delicious breweries.

Also, if you're in SD, definitely check out Hamiltons and O'Briens - they're simply awesome beer bars.

Slickshoes · 05/06/09, 2:20 PM

Originally Posted by Denogran

Pizza Port has a restaurant in Solano Beach too, which is closer to you if you're down by Firehouse. Also, Ballast Point has a tap room at the Homebrew Mart on Linda Vista Road, which is also pretty close to you. They have some pretty tasty beers too.

Also, there's Stone brewery up in Escondido, which is just plain amazing, and the actual Pizza Port/Lost Abbey brewery is up in Escondido as well, though I've not had a chance to go there.

Add in Karl Strauss, Green Flash( some of the best IPAs ever ), and Coronado Brewing Company and you can easily fill up a couple of weekends down here by only visiting delicious breweries.

Also, if you're in SD, definitely check out Hamiltons and O'Briens - they're simply awesome beer bars.

Yea I knew there was also one in Solana, which I found funny considering they are pretty close to each other. Stone is amazing.

I also enjoy San Diego Brewing Co., BJ's and Oggi's. I'll definitely check out Green Flash I've never heard of it. Where is Hamiltons?

I'm going to BJ's this weekend, Tatonka stout and Pizookie yum!

Denogran · 05/06/09, 3:10 PM

Originally Posted by Slickshoes

Yea I knew there was also one in Solana, which I found funny considering they are pretty close to each other. Stone is amazing.

I also enjoy San Diego Brewing Co., BJ's and Oggi's. I'll definitely check out Green Flash I've never heard of it. Where is Hamiltons?

I'm going to BJ's this weekend, Tatonka stout and Pizookie yum!

Hamilton's Tavern. It's in South Park, and is an amazing beer bar. Pool tables, a really chill vibe, decent pub food and a great beer selection. I'm told their bottle selection is great too, although I never get past their tap list.

Tynnan · 05/07/09, 9:29 PM

For those in the Baltimore area, the microbrewery/restaurant/bar The Brewer's Art makes some fantastic beer, and I've recently started seeing 750-ml bottles of one of their iconic brews, Resurrection, at liquor stores around the area. Reso is a pretty rich abbey-style ale and is definitely worth hunting down if you're able to find it. Incidentally, Esquire named The Brewer's Art as the #1 Bar in America, and they're not exaggerating.

Apate · 05/08/09, 12:29 AM

Originally Posted by Tynnan

For those in the Baltimore area, the microbrewery/restaurant/bar The Brewer's Art makes some fantastic beer, and I've recently started seeing 750-ml bottles of one of their iconic brews, Resurrection, at liquor stores around the area. Reso is a pretty rich abbey-style ale and is definitely worth hunting down if you're able to find it. Incidentally, Esquire named The Brewer's Art as the #1 Bar in America, and they're not exaggerating.

Brewer's Art is excellent! Their food isn't bad, either (try the rosemary garlic fries or the portabello). I'm a whore for Belgian ales, and every time I go there I find myself ordering a bunch of Ozzys. It doesn't help that the tap is flashing metal horns, either.

For those in the DC area, Rock and Roll Hotel (14th & H NE) now carries Allagash white, Hop Devil, Brooklyn Lager, and Dead Guy Ale. the last of which I am currently still digesting. They are actually looking to add one more beer to their selection, preferably <$6 and in a green bottle or a can. I'll gladly e-mail the bartender if anyone has a good suggestion.

Serik · 05/09/09, 8:31 PM

Originally Posted by Denogran

Also, if you're in SD, definitely check out Hamiltons and O'Briens - they're simply awesome beer bars.

I need to echo the sentiment on O'Briens. It has to be one of the few things I miss about living in SD. (Back on the East Coast, and if anyone is familiar with growing up East side and later living in Cali, the pace of life there just doesn't work). Get yourself on the email list, and you won't ever be disappointed.

The best part was the ever-changing tap handles. The only guarantee is that you'll find great beer and the gals at the bar really know their stuff. My bar in Philly (as much as love my bartender) suffers from stagnation, in that the only variety tends to be whatever the current seasonal Sam Adams is.

Pyrenus · 05/14/09, 11:50 AM

I highly recommend Hobgoblin, brewed by Wychwood Breweries in the UK. I can find it here (midwest US) without many problems.

Spaten Optimator is probably my second favorite. I also like their Oktoberfest.
Adam's Oktoberfest is probably the only Sam Adams I like. I find most of their beers too bitter.
I'm a huge fan of brown ales in general.

I tried my hand at homebrewing and decided it wasn't for me. I made an irish red and a heifenweizen. Neither were bad, but for the effort/cost, I was brewing for fun, and I prefer the taste of the store bought varieties.

Monocle · 05/14/09, 12:34 PM

When I home brew, I often do it to get beers that I just can't buy. I usually stick to flavored stouts in that case, as I have a really good stout base recipie that I can fiddle with. It is a lot of work, and because of that, I do not do it as much as I used to.

I made a black cherry stout that ended up tasting great. Odd cobination, to be sure.

Hobgoblin is decent, have you tried some of their other beers? I tried their Scarecrow, but it really didn;t do anything for me. If you are getting Wychwood's stuff, your are may also get Orkney's beers. I love their Dark Island, it is a great Old Ale.

Slickshoes · 05/14/09, 1:40 PM

Originally Posted by Serik

I need to echo the sentiment on O'Briens. It has to be one of the few things I miss about living in SD. (Back on the East Coast, and if anyone is familiar with growing up East side and later living in Cali, the pace of life there just doesn't work). Get yourself on the email list, and you won't ever be disappointed.

The best part was the ever-changing tap handles. The only guarantee is that you'll find great beer and the gals at the bar really know their stuff. My bar in Philly (as much as love my bartender) suffers from stagnation, in that the only variety tends to be whatever the current seasonal Sam Adams is.

I was born in NJ, then moved out here to SD. Of course I was very young then and wasn't quite a beer drinker yet but I can comment on the "pace of life". It seems like every one on the east coast is constantly on edge and under some sort of duress after living in California.

I will definitely check out O'Briens after all the good referrals.

Karoo · 05/16/09, 1:02 PM

Originally Posted by Pyrenus

I highly recommend Hobgoblin, brewed by Wychwood Breweries in the UK. I can find it here (midwest US) without many problems.

Spaten Optimator is probably my second favorite. I also like their Oktoberfest.
Adam's Oktoberfest is probably the only Sam Adams I like. I find most of their beers too bitter.
I'm a huge fan of brown ales in general.

I tried my hand at homebrewing and decided it wasn't for me. I made an irish red and a heifenweizen. Neither were bad, but for the effort/cost, I was brewing for fun, and I prefer the taste of the store bought varieties.

Wychwood has some good beers but the best thing about them isn't what's inside their bottles. It's the bottles themselves.