The Beer Forum - It's really a thread but we're too drunk to notice. - Page 167

Shabadu · 04/10/11, 2:42 PM

Originally Posted by shadowane

Duck Rabbit is called simply enough "Wee Heavy" but again it's seasonal and East Coast only.

I wish, can't get Duck Rabbit north of PA, or south of No Car.

shadowane · 04/10/11, 3:13 PM

Originally Posted by Shabadu

I wish, can't get Duck Rabbit north of PA, or south of No Car.

Yeah kind of stretched it considering the size of the East Coast.

shadowane · 04/11/11, 9:27 PM

So Tyrsis, you were right, Abacus was amazing. Just thick, creamy, and luscious. The bourbon was super present but only the flavor, none of the heat. So good.

Jimson · 04/12/11, 6:52 AM

Originally Posted by shadowane

Dirty Bastard is a great suggestions if he can get it. I didn't like the Backwoods that much as I thought it had a weird Malibu coconut flavor to it but I'm a minority in that belief.

The Malibu coconut flavor you're picking up is from the oak barrel, and I agree that it can be a bit overwhelming in the Backwoods. Overall it's a good beer, but not their best; it feels a bit one dimensional to me because of the over the top Bourbon flavor. They do a version of Curmudgeon (their old ale) called Kaiser Curmudgeon that is aged in bourbon barrels that held maple syrup before being used by Founders. They don't bottle it, but it is delicious. They do the same with their Canadian Breakfast Stout, which is also quite nice.

Apate · 04/12/11, 9:40 AM

I hit tthe Abacus recently, too. I may have to go for another glass this week as it recently went on tap nearby. It's got that strong peanut butter type flavor that I find in a lot of the higher-end bourbon barrel aged beers. It was strongly reminiscent of the Firestone 14. I opened a bottle of Double Jack with a bottle date of 3/16 last night and it was amazing. Definitely up there with Idiot and Sculpin for aroma and hop flavor.

Beyond that, the Oberon is great these days, plenty of good Kolsch beers to drink, and the pale wheat ales are starting to get some fridge space.

shadowane · 04/12/11, 10:21 AM

I'm probably going to have another glass of Abacus on Friday but it's lunch so it'll depend. I totally get your peanut butter comparison which is funny because it didn't come to my while I was drinking it. I didn't get to try the 14 last night unfortunately.

Tyrsis · 04/12/11, 1:47 PM

Originally Posted by shadowane

I'm probably going to have another glass of Abacus on Friday but it's lunch so it'll depend. I totally get your peanut butter comparison which is funny because it didn't come to my while I was drinking it. I didn't get to try the 14 last night unfortunately.

I picked up another bottle of Abacus, and it stares me in the face when I walk in the door everyday. I want to drink it so bad, haha.

I picked up a bottle of Great Divide's 17th Anniversary Oak Aged DIPA. Weirdly interesting. Very oak and malt forward, with just a little bit of hops towards the back end. It's one of those beers that I can't tell if I like it or not.

Tyrsis · 04/15/11, 11:50 AM

If you live in CA, I suggest you get on this ASAP.
Fifty Fifty Brewing Co. - Truckee, CA

shadowane · 04/15/11, 2:29 PM

hehe, I did that earlier. As long as they are still available, reserved a bottle of Grand Cru, Elijah Craig 12 year, Elijah Craig 20 year, and the Brandy Barrel. Going to have it shipped to my sister in law.

Also got to try the Firestone Walker Double Jack and 14 today at lunch. The Double Jack was a very good double IPA. Citrus up front, then sweet, then a little bitterness. Very enjoyable. 14 was very tasty, but I liked Abacus better. The bourbon was very present in both but the heat existed in the 14 while it didn't for the Abacus.

Apate · 04/15/11, 2:44 PM

I almost agree with you, but getting 14 out of the bottle pushes me over the edge. The alcohol warmth is much more subdued, and the stouty characteristics get to play a bit.

I had the oldest DIPA that I've tried last night - Avery 2009 Ale to the Chief. It was interesting, to say the least. The hops had really faded to the background, but the bitterness wasn't totally gone. It was thick and still, and the dominant flavor would be best described as "basement" or "must."

Also hit up the Flying fish Exit 9 Hoppy Scarlet - delicious and very hoppy. It made me want to grab some more of Troegs' Nugget Nectar to try side-by-side.

PounceDK · 04/15/11, 2:47 PM

For anyone near the Chicago-land area, 3 Floyds has a variety of truly tasty beers. I've been recently enjoying their Dreadnaught, a pale ale with a hint of mango.

Reading through this thread, there's plenty of beer that I've had to add to my "must try" list. The Abacus mentioned above sounds intriguing.

shadowane · 04/15/11, 2:58 PM

Dunno if Firestone Walker is available in Chicago but if it is search it out. Isn't Dreadnaught a Double IPA? Regardless, it is very tasty. I had it a while back along with Moloko, Black Sun (Dark Sun? I always screw it up), and Dark Lord 2010.

You going to Dark Lord Day, Pounce?

PounceDK · 04/15/11, 3:01 PM

I really intend to try and go to Dark Lord Day this year.

Yes, Dreadnaught is a double IPA and indeed very tasty.

I will be on the lookout for Firestone Walker, it helps knowing that one of my customers owns a liquor store and usually will get me things if asked nicely.

shadowane · 04/15/11, 3:24 PM

I hate to tell you this, but if you don't have tickets to Dark Lord Day yet you are out of luck. Due to the ridiculous number of people that have been showing up every year, you need a ticket to even get into the event this year, not just to buy beer.

Knowing people is pretty handy. It sounds like his store has beer too so you should use that relationship to get rare Goose Island stuff when it comes out.

PounceDK · 04/15/11, 3:28 PM

Damn, I didn't get tickets yet. I kind of figured they had huge numbers show up annually. I'll have to be more on top of it next year then.

Yes, his store has beer and he even carries a local microbrewery's beer now. I'll have to ask him about Firestone Walker and this Goose Island stuff you're speaking of. Tell me more about the Goose Island stuff, if you don't mind.

EDIT: I'm looking stuff up on Goose Island right now. Didn't realize it was Chicago based brewery. Will have to make it a point to check it out next time I'm in the city.