This is true. That may have been a drastic comparison, I would still say Two Hearted is better though.

Finally found some Maharaja and tapped it for new years

goddamn
good stuff

For you fellows and ladies not native to the Midnight Sun; before you head to England or Belgium, come visit Anchorage, AK (preferably in the Spring/Summer). Make your appropriate stops, at the following locations for some tasty and tantalizing taps:

Moose's Tooth has the deliciously dark and equally evil Darth Delirium, each batch is variably potent but, usually not less than 13%. When I first ordered it a few years ago, I asked for a pitcher and the staff kindly informed me that they would bring me a glass; if I was still somewhat coherent afterward, they would bring me a second, not to exceed 3 pints. No pitchers of the devil's brew are served, as a house rule.

The smoked porter is really good as well as the mid-town brown ale, a personal favorite of mine; if you need a sweet, non-alcoholic change, they make their own, killer cream soda.

Bear Tooth Theatre/Pub (go to a movie and get a bit stupified while you're at it)
First Tap is an event they have each month where they release the newest batch or creation of brew that they've been fermenting. Usually you can find the amalgam of ales/bitters they serve at the Moose's Tooth here as well as hybrids upon request. Growlers (jug of beer) are available for $15.

Snow Goose Restaurant ... I don't remember the names of the beers but they brew on-site at the restaurant and yes you can buy a growler (jug) to take home with you.

Glacier Brewhouse
Restaurant and Brew heaven. Don't ask, just go.

Probably the best time to come (aside from the summer) is when Anchorage has it's own Oktoberfest. Every brewer from the known Micro to the bootleggers show up and bring their best to showcase. Cost was about $30-$40 last time I went and they gave me "drinking tickets" that you are supposed to forfeit per drink but, by the end of the night.... I still had about 20 tickets. I love the bootleggers, they keep me warm.

I have a question for those more knowledgeable than I.

My absolute favorite beer is a seasonal brew from Dogfish Head -- their Chicory Stout. It's listed as only being available in December and January, and I certainly couldn't find it after February last year. What I'm wondering is if I manage to stockpile a couple of 6-packs of it, how long is it likely to stay good? It's 5.2% abv if happens to matter...

I'd also love recommendations of similar beers. (Here's the description: Dogfish Head - Chicory Stout )

My mom (of all people) bought me a Dundee's 12-pack sampler as one of my Christmas gifts. Their IPA and Pale Ales were both fine, but I liked the Pale Ale a bit better. The honey ale was fairly undistinguished, and their wheat bear was crap. Their best style in the pack was their porter -- it was nicely roasted, with a great mouth feel and a good malt / hop balance. I really enjoyed it.

Sam Adams has their Winter Lager out now. It's a darker beer and it tastes like they use a different style of hops altogether from their other brews. It is by far the best beer I've tried from them, and I'd recommend giving it a shot.

--

Edit: I also tried Anchor Steam's seasonal beer. It's pretty much in the same vein as their flagship style -- hops, and more hops. Perhaps a bit more fuller-bodied than a typical pale ale, but it really wasn't very different to my palate.

Since this has a pretty low abv (and I don't think it is bottle conditioned?) ... If you can keep it in a dark (or light-proof) place that has a pretty controlled and somewhat cool temperature (say 50-55F is about good, otherwise i'd say put it in something light-proof and keep in the fridge) then this could probably keep for up to a couple years at most? That's just my guess. I'd say try to drink it within a year as a safe bet.

I'd agree with this as a very safe method. It's best before, not use before, and as such is only a guide to cover any law regarding dates there may be in your country... that and marketing.

It might not taste as great or be a little flat... my advice would be to try it this year with a crate (if you can afford the gamble of possible wastage) and then you'll know for the future.

I got the Samuel Adam's Winter collection and if memory serves me right it would seem that their Winter Porter has changed for the worse, it was overly bitter and had just the 2nd worst after taste in a beer that I've had since dropping American Piss-Water they call beer for real beer. Was curious if anyone else had a similar worse experience with it or the off-chance I had a bad brew.

Is it just me, or is Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout extra yummy this year?

I don't know if any of you have had this, but the St. Bernardus Christmas Ale is especially tasty when the weather is cold.

I have yet to have anything from St Bernardus that did not like quite a bit. Their tripel is particularly outstanding.

If you're in the North East and are a fan of the Long Trail Double Bag I highly recommend trying the special edition Triple Bag if you can find it on tap anywhere.

I truly wish we could have a get together where we all bring say a six'r of our favorite local beer or whatever and kinda of share what others can't find in their area due to local laws or lack of distribution. Not sure what a prime meeting area would be, just thought I would throw this idea out there.

I heartily second this post. I'm a huge fan of their Tripel, Abt 12, and most recently, their Winter Ale.

Grabbed an Avery Ale To the Chief recently, as I figured I'd want to try something new to celibrate my first Malygos kill. Since we got him the same night, I was able to crack it open after the 4th attempt.

Not that bad at all. A lot of citrusy hops used in it. Alcohol taste was very well hidden too. A bit weird as beers go, heard it is considered to be a Strong Ale, but I felt it was more like an Imperial IPA. Going to want to try it again in the future.

If anyone is ever in the bay area, I highly recommend a trip to this joint: http://www.thetrappist.com/

A bit pricey, but their trappist ales selection is outstanding.

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/45/40149

I picked up three bottles, thinking to get one each for my co-worker and my boss.

Bill: $69

Now I'm fucking keeping them.

I finally picked up some of the Dogfish Head Palo Santo (mentioned at the opening of Annals of Drinking: A Better Brew: Reporting & Essays: The New Yorker ), which, with 12% ABV, is probably closer to the barley wine side of beer than to a traditional ale.

It's delicious, best at slightly below room temp. The taste is complex, on the dry side, and there's an interesting overtone, which I assume is from the resiny wood. It's not cheap, and it's not something for nightly drinking, but I'll definitely buy it again when I feel the time is right.

Tonight I have some Lagunitas IPA, which I'm told is good stuff. I also have another Three Philosopher's, but that's just because it was cheap and I love it so much.

Ommegang does amazing work.

It's trendy to make fun of them around here, since they're local (forgetting that they were bought by fucking Duvel, who know beer front & back) and only have 2 strains of yeast. And in truth, only three out of their 5 main beers are any good (Ommegang, 3 Phils, Hennepin) but they are so very fucking good, and so very fucking cheap, that I will stick up for them to the point of first fights. I have a case of their Chocolate Indulgence and another of their Funkhouse in my cellar; the CI is just getting good.

As upstate beers go, I'm also a huge fan of Middle Ages. My bartender usually has two or three of their casks(!) on tap. They make a special oak aged Dragonslayer every now and again, holy fuck is it good, and my beer of choice for gettin' crunk on the weekend is their Three Kings, an agreeable attempt at a Trippel for $2.50 a bottle.

Heresy! The Rare Vos is also tasty! I've never had the Witte, but (Ommegang = 3P) > Hennepin > Rare Vos > lots of other beers at the price point.

I wouldn't feed the Witte to my dog. Rare Vos is ONLY ok because of the price point, the rest of them would be a bargain at twice the price.

If you like the Lagunitas, look for the Great Divide fresh hopped IPA. It's like the Lagunitas with all the knobs turned up to 11.

For some reason Lagunitas IPA doesn't do it for me. Something about the brew is just off...it tastes too bitter and yet I've had and enjoyed hoppier beers. Great Divide's IPA is excellent, however.

On the subject, my co-worker just rolled in with a six pack of Boulder Beer's Mojo IPA fresh from the brewery to kick off the weekend (I work ~45 minutes from Boulder). Packs a nice hop punch, and at almost 7% alcohol is surprisingly smooth.