beer thread
- Thread starter Gary Majchrzak
- Start date
dreaminmel
New member
Congrats Walter! :dance:
Conesus_Kid
Premium Member
Awesome, Walter!! :thumbsup:
Do you attend UNYHA meetings?
My buddy and I used to go a lot, but I haven't been in close to 10 years. I may start paying dues and attending again...
Do you attend UNYHA meetings?
My buddy and I used to go a lot, but I haven't been in close to 10 years. I may start paying dues and attending again...
captain7359
Active member
Thanks guys!!!
Scott, we try and make it to the meetings each month and they are a blast.
Scott, we try and make it to the meetings each month and they are a blast.
Gary Majchrzak
Team RC
I'll bet.
Congratulations, Walter! :dance:
Congratulations, Walter! :dance:
der_wille_zur_macht
Team RC
Had a new beer over the weekend. Need to preface my review with a statement. IMHO, the market is WAY over flooded with "extreme" beers right now - craft or microbrewed beers that try to get your attention by being WAY overboard in one way or another (hoppiest, most bitter, most malty, highest alcohol content, etc.)
While I appreciate this trend in the market, it strikes me that the category of "extreme" beers should be broken into two subcategories: Beers that are extreme for the sake of being extreme, and beers that are extreme as a result of artful and creative recipes and brewing techniques. Sadly, it strikes me that most of the extreme beers on the market fall into the former category, not the latter. It's like going to the movies and getting one of those 32 pound bins of popcorn. It's CRAP. I don't care if there's 32 pounds of it, it still tastes like salty cardboard.
Well, time for a new addition to the "artfully extreme" category. My wife was in Vermont visiting family a few weeks ago and brought back a few cases from a craft brewer called Rockart Brewery (I love this woman. :lol: )
Anyways, we tried one over the weekend called "The Vermonster." It's one of the very few beers that gives me two simultaneous gut-reflex reactions:
1) HOLY **** that is IN YOUR FACE
2) Wow, it's actually well put together, too!
It has 100 IBUs and 10% abv so it's definitely well into the "extreme" category, and VERY in your face to the point that it gives you the wincing sour-candy reaction. It's vastly bitter, but it's rare in that it's bitter in an enjoyable way. It's like the difference between getting punched in the face and getting french kissed. Both are intense experiences but only one of them is enjoyable.
At any rate, if you can't tell, I'm sick of extreme beers that are extreme for the sake of extremity, but The Vermonster is an extreme beer that's also extremely enjoyable.
Sadly I've never seen it for sale around here but you can bet I'll have my wife's family cart some back whenever they're headed this way. And I'm already scouring the web for a recipe, or at least a hop schedule. . .
While I appreciate this trend in the market, it strikes me that the category of "extreme" beers should be broken into two subcategories: Beers that are extreme for the sake of being extreme, and beers that are extreme as a result of artful and creative recipes and brewing techniques. Sadly, it strikes me that most of the extreme beers on the market fall into the former category, not the latter. It's like going to the movies and getting one of those 32 pound bins of popcorn. It's CRAP. I don't care if there's 32 pounds of it, it still tastes like salty cardboard.
Well, time for a new addition to the "artfully extreme" category. My wife was in Vermont visiting family a few weeks ago and brought back a few cases from a craft brewer called Rockart Brewery (I love this woman. :lol: )
Anyways, we tried one over the weekend called "The Vermonster." It's one of the very few beers that gives me two simultaneous gut-reflex reactions:
1) HOLY **** that is IN YOUR FACE
2) Wow, it's actually well put together, too!
It has 100 IBUs and 10% abv so it's definitely well into the "extreme" category, and VERY in your face to the point that it gives you the wincing sour-candy reaction. It's vastly bitter, but it's rare in that it's bitter in an enjoyable way. It's like the difference between getting punched in the face and getting french kissed. Both are intense experiences but only one of them is enjoyable.
At any rate, if you can't tell, I'm sick of extreme beers that are extreme for the sake of extremity, but The Vermonster is an extreme beer that's also extremely enjoyable.
Sadly I've never seen it for sale around here but you can bet I'll have my wife's family cart some back whenever they're headed this way. And I'm already scouring the web for a recipe, or at least a hop schedule. . .
der_wille_zur_macht
Team RC
She brought back a bunch of other Rockart-brand stuff, but I haven't tried any of it yet except a "Belgo-American IPA" that was a little overwhelming for me. The Vermonster strikes me as one of those beers that you keep in the cellar for special occasions and maybe drink a bottle every few months or so.
der_wille_zur_macht
Team RC
Yeah, on a second read-through of my post I see that part's not so clear. What I had meant was that, to me, most "extreme" beers are like getting beat up. Drinking them is an intensely physical experience that leaves me feeling bad afterwards. Meanwhile, this stuff is like getting kissed. It's ALSO an intensely physical experience, but a positive one. 
superkat
Premium Member
ok...better. lol. Not sure where you are at...but if in Rochester, the Old Toad, along with an extremely wonderful staff, all from England and Ireland (and cute...oh, was that out loud?), have the most amazing beer menu...hundreds. By the glass, or bottle. My daughter and I love going and exploring new tastes...found some awesome beers that way.
der_wille_zur_macht
Team RC
I've been there, they definitely have great selections. And though i'm not usually a fan of brown ale, I like their house stuff.
My most recent goldmine was the Copper Turret in Morrisville, of all places (half an hour southeast of Syracuse, middle of nowhere, SUNY college town.) Nothing outrageously rare, but a really good solid diverse selection of quality beer. It's the only place within driving distance of Syracuse that I'm aware of where you can get a Three Philosophers or an Old Speckled Hen from the same bar.
It's nice to see places like these two joints putting as much effort into their beer list as an average place might put into a wine list.
My most recent goldmine was the Copper Turret in Morrisville, of all places (half an hour southeast of Syracuse, middle of nowhere, SUNY college town.) Nothing outrageously rare, but a really good solid diverse selection of quality beer. It's the only place within driving distance of Syracuse that I'm aware of where you can get a Three Philosophers or an Old Speckled Hen from the same bar.
It's nice to see places like these two joints putting as much effort into their beer list as an average place might put into a wine list.
naprestsleep
blank
Trappistes Rochefort 10 -- sadly I have not gotten to BotW or Old Toad to have one recently.
captain7359
Active member
pimpinitup6969
New member
Not many people know about Rockart! It is definitely a well kept secret. I normally make a trip to the brewery once a year when I go on snowboarding trips with some family that lives in vermont. Another good extreme brew that they have is the double porter smoked. The Riddler isn't bad either. Kat once it warms up a little I'm going on a camping trip with my cousin that lives in Burlington. I will have to bring some of their stuff to Rochester for you to sample!
superkat
Premium Member
You mean these??
Samples and frags always on tap over here :beer:
yeah? i've got my GPS out....
please do!!!!!!!!!!!!
der_wille_zur_macht
Team RC
Got one of those, too. Honestly not sure if I'll like it, since I'm not a big fan of smoked beers or porters.
