spearko520
Well-Known Member
i picked up two bottles at wegman's a couple of weeks ago because the price was right and drank one but wasn't thrilled enough to drink the second- what do you think? i am always curious as to NY opinions on PA beer...
My Year in Beer
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Help Support Homebrew Talk - Beer, Wine, Mead, & Cider Brewing Discussion Forum:
i picked up two bottles at wegman's a couple of weeks ago because the price was right and drank one but wasn't thrilled enough to drink the second- what do you think? i am always curious as to NY opinions on PA beer...
OP
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June 9, 2012 - The White Horse Tavern, Manhattan
Schaefer Beer
Schaefer Beer
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June 9, 2012 - The Algonquin Hotel, Mid-town Manhattan
Duvel Belgian Golden Ale
Drinking in New York City is enough to make you nuts. Earlier today I paid $22 for a Cosmopolitan (for my wife). Now, I have no problem dropping coin for good booze. I'll pay $10 for a 22oz bomber of something new and different. On whole I see the value and can justify the math in my head.
But in NYC, ordering up is like being on another planet. There's neither rhyme no reason to the pricing. Every transaction over the arm rail is a leap of faith. You place your bet (be it for Pabst, Pete's Wicked or Paulaner) and hold your breath when the bill comes. You could pay happy hour or home mortgage pricing. Better hope the beer gods are smiling.
Tonight I paid $7.00 for a ginger ale, $9.00 for a Miller Light and $11.00 for a Duvel. Someone 'splain that to me.
Can't wait to Metro North north tomorrow - back to my home brew and home court where I can buy beer that comes with a coaster instead of a co-signer...
Duvel Belgian Golden Ale
Drinking in New York City is enough to make you nuts. Earlier today I paid $22 for a Cosmopolitan (for my wife). Now, I have no problem dropping coin for good booze. I'll pay $10 for a 22oz bomber of something new and different. On whole I see the value and can justify the math in my head.
But in NYC, ordering up is like being on another planet. There's neither rhyme no reason to the pricing. Every transaction over the arm rail is a leap of faith. You place your bet (be it for Pabst, Pete's Wicked or Paulaner) and hold your breath when the bill comes. You could pay happy hour or home mortgage pricing. Better hope the beer gods are smiling.
Tonight I paid $7.00 for a ginger ale, $9.00 for a Miller Light and $11.00 for a Duvel. Someone 'splain that to me.
Can't wait to Metro North north tomorrow - back to my home brew and home court where I can buy beer that comes with a coaster instead of a co-signer...
It's funny, only, because it wasn't me.
OP
OP
June 10, 2012 - The Ginger Man, Manhattan
Is drinking in Manhattan a kick in the nads? Absolutely. But today I was reminded why I often drag my nads down across the Tappan Zee bridge to be kicked.
I spent this afternoon at The Ginger Man on East 36th Street in midtown. The Ginger Man (http://www.gingerman-ny.com/) is a straight up, no bulls**t, beer lovers bar.
Our bartender (Anne) was passionate and knowledgeable about beer. In fact, she was the first female Certified Cicerone in NYC. Needless to say, I let her pick my beers. She started me with a Firestone Walker Union Jack IPA (sublime). Next she poured me a Oskar Blues Deviant Dale's (amazing). After that she pinted up a Green Point Harbor Big TIPA (delicious). All were great, and none put a dent in the number of 'just as great' beers left on the list. In between each round she gave me tastes of sours, saisons, seasonals and specialty beers. It was a little pour of heaven.
I had to leave. It broke my heart to do it. I'll be back soon with a second mortgage and a sleeping bag.
Is drinking in Manhattan a kick in the nads? Absolutely. But today I was reminded why I often drag my nads down across the Tappan Zee bridge to be kicked.
I spent this afternoon at The Ginger Man on East 36th Street in midtown. The Ginger Man (http://www.gingerman-ny.com/) is a straight up, no bulls**t, beer lovers bar.
Our bartender (Anne) was passionate and knowledgeable about beer. In fact, she was the first female Certified Cicerone in NYC. Needless to say, I let her pick my beers. She started me with a Firestone Walker Union Jack IPA (sublime). Next she poured me a Oskar Blues Deviant Dale's (amazing). After that she pinted up a Green Point Harbor Big TIPA (delicious). All were great, and none put a dent in the number of 'just as great' beers left on the list. In between each round she gave me tastes of sours, saisons, seasonals and specialty beers. It was a little pour of heaven.
I had to leave. It broke my heart to do it. I'll be back soon with a second mortgage and a sleeping bag.
OP
OP
I'm with you. I love Simcoe hops, but I thought this beer was way over the top and in no way balanced. I forced the bomber down and was glad not to have a second one to contend with. I like a lot of PA beer, but this isn't one of them.
OP
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June 12, 2012 - IPA Hop Randall Experiment - At Home
Buddy of mine got himself a Hop Randall for his birthday. He gave me a sample of his IPA (on the left) and a sample of his IPA run through the Hop Randall filled with half a pound of Zeus hops (on the right). Can't say as it works for me. A lot more aroma from the Hop Randall, but the flavor added is too vegetal for me. Think I'll stick to dry hopping...
Buddy of mine got himself a Hop Randall for his birthday. He gave me a sample of his IPA (on the left) and a sample of his IPA run through the Hop Randall filled with half a pound of Zeus hops (on the right). Can't say as it works for me. A lot more aroma from the Hop Randall, but the flavor added is too vegetal for me. Think I'll stick to dry hopping...
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June 13, 2012 - City Beer Hall, Albany
My first homebrew judged by a BJCP certified judge. 35 out of 50 for my Rye PA - I'll take it (thanks Don for being gentle whilst taking my cherry).
My first homebrew judged by a BJCP certified judge. 35 out of 50 for my Rye PA - I'll take it (thanks Don for being gentle whilst taking my cherry).
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June 14, 2012 - The Backyard, post toil
Clown Shoes - Hoppy Feet, Black IPA (7.0% ABV)
Being a beer geek, I love trying new beers. I'm constantly delighted by the way brewers can take something you think you know and make subtle changes to it. Changes that make the beer that much better and that much more interesting. Because of this found fun, I'm always up to try a style of beer that I don't necessarily love because someone says 'you have to try this' (been talked into many a beer with fruit in it this way). Nothing ventured - nothing gained, right?
That being said, sometimes I just feel the need to give up on a style. I'm there with Black IPAs. On it's face, it's a beer I should love. I love dark beers and I love IPAs. But for some reason, I just can't like BIPAs. I've tried. I've tried Stone's Self-Righteous Ale. I've hunted down Firestone Walker's Jack Black. I even went out and found Odell's Double Black IPA. Didn't like one of them.
I tried brewing my own. Didn't like it. Everytime I see a BIPA on tap at brewery or see a new BIPA in a bomber at the beer store, I've tried them thinking that I just haven't found one to my taste. Every single time, I regret wasting precious beer time and beer space on another disappointment.
At this point I'm ready to give up the quest and avoid Black IPAs, India Dark Ales, Cascadian Dark Ales or whatever else they're calling failure this week. Life is too short - I'll have a 'anything else' please...
Clown Shoes - Hoppy Feet, Black IPA (7.0% ABV)
Being a beer geek, I love trying new beers. I'm constantly delighted by the way brewers can take something you think you know and make subtle changes to it. Changes that make the beer that much better and that much more interesting. Because of this found fun, I'm always up to try a style of beer that I don't necessarily love because someone says 'you have to try this' (been talked into many a beer with fruit in it this way). Nothing ventured - nothing gained, right?
That being said, sometimes I just feel the need to give up on a style. I'm there with Black IPAs. On it's face, it's a beer I should love. I love dark beers and I love IPAs. But for some reason, I just can't like BIPAs. I've tried. I've tried Stone's Self-Righteous Ale. I've hunted down Firestone Walker's Jack Black. I even went out and found Odell's Double Black IPA. Didn't like one of them.
I tried brewing my own. Didn't like it. Everytime I see a BIPA on tap at brewery or see a new BIPA in a bomber at the beer store, I've tried them thinking that I just haven't found one to my taste. Every single time, I regret wasting precious beer time and beer space on another disappointment.
At this point I'm ready to give up the quest and avoid Black IPAs, India Dark Ales, Cascadian Dark Ales or whatever else they're calling failure this week. Life is too short - I'll have a 'anything else' please...
OP
OP
June 15, 2012 - Yanni's Too, on the Hudson River
Yanni's Brown, Davidson Bros
Yanni's Brown, Davidson Bros
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June 16, 2012 - The Point - Father's Day Dinner
Lagunitas IPA
Lagunitas IPA
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June 16, 2012 - Mahar's
Mild At Heart (on cask), Wandering Star Brewing
What to say about Mahar's?
Jim Mahar was serious about beer before almost anyone else was serious about beer. For decades, he has enlightened Albany beer drinkers with the widest selection of beers you are (still) likely to find anywhere. That being said, Mahar's is not for the faint of heart or the easily offended. As Jim's website (http://www.itsonlybeer.com/) makes clear: "We're not actively seeking new customers, in fact we should probably lose a few that we already have".
Jim's ordering instructions (posted above the bar) say it all:
1. Order your beer by name
2. Say 'Please'
3. Take Your Beer
4. Go Away
A man after my own misanthropic heart...
Mild At Heart (on cask), Wandering Star Brewing
What to say about Mahar's?
Jim Mahar was serious about beer before almost anyone else was serious about beer. For decades, he has enlightened Albany beer drinkers with the widest selection of beers you are (still) likely to find anywhere. That being said, Mahar's is not for the faint of heart or the easily offended. As Jim's website (http://www.itsonlybeer.com/) makes clear: "We're not actively seeking new customers, in fact we should probably lose a few that we already have".
Jim's ordering instructions (posted above the bar) say it all:
1. Order your beer by name
2. Say 'Please'
3. Take Your Beer
4. Go Away
A man after my own misanthropic heart...
OP
OP
June 17, 2012 - HB Cream Ale - Father's Day Brew Day in the 3rd Bay (Pliny the Elder Clone)
OP
OP
June 18, 2012. - Mad Jack Brewing at The Van Dyke
Pinhead Pale Ale
Pinhead Pale Ale
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OP
June 19, 2012 - The Back Patio, After work
Southern Hemisphere Harvest Fresh Hop Ale (6.7% ABV), Sierra Nevada Brewing
Southern Hemisphere Harvest Fresh Hop Ale (6.7% ABV), Sierra Nevada Brewing
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OP
June 20, 2012 - Post toil and 98 degrees out,
Save Our Shore Pilsner (7% ABV), Abita Brewing
Save Our Shore Pilsner (7% ABV), Abita Brewing
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June 20, 2012 - Impromptu Neighbor Party (the best kind),
HB Czech Pilsner
HB Czech Pilsner
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June 21, 2012 - Brew Day in the 3rd Bay (Oktoberfest),
HB Czech Pilsner
HB Czech Pilsner
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June 22, 2012 - Donnelly's Public House (TGIF),
Lagunitas Pils
Lagunitas Pils
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June 22, 2012 - The Old Toad, Cask Festival
Three Floyd's Zombie Dust
Three Floyd's Zombie Dust
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June 23, 2012 - Camp McGuigan, Lake Ontario,
Genny Cream Ale
Genny Cream Ale
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June 24, 2012 - The Savoy, Rome NY,
Saranac Black Forest Ale
Saranac Black Forest Ale
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June 26, 2012 - At home, Kegging (AK47 Pale Mild),
Blue Point Brewing No Apologies Double IPA (10%)
Blue Point Brewing No Apologies Double IPA (10%)
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June 27, 2012 - Post Kegging (Helles),
HB Czech Pilsner
HB Czech Pilsner
BrettFitz
Well-Known Member
1984, a friend's basement. Waiting for my bud to get ready to head to a High School party, hanging with his pops. His dad opened the fridge in his home-style "basement bar" and said, "Are you ready for a man's beer?" The fridge was full of cans of Genny Cream Ale. In the bottom drawer I saw a bunch of Molson's Golden bottles. Now as a 10th grade HS student, north of Buffalo in my little "Country Ghetto," Golden represented beer above my class. My friends and I used to work our a$$es off on local farms and pool a percentage of our weekly pay for road trips to Canada to get a case or two and savor them as best as children who really knew no better could. Much of the rest of our pay was spent on Genny, Old Mil and the likes.
Mr. Demmin grabbed two cans of Screamers and popped them simultaneously, one in each hand - I was duly impressed - and slid one my way. First beer that a grown-up offered me. I was still staring at the Molson's behind him in the opened fridge, but the gravity of the moment (from my perspective) was large enough to overcome the beer envy.
Then to my horror, as his dog walked behind the bar, Mr. D grabbed a bottle of the golden, popped the top on an opener that was screwed to the wall next to the fridge, and fed the beer to his dog! Literally, he tipped the bottle, put it to the dog's mouth, and poured the entire beer into the dog's mouth. Right about then my buddy came in, I chugged my can and thanked Mr. D and skinned out.
Amazing how much my taste in beer has changed over the past 25+ years. I don't pursue Molson's anymore at all. On the other hand, there is a place 4 hours north of where I now live in Florida that sells 30-packs of Genny in cans, 14.95$, and my neighbor and I have made annual road trips (he is a North-of-Buffalo transplant too).
I won't ever try to brew Genny Cream Ale, but the photo of your bottle a few days ago has sealed it - I'm going to brew at least 2 cream ales this summer. Thanks for the memory jolt, and I've enjoyed your posts from day 1. Keep it up.
Mr. Demmin grabbed two cans of Screamers and popped them simultaneously, one in each hand - I was duly impressed - and slid one my way. First beer that a grown-up offered me. I was still staring at the Molson's behind him in the opened fridge, but the gravity of the moment (from my perspective) was large enough to overcome the beer envy.
Then to my horror, as his dog walked behind the bar, Mr. D grabbed a bottle of the golden, popped the top on an opener that was screwed to the wall next to the fridge, and fed the beer to his dog! Literally, he tipped the bottle, put it to the dog's mouth, and poured the entire beer into the dog's mouth. Right about then my buddy came in, I chugged my can and thanked Mr. D and skinned out.
Amazing how much my taste in beer has changed over the past 25+ years. I don't pursue Molson's anymore at all. On the other hand, there is a place 4 hours north of where I now live in Florida that sells 30-packs of Genny in cans, 14.95$, and my neighbor and I have made annual road trips (he is a North-of-Buffalo transplant too).
I won't ever try to brew Genny Cream Ale, but the photo of your bottle a few days ago has sealed it - I'm going to brew at least 2 cream ales this summer. Thanks for the memory jolt, and I've enjoyed your posts from day 1. Keep it up.
OP
OP
Sounds like we grew up in parallel universes on opposite sides of the Genesee River. I grew up in Auburn (an hour east of Rochester) and graduated in 86 as well. We cut our teeth on Genny and PBR too, but our splurge import was OV splits.
Enjoy your Cream Ale brews. I have one in the kegerator right now. Great hot weather beer and it brings back great memories but the best part is - NO Genny Screamers!
Slainte'
Chuginator
Well-Known Member
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Cool story.
Gotta say, as this is my "off" season for brewing, this thread is the singular reason I visit this site.
Once again, applause for your originality and enthusiasm.
Gotta say, as this is my "off" season for brewing, this thread is the singular reason I visit this site.
Once again, applause for your originality and enthusiasm.
OP
OP
June 28, 2012 - Dinner at The Gingerman,
Anchor Steam Summer Beer (4.5%)
Anchor Steam Summer Beer (4.5%)
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June 29, 2012 - TGIF,
Miller High Life, Midleton Irish Whiskey, Utica Club Draft
"Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't." It's going to be one of those nights...
Miller High Life, Midleton Irish Whiskey, Utica Club Draft
"Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't." It's going to be one of those nights...
OP
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June 30, 2012 - Wells Beach, Maine,
Baxter Brewing Celsius Summer Ale (4.7% ABV)
Baxter Brewing Celsius Summer Ale (4.7% ABV)
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June 30, 2012 - Wells Beach, Maine,
Rising Tide Brewing, Daymark Pale Ale (5.5% ABV)
Rising Tide Brewing, Daymark Pale Ale (5.5% ABV)
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OP
July 1, 2012 - Maine Diner, Wells, Maine,
Shipyard Summer Ale
Shipyard Summer Ale
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July 1, 2012 - Wells Beach,
Portland Lager, Bull Jagger Brewing
Portland Lager, Bull Jagger Brewing
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July 2, 2012 - Gritty McDuff's, Portland, ME
Vacationland Summer Ale
Vacationland Summer Ale
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July 2, 2012 - $3 Deweys, Portland, ME
Shipyard Monkey Fist IPA
Shipyard Monkey Fist IPA
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July 3, 2012 - On the deck at My Place & Co.,
Pitcher of PBR
Pitcher of PBR
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July 4, 2012 - Brew Day (Hop Brown Ale) & Caddy Cleaning,
No. 19 Baltic Porter (8.0% ABV), Bull Jagger Brewing
No. 19 Baltic Porter (8.0% ABV), Bull Jagger Brewing
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July 6, 2012 - Brew Night in the Third Bay (Hefeweizen) - The Maharaja Imperial IPA, Avery Brewing (10.5% ABV)
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July 7, 2012 - The Barge on the Hudson River (and Albany Aquaduck) - Landshark Lager
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July 8, 2012 - The Freehold Country Pub (Convertible Run) - PBR Me ASAP
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