East coast vs West coast

[HopLife]

@ Revvy: Beer selection at a gas station...that is awesome. I normally have only about 10 microbrews to choose from at best when I fill er up. I used to think that was pretty good...Until now.

 

[BasementBrewmistress]

Yes, there's quite a few in metro detroit that I frequent that have thousands craft beer's to choose from. And many many many that have a few hundred. Heck we complain that the Citgo Gas Station ONLY has FIVE doors of Craft Beer in it.

I've started to see a few regionals and micros at the local Sheetz of all places. On the cheap too

Was going to be an ass and hop on the East Coast train...until I realized some of my favorites are from California.

Damned bi-coastal rivalry!

 

[jmprdood]

As a west coast transplant to the east coast, I'm biased to my roots out west. Plus I have to give a slight edge to the Pacific Northwest since they grow the majority of the country's hops.

Don't forget the wonderful coffee on every corner to tame the effects of all the great beer consumed the night before - I'm convinced the NW coffee culture was born to offset the beer cultures indulgences....

 

[smalliewader]

While you're here...if you want something different, try Dogfish's Raison D'etre. Fantastic beer.

 

[JeffersonJ]

Some areas are struggling more than others (Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, for instance), but there's always potential for improvement in each state.

You'd be surprised! I think Alabama currently has six craft breweries with another opening up in Birmingham soon. Our breweries don't typically have broad distribution, but they produce some pretty top-notch beers! I'd put most of Good People's beers against any other example of the style.

 

[Airborneguy]

This forum offers an opportunity to point out unique contributions or insight about your regional area, without being boring. Besides threads that don't have room for some controversy don't create many opinions or posts.

Than I misinterpreted, sorry. I was confused by your response when the first "controversial" comment appeared.

Are there many bottleshops in other areas that attempt to have such variety?

300? Any place around here with 300 beers isn't even worth checking out.

This place is on my way home (unfortunately for my wallet...):

The Amazing Beer Selection at Eagle Provisions in South Slope | Serious Eats : New York

 

[HopLife]

300? Any place around here with 300 beers isn't even worth checking out.

not 300. 3000. one extra zero in the original post.

 

[BasementBrewmistress]

Any place around here with 300 beers isn't even worth checking out.

Really, I thought my Richmond hangout was awesome, but they have <300 brews

 

[Airborneguy]

Really, I thought my Richmond hangout was awesome, but they have <300 brews

That's why I said around here . Apparently Hoplife could pass by my place without a glance.

 

[JeffersonJ]

Really, I thought my Richmond hangout was awesome, but they have <300 brews

I've actually been there - a pretty cool place!

Also, I think the conversation was about bottle shops, not bars!

 

[eanmcnulty]

I have to go with Midwest too. I'm not knocking West Coast or East Coast at all. They make great beer, but Founders Breakfast Stout, Kentucky Breakfast Stout, and (The best!) Canadian Breakfast Stout are made in Michigan.
However, Southern Tier (Creme Brulee!) is in New York. That's East Coast, so I'm leaning, BUT Avery is Colorado, which is West, but I'm not sure it can be called West "Coast", so I'm lumping it in with Midwest, and I'm throwing in Three Floyd's, Bell's, New Glarus, Two Brothers, New Holland, and Dark Horse. MidWest!

 

[BasementBrewmistress]

That's why I said around here . Apparently Hoplife could pass by my place without a glance.

I know, but you have to admit it does raise the bar. It's like being proud of your new 2-keg mini-fridge and then seeing some guy's 12-tap basement brewpub!

I've actually been there - a pretty cool place!

Also, I think the conversation was about bottle shops, not bars!

LOL - I missed that part. I do love Cap Ale. $2 burger nite on Mondays is unbeatable...even if they only have 300 beers

 

[HawksBrewer]

+1 to Revvy and all others on the Midwest. Being in Chicago gives me quick access to WI brews (i.e. New Glarus) and MI brews (i.e. Founders, Bell's, and also Odd Side Ales in Grand Haven) and even Goose Island if I want quasi-quenchable (used-to-be-craft) beers. Cheers.

 

[mux]

+1 to Revvy and all others on the Midwest. Being in Chicago gives me quick access to WI brews (i.e. New Glarus) and MI brews (i.e. Founders, Bell's, and also Odd Side Ales in Grand Haven) and even Goose Island if I want quasi-quenchable (used-to-be-craft) beers. Cheers.

Don't forget 3 Floyd's.

 

[NordeastBrewer77]

Considering there's 100 craft breweries in the state of michigan alone, I say midwest represent!!!!

i'm with this. take MI, WI, and MN into account and you have a pretty solid craft beer movement in the upper midwest. and as great as some of those west coast beers are, many pale in comparison to some of the beers being brewed in this part of the country.

 

[HawksBrewer]

Don't forget 3 Floyd's.

How dare I forget those Indiana brewers! Good stuff.

 

[geer537]

Count me as one of the overly hopped West Coast IPA lover's. I like other styles too but Pliny has been the best beer I have had. I'd love to keep trying to find one that would top it- IPA or not.

 

[Coldies]

Considering I grew up in the county were Pizza Port, Stone Brewing, Ballast Point, lost Abbey, (To name only a few) were all founded I'm gonna have to stick with the west coast. Not to mention up north from me, Rogue, deschutes, etc...

By the way didn't the west coast get a tri-fecta for the best brewerys in the US, I think Washington, oregon, and California were all ranked in the top 3.

With that being said I so wish I could get my hands on beers that we dont have here that are all over the US.

 

[NordeastBrewer77]

Count me as one of the overly hopped West Coast IPA lover's. I like other styles too but Pliny has been the best beer I have had. I'd love to keep trying to find one that would top it- IPA or not.

pliny is stellar beer, one of my faves. there's a few from our neck of the woods that are just as good. Flat Earth's NW Passage, Surly Furious or Abrasive, Bell's Hopslam are all great IPA's that rank up there with the west coasters like pliny or stone's ruination.

i digress, Deschutes has to be one of the better breweries in the nation.

 

[eanmcnulty]

With that being said I so wish I could get my hands on beers that we dont have here that are all over the US.

I'm with you on that.

 

[SwampassJ]

I like both styles but I tend to drink the East Coast beers more often because they aren't as in your face but then again it depends on my mood.

 

[saintdog327]

Biggie > Tupac

Just Kidding! Don't wanna start that type of turf war on a beer forum! haha

Unless you think otherwise...

 

[wiescins]

Third coast all the way! Gotta go with West over East though. Russian River & Firestone Walker top everything I've had from the East.

 

[HopLife]

Biggie > Tupac

Just Kidding! Don't wanna start that type of turf war on a beer forum! haha

Unless you think otherwise...

I intentionally posted it that way. Was curious if anybody would notice.

Officially no comment on the tupac / biggie...I don't even like rap all that much.


I am flying back west tomorrow. Even though I am a left coast guy, It will be a shame to leave some of these great east coast brews. Terrapin Hopsecutioner is freakin awesome.

 

[Glossolalia]

LOL...even folks in Europe mention some places, Germany especially are mired in old ways of thinking, and a lack of adventure.

Perhaps, but I'd still rather drink the old beers of Bamberg, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Czech Republic, and Belgium than most American beers. There's quite a bit of adventure happening in Italy and parts of Scandinavia. There's an under-documented (at least in the English-speaking world) scene blooming in France right now as well.

 

[Airborneguy]

I have to agree about Italy. I was shocked recently when I saw the Italian section in a beer "mecca" that I found recently in Brooklyn. Easily 4'x7' feet of shelf space just for Italian beers in single bottles.

 

[scottland]

I love how none of us on the west coast are even wasting our time with this argument. Different strokes for different folks, this is a total waste of time.

 

[geer537]

Wait- Eugene, OR/ Carlsbad, CA/ Seaside, CA are all no longer part of the west coast??

Why can't we have fun on this site? Besides if you thought it was a waste of time, why would you bother respndong?

 

[scottland]

My point was that there was 5x as many people on the east coast responding. I was talking in generalities.

 

[geer537]

Ah- Got it. No worries. I thought it was kind of a cool way to learn about a few brews I should try. I pointed out that I liked Pliny and the retort was then you should try these Eas Coast beers. There is some trash talk but it's all in good fun, I think...