Pittsburgh

[MooseLang]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I find it very hard to believe that any american wild ale can compare favorably with much easier to obtain and cheaper lambics like 3F, Cantillon, Tilquin, and Girardin gueuze.

I will let you know when I've had an American Wild that was better than even Cuvee Rene. Because it still hasn't happened.

 

[Calcifer]

so SteveOldrati - did you get in on the next one or what??

I have still yet to see these BIF's until the Hints & Hauls threads start... I think I've posted that same quote in every round (up to and including the one currently running on this site). I suck.

 

[nhindian1]

I have still yet to see these BIF's until the Hints & Hauls threads start... I think I've posted that same quote in every round (up to and including the one currently running on this site). I suck.

It's my favorite BIF I've ever done (think I was in #6? Like 2012...)

 

[PSUMike]

I will let you know when I've had an American Wild that was better than even Cuvee Rene. Because it still hasn't happened.

Side Project

 

[MooseLang]

Side Project

I should clarify, to make it closer to apples to apples. I mean non-fruited, non-Flanders Red/Brown AWA’s compared to Cuvee Rene. Beatification is good, but not better, Allagash has a couple that are good, but not better. Most AWAs tend to be overly sour and one dimensional.

So you are saying Side Project makes golden AWAs that are better than Cuvee Rene and other Gueuze? Side Project is too “whale-ish” for me to bother trading for, so I wouldn’t know. The only reports from people I know about that have tried Side Project is their stuff is pretty acidic, too. Who knows.

 

[troygreer]

Surprised you guys are still on here when you should be in line at Shadyside GE.

 

[dadavat]

I will let you know when I've had an American Wild that was better than even Cuvee Rene. Because it still hasn't happened.

Forgot to mention that one, but yeah, even the lowly cuvee rene that turds up shelves all over the country is better than almost every american sour that i've had. I'm not a purist by any means, but the belgians sweep that category for me.

 

[PSUMike]

I should clarify, to make it closer to apples to apples. I mean non-fruited, non-Flanders Red/Brown AWA’s compared to Cuvee Rene. Beatification is good, but not better, Allagash has a couple that are good, but not better. Most AWAs tend to be overly sour and one dimensional.

So you are saying Side Project makes golden AWAs that are better than Cuvee Rene and other Gueuze? Side Project is too “whale-ish” for me to bother trading for, so I wouldn’t know. The only reports from people I know about Side Project is their stuff is pretty acidic, too. Who knows.

I was fortunate enough to be on business in StL a while back and stopped there. Between trades and what I had on draft (not draught you pretentious twats...this is #merica), I've had 5 different sour/saisons from them plus another (collab) waiting for a rainy day. Everything they do is exceptional. Acetic, yes. But, not overpowering. I'd put them up against anyone. Their foudre beer, which is essentially un-fuzzied Fuzzy, is right beside Fou Foune in my book for top sour I've had.

 

[MooseLang]

I was fortunate enough to be on business in StL a while back and stopped there. Between trades and what I had on draft (not draught you pretentious twats...this is #merica), I've had 5 different sour/saisons from them plus another (collab) waiting for a rainy day. Everything they do is exceptional. Acetic, yes. But, not overpowering. I'd put them up against anyone. Their foudre beer, which is essentially un-fuzzied Fuzzy, is right beside Fou Foune in my book for top sour I've had.

Well when they sell to AB in 3 years and expand their distribution to 30 states (incl. MD), then I will let you know if I feel the same way.

Until then, ain't no way I'm finding out, so I'll take your word for it.

 

[OneDropSoup]

I thought you were going to go in a different direction with this....like they seem to follow trends, rather than set them. They respond to what's happening around them in the scene rather than push to be at the front of that change.

Okay, at the risk of once again being called an EE apologist...I'm not going to argue with people's tastes, but EE was the first brewery in Pittsburgh to open after the local & national craft beer recession in the 90s, & pretty much laid the ground work for the current generation of DIY breweries in the area. Everyone can say what they want about their beers, but you can't deny their significance & influence on the local scene.

EDIT: Or are you just trolling me after that Monty Python ****?

 

[Matthouse3]

How is MBP not 1:1 with '14 assassin yet? I'll never understand beer trading... that's probably one of the few beers that I'd consider giving up a MBP for.

It's pretty simple. If you want it to get to that level, everyone needs to stop trying to trade it. You don't see FT: Assassin or FT: Kababus Babus Babus.

 

[preluderl]

Not an AWA, but the only beer I've had from Side Project thus far was Saison du Ble and good lord was it tart. I love a tart saison, but I thought it was a little over the top. It was heart burn city by the time I got to the end of the bottle.

 

[JimmyWimms]

I've had a pretty significant sampling of Side Project beers, and when it comes to Cory's wild ales, I do often find them to be more aggressively sour than my palate prefers, though they're far more bearable than De Garde (woof). Not to say I haven't enjoyed the SP wilds, I just need to be in the mood for them. His saisons on the other hand... The only ones that come close are some of SARA's offerings. Saison du Fermier b3 is easily my favorite saison and that Tete was also stupid good.

Another thing about his beers, and generally all other American sours in my experience, is that they don't age very well, and that's something that is simply not the case with a good portion of lambic.

EDIT: How could I forget the almighty Shaun Hill? Have had the fortune of drinking some beautiful BA saisons from Greensboro Bend.

 

[dadavat]

I know this is as subjective as it gets, but i went through my untappd and the only AWA's i gave 5 stars to are permasmile, lolita, and sang royal. Of those three, the only one that i'd put up against the belgians is permasmile. I haven't had any side project stuff so i can't speak for them, but i have had plenty of other AWA's.

I'll be taking my first hill farmstead trip this summer so maybe i'll find something there that'll change my mind.

 

[kbuzz1]

Okay, at the risk of once again being called an EE apologist...I'm not going to argue with people's tastes, but EE was the first brewery in Pittsburgh to open after the local & national craft beer recession in the 90s, & pretty much laid the ground work for the current generation of DIY breweries in the area. Everyone can say what they want about their beers, but you can't deny their significance & influence on the local scene.

I can't deny that they are historically significant and influential, no. But because they've barely changed anything about how they do things (still depend on their customers to deliver kegs and bottle/cap their special releases by pawning it off as a privileged/ticket-worthy event?? ), I would argue that they are also no longer significant and influential at all....like at all. Haven't been since the great back-to-back-to-back(to-back?) flatitude debacles...

They likely think the same way you do...hence the resting on their laurels pic I posted...they are hanging their hat on the "laying the groundwork for everyone/we were the first to do this here" thing and meanwhile, all the new and fun things about craft beer have passed them right on by......

..."but we're East End, we'll still sell beer".....it's about as self-absorbed as it gets.

Either that, or they just aren't capable of keeping up?

But either way, they are boring as **** and they treat their customers like **** (see: keg policy, lack of interest in BA/TB "toxicity", charging ******* $20 for a regular old (great, yes) ******* barleywine).

But the building looks pretty.

EDIT: sorry for rant, but their conceit is hard for me to swallow, obviously.

 

[troygreer]

I know this is as subjective as it gets, but i went through my untappd and the only AWA's i gave 5 stars to are permasmile, lolita, and sang royal. Of those three, the only one that i'd put up against the belgians is permasmile. I haven't had any side project stuff so i can't speak for them, but i have had plenty of other AWA's.

Do you still have enamel on your teeth after drinking that Lolita?

 

[dadavat]

Do you still have enamel on your teeth after drinking that Lolita?

I've had a few bottles and didn't find any of them to be overly sour. Almanac and Casey on the other hand...

 

[preluderl]

His saisons on the other hand... The only ones that come close are some of SARA's offerings. Saison du Fermier b3 is easily my favorite saison and that Tete was also stupid good.

I found Saison du Ble to be every bit as tart (and honestly, abrasive) as Saison de Cinquieme from de Garde which I also thought was a little overdone.

It's all subjective though, obviously. I'll take multiples of Arthur all day over both.

 

[MooseLang]

I found Saison du Ble to be every bit as tart (and honestly, abrasive) as Saison de Cinquieme from de Garde which I also thought was a little overdone.

It's all subjective though, obviously. I'll take multiples of Arthur all day over both.

I've only ever had the basic bitch HF lineup, and those Saisons speak my language.

 

[dtx00]

I can't deny that they are historically significant and influential, no. But because they've barely changed anything about how they do things (still depend on their customers to deliver kegs and bottle/cap their special releases by pawning it off as a privileged/ticket-worthy event?? ), I would argue that they are also no longer significant and influential at all....like at all. Haven't been since the great back-to-back-to-back(to-back?) flatitude debacles...

They likely think the same way you do...hence the resting on their laurels pic I posted...they are hanging their hat on the "laying the groundwork for everyone/we were the first to do this here" thing and meanwhile, all the new and fun things about craft beer have passed them right on by......

..."but we're East End, we'll still sell beer".....it's about as self-absorbed as it gets.

Either that, or they just aren't capable of keeping up?

But either way, they are boring as **** and they treat their customers like **** (see: keg policy, lack of interest in BA/TB "toxicity", charging ******* $20 for a regular old (great, yes) ******* barleywine).

But the building looks pretty.

EDIT: sorry for rant, but their conceit is hard for me to swallow, obviously.

I will add that they did a poor job when they were expanding/moving with their "club". That and taking all their beers putting them in different barrels and calling them sours doesn't help. Other than their annual Big Pour beer, which seems like they put less and less thought into it, and the couple collaborations when is the last time they made a new beer?

 

[dtx00]

Anyone up for a cigar and bottle share in my backyard in the next few weeks?

Always down for tastings, plus I really like those 2 things

 

[OneDropSoup]

I can't deny that they are historically significant and influential, no. But because they've barely changed anything about how they do things (still depend on their customers to deliver kegs and bottle/cap their special releases by pawning it off as a privileged/ticket-worthy event?? ), I would argue that they are also no longer significant and influential at all....like at all. Haven't been since the great back-to-back-to-back(to-back?) flatitude debacles...

They likely think the same way you do...hence the resting on their laurels pic I posted...they are hanging their hat on the "laying the groundwork for everyone/we were the first to do this here" thing and meanwhile, all the new and fun things about craft beer have passed them right on by......

..."but we're East End, we'll still sell beer".....it's about as self-absorbed as it gets.

Either that, or they just aren't capable of keeping up?

But either way, they are boring as **** and they treat their customers like **** (see: keg policy, lack of interest in BA/TB "toxicity", charging ******* $20 for a regular old (great, yes) ******* barleywine).

But the building looks pretty.

EDIT: sorry for rant, but their conceit is hard for me to swallow, obviously.

Fine. I'll happily continue discussing East End & Monty Python in person sometime.

 

[barflybastard]

Other than their annual Big Pour beer, which seems like they put less and less thought into it, and the couple collaborations when is the last time they made a new beer?

Maybe...Green Giant?

 

[mikebezek]

I've had a pretty significant sampling of Side Project beers.

 

[kbuzz1]

Fine. I'll happily continue discussing East End & Monty Python in person sometime.

At the rate you and I see each other in person, I'm going to guess you mean that you don't ever want to talk about this again.

At least we'll always have the Elevators!

 

[preluderl]

The "Humblebragasaur", which tends to be pretty common in these parts.

 

[dtx00]

Fine. I'll happily continue discussing East End & Monty Python in person sometime.

Don't get me wrong I wish they were better. Was a big fanboy of theirs when I first moved to Pittsburgh. Probably shared more EE beer than anything else. I just don't ever see them getting back to what they once were

 

[tommyguz]

Sounds like one of my kid's "guessing games," where she recently asked me to guess a number between three and five.




The answer was orange.

HAHAHAHAHAHA

I think it started with big bourbon trading and auction groups being shut down. Not sure if any plain beer trading groups were effected.

Think it started with Gun Groups then alcohol

It's hilarious to me that everything that EE does is never on time. They wanted to open their new location by the end of March... March has come and gone...

They posted on FB about how they had to rip the entire draft system out and put in a new one because it wasn't done right from the previous owners, causing the delay

 

[tommyguz]

What is that coffee place called inside East End? Commonplace? That is some good coffee!

 

[JimmyWimms]

The "Humblebragasaur", which tends to be pretty common in these parts.