OT, BEER: Kirkland Signature Craft Brews
Since OT is okay again, I thought I would return to this forum's second favorite subject. As I sit tonight cleaning my old irons for selling (Rawlings Oversize Pure Gold, 3-SW, knicks and scratches but in great shape, $50 if interested), I am sipping on a Kirkland Signature Hefeweizen. It is very good.
For those unaware, Kirkland is Costco's in store brand, and unlike most in store brands, their stuff is usually just as good, if not better than the competition. So, when I saw that they were now selling beer, I decided to take a chance.
First, like most things Kirkland brand, it is EXTREMELY reasonably priced at about $20 for 24 longnecks. At about .90 cents per bottle, this beats out any other craft brew I've seen by a dime, and most by 25 or more cents. The 24 case came with 4 six packs of their four craft brews, Hefeweizen, Pale Ale, Amber Ale, and a German Style Lager.
Each is equally well represented, a good simple example of that type of ale or lager without having an exceptionally distinct character. The Pale Ale, for instance is very good with a pronounced bitter hopiness, but it is not a Bell's Two Hearted. For the cost, if you have a costco membership, you relly can't go wrong. Pricewise, it's closer to Bud, but drinking wise, it's closer to your favorite craft.
January 16th, 2011 at 2:27 AM ^
Thanks for the tip on the Kirkland stuff, thats fantastic. I was nervous about buying something that was so inexpensive.
I don't love the brews from Goose Island. 312 is pretty ok, but I really only like it in the summer. They have one in the Chicago area called Green Line which, IMO, is the best they put out (aside from the Burbon Aged Country Stout at $10/bottle).
January 16th, 2011 at 2:49 AM ^
I'm from the area and I really wanted to try the bourbon stout over winter break. You're right though, it's 22 a four pack where I'm from (northwest suburbs).
Although I disagree, I'm a big fan of Goose Island.
January 16th, 2011 at 3:12 AM ^
Thats what makes craft beer so awesome. Two people can taste the same two beers and have completely different views on it. I was actually able to get my hands on a bottle of the stout at the pub in wrigleyville. If you feel like splurging, get yourself a bottle, it's well worth it.
I'm sure it will age well in the bottle too if you get yourself a 4-pack then keep a couple in the celler for awhile.
January 16th, 2011 at 3:15 AM ^
True, their good stuff cellars for up to five years.
January 16th, 2011 at 8:32 AM ^
Drank up the last of the Great Lakes Brewing Company Christmas Ale last night. Yummy!
January 16th, 2011 at 8:42 AM ^
....but their steaks and chops are first-rate....
January 16th, 2011 at 1:35 PM ^
This is the truth. There steaks and chops are so good. They're not too expensive and taste delicious.
January 16th, 2011 at 8:51 AM ^
the Kirkland. Nice call. At that price point, I haven't found anything that can touch it.
January 16th, 2011 at 9:28 AM ^
30 oz of happy, and for only 75 cents, that's my "bottled water", hate water, so next best thing..
January 16th, 2011 at 9:34 AM ^
I'm a big fan of the Costco brews. The case comes with 6 of each, and as the OP highlights, the price cannot be beat.
Grabbed a case prior to a ski/snowboard/wintry cabin weekend last winter and it was ideal.
January 16th, 2011 at 9:47 AM ^
Also, while we're on the topic, if anybody is a fan of the real Czech-style Pilsen (don't be fooled by Budweiser and Miller calling it a Pilsener), Sam Adams is putting out a first class effort with their Noble Pils. You can find it on sale at a Meijer for $7.50 or so, and it's good stuff. Also Victory Prima Pils.
Spent a few days in Prague a year and a half ago, and drank the real Pilzn drafts and it was the nectar of the gods.
January 16th, 2011 at 10:12 AM ^
German Lager, Pale Ale, Hefe and one other... was very good.
January 16th, 2011 at 10:30 AM ^
are okay for the price, but I'm not buying them again. The brewery is Brooklyn Brewery in NY. They went down just fine of course, but not very remarkable. Still beats the shit out of Bud Light though.
January 16th, 2011 at 11:50 AM ^
I've gone through a couple of the 24-packs over the last year or two. I've come to the conclusion that the value (as in goodness-per-dollar) is very good, but it's a little lower on the curve than I want to buy. I'd rather spend (numbers out of a hat) 50% more for a beer 30% better.
January 16th, 2011 at 1:10 PM ^
Founders and Shorts make my favorite beer by far. Dogfish head is pretty damn good aswell. I will have to try out the costco stuff sometime though because I did see them the other day and was interested.
January 16th, 2011 at 2:03 PM ^
The Kirklands are ok, but the Trader Joe's branded beers are much better. $6 for six pack bottles fits this hobo's meager budget. They're all good (brewed by Gordon Biersch), but the Vienna, Dunkelweizen, and the Winterfest Bock are probably my favorites. Also, their Vintage Ale (from Montreal's Unibroue) that comes out every Christmas is always awesome. They offer a nice kolsch in the summer too. Check 'em out, but leave some for me -- I need a break from fortified wine every so often.
January 16th, 2011 at 2:23 PM ^
The 24-packs in general tend to be good deals at Costco (especially Sam Adams), but Kirkland beer is supposed to be pretty good too. It's brewed by Gordon Biersch, which also brews Trader Joe's beer, although that may be just on the West Coast according to this website.
January 16th, 2011 at 2:35 PM ^
Trader Joe's beers are totally legit, especially for the price, and of course you can buy them in as little as 6. And their Simpler Times canned beers are terrific too.
This is great if you live within 130 miles of a Trader Joe's, which I don't, because I live in Grand Meijer Rapids.
Can't we just build a Trader Joe's inside a Meijer and just call it good?