OT- Father's Day Beer Help
Hello fellow MGoBloggers. This is my first non-news related board topic, so please forgive any errors or issues.
I have always noticed the drinking threads, and it has come to my attention that there is at least a small population of people here that are alcohol and beer enthusiasts. I have been searching for a gift to get my father for Father's Day, and I would like to get him a case of beer. I, not being of legal age to consume or purchase beer, know absolutely nothing of the topic, other than what I see him drinking. I would like to call upon the population of the MGoBoard to please give me some pointers or offer advice on this topic.
Important information:
- He wants something unique, preferably to the Michigan (or surrounding) region. Something new, that he hasn't had before. He has lived in the south pretty much since he graduated from Michigan, so there isn't anything out there that he's had before. Just anything unique or different, that is good.
- We live in Georgia (the one south of Tennessee, not Russia), so delivery is definitely an issue, as my mom or I can't just drive and pick it up.
- He likes everything for the most part: his favorite beers are Sweetwater, Yuengling, Coors, and Heineken, but in general, he likes everything.
- I was contemplating Bell's Brewery, having heard so many great things about them, but I wouldn't know what to get, or even if they would deliver.
Thank you so much for helping answer this odd request.
I learned that you can get Oberon mini-kegs sent anywhere in the country. A friend of mine sent one to New Mexico.
More details about this, please! My wife is a sad panda with no Oberon in Colorado.
omfg.
They ship to the People's Republic of MD???????????????????
Will buy this for our Outer Banks family reunion!
omfg. so happy!
I'm not a Michigander by any means but I've learned enough about Bells here and ventured into their brews over the past couple years (while I learn the ways of being a beer snob and learning what constitutes "good beer" all the while learning what I really like and sophisticating my beer tastes).
I'm not sure how abundant Bells is in the South where you are but I'm sure something of their ilk will please you Father, especially if he's never had any of their brews before. Even their year-round stuff that is readily available at the wine and spirits section could work (I'm not sure you'll find any specialty right now anyway, other than the seasonal Oberon..which would work as well!). A few Founder's choices exist as well, another Michigan beer.
I'm not the expert to consult here but there are many, many good beers/brewers out there to chose from. I'm just not sure what your choices are and what's available to you (i.e. if any of the great California brewers, Northeast brewers, Colorado brewers, etc. are available to you so it's hard for me, personally, to give any great advice other than the above.
Maybe a way would be to get on www.BeerAdvocate.com and find out some of the regions good beers and then research those that are available and near you.
You're not 21 and after writing all of this, if this is crossing some lines regarding minors and alcohol, MODS please feel free to edit/delete the post...Just trying to help gift giver out.
Bells is available in Georgia, and should be readily available at most liquor stores in the Atlanta Metro area. HopCity on Marietta St. in Atlanta has a good selection, and quite a selection of bombers (22 oz) if I remember correctly.
Good choice, but the OP should know that they are sour beers (or half-sour, depending on which one you get).
Just had a JP for the first time recently at a local beerfest here in the Cincinnati area, where many local breweries were featured -- and a few from Michigan, as well. This beer is not for everyone, that's for sure. But I quite dug it. It was like that taste at the end of a sip of Bell's Oarsman multiplied by about 20.
Bell's or Dogfish. Oberon or 90 Min IPA. You're welcome.
New Glarus only distributes in Wisconsin.
New stores around Atlanta. The Beer Growler serves a plethora of crafted beers from around the country. You buy a "growler" which is 64 ounces and purchase a pour. The growler is reusable on later visits.
The staff is knowledgable and will recommend beers similar to your likes. Very well priced as well. About 10-20 $ depending on your tastes. Great gift that may lead to a hobby as well.
You're welcome.
Seeing what your father likes, I would stay away from some of the more bitter Pale Ales. I love Two Hearted Ale, but it is pretty bitter. Oberon is always a good choice as it's pretty palatable to most. Bells Best Brown Ales is awesome as well. Staying with Bell's, their Java Stout and Cream Ale is awesome, but you might not be able to find them. The Oberon and Brown Ale can be found readily out of Michigan.
Short's and Founder's beers are being distributed out of Michigan a little now and Founder's Dirty Bastard and Breakfast Stouts are mainstays. Shorts Huma - Lupa - licious is very good as well.
One of the best beers I have had recently is Jolly Pumpkin's La Roja. Doubt if you could find it out state. If you can, get him that. Very different but smooth.
Here is Bells Beer Finder. They do sell it in Georgia. Good Luck!
Not necessarily. While I have been saved from beer hell by craft brew, there are many who will only drink from the Bud, Miller or Coors river (and beers of the like). A well intended gift can turn sour quickly if the OP's father doesn't have the pallette for craft beer. Oberon is a safe choice or even a Blue Moon. I think that is the middle ground where craft beer snobs and the Bud purist often meet.
It's not that he doesn't like craft beers, its just that he hasn't tried any. He's in his groove, and he doesn't vary from it.
This guy has put together a list of various online beer stores that ship, you can figure out who ships to Georgia: http://onlinebeerstores.homestead.com/
If you're looking for Michigan beer, naturally you're going to want a store from the Midwest to maximize your options. The Party Source is in Kentucky just over the river from Cincy and has Bells, Founders, Dark Horse, etc. No idea what the shipping will be (beer is heavy!) but they do ship to Georgia.
Here is a site that I have used with some success when travelling and it might be useful to the OP and others - LINK
It will allow you to select a state and get a list of craft breweries, then when you select the brewery from the list above the map, it will show you the areas in the US where there is distribution for that brand. That way, you can look at any Michigan brewery and check relative availability in a state.
The database was last updated earlier this week, so it should be current. The lists aren't comprehensive, but you might be able to find something that is available.
I just read your post in the voice of Jim Koch.
Miller Fucking Light
That'll do it.
to everyone that has responded... I would respond individually, but that's not going to happen. But thanks to everyone, I didn't realise the options, especailly around where I live (North Atlanta). My mom and I are heading out next week to buy, and we'll probably end up going with the Oberon. Maybe for his October birthday I could go with something that goes well with football wins. Thanks everyone!
Great Lakes has some really good beers. Elloit Ness, Dortmunder.
Dragon's Milk
As an aside, summer time in Georgia I'd look for something like a Saison.
Here's the website for the place by me. There's got to be something similar in GA.
http://www.grapeandgranary.com/
I wouldn't screw around with shipping from the online retailers, if for no other reason it will take longer than a week to get to you (and cheaper to buy the same products in-store).
I do stuff like this with relative frequency. I would ask your Mom if there is a nice wine store nearby. Often they carry craft beers and often they put together wine baskets (with crackers/cheese/wine/etc) and they sometimes have beer baskets as well - if not, you can ask them to put something together for you if they're a cool shop.
If this isn't an option, go buy the stuff individually (it's often cheaper anyway). If you want to stick with Michigan (which, yes, you should) you and your Mom can find Bell's products pretty easily in GA (look here: http://bellsbeer.com/brands/brand-finder/ ). Go find a variety of beers and put 2 of each in a basket with cheese/crackers/what-have-you, then give him the rest of them after you've given him the basket.
I'm also pretty sure Founders is in GA as well, so if you can find Bell's, Founders is likely an option as well.