OT: Vote for Founders in the Craft Brewery Mythical National Championship
Tonight Founders takes on Four Peaks brewing out of Arizona, who somehow took out Dogfish Head to make the finals. Currently Four Peaks is leading 50.5% to 49.5% Voting ends at midnight.
http://www.thrillist.com/drink/nation/the-best-craft-breweries-in-america
Too many good Cali breweries.
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The West Coast is all messed up. No Stone, Rogue, Odell or Green Flash. What the hot hell?
because I just voted for Founders twice: once on my phone and once on my laptop.
Aren't they just a few miles apart? I can't see a regional bias affecting that matchup since they're neighbors and probably have the very similar distribution footprint.
Founders isn't even a top three brewery in Michigan...
that said I know nothing of four peaks.
I might be biased....But Griffin Claw is my Crack!!! Belles is good. Shorts is kinda niche, but unique
Shorts might be my favorite. I love their variety of beers...even ones that I dislike I'm glad to try. Bell's and Arcadia would probably be my other two...although maybe Founders would crack that top 3, I dunno.
Griffin Claw is great. First tried it a few months back and buy it regularly now.
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I'm glad Shorts isn't trying to grow too fast. Their stuff is well-brewed and always delicious. I like their beers even when I'm not a fan of the style.
Their Pandemonium is a pale ale that drinks like a good IPA.
on your list, as are many many other Craft Brewers here in Michigan, the Midwest, and across the country. Just within 15 minutes of me in Berrien County MI are a couple of small-but-excellent brewpubs that make some really tasty stuff: The Livery (in the downtown Arts District area of Benton Harbor) has been around for about a dozen years and I don't think I've ever been disappointed by anything I've tried there; Arclight (Watervliet) just opened last fall but has really stood out already---you can hardly get a seat in the place on the weekends.
My favorite on your list is Shorts, followed by Founders and one not on your list, Brewery Vivant. I suppose my judgement is slightly clouded by the atmosphere I've found in many of the brewpubs I've visited. If the beer is great and the brewpub's atmosphere is attractive, I'm not only more likely to make a return visit, but also more likely to buy their product for home consumption.
On a related note, I just found out last week that Perrins has been sold to Colorado-based Oskar Blues. I was kind of surprised by the sale, as Perrins has only existed for less than 3 years. BTW, Perrins is not one of my favorites---some of their brews are excellent while others are pretty average---but their brewpub just north of GR seems to usually be pretty busy. Maybe the influence of Oskar Blues will kick Perrins up a notch or two in overall quality, only time will tell.
I totally forgot about brewery vivant, they are really solid. I heard they operate out of a defunct church. It's really hard to know about the small guys when you live outside the area. Fortunately, living in Chicago and visiting Michigan ocassionally, I get to try a bunch of good beers that others around the country might not experience. On a related note, I'm really about how much the Chicago brew scene has blown up in the past three or five years. Most of the breweries in the city are pretty small, but it seems to be getting more crowded by the month.
is excellent. The brewpub in the defunct church is really cool, since their specialty is belgian abbey style beers. They're still small and niche but very good.
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2) Founders
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Other than that I actually really like this list. I'd slot Kuhnhenn in at 3 and bump everyone else down. I'd probably bump someone out for Witch's Hat too.
Part of my ratings are: I detest IPAs; I love scotch ales and dark beers and sours; this is michigan only; I may have forgotten some faves :)
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I mean, fine you don't like IPAs so Two Hearted is out, but Bell's does a lot of other good stuff. And I'm surprised given your affinity for malty that Founders isn't number one with all the good Scotch ales, old ales and stouts they do.
Have you tried Perrin? They would certainly be in my top 10. That is a very good list even without Perrin.
Yep.
I'll take Odd Sides, New Holland, or Arcadia over Founders in a second.
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every time you post favorable comments about microbrews while carrying a case of Keystone Light on your shoulder.
How does Dogfish Head beat them? They are easier accessed I guess. Maybe I'm biased because my favorite beer is Heady Topper. Oh well. On a Founders note had some CBS like 2 weeks ago and was lucky enough to get my hands on some KBS.
Because if you don't live in Vermont or within driving distance, you can't get Alchemist beer.
I live In Connecticut and have to trade for it.
That the same for 3 Floyds. One of my favorite beers is Zombie Dust, but I have to drive to Indiana to get it.
Zombie Dust is the truth, as well as Dark Lord.
Dogfish Head has so many great beers and are incredibly creative. One blockbuster from Alchemist isn't close to enough to compete with Dogfish Head.
But we are all biased! That's the fun part.
so I'm more of a Bell's guy, but Founders is solid.
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Hill Farmstead and Lawsons losing in the first round is a joke
Tired hands is two miles from my house out here. It's amazing. No bottles though, only growlers and on tap.
I live close to the place as well...And yes it is amazing
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I believe you are a fan of Societe, in San Diego. I recall seeing it mentioned on here, maybe by you, which prompted me to visit when I was in SD last summer. Fantastic.