Phillips Blue Buck

Picked up from the store today:

-Another handle of Bronx Brewery's No Resolutions Double IPA (it's a great beer, but I like to remember that the start of this year is not already more than 2 months ago)

-Dogfishead Romantic Chemistry IPA - for an IPA that includes mango, apricot, and peach, it's actually quite hoppy and acidic and not all the fruity. Interesting for sure, but I think I prefer Ballast Point's fruit-based Sculpins better.

-Dogfishead Beer to Drink Music To - their version of a Belgian Tripel. Quite interesting and definitely a better drink than your average tripel. I recommend it.

-Rogue 7 Hop IPA - a relatively bitter IPA. It has 7 hops and 7.77% ABV, so I question whether this is more of a marketing gimmick than anything. A solid IPA overall, but more that I question that more hops in a brew makes a better beer overall.

Brewhouse Light

Increasingly, as I look at the names of craft breweries and their product, I can't help but wonder if the market is getting a little crowded and those who market best will be the survivors. Granted, they will have to make decent beer, but still very few will have a beaten path to their door just for making decent beer. You have to stand out somehow.

On that note, how many TV ads have you seen for craft breweries? I only watch college football and a little Premier League on TV so I'm not going to be the first one to notice. Anyone besides Sam Adams?

Victory and Southern Tier Merge

New Belgium Looking for Buyer

A sign of things to come?

You had to know this would happen. And it won't stop here. I'd look for a 3 tiers of producers in the future. The big boys will continue to scoop up the smaller craft brewers before everyone stops drinking Budweiser completely. The small brewers will remain small and regional to stay under the radar. In the middle will be the ones that got too big and successful to be bought out easily. And some of the ones I'd have predicted to stay in the middle 2 years ago have sold out since.

These guys may have the best of intentions starting out but the offer of many millions of dollars will make it hard to resist the temptation to sell and go live a quiet life on the islands.

Sculpin India Pale Ale by Ballast Point Brewing Company

Happened to notice Guinness Blonde - American Lager while perusing the beer store. I have no idea now long it has been out there, but first I have seen it.

Pretty good, drinkable beer at ~$8 a six-pack.

Just finished a four pack of Murphy's Irish Stout. Gives Guinness a run for its money. No complaints here.

Need to go to my beer seller today to pick up some other provisions for St. Patrick's Day. There should be a fair number of Irish choices now.

Well, it is a little higher priced 'round these parts but picked up a six-pack to try something different and it's a pleasant surprise and would very much agree that's a pretty good, drinkable beer. Then again I do have a thing for American blondes...:D

Drinking an Anderson Valley Blood Orange Gose right now. Gotta love the sour beers.

Chris

:D

There was a big display at the beer cave, so I imagine it was a discounted price. Probably trying to leverage the Guinness name at St. Patty's Day to get some market share in a new category.

Not sure it will make it into my regular rotation, but decent enough.

Greene King IPA
Fursty Ferret
Hobgoblin Gold
Abbott Ale
(and some Orchard Pig Truffler for Mrs Mac)

[can you tell where I am?]

A beer store? :D

Smithwick's

In time for St. Patrick's Day:

Guinness
Murphy's Irish Stout
Wexford's Irish Creme Ale
Guinness Nitro IPA (which is surprisingly tasty)

Also had a growler of Boulevard Single Wide IPA and a 32 oz. bottle of Fordham Thin Mint Stout.