Boont Amber Ale from Anderson Valley (CA).

Was joy riding in Mendocino County following an assignment in Santa Rosa. Outbound terminus was Boonville, where I spotted the tap room. Sadly, I didn't stop due to the twisty ride (low mileage Mazda 6....Yay!) and setting sun back to SMF for a red-eye home to RDU.

Highly rec their amber ale...

Sierra Nevada Maple Scotch. Not bad, though I've had way better from them.

No beer tonight - we went with our reliable $12 (from Sam's Club) LaMarca prosecco.

Alaskan Raspberry Wheat, found it in the sale bin at the grocery store for $3 for a bomber. Not bad at all but I'd have been disappointed if I'd paid the retail $10.

White Street Hoptimist IPA. Pretty disappointing, local NC IPAs are usually better.

In Charlotte over the weekend and had a chance to try the Sugar Creek IPA, NoDa Jam Session, and Birdsong Jalapeno Pale Ale. All were pretty good but the Sugar Creek IPA was definitely the best.

Was pleased to see Goose Island IPA for sale at Bank of America Stadium (Panthers) today and went with that on draft for gameday.

Also still working through a case of No Label Black Wit O. It was on a super sale at my local Spec's for $2.99 a 6 pack. It's insane. Will probably go grab another one because for some odd reason, nobody has cleared them out of it yet

At some point over the next year or so, I'll be opening the bottle of Samuel Adams Utopias that my wife scored for me.

I don't deserve such a fabulous woman. :cool:

Silver Springs

Lug Tread is a really good craft Kolsch from Beau's All Natural Brewing Company from Ontario. A friend gave me a big 750 ml bottle and it gives the best German Kolsch a run for its money.

Had a couple NC crafts last night:

Sugar Creek Belgian Trippel and Mother Earth Snow Flurry (Juniper Rye IPA).

Both were good - craft beer scene in NC continues to improve and impress.

Smithwick's

A bucket of 6 beers arrived today courtesy of BamaVol Jr #3 and his fiancée. In addition, there are nuts, cookies, pretzels and a neat bottle opener.

Bells - Scottish Christmas ale
Breckenridge - Christmas ale
Funky Buddha - Floridian hefeweizen
Magic Hat - #9 ale
Boulder - Sweaty Betty blonde ale
Victory - Winter Cheers wheat ale

Merry Christmas to me.

you can open them at any time. They don't go bad. I've opened a bunch of them and most of my friends don't like it. Clowns.

Fwiw: have a bunch of growlers of imperial biscotti breaks for xmas meal with a bunch of friends shortly. I'll teach them a little lesson on respecting strong beer!

Alberta Genuine Draft by Big Rock Brewery.