Beer Adventures in the Midwest

[beastiefan2k]

I've been a bit beer-lazy in the past 2 months, so I figured I'd start talking about beer travels on my Midwest trip. Not sure anyone but emerge might care 

Was in KC last weekend.
- Went into a giant beer store and bought no beer. Nothing interested me one bit. Went to a brewery called City Barrel, beer friends love it. Vibe was great, food outstanding. Menu, had over a dozen IPAs. I got the BA cider and a guest tap beer. Did not enjoy the sips of IPA that others ordered. They also had a beer mixed with Slurppie.

Now in StL
- Went to a giant beer store. Bought no beer (but lots of alco seltzer as discussed in another thread).
- Went to a smaller beer store and bought 2 beers on discount. 2018 DFH Fruit-Full Fort that sat on a self. The age on the malts is really apparent but the fruit is still strong. Got a nice buzzzzz. Also bought a can of Far Far Away from Off Color for $1.99. At that price, I should go and buy more of this on clearance.

- Right now at Side Project Cellar: started with Shared Guff, which is there Pils. A bit of a dull pils. No idea what the heck is a Kazbek hop. Didn't want to jump into the sour stuff right away.

[flyingbison]

Where else you headed? 

[beastiefan2k]

Where else you headed? 

in StL - might try Stubborn German but likely not today. Maybe find another new brewery for me.
Will try to hit up Scratch next weekend
Will also go to LA on Monday (I know, not the Midwest). Stuffed Sandwich is the place I most want to visit there. Seemingly, nothing else worthwhile based on another thread 

[beastiefan2k]

Love everything about this beer except the tremendous sour punch at the end. Either my palate has changed a lot or beers are way too sour nowadays.

Shout-out to Topo Chico

[beastiefan2k]

My palate is habituating to the sourness.

[emerge]

Which one is that? Yeah, a lot of SP stuff is pretty sour. Most I like but can't justify the price.

City Barrel supposedly has a spon program, did you see any evidence? Probably buried under all the juice and smooties.

In STL, I do like Urban Chestnut's lagers, and Civil Life does some traditional styles too.

[beastiefan2k]

Oh yeah, Blueberry Flanders Blend 3

[beastiefan2k]

Which one is that? Yeah, a lot of SP stuff is pretty sour. Most I like but can't justify the price.

Oh yeah, rarely buy bottles. 5oz pours at the Cellar are doable.

City Barrel supposedly has a spon program, did you see any evidence? Probably buried under all the juice and smooties.

No sign. They had 2 sours on tap. I tasted one from another person. Not for me and did not taste like it was spont soured and the description did not mention it (otherwise I would have jumped on it)

In STL, I do like Urban Chestnut's lagers, and Civil Life does some traditional styles too.

Agreed.

[emerge]

Oh yeah, Blueberry Flanders Blend 3

Nice

Did City Barrel have any barrel-aged bottles?

[beastiefan2k]

Didn't look carefully at the bottle list, was way too apathetic toward the beer.

[beastiefan2k]

Lambic inspired 3-year old kriek. Now I know why lambic is usually blended but fun to try. A bit of a fecal (yes, I mean that  ) character. Much better on sourness.

[beastiefan2k]

go big or go home, 20% BA Barleywine. Happiest beer of the day from them 

[emerge]

Is that the Time:Barrel:Whatever one that goes for crazy money?

[flyingbison]

Lambic inspired 3-year old kriek. Now I know why lambic is usually blended but fun to try. A bit of a fecal (yes, I mean that  ) character. Much better on sourness.

 

[beastiefan2k]

Is that the Time:Barrel:Whatever one that goes for crazy money?

M.J.K. Couldn’t resist buying the glass as well (such a glass whore and it was the last one). It’s aged in Willett barrels.

[emerge]

Lambic inspired 3-year old kriek. Now I know why lambic is usually blended but fun to try. A bit of a fecal (yes, I mean that  ) character. Much better on sourness.

 

Yeah, I think I repressed the memory of this last time. You mean like a horse pasture? Because I could see that, but straight up shit is not something i’ve ever experienced in a beverage, and hope I never do.

[beastiefan2k]

Lightly poopy is the best way to put it. Aspects of poop

But not full on shit.

[emerge]

This is now the new poop thread

[emerge]

Was in KC last weekend.
- Went into a giant beer store and bought no beer.

Have you been to Plaza Liquor in KC? They're pretty good.

[thewimperoo]

I have vivid memories of a Trinity beer at my first FOBAB in '09 that had a distinct manure aroma.   

[emerge]

I have vivid memories of a Trinity beer at my first FOBAB in '09 that had a distinct manure aroma.

OOF. I've gotten farmy pasture aromas before, which could be the same thing we're all describing.

Jeff Sparrow states in his "Wild Brews" that enterobacter produce unfavorable aroma and flavor compounds including vegetal, smoky, moldy and diaper.

Maybe this?

[Tip Top]

After reading the last few posts in this thread (finally) I'm regretting opening the thread.

[emerge]

After reading the last few posts in this thread (finally) I'm regretting opening the thread.

Come for the midwestern beer adventures, stay for the poop chat.

[flyingbison]

After reading the last few posts in this thread (finally) I'm regretting opening the thread.

Come for the midwestern beer adventures, stay for the poop chat.

[beastiefan2k]

Was in KC last weekend.
- Went into a giant beer store and bought no beer.

Have you been to Plaza Liquor in KC? They're pretty good.

Store visits were more of a convenience thing but I will try to visit in the future.

[emerge]

Was in KC last weekend.
- Went into a giant beer store and bought no beer.

Have you been to Plaza Liquor in KC? They're pretty good.

Store visits were more of a convenience thing but I will try to visit in the future.

Gotcha, where to next?

[beastiefan2k]

At the airport heading to LA (though Spirit flight is already delayed).

Unlikely to get to Stubborn German at this point. Fingers crossed for Scratch on Friday. Then maybe something in the Paducah, KY area.

[emerge]

At the airport heading to LA (though Spirit flight is already delayed).

Unlikely to get to Stubborn German at this point. Fingers crossed for Scratch on Friday. Then maybe something in the Paducah, KY area.

GLLL with the trip! Hope you make it to Scratch too.

This is my short list for Paducah:
Roof Bros (2 locations)
Starnes BBQ (all BBQ sammitches under $3)
Knoths B-B-Que

Oddly (regionally) BBQ is pulled pork only, at least at these 2 spots.

[beastiefan2k]

At the airport heading to LA (though Spirit flight is already delayed).

Unlikely to get to Stubborn German at this point. Fingers crossed for Scratch on Friday. Then maybe something in the Paducah, KY area.

GLLL with the trip! Hope you make it to Scratch too.

This is my short list for Paducah:
Roof Bros (2 locations)
Starnes BBQ (all BBQ sammitches under $3)
Knoths B-B-Que

Oddly (regionally) BBQ is pulled pork only, at least at these 2 spots.

The 2 brewpubs in Paducah and 1 in Grand Rivers are decent as well.  Nothing that will blow ones mind but can find a decent beer in each one.

Good to know about the stores. After this LA trip, I might be going all veg for a week. Been stuffing myself a bit too much.

[emerge]

At the airport heading to LA (though Spirit flight is already delayed).

Unlikely to get to Stubborn German at this point. Fingers crossed for Scratch on Friday. Then maybe something in the Paducah, KY area.

GLLL with the trip! Hope you make it to Scratch too.

This is my short list for Paducah:
Roof Bros (2 locations)
Starnes BBQ (all BBQ sammitches under $3)
Knoths B-B-Que

Oddly (regionally) BBQ is pulled pork only, at least at these 2 spots.

The 2 brewpubs in Paducah and 1 in Grand Rivers are decent as well.  Nothing that will blow ones mind but can find a decent beer in each one.

Good to know about the stores. After this LA trip, I might be going all veg for a week. Been stuffing myself a bit too much.

All news to me, so i'll add them on my list/map. Might have to head down and see Braconid one of these days.

[beastiefan2k]

Is Braconid a bug?

[emerge]

Is Braconid a bug?

He's a TBS'er with a PHD in Entomology, close enough!

Used to live up here, but now in NW TN

[beastiefan2k]

I done did it! Stopped in today with my in-laws and child. Lovely place! Well worth a visit for this out-of-the-way brewery. Rustic vibes and well-done beer.

I had 8 out of 9 drafts (skipped Tonic). The Spicebush Blonde was a bit too banana. The Black Cedar was a bit too sour. But the Strawberry Sumac was amazing to me. Actual real strawberry. The BdG was on point. Dry-hopped Sassafras was not at all root beer-y.

Really enjoyed the atmosphere and beer. Pizza was aight. Just dough, pesto, and goat cheese. But that ain’t bad.

Got a shirt, glass, and 5 small bottles to go.

Funny thing is we drove by Stubborn German as we neared StL. But I couldn’t ask my in-laws to do another spot.

[emerge]

Glad it was a success! wish my trips with the inlaws were that cool

[beastiefan2k]

I have 2 more days in StL and I was browsing new breweries. Apparently there is now a Melvin location around here.  Of course, they aren’t open on Mondays or Tuesdays. 

[emerge]

I have 2 more days in StL and I was browsing new breweries. Apparently there is now a Melvin location around here.  Of course, they aren’t open on Mondays or Tuesdays. 

Salt + Smoke on Mon., Bogart’s on Tue. for BBQ.

Interested to hear reports of any new breweries, haven’t been in a few years.

[beastiefan2k]

Taking kiddo to watch Boss Baby 2. Found a bar and grill that became a brewery as well, Crafty Chameleon. It’s just how you imagine it. But I just got a fruit mead and a Keller on draft. For those 2 plus a Civil Life Schwarz and Prairie Punch.

The fruit mead is very fruit and very little mead. But beggars can’t be choosers and it isn’t alcopop.

The Keller is well lagered and clean. Low hoppiness for style.

[beastiefan2k]

Opening some bottles of Scratch stuff from the brewery. For their Stein series. The Stein lager was great.
However, the Stein clover stout is infected. A small gusher with all the tell tale characteristics of an early infection.
Drinking a cherry strong ale that is just ok.

At $10 a 12oz bottle, it’s a bit of a disappointment, at the moment.

[emerge]

Haven’t tried those yet, but their non-sour stuff can sometimes be hit or miss. So these were all brewed with hot rocks over a fire?

[beastiefan2k]

Haven’t tried those yet, but their non-sour stuff can sometimes be hit or miss. So these were all brewed with hot rocks over a fire?

Granite to be prices. I saw a whole wheelbarrow full of them at the brewery.

I’m back home. Will try to do Stubborn German next time.

[emerge]

Haven’t tried those yet, but their non-sour stuff can sometimes be hit or miss. So these were all brewed with hot rocks over a fire?

Granite to be prices. I saw a whole wheelbarrow full of them at the brewery.

I’m back home. Will try to do Stubborn German next time.

Cool. Time for a highlight reel