[JRogers]

Tried Flying Fish Imperial Espresso Porter the other day. It was a bit expensive (7 or 7.50 for a 4 pack), but worth it. Rich and smooth with great flavor. Coffee flavor is there, but not overpowering at all. I don't know if they have Flying Fish in other parts of the country (never saw it in VT; it's an NJ brewery), but most of their beers are worth a try or six.


Imperial Espresso Porter
This robust dark brew has been created using rich Columbian dark roast coffee to celebrate our 10th anniversary in royal fashion. The enticing regal aromas of toffee and licorice lead to the coronation of taste; a palate of malty richness exhibiting chocolate and coffee notes, balanced by the noble and novel Mt. Rainer hop, all topped with a rich creamy crown. This very special offering will warm your soul and lift your spirits. Oh yeah, it also packs a royal kick at 8% alcohol.

Malts: Two Row Pale, Munich, Chocolate, Medium Crystal and Cara Malts.
Hops: Magnum and Mount Rainier
Yeast: English Ale
Coffee: Columbian Dark Roast
Original Gravity: 18 Plato
Alcohol by volume: 8%
Formats: 12 oz. bottles, 1/6 kegs
Availability Release date January 15, 2007 in limited quantity

Food pairings: Sir Loin of Beef, Crown Roast Pork, or the dishes made famous by Lord Sandwich or the cheese named after Sir Cheddar.

 

[Westy]

If you can find it, Saranac's Caramel Porter is amazing.

 

[JRogers]

If you can find it, Saranac's Caramel Porter is amazing.

I've had most of Saranac's brews (their 12 packs seem to contain 15 varieties). They don't sell them too much down here, but they were a mid-level beer staple when I was in Vermont.

 

[Westy]

I've had most of Saranac's brews (their 12 packs seem to contain 15 varieties). They don't sell them too much down here, but they were a mid-level beer staple when I was in Vermont.

They make decent reasonably priced beers but the few caramel porters I tried were excellent and fairly unique. I'd say it stood well above the rest of their offerings. It was the only beer that has "wowed" me in years.

 

[jdcamb]

I highly recommend the Saranac Imperial IPA. Very tasty and very strong at 8.5% alc.....

 

[Smelly]

I've always liked Saranac's black & tan. I'll have to try the caramel porter. The Flying fish sounds great, too.

Love this bit:
"Food pairings: ...the dishes made famous by Lord Sandwich..."

 

[JRogers]

They make decent reasonably priced beers but the few caramel porters I tried were excellent and fairly unique. I'd say it stood well above the rest of their offerings. It was the only beer that has "wowed" me in years.

Hmmm... I'll have to pick some up. I saw bottles of it at the beer store the other day, but wasn't in a porter mood. I'll be sure to try it out next time.

 

[motomike]

Terrapin Wake N Bake Stout is pretty awesome. Brewed with Jittery Joe's coffee and 8.1% alc. I think it's only available for a month or two now.

 

[SkaredShtles]

I highly recommend the Saranac Imperial IPA. Very tasty and very strong at 8.5% alc.....

I don't think we can get that out here...

I'd recommend Great Divide's Titan IPA as well as their Hercules DIPA. Both quite tasty brews.

And I'm not recommending them just because Full Trucker designed the labels.

 

[TreeSaw]

I do NOT recomment the Samual Adams Cranberry Lambic. Way too sweet for my taste!

 

[stinkydawg]

Hoegaarden is by far the best imported brew around! Drank it for 4 years while in Germany and then found some on the mainland when I got back. Now I cannot find it here in Maui.

 

[ito]

If you can find it, Saranac's Caramel Porter is amazing.

We picked up a pitcher of that last night with dinner at a bar. It was good, but a little too much caramel flavor. One pint would have been fine, two was pushing it. Made everything taste like caramel corn.

My most recent "new" beer is Greene King IPA. Possibly one of the most interesting IPA's I've ever had, mostly because it doesn't taste like an IPA, is green, and bubbles like Guinness. Definitely try it if you get a chance. British pubs seem to have it.

Also, anything by Lagunitas tends to be very good and very strong. My favorite being the seasonal Brown Shugga. Their Cappuccino Stout is pretty badass, as is the Censored Ale.

The Ito

 

[skinny mike]

I do NOT recomment the Samual Adams Cranberry Lambic. Way too sweet for my taste!

the sam adams cherry wheat is pretty good though.

 

[Dartman]

Since we're recommending...

Bell's Brewery http://www.bellsbeer.com/

Available as far south as Richmond, VA AFAIK.

I really like the Amber (smooth) and also the Two Hearted Ale (hoppy). The Pale is nice and crisp, a great summertime refresher.

Mike

 

[caputo1989]

Great Devide Titian IPA

 

[SkaredShtles]

Great Devide Titian IPA

 

[VTApe]

I've been drinking a lot of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale lately, but picked up a six pack of Long Trail Doublebag... I'm sure most of you have had it, it might be the smoothest dark beer I've tried, really good stuff!

 

[skinny mike]

is there anyone else like me who doesn't like ipas or any pale ales for that matter?

 

[SkaredShtles]

is there anyone else like me who doesn't like ipas or any pale ales for that matter?

I'm sure there are *lots* of girls that don't....

 

[JRogers]

I've been drinking a lot of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale lately, but picked up a six pack of Long Trail Doublebag... I'm sure most of you have had it, it might be the smoothest dark beer I've tried, really good stuff!

Don't know if I'd classify Doublebag as "dark," but it's definitely good! It'll get you bit, that's for sure.

 

[MMcG]

If you can find it - try Berkshire Brewing Company's Coffeehouse Porter!!!

 

[McGRP01]

This past weekend I had some...

Rogue Dead Guy Ale
Rogue Brutal Bitter
Boulder Beer Co. Hazed & Infused IPA

I'd recommend all of the above!

 

[JRogers]

We picked up a pitcher of that last night with dinner at a bar. It was good, but a little too much caramel flavor. One pint would have been fine, two was pushing it. Made everything taste like caramel corn.

The Ito

Finally tried some of this last night. It was pretty good. Maybe a bit strong in the caramel flavor, but it wasn't too bad. I won't mind drinking the rest of them.

 

[BikeGeek]

is there anyone else like me who doesn't like ipas or any pale ales for that matter?

I'm not a fan of a majority of American "more hops is better" IPAs/Pales. I like some malt flavor in my beers. If I wanted to taste only the hops I'd drop $1.50 on an ounce and eat them out of the bag.

 

[JRogers]

I'm not a fan of a majority of American "more hops is better" IPAs/Pales. I like some malt flavor in my beers. If I wanted to taste only the hops I'd drop $1.50 on an ounce and eat them out of the bag.

I kind of agree. I'm not a huge IPA fan. I'll have one or two sometimes, but just for the contrast.

 

[andykee]

dogfish head 90 and 120 minute ipa's are both amazing

 

[BillE]

I tried a few of the Harpoon Brown Ales last night. I enjoyed them immensely.

 

[DirtyDog]

I'm not a fan of a majority of American "more hops is better" IPAs/Pales. I like some malt flavor in my beers. If I wanted to taste only the hops I'd drop $1.50 on an ounce and eat them out of the bag.

Sorry, I don't think you are going to be opening a pub out West. We love our hops!

 

[SkaredShtles]

Sorry, I don't think you are going to be opening a pub out West. We love our hops!

If you like malt, why not make a little and just eat that?

 

[DirtyDog]

If you like malt, why not make a little and just eat that?

Malt-O-Meal - breakfast of champions

 

[BillE]

If you can find it - try Berkshire Brewing Company's Coffeehouse Porter!!!

I had a bottle of this the other night. It was outstanding. I can't wait to get some more.