Well, because Politics suck.

So here's my deal --> I recently refinished my basement and have room for (3) 1/6 barrels of beer in my keezer (that's a keg freezer FYI).

What local (Ohio) craft beers would you recommend I put in there?

I have a few restraints.
1. It has to be a 1/6 barrel.
2. I'm not an IPA guy. I'm over it already.
3. No boring pilsners or national beers you can get at a gas station.
4. Nothing too fruity or sour. I've had a Gose beer on tap recently and I couldn't wait to be done with it.

I currently have:
1. Hoppin Frog "Infusion A" - Peanut Butter Chocolate Coffee Porter. May be one of the best tasting beers I've ever had.
2. Maize Valley "Monk in Public" - A strong Belgian Ale. Caramel flavors, 10% abv. Delicious but will knock you on your rear end.

What does the board recommend?

What are your favorite beers?

Thoughts are appreciated.

Thanks,
B

I like anything by Sam Smith. Not sure you can get it in kegs

It's not from Ohio, it's from Michigan, and it is a IPA, but Bells Two Hearted Ale is superior in every way.


For a Cleveland local, Dortmunder Gold is superior as well.

When you need a break from beer...


http://robbreport.com/sites/default/files/images/articles/2016sep/2319281/02-trump-wine.jpg

A dark beer I really liked during my bar drinking days was Negra Modela:



Although, I suspect it might be too bland for some tastes.

And of course there’s the name.

I could help out with a lot of suggestions had the request not been for local. It has been way too long since I lived there.

This being said, I'm a big fan of Great Lakes and try to have one every time I am at their spot in CLE. I remember enjoying Columbus Brewing Company as well. Outside of that, the best I can do are the names I've heard of. If you have problems, let me know, I'll reach out to a buddy in Ohio that essentially has a taproom at his house. He'll be able to help for sure.

Have you reached out to your local distributor to see what they have?

I have. There are 2 major distributors in the area. Cav Beer (www.cavbeer.com) and Tramonte Distributing (http://tramontedistributing.com/). I've gotten a keg of Griffin Cider from Tramonte and a keg of Jackie O's "Java the Stout" from Cav beer. Both very good. Cav seems to have a better selection.

Of course, Maize Valley now has a very impressive selection of beers, even though they have traditionally been a winery. And they are close, just east of Hartville.

Who are the beer affectionadio's on this board?

I could even get something from out of state.

Since I have not had a single beer in 24 days ANY beer sounds good right now

24 too many. Hope you're feeling better and back to having a cold one in your hands soon!

My favorite beer is Free beer.

If it's a summer day, I like light beer like a pilsner. If I am out drinking with friends then its IPAs. IPAs give you the must bang for your buck.

Yep, IPA does "do the trick", no doubt.

I just found out I can get Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale in a 1/6 barrel from Cav Beer.

Yep.

If you like a Pale Ale (not IPA), I think Deschutes Mirror Pond is pretty much the perfect beer. Nice maltiness, with just enough hops (40 IBUs). I'm a big fan of Cascade hops, so maybe I'm biased. It is really well balanced. I'm not sure if they distribute to Ohio though.

Stone (California) has a nice selection of beers, as does AleSmith. Russian River is probably a pipe dream, but they but out some great beers (sours and regular). Three Floyds is probably a pipe dream as well.

I could write 17 pages on this topic. I went to Hunahpu Day down in Tampa earlier this month. Hunahpu and all its variations, along with most beers from Cigar City, are probably within what I call my favorites.

My favorite breweries in no particular order:

Cigar City
Lost Abbey/Port
Russian River
Alchemist
Tree House

Favorite Ohio Brewery:

Jackie O's. It's barrel aging is second to none.

Give me another 10 weeks and I will.

Barrel Aged Dark Apparition is killer.

I'm a yuuuge fan of that. Champion Ground is awesome too.

Yo clwb...you had any beer from Commons Brewery over in SE PDX? I think they may be my absolute favorite Portland brew. I used to be super high on Burnside Brewery but, they axed my favorite go to beer, the "Stock Ale". So, they lose valuable points for that. That was a tremendous English style bitter. But, their Couch Lager and their Kolsch are both refreshing on a hot summer day. Oh, and Burnside do receive special points as their chef (or brewer?) is also a Cleveland boy and Browns fan!

Gigantic also make a good brew and their labels are always superb. I don't know if any of these breweries distribute out of state, however.

You may enjoy:

1) Great Lakes Brewery - Nosferatu Imperial Red Ale

2) Thirsty Dog - Wulver Wee Heavy Ale

Great Lakes - Nosferatu

Thirsty Dog - Wulver

I spend more and more time down in Venice, Fla. I love Cigar City Brewing. Jai Alai is hard to beat.

Good call, Lover.

Thanks Peen! If you ever happen to be in the Tampa area, their brewery is definitely worth stopping in.

I'd need to have one tap dedicated to a robust vanilla porter or Guinness. Otherwise I'd have some disappointed friends.

Maize Valley has a great vanilla porter. When the current keg of the Belgian Strong Ale goes empty, that's my next purchase from them.

Anything from Jackie O's, although I couldn't imagine what the price of a keg would be, especially with their more limited stuff.

Great brewery though. I wish they would distribute to Chicago.

When I purchased a "Java the Stout", it was about $130 for a 1/6th BBL, which isn't bad.

However, the regular (not barrel aged) "Dark Apparition" is $305 for a 1/6th BBL. Ouch. I like that beer but...uh no.

The best California beers come from Latitude 33.

I am biased, but it gets rave reviews, and my son brews for them, and their biggest seller (blood orange) is his creation.

Latitude 33

My all-time favorite beer was Samuel Adams Cranberry Lambic



Mainly because it was seasonal and was only available from Halloween-to-New Year's Day.

So there was that annual anticipation and the beer was tied to the holidays.

I kept 4 or 5 cases of it in the basement during the holidays.

I am in to Bells Two Hearted Ale.....good stuff

Mich Ultra with a couple of shots of Jack mixed in.

I'm Bruce and Katlen Jenner wrapped in one package.

Know what I read from a reliable source right here on Dawgtalkers?