I bought some bottles with free beer in them!

[FedoraDave]

Yeah, the pipeline was getting way too thin, and even though I brought a case of slightly young beer upstairs today (3-2-1, instead of 3-2-2), I got a little concerned about my supply. So I figured I'd look at it as an opportunity to try some commercial microbrews and expand my palate a little. I'm fortunate that there's a store (Cable Beverage) not far from my house that not only has a very good selection, but allows you to put together mixer-sixers. It's expensive, but good beer is always worth it.

Here's what I got, and if anyone has any comments or experience with these beers, I'd appreciate your input:

Shiner Oktoberfest - I've had Shiner before, just not the Oktoberfest. If this is as good as their Bock, I'll be pleased with it.

Abita Amber - I've had Abita before, too, just not the Amber. Abita knows what they're doing, so I have no misgivings about this.

Horny Goat Exposed Cream Ale - Don't know anything about this brewery, except that it's in Wisconsin. This was the last choice I made, and I'll admit I made it because hey, cream ale, why not.

Firestone Union Jack IPA - I believe I've sampled some Firestone products at beer expos in the past. Interestingly, the label informs me this beer was bottled on 9/5/13. Freshness matters, I guess.

He'Brew Bittersweet Lenny's R.I.P.A. (double India Pale Ale with rye malt - I think I'm either going to love this or loathe it; I'm not sure there can be any middle ground. Very high alcohol (10%), and while I use rye malt in both my own IPA and my Pale Ale, it's only a pound against something like 9 or 10 pounds of 2-Row. But I've heard good things about He'Brew (from Schmaltz Brewing Co.), and I thought I'd give it a try.

Atwater Pilsner - A German-style Pilsner from Atwater Block Brewery, Detroit, MI. This was the first one I chose, based on the fact that I've got my own original German-style Pilsner carbonating right now, and I might as well try some examples of the style while I'm waiting to see how close I came to it.

[JimH]

Looks like a great experience. The only one I have ever tried is the Abita. And yes, their amber is delicious. They do know what they are doing and make great beers. Must be something in the water down there. It's too bad the only place I can find Abita (or most anything, really) is in El Paso when I visit my sister.

[Gymrat]

I love Abita Amber.

[Beer-lord]

We're tired of most of the Abita down here but it's a decent beer.
Been drinking the Union Jack a friend brought back last week and I usually have Lenny's RIPA in my fridge on a regular basis. It's not something I drink often but I do enjoy it.
Almost all the He'Brew beers that are available here I've found of good quality. I may not like the style but they are brewed well.

[ssorck]

Cable Beverage!

That's funny - last weekend my wife and I ate dinner at Baileys Smokehouse in Blauvelt, got chatting brewskies with the bartender and he mentioned Cable, said he got a Smashed Pumpkin there that was pretty dang good.

Union Jack is a winner - as a matter of fact it's on tap at Bailey's. Had a sixer of Horny Goat Pumpkin earlier in the fall, pretty good stuff, though was disappointed to find their bottles are twisters so no recycling. Had regular Abita and Shiner but not those ones.

Enjoy!!!

[mtsoxfan]

Compared to even 5 years ago, the craft brew selection is pretty darn good. Alot of dogs out there too though... I think that what makes it so tough for me, I hate it when I pick up a dog....

[Brewbirds]

Has anybody who buys mixer sixers ever had a beer from Red Hook? I've seen an IPA in the store but don't know what else they make.

I need to replace some bottles I lost when a bottle bomb took a biunch out.

[mtsoxfan]

IMHO Red Hook is an OK beer, nothing great. Drinkable, yes, but an ordinary beer. Somwetimes, that's what the Dr. orders though. I haven't had one in years.

[Rayyankee]

Looks like a mighty fine sixer you have there Dave.
The only one that i have tried is the firestone union jck ipa and i really enjoyed it i am not a fan of over the top ipas like some and i found this one to be just about right for my palate.

[BrownstotheBone]

I guess this means I'm not crazy afterall. My basement has more bottles than I have kegs worth of beer right now. (and I have 2) + another for batch priming.

Picked up a taster 12 pack of http://rivertownbrewery.com/our-beers/ at the store. They're out of Cincinnati, Ohio.

Never tried it before but...... oh look..... footballs on. Time to crack one open!

[Kealia]

Firestone makes some outstanding beers. Their DBA (Double Barrel Ale) is a 'must try' IMO. I've brewed a clone of it 4 times but it's been at least a year now. Hmm.......

Red Hook is probably known best for their ESB as that is what put them on the map. Honestly, I've not had anything else from them, though. They've switched to some pretty cool bottles, though.

[DirtRacer]

I got a selection of stuff yesterday. 2 bottles of Red Hook Pumpkin Porter, 2 different types of beers from Uinta, and a six pack of Victory Summer Love. Haven't had any of these so I figured I'd try them because even if I don't like the beer, the bottles were cheap at roughlty $1 or less.

[FedoraDave]

Had the Firestone. Very nice. IPAs aren't my favorite style, but I'm coming to appreciate them more and more. This is a well-balance, yet hop-forward beer. Not turn-your-face-insideout bitter, but balanced, with a strong hop presence.

Drinking the He'Brew R.I.P.A. now. Also hop-forward, but with a residual sweetness in the finish. Not unpleasant or cloying, but I prefer something a little more dry in the finish than this. Good flavor, though. Still not sure what rye malt brings to the party, even though I use it in two of my house recipes.

[ssorck]

@ Brewbirds - Red Hokk long hammer IPA is pretty good. That is my staple IPA when I go to Millers Ale House, only good one they have on tap I don't have to sell my soul to be afford

[Yankeedag]

Yeah, I like Red Hook myself. I like the bottles. But I'm also collecting "Session" lager bottles... only 11oz each, but hey, when I fill them with NONG Brew, who cares? Besides, on the caps of the sessions, they have paper rock scissors. So a Save the caps, and then we draw to play the game.