Summer Beer Thread

[ManAboutTown]

While on vaca, tried 30A Ale by Grayton Beach Brewery (in between Yeunlings of course). Very solid selection for those that like a light, hoppy flavor. Drinkability was A+

[Cajunrunner]

Started thinking about all the V-spot bleeding going on over here lately and decided this thread needed a bump.

First and probably only beer this evening, a Dale's Pale Ale while browning and smothering some poke chops.

[CajunFan3406]

Not summer, but thought I should share.

Cajunrunner you would appreciate this, I had a friend who was in from Arizona who managed to get his hands on a bottle of Pliny the Elder. My god was that a great beer. Not trying to be overly dramatic, but it is probably top 3 best beers that I have ever tried, may even be the top.

[cajunhawk]

Not summer, but thought I should share.

Cajunrunner you would appreciate this, I had a friend who was in from Arizona who managed to get his hands on a bottle of Pliny the Elder. My god was that a great beer. Not trying to be overly dramatic, but it is probably top 3 best beers that I have ever tried, may even be the top.

It's considered by whoever ranks beers as one of the top beers in the world. Russian River brewing is one of those holy grail breweries. I had this idea for a business that would cater exclusively to these really great micro-breweries and getting their beer into untouched markets, and specializing in only that. For example. Make a deal with Russian River to pack and crate their beer from California to Lafayette for a period of time. Let it run wild on a virgin market and see where the demand is. If it's enough demand for Russian River to consider full time distribution in this area, have it written in the original deal with Russian River that the business retains a small portion of the money from any distribution to the area. I have no idea how beer distribution even works, but it seems to me like this is an untapped cottage-type business that could do very well for itself. Just an idea.

[Cajunrunner]

Coworker had some business in California about a month or so ago and came back with several bottles of Pliny the Elder. He was kind enough to give me one.

Pliny is probably the godfather of the top-tier Double IPAs, a trend setter. Definitely still an excellent, top-tier beer.

However, I personally think Parish's Ghost in the Machine (especially the juicy Batch 5) is actually better than Pliny. But...everyone's tastes are different.

If you haven't tried a fresh bottle of Clown Shoes Space Cake, be on the lookout soon. I think you'll find it up there with Pliny as well.

As for the above thought of working out a deal with RR to try out their distribution in Louisiana, my understanding is they can barely keep up with demand in their home state of California, and I think they try to keep some of their stuff on the shelves in Nevada and Colorado. They would have to make huge investments in their production to increase to levels to distribute in new states.

Trust me, the enthusiasm for craft beer in the Houston-Austin-Dallas areas is HUGE. I'm sure RR knows their stuff would fly off the shelves out here, but it really doesn't make since for them to try and distribute out here when the demand is still so great close to home.

[CajunJack55]

Trust me, the enthusiasm for craft beer in the Houston-Austin-Dallas areas is HUGE. I'm sure RR knows their stuff would fly off the shelves out here, but it really doesn't make since for them to try and distribute out here when the demand is still so great close to home.

I lived two blocks away from the main Spec's in midtown for two years...it's the Mecca of liquor stores. Pretty good hamburgers there as well.

[MelRock]

I lived two blocks away from the main Spec's in midtown for two years...it's the Mecca of liquor stores. Pretty good hamburgers there as well.

Spec's is unbelievable.

[BobbyBoucher]

I dunt no much about da beer but mama always sed it da devil. I stick to da high qualixy H2O.

[cajunhawk]

Coworker had some business in California about a month or so ago and came back with several bottles of Pliny the Elder. He was kind enough to give me one.

Pliny is probably the godfather of the top-tier Double IPAs, a trend setter. Definitely still an excellent, top-tier beer.

However, I personally think Parish's Ghost in the Machine (especially the juicy Batch 5) is actually better than Pliny. But...everyone's tastes are different.

If you haven't tried a fresh bottle of Clown Shoes Space Cake, be on the lookout soon. I think you'll find it up there with Pliny as well.

As for the above thought of working out a deal with RR to try out their distribution in Louisiana, my understanding is they can barely keep up with demand in their home state of California, and I think they try to keep some of their stuff on the shelves in Nevada and Colorado. They would have to make huge investments in their production to increase to levels to distribute in new states.

Trust me, the enthusiasm for craft beer in the Houston-Austin-Dallas areas is HUGE. I'm sure RR knows their stuff would fly off the shelves out here, but it really doesn't make since for them to try and distribute out here when the demand is still so great close to home.

I agree. The idea I have gives small breweries that have such constraints, a chance for a no-strings attached venture into a virgin market. Such ventures can be the basis for a company to make the investments needed to reach said market. Like I said...I have no knowledge of the logistics of beer distribution...just an idea that keeps rattling around in my head.

[cajunhawk]

Spec's is unbelievable.

In Houston?

[MelRock]

In Houston?

Yes the original one downtown. The one in Dallas off of 75 south of 635 is not bad as well.

[CajunJack55]

In Houston?

There are many all around Houston, Austin and Dallas area but the main store/ warehouse is located in Houston Midtown.