What I wouldn't give to get my hands on more Jai Alai. Had it when I was in Florida, and it is my favourite. I'd kill for it in the UK.
Jai Alai is so good, and so incredibly accessible to get fresh down here. I bought a 6 pack at Wawa the other day that was canned 4 days prior. I'm at a training today that will have me passing Cigar City on my way home, so I'm planning on stopping by to see what they have in cans/bottles or available in crowlers. I'm hoping they still have White Oak Jai Alai which just came out a little bit ago.
Lol up in MD you can only get alcohol at liquor stores, can't at grocery stores or convenience stores here
I was in VA for a show and went to the whole foods right there just to hang out while waiting and get some samples and they had a fantastic beer section there, got real excited
The good news is that the acquisition of Cigar City by Fireman Capital (same company that helped Oskar Blues explode) should mean we'll all have plenty of Jai Alai in our lives relatively soon.
The only Cigar City beer I haven't liked so far was "Florida Cracker". That beer tasted horrendous to me. It tastes how a centipede smells...if that makes sense.
They had some interesting things available for growler fill (it's always hit or miss on that), but I picked up some White Oak Jai Alai and Florida Man. Can't wait to break one open tonight. I used to get White Oak all the time, but it's become a lot harder over the last year or so. Speaking of White Oak, the last one I had I drank with Stubhy from Lucky Boys Confusion when I was in Chicago over New Years. There has to be someone in here that would appreciate that part.
I haven't had one in a while, but I've always been a fan of Dirty Bastard. I am a fan of scotch ales.
Dirty Bastard was one of the first craft beers I had – outside of Goose Island (mostly Honker's Ale) which, being from Chicago, I didn't realize was craft beer – back when I was in college outside of Grand Rapids in the early 2000's. Still one of my favorites.
Currently drinking Spiteful Belligerent Bob Barrel-Aged Barleywine. 10.5% ABV, aged for 10 months in Buffalo Trace bourbon barrels, and won gold for barleywines at the Festival of Barrel-Aged Beers last year.
This all looks and sounds amazing. Good luck! This is the lucky reality of my life as well. Someday, my metabolism will falter and I, like my father and his father before him, will develop a gut. Until then... bottoms up.
Spoetzl's Shiner Kosmos Reserve is what's making my nose tingly this evening. Slightly heavy, but still plenty hoppy.
How common is Shiner outside Texas? Here Shiner Bock is easily the most popular beer that doesn't end in "Light"
Wonderfully common now. You can pick up singles for a lot of their brews at local grocers and the Bock can be found in a lot of gas stations. Some of the ones I've been looking for are only available in the Family Box, which is fine. Shiner is an easy sell to friends and family that want to try something new. Edit: I live in Ohio, for context.
Great beer travels far. I'm hoping to make that happen for some smaller breweries at some point this year on a micro level.