If you were going to pay $37 for a beer...

[MoeFOH]

I'd make it this one. https://www.kererubrewing.co.nz/shop/beer/night-spirit-imperial-stout 

Ordinarily, I find that barrel-aging of beer doesn't work so well. I've always found the two are at odds with each other and end up detracting from the end product rather than adding to it. 

Not so here!

I was drinking this in a bar in Wellington called Hashigo Zake--a little cult beer bar (as they call themselves) on Taranaki St. Fantastic little dark beer bar, located in a basement. And this beer had it all! A strong, roasted stout with all the best characteristics of a single malt woven in to mellow it out. The combination worked superbly, and it turned drinking beer into a sipper, in the best possible way (at 12% you have little choice unless you want to guzzle your way into Zombieland in a real hurry). I didn't have any sticks with me, at the time, but I was contemplating the wonder of pairing this with some little chocolate bomb like a VR Famoso or a Petit Edmundo... would be fantastic, I reckon. 

Depending on shipping costs, I'm seriously considering ordering a few bottles in. The price is NZD, of course, so a little cheaper here in Aus. Probably half-price for US... Worth the punt? I'd say, a big YES! 

[HarveyBoulevard]

...then I would be a moron.

(this is the answer to the call of your question)

 

HOWEVER, if you bought me one, I would try it

 

EDIT:  I kid of course.  I spend money on things others would consider silly so buy buy away and enjoy!!!

[MD Puffer]

???  

 

You can get two 30-pack cases of Natty Light for one of those...

[MoeFOH]

6 minutes ago, HarveyBoulevard said:

...then I would be a moron.

(this is the answer to the call of your question)

 

HOWEVER, if you bought me one, I would try it

 

EDIT:  I kid of course.  I spend money on things others would consider silly so buy buy away and enjoy!!!

No, I definitely felt like a moron paying that price for it. But that's not really a change in status for me. ; )

You certainly need a good drink after such a purchase...

[Bill Hayes]

Have you tried Founders Kentucky Breakfast Stout? It is made with a touch of coffee and is barrel aged. Goes well with a D4 or BBF. Or a non-cuban maduro. Have yet to try CC maduro with it.

[HarveyBoulevard]

Life is about experiences.  Some cost more than others.  Some find them worthwhile while others don't.  It appears you enjoyed the experience so I think it was worthwhile

[hedgeybaby]

The most I've ever paid for a beer, pound for pound was USD 15 plus tip for a can of Stella in Miami. It still to this day hurts me so no, I would never ever pay that much . But each to his own and as long as you enjoy it then who cares - go for it.

It certainly makes more sense than the thousands I waste on cigarettes to slowly commit suicide. 

[MoeFOH]

1 minute ago, Bill Hayes said:

Have you tried Founders Kentucky Breakfast Stout? It is made with a touch of coffee and is barrel aged. Goes well with a D4 or BBF. Or a non-cuban maduro. Have yet to try CC maduro with it.

No, I haven't. I'll endeavour to locate it here in Aus. I did, however, manage to bring a couple of these back with me... 

Well tasty! And only $9 a pop. The best espresso stout I've tasted. 

[Scotch&Stogie]

Not for beer.  There are some fantastic barrel aged beers out there, but they require a soft hand. The craft beer boom has resulted in a huge increase in the number of barrels aged beers here in the US and the results are typically less than spectacular. But if you stick with Founders, St Arnold’s, and the like (or New Holland Dragons Milk for a readily available version) you’re good. Definitely need to pair with a more powerful cigar though. 

[Ken Gargett]

57 minutes ago, MoeFOH said:

No, I haven't. I'll endeavour to locate it here in Aus. I did, however, manage to bring a couple of these back with me... 

Well tasty! And only $9 a pop. The best espresso stout I've tasted. 

i used to always bring Moa back from any trip to NZ. until one leaked. but you can get them here. those and emersons (though i've not seen those for a while) are probably many two fave kiwi beers, though i'm not paying $37 for any of them. 

locally, big fan of holgate. i think they have some that push thre $100 mark - not tried them. the standards and a number of specials are priced as one would expect from a quality craft brewery. 

[MoeFOH]

15 minutes ago, Ken Gargett said:

i used to always bring Moa back from any trip to NZ. until one leaked. but you can get them here.

Yeah, was seriously worried about leakage, but got them home safely. 2x Espresso, 1x Milk Stout, 1x bottle of wine - Bladen Gerwurtztraminer. The Moa dude was telling me that they don't export the espresso stout, but he may have just been hooking me for a purchase. In any case, at NZD$9, they're a bargain, in my opinion. Well tasty. 

[WABOOM]

If I was drinking a beer like that, I'd be reaching for a strong Nicaraguan.

[prodigy]

Dogfish head 120 minute ipa is most likely the most expensive beer I have.

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[SloppyJ]

9 minutes ago, prodigy said:

Dogfish head 120 minute ipa is most likely the most expensive beer I have.

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Just started drinking the 90.... oh so good. I had a hard time shelling out the dough for that. I've been trying to go up on quality and down on quantity. How's the 120? I didn't think I'd like the 90 because the 60 is just so-so to my tastes, it's completely different. Any other higher abv stuff you'd recommend? I like some Sixpoint Resin IPA every now and then too if you've ever seen that one. 

[prodigy]

Just started drinking the 90.... oh so good. I had a hard time shelling out the dough for that. I've been trying to go up on quality and down on quantity. How's the 120? I didn't think I'd like the 90 because the 60 is just so-so to my tastes, it's completely different. Any other higher abv stuff you'd recommend? I like some Sixpoint Resin IPA every now and then too if you've ever seen that one. 

I haven't had that one. There's so many local craft breweries in NC, and the beer stores carry such variety, I try new stuff every week and rarely try the same thing twice.

The dogfish 120 is a completely different animal. Doesn't even taste like an ipa. Its 18-22% ABV. I find it tastes more like a mead or hoppy wine than a true IPA. It's still amazing though.

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[bpm32]

$37 is nothing when you consider people hop on a plane and go stand in line at Russian River Brewing when they release Pliny the Younger. One of my acquaintances actually drove seven hours and he said there were a few dudes who flew in from Europe.

[Bill Hayes]

Tried this one last night. Founders DKML (no idea what that means) Malt Liquor aged in Bourbon Barrels. Was the strongest bourbon flavoured beer I've had and it's not a stout. But surprisingly and frighteningly easy to drink at 12.5%. I quite liked it although the D4 deadened some of the flavours for me. Probably not for the feint hearted.

[Derboesekoenig]

I've had Pliny the Elder, but not Pliny the Younger. I'm a big trappist/belgian fan, so when I get a chance, that's usually what I go for. Though I'm in the mood for a sour or a saison right now. Any recommendations?

[bpm32]

17 minutes ago, Derboesekoenig said:

I've had Pliny the Elder, but not Pliny the Younger. I'm a big trappist/belgian fan, so when I get a chance, that's usually what I go for. Though I'm in the mood for a sour or a saison right now. Any recommendations?

Sours are great--I'll be happy when the sour/gose fad sweeps the triple IPA fad away. For me, 90% of IPAs are balanced poorly. Local brewery has maybe 4 or 5 sours on tap right now. For stuff that's widely available, have you tried Modern Times Fruitlands? I bought a four pack the other day and I'm digging it. I don't know--as I'm getting older I'm way more into girly, fruity drinks. Probably low testosterone or something.

[Derboesekoenig]

6 minutes ago, bpm32 said:

Sours are great--I'll be happy when the sour/gose fad sweeps the triple IPA fad away. For me, 90% of IPAs are balanced poorly. Local brewery has maybe 4 or 5 sours on tap right now. For stuff that's widely available, have you tried Modern Times Fruitlands? I bought a four pack the other day and I'm digging it. I don't know--as I'm getting older I'm way more into girly, fruity drinks. Probably low testosterone or something.

Nope, I will have to try some if I ever get back to the states. Or if I can find it when I'm on vacation.

I don't buy into the whole girly/manly thing. Look man, if it tastes good, it tastes good. Everyone has different preferences and tastes. And just sometimes in the mood for something specific.

[prodigy]

I'll take a crappy ipa over a sour/gose any day of the week. IMO beer, or any alcohol, should not be sour. I am not bashing them in any way, or the people that like them, it's just not my thing.

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[bpm32]

6 minutes ago, prodigy said:

I'll take a crappy ipa over a sour/gose any day of the week. IMO beer, or any alcohol, should not be sour. I am not bashing them in any way, or the people that like them, it's just not my thing.

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Then you won't like what's a'brewin on the Left Coast....coming your way soon.

1970s: "Beer should taste like malty water and get me buzzed."

1980s: "Hey, European beer has flavors."

1990s: "We learned from the Internet that homebrewing is actually legal."

2000: "Beer should have as many hops as possible."

2010s: "Dude, I brewed this gose and it tastes like appletinis!"

[prodigy]

Then you won't like what's a'brewin on the Left Coast....coming your way soon.
1970s: "Beer should taste like malty water and get me buzzed."
1980s: "Hey, European beer has flavors."
1990s: "We learned from the Internet that homebrewing is actually legal."
2000: "Beer should have as many hops as possible."
2010s: "Dude, I brewed this gose and it tastes like appletinis!"

That may be the case, but I'm pretty sure it's not going to be something I ever get into. My sister loves them. They are like drinking candy.

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[Derboesekoenig]

Hmmm. Well you know your taste buds change every few years, right? Have you ever revisited any flavors (food, drinks, etc.) that you didn't like maybe 5 or 10 years prior? You might be pleasantly surprised...

[prodigy]

Hmmm. Well you know your taste buds change every few years, right? Have you ever revisited any flavors (food, drinks, etc.) that you didn't like maybe 5 or 10 years prior? You might be pleasantly surprised...

I have, and many things I used to not like at all as I kid i now enjoy a lot. Sour beer could be something i like in the future, but I highly doubt it.

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