11 replies to this topic

[Choirgirl21]

A friend's dog passed away suddenly recently. A group of us got together and decided on a memorial gift. Because he's a beer lover and home brewer, we had pint glasses made with a memorial design a friend created and we're going to give those with some nice beer, and I am in charge of the beer. I would like to get some nice large format bottles, things that are rare (special release) and maybe pricier than what he would typically spend on himself (if they're worth it), but they don't all have to be expensive of course - just good. We have a pretty decent budget of about $85.

As far as styles of beer, I think he tends to the styles I do - IPAs or pale ales or at the other end of the spectrum, porters and stouts. The beers he's brewed since I've known him have been a (fantastic) milk stout, an IPA, and I think a porter. But, at heart he's a beer lover and I think he'll appreciate anything that is of good quality.

So any suggestions? I will probably go to I.M. Wine and/or Perfect Pour because those are the 2 stores in my area that have rather nice selections of beer and informed staff, but I may also pick some up at Corridor. They actually had a lot of large format bottles when I went in a couple of weeks ago, including a lot of Dogfish Head you don't see otherwise. Not inclusive I'm sure, but some of the special releases they have right now.

Thanks!

[DanielK]

Just because it's local and it's got the dog theme tie-in: Baying Hound.

[DavidO]

Just because it's local and it's got the dog theme tie-in: Baying Hound.

That's a great idea, and their website says it should be at Corridor.

The best large format bottle I've had recently was Brooklyn Local No. 1, but it's more of a Belgian pale ale.

[Choirgirl21]

Just because it's local and it's got the dog theme tie-in: Baying Hound.

Ha, the one thing I was going to say was that they shouldn't be local because he can get those anytime , but this one looks interesting and he may not know about it. Tx.

[goodeats]

I really like Brew Dog brewery and their Tokyo/Tokio is available at both IM Wine and Corridor (if their sites are right). That one's a stout that I like but their IPAs are pretty good too.

[VikingJew]

From the list at Corridor, I don't think you can go wrong with Avery, The Bruery, or Jolly Pumpkin. They have a lot of large format varieties and do a pretty good job describing their beers on the label. The Avery Maharaja is a particular favorite IPA of mine.

[JimRice]

Smuttynose Smuttonator is a nice doppelbock in a large bottle. Also, the Harpoon 100 barrel series is good, and they have the black IPA there. And the Green Flash Palate Wrecker, which I haven't tried, but I like their imperial IPA.

If you can get to Total Wine, you might want to try some of the beers from Epic Brewing. I've been enjoying their sour apple saison and imperial IPA.

[ChiantiandFava]

If you find yourself near Alexandria head over to Rick's Gourmet. They have a handful of larger bottles from 3 Heads Brewing--their Kind IPA is fantastic--with that budget you could buy a bottle of each style. The artwork on the bottles is colorful and amusing too.

[Choirgirl21]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. In case anyone is curious, here's what I ended up with:

From I.M. Wine:
4-pk Sprecher Bavarian Black
Dogfish Head Hellhound on my Ale

From Corridor:
Rogue Morimoto Imperial Pilsner
Full Sail Brewmasters Reserve Imperial Porter
The Bruery Saison Rue
Roge Chatoe Diroir Black Lager
Avery Dugana IPA

I originally had BrewDog and Baying Hound IPAs on my short list, but despite them being listed in stock on the website, they were out so the Full Sail pinch-hitted. I picked up one of those for myself against my better judgement ($12.50!) too.

I will probably be buying some more of the ones I got for him to try myself down the road, as well as some of your other suggestions that didn't end up getting bought.

[JuneBacon]

No Belgians ???

[Choirgirl21]

No Belgians ???

I don't think he's a huge fan of belgians so I stayed away from them. But the Bruery Saison Rue is described as a Belgian/French-style farmhouse ale so I figured there was at least one included in that direction.

[BayingHoundAleworks]

You could do all local/dog themed. DewClaw, Flying Dog, Brew Dog, and yes Baying Hound. These are all from Maryland.