Trader Joe's

[Fritz Eye]

To cut to the chase times are rough in the money department and sometimes you want to pace yourself so the kegerator does not run dry. Also 6 packs of Lagunitas in NY are about $11.00 - $ 12.00!

Picked up 3 bottles of Trader Joe's Pale Ale and 3 of their IPA for $ 5.99.
Not bad stuff. The Pale Ale was very mild with slight caramel notes and a bit of a American hop bitterness, but very drinkable. Not much body though and as sully would say" big wetness factor"

Ironically their IPA had more body and malt pressence along with grassy hop notes that I would guess to be Centennial.
Any idea who brews them?

Are these beers my first choice? No, but for $ 6.00 or until I can get caught up from not brewing during the summer and get some cornies filled these are not bad fillers for the fridge.

I am going to try the same experiment with their lagers this weekend.
Cheers.

[andy77]

The Mission Street IPA, if that's the one you got, is pretty nice.

It's brewed under the label "Steinhaus Brewing Co" located in Paso Robles. Hmmm, what other great brewery that also does a lot of contract brewing is located in the small town of Paso Robles?

If fact, when I was in this brewery last year, I saw them bottling another Trader Joe's proprietary brand.

[nathanm]

I actually quite like Mission St Pale Ale. Thin body perhaps, but very drinkable on a hot summer day. I find it a nicer drink than Sierra Neveda Pale Ale. If you couldn't figure out the brewery from the above picture, it is Firestone Walker. They bought Red Nectar (I've never seen that at Trader Joes near me, however, only at other beer stores).

As for lager, give the Vienna Lager and Hofbrau Bock a try. Pretty decent, though i'm not a lager connoisseur. You can't go wrong with a mix and match 6er for $6. Lagunitas is just as expensive here in California - $10, so don't feel left out.

I also like the Stockyard Oatmeal Stout they sell there.

[bikefoolery]

Out here in Cali, TJs has Mission St. Pale Ale and IPA. Both are fanstastic, and brewed in Paso Robles, CA.

Hmm... Who else brews there? Firestone-Walker.

The Fool

[BeerPal]

Have read that Trader Joe's is brewed under contract by Gordon Biersch out here and Goose Island back east. A little Googling seems to bear out the Gordon Biersch aspect.

[Fritz Eye]

awesome replys here, no asshattery what so ever.
Hanx!

[andy77]

If you couldn't figure out the brewery from the above picture, it is Firestone Walker. They bought Red Nectar (I've never seen that at Trader Joes near me, however, only at other beer stores).

I don't remember seeing nectar ales at a TJs either. What's being bottled here is a T J's brand called Flying Cow, or Jumping Cow or something (there's a cow on the 6 pack).

[nathanm]

So, Gordon Biersch brews the TJ brand - like the hofbrau bock - any that have that same looking label. The mission st series (not TJ branded, but sold at TJs) is brewed by Firestone. I think that is right.

I don't remember seeing nectar ales at a TJs either. What's being bottled here is a T J's brand called Flying Cow, or Jumping Cow or something (there's a cow on the 6 pack).

Sorry, yes, Jumping Cow or something like that. The Red Nectar sign near the door put me on the wrong path.

Goose Island does brew for TJs too, like the Stockyard Oatmeal Stout.