Beer Forum

My uncle is a "high up" at the local AB distributor.

About a year ago he cave me about 15 of these:


I believe the Blonde Ale was supposed to go into production (may be out already for all I know) but the other 2 weren't expected to see life.

If you can't see the ABV's they are, left to right:
8.5%
8.5%
5.4%

It's been a while but I seem to remeber that the blonde was ok, nothing special. The Chocolate was a little better. And the Brewmasters Private Reserve was damn good.
I wish I could remember more details.
Anyway, just thought I'd share.

Prost,
tripple

As I heard the story, from a well-placed little bird, each AB brewery produced a unique brew of their own for keg sales only in the market local to the brewery. On beerschool, we tasted the "Ascent 54", brewed by the Fort Collins AB. We shared one, pre-show, with Jesse, the brewer at 21A. It was brownish and OK. We then tasted one on the show, which was a lot better. Hmmmmmm.... what happened?

Seems we were drinking it too cold at 21A. Warmer, all the flavors came together and it was a really nice beer.

I've also had some of the Michelob speciality brews. Most good, but not great. I did really like one, might have been the heffe..

AB can brew. The problem is that they have grown to brew to such a large market, they rarely let themselves make something unique that OUR segment of the market appreciates. It's interesting to watch them try to learn how to market to us.

-Motor

ps: beerschool.com

pps: Look for Foster at the CBC starting Wednesday in San Diego

the other 2 came out around Christmas, I heard the Celebrate chocolate was not good, the Brewmaster's reserve was good enough

the Beach Bum is their summer seasonal, at least in New England - it's pretty good for a blonde ale

I found the beach bum on tap this past summer in my area. For someone starved of craft brew, it was a delight! One can only drink so many boston lagers or summit extra pale ales (often the only craft on tap in my area)

What no surly by you? I thought it was pretty easy to find there in min. Then again I have no idea where baxter is or anything about it.