Thursday, December 19, 2013

Beerstop brew list, 12\19\13

Beer stop, the diamond in the rough

You might had noticed this small store while driving up Mayhen (possibly en-rout to brewfest at the auto-museum). Located right across from Jenny’s and next to the Indian market, this store really does not look like much. Covering almost 70% of the store front is advertisement for Coors, miller, and Budweiser brews........things that craft-loving people see as red flags.

It makes the place look more like a gas station than a serious craft beer store. And to be fair it does have a lot of the amenities provided by a corner store (snack food, energy drinks, cigarettes, cigars, etc)


However, against all implications of its exterior image, beerstop has one of the best selections of beer in town.
entrance collection of bombers
side bombers, and 6\4 packs

don't forget the end
a few more beers on the side
some 6 packs in a narrow space

dont forget the snacks (and the bottom shelf)

so many bottles of it.........



In my opinion, no Tallahassee beer hunt is complete without a stop at this little gem.
You really have to see it to believe it.

Once you get beyond its shell and walk in, youl be extremely surprised by what they have in stock. Despite covering their windows with what many would call 'swill posters', their actual physical stock of such beers (American Adjunct Laggers to be precises) is actually quite low.

American Adjunct Lagers probably only account for 10% of Beer stops shelf space. The rest is dedicated to a dizzying assortment of craft beers largely condensed into a relatively small store.

a walk in freezer filled with cold crafty goodness.
just ignore the stuff on the bottom.


The truth is, I have never gone into this store and NOT found at least 5 things that I really, really wanted to drink.
(unfortunately I can usually only afford to pick up 1-2 of them!)

I've had to talk people into making the trip and going into the store, and I've never had any complaints.

Beer stop beer hit list:
Bombers, and single bottles
  • Gulden Draak Brewmaster Reserve, 17.99
    • style: Belgian strong pale ale, 10.5%,
    • Stats; 87\100 (beer advocate), 84\100 (Ratebeer)
    • My thoughts: I picked up this beer to celebrate my birthday....but unfortunately did not get a chance to consume it until nearly 3 weeks after my birthday! It had a lot to live up too, and to be sure it did so in spades. A lot of reviewers snub this beer primarily because its barrel aging has removed the brilliant clarity that the normal Gulden Draak is famous for, but I found that if you can ignore how the beer is as hazzy as a Hefeweizen, there is a lovely beer to be had here. Its whiskey character is extremely subdued, and to good effect as it does not overpower the Belgian characteristics of the beer or make it too overly boozy. I found this one to be a great sipper, and one I enjoyed immensely. I do feel that its rating come from the fact that its a very big move from the brewery’s usual offerings, and has a far more American-style than people are used too (which makes sense since the beer was made due to the brew-masters travels in America Personal score: 90\100
  • Dogfish Head, 75 minute IPA, 10.99
    • style: American IPA, 7.5%
    • Stats: ratebeer (99\100), beer advocate (92\100)
    • personal rating: n/a
  • Sierea Nevada, devastation black ipa, 8.29
    • style: black IPA, 6.7%
    • Stats: ratebeer (96\100), beer advocate (87\100)
    • personal rating: n/a
  • 500 bc, double IPA, 8.29
    • style: Double IPA, 8.3%
    • Stats: ratebeer (89\100), beer advocate (91\100)
    • personal rating: n/a
  • hebrew
    • He'Brew Bittersweet Lenny's R.I.P.A. On Rye, 10.99
      • style: double\imperial IPA, 10%
      • Stats: ratebeer (98\100), beer advocate (87\100)
      • personal rating: n/a
    • jewbilation reborn 17, 12.49
      • style: American Strong Ale, 17%
      • Stats: ratebeer (91\100), beer advocate (87\100)
      • personal rating: I'm sorry to say that I cannot speak for this one, yet. But I have had their sweet 16, which is offly close, and I have to say its an experience. We have all heard of hop-bombs, but this is a malt bomb on all levels. The hops in it simply exist to keep those flavors from becoming too extreme and adding a bit to the aroma. Absurdly sweet, thick, and smooth, this brew is one that begs to be opened during special events where you really want to cut loose with something intense. Well worth the price if the reason for drinking is good enough! (84\100)
    • st lennys, 7.99
      • style: Belgian strong ale (among other things)
      • Stats: ratebeer (75\100), beer advocate (87\100)
      • personal rating: wow, this one was an experience. Picked up and tried at fermentation, this beer does so many things with flavor that its hard to keep up with it all. The hops, they rye, the Belgian flavors, the malt......you would think that with everything that the beer tries to do, that it wouldn't work. But it does work This beer is worth picking up to experience it. You wont regret it. (90\100)
    • Rejewvenator dubble doppel, 7.99
      • style: Dubble, 8%
      • Stats: ratebeer (91\100), (83\100)
      • personal rating: n/a
    • Origin, 5.89
      • style: fruit beer, 8%
      • Stats: ratebeer (61\100), beer advocate (80\100)
      • personal rating:
    • IPA, 5.89
      • style: American IPA, 6.8%
      • Stats: ratebeer (95\100), beer advocate (85\100)
      • personal rating: n/a
  • Timmermans, Oude Gueuze, 17.99
    • style: Gueuze, 5.5%
    • Stats: ratebeer (95\100), beer advocate (88\100)
    • personal rating: n/a
  • Blue Moon, Grand Cru, 8.99
    • style: Belgian strong ale, 8.7%
    • Stats: ratebeer (56\100), beer advocate (76\100)
    • personal rating: n/a

6\4 packs

  • Bells, 3ed coast old ale- 15.99\6 pack
    • style: barley wine, 10.2%
    • Stats: ratebeer (100\100), beer advocate (92\100)
    • personal rating:
  • Innis and Gunn, seasonal Scottish porter, 9.99\ 4 pack
    • style: porter, 7.4%
    • Stats: ratebeer (64\100), beer advocate (78\100)
    • personal rating:
  • Goose Island
    • Bourbon County Stout and Barley-wine, 18.29\ 4-pack
      • stout
        • style: imperial stout, 14.9%
        • Stats: ratebeer (100\100), beer advocate (100\100)
      • barleywine
        • style: English barleywine, 12.1%
        • Stats: ratebeer (100\100), beer advocate (100\100)
      • personal rating: Both of these of really amazing beers, and even though their price points are high, they are a must try. The stout has a reputation that speaks for itself ( in my opinion it has a remarkable character of fudge, chocolate, Hershey syrup, and lots and lots of bourbon), but I actually enjoyed the barley-wine more. Its far less syrupy, and its character from the oak and leftover BCS stout gives it fantastic subtle chocolate flavors. Beerstop is currently one of the only places to still have it in stock, and in spades, so make sure to go here if you haven’t picked these gems up already. My advice pick up both, and age the barley-wine for good chunk of time. I think that over time, it will get to better than the barley-wine (I'd love to try a 5 year old bottle!). For the quality of the product, its honestly being sold UNDER the price it deserves. (both beers get a 100\100 from me)
  • Luna, coffee stout, 10.99\4 pack
    • style: American stout
    • Stats: ratebeer (93\100), beer advocate (83\100)
    • personal rating: n/a
  • Old Engine Oil, 21.99, 6 pack
    • style: English porter
    • Stats: ratebeer (98100), beer advocate (92\100)
    • personal rating: n\a
  • belzebuth, 12.99\3 pack
    • style: Belgian strong ale, 13%
    • Stats:ratebeer (33\100), beer advocate (78\100)
    • personal rating: n/a
  • eggenberg, urbock 23, 14.99\4-pack
    • style: doppelbock, 9.6%
    • Stats: ratebeer (73\100), beer advocate (81\100)
    • personal rating: n/a
  • woodchuck barrel select, 9.99\6 pack
    • style: cider
    • Stats: ratebeer: 94\100
    • personal rating: n/a
  • Resin, 9.99, 4 cans
    • style: Imperial\double ipa
    • Stats: Ratebeer 98\100, Beeradvocate 91\100
    • personal rating: I give this beer a lot of credit. I has both a intense hoppy character, and enough malty backbone to stand up to it and make the beer more enjoyable as a result. For anyone looking for a big DIPA or imperial IPA to get into (and who are still sensitive to abrasive hop flavor) should give it a shot. I gave it a 90\100.
  • X2 steam,9.99, 6 pack
    • style: California common, 8%
    • Stats: ratebeer (74\100), beer advocate (80\100)
    • personal rating: Not exactly one of the best from the X2 line, but a worthy beer to try non-the-less, especially if your curious like I was. Not as much character as its brothers, this beers strength is it balance and drink-ability. Good for the money, its worth trying for the experience, and due to the fact that it may never be seen again when its gone from beerstop. (80\100)
  • Ceylon\lion brewery
    • Stout, 10.99 \ 6 pack
      • style: Foreign Export Stout, 8.8%
      • Stats: ratebeer (99\100), beer advocate (88\100)
      • personal rating: This beer, coming from the largest brewery in Sri Lanka, is a eternal surprise to the uninitiated. Not only is it a fantastic stout, its also one of the best values on a 6 pack you can buy. Famously promoted by the late-great beer hunter and writer Michael Jackson, the beer continues to live up to its name. A heavy chocolaty concoction with a faint hint of peppery spice, this brew is a must have for anyone looking for a good stout at a even better price. A personal favorite and a must-try. (90\100)
    • imperial Pilsner, 10.99\ 6 pack
      • style: European strong lagger, 8.8%
      • Stats: ratebeer (16\100), beer advocate (70\100)
      • personal rating: n/a
  • stoudts brewery, 15.99, 6 packs
    • scarlet lady esb
      • style: premium\extra special bitter, 5%
      • Stats: ratebeer (72\100), beer advocate (82\100)
      • personal rating: n/a
    • fat dog imperial oatmeal stout
      • style: American imperial stout, 8%
      • Stats: ratebeer (n\a), beer advocate (90\100)
      • personal rating: n/a
    • double ipa
      • style: American imperial IPA, 10%
      • Stats: ratebeer (98\100), beer advocate (89\100)
      • personal rating: n/a
  • green flash,
    • pallet wrecker, 12.99, 4 pack
      • style: American Imperial IPA, 9.5%
      • Stats: ratebeer (99\100), beer advocate (93\100)
      • personal rating: n/a
box sets\bulk
  • Innis and Gunn
    • box set, 9.99, 3 pack + glass:
    • box average rating: 74.8\100
      • Original,
        • style: Scottish ale, 6.6%
        • Stats: ratebeer (64\100), beer advocate (84\100)
        • personal rating: 70\100
      • Bourbon Stout
        • style: Scottish stout, 7.4%
        • Stats: ratebeer (63\100), beer advocate (85\100)
        • personal rating: Anyone looking at this one, be advised: its quite sweet. A lot of this sweetness comes from its bourbon aging (giving it a hot and estery\fruity character), and the rest from its Scottish-style yeast. Their is not nearly enough chocolate\roast to back it and balance out the bourbon sweetness. I think that this beer would had tasted better if it had a stronger hop bitterness or a dose of smoked\roasted malt barley to curve its sweetness. However, as you drink it, it grows on you a lot, and because of that I give it a 75\100. Easily worth trying once.
      • Treacle Porter,
        • style: Scottish porter 7.4%
        • Stats: rate beer (n\a), beer advocate (78\100)
        • personal rating: 3.5\5
      • overall impression: Now this one is quite interesting. Besides having a box that, in my opinion, is worth getting just for the art (Innis and Gunn have always had a sense of style), its a great chance to try a good chunk of the brewery’s main offerings. I also love the glass that it comes with (which is perfect, obviously, for Scottish style beer), and the glass was one of the primary reasons why I picked it up in the first place. Overall I give the box set a score of 85\100, with an extra 5 points added because of the glass.
  • Hebrew gift set, 30.00, 8 beers + glass and candles (obviously for Chanukah)
  • box average rating:
    • messiah nut brown ale
      • style: American brown ale, 5.5%
      • Stats:ratebeer (60\100), beer advocate (82\100)
      • personal rating: I thought that this was a lovely, smooth, caramel and malt driven brown ale that is good for light drinking and meals. I really liked it. One of the few brown ales I might consider buying again (considering how easy it is for me to just make a 5 gallon batch of the stuff, that's saying something). 85\100
    • funky jewbelation (barrel aged)
      • style: American strong ale, 9.8%
      • Stats: ratebeer (95\100), beer advocate (84\100)
      • personal rating: n\a
    • Rejewvenator dubbel doppel
      • style: Dubble, 8%
      • Stats: ratebeer (91\100), (83\100)
      • personal rating: n/a
    • ST. Lenny's Belgian rye double ipa
      • style: Belgian strong ale (among other things)
      • Stats: ratebeer (75\100), beer advocate (87\100)
      • personal rating: wow, this one was an experience. Picked up and tried at fermentation, this beer does so many things with flavor that its hard to keep up with it all. The hops, they rye, the Belgian flavors, the malt......you would think that with everything that the beer tries to do, that it wouldn’t work. But it does work This beer is worth picking up to experience it. You wont regret it. (90\100)
    • R.I.P.A. on rye (rye whiskey barrel aged)
      • style: Imperial IPA, 10%
      • Stats: ratebeer (98\100), beer advocate (87\100)
      • personal rating: n\a
    • reunion 13
      • style: American brown ale, 7.5%
      • Stats: ratebeer (93\100), beer advocate (86\100)
      • personal rating: n\a
    • death of a contract brewer
      • style: black ipa, 7%
      • Stats: ratebeer (97\100), beer advocate (84\100)
      • personal rating: n\a
    • jewbilation reborn 17
        • style: American Strong Ale, 17%
        • Stats: ratebeer (91\100), beer advocate (87\100)
        • personal rating: I'm sorry to say that I cannot speak for this one, yet. But I have had their sweet 16, which is offly close, and I have to say its an experience. We have all heard of hop-bombs, but this is a malt bomb on all levels. The hops in it simply exist to keep those flavors from becoming too extreme and adding a bit to the aroma. Absurdly sweet, thick, and smooth, this brew is one that begs to be opened during special events where you really want to cut loose with something intense. Well worth the price if the reason for drinking is good enough! (84\100)
      • overall impression: from the look of things, this box may seem expensive, but for what you get its not that bad of an idea. It looks like it would be a great present for anyone (not just for Chanukah), and offers virtually every single one of the main offerings from hebrew. If you want the chance to try them all in one sitting, this box set (while expensive) looks like a good deal for the curious buyer who has yet to experience Hebrew.
  • great divide
    • brewers select, 18.99, 12 beers
    • box average rating: 89\100
      • rumble
        • style: American IPA, 7.1%
        • Stats: ratebeer (95\100), beer advocate (86\100)
        • personal rating: n\a
      • claymore
        • style: strong scotch ale, 7.7%
        • Stats: ratebeer (94\100), beer advocate (87\100)
        • personal rating: 85\100. One of my go-to strong Scottish ales when its available.
      • Denver Pale Ale
        • style: American pale ale, 5.4%
        • Stats: ratebeer (76\100), beer advocate (84\100)
        • personal rating: n\a
      • titan
        • style: American IPA, 7.1%
        • Stats: ratebeer (98\100), beer advocate (92\100)
        • personal rating: 90\100
    • big show, 22.99, 12 beers
    • box beer average rating: 89\100
      • rumble
        • style: American IPA, 7.1%
        • Stats: ratebeer (95\100), beer advocate (86\100)
        • personal rating: n\a
      • yeti
        • style: Russian Imperial stout, 9.5%
        • Stats: ratebeer (100\100), beer advocate (94\100)
        • personal rating: 87\100. A very solid imperial stout. If you like this one, look around for the specialty varieties of this brew. Their are about 13 varieties currently made, and about 4 more that are currently retired.
      • Hercules
        • style: American imperial IPA, 10%
        • Stats: ratebeer (100\100), beer advocate (92\100)
        • personal rating:
      • Hades
        • style: Belgian strong pale ale, 7.8%
        • Stats: ratebeer (67\100), beer advocate (84\100)
        • personal rating: n\a
      • overall impressions: overall, I thought that the regular box set did not make much sense. They share one beer (the rumble) and for only 3 extra bucks you get a MUCH better collection of brews (not to say that the regular box brews are bad). I think that the best way to go is to pick up the big show box, and then pick up the brewers select to try its exclusive styles. For the money, this is one of the best craft beer box sets I've ever seen, so if your a thrifty beer lovers, these box sets are made for you.

If that's not enough reason to want to try this place out, I've got another for you: their planning on expanding. They have plans to take over the next-door storefront and make a much needed size expatiation. The owner says that this will add enough room to add many, many more beer varieties to their inventory.

I cant wait for it to happen so I can further expand the list.


Saude!

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