Earlier quoted context omitted.
If you're feeling down on the US craft beer scene just visit Europe (after Covid runs it's course) and you may realize that US craft beer is quite strong by comparison.
I started drinking in the mid-2000s. This was around when the American craft brew scene was really taking over the nation, but the jokes all my European colleagues told were about how American beer is piss-water. Imagine my surprise when I went to Europe, this fabled land of "real beer", and found that they had at most one or two taps at the bar, and asked if I wanted "dark" or "light". No brand names, no styles, no…
Magic hat leaves behind a transformed craft beer industry in Vermont
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Re: Magic hat leaves behind a transformed craft beer industry in Vermont
#152Earlier quoted context omitted.
I've personally witnessed/been involved with the quality decline and the trendiness you speak of with two other "craft" markets - coffee in the mid 90's and liquor distilleries in the past 10 years. When I talk to tourists here in Seattle, of course they eventually ask about the best coffee places. If they're at least able to add "not Starbucks," I'm honest with them and tell them that there's really only two downtow…
Just curious - which two roasters in Seattle do you like?
Slate got some bad press last year on labor practices at their stores, but they still roast excellent coffee.
If you're just outside of downtown either in SLU or south of Pioneer Square, Elm is good, too. There's also Bluebeard in Tacoma which is fantastic.
Re: Magic hat leaves behind a transformed craft beer industry in Vermont
#153Earlier quoted context omitted.
I've personally witnessed/been involved with the quality decline and the trendiness you speak of with two other "craft" markets - coffee in the mid 90's and liquor distilleries in the past 10 years. When I talk to tourists here in Seattle, of course they eventually ask about the best coffee places. If they're at least able to add "not Starbucks," I'm honest with them and tell them that there's really only two downtow…
So which are the two downtown that you like? :) I'm not in Seattle -- I'm in Silicon Valley, with a fairly high chance of ending up in Sacramento this time next year -- but I'm always curious.
I've actually spent many years in Sacramento and occasionally go back. Sorry, absolutely no worthy coffee there, but you'll have some great cocktail bars! Go try Shady Lady, Jungle Bird, and Grange.
Re: Magic hat leaves behind a transformed craft beer industry in Vermont
#154Earlier quoted context omitted.
Completely agree. A good IPA can be great, but I feel like they've become almost synonymous with craft beer in general. I've heard people order "the hoppiest beer you've got" because it's gotten to the point where hops == good_beer and it just rubs me the wrong way.
I just like hoppy beer. I don’t have much time or inclination to acquire the correct taste.
Re: Magic hat leaves behind a transformed craft beer industry in Vermont
#155Earlier quoted context omitted.
Any recommendations? I usually end up with Mexican beer, Presidente or Imperial.
Nowadays my go-to beers are either my local places with no/limited distribution or grabbing a pint or two at some random place while out of town, so it's kinda hard to give specific, actionable, recommendations.
I went to a national chain today and I ended up with this - https://halffullbrewery.com/beer/bee-enlightened/
Is it great? Absolutely not! Is it serviceable? yes.