Another trip, another score

I've got it down to a pattern now: trip to Michigan, stop in Arbor Brewing, stop in Andersons in Maumee/Toledo, return. Ok, and some family things in between too.

Arbor Brewing was pleasant as usual, but unfortunately their offerings this time were diminished in selection. The Sacred Cow Cask IPA was out, their menu said they had Dunkel but didn't, and their Abbey ale was the only seasonal on tap. All were good, nonetheless. Just not as diverse this time. Hopefully they'll have their Terminator dopplebock back on tap soon.

And as usual, the Andersons store didn't disappoint. Aside, I really wish we had one here but then there's the PA distribution stranglehold---so you can forget singles right out, nevermind selection. It truly is a shame that in a state with such great breweries as Victory, Appalachian, Sly Fox, Stoudt's (countless more) the consumer is so limited in terms of what and where they can buy. There's supply and demand (the countless stores that stock 30-packs of Bud/Miller/Coors) but then there's politics. Pathetic, really, and a scarlet letter on the Pennsylvania legislative and distribution systems.

Anyway, I arrived safely home with a bounty of tasty brews:

• Weyerbacher Double Simcoe IPA. Had it before, great beer. And look, I can buy one bottle!
• Lagunitas IPA
• Southern Tier Raspberry Wheat
• Paulaner Salvator Dopplebock. The original dopplebock. Didn't make it 4 hours in the house before it was opened and summarily poured. It will be missed.
• Three Floyds Rabid Rabbit Saison
• Arcadia Coco Loco
• Southern Tier Harvest Ale
• Arcadia Hopmouth Double IPA
• Southern Tier Big Red Imperial Red
• Fort Collins Brewing Chocolate Stout
• Great Lakes Brewing Oktoberfest
• Great Lakes Nosferatu (stock ale)
• Stone Oaked Arrogant Bastard Ale

Yes, that is a 6-pack of Southern Tier Harvest Ale. The "quadrupulus humulus lupus" descriptor on the package sealed the deal for me. And before you think that this is just another double IPA, take a sip and you'll find that it's not even a double IPA at all. It has a very pleasant hop aroma and flavor but restrained bitterness. The beer delivers a moderately-malty flavor, devoid of a darkness that would suggest highly-roasted caramel malts; only 2-row pale malt and wheat malt. Clearly, the emphasis is the hops here: Amarillo, Chinook, and Columbus hops in the kettle, Styrian Golding hops in the hopback, and dry-hopped with Amarillo.

I've really grown a fondness for Southern Tier. Their beers are creative, and who doesn't love the packaging? Vibrant and vivid.

The Three Floyds Saison, one of the Arcadia Coco Locos and the Arcadia Hopmouth will be going to my craft beer enthusiast and amateur magician friend Jason, in return for 3 bottles of Stone 2007 Vertical Epic he brought me. It's good to have good friends with good taste.

Cheers!