Green's Staff - Top Beer Picks 2015 Spring/Summer Edition Ladies and gentlemen, we're pleased to present to you for the first time, a selection of beers esteemed by our very own staff members. Here are the favorites picked by the keepers of beer, the same ones who've tried some of the best and worst beers in the region. The beers we've selected are all available at both of our Columbia locations unless otherwise noted. The seasonals are also available until the end of their respective seasons or until they sell out. *These favorite picks are based on beers currently in-stock.* Chris - Store Manager Evil Twin Imperial Biscotti Break 22oz "The Roman Empire had a certain je ne sais quoi festive food culture, extravagant architecture and spectacular live entertainment. Some might argue the Emperors were brutal, mad and hungry for power, and the people vain when taking baths and working out all day. Listen that s still all part of the secret Imperial ingredient keep it cool, clean, confident, arrogant and flamboyant. Forza Imperiale." This imperial stout sits at a whopping 11.5%; it's malt forward and decadent nature washes over the palate like a tidal wave of deliciousness. Rated 100 at ratebeer.com 11.5% ABV
Old Milwaukee's Best Ice Okay not really, but there is a history there... The real pick is... Weyerbacher Insanity 4pk Made by aging Weyerbacher's perfectly balanced Blithering Idiot Barleywine in oak bourbon casks. This incredible combination creates a mélange of flavors from rich malts, raisins, and dates to oak, vanilla, and bourbon. 11.1% Wes - Beer Buyer / Beer Guru / Beer Nerd Lagunitas Sucks 32oz Bottle Originally brewed in 2011 as a Brown Shugga substitute, due to construction-induced capacity issues. A Cereal Medley of Barley, Rye, Wheat, and Oats. Full of complexishness from the 4 grains, and weighing in at 7.85% abv, Then joyously dry-hopped for that big aroma and resinous hop flavor. Tilquin Oude Geuze 375mL
The Gueuze Tilquin à l ancienne (6.4% alc / vol) is a spontaneous fermentation beer obtained from the blending of 1, 2 and 3 years old lambics. Unfiltered and unpasteurized, it is re-fermented in the bottle for a minimum period of 6 months. The lambics used were fermented and matured in our own oak barrels at the blendery. They are made from worts brewed by Boon, Lindemans, Girardin and Cantillon. The taste is tart and dry but has a certain roundness that makes this Gueuze à l ancienne particularly accessible for non-experts. It will also delight fans of the genre for its sweet complexity. It also has a slight dry bitterness because of the youth of the oak barrels used, as they still release some tannins. It has a fresh lemony nose. Gary - Assembly Store Manager Weyerbacher Sunday Morning Stout 4pk $Sunday Morning Stout is an American Imperial Stout aged in bourbon barrels. The result? A beautiful ebony pour with a large, creamy, off-white head that lasts and lasts. The aromas of roasted coffee and bourbon awaken your senses while their flavors blend with hints of chocolate, roasted malt, vanilla and caramel. The perfect cap to a Saturday night or start to Sunday morning. 11.3% ABV Bell's Oberon 4pk 16oz Can A wheat ale fermented with Bell's signature house ale yeast, mixing a spicy hop character with mildly fruity aromas. The addition of wheat malt lends a smooth mouthfeel, making it a classic summer beer. 5.8% ABV
Founders All Day IPA 15pk Can *Included in Memorial Day sale. Price valid until 5-25-15 The beer you ve been waiting for. Keeps your taste satisfied while keeping your senses sharp. An all-day IPA naturally brewed with a complex array of malts, grains and hops. Balanced for optimal aromatics and a clean finish. The perfect reward for an honest day s work and the ultimate companion to celebrate life s simple pleasures. 4.7% Trey - Growler Man (with muscles) Wells Banana Bread Beer 4pk This dark golden coloured ale hugs the palate with great intensity. Its malty aroma is complemented by the gentle nose of Banana. Its flavour unfolds with a sensual sparkle and a smart crispness, which balances its aroma perfectly. Tropically fruity; its ripe banana flavour, emphasized by a hint of bitterness, comes from the addition of real fair trade bananas and finishes with an emphatic, steely dryness. River Rat Lost Port Porter 6pk "Where the Saluda and Broad Rivers merge, they form the mighty Congaree in ColaTown, SC! River Rat Brewery was founded in 2013. Traveling between the lost ports of Madagascar, we searched the island over for the finest vanilla beans. After hiking through ruins and rain forest, we have gathered only the best vanilla beans for infusing into our porter. 'We love brewing craft beer because beer makes people happy.'" ~King Rat Daddy
Tyler - Former Growler Master Jedi Black Belt He'Brew RIPA on Rye 22oz "Savor the provocative spirit of R.I.P.A on RYE, our HE BREW monument to the richness, the bitterness and the sacred sweetness that is life..." Malts: Specialty 2-Row, Rye Ale, Torrified Rye, Rye Flakes, Crystal Rye 75, Crystal Malt 80, Wheat, Kiln Amber, CaraMunich 60. Hops: Warrior, Cascade, Simcoe, Crystal, Chinook, Amarillo, Centennial. Dry Hopped with Simcoe, Amarillo and Crystal. 10% ABV Evil Twin Molotov Cocktail Single Simcoe Hop Edition 22oz Despite the crudeness it is tricky to make an effective Molotov cocktail. Despite the unruly nature of the rebel it is very tricky to resist accepted conventions. Molotov Cocktail is a tour de force in rebellious hoppiness, it s a spark for action and by far one of the most anti-authoritative beers ever made by Evil Twin Brewing. "Very pungent hop aroma which explodes into intense hop bitterness followed by a strong malt finish. This beer kicks ass." ~Tylok, Untappd
Bill - Manager/Wise Old Guy "My favorite beer? FREE followed by COLD" ~Bill Lokar Steven - Manager/Crossword Puzzle Master
Delirium Nocturnum 750mL Colour and sight: Dark brown-red. A compact white-yellow, stable and lacing head. Scent: Touches of caramel, mocha and chocolate. Spices such as liquorice and coriander are also present. Flavour: Initially, a very good mouthfeel of alcohol and softness. This is followed by an increasing bitterness, partially from the hop, but also from the roasted malt and chocolate malt. Towards the end a nice balance between bitterness, sour and sweet. 8.5% Weyerbacher Quad 4pk *Not available at Assembly Location Big and delicious, QUAD is an elegant dark ale. Rich with complexity and flavor, try savoring it with a fine dinner. You also might enjoy it as an aperitif or as an accompaniment to a dessert, but QUAD stands alone quite well. We recommend enjoying QUAD in a brandy snifter or wine glass so you can drink in the aroma of this fine ale. As with any higher alcohol beers, QUAD will be at its best after a period of 12 months or so in the bottle, perhaps longer. We expect a shelf life of 3 5 years, but go ahead, we know you can t wait. Enjoy one now and another every month or two, and you ll be truly amazed as QUAD gains smoothness and complexity over time as it ages. 11.8% ABV Kurt - Wine Consultant (secret beer admirer)
Dogfish Head Aprihop 4pk *Not available at Assembly Location Aprihop is an American IPA brewed with Pilsner and Crystal malts. It's massively hopped -- in the continuous fashion -- and the flavor is complemented by the addition of apricot juice. After fermentation, the beer is dry hopped with irresponsible amounts of Amarillo hops. The beer has a hoppy aroma, with the apricot playing a supporting role. The flavor is rich with late hop notes, and its bitterness is tempered by just the right amount of malt sweetness and fruity undertones from the apricot. 7% ABV Fullsteam Cack-A-Lacky 6pk Can "A zippy, hoppy ginger pale ale that s enjoyable on its own and a perfect complement to spicy food. Half of the ginger in the beer comes from Maple Spring Gardens in Cedar Grove, North Carolina at least until we run out of our local ginger supply." 5% ABV As a final pick, we found one beer in the store that everyone agreed was delicious, and here it is...
Not Your Father's Root Beer 6pk *Included in Memorial Day sale. Price valid until 5-25-15 Made by Small Town Brewery. Ale brewed with spices. Kovac passed down his family s beer making tradition by working tirelessly with his son to craft the first version of Not Your Father s Root Beer. At 10% ABV, the silky, smooth and satisfying finish is unmatched in flavor. It appeals to craft beer aficionados as well as those who don t typically drink beer but crave something unique. The award-winning Not Your Father s Root Beer achieved a 95 rating from Beer Advocate and is a very popular choice at several Chicagoland bars. Small Town s personally delivered Not Your Father s Root Beer kegs consistently sell out at taverns across the Chicago area. Copyright 2015 Green's Beverage Warehouse, All rights reserved.