Avery Brewing - Boulder, CO

Day 4 of our trip kicked off in Boulder, CO at Avery Brewing. The location is tucked down a long stretch of business areas. Although as of this writing, they are closing and opening a new giant location so my views on the location won't matter much. But it was a decent size place...glad to see they've expanded though. The popularity of this brewery just didn't the size.

They don't do a sampler tray but do allow you to order sample sizes of any beer you want. Being 3 months ago I honestly forgot exactly what I ordered for samples, but the duganA IPA and regular IPA were underwhelming to me. The pump[KY]n was fantastic! Crazy bourbon mixed with pumpkin spice.

I wasn't overly impressed with the beer given the populairty of the brewery. I know they make killer bourbon aged beers and a lot of people do love the IPAs. I wouldn't go running back, but they will do just fine, people love this brewery! So check them out for yourself...http://averybrewing.com/?verified=true

Beer Tastings

For the past year, I have been holding beer tastings at my apartments for all different types of styles of beers.  This whole idea started because for the past 3 summers we have done an IPA tasting with some out of town family members.  I enjoy introducing new styles and new beers to friends and family.  Typically what I do is making a list of all the beers, and as we taste each one we rate it anywhere from 1-10.  Each time I do these tastings I have new people show up and I highly believe I have changed some non-beer drinkers into beer drinkers...people who don't like IPAs into people who like IPAs...etc.  Since the summer tastings are what started this I would like to share those experiences now with pictures of our lineups and which we thought were the best....

 Pictured above is our 2012 line up.  This was the first year we did this.  All the beers were found at our local beer store.  If memory serves me correctly the winner was Hop Red Rye by Bear Republic.  Another contender was Flower Power by Ithaca Beer Co.  But we had a great time, caught a great buzz and it really started something with some family members were never big beer drinkers.

 Fast forward one year later and we have our 2013 line up.  Half the beers were out of town beers I picked up on my 2013 road trip.  It also introduced some black IPAs into the lineup.  The hands down winner this year was shockingly enough the only non-IPA or Pale Ale beer in the tasting and that is Gumballhead by Three Floyd's.  It is a hopped up Wheat, and since we had more people join the tasting who weren't huge IPA drinkers I think this beer helped since it is smooth, crisp, hoppy but not too hoppy.

 Lastly is our 2014 line up.  Consisting mostly of beers that I got on different road trips and some newer stuff to our area.  Since I try not to repeat any IPAs I couldn't use most the regulars so it was fun to try a bunch of new ones including many new Sessions that have been hitting the market.  We successfully made it through all of them.  The lowest rated of the day was the Harpoon IPA and a local IPA made by our brewery Resurgence...however I think that's partially due to a horrible growler fill at the brewery. There were a few beers with great ratings including Heady Topper, Rising Tide's Session IPA, and Brew Kettle White Rajah..but the winner isn't even pictured and it was our local IPA made by Community Beer Works.

I will begin sharing all my tastings night over the next few days which include Pumpkin Night, Stout Night, Christmas Night, IPA Night and Beers Under 6% night.

Southern Tier Brewing Co - Lakewood, NY

I have been living less than 2 hours from Southern Tier Brewing Co and have yet to visit..until now.  It was a Saturday with rain outside and nothing else to do so we took a ride.  It is out there...a lot of farm land and whatnot, tucked away on a little quiet side road. Once we got there we realized Saturday maybe was a bad choice since it was slammed.  They have tons of parking which is nice, although it's awkward parking...a lot of the spots are a long a straight line so get your parallel skills ready!

-From the outside the place was massive and looked really nice. In the backyard they have some type of lawn game you can play and also tons of tables with live music.

-Upon entering you see a decent but kind of small taproom with a small bar and a LONG line.  We grabbed a table that just emptied and I waited in about a 10 minute line to order my samplers. The way the ordering process is set up is just a little weird because it's a small L shaped bar but you had a couple locals hanging out like it's a bar at one side and then confusion on the other side.   We also wanted to order lunch and they only serve 2 things...pulled pork and lobster bisque.  Well they were out of food and would have more in about 20-30 minutes...this upset us since it was 2:30pm and we hadn't eaten a bite yet planning on eating here. 

-As for the beer we had Steve which was light and nice, 422 not bad, IPA is good, Double IPA is real nice, Live is really hoppy and I like this one a lot, Unearthly is smooth, Iniquity Black IPA was good, and Double stout has a good after taste and wasn't bad overall. I've had most of their beers in bottles, unfortunately they didn't have either of their best beers which are the Pumking (best pumpkin beer I've ever had) and the Chokolat (best choc stout I've had).  Most their beers are good, not great, but those 2 I just mentioned are top notch if you get them at the right time. 

-Overall it wasn't a horrible experience..but it was over an hour drive, no food to eat, crowded line to wait in, but again it was a Saturday afternoon and being to over 100 breweries I should know that on a Saturday a good brewery will be packed. They have a merch area with a good amount of stuff..some of it overpriced I thought. If you have the time though they're def worth checking out...www.stbcbeer.com/‎

Blue Tractor BBQ & Brewing - Ann Arbor, MI

Last stop of the night was Blue Tractor BBQ & Brewing. Double sided they have dining on one side and also a bar with plenty of seating on the other.  Being a BBQ fan we decided to eat here to end the night. 

-One thing I really like is they have the ice chiller around the bar in which you can set your glass on the ice and keeps it cold...never saw a bar in person with one.  I had the Bumper Crop IPA it was real nice I enjoyed it..I also tried the Smokehouse Amber it was light and smooth.

-For dinner I had the pulled pork, brisket, ribs, cheese grits and beans.  None of the food BLEW me away but it was good.

-If you're a BBQ fan hold out and drink/eat here last on your 4 brewery mini tour.  Or just stop in for a beer but it was a cool place with a redneck feel check em out...www.bluetractor.net

CJs Brewing Co - Plymoth Township, MI

Next stop was another brewery far out of Ann Arbor..east this time and it was CJs Brewing Co.  You ride up a hill and there it is. Plenty of private parking.  Walking in you see the brewery to your left and the brewpub is to the right.  This place is huge...I would say at least 40-50 tables and a big bar.  It was dead since it had just opened, they have sports on a bunch of the big screen TVs and have drink specials when games are on...seems like a sports bar/brewpub to me.  Our waitress was really nice and we decided to order some apps which were nachos, pretzels and something else I can't recall but I do know all the food was good plus they were half priced. Not much in the merch department except pint glasses.

-As for the beer they don't make a lot of beer so we each tried one pint of their beer...The Golden Ale was typical but nice, Rich Hagg Red was nice and smooth and the Vat 33 IPA was nice but nothing amazing.

-They also do drive-in movies in their front lawn which is definitely original..never heard of that before.  Overall I would say this place is a great place to eat and drink if you're a local but I wouldn't travel out of your way to see it. Check them out for more info...cjsbrewery.com

Grand Rapids Brewing Company - Grand Rapids, MI

After Founders we hit up Grand Rapids Brewing Company.  Located downtown on a nice strip of bars and restaurants. I did not have high exceptions with this place from what I heard and read. Once we entered, I was very impressed with the lay out. Lots of space, tons of tables and nice wood work, it just looked classy.

-We asked the waitress if they do a sampler...she said she can give us a few samples for free, but we only planned on having a few samples and moving on so we said we would pay.  We tried the Roselyn Bliss Blonde it was tasty, Macmillans Pale Wheat was good, Brewers Heritage Hef was good, Pale Peach was plain, Rye PA was decent, Fishladder IPA was good.  The beers were better than expected, nothing spectacular but worth trying for sure.

-You also can order food, they have a decent sized menu but you have to go up to a counter, order, and you get a buzzer.  We got chips and salsa (nothing special) but needed drinking food.
-All in all it was a great setting, for a Monday night it was dead, clean, and the nice bartender Chelle gave us free stickers. It isn't too far from Founders so I would suggest going here just to check out the lay out and try a beer...www.grbrewingcompany.com/

Founders Brewing Company - Grand Rapids, MI

This next brewery needs no introduction..Founders.  Any beer nerd should be familiar with Founders, they make quite a lot of good beers including their KBS which I sadly have never gotten to taste.  Once we got there we realized they are under a massive construction project but they are still open and PACKED! It was Monday night but didn't matter, this place is HUGE and was packed to the brim in and outside. 

-They have a smart set up...two sections of the bar closed off just to step up and order drinks which makes it easy rather than reaching over peoples shoulders who are posted up at a bar stool all night. 

-I have drank just about all Founders beer regularly available, however they have some on tap that are only available on tap at the brewery which was very exciting.  We had the Huggy Nuggers IPA which was really good and hoppy, the Honey Wheat which coming from a non wheat beer fan this beer was really nice as was the Founders Fest Wheat which was even better.  The Barrel Aged Honey Porter was really good, Black IPA was really good and the Frangelic Stout had a lot of coffee flavor and was good. 

-I wanted to hit up their gift shop, but sadly it had JUST closed for the night (I think it was 8?). But while we were sitting and drinking there was a very lively, nice guy who worked there and was helping customers.  We found him after the gift shop was closed and he grabbed me some free stickers and coasters..VERY nice guy for that.  If you're Grand Rapids no question you go to Founders, this place was incredible and in my top 5 best breweries ever visited.  Check them out for a tap list...foundersbrewing.com/

Hideout Brewing - Grand Rapids, MI

Now I have never said this about a brewery and probably never will again because I appreciate the art of a brewery...but this place SUCKED! Let me tell our tale...this was our third stop of the day.  It was tucked away in a corner, hence the name Hideout, we thought it was cool and original.  Once we walked in we got stares from just about everyone there as if we were aliens or something.  Now I remembered seeing online they have quite possibly the biggest sampler tray EVER (25 beers) so I really wanted to try it. However once we sat down, me and my party weren't sure right away. The waitress came over, asked what we wanted, we asked a question or 2 and said we just need a minute to decide. Fast forward ten minutes...she still hasn't come back.  On top of that, our table was disgusting, after waiting forever my girlfriend went and asked for a rag to clean it (thinking the bartender would say "oooo let me clean that for you"), but no he handed it to her and she had to clean it herself. FINALLY the male bartender was cleaning up other tables and stopped to say "O do you need anything?" Ummm yes...we would like the 25 beer sampler with 2 oz pours and a pretzel we asked. We then went outside to their beer garden which actually is kind of nice.

-Our pretzel came out and it was a microwaved pretzel I used to eat when I was 12.  Then the beer came...
-Now the sample tray is badass I will give them that, but the beer...25 beers mind you..all weren't very good.  But since I do review everything I will list the beers, and mind you I'm being VERY generous but I find any brewery that makes more than like 10 beers doesn't do a great job (only a few exceptions to that rule):

Polish Potato decent
Booze Hound Brown not bad
Tommy Gun Red alright
Hangman Scotch Nitro gross
Aviator Pale smooth
Exectuioner Scotch Ale not bad had a chocolate coffee taste
Smugglers Hazelnut Stout tasted like watered down stout
Expresso Booze Hound Brown decent..peppery taste
Peppercorn Porter Nitro eh
Cement Shoes Stout watery
Gangster IPA decent
9am Hazelnut IPA decent
Belgium Double it was like a cider, decent
Dark Porter not bad
Hot Dog Ale (YES a hot dog beer, it was gross)
Pickle Ale(YES a pickle beer, it tasted and smells like dill I won't lie it wasn't bad I was shocked)
Trigger Man IPA decent
Chocolate Rye good
Kolson Rice decent
Sparkling Cider sour and just eh
Dark Rice eh
Bubble Gum Ale smells and tasted like bubble gum, so depends if you're a bubble gum fan, I'm not
-My girlfriend ended this trip with buying me a glass and nicely asking if they had stickers or coasters (since she knows I collect them) and the girl basically laughed and said "stickers? Why would we have stickers? No we don't have stickers...". Like REALLY? You have a medal door right behind you covered in stickers from some of the best breweries around but you are confused and shocked that a customer asked for a sticker from YOUR brewery?

-After speaking with locals, workers at other breweries,  we basically found out the owners wife left him, the workers hate their jobs, the brewers left and they hired new ones (who can't brew), basically the place is a dump.  I HIGHLY recommend do not give a penny to this place. The ONLY saving grace they had was their mason jar glass they sell..if not for that I would give this place 0 out of 100. I'm not even posting their website on here..if you'd like to actually suffer at this place then feel free to Google them.   

Quay Brewing - Port Huron, MI

Coming from Buffalo, it made most sense to drive through Canada to get to Grand Rapids. Our first stop was right after the Canadian border into Michigan at Port Huron at a place called Quay Brewing. It is right near the water, nice view. No parking lot, so we parked in the street but not an issue.  Walking in, the place is a good size, giant bar and tables to the immediate left and a restaurant up and downstairs ahead of us.  As always we chose the bar.

-The bartender was very knowledgeable and even mentioned they have new owners and plan on expanding the selection of beers at the brewery to almost triple what they have now.  We ordered a sampler of ALL their beers and some food.
-For lunch we had fried duck and fried shrimp. Both were VERY tasty and the sauces they came with were delicious.

-As for the beers, the Pilsner was sharp, Raspberry wheat had a really nice after taste of raspberries, Michigan Cream Ale was decent not much to it, Nutting Better brown was decent, Black River stout not bad, Quay Street wheat was good, IPA was different but good, and the Pale Ale had a caramel smell and taste to it...we liked it.

-Not much in the merchandise area...they have pint glasses and a couple t-shirts.

-Overall I would say if you're crossing the border into Port Huron stop in for a beer but I wouldn't make a long drive out to this place.  Food was good, beer was decent, so it's worth a stop if convenient.Check them out...quaybrewing.com/

Bridgeport Brewing - Portland, OR

The last brewery of the trip (unless you count Lucky Lab for a second time) we stopped at was Bridgeport Brewing. Luckily it was only blocks away from Rogue.  This place reminded me of Alameda because it was clean, classy and seemed somewhat upscale. Apparently it's one of or THE original breweries in Portland. They bottle most their beers for sale.

-The scenery is nice, kind of a unique feel, our waiter was very good.  Prices were average and we grabbed lunch. I got the BBQ chicken quesedilla..when it arrived I was a little worried since it looked bland and it wouldn't be good but it turned out it was VERY good. 

-As for the beer, I got my last sampler of the trip! All their beers they have on tap..Summer Squeeze Bright Ale was tasty and light, Blue Heron Pale Ale was tasty, Kingpin Double Red Ale I liked a lot, Porter was decent, Old Knucklehead was really good, Something Tart nothing special, the IPA was really good, and Hop Czar Imperial IPA was really good. 

-Lots of good merch..free stickers and keychains which who can complain about that? Each of their beers on a pint glass, t-shirts. Waiter even gave me all the coasters they have in stock, nice guy.

-Overall since this was our last brand new brewery stop, I was happy. Check them out..www.bridgeportbrew.com/