Craft Beers, Microbreweries and Homebrewing

No, I can not get 3 Floyds where I currently am. I had their Russian imperial at their brewery on 'Dark Lord Day' when my friend in IN and I got tickets to the event. I believe they only sell the Dark Lord at their brewery only. It is insanely delicious and is almost indescribable. I've never had anything like it or anything that can match close to it. The thing I like most about American brews is the fact that we aren't afraid to experiment. A ton of European beers are stuck in their traditions, which is fine and all, but their beers never change. Americans use so many more ingredients, have more styles, and have much wider array of flavors. You will almost never see a good IPA outside of the US. Not many breweries outside of the US make good porters and stouts either (sorry Guinness doesn't count) also.

http://www.newglarusbrewing.com/ is great and wins many awards!

Oh, you are making me crave an Uff-da! One of the best winter beers!

When I was in grad school, one of my favorite things to do was to head up to the coast of New Hampshire and hang out in Portsmouth at the the Portsmouth Brewery!

http://www.portsmouthbrewery.com/

If you appreciate craft beer and willing to take some risks, you can really get your mind opened. In fact, my local mart carries their Old Brown Dog. Makes me so happy!

Right now in my fridge I have...
Samual Smith's Nut Brown Ale
Rogue Imperial Pilsner
Sam Adams Winter Lager (ok, huge craft brewery not micro, but still delicious)

My personal preference is more malty and less bitter. I stay away from high bitter stuff like IPAs, just never have been able to enjoy them. But I'm constantly swapping up what beer I'm enjoying depending on time of year and need for variety. I even brewed my own batch of brown ale, although it didn't turn out to be anything exciting. I've been doing a lot more research and will try again soon.

Here's a couple I return to more often than others
www.rogue.com - I like quite a few of their offerings, particularly Hazelnut Brown Nectar
www.saintarnold.com - Local in Houston, known for a tasty brown ale

Ever since this thread started I can't stop going to my local micro-brewer for my favorite Golden Wheat State.

Where is the 'Women's Temperance Movement' when you need it?! ;)

Probably drinking really good beer.

As a mater of fact, I think I'll have another.

Many of the local microbrew bottled beers are excellent, though some really shine when they are on tap. You could plan a Maine vacation around visits to microbreweries and their brew-pubs. Oak Pond Brewing in Skowhegan, Atlantic Brewing Company in Bar Harbor, Sea Dog in Topsam, Bangor, and South Portland, Shipyard Brewery in Portland, etc. Some of their products are available on-tap in selected unaffiliated taverns and bars, too.

Many of the local microbrew bottled beers are excellent, though some really shine when they are on tap. You could plan a Maine vacation around visits to microbreweries and their brew-pubs. Oak Pond Brewing in Skowhegan, Atlantic Brewing Company in Bar Harbor, Sea Dog in Topsam, Bangor, and South Portland, Shipyard Brewery in Portland, etc. Some of their products are available on-tap in selected unaffiliated taverns and bars, too.

Plus, many micros brew up special seasonal batches for October.

Would I have to bring my snow shovel?

It would probably be worth it though.

Early to mid-fall would probably be best, after the bulk of the tourists have gone home. Plus, many micros brew up special seasonal batches for October.