Beer Thread

**Chè** · 02-08-2011, 02:23 PM

Originally Posted by mrtr33

Years ago, I worked at Trader Joe's. They used to release a Vintage Ale under their label around the holidays. I have one left of the 2008 vintage, probably will open up this summer. Great stuff. Sadly, I haven't seen it available the past few years.

I've been enjoying Abita's Turbodog, Anchor Steam Porter and North Coast's Old Rasputin as of late. My brother also brought us some Stone - Smoked Porter and Cali-Belgique. I have yet to try the latter......thoughts?

Probably no longer sold in "unreachable", but if you're talking about the Unibroue vintaged ale, I believe TJs still bottles it annually. Albeit - last I recall was the 2010 but haven't heard it was discontinued.

In other news, from what my sources tell me, the Black Toad brand @TJs is Goose Island product and the Mission Street selections are currently Fire Stone Walker brewed.

**badwhale** · 02-10-2011, 12:22 AM

Southern Tier ~ IPA
Left Hand Brewing ~ Fade to Black
Wurzburger Hofbrau ~ Premium Pilsner

The ST was a great straight up IPA
LHB was an inbetween porter. Tasted / smelled mostly of roasted almonds. Not bad.
WH Pilsner....well...it got good ratings, but I just don't really care for traditional pilsners like this. Too watery.

Will

**mrtr33** · 02-10-2011, 10:18 AM

Originally Posted by Chè

Probably no longer sold in "unreachable", but if you're talking about the Unibroue vintaged ale, I believe TJs still bottles it annually. Albeit - last I recall was the 2010 but haven't heard it was discontinued.

In other news, from what my sources tell me, the Black Toad brand @TJs is Goose Island product and the Mission Street selections are currently Fire Stone Walker brewed.

Interesting. I worked for them for years and never knew what the actual products were that TJ's slapped a label on. I checked a few stores on both coasts this past holiday season and couldn't find that TJ's Vintage Ale anywhere. Now that I know it's Unibroue, that will make it much easier to obtain.

Thanks!

**Chè** · 02-10-2011, 04:57 PM

Originally Posted by mrtr33

Interesting. I worked for them for years and never knew what the actual products were that TJ's slapped a label on. I checked a few stores on both coasts this past holiday season and couldn't find that TJ's Vintage Ale anywhere. Now that I know it's Unibroue, that will make it much easier to obtain.

Thanks!

I should have said TJs still sells it (not bottles it), cause as far as I can tell they have all their stuff bottled by the maker. i don't know how true this is but all parties swear the TJ Unibroue ale is specially brewed (i.e. not standard Unibroue product you can buy at a higher price under the Unibroue brand).

One thing I have noticed is the vintaged Ale is not lasting year round like it used to - so that might also be part of your problem - not to mention I'm not sure if store / region distributions have changed either. But I can say this, they're responsive. I've shot them emails at the regular ole contact us and they get back with complete answers. You might just ask them.