I can attest to the full 9.3% ABV on the Hardywood. Granted, my beer tolerance has waned over the years, and has been supplanted by my wine tolerance. But when we've been at events requiring hotel stays, I can usually hang quite a while on pint after pint. Three coffee stouts a night about put me on my butt.

I'm guessing the hotel must have laid in a good amount if they still had access to it in June, where it's a winter offering only. But I'm glad they did. I should have looked up locations before we left as we had to drive right near Galax on the way home.

GoWilkes

Posted 2:49 am, 06/12/2016

Is that Duck Rabbit milk stout on tap or bottle? I've never had it on tap but I'm sure it would change the flavor quite a bit!

Tonight I tried a different vanilla porter; this one was simply called Breckenridge Brewery's Vanilla Porter. Breckenridge is from Colorado, but the beer was sold in 12oz bottles at Lowes on 421.

I had tried the vanilla porter that's on tap at Lowes, but at $10 for a single 24oz bottle I haven't been too compelled to buy it. I was hoping that this one would be a decent (and more reasonably priced) alternative.

Honestly, I was pretty disappointed. It just tastes like a regular porter. It's not bad by any means, but I simply did not taste or smell even a hint of vanilla.

This was actually the second time that I tried it. I originally tried it in a bottle, which obviously weakens the smell a lot. So this time I tried pouring it in a glass, and followed the trick of pouring most of it in slowly, then swirling the dregs at the bottom and dumping it on top for foam and smell. But even in the glass, I didn't taste a bit of vanilla.

So ignoring the alleged vanilla taste, as a porter in general it wasn't bad. The flavor wasn't as strong as, say, People's Porter, so I could see it pairing with a burger or barbecue. Maybe a dark chocolate brownie. But I've had better porters for the same price, so it wouldn't be my first choice.

So I think I would give this one 2 out of 5.

pitmixes	Posted 12:33 am, 06/12/2016
That's supposed to be skull crushing ape

Pitmixes	Posted 12:32 am, 06/12/2016
222 public house has greenman esb and New Belgium citradelic on draught right now. They also have duck rabbit milk stout and skill crushing ale (a weizenbock from devils backbone brewery)

GoWilkes	Posted 9:03 pm, 06/11/2016
Hardywood sounds interesting! I looked it up; it's a Russian Imperial Stout, and 9.3% alcohol. It's a seasonal, though, and only a select amount is released each January. The closest retailer I can find is at Creek Bottom Brewing, in Galax VA (38 miles from Wilkesboro). It might not be available right now, though, so call before you make the drive

Z990

Posted 4:15 pm, 06/11/2016

We found Sweet Baby Jesus last year (at Lowes Foods of all places). I thought it sounded disgusting but it is quite good.

When we were in Memphis at the Peabody, we drank a lot of chocolate stout, but I can't recall the brewer at the moment.

Last weekend we were in DC, at the Liaison, and from the first night, we were hooked on Hardywood Coffee Stout. I think between the two of us we probably polished off a keg. It's brewed in Vermont, but I AM going to find a way to get some down here, even if I have to rent a refrigerator truck and drive to Vermont to get it. If anyone sees it anywhere, please tell me. There may be a small reward involved

Sgtkracka	Posted 2:58 am, 06/10/2016
GW Great lakes also has the Edmund Fitzgerald porter which I highly recommend.

appman1	Posted 10:27 pm, 06/09/2016
You should go up to Boone and hit Appalachian Mountain Brewery......They have porters and several different styles. Those guys love to talk beer and will give you samples!! http://www.appalachianmount...rewery.com

chendo	Posted 1:37 pm, 06/09/2016
No...heard people talking about it...I thought it was some sort of protein drink Dragons have teats? Who knew

~glitter and glamour~	Posted 9:09 am, 06/09/2016
Have you tried Dragon's Milk?

chendo	Posted 7:43 am, 06/09/2016
Chocolate and raspberries are a classic pairing. I don't care for it in beer, though. I still say you need to come to winston and try juggheads. Buncha nc porters on tap

GoWilkes

Posted 2:32 am, 06/09/2016

Tonight I tried a new (to me) beer: Great Lakes Brewing's Alberta Clipper Porter. The brewery is from Cleveland, but I found it at Lowes and added it to my mix-and-match.

This beer was unique because it says that it's a "porter with chocolate and raspberries". That's right: raspberries! That was new to me, so I figured it was worth the $1.66 to try it. It's 7.5% alcohol, and 40 IBU.

When I first opened it, I smelled the raspberries strong, which almost turned me away from it. I let it sit for a few minutes to settle before trying it, which I think turned out well because I didn't taste the raspberries as strong as I smelled it. Overall, it was really very good! It had a smooth coffee flavor with a very mild hint of chocolate, and then a raspberry finish.

I would definitely drink this again. By itself was fine, but it would probably pair well with anything chocolate. On a scale of 1 to 5, I would probably give it a 3; it's not as good as the Duclaw's Sweet Baby Jesus, but it was still pretty good.

I should also mention that when a beer has a strong smell like this one, I'll drink it from the bottle (to limit the scent); otherwise, a porter or stout are usually better in a glass. And like a dry red wine, these beers are served chilled, not cold... so around 50 degrees. I usually let them sit out of the refrigerator for about 20 minutes before opening.

chendo	Posted 10:38 pm, 05/31/2016
Ha!

~glitter and glamour~	Posted 10:35 pm, 05/31/2016
I did the Lowe's thing and got a growler of Sweet Josie Brown Ale. I also tried the Highlander Chocolate and the Samuel Smith Organic Chocolate, which I love. The Sweet Josie Brown was coffeeish on the backside. The alcohol overwhelmed the chocolate in the Highlander. The Samuel Smith was pure bliss. All three had a tendency to go to the back of your throat, which I seem attracted to...

GoNC - DEC1	Posted 10:25 pm, 05/31/2016
Peabody's Wine & Beer in Boone has tastings weekly on Saturday. They are having a special event June 4th. http://www.gowatauga.com/ev...eer/11994/ I have personally been to Granite Falls Brewery; a brewery and Gastropub in Granite Falls. I don't drink a lot of beer, but the one I had was great. The food is also very good. http://www.gocaldwell.com/r...216175413/

~glitter and glamour~	Posted 9:57 pm, 05/29/2016
Chendo! Lmao!

MarieLaveau	Posted 12:50 pm, 05/29/2016
@chendo:: Didn't really know it was Canadian. Could i ask why you have antler marks to prove it? If not,otay anyway. LOL.

CanesFan	Posted 12:24 pm, 05/29/2016
I like a Kolsch or Pilsner beer. Aviator Brewery in Holly Springs ( outside of Raleigh) is one of my favorite breweries. Plus they have good food.