$100 for good beers

[Shaggy]

I would like to treat myself to some good beers, and wanted to limit my budget to $100. Given that budget, were there any thoughts on how I can get the most bang for my buck? I was thinking 3 to 5 good bottles of beer, probably an imperial stout, a double IPA, and maybe a geuze. I know some really good beer perveyors so finding rarities is usually not an issue.

Thanks

[HeBrew]

Shaggy,

Troegs brewery in Harrisburg PA has Mad Elf ale out right now, if you can score some of that give it a shot. But let it age at least a year. I bought a bomber last year and a six pack two weeks ago to compare and the aged version was much better. I'm headed up there this Wednesday and I'll be getting a couple of bombers for extended cellaring.

[sjjn]

Having just had it recently I can highly recommend the purchase of a few Captain Lawrence Golden Delicious. $15 for a bomber. It's their Xtra Gold aged in Apple Brandy barrels...

[Josh]

Is that generally available in the NYC area?

[sjjn]

I've found it at a few beer distributors on LI. I've had it on tap at Pony Bar.

They've found it here:
http://blogs.villagevoice.com/forkint...

[Josh]

Cool, thanks for the tip.

[MVNYC]

Not easily. I have been looking around but have not seen it at any stores. Some of their releases are very hard to get a hold of unless you go to their brewery releases. Usually Saturday mornings.

[Josh]

Ugh. That's too bad. We're going to be there next week, and I'm hoping to get some good souvenirs to bring home.

[MVNYC]

Whole Foods Bowery and New Beer Distributors are a few blocks from each other and probably the best two beer stores in the city. I was there earlier this week and did not see the Golden Delicious but you might have better luck.

[Josh]

Cool. Yeah, a trip to New Beer is already on the agenda. Will also check out WF Bowery. Thanks for the tip.

[chuckl]

I'd throw firestone walker 13th anniversary in there and black tuesday

[Insidious Rex]

What beers are in the $20 to $30 range for you? As you well know expensive doesnt necessarily = highest quality. Those are great recommendations above from both Josh and Ernie but most of them I can find for significantly less than $30 WHEN and WHERE they are available. (You cant introduce the scarcity factor into this. Just because they made only 100 cases doesnt mean its the only great example of its style). Even the Saint Lamvinus I have seen for $20 in stores. I guess if you really want to throw money at a top quality beer product go for a Sam Adams Utopias which if you are lucky enough to catch them when they are first released to stores you can get for around $120 a bottle. Otherwise shoot for 8 to 10 beers with your hundred dollars with any luck.

[Shaggy]

The beers listed would be in that range, as well as almost anything that was aged or has a high alcohol content. Anything over 12 oz and imported from belgium would also fall into that category. I am buying beer in Chicago, so while I could probably find beers cheaper outside of the city, I don't really have that option unless I order online, which I haven't found to be terribly cheap. I think of the beers listed I would be able to pick up 4 to 5 total, but if I can get more I will obviously do so.

[ted]

Doesn't fit in your categories, but Deus is really good for a splurge.

[Ernie Diamond]

I can find no flaw in Josh's recs (though I prefer the Lagavulin JW to the others). I will add some favorites that I save for a special occasion;

Cantillon Fou Foune (Lambic)
Hanssens Oudbeitje (Lambic)
Bière Du Boucanier Superior (Strong golden)
De Dolle Du Teve (Tripel)
JW Lees Manchester Star (Porter)
Samichlaus (Doppelbock)
St. Bernardus Tripel (Tripel)

[Shaggy]

You guys rock. I was thinking a Cantillon and a JW Lee, this definitely helped me narrow down which ones to grab. Also, I've never had the Pliny beers, good call.

[Josh]

Port barrel-aged Harvest Ale + chocolate is fantastic.

Definite second to the Cantillon, Hanssens, and Manchester Star. I recently learned that Manchester Star was a collaboration between JW Lees' brewer and Garrett Oliver of Brooklyn Brewing.

And speaking of Brooklyn Brewing, I'd add the Local 1 and 2 to my list. Those are incredible beers.

[JessKidden]

"Manchester Star was a collaboration between JW Lees' brewer and Garrett Oliver of Brooklyn Brewing. "

Ah, yes, tasty stuff. I was a bit shocked (happily so) when I first poured it out and tasted it- was not prepared for a beer like that which was merely labeled "ale".

I believe the rear label on the bottled version from Lee's mentions the Brooklyn connection. The Brooklyn version, a few years earlier, was apparently a draught-only "Brewmasters Reserve" and only 28 bbl, to boot. Sorry I missed it, but not many of the BR's get to NJ (the one bar I frequent that once got them no longer does. They never could keep straight WHICH beer they had on tap, to begin with.)

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi...

[Josh]

Russian River:
Consecration (sour, dark, currants in syrah barrels)
Supplication (sour, dark, cherries in pinot barrels)
Temptation (sour, light, chardonnay barrels)
Pliny The Elder (DIPA)

Cantillon: (sour)
Lou Pepe Kriek (cherry)
Saint Lamvinus (wine grape, expensive, amazing)

Oud Beersel: (sour)
Oude Gueuze Vielle (wonderful)
Oude Kriek (not as good, but great)

JW Lees:
Harvest Ale (any year, barleywine)
Barrel-aged Harvest Ale (port or sherry, whiskey isn't the best)

[californiabeerandpizza]

I think Angel's Share and Old Rasputin 12th Anniversary are a good investment.

[LStaff]

>Harvest Ale (any year, barleywine)

If I had $100 of disposable income to blow on beer, I would just get a case of this. Preferably the '99.

[californiabeerandpizza]

I don't think you have to pay excessive amounts to get excellent examples of the styles you mention. You may want to look into what barrel aged beers are available as they tend to come with higher price tags.

[Shaggy]

I agree, but there are always a few beers that are in the $20-$30 range that I never buy. Given that I want to buy those types of beers, I wanted to spend my money wisely, and not buy something expensive and disappointing.