I am an admitted and committed IPA/DIPA whore I know, so my list tends to lean heavily in that direction,if not in its entirety.
Stone Enjoy By, both the September and December releases. For me the best bottling ever from Stone.
Stone Ruination 10th Anniversary. The second best bottling ever from Stone. It showed that Stone can still deliver super high end fresh IPA/DIPA that can compete with the smaller boutique cult producers.
Alpine Keane Idea or as it was originally called Double Nelson. Whats not to love about my favorite craft beer amped up to double the fun. Insanely delicious in spite of the elevated abv. The release sold out in 5 hours on a Wednesday !
Alpine Gouden Vallie. Alpines pink pepper corn infused Saison, incredible.
Alpine Bad Boy. Once again this DIPA lived up to the hype in its limited release.
Alpine Hoppy Birthday. Citra infused APA, second to FFF’s Zombie Dust as the best in category.
Kern River Brewing Co. 5th Anniversary.
Kern River Brewing Co. Citra DIPA, probably my favorite all time DIPA.
Three Floyds Zombie Dust APA.I was able to pick up two fresh six packs via a trade. For me the best Pale Ale I have ever had.
Drakes Aroma Coma IPA.The name says it all, amazing nose and a flavor profile to match.
The Alchemist Heady Topper. For lovers of citrus heavy DIPA, I now understand all the hype, acquired via a trade.
Beechwood Brewing Denver Jackhammer, our west coast version of Heady Topper. Watch out for Beechwood this year,Julian is crafting some of the best IPA/DIPA anywhere.
2 Five Left. El Segundo Brewing Co. Amazing Citra Simcoe DIPA from this local producer. Hoping they will bottle this soon, super fragrant nose and perfect balance.
Nobility, Noble Ale Works. Another DIPA that features Citra, yea I love anything Citra. New brew master at Noble has turned things around in a big way. Limited release in bottles, if you see it grab one !
Ommegang Houghoumont
Ommegang Adoration
Butternuts Scottish WInter Ale
Hansen’s Experimental Cassis Lambic
Full Pint All-in-Amber
McKenzie Hard Cider Winter Reserve
Duvel
Blue Mountain Mandolin
Goudun Carolus Xmas Ale
I think you’re fine on the Collage to enjoy now. There is a ton of Dissident & Fred in there so it is quite the pucker-fest, but I honestly don’t know why they sent out the “aging alarms” on release.
Have you had the Hebrew Bittersweet Lenny Rye IPA? Another good one if you like rye.
Guinness at the Toucan Bar, London. Gallons and gallons.
Freshly tapped Pliny at Boneyard Bistro, Studio City. More gallons.
The Kernel Brewery London, Export India Porter Columbus.
the beers I rated 4.25 and higher (from highest to lowest):
Goose Island Coffee Bourbon Stout (4.5+, haven’t put the note in, but it’s definitely my highest that I’ve taken a note of)
Cascade Sang Noir (4.45)
Drie Fonteinen Oude Gueuze (4.45)
HOTD Adam (4.4)
Half Acre Big Hugs (2011 batch: 4.4)
Rochefort 8 (4.38)
Surly Abrasive (4.35)
De Proef Flemish Primitive Wild Ale (Surly Bird) (4.33)
Firestone Walker Double DBA (4.3)
Revolution BA Baracus (4.28)
Haymarket Fresh Hop Mathias (4.28)
Bruery Saison de Lente (4.28)
Cascade Cran-Apple Crisp (4.25)
Revolution Gravedigger Billy (4.25)
Pipeworks Ninja Vs Unicorn (4.25)
anyone notice a sour based theme to this? I hope to repeat that again in 2013
Metropolitan Afterburner Oktoberfest
Half Acre Big Hugs (2011 w a year’s age)
2010 Dark Lord
Shewolf (after several months’ age)
BCBS Cherry Rye (2012 I think)
Pliny the Elder is always a favorite of mine so I’ll keep that in my list.
The rest:
3 Floyds Dark Lord (travelled up for
Dark Lord Day, the bourbon barrel was excellent as well)
Pliny the Younger
3 Floyds Zombie Dust
Karbach Bourbon barrel aged Hellfighter stout (local Houston brewery)
Alpine BBA Token Imperial Porter Alpine Firing squad quad (became a big Alpine fan this year)
Hopslam
Toronado 25th Anniversary Ale
The worst beer for me was Brewdog’s Bitch Please.
And the best label I’ve seen ( on the beer thread here) was the Half Acre Big Hugs…I must find a bottle!