New state...new beers

As I am preparing for the big move, I have begun to clear out my inventory of beer.  I am not a huge collector, but its not uncommon for me to have 5 to 6 different types of beer in the fridge.  I'll often buy a six pack and move on to a new one before the first is gone.  I like to have variety because you never know what beer mood will strike next.  Tonight I opened a Great Lakes beer from last winter, Christmas Ale.  The date on the bottle said best before 2/20/07.  Its been stored cold at around 45 degrees F so I felt pretty safe opening the bottle and giving it a try.  The spice flavors and aromas had long subsided but malt and honey sweetness remained providing a great drinking experience.  About half way through the beer I realized that by moving so far I will be losing my access to a number of breweries and beers that I really enjoy.  What beers will I miss most?

• Lakefront Riverwest Stein - especially on tap
• Bell's Hopslam and all of their Stouts
• Founders Red's Rye and Dirty Bastard
• Tyrenena Brewers Gone Wild Series
• 3 Floyds Dreadnaught

On a brighter note, I will get to try and experience new beers not available to me here in Wisconsin.  A quick check of the Stone website reveals that they are not distributing in Florida.  (I am worthy you bastards! Expand your reach!)  I will have to continue to import it myself when I make it out to California. 

When I was finishing my undergrad degree in Atlanta, Sweetwater was starting to gain traction.  I remember drinking 420 and their IPA as I was beginning to further expand my beer tastes.  Its been a really long time (8 years?) since I have had either beer and my tastes have continued to evolve.  Will it still be as enjoyable?  There's a little bit of excitement around "re-discovering" Sweetwater.  Of course, they only distribute down as far as Northern Florida, so I may have to go out of my way for that journey.  Another beer that I had in Atlanta back over the 4th of July was Terrapin Rye.  That could become a regular six pack purchase and I have seen it at retail in the Tampa area.

Most importantly, there are all of the beers and breweries I have yet to discover.  I have heard of an annual Barley Wine festival in Dunedin.  Go ahead and sign me up!  Other than that...I'm jumping in blind! I'll have to dig in over at Rate Beer to find all of the good bars, beer stores, and breweries.  I know they are out there.  Are you as excited as I am?

So what beers from my collection will be making the trip with me?  Only my Vertical Epic series from Stone.  I have the 04.04.04, 05.05.05, 06.06.06, and 07.07.07 aging for a grand finale tasting on 12.12.12.  At that point I should have 9 total years of the 11 offered.  Mark it on your calendar to check the blog on 12.13.12 for notes on that tasting!

Comments

[Chad]

12.12.12, I'll be there! Hope the move is going good. If you need any help with the beer, you can send some my way!

[Sean Mellody]

Welcome to Tampa. As a fellow Beer Advocate you should check out World of Beer in Westchase - you won't be disappointed.

Feel free to email me for more info on my experiences here, as a home brewer and beer drinker.