i'd say craft beer is basically the same as real ale over here, which has had a massive resurgence over the last few years. they're both pretty shit names really.

i had loads of different "craft beers" last year when i was in america for a few months last year, loads of them are great. i can't remember any names, but i think san diego had the best selection.

I think "Real Ale" is a much more specific designation than Craft Beer. A lot of great beers wouldn't qualify as Real Ale. Still, I find CAMRA a pretty interesting group, even if they seem to get twisted up over details sometimes.

yeah, camra can be dickheads. there's a brewery down the road from me that got kicked out of a beer festival by camra, because they make lager, not ale.

i don't know if real ale is that specific a designation really, basically any ale not made by the big companies over here is called a real ale.

I'm a huge fan of pretty much anything from Stone and Rogue. Stone's Imperial Russian Stout is probably tied with Rogue's Shakespeare Stout for my favorite. Those are probably a bit more mass-produced than what you're all talking about, but a step above most stuff out there for sure. And to show some local pride, I'm also a huge fan of Dogfish Head (particularly the 90 minute IPA and the Punkin ale) and Evolution (especially the Lucky 7 Porter). My craft beer experience is limited, since I only turned 21 back in August, but yeah. Beeradvocate.com has helped me along a bit.

That website is incredible, so much information, and everyone willing to answer any kind of question.

DFH just pulled out of RI, so I kind of have a grudge against them haha. Just keep on trying anything and everything. A beer bar around here just had Green Flash West Coast IPA and Ithaca Flower Power on tap, 2 of my 3 favorite IPA's (Smuttynose being the other), it was a good night.

Can't wait to try stuff I haven't been able to get my hands on once I'm in FL, though.

I've heard Green Flash is really good.

Don't blame DFH though for pulling out, blame this country's fucked up alcohol distribution laws. Basically, in most states, Budweiser gets to decide who is even allowed to compete with them. They have twisted the original intent of the laws to control access to the marketplace.

Mass produced is the last thing I would call Stone.

Yeah, the laws are insane, I suggest the documentary "Beer Wars" to anyone getting into craft beer or want to learn more about it (quite a bit of information in there too many people don't know).

But DFH even came out and said that they were growing too fast (some "problem" to have!). The thing that upset me was that RI was one of the states that helped them grow into what they are today, and we were given the boot to other markets that were gaining popularity from their TV show. I was a pretty loyal customer, and they always had good beer on tap, but that has come to an end. Granted I can get it in MA, but it's the point of them being in local businesses and such. Good beer, just upset haha.

And Green Flash makes some quality products, the only thing is their hoppy beers have to be super fresh, or they turn kind of gross, and fast. I'm just full of complaints today.

Picked up a Great Divide Rumble. Saw it was an Oak Aged IPA, so I had to grab one, and it's fairly fresh. Also bought a Stone Ruination, under a month old. Haven't had a fresh one of those in forever, a must buy for a hop fix.

Heading north for the Harpoon BBQ Championship this weekend at the brewery in Vermont. Stoked.

Yeah, the fact that I can get pretty much any Stone beer any time I want down the street is weird to me. It was a bit rougher to find up north in Wisconsin, or it was sold out a lot more often. I actually just bought some Sublimely Self-Righteous tonight, that stuff is way tasty!

Also, first post in a long time. Hi guys!

i had the odell ipa the other day, it's really nice, probably the best american ipa that i've had. i only bought one bottle though, and the shop that had it in is sold out now, gutted.

Brewdog pub opened 15 minutes walk from my house tonight. Pretty sure good times lie ahead.

Swamphead Gallon Growlers:
I am thinking of picking one of these up soon. I saw on their site that Swamphead is cash only, anyone know how much these cost?

I could call, but I'm at work right now...

Anybody else excited for the autumn seasonal beers? Marzens are solid, but I'm a huge fan of Pumpkin beers. Everyone look out for Southern Tier Pumking if you haven't had it before. It comes in a 22 oz bottle, $7-9, but the best pumpkin beer you'll have.

had this last year, definitely agree.