Three Floyds and more

Traded with Ben (HandsomeBrew) from West Lafayette, IN. for some popular Three Floyds Brew, if you haven't heard of this brewery, they are a top 20 brewery out of Munster, Indiana. Yeah, you heard me right Indiana, Munster is less than an hour from South Chicago across the border of course. I sent ODell Friek, Avant Peche, 4x Myrcenary and OB Ten Fidy. Ben sent a mixer 6 of 3 Floyds Alpha King Pale Ale ***(their flagship beer) and Gumballhead ***(an American Pale Weat and their most popular beer in the regular rotation), #35 ranked Dreadnaught IPA (which was one of my first big beers in a trade) and Arctic Panzer Wolf ***another DIPA. I'm interested in reading up on the big differences between the two, with the Panzer being a limited release. He really hooked up the extras with some locals and other great midwest brews. Founders Centennial IPA and Backwoods Bastard (really excited about this scotch ale/wee heavy weighing in at 10.2% that is aged in bourbon barrels), New Glarus Unplugged Smoked Red Rye (very popular brewery in the countryside of Wisconsin, personally not my style so may try/may trade or share??), Sun King Wee Mac (decent Indy brewery) and a New Albanian Elector Imperial Red Ale**1/2.
With the Colorado Marathon tomorrow morning, we had Mark S. over for a pasta dinner last night. (the idea is get fat on carbs 2 nights out and eat relatively light the night before, when I was younger I could eat what I want when I want) I have been coaching Mark the 4 months and have all the confidence in the world that he runs a PR this Sunday. He surprised me with a huge package of various beers. Very, very nice of him but that is the type of person he is! Thanks Mark. To much various stuff to list. Highlights: a Sierra Nevada Torpedo, Victory Prima Pils (#2 rated German Pilsner): not really my style but slowly growing on me a little, Trumer Pils, Anderson Valley Winter Solstice Seasonal Ale  and 4x 20th Anniversary Imperial IPA(really enjoy this beer and everything else I've had from this brewery), Port Brewing Mongo DIPA*** and other random mixes!!! Thanks Mark you the man, to bad you don't like beer or you could help me out. I have packages coming on Wednesday and Thursday as well, have to start drinking to make some room in the fridge!! Anyone???

Recent trades and hauls..

Trade #1 was with (I can't even remember his name I've been so busy with trading and offers lately). taylor714914 (BA name), another trader from Pennsylvania!! I sent him Abyss, Boulevard Imperial Stout, and a OB Ten Fidy and in return received 4x Founders Breakfast Stout, Founders KBS, and a 21st Amendment Back In Black**1/2.

Haul #2 was from Dave who just moved back to Ft. Collins (originally from here) from Michigan. He really took the cake on this one, he brought back 2 cases of great midwest beer + some extras and trusted me to just pay him when he got here. We met up at ODell for the always fun Firkin Wednesday.  I hope to some tasting/drinking with Dave in the future as he is a real cool guy, we have very similar tastes in beer and he only lives about 2 miles from me. Really need to find some drinking partners, besides my lovely wife! It was a decent bill but well worth it, I threw in a bottle of Abyss as well, but not even close to matching what he did. Thanks Dave and welcome home!!! Package included: Bell's Brewery- 6x Two Hearted (quickly becoming one of my top session beers), 6x Oberon Ale ***(seasonal pale wheat ale), 6x Expedition Stout ***1/2(had it on draft a few weeks back in KC and loved it!!), and a Third Coast Old Ale; Founders Brewing- 6x Red's Rye PA**1/2 and a Centennial IPA**1/2; Kuhnhenn Brewing Co. out of Warren, Mi.- 4x Fourth D (an old ale weighing in at 13.5% ABV); Dark Horse Brewing out of Marshall, Mi.- great art work with some very intriguing beers; 2x Crooked Tree IPA**1/2, 4x Plead The 5th Imperial Stout***, 4x Double Crooked Tree IPA ***1/2(this was the first beer I consumed as recommended by Dave and it was amazing!), a Tres Blueberry Stout and Sapient Trip Ale; Short's Brewing out of Bellaire, Mi.- 6x Huma-Lupa-Licious IPA ****(second beer that was a big want and worth the wait), The Soft Parade (fruit/vegetable beer) and Uber Goober Oatmeal Stout **(this company makes some interesting beers, check their website to see what I mean).

Trade #3 was with Chris from Valencia, CA. I sent Abyss (yeah very popular!), 2x ODell Double Pilsner, and 90 Schilling and in return received a Alesmith Speedway Stout (now I have 2 bottles for my cellar!!), Firestone Walker Union Jack IPA and a 21st Amendment IPA (second package in a row from this SF brewery in a week from someone in Philly and Cali, go figure).

First road haul as a BA!

Well Mike E. and I took a road trip to Kansas City to run the Brew to Brew Relay. This relay was a 44 miles run from Boulevard Brewing in KC and finished at Freestate Brewing in Lawrence, KS. The run was miserable! The temp ranged from 70-90 degrees, 75% humidity, and headwinds (blowing out of the west) constantly between 20-40mph. On top of that the course wasn't that easy either.Other than that we had a blast. Night one we drove to Hays about 6 hours away. We went to Gella's Diner, a microbrew/eatery that has won some awards for their beer. It was just okay but nothing to return for. During the trip we also went to Freestate Brewery and 23rd St. Brewery in Lawrence. Freestate was good, with great food as well. But my favorite beer was the Bitter Professor IPA from 23rd St. The Sunday night special was a microbrew in a fishbowl for $7 (50oz.!!!). Needless to say it was a great beer but put an end to my night! I also did 2 person in person trades. One in Lawrence with James: 4x OB Imperial G'Knight, OB Dales Pale Ale and a Upslope IPA for 2x Boulevard Imperial Stout*** and 2x Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout and another trade with Kyle in KC: 2x Boulevard Rye on Rye (I know odd since its KC?) for $$ one Founders Kentucky Breakfast Stout***1/2, a top #10 beer and seasonal that is very hard to get and that I'm really looking forward to and he was kind enough to throw in 2x Bell's Two Hearted Ale that Mike and I drank as soon as we got to the hotel!!! Then stopped by a popular KC liquor store (they have Bells and Founders!!) I picked up 2 six packs of Bells Two Hearted Ale ***1/2, a beer I could drink lots of this summer or anytime for that matter and not expect the 7%, 4 four packs of Founders Double Trouble, S.Tier Iniquity Black Ale***, and S.Tier Oak Aged Unearthly IPA**. So what a weekend!! Not to mention after the hard weekend of running the race, drinking a decent amount of great microbrews and traveling I'm a little under the weather this week!