The Lions' Pride

I just took a peak at the brewer lineup and beer listing and the names of the NE breweries sound familiar but honestly I can't recall what was good and what wasn't... After we left the festival the night didn't end but my memory did :). Lots of the beers mentioned in this thread will be there so I'd write a few down if you can.

One's I know locally though are Duck Rabbit (from NC) will be there and they have a good stout and Porter. Big Boss from Raleigh looks like they'll be there too and they have a good brown ale (bad penny). A must must have though is Left Hand's Milk Stout... It's pretty smooth and one of my favorite stouts.

One other thing I would note about that festival though is that if there is something you want to try you should do it as soon as you get there. There were a few on the list I wanted to try but I waited too long and they sold out pretty quickly. I also remember that Stouts and Porters weren't all that prevalent, so do a little scouting to find them first if that's what you want.

Ahh good times!

Have never been because I'm usually kinda busy that time of year. The wife surprised me with a birthday trip out there for the weekend though.

Really looking forward to it, love Denver, Boulder and that whole area.

Was in Boulder for a good friend's wedding a couple years ago and we hit up the Avery Brewery (strange location, but whatever). It was both a good and bad idea. It was a good idea because we made nice with owner and he ended up letting us sample everything (and most of it was great). Bad idea because the three of us who went were in interesting shape by the time the wedding started.

Anyhow, I recommend popping in if you have a chance. And yes, Boulder/Denver is absolutely beautiful, would love to live out there.

Love their Lawnmower and Weedwacker on a hot summer day.

I kind of feel silly now, but I wasn't joking.
I know it's not a craft beer, but it's something different.

Sometimes my friends and I would drop several different jolly ranchers into a Zima. We called it a "Rainbow", it was yummy and enchanting!

I think there are too many good beers to narrow it down to a favorite, even within a particular style. I drink different styles during different times of year, am moving away from stouts and barleywines and into pale ales and wheat beers. I do like Belgians of all types, anytime.

I am going to Ommegang's Belgium Comes to Cooperstown festival this year and am already excited.

Founders just came to my area in the last week and I am happy, had to drive to PA for it before. Hopefully Bell's is next, their 2 Hearted Ale is pretty awesome stuff.

A partial list of (domestic) brewers I think do a great job- always subject to change

Ommegang
Southern Tier
Victory
Founders
Bell's
Great Lakes
Dogfish Head
Jolly Pumpkin
Cigar City
Westbrook (my current favorite)
Russian River
Lost Abbey
Anchor is a sentimental fave, their 2011 Christmas Ale was outstanding.

Also, I recently had a Captain Lawrence Reserve DIPA, right up there with the best IPAs I've had, including Pliny and DFH 90.

Allagash Hugh Malone
Prima Pils
Schneider Aventinus

Any/Every whiskey.

Just get what you can. It's not cheap, though.

Pliny the Elder is their signature beer, a West Coast IPA. They do a lot with aged sours as well if you're into that kind of thing. Damnation is probably their most common, it's an excellent strong Belgian. My wife brought me back a few bottles of RR from the Foodery downtown a couple weeks ago, I've also gotten Supplication at the Whole Foods in Plymouth Meeting.

Justin Hopkins, our West Coast guy, always taunts me about being able to get it out in Oregon. I hate him for that.

Ok... That's probably a good idea to try what I want as soon as I get there... I feel my memory will probably end sooner rather than later as well... I'll keep the ones you mentioned in mind! Thanks!

Sly Fox. Am craving a Rte 113 IPA and it just occurred to me I'd be slamming one fresh out of the tap at this very moment if I wasn't working on the road in Harrisonburg, VA. DAMMIT!!!!!

Stone Russian Imperial Stout
Oskar Blues Ten Fidy
Bear Republic Racer 5 (on tap as well)
Troegs Nugget Nectar
Dogfish 60
Pliny the Younger (had it at the Oregon Brewers Festival in 07)
Stone Ruination
Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout
Victory Storm King Stout
St Bernardus Abt 12

There are many.