There are a lot of good local breweries in the VT/NH/ME area

yes, they produce it year round, and you can always get it at the brewery. frankly, you would be better off having a short pour of the stuff, say you had it, and then buying bottles of blind pig which is WAAAAYYYY better. if you're not at the brewery, do a search on russian river's site to see to where they distribute. most beer outfits carry it (and it's delivered on tuesdays).

on that note, pliny has to be the single-most overrated beer out there (and it has been for awhile). it was distributed to all 50 states it would be a shelf turd at most places.

That is a little aggressive. Its a fantastic beer. yes, overrated, but still fantastic.

Also, i dont really drink beer these days.

i know you didn't intend to get into a debate, but I'm generally curious: what makes it fantastic, particularly relative to the thousands of other great beers of a similar style to which any one of us has access? back when there weren't options, it was the fantastic beer of that style. but now? meh.

for the record, i drink way more bourbon and scotch than beer.

Im awful at describing beers and pallets and all that good stuff. What I love about it is how hoppy it is while remaining completely smooth and refreshing.

It is an incredibly well made West Coast Double IPA. I agree with the fact that there are many more options in the current day than in the past but I must throw in a caveat that those particular offerings are lessening (especially in the Northeast) and that I would purchase it on the regular if it were available... and relatively fresh. Also many of the available options pale in comparison, quantity is not filling the void of quality here.

I've been drinking so many IPAs for a while now, I recently made a switch to Budweiser and am enjoying the blander side of life for a change.

Over-saturation is definitely in full force. I remember just a couple of years ago I would have killed for Bell's Two Hearted to make it to my market, but since it's launch I've bought it maybe a handful of times. Absolutely the same thing would happen with Pliny if it made it to Texas.

Pliny and Two-Hearted are top-tier representations of their styles, are you going more local, finding better product, price-driven, etc.?

I contend that the rare factor of these former whales, once gone, makes the beers less enjoyable for the price.

Nah, you aren't that silly.

Bell's Two-Hearted Ale is still my go-to beer. I like a lot of other stuff. But I buy Bell's more often than anything else. And often times, when a beer disappoints, I just think to myself, "man I wish this was a Bell's."

If you’re ever in Texas, go for a fresh can of Metamodern by Oasis Brewing. Tell ‘em Reid told you to do it.

Drinking the last of my Einstok

http://legalremedybrewing.com/beer/our- ... cha-stout/

Found some of this in Ruddos old stomping grounds. Had it in a restaurant, but couldn't find it in cans.

Tasted different from anything I've ever had before.

Oh man, that is so good. I've only had it on draft as well. Were you down in MB? Or in Hilton Head? Anyway, I really like that beer. Looks like a blonde, tastes like a stout.

HHI

I had a Two Hearted Ale and a High Life last night. A great one two punch.

Is there any part of the US that isn’t awash in local breweries at this point?

It’s an awesome time to be a beer drinker, that’s for sure.