Founders All Day IPA finally here!

I spoke with Chris, the owner of Liquor Cabinet (Hilltop Road, St. Joe, Michigan), yesterday regarding the new release of Founders All Day IPA and he had some great news for me...

All Day IPA is described as a "session ale" and that's precisely what it's meant for. At 4.7% and 42 IBUs, this beer has great hoppy floral and citrus characteristics that finishes crisp and clean, giving you the ability to drink more than one or two. I had this for the first time on tap at Founders Fest last June as my palate cleanser between Blushing Monk and Kaiser Curmudgeon (now Curmudgeon's Better Half), and was excited to find that it is now a year 'round offering in 6-packs. Unfortunately for us Hoosiers, this beer is not available in our state, but for those that live in the South Bend area, you can likely find this at Crocker's in Niles, or Liquor Cabinet in Saint Joseph.

Come to find out, Liquor Cabinet has 5 cases of this sweet nectar in the back already, delivered earlier yesterday! Due to Founders rules, he is unable to sell any of it until Monday, the 6th. To the best of my recollection, he said the price is $10/6, which is certainly fair in my opinion. I will definitely be there Monday to pick up a couple of sixers!

Cheers to another great beer from one of my favorite breweries!

Michiana beer update... (Bare Hands, Zombie Dust, Liquor Cabinet)

I don't generally like to mash a bunch of updates into one post, but they are pretty short and tomorrow is the College Football opener, so my interest in doing anything but watching ESPN is pretty low. So with that said....

• Liquor Cabinet in Saint Joseph recieved two cases of Bell's Oracle. If you missed out in the South Bend area, go get you some. Two bottle limit. They also have 6 bottles of Founders Blushing Monk left. It's in the back, so don't delay.

• Spoke with The Mark earlier today regarding Zombie Dust. They have the keg in their cooler (I asked if I could visit it, surprisingly they said yes) but are waiting to kick 3 Floyds APW, then they will put on Dreadnaught, and then Zombie Dust. My guess is that it will be in at least a week, if not two or more.

• Also spoke with Bar Louie regarding Zombie Dust. Still waiting to kick Dreadnaught. I'm going to need you all to stop by there, get tanked on the stuff to get ZD moved into the lineup quicker. Do it for America.

• Chris at Bare Hands Brewery in Granger mentioned he finally received his federal license. He's going to start brewing batches next week and stocking up for a mid-October opening. He will also be at the Potawatomi Zoo Brew with the following lineup, so that would be a great opportunity to give his beer a try. You will not be disappointed (unless you are a moron (my words, not his)).
  
  
  1. Cream Ale
  2. Hefeweizen
  3. IPA
  4. Belgian Double
  5. Imperial Porter
  6. Double IPA
  7. Barleywine

Liquor Cabinet - Saint Joseph's best kept beer secret (Saint Joseph, MI)

Seriously, I don't think people in Southwest Michigan realize what they have on their hands. The best kept secret of beer in Saint Joseph happens to be "Liquor Cabinet" on Hilltop Road. I don't recall how I came across this place, but I've been coming here for months to pickup brew that my favorite local shops don't carry.

First impressions are important, right? As you walk into the Liquor Cabinet, you immediately notice how organized and clean everything is. I've been to several shops in my day, and this happens to be one of the nicer looking ones.

Of course looks aren't everything, they also have to back it up with substance. They claim to have the largest selection of beer in Michigan, which I have no way of confirming, but wouldn't be surprised if this was accurate. As soon as you walk in, you'll notice a pretty good selection of singles off to the right. It would be great if there were even more, but the owner, Chris, informed me that the singles don't turn over as quickly - fair enough.

Just past the checkout counter is a massive amount of warm beer. Foreign, domestic, tons of craft. Lots of Michigan breweries such as Arcadia, Dark Horse, Frankenmuth, North Peak, Jolly Pumpkin, Founders, Bell's, the list goes on. In addition to some of the Michigan breweries that we don't get in the South Bend area, you'll find Bear Republic, Lagunitas, Dogfish Head and so on. The selection of 4-packs, 6-packs, bombers, etc., rival that of any store in the South Bend/Mishawaka/Elkhart area, and often times blows them away.

What's this you say? You want more beer? Good, because there's also the cooler. This is where the majority of the Short's (one of my favorite breweries, Michigan only) is located, along with brew that you may also see in the warm beer area. If the fizzy yellow stuff is more your thing, well they've got that too.

Chris is the owner, and a pretty cool guy. He once stated that he's not really into beer, but more of a vodka guy. Normally this would concern me, however he keeps up to date on what's out, what's good, and what will sell. He also is willing to take suggestions from the beer community. All in all, he runs a great shop.

Oh and the piece de really-awesome-thing is that when all the special release beer is sold out in the South Bend area, Liquor Cabinet usually has a few bottles left. I'm not even going to tell you what Chris sold me today, you might not even believe it. If you did believe it, you'd be really jealous, you might even try to rob me. What I can tell you is that he still has 6 bottle of Founders Blushing Monk and several cases of Founders Devil Dancer. Get down there while you still can.

Founders Blushing Monk still available in Southwest Michigan

In case you missed out on Founders Blushing Monk (Belgian Style Ale, 9.2%), or are just in the hoarding mood, you can pickup a bottle at the Liquor Cabinet (1332 Hilltop Road) in Saint Joseph, MI. They are selling it for $14.99, and still have nearly an entire case left.

Speaking of the Liquor Cabinet, I really dig this place for picking up beer. They have a great selection, and doesn't seem to get cleaned out by beer geeks as quickly as the South Bend area.

This is certainly the last of the 2011 Blushing Monk you are likely to find, and quite possibly the last of this beer from Founders that you will ever see.

Dark Horse Double Crooked Tree Sighting

For those of you that have been jonesin' for some Dark Horse Double Crooked Tree IPA, it is currently available at the Liquor Cabinet on Hilltop in Saint Joseph, MI. While I was there, about 8 four-packs were on the shelves (four warm, four cold), and I grabbed one, so they are down to 7. This is extremely difficult to find in the Michiana area (South Bend, Elkhart, Mishawaka), and was assumed to be sold-out everywhere. If you haven't tried Double Crooked Tree, it very high ABV (13 and change) double IPA that has a great hop profile and balanced extremely well with malt. This brew goes down way too smoothly, so handle with care.

This was my first time at the Liquor Cabinet and I will be doing a full write-up about it. Tons of great Michigan beer that I can't find in my area, I even found some Founders Devil Dancer in stock!