Beer snobs- are there any besides my husband?

I tried this before, and got no responses, so I'm trying again. Are there any cruise lines that offer micro beers- and I do not mean Sam Adams, Yingling, Guiness or Michelob? Don't laugh- this is really a problem for me , as I love to cruise and my husband loves to drink- good beers! How do you handle this problem- besides "smuggling"?

I had a local micro beer at the Red Dog Saloon in Juneau, AK in '05. Sorry, I forgot the name of it, but it (they) was (were) GOOD! When we got back on the Diamond Princess, I was able to get a bottle (or more) in the Wheelhouse of the same brew.

The beer selection on most lines is depressing.

I did read that on Celebrities newer ships rolling out this spring they will have a craft beer bar.

I'd be a happy camper.

Closest I've seen to a microbrew is Alaskan Amber on the HAL Alaskan runs. So sad.

I research brewpubs in the different ports we go to. Astoria Oregon has 2!:D One actually brews a non-alolohic Wasabi drink that the DDs liked.

Some of the newer ships (built in the last couple of years or just entering service) have pub like bars with beers on tap that may or may not be from big beer companies. But you'll have to check each one out to determine if that's true and what beers are on tap.

I suggest your hubby simply goes after the local brews in the ports you'll visit and stay with the Sam Adams and reputable imports (not Heineken or Stella Artois or Blue Moon) when on ship.

I used to be able to smuggle on Dale's Pale or Gordon's and one time Maui's Bikini Blonde (very expensive with shipping:() in cans intermixed with cans of soda in 12pck cartons. But they check too closely these days so I leave my micros at home.

The responses to this thread have been very depressing! How do we (microbeer drinkers and those who love them) encourage RCI and other lines to "get with the times" and sell good beer? I contacted RCI bur have not received a reply- or expect one!

I do research the microbreweries everywhere we go, to keep my husband happy. However, our cruise to the Bahamas has no breweries to offer- guess we have to cruise Alaska!

Go Steelers- this is to see if Pack2Much is still reading because there will be lots of DFH beers consumed this Sunday in celebration of another Steelers' win!

I guess I don't miss them as much on vacation because we have so many breweries right here in town or within an hour (I live in a philly suburb).

However, do any beer lovers here know where I can get innis & gunn outside of NYC?

The responses to this thread have been very depressing! How do we (microbeer drinkers and those who love them) encourage RCI and other lines to "get with the times" and sell good beer? I contacted RCI bur have not received a reply- or expect one!

I do research the microbreweries everywhere we go, to keep my husband happy. However, our cruise to the Bahamas has no breweries to offer- guess we have to cruise Alaska!

Go Steelers- this is to see if Pack2Much is still reading because there will be lots of DFH beers consumed this Sunday in celebration of another Steelers' win!

Sands Beer from Bahama Brewery is 100% Bahamian owned and the brewery is in Freeport. They make a 5 brews, including a stout and a lager and a malt beverage. Kalik is made in Nassau by a sub of Heineken, BTW.

The responses to this thread have been very depressing! How do we (microbeer drinkers and those who love them) encourage RCI and other lines to "get with the times" and sell good beer? I contacted RCI bur have not received a reply- or expect one!

I do research the microbreweries everywhere we go, to keep my husband happy. However, our cruise to the Bahamas has no breweries to offer- guess we have to cruise Alaska!

Go Steelers- this is to see if Pack2Much is still reading because there will be lots of DFH beers consumed this Sunday in celebration of another Steelers' win!

I guess I don't miss them as much on vacation because we have so many breweries right here in town or within an hour (I live in a philly suburb).

 

However, do any beer lovers here know where I can get innis & gunn outside of NYC?

Some Atlantic City casinos have it Trumo Taj Mahal and Caeser's for example. Also packies in New Haven, CT and some bars along that section of I-95.

They're not yet beyond the general NYC Metro area though. Sorry.

Sands Beer from Bahama Brewery is 100% Bahamian owned and the brewery is in Freeport. They make a 5 brews, including a stout and a lager and a malt beverage. Kalik is made in Nassau by a sub of Heineken, BTW.

Crewsweeper- Thanks for the info! This is something I have not been able to find anywhere else. Though my DH likes (no, loves) full-flavor and esp. dark beers, he will probably try a few of these. We will be in Nassau, not Freeport, but I have seen the Sands beer listed on some bar threads. We will try to find some. He does not consider Heieken a micro, and Sam Adams has gone so big- I have not seen him order one in a long time. We have considered "smuggling" cans on board in the soda case. Are they now checking them? My DH just walked in- his question- have you heard of anyone being caught using the 2 sodas on the top- beer beneath, retaped carton trick?

We'd only smuggle because they do not have anything acceptable! Please, no callinus thiefs needed- we's rathe not do this! thanks again!

Crewsweeper- Thanks for the info! This is something I have not been able to find anywhere else. Though my DH likes (no, loves) full-flavor and esp. dark beers, he will probably try a few of these. We will be in Nassau, not Freeport, but I have seen the Sands beer listed on some bar threads. We will try to find some. He does not consider Heieken a micro, and Sam Adams has gone so big- I have not seen him order one in a long time. We have considered "smuggling" cans on board in the soda case. Are they now checking them? My DH just walked in- his question- have you heard of anyone being caught using the 2 sodas on the top- beer beneath, retaped carton trick?

We'd only smuggle because they do not have anything acceptable! Please, no callinus thiefs needed- we's rathe not do this! thanks again!

I hear your DH, cardamon.:) I'll skip an SA if any othe rmicro is on the menu. Getting to feel that way a bit about Sierra Nevada too.:(

I've done the Dales Pale and the Gordons in cans inside a carefully resealed/ glued with gorilla glue 12 pack of Diet Coke Lime a couple of times. And I went so far as to damn the expense ( think 2 ship brews for one can with shipping costs) and did some Maui Coconut Porter and Bikini Blonde mixed inside the DW's Diet Sprite once so my BIL could get a sense of what to expect on an upcoming trip to Hawaii. The trick here is to be sure that the end cans and the cans showing through the handle are the soda cans. However, I found that I often returned with a couple of cans and with the recent crack down since last spring, I've decided not to even try it. Plus there are places where you can bring back local beers onto the ship, especially if you get them in cans like in Cozumel or Costa Maya where you can find Victoria, Leon or Montenjo in cans. I haven't tried bring back bottled local beers but have known others who did so without anyone pulling them aside.

The responses to this thread have been very depressing! How do we (microbeer drinkers and those who love them) encourage RCI and other lines to "get with the times" and sell good beer? I contacted RCI bur have not received a reply- or expect one!

I do research the microbreweries everywhere we go, to keep my husband happy. However, our cruise to the Bahamas has no breweries to offer- guess we have to cruise Alaska!

Go Steelers- this is to see if Pack2Much is still reading because there will be lots of DFH beers consumed this Sunday in celebration of another Steelers' win!

I never cared for the taste of beer, but I feel your pain. I like decent wine and great coffee, but RCI's remedy is to overcharge for a wine package and bring second rate Charbucks on board.

I hear your DH, cardamon.:) I'll skip an SA if any othe rmicro is on the menu. Getting to feel that way a bit about Sierra Nevada too.:(

 

I've done the Dales Pale and the Gordons in cans inside a carefully resealed/ glued with gorilla glue 12 pack of Diet Coke Lime a couple of times. And I went so far as to damn the expense ( think 2 ship brews for one can with shipping costs) and did some Maui Coconut Porter and Bikini Blonde mixed inside the DW's Diet Sprite once so my BIL could get a sense of what to expect on an upcoming trip to Hawaii. The trick here is to be sure that the end cans and the cans showing through the handle are the soda cans. However, I found that I often returned with a couple of cans and with the recent crack down since last spring, I've decided not to even try it. Plus there are places where you can bring back local beers onto the ship, especially if you get them in cans like in Cozumel or Costa Maya where you can find Victoria, Leon or Montenjo in cans. I haven't tried bring back bottled local beers but have known others who did so without anyone pulling them aside.

Thanks for the advse! I did not even think about spring break, but I have read other threads advising caution during that time. He will have to make the decision, but in the meantme, he is having fun "testing" beers in cans- something he never thought he'd do. There is always a silver lining!

I guess I don't miss them as much on vacation because we have so many breweries right here in town or within an hour (I live in a philly suburb).

 

However, do any beer lovers here know where I can get innis & gunn outside of NYC?

2seawithme...By a stroke of luck, I enjoyed a couple of I&Gs during the Super Bowl. Bought them at a retail store for a local cheese producer in South Georgia. They serve wine and beer on tap (Dogfishhead 60) and sometimes have bottles from various micros like Sessions or Full Sail. I saw a blackboard with I&G and asked. Got their last 4 (@ $5.50/bottle:o). Manager said they picked up a case or two when at a trade show in NYC last month. Not a regular stock for them. 4 of us trying it, the bottles were empty pretty quick. So for the moment, I drank the last bottle of I&G in South Georgia/North Florida:eek:

I know- the beer selection is sad on the ships. Heck I'd even be happy with Sam Adams if they offered something other than lager. I just smuggle wine on board and use port days to try local beers knowing when I get home there will be some nice sour ale or chicory stout waiting for me. They could make a killing off me if they had the good stuff. One tip-I pour two bottles into a Non clear water bottle on my way back onto the ship-Havnt been stopped yet and once they even let me bring two actual beer bottles back on-if they say no then ya just gotta drink em on the spot:)

Crewsweeper, what did you think of DFH 60 minute? One of DH's favorites, as are almost all DFH beers. I like DFH Ale, Pangea and the Punkin Ale best. We've known the owner of DFH- Sam- since he opened his pub, and it's been fun to watch the business grow!I will ask for advise on FL beers when we go down to visit our friends in Siesta Key. He ususally goes outto find an assortment of micros!

Serval girl- guess I'll have to floow your advise- my DH does like wne- although picky becaus he makes his own, and most have ben excellent, esp. the dry reds!

Ok, i know Blue Moon isn't technically a micro-brew, but still, i was so excited to see it on a cruise.

Currently my favorite beer is Manny's from Georgetown near downtown Seattle. :cool:

Crewsweeper, what did you think of DFH 60 minute? One of DH's favorites, as are almost all DFH beers. I like DFH Ale, Pangea and the Punkin Ale best. We've known the owner of DFH- Sam- since he opened his pub, and it's been fun to watch the business grow!I will ask for advise on FL beers when we go down to visit our friends in Siesta Key. He ususally goes outto find an assortment of micros!

Serval girl- guess I'll have to floow your advise- my DH does like wne- although picky becaus he makes his own, and most have ben excellent, esp. the dry reds!

cardamon...I like DFH for the most part. Not particularly fond of Raison d'Etre, but I don't usually enjoy fruity beers. But I'll only drink DH90 or 120 at home when not going out anywhere. I've missed both batches of Bitches Brew, which was a disappointment since I still have the vinyl recording from 1968...guess the local distributor didn't get put in for any. And I enjoyed watching his little series on TV.

hi all,

sorry to have only found this thread! i've been pre-packaged essence brewing for a 3 or 4 years now and have decided to step up (with the help of a new brew club in my area) and kick the plastic keg for more dedicated stainless steel boil kettles, sparging vessels, and fermentors. gosh, if i'd known how expensive it would turn out, i might not have discovered the fun!

brewing for me, initially, was a way to learn a new skill in the realm of self-sufficiency. in the mean while, micro-brewing has become a way to meet and make good friends. when people sample the results of your efforts, they just can't believe that you did it...and it's better than what they've gotten from the store.

btw, perhaps we (beer-lovin' cruisers) can put together a list of brew pubs and brew pub/club nights that could be visited in each of the ports? haven't observed that here, or have been unaware that it existed. would be nice to be able to visit a departure port city and visit with micro-brewers there prior to sailing?! all of the clubs that i've been privileged to visit were very welcoming to visitors.

for example, west central florida:

clubs - Tampa B.E.E.R.S., Brandon Bootleggers

pubs - Dunderbachs, W.O.B., Ybor Brew House, O'Brien's Irish Pub, etc, ect....

ships with craft beer - ???????(RCCL had an island ale recipe that they had crafted in Belgium and sold on Legend of the Seas...was great!)

moose

hi all,

 

sorry to have only found this thread! i've been pre-packaged essence brewing for a 3 or 4 years now and have decided to step up (with the help of a new brew club in my area) and kick the plastic keg for more dedicated stainless steel boil kettles, sparging vessels, and fermentors. gosh, if i'd known how expensive it would turn out, i might not have discovered the fun!

 

brewing for me, initially, was a way to learn a new skill in the realm of self-sufficiency. in the mean while, micro-brewing has become a way to meet and make good friends. when people sample the results of your efforts, they just can't believe that you did it...and it's better than what they've gotten from the store.

 

btw, perhaps we (beer-lovin' cruisers) can put together a list of brew pubs and brew pub/club nights that could be visited in each of the ports? haven't observed that here, or have been unaware that it existed. would be nice to be able to visit a departure port city and visit with micro-brewers there prior to sailing?! all of the clubs that i've been privileged to visit were very welcoming to visitors.

 

for example, west central florida:

 

clubs - Tampa B.E.E.R.S., Brandon Bootleggers

 

pubs - Dunderbachs, W.O.B., Ybor Brew House, O'Brien's Irish Pub, etc, ect....

 

ships with craft beer - ???????(RCCL had an island ale recipe that they had crafted in Belgium and sold on Legend of the Seas...was great!)

 

 

moose

Hey moose...Have you had a chance to try the Mad Crow Brewery on 4th and Orange in Sarasota, yet? I think it just opened in January.

Also, your neck of the woods has Cigar City which has a great selection of craft brews. Try Jai Alai IPA for a bit more tropical flavor.:)

btw, perhaps we (beer-lovin' cruisers) can put together a list of brew pubs and brew pub/club nights that could be visited in each of the ports? haven't observed that here, or have been unaware that it existed. would be nice to be able to visit a departure port city and visit with micro-brewers there prior to sailing?! all of the clubs that i've been privileged to visit were very welcoming to visitors.

for example, west central florida:

clubs - Tampa B.E.E.R.S., Brandon Bootleggers

pubs - Dunderbachs, W.O.B., Ybor Brew House, O'Brien's Irish Pub, etc, ect....

ships with craft beer - ???????(RCCL had an island ale recipe that they had crafted in Belgium and sold on Legend of the Seas...was great!)

moose

Hi Moose and crewsweeper!

I think the thread with brew pubs in port cities is an excellent idea. Do we start it under this heading? I'll try it as a new thread, so both of you have to keep it going!

Moose, we were not sure what you meant by "prepackaged essence beer". My husband does "extract with grain " brewing- is it the same? He makes great beer! His brew pub often brews the same beer in both grain and extract- few can tell a difference. Thanks for your responses- it has been one way to keep my usband interested before the cruise- he is not looking forward to the lack of beers on the Enchantment of the Seas on 4/2/11:cool:. Maybe we should have a brew cruise? Have you ever seen any offered?

hi all,

cardamon: saw the other thread...thank you! the "prepackaged essence beer" that i referred to has been sold in upscale department and housewares stores for a few years now. what is it? well, in the kit you get a plastic brew barrel, plastic bottles, canned malt extracts, yeast packets, malto-dextrins(single sugars), one-step cleanser, and directions. follow the directions and you really can't miss. it is a very simple system...the finished product is much better than the average mass brew and you did it yourself. primary fermentation takes place in the brew barrel (about a weeks time at room temperature), then you fill your bottles with the 'barleywine' and charge with table sugar (double sugar). after another week(at room temperature), put the bottles in the icebox for a couple weeks. after that, enjoy. not wanting to be a commercial for the company that makes them (mr b--r), i will say for those that are shy about doing something like this, it is a cheap way to explore something new. i have, over the last few years 'gone off the reservation' with recipes and flavor profiles of my own using their basic ingredients. having said that, know this, it is not brewing! the only part of the commercial kit that has a cooking process is the initial boiling of the water to accept the malt extracts and malto-dextrins.

so what have i done lately?

2 gal - cherry stout

2 gal - cherry honey wheat ale

1 gal - cherry soda (yes, you can make soda too!)

1 gal - root beer (nope, ya thought that i would include cherry in this too...dinit cha!)

as i continue my journey into the realm of craft beer, i find that it is time for me to step up and start 'brewing' as it should be done. it's time to knock the training wheels off the bicycle...:D so begins my path to being a little truer to the skills and art of brewing.

cardamon, your husband is lucky man! he is on the path ahead of me, he's already using the ingredients and tools i will soon come to know. is he, per chance, part of a brew club? i visit milwaukee from time to time and through a family member, have been introducted to the 'milwaukee beer barons' brewing club. having sampled many of their club brews...lol! i can tell you that going to a brewer's ballgame at miller field with those guys is an absolute hoot! better outside the park...

i've just found a brew club a little more local to me than the big one across town. they are just getting started and seem like a bunch of really nice people. gonna try and grow with them.

btw, i'm partial to a couple of the trapist monks' ales...your husband will know the ones of which i speak. sometimes, they have them on the ships. as my beer tasting horizons expand, maybe my middle won't.;)

we are doing allure of the seas in december...might be fun if y'all joined us...hint, hint. always nice to talk brew!

Hi Moose and crewsweeper!

I think the thread with brew pubs in port cities is an excellent idea. Do we start it under this heading? I'll try it as a new thread, so both of you have to keep it going!

Moose, we were not sure what you meant by "prepackaged essence beer". My husband does "extract with grain " brewing- is it the same? He makes great beer! His brew pub often brews the same beer in both grain and extract- few can tell a difference. Thanks for your responses- it has been one way to keep my usband interested before the cruise- he is not looking forward to the lack of beers on the Enchantment of the Seas on 4/2/11:cool:. Maybe we should have a brew cruise? Have you ever seen any offered?

moose

Moose- I had this whole long description of my husband's brewing career- and then lost it- lucky you- so here is the condensed version:

He is an excelent homebrewer, using recipes from various books he has accumulated, including "Extreme Brewing" by his idol- Sam Calgione, owner of Dogfish Head Brewery in Rehoboth Beach DE. We've known Sam since he opened the brewery, and he makes terrific, off-center brews.

Jeff also makes wine- and is improving with each batch. He belongs to 2 brew clubs, one in York,PA and one in Rehoboth Beach, DE. If you have any questions, you can email him at DFH33W@aol.com.

I found a new brew pub this weekend in Baltimore- Alewife. 30 microbrews on tap (they cannot keep DFH beers on tap- go so quickly! Great place to keep on your bucklist.

Anyone else have any favorite planes in any of the departure ports? Ports of Call?

hi all,

cardamon: wow! he's a good friends already!:D

i've been hoping to visit and tour dogfish for sometime now...got as close as ocean city, md, over the new years holiday. i have family connections and history in rehobeth as well. do you like the french fry place that has been going since 1929? (not 'boardwalk' fries, but the good one in the pier building) when we were there(ocean city), we got the chance to visit, sample and tour!! if you go by, ask les, the manager to show you the 'old' fry cups he received.;)

moose

Moose- I had this whole long description of my husband's brewing career- and then lost it- lucky you- so here is the condensed version:

He is an excelent homebrewer, using recipes from various books he has accumulated, including "Extreme Brewing" by his idol- Sam Calgione, owner of Dogfish Head Brewery in Rehoboth Beach DE. We've known Sam since he opened the brewery, and he makes terrific, off-center brews.

Jeff also makes wine- and is improving with each batch. He belongs to 2 brew clubs, one in York,PA and one in Rehoboth Beach, DE. If you have any questions, you can email him at DFH33W@aol.com.

I found a new brew pub this weekend in Baltimore- Alewife. 30 microbrews on tap (they cannot keep DFH beers on tap- go so quickly! Great place to keep on your bucklist.

Anyone else have any favorite planes in any of the departure ports? Ports of Call?

I tried this before, and got no responses, so I'm trying again. Are there any cruise lines that offer micro beers- and I do not mean Sam Adams, Yingling, Guiness or Michelob? Don't laugh- this is really a problem for me , as I love to cruise and my husband loves to drink- good beers! How do you handle this problem- besides "smuggling"?

Yeah Princess has Alaskan beers (Alaska ships only). They don't liek to sell them because they make better margins on Dos Equis