One cannot live by homebrew alone ... especially if you don't know a brewer. Conveniently, there is local place with a beer section run by a craft brew expert. He keeps it well stocked, giving me the opportunity to try all kinds of interesting libations. Here's what I have been drinking:
This stout is absolutely fantastic. I'm actually drinking some as I write this. I've been drinking a lot of stouts lately (as research for the imperial stout I want to brew, of course) and, this one is the best of the lot. Many other folks agree with me. It is currently rated the #3 beer in the world. There is some more information on the brewer's site ... just not in English. N.B. Note the alcohol content and drink this one slowly.
This one is a bit less spendy than the Nøgne Ø Dark Horizon and is also fantastic. Alas, the current batch has run out in the stores here.
Another great imperial stout. It's a little more expensive than the Left Hand Oak Aged Imperial Stout but, it has the virtue of still being on the shelf.
I don't drink a lot of porters but, this one is fantastic. I'm glad I tried this fabulous Baltic porter. It is rumored to be in the top 50 beers in the world (and there are thousands of beers).
This one scores a perfect 100 on the Rate Beer site and, it is well-deserved. This one is a limited run. Get it while you can. You can definitely taste the bourbon.
At the risk of contradicting my earlier statement about not drinking a lot of porters, I have discovered yet another fantastic porter. This one is a limited run. So, if you see it, grab it while you can.
The current batch is available in an interesting stoneware bottle with a flip top stopper. Rouge has released several of their top brews in similar bottles, including a tasty imperial stout and a Morimoto Imperial Pilsner (which I have not tried).
I like barley wines (also known as strong ales). This is one of my current favorites. I'm not quite sure which version I have been drinking. I would expect it to be this one but, the bottle looks more like this one.
Touted as a private reserve, released by popular demand. The RateBeer site says that this is really an imperial IPA rather than a barley wine. Either way, it's delicious. I'll definitely grab more, if I can get it.
The Summer 2007 batch may be the best IPA I've ever had. It currently has a perfect rating at RateBeer.com (with 469 people weighing in).
Lots of malt and hops in this one. Highly recommended.
This is the second time Samuel Adams has produced this brew and, there is a rumor it may be the last. This is the best thing I have tasted from this mainstream brewer.
Evermorian