Really Good Beer on STJ

[ClevelandDave]

I'm all over a cold Carib during the day but in the hot tub at night I want something more satisfying (to drink).

Does anybody know of the availability of any high-end beer on STJ? Looking for Belgian or British Ales. Retail? Restaurant?

My wife calls me a beer snob, but I've been called lots worse.

Dave

[lazylane]

Don't know about British or Belgian, but how about the local guys at the Tap Room?

http://www.stjohnbrewers.com/index.html

[mbw1024]

RickG will chime in here but i don't think there are any Belgians on island that i can recall.

[StJohnMike]

I seem to recall seeing some British and Belgian beers at Starfish but it's been awhile. Who does have the best beer and non-rum liquor selection now that Mixology is effectively closed?

[mbw1024]

Is Starfish gourmet carrying some? That's possible!

[Randy in MD]

Dave - I favor the Red Hook ESB that I've found at Starfish in Cruz Bay and Lily's in Coral Bay. Give it a try...

[RickG]

Starfish Gourmet does pretty well. Guiness FES and the other other foreign extra stouts are the third leg of Caribbean drinking (Strength!).

Remember that the islands are at the end of a long supply chain and delicate beers are going to be shattered by the trip.

The best British style ales will be those at the Tap Room from Shipyard Brewing (Ringwood style) and brewed there by Cheech & co. They had the Amber Jack coming on at the end of last week.

It's best to get a couple of good beers on St. Thomas as you come over (Aventinus Weizen Eisbock!!!). Starfish Gourmet has the best selection of beers. But, expect some oxidation and skunking.

Finally, bringing beer down is not such a bad idea. What better place to drink that Westvleteren 12 you've been hoarding? A friend once brought a full case of Orval down.

Cheers, RickG

[ClevelandDave]

All - Thanks for your input and direction. Tap Room is certainly a must do and I will indeed swing by Starfish to see what I can find.

RickG - We are most assuredly on the same page. Where on STT might I snag some of that Aventinus Weizen Eisbock!! That would do nicely! I assume that this proprietor might have an even broader selection?

Yep, I've considered bringing my own and relocating a Westy12 or two from my cellar to STJ is indeed a fine idea. Unfortunately, as checked baggage, air travel is not real condusive to bottle-conditioned bier. Waiting for it to settle could drive me to drink but on the other hand, why save the yeast till last.

Thanks
Dave

[RickG]

Dave, the Food Center on the way to Red Hook on STT has the Schneider-Weisse products when we were last there. They also had seven foreign extra stouts.

When we check luggage, we bring down three or four sour beers. They seem to go so well with breakfast. Some of our local homebrewers make pretty darn good pseudo-Lambic and I'm partial to Girardin black label Gueuze, Hannsens Oude Gueuze & Kriek, De Cam Gueuze, Drie Fonteinen ... and the rest of the authentic Lambics.



On beer, I'm judging a 52 cask Real Ale competition tomorrow night. Yum!

Definitely do check out the Tap Room. Free WiFi too.

Cheers, RickG

[ClevelandDave]

Many Thanks, RickG.

I will set my sights on the Food Center. I'm unfamiliar with that area since I typically depart CA. Can you give me any landmarks or mileage estimates that would help?

While I've yet to develop a real taste for Gueuze, I haven't had a shot at Hannsens or Girardin. Quality makes all the difference and you obviously have better distributors than I do.

Your packing tactics have inspired me and I believe that I will bring down some special treats. My sweetie loves Duchesse de Bourgogne and good ol Lindeman's Framboise so they'll need to make the trip down, too.

Great beer adds so much to a special setting.

Have a good time Friday night. 52 Casks...ambitious!

Dave

[RickG]

Food Center is on 32 on the way to Red Hook. If you're renting a jeep on STT its worth a stop. Otherwise, just hit Starfish Gourmet - they do pretty well. I did not see and Duchesse or other Flemish Reds on island.

Gueuze distribution? Ya, hand carried back from Belgium. Cantillon is delicious, but a tad acetic. De Cam is not available in the US and Girardin is gray market.

We generally do one layer of bubble wrap on the bottles and put a layer of clothes between each bottle in our suitcase. Beer of the month boxes work well too.

I think you'll like the Tap Room. But, don't forget the rum. The house brewed Ginger Beer with Blackstrap Rum is pretty darn good - ask for bitters on top.

BTW, the competition is up to 54 casks tonight. We have an Old Ale entered. BeerYum!

Cheers, RickG