I purchased most of this beer from Vintage Estate, and let me start off by saying it is a beer lovers MECCA. The owner (Phil) and staff (Bob and others) are unbelievably friendly and helpful. This place is only about a 45 minute drive for me, but I would probably drive up to 3 hours to stock up. This place is THAT good. They have almost 700 different FRESH and some hard to find bottles, all at prices that are just amazing. Most of the beers are under $2. They also have a ton of wine, and carry about a dozen different types of meads. Meads are fermented just like beer, but with honey. If you live anywhere even close to Boardman Ohio, you must go here. You can easily make a day of it.
The other bottles I purchased from 3 Sons dogs and suds in Wexford, PA. In my opinion its probably the best 6 pack shop in Pittsburgh, but unfortunately their prices and selection cannot compete with Vintage. This is mostly because PA Beer laws are almost criminal. They tax the crap out of beer and make it pretty hard for anyone to run a real bottleshop around here. The guy who runs the shop is a little bit cranky at first, but he will warm up to you once he gets to know you.
Anyways onto the beer. Why is it that breweries stop releasing their seasonal beers way too early in the “season.” I wanted to pick up a bunch of winter warmers and Christmas beers but they are sold out almost EVERYWHERE. Regardless I made some pretty decent pickups. The front row will be sent off next week on a trade, but the rest I will be drinking over the next couple months. Unibroue Terrible, Delirium Noel, some Speedway Stout to age for awhile, etc etc.
See a beer you recognize and have a dislike/like for it? Let me know in the comments section below.
The name's Drew. Just a normal 32 yr old guy from Pittsburgh with an abnormal obsession for craft beer, web design and photography. I run my own web design business over at 
365 days... 365 beers 
Great story! Lucky you living so close to this retailer…
That place sounds awesome, nice haul.
I had my first stout the other day, Coopers Best Extra Stout. It’s Australian so you might not know it. My beer friend recommended it, and I enjoyed it.
I’ve also had Guinness but he said that doesn’t count, hehe.
I shall definitely continue investigating though.
Awesome man good stuff. Stouts are for sure my favorite. Guiness is actually very light for a stout, I am a sucker for the stuff that pours out like motor oil. But Coopers got a b+ on beeradvocate.com so it must be pretty decent. The label looks familiar so I will have to see if we get it at Vintage. I’ll give it a shot.
Let me know if you end up trying any others!
Yeah, the guinness was certainly lighter than the Coopers, I liked it though.
I’m actually off to Ireland in a few weeks, so I’ll have to have a Guinness in Dublin. Any other suggestions that I should look out for while I’m over there?
Oh man that has to be a super long flight for you.
As far as actual Irish beer, there isn’t much other than Guinness, but if you see any of their anniversary stouts give them a shot. Murphys Irish Stout is also really good.
– Porterhouse, Any of their Dry Stouts are supposed to be good. (Based in Dublin)
And you should be able to find some awesome UK beer there though, I will list a few to keep your eyes open for
– Harvieston Old Engine Oil (awesome awesome beer from Scotland)
– BellHaven Wee Heavy (from Scotland)
– McEwan’s Scotch Ale (Scotland)
– Orkney SkullSplitter
– Anything from Fullers, Their London Porter is awesome, and the ESB is good also. (UK Based)
Lastly not sure if you have ever tried Belgian beer, but you should be able to get your hands on some awesome Belgian beer. There are too many to list so be sure to ask the bartender for “A good Belgian” and I’m sure they should have something really good on tap. Very jealous that you will have so much good beer around!
Good luck and let me know what you end up trying!
hey, went to the Guinness Brewery today, hehe, it was awesome.
I’ve been having plenty of Guinness but I also found a Porterhouse and enjoyed it. I also tracked down one of the London Porters you mentioned and liked it too.
Thanks a lot!
Awesome dude glad to hear. I’ll bet the brewery was a site to see. Did you drink any Guinness other than the regular stout?
Great shopping spree!!! Speedway Stout, love that brew, but can’t get any AleSmith down here in S. Florida.
Looks like with this haul you should have enough beers to at least last you a month for your reviews.
If you ever need a Westly 12 or 8 to add to your 365 reviews let me know, as they are actually easy to get :). Well that is if you go to Belgium a lot.
I cannot find Westy anywhere here in PA or OH. I just might have to take you up on that! hah
Hello again. Nice stash my friend
Enjoy that Boskeun, and be sure to savour the St Bernardus Abt. Its pure nectar – well they both are.
I was in Pittsburgh last year. Went to watch the college footy at Heinz Field. Damn shame I didnt get to see this website first, as I could have brought back a few classics.
http://www.belgianbeershrimper.wordpress.com
I have a Westvleteren 8 and the St Helene Fin d’Annee brew lined up for Christmas Day, and some other random Belgians. I expect to be in a beer coma come evening time.
they gave out free tasting samples of Guinness Draught, we got a free pint of that too, I aso bought a bottle of Guinness Extra Stout, I haven’t had anything else than that, I hink.