Tallgrass Buffalo Sweat beer

One of my favorite things about traveling is discovering new indigenous treasures, things I can only find in that place and in no other.

The problem with that, of course, is that you can only find those things in the one place.

While hanging out with the in-laws in Missouri, we had lunch one afternoon in a local pub and I discovered Tallgrass Buffalo Sweat.

Tallgrass Brewing Company is based in Kansas, and their Buffalo Sweat is one of the best dark stouts I've ever tasted. Sweet, creamy, not bitter in the finish like Guinness can be.

Their beers are available through a wide swath of the Midwest, as far east as Alabama, but naturally not anywhere near my part of the world. Shame. Make an effort to find and drink some, if you're in their part of the world.

Southern Pecan Nut Brown Ale

Another beer find from our time in New Orleans: Southern Pecan beer, made by Lazy Magnolia Brewing Company in Mississippi. It's the only beer made with whole roasted pecans, and as a result, has a wonderfully nutty flavor profile. If you live in that part of the country, or if you ever see any in a store, be sure to pick some up.

Random side note: I really must start drinking beers I can find locally.

Bayou Teche Biere

I found a great new beer on my vacation in New Orleans.

Bayou Teche LA 31 Grenade is a wheat beer made with passionfruit, brewed locally in Louisiana, and naturally is not a beer I'll be able to find back home in Massachusetts.

Never fear, I bought some to take home with me.

Passionfruit beer = win.

My favorite beer

I write so much about wine, I just wanted to let everyone know that I like beer, too.

This one is my favorite: Abita Turbodog. Abita beer is made in Abita Springs, Louisiana, and as a result can sometimes be hard to find in the rest of the country. Fortunately, they seem to be getting better market share in the last couple of years. I usually don't have a problem finding it at places that stock specialty beers. It tastes like a lighter version of Guiness--the website bills it as "a dark brown ale brewed with Willamette hops and a combination of pale, crystal and chocolate malts. This combination gives Turbodog its rich body and color and a sweet chocolate toffee-like flavor." Mmmm-mmmm.

Price: anywhere from $7.99 to $11.99 for a six-pack, depending on what part of the country I'm in.

Their Purple Haze is pretty darn good, too.

My second favorite beer is the oatmeal stout my brother-in-law made for my wedding. Unfortunately, you won't be able to find that anywhere in the country (except, possibly, his basement).