Beer

[rcmatthews]

Howtobrew, thats quite an impressive list. You really think shinerbock to be insipid? I think it is delicious, but then I am but a wee lad and relatively inexperienced in the brews of the world. I have however, vowed to never drink Budweiser products again.

[howtobrew]

Ah, well, then you are on the right track then!
Regarding Shiner, I might have had an old bottle, being in SoCal. But to me it didn't taste that much different from other light lagers. I didn't taste like the European Bocks, nor the (dark) Bock beers that I know from Wisonsin and Michigan (not that those beers are all that great). A true bock beer should be about 6.5% alcohol and have a pale malt color with moderate bitterness and the balance should be towards the malt, not the hops.

Unfortunately, most mass produced beers are dumbed down to appeal to the widest possible demographic. That's why I almost always drink micros. Even Sam Adams is kind of one-dimensional to my palate. But I am Not the last word in beer judging, let me tell you. There are lots of beer judges out there who can more fully discribe what a beer should taste like, and have a wider range of taste for different beer styles. Taste is always personal.

[Elemental]

I love a cold Guinness but I can usually only drink one, then I'm full. That's my problem with beer, I'll drink 3 or 4 and feel like I just ate a loaf of bread.

Strangly Mexican beers don't seem to have that effect.

If no Guiness is available I'll take a good Hefeweizen instead.

[Asterix]

James Squire is my favourite.

[DangerMouse]

Scottish Ales. My favorite.
Since most places don't carry them, or if they do they're not real scottish ales, I'll usually go for a porter or an IPA. Sometimes a stout and rarely an ESB.

[Zelda]

Originally Posted by Asterix

James Squire is my favourite.

OOOH I had forgotten about them.... YUMMY!

[lochinvar]

There is an apocryphal tale which I’m sure you’ve all heard.

At a convention of world brewers, the presidents all decided to go out after the days activities. When the wait staff came to ask what each would have, the Coors president said, “I’ll have the only beer made with pure Rocky Mountain spring water! Make mine a Coors.”

The Budweiser president, not to be outdone, said, “Well, I’ll have the King of Beers! Make mine a Bud.” And so it went around the table, with each American brewer ordering his or her own brand.

When it came round to the president of Guiness, he quietly stated, “I’ll have a Coke. If you guys aren’t drinking beer, neither will I.”

[Fechter1]

Paulaner Muenchner Urtyp (Munich Original) for me. Darn hard to find around these parts though... Spaten's pretty good as well, and in a pinch, Warsteiner'll do.

As for what I think of american 'beers', Loch's tale pretty much says it all.

[Pauli]

The beers I most enjoyed were the ones I had after my evenings of serving in the carribbean heat on the cayman islands, at my favorite bar, the sunset bar, directly at the beach, absolutely fabulous place to relax from a hard night's work. I drank the very original belly bottle Red Stripe!

I love Kilkenney (ehm, my spelling may be wrong, I forgot to check Zmurfs post before starting to write this one ) but it's a dangerous beer for me since once I start, I can't stop and it makes me just REALLY drunk!

I like Fosters, Saporro, Samual Adams and of course, think GREEN: HEINEKEN!!

But still, nothing better than a smooth heavy red wine!

[Philistine]

Originally Posted by Fechter1

Paulaner Muenchner Urtyp (Munich Original) for me. Darn hard to find around these parts though... Spaten's pretty good as well, and in a pinch, Warsteiner'll do.

If you're still in Philly, try: Here by the case. (No Urtyp, but the page shows their Paulaner selection. Very good selection of German (and other) beers. It's where I go to get Erdinger Dunkel (my wife's favorite, and one of mine).

By the bottle, you might want to try The Foodery at 10th and Pine, which has a fantastic selection (not sure if they have Urtyp or not).

--Philistine

[Maeve_Mari]

Originally Posted by Fechter1

Paulaner Muenchner Urtyp (Munich Original) for me. Darn hard to find around these parts though... Spaten's pretty good as well, and in a pinch, Warsteiner'll do.

As for what I think of american 'beers', Loch's tale pretty much says it all.

I'm sure in/near Philly there are many many places to find even the most obscure beers and ales! Whenever I'm there on business I never miss a chance to take a trip to a deli in King of Prussia called Michael's and search out what hops delight (or two or three) I'm going to take back to my hotel that night. The selection of single bottles there is the best I've ever seen, anywhere I've been.

[swordwench]

For years, because I couldn't find good American beers, I used to drink a lot of Germans, mainly the hefes. Some Belgians (yumm - even for dessert). LOVE most of what I've had in the UK, especially a good stout, or a nice cellar-temp bitter. God, how I love a good bitter...

Q: How are American beers like making love in a canoe?
A: They're both F***ing close to water.

Not really true anymore. If you avoid the scourge of our land (the mass-produced Buds, Coors, Millers, etc.), we do have some good large-volume brewers out there. I'm pretty New England-centric, so I'll say Sam Adams and Harpoon aren't too shabby - especially the Harpoon IPA.

Better yet, if you're willing to shell out the cash, you can find some lovely microbrews. Can't swing a dead cat without hitting something interesting from Oregon (Pelican's Doryman Dark, Rogue's Dead Guy Ale), or here in Massachusetts. Besides the bigger players like Commonwealth Brewery and Cambridge Brewing Company, there are many other promising brews, like the Rapscallion Artisanal Beers from Concord Brewery. I also like many of the Vermont micros.

And brew pubs in general make me happy.

[Svidrigailov]

Originally Posted by dunastor

Nothing beats Belgian beer....

Fully agree with you there...everything except stella is very good. Leffe blonde is a fairly popular but still good beer. The roquefort by trappiste is sublime...

[Zilverzmurfen]

The Kwak is funny to drink...

[sabreur]

I'm a big fan of Jever pils--probably the epitome of the Northern German, very dry, very hoppy style.

I like almost any decent Hefeweizen, when I'm in the mood.

I'm also a big fan of the Belgian abbey beers (and the non-abbey weird ones, like Guillotine and Buccaneer).

I also have a thing for strong ales and "Kellerbier." Double bocks and the like. I'm working my way (slowly, because beer has become a very occasional beverage since I started training really seriously in June) through a case of Andechs Doppel Bock Dunkel right now.

I think the American micros brew some of the best top-fermented beers (ales) in the world--I've yet to have a really decent American-made Weizen or Pilsner.

MR

[Philistine]

Originally Posted by Zilverzmurfen

The Kwak is funny to drink...

Then you've got to try two other Belgian beers.

Delerium tremons--which has, among other things pictures of pink elephants (I don't particularly like it, but it gets high reviews).

and

Mannekin Pis--which has a picture of Brussels' famous statute of a little boy... well... pissing. (I like this one--though I like similar wit beers more--e.g. Hoegaardan).

--Philistine

[Zilverzmurfen]

Originally Posted by Philistine

Mannekin Pis

I am somewhat disturbed by the name of that beer...

With a name like that, could it be american..?
(Thinks about Monty Python sketch.)

[latenight]

Ok, heres my real faves.....with Maudite being the best




http://www.unibroue.com/products/maudite.cfm

[dunastor]

Originally Posted by Zilverzmurfen

The Kwak is funny to drink...

I was in Gent once for the sabre Satellite WC, and ordered a beer called "the same".
Very funny looks on the faces of my friends, who thought "the same as what?"... until they realized that was the name of the beer...

[Larrison]

I remember ordering a beer in Holland called "Green Rooster". When it arrived, yep it was GREEN. Tasted pretty good, though..