Preferred Beers and Beer Styles

[Mac The Fork]

There was a thread on this a few years back, but tastes, products and forum members have of course changed since then. What's your favourite beer? What styles do you enjoy? What have you tried recently? Do you have recommendations or warnings?

My favourite beer is a local brew, Propeller Pale Ale. I remember sharing a large bottle with a friend of mine, and we drank it as an accompaniment to some smoked mackerel. At that time, we had very little experience with beer - the extent of our experience at that time was comprised of cautious sipping of stuff like Fosters, Heineken, Labatt and Keith's - and had never tried any microbrewery products. Perhaps needless to say, we were bowled over by the taste. It was one of those great gastronomic revelations, where you realise, "This is how it should be!"

Since that time, I've found a few other favourites, but I always like to try something new. Recently, I tried Chimay Red Cap. Even after unsuccessful experiments with the Blue and some other highly-recommended strong Belgian beers, I decided to try the Red Cap, and I rather enjoyed it. It takes away some of the dark, spicy notes and alcohol of the Blue, while still being complex and flavourful.

Here are some old (and new) favourites of mine, which you may want to try if you get the chance: McEwans Scotch Ale, Liefmans Goudenband, Fuller's London Porter, Pilsner Urquell, Mort Subite Framboise, St. Ambroise Oatmeal Stout, Guinness Extra Stout, Granite Brewery Peculiar, Newcastle Brown Ale, Propeller Extra Special Bitter.

I'll concede that there are likely better examples for every style represented here, but I'd still recommend any of them.

One warning: never buy or drink Madison, if it is in fact still available. I don't think it's sold around here. It's a French beer laced with Grand Marnier, and it is absolutely disgusting. Imagine crappy beer, made sickly sweet with that dark Grand Marnier orange essence. I had trouble drinking one bottle. It's not even good as a novelty.

The only general, strong dislike I've found so far doesn't have much to do with ingredients or styles, but with presentation. I can't stand nitrogen widgets. They suck the flavour out of beer and give it a bizarre feel. Whenever I mistakenly buy a widget can, I like to open it and let it go flat before I take a drink. :grumble:

So, I'm spoken for. What say you? :)

[SDW2001]

My beer tastes are pretty tame. My favorite is Pennsylvania's own Yuengling Lager. http://www.yuengling.com/

I ocassionally enjoy something darker like a Sam Adams. Or, I go to the local Microbrewery "Iron Hill." I generally like a lager, not too dark. Ocassionally I'll get an Ale (they have their own names, of course). The mircobrew beer will fvck you up a little more quickly, but at $3.50-$4.00 a pint, it better.

It's a little tough on the wallet. 3 or 4 pints, share some nachos and wings with a friend...and your in for $35 a piece. But, that's off topic.

Favorite Overall: Yuengling Lager

Favorite Light: Amstel

Most fvcked up for the money: Natural Ice (plus, it seems to make chicks hook up w/each other. I don't know, it just does. I've accepted it on faith).

Most water like: Natural Light (also REALLY bad)

Favorite Medium/darker lager: Sam Adams

Others I like: Molson, Labatts

Worst: Too many to name.



For some fun, try chugging Guiness. :)

[ipodandimac]

last night i tried a white russian and thought it was pretty good. oh wait, i'm not 21. nevermind.

White Russian
1 1/2 oz Vodka
3/4 oz Kahlua
3/4 oz Light Cream or Milk

Directions/Comments: Mix the vodka and kahlua together then float the cream on top. Add ice if desired.

[Anders]

Favorite beer:

http://images.send.com/101937_big.jpg

From the bottle

[dmz]

Originally posted by Anders
Favorite beer:
....

From the bottle

You better keep that puppy in the freezer, Anders. I have fond memories of shots of cold stoli at a russian (hey! dinner takes four hours) resturant.

My choice:

IPA

Pyramid Brewery does one that's good, and Deschutes Brewery does a GREAT one, Red Hook has fallen from grace, BTW. Also, any good stout will do in a pinch.

[Mac The Fork]

Just taking a break from writing my killer app. Here's a bit of the code: :)

[self ask:@"God damn son of a bitch. What the hell?"];
[people stopPostingAboutVodka];
[Anders apologiesFrom:self];
I fondly remember the summer of 2003, once a week, I would bike home from work, stopping at the Liquor Store to pick up a nice big bottle of Propeller and drink it warm when I got home. :D

According to RateBeer, it's an English Pale Ale, so I guess I still haven't tried a real IPA. Keith's doesn't count.

[Gene Clean]

My favorite is "Birrë e Pejës", a Kosovar brand produced in the wonderful city of Peja, in Kosovo [unavailable in USA and most of European countries]. My next favorite would be Amstel, but the one found in The Netherlands, not the junk they export outside.

[midwinter]

I like Mackison's Triple Stout, which I cannot get in Utah, apparently. So I settle for a local micro-brew: Rooster's Chocolate Stout. (Rooster's is a local restaurant and brewery)

[talksense101]

Corona with lime... yummy!

[running with scissors]

i like good beers, what ever that means. my tastes wander all over the place depending on the time of the year, day of the week, hour of the day, or what mood i'm in and what color undies i'm wearing. however, here are some of the truths that have remained constant for me in regards to beer.

1) it's never too early to drink beer.

2) guinness is good year round, but better in the winter.

3) hoegaarden is good year round, but better in the summer.

4) light beers and other mass produced american beers for the most part suck ass, unless, it's a hot day and you're slowly rafting down a river with 5 or more of your buddies. then, and only then, are they acceptable to drink in mass quantities. hopefully getting you sick just to remind yourself how shitty they really are.

5) europeans make good beers, especially the brits, scots, irish, krauts, chechs, and the adorable waffle people.

6) although american, sierra nevada, and boulevard make really tasty pale ales.

7) remember, there's a good reason you drink mexican beers with lime.

[groverat]

If these guys (http://www.shiner.com/) make it, I drink it.

[running with scissors]

Originally posted by groverat
If these guys (http://www.shiner.com/) make it, I drink it.


i used dig on the shiner product until i started doing design work for them. as far as clients go, they were one of the biggest pains in the ass. didn't help that my boss didn't know how to manage the client. after round and round of concepts based on their ever changing in the wind creative direction, ultimately they would end up with some watered down (no pun intended) frankenstein monstrosity. kind of left a bad taste in my mouth. if someone passes me one, i'll gladly drink it, but i'll be damned if i support their sorry asses anymore with my dollars.

[Splinemodel]

Grove:
I had some shinerbock a few weeks ago. I was surprised. not that it was good, but in the way it tastes. It wasn't another pretentious microbrew that tries to be cool by mixing in all sorts of crap that doesn't belong in beer, or for that matter a pale-ale-ish beer, of which there seem to be so damn many these days. It was just a good, albeit heavy, honest beer.

With that said, my favorite beer is Jever. That's hard to find, so my fridge is usually stocked with Grolsh, Becks, and Budweiser (the American version). I also like a super-cold Moosehead, Fosters, or an Anheiser Select from time to time when it's really hot outside. I also must mention DeGroens, which is a mean Pilsner brewed in Baltimore, and in a fresh keg it's hard to beat this side of the Atlantic.

I hate sweet beers like Corona on the light side, and Newcastle on the dark side. Hate em. When I'm feeling Mexican I'd rather have a Dos Equis or even a Pacifico, and when British I'd rather have a Boddington's or a Carling.

Sorry Irishmen, but I find Guinness and Smithwicks to be a little too mild. They're not bad though.

Anyway, if you're in DC, I highly recommend regular trips to The Brickskeller (somewhere near Dupont Circle) if you're in the pub mood or Chevy Chase Liquors (5544 Conn. Ave) If you're in the mood for some Six Packs.

[SDW2001]

Originally posted by ShawnJ
Same here. :wow:

Yes, :err:

Most underrated beer in my opinion.

[k squared]

I'm a Rogue fan. Dead Guy Ale and Shakespeare Stout are two my favorites. When I'm on a budget, Bud's not that bad.

[groverat]

Originally posted by Splinemodel
It wasn't another pretentious microbrew that tries to be cool by mixing in all sorts of crap that doesn't belong in beer, or for that matter a pale-ale-ish beer, of which there seem to be so damn many these days. It was just a good, albeit heavy, honest beer.

That is exactly what I like about it.

I can drink like 90 of those tasteless light/fancy beers without even noticing. It takes some doing to get through 4 Shiners.

I'll buy Bass, too, occasionally. Usually it's just Shiner or Ziegenbock; those are the fridge mainstays.

[Amorya]

I like real ales. Which I drink depends on what's on (I only drink beer in the pub - don't get any in cans or bottles, that'd be sacrilege!) A favourite at the moment is Landlord (http://www.timothy-taylor.co.uk/), but it's rarely available round these parts. Hook Norton (http://www.hooknortonbrewery.co.uk/) is a (fairly) local brewery which do a nice pint -- Old Hooky can be found in most of the bars on campus.

BTW, to those of you complaining about paying $3.50 a pint... I pay on average £2.20 ($4.40). It's not too bad if you don't go out drinking too often. Three pints once or twice a week doesn't break the bank.

Amorya

[Splinemodel]

Originally posted by Amorya
BTW, to those of you complaining about paying $3.50 a pint...

It's only an annoyance when stella is $3.50 a pint. ;) On this side of the pond it's marketed as a top-shelf beer. Funny thing is that you're hard pressed to find a pint cheaper than $2.50, or more expensive than $3.50. Unless of course you're drinking dollar-drafts of Bud Ice.

Which reminds me, I did notice that Budweiser is the official beer of the FA. ;)

[Rhumgod]

Favorites? Oh there are SO many in the mass-produced arena:

Becks
Leinenkugels
Samuel Adams
Hacker Pschorr
St Pauli Girl

Of the local brews....
most all have fairly decent flavor, head, aftertaste and kick, but my favorite is Titletown Brewing Piper Down Scottish Ale (http://www.titletownbrewing.com/beer/).

My mouth is watering...and yes, on-tap in the pub is the only way to go!

[superkarate monkeydeathcar]

from november to the end of march is Linenkugel Big Butt season.
it's my favorite.

[Flounder]

Originally posted by talksense101
Corona with lime... yummy!

Ewwwwww! I've always thought Corona just tasted like skunky beer.
Add a lime and it tastes like skunky beer with lime!

But to each his own :smokey:

[tonton]

We don't get much microbrew here (only one source as far as I know), but we have a lot of choice of European beer and ale. I'd have to say my overall favorite is Boddington's.

I define my beer tastes more by what I hate rather than what I love.

To me, Heineken tastes like sewage. I really can't stand it.
So does San Miguel, and I don't like Tsingtao.
And I hate Budweiser, but fortunately there's not much of it here.

But I drink almost everything else.

I love ales and stout the most.

But I also love a nice Corona, especially with Mexican food.

And I like Carlsberg draught.

Usually when I'm at a bar I'll drink either Boddingtons or Guinness if it's available on draught, or Carlsberg if that's all they have. If there's no beer on tap other than San Mig or Tsingtao, I'll get a bottle of Corona or Sam Adams. Almost every place has Carlsberg, though. I'll occasionally have a Hoegaarden if it's available, as it goes down very smooth. I love buying these for the ladies because they come in a huge glass and it looks really cute (see picture). I also love Kilkenny and Tetley's.

http://homepage.mac.com/bentonton/bigbeer.jpg

Oh... and at trendy places in Hong Kong, a bottle goes for no less than $5, and I've paid as much as $8.50 for a pint.

At "budget" places, a non-happy hour pint costs $2.50 to $3.

At local Chinese bars and Karaoke, you can sometimes get half a dozen cans of San Miguel, Heineken, Carlsberg or Tsingtao for about $12, depending on what's being promoted.

And lots of people (not just girls) drink non-beer bottled cider-type, vodka-mix or cooler-type drinks here, like Black Diamond. My favorite of these type is "Strobe", which is like a vodka lemon soda with shitloads of added caffeine. Haven't had it for a couple years, though.

[Meeces]

Local beer, although it can be found in some other locations, it's made by lost coast, called Great White, yummy! lostcoast.com

[rob2786]

1)Becks gold
2)Paulaner (Hefeweizen)
3)Moosehead (too bad you cant get it in europe)

[MiMac]

Mmmm, beer... one of my favourite subjects :)

1: Guinness on draught.
2: Smithwicks Ale.
3: Macardles ale, Nice. (http://www.macardles.com/)
4: Heineken, nice and cold.
5: Porterhouse Plain (award winning microbrewery, excellent (http://www.porterhousebrewco.com/) beers!)
6: Tooheys New (great Aussie (http://www.lion-nathan.com.au/our+brands/beer/top+eight/tooheys+new.htm) beer)
7: Boags (excellent Aussie (http://www.boags.com.au) brand)
8: Speights Gold Medal Ale (New Zealands finest (http://www.speights.co.nz/beer_brands.cfm))
9: kronenbourg 1664 (nice French (http://www.k1664.co.uk/) lager)
10: Whatever's on SPECIAL :D

[DanMacMan]

All-time favorite is the great American Lager, Miller High Life. Cheap and satisfying.

[SpcMs]

http://www.duvel.be/upload/Images/pubduvel-web.jpg

I'm from Belgium, so i guess i can consider myself lucky.

[Mac The Fork]

Ahh, Duvel packs quite a punch. From the picture, you may rightly surmise that caution is required in pouring.

[running with scissors]

Originally posted by Mac The Fork
Ahh, Duvel packs quite a punch. From the picture, you may rightly surmise that caution is required in pouring.

if your referring to the foam, you want a good head on a beer. that's where a great deal of the flavor comes from.

try ordering a pils in germany. it will generally take them 5-10 minutes to pour one for you. they could pour down the side and get it to you in a jiffy like you're likely to get in an american bar, but what fun is that.

[tonton]

Originally posted by MiMac
4: Heineken, nice and cold.


Dude, Heineken is disgusting. Seriously.

[MiMac]

Originally posted by tonton
Dude, Heineken is disgusting. Seriously.

Not so... I used to think it a little on the 'sharp' side but after travelling quite a bit I came to the conclusion that it's a beer that has a consistant taste (depending on ABV) no matter where bought.

The Heineken that used to come out of Britain was a pretty poor imitation of the real thing and (thank God!) we don't get that anymore. 5% ABV imported from Holland is the stuff you should be tasting ;)

Anyhow, if you're ever in Dublin, take yourself along to the "Porterhouse" in Temple Bar... it has some seriously good brews... REAL beer :)

[MiMac]

Oh.. and don't pay too much attention to the order of my list, I will drink whichever, depending where I am and if there's a 'run' on a particular beer.

[Splinemodel]

Originally posted by tonton
Dude, Heineken is disgusting. Seriously.

It's about preference. Holland has a hard water table, so the beers from Holland tend to to have a certain "hardness" to them. Grolsch is a bit stronger than Heineken.

As I mentioned, I like them, but I think Guiness and Boddingtons are very mild. . . almost too mild to make me realize I'm drinking beer. Carlsberg is not a bad choice either, but again it's milder than Heineken or Grolsch. Carlsberg reminds me of Moosehead.

What appears to be the case is that you just don't like Pilsners. ;)

[tonton]

Originally posted by Splinemodel
What appears to be the case is that you just don't like Pilsners. ;)

I had some nice Pilsners when I visited Prague and I like Budejovicky Budvar. The Czechs invented pilsner. I just don't like Heineken. Maybe it's just the local brew. Like San Miguel. But Carlsberg brewed locally is fine, so I just don't know.

[Mac The Fork]

The reason I singled out Duvel is that it had by far the biggest head and most head retention of any beer I've tried. No matter how carefully or gingerly you pour it, the head is huge and tenacious.

[SpcMs]

Originally posted by Mac The Fork
The reason I singled out Duvel is that it had by far the biggest head and most head retention of any beer I've tried. No matter how carefully or gingerly you pour it, the head is huge and tenacious.

Funny story. My student organization had a Duvel-for-1€ night last year (quite a night it was), so they got plastic duvel glasses. My God, no matter how cautiously you poured it, you got nothing but head. Because things weren't moving fast enough, we soon figured out drinking from the bottles was the easiest way to go.

Other funny story. There's a standing bet in one of the bars here. You have to drink 8 Duvels ad fundum in under an hour. You pay 25€ for each attempt. The total amount you can win is over 1000€ by now, but even the biggest beer lovers are apparently not up to the task.

Btw, i don't think there is anything 'mild' about Guiness, but maybe that's just me :err:

[gar]

Originally posted by Splinemodel
What appears to be the case is that you just don't like Pilsners. ;)
well, i'm from holland and i don't like our own beer either, it gives me a headache.
i prefer "de Koninck" a belgium beer from antwerpen, because it lacks the ability to give me an instand headache.

also nice:
la chouffe
leffe blond
hoegaarden witbier

[Splinemodel]

Originally posted by SpcMs
Btw, i don't think there is anything 'mild' about Guiness, but maybe that's just me :err:

It's not very bitter, the alcohol content is low, and the texture isn't any thicker than a Pilsner Urquell, which incidentally I find to be a much sharper (i.e. less mild) beer than Guiness.

[MiMac]

Originally posted by Splinemodel
It's not very bitter, the alcohol content is low, and the texture isn't any thicker than a Pilsner Urquell, which incidentally I find to be a much sharper (i.e. less mild) beer than Guiness.

Guinness is an acquired taste which doesn't suit everyone and brewed in many different countries to slightly different recipes (to suit the 'locals').
The 'real' thing is roughly 5% ABV, moderately thick, creamy and slightly bitter. If you're ever over in Eire, try a pint and you'll certainly see a big difference :)

On that note, when I was in Australia a few years back they had Guinness on draught in most bars, but this was brewed to a different recipe. People demanded the "Irish recipe" and eventually it was introduced. Sales of the black stuff rocketed!

[gdconway]

Top 5, not in order:
Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout (lighter yet sronger than guiness)
Guiness
Grolsh Amber
Sam Adams
Juengling Black and Tan

For the record, Olympia tastes most like water.

Schlitz Ice is the worst beer ever made.

In a pinch, Rolling Rock isn't bad.

[McCrab]

Originally posted by tonton
Dude, Heineken is disgusting. Seriously.

The Heineken you get in Hong Kong is somewhat variable in quality, primarily due to oxidation. Try a freshly brewed draft Heineken - nectar of the God's!

[Happy Buddha]

I'm a home brewer and I really enjoy making a good honey wheat beer but I also make a few different lagers. On the rare occasion that I buy beer I usually buy Leinenkugel.

[Flounder]

Originally posted by Happy Buddha
I'm a home brewer and I really enjoy making a good honey wheat beer but I also make a few different lagers. On the rare occasion that I buy beer I usually buy Leinenkugel.

Ahhh, Leinenkugel, always a good value!

Ever had the Creamy Dark on draft? Scrumptious!

[fahlman]

Harry Baals Irish Stout from Mad Anthony Brewing Company (http://www.madbrew.com/) in my home town of Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Harry Baals was the Mayor of Fort Wayne. We have a street (http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?ed=Rhad8.p_0ToCtCM7gCma8nxKBzY-&csz=Fort+Wayne%2C+IN&country=us&new=1&name=&qty=) named after Mr. Baals.

[Carson O'Genic]

I like Pilsners. I've been drinking DAB for the last few weeks. Tastes good. Main problem with the many good beers that are imported from Europe is that they suck on this side of the pond. I've had Pilsner Urquell in teh Czech Republic and Germany and it is great. Here in the US it just doesn't have as much flavor and, I suspect, alcohol.

When I lived in NYC I had conections with the Turkish embassy and could get real Dutch Heineken (with pull tabs!) and the difference with the American stuff was evident as soon as you opened the can.

My favorite Local brewer is Gordon Bierch. Their Märzen and pilsner are very good, better than many imports but not as good as the real stuff back in the Fatherland.

TonTon- I had a Boddington's here in San Francisco and it was like water with foam. I had the real stuff in Bath England last year and loved it.

[Xool]

A few Thursdays ago, while out at our local hangout (Triple Rock (http://www.triplerock.com/) on Shattuck Ave. in Berkeley), Chris, our go-to guy, made us a custom mix: 1/2 stout and 1/2 double IPA. I'm not usually a stout fan, but this mix was great.

Then again, free beer always tastes better, right?

Usually Thursday night is "Monkey Night", as we drink the special Monkey Head Arboreal Ale, but this was a nice bonus.

If you're in the area on a Thursday, its highly likely I'll be down at The Rock. I highly recommend you dropping in.

[Splinemodel]

Originally posted by Carson O'Genic
I like Pilsners. I've been drinking DAB for the last few weeks. Tastes good. Main problem with the many good beers that are imported from Europe is that they suck on this side of the pond.

Very true. If you're ever in the Baltimore area, stop at the Baltimore Brewing Company, which, I'm pretty sure, makes DeGroens. If you're lucky, you can also find it in bottles in stores in the area. (DC, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvannia, New Jersey.)

[Mac The Fork]

I just happened to look up DeGroen's. Apparently Baltimore Brewing Company closed last month, but there's still a brewpub called DeGroen's.

From a random site I found (http://www.pubcrawler.com/Template/dsp_report_review.cfm/flat/id=54473):Closed Feb. 25, 2005. Brewer's owner has just signed a contract for the beers to be produced for bottles and draft at Fordham Brewing's Dover, Del. brewery; expects to resume suppluing the area by the end of March or beginning of April 2005.

[Splinemodel]

If this means that fordham bought baltimore brewing company, then I suppose that's good news. If the new owner should choose to sell DeGroens to a larger market, I would be very happy. All of the DeGroens beers are good, and have the advantage of not spending a lot of time in shipment, in customs, or part of any importing process that seems to have a bad effect on beer.

[Carson O'Genic]

Originally posted by Splinemodel
[B... or part of any importing process that seems to have a bad effect on beer. [/B]

These thing may take their toll, but I beleive that the the beer shipped from Europe is usually not the same stuff sold in the local market. The Heinekin I tasted in New York had more alcohol-I'm sure.

We need a Beer-insider who works in a European brewery to spill teh bean here. Come on, 6-degrees of seperation + the web, there has to be someone in the know out there.

[staphbaby]

Originally posted by MiMac
Mmmm, beer... one of my favourite subjects :)

6: Tooheys New (great Aussie (http://www.lion-nathan.com.au/our+brands/beer/top+eight/tooheys+new.htm) beer)
7: Boags (excellent Aussie (http://www.boags.com.au) brand)


How the hell does someone put a fine beer like Boags next to utter dregs like Toohey's New? It's revolting! It comes in cans with extra-big drinking holes so you can slam it down fast! Blergh!

As for my favourites, I'm fairly low class, so I occasionally imbibe a VB (http://www.fosters.com.au/beer/about/brands/beer/vic_bitter.asp) (a fairly strong-tasting bitter from Melbourne) or two, horrifying my poncy law-school friends. I'm also fond of:

• Cascade Premium Light (for summer, when I'd prefer not to become an alcoholic. It's perhaps a little on the sweet side, but it's the best of a bad bunch);
• Cooper's (http://www.coopers.com.au/default2.asp) Sparkling Ale (a fairly traditionally brewed top-fermented ale);
• James Squire's Amber Ale (http://www.maltshovel.com.au/frames.asp?page=brews.asp) is remarkably good, if a bit pricy. Their India Pale Ale and Porter are excellent as well;
• Newcastle Brown;
• Kilkenny;
• any strong traditionally brewed darker ale.

[MiMac]

Originally posted by staphbaby
How the hell does someone put a fine beer like Boags next to utter dregs like Toohey's New? It's revolting! It comes in cans with extra-big drinking holes so you can slam it down fast! Blergh!

As for my favourites, I'm fairly low class, so I occasionally imbibe a VB (http://www.fosters.com.au/beer/about/brands/beer/vic_bitter.asp) (a fairly strong-tasting bitter from Melbourne).

As someone stated earlier, it's all down to individual taste, and I realise that 'New' is not a premium beer but hell... it's great for bingeing!
As for VB... :cough:piss:cough: ...that stuff will kill ya! :p

[Splinemodel]

I remember drinking "slabs" of VB when I was an exchange student in Melbourne, age 16. ;)

[staphbaby]

Originally posted by MiMac
As someone stated earlier, it's all down to individual taste, and I realise that 'New' is not a premium beer but hell... it's great for bingeing!
As for VB... :cough:piss:cough: ...that stuff will kill ya! :p

Actually, I was just a little shocked by the juxtaposition. As you can see by my VB-drinking habits, I'm not really much of a beer snob.

[NJ Tom]

http://www.soon.ch/cervesaencatala/oldnick.jpeg

[NJ Tom]

http://www.ramsteinbeer.com/images/labelblondes.jpg

[Eric_Z]

Favourite beers: Stout and ale.

Best brand is a bit tougher, but I'll give one of the lesser known Swedish brands a shout out.

Nils Oscar (http://www.nilsoscar.se/), only in swedish though (sorry).

[gar]

Originally posted by Carson O'Genic
I've been drinking DAB for the last few weeks. Tastes good.
DAB is good, it doesn't crash into my head like most dutch pilsners do.

[MiMac]

Originally posted by staphbaby
Actually, I was just a little shocked by the juxtaposition. As you can see by my VB-drinking habits, I'm not really much of a beer snob.

Granted, neither am I, although if you drink enough of a particular brand you can acquire a taste for it (drink enough='getting bladdered').

I must agree that Boags is far superior to 'New' though it comes down to what's available where you are.

[anfields_finest]

Theakston's, Newcastle Brown Ale, Black Sheep Ale.

:D

[burningwheel]

the best (http://www.merchantduvin.com/pages/5_breweries/samsmith_nut_brown_ale.html)

also awesome but only if it's the version you get in england, but the us version is pretty decent, many years ago in chicago, we found a place that imported the uk version (http://www.newcastlebrown.com/)

[running with scissors]

http://www.spddallas.com/hofbrauswarzeweisse.jpg


hofbrau Munchen

my dad turned me on to this tasty little bavarian gem from his time living in germany. if you're ever in munich for octoberfest, their tent is considered one of the best. or just drop by their bier-garden and knock down a few with the locals.

[Playmaker]

Originally posted by SDW2001
I ocassionally enjoy something darker like a Sam Adams. Or, I go to the local Microbrewery "Iron Hill." I generally like a lager, not too dark. Ocassionally I'll get an Ale (they have their own names, of course). The mircobrew beer will fvck you up a little more quickly, but at $3.50-$4.00 a pint, it better.

It's a little tough on the wallet. 3 or 4 pints, share some nachos and wings with a friend...and your in for $35 a piece. But, that's off topic.

Favorite Overall: Yuengling Lager

Favorite Light: Amstel

Most fvcked up for the money: Natural Ice (plus, it seems to make chicks hook up w/each other. I don't know, it just does. I've accepted it on faith).

Most water like: Natural Light (also REALLY bad)

Favorite Medium/darker lager: Sam Adams

Others I like: Molson, Labatts

Worst: Too many to name.



For some fun, try chugging Guiness. :)

I noticed that we have a lot of the same tastes in Beers so I just wanted to add my 2 cents to some differences.

Favorites: Amstel Light, Corona, Heiniken, Abita Amber, Abita Purple Haze (this is a damn good beer that I always forget about), & the occasional Sam Adams

Favorite Budget Beers: Miller Light, Coors Light, & Budweiser

Worst Piss ever made: Natural Light & Woodchuck (both for very different reasons)

Beer Anicdote: Last weekend my wife and I stayed with a friend in St. Louis who happens to be a marketing exec. for Anhauser Bush. We were up late on sunday night and were discussing different types of beer. At this point I noticed that my friend was drinking out of a glass which has always seemed like a preference issue to me. When I asked him about it he went on this huge speal about how Anhauser Bush brews their beers fresh and so much of that gets lost on people like me who drink it out of the bottle. He went on to give thin entire experiment to everyone there where he took out several glasses and instructed us on how to pour it, the different smells when done improperly, and the different tastes when drinking out of a glass as opposed to a bottle. It was very insightful and equally unexpected.

[Playmaker]

Originally posted by Playmaker
I noticed that we have a lot of the same tastes in Beers so I just wanted to add my 2 cents to some differences.

Favorites: Amstel Light, Corona, Heiniken, Abita Amber, Abita Purple Haze (this is a damn good beer that I always forget about), & the occasional Sam Adams

Favorite Budget Beers: Miller Light, Coors Light, & Budweiser

Worst Piss ever made: Natural Light & Woodchuck (both for very different reasons)

Beer Anicdote: Last weekend my wife and I stayed with a friend in St. Louis who happens to be a marketing exec. for Anhauser Bush. We were up late on sunday night and were discussing different types of beer. At this point I noticed that my friend was drinking out of a glass which has always seemed like a preference issue to me. When I asked him about it he went on this huge speal about how Anhauser Bush brews their beers fresh and so much of that gets lost on people like me who drink it out of the bottle. He went on to give thin entire experiment to everyone there where he took out several glasses and instructed us on how to pour it, the different smells when done improperly, and the different tastes when drinking out of a glass as opposed to a bottle. It was very insightful and equally unexpected.

P.S. I hate most Micro Brewerys & my spelling sucks Anhauser :lol:

[His Dudeness]

Originally posted by Mac The Fork
There was a thread on this a few years back, but tastes, products and forum members have of course changed since then. What's your favourite beer? What styles do you enjoy? What have you tried recently? Do you have recommendations or warnings?

My favourite beer is a local brew, Propeller Pale Ale. I remember sharing a large bottle with a friend of mine, and we drank it as an accompaniment to some smoked mackerel. At that time, we had very little experience with beer - the extent of our experience at that time was comprised of cautious sipping of stuff like Fosters, Heineken, Labatt and Keith's - and had never tried any microbrewery products. Perhaps needless to say, we were bowled over by the taste. It was one of those great gastronomic revelations, where you realise, "This is how it should be!"

Since that time, I've found a few other favourites, but I always like to try something new. Recently, I tried Chimay Red Cap. Even after unsuccessful experiments with the Blue and some other highly-recommended strong Belgian beers, I decided to try the Red Cap, and I rather enjoyed it. It takes away some of the dark, spicy notes and alcohol of the Blue, while still being complex and flavourful.

Here are some old (and new) favourites of mine, which you may want to try if you get the chance: McEwans Scotch Ale, Liefmans Goudenband, Fuller's London Porter, Pilsner Urquell, Mort Subite Framboise, St. Ambroise Oatmeal Stout, Guinness Extra Stout, Granite Brewery Peculiar, Newcastle Brown Ale, Propeller Extra Special Bitter.

I'll concede that there are likely better examples for every style represented here, but I'd still recommend any of them.

One warning: never buy or drink Madison, if it is in fact still available. I don't think it's sold around here. It's a French beer laced with Grand Marnier, and it is absolutely disgusting. Imagine crappy beer, made sickly sweet with that dark Grand Marnier orange essence. I had trouble drinking one bottle. It's not even good as a novelty.

The only general, strong dislike I've found so far doesn't have much to do with ingredients or styles, but with presentation. I can't stand nitrogen widgets. They suck the flavour out of beer and give it a bizarre feel. Whenever I mistakenly buy a widget can, I like to open it and let it go flat before I take a drink. :grumble:

So, I'm spoken for. What say you? :)

McEwan's Scotch Ale is the BEST beer I've ever had in all the countries I've been to. Simply Nectar Of The Gods.

[burningwheel]

Originally posted by His Dudeness
McEwan's Scotch Ale is the BEST beer I've ever had in all the countries I've been to. Simply Nectar Of The Gods.
no way! that beer is so harsh! :\

[dobby]

My preferred beer is free.

If you drink non alcoholic beer then drink water you nonce!

Fosters is the Microsoft of the beer world.

If you want games then try skulling a stiefel of hefe weizen or yard of elephant beer.

Dobby.

[Mac The Fork]

Non-alcoholic beer is revolting, unless you like your beverages sour and tasting of corn syrup. A good carbonated mineral water has more kick.

And McEwans? Harsh? Goodness. Harsh like your grandmother's delicious fresh-baked fudge brownies on a cold winter's night aboard the barges of the Saint Marie. Well, maybe it's the alcohol.