Beer/Ale/Lager Appreciation Thread

[Midi]

I'll have a look around' date=' thanks![/quote'] No problem There are three variations for as far as I know: Donker (=dark), Blond (Blonde) and Tripel (=Triple (or something like that)). I can't comment on the other two yet

[Midi]

For all those who like a good Belgian beer, I put together a little list: - Adriaen Brouwer - Ename Tripel - Gentse Strop - Gulden Draak - La Chouffe - Lam Gods - Omer - Orval - Westmalle Dubbel - Westmalle Tripel

[FatherAlabaster]

Nice, I like all of those that I've had. I'll make sure to keep an eye out for the other ones. Right now it's a Founder's All Day IPA, another hoppy but clean and low-alcohol beer. There are a couple other new brands at the grocery that I'm hoping to try soon.

[BlutAusNerd]

I may or may not have indulged in a few high point beers before coming home tonight. I guess that it's a bit of a temptation working so close to the Uinta Brewery...

[BlutAusNerd]

Had this one last night, kind of underwhelming for Lagunitas' entry into the black IPA style, but still pretty good.

[FatherAlabaster]

They're a solid brewery. I'm having their regular IPA right now. With very few exceptions, black IPAs taste like weak, hoppy porters to me, and to be honest I'm not as much a fan of dark beers in general. I like them on occasion.

[BlutAusNerd]

They're a solid brewery. I'm having their regular IPA right now. With very few exceptions' date=' black IPAs taste like weak, hoppy porters to me, and to be honest I'm not as much a fan of dark beers in general. I like them on occasion.[/quote'] That was sort of the problem with this one, the best ones combine the bold elements of both. Stone's Sublimely Self Righteous is a good example.

[FatherAlabaster]

If you ever get any Maine Beer stuff out that way, try it. Their black IPA is one of those few exceptions I mentioned. I think it's called "Weez". The Stone one, I think I recall enjoying as well. I should start doing tasting notes. Nothing obscures your memory of the last beer you enjoyed like the next five beers after that...

[BlutAusNerd]

If you ever get any Maine Beer stuff out that way' date=' try it. Their black IPA is one of those few exceptions I mentioned. I think it's called "Weez". The Stone one, I think I recall enjoying as well. I should start doing tasting notes. Nothing obscures your memory of the last beer you enjoyed like the next five beers after that...[/quote'] Yeah, I try not to check out more than a couple of new beers in one sitting, as after a couple, the effects of the first two set in and you don't remember as well.

[BlutAusNerd]

Not bad so far, but pretty underwhelming for Stone. I was hoping for something more substantial, the flavor is good, but it needs some bite.[ATTACH]1537[/ATTACH]

[deathstorm]

What whould be good beer

[Midi]

Not bad so far' date=' but pretty underwhelming for Stone. I was hoping for something more substantial, the flavor is good, but it needs some bite.[ATTACH']1537[/ATTACH]

An Oktoberfest glass and beer with a German name? Please tell me you didn't also bought the anual Oktoberfest Lederhose...

[FatherAlabaster]

It's a Kolsch. They aren't really supposed to be substantial or have much of a bite. And that's a weird Kolsch, with the dark rye. I guess they're trying to branch out... I love rye in a beer, so I'd try it, but it doesn't seem like it would really be my thing either.

[deathstorm]

I actully tried. Bud lite lime margarita

[FatherAlabaster]

I actully tried. Bud lite lime margarita

Big mistake.

[deathstorm]

Big mistake.

Drink it once. Never drink it again

[BlutAusNerd]

An Oktoberfest glass and beer with a German name? Please tell me you didn't also bought the anual Oktoberfest Lederhose...

The Snowbird Ski Resort hosts an annual Oktoberfest, which is only about 15-20 miles from my house. Being a ski resort, it's a few thousand feet higher in elevation and stunningly beautiful, and I like to buy a liter mug every year that I go. It's a good time, and the mugs are great for 22 oz. beers, giving plenty of space for the head to breathe with a single pour. As far as the style goes, Kölsch isn't among my favorites, and this one was better than usual, but I felt like the dark rye color and flavor should have been better represented. The bottle claimed that they wanted to make a full flavored, yet still sessionable beer, and to an extent I suppose that they succeeded, but I could not imagine sessioning with a beer that was decent at best.

[FatherAlabaster]

Highlights tonight were Almanac's "Golden Gate" Gose and Victory's "Wild Devil" wild IPA. If you're a fan of gose, this has a very slight and unexpected floral note that dissipates quickly, and it's a little more full and effervescent than its traditional German counterparts, but it's got everything you'd want from a gose, clean (ish) and refreshing. The wild ale gets points because it's got a very nice funkiness, slightly sour - very much a wild ale and not just a yeasted-up version of their flagship Hop Devil. Also got to try a sip of a Founder's imperial stout that's been cellared since 2011, what a great beer.

[deathstorm]

What whould be a good beer

[FatherAlabaster]

What whould be a good beer

Same thing I'd say in any other recommendations thread, have a look through and see what appeals to you. With the caveat that you have to go out and buy it to see what it's like. A lot of the best beers are acquired tastes.

[deathstorm]

True alabaster

[RelentlessOblivion]

Similar to Deathstorm's question can you yanks recommend some decent American beers? I have a theory they will be easier to encounter then the Belgian beers I've been looking for with no success

[FatherAlabaster]

Oh dammit, fine. A quintessential American beer is Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, which to my knowledge is the standard by which American pale ales are judged. Many of Sierra Nevada's other beers are really good, particularly seasonals like Ruthless Rye, Flipside Red IPA, and their rare Estate Harvest ale. Other good west coast breweries include Stone (IPAs galore), Green Flash (great hop flavors), Anchor, (classic steam beer), Lagunitas... many others I can't call to mind at the moment. From the northern Midwest, Bell's and Founder's are great breweries and nearly everything they make is excellent. Founder's All Day IPA and Bell's Amber ale are very easy to drink. Of the east coast breweries, I like Brooklyn (pilsner and East India Pale Ale especially), Maine Beer (everything), White Birch (more awesome hops), Singlecut (new and promising), Sixpoint (Righteous Rye, Resin, Bengali Tiger), Evil Twin (do your research), Flying Dog (hit and miss), The Alchemist (you will not find their Heady Topper anywhere), and I could probably think of some more if I wasn't about to go to sleep.

[BlutAusNerd]

Similar to Deathstorm's question can you yanks recommend some decent American beers? I have a theory they will be easier to encounter then the Belgian beers I've been looking for with no success

My favorite US brewers are Deschutes, Stone, Uinta, Great Divide, Boulevard, Firestone Walker, Ommegang, North Coast, and Ballast Point, I would suggest most beers from them.

[MacabreEternal]

I am enjoying a nice Guinness as I type this evening. The local supermarket had some West Indies Guinness and Dublin Gate Guinness on offer last week - the West Indies one was really tasty - I can still remember the taste a week on. The Dublin Gate one was not so memorable though.