Another beer thread

[Fishes in trees]

Early last spring, there was a thread about the different beers that guys across the country liked. That reminded me that I was in a rut and motivated me to try different kinds of beer. I decided to focus on imports and regional/nationally distributed craft/microbrews. With the 1st day off work beer outdoor beer drinking season being basically over, it is time to share results with my extended group of pals.

I had a fairly consistent test procedure, i.e. I would buy beer on Monday or Tuesday going to work and ice them down (Coleman Extreme cooler) , and on Wednesday afternoon, post lawn mowing (sometimes during lawn mowing) I would begin the taste testing procedures. The beers were iced down and as cold as they could be (10 - 36 hours in the cooler, ice renewed as necessary) There was a gimbaled beer holder on the riding mower to guard against any unnecessary spillage. There were enough bottled waters in the cooler as well, in case palate cleansing was required. Basically pristine test conditions.

What follows are some anecdotal comments/results from the past season.

Pilsner Urquell - an import from Czechslovakia - This beer is outstanding. The hotter it is the better it tastes. It is crisp, sharp tasting and there isn't any rank aftertaste. Wal-Mart is starting to carry this beer. Be careful - it is easy to get blotto on this beer.

Boulevard Pilsner - Boulevard Brewery - KCMO This could be the ultimate yard beer.

This is also the official beer of the USS Missouri - the Navy's newest attack submarine. Makes me

proud every time I swill one. Some of these will always be in the fridge.

Boulevard Single Wide IPA - Boulevard Brewery - KCMO There are lots of India Pale

Ales out there - I tried many and this is in the top two or three.

Bridgeport IPA - Portland Ore - I think this was the best IPA I tried this year. Be

careful - several Bridgeport IPS's will get you blotto.

Shiner 101 - This is a Czech style pilsner beer out of Texas. It's made according to the

original German beer purity laws, i.e. that beer can have water, yeast, barley, hops

and that's it. Anything else and it's not beer.

Supper Club - Capitol Brewers - Wisconsin This is another great yard beer. According

to their label "It's not bad"

Bob's 47 - Boulevard Brewers - KCMO I tried a number of "Octorborfest"" beers that hit the market

starting probably in August, this past summer. Bob's 47 was the best Octorborfest beer that I tried.

Spaten beersi - imported from Munich was a close second.

Anglers Ale - Arcadia Ales - Battle Creek, Mich. This is a very good blonde ale. Took some getting used

to. The third one tasted better than the 1st or second and I bought another 12 pack.

Skyscraper Premium Pilsner - Tin Mill Brewing - Herman, MO I took a six pack fishing in September.

Drank 3 - gave away 3 - very positive reviews - from relative strangers - I'm pretty certain I'll buy

some more and they have some other styles of beer I'm going to try.

I don't know why I can't find Lowenbrau anymore. A couple of years ago, it was readily available. but

this year (April) I got a six-pack at Stockton (obviously left over from last year) and I haven't seen

it in any liquor store since.

For price reasons, for an Irish Music Solstice party, at my house, I got a case of Drop Kick Ale and case

of Irish Creme Ale from the Weston Brewing Co. in Weston, MO. None of the 20 or so guests

complained about the beer.

For the season, there were several beers , of marginal quality, that I'm not bothering to mention now.

There was one IPA - Goose Island IPA out of Chicago that I thought was rank - undrinkable after the second sip. There was a bud, my pal Cotton, who drank the rest of them and liked them. So what do

I know?

Thanks for taking the time to read this rant, and if you would, share some of your favorite beers.

I think lots of enquiring minds would like to know.

[VolFan]

I'm having a Jolly Scot Scottish Style Ale from Appalachian Brewing Company right now. Great fall beer.

And remember- Beer is proof that God loves us.

[BASSclary]

Im interested in the new beer show "BrewMasters" that will start on discovery channel the 21st I believe?

[fourbizz]

Havent tried a whole lot of new stuff. But Ive been drinking:

Rogue Dead Guy.  my current favorite. Kinda pricey. 4.99 for a 24oz bottle or 9.99 for a six of 12's. At 10%, one 24 puts me in my happy place ;D

Full Sail Amber. just plain good.

Alaskan IPA. not much of an IPA guy, but a six of these managed to unexpectedly disappear one night.

I recomend drinking all of them cool, but not ice cold. Specially the Rogue, its a little sharp and gnarly when its icy but when the temperature is just right, it is a thing of beauty.

[SDoolittle]

Im interested in the new beer show "BrewMasters" that will start on discovery channel the 21st I believe?

Just six more years and you'll know what they're talking about!  ;D

By the way, I like Budweiser.

[I.rar]

....i need to try different beers.  ;D

i have sam adams octoberfest and blue moon in the fridge. i usually drink heineken.

i have tried and liked sweetwater 420 at a mellow mushroom (an amazing pizza place). i havnt seen it anywhere else though.

[Root beer]

The Wailua beer by Kona is good beer!! It's different, but is a good beer.

The fall brew Blue Moon Pumpkin Ale is actually better than it sounds...

There a local brewery not far from here called Depot Street Brewery. I'll have give their beers a shot one day soon and report back. Mellow Mushroom has them on tap. I'll be going there soon!

[OHIO]

I prefer Coors.

The only import I've had is Molson Canadian and I was pretty impressed.

[Tin]

Purple Haze = Raspberry Wheat

Kastel Cherry = A Belgian with cherry juice and cherry bits 15 a 4 pack but 9% alcohol.

Shipyard Pumpkin

Dogfish 90 Punk and Aprihop = both dark and bitter yet fruity

Hoegaarden and Magic Hat Circus Boy are my top two along with Wild Blue

Bizz...every try Arrogant Bast --- or Ruination?

[Tin]

I don't know why I can't find Lowenbrau anymore. A couple of years ago, it was readily available. but

I manage a store on the side and yes there are huge problems getting Lowenbrau, Stella, St. Pauli and a few others. Companies like Anheuser Busch and others are buying up these companies in Europe and then limiting what they send into the country. We have not got Lowenbrau in months, are lucky to get 3 cases of St. Pauli a week, and have been living off the 100 cases of Stella we got in August.

This is what the distributor has told me, don't know if there is any truth to it.  :

[OHIO]

I don't know why I can't find Lowenbrau anymore. A couple of years ago, it was readily available. but

I manage a store on the side and yes there are huge problems getting Lowenbrau, Stella, St. Pauli and a few others. Companies like Anheuser Busch and others are buying up these companies in Europe and then limiting what they send into the country. We have not got Lowenbrau in months, are lucky to get 3 cases of St. Pauli a week, and have been living off the 100 cases of Stella we got in August.

This is what the distributor has told me, don't know if there is any truth to it. :

How do you like the Stella?

It's everywhere where I live, but I can't see myself spending that much on beer...

[Tin]

Never tried it, I really can't have more than a few sips of beer.

We sell it $11.99 a 12 pack so it is not much more than a 12 of Bud or Coors. Got to love bulk deals, lol.

[OHIO]

I have only seen it in 6 packs and single bottles, never a 12 pack. It's around 10 bucks for a sixer.

[Tin]

d**n...$7.99 here

[choupique]

Abita Amber, Purple Haze, Red Ale, and Strawberry Harvest Lager are some of my favorites along with several other craft beers.

[NateFollmer]

Sam Adams Winter

Guinness Draught

I like anything dark. The darker, the better!

[soccplayer07]

I've been on a Star Hill kick lately. If you haven't tried one give them a shot. Really solid! Others I enjoy include Sam Adams and Sierra Nevada.

[fishfordollars]

Other than a glass of wine every year during the holidays, have not touched a drop of alcohol in 35 years. Nothing against it and if i was ever in the right place at the right time would not hesitate to down a shot of Crown or Jack. Just no desire to.

[Jigfishn10]

This time of year, I like a black & tan: Guinness Draught over Bass Pale Ale. 

[Uncle Leo]

Heaven in a Bottle

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/215/2512

[bwell]

....i need to try different beers. ;D

i have sam adams octoberfest and blue moon in the fridge. i usually drink heineken.

i have tried and liked sweetwater 420 at a mellow mushroom (an amazing pizza place). i havnt seen it anywhere else though.

Sam Adams Octoberfest is great stuff, but I have found Becks Octoberfest to taste a little better...  If you havent tried it yet give it a shot.

Bud Light

any mexican beer

Bush/Bush Light

Anything from Two Brother Brewing

Fat Tire

Plenty more but I am having a brain fat...

[Grey Wolf]

Im interested in the new beer show "BrewMasters" that will start on discovery channel the 21st I believe?

You're too young for this discussion.

[Fishing Rhino]

Beer, booze, guns, rods, reels, cars, trucks, lures, etc. 

Seems there are endless discussions about which is best, or worst.  I've seen every brand of pickup truck called the best by some and the worst by others. Same with everything else on the list.

The beauty is that among these, there is something to please everyone, just not the same thing.

One man's trash is another man's treasure, and all that sort of rot.    ;) ;D

[bwell]

....i need to try different beers. ;D

i have sam adams octoberfest and blue moon in the fridge. i usually drink heineken.

i have tried and liked sweetwater 420 at a mellow mushroom (an amazing pizza place). i havnt seen it anywhere else though.

Sam Adams Octoberfest is great stuff, but I have found Becks Octoberfest to taste a little better...  If you havent tried it yet give it a shot.

Bud Light

any mexican beer

Bush/Bush Light

Anything from Two Brother Brewing

Fat Tire

Magic Hat #9

Plenty more but I am having a brain fat...

[Uncle Leo]

....i need to try different beers. ;D

i have sam adams octoberfest and blue moon in the fridge. i usually drink heineken.

i have tried and liked sweetwater 420 at a mellow mushroom (an amazing pizza place). i havnt seen it anywhere else though.

Sam Adams Octoberfest is great stuff, but I have found Becks Octoberfest to taste a little better... If you havent tried it yet give it a shot.

Bud Light

any mexican beer

Bush/Bush Light

Anything from Two Brother Brewing

Fat Tire

Magic Hat #9

Plenty more but I am having a brain fat...

I have been very impressed with their offerings. Costco have a sampler 12 pack that I tried. I agree.