Re: Let's talk good beer
 

[quote=MTK;1143553]Guinness is the gateway to craft beers. I know it's how I got started. Still an old reliable to this day. Good session beer with the low abv too.[/quote]

[url=http://sonomasun.com/2013/02/15/surviving-the-guinness-diet/]Surviving the Guinness Diet | Sonoma Sun | Sonoma, CA[/url]

:D

Re: Let's talk good beer
 

[url]https://www.yahoo.com/news/budweiser-rebrands-itself-as-america-for-the-summer-151207717.html[/url]

Man, they should have gone with Murica!

Re: Let's talk good beer
 

Are they gonna' make America great again?

Re: Let's talk good beer
 

[quote=TheMalcolmConnection;1143652]Totally agree. I've just recently discovered Beer Advocate over the past few years and some of their ratings I just flat-out disagree with. People were hating on Voodoo Donut offerings, but I find those to be some of the most unique beers I've ever tried. Would I drink a bunch of them? Hell no, but part of drinking beer (sometimes ;)) is enjoying the experience.

Anyways, can you guys get Blue Mountain Barrel House in your area? It's about an hour northeast from here and they have a GREAT beer in Hopwork Orange. Sometimes you'll have an orange beer taste like "citrus", but you could give a blind taste test of this and people would instantly say "orange", not lime, not lemon. Really nice warm weather beer.

And while we're on the subject:
[url=http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/16352/121408/]A Hopwork Orange | Blue Mountain Brewery | BeerAdvocate[/url][/quote]
Yeah, I love Hopwork Orange. Great summer drinker. Last time I had this was my daughter's birthday party last August. Time to stock up again.

And the whole Budweiser thing is funny. They are laying their claim for sure. I have a few buddies I play softball with that drink just about nothing but 'Murrica, so I'll have to ask them about it.

Re: Let's talk good beer
 

One thing I've learned recently is while they've done some awful takeovers, their recent purchase of Devil's Backbone has been nothing more than, "Can't beat 'em, join 'em." I've said in this thread a thousand times how awesome they are. I'm obviously biased since they're from Lexington, but we know a few of the brewers and AB was like, "So what do you need?" Brewer Friend: "Ummm, the world's...most...rare hops? I know it's expensive, but I can make..." AB:"How many pounds do you need?" Brewer Friend: "400". AB: "It'll be there tomorrow."

Obviously things can change and everyone is worried they'll become another Goose Island, but overall everyone we've talked to has said nothing but positive things about the people they're dealing with. That being said, it's going to be so weird to go into Devil's Backbone and see Budweiser on tap.

Re: Let's talk good beer
 

[quote=BDBohnzie;1143644]I love a good Guinness...some of these stouts and porters craft breweries are putting out are neither sometimes...still good, but not what they are labeled to be...

Yeah, there is a different between ultra hoppy balanced and ultra hoppy INYOURFACETOBEBITTER!!! Some folks take the real bitter stuff and drink it and like it because BA has it rated as a 98 so it must be good. The beers I got into that really showed me that you don't have to be in your face bitter but can be super hoppy is Laguintas. They figured out how to hop the hell out of a beer but not taste like it.

[B]But in all honestly, I think sheeple tend to go with the popular notion of a beer instead of really trying and determining whether they like it or not. Between BeerAdvocate and Untappd, you'll see a trend among the top beers, that their ratings don't fluctuate too much.[/B] Whereas lesser known beers will have a lot of leeway in ratings. Don't hate on a sub 85 beer just because a bunch of hipsters on BA didn't care for it because it wasn't "hoppy" enough.

It's funny you said "Taste this! DELICIOUS." because the small group of guys i drink with...that's what we do. We don't try to sell anyone on ABVs or hoppiness or whatever. We say, you have to drink this because it's good. And then we talk about it from there. And if we're trying something new, we'll compare notes. It helps that our palates are similar, and we'll disagree from time to time. But that whole selling it based on gimmick words bites.[/quote]

I agree with much of what you said. Ive really started drinking craft beer and following closely the last 2 years and just now have a strong idea of what i like and look for in any style of beer.

I bolded the sheeple part bc when it comes to imperial stouts, I am a sheeple. I just dont have palate or experience to really judge an imperial stout. for goose island bourbon county stout, I really didnt like it but i still gave it a 4.75/5 on untappd bc it is a 100 rated beer. What I did like about Bourbon County was how smooth it was. for KBS i also rated it higher bc i was sheeple. I liked it, found it complex and the taste profile evolved 2-3 times from one sip. I go sheeple on highly rated imperial stouts bc I am in no position to rate them yet but untappd has a rating bar and thats what you do.

Im starting to better understand imperial stouts bc ive started to drink enough of them to compare and see what i like and dont likie. I like coffee, chocolate nib and a spice or some heat from cayenne peppers or something.

I love praire BOMB. I also loved the Dc brau/cigar city collab of "the wise and lovely". i did not like the barrel aged BOMB, reminded me a lot of bourbon county stout.

I think sours are the next unchartered beer territory for me. i dont know what a good sour or bad sour tastes like and will probably go sheeple for a while until i trust my own judgment. but that takes time and experience trying various offerings so that I can compare and then judge.
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Beer Camp variety 12 pack is soooo effing good. highly recommend.

Re: Let's talk good beer
 

[IMG]http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160511/5c78941037f323dcb157fca1f9bcc14a.jpg[/IMG]

Re: Let's talk good beer
 

[quote=punch it in;1143674][IMG]http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160511/5c78941037f323dcb157fca1f9bcc14a.jpg[/IMG][/quote]

I hope you have had it before because if you go into it with the mindset of an ipa you will be disappointed. Its a good beer but not really an ipa.

Re: Let's talk good beer
 

[QUOTE=RedskinMike;1143694]I hope you have had it before because if you go into it with the mindset of an ipa you will be disappointed. Its a good beer but not really an ipa.[/QUOTE]



I was tipped off. Only got one and four of us split it to try. Dont think i could drink even one by myself. Lol. Interesting though.

Re: Let's talk good beer
 

[quote=TheMalcolmConnection;1143665]One thing I've learned recently is while they've done some awful takeovers, their recent purchase of Devil's Backbone has been nothing more than, "Can't beat 'em, join 'em." I've said in this thread a thousand times how awesome they are. I'm obviously biased since they're from Lexington, but we know a few of the brewers and AB was like, "So what do you need?" Brewer Friend: "Ummm, the world's...most...rare hops? I know it's expensive, but I can make..." AB:"How many pounds do you need?" Brewer Friend: "400". AB: "It'll be there tomorrow."

Obviously things can change and everyone is worried they'll become another Goose Island, but overall everyone we've talked to has said nothing but positive things about the people they're dealing with. That being said, it's going to be so weird to go into Devil's Backbone and see Budweiser on tap.[/quote]
That's pretty cool about the ingredient story. You hope that AB leaves them alone and lets them grow and sell their own styles of beer. But yeah, at the end of the day, after watching Goose Island go down, it may be inevitable. However, good on DB. They worked hard to build their brand and were able to reap the rewards.

[quote=over the mountain;1143666]I bolded the sheeple part bc when it comes to imperial stouts, I am a sheeple. I just dont have palate or experience to really judge an imperial stout. for goose island bourbon county stout, I really didnt like it but i still gave it a 4.75/5 on untappd bc it is a 100 rated beer. What I did like about Bourbon County was how smooth it was. for KBS i also rated it higher bc i was sheeple. I liked it, found it complex and the taste profile evolved 2-3 times from one sip. I go sheeple on highly rated imperial stouts bc I am in no position to rate them yet but untappd has a rating bar and thats what you do.

Im starting to better understand imperial stouts bc ive started to drink enough of them to compare and see what i like and dont likie. I like coffee, chocolate nib and a spice or some heat from cayenne peppers or something.

I think sours are the next unchartered beer territory for me. i dont know what a good sour or bad sour tastes like and will probably go sheeple for a while until i trust my own judgment. but that takes time and experience trying various offerings so that I can compare and then judge. [/quote]
It is easy to be swayed by the ratings and rankings. I can be swayed as well. But those ratings are there as a turn off point on styles to figure out what you may or may not like.

Imperial stouts are harder because you can have a nice clean imperial (Ten Fidy) that isn't barrel aged and have a damn fine beer. Right now the trend is to age everything in bourbon/whisky/rum barrels. Which if done right, adds character. If not, it's too boozy and you lose the flavors in the beer. First time I had BCBS I was blown away at the smoothness. I still like it a lot, but KBS gives it a run for its money.

Sours are great for the summer because of how light they are. However, just like overly hoppy IPAs, some sours can be palate wreckers. If you're going to do sours in a session, stick with them or make sure to clear your palate before switching over. Wicked Weed makes some excellent sours, as does Burley Oak. My favorite sours are Union's Old Pro Gose, Westbrook Gose, 4 Hands Passion Fruit Prussia, and DFH Festina Peche. A buddy of mine went to San Fran a few weeks ago and is shipping back several bottles of Russian River's sours.

I'm heading to the [URL="http://www.mdcraftbeerfestival.com/"]MD Craft Beer Festival[/URL] tomorrow in Frederick. 200+ beers for sampling. 45 breweries. Hopefully the rain holds up. But if not I'll be sampling in the rain.

Re: Let's talk good beer
 

[wipes the cobwebs off the thread...]

Have any of the local NoVA guys tried anything from [url=http://www.aslinbeer.com/]Aslin Beer Co.[/url] yet?

Re: Let's talk good beer
 

Okay so now I have become a bit of a Beer Snob...

Personally I will no longer drink Bud, Bud Light, or Miller Lite.

I, have honestly, gotten to the point where I only like to drink Microbrewery beers such as Vienna Lager, DC Brau, etc.

The only 'Macro' brews I really like anymore are Fat Tire, Sam Adams, Yuengling, Smithwicks, and similar.

I have to say that I have by 'spoiled' by Beer Tastings and ordering good beers.

It just got to the point that the common Domestic beers taste crappie.

Okay...that is my two cents.

Re: Let's talk good beer
 

The biggest thing to take from that is...there is a time and place for any and every beer. For example, I played 5 softball games in the lovely heat on Saturday. So once we were done, I cracked open a Miller Lite. And it went down like it was the best beer ever. Whereas last night during the WWE Battleground PPV, I did a bottle share with some buddies and we had several awesome beers, ending on a fresh growler of Tree House Brewing's Green.

To me, it's better to share your good experiences with beer than to put down someone else for their beer selection. I can't imagine tailgating with a top 25 beer on BA, as I can't imagine stockpiling macros anymore. But to each their own.

Re: Let's talk good beer
 

[quote=kct1975;1144676]Okay so now I have become a bit of a Beer Snob...

Personally I will no longer drink Bud, Bud Light, or Miller Lite.

I, have honestly, gotten to the point where I only like to drink Microbrewery beers such as Vienna Lager, DC Brau, etc.

The only 'Macro' brews I really like anymore are Fat Tire, Sam Adams, Yuengling, Smithwicks, and similar.

I have to say that I have by 'spoiled' by Beer Tastings and ordering good beers.

It just got to the point that the common Domestic beers taste crappie.

Okay...that is my two cents.[/quote]

Welcome to the club. I envy you in some ways, you have so many great beers ahead of you still to try.

I'll never go with a Miller Lite anymore, even on a hot day, because there's always a better light alternative made by a local craft brewer. If I want a light lager or light pilsner I'll go with Victory's Helles or Sly Fox's Helles. (I'm a PA guy and I tend to drink local)

And then there's all the wacky, flavor-packed stuff that makes for great sampling. I had a belgian strong ale that was brewed with fig and molasses, I think it was by Dogfishhead. So funky, but so complex.

Anyway, beer is great. Enjoy the discovery!

Re: Let's talk good beer
 

[quote=Schneed10;1144883]Welcome to the club. I envy you in some ways, you have so many great beers ahead of you still to try.

I'll never go with a Miller Lite anymore, even on a hot day, because there's always a better light alternative made by a local craft brewer. If I want a light lager or light pilsner I'll go with Victory's Helles or [B]Sly Fox's Helles.[/B] (I'm a PA guy and I tend to drink local)

And then there's all the wacky, flavor-packed stuff that makes for great sampling. I had a belgian strong ale that was brewed with fig and molasses, I think it was by Dogfishhead. So funky, but so complex.

Anyway, beer is great. Enjoy the discovery![/quote]

Not just one of my favorite light beers, one of my favorite beers period. Tons of complexity.

Re: Let's talk good beer
 

I'm not against slumming it now and then. A place I go to for happy hour after work has $2 drafts of PBR. Hard to complain about having a few beers and a bite to eat for less than $20 with a tip.

Re: Let's talk good beer
 

[quote=MTK;1144891]I'm not against slumming it now and then. A place I go to for happy hour after work has $2 drafts of PBR. Hard to complain about having a few beers and a bite to eat for less than $20 with a tip.[/quote]

PBR is very solid when it comes to shitty beer. Probably my crappy beer of choice.

In the summer heat when I'm at the beach or poolside, Heineken is my go to....light, with a nice pils bite and only 5.4%...easy day drinking.

Re: Let's talk good beer
 

Oh, been meaning to mention this. I'm a huge veggie gardener, love it. My peppers are all ripening now, so I sliced up some jalepenos and sauteed them in a little oil w salt & pepper. So I threw a few of those in my Corona along with the lime. Really liked that.

Re: Let's talk good beer
 

Go to hangover cure?...I'm asking for a friend

Re: Let's talk good beer
 

Hello to All ,just wanted to catch up on my Canadian trip and the beer I feel in love with ! St. John's Honey Wheat Ale!

[url=http://peibrewingcompany.com/beer/honeywheat/]Sir John A’s Honey Wheat Ale » PEI Brewing Company[/url]

Brought two case's home and already went through one at the crab feast we had Saturday,everyone loved it! Smooth nice crisp flavor with no after taste!Also brought home one case of my New England favorite BBC Steele Rail Extra Pale Ale .Hopefully this will last me till I go up again to NE in October.

Re: Let's talk good beer
 

[quote=Chico23231;1145317]Go to hangover cure?...I'm asking for a friend[/quote]

My go to remedies: bananas, coconut water, low sodium V8. A nice bowl of spicy ramen goes a long way too. Peppermint tea also helps to settle the stomach.

Re: Let's talk good beer
 

Hangover cure for me used grease and coffee/water. Would grab a huge breakfast in the morning and slam coffee then water.

Now? I try to drink some water between beers, have a large glass before going to sleep with a few ibuprofen.

Re: Let's talk good beer
 

MK mention V8...I use to roll with that...along with a big meal early the day after.

Pedialyte, coffee, ibuprofen

Ive noticed getting off the couch, getting a good shower and getting outside doing something will help.

Let's talk good beer
 

A little exercise helps too, and of course some herbal supplement ;)

Like BD said, I think the key is drinking plenty of water in between beers, and pounding some right before bed too.

When all else fails, hair of the dog.

Re: Let's talk good beer
 

Most of my beer consumption these days is bottle/can shares. So cleaning out the beer glass between pours allow me to take swigs of water in between beers. The other thing you can do is over-hydrate during the day so that the alcohol consumption doesn't hit as hard. Just don't forget the large glass before bed.

Re: Let's talk good beer
 

Yeah , raely do I drink to hang over levels anymore but my go to is still pretty simple two regular aspirin and a glass of water.

Re: Let's talk good beer
 

[QUOTE=Giantone;1145534]Yeah , raely do I drink to hang over levels anymore but my go to is still pretty simple two regular aspirin and a glass of water.[/QUOTE]
[emoji106]

Re: Let's talk good beer
 

Interesting read
[url=http://www.seriouseats.com/2016/08/craft-brewery-acquisition-pros-and-cons.html]What "Selling Out" Allows a Craft Brewery to Do | Serious Eats[/url]

Re: Let's talk good beer
 

[QUOTE=BDBohnzie;1145943]Interesting read

[url=http://www.seriouseats.com/2016/08/craft-brewery-acquisition-pros-and-cons.html]What "Selling Out" Allows a Craft Brewery to Do | Serious Eats[/url][/QUOTE]


Good read.

Good beer is good beer no matter who makes it. "Selling out" results in wider distribution, better consistency, and a less expensive product. And ultimately more freedom for them to work on their specialty releases.

Re: Let's talk good beer
 

I dont really drink more than 6 beers anymore, usually on a Friday night. But when most of those beers are high abv, the next morning when my kid comes running in, it takes a bit to get going. Ive been making sure i pick up a sixer of something 7% or less to go along w a sixer of something higher nowadays.

I try to drink a few glasses of water before I start drinking as well.

Been loving fresh alpine duet lately.

Re: Let's talk good beer
 

[quote=over the mountain;1146056]I dont really drink more than 6 beers anymore, usually on a Friday night. But when most of those beers are high abv, the next morning when my kid comes running in, it takes a bit to get going. Ive been making sure i pick up a sixer of something 7% or less to go along w a sixer of something higher nowadays.

[B]I try to drink a few glasses of water before I start drinking as well. [/B]

Been loving fresh alpine duet lately.[/quote]

the night that i drank the most alcohol in my life, i alternated every drink with a full glass of water. i think i drank over 2 dozen beers, and took several shots, barely even felt it in the morning.

Re: Let's talk good beer
 

Ballast Point Sculpin is just fucking money, anyone else agree? It's been a must have in my fridge this summer.

Re: Let's talk good beer
 

[quote=MTK;1146475]Ballast Point Sculpin is just fucking money, anyone else agree? It's been a must have in my fridge this summer.[/quote]

Yeah very solid...when I have some extra nickels in the pocket I'll grab a sixer.

Re: Let's talk good beer
 

anyone ever had a michelada? i don't think i had ever heard of it before moving to southern california.

think of it as a bloody mary made w beer but much more enchanting. here's how i make mine;

i think the glass i use is about 24 oz, start with:[LIST=1][*]several squirts of maggi (kind of like worcestershire)[*]several squirts of valentina hot sauce[*]several dashes of tajin seasoning[*]several dashes of crushed celery seed[*]juice of 1/2 large lime or 1 small lime[*]pour clamato in to fill glass roughly halfway[/LIST]
stir all that up, then pour in a 12 oz mexican beer, add some garlic stuffed olives. that's it!

i prefer corona or pacifico but i've enjoyed it with almost any beer i've tried.

Re: Let's talk good beer
 

[quote=MTK;1146475]Ballast Point Sculpin is just fucking money, anyone else agree? It's been a must have in my fridge this summer.[/quote]

I buy a sixer or two whenever i can find it fresh, which is kinda hard to do in the DMV area. Fresh being within 30-45 days. Ive noticed grapefruit sculpin is usually fresher and i end up buying that a lot more than regular sculpin.

Re: Let's talk good beer
 

The last stone "enjoy by 9/4/16" was one of the best ipas I've ever had. Really delicious. I only wish it wasn't 17 dollars for a 6 pack.

Re: Let's talk good beer
 

[quote=OnceWeWereKings;1146989]The last stone "enjoy by 9/4/16" was one of the best ipas I've ever had. Really delicious. I only wish it wasn't 17 dollars for a 6 pack.[/quote]

Ok , this brings up a question I've been wondering about. What is the most you will pay for beer or what is the most you have ever paid for beer?
While in Canada I bought some beer to bring home (two case's) ran me about $147 Canadian. Sir John's A Honey wheat Ale.
[url=http://peibrewingcompany.com/our-beer-selection/]Our Beer Selection » PEI Brewing Company[/url]

Re: Let's talk good beer
 

[quote=OnceWeWereKings;1146989]The last stone "enjoy by 9/4/16" was one of the best ipas I've ever had. Really delicious. I only wish it wasn't 17 dollars for a 6 pack.[/quote]

Stone opened their east coast operations here in Richmond and we are starting to get super fresh beer..picked up a sixer of delicious IPA last night. When you get a sixer of any stone beer and u see RVA by the date bottled, your getting it from Richmond fresh

And the enjoy by series has just been ridiculous the last couple years...but damn I gotten super hangovers from it..that shit will get you rocked.

Re: Let's talk good beer
 

They were talking about opening one near me, and I was stoked as I work in a brewery and would have loved the opportunity to work for them...that said, I'm just happy they have one on the east for fresher offerings...all their styles are pretry damn good.

I've paid upwards of 80 bux for a case of beer before. I got a case of the stone enjoy by by the 6 pack at 17 a 6...so that was 68 dollars...only love once...might as well enjoy it.

Re: Let's talk good beer
 

Where you work if you don't mind me asking? That's pretty cool