What is your favorite beer OR what are you currently trying?

by **No_Impact_No_Idea** » Thu Jul 28, 2011 5:09 pm

What is your favorite beer? Alternatively, what is your favorite beer at the moment (because it can be such a hard choice :wink:

).

Right now I am enjoying a Samuel Adams Summer Ale. I find that it is better when it is very cold...I feel as though some of the spice and lemon flavors come through more clearly.

by **Big B** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 2:31 am

Lately I've been on a Belgian beer kick, trying beers like Chimay.

by **72hours** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 6:58 am

Currently drinking a lot of Tui, but going down to Wellington next weekend for Beervana! I'll be tasting all sorts of wonderful NZ beers with the missus, then trying to convince her to take home a few crates.......

by **Silent Kube** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 7:31 am

Best beer I ever had was Imperial (emphasis on the last syllable) down in Costa Rica. Down there it's like budweiser but much tastier. I don't know if it was the freshness of it or just the fact that it was so hot and humid you had to chew your air first and I was staying in a hotel with a swim up bar that served it ice cold but even several years later I still get cravings for it.

http://www.imperialbeerboutique.com/

by **uneekwahn** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 7:35 am

I just had a New Zealand Imperial IPA called Hop Zombie.

VERY fruity! Strong passionfruit nose and flavours.

by **kbilly84** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 7:44 am

The old reliable friend is Guinness.

No_Impact_No_Idea wrote:Right now I am enjoying a Samuel Adams Summer Ale. I find that it is better when it is very cold...I feel as though some of the spice and lemon flavors come through more clearly.

Agreed. Being a MN guy, there's a lot of Leinenkugel's floating around from our neighbor to the east (WI for the geographically challenged

). They have a "Summer Shandy". It's drinkable, buy Sam is FAR better. Can't go wrong with Sam's.

Big B wrote:Lately I've been on a Belgian beer kick, trying beers like Chimay.

What are these like? I've been curious to try some European-type brews. German especially.

by **uneekwahn** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 7:57 am

kbilly84 wrote:
Big B wrote:Lately I've been on a Belgian beer kick, trying beers like Chimay.
What are these like? I've been curious to try some European-type brews. German especially.

Most good Belgian beers, Chimay included, use candied sugar and taste absolutely delicious.

Another one to try is the St. Bernardus 12 ABT. In fact, any of the St. Bernardus beers are good, particularly their wit bier. Brewed with coriander and orange peel which gives it a little zesty flavour!

by **Unassigned** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 9:44 am

Monty Python's Holy Grail Ale.... Yummmmm...

by **mr_slappy75** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 9:51 am

kbilly84 wrote:The old reliable friend is Guinness.

No_Impact_No_Idea wrote:Right now I am enjoying a Samuel Adams Summer Ale. I find that it is better when it is very cold...I feel as though some of the spice and lemon flavors come through more clearly.

Agreed. Being a MN guy, there's a lot of Leinenkugel's floating around from our neighbor to the east (WI for the geographically challenged ). They have a "Summer Shandy". It's drinkable, buy Sam is FAR better. Can't go wrong with Sam's.

Big B wrote:Lately I've been on a Belgian beer kick, trying beers like Chimay.
What are these like? I've been curious to try some European-type brews. German especially.

I do enjoy Leinenkugel's brews, please do not pick on 'Summer Shandy', I understand it is not for everyone or for every occassion but after long day working outside I don't think there are many things out there that are actual beer and not 'fruity malt beverages' that hit the spot quite as well as it does, without being a sweet candy mess.

I did not use to think of myself as a 'beer brand guy' but having compared Sam Adams' stuff vs. the Leinenkugel's lineup, I'll take the Leiny 'Sunset Wheat' over the Sam Adams version. Leinenkugel's Honey Weiss, Classic Amber, Red Lager, Berry Weiss are all beers I wouldn't turn down.
They have 7 year-round brews and 4 seasonals so there is bound to be something for everyone.

I good friend of mine said it well a couple of weeks ago: Sam Adams seem to lean towards 'sour' and Leinenkugel's are more on the 'bitter/tart' side. As always it's a matter of taste.

That said, I am really fond of Sam Adams 'Cherry Wheat'.

Lately "Shinner Bock" from Spoetzl Brewery in TX has become my go to 'beer to be had with food' I never much cared for bock until I tried it, the finish is so mellow and clean it almost feels as if the brew wanted to make sure you are not tasting it for the next five minutes so you want to have more and can enjoy whatever you are eating with it.

Belgian Lambics by Lindemans are something that my wife introduced me to (she lived in France for a while and here relatives there exposed her to the stuff). Bit of a guilty pleasure, this thing: An ale that drinks like a wine. They come in many different flavors, peach, green apple, rasberry, cherry, black currant. I have yet to try one I don't like. They are freaking awesome with hearty bread, cheese and cold cuts.

The father in law introduced me to Eastern European beer and I am liking "Golden Pheasant" and "Obolon" both their lager and their premium a lot these days.

So yeah, favorites? Short list: Shiner Bock, Sunset Wheat, Golden Pheasant and Summer Shandy.

Woah DocD. That sounds awesome!

by **Braxton** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 9:52 am

by **v3rs3** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 10:18 am

So delicious. I don't know if they stopped making it or not. I haven't seen it anywhere for a little while.

by **kbilly84** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 10:18 am

mr_slappy75 wrote:I do enjoy Leinenkugel's brews, please do not pick on 'Summer Shandy', I understand it is not for everyone or for every occassion but after long day working outside I don't think there are many things out there that are actual beer and not 'fruity malt beverages' that hit the spot quite as well as it does, without being a sweet candy mess.

Apologies if it sounded like I was picking on Leinie's. I did not mean it that way at all

Just saying I prefer the Sam version. It is against my religion to knock the "little guys" in the beer world. Give me a Leine's / Sam / Summit / etc over Bud / Coors / Miller EVERY day.

by **smokinbunta** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 11:57 am

i like most wheat and lagers

especially
Boulevard wheat (most KC peeps like this beer)
Boulevard Irish Ale (only made around st pattys)
Sam Adams winter lager (tastes like tea to me, and i just love it)
PBR (just case its the fukin BOMB!)
Rollg Rock (my go to ale when irish ale isnt available)
Stella Artois ( just so chrisp)

i recently tried
Sam Adams summer Ale (i kinda dig it)
Boulevard ZON (way too fruity for me)
Blue Moon Honey..Ale? (it was alright for me.. i dont like the regular Blue Moon)

by **majorhavoc** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 2:04 pm

Geary's Hampshire and Shipyard Old Thumper are my go to beers. English style, full bodied extra bitter ales. The Hampshire especially is a really nice ale. Absolutely no connection to the undead, Monty Python or Revolutionary War luminaries.

Although the Geary's has a very high alcohol content. I discovered years ago on a very hot summer day that drinking more than a couple too quickly put me in a zombie-like state of mind.

by **No_Impact_No_Idea** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 5:15 pm

smokinbunta wrote:i like most wheat and lagers

especially
Boulevard wheat (most KC peeps like this beer)
Boulevard Irish Ale (only made around st pattys)
Sam Adams winter lager (tastes like tea to me, and i just love it)
PBR (just case its the fukin BOMB!)
Rollg Rock (my go to ale when irish ale isnt available)
Stella Artois ( just so chrisp)

i recently tried
Sam Adams summer Ale (i kinda dig it)
Boulevard ZON (way too fruity for me)
Blue Moon Honey..Ale? (it was alright for me.. i dont like the regular Blue Moon)

+1 ON the Stella Artois good sir :!:

by **wee drop o' bush** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 5:17 pm

A cold pint of Harp:mrgreen:
Smithwicks Red Ale is good stuff too

by **RANDOMMOSAIC** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 5:19 pm

I'm a big fan of canadian brews, Molson beers especially. Had a sixer of Labat blue the other night. Not bad, but not as good as Molson, IMHO.

by **Silent Kube** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 6:17 pm

wee drop o' bush wrote:A cold pint of Harp:mrgreen:
Smithwicks Red Ale is good stuff too

I like an occasional black and tan made with harp and smithwicks stout.

by **mr_slappy75** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 7:14 pm

Silent Kube wrote:
wee drop o' bush wrote:A cold pint of Harp:mrgreen:
Smithwicks Red Ale is good stuff too

I like an occasional black and tan made with harp and smithwicks stout.

Ooh SK you just reminded me I haven't had it in years but I do like a snakebite made with Harp and Hornsbee's hard cider. What can I say? I do like some sweet in my suds. I guess I am going to go hit my local Binny's tomorrow for relief, I only have 1 bottle of Shinner Bock left.

by **Ventura_Munitions** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 10:53 pm

Ahhhh ANYTHING amber will do for me but if I want to go a bit different I reach for a Hoegaarden.

by **Big B** » Sat Jul 30, 2011 12:46 am

Silent Kube wrote:
wee drop o' bush wrote:A cold pint of Harp:mrgreen:
Smithwicks Red Ale is good stuff too

I like an occasional black and tan made with harp and smithwicks stout.

Sounds great! I can't remember the last time I had a black and tan....

by **BlakeS** » Sat Jul 30, 2011 1:01 am

I had my wife run to the store last week to grab me a beer when she asked what to get I said surprise me, she brought back a handful of brews , they only come in pints , but two of the beers were the best ive ever had! I went out and bought a bunch for my family for a cook out and they couldnt get enough!

my favorite is the Rouge Chipotle which has a chipotle spicy hint to it with a semi dark taste to it, not to dark not to lite. PERFECT , and its got a little spice to it which ive never tasted in a beer.

By blakesan1 at 2011-07-29

and the other is

Dead guy ale , its darker then a normal beer , and has a great taste , IF you get a chance to try either of these i suggest you do !

By blakesan1 at 2011-07-29

by **Oneswunk** » Sat Jul 30, 2011 1:07 am

Favourite as of lately....

And...

Stocked beer in my beer fridge usually includes something from Dogfish head, a case of lions head and pbr.

by **sworbeyegib** » Sat Jul 30, 2011 1:29 am

I love trying new beers, and last time I was in Oregon, I had the luck of meeting and touring the rep for both Rogue and Deschutes breweries. That being said, my go to beer for a long time has been...