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Any beer enthusiasts out there? What are your favorites?
11 years ago
After turning 21 back in December, I've discovered the magic that comes with being able to buy your own alcohol. :D I've never been a huge fan of drinking, and to be honest, I think I've only gotten legitimately drunk maybe three times (and during one of those experiences, I pretty much ruined vodka for myself by drinking waaaay too much at once... dear god, never again). Hard alcohol just isn't quite my thing, which has resulted in me defying the stereotypical image of a university student by almost never drinking or partying. I tend to drink alcohol more for the interesting flavor combinations than the inebriated shenanigans -- which is why I've really come to enjoy drinking beer!
Never thought I'd become a beer drinker, as my previous impression of beer was that it tasted absolutely disgusting, based on a few sample sips I'd had of friends' beers. But guess what? That's because everyone around me was drinking mass-produced, watered-down stuff like Bud Light. No wonder I thought I didn't like beer. That stuff is easily drinkable, but by no means delicious. >__> A close friend introduced me to craft beer a few months back and I've slowly been turning into a beer enthusiast. So far it seems like the brews I enjoy most are the dark brown, rich/roasty/nutty ones -- anything Scottish or German in particular. Here are some of the best ones I've tried:
Sam Adams Boston lager (would recommend this to anyone, even if you don't consider yourself a beer drinker!)
Four Peaks Kilt Lifter (another good one to start out with -- this is the first beer I drank that I truly liked)
Anchor Steam beer (unique and delicious with an interesting history)
Founders Dirty Bastard (SUCH a well-made beer, but it's also pretty strong)
Spaten Dunkel (another one I'd highly recommend -- it's from Munich and its name translates to "Spade Dark")
Ballast Point Sculpin (I'm not a huge fan of "pale ales" or "IPAs" and even I think this stuff is fantastic)
Redd's Strawberry Ale (more of a cider than a beer/ale, and a damn delicious one ... my friends aren't really beer drinkers and they LOVE this stuff)
What are your favorites? Anything you would recommend?
Never thought I'd become a beer drinker, as my previous impression of beer was that it tasted absolutely disgusting, based on a few sample sips I'd had of friends' beers. But guess what? That's because everyone around me was drinking mass-produced, watered-down stuff like Bud Light. No wonder I thought I didn't like beer. That stuff is easily drinkable, but by no means delicious. >__> A close friend introduced me to craft beer a few months back and I've slowly been turning into a beer enthusiast. So far it seems like the brews I enjoy most are the dark brown, rich/roasty/nutty ones -- anything Scottish or German in particular. Here are some of the best ones I've tried:
Sam Adams Boston lager (would recommend this to anyone, even if you don't consider yourself a beer drinker!)
Four Peaks Kilt Lifter (another good one to start out with -- this is the first beer I drank that I truly liked)
Anchor Steam beer (unique and delicious with an interesting history)
Founders Dirty Bastard (SUCH a well-made beer, but it's also pretty strong)
Spaten Dunkel (another one I'd highly recommend -- it's from Munich and its name translates to "Spade Dark")
Ballast Point Sculpin (I'm not a huge fan of "pale ales" or "IPAs" and even I think this stuff is fantastic)
Redd's Strawberry Ale (more of a cider than a beer/ale, and a damn delicious one ... my friends aren't really beer drinkers and they LOVE this stuff)
What are your favorites? Anything you would recommend?
I'm still just getting into beer, so I'll have to try some of the ones you've mentioned. Lately I've been drinking 805 by Firestone Walker. I'm not sure if you can get it everywhere since the brewery is pretty local to me, but it's been a big hit with everyone around here! As for darker beers, I really like Moose Drool. It's very dark, caramelly and chocolatey almost. And my favorite hard cider right now has to be Woodchuck, either the Granny Smith or the Raspberry kind.
And yep, you haven't truly lived unless you've renounced at least one type of alcohol from getting horribly drunk. I have a friend that claims he's never going to get drunk enough to vomit and/or pass out, despite the fact that he really enjoys drinking. Poor, naive man... his day will come. >__>
If you like the Scottish Ales, the Edmund Fitzgerald Porter should be up your alley
You said you don't like IPAs, but Burning River might be another exception for you
McEwan's Scottish Ale, if you can find it, is wonderful!
http://www.swashbucklerbrewing.com/beers.php if you're ever in Central PA, very micro micro brewery in Mt. Hope associated with the http://www.parenfaire.com/#
Speaking of PA http://www.yuengling.com/ is a pretty good one
www.bluemoonbrewingcompany.com has good products, including a nice Belgian Wheat
http://www.mikeshard.com/en/home
Next to that Palm, Duvel, St Omer
Bell's Special Double Cream Stout - I absolutely love stouts and milk stouts. Roasty, coffee like flavors, but this one has a very nice creamy finish to it.
Harpoon UFO Big Squeeze Shandy - I am not a big grapefruit person, but this is really good/ Not overly bitter far as the grapefruit goes, is subtle but also abit sweet. Add sugar to the rim of the glass when trying this beer to balance the sweet and tartness.
Left Hand Milk Stout Nitro - The nitro gives this stout a nice creamy taste to it. Not overly heavy with the coffee bitterness, seemed more balanced to me. Roasty but not burnt.
Monchshof Schwarzbier - Like a piece of a dark German bread, very familiar flavor having really loved German dark beers. This is a Black Lager. Full and flavorful up front, no lingering unpleasant aftertaste.
Yuengling Porter - One of my favorite more common, least round here, out of bottle porters hands down. Balanced flavor, not too heavy at all despite how dark it is.
Black Boss Porter - This is one unique porter here. Is Polish in origin. A nice full flavor in the beginning but ends with a mapley like sweetness. Unique for sure.
Fall season comes up look for some of the Pumpkin brews like Elysian Night Owl. Also Oktoberfest beers, these are Marzen style, like the traditional Munich brews for the actual Oktoberfest.. Sam does a good Oktoberfest, Yuengling is pretty good too. I have many many more favorites, but if given the chance, try some of the above. Great thing about beers, there is so many. Craft and micro brews are the way to go. Some real unique stuff out there. Never settle for the common beers.
Ha, I almost forgot about Oktoberfest. That should be a fun time of year. :D
Somewhat Generics:
Shock Top
Leinenkugels
Blue Moon
New Belgium
Ales/Ciders besides Redds:
Strongbow
Angry Orchard
Fox Barrel
Crispin
Less Generics:
Weihenstephaner (especially the Vitus)
Leffe (fantastic German import)
La Fin Du Monde
Gulden draak
And about a bazillian others that aren't coming to mind...Generally, German imports often rock.
/wine&spirits clerk. :P
I've heard great things about Weihenstephaner Vitus and Gulden Draak I really want to try both of them! Hopefully my local BevMo carries them. :D La Fin Du Monde seems interesting as well. Thanks for the suggestions!
Sea Dog (Blueberry, Raspberry, but ESPECIALLY Apricot!) - Pale Ale
The Redd's you mentioned. :P
Shock Top - Honey Bourbon Wheat Ale
Angry Orchard - Hard Cider (Crisp, Ginger, Cinnful)
Fall Hornin' - Pumpkin Ale
Also, how have you been? :D Feels like forever since the last time we talked!
It's totally worth a try!! :3 Though I can only find it in certain places... Sometimes it's at Wal-Mart. :3
I've been good, just really busy! :< I'm helping
How've you been? x3
I'm also in the "need to get a real job" boat. :P I was hoping to get a summer programming internship, but that fell through, so I'm stuck looking for something to keep me busy over the summer. The good thing is that now I have enough free time to open commissions for the first time in ages. So maybe I can make some quick money from that.
You should totally take commissions!! :D But good luck on getting a summer job. :3