Beer appreciation thread

valkyrie · #1 12-12-2006, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSigkid

I'm not sure - I've tended to stay away from Sierra Nevada at times because it's a bit overpriced for the quality. It's good, but not among the top tier of beers.

Really? I think Sierra Nevada Pale Ale is the shit -- I always refer to it as our "default beer" -- it's yummy and I don't get sick of it.

I haven't had the celebration ale since last year, but I know I like it, so I say go for it.

In other news, there's a beer fest in Vail next month. We're trying to figure out if we should go -- they have some sweet hotel discounts, so it's probably worth it even though it's ski season. Also, I think I'm almost finished with my list of Colorado breweries -- there are 106. I actually made an Excel spreadsheet, LOL. BEER DORK.

KSigkid · #2 12-12-2006, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by valkyrie

Really? I think Sierra Nevada Pale Ale is the shit -- I always refer to it as our "default beer" -- it's yummy and I don't get sick of it.

I haven't had the celebration ale since last year, but I know I like it, so I say go for it.

In other news, there's a beer fest in Vail next month. We're trying to figure out if we should go -- they have some sweet hotel discounts, so it's probably worth it even though it's ski season. Also, I think I'm almost finished with my list of Colorado breweries -- there are 106. I actually made an Excel spreadsheet, LOL. BEER DORK.

It's not that it's necessarily bad; for some reason I've just always thought of it as a good, but not great, beer. Maybe it's because I haven't had it in a while. I'll have to pick up some this week and do another taste test.

That's awesome that there are so many breweries around you. Out east there are a few really good ones, but not as many as you would think.

The place I like around here is CitySteam. The Baghdad Black is awesome, and overall their stuff is solid. Plus, the prices are pretty reasonable, especially for beer of that quality.

http://citysteambrewerycafe.com/

shinerbock · #3 12-12-2006, 01:02 PM

I like Sierra Nevada, but its sort of a 2nd choice behind sweetwater for me.

valkyrie · #4 12-12-2006, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSigkid

The place I like around here is CitySteam. The Baghdad Black is awesome, and overall their stuff is solid. Plus, the prices are pretty reasonable, especially for beer of that quality.

http://citysteambrewerycafe.com/

So I was just looking at this, and their beer list doesn't include an IPA. Do they have one? IPA is more common in the western U.S., isn't it?

KSigkid · #5 12-12-2006, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by valkyrie

So I was just looking at this, and their beer list doesn't include an IPA. Do they have one? IPA is more common in the western U.S., isn't it?

They have one, but I don't think it's one of their "usuals." I had it the last time I was there, and it was pretty good.

A few local breweries (most notably Harpoon) make IPAs; I wasn't aware it was a regional thing.

Lil' Hannah · #6 04-16-2007, 09:54 AM

Over the weekend I tried Old Dominion's Spring Brew which is "a Doppelbock (double bock) beer in Bavarian tradition." I was actually disappointed...it just wasn't that great. Their plain old Ale is still one of my favorite drinks, though.

I don't know if we finally started getting Shiner Bock up here in the Mid-Atlantic or if I've just started noticing it, but I've tried that a few times and I've been happy with it...it reminds me a bit of Yuengling in that it's a decent beer for a good price. I've seen the Kölsch and the Blonde as well so I'll probably give those a try sometime soon.

ISUKappa · #7 05-29-2007, 05:27 PM

I've decided I want to marry Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout and have a million of its babies. The husband and I drank all the Sam Smith Oatmeals the bar had on hand. Once those were gone, I switched to Breckenridge Oatmeal Stout which wasn't too bad. Either that, or by then I didn't care anymore. Or maybe it was Boulevard Oatmeal... my memory's a little hazy by that time.

FSUZeta · #8 05-29-2007, 05:44 PM

do you all know "the beer song" by psychostick? it is so funny.

KSigkid · #9 05-30-2007, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ISUKappa

I've decided I want to marry Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout and have a million of its babies. The husband and I drank all the Sam Smith Oatmeals the bar had on hand. Once those were gone, I switched to Breckenridge Oatmeal Stout which wasn't too bad. Either that, or by then I didn't care anymore. Or maybe it was Boulevard Oatmeal... my memory's a little hazy by that time.

The Oatmeal Stout is fantastic. Samuel Smith is up there with Rogue; everything they make tastes really great.

You're making me have a craving for it, I think I'll pick up a 4-pack of it tonight.

Also, EagleChick, that Dreamweaver looks interesting. I didn't used to be a big fan of unfiltered wheat ales, but I've come to like them more and more over the years. There is a restaurant/brewery in my area (CitySteam in Hartford) that makes a really good one.

adpi*violet · #10 09-04-2007, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by valkyrie

..... Also, I think I'm almost finished with my list of Colorado breweries -- there are 106. I actually made an Excel spreadsheet, LOL. BEER DORK.

Do you still have your list? Could you forward me a copy? We're moving to (back for me) CO and would love to go try them all. Though I still don't think anything will top my beloved and hometown Left Hand.

ISUKappa · #11 09-04-2007, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adpi*violet

Though I still don't think anything will top my beloved and hometown Left Hand.

I think we're going to name our next child Milk Stout. And I know the husband would totally be on board with that.

VandalSquirrel · #12 09-04-2007, 08:48 PM

We had Deschutes Brewery Twilight Ale yesterday when we grilled. I thought it was okay, but it reminded me of an IPA, and I am not too fond of those.

AlphaFrog · #13 09-23-2007, 01:42 PM

I'm not a big Blue Moon person...but I tried the Harvest Moon Pumpkin Ale, and it's pretty good. I actually liked it better than the Jack's Pumpkin Spice Ale.

Any other recommendations for Pumpkin Ale as I work my way through?

Lil' Hannah · #14 09-26-2007, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

I'm not a big Blue Moon person...but I tried the Harvest Moon Pumpkin Ale, and it's pretty good. I actually liked it better than the Jack's Pumpkin Spice Ale.

Any other recommendations for Pumpkin Ale as I work my way through?

I don't know what kind of distribution you get in NC, but if you get Wild Goose's Pumpkin Patch out of MD, try that. It's pretty spicy, has a nice color, and they say it has pumpkin pulp in it, although I didn't notice anything too "pulpy." It will probably be my go-to pumpkin ale this fall.

I've also tried Magic Hat's Jinx which I thought was somewhat similar to the Wild Goose...a bit richer, not as sweet, had a higher alcohol content. Dominion Ale's Octoberfest (VA) is worth a try if you get it down there, it was much milder in terms of spiciness/pumpkin, etc., but still enjoyable.

AlphaFrog · #15 10-15-2007, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lil' Hannah

I've also tried Magic Hat's Jinx which I thought was somewhat similar to the Wild Goose...a bit richer, not as sweet, had a higher alcohol content. Dominion Ale's Octoberfest (VA) is worth a try if you get it down there, it was much milder in terms of spiciness/pumpkin, etc., but still enjoyable.

I tried that this weekend. Very good. I got it in the variety pack. The #9 was so-so. I have no idea what the Mystery Brew is, but I liked that (even though I accidently broke one).