Beer appreciation thread

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by KSigkid

I tried Brooklyn Monster Ale recently, the brewery's barleywine style ale. Overall, it was fairly subpar. Barleywine style ales aren't my favorites, but this was fairly weak. I've had high-alcohol brews before (this is about 11.8%), but this one seemed to really accentuate the alcohol taste, which took away from the taste.

Overall, it was extremely disappointing. I would not recommend it, either to experienced beer drinkers or to the novice beer drinker.

For barleywines, Left Hand's is the only national-distribution one I've liked . . . one of our local breweries had a decent one, but most taste like bourbon with a thin beer base, which is the worst of both worlds to me (even though I love both bourbon and beer, clearly).

However, if you want 11% booze content (AND I DO), try Flying Dog's Imperial Porter (again, I'll reiterate this one). It's great booze from an otherwise overrated brewery. Do it, loaf. Do it.

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by KSig RC

For barleywines, Left Hand's is the only national-distribution one I've liked . . . one of our local breweries had a decent one, but most taste like bourbon with a thin beer base, which is the worst of both worlds to me (even though I love both bourbon and beer, clearly).

However, if you want 11% booze content (AND I DO), try Flying Dog's Imperial Porter (again, I'll reiterate this one). It's great booze from an otherwise overrated brewery. Do it, loaf. Do it.

I just found a place in town that has a tremendous beer selection, one of the better selections I've seen around. They have the Flying Dog Imperial Porter, so I'll have to pick it up.

To that end; I got a bottle of the limited edition Sam Adams Chocolate Bock. The Beer Advocate guys slam it, but I really liked it. It's the closest thing I've found to Rogue Chocolate Stout. Even though it's a bit pricy, it's definitely worth it.

[RaggedyAnn]

Okay, I'll admit it. I'm a beer snob. The new Michelob beers though are awesome and a value (well, except for the porter-it's missing a little body). I would have never tried them if it hadn't been for the liquor store doing a tasting a few weeks ago. I'm trying the Dunkel Weiss now for the first time and it is yummy. The cost-$6.49 for a 6 pack or 2/$12...a real bargain around here.

[Lil' Hannah]

The Dr. Gates thread made me want to talk about beer. I've been seeing Clipper City beers on tap a lot here in the DC area. They're out of Baltimore...the Gold Ale is a good alternative to something like Stella, and would be a good beer for those who usually drink domestic macro brews and are looking to branch out into something new.

Their Heavy Seas line has a lot of good offerings. And they're all boozy (woo hoo!) I like the Small Craft Warning Uber Pils.

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by Lil' Hannah

The Dr. Gates thread made me want to talk about beer. I've been seeing Clipper City beers on tap a lot here in the DC area. They're out of Baltimore...the Gold Ale is a good alternative to something like Stella, and would be a good beer for those who usually drink domestic macro brews and are looking to branch out into something new.

Their Heavy Seas line has a lot of good offerings. And they're all boozy (woo hoo!) I like the Small Craft Warning Uber Pils.

Where have you been, homie? There is a song you need to hear, if you haven't already.

I like Delirium Tremens, but I am boring when it comes to beer.

[Lil' Hannah]

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

Where have you been, homie? There is a song you need to hear, if you haven't already.

I like Delirium Tremens, but I am boring when it comes to beer.

I've been lurking, just haven't had much to say. Send me a PM on here or a message on FB or something re: that jam.

I don't think I've ever tried Delirium Tremens before, I'm not a huge pale ale fan. This thread did inspire me a while ago to try Rogue Dead Guy which I had on a winter trip to the mountains...it gave me an excellent early afternoon buzz and for that I will always think of it fondly.

[ISUKappa]

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

I like Delirium Tremens, but I am boring when it comes to beer.

Originally Posted by Lil' Hannah

I don't think I've ever tried Delirium Tremens before, I'm not a huge pale ale fan. This thread did inspire me a while ago to try Rogue Dead Guy which I had on a winter trip to the mountains...it gave me an excellent early afternoon buzz and for that I will always think of it fondly.

Delirium is some wicked stuff. I've had it a few times and could only manage one bottle due to the alcohol content (and I had been off my game for a while). It's good though, definitely a Belgian-style, has some sweetness to it.

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by AOII_LB93

Anyone tried the Sam Adams Imperial stuff ? I had one a few weeks ago (I think it was a wheat beer), and it was good, but I'm still not sure about close to $10 for a 4 pack.

I've tried all three of the varieties, and all three are good. The Double Bock is the best of the group - it packs a punch (9.5% alcohol), but it's very rich and has great deep flavors. It's one of the best beers out there, period.

The Imperial Stout is next best, with a good balance of chocolate and coffee flavors. It's a good solid stout, and again (over 9% alcohol) packs a punch. It's not quite as rich as I had expected, but the flavors are still solid.

The Imperial White ranks third, and isn't nearly as good as the others. I'm a big fan of white ales, but this one seemed to have a bit too much sweetness. When combined with the strong alcohol content (over 10%), it combined for kind of a weird flavor. I found it a lot more comparable to a Barleywine ale than a white ale, which was surprising and a bit disappointing. I mean, I like Barleywine ales in certain circumstances, but I would have expected Sam Adams to put out a better white ale, especially for such a limited release.

Originally Posted by Lil' Hannah

I've been lurking, just haven't had much to say. Send me a PM on here or a message on FB or something re: that jam.

I don't think I've ever tried Delirium Tremens before, I'm not a huge pale ale fan. This thread did inspire me a while ago to try Rogue Dead Guy which I had on a winter trip to the mountains...it gave me an excellent early afternoon buzz and for that I will always think of it fondly.

Rogue Dead Guy is pretty incredible, and harder to find than you would think. You really can't go wrong with any of the Rogue Ales - Rogue Chocolate Stout and Shakespeare Stout are among my 3-5 favorite beers (along with Old Rasputin Russian Stout, Fin du Monde, and Ommegang Witte).

[AOII_LB93]

Anyone tried the Sam Adams Imperial stuff ? I had one a few weeks ago (I think it was a wheat beer), and it was good, but I'm still not sure about close to $10 for a 4 pack.

[Psi U MC Vito]

Yeah it is kind of pricey, which is why I have only had it for special occasions, mostly birthdays and initiations.

[agzg]

Midwest people - anyone a fan of Leinenkgel's Summer Shandy? It's a bit bitter but not in an unpleasant way. I also like the Goose Island summer brew.

They're both very light ales. You definitely don't want "a porkchop in every bottle" in the summer.

I feel like I should add that they're both a little girly but I've seen men enjoy them, too.

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by agzg

Midwest people - anyone a fan of Leinenkgel's Summer Shandy? It's a bit bitter but not in an unpleasant way. I also like the Goose Island summer brew.

They're both very light ales. You definitely don't want "a porkchop in every bottle" in the summer.

I feel like I should add that they're both a little girly but I've seen men enjoy them, too.

Guys definitely like Leinenkugel - I'm a fan of the Sunset Wheat, which is just about all they have of it out here in the Northeast. Solid, easy to drink, a good summer beer.

[PeppyGPhiB]

Originally Posted by KSigkid

Guys definitely like Leinenkugel - I'm a fan of the Sunset Wheat, which is just about all they have of it out here in the Northeast. Solid, easy to drink, a good summer beer.

I haven't tried the Summer Shandy yet. I've only seen one store carrying it here in the Seattle area - only a handful carry Leinenkugel, and when they do it's usually Sunset Wheat and sometimes the amber. I love the Sunset Wheat.

[pshsx1]

Originally Posted by agzg

Midwest people - anyone a fan of Leinenkgel's Summer Shandy? It's a bit bitter but not in an unpleasant way. I also like the Goose Island summer brew.

They're both very light ales. You definitely don't want "a porkchop in every bottle" in the summer.

I feel like I should add that they're both a little girly but I've seen men enjoy them, too.

I actually had it back in May. I thought it was delicious.

[Xanthus]

St. Paul Girl beer is my fav.