Topic: A tribute to....BEER

[GabrieltheCelt]

To lighten things up a bit, I thought I'd resurrect one of my favorite topics/pastimes/medicines/hobbies and oh yeah, drinks.  Almost everyone has a favorite beer, so hows about sharing it with the rest of us?  I know this has been discussed before, but maybe tastes have changed or you've discovered something unbeknowst heretofore...Hopefully, I'll learn about a new beer I hadn't heard of before! <note: Coors, American Budweiser, Bush... ain't beer >

For my money, the all around best (so far) is Paulaner Heffeweizen.  It's crisp, not too filling, and has a beautiful finish.  If I want something a little more fuller, I'll go for an Oatmeal Stout (it complements hearty stews as well as sweet dishes), or Sam Adams Cream Stout.  My Romanian girlfriend really likes Heineken.  I enjoy a Heine now and then, but one must take precaution not expose the green bottle to too much light for fear of skunkiness.  Same goes with any light or clear bottle.

Beer...It's what's for dinner!

[FrChris]

Well, my favorite brews were all ones I made myself...but even then, my favorites were brown ales reminiscent of those found on the Emerald Isle; bitters like that of North Yorkshire; and lambics or fruit ales, often using a Belgian recipe.

Hopefully, if I can ever sell my home in Ohio, I can bring everything all back together and brew again. Until then, all I have are my memories...

[authio]

Mac and Jack's is so far my favorite.....I've only been legal to drink in the US (21 years old) for 6 months now, and this local Seattle staple still soothes my tongue.

[Heorhij]

My favorite beers are beers brewed in my native Ukraine. I know, I know, they are not world-famous (hopefully, "yet"), but there's just something amazing about them. My favorites are Obolon', Rohan', Chernihivs'ke. They are probably closer to "lager" type than to "ale" type, strong (but not overly bitter and not "stout"), crisp, with great after-taste.

I also like Czech beers, particularly Prazdroj, known in the USA as Pilsner Urquel (I drank in in Czech Republic and I must say it tastes better over there, probably because it does not like to be transported).

Because I have lived in Seattle for over 7 years, I became familiar with good Northwestern ales like Red Hook and Ballard Bitter IPA - they are good!

Hefeweizen, Blue Moon and the like, arrrgh... I like their taste, but my stomach does not handle them well, they are too acidic to me.

[aserb]

Give me a good clean crisp lager.

Jibrail - which one did you dring when you were a Muslim 

[ytterbiumanalyst]

I have to agree with the Paulaner. It's a staple around my house. The Pilsner Urquell is also very good, though I haven't had it in Czechland (the group I went to Prague with was a teetotalling crowd). This time of year I also enjoy the Sam Adams Oktoberfest and very soon the Winter Lager. Both are quite good, especially on tap.

One I've taken a liking to recently is Ichiban Kirin. It's Japanese, which I know seems odd, but it really is good. It's a light beer and has a very smooth taste.

[FrChris]

One I've taken a liking to recently is Ichiban Kirin. It's Japanese, which I know seems odd, but it really is good. It's a light beer and has a very smooth taste.

Not at all! Actually, one of my favorite commercial beers is Tsing Tao---many folks think that beer is some sort of sub-rate imitation brew, and not the superb elixir it truly is.

I never did find any Harbin Beer, like we were discussing in an earlier thread, but I would like to compare these two brews.

[ytterbiumanalyst]

Not at all!

Not at all odd or not at all good? 

Actually, one of my favorite commercial beers is Tsing Tao---many folks think that beer is some sort of sub-rate imitation brew, and not the superb elixir it truly is.

Tsing Tao was quite a discovery for me. I like trying new beers, and this one was "just to see if the Chinese could do it right." Answer: They can.

My favorite beer of all, though, has to be the Newcastle Brown Ale. It's simply perfect.

[Fr. George]

Tsing Tao was quite a discovery for me. I like trying new beers, and this one was "just to see if the Chinese could do it right." Answer: They can.

My favorite beer of all, though, has to be the Newcastle Brown Ale. It's simply perfect.

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.  Brown Ale. 
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.  Tsing Tao.
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.  Sam October.

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.  Beer.

[Bono Vox]

I enjoy a Guiness drought with a good smoke. 

[GabrieltheCelt]

Give me a good clean crisp lager.

Jibrail - which one did you dring when you were a Muslim 

LOL!  Ironically, the Turkish Muslims drink something called raki, which is pretty much the same thing as arak- what the Lebonese drink.  Both are almost identical to the Greek Ouzo.  All three turn milky when you add water, hence the Lebonese name which means (I think) Lion's Milk.  I used to love Ouzo, but after a wild night at OB's pad drinking Romana Sambuca a few years back, I almost can't handle any licorice drinks.  Almost.  

And I can't believe I forgot Smythwick's!  From the same folk's who bring us Guinness; it's just a little better than Newcastle Brown Ale (another good one I learned from 'ol Nacho and OB!)... Is anyone else gettin' thirsty?

[Αριστοκλής]

Sambuca? Too sweet. Ouzo's the ticket for those who don't know Metaxa.

Can't drink beer for medical reasons... 

[GabrieltheCelt]

I enjoy a Guiness drought with a good smoke. 

Got it.  

Can't drink beer for medical reasons... 

Beer is medicine.

[Fr. George]

I enjoy a Guiness drought with a good smoke. 

Mmmmmmmmmmmmm.  Minus the smoke.  Guiness.

Our Cleveland local (Great Lakes Brewery) makes some fine beers as well.

[Fr. David]

So, I'm retarded, I guess, and hit Ale when I meant to click Stout.

Sigh.

OB, I'm with you on the Guinness and the Cig.

[Bono Vox]

So, I'm retarded, I guess, and hit Ale when I meant to click Stout.

Sigh.

OB, I'm with you on the Guinness and the Cig.

High five brotha'

[lubeltri]

Many good choices. Newcastle's probably my favorite big national brewery. Samuel Smith is up there too, as well as Belhaven, Smithwick's, Old Speckled Hen and Sam Adams (the ales and wheats more than the lagers). I really like Franziskaner, which happens to be the Pope's favorite.

But my favorite beers of all are cask conditioned ales, otherwise known as "real ales." They are the BEST! Flat, 54 degrees, and fantastic!

I also have a weakness for cider, most especially the unfiltered, less processed kind (like scrumpy).

[PeterTheAleut]

Ya know, Gabriel, for your poll to allow me only one choice, unless I can vote multiple times, I think the question could be worded better.  Asking what beer I like?  I like many styles, mostly the Hefeweisen (a wheat beer) and the Porter, a beer that you don't even have on the list.  What about the IPAs and the Bocks, which are also good beers?  To offer a voter only one choice, maybe your question should ask, "What is your [one] favorite beer?"


MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM.   Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeer.  Gooooooooooooooooooooood.

[GabrieltheCelt]

Ya know, Gabriel, for your poll to allow me only one choice, unless I can vote multiple times, I think the question could be worded better.  Asking what beer I like?  I like many styles, mostly the Hefeweisen (a wheat beer) and the Porter, a beer that you don't even have on the list.  What about the IPAs and the Bocks, which are also good beers?  To offer a voter only one choice, maybe your question should ask, "What is your [one] favorite beer?"


MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM.   Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeer.  Gooooooooooooooooooooood.

My bad, brother.  Feel free to list every one of your favs!  Hopefully I'll learn about a new brew.    For instance, Nacho and I hit the town tonight and I had a Young's Double Chocolate Stout.  Freakin' amazing! 

[Elisha]

...I really like Franziskaner, which happens to be the Pope's favorite.

I do still happen to have a bottle in the fridge.    Yum.

[PeterTheAleut]

My bad, brother.  Feel free to list every one of your favs!  Hopefully I'll learn about a new brew.    For instance, Nacho and I hit the town tonight and I had a Young's Double Chocolate Stout.  Freakin' amazing! 

One of my favorites--I plead with Αριστοκλής to not bleep out any of this, because I'm merely stating the name of the beer--is Arrogant Bastard Ale by Stone Brewery of San Diego.  "You're not worthy to drink this beer."

[Αριστοκλής]

Unless you are referring to a member's parentage, and that falsely or without proof, I wouldn't 'bleep" this 

[Schultz]

Porter!

Porter!

Porter!

[FrChris]

^^Yes, I'd rather drink porter than any other beer if I'm just sitting with some friends.

But still, there are times...like on Meatfare Sunday and Presbytera may make a Beef Wellington, and I had my own special stout served cellar temperature in a proper pub glass, with just the right amount of head to be able to support a dollar coin, the dry black patent malt lending its aroma to the meat as it is being carved...mmmmm...

[Fr. George]

Is there any truth to the story that the stream which the Guiness people use for their beer was once upon a time brackish, and that a pre-schism saint prayed over the water and it was cleansed?  If true, would this make Guiness a type of Holy Water?

[Trudy]

^^Yes, I'd rather drink porter than any other beer if I'm just sitting with some friends.

But still, there are times...like on Meatfare Sunday and Presbytera may make a Beef Wellington, and I had my own special stout served cellar temperature in a proper pub glass, with just the right amount of head to be able to support a dollar coin, the dry black patent malt lending its aroma to the meat as it is being carved...mmmmm...

So what time is dinner?  I'll bring dessert.

 

[Fr. George]

^^Yes, I'd rather drink porter than any other beer if I'm just sitting with some friends.

But still, there are times...like on Meatfare Sunday and Presbytera may make a Beef Wellington, and I had my own special stout served cellar temperature in a proper pub glass, with just the right amount of head to be able to support a dollar coin, the dry black patent malt lending its aroma to the meat as it is being carved...mmmmm...

You know, after all that talk about bringing your brewing equipment to school (that never materialized), and now your bringing up your homebrews, I'm definitely going to have to come down there once you and your stuff are re-united. Either that, or there's going to be a report about a burglary in Dayton.....

(Mwa-ha-ha-ha).

[Αριστοκλής]

So what time is dinner?  I'll bring dessert.

 

I'll bring the μεζές dishes.

[Schultz]

^^Yes, I'd rather drink porter than any other beer if I'm just sitting with some friends.

But still, there are times...like on Meatfare Sunday and Presbytera may make a Beef Wellington, and I had my own special stout served cellar temperature in a proper pub glass, with just the right amount of head to be able to support a dollar coin, the dry black patent malt lending its aroma to the meat as it is being carved...mmmmm...

You are not allowed to type such things on a Friday, Father! 

It's sinful to lead others into temptation!

[Fr. George]

You are not allowed to type such things on a Friday, Father! 

It's sinful to lead others into temptation!

Ah, yes... But somehow, somewhere, it is not a Friday

[Jakub]

Some peoples here show a bit of Trappist traits I think...good taste in beer & ale

[lubeltri]

One of my favorites--I plead with Αριστοκλής to not bleep out any of this, because I'm merely stating the name of the beer--is Arrogant Bastard Ale by Stone Brewery of San Diego.  "You're not worthy to drink this beer."

That stuff is great! I got my brother a bottle as a bit of a joke. He being a Coors Light kind of guy, his taste buds were not worthy! I had the whole thing to myself.

[Αριστοκλής]

So, the Pope likes the stuff, eh?

[Νεκτάριος]

My favorites are Obolon', Rohan', Chernihivs'ke. They are probably closer to "lager" type than to "ale" type, strong (but not overly bitter and not "stout"), crisp, with great after-taste

Оболонь!  Вот это пиво!

I love that stuff.  Kiosks in Moscow would sell liter bottles for fairly cheap.  Lot's of fun and good memories from Obolon'.  I don't think I can get it here though. 

[jayjay]

Coming from a country that knows good beer (Australia), and having travelled extensively through Nth America/Western/Eastern Europe, nothing beats a Tasmanian beer "Boags Draught". Though, when I was in a small town in Germany about 1/2 hr west of Hamburg (can't remember the name), they had the best home made dark beer I've ever tasted (and I've tasted more than a few beers in my time). Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, Beer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[GabrieltheCelt]

I know I keep saying this, but I can't get over how great these two beers are!

Oatmeal Stout and Double Chocolate Stout, both by Young's of England... Also Oatmeal Stout by Samuel Smith's of England...

Love Love Love 'em!

[PeterTheAleut]

Just thinking, maybe because I'm drinking one right now, of another beer with a good name to go with its good taste:  Dead Guy Ale by Rogue Brewery in Newport, Oregon.  After sufficient exposure to light, parts of the bottle's label actually glow in the dark.

[Jakub]

I do enjoy the Fall/Winter seasons, there is a plethora of brews available to sample and enjoy...

[lubeltri]

Thanks for resurrecting this topic!

My roommate and I got an amazing deal on flights to London for Christmastime. You just reminded me that I'm going to be in beer heaven soon! We're going to take a trip out to western England (he wants to check out a Bible college in Gloucester)---cask ales and scrumpy in pub after pub! Sigh---if only the pound were not worth $2.09.

[Heorhij]

Оболонь!  Вот это пиво!

I love that stuff.  Kiosks in Moscow would sell liter bottles for fairly cheap.  Lot's of fun and good memories from Obolon'.  I don't think I can get it here though. 

In Kyiv, when I was there last time (summer 2006), a liter bottle of Obolon' was substantially cheaper than a 12-fl.oz. can of Budweiser. And you know what, I saw quite a lot of people eagerly buying Budweiser - they would say, ah, that's American, cool, must be great stuff...

[PeterTheAleut]

In Kyiv, when I was there last time (summer 2006), a liter bottle of Obolon' was substantially cheaper than a 12-fl.oz. can of Budweiser. And you know what, I saw quite a lot of people eagerly buying Budweiser - they would say, ah, that's American, cool, must be great stuff...

That's like my trip to China when, two weeks into the three-week tour, a good number of us couldn't wait to eat at the first McDonalds we saw.  Good ol' American food, if food it can be called.

[GabrieltheCelt]

  After sufficient exposure to light, parts of the bottle's label actually glow in the dark.

Dead Guy's not too bad; just be careful with the light exposure- too much makes beer skunky <insert emoticon holding it's nose>...

[PeterTheAleut]

Dead Guy's not too bad; just be careful with the light exposure- too much makes beer skunky <insert emoticon holding it's nose>...

Fortunately, Dead Guy is bottled in a brown bottle.

[wynd]

I know I keep saying this, but I can't get over how great these two beers are!

Oatmeal Stout and Double Chocolate Stout, both by Young's of England... Also Oatmeal Stout by Samuel Smith's of England...

Love Love Love 'em!

Never had Young's, but you did manage to list two of my favorite styles of beer in one sentence.  I <3 stouts (except Guinness).

[Robert]

Leinenkrugel Harvest Wheat (The best beer I've ever had)
Blue Moon w/ Orange
Rogue Hazelnut Brown ale