The Beer Forum - It's really a thread but we're too drunk to notice. - Page 104

Synwyn · 11/15/08, 4:30 PM

Originally Posted by Denogran

I think you're going to have to be more specific of what you're looking for, as many of your criteria are relative to what you're used to. For example, I love big hoppy beers, and dark stouts, and basically anything that's just overloaded with flavor. So I'd put Sierra Nevada's pale ale as an example of a light, strongly hopped beer that's not just a mouthful of hops. For my buddies that drink Lite beers though, Sierra Nevada is overpoweringly strong and something only to be drank in extreme moderation.

I would probably suggest something in the Pale Ale category though. My experience with Pales though has been that they're all over the map as far as taste goes. I grew up on the SNPA, so that was my baseline, and I can't say I've ever had anything like that. Most are a fair bit less hoppy and more quaffable which is what it sounds like you're going for. As always, I'd recommend just hitting up a local beer store and trying out something that's regional. These tend to be fresher( and therefore usually tastier ), and you're supporting the local economy which is always good.

The local selection here is pretty small. We have Rolling Rock, Yuengling, and Iron Shitty, pretty much. I've had my fair share of my local brews. Honestly, I don't think anything you gave me could be "too hoppy". Actually, I prefer overwhelmingly hoppy brews. However, not if I'm going to be sitting on my ass drinking them all day. Is there a 60 minute IPA around that's not as heavy as dogfish head or SN?

Kaubel · 11/15/08, 6:20 PM

Originally Posted by Synwyn

I want something light (so I can drink it all day without dying.), with a strong, but not overpowering hoppiness.

Just look for some Samuel Adams Pale Ale.

Apate · 11/15/08, 8:51 PM

I got ahold of a double Bastard and it was great. You can really taste the alcohol in that one. I'd like to grab one to hold for a year or so, but I'm weak-willed and I like beer a lot.

• Wodin · 11/16/08, 6:33 AM

Originally Posted by nataku

Arrogant Bastard is right at my threshold for hoppiness (actually had one this weekend since I was at Bevmo and didn't feel like drinking the beer I had at home with pork ribs for dinner). Though I'd probably try it, a Double Arrogant sounds like too much hoppy goodness for my palate.

Oddly enough, the Double Arrogant is actually significantly smoother than the single, at least to my tastes.

impossible! · 11/18/08, 10:59 AM

Originally Posted by Synwyn

So I've decided to come here for advice on what I should get for this evening. I'm off for the next 2 days, so I'll be grinding away. I want something light (so I can drink it all day without dying.), with a strong, but not overpowering hoppiness. That's a pretty vague specification, but I'm fairly open minded when it comes to my beer, and I always enjoy trying new beers, even if they're not too great.

So.. any of you east coasters have something worth trying for a weekend?

I know this is late, but Stoudt's Gold Lager totally rules for this sort of application. You know, on top of being one of the best German-style Americans I've had.

Apate · 11/18/08, 11:53 AM

Last night I had a friend over for some gaming and beer. We grabbed some Racer 5 IPA, Stone Honey Porter, and 3 Philosophers. All of them were delicious. The Racer 5 is now one of my favorite IPAs, and I was surprised that you could really taste a bit of the lambic "funk" (probably from open-air fermentation) in the 3 Philosophers. Stone's Honey Porter was solid, too.

Maligne · 11/19/08, 12:32 PM

Originally Posted by Apate

Last night I had a friend over for some gaming and beer. We grabbed some Racer 5 IPA, Stone Honey Porter, and 3 Philosophers. All of them were delicious. The Racer 5 is now one of my favorite IPAs, and I was surprised that you could really taste a bit of the lambic "funk" (probably from open-air fermentation) in the 3 Philosophers. Stone's Honey Porter was solid, too.

If you enjoy that "lambic funk" you should try some Gueuzes if you haven't already. Slight sour tinge mixed with moldy cheese and feet. Delicious and refreshing. Some of the better ones include Oud Beersel Oude Gueuze Vieille and Hanssens Artisanaal Oude Gueuze.

Apate · 11/19/08, 1:12 PM

Yep, those are great.

I've also had the Jolly Rancher-tasting 'American style" lambics (Lindeman's, although they make traditional lambics that are a bit harder to find), which are ok if you like soda. The Sam Adams cranberry lambic is an ale with cranberry juice, but still pretty good.

Kjallstrom · 11/20/08, 5:26 PM

Originally Posted by Apate

Yep, those are great.

I've also had the Jolly Rancher-tasting 'American style" lambics (Lindeman's, although they make traditional lambics that are a bit harder to find), which are ok if you like soda. The Sam Adams cranberry lambic is an ale with cranberry juice, but still pretty good.

A server at Monk's Belgian Beer Emporium in Philly once recommended mixing Lindeman's Framboise Lambia 1:1 with Young's Double Chocolate Stout. It's like drinking valentine's candy, but it's beer. Not something I'd have regularly, but interesting.

Westvleteren · 12/01/08, 4:30 PM

My friend moved a bit south and, long story short, was able to find a few varieties of Bells to bring back home for the holidays. This was great news to me since they don't distribute where I live. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to find Expedition or Two-Hearted, which are the two I really cared about most. Oh well... at least I got to try the Kalamazoo and the Porter, which were both great. I have a Lager and an Amber Ale waiting, neither of which excite me a ton being a stout-head but still... mmm Bells.

Also recently had Rohrbach's Christmas Ale, and it was pretty ok. I've also come to find that Saranac Imperial Stout is a pretty decent penny-pincher stout. I mean, it's no Stone RIS in taste or price.

Kaubel · 12/01/08, 10:24 PM

Shiner Holiday Cheer

I'll be damned. I thought it was just going to be OK, or that I might not like it at all, but it's actually pretty freaking good. The peach taste is strong, but there's enough nutty wheat taste/texture to balance it. Lots of carbonation too which probably also helps it out. It's went well with the drunken noodles I had for supper, and also does good on it's own. There has to be a better food category for it to match up with but I can't decide what that might be.

Definitely glad we bought the whole six-pack.

Apate · 12/02/08, 3:18 PM

In the Vegas BB trip we had a sweet, apricot (I think) wine paired with a savory meal containing some apricots. I'd take a cue from that (it worked very well; I don't normally care for wine) and try it with something containing both salty/savory flavors and sweet flavors.

I think that you could probably find something in Thanksgiving leftovers to try it with - say a turkey sandwich with cranberries? Other thoughts would be some type of mole, or some desert items that aren't too rich.

Kaubel · 12/02/08, 8:10 PM

My first thought was "apple pie well-done" but I can't wrap my head around it. Hell, I love apple pie so I guess it can't hurt to try.

Masataka · 12/06/08, 4:17 AM

I would presume that Shiner Holiday Cheer is the beer? I'm curious to your area as mine apparently sucks for a lot of the beers people tend to mention in this thread. Also is the "apple pie well-done" a reference to the beer? If so, I really need to find this brew.

Kaubel · 12/06/08, 9:41 AM

No, no. Holiday Cheer is the beer.

Wort's Going On Here?: Shiner Holiday Cheer Review

I'm in Texas. And with the brewery less than 7 hours away, it's not going to be that hard to find Shiner beer.