At one time, this question would have been an oxymoron, but no longer. I have come across only two beer-related threads in this forum, surprisingly, so thought I would start this one up. I know from meeting lots of FTers in all parts of the world, that this is a common lubricant to which many are acquainted. And since we have seen a veritable eruption of micro/craft breweries throughout the continent, I am hoping to get some good recommendations for my future travels across America.

Now I realize no single beer can really be considered the "best", so feel free to offer a couple of recommendations, in the lager [and pilsner sub-species] and ale categories.

I have never been overly impressed with US-brewed lagers, finding them lacking in character, body and other attributes I consider essential in a good beer. However, on a hot summer's afternoon in a ballpark, I guess just about anything passes, though SAM ADAMS likely ranks best except where there is actually an in-park micro/craft on offer, as in Denver.

For American ALES, I was knocked back by an ANDERSON VALLEY AMBER a few weeks back at the Beer Bar of the FOUR POINTS LAX. Classic with a full mouthy character.

Let the posts begin...

Best in the US?

Imported German wheats.

:D

Best in the US?

Imported German wheats.

:D

This fan of the Hefeweizen has found a US brewed wheat beer that IMHO gives taste and pleasure equal to any from Europe. It is called Celis White and is brewed in San Antonio, with distribution spotty around the US. It is brewed by oldtimers who brewed in Belgium for many years before coming to the States and they claim that they located in San Antonio because it had water quality most suitable to their product.

Best beer in the US is the one you're buying for me. I'll have a Fat Tire, please. :D

This fan of the Hefeweizen has found a US brewed wheat beer that IMHO gives taste and pleasure equal to any from Europe. It is called Celis White and is brewed in San Antonio, with distribution spotty around the US. It is brewed by oldtimers who brewed in Belgium for many years before coming to the States and they claim that they located in San Antonio because it had water quality most suitable to their product.Celis is pretty good, or at least it was before being acquired by one of the Borg beers (Miller?). It disappeared there for awhile, at least in my area at the time, and I never went back.

As I recall, it was spicier than typical hefeweizen.

There are definitely some great breweries in the US. I am amazed at how far the US beers have evolved in the last 15 years. Of course it is a matter of taste but my favorite brewery is New Belgium, and my favorite beer is New Belgium Abbey. I have a soft spot for Belgium beers.

I have come across only two beer-related threads in this forum, surprisingly...

Well you see there's the problem. You're in the wrong forum. For beer related discussion you want to go to "Qantas Frequent Flyer" :D

This fan of the Hefeweizen has found a US brewed wheat beer that IMHO gives taste and pleasure equal to any from Europe. It is called Celis White and is brewed in San Antonio, with distribution spotty around the US. It is brewed by oldtimers who brewed in Belgium for many years before coming to the States and they claim that they located in San Antonio because it had water quality most suitable to their product.

Hear Hear, also an excellent Hefeweizen is Pyramid Hefe brewed in Berkeley.

Most US beers are quite simply, lacking. That's in general. What are they lacking? Taste for one, which is highly important to me.

I make sure to have a steady supply of Beck's, Stella Artois, Hoegaarden and Newcastle Brown on hand.

Those are real beers.

There are definitely some great breweries in the US. I am amazed at how far the US beers have evolved in the last 15 years. Of course it is a matter of taste but my favorite brewery is New Belgium, and my favorite beer is New Belgium Abbey. I have a soft spot for Belgium beers.

I really like their Black Ale (http://www.newbelgium.com/beer_1554.shtml)

One of the finest beers in the world is Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout by North Coast Brewing in Fort Bragg, California. Just very little of it is made making it hard to find. And expensive (almost at the Belgian abbey ale prices). And for Hefe, Widmer makes a very good mass-market one (every bit as good as Spaten).

In PWM, I'm a great fan of Shipyard Export Ale. Closer to home, Goose Island Honker's Ale.

I make sure to have a steady supply of Beck's, Stella Artois.

Those are real beers.

Beck's and Stella? :eek: You might want to talk to someone German and Belgian before you tell anyone else about what's in your fridge..... ;)
German only drink Beck's overseas and will never touch the stuff at home.

Try to find something like Grolsh, that won't raise eyebrows.

Cheers

Most US beers are quite simply, lacking. That's in general. What are they lacking? Taste for one, which is highly important to me.

I make sure to have a steady supply of Beck's, Stella Artois, Hoegaarden and Newcastle Brown on hand.

Those are real beers.

Those are really not that good Crowes. Hoegaarden I'll agree with you, but the rest are only really good in a "It's hot, I've got a cold beer" kind of way. Stella and Becks in particular are your Bud and MGD of European lagers, especially in the UK.

As for American beers; for micro-brew I'll take Rogue Brewing Co (Oregon) as they really are pretty much perfect and Henry Weinhards on a mass produced kind of level. I'll even admit to quite enjoying an ice cold six pack of Miller High Life on a really hot day occasionally :D

Best beer in the US is the one you're buying for me. I'll have a Fat Tire, please. :D

With all due respect, Ewwwwwwwwww! :eek:

I don't rate Fat Tire the best amber in Fort Collins. I personally prefer O'Dells 90 Schilling for the best amber in Fort Collins. :)

For my favorite, I personally prefer Deschutes Black Butte Porter from the Deschutes Brewery - Bend, OR. I love the taste of this beer and it definitely is smooth on my palate. ^

What does sex in a canoe and American beer have in common ?
They're both f'ing close to water :)

The best beer in the US tho, imho, is a Falstaff. Cheap but good :)

Found out last week that the Trader Joe's in Springfield VA has Chimay 75 cl for $7.50 or $8.00 (depending on the variety).

But right now I'm drinking a Sea Dog IPA.

The best beer in the US tho, imho, is a Falstaff. Cheap but good :)

Ah, the folks responsible for Ballantine Ale, no? Used to come with a rebus under the crown.

Not too much experience of US beers but I've always enjoyed Sierra Nevada Pale Ale when on the west coast. I usually have a Shiner Bock when in DFW AC. Not as tasty as Sierra Nevada but packs a nice punch. :)

Of the "big" US brands I usually go for Sam Adams. Failing that Killian's Irish Red which seems to be fairly widely available.

Sam Adams Cherry Wheat

I like Shiner Bock from Texas.

Most US beers are quite simply, lacking. That's in general. What are they lacking? Taste for one, which is highly important to me.

I make sure to have a steady supply of Beck's, Stella Artois, Hoegaarden and Newcastle Brown on hand.

Those are real beers.

If you say so :rolleyes:


Odells 90 shilling is probably my favorite. also a fan of shiner bock, breckenridge brewery avalanche, Rail Yard Ale (you can see I spent some time in Denver area).

If I drink non-US beer then I am looking at Murphy's. Most of the time it is too hot in Texas to drink anything but a very ice cold light beer. They go down like water, go figure.

I was thinking of posting a smart-... response about no American beer being good ... but then I recently had a really nice experience with a microbrew out of Michigan. The brewery is Bell's. The beer is called "Oberon." They also make a wickedly good Amber, but it's Bell's Oberon that takes the cake. If you're ever up in Detroit or elsewhere in Michigan, it's really worth tracking down. Not very expensive, either.

Hear Hear, also an excellent Hefeweizen is Pyramid Hefe brewed in Berkeley.

Pyramid has a brewery in Berkeley, but they are actually from Washington State.

Most US beers are quite simply, lacking. That's in general. What are they lacking? Taste for one, which is highly important to me.

I make sure to have a steady supply of Beck's, Stella Artois, Hoegaarden and Newcastle Brown on hand.

Those are real beers.

I think you are looking in the wrong places. There are lots of great American breweries - one right in Chicago (Goose Island). As for the European stuff - there are many that are far better than the ones you listed (i.e., no Belgians???? - Stella doesn't count).

Blackened Voodoo (http://beeradvocate.com/beer/rate_results/404/1186/) ...and a pail of spicy mud bugs... ^

This fan of the Hefeweizen has found a US brewed wheat beer that IMHO gives taste and pleasure equal to any from Europe. It is called Celis White and is brewed in San Antonio, with distribution spotty around the US. It is brewed by oldtimers who brewed in Belgium for many years before coming to the States and they claim that they located in San Antonio because it had water quality most suitable to their product.

Actually, Celis While isn't a hefeweizen, it's a Belgian-style wit. Hefeweizens are prepared in accordance with the German Reinheitsgebot (Beer Purity Law) of 1516 and contain nothing other than grain, water, hops and yeast. Wit beers, like other Belgian styles, are flavored with spices such as coriander, Curacao orange and the marvelously-named blend "grains of paradise".

Call Celis White or any of his other beers a hefeweizen anywhere near Pierre Celis and be prepared to duck (and I don't care if he is in his eighties, he'd still take a swing at you).

Celis White is back in U.S. production after its Miller misadventure; it's being produced by the Michigan Brewing Company in Webberville, MI. Pierre Celis no longer has any connection with the brand bearing his name and he's not happy with it. So he's offering his own version that he feels is truer to the original Celis White. It's brewed in Belgium, and imported to the U.S. under the name "Ertvelds Wit".

By the way, Celis White/Ertvelds Wit is the second world-class wit beer for which Pierre is responsible. When he still made his home in Belgium, he gave the world the original Hoegaarden Wit in the early 1960s.

As for what's the best beer? Frankly, the question is as unanswerable as, "what's the best food?" My usual response when I'm asked that question (and I do get asked it regularly when people learn what I do for a living) is that it's ultimately a subjective decision and my answer would vary at least daily depending on where I am and what I'm in the mood for.

Gregg Wiggins
columnist, Brewing News/correspondent, American Brewer magazines

The US definitely has its share of mediocre beers, but you can find tasteless beer pretty much anywhere in the world. Anyone who posts that there are no good beers in the US has obviously not been around. The Northwest and Denver areas have become hubs for some great Micro/Craft Breweries. I would suggest attending one of the many beer festivals in the US. The Oregon Brewers Festival in Portland is my favorite.

Harpoon Ale (from Boston) gets my vote! Their UFO (Un-Filtered Offering) Hefeweizen wheat beer (served with a lemon) is fantastic! see: http://www.harpoonbrewery.com/

(On topic for this thread - on the "Fun Facts" page of the Harpoon Brewery, it states that: "The growth of the specialty (craft or micro) beer segment has resulted in more breweries in the US than any other country in the world." see: http://www.harpoonbrewery.com/brewery/fun_facts/index.htm )

Greg Wiggins said it perfectly:

As for what's the best beer? Frankly, the question is as unanswerable as, "what's the best food?" My usual response when I'm asked that question (and I do get asked it regularly when people learn what I do for a living) is that it's ultimately a subjective decision and my answer would vary at least daily depending on where I am and what I'm in the mood for.

There is no such thing as the Best. It depends on what you like.

For Me:

Dependable (in most cases:) Sam Adams, the seasonals with the edge.

Always reliable, although not the real thing: Guinness on tap with a good cigar. :)

New Jersey: Dorians Red Hand Ale (You will have to come to Jersey City to find otu what I am talking about.)

Texas: Shiner Bock

New ORleans: Avidas or Fat Tires

California: the special beers at the Four Points LAX or Newcastle.

The microbrews are also interesting and tasty.

I like the beers in Canada which have a slighter bite and fresher taste.

It's funny... I tried this Alt in Dusseldorf and was underwhelmed. Tasted watery. Sorry but not a big fan of those (unlike many a Flyertalker.) (The PEPSI though was fantastic! ;) )

Budlight ... extra text added to meet minimum length requirements.

Anything from the Lagunitas Brewing Co. based in Petaluma, California.
www.lagunitas.com

Otter Creek and Long Trail, perhaps available only in my native Vermont.

Red Hook Double Black Stout
Yuengling black and tan

The best beer is the Belgian Trippel-style ale that I brewed yesterday from nothing but malted barley, hops, yeast, water and (because it's a Belgian) candi sugar! Actually, I can't say that until I see how it turns out in a month or so.

There are some wonderful beers in the U.S. Saying all US-brewed beer is flavorless is the same as saying all American restaurants serve tasteless food. If all you know is bud/miller/coors, or mcdonalds/burger king/pizza hut, you are bound to have that opinion. But if you get out there and look around, you'll find that there are countless interesting beers (and restaurants) that merit trying. They're not hard to find either.

I was a UC Davis fermentation Science major in the 80s and I felt it was my career duty to develop my knowledge base by sampling as many beers as I could during my college days and the subsequent years:D .

Taste is primarily subjective and for many taste preferences will change over time. I've gone through periods where I preferred stouts, porters, ales, pilseners, tripels, etc.

My #1 all-time pick for American beer:

1992-93 Geary's Hampshire ale (Maine seasonal brew);slogan is something like "Only available while the weather sucks"

Old Dominion Ale and Old Dominion Summer Wheat from Virginia. Mmmmm.

Harpoon India Pale Ale - best for those hot days.

I judge all American microbrews by Sam Adams - a good standard; there are some better and some not as good.

I'm rather fond of Full Sail Pale Ale. And anything from Fish Tale down in Olympia is rather good.

Although my all time favorite based on name is Missoula Brewing's Old Bongwater Brown. Followed by their Moose Drool.

Snohqualmie Brewing does a good job with their PGA, aka Pretty Good Ale.


Lots of good beer gets brewed in America. In fact some would argue that brewing in America is the best in world because we aren't bound by traditional brewing technique. Would necessary completely agree but I would agree that we are the mad scientist of the beer community.

check out www.beeradvocate.com, dedicated amateurs running a good beer site.

I'll be in Michigan in october so will look out for Oberon. We're also planning a stop in Milwaukee to try out some microbrews - any recommendations?

I've tried Otter Creek - which was very good. Our hotel owner in Stowe procured some for us last time we were in Vermont.

I've always been partial to an Anchor Liberty Ale, indeed most of the Anchor beers from SF. Anchor, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and Sam Adams being the only non- Miller, Coors, Bud that are easy-ish to find over in the UK

Then again, I also love the Dusseldorf Schlosser Alt beer so perhaps my taste isn't yours.

If you're ever in Scotland try the Innis & Gunn which is fermented in whisky casks - interesting flavour!

Old Dominion Ale and Old Dominion Summer Wheat from Virginia. Mmmmm.

And the Old Dominion brewery (with restaurant attached) in Ashburn, Virginia is only about three miles from Washington Dulles Airport should you have a couple of hours to spend sampling some of what's made there.

On weekend afternoons they offer free tours with free beers (and it says a lot about the company that the most frequent guides giving the tours are either Old Dominion's president and founder or its head brewer).

See their website at www.olddominion.com for details.

We're also planning a stop in Milwaukee to try out some microbrews - any recommendations?

I highly recommend checking out Lakefront Brewery (http://www.lakefrontbrewery.com/). It's a fairly small brewery, and the beer is great. If you have time for a tour, they're a lot of fun (with plentiful sampling!). And, if you're around on a Friday, the fish fry is tasty, too!

Another good brewery, although somewhat larger, is Sprecher (http://www.sprecherbrewery.com/). The beers are good, but the tours aren't nearly as fun as Lakefront's.

You'll do yourself a favor to try a STONE SMOKED PORTER from Stone Brewing Company in San Diego. We're fortunate here in So. California to be able to buy many of the great Stone Brewing products at our local Von's Markets or Bristol Farms.

Yuengling...

That complaint that there's no good American beer is from 20 years ago. We now have hundreds of craft beers that could kick most British pub taps to the curb.

** Catamount Amber Ale out of Vermont.
** Rogue American Amber or Bitter out of Oregon.
** Scuttlebutt IPA out of Everett, Washington.
** Snoqualmie IPA.

You got to go exploring.

Odells 90 shilling is probably my favorite.

Belated Welcome to FlyerTalk to you envgeo. By the way, great taste in Beer!

Best regards,

RobotDoctor

My favorite microbrewery is the Bluegrass Brewing Co. in Louisville, KY. Was a regular there a few years ago when I made frequent visits to town. I used to bring two six packs of their Altbier back one each plane trip, a couple cases if I drove. Their Nut Brown Ale was my favorite (but they did not bottle it). I understand they now have a bar in SDF. You were able to get one or two of their brews at bar outside security in SDF. I think they only distribute in KY and southern IN.

Bells is also excellent. I actually did a college marketing project on the brewery. Was worth the trip from Detroit to Kalamazoo for "research".

Tom

My favorite is Schlafly Kolsch from St. Louis. It's usually only available in the Spring and Summer.

Shiner Bock...they also have Shiner Summer Stock, Shiner Blonde, (new) Shiner Light and they have a Heifeweizen too. All very good...

Yuengling, traditional lager.
Yuengling, black and tan

Yuengling, traditional lager.
Yuengling, black and tan

Gets my vote. ^

With all due respect, Ewwwwwwwwww! :eek:

I don't rate Fat Tire the best amber in Fort Collins. I personally prefer O'Dells 90 Schilling for the best amber in Fort Collins. :)

For my favorite, I personally prefer Deschutes Black Butte Porter from the Deschutes Brewery - Bend, OR. I love the taste of this beer and it definitely is smooth on my palate. ^

Have to agree on the Black Butte Porter. For my money, the best beer in the country is made in WA and OR. We struggle sometimes finding good beer in restaurants in other parts of the country.

Cleveland, Ohio
Great lakes Brewing- Blackout Stout

Yuengling is tops in my book!!!

Second place would be ICE COLD Henieken!

Trader Joe's also markets a Mission St. Pale Ale that is surprisingly good. Not as hoppy as a Sierra Nevada, but with a nice bite. I also used to shop at their original store on Mission St. in South Pasadena, so the label added a nice touch.

All-time favorite American beer has to be Leinenkugel's Honey Weiss. Followed by Leinie's Northwoods Lager. Followed by Leinie's Red. Followed by...you get the idea.

They know what they're doing in Chippewa Falls.

Hi, I don't drink beer at all, but I came upon this article several weeks ago... quite a cute story hehe..

This bear seems to favor Rainier Beer :P

Please check the story out!

~Little Dragon Kitty

http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/West/08/18/bear.beer.reut/

The best beer you can buy in the U.S. is Franziskaner Weissbier from Germany. but there are some good microbrew wheat beers in the States now too.

Well, being as though I hail from what the locals call "Munich on the Willamette" and I've indulged in durned near everything Oregon, Washington and Alaska (and nearly every other state in the union, too) has to offer over the past 20 years, here's a short list of my picks in no particular order (except for the first one :):


http://www.bridgeportbrew.com/bp-brews-ipa.html (Bridgeport IPA, Portland, OR -- 50 IBUs. Woo wee! (I do like 'em hoppy ...)
Deschutes Mirror Pond Ale, Bend, OR -- It's good from the bottle, but absolutely stellar on cask.
Alaskan Smoked Porter -- Juneau, AK -- Mm, mm, good!
New Glarus Belgian Red, New Glarus, WI -- Roll-over-and-bark faboriffic.
St. Stan's Alt, Modesto, CA -- My first love of all the alts. Still a winner in my little black book ;)
Widmer Hefeweissen, Portland, OR -- (tap only) One of the finest brews to sip on a hot summer day. A slice of lemon is a must.
Pyramid Apricot Ale, Kalama, WA -- Damn fine fruit ale
Pyramid Belgian White, Kalama, WA -- Northwest take on a exceptional style of ale. (Sadly, I think this is off the market now, as I haven't seen it in ages)
McMennamins Ruby Ale, pubs throughout OR and WA -- Lovely raspberry ale, using only fresh berries (no extract!)
Anderson Valley Boont Amber Ale, Boonville, CA
Anchor Brewing Special Ale 19xx, 200x, etc. , San Francisco, CA -- Always look forward to this annual Christmas offering. Tres spicy.
Lucky Lab Black Lab Stout, Portland, OR -- (only available on tap at the pub) -- My favorite American style stout


I admit it, I'm a little bit of a homer when it comes to micros. Guess I can afford to be. :D But I do enjoy sampling brews from all over this fine country.

If you like English bitter John Smith's can't be found in the US but in Boston Tremont Ale comes close.

The best beer you can buy in the U.S. is Franziskaner Weissbier from Germany.
Hear, hear! ^

but there are some good microbrew wheat beers in the States now too.
It seems like most of the American wheats have some sort of fruit or honey added - something I'd rather avoid. Could you or anyone else recommend some without the training wheels?

I recently tried an unflavored draft American hefe listed on this thread, left unnamed to spare the other poster. Despite walking around in the heat of the day and being rather thirsty, the first taste was so unpleasant I left it sitting on the bar and walked out. The flavor was reminiscent of decent hefe filtered through a slightly moldy bar rag. If this is an example of a good American wheat...no thanks.

most of the American wheats have some sort of fruit or honey added - something I'd rather avoid. Could you or anyone else recommend some without the training wheels?Widmer hefe is quite good. But I've only drunk it from the barrel at the brewery, maybe it changes in bottling (Delta CRC at PDX had it on tap, when DL was still a good airline, and it was excellent that way, too).

Someone interested enough to read all the way through this thread may want to investigate this site:

http://www.beertown.org/events/gabf/04winners.htm

for suggestions of beers to try; this is the medalists' list from the just-concluded Great American Beer Festival in Denver.

These awards are perhaps the most prestigious in American brewing and, since they present gold/silver/bronze medals in 67 categories ranging from non-alcoholic beer to barleywines, there is a style here for anybody.

Almost any micro IPA. The higher the IBUs, the better. I like Mash House IPA (Fayettevile, NC), the demised Devil's Elbow IPA (Morrisville, NC), the beers of Avery and Dogfish Head. I just had a Toppers Hop Pocket at my local pub (the Sawmill Taproom) but have been drinking the Endo Cottonwood IPA (Boone, NC).

If anyone is in town, I will take you on a tour of real beer places. ^

Widmer hefe is quite good. Thanks for the suggestion. You're the second person in this thread to say that, though my experience with it was very different. I'll have to give it another try perhaps.

You really can't beat Budweiser. As mentioned on the label, it is the best beer available at any price.

Enjoy.

You really can't beat Budweiser. As mentioned on the label, it is the best beer available at any price.

Enjoy.

Thanks, I needed a good laugh today! My vote if for FT. Collins. I am sure its been mentioned already. Also here in NY is a small brewery called Woodstock Brewing. Great Stuff!

I have been drinking it for 20 years, began right after they began production. Still haven't found something better.

You really can't beat Budweiser. As mentioned on the label, it is the best beer available at any price.

Enjoy.

Considering that beer is sometimes referred to as "liquid bread," this is like saying that the packaged white bread on supermarket shelves is superior to a freshly made loaf of, say, rye from a fine neighborhood artisanal bakery.

Still, enjoy your Bud if you prefer.

If the company's paying... I'm drinking^

Full Sail Amber Ale really tingled my taste buds. But the best beer I've had came from a liter stein at Oktober Fest in Munich.

Shiner Bock in Texas (especially after a Rugby match)

McGuires Irish Pub Stout in Pensacola, Fl. A real aviator's beer...

Almost anything cold at old Trader John's in Pensacola. There were many real "tailhooker's beers" back then. (Excepting, of course, Bud and other American p*ss beers). However, come to think of it, after the nurse's uniforms started flying off (back when they were all women, of course) I think even the Bud tasted... well.... no... it still tasted like bad tap water. :)

200 microbrews in America that would best anything in a Brit or Irish pub? Me thinketh nay!

...none of the above, and nothing in America, can touch REAL Guinness.

If you are ever in Chicago, it might be worth it to take the Metra Electric commuter south to my hometown of Flossmoor (about 40 minutes), where, attached to the train station is the Flossmoor Restaurant and Brewery.

It was named best brewpub in Chicagoland a couple years ago. Here is a listing of their beers with awards won:

http://flossmoorstation.com/OurBrews.htm

Nice not having to drive afterwards, especially after a sampler (~10 different 5 oz. glasses), and a couple pints of whichever ones you liked best.

About 30 minutes from MDW by car, or about 1 hour from ORD.

Send me an email if you want to come down and I'll stroll over and join you.

I really like Anchor Steam (http://www.anchorbrewing.com/beers/).

But the best beer I've had came from a liter stein at Oktober Fest in Munich.Oh, you got the smallest size ... 2 liter steins (and up) seem to be the norm. And where in the US can you get Oktoberfest style beer (I know some breweries make dark beers and label them as Oktoberfest, but has anyone found a good one?).

Black Butte Porter
Frankenheim Alt
Anderson Valley Boont Amber Ale
Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout
Checksvar (sp?)

Brother newself...

It's spelled Czechvar (named for Czechosolvakia, now the Czech republic.) ;)

Here's a website with some history:

http://www.beersince1933.com/czechvar.htm

It's very good beer. It tastes best in a little town square in Prague.

You also share another favorite beer of mine... Black Brute Porter!!!! :)

And, of course, old reliables;

Sam Adams Boston Lagar (My first beer)
Guinness, Guinness, Guinness

Also: Abita and Shiner Boch

Well, since people are going international here, I'm voting for some Belgians. In particular, check out La Chouffe (www.achouffe.be). Their song is very inspirational. Vive la Chouffe!

Considering that beer is sometimes referred to as "liquid bread," this is like saying that the packaged white bread on supermarket shelves is superior to a freshly made loaf of, say, rye from a fine neighborhood artisanal bakery.

Still, enjoy your Bud if you prefer.

I don't "prefer" Bud by any stretch of the imagination, but to its credit, at least it's just rice, malt, yeast, hops, and water (and tannin?). I'd happily take it over anything in a green or clear bottle.

I'd happily take it over anything in a green or clear bottle.
So what's the punchline?

When in doubt, a Sammy will do quite nicely. ^

The Best beer in the US?
The one sitting in front of me

My favorite American brew is a Sam Adams Cream Stout. On a hot summer's day I favor Pete's Wicked Strawberry Blonde.

My preference above all else is a tall Guinness draught at our Little Rock Flying Saucer. Then a Young's Double Chocolate Stout.

Our local brewery is Diamond Bear (available at the LIT airport!) and they make a really nice Irish Red. They also give an awesome tour on Saturdays that involves 4 free pints of beer! :D

We have a beer tasting group in Athens, GA named "The Yeastie Boys" that has met for well over 10 years and have sampled several thousand beers from around the world. My vote for best beer brewed in America is by far Ommegang from the Ommegang Brewery in Coopertown, NY. They are wholly owned by the Belgian brewery Duvel. Their Belgian style ale is very reasonably priced, considering it's over 8% abv (alcohol by volume). Other favorites are Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Barleywine Ale, Hog Heaven Barleywine from Avery (Boulder, Co.), Old Stock Ale by North Coast Brewing (Mendicino, Ca.). The beer I'm enjoying currently is also damn fine: Black Chocolate Stout by the Brooklyn Brewery. It has been like Christmas in Georgia for beer lovers since July 1, when Georgia repealed it's antiquated 6% law which pretty much ruled out all my favorites. Now instead of making the 10-hour r/t to Tallahasse, FL every couple of months to stock up I merely visit my local beer store. Prost!

[QUOTE=The Juiceman]We have a beer tasting group in Athens, GA named "The Yeastie Boys" that has met for well over 10 years and have sampled several thousand beers from around the world. QUOTE]

That is awesome, Juiceman! How did you guys get started?

I belong to a home brewer's club, which is tons of fun until someone wants you to sample their homemade watermelon wine! :p

Surprised no one has mentioned Sam Adams Utopia....

http://www.samueladams.com/world_of_beer.aspx

with 25% alcohol......it tastes like a cognac more than beer

Sells for about $100 a bottle but is virtually unavailable....bottled in 2003, none made in 2004, but they do expect to make it again in 2005.

Had some last week at the Party For the Senses Food and Wine Festival in Epcot.

Surprised no one has mentioned Sam Adams Utopia....

http://www.samueladams.com/world_of_beer.aspx

with 25% alcohol......it tastes like a cognac more than beer

Sells for about $100 a bottle but is virtually unavailable....bottled in 2003, none made in 2004, but they do expect to make it again in 2005.

Had some last week at the Party For the Senses Food and Wine Festival in Epcot.

I've had Utopias a few times (even had Jim Koch himself pour me a glass of it once) and while it's an impressive achievement, I wouldn't put it at the top of my list of "favorite beers". It's not even at the top of my list of favorite 15% alcohol and up beers. That list would include, probably, New Belgium Brewing's La Folie wood-aged Belgian-style ale; Hop 15 , a double IPA from a Solana Beach, California brewpub called the Pizza Port; and a couple of beers from the most innovative brewery in Delaware.

The two high-octane offerings from the Dogfish Head Brewery, World Wide Imperial Stout and Raison D'Extra (the brewery's Raison D'Etre Belgian-style ale on steroids) are both dangerously drinkable, hard to find, amazingly expensive -- and worth each penny. Raison D'Extra is out now, the 2004 edition of World Wide Imperial Stout will be released in November. The last World Wide Stout was over 18% ABV (alcohol by volume) and when I spoke to one of Dogfish Head's brewers in September he told me that they didn't yet have a definite measurement on the Raison D'Extra but by calculating from what they'd put into the brew, the resulting beer should be between 25 and 26% ABV.

See more at http://www.dogfish.com/beer/index.cfm

Both of these Dogfish Head beers taste more like beer than Utopias, although while World Wide has definite roasty, chocolatey stout notes, it also tastes somewhat wine-like. Raison D'Extra reminds me of Straffe Hendrik Bruin, an ale brewed in Bruges, until you try to stand up and are reminded that this beer has three times the alcohol content of 'Strong Henry'. A couple of weeks ago I shared a 750ml bottle of Raison D'Extra with two other people; all three of us write about beer and are experienced professional drinkers used to high-octane beers and who've built up a tolerance for alcohol. That one bottle gave all three of us a serious buzz.

Gregg Wiggins
Columnist/Correspondent
Brewing News/American Brewer magazines

(Edited to fix a typo)

[QUOTE=The Juiceman]We have a beer tasting group in Athens, GA named "The Yeastie Boys" that has met for well over 10 years and have sampled several thousand beers from around the world. QUOTE]

That is awesome, Juiceman! How did you guys get started?

I belong to a home brewer's club, which is tons of fun until someone wants you to sample their homemade watermelon wine! :p

We started our tasting group in the late 80's during the craft-brew revolution. Seemed that every other new beer sucked (Naked Aspen comes to mind) and we all got tired of having 5 undrinkable beers in the fridge. So we started pooling our resources and sampling a large number of beers together. Next thing we knew we were local legends and people went out of their way to bring us back beer from vacation. As well I am a beer tourist planning most vacations around beer selection and once brought back 84 beers. My number one spot is Amsterdam because it is the crossroads of many cultures and has an incredible beer selection from the U.K., Germany, Belgium, and of course, The Netherlands.

Now my vote for best beer in the world: Westvleteren 12. Anyone else? (And Heineken is not an acceptable answer.):p

1. Yuengling Traditional Lager (oldest continual use brewery in the country - 1824)
2. Samuel Adams Winter Ale
3. Flying Fish Pale Ale
4. Mirror Pond Pale Ale
5. Pyramid Apricot Ale

Alaskan Amber
Mirror Pond Pale Ale
Jolly Roger (Maritime Pacific's winter seasonal)
Pyramid Hefe
Fat Tire

These might be a bit hard to find outside of the west coast.

Terminal Gravity IPA
http://www.terminalgravitybrewing.com/

Hammerhead Nitro from Mcmenamins (ok -- so finding it on Nitro is unlikely)
http://www.mcmenamins.com/index.php?loc=75&id=415

Arrogant ....... Ale from Stone Brew http://www.stonebrew.com/

Yum!

These might be a bit hard to find outside of the west coast.

Terminal Gravity IPA
http://www.terminalgravitybrewing.com/

Hammerhead Nitro from Mcmenamins (ok -- so finding it on Nitro is unlikely)
http://www.mcmenamins.com/index.php?loc=75&id=415

Arrogant ....... Ale from Stone Brew http://www.stonebrew.com/

Yum!

LOVE the Arrogant ....... from Stone! Wish they would sell Stone products in Illinois, they have it elsewhere in the Midwest and on the East Coast too.

Here in the Midwest (Chicago), some of my favorites are the following, although not all are available in Chicago:

New Glarus Brewing (New Glarus, WI) Fat Squirrel, Yokel, all really are good
Three Floyds (Munster, IN) Alpha King
Two Brothers (Warrenville, IL) The Bitter End IPA
Goose Island (Chicago) India Pale Ale
Bell's Beer (Kalamazoo, MI) Amber Ale - BELLS IS NO LONGER IN CHICAGO :(

I've become addicted to Sam Adams light for a lager and Blue Moon for ale. They are relatively easy to find and taste rather good to me :)

The best US beer WAS...

Gorky's Russian Double Imperial Stout.
Black, rich, with a chocolate cream finish and a hint of bitter in the nose.

Unfortunately, this old time Downtown L.A. eatery (est. 1907, and added a brew-pub in the mid- 1980s) tried to expand into "fashionable" Hollywood trade with a second location...and went broke in the 1990s.

A great pity.


The best "commercial" beer is probably either Sam Adams Cream Stout or Anchor Porter.

YMMV

...Gorky's Russian Double Imperial Stout.
Black, rich, with a chocolate cream finish and a hint of bitter in the nose.
...You might want to try Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout from North Coast brewery in Ft. Bragg (TJ sometimes sells it). Very similar to what you describe (even down to the "chocolate milk shake" factor).

Rogue Imperial Stout and Double IPA are quite good...

Also, many of the Deschutes Beers are Outstanding...

Actually... the Northwest in general is just REAL yummy^

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale

Anything from Dogfish Head!!

I have become partial to Sweetwater brewery beers. they are a smallish brewery based in Atlanta.
Don't know if they distribute outside of the Atlanta/Athens area but if you get the chance try the Sweetwater 420, good stuff.
Terrapin brewery in Athens also has some good selections, I like their RYE pale ale.

On the other hand if its gonna be a twenty beer day (UGA game, super Bowl) i stick to Coors Light ( i know blasphemy)

LOVE the Arrogant ....... from Stone! Wish they would sell Stone products in Illinois, they have it elsewhere in the Midwest and on the East Coast too...

I tried this one the other night. Got a kick out of reading the label...not so much drinking the ale inside, so I guess I'm not worthy. LOL. What's with the cadmium-laced graphics, by the way. :confused:

It wasn't bad, mind you. In fact, it is good, but just a little too hoppy for my taste. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale is about as hoppy as I can tolerate and this one blows that one out of the water, IMHO.

I keep trying all these $2.49 - $7.99 for 24+oz brewskys, but keep coming back to Shiner Bock for $1.99 as being my main preference. <shrug>

Sincerely,


William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

Anything made by these guys. (http://www.leinie.com/)

mmmmm. Calorific Doppelbock!!

Isn't it funny that Budweiser, the self-proclaimed King of Beers isn't a runaway leader in this discussion. Could it be because Bud is not as great
as they say they are?

My vote goes to Lethbridge Pilsner and Molson Canadian.

Isn't it funny that Budweiser, the self-proclaimed King of Beers isn't a runaway leader in this discussion. Could it be because Bud is not as great
as they say they are?

My vote goes to Lethbridge Pilsner and Molson Canadian.
Is that a USA beer?

Coors Original

Kona Brewing Co.'s Mehana Lager. Just 'cause it's da kine!

Starwood Lurker...

There's nothing wrong with liking Shiner Bock. IN fact, I would love to know where I can get it in the NYC area. Didn't the brewery have a rule Shiner's not distributed north of the Mason/Dixon line?

I've hear two different beer men say you can get Shiner in NYC but they can't remember what store sells it. I'd like to know, esp. since I'm afraid to bring a few bottles home when I visit Texas - they are over the 3 oz maximum for liquids.

I enjoyed the Shiner on my last Texas adventure. FLyertalkers are also welcome to bring Shiner if they see me up this way. ;)

Starwood Lurker...

There's nothing wrong with liking Shiner Bock. IN fact, I would love to know where I can get it in the NYC area. Didn't the brewery have a rule Shiner's not distributed north of the Mason/Dixon line?

Not quite true. While there aren't many distributors above the Mason/Dixon line, there are a few.

I've hear two different beer men say you can get Shiner in NYC but they can't remember what store sells it. I'd like to know, esp. since I'm afraid to bring a few bottles home when I visit Texas - they are over the 3 oz maximum for liquids.

Retail perhaps, but they would have to be buying from one of these three distributors in Pennsylvania, which is the closest I could find to NYC:

Frank. B. Fuhrer Wholesale
Pittsburgh, PA 412-488-8844

Glenwood Beer Distributors
Erie, PA 814-838-7606

Inco Beverage, Inc.
Johnstown, PA 814-266-8651

Looks like they import four types of Shiner. You might try calling these three to see if they distribute into NYC or where the closest retailer might be to that location. Failing that, perhaps a road trip to PA is in the offing? :)

Anyone else can see where Shiner Bock, et al is distributed by going to their web site: http://www.shiner.com/home.html

Click on about the brewery and go down to the bottom of the page for a link to a distribution map.

I enjoyed the Shiner on my last Texas adventure. FLyertalkers are also welcome to bring Shiner if they see me up this way. ;)

If I ever make my way up there via my pick-up, I'll be sure to load the bed for you. ;) LOL.

Sincerely,


William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

Beck's and Stella? :eek: You might want to talk to someone German and Belgian before you tell anyone else about what's in your fridge..... ;)
German only drink Beck's overseas and will never touch the stuff at home.

Try to find something like Grolsh, that won't raise eyebrows.

Cheers

Grolsch is Dutch not Deutsch, iow from the Netherlands, not Germany.

Among the best beers are the microbrewery beers of the Pacific Coast.

Pls consider Harpoon UFO beer and also Ipswitch Ale, both from Massachusetts!

:)MM

These might be a bit hard to find outside of the west coast.

Terminal Gravity IPA
http://www.terminalgravitybrewing.com/

Arrogant ....... Ale from Stone Brew http://www.stonebrew.com/

Yum!

Terminal Gravity IPA is excellent. And I like everything Stone Brewing brews and AleSmith in San Diego is rated even higher! And if you ever get to San Diego, you should check out Pizza Port. 3 locations to chose from and excellent local brew. www.pizzaport.com

Pls consider Harpoon UFO beer and also Ipswitch Ale, both from Massachusetts!

:)MM

Ipswich makes awesome beers. I seek it out whenever in Mass.

Well,it all depends I suppose.
Over here in Blighty we have what we call " session " beers.Normally about 3.8%abv they're good for an average weekday session of four or five pints.
My particular favourite is GFB - a golden hoppy beer made by the Hop Back Brewery in Romsey,Hampshire ( They have a website )
London brewers Youngs also do an excellent session beer which can be stiffened with the addition of a bottle of Ramrod.
Come the weekend and you may want to up the ante a gnats - straying into 4%abv+ terrirtory and then I might opt for a nice Greene King Abbot Ale or perhaps a Wadworths 6X.
Five or six pints of that and you're cooking on all four rings.
By the way - in my local we call Stella Artois " wife-beater "

Anything from Dogfish Head, my favorite seasonal is Pumpkinhead from Shipyard. Not a lot of fruit beer enthusiasts here...

Sierra Nevada, for the money.

Anything from Dogfish Head, my favorite seasonal is Pumpkinhead from Shipyard. Not a lot of fruit beer enthusiasts here...

I agree on Dogfish Head, and also agree about not being a fruity beer enthusiast ;)

Have seen the Pumkinhead many times, but have been reluctant to buying an entire six just to find out if I want to drink 5 more.

Anything from Dogfish Head, my favorite seasonal is Pumpkinhead from Shipyard. Not a lot of fruit beer enthusiasts here...

I like fruited beers, have even tried brewing a couple at home. I was originally a fan of Pyramid Apricot ale but lost the taste. I'll drink the strawberry and lemon products from Sam Adams and recall a few raspberry and blueberry beers I could finish. Likewise I wouldn't buy a six of pumpkin for fear of wasting beer (a mortal sin in my religion).

Deleted by author

The one I'm drinking. :D

Mammoth Brewing Company: especially IPA.

I'd have to throw my $0.02 for Great Lakes Brewing in CLE - Holy Moses White Ale for year-round enjoyment, Commodore Perry IPA in the summertime (but I think it'll actually be available all-year starting in April or May) but their Christmas Ale (available OCT - DEC) is my all-time favorite.

I like fruited beers, have even tried brewing a couple at home. I was originally a fan of Pyramid Apricot ale but lost the taste. I'll drink the strawberry and lemon products from Sam Adams and recall a few raspberry and blueberry beers I could finish. Likewise I wouldn't buy a six of pumpkin for fear of wasting beer (a mortal sin in my religion).

Not the dreaded beer abuse (wasted, spilled, or dumped beer)...I find that no matter how "bad" the beer is someone will drink it. I brewed a cherry wheat beer once, not so great...I had the best luck with dark ales.

I agree on Dogfish Head, and also agree about not being a fruity beer enthusiast ;)

Have seen the Pumkinhead many times, but have been reluctant to buying an entire six just to find out if I want to drink 5 more.

That's exactly why we started a tasting group called "The Yeastie Boys" over 15 years ago. We pool our resources and sample many different brews so we each don't end up with five schwag beers.

That's exactly why we started a tasting group called "The Yeastie Boys" over 15 years ago. We pool our resources and sample many different brews so we each don't end up with five schwag beers.

That's a good idea...I belong to a wine club, but never thought of applying that to beer. One of my friends who cultures yeast for a local brewery calls himself "Yeastie Boy"...actually has cards made up and all.

I must recommend Shiner Bock that seems to be a local favorite here in Texas!

I must recommend Shiner Bock that seems to be a local favorite here in Texas!Since moving to southern California I have become quite a Belgian beer fan (and am considering organizing a DO around said beer next month). However, I must agree with everyone who has mentioned Shiner Bock!!! It's not a complicated beer nor a fancy one. But, if I'm looking to kick back with a nice, simple, refreshing beer, I'll take a Shiner whenever it's available!

That's exactly why we started a tasting group called "The Yeastie Boys" over 15 years ago. We pool our resources and sample many different brews so we each don't end up with five schwag beers.

I'd love to be able to do that, unfortunately, most of my friends either don't drink, or think that Michelob is high end beer.

I'd love to be able to do that, unfortunately, most of my friends either don't drink, or think that Michelob is high end beer.

Simple problem. Simple solution. You need new friends. The current ones are holding you back. :D

I had to try it for the name...and Smuttynose IPA turned out to be a pretty good beer.

I had to try it for the name...and Smuttynose IPA turned out to be a pretty good beer.

Darn it. There was a Smuttynose brewhouse in MHT and I passed it up. Have to go back.

Harpoon Ale (from Boston) gets my vote! Their UFO (Un-Filtered Offering) Hefeweizen wheat beer (served with a lemon) is fantastic! see: http://www.harpoonbrewery.com/

(On topic for this thread - on the "Fun Facts" page of the Harpoon Brewery, it states that: "The growth of the specialty (craft or micro) beer segment has resulted in more breweries in the US than any other country in the world." see: http://www.harpoonbrewery.com/brewery/fun_facts/index.htm )

Harpoon IPA^ ^ ^

<spam mode>
And now, a shameless plug for my favorite new beer mag, brought to you by my favorite beer rating site:
http://beeradvocate.com/mag/

The second issue just came out, and is a great read for fans of good beer, and you can get a cap or t-shirt for subscribing!!

</spam mode>

My current favs:
Oak Aged Arrogant ....... - Stone Brewing Company (CA)
Watermelon Wheat - 21st Ammendment (San Francisco) - sounds odd, but excellent!
My own homebrew:p

Sam Adams, Sierra Nevada or Brooklyn Lager!

Sam Adams Period....

I'll say once again what I said earlier, again crediting the originator of the line, Portland, Oregon journalist Fred Eckhardt.

"What's the best beer? The one in front of me!"

Sam Adams Period....

Every winter I go on a Sam Adams Winter Lager kick - love that stuff!

The best beer in the US tho, imho, is a Falstaff. Cheap but good :)
Definately one of my favorites. ^

I'd love to be able to do that, unfortunately, most of my friends either don't drink, or think that Michelob is high end beer.
Michelob is one that I can definately live without.

Grolsch is Dutch not Deutsch, iow from the Netherlands, not Germany.
Those wordings can be deceptive to be honest. :D I have to admit when I first saw the term "Deutsch", I was under the impression that it was Dutch and not German. :o

Among the best beers are the microbrewery beers of the Pacific Coast.
Being no Beer geographic origin expert myself, may I ask which particular region of the Pacific it is from? :)

I used to like Rolling Rock because it was a clean, simple taste but refreshing. It was bought out by a larger brewing house (forget which one) and maybe it's my imagination, but I can detect a different taste which makes it seem more like every other mass-produced beer, in other words, it's still drinkable but nothing special anymore.

There's a New Orleans beer I used to like but I don't even know if they make it anymore, esp. post-Katrina. Dixie or something? :D I'm so knowledgable. lol

I do like Sam Adams' wheat ale.

I've become addicted to Sam Adams light for a lager and Blue Moon for ale. They are relatively easy to find and taste rather good to me :)
Not for their taste. But do love their TV commercials. :)

Anchor Steam.

After Rolling Rock was purchased by Anheuser-Busch, A-B closed the Latrobe, Pennsylvania brewery and moved production of the beer to Newark, New Jersey about a year ago. The Latrobe plant has been taken over by Boston Beer Co. and will be used for making Samuel Adams beers.

Dixie's brewery on Tulane Ave. was still a wrecked shell, damaged more by looting than by flooding, when I visited NOLA earlier this year; the Dixie beers are being contract brewed in Wisconsin until production can resume in New Orleans.


I used to like Rolling Rock because it was a clean, simple taste but refreshing. It was bought out by a larger brewing house (forget which one) and maybe it's my imagination, but I can detect a different taste which makes it seem more like every other mass-produced beer, in other words, it's still drinkable but nothing special anymore.

There's a New Orleans beer I used to like but I don't even know if they make it anymore, esp. post-Katrina. Dixie or something? :D I'm so knowledgable. lol

I do like Sam Adams' wheat ale.

I'll put in my vote for Troegs Pale Ale (Harrisburg, PA) and Pyramid Apricot Weizen (Seattle, WA).

Since moving to southern California I have become quite a Belgian beer fan (and am considering organizing a DO around said beer next month).

What we need to have one of our Belgian friends arrange is a FT DO in Belgium, with dual focus on beers and on travel strategies.

THAT would be a fun trip!

There's a New Orleans beer I used to like but I don't even know if they make it anymore, esp. post-Katrina. Dixie or something? :D I'm so knowledgable. lol...

Jaxx, maybe?

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

My favorite beer overall is Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA. During the summer when seasonal flavors come out I enjoy:
-Anchor Summer
-Samuel Adams Summer Ale
-Blue Moon White

I've seen a lot of good microbrews mentioned. Two larger breweries that I enjoy are Yuengling and Berghoff by Huber Brewing Co. (Incidentally, the first and second oldest breweries in the U.S.). Both produce very drinkable (and very affordable) beers.

I've seen a lot of good microbrews mentioned. Two larger breweries that I enjoy are Yuengling and Berghoff by Huber Brewing Co. (Incidentally, the first and second oldest breweries in the U.S.). Both produce very drinkable (and very affordable) beers.

Big Yuengling fan! Living in PHL, that's what i grew up with.

Terminal Gravity IPA is excellent. And I like everything Stone Brewing brews and AleSmith in San Diego is rated even higher! And if you ever get to San Diego, you should check out Pizza Port. 3 locations to chose from and excellent local brew. www.pizzaport.com

Definitely true. Pizza Port is fantastic and worth the wait. From stone, my favorite has to be the Oaked Arrogant ....... (preferable on tap). Oh, and another to add to the west coast list...Green Flash Extra Pale Ale.

Jaxx, maybe?




Jax has been gone....at least from New Orleans....since the 70s. Although for a while, a version of it was brewed in Texas. Don't know if it still is. I certainly haven't seen it anywhere for a long, long time.

Like (similar tasting) Dixie, it used to be dirt-cheap and people either loved it or hated it.

I happened to like it.