The Great Beer Thread

[Touchofevil]

Dos Equis on tap. It has been an all around good day.

[Erich Johann]

As I am German, and although it might sound stereotypical, I like beer. I try to stay away from the "big" brands, though (e.g. Beck's et al.) and rather drink "local" beers -- especially the region where I live (Swabia) is graced with a brewery in every other town. Fortunately, the smaller German breweries are stepping up their game and providing a bigger selection of beers, from the ubiquitous Pils, Export, and different types of Weizen to Naturtrüb,dark beers, and even lagers (albeit being stereotypically pictured in the past [at least as immigrants to the U.S.] as lager-drinking, Germans actually living in Germany [at least the ones I know] are usually unfamiliar with lager beer). I am especially fond of seasonal beers. It is also quite interesting to see the local or regional varieties -- i.e. some types of beer that are only found in certain regions.

I also developed a liking for U.S. microbrewery beers -- albeit not any of the "fruity" ones Belgian beers are also quite nice (I enjoyed a stay in Chimay last year), and whenever I get to a new country, I will try their beers as well.

[anon`]

I also developed a liking for U.S. microbrewery beers -- albeit not any of the "fruity" ones

Just out of curiosity, what do you consider to be a "fruity" beer?

[Erich Johann]

Beer with any flavoring -- berry, pineapple, you name it.

[motorpsycho67]

Kilkenny Irish Cream Ale with Guinness running a close second.

A good friend of mine recently introduced me to Pabst Blue Ribbon; he was introduced to it by Clint Eastwood in Gran Torino! He explained to me that his dad also used to drink it and that it used to be one of the expensive, ritzy beers back in the day. I enjoyed it and I'd buy it again.

Kilkenny is pretty darned good, but unfortunately you can only find it at the pub here in the US..... and very few of those at that. Guinness is always a standby. Old Speckled Hen is pretty good too.

Pabst has got to be some of the worst swill that's ever passed my lips. Any beer can be tolerable if it's ice cold, but the true test is when it hits room temp. Pabst fails that test with flying colors!

I lived in Germany for a few years, and there are quite a few good local brews there. I drank a fair amount of Warsteiner, probably because I lived not far from Warstein where it's made. Also drank a fair bit of crystalweizen, but can't remember the brands.

When I lived in Australia, Cooper's was my fave.

Most American beer is crap, except some of the microbrews, but I don't generally go for those. Call me weird, but I like beer that tastes like beer, not some weird fruity concoction.

[anon`]

Beer with any flavoring -- berry, pineapple, you name it.

So would that include an American IPA making liberal use of, say, Cascade or Centennial hops fall into that? Or what about that periodic Belgian style brew with huge amounts of esters?

Not to badger or anything, I'm just curious, as I find that a lot of fruity beers are much less objectionable than certain overwrought ales of more traditional styles.

[Two Types]

Most American beer is crap

You know, I spent most of my life thinking that. I always thought it was too cold, too weak and tasteless. Until I spent a splendid night in a bar in Florida drinking Budweiser (a beer I had always strongly disliked). However, drinking it in the right bar, at the right time, it just seemed the perfect drink. My prejudices were quashed. I still don't like it, but at least I can now appreciate it.

[jamespowers]

Dos Equis on tap. It has been an all around good day.

But of course.

[motorpsycho67]

So would that include an American IPA making liberal use of, say, Cascade or Centennial hops fall into that? Or what about that periodic Belgian style brew with huge amounts of esters?

Not to badger or anything, I'm just curious, as I find that a lot of fruity beers are much less objectionable than certain overwrought ales of more traditional styles.

Nowhere in the examples you gave do you mention any fruit content....

[anon`]

Nowhere in the examples you gave do you mention any fruit content....

And?