Ping "GOOD" Beer Drinkers

[CleBrownsfan]

I started tending bar on Sundays at a local micro brew restaurant/bar and I'm wondering if any of you enjoy a good craft beer? If so, which ones are your fav?

I really started to acquire the taste of a good hoppy beer - ig., Dogfish Head 60/90 minute but I would have to say my fav has to be New Holland's Dragons Milk (strong ale).

[Cringer]

Arrogant Bastard Ale from Stone Brewing Co. I have tried their India Pale Ale and liked that as well, but Arrogant is my all time great. I wish I could get my hands on some of their other brews but haven't been able to find them were I live. They put out a special, limited time Double Bastard Ale which would probably kill me and I would love it at the same time.

[dawgfan]

A lot of the better craft beers are regional, so some of the ones I enjoy may not be readily available in your area.

I generally prefer pale ales or Belgian ales. My default beers are Fat Tire and Mirror Pond. I usually pick up a 6-pack or two in the winter of various seasonal variations. Alaskan Amber is pretty good. If I'm in the mood for something a little lighter, a Stella Artois is a good bet; darker, I'll look for a good stout, with Guiness as the general fallback.

[Logan]

Beer Snobs >> Cigar Snobs >>>>> Wine Snobs

[Honolulu_Blue]

One of the good things about living in Michigan is Bells beer. Bells is a brewery out near Kalamazoo that makes some very delicious brews. In the summer, it's Bells Oberon and this winter it's been Bells Winter Pale Ale. They make some really fine beers. I think Bells is very regional. It used to be available in Chicago, but my buddy recently informed me that is no longer the case.

Back when I was living in Brussels I drank a lot of Leffe, both Brun and Blonde, and Chimay. Hoegaarden is pretty much the perfect beer to drink on a hot Summer's day. Just delightful.

[timmynausea]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

One of the good things about living in Michigan is Bells beer. Bells is a brewery out near Kalamazoo that makes some very delicious brews. In the summer, it's Bells Oberon and this winter it's been Bells Winter Pale Ale. They make some really fine beers. I think Bells is very regional. It used to be available in Chicago, but my buddy recently informed me that is no longer the case.

Yep. Bells is brewed right in downtown Kalamazoo, and it is delish. Definitely my favorite beer. Some of it is a bit strong (the stout is insane), but Oberon, Pale Ale and Amber Ale are all awesome, and probably some others I'm not thinking of.

I was actually under the impression that it was starting to become more widely available, but perhaps that has changed.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by timmynausea

Yep. Bells is brewed right in downtown Kalamazoo, and it is delish. Definitely my favorite beer. Some of it is a bit strong (the stout is insane), but Oberon, Pale Ale and Amber Ale are all awesome, and probably some others I'm not thinking of.

I was actually under the impression that it was starting to become more widely available, but perhaps that has changed.

My buddy in Chicago said that the sudden disapperance of Bells from Chicago had something to do with the distrubutor or perhaps the distribution agreement. So, it's entirely possible that what happened in Chicago is isolated.

I love the fact that the Costco I go to has cases of Bells. Quite cheap.

[korme]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

One of the good things about living in Michigan is Bells beer. Bells is a brewery out near Kalamazoo that makes some very delicious brews. In the summer, it's Bells Oberon and this winter it's been Bells Winter Pale Ale. They make some really fine beers. I think Bells is very regional. It used to be available in Chicago, but my buddy recently informed me that is no longer the case.

Back when I was living in Brussels I drank a lot of Leffe, both Brun and Blonde, and Chimay. Hoegaarden is pretty much the perfect beer to drink on a hot Summer's day. Just delightful.

We have Bells here in some places in Dayton, and I tend to get them when available

[mrsimperless]

I love a good micro-brew. It all started with Newcastle towards the end of college. (A good "gateway" beer to micro-brews IMO) Probably my favorite right now as far as accessible micro-brews goes is Dogfish Head Indian Brown Ale. Be warned, it is very strong as are most of their brews. I also really enjoy Lost Coast Brewery's Downtown Brown. My local Indiana plugs are for Three Floyd's Brewing Co's Robert the Bruce and also Upland Brewery's Dragonfly.

I found a decent list of American micro-brews at hxxp://www.squidoo.com/americanmicrobrew

[Daimyo]

I really like the Dogfish 90 minute IPA and pretty much everything from Bells is great although its unavailable in Chicago now. Fat Tire is great and very drinkable even for people who usually aren't in to non-mainstream beers... it seems to be getting a more available (Chicago has had it since last February).

I like most of Goose Island's stuff (with the huge exception of 312) and really enjoy going to their brewpub in Chicago. Their Bourbon County Stout is especially good and available in bottles.

[Daimyo]

DOLA, I don't think Newcastle, Stella Artois, and Guiness have any place in a conversation about craft beers.

Maybe as gateway beers, but they're not craft beers.

[cartman]

One I wish I could get in Texas is He'Brew, the Chosen beer. It comes from Schmaltz brewery. Their motto is "Don't pass out, Passover".

[dawgfan]

Originally Posted by Daimyo

DOLA, I don't think Newcastle, Stella Artois, and Guiness have any place in a conversation about craft beers.

Maybe as gateway beers, but they're not craft beers.

That's probably true. I guess those slipped in just as alternatives to standard American brews. And while I enjoy Guiness, I've certainly had better small batch crafted stouts - there was a local brew called Moss Bay Stout (only available via keg) that was outstanding. Not sure if it's still around.

We have a local pub in Seattle (Ballard specifically) that specializes in beer, especially Belgian Ales and has 100+ beers on tap and over 200+ bottled varieties. Great place to explore various types of beer, especially lambics.

[molson]

Originally Posted by dawgfan

My default beers are Fat Tire and Mirror Pond. I usually pick up a 6-pack or two in the winter of various seasonal variations. Alaskan Amber is pretty good.

One of the unexpected benefits of my move to Oregon a few years ago was the beer. Unbelievable - and you don't have to go to specific bars or liquor stores to get it. The three you mention were readily available at any bar or supermarket in Eugene (even crappy college bars).

[saldana]

clebrownfan, where do you live (i dont want to assume that you live in ohio)...it would make a big difference in suggesting what you may want to try/suggest to customers.

also, cringer, double bastard isnt a limited release, i am pretty sure i can get cases of it, and would be happy to pick some up and mail it to you if you want me to find out a price.

as far as places to shop, i have been a member at www.Ratebeer.com for a couple years....we have a section of pages there where when any of us come across good shopping locations, we enter them for other people who may be visiting our areas to be able to look up and pickup our local beers.

http://www.ratebeer.com/Places/ShowTours.asp

find your state and figure out what towns may be nearby that have a store listed.

and for anyone interested, i am richlikebeer on Ratebeer...i've logged about 750 beers, but tried about twice that.

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by cartman

One I wish I could get in Texas is He'Brew, the Chosen beer. It comes from Schmaltz brewery. Their motto is "Don't pass out, Passover".

That is hilarious.

[cartman]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

That is hilarious.

Here's a link to their website. They definitely have a great sense of humor to go along with their great brews.

hxxp://www.shmaltz.com/index.html

[dime]

wisconsin has, predictably, a slew of really good microbrew beers.

probably the most "mainstream" stuff is new glarus' spotted cow, though I prefer their fat squirrel.

http://www.newglarusbrewing.com/Beers.cfm

[Ryche]

I think Stone Brewing is one of my favorite breweries right now, Arrogant Bastard is so good. The Double Arrogant Bastard was pretty good too, although a bit strong for my tastes.

I miss Bells now that I've moved from Minnesota to Colorado. Two hearted ale is one of my all time favorites.

Surly from Minnesota is great stuff, will really kick you in the teeth. Very limited distribution though.

Oskar Blues has some great brews, particularly Ten Fidy and Dale's Pale Ale.

I think the best beer I've found, for the moment at least though, is Dry Dock Brewing in Aurora, Colorado. Very few bars have it and they don't distribute to stores, so you almost have to go to the brewery to drink their beer, but they do a great job with a wide variety of beers.

[ISiddiqui]

When I go visit Boulder, CO, I always try a "Fat Tire". That's good stuff.

In Georgia, my favorite is "Terrapin Ale", especially the Cream Ale. I also like some Sweetwater from time to time and Red Brick Ale isn't too bad either.

[digamma]

New Belgium out of Colorado makes Fat Tire and probably isn't all that "micro" anymore, but I enjoy some of their lesser known brands more. My favorite is the Skinny Dip.

[mckerney]

Originally Posted by dime

wisconsin has, predictably, a slew of really good microbrew beers.

probably the most "mainstream" stuff is new glarus' spotted cow, though I prefer their fat squirrel.

http://www.newglarusbrewing.com/Beers.cfm

I love New Glarus, though sadly can only get it when I'm in Wisconsin. Disappointed Yokel and Naked just went out of season, suppose I should try their new organic when I get the chance.

At least I can get Fat Tire in Minnesota now.

[Peregrine]

I love a lot of beers, though we don't have too many craft breweries around here. Duck-Rabbit is an exception though, their Milk Stout and Porter (and other beers) are fantastic.

[JeeberD]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

When I go visit Boulder, CO, I always try a "Fat Tire". That's good stuff.

You can find Fat Tire just about ANYWHERE these days. No need to wait until you visit Boulder...

[CleBrownsfan]

Originally Posted by saldana

clebrownfan, where do you live (i dont want to assume that you live in ohio)...it would make a big difference in suggesting what you may want to try/suggest to customers.

also, cringer, double bastard isnt a limited release, i am pretty sure i can get cases of it, and would be happy to pick some up and mail it to you if you want me to find out a price.

as far as places to shop, i have been a member at www.Ratebeer.com for a couple years....we have a section of pages there where when any of us come across good shopping locations, we enter them for other people who may be visiting our areas to be able to look up and pickup our local beers.

http://www.ratebeer.com/Places/ShowTours.asp

find your state and figure out what towns may be nearby that have a store listed.

and for anyone interested, i am richlikebeer on Ratebeer...i've logged about 750 beers, but tried about twice that.

I do live in the burbs of Cleveland. The Mico-Brew I work at does have a real nice selection of craft beers from around the country. Here is the list of beers on tap atm: (Ringneck - or RN - are the beers the Brew Kettle crafts)

hxxp://thebrewkettle.com/ontap.asp

[CleBrownsfan]

Originally Posted by Peregrine

I love a lot of beers, though we don't have too many craft breweries around here. Duck-Rabbit is an exception though, their Milk Stout and Porter (and other beers) are fantastic.

Have you tried the LEFT HAND Milk Stout? My fav of the Milk Stouts...

[ice4277]

Bell's is definitely the best from Michigan. Anybody who ever visits Kalamazoo owes themselves a trip to the brewery. There are a couple other very good microbrewers in Detroit, but I don't think they have much distribution outside the area.

[A-Husker-4-Life]

Levity - a amber ale, with a smooth finish and a crisp start.. It's brewed in Fort Collins Co at the ODells brewery.. Check it out...

[Ryche]

O'Dells IPA is very good as well, think it won a gold medal at this year's GABF.

So much good beer in Colorado.

[flere-imsaho]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

One of the good things about living in Michigan is Bells beer. Bells is a brewery out near Kalamazoo that makes some very delicious brews. In the summer, it's Bells Oberon and this winter it's been Bells Winter Pale Ale. They make some really fine beers. I think Bells is very regional. It used to be available in Chicago, but my buddy recently informed me that is no longer the case.

Your buddy's wrong. Last time I was in both Binny's (a local wine/beer/liquor chain) and Trader Joe's they had Bells in stock. Good beer.

Originally Posted by mrsimperless

My local Indiana plugs are for Three Floyd's Brewing Co's Robert the Bruce and also Upland Brewery's Dragonfly.

++ Big fan here of Three Floyd's.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by flere-imsaho

Your buddy's wrong. Last time I was in both Binny's (a local wine/beer/liquor chain) and Trader Joe's they had Bells in stock. Good beer.

I will have to let him know.

[flere-imsaho]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

I will have to let him know.

Good stuff. I'd hate to see a beer drinker go without his own preferred quality beer.

[Cringer]

Originally Posted by saldana

also, cringer, double bastard isnt a limited release, i am pretty sure i can get cases of it, and would be happy to pick some up and mail it to you if you want me to find out a price.

Is mailing beer legal? I thought you couldn't do it anymore because I know the place I had ordered some Henry Weinhard's from a few years back won't ship it now and it said because of legal reasons. I haven't looked into it for several years though.

Mailing bottles doesn't sound very easy or cheap anyways.

[saldana]

Originally Posted by Cringer

Is mailing beer legal? I thought you couldn't do it anymore because I know the place I had ordered some Henry Weinhard's from a few years back won't ship it now and it said because of legal reasons. I haven't looked into it for several years though.

Mailing bottles doesn't sound very easy or cheap anyways.

it all depends on who you ask...there are a number of mail order liquor stores that ship all over the country, and in PA, you can buy wine from in-state wineries and have it shipped to your house.

as far as from me to you, i have never had a problem...we all just use fedex and i have never had a problem with any of my 3 dozen shipments. i know guys that have shipped over 100 trades and very few if any have ever been issues as far as breaking or inspections. i have shipped to texas at least 3 or 4 times, and it costs about 20 to 30 bucks.

[saldana]

Originally Posted by flere-imsaho

Your buddy's wrong. Last time I was in both Binny's (a local wine/beer/liquor chain) and Trader Joe's they had Bells in stock. Good beer.



++ Big fan here of Three Floyd's.

mmmmmmm Three Floyds....i actually drove all night last spring to go to the release party and buy 2 cases of Dark Lord at the brewery...it was only a 700 mile drive each way

[DanGarion]

I have to agree beers like Newcastle and to a lesser extent Amstel Light are gateway beers to to micro-brews.

I'm a big fan of Smithwick's, but once again no one would consider that anything close to a crafted beer, but it's great stuff.

On the crafted beer side I love me Pyramid Hefewiezen and also I'm becoming a big fan of Kona Brewing Company, especially their Fire Rock Pale Ale, there is a sports bar here that has it on tap and it's fabulous, very smooth and not much bitter. I tend to steer clear of bitter beer since when I'm really not in the mood for the taste of beer bitter makes it that much worse.

[saldana]

Originally Posted by CleBrownsfan

I do live in the burbs of Cleveland. The Mico-Brew I work at does have a real nice selection of craft beers from around the country. Here is the list of beers on tap atm: (Ringneck - or RN - are the beers the Brew Kettle crafts)

hxxp://thebrewkettle.com/ontap.asp

thats a pretty nice list, i like the fact that there is a pretty wide range of styles (alot of places never put on big time imperial stouts or barley wines because not too many people will go for them that havent had them before)

that said, my favs of that list would be expedition, although i dont know if i would try to steer people towards that...its a really big beer and tough for people to handle if they arent familiar with it...it makes guiness look like budweiser...yeti might be a better suggestion if someone asks for a stout

i love brown sugga, great taste and solid body..a great sweet barley wine, as opposed to hog heaven, which if it is a fresh batch, tends to be a little more hoppy.

assuming you serve macro brew beers as well (bud, miller, coors), i would ask your manager about giving anyone that orders any of those beers a taster glass of Stoudts Pils alongside it to try and introduce them to a similar but far superior style/beer

are all the ringneck beers tap only, or do you have any in bottles? do you fill growlers?

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by saldana

thats a pretty nice list, i like the fact that there is a pretty wide range of styles (alot of places never put on big time imperial stouts or barley wines because not too many people will go for them that havent had them before)

that said, my favs of that list would be expedition, although i dont know if i would try to steer people towards that...its a really big beer and tough for people to handle if they arent familiar with it...it makes guiness look like budweiser...yeti might be a better suggestion if someone asks for a stout

i love brown sugga, great taste and solid body..a great sweet barley wine, as opposed to hog heaven, which if it is a fresh batch, tends to be a little more hoppy.

assuming you serve macro brew beers as well (bud, miller, coors), i would ask your manager about giving anyone that orders any of those beers a taster glass of Stoudts Pils alongside it to try and introduce them to a similar but far superior style/beer

are all the ringneck beers tap only, or do you have any in bottles? do you fill growlers?

I dig it when chicks talk beer.

[saldana]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

I dig it when chicks talk beer.

nice....

[finketr]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

Back when I was living in Brussels I drank a lot of Leffe, both Brun and Blonde, and Chimay. Hoegaarden is pretty much the perfect beer to drink on a hot Summer's day. Just delightful.

My last two trips to Europe, I drank a lot of Leffe on tap...

I travelled with 3 of my colleagues to Gosselies (suburb of charleroi, located at brussells-south airport) and the four of us went through a keg or two of Leffe blonde at the hotel...

last year, we found a bar in geneva that had leffe on tap and we were there every afternoon after the office for a pint or five...including during the CL championship game.

it's my favorite beer.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by saldana

nice....

[CleBrownsfan]

Originally Posted by saldana

thats a pretty nice list, i like the fact that there is a pretty wide range of styles (alot of places never put on big time imperial stouts or barley wines because not too many people will go for them that havent had them before)

that said, my favs of that list would be expedition, although i dont know if i would try to steer people towards that...its a really big beer and tough for people to handle if they arent familiar with it...it makes guiness look like budweiser...yeti might be a better suggestion if someone asks for a stout

i love brown sugga, great taste and solid body..a great sweet barley wine, as opposed to hog heaven, which if it is a fresh batch, tends to be a little more hoppy.

assuming you serve macro brew beers as well (bud, miller, coors), i would ask your manager about giving anyone that orders any of those beers a taster glass of Stoudts Pils alongside it to try and introduce them to a similar but far superior style/beer

are all the ringneck beers tap only, or do you have any in bottles? do you fill growlers?

Brew Kettle only has craft beer - no miller, bud, ect. And I love shooting down people when they ask for that piss in a bottle We do serve our Ringnecks in bottles and we do fill growlers.

Lagunitas Brown Shugga is a real nice barley wine - I don't care for many barley wines but the Shugga has a real nice flavor to it. Our Ringneck Big Woody Lager is the beer I'll serve when they do ask for a lite beer - Stoudt's Pils and Straub our up there often for the lite pils drinkers. I would have to say our most popular beer is our Ringneck Old 21 Imperial IPA. People sure do love that beer but they tend to get way to wasted drinking it!

[Axxon]

Two good recommendations. Both canadian offerings.

1. Three Philosophers - my favorite beer in the world. Make sure you follow the pouring directions so you don't disturb the yeast.

2. Tres Pistoles - another smooth dark beer. Anything by unibroue is good but I like this one from them best.

[saldana]

Originally Posted by CleBrownsfan

I would have to say our most popular beer is our Ringneck Old 21 Imperial IPA. People sure do love that beer but they tend to get way to wasted drinking it!

this is actually the reason i was asking about whether or not your beers are in bottles..........did you see the conversation i was having with cringer about mailing beer

[saldana]

Originally Posted by Axxon

Two good recommendations. Both canadian offerings.

1. Three Philosophers - my favorite beer in the world. Make sure you follow the pouring directions so you don't disturb the yeast.

2. Tres Pistoles - another smooth dark beer. Anything by unibroue is good but I like this one from them best.

three philosophers is made by Brewery Ommegang in Cooperstown, NY (about 5 minutes from the Hall Of Fame)...they are arguably the best belgian style brewery in America, with all due respect to Russian River.

[saldana]

Originally Posted by saldana

three philosophers is made by Brewery Ommegang in Cooperstown, NY (about 5 minutes from the Hall Of Fame)...they are arguably the best belgian style brewery in America, with all due respect to Russian River.

dola, they have an amazing festival there every july called "Belgium comes to Cooperstown"...truly an incredible 2 day fest with nothing but belgian-style beers served.

if you are a fan of the style, definitely look into heading up.

[rkmsuf]

Welcome salweiser.

[Axxon]

Two good recommendations. Both canadian offerings.

1. Three Philosophers - my favorite beer in the world. Make sure you follow the pouring directions so you don't disturb the yeast.

2. Tres Pistoles - another smooth dark beer. Anything by unibroue is good but I like this one from them best.

[saldana]

didnt you say that already?

[Axxon]

Odd, I don't have a clue how that happened. I'm not even drinking.