Good Dark Beers

[WSUCougar]

Originally Posted by Schmidty

Rogue Ale's Shakespear Stout

Best. Stout. Ever.

[terpkristin]

If any of you are ever in the DC area, be sure to check out The Brickskeller downtown. They hold the Guinness Book of World Records for most beers available (or something like that). Their list includes many unique beers from all around the world (organized by country of origin), which is how I've tried some of the ones talked about here. And hell, if you're going to Brickskeller, call me. I'll go with ya

~tk

[rockboy70]

Originally Posted by terpkristin

If any of you are ever in the DC area, be sure to check out The Brickskeller downtown. They hold the Guinness Book of World Records for most beers available (or something like that). Their list includes many unique beers from all around the world (organized by country of origin), which is how I've tried some of the ones talked about here. And hell, if you're going to Brickskeller, call me. I'll go with ya

~tk

I second the Brickskeller. Been to DC twice, and went there both times. Last time me and three buddies had a bar tab literally a yard long with all the different beers we tried. It would have been even more scary if we didn't have to leave early to catch the metro back to the hotel.

[McSweeny]

Nothing beats Guinness Draught. Nothing.

and i have several in the fridge waiting to be consumed during the blizzard

[terpkristin]

When we went to Brickskeller for my 23rd birthday, we ran a $500 tab.

Granted, there were probably 25 of us there all said and done. It was a VERY good thing I wasn't driving.

As for the snow...dammit, I should've gone out and bought beer last night. All I gots here is hard cider (which I keep on hand for when a friend of mine who's allergic to beer comes by) and liquor. But I really want a stout!!!

~tk

[Coffee Warlord]

Originally Posted by McSweeny

Nothing beats Guinness Draught. Nothing.

and i have several in the fridge waiting to be consumed during the blizzard

Trouble is, bottled Guinness or canned Guinness...suck. The ONLY way to drink it is on tap.

I need to build a kegerator and set up my own personal guinness dispensing unit.

[McSweeny]

Originally Posted by Coffee Warlord

Trouble is, bottled Guinness or canned Guinness...suck. The ONLY way to drink it is on tap.

I need to build a kegerator and set up my own personal guinness dispensing unit.

true, on tap is far and away the best

i hear lots of people say they don't like it in cans or in bottles, but i like it just fine in either bottle or can form

[McSweeny]

Originally Posted by Coffee Warlord

I need to build a kegerator and set up my own personal guinness dispensing unit.

dola

my buddy has been rummaging around dumps and landfills for pieces of old refridgerators so he can build his own kegerator. He was less than satisfied with the prices kegerators go for. Yes, he's a bit of a whack job, but it will be pretty sweet if he ever finishes it

[Daimyo]

Guiness and Negra Modela are my favorite easy to get dark beers.

[Coffee Warlord]

Originally Posted by McSweeny

i hear lots of people say they don't like it in cans or in bottles, but i like it just fine in either bottle or can form

I'm certainly one of them.

I'd much rather buy a good hefeweizen (my second favorite type of beer, next to stout) for home consumption than Guinness.

[Cringer]

hefeweizen is a favorite of mine too CW. Henry Weinhard's being my choice just because I'm a northwest boy...

And as someone answered for me already, I love...

Arrogant Bastard Ale

Stone Brewing Co.
Arrogant Bastard Ale

ABV 7.2% • Vol 651 ml • bottle • USA • Mid-price • Flavour 7.5
Other beers from Stone Brewing Co.
Other beers from USA

This large, printed, brown bottle is covered with abuse, suggesting, for example, that you (the drinker) are 'not worthy', along with a tirade on the back suggesting that you're not sophisticated enough to appreciate such an aggressive beer. 'Keep Refrigerated Numbskull!!' is another example of this - so we chilled before sampling. It pours a pleasant chestnut brown colour, with a fine-bubbled, long-lasting head. The nose is leather and pine, with vegetal, perhaps nettly, hops and a touch of light citrus fruit. However, this doesn't leave you prepared for the flavours that assault you on drinking...
In the mouth it is immediately bitter, astringently so, with nutty, treacly malt flavours bursting through. This bitterness lasts throughout and lingers for absolutely ages. It is very dry indeed, but with a balancing grainy malt body that still leaves the palate clean. There are tantalising glimpses of other flavours, such as grapes or red fruit, but it's very difficult to pick these out from the massive bitter onslaught. Hop character is very metallic and minerally, slightly nettly, slightly earthy. Alcohol is evident as a rich, warming sensation accompanying the bitterness - though the strength is easy to underestimate. Finish is of very bitter dark treacle, lingering as a malty bitterness that takes a long time to fade.
Aggressive? For sure. Arrogant? Certainly. But it's got plenty to be arrogant about - this is an excellent ale. As long as you can handle the relentless bitterness.

[WSUCougar]

You hefe fans need to check out Schlafly's The Tap Room (or Bottleworks) in STL. Best hefeweizen I've ever had.

[WSUCougar]

dola

Originally Posted by Cringer

Henry Weinhard's being my choice just because I'm a northwest boy...

Wow, a kindred spirit! "I'll have a Henry's" is all it takes. That takes me back...

[Cringer]

Originally Posted by WSUCougar

dola

Wow, a kindred spirit! "I'll have a Henry's" is all it takes. That takes me back...

Good stuff, not world class or anything but a beer that I always love to get a couple cases of and bring home when I get up that way on vacations.

[Terps]

Mackeson's XXX Stout.

[Qwikshot]

The only way I survived in England was on a diet of Guinness. That smooth creamy taste...mmmmmmm

We had just gotten off the plane, smack dab in London, we head to the first pub we can find, the waiter has a multicolored mohawk. He asked what I wanted to eat...

"I'll have a pint"

And all was right with the world...

[Qwikshot]

Originally Posted by Coffee Warlord

I'm certainly one of them.

I'd much rather buy a good hefeweizen (my second favorite type of beer, next to stout) for home consumption than Guinness.

When I was in Germany, I did so enjoy their beer. And the quantity they gave you, is like America's fast food quanity for soda...

Fantastic...wish I was heading back there again.

[Coffee Warlord]

Alright Qwik. When all goes well and I manage a trip to Europe...you're coming with.

[Qwikshot]

Originally Posted by Coffee Warlord

Alright Qwik. When all goes well and I manage a trip to Europe...you're coming with.

Cool...I don't eat much, I don't complain, and I'm a happy drunk.

[Cringer]

Originally Posted by Qwikshot

Cool...I don't eat much, I don't complain, and I'm a happy drunk.

Do you look good in a cheerleader or schoolgirl uniform too?

[moriarty]

Originally Posted by Airhog

Thanks for the suggestions, I will have to try guinness next then

Guinness rules ... period.

If at all possible, get it on tap (preferrably from an authentic irish bar who cares about keeping it fresh). If you want it at home, get the cans - they have the widget to give you the foamy head. Second best is the bottles with the widgets. Don't even try the older bottles without the widgets (if they still sell them). And if you ever get a chance to try fresh in Dublin ... oh, my.

Also, if it's your first time drinking Guinness, don't just jump right in. You have to let it settle. Wait a minute or so after pouring (you'll see the rich head forming) before you savor. Enjoy.

If you're one of the rare individuals who tries a few Guinness and decide you don't like it, then I highly recommend trying Murhpy's stout. Also, Samuel Smith's Oatmeal stout is quite good as well.

[ice4277]

Originally Posted by moriarty

If you're one of the rare individuals who tries a few Guinness and decide you don't like it, then I highly recommend trying Murhpy's stout.

I'm one of the 'doesn't like Guiness' crowd, but when I was in London I could drink nothing bu Murphy's. Good stuff.

[JeeberD]

Originally Posted by Coffee Warlord

Alright Qwik. When all goes well and I manage a trip to Europe...you're coming with.

I wanna go!

I miss Germany...

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by McSweeny

Nothing beats Guinness Draught. Nothing.

and i have several in the fridge waiting to be consumed during the blizzard

For God's sake, get it out of the fridge! You'll ruin it! Keep it in the basement so it's slightly below room temperature. Beer is like wine. The darker the colour, the warmer you serve it.

[gi]

Originally Posted by Kevin

For God's sake, get it out of the fridge! You'll ruin it! Keep it in the basement so it's slightly below room temperature. Beer is like wine. The darker the colour, the warmer you serve it.

Cellar temp is best. Around 50 degrees. I do think the lighter creamy beers taste good at that temp. Caffrey's and Kilkenny are my favorite at that temp.

[andy m]

samuel smith's taddy porter
fullers london porter
bombardier
theakstons old peculiar

are good and dark.

[gi]

Oh and I emptied my liter of Sam Adams Chocolate Bock last weekend. Very good.

[Fritz]

Black Radish Beer made by the Weeping Radish is my favorite brew

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Kevin

For God's sake, get it out of the fridge! You'll ruin it! Keep it in the basement so it's slightly below room temperature. Beer is like wine. The darker the colour, the warmer you serve it.

Thank you Kevin.

I don't know how in the heck I let that crime in progress escape my attention.

{wanders off mumbling something about "cold Guinness ... BAH !"}

[Alf]

- Guinness
- Beamish
- Murphy's

[HighandOutside]

Do yourself a big favor and try Penn Dark from the Pennsylvania Brewing Company. Yuengling Porter is very good as well.

http://www.pennbrew.com/

http://yuengling.com/

[SlapBone]

Originally Posted by GoldenEagle

Ding Ding Ding

Where is JeeberD at when you need him?

Dude... Shiner is what my 4-year old drinks.

In all seriousness Shiner was the first beer I was exposed to in college. Now... It's just way too common but I still love the stuff. It is what I drink at the astro games. In the early nineties you were lucky to find it anywhere but Spec's here in Houston.