Another Great Tasting Beer Thread

[wwharton]

Re: Another Great Tasting Beer Thread

It probably won't help much. Rum and coke is my go to drink. I don't really have a big variety of drinks that I like. I usually just go for drinks that taste good but have a nice kick to it. For beer I generally choose Corona, but I don't drink beer that much.

I've just been reading this thread lately and seeing all these types of beers and names and am genuinely interested in trying them out. The problem is I have no idea what the hell to choose!

Is there any type of brand or taste of beer that most people like? If so I'll give that a go.

Actually I think it does help that you "go for drinks that taste good but have a nice kick"... I'd say the Coronas of the world don't fit your drinking personality. If you're looking for taste and kick, try out some IPAs. You can go through the thread to see a couple others like or just try ones you see in the store. They tend to have flavor and kick. Because they have flavor not all taste are to everyone's liking (different than bud or miller light that just taste like nothing so it doesn't matter, for example).

Stouts are good but porters have that flavor with more kick. I prefer stouts but you should try both... try everything, lol. If you do go with guinness make sure it's either on tap, from the can or in the tall bottle (in that order). Don't let Guinness "Extra Stout" ruin your first beer and first Guinness tasting experience. It's the one that comes in a shorter bottle with a tan label... stay away.

[z Revis]

Re: Another Great Tasting Beer Thread

See my problem is I just don't know what all this terminology even means. How do I know if I'm drinking an IPA or stout or Amber Ale or whatever? Hell I don't even know what I'm drinking when I drink regular beer. I just know it's beer. lol. Sorry to sound like such a noob, but I am. Only thing I know for sure is a Pumpkin beer probably tastes like pumpkin.

Maybe tomorrow night, if not definitely this weekend, I'll head out and pick some stuff up. After talking to a buddy of mine who drinks craft beer every now and then, I might give "Fat Tire Amber Ale" a try first. From his description it's sort of malt flavored and has a bit of fruitiness. Sounds interesting to me. If not that I saw this Sierra Nevada sample pack or variety pack, something along those lines, the other day. That could give me a start.

[cubsfan203]

Re: Another Great Tasting Beer Thread

It probably won't help much. Rum and coke is my go to drink. I don't really have a big variety of drinks that I like. I usually just go for drinks that taste good but have a nice kick to it. For beer I generally choose Corona, but I don't drink beer that much.

I've just been reading this thread lately and seeing all these types of beers and names and am genuinely interested in trying them out. The problem is I have no idea what the hell to choose!

Is there any type of brand or taste of beer that most people like? If so I'll give that a go.

Do you have a Kroger near you? I know that most of them have a make your own 6 pack kind of thing. You can choose several different kinds to try out without breaking the bank or winding up with a ton of a beer you might not like. Another suggestion is to find a good bar with a large selection. There's a place around here called Flying Saucer that has tons and tons of different kinds of beer available. Go to a place like that and talk to people that know beer. More than likely you'll wind up with suggestions and will eventually find something you like.

I was/am in your shoes. I typically still drink rum and coke, but I found that I like Guinness so I'll drink that if I want a beer. I'll have a Shiner Bock occasionally as well just to change things up. Obviously neither of those really fit in with what you'll see in this thread, but are available at any bar I go to.

[z Revis]

Re: Another Great Tasting Beer Thread

No Kroger near me. I don't think that's a national chain as I have yet to see one in Florida(they were all over the place when I lived in Indy though).

I could hit up a bar or brewery though. I'll look around.

[wwharton]

Re: Another Great Tasting Beer Thread

See my problem is I just don't know what all this terminology even means. How do I know if I'm drinking an IPA or stout or Amber Ale or whatever? Hell I don't even know what I'm drinking when I drink regular beer. I just know it's beer. lol. Sorry to sound like such a noob, but I am. Only thing I know for sure is a Pumpkin beer probably tastes like pumpkin.

Maybe tomorrow night, if not definitely this weekend, I'll head out and pick some stuff up. After talking to a buddy of mine who drinks craft beer every now and then, I might give "Fat Tire Amber Ale" a try first. From his description it's sort of malt flavored and has a bit of fruitiness. Sounds interesting to me. If not that I saw this Sierra Nevada sample pack or variety pack, something along those lines, the other day. That could give me a start.

It's not as hard as you think. IPA's will say it right on the bottle or you can ask someone in the store to recommend a good IPA. If you're in a bar ask if they have an IPA. Also, whenever I see a beer I haven't had at a bar I'll ask for a taste. I've never been denied but I wouldn't ask for too many of course.

Fat Tire is very mild. It's a great beer for people that don't really drink beer (probably why he recommended it to you) but if you want some flavor it probably isn't the one. It's good, but you'll probably think it just tastes like a better Bud Light. A variety pack is a good idea and Sierra Nevada is a good one to get. New Belgium (they make Fat Tire) has an IPA called Ranger that's pretty good without being over the top. They have a couple of others I like too so a variety pack from them would be good. Magic Hat also has a good variety pack (and Magic Hat #9 is a great beer to get started with too if you can find it).

Do you have a Kroger near you? I know that most of them have a make your own 6 pack kind of thing. You can choose several different kinds to try out without breaking the bank or winding up with a ton of a beer you might not like. Another suggestion is to find a good bar with a large selection. There's a place around here called Flying Saucer that has tons and tons of different kinds of beer available. Go to a place like that and talk to people that know beer. More than likely you'll wind up with suggestions and will eventually find something you like.

I was/am in your shoes. I typically still drink rum and coke, but I found that I like Guinness so I'll drink that if I want a beer. I'll have a Shiner Bock occasionally as well just to change things up. Obviously neither of those really fit in with what you'll see in this thread, but are available at any bar I go to.

In VA, Trader Joe lets you do that, and even have Mystery Bags that are literally brown paper bags with 6 beers you can get for cheap but don't know what you've got until you buy it.

BTW, Guinness should be found in every great tasting beer thread.

[TheMatrix31]

Re: Another Great Tasting Beer Thread

The best thing to do is to go to BeerAdvocate and read. Go to the styles list and read descriptions. They'll say which beers are which style.

In my opinion, the best "readily available" (meaning if you go to any supermarket or liquor store) beer around is Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. That one took a while to warm up to though. Now I love it.

[Mabster]

Re: Another Great Tasting Beer Thread

Crash course in types and terms.

Two types of beer, Lager and Ales. Lagers use a bottom fermenting yeast and create a beer that is light in color and taste and is crisp and mellow. Lagers take at least a month to brew. Domestic beers like Bud Light, Coors and Miller are examples of lager but they're also brewed by craft breweries.

Ales are brewed with it yeast that ferments on top and can be brewed in a week. Because of shorter brewing times tons of different flavors can be added to the beer to make any kind of combination.

IPA, with you see mentioned in this thread a lot, are India Pale Ales. Back in the day, to withstand the overland treck from the UK to India, brewers began to add hops and increase alcohol percentage to decrease spoiling rate. My favorite type of beer by far and I'm sure some here will agree.

Is the Sierra Nevada variety pack you saw the one that is called Beer Camp? If so, the current one is a great 12 pack to start trying IPAs. It has a regular IPA (although not as good as their year around IPA, Torpedo) a black IPA, & a red IPA. The black has a more pronounced roasted malt flavour, and the red has more sweeter taste to it. Really shows the range on what IPAs can taste like.


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[gopher_guy]

Re: Another Great Tasting Beer Thread

The best thing to do is to go to BeerAdvocate and read. Go to the styles list and read descriptions. They'll say which beers are which style.

Yep, BeerAdvocate has TONS of information. Everything from types of glasses, to good beer and food pairings, to detailed breakdowns and explanations of pretty much every beer style out there.

Also, if you're interested in finding out more about beer in general, stop into a local micro brewery some weekend afternoon (when the bartenders aren't too busy), buy a beer, and just start asking questions. Most of the bartenders who work at places who brew their own beer are very knowledgeable and love to discuss their craft.

[Mabster]

Re: Another Great Tasting Beer Thread

Also, if you're interested in finding out more about beer in general, stop into a local micro brewery some weekend afternoon (when the bartenders aren't too busy), buy a beer, and just start asking questions. Most of the bartenders who work at places who brew their own beer are very knowledgeable and love to discuss their craft.

If you visit a micro brewery make sure to find out if they have tours. Best part is you ALWAYS get free samples at the end. It's the perfect way to learn about the process, try a handful of beers, and be able to ask anything.

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[wwharton]

Re: Another Great Tasting Beer Thread

If you visit a micro brewery make sure to find out if they have tours. Best part is you ALWAYS get free samples at the end. It's the perfect way to learn about the process, try a handful of beers, and be able to ask anything.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4

ANY Brewery. The Sam Adams brew tour was one of the best decisions I ever made... and I'm not a Sam Adams fan (at least I wasn't).

[z Revis]

Re: Another Great Tasting Beer Thread

Alright guys, I am 2 beers into my first "craft beer". On my way home from work I stopped and ended up purchasing:

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/140/30420

The store I went to was out of the Sierra Nevada variety pack, so I picked up a six pack of Torpedo.

First impressions: It's..... interesting. Smells awesome. Tastes pretty good, but it is quite bitter. Tastes a lot like grapefruit if you ask me. Still very drinkable. It's the best beer I've ever had, but that's not saying anything at all. lol.

Either way I can't wait to try some others.

[55]

Re: Another Great Tasting Beer Thread

IPAs taste even better when you pour them in a glass and let them warm up a little bit. It really opens up the flavor, bouquet, etc. You'll notice that with "good" beer as opposed to "bad" beer. Most "good" beers have a better flavor when they're not ice cold, whereas the only way "bad" beers are even remotely drinkable it when they are ice cold.

In any event, I'm glad you're enjoying the Torpedo as it is a great introduction to IPAs, which are by far the best style of beers in the world as far as I'm concerned. IPAs are a love it or hate it kind of style with most folks, so it looks like you're already on the right track. Just wait until you get to try some of the crazy, insanely bitter and hoppy ones. Those are the best!

[z Revis]

Re: Another Great Tasting Beer Thread

It is a very nice beer. I didn't know what to think at first because it's not what I was expecting. I didn't expect it to be so bitter. I really enjoyed it though.

It honestly left me wondering why the hell I ever wasted money on Miller, Corona, etc. Not that I bought those very often, but still. For only a couple more bucks I can get a beer that actually tastes of something good and has more alcohol? Color me happy!

Next up I think I'm going to try a "stout." Looking at Guinness Extra Stout. Saw a beer review of that on youtube and must say it looks delicious!

[wwharton]

Re: Another Great Tasting Beer Thread

It is a very nice beer. I didn't know what to think at first because it's not what I was expecting. I didn't expect it to be so bitter. I really enjoyed it though.

It honestly left me wondering why the hell I ever wasted money on Miller, Corona, etc. Not that I bought those very often, but still. For only a couple more bucks I can get a beer that actually tastes of something good and has more alcohol? Color me happy!

Next up I think I'm going to try a "stout." Looking at Guinness Extra Stout. Saw a beer review of that on youtube and must say it looks delicious!

Many of us have been wondering why ANYONE wastes money on those beers unless they're on a serious budget (which is understandable).

If you get guinness, get it on tap or from a can. The EXTRA stout is the bitter version that's not nearly as good. That comes in the normal sized bottle. You can find the other in a bottle also (instead of a can) but to avoid confusion at this point, just go with tap (best) or can (2nd best).

Murphy's stout is also good... I may even say it's better on tap but it depends on the tap. There are some others (for the vets, if you haven't had left handed milk stout go find it!) but either of these two area good introduction.

[ESPNdeportes]

Re: Another Great Tasting Beer Thread

IPAs taste even better when you pour them in a glass and let them warm up a little bit. It really opens up the flavor, bouquet, etc. You'll notice that with "good" beer as opposed to "bad" beer. Most "good" beers have a better flavor when they're not ice cold, whereas the only way "bad" beers are even remotely drinkable it when they are ice cold.

Such an important point, and one that is not shared enough with people who are learning about beer. Typically, ideal ale temps are 45-55F. Lagers about 35-45F.