What's your favorite BEER?

[pdf27]

Started a batch of Cwtch yesterday, with my 3 year old helping out. Only a kit, but the reviews are very good so we'll have to see how it goes.

 

[begreen]

Started a batch of Cwtch yesterday, with my 3 year old helping out. Only a kit, but the reviews are very good so we'll have to see how it goes.

I'll be eager to hear how this works out for you. I made an Irish Red ale a few years back that came out really well.

 

[WoodyIsGoody]

You're making my point for me. Around here, most of the brews you named are within $5 of the $50 case price I named earlier. But prices may vary, coast to coast.

Ha! We are drowning in delicious beer here out west (and especially in the NW). I rarely drink beer at home, much prefer the draft. Sam Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock drank beer in public, in the local pub. And they were not afraid to talk politics while they drank. They debated like reasoning and respectful adults, not children in a school yard. That's why they are American heroes. Without beer and politics it's very likely Americans would still be subjects of the Queen.

When I do buy it in bottles or cans, it's ALWAYS 100% barley beer. I never even think about it because they are almost all 100% barley. Six packs are generally $9-$13, very few over that (always "big" malt/alcohol). Cases at costco can be cheaper but selection is not always the best. Of course we are spoiled here in the Greater Pacific Northwest. I like to drink beer, not sip it daintily, so I shoot for 5-6.8% alcohol and as dry as I can get (not sweet/sticky) and plenty of hops (healthy and tastes good too). I started drinking micros in 1981, Red Hook and Sierra Nevada. Red Hook has sucked for at least 20 years but were very good back in the 1980's. I still buy an occasional pack of Sierra Nevada Pale when I want something light and crisp. Back then Sam Adams was a distant third, they didn't have the same access to the small hop growers the western brewers had. And the water is often far better. But now, more delicious beers can be had from...wait, I can't even begin to name all of the ones within an hour, the list would fill this entire page up! Too many choices, too cheap and not enough time. I will make special mention of some of the breweries that make my favorite beers: Aslan Brewing, Kulshan Brewing, North Fork Brewing, Elysian Brewing, Anacortes Brewing, Georgetown Brewing, Farmstrong Brewing, Northsound Brewing, all exceptional! Hard to go wrong.

Yes, drowning in exceptional beer at cheap prices. Cross the border to Canada and the quality goes way down (in general, you can still find good micros but you better know what your doing or you will end up with one of their many "amateur" beers).

 

[RobbieB]

Tried a 12 of Stella Artos and liked it. Now on my third.

Some richer and darker stuff will be had for Fall.

 

[pdf27]

I'll be eager to hear how this works out for you. I made an Irish Red ale a few years back that came out really well.

Just started drinking it - very dark, and the hops are maybe a little stronger than I'd like. I think if I was making it again I'd probably dilute it down a little - it's a 36 pint kit but I think I'd probably prefer it at 40 pints. I've also just got back from Germany with a carload of assorted Kolsch, Helles, etc. and homebrew is probably going to suffer a little in comparison.

 

[Ashful]

Wow, blast from the past. ‘Tis the season of the Christmas ales, and I’ve been sampling them all, as always. Delirium Noel, St. Barnardous Christmas, Troeg’s Mad Elf, Fegley’s Rude Elf, Brauerei Schloss Eggenberg’s Samichlaus... even dragged out some old Corsendonk Christmas Ale.

I don’t know whether to blame it on my changing tastes or a modification of their recipe, but I’m finding the Rude Elf too clovey this year. Mad Elf is always good when playing out in the snow, or moving firewood outdoors on a cold day. Keeps you warm.

My absolute favorite of this year, and by a very long shot, is a barrel-aged special of the Samichlaus, from Schloss Eggenberg. If you can find it, buy all you can afford.

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/285/776/

I was looking forward to more barrel-aged Rude Elf, again this year, but it seems no one has it. I’ve found 2016 bottles for sale, but at $27 per bottle, I passed.

I was disappointed with the St. Barnardous offering this year, I almost wonder if we got a bad keg. They may be my favorite brewery, most any other time.

 

[Seasoned Oak]

Still havnt tried any goose island,i found some locally any suggestions on which one? Ill probably pull some dogfish 120 out of storage for the holidays.

 

[mellow]

@Ashful Since your near Philly have you been to Tired Hands brewing yet? They have some good stuff coming out of that place.

I am on the hunt for Barrel aged Abraxas, I had the regular Abraxas last year and it was hands down the best Stout I have ever had and the barrel aged is rated even higher.

 

[Ashful]

Still havnt tried any goose island,i found some locally any suggestions on which one? Ill probably pull some dogfish 120 out of storage for the holidays.

My favorite from Goose Island is their Sophie farmhouse ale (saison). They make a series of Belgian style ales consisting of Sophie, Matilda, and Pepe Nero, and the Sophie is the best of the bunch, IMO.

 

[Ashful]

@Ashful Since your near Philly have you been to Tired Hands brewing yet? They have some good stuff coming out of that place.

I am on the hunt for Barrel aged Abraxas, I had the regular Abraxas last year and it was hands down the best Stout I have ever had and the barrel aged is rated even higher.

I haven’t tried Tired Hands. I will need to check them out. Our area has a few decent breweries, but I’m much more into world-class stuff that local. Give me an Alagash or St. Bernardus, over a Yards or Manayunk, every day. A few, like Victory and Weyerbacher, walk the fine line between local and truly world-class. Free Will has a promising future, IMO.

 

[dafattkidd]

Had a couple Alagash Whites last night while on a date with my wife. Delicious!

 

[timfromohio]

I'm sipping a SA Hop Flake IPA left over from the winter variety pack of 2016-2017. I know why there were some left over ... I do have a Cream Ale in secondary that was brewed over Christmas that will be the spring/summer beer.

Secondary combustion from the Quad is making the beer tolerable though

Cheers everyone.

 

[begreen]

Made a whole grain batch of Elyssian ESB last fall. Must say it is maturing really nicely. Tastes great!

 

[Jan Pijpelink]

Am on the last half of a keg Sparkling Amber; need more hops next time.

 

[Ashful]

Allagash Curieux today... and yesterday. Day before was St. Bern Abt.12.

 

[Seasoned Oak]

Allagash Curieux today... and yesterday. Day before was St. Bern Abt.12.

Trying to find some. So far no luck . Have a friend in King of prussia,he may be closer to some.

 

[Seasoned Oak]

Enjoying a Great lakes "Edmund Fitzgerald" right now after a Troegs "Mad elf ale".

 

[Ashful]

Trying to find some. So far no luck . Have a friend in King of prussia,he may be closer to some.

Curieux? Damn, you're so close to me, we should be able to get a bottle to you, somehow.

If in KoP area, try Wegmans.

 

[HisTreeNut]

If in KoP area, try Wegmans.

I miss Wegman's...

Sent from my VS835 using Tapatalk

 

[Seasoned Oak]

Curieux? Damn, you're so close to me, we should be able to get a bottle to you, somehow.

If in KoP area, try Wegmans.

In checking their website most of the stock is in and around philly. Nothing outside that area. Still have a few places to try . Theres a beer store that sell singles only in Sunbury about 20 miles and they have a great selection.

 

[Seasoned Oak]

Made a whole grain batch of Elyssian ESB last fall. Must say it is maturing really nicely. Tastes great!

Some of the best beer iv ever tasted were craft made in backyard garages. Im trying to get a local craftbrewer working out of his garage to partner with me. I have the real estate,storefronts and warehouse space,he has the expertise. Could be big. If it takes off its" FREE BEER FOR ALL MY HEARTH FRIENDS." (good thing they are mostly scattered far and wide)

 

[Seasoned Oak]

Im having a Great lakes "Elliot Ness" tonight while im workin on my taxes. A good Amber Lager but only 6% ABV so i shouldnt have to recheck my numbers tomorrow

 

[Easy Livin’ 3000]

Ha! We are drowning in delicious beer here out west (and especially in the NW). I rarely drink beer at home, much prefer the draft. Sam Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock drank beer in public, in the local pub. And they were not afraid to talk politics while they drank. They debated like reasoning and respectful adults, not children in a school yard. That's why they are American heroes. Without beer and politics it's very likely Americans would still be subjects of the Queen.

When I do buy it in bottles or cans, it's ALWAYS 100% barley beer. I never even think about it because they are almost all 100% barley. Six packs are generally $9-$13, very few over that (always "big" malt/alcohol). Cases at costco can be cheaper but selection is not always the best. Of course we are spoiled here in the Greater Pacific Northwest. I like to drink beer, not sip it daintily, so I shoot for 5-6.8% alcohol and as dry as I can get (not sweet/sticky) and plenty of hops (healthy and tastes good too). I started drinking micros in 1981, Red Hook and Sierra Nevada. Red Hook has sucked for at least 20 years but were very good back in the 1980's. I still buy an occasional pack of Sierra Nevada Pale when I want something light and crisp. Back then Sam Adams was a distant third, they didn't have the same access to the small hop growers the western brewers had. And the water is often far better. But now, more delicious beers can be had from...wait, I can't even begin to name all of the ones within an hour, the list would fill this entire page up! Too many choices, too cheap and not enough time. I will make special mention of some of the breweries that make my favorite beers: Aslan Brewing, Kulshan Brewing, North Fork Brewing, Elysian Brewing, Anacortes Brewing, Georgetown Brewing, Farmstrong Brewing, Northsound Brewing, all exceptional! Hard to go wrong.

Yes, drowning in exceptional beer at cheap prices. Cross the border to Canada and the quality goes way down (in general, you can still find good micros but you better know what your doing or you will end up with one of their many "amateur" beers).

@WoodyIsGoody where are you?

 

[mellow]

All porters and Stouts for me this time of year, Imperial preferred. Enjoying some Founders Canadian Breakfast Stout, man I love that stuff.

 

[Ashful]

All porters and Stouts for me this time of year, Imperial preferred. Enjoying some Founders Canadian Breakfast Stout, man I love that stuff.

I drink a lot of beer, but even I don't have it for breakfast. ;-)

Just picked up a case of Merry Monks and few large of Hardywood Gingerbread Stout.

Monks is a staple in this house, but the Hardywood is something I've been meaning to try for a while. I love some of their other brews, but have always steered clear of the Gingerbread Stout. Report to follow...