Thread: It's not beer if you can see through it

I hate beers with lots of hops. I'm into German beers right now. My favorite all-around is the Paulaner Oktoberfest. For dark the Spaten Optimator is my favorite right now -- dark & great malt flavor.

Homebrew when I can. My fav Production stuff is Imperial Russian Stout from Stone Brewery. Also Artic Devil From Midnight Sun Brewery in Anchorage AK.

Turbo Dog from the Abita beer company, about any Sam Adams although I particularly like their summer ale and winter logger, Fat Tire Amber Ale is a winner. When I am in Philly I get a few Yuengling Lager, Porter and Black and Tan When in a new city, I always try to sample the local brews and my preference is for amber/dark/stout, you know. Beer that tastes like something, flavor, it is a wonderful thing.

I love Ales and the IPA's like the ones in Stone Brewing, Arrogant Bastard Ale and Stone Ruination IPA or Stone India Pale Ale. Or Rogue, Dead Guy Ale, Harpoon IPA. Here in town I like to go to the Draft House to get some Big Dog Brew, I like the Dirty Dog.

As a homebrewer, hop grower and mead maker, I enjoy all kinds of ales. Hands down though, my favorite has to be Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout. It isn't all that difficult to find, a bit pricey here in the US, but man is it delicious. Young's Double Chocolate Stout is fantastic as well.

Now, a bit of bad news for all you serious beer drinkers, there is a worldwide shortage of hops. So, that favorite beer that you like so much may soon cost a bit more. Also, the price of malt is increasing. Unfortunately, it seems that the larger US breweries like Coors, Michelob, Miller etc... have high priority over many of the smaller breweries when it comes to getting their hands on quality hops. You may not see an increase in price from the bigger guys but times are tough for the micro folks. Lets all hope for a nice fall harvest in 08.'

Kyle

I know this brew is not available for most of you but, if you ever get to Atlantic Canada, I heartily recommend Picaroons(Google the name for info). They make several different varieties, depending on the time of year, and you will find it to be a top notch brew, possibly better that your own home brew. It's certainly better than mine. I'm pretty sure it is only available in Atlantic Canada and maybe only in New Brunswick.

These micro breweries, all over North America, are having trouble competing now that the cost of hops and barley has increased. I only hope they can hang in there and still manage to produce their excellent products

Originally Posted by rugrad02

. Hands down though, my favorite has to be Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout.
Kyle

Here, Here! In fact you can hand some right over here...lol Yes I too would have to express my fondness for Samuel Smiths...#1 would be the Oatmeal Stout, but of course the Taddy Porter is nice as well. I have a preference for darker beverages, say if nothing else presents itself a Guiness with my burger makes the meal.

A short tale : Once a great number of years ago I brought some Samuel Smiths home to my parents house. While chatting with my father I mentioned that the maker was one of my favorites. The next time I came visiting he proudly displayed some Sam Adams upon my arrival. Nothing against those who like the stuff, But I find it worse than Bud....just not palatable. I drank it but also let my father know what the correct brew was.

To this day he still gets me Sam Adams....I have given up trying as I love my father more than the beer.

Originally Posted by rugrad02

Now, a bit of bad news for all you serious beer drinkers, there is a worldwide shortage of hops. So, that favorite beer that you like so much may soon cost a bit more. Also, the price of malt is increasing. Unfortunately, it seems that the larger US breweries like Coors, Michelob, Miller etc... have high priority over many of the smaller breweries when it comes to getting their hands on quality hops. You may not see an increase in price from the bigger guys but times are tough for the micro folks. Lets all hope for a nice fall harvest in 08.'

Kyle

What's up to have caused this hop shortage? Bad growing season or something? I was surprised to read about that the other day. I haven't bought beer ingredients in the past year or more, and was shocked to see what hops were selling for WHEN I could even find any.

Funny that they'd give priority on hops to companies that make beer with such little hop character (BUDMILLERCOORS).

I have a preference for darker beers but I seem to keep buying Yuengling!

Darker brews are nice depending on the mood (and weather) but I wound up with a keg fridge and Yuengling is the winner....



v/r

Allen

the nice thing about living in Philly is you can just ask for a lager, and you will get a Yuengling. Its always funny to get puzzled looks from bartenders/waitresses clearly new to the area though.