Is American beer any good?

[N8]

Pretty sure we all knew this already..
:cheers:


http://www.thestar.com/living/article/424975

Just as wines from Napa Valley, Sonoma County and Oregon are giving bordeaux, burgundy and barolo a run for their money, breweries from California to New York are proving they can make some of the best suds in the world. And they're not just copies of the old European originals. While American craft brewers have proven themselves no slouches at styles such as pilsners, pale ales and stouts, they've also created some of their own, often bold styles.

[Arkayne]

Bud Light?

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d11/pritos/MTB/CUT-budlightbikinicopy.jpg

[LordOpie]

Just as wines from Napa Valley, Sonoma County and Oregon are giving bordeaux, burgundy and barolo a run for their money, breweries from California to New York are proving they can make some of the best suds in the world.
hmm, I'm thinking the best American beers are most definitely not from CA or NY.

Kudos to CA for taking on France in wine and bolstering the marketplace with White Zinfandel.

[I Are Baboon]

I like beer.

[OGRipper]

Kudos to CA for taking on France in wine and bolstering the marketplace with White Zinfandel.

This seems like back-handed kudos at best. Want to elaborate?

[LordOpie]

This seems like back-handed kudos at best. Want to elaborate?

Not really.

I mean, for you I would. I would never let you down (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2b1D5w82yU).

[narlus]

hmm, I'm thinking the best American beers are most definitely not from CA or NY.

breweries from California to New York

i took this to mean a geographical reference, and not specifically targeting only those two states.

that said, ommegang is a fantastic NY brewery, and brooklyn is no slouch. california has a bunch of great stuff (lagunitas, bear republic and stone come to mind immediately).

[Dartman]

Mmmmm...Stone Brewery.

Some other noteables...

Dogfishhead brewery - Delaware.
Flying Dog - Colorado
Highland - Asheville NC.
Legend - Richmond, VA

[I Are Baboon]

i took this to mean a geographical reference, and not specifically targeting only those two states.

that said, ommegang is a fantastic NY brewery, and brooklyn is no slouch. california has a bunch of great stuff (lagunitas, bear republic and stone come to mind immediately).

mmmmm......hennepin......

[narlus]

the Rare Vos kicks ass too.

[EvilShenaniganZ]

http://re3.yt-thm-a03.yimg.com/image/1/f11/541360064:clapping:

[OGRipper]

http://re3.yt-thm-a03.yimg.com/image/1/f11/541360064:clapping:

<<<<<

:cheers:

[EvilShenaniganZ]

<<<<<

:cheers:

for the longest time i thought this stuff was from germany or something. I want to go do a tour or something now that i know its like a 4hr road trip!!!!

[BikeGeek]

Pretty sure we all knew this already..
:cheers:
http://www.thestar.com/living/article/424975

The brewery I work at took two bronze medals in the World Beer Cup: German-style Pilsener, and Traditional German-style Bock. Needless to say, we're very excited to have placed in an international competition. :)

Yay, beer!

[narlus]

Tim, that rocks!! congrats!

[SkaredShtles]

Mmmmm...Stone Brewery.

Some other noteables...

Dogfishhead brewery - Delaware.
Flying Dog - Colorado
Highland - Asheville NC.
Legend - Richmond, VA
:brow: :disgust1::disgust1::disgust1:

[SkaredShtles]

http://www.liquidsolutions.biz/product/images/TitanIPA_web.jpg

http://k41.pbase.com/o6/31/602531/1/72316756.FFuqxYQK.IMG_4479_conv_adj_1024copy.jpg

[SkaredShtles]

http://www.ratebeer.com/beerimages/full_size/8789.jpg

[syadasti]

Tim, that rocks!! congrats!

Which beer from PA?

[I Are Baboon]

Which beer from PA?

He works at the Troegs brewery.

[syadasti]

He works at the Troegs brewery.

Ah I've seen that brand in the store but since I've never tried it and its expensive if I recall correctly.

I like six packs around $7 at the most a majority of the time:D

[Dartman]

:brow: :disgust1::disgust1::disgust1:

What??????!!!!!! :think:

So I like their Pale Ale.

[Sandro]

Take it from a german, american craft brews rock! While the quality of the average joe beer over here is a lot better, you guys have a lot more variety and quality at the top end of the spectrum.
Cheers

[SkaredShtles]

What??????!!!!!! :think:

So I like their Pale Ale.
Their pale ale is passable, but there are 47,000 better choices. :p

[Heidi]

Deschutes Beer for President. I'd vote for it.

[LordOpie]

Deschutes Beer for President. I'd vote for it.

If I could only drink one brand, it might be Deschutes.

[Dartman]

Their pale ale is passable, but there are 47,000 better choices. :p

Name them. I'm always looking for a good beer! :D

[SkaredShtles]

Name them. I'm always looking for a good beer! :D
Deschutes Inversion IPA
Great Divide Titan IPA
Great Divide Hercules DIPA
Sierra Nevada
Stone IPA
Stone Ruination
Lagunitas IPA
Breckenridge 471 IPA
Il Vicino Wet Mt IPA
Bull-n-Bush Man Beer
Golden City IPA
...
:D

[LordOpie]

Deschutes Inversion IPA
Great Divide Titan IPA
Great Divide Hercules DIPA
Sierra Nevada
Stone IPA
Stone Ruination
Lagunitas IPA
Breckenridge 471 IPA
Il Vicino Wet Mt IPA
Bull-n-Bush Man Beer
Golden City IPA
...
:D
Life is subjective... I don't like any beers from Great Divide or Breck.

[SkaredShtles]

Life is subjective... I don't like any beers from Great Divide or Breck.
Hogwash.

You have no taste.

At least for good IPA.

Breck's 471 is the only good brew they have. But it is GOOOOOOOD.

[narlus]

i think i'll crack open an Ipswich IPA

[N8]

damn! this 90 Min is some hoppy shiet!!

[ICU812]

damn! this 90 Min is some hoppy shiet!!

the 120 is also tasty.

[BikeGeek]

Which beer from PA?
The two that placed are Sunshine Pils (http://www.troegs.com/beers_sunshine.htm) and Troegenator Double Bock (http://www.troegs.com/beers_nator.htm)

I'm not sure what it's sold at by the 6-pack outside of a bar. PA is one of those effed up case-only states. You can get a 6 at a bar but you pay the bar per-bottle price. Not sure if you'll be at Monkeyfest this year, but I plan on having some of everything we make.

[syadasti]

The two that placed are Sunshine Pils (http://www.troegs.com/beers_sunshine.htm) and Troegenator Double Bock (http://www.troegs.com/beers_nator.htm)

I'm not sure what it's sold at by the 6-pack outside of a bar. PA is one of those effed up case-only states. You can get a 6 at a bar but you pay the bar per-bottle price. Not sure if you'll be at Monkeyfest this year, but I plan on having some of everything we make.

It could happen. I've only been once but free premium beer is a big draw. Probably not doing a three week MTB tour - don't have enough vacation for that.

[BikeGeek]

...
Flying Dog - Colorado...
Don't you mean "Flying Dog - Frederick, MD?"

[Squeegee]

sierra nevada in all forms is THE best american beer hands down

[SkaredShtles]

sierra nevada in all forms is THE best american beer hands down
Their Celebration Ale is top notch, and their Pale is very good.

But HARDLY the best American beer...

[SkaredShtles]

Don't you mean "Flying Dog - Frederick, MD?"
I'd forgotten they had moved. :rofl:

[SK6]

I like beer.


Beer is good. I like to ride my bicycle. I like to drink beer after i ride my bicycle. Beer is good.

[Squeegee]

Their Celebration Ale is top notch, and their Pale is very good.

But HARDLY the best American beer...

actually sierra nevada makes some summer fest lager water that is hardly great beer, but I LOVE celebration, my favorite of all.

NewCastle???

[Kihaji]

I like Leinenkugels

http://www.leinie.com/home.html

[I Are Baboon]

I bought a 12 pack sampler of Great Divide a few weeks ago. Four beers:

The Denver Pale Ale is mediocre at best.
The Wild Raspberry Ale was pretty good for a fruity beer (usually I'm not a big fan, but the 5.3% abv is nice).
I really liked the Samurai Ale. Looks like a clear beer, but really quite tasty.
Titan IPA is awesome.

[Dartman]

I'd forgotten they had moved. :rofl:

Didn't know. :think:

Closer to me! :happydance:

[SkaredShtles]

Didn't know. :think:

Closer to me! :happydance:
Good riddance I say. :p

[SkaredShtles]

I bought a 12 pack sampler of Great Divide a few weeks ago. Four beers:

The Denver Pale Ale is mediocre at best.
The Wild Raspberry Ale was pretty good for a fruity beer (usually I'm not a big fan, but the 5.3% abv is nice).
I really liked the Samurai Ale. Looks like a clear beer, but really quite tasty.
Titan IPA is awesome.
I could have told you. Just get 12-ers of Titan. DPA is indeed pretty bland. I've never tried any of those other GD beers. :D

[syadasti]

Ah I've seen that brand in the store but since I've never tried it and its expensive if I recall correctly.

I like six packs around $7 at the most a majority of the time:D

Just bought the 12 sampler for $17 - ouch :brows:

Pale Ale is better than Sierra Nevada's.

I like the Hop Back better but man, I shouldn't start drinking them before I've had lunch after a ride - man they are good (just finished the the Hop Back):busted:

[valve bouncer]

Don't know what it's like in the US but a lot of the micro-brews I've drunk in Australia always seemed to be "over-crafted", for want of a better word. One pilsener I had,for example, instead of having a hint of citrus had a whole f*cking suggestion box full. The stout was too sweet, most of the brews had a cloying sense of try-too-hardism about them. I'm mean it's better than the generic swill but I was expecting more.

[SkaredShtles]

Don't know what it's like in the US but a lot of the micro-brews I've drunk in Australia always seemed to be "over-crafted", for want of a better word. One pilsener I had,for example, instead of having a hint of citrus had a whole f*cking suggestion box full. The stout was too sweet, most of the brews had a cloying sense of try-too-hardism about them. I'm mean it's better than the generic swill but I was expecting more.
This does happen quite often. I've been to the Great American Beer Festival (http://www.beertown.org/events/gabf/index.htm) several times and a large percentage of micro offerings are, frankly, undrinkable swill IMNSHO.

[valve bouncer]

This does happen quite often. I've been to the Great American Beer Festival (http://www.beertown.org/events/gabf/index.htm) several times and a large percentage of micro offerings are, frankly, undrinkable swill IMNSHO.
It's such a "scene" too. I went here when I was back home at Christmas, beautiful setting as you can see.
http://www.bootlegbrewery.com.au/photo_library/aerial.jpg
www.bootlegbrewery.com.au
But christ almighty, there was about a million people there, the beer line went out the bloody door and when you finally got to the front of the line the prices were practically vertical. No thanks.:disgust1:

[skinny mike]

going to school in vermont rules. so many good breweries up there that supply the local stores.

trout river - the chocolate oatmeal stout is quite good
otter creek/wolaver's - the stovepipe porter and copper ale are great and the wolaver's brown ale is one of the best beers i've ever tasted
magic hat - jinx is very good, the rest, while good, are a little fruity for my tastes
long trail - long trail ale and the hibernator are awesome

i also love me some sierra nevada.

edit: forgot about rock art and switchback in vt as well.

[Nobody]

hmm, I'm thinking the best American beers are most definitely not from CA or NY.

Kudos to CA for taking on France in wine and bolstering the marketplace with White Zinfandel.

Hair Split #4,348: "from CA to NY"

For some people living outside the USA [obviously, no one who counts, but that's another story! XD ] this is a phrase often used to describe the entirety of the Lower 48 [excluding Hawaii and Alaska just because it's easier].

It is not implicit that these two richest and most populous states are, in fact, the only or most important states...

Remember, since The Star is a Toronto newspaper, its editors try to select stories that might help identify things for us foreigners...

Now, to Beer:

Small breweries have always held the edge in most countries of the world. The difference here, though, is that the Huge Beercorps that push their stuff all over the world have obscured the little guys in everyone's memories...

Truly, Bud Light? Miller Light? [the list goes on...] Are they fair examples?

Nope.

I'd rather drink scummy pond water and hit myself in the head with a turnip - same effect and yet less harmful to the environment.

[narlus]

i think that i'm going to be drinking more local beers. it's cheaper.

a six pack of Rogue (as good as it is) is now $12.

[JRogers]

going to school in vermont rules. so many good breweries up there that supply the local stores.

trout river - the chocolate oatmeal stout is quite good
otter creek/wolaver's - the stovepipe porter and copper ale are great and the wolaver's brown ale is one of the best beers i've ever tasted
magic hat - jinx is very good, the rest, while good, are a little fruity for my tastes
long trail - long trail ale and the hibernator are awesome

i also love me some sierra nevada.

edit: forgot about rock art and switchback in vt as well.

Word. I drank a ton of all those when I was there. Never got a chance to see the Magic Hat or Rock Art breweries, but the others are all pretty nice. For whatever reason, the Trout River Rainbow Red may be my favorite beer...also love the Wolaver's Oatmeal Stout and Brown Ale, Magic Hat Jinx and Long Trail Ale, Hibernator and Double Bag.

[DaveW]

It's such a "scene" too. I went here when I was back home at Christmas, beautiful setting as you can see.
http://www.bootlegbrewery.com.au/photo_library/aerial.jpg
www.bootlegbrewery.com.au
But christ almighty, there was about a million people there, the beer line went out the bloody door and when you finally got to the front of the line the prices were practically vertical. No thanks.:disgust1:

Sounds the opposite of the NZ Brewnz contest, the beers were about half the price of what you'd have to pay for the same beers in a wellington bar! and hells bells there were some stunner's there!
....Ok and a couple of stinkers but you get that at an event like that (was not too impressed by the Tutara Hefe beer, they'd gone too far down the hops path for my mouth).

[Arutha]

Lost Abbey from CA, amazing beer if you like Belgian styles. Hell, better than a lot of Belgian breweries.

[Silver]

Lost Abbey from CA, amazing beer if you like Belgian styles. Hell, better than a lot of Belgian breweries.

They make a great Bier de Garde too...

[Arutha]

They make a great Bier de Garde too...

Bah, getting all technical on me. Half of Belgium might as well be French, but glad they aren't.... ;)

[donttouchthis]

What is the best Boston beer?

[narlus]

i'd say ipswich ale.

the cambridge brewing porter is also very good.

[I Are Baboon]

I tried a couple of Ipswich beers last week and they were quite good (Ipswich Ale and IPA).

[MikeD]

Don't know what it's like in the US but a lot of the micro-brews I've drunk in Australia always seemed to be "over-crafted", for want of a better word. One pilsener I had,for example, instead of having a hint of citrus had a whole f*cking suggestion box full. The stout was too sweet, most of the brews had a cloying sense of try-too-hardism about them. I'm mean it's better than the generic swill but I was expecting more.


Have you ever had this lacto stout (http://www.bunitedint.com/portfolios/producers/kiuchi/sweet_stout/overview.php) in Japan?

http://www.bunitedint.com/portfolios/producers/kiuchi/sweet_stout/_images/sweet_stout-bottle.gif

[JohnE]

I am into Shiner Bock these days. And although not American, Kokanee was a great regional beer, IMHO, when I lived in Spokanistan...

[muchojackdaniel]

CA Has Bommbbb BEER

[yamaguy01]

Good beer can be found anywhere! Here are a few of my favorites in no particular order:

U.S.A.: Bud Light
Mexico: Dos Equis/Tecate
India: Majaraja
Turkey: Effes
Japan: Heartland beer/ Kirin/ Asahi Dry
Germany: too many to list! Almost all Pilsners.
Britian: not really beer but I love Strong Bow/Scrumpy Jack ciders
Thai: Klosters
China: Tiger beer
Belgium: Stella Autoris

[SkaredShtles]

Good beer can be found anywhere! Here are a few of my favorites in no particular order:

U.S.A.: Bud Light
:disgust1:

:ban: :ban: :ban:

[MikeD]

Good beer can be found anywhere! Here are a few of my favorites in no particular order:

U.S.A.: Bud Light
Mexico: Dos Equis/Tecate
India: Majaraja
Turkey: Effes
Japan: Heartland beer/ Kirin/ Asahi Dry
Germany: too many to list! Almost all Pilsners.
Britian: not really beer but I love Strong Bow/Scrumpy Jack ciders
Thai: Klosters
China: Tiger beer
Belgium: Stella Autoris

OMFG

(And I'm a dude who'll drink budweiser without complaint...) But BUD LIGHT? STELLA ARTOIS? This is like saying, "There's great ethnic food in the US...have you tried The Olive Garden?"

But hey, VB loves Fosters, so what can you do, right?

[syadasti]

(And I'm a dude who'll drink budweiser without complaint...)

Only the finest Michelob ULTRA for you and yamaguy01 :cheers:

I remember I was at Interbike one year and they had reps at some bar giving that away. Worst beer ever. I couldn't even drink half the bottle

[Lowlight7]

Light beer isn't for people who like beer. Light beer is for people who like to piss alot.

My wife thinks Stella Artois is the best thing since Appletinis and dry Cosmopolitans. 'nuff said.

I can't believe you mentioned England and completely glossed over Boddington's or London Porter.

Just because a foreign beer tasted good when you drank it in it's home country does NOT mean it can stand up to other brews on it's own merit. I drank the hell out of some Hite while I was in Korea, but if you were to give me a 6-pack of that swill right now I would probably spit on the floor in disgust and maybe give you an open-hand slap for good measure.

[MikeD]

Hite while I was in Korea,

Ah, the old OB.

[valve bouncer]

OMFG

(And I'm a dude who'll drink budweiser without complaint...) But BUD LIGHT? STELLA ARTOIS? This is like saying, "There's great ethnic food in the US...have you tried The Olive Garden?"

But hey, VB loves Fosters, so what can you do, right?
Not to mention that staple of wife-beaters across Japan, Asahi Super Dry.:plthumbsdown:

[N8]

thoughts on this one?

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e115/mtbkendall/IPA2.jpg

[narlus]

i haven't had that one, but sprecher in general tends to be pretty good.

last night i was reading a book about Nurse With Wound and found out the origin of your sig (they had a compilation called _hoist the black flag_).

http://www.brainwashed.com/common/htdocs/discog/ud06.php?site=nww

[xy9ine]

i'm totally envious of the burly beer selection south of the border. seems we're just starting to discover the hop, and imperials are next to nonexistent. a few i smuggled across the border this week (and a unibroue for canadian content). yum:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/xy9ine/beer.jpg

[irishblue76]

the 120 is also tasty.

Is that Dogfish Head? The 120 is the only beer ever I couldn't finish - Yuck!

[Arutha]

Is that Dogfish Head? The 120 is the only beer ever I couldn't finish - Yuck!

Yeah, he's referring to Dogfish. The majority of their beers are too sweet for my liking but that's my demented taste buds, apparently not the norm.

[I Are Baboon]

Is that Dogfish Head? The 120 is the only beer ever I couldn't finish - Yuck!

40 proof beer...more of a novelty than anything.