The Great Beer Thread

[John in Covina]

Vienna lager?

***********
Exactly! For some reason I could not think of that so I had to leave out the reference. In Germany for (mostly) lagers there is also a link of sub-style and city of origin for some of the names. Pilsner, Munich, Dortmund and even Budweiser and Michelob are named after a city style, Augsberger was a name from a city the was the premium lager for a back east brewer, can't think of who. But city name and style is linked a lot also.

 

[rumblefish]

The line up for the last barbecue I hosted...

 

[dnjan]

Very impressive line-up, but I would consider most of those to be "savor on their own" beers, to be enjoyed after dinner. What did you actually drink (in quantities, I assume) with the barbecue?

 

[Medvssa]

I am not much of a beer drinker, but here in Belgium I have found a few I really like, my favourites are:

Rodenbach, 1/3 aged in oak barrels for two years.
I also really like the Grand Cru, but it has such a powerful taste that it is a bit overwhelming I prefer to drink a little bit, not an entire bottle.

And Rochefort, I prefer the 6, but it is difficult to find (even in Belgium).

 

[rumblefish]

Very impressive line-up, but I would consider most of those to be "savor on their own" beers, to be enjoyed after dinner. What did you actually drink (in quantities, I assume) with the barbecue?

It went like this Don,
Three of us shared each one. The two from Southampton Cuvee des Fuers and Biere de Garde we had with appetizers- home made/grown salsa, squash quiche, chips & dips.
Ommegang's Biere de Mars went with the cheese and quince paste.
Lagunitas' Correction Ale and Stone' Double ba***rd was for the sit-down; beef ribs, pork-kebabs, tabouleh salad, sauteed kohlrabi, and sourdough bread.
The Kriek from Lindemanns for right after the tossed salad.
Maredsous 8 we drank with desert- apple pie, chocolate cake, and cookies.
Last, the Dogfish Head World Wide Stout for a night cap.
:cheers1:

I am not much of a beer drinker, but here in Belgium I have found a few I really like, my favourites are:

You should be able to find Westvleteren too. I've had their 8 and 12, don't miss either of these! The 12 consistently scores #1 on beer websites. When I first found it, I was paying $7 for 12 oz. bottles. When it went to $10, no problem still,,, I can't even find it now.
Now find some and make me envious...

 

[Medvssa]

You should be able to find Westvleteren too.

Oh, of course I heard about it, I haven't tried it.
Here you have to go and buy it in the abbey, and it solds out very fast. Maybe they have it in some bars, when they can find it themselves, but I haven't really kept an eye out for it, not saying it is not excellent, what do I know, but I actually wonder if the availability issues have contributed to its popularity
I am too lazy, I buy beer in the supermarket and sometimes when I go to a café with a big menu I try new ones [huh]

 

[Lone_Ranger]

Warsteiner Dunkel is a Dark lager, typicly found at German restaurants. I suppose I mostly have it with German food but it does a superb job of standing alone.
Has the wonderful "Brewed According to German Purity Law of 1516" feature which keeps the bloody mainstream rice beers of America at bay.
--Kent

I'm a big fan of Warsteiner Pilsner.

This time of year, I switch to Spaten Oktoberfest, when the Mayor of Munich taps the first keg, and proclaims, "O'zapft ist!"

Around the Holidays, when it gets even colder Spaten Optimator, is the choice.

I'd like to try Warsteiner's Oktoberfest, but it's not available here.

 

[John in Covina]

Another benefit of the growth of small brewers and the re-introduction of styles that have flavor is the fact that many taverns and restaurants are carrying palatible beer in the bottle or on tap. Out this way there are a numbero of places that may have 8 to 12 beers on tap and out of them a fair number that are specialty beers and a fine choice for consuming with friends.

There are a few that are making the quality and or quantity of beers available as a selling point to come and try new beers.


My old fav is a sandwich shop called the Stuffed Sandwich in San Gabriel California. Eclectic but fun.

 

[dnjan]

It went like this Don,
Three of us shared each one. The two from Southampton Cuvee des Fuers and Biere de Garde we had with appetizers- home made/grown salsa, squash quiche, chips & dips.
Ommegang's Biere de Mars went with the cheese and quince paste.
Lagunitas' Correction Ale and Stone' Double ba***rd was for the sit-down; beef ribs, pork-kebabs, tabouleh salad, sauteed kohlrabi, and sourdough bread.
The Kriek from Lindemanns for right after the tossed salad.
Maredsous 8 we drank with desert- apple pie, chocolate cake, and cookies.
Last, the Dogfish Head World Wide Stout for a night cap.
:cheers1:

Sounds like a great evening, though with those beers I hope it was at least a two-hour dining experience (and possibly longer). Sounds like it would have been a great party to crash!

 

[dnjan]

You should be able to find Westvleteren too. I've had their 8 and 12, don't miss either of these! The 12 consistently scores #1 on beer websites. When I first found it, I was paying $7 for 12 oz. bottles. When it went to $10, no problem still,,, I can't even find it now.
Now find some and make me envious...

My son (the home-brewer, college student) went on a "fact finding mission" to Belgium (and a couple of days in Germany) with a friend this summer. One of his specific goals was to go to Westvleteren, because (he claimed) they don't export. Also, they supposedly only sell from a store at the abby, by the case. I connected him up with a friend who recently moved to Belgium, and I believe they ended up splitting a case among the three of them.

He ended up (after spending two weeks over there) with tasting notes on over 40 different beers, and a pack that weighed over 80 lbs. (before he divided it up into a duffelbag to avoid the airline's overweight fees) with over thirty different bottles of beer. Coming through customs, they told him he would end up owing less than $5 in duty/fees, so they waived him through.

 

[PoohBang]

today I had the bottle of Double IPA from Hair of the Dog Brewery up in Oregon.
I have to say, it was delightful. Citrus notes and not overly hoppy...

I would buy it again for sure. Highly recommended.

 

[Dreispitz]

Huber Weisse

Hi Folks,

here is another German - to be more correct Bavarian - beer. Huber Weisses of Hofbrauhaus Freising. Smaler local brewery. Same place, as Weihenstephan, but only supplying to local demand.

A friend of mine (she) is a brewer, there.

I got a box in exchange for a laser-printer. A box of beer is a very common currency, here.

 

[lolly_loisides]

Summer has started early here in Australia (107F - 42C). Perfect weather for a beer!

I tried my first Coopers Red label today - very refreshing, think I'll have another!

 

[rumblefish]

Southampton Publick House is having their release party January 30, this year.
http://www.ratebeer.com/event/10860/southampton-release-party/
If you're in the area and appreciate beer, stop in. Last years release was fantastic. This year they made the Berliner Weisse again. Look at what happened the last time it was offered. http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/southampton-berliner-weisse/24459/

 

[Brian R.]

I'm not a beer connoisseur,but when I do drink beer, it has to be a Sam Adams. I just feel patriotic.lol

 

[dnjan]

This year they made the Berliner Weisse again. Look at what happened the last time it was offered. http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/southampton-berliner-weisse/24459/

I haven't had much berliner weisse, but the little I have had made for a great summer beer.
Do you drink it as-is, or Berlin-style with syrup?

 

[rumblefish]

A great summer beer.

Exactly how I would call it. Great with popcorn.
I like mine well chilled and neat- no syrup. I've tried it that way and I can see how someone opposed to it's astringency may prefer it mit schuss.
I've seen Berliner Weisse bottled with syrup already added. I'm sure I wouldn't go for that.

 

[John in Covina]

In one of the old prints of "Michael Jackson's Guide to Beer" (not that MJ) there is a picture of Beliner Kindl Weiss served plain and with syrups and arranged so the glasses resemble a traffic light! :eusa_clap

 

[BinkieBaumont]

"Nothing beets the heat like a big glass of the "Amber fluid" but with a high sugar content it is full of beastly Carbs, thats why I love Mash Brewings "Summer Lager" Before you reel in disgust at the thought of a low-carb beer being True beer. Mash’s summer lager is brewed right here in the Swan River Colony, in the German style, making it thirst-quenching, refreshingly light hopped and marked by a crisp finish. Its pale straw colour and light body evoke mild spicy aromas of noble hops. As a summer day refresher, it is tough to beat its ultra low carb! too!" of course there are times when oly a glass of "Sour cherry" beer will do!

"A couple of Middies down this end love, when your ready"

http://www.mashbrewing.com.au/index.php

 

[Story]

Be sure to crack open a cold one on Jan. 24, the day canned beer celebrates its 75th birthday. New Jersey's Gottfried Krueger Brewing Company churned out the world's first beer can in 1935, stocking select shelves in Richmond, Va., as a market test.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20100123/sc_livescience/cannedbeerturns75