Two more that I've tried recently:

Magic Hat(on tap): Very very good. I had tried this a few years ago and havn't seen it since. My favorite bar just got it on tap, and I'll definitely be trying it some more.

Sam Adams Summer Ale(bottle): Very disappointing. Since SA is my favorite beer, I expected a lot. Tastes too much like lemons imo. Its ok, but nothing special at all.

i assume you mean magic hat #9 ? there's lots of magic hat beers. all very very good.

If you like Pilsner Urquell you're going to love Stella Artoise.

If you feel like spoiling yourself, get yourself a big bottle of Arrogant Bastard. That stuff is nectar of the gods. But it sells fast. They run out all the time at the Co-op where I buy it. Oh, and maybe you can only buy it here in the Northwest.

For your listed tastes and for something you'll likely find at most places, try the aforementioned Amber Bock. Some may scream because it's a mass produced domestic, but it's pretty good.


As for me, I'm totally onboard with any of the aforementioned Belgian beers. I'll add one to the list and that is Piraat. It's a golden ale with about 11% alcohol content and really complements a good cigar.

It's not available just in the northwest, but this is about exactly the opposite of what jwvwdsecdedwswsdwdww is looking for. Please try to the read the thread in the future before responding. TIA.

When you consider that LordHusker himself is an "arrogant bastard" and just loves to run off at the mouth without thinking and say stupid bull####, I'm not suprised he posted that.

LordHusker = Gaaaaary.

MH#9? Very good fresh on tap.

Dont bother with any summers until it gets nice and hot out. Try SamAdams Scotch, Boston Ale. If you want some excellent flavor, try any of the Sam Smiths line (Nut Brown is very very good).

You know jw, we should get together and have a drink sometime, you cant be far from me.

JAA

Yes, #9...sorry for not clarifying/

Where do you live? Philly, I assume?

I read the thread. But thanks for the beatdown.
I'm aware of what style of beer Arrogant Bastard is. As a beer drinker, I always appreciate people giving me ideas of EXCEPTIONAL beers, no matter what the flavor. Arrogant Bastard is one of those beers. And it's a not well known beer, despite the clever marketing.

Dude, why are you so caustic? Do you need to lash out at me EVERY time I make a simple post -- particularly when it's not even directed at you? Was that really necessary in the middle of a beer thread?
Maybe a rabies shot or something would help?

A person doesn't just go from Sam Adams to AB, der brewmeister. Why don't you help the guy out with some suggestions to increase his beer palette that he might actually enjoy?

Arrogant Bastard is pretty well known amongst the beer drinkers I know.

Outside of Annapolis, MD

He does, too, go from Sam to Arrogant Bastard ... if he wants to taste a better beer. Look, my point was, if you want to TREAT yourself, pour a glass of AB. It's a one-bottle beer. An exception. That's my suggestion.

Sorry, but it's NOT that well known. Besides, the point is, jwvwcwwd doesn't know that many beers and wants suggestions. He's not one of your beer expert friends.

So again ... please chill.
Go have a beer!

Way ahead of you. Just polishing off the last of the Hacker Pschorr Oktoberfest from the fridge.

My point is that when I first started drinking quality beer, I jumped straight from Sam Adams to crazy hoppy stuff and it was years before I tried it again. Better to build it up slowly.

Oh, you're correct: Arrogant Bastard is a heavy-duty hops experience. But it seems like the whole marketing scheme, the funny stuff written on the bottle, it all somehow prepares people for what they're going to drink. I've had a couple of friends that don't drink the real stuff sample some AB and enjoy it. But again, it's a one-bottle beer. You don't drink multiples of AB, even if you like hoppier beers.

My personal favorite beers for multiple bottle drinking are Sierra Nevada Pale Ale (my standard), ##### Creek ESB (which just won a gold at the Great American Beer Festival, I'm shocked and pleased to say), Red Hook ESB (but will inlict BRUTAL hangovers) and Mirror Pond (sometimes I think this is my favorite.)

The beer that I most enjoy bashing is Fat Tire Amber Ale. It's overhyped, overmarketed and has a strange, nutty aftertaste that I just don't like. Plus, Fat Tire is on tap at every friggin' bar in this town. And with neon signs and stupid bicycles hanging from the ceiling.

I can't believe that I just had the name of a beer censored.

Just picked up two 12 packs:

Magic Hat sampler: Based on my liking of their #9, I decided to give this a try. It has 4 differnent kinds of brews. I'm excited to try them all.

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale: I tried it once and didn't love it, but I decided to give it another try since so many here recommended it.

I'll get back to you in a day or two.

JWV, here are a couple of suggestions I haven't seen that I like a lot...

Try a nitrogen-infused ale in the "pub draft" can - Tetley's is a good one. Boddington will do as well.

Corsendonk is expensive but worth it. It's tough to find - you'll have to go to a place that really specializes in craft beers, but it's a treat. I like it even better than Chimay, which is saying a LOT.

See if you can find Abita Purple Haze. I like it even better than the Turbo Dog. lately I have also been into lambics, which many people don't like. I think I have just pounded so many beers over the last 17 years that I long to find something new. These are also frequently expensive, but will open your eyes to a whole different style of brew. Lindemann's makes interesting peach, cherry, and raspberry lambics which are really unique in flavor.

Also, did anyone recommend Weisse beers ?

One last suggestion - Belhaven makes some excellent ales.

Before I forget :

Watney's Red Barrel always seems to get me really pasted and tastes great.

When you're ready for a darker, bolder flavor try Mackeson XXX and/or Young's Double Chocolate Stout.

Lambics suck. I agree with most people.

Give me a good strong Belgian ale any day.

I really have yet to find a beer style I don't like, Lambics included. I would and will likely get sick of them pretty fast, but for now, it's something different, and definitely something a novice could get into.

Couldn't agree more on Belgian ales. They're my favorites, bar none. Have you tried Corsendonk Abbey Ale? Haven't seen it very many places, but if Belgian ales are your thing, you'll love it.

Clearly, you miss the joys of my favorite breakfast beer-Lambic. If you don't like the fruit, then try a Gueuze-Hanssen's or Cantillon are serious, ageworthy examples. But you're way off target on your assessment of Lambic (which IS Belgian!) FWIW, Lindemans isn't exactly the best example-Boon, Cantillon and Hanssen's are all better-not so simple and sweet.

Agreed, but Lindemann's is the only one I can find with any regularity.....

I realize they're Belgians, but I've yet to come across one that floats my boat.

I was actually talking about Belgian strong ale as a style: Chimay, La Fin du Mond, Ommegang, Delirim Nocturnum, etc.

bump

A few Hannssen Krieks on Christmas morning has become a great way to deal with the in-laws. After dinner, I'll have a Rochefort or a Duvel to dull the pain.

Of the Magic Hat sampler, my preferences(with #1 being my favorite and #4 my least favorite) are below, but keep in mind that this is only after having tried one of each, so it could change:

1.#9
2.Batch 369
3.Ravell
4.Fat Angel

Actually I wrote this as I was in the middle of my first Batch 369...I might like this one the best of them all; Its very good.

If you are drinking a beer to truly appreciate it opposed to consuming for effect, you need to take a bit of time and do it right.

First off, always pour your beer into a glass. Most beer is not made to be drank from the bottle, its only a vessel. By pouring slowly down the side of the glass but with enough vigor to create a head, you will unlock vast amounts of flavor you will not find in a bottle. Your beer MUST be mixed with air, for the same reasons that one would decant a wine and breathe in air while tasting wine. The air unlocks the flavor. You taste with your nose more than you do your tongue. Its one of the reasons draft beer always tastes better.

All beer styles have specific glasses to go with them just like wine, and yes it does make a difference. A pint glass can be the jack of all trades, but it won't do a German Heffeweizen or a Belgian Triple justice.

Lastly, let your beer warm up. I'm not talking about room temperature, but definately in the high 50's farenheit. The warmer the beer gets, the more flavor is unleashed. You wouldn't drink a cabernet out of the fridge, nor would you a port or cognac. Serving these at the proper temperature is just as important as serving beer at the proper temperature. I usually let a bottle of beer sit outside the fridge for atleast 15 minutes before pouring it. If its a pricier 750 ml Belgian or the new extremely tasty Sam Adams Chocolate Bock, it wouldn't budge for atleast 30 minutes.

By judging your beer tastes, I would recommend the following. All can be found at the likes of Trader Joes:
1)Mackeson XXX Stout - Kind of an intro to stouts type of beer. Rich, not too burnt or dry and very dark. But sweet due to the addition of lactose (milk sugar).
2)Celebrator Doppelbock - This is worth a try if you truly enjoyed the Sam Adams Octoberfest. This is a much bigger, maltier beer than the Sam Adams but both are German styles. I assure you, you will say WOW regardless how you feel at the end of the glass.
3)Ruination IPA - I think I like this beer better than the Arrogant Bastard, both made at the Stone Brewing company. This is, in my opnion, the best IPA on the market. Yes, bitter....but fresh tasting with a good alcoholic kick and a head that won't die down to the last sip.
4)Warsteiner - This beer was mentioned earlier and I agree. Perhaps the best German pilsner around. But the icing on the cake is the minikeg. You perhaps have seem them, they look like gallon cans of beer. This is one of my favorite ways to drink beer due to the fact that the minikeg can be tapped and draft beer can flow out of your fridge. This beer out of a minikeg can be drank for hours and hours on end (until the keg stops flowing). Draft beer always tastes better.
5)Hoegaarden White - Everybody likes Belgian whites...some people just haven't tried them yet and don't know it. Light, easy drinking and refreshing. A great introduction to the very identifiable wild Belgian yeast. Feel free to pour the yeast at the bottom of the bottle into the glass if you so desire. It won't hurt you and adds more of a yeast kick.

The following is my current top five. If you are feeling adventurous, give these a run. They are fairly aggresive.
1)Hair of the Dog's Adam
2)Ommegang's Three Philosophers
3)Avery's The Reverend
4)Rodenbach Grand Cru
5)Unibroque Edition 2004

PS, the Anchor Our Special Ale 2004 should be coming out in a week or two, don't miss it for the world!

Presidente and Red Stripe.

AMEN!

Thanks for the post.

Question: You mentioned sitting beers out for 15 minutes or so before drinking...thats odd because I've always thought the colder the better. Can you explain a little more here.

Beer that is too cold has most of its nuances and more subtle flavors masked, or numbed. You just can't smell or taste as much if it is too cold. If you drink everything too cold, you might as well save your money and just buy cheap beer, because you won't get everything that is being offered from a great brew. Of course there are exceptions-pilseners and lagers are usually better when chilled more than an ale, for instance.

Follow Skylord's advice on serving beer-that will make a huge difference. Lot's of times you can score a free glass when you try a new beer. The liquor stores get them for free-so just ask, especially if you are trying something different that usually requires a specific shape. This should work if you frequent the same store. Liquor stores love it when someone starts trying new brew-it makes their job more interesting.

Unless your palate is advancing at warp speed, I think many of the recommendations recently are a little too heavy and complex based on your initial description and request. I doubt anyone that really likes corona or bud or miller, etc. is going to find a Belgian Ale or a German Bock to their liking-at least not right away.

bentley, still waiting on that stone ipa and ruination.

i finally found a local store that sells dogfish head. 4 packs of the 90min go for about ten bucks. how does that compare to other areas?

I actually had a Stone IPA bomber Fri night, GOOD ####

When I whip up my next uber-IPA I'll send you some. Its pretty incredible.

I just finished pressurizing a keg of porter, have a hard cider/cyser fermenting and ready for secondary. Its time to start planning the next batch. I think its going to be my original recipe amber ale (JamberAle). After that, I should be ready for the uber-IPA. It takes about 6-8 months to age.

Nice

Not sure what you were waiting on from bentley, but if it was sending beer I can arrange a swap of Stone for your IPA

A lot of beer snobs (no insult intended) really champion the "warm" beer theory. They're correct, I suppose. But I just don't like to drink my beer unless it's relatively cold. Not ice cold, but at least modestly cold.
Don't ever go to England. The beer in their pubs is practically hot.

he was going to send me some stone IPA, and some stone ruination IPA. He sent me some AB in that past, and I traded back some of my belgian saison and some belgian wit.

Slowerde said he would send them to me too, but that was a while ago and he has since disappeared.

when beer is straight from the fridge, the temp has a deadening effect on your taste buds. you just miss out on some of the flavor profile. To quence my thirst I like it cold, but to appreciate it, I let it warm up a bit.

Same thing happens when you are doing a tasting and start with the bitter beers. The heavy hops kill your taste buds. Always start sweet and amlty, then work towards the sharp and bitter.

Throw a cigar into the mix and its ovah.

I'm convinced that had nothign to do with my request for beer.

Smithwicks... go to your local irish pub & ask for it (the 'W' is silent and the 'th' is pronounced as it is in 'weather').

Here's a link to the areas where you can find Stone's beers. Unfortunately for you, Michigan is not one of the locations.

As for letting beer warm up, its not a rule written in stone. American domestics are created to be drank straight from the bottle or can at about 33 Farenheit. They shouldn't be poured into a glass nor let to warm up. Ever notice how a super cold bottle of Bud tastes better than any pint of Bud you've got at a bar? Its designed that way. This same rule applies to Corona, Miller, Coors, etc.

The best way to see the difference is to do a taste test. Try it with your Pilsner Urquel or the Magic Hat. Take two bottles out of the fridge and leave one on the counter while cracking the other open. When you are done with the first, pour the second beer into a glass. I think you will be pleased with the results, at how much more flavor the second beer has.

new update:

Just tried Harp Lager. I've just had my first one(bought a 12 pack)...so far, nothing really special imo. Very average. Probably wouldn't buy it again. Certainly not terible, but just not distinctive in any way imo.

Had a Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout the other night. Wow! Trying to go "cheap" and got a 6-pack of Troegs Oatmeal Stout. Not quite as good, but a nice alternative. Later tonight, once I get done with my work, I'm going to give either an Aventinus or a Stone IPA a try.

Harp suxor

Ok, I tried many new ones on Thanksgiving. Unfortunatley, I got pretty drunk, so I don't remember how well I liked every one. I'll give a score for each one, but I can't really comment in depth on anything since I don't remember the specifics well:

Anchor Steam: I liked this one a lot. Very flavorfull. 9/10

Shiner Bock: I remember a few people raving about this one, but I wasn't crazy about it. 6/10

Pumpkin Ale: I think it was made by something like Buffalo Brewing Company. I liked the smell, but not the beer. 3/10

St Paulie Girl: Not bad at all. 7.5/10

Spaten(I think this was what it was called): Only had one, so I can't comment a lot, but I think it wasn't bad: Incomplete