Beer Appreciation Thread

[Paranoidmoonduck]

Originally Posted by duckseason

You missed out on this years Russian Imperial Stout though.

I can typically handle dark beer, but the last Russian Imperial Stout I had (Rasputin's? I'm not sure if that's the name of the brewery, but it's his picture on the label) was just far too much for me to handle. The moment that thing stopped being ice cold it was like trying to drink a loaf of dry bread covered with cough syrup.

Ugh.

[njx9]

Originally Posted by duckseason

Nice. Dude, I can't believe I forgot about Avery in my earlier post. My second favorite Colorado brewery. Have you tried anything from them?

for sure. big fan of the "out of bounds". god, i'm forgetting so many good micros here, and i probably don't know about 2/3 of the ones on the western slope.

[awfullyquiet]

mmm. beer.

dogfishhead's 90 IPA is one of the better beers i've had.
same with the goose island brews. thank god for chicago. and goose island.

also.
i miss going out to bars and having yuengling. that's a major disappointment about living in the midwest.
but, positive is this. dear cleveland. one of the great things you have given me is great lakes brewing co. and the holy moses deliciousness.
burning river is also good. but, it may be one of the stranger ones i've drank. the pale ale got alot of power.

[duckseason]

Originally Posted by Jughead10

I wonder if those Epics will even reach NJ. We may only get their "core" styles.

I'm pretty sure they do. They recently moved into a larger brewery, so they're able to make more now. I think they make a good effort to ship all their limited releases in a fair manner. You might talk to your local beer-monger and see if he plans on getting some in. I'm positive somebody in New Jersey will be getting some in though. But you're right, it might be hard to track down. If worst came to worst and you really wanted to get some- these guys will have some for sure-
http://www.liquidsolutions.biz/main/

They have a ton of great beers, and the guy who runs the place really takes great care to make sure your beer arrives in the best condition possible. I've never personally ordered from them though, because I can get all the same beers here locally. They do charge a bit extra though. Like maybe .30 per bomber. But that's just a last resort kinda thing I thought you might like to know about. Not just for the Epic.

[duckseason]

Originally Posted by Paranoidmoonduck

I can typically handle dark beer, but the last Russian Imperial Stout I had (Rasputin's? I'm not sure if that's the name of the brewery, but it's his picture on the label) was just far too much for me to handle. The moment that thing stopped being ice cold it was like trying to drink a loaf of dry bread covered with cough syrup.

Ugh.

WHOA! Dude I just had an Old Raspy last night! LMAO! I guess that's just not your cup of tea. Try aging one. It'll mellow out a bit. Ideally, you should drink Russian Imperial's (and all other strong beers) at around 55-60 degrees. Maybe it was actually too cold. I always pull my beer out of the fridge 20-30 minutes before I even pop the cap. But yeah, a lot of people don't like RIS's. I think it might just be my favorite style. Raspy is a classic. Not my favorite, but very good. Brewery is North Coast, btw.

[duckseason]

Originally Posted by awfullyquiet

mmm. beer.

dogfishhead's 90 IPA is one of the better beers i've had.
same with the goose island brews. thank god for chicago. and goose island.

Hell yeah. 90 minute is one of my favorite DIPA's. Might be the most balanced one I've tried. Most lean heavily on the hops (which I like), but the 90 has the extra malt to really give it a nice balance. You gotta love dogfish head's inventiveness. Although some of their crazy brews have been complete misses. 90 minute is one of my staples though. Have you dared try the 120? I thought about getting a few and laying them down for a decade or so. haha. Not sure how that one would be fresh.


edit- haven't yet had the opportunity to try anything from Goose Island. I've heard great things about their IPA in particular though.

[TitleTown088]

Originally Posted by jkpigskin

alcohol is overrated

You're overrated. Alcohol is excellent.

[tEk]

Originally Posted by TPFKA#1SaintsFan

I don't care if I get flamed for not drinking independent brewery ****, these are a few of my favorite beers:

its ok i like this one too.

[awfullyquiet]

Originally Posted by duckseason

Hell yeah. 90 minute is one of my favorite DIPA's. Might be the most balanced one I've tried. Most lean heavily on the hops (which I like), but the 90 has the extra malt to really give it a nice balance. You gotta love dogfish head's inventiveness. Although some of their crazy brews have been complete misses. 90 minute is one of my staples though. Have you dared try the 120? I thought about getting a few and laying them down for a decade or so. haha. Not sure how that one would be fresh.


edit- haven't yet had the opportunity to try anything from Goose Island. I've heard great things about their IPA in particular though.

GI's Imperial IPA is probably one of the best i've ever had. It's phenomenal. And i could drink five of those in a sitting (as long as i had some quality food. actually, i could really go for a pita and an imperial IPA... note. it is friday. that's the agenda). It's got massive hops, and the malt is second to none. If for any reason you make a trip to chicago. Go.

Now dogfishhead is really creative. They get the gold star for creating extreme beers. The 120 (jan 06 batch) wasn't nearly as good as the 90's have ever been. I should probably invest in another case of the 120, get myself ****** up, and then compare it to the nineties. see if i can get a may or sept case. I've liked their summer beers better than their winter beers. Pangea is a so-so beer. the concept is really cool (ingredents from all seven continents, and antartic water), but it doesn't really pull through how i like it. black and blue is gooooood stuff. makes me want carrot cake every time i drink it.

i need to go to binny's. stat.

edit: there's nothing wrong with not drinking from indie breweries.
there's at least 100 good commercial beers you can drink.
topping that list is newcastle brown ale.

[kwilk103]

my two favs

i.c. light
http://www.pittsburghbrewingco.com/i...n/ic_light.jpg

http://rreu.11net.com/yuengling/lager/ynglager.jpg

[duckseason]

Damn aq, you know your beer. You buy 120 by the case! Now I've got to try it for sure. I've read mixed reviews on it, so I balked at the price tag. Some people love it, some abhor it. Everybody suggests it will improve greatly with age. I think I'll buy one and try it, and go from there. Damn things are like 7 bucks for a 12 ouncer though.

Speaking of beers that use ingredients from all over- have you tried the "Fred" from Hair of the dog? I doubt it's available out there, but it's one of my favorites. They use 10 hop varieties from 7(?) different countries "in an effort to incorporate the whole world into this beer." Yummy stuff. Great fresh, and even better with a few years on it. It was named after beer writer/historian Fred Eckhardt. Hair of the Dog is the best brewery in Portland, and might just be my favorite. The "Adam" might just be my favorite beer (although I doubt any beer could ever hold that title), and the "Doggie Claws" is one of my favorite Barley Wines.

Never had a chance to try the Black and Blue. I never saw it around here. Do they still brew it? That's a fruit beer right? Blueberry/Blackberry?

[awfullyquiet]

Originally Posted by duckseason

Damn aq, you know your beer. You buy 120 by the case! Now I've got to try it for sure. I've read mixed reviews on it, so I balked at the price tag. Some people love it, some abhor it. Everybody suggests it will improve greatly with age. I think I'll buy one and try it, and go from there. Damn things are like 7 bucks for a 12 ouncer though.

Speaking of beers that use ingredients from all over- have you tried the "Fred" from Hair of the dog? I doubt it's available out there, but it's one of my favorites. They use 10 hop varieties from 7(?) different countries "in an effort to incorporate the whole world into this beer." Yummy stuff. Great fresh, and even better with a few years on it. It was named after beer writer/historian Fred Eckhardt. Hair of the Dog is the best brewery in Portland, and might just be my favorite. The "Adam" might just be my favorite beer (although I doubt any beer could ever hold that title), and the "Doggie Claws" is one of my favorite Barley Wines.

Never had a chance to try the Black and Blue. I never saw it around here. Do they still brew it? That's a fruit beer right? Blueberry/Blackberry?

Black and Blue is the belgian. They should still brew it. It might be a seasonal one though.

As far as the case of 120. It's like 200 bucks. but it last me well over a year with a few friends. It's great. but it's not supurb. Get one. Enjoy the hell out of it. The 90 is still better for sure, and at a better price tag. It's still the safer bet.

I have not tried Hair of the Dog. Mostly because I've never been able to find it out here. They might have it at the super beer bar (aka, Hopleaf... best beer selection i have ever seen...). Oy. Never been the biggest fan of barley wines though.

[yourfavestoner]

All I know is that after drinking liberal amounts of it in my first year of college, I never want to drink Natty Ice ever again.

[jkpigskin]

Originally Posted by TitleTown088

You're overrated. Alcohol is excellent.

no need to neg rep me... but watev, i just dont see wats so good about alcohol... it tastes bad, makes u act like a ******... im just not a drinker... watev

[Moses]

Originally Posted by jkpigskin

no need to neg rep me... but watev, i just dont see wats so good about alcohol... it tastes bad, makes u act like a ******... im just not a drinker... watev

I can't help but point out that you're likely young, probably 16 or so at most. I love the taste of alcohol. Beer is one of my favourite beverages. Mixed drinks are also up there. If drank in moderation, alcohol doesn't change how you act at all. Even if you're drunk, you don't necessarily act like an idiot, it depends on the person.

[sweetness34]

Originally Posted by Moses

I can't help but point out that you're likely young, probably 16 or so at most. I love the taste of alcohol. Beer is one of my favourite beverages. Mixed drinks are also up there. If drank in moderation, alcohol doesn't change how you act at all. Even if you're drunk, you don't necessarily act like an idiot, it depends on the person.

I'm a happy drunk. I just sit around and smile at everyone. Then there's the violent drunks who get start fights with everyone. Then there's the loud drunks who yell all the time. The hyper drunks who run around all the time. The sulking drunks who sit on the couch and don't say anything.

For women: The bitchy drunks, nuff said about that one. The slutty drunks, again nuff said. The wild drunks, girls who step out from their personalities when they drink.

[TH3]

I am not a fan of most beer I enjoy Shiner Bach though

[Moses]

Originally Posted by sweetness34

I'm a happy drunk. I just sit around and smile at everyone. Then there's the violent drunks who get start fights with everyone. Then there's the loud drunks who yell all the time. The hyper drunks who run around all the time. The sulking drunks who sit on the couch and don't say anything.

For women: The bitchy drunks, nuff said about that one. The slutty drunks, again nuff said. The wild drunks, girls who step out from their personalities when they drink.

I love drinking with people for the first time to see how they change.

As for myself, I'd say I'm a mix. Normally, I'm pretty shy around people I don't very well. When I drink, I'm way more outgoing and my pickup skills improve a lot. Biggest negative for me when drinking is that I'll get into altercations more often. That said, I still maintain that most aren't my fault.

[sweetness34]

Originally Posted by Moses

I love drinking with people for the first time to see how they change.

As for myself, I'd say I'm a mix. Normally, I'm pretty shy around people I don't very well. When I drink, I'm way more outgoing and my pickup skills improve a lot. Biggest negative for me when drinking is that I'll get into altercations more often. That said, I still maintain that most aren't my fault.

See I'm a pretty easy going guy to begin with and I don't really change. I mean if someone pisses me off I'll get roudy, but usually I'm one of those guys who just laughs at everything and gets lovie dovie towards girls. I think when I drink I tell at least one girl I love them. It's pretty funny actually. I'm not a big drinker though. Out of all my friends I consume the least amount of alcohol.

[Moses]

Originally Posted by sweetness34

See I'm a pretty easy going guy to begin with and I don't really change. I mean if someone pisses me off I'll get roudy, but usually I'm one of those guys who just laughs at everything and gets lovie dovie towards girls. I think when I drink I tell at least one girl I love them. It's pretty funny actually. I'm not a big drinker though. Out of all my friends I consume the least amount of alcohol.

I'm the same way. I'll usually avoid conflict but if somebody really pisses me off I'll almost assuredly try to fight them. As for girls, my beer goggles have a very strong prescription and I'll hit on anything that moves basically. That said, I don't have a reputation as a dragon slayer and I usually come to my senses before I do something I'll regret.

[sweetness34]

Originally Posted by Moses

I'm the same way. I'll usually avoid conflict but if somebody really pisses me off I'll almost assuredly try to fight them. As for girls, my beer goggles have a very strong prescription and I'll hit on anything that moves basically. That said, I don't have a reputation as a dragon slayer and I usually come to my senses before I do something I'll regret.

To tell you the truth, I've maybe hooked up with one girl, maybe. I'm not quite sure what happened that one night, my friends said something did happen but she said nothing didn't, and I wasn't sober enough to remember anything.

Like you though I have pretty good judgement, even when I'm intoxicated. I know not to drive drunk and I usually don't hook up with girls. I just hit on them, haha.

[Moses]

Originally Posted by sweetness34

To tell you the truth, I've maybe hooked up with one girl, maybe. I'm not quite sure what happened that one night, my friends said something did happen but she said nothing didn't, and I wasn't sober enough to remember anything.

Like you though I have pretty good judgement, even when I'm intoxicated. I know not to drive drunk and I usually don't hook up with girls. I just hit on them, haha.

Don't worry, my conversion rate on girls is pretty bad also. My opening game is good but the wheels always fall off late in the game, haha.

Drinking and driving is a big no-no. I've had enough tragedy involving drinking and driving and just driving in general to know not to mess with it.

Hitting on girls drunk is a lot of fun. Getting rejected never hurts as much (if at all) and a lot of funny stories stem from drunk pickup sessions.

[sweetness34]

Originally Posted by Moses

Don't worry, my conversion rate on girls is pretty bad also. My opening game is good but the wheels always fall off late in the game, haha.

Drinking and driving is a big no-no. I've had enough tragedy involving drinking and driving and just driving in general to know not to mess with it.

Hitting on girls drunk is a lot of fun. Getting rejected never hurts as much (if at all) and a lot of funny stories stem from drunk pickup sessions.

Well being drunk gives you an excuse to use a bunch of pathetic pickup lines. Haha I break out the book on those. I've used the pants party, the did you fall from heaven one, the parking ticket one, and a bunch of others. Girls usually just crack up and start laughing. Although my conversion rate with them sucks, but hey I don't mind. I don't really put to much stock into not getting lucky on a night of drinking. If I score I score, if I don't I don't.

I do like watching my friends get drunk though with me stayin sober. It's a lot of fun to see how they act and stuff on a sober mind.

[Moses]

Originally Posted by sweetness34

Well being drunk gives you an excuse to use a bunch of pathetic pickup lines. Haha I break out the book on those. I've used the pants party, the did you fall from heaven one, the parking ticket one, and a bunch of others. Girls usually just crack up and start laughing. Although my conversion rate with them sucks, but hey I don't mind. I don't really put to much stock into not getting lucky on a night of drinking. If I score I score, if I don't I don't.

I do like watching my friends get drunk though with me stayin sober. It's a lot of fun to see how they act and stuff on a sober mind.

I don't even know what I do when I'm drinking but it tends to work. My best (almost) pick-up ever I thought I had imagined until the next day when a buddy confirmed it. I remember planning it out in my mind but I didn't remember actually doing it until later.

I agree 100% with not caring if you score or not. I just like to have fun and see where the liquor takes me. In the past year I've had so many crazy adventures that it's tough remembering them all. For me, that's what it's all about.

[duckseason]

Originally Posted by awfullyquiet

Black and Blue is the belgian. They should still brew it. It might be a seasonal one though.

So the blueberry/blackberry didn't really come through much? Huh, I just looked it up and seems it was released last month. WTF New Seasons? I want some!

Originally Posted by awfullyquiet

As far as the case of 120. It's like 200 bucks. but it last me well over a year with a few friends. It's great. but it's not supurb. Get one. Enjoy the hell out of it. The 90 is still better for sure, and at a better price tag. It's still the safer bet.

So have you thought about aging any of the 120s? Usually when I buy a whole case it's because it's a rare beer and it will likely do well with some years on it.

Originally Posted by awfullyquiet

I have not tried Hair of the Dog. Mostly because I've never been able to find it out here. They might have it at the super beer bar (aka, Hopleaf... best beer selection i have ever seen...). Oy. Never been the biggest fan of barley wines though.

Yeah, I just checked their website and it's not available in Illinois. Oh well. Anyway, how the heck don't you like barley wines? If you like DIPA's, I'd think you'd at least enjoy Bigfoot from Sierra Nevada. Are the ones you've tried just too malty? Too sweet? I can't imagine strength being an issue for you. Which ones have you tried so far?