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shifuimam · Aug 2, 2009, 12:03 PM

IS FREAKING DELICIOUS. It's beer with lemonade, which sounds disgusting but is surprisingly well-executed.

What's your favorite beer? Sorry if this thread has been done in the past, but I haven't seen one in awhile about it.

I'm also partial to Blue Moon (and the various Blue Moon-branded seasonal varieties) and Smithwick's.

turtle777 · Aug 2, 2009, 12:08 PM

I can't believe you think this is good. It's disgusting, a disgrace. Watery, w/o taste, it shouldn't bear the name Leinenkugels.

Make your own darn shandy. Grab a lager beer and mix half lager half Sprite. Called "Radler" in Germany.

Even better grab a wheat beer (I recommend a German wheat like Erdinger) and mix it half with Sprite. Called a Russian.

Or try a lager with Coke (50/50 mix again), called Diesel.
Or go a bit more exotic, half dark beer, half Coke, and a shot of cherry schnapps. Called "Goaßn-Maß".

Just stay away from the Linie Shandy, it's crap.

-t

shifuimam · Aug 2, 2009, 12:10 PM

Yeah...the question wasn't "are you a beer snob?"...it was "what's your favorite beer?"...

turtle777 · Aug 2, 2009, 12:12 PM

Originally Posted by shifuimam

Yeah...the question wasn't "are you a beer snob?"...it was "what's your favorite beer?"...

Funny thing is, I'm NOT a beer snob, otherwise I wouldn't drink beer mix drinks at all.
I'm just saying, do the test, mix some beer with Sprite (50/50 or 60% beer / 40% Sprite), and judge for yourself. The summer shandy is really watered down compared to that.

-t

shifuimam · Aug 2, 2009, 12:15 PM

I weigh like six pounds. Watered down can be a good thing for me, if I don't want to get completely hammered off a couple bottles of beer.

turtle777 · Aug 2, 2009, 12:18 PM

Originally Posted by shifuimam

I weigh like six pounds. Watered down can be a good thing for me, if I don't want to get completely hammered off a couple bottles of beer.

Watered down refers to taste, not alcohol content.

Just compare a Bud Light to a nice micro-brewed lager. Both will have similar alcohol content, but the Bud Light tastes like water in comparison.

-t

Ghoser777 · Aug 2, 2009, 12:35 PM

I was surprised by how much I liked Radler's when I visited Berlin last summer. The Shandy does taste a little watered down, but I don't think it's all that bad.

turtle777 · Aug 2, 2009, 12:38 PM

Well, maybe shifu is right, I actually might be a Shandy snob. *shrug*

Radler's are a typical Bavarian drink (I am originally from Bavaria), and I have a low tolerance for cheap Radler's / shandys.

-t

Shaddim · Aug 2, 2009, 01:20 PM

Best? Three Floyds Dark Lord I.R.S.
Best that's not impossible to find? Stone I.R.S.

wallinbl · Aug 2, 2009, 01:48 PM

I like tripels, but they're usually hard to find in the US. I especially like Tripel Karmeliet, but it's hard to find and really expensive when I do find it (usually $20+ for a 750 ml bottle).

If you like Blue Moon, try Hoegaarden. It's a better Belgian white that's widely available in the US.

If you want to have fun with your 6 pound body, try Delirium Tremens. It's a good pale ale with a high alcohol content.

I also like the Unibroue beers, which if you've seen the labels, you likely remember them.

Thorzdad · Aug 2, 2009, 05:09 PM

My house beer (at this time) is Bell's Two-Hearted Ale.
In other news, my local supermarket has recently started carrying an ample selection of New Belgium's wares, including Fat Tire in both 6 and 12-packs.

SpaceMonkey · Aug 2, 2009, 05:45 PM

The Troegenator, from Tröegs of Harrisburg, PA.

wallinbl · Aug 2, 2009, 05:46 PM

Originally Posted by Thorzdad

In other news, my local supermarket has recently started carrying an ample selection of New Belgium's wares, including Fat Tire in both 6 and 12-packs.

Mine has a terrible selection, but I'm fortunate enough to live around the corner from a Total Wine, which is an awesome place for booze.

sek929 · Aug 2, 2009, 05:53 PM

I find a new favorite beer every couple of months.

Beginning of the summer it was Magic Hat's Circus Boy, a delicious Hefenweizen that goes down incredibly smooth, a little to smooth actually since I often drank a 6 pack without realizing.

Now I'm partial to Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. Heavier and spicier than CB, if I drank 6 in one night I doubt I'd feel well.

I'm completely sick of Sam Adams Summer Ale, not that I like it that much to begin with, but every cookout/party/etc that I've gone to this summer has had nothing but Summer Ales. Personally, my favorite Sam Adams is White Ale, which of course has the shortest release of any of their seasonal brews...hell some places around here still have Winter Lager!

If I'm eating a steak and potatoes meal I'll opt for a Bass Ale.

besson3c · Aug 2, 2009, 06:14 PM

Shif: do you really weigh six pounds, or are you pulling our legs?

turtle777 · Aug 2, 2009, 07:16 PM

Originally Posted by besson3c

Shif: do you really weigh six pounds, or are you pulling our legs?

She's only pulling yours

-t

shifuimam · Aug 2, 2009, 07:29 PM

Originally Posted by besson3c

Shif: do you really weigh six pounds, or are you pulling our legs?

I think I'm up to seven and a half now.

shifuimam · Aug 2, 2009, 07:30 PM

Originally Posted by turtle777

She's only pulling yours

-t

I don't think that was his leg...

Paco500 · Aug 2, 2009, 07:34 PM

I'm partial to a bitter shandy when it's silly hot- so like one or two a year over here. Richer taste than a lager shandy. But then again, I'm not much of a lager fan to begin with. Also worth trying is a ginger shandy- bitter and ginger ale mixed.

As for a favorite beer- that's kind of hard. My favorite local is Good Old Boy Bitter from the West Berkshire Brewery- likely impossible to find more than 50 miles or so from my house. A nice one you can find more widespread is Tribute from St. Austell Brewery. London Pride is ok if there is nothing else, but never a first choice. If there are no cask ales in the offering, than Guiness is ok.

Back in the states, I liked Sierra Nevada and Red Hook.

CreepDogg · Aug 2, 2009, 07:39 PM

Ever since I was in Munich for a day a couple months ago, I've had a hankering for some Hofbräu Dunkel, fresh from the tap. I think I've found a place in Chicago where I can get some, so I'll be heading there in the not-too-distant future for a liter or two...

turtle777 · Aug 2, 2009, 08:28 PM

Originally Posted by CreepDogg

Ever since I was in Munich for a day a couple months ago, I've had a hankering for some Hofbräu Dunkel, fresh from the tap. I think I've found a place in Chicago where I can get some, so I'll be heading there in the not-too-distant future for a liter or two...

What place is that ? Resi's Bierstube ? Glunz Bavarian Haus ?

-t

turtle777 · Aug 2, 2009, 08:29 PM

Originally Posted by shifuimam

I think I'm up to seven and a half now.

Yeah, that's what two beers will do to you

-t

Rumor · Aug 2, 2009, 09:05 PM

Pliny the Elder, a double IPA that is around 100 ibu's. Currently, I am drinking a Maudite.

besson3c · Aug 2, 2009, 09:16 PM

Now I see how shif fits in people's underwear drawers.

CreepDogg · Aug 2, 2009, 10:16 PM

Originally Posted by turtle777

What place is that ? Resi's Bierstube ? Glunz Bavarian Haus ?

-t

The only one that seems to have confirmed they have the Dunkel on tap is Uberstein. So I figured I'd give that a try, even if I have to venture into Cub-land.

turtle777 · Aug 2, 2009, 10:20 PM

Originally Posted by CreepDogg

The only one that seems to have confirmed they have the Dunkel on tap is Uberstein. So I figured I'd give that a try, even if I have to venture into Cub-land.

Ah, haven't been there yet. Just moved to Chicago, so I'm still figuring out new places. Thanks.

-t

besson3c · Aug 2, 2009, 11:41 PM

Shif: I bet this would go well with your TGI Friday beef stroganoff, huh?

Turtle: you should go to Lincoln Park zoo. It's a free zoo, and they have turtles there. If you don't like the idea of your tax dollars paying for a free zoo, you could always just go and yell at all the animals and zoo keepers. If they kick you out of the zoo, it's not like you paid for a ticket. Plus, you could just sneak back in and continue yelling.

besson3c · Aug 2, 2009, 11:45 PM

There's a big polar bear at the Lincoln Park zoo, I've always wanted to start just yelling at it at the top of my lungs to see what it would do, but my wife wouldn't let me.

AKcrab · Aug 3, 2009, 12:14 AM

Shif gives her weight in stones.

I like a good IPA. Any IPA. Love me some hops.

badidea · Aug 3, 2009, 03:06 AM

Favorite Beers?

Sonnenstoff (Felsenbräu Solarbier)

and

Big Mac · Aug 3, 2009, 06:37 AM

I here I thought we were talking about kugel, which can also be delicious.

dcmacdaddy · Aug 3, 2009, 07:35 AM

Originally Posted by wallinbl

If you like Blue Moon, try Hoegaarden. It's a better Belgian white that's widely available in the US.

Here's another vote for Hoegaarden. One of my all-time favorite Summer drinking beers.

Laminar · Aug 3, 2009, 08:24 AM

Originally Posted by shifuimam

IS FREAKING DELICIOUS. It's beer with lemonade, which sounds disgusting but is surprisingly well-executed.
I'm also partial to Blue Moon (and the various Blue Moon-branded seasonal varieties) and Smithwick's.

My brother-in-law introduced me to Summer Shandy this year, I like it a lot. Blue Moon is great with an orange, and I like Smithwick's pretty well, too.

Originally Posted by wallinbl

If you like Blue Moon, try Hoegaarden. It's a better Belgian white that's widely available in the US.

Originally Posted by dcmacdaddy

Here's another vote for Hoegaarden. One of my all-time favorite Summer drinking beers.

I just finished a six-pack of Hoegaarden on Saturday and I don't think I'll be buying another - I think it's just too light for me.

Originally Posted by Thorzdad

My house beer (at this time) is Bell's Two-Hearted Ale.
In other news, my local supermarket has recently started carrying an ample selection of New Belgium's wares, including Fat Tire in both 6 and 12-packs.

Iowa got Fat Tire a couple years ago, and quite a few places actually have it on tap, which is wonderful. If I'm going to buy a six-pack of something it's either Fat Tire, Killian's Irish Red, or Stella Artois. If I'm getting something on tap and those two aren't available, it's Michelob Amber Bock.

We're getting a keg of Fat Tire for my reception.

SpaceMonkey · Aug 3, 2009, 08:31 AM

As wheat beers go I prefer the German varieties. Franziskaner is my usual.

shifuimam · Aug 3, 2009, 09:39 AM

Originally Posted by Laminar

My brother-in-law introduced me to Summer Shandy this year, I like it a lot. Blue Moon is great with an orange, and I like Smithwick's pretty well, too.

You should try Blue Moon's other varieties. They've got a couple during Christmas, and I think maybe something in the spring. They're all a bit different from each other, and quite delicious.

I always get like six orange slices with my Blue Moon when we're eating out. Nothing's tastier than a beer-soaked orange slice.

ShortcutToMoncton · Aug 3, 2009, 12:22 PM

Originally Posted by Rumor

Pliny the Elder, a double IPA that is around 100 ibu's. Currently, I am drinking a Maudite.

Put my third vote in for Unibroue.

Unfortunately I can't get them where I am now....

Railroader · Aug 3, 2009, 03:15 PM

Bell's Amber
Duvel
Lindemans Frabois Lambic
Hoegarden
Hacker Pschor

turtle777 · Aug 3, 2009, 03:22 PM

Originally Posted by Railroader

Hacker Pschor

You're missing an "r", it's Hacker Pschorr.

At any rate, if you ever get your hands on an Erdinger Hefeweizen, or a Franziskaner Hefeweizen, give it a try. Hacker Pschorr is good, but not the best German Hefeweizen out there.

The main reason Hacker Pschorr seems to be popular in the US is that it comes on tap, which Erdinger and Franziskaner typically do not. (Acutally, I have never seen Franziskaner on tap, not even in Germany).

-t

Thorzdad · Aug 3, 2009, 03:36 PM

I wish I could drink wheat beers, since they seem to be enjoying a huge popularity right now. For some reason, if I start drinking a wheat, I get a nasty, pounding headache within 20 or 30 minutes. Without fail. It's pretty frustrating.
Oddly, I'm not gluten-intolerant or have any similar reaction to other wheat products. There's just something about a wheat beer that brings on the agony.

Laminar · Aug 3, 2009, 03:47 PM

Originally Posted by Railroader

Lindemans Frabois Lambic

Is that the strawberry-flavored beer?

Railroader · Aug 3, 2009, 03:54 PM

Originally Posted by Laminar

Is that the strawberry-flavored beer?

Raspberry. Scientific American once did an entire article about its production. An amazing brew.

Railroader · Aug 3, 2009, 03:55 PM

Originally Posted by turtle777

You're missing an "r", it's Hacker Pschorr.

At any rate, if you ever get your hands on an Erdinger Hefeweizen, or a Franziskaner Hefeweizen, give it a try. Hacker Pschorr is good, but not the best German Hefeweizen out there.

The main reason Hacker Pschorr seems to be popular in the US is that it comes on tap, which Erdinger and Franziskaner typically do not. (Acutally, I have never seen Franziskaner on tap, not even in Germany).

-t

Error noted.

I stopped drinking in 2006. When I restart, your recommendations will be high on my list to try out.

ThinkInsane · Aug 3, 2009, 05:07 PM

Originally Posted by AKcrab

I like a good IPA. Any IPA. Love me some hops.

'Atta boy. Ya'll can keep your hefeweizens, they just don't do it for me. Give me the hoppy goodness and I'm a happy guy. Dogfish Head 90, Hop Devil, Racer 5, ImPaled Ale (went to the Middle Ages anniversary party at the brewery Sunday afternoon, always a good time- although last year I almost got in a fight with a guy because he wanted to lick my dog's balls. To each their own I guess), Southern Tier IPA, and Bell's Two-hearted are some favorites.

Originally Posted by Rumor

Pliny the Elder, a double IPA that is around 100 ibu's. Currently, I am drinking a Maudite.

Fine choice as far as the Belgians go (and you get a thumbs up for Pliny as well, bee tee dub). I've always been a fan of Maudite and La Fin Du Monde. I dig Trappist style ales. Orval and Chimay are always appreciated.

Saturday night I knocked back way too much Delirium Tremens. That pink elephant does a number on me, precipitating several instances of good clean fun, one act of grievous bodily injury (not my body), and more fun of the ribald persuasion. Ah good times. At least until I woke up Sunday morning. There's a reason it's named after the DT's.

sek929 · Aug 3, 2009, 05:31 PM

Anyone in Boston should try out the Cambridge Brewing Company's (or CBC) Big Man Ale. Something like 11% alcohol content, and spicier than a spoon of nutmeg.

Laminar · Aug 3, 2009, 05:55 PM

Originally Posted by ThinkInsane

Chimay

mmmmm

ShortcutToMoncton · Aug 3, 2009, 08:06 PM

Originally Posted by Railroader

Error noted.

I stopped drinking in 2006. When I restart, your recommendations will be high on my list to try out.

Debbie downer on up in this thread

Railroader · Aug 3, 2009, 11:35 PM

Don't misunderstand me please. I didn't stop drinking due to any problems I was or am currently having. Drinking alcohol is a fun thing. I don't look down on it in anyway when it is done in moderation. I have different reasons for not drinking.

Rumor · Aug 4, 2009, 01:06 AM

Originally Posted by turtle777

You're missing an "r", it's Hacker Pschorr.

At any rate, if you ever get your hands on an Erdinger Hefeweizen, or a Franziskaner Hefeweizen, give it a try. Hacker Pschorr is good, but not the best German Hefeweizen out there.

The main reason Hacker Pschorr seems to be popular in the US is that it comes on tap, which Erdinger and Franziskaner typically do not. (Acutally, I have never seen Franziskaner on tap, not even in Germany).

-t

Erdinger makes the only non-alc Hefe that I can get at my bar.

Rumor · Aug 4, 2009, 01:08 AM

Oh, and there are way too many good beers to call only one beer a favorite, IMO.

Death and Taxes is an amazing beer, however, you cannot get it outside of the Bay Area.

Bell's Oberon is also phenomenal, but I can't find it here.

ShortcutToMoncton · Aug 4, 2009, 07:47 AM

Originally Posted by Railroader

Don't misunderstand me please. I didn't stop drinking due to any problems I was or am currently having. Drinking alcohol is a fun thing. I don't look down on it in anyway when it is done in moderation. I have different reasons for not drinking.

Anything in particular you want to share?

Personal note: I now drink light beers about 90% of the time, due to the slow realization that I can no longer blow by people on a football field like I once could. Age, man: it's a bitch.