Beer - More than just Hops, Malt, Yeast and Water

[bedir than average]

rrandom and myself had a Fanhome thread on the subject that passed away. maybe I can find the google cache.

This winter I have thouroughly enjoyed 2 Below from New Belgium Brewery. Lightly malted yet still doesn't have a bitter malt taste. Slightly higher in gravity than a typical winterbrew, but definatlely my favorite so far.

[Dada]

There's a member on this board (TST) that is a beer connoisseur, if there's such thing.

Personally, I had some excellent Belgium beers this past summer. But the best one was one that didn't have a label. Not many produced, from a Monastery in Belgium. It tasted really good, not to mention the 12.5% alcohol...hehe.

[bedir than average]

Dada, one can be a connoisseur of anything, it just means you need to pay attention.

Hopefully dlb will come by and talk up liquor and liqueors for us. He is amazing.

[steeplechase3k]

I'm a beer snob.

I have been meaning to try the 2 below, but decided to get some Black Butte Porter insted...

[Matt]

Who makes their own beer? I have a couple friends who do that... One of them cooks up a really delicious holiday brew, I can't wait for it again this year! It's one of those things I'd love to get into, but I just don't have the time (I hear it's kinda labor intensive to get it all right, and you have to wait forever and then sometimes it's bad beer )

[bedir than average]

My brother and I will be purchasing an at home brew kit next year. Money and all that.

Steeple, was at CostCo last night and they had Jubelale, Snow Cap, Winterhook and Sam Adams Winter Assortment. I went with the Sam Adams due to variety and cost concerns. I have found that I love Black Beers.

Which of those four would you guys have gone with?

[TST]

There's a member on this board (TST) that is a beer connoisseur, if there's such thing.

Personally, I had some excellent Belgium beers this past summer. But the best one was one that didn't have a label. Not many produced, from a Monastery in Belgium. It tasted really good, not to mention the 12.5% alcohol...hehe.

I like the term hobbyist....

But i've definitely have had my fair share of specialty beers, with a belgian beer bar in Amsterdam being my regular pub for the last 10 years or so. Also, a good friend of mine owns his own specialty beer shop. They ship to the US too, if anyone's interested.

The beer you are talking about is called Westvleteren, and has been voted best beer in the world for years running. Adding to the myth is the fact that it can only be bought (legally) at the monestary, and you can only get 3 crates at a time (72 bottles). Also, you have to promise on everything that is sacred that you will not resell any of it. Looks like a pretty bad afterlife for my friend who sold the bottle to Dada!

[bedir than average]

TST, I once had a beer called Adelscot when I was in Italy, but found the American version (not available in all states even) rather inadequete. Do you know why they were different? and how do I get the real stuff in WA state?

[TST]

Basically, beer just doesnt travel well. When i lived in Boston i once found a place that sold Orval (another Belgian great), and it tasted nothing like it. I believe it has something to do with fermentation in the bottle, because of the changes in light and temperature, and the constant shaking of the bottles during the journey. I'm no expert though.
I dont know Adelscot, so it could also be that they have a brewery in the US that just doesnt know what it is doing. But i would suggest going for any microbrew that is brewed locally. That's what i did in the States.

PS. there's this bar in DC called the Brickskeller, that has over 1,000 beers. Ever heard of it?

[bedir than average]

I'm in the wrong washington for that. Up here we have a place called the Taphouse that has 150+ on tap


Adelscot was barrell brewed with a shot of whiskey in each.

[steeplechase3k]

Originally Posted by bedir than average

Steeple, was at CostCo last night and they had Jubelale, Snow Cap, Winterhook and Sam Adams Winter Assortment.

The only one I have had that I remember is Jubleale, and I really like it, but can't have more than one because of the strong taste...

Another tasty one is Snow Plow ale from Widmer, it is very smooth...

[TST]

I'm in the wrong washington for that.

realized that, but thought i'd ask anyways. They are in the Guiness Book of Records for having the most beers for sale.

[rrandom]

Originally Posted by TST

realized that, but thought i'd ask anyways. They are in the Guiness Book of Records for having the most beers for sale.

Perhaps, but we here in Portland, OR have the most brewpubs per capita!

The Jubilale is better this year than last, but is still a bit too cloyingly sweet for my taste. Deschutes has really slipped a few notches since their master-brewer left to work at a tiny place in McMinnville a few years ago.

Anchor Steam's seasonal is excellent. Widmer's Snow Plow is frustratingly close to being quite good, but it can't decide if it wants to be a porter or a stout.

Sam Smith's Winter Warmer is outstanding.

[rrandom]

[quote=bedir than average;1020]I'm in the wrong washington for that. Up here we have a place called the Taphouse that has 150+ on tap[quote]
I tend to be really leary of places with that many taps; only the most popular ones get pulled enough to be fresh and the more obscure ones are likely to be old and stale. There is a place here in Portland named the Horse Brass that has a fantastic selection, unfortunately they are so smoky that I can't stand to go there.

My favorite local pub is called the Concordia Ale House. They have 20 taps that are constantly rotating, so you always have a chance to try something different and unique. They reserve a number of them specifically for Belgian and Belgian-style beers. They also have very good food. Oh, and they are non-smoking and have free pool tables.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by TST

PS. there's this bar in DC called the Brickskeller, that has over 1,000 beers. Ever heard of it?

Great place, been there a bunch of times! Highly recommended!! Although kinda crowded and the service is not so hot (takes forever to get drinks sometimes it seems)