Wine and Beer Enthusiasts

[Dythuger]

I'm a fan of theirs. I recommended checking out the Lake Erie Monster

That was a solid iipa

Outstanding... Good for you! Wish I could have picked some up. There were a few stores carrying it, that were somewhat close to me, just never made it out there. When you do decided to open them, let us know how they are!

Thanks a lot. The two bombers are probably going to age. The vanilla is supposedly quite overpowering at the moment.

I have tried the barley wine, coffee, and regular from this year. All are top notch as usual.


This has been the craziest bcs release yet. More and more people every year. I went to to a small store in Chicago. However the main binnys that released the beers had people lining up 16 hours before they opened. Supposedly almost 1000 people by the time they opened doors. That's just silly.

 

[Huntn]

It took the US 60 years to recover from Prohibition. Today's choices are grand as compared to 1970.

Beer Nation link

Before Prohibition, there were 1400 breweries in the United States — 26 in Brooklyn alone — many of which were regionally oriented and produced beers hearkening to European brewing tradition. But, after Prohibition, many of America’s breweries consolidated into what we now call “macro-breweries”, and by 1979 only 44 breweries operated in the United States. Since 1980 — which just happens to coincide with Sierra Nevada’s founding — small breweries using traditional brewing techniques (e.g., brewing all malt beers, as opposed to using adjuncts like rice or corn as the macro-breweries do) began reappearing all over the country. While many of the new craft breweries do make “revolutionary” beers (e.g., double IPAs, almost everything produced by Dogfish Head), nearly all of them pride themselves on brewing traditional beers of superior quality (“traditional” is one of the three elements of a craft brewery — along with “small” and “independent” — according to the Brewer’s Association). In the end, the winds of rebirth and rejuvenation have propelled the craft beer “renaissance” we now enjoy.

 

[Dythuger]

It took the US 60 years to recover from Prohibition. Today's choices are grand as compared to 1970.

Beer Nation link

There are so many brewery's. I want to open a hop farm. Surely there will be a shortage eventually.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

There are so many brewery's. I want to open a hop farm. Surely there will be a shortage eventually.

I very much doubt that.

However, there is nothing to stop you identifying a niche market - say, an upmarket brewery - and seeking to supply them with high quality hops.

 

[Happybunny]

It took the US 60 years to recover from Prohibition. Today's choices are grand as compared to 1970.

Beer Nation link

I lived in the USA back in the early 1980 in White Plains NY.

Back then Guinness, Bass, Heineken were regarded as exotic beers.

The craft beer industry of the USA is one of fantastic success.

The American breweries rule the IPA's they have innovated and given the world some truly fantastic beers.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I lived in the USA back in the early 1980 in White Plains NY.

Back then Guinness, Bass, Heineken were regarded as exotic beers.

The craft beer industry of the USA is one of fantastic success.

The American breweries rule the IPA's they have innovated and given the world some truly fantastic beers.

Heineken, Bass & Guinness were once regarded as exotic? Good God……I think I may need a glass of something robust to assist me in getting over the shock…...

Yes, I am delighted to read it here that the craft beer industry of the US has become such a success. Indeed, I had no idea that they 'ruled' the IPA sector.

 

[Dythuger]

I lived in the USA back in the early 1980 in White Plains NY.



Back then Guinness, Bass, Heineken were regarded as exotic beers.



The craft beer industry of the USA is one of fantastic success.



The American breweries rule the IPA's they have innovated and given the world some truly fantastic beers.

Hoping we get some development in the sours category. New glaraus, upland, and Russian river are awesome. But I want something a little more readily available.

 

[SurferMan]

I can't do sours, I don't know what it is but they are absolutely gross to me lol. I've tried about 20 and can't stand them including Russian River (whom I love their other beers especially Pliney The Elder), but I keep trying sometimes. I was even at Avery Brewing when they were just tapping their new sour release last year and let us taste it, I was like I don't want to offend you guy but this is just not for me and 5 buddies echoed the same thing. Luckily they followed up with giving us shots of the Beast 666 which is around 18%, yum

 

[Huntn]

Heineken, Bass & Guinness were once regarded as exotic? Good God……I think I may need a glass of something robust to assist me in getting over the shock…...

Yes, I am delighted to read it here that the craft beer industry of the US has become such a success. Indeed, I had no idea that they 'ruled' the IPA sector.

My early beer drinking days consisted of Budweiser, a beer brewed with rice, when warm tastes how I imagine horse piss would taste. Because of it, my first impression of beer was it taste aweful and was only good for getting sloshed. Despite Anheiser Busch saying that rice is a luxury ingredient, lol, a poll taken this summer at beer advocate indicates it is held in low regard. No surprise considering the wide variety of excellent brews available today.

How do you honestly feel about Budweiser?
Horrible 91 vote(s) 25.5%
Bad 127 vote(s) 35.6%
Ok 115 vote(s) 32.2%
Good. 28 vote(s) 7.8%
Excellent 13 vote(s) 3.6%

 

[Dythuger]

I can't do sours, I don't know what it is but they are absolutely gross to me lol. I've tried about 20 and can't stand them including Russian River (whom I love their other beers especially Pliney The Elder), but I keep trying sometimes. I was even at Avery Brewing when they were just tapping their new sour release last year and let us taste it, I was like I don't want to offend you guy but this is just not for me and 5 buddies echoed the same thing. Luckily they followed up with giving us shots of the Beast 666 which is around 18%, yum

It's definitely an acquired taste. And a generally expensive one as well. I had 3 Russian river supplications in a row and it flipped a switch for me.




I also enjoy a good fruit beer. Founders is re releasing one of my top five beers ever, blushing munk.


We plan to re-release Blushing Monk, a decadent Belgian raspberry ale, in March 2015 to mark the twelfth installment in our popular Backstage Series. Blushing Monk was the original Founders Backstage Series beer, released in July 2011; prior to that, it hadn’t been bottled for four years. Like all of Founders’ Backstage Series beers, Blushing Monk will be sold in 750mL bottles, with a suggested retail price of $16.99 per bottle.


Blushing Monk is brewed with a ridiculous amount of raspberries and with a Belgian yeast strain that keeps our head cellar operator from sleeping for a week. It pours a stunning deep berry red and, at 9.2% ABV, has a surprising kick. The perfect dessert beer, it can be enjoyed on its own or paired with fresh cheeses, fruit, cakes and more.

 

[mobilehaathi]

Hoping we get some development in the sours category. New glaraus, upland, and Russian river are awesome. But I want something a little more readily available.

Hmmm, I haven't tasted too many American sours. Oud Beersel still rules my sour world.

----------

I also enjoy a good fruit beer. Founders is re releasing one of my top five beers ever, blushing munk.

And on the topic of fruit beers, aside from Oud Beersel's Kreik ale, have you ever tried Soft Parade by Short's?

"Soft Parade is a gourmet specialty pour that is brewed with toasted rye flakes and two-row malted barley. Loaded with pureed strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries, we refer to this fermented potion as a fruit infused rye ale. The result is a refreshing fruit delicacy that is easy to drink, visually appealing, and finishes dry."

 

[Scepticalscribe]

My early beer drinking days consisted of Budweiser, a beer brewed with rice, when warm tastes how I imagine horse piss would taste. Because of it, my first impression of beer was it taste aweful and was only good for getting sloshed. Despite Amheiser Bush saying that rice is a luxury ingredient, lol, a poll taken this summer at beer advocate indicates it is held in low regard. No surprise considering the wide variety of excellent brews available today.

How do you honestly feel about Budweiser?
Horrible 91 vote(s) 25.5%
Bad 127 vote(s) 35.6%
Ok 115 vote(s) 32.2%
Good. 28 vote(s) 7.8%
Excellent 13 vote(s) 3.6%

Now, then. American Budweiser is one of the most foul and horrible drinks available on the planet. (And no, that poll does not surprise me in the slightest).

Have you ever had the privilege of trying the original Czech Budvar beer (on which Budweiser was supposed to have been modelled?) Unsurprisingly, it wasn't readily available in western Europe until a few years after the Fall of the Wall, but it is an excellent brew.

 

[Huntn]

Now, then. American Budweiser is one of the most foul and horrible drinks available on the planet. (And no, that poll does not surprise me in the slightest).

Have you ever had the privilege of trying the original Czech Budvar beer (on which Budweiser was supposed to have been modelled?) Unsurprisingly, it wasn't readily available in western Europe until a few years after the Fall of the Wall, but it is an excellent brew.

I have not. I believe Bud was brewed with rice to keep the price low for the common man...

 

[SurferMan]

It's definitely an acquired taste. And a generally expensive one as well. I had 3 Russian river supplications in a row and it flipped a switch for me.




I also enjoy a good fruit beer. Founders is re releasing one of my top five beers ever, blushing munk.


We plan to re-release Blushing Monk, a decadent Belgian raspberry ale, in March 2015 to mark the twelfth installment in our popular Backstage Series. Blushing Monk was the original Founders Backstage Series beer, released in July 2011; prior to that, it hadn’t been bottled for four years. Like all of Founders’ Backstage Series beers, Blushing Monk will be sold in 750mL bottles, with a suggested retail price of $16.99 per bottle.

Blushing Monk is brewed with a ridiculous amount of raspberries and with a Belgian yeast strain that keeps our head cellar operator from sleeping for a week. It pours a stunning deep berry red and, at 9.2% ABV, has a surprising kick. The perfect dessert beer, it can be enjoyed on its own or paired with fresh cheeses, fruit, cakes and more.

Def not a fruit beer guy either, I'm all Imperials/DIPA/Stout/Porters etc. Sours, Fruit, and German styles are my weakness. Ayinger Celebrator is actually the only german beer I like after being into craft beer for like 10 year and even being over seas and trying beers we can't get here. Wife likes fruit beers though, I don't remember what brewery it was, but a bar we were at she got a blueberry beer and the keg had blueberries in it so on tap blueberries came out with the beer as well lol.

Wifes fam is from MI so we always hit the breweries up when up there, Founders got distribution down here the 1st day of our honeymoon last year and after drinking all day I finished with a Breakfast Stout at like 2am and don't remember much from that point till waking up lol. I love Founders Scotch Ale. We had just grabbed this in MI as well, this was insanely good!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I have not. I believe Bud was brewed with rice to keep the price low for the common man...

Well, then, you have a real treat in store for you.

The original Czech 'Budvar' is an excellent beer, and, in terms of quality and taste there can be absolutely no comparison whatsoever between the superlative Czech ancestor and the vile US descendent.

Indeed, I believe there was some court case between the (original) Czech brewers - closeted as they had been behind the Iron Curtain, for an absolute age - and the US company which had grown from some emigrant from the original company in the 19th century - to determine who could call the beer by this name.

Actually, I first managed to taste this brew when Czech and Slovak guests brought me some in the summer of 1990 - and it was a sublime experience.

Unfortunately, I have to say, as a European, that it was experiences such as this - a great European product and a foul American copy - that left me with a deeply embedded prejudice against US beers (and wines). I thought that any country in the western world which could introduce and enforce Prohibition, and then proceed to produce (and market) foul products such as Budweiser, could not be trusted on matters related to alcohol.

Thus, I am very happy to learn on these very threads that there has been a most welcome renaissance of brewing and beer manufacture and growth of artisan and micro-breweries (and, I must assume wine production, also) in recent years in the US. A most welcome development indeed….

 

[Dythuger]

Def not a fruit beer guy either, I'm all Imperials/DIPA/Stout/Porters etc. Sours, Fruit, and German styles are my weakness. Ayinger Celebrator is actually the only german beer I like after being into craft beer for like 10 year and even being over seas and trying beers we can't get here. Wife likes fruit beers though, I don't remember what brewery it was, but a bar we were at she got a blueberry beer and the keg had blueberries in it so on tap blueberries came out with the beer as well lol.



Wifes fam is from MI so we always hit the breweries up when up there, Founders got distribution down here the 1st day of our honeymoon last year and after drinking all day I finished with a Breakfast Stout at like 2am and don't remember much from that point till waking up lol. I love Founders Scotch Ale. We had just grabbed this in MI as well, this was insanely good!



[url=http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r273/Surfer-Chris/beer/20141108_214031_zpsccbzqpzq.jpg]Image[/URL]

Ever had the backwoods bastard? It's the dirty bastard (scotch ale) barrel aged in oak. Great beer. Founders is my second favorite brewery. Such a nice place to visit.

I have also visited new holland. I had a dragons milk ice cream float. Was quite delicious. They also are a distillery. They have a bourbon that they aged in beer barrels that I really liked.

And if you like dragons milk be on the look out for these special ones coming out next year.

http://beerstreetjournal.com/new-holland-plans-four-dragons-milk-releases-2015/

 

[SurferMan]

Ever had the backwoods bastard? It's the dirty bastard (scotch ale) barrel aged in oak. Great beer. Founders is my second favorite brewery. Such a nice place to visit.

I have also visited new holland. I had a dragons milk ice cream float. Was quite delicious. They also are a distillery. They have a bourbon that they aged in beer barrels that I really liked.

And if you like dragons milk be on the look out for these special ones coming out next year.

http://beerstreetjournal.com/new-holland-plans-four-dragons-milk-releases-2015/

Yeah backwoods is great. I'll keep an eye out for those from new Holland. Wife's cousin owns a large distributor, he's gonna try to save me a case of Bells Hop Slam which is hard to get a hold of.

 

[Dythuger]

Yeah backwoods is great. I'll keep an eye out for those from new Holland. Wife's cousin owns a large distributor, he's gonna try to save me a case of Bells Hop Slam which is hard to get a hold of.

The first year I had hopslam, I liked it so much I went through 3 cases. It's a dipa that even casual beer drinkers enjoy.

Should be coming out in January. It seems to come out earlier every year and increases in popularity as well. Few things compare to a fresh hopslam.

 

[Huntn]

Well, then, you have a real treat in store for you.

The original Czech 'Budvar' is an excellent beer, and, in terms of quality and taste there can be absolutely no comparison whatsoever between the superlative Czech ancestor and the vile US descendent.

Indeed, I believe there was some court case between the (original) Czech brewers - closeted as they had been behind the Iron Curtain, for an absolute age - and the US company which had grown from some emigrant from the original company in the 19th century - to determine who could call the beer by this name.

Actually, I first managed to taste this brew when Czech and Slovak guests brought me some in the summer of 1990 - and it was a sublime experience.

Unfortunately, I have to say, as a European, that it was experiences such as this - a great European product and a foul American copy - that left me with a deeply embedded prejudice against US beers (and wines). I thought that any country in the western world which could introduce and enforce Prohibition, and then proceed to produce (and market) foul products such as Budweiser, could not be trusted on matters related to alcohol.

Thus, I am very happy to learn on these very threads that there has been a most welcome renaissance of brewing and beer manufacture and growth of artisan and micro-breweries (and, I must assume wine production, also) in recent years in the US. A most welcome development indeed….

I believe US wines have also achieved a respected status in Europe, although I'm not sure about that.

 

[Happybunny]

Hoping we get some development in the sours category. New glaraus, upland, and Russian river are awesome. But I want something a little more readily available.

The American beer brewers, could innovate IMO because they were not held back by traditions. They could start with a clean slate and let their imaginations good wild.

While they have mastered the IPA’s, I think the Stouts by their very nature are harder to make to a consistent standard. There is also the matter that these beers have to be commercially viable. I have on my trips to the US tasted some really fantastic Russian Stouts.

IMO American brewers tend to concentrate on sweet tastes far more than bitter, but that can be just the small sample of beers that I’ve tasted. Every trip I make I try to taste as many different craft beers as I can.

Now, then. American Budweiser is one of the most foul and horrible drinks available on the planet. (And no, that poll does not surprise me in the slightest).

Have you ever had the privilege of trying the original Czech Budvar beer (on which Budweiser was supposed to have been modelled?) Unsurprisingly, it wasn't readily available in western Europe until a few years after the Fall of the Wall, but it is an excellent brew.

I do indeed remember the fall of the wall and a trip to Prague. It wasn’t only the Budvar beer that I remember, I recall Kozel Cerny dark beer, for 40 cents a glass.
I also remember on the Wenceslaus bridge people selling old uniforms and badges from the communist regime. This was in 1990 March.

I believe US wines have also achieved a respected status in Europe, although I'm not sure about that.

America wines had been available in Europe long before the beer invasion.
The Californian Chardonnay's are especially regarded highly

The old days of snobbery has long go in the wine market, a wine is judged on it’s own merits and not were it was grown/bottled.
I remember the days when the French looked with distain on Italian or Spanish wines, we have come along way, since 1976 and the Shock Bottle.

 

[D.T.]

Ever had the backwoods bastard? It's the dirty bastard (scotch ale) barrel aged in oak. Great beer. Founders is my second favorite brewery. Such a nice place to visit.

Nice, I saw that at the really good beer store I hit up once or twice a month, I’ll have to pick it up this trip. Yeah, Founders can do almost no wrong in my book.

 

[Dythuger]

Nice, I saw that at the really good beer store I hit up once or twice a month, I’ll have to pick it up this trip. Yeah, Founders can do almost no wrong in my book.

I have tried pretty much every beer by then and agree. I do need to try to dark penance. They also are bottling a beer in 2015 that they haven't bottled in a long while called black rye.

Not sure if anyone tried their latest backstage release called big lushious. A raspberry chocolate stout. It was tasty. Very sweet, so it's not for everyone. My only complaint is that it's a tad thin. Drinks a more like a porter.

 

[Huntn]

America wines had been available in Europe long before the beer invasion.
The Californian Chardonnay's are especially regarded highly

The old days of snobbery has long go in the wine market, a wine is judged on it’s own merits and not were it was grown/bottled.
I remember the days when the French looked with distain on Italian or Spanish wines, we have come along way, since 1976 and the Shock Bottle.

I read an article a while back about wine making in the US and as I recall, the key to finally producing decent wine in the US was graphing, European plants to US wine plant stocks so the plants would grow well in US soils. There are native North American grapes that just don't taste as good as the European varieties. In addition I believe in Europe they've used grafting involving U.S. plant stocks when dealing with wine plant pests. This article mentions grafting. As I understand it, the other big leap was fermentation technology where the conditions of creating wine can be closely controlled.

 

[Happybunny]

I read an article a while back about wine making in the US and as I recall, the key to finally producing decent wine in the US was graphing, European plants to US wine plant stocks so the plants would grow well in US soils. There are native North American grapes that just don't taste as good as the European varieties. In addition I believe in Europe they've used grafting involving U.S. plant stocks when dealing with wine plant pests. This article mentions grafting. As I understand it, the other big leap was fermentation technology where the conditions of creating wine can be closely controlled.

That article just goes to show that we all can help and learn from each other to make a better world, and still make a profit.

 

[D.T.]

I have tried pretty much every beer by then and agree. I do need to try to dark penance. They also are bottling a beer in 2015 that they haven't bottled in a long while called black rye.

Dark Penance is _definitely_ worth tracking down! From a previous post of mine, 2nd from the right

Beer scores this week:

[left-to-right]
Founders Porter
Terrapin Moo-Hoo
Holy Mackerel Panic
Founders Dark Penance
Fatheads Spooky Tooth Imperial Pumpkin