"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Sam Adams Imperial Stout and Other Training Beers

In Boston, having fun training in temps ranging from 10 (Thursday) to 25 (yesterday)...heatwave this weekend, shooting up to 40s and maybe low 50s...so, after yesterday's hard-pumping 25 miler, I went looking for my new favorite beer, Sam Adams Cream Stout -- to me, a perfect amount of sweetness in a stout and a brew that could be had every day.

Alas, the "package" store was out, but, they had some new brews from Sam Adams, Imperial Stout, White Stout and Double Bock. I tried the Imperial Stout -- a tad pricier than usual, $9.59 for a 4-pack. Absolutely fine craft quality...had it at room temp/unrefrigerated...rich, full flavor, not as sweet as the Cream Stout, but still some nice malt and a good touch of sweetness with a reasonable finish...I'm guessing that the alcohol content is up there because after drinking one -- ok, I'm a light weight when it comes to drinking -- I felt a bit, uh, well, as if I had guzzled a couple of beers. I'm going back to give the Imperial White and Double Bock a try...after a good solid ride, of course :)

Belgians of course.

http://www.flyingdogales.com/images/beer-road-bottle.gif or http://www.uncrate.com/men/images/2008/10/pipeline-porter-2.jpg

Imperial Stout is usually about 8-12% alcohol, which is about 2x "regular" beer. That explains your light-headedness.

Sam Adams is not much of a brewery, but it'll do. Try something from a smaller operation.

american beers really should avoid imitating stouts, and the like.

Delirium Nocturnum : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delirium_Nocturnum

My personal fave training beer

Left Hand Brewing Co Imperial Stout

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/carlfreddy/ImperialStout.jpg

Paul Laner Dopplebock (double bock)... cannot be beat... preferably comsumed AFTER a ride :)

My favorite domestic stout, currently:

http://www.victorybeer.com/images/beer_sk.gif

http://www.victorybeer.com/storm_king.html

I prefer drinking the draft version, at the brewery in downingtown, pa.

Stone Russian Imperial Stout. I live about 3 miles from the brewery. Life is good.

Now this is my kind of thread !! :thumb:
Although I haven't lived up to my screen name in a while

Imperial Stout is usually about 8-12% alcohol, which is about 2x "regular" beer. That explains your light-headedness.

Sam Adams is not much of a brewery, but it'll do. Try something from a smaller operation.

Aha, good to know, so, I gather, "Imperial Stout" is a category of beer...The folks at SA are doing fine imho...I met Jim Koch when he was just starting out in the mid-1980s and I lived around the corner from him for many years, which has no impact on my opinion...I would not call myself a beer connoisseur, but, I've had a good variety of beers, from small to large batch places, and from visits to Kobe to Kenmare to Munich to Kansas City, etc...and when I find something with a taste that appeals to me, I know it...nevertheless, happy to hear about other beers to try...always looking for good stuff to try.

Bells Dopple Bock

/thread

Stouts are not my thing (I prefer drinking my beer as opposed to chewing at it...) but if your going for heavier beers...
Ommegang Three Philosophers (American quad mixed with a kriek)
St. Bernadus Abt 12 (Belgian-brewed quad)
De Struise Pannepot (perhaps only for victories as its ridiculously rare in the States but damned good)

though given post-workout I prefer to drink a less thick beer my post-training beer is usually an IPA like
Boulder Brewings Hazed and Infused or (recently)
Green Flash Brewing's West Coast

St. Bernadus Abt 12 (Belgian-brewed quad)


Yes! Single best high%ish mass produced beer I've ever had.

american beers really should avoid imitating stouts, and the like.

Incorrect.

Cream Stouts aren't really my thing. I prefer a dry stout which is pretty much defined by Guinness.

Having said that, the American dry stouts I find to be better tasting for a couple reasons. First, Guinness takes about 3% of it's beer, and infects it with a bacteria that makes it sour. They then pasteurize that portion (to kill the bacteria) and re-mix it with the other 97% of the beer. That gives Guinness it's own special taste. This is all well and good, I just find I like stouts that don't have that sour taste. American stouts also tend to be much hoppier than their (primarily) British cousins.

There are many good, easily accessible stouts in America. Sierra Nevada turns out a nice dry stout which shows it's American heritage by having a much higher hop content than a traditional European stout. The Kona Pipeline is also very good, but adding the coffee is a little bit of a cheat (the same cheat I did to the last stout I brewed, BTW).

Stone and Alesmith from San Diego turn out some great beers. You'll find all sorts of good beers coming from Oregon, specifically from the Yakima Valley, where they grow hops used worldwide. There are very good breweries in nearly every state in the union.

The differences between European breweries and American breweries is in basic philosophy. The Europeans are very good at brewing the same great beers over and over. Take something like Orval. They turn out a great beer and they do it consistently for decades at a time. Americans are newer to the game and they experiment much more. Because of this, you'll find some small breweries that really misses the mark. At the same time, you'll find breweries that craft some really amazing, innovative beers.

Someone will probably mention Coors, Bud, Miller, etc. and say that because of these, European beers are much better. Don't listen. There are plenty of European breweries turning out the same type of beer. When comparing like products, American and Europeans both have the capacity to make great beer.

Incorrect.

1. you don't have a clue, methinks.

2. if you're going to parrot me, then get it right.

Americans are newer to the game and they experiment much more. Because of this, you'll find some small breweries that really misses the mark.

Unfortunately, some people appear to be conditioned to think that small = good. Chief illustrative example: Dogfish Head. I can't believe the raving I hear about this brewery. I've had a couple of their brews, and frankly, it's pretentious, high-brow swill. I have a pretty diverse palate when it comes to beer, too - if I don't like what I try and that happens twice, it's not a good sign. Of course, part of the problem is DH's poor taste; right, like putting malt liquor in a 12 oz. longneck and slapping a high price and expensive attitude on it is going to make it good. Dream on.

I do love me a post-ride beer. "Training beer," I like that. Not till it's warmer, though. :(

1. I know more about beer than you.

2. I'll write what I damn well please.

1. you don't have a clue, methinks.

2. if you're going to parrot me, then get it right.

Translation: "I'm botto and I just say things without giving reasons because it looks cooler and no one can prove you wrong."

1. I know more about beer than you.

do tell.


2. I'll write what I damn well please.

with a *****y tone such as that, i find myself doubting your initial point.


Translation: "I'm botto and I just say things without giving reasons because it looks cooler and no one can prove you wrong."

i don't need translastions, especially by people who haven't a clue, such as yourself.

teşekkürler.

Translation: "I'm botto and I just say things without giving reasons because it looks cooler and no one can prove you wrong."

Exactly.

Exactly.

so you agree with me? interesting.

As if I care about your doubts.

As if I care about your doubts.

enough to keep on replying, slap.

Unfortunately, some people appear to be conditioned to think that small = good. Chief illustrative example: Dogfish Head.

Good point. Dogfish Head seems to equate a high hop and alcohol content with a good beer. While I like a good hop bite in beer, it's definitely one of those things that I think a lot of small brewers overdo. Having a good hop/malt balance makes for a much better beer in my opinion and that often means less is more.

Incidently, I have some DFH 90 minute IPA in my garage that's been there for a couple years. As time goes by, the hops have mellowed a bit and I think it's better now than it was fresh. It comes off more as a barley wine now than an imperial IPA. That's probably a bad sign for a beer.

do tell.



with a *****y tone such as that, i find myself doubting your initial point.



i don't need translastions, especially by people who haven't a clue, such as yourself.

teşekkürler.

Remember when you started learning your first foreign language and insulting your friends with it? Yeah that was like 5th grade for me, get over your euro self.

As for my lack of clues, at least I don't need one to spell translation.

Ommegang Three Philosophers Quadrupel is the best. They also sponsor our cycling team.

Just finished a post race Highland Oatmeal Porter - Asheville, NC.

If your going with an Imperial Stout. It's a different Sam's that you want.
Samuel Smith Imperial Stout. (actually every one of their beers is exceptional but unfortunately pricey $$$)

If your going with an Imperial Stout. It's a different Sam's that you want.
Samuel Smith Imperial Stout. (actually every one of their beers is exceptional but unfortunately pricey $$$)

A few years ago, I had a Samuel Smith Nut Brown Ale, and that is what got me into the darker more flavorful beers...from there I went to the SS Oatmeal Stout and then I was off and running...haven't had its Imperial Stout, but, now I'm gonna give it a try, along with some others that have been posted here...had the Sam Adams Imperial Stout after my ride (and with dinner) tonight and it tasted just as fine from the refrigerator as it did at room temp yesterday...and again, one was enough...I have a bathroom ceiling to paint tonight with an oil-based paint (of course), so, I want to keep some degree of reasonable concentration...

I have a bathroom ceiling to paint tonight with an oil-based paint (of course), so, I want to keep some degree of reasonable concentration...

Oh, you're no fun anymore.

Did I say 1 post race Highland Oatmeal Porter? Make that 4 post race Highland Oatmeal Porters.

http://www.spirituosenworld.de/produkte/bourbon/details/smallbatch_bookers_gr.jpg

Just finished a post race Highland Oatmeal Porter - Asheville, NC.

Thank you for mentioning that one. An excellent choice!
Also from NC, the Duck Rabbit Milk Stout.

I have a bathroom ceiling to paint tonight with an oil-based paint (of course), so, I want to keep some degree of reasonable concentration....


Oh, you're no fun anymore.

Did I say 1 post race Highland Oatmeal Porter? Make that 4 post race Highland Oatmeal Porters.

Ceiling done...now, where I was, er, was I (Sam Adams taking effect) :)

I agree with the Three Philosophers lovers, but my absolute favorite beer is Chimay Blue Reserve - also Belgian, and also 9% alochol by volume. I freakin' love the stuff.

..but my absolute favorite beer is Chimay Blue Reserve... - I freakin' love the stuff.
Got to agree with that, however that stuff makes Samuel Smith seem reasonably priced.

BTW not sure if ever had the Blue. I might be thinking of the Chimay Red which is a little less pricey (but still over $85/case)

Grimbergen Dubbel Abbey Ale. Godly. And priced accordingly.

Coors (not lite). the best of the cheap beers. I actually enjoy it and can get it for $2 at a bar.

Natty Ice. for when you're craving that elusive wood pulp and foot flavor.

Speaking of Belgian...

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j47/joemowens/ChimayBlue.jpg

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j47/joemowens/ChimayTriple.jpg

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j47/joemowens/ChimayRed.jpg

:beer:

:thumb: :thumb:

this is my training beer during the limited time that its out- which happens to be about now.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/187/435777881_a0505a82ed.jpg?v=0

Had a Newport Storm (http://www.newportstorm.com/beer.asp) last night at a Tech Tuesday event hosted by Dan Bricklin (http://www.bricklin.com/)(inventor of Visicalc, electronic spreadsheets for those who don't know the name)...perty decent stuff...

this is my training beer during the limited time that its out- which happens to be about now.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/187/435777881_a0505a82ed.jpg?v=0

Looks good!!!

Newcastle. It's my favorite on a college budget.

Goose Island's 312 (team sponsor)

but I love the high life after the wednesday evening ride in the summer.

I agree with the Three Philosophers lovers, but my absolute favorite beer is Chimay Blue Reserve - also Belgian, and also 9% alochol by volume. I freakin' love the stuff.

Chimay Bleu....awesome. Get the big one with the cork, it's better than the little ones.

Careful with Belgain's, though, because they also turn out the saison's and lambic's. I just can't deal with those.

Beer can pair with some foods better than wine. Orval beer and a white fish entree is the absolute best. If you've got a bottle of Chimay Bleu, then get some chunks of dark chocolate. I'll take a good beer over a wine for dinner almost every time.

Mac and Jack's African Amber. MMMMmmmmmm...

Unfortunately, some people appear to be conditioned to think that small = good. Chief illustrative example: Dogfish Head. I can't believe the raving I hear about this brewery. I've had a couple of their brews, and frankly, it's pretentious, high-brow swill. I have a pretty diverse palate when it comes to beer, too - if I don't like what I try and that happens twice, it's not a good sign. Of course, part of the problem is DH's poor taste; right, like putting malt liquor in a 12 oz. longneck and slapping a high price and expensive attitude on it is going to make it good. Dream on.

I do love me a post-ride beer. "Training beer," I like that. Not till it's warmer, though. :(

i'm a big fan of dogfish head 60' IPA and Raison D'etre. The 90' IPA is good to me as well, but the 120' is too bitter for me.

Frederick Brewing Company Blue Ridge Porter is another fave of mine, and in the summertime, it's always hoegaarden.

I recently moved and my neighbor is a pretty advanced home brewer who always keeps an IPA, a stout, a hiefweizen, and a seasonal on tap. I look forward to being very neighborly!

Taste is personal, of course, but FWIW, www.ratebeer.com, which claims to have thousands of members in over 60 countries, has 14 American beers in the top 25 highest-rated stouts, 18 of 25 for the imperial stouts.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0d/Unibroue_-_La_fin_du_monde.jpg/400px-Unibroue_-_La_fin_du_monde.jpg