The beer question for the holidays.
12-16-15, 09:49 AM
#126
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We are living in the golden age of beer. Too bad if you don't like beer or don't drink. It's ridiculous to describe all craft beer as too hoppy or too sweet or too whatever, because there are so many different brands and varieties available. Many grocery stores now allow you to mix-and-match beers, so you can buy a wide variety of styles to sample for reasonable costs. Or you can go to tap rooms and sample a wide range of varieties. If you find something you like, buy a six pack. I tend to prefer dark and amber beers, but usually try at least one bottle or pint of the lighter stuff to broaden my horizons and sometimes find lighter beers that have a lot of flavor.
12-16-15, 10:23 AM
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Agree. I think the best part of this "golden age" of craft brews is just how widely available they are. Everything from little gas station coolers in the boonies to Walmart have at least some good options that aren't the mainstream Miller/Bud/Coors/Corona type beers, and a lot of little markets across the country have 20+ different types of craft beers spanning the spectrum from pale ales to seasonal porters. It's so easy to find good beer now. I've only been (legally) drinking since 2006, but in that short period of time the variety available to the mainstream consumer has skyrocketed.
12-16-15, 02:37 PM
#128
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Ok I do ride serious but nothing beats a good beer after a nice work out and settling in for the evening. I am wondering given the time of year what those that have taste for the suds are drinking? I suppose the serious racers are avoiding this stuff but I remember Frank Shorter marathon gold medalist enjoy a liter the night before we won. He did not want to change is normal routine.
For me the best is the Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale. For a cyclist this seems the true beer because it brings to mind those Sierra Nevada climbs in NoCal and it is one of the best beers in the hunt. Had one tonight and this years is no exception very good with malt and hops.
This is not a Holiday Beer as such but a true gem Great Lakes Commodore Perry IPA. This one makes the post ride worth all the crazy cold and crappy weather of December.
I have not tired and others so throwing this thread out to see what is good to try. For myself the idea of cycling and them making sure to enjoy the fruits of the journey with a beer is always nice.
For me the best is the Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale. For a cyclist this seems the true beer because it brings to mind those Sierra Nevada climbs in NoCal and it is one of the best beers in the hunt. Had one tonight and this years is no exception very good with malt and hops.
This is not a Holiday Beer as such but a true gem Great Lakes Commodore Perry IPA. This one makes the post ride worth all the crazy cold and crappy weather of December.
I have not tired and others so throwing this thread out to see what is good to try. For myself the idea of cycling and them making sure to enjoy the fruits of the journey with a beer is always nice.
12-16-15, 07:49 PM
#129
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More rare in the states, and then only occasionally sufficiently fresh (definitely best in its native Mexico and Mexican restaurants that sell a lot of it) is my all-time favorite: Bohemia. To me, it just tastes ideal - like all beers want to taste. Unfortunately, it ages as poorly as any.
One that I used to like, but don't so much anymore is Brooklyn Lager. Dark, craft-y, and rather sharp.
12-16-15, 08:00 PM
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If, like I do, you like Peroni Nastro Azzurro (which, ironically, translates as PBR), you'll probably like Kronenbourg. It's only occasionally available at grocery and package stores (and then not reliably fresh), but widely served in the city - generally on tap at bistros and French places - so you've probably had it. I like that it has a solid but unassuming flavor, and is good to the last drop at any temperature. Like good bread. Less sharp than Stella - not that I don't appreciate a good bitter, like Fullers ESB (ale) - another favorite I'll go with whenever it's available.
More rare in the states, and then only occasionally sufficiently fresh (definitely best in its native Mexico and Mexican restaurants that sell a lot of it) is my all-time favorite: Bohemia. To me, it just tastes ideal - like all beers want to taste. Unfortunately, it ages as poorly as any.
One that I used to like, but don't so much anymore is Brooklyn Lager. Dark, craft-y, and rather sharp.
More rare in the states, and then only occasionally sufficiently fresh (definitely best in its native Mexico and Mexican restaurants that sell a lot of it) is my all-time favorite: Bohemia. To me, it just tastes ideal - like all beers want to taste. Unfortunately, it ages as poorly as any.
One that I used to like, but don't so much anymore is Brooklyn Lager. Dark, craft-y, and rather sharp.
12-16-15, 08:28 PM
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I found a bunch of old Sierra Nevada Bigfoot in the basement. Well aged from 2001-2005. Pretty flat, but tasty.
Not an after ride beer though. More of an after dinner, sitting on the couch, reading the paper type beer.
Not an after ride beer though. More of an after dinner, sitting on the couch, reading the paper type beer.
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12-16-15, 08:33 PM
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Or folding shorts.
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12-16-15, 08:38 PM
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I will be pilloried, I'm sure, but pretty much all I drink is Stella. Most of the american "craft" beer is either too sweet or too hoppy. Occasionally I'll find something I like (Like a Drake's Heffeweiss,) But then I can't find it again, or it's not sold where I live, etc.
Sierra Nevada makes a Pils I think
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Last edited by Homebrew01; 12-16-15 at 08:41 PM.
12-16-15, 08:56 PM
#134
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I'm lucky enough to have a local micro-brewery. Florida, Brewery - SAILFISH BREWING COMPANY
Overall, Porters have been a steady choice for me. Of the ones you can buy in stores Breckinridge Vanilla is pretty darned decent.
Of course I won't turn down a good stout, or Belgian, or lager, or pilsner, or wit, or..you get the idea.
Not really into IPA.
Overall, Porters have been a steady choice for me. Of the ones you can buy in stores Breckinridge Vanilla is pretty darned decent.
Of course I won't turn down a good stout, or Belgian, or lager, or pilsner, or wit, or..you get the idea.
Not really into IPA.
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12-16-15, 11:26 PM
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I've always liked Pilsner Urquell if you can get it fresh, preferably on tap...The green bottle issue as I'm sure you know. An alternative I love is Victory Prima Pils...a truly outstanding beer!
12-17-15, 08:15 AM
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Yes, I forgot about that. Victory makes quite a few good beers.
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12-17-15, 08:34 AM
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12-17-15, 09:38 AM
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I am a big fan of Great Lakes, but then again I am close enough they have a good supply of it. I'll list some of my favs of theirs:
For a lager, their Dortmunder is probably my favorite lager period.
I'm not too crazy about their regular pale ale and IPA but... their Chillwave Double IPA is probably my favorite beer period (seasonal, comes out late winter/early spring). Used to be called Alchemy Hour (scores 95 on BA too). Also their Rye of the Tiger IPA is fantastic and value priced (spring seasonal). Great IPA strength but also very potent sharp rye - only for the tough IPA lovers along with some spicy Mexican dish or something like that.
Oktoberfest is pretty solid.
Their Christmas ale is very popular and while I think it is good I do enjoy some others better (and cheaper).
I just realized, other than Dortmunder all my other favorites are seasonal.
For a lager, their Dortmunder is probably my favorite lager period.
I'm not too crazy about their regular pale ale and IPA but... their Chillwave Double IPA is probably my favorite beer period (seasonal, comes out late winter/early spring). Used to be called Alchemy Hour (scores 95 on BA too). Also their Rye of the Tiger IPA is fantastic and value priced (spring seasonal). Great IPA strength but also very potent sharp rye - only for the tough IPA lovers along with some spicy Mexican dish or something like that.
Oktoberfest is pretty solid.
Their Christmas ale is very popular and while I think it is good I do enjoy some others better (and cheaper).
I just realized, other than Dortmunder all my other favorites are seasonal.
12-17-15, 09:45 AM
#140
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As a fan of local beers, I drink a lot of Victory. Right now (well at least in the last few days) I'm enjoying their Vital IPA. Summer isn't summer without Victory "Summer Love" beer.
There used to be be a charity ride ("Bike Fresh Bike Local") organized yearly out of their brewery, but for some reason it didn't happen this year.
There used to be be a charity ride ("Bike Fresh Bike Local") organized yearly out of their brewery, but for some reason it didn't happen this year.
12-17-15, 10:27 AM
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That's just for winter, though. My absolute favorite year-round beer is Heady Topper IPA, it's a very hard to find 16oz can-only brew from Waitsfield, VT. Fortunately for me, my mom lives nearby and regularly secures large quantities of it for shipment to her loving sons. Some beer snobs may think it's over-hyped given the outrageously high ratings, but they probably just haven't ever tried it.
Heady Topper | The Alchemist | BeerAdvocate
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12-17-15, 10:35 AM
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Anyone into root beers? I had a bottle of Not Your Father's after a ride yesterday and I didn't like it at all. Initial taste is no different than soda and then it's met with a nasty alcoholly bitterness that's nothing like IPA's hop bitterness that I'm used to. Sometimes it's better to stick to what you know.
12-17-15, 10:47 AM
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Anyone into root beers? I had a bottle of Not Your Father's after a ride yesterday and I didn't like it at all. Initial taste is no different than soda and then it's met with a nasty alcoholly bitterness that's nothing like IPA's hop bitterness that I'm used to. Sometimes it's better to stick to what you know.
12-17-15, 11:12 AM
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12-17-15, 02:40 PM
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12-17-15, 02:43 PM
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Best thing about the Burlington, VT airport for anyone that's flown out- They have a little breakfast/lunch place literally 20 feet from the gate that has a bunch of good brews on tap and usually sells Heady Topper as well. I think they charge like $10/can but even at that price I pay it for one last sip before leaving the state. Bonus is that the 16 oz relatively high IBV IPA keeps you lightly buzzed just long enough to last you through the remainder of your trip until you get you your destination
12-17-15, 02:44 PM
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I'd only ever seen it in its natural environment in Vermont, but my wife found someone selling a 4-pack at a Phish concert parking lot in Hampton, VA a couple years ago. Given that Phish is from Vermont, I bet some people just follow them around on tour and bring enough Heady Topper to sell at outrageous prices that they can cover some of the cost of their journey.
12-17-15, 05:02 PM
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Passing through CT afterwards ?
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12-17-15, 07:50 PM
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I love and prefer Porters over other beer types.
My current favorites are Founders Porter, Edmund Fitzgerald.
I also really like Troeg's Mad Elf Ale and Troeginator.
My current favorites are Founders Porter, Edmund Fitzgerald.
I also really like Troeg's Mad Elf Ale and Troeginator.