The Great Beer Thread.

[Chako]

The Great Beer Thread.

Here is a thread where we can talk about anything related to beer. This was started in lieu of a conversation elsewhere on this forum.  Seeing that the members are from various locals, I think it will be a very interesting topic.
I am going to be quite honest and state that I am not a beer drinker. There are very few beers that I do like. Oddly enough, the ones that I do like are hard to get locally. Those few that I can get are not found at the local beer store, but at the local LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario) which sells wines, liquors, and international beers.

Back in the 90s, I used to help my father make homemade beer from kits. It was a lengthy process that would take quite a while, and you would only get about 3 cases per batch. However, we got real good at it, usually taking first or second place in some of the beer categories in one of the local coming of summer festivals (which sadly is a thing of the past).  Those beers I would like. They always seemed to taste a lot better than the store bought stuff.  They also seemed to be more filling, and it was rare if you could drink a few bottles at a time.  That and you knew how much work went into it…so you enjoyed it all the more for it. I recall at one competition, a fellow won with a light blonde beer that he forgot about in the basement for about 6 years. It had darkened with age and looked like rum. He won his division with it. That goes to tell you how long a good home brew can last in the right storage conditions. I haven’t brewed my own batch in years, having given the whole kit to someone who wanted to start. I did keep my father’s secret recipe log book though. I figured the equipment can be bought new, but all the experimentation can’t.

As stated elsewhere, I do like a good Belgian Kriek, along with dark brown ales, Bock, and a few Stouts.  I am not a drinker by any stretch of the imagination, but I seem to gravitate towards the heavier stuff on the rare occasion when I do.

[Pacu]

I'm a fan of Shiner Bock, Corona Extra and Phat Tyre.

[cgk]

Im a sucker for Leinenkugel's Creamy Dark.  I just finished a new one for me Goose Island-Mild Winter 

[Craig]

The products of the Badger Brewery in Dorset are my favourites especially Tanglefoot and first Gold

[Styerman]

I usually drink Lagers . Stella , Pilsner Urquell , Harp , Carlsberg etc etc all sorts really . I haven't found too many I don't like . For a change of pace I like Hoegarten ( I keep imagining a bunch of bare breasted hookers working in some fella's back garden .

Chris

[Mike]

You know what the best beer is?

[Chako]

Tell me it isn't Guinness. I find it way too bitter to enjoy, even though I am told they use it to clean instruments in Ireland.

[Mike]

Free beer ........ is the best beer.

[Chako]

 

[DaveK]

I actually don't drink a great deal of beer these days, but when I do it's generally a proper Bitter.

I'm not snobby, and it doesn't have to be a true CAMRA approved Real Ale - I grew up on Banks' and it remains my favourite. Sadly I don't even know where I can get a pint on draft these days since all of our pubs have either gone bust or been swallowed up by the major breweries

From a can - it just isn't the Bitter I remember

I cannot stand those Belgian beers (even on draft in Belgium). I know they've been brewed by monks and are considered high quality, but they all taste like treacle to me. Lager, I will only drink if there's nothing else left 

[Sam Quint]

Bitburger Pils 

[Kmarr]

Me and my brother brewed ourselves a batch of beer.  Our first time doing it we forgot to watch the stove so our malt spilled and the recipie was at a whack  Kinda tasted like spiked apple cider. but great nonetheless!
Everything is a little more cherished when you DIY. If someone else tasted our beer, it would have been on the floor with the rest of their stomach contents soon:D but we felt there was a certain amount of pride and dedication that reached far beyond slapping a 20 on the counter for 30 brews.

[Sean]

A five minute walk from my place, honestly it's some of the best beer I've ever put
my lips too.  Then again it's fresh like it should be. 

http://www.oldyalebrewing.com/index.html

[andre0407]

From the other derailed thread, I've listed my top beers of choice: Erdinger, Hoegaarden and San Miguel in no particular preference and order.

But if anyone happens to visit Singapore, you've got to try Tiger Beer. It's brewed here in Singapore, and the Japanese slug cartons and cartons of the stuff when they visit Singapore.

[Beerplumber]

i've seen tiger beer at the liquor stores here in calgary. it is good. i dont know as much about home brew as much as some people but i really am a beer plumber, a service tech. and installer for draft beer and liquor control systems. want a beer tap in your shower? im your guy.  i have to say one of my favs is tankhouse ale fron ontario.

[andre0407]

i've seen tiger beer at the liquor stores here in calgary. it is good. i dont know as much about home brew as much as some people but i really am a beer plumber, a service tech. and installer for draft beer and liquor control systems. want a beer tap in your shower? im your guy.  i have to say one of my favs is tankhouse ale fron ontario.

  Hello there Beerplumber- really appreciate guys like you to bring the good stuff out from the barrels and into the mugs. I presume in your line of work, having a multitool must be useful? 

[GraysonK]

Ok, I need a beer education so I'm gonna ask questions (and go look for answers on the web)
I hardly ever drink.  But I must admit a cold beer especially after a rotten day at work or on a hot day when cooking on the grill is pretty nice.  I like Heineken...what is that?  Ale?  Or plain ole beer?  I like Killian's Red...same question what type of beer is that?  I tried Guiness..it's gross cold.  I tried some kind of Sam Adams Winter something or other.  I honestly don't know what's out there to try.  If it tastes like any of those three I'd probably like it.

[andre0407]

Ok, I need a beer education so I'm gonna ask questions (and go look for answers on the web)
I hardly ever drink.  But I must admit a cold beer especially after a rotten day at work or on a hot day when cooking on the grill is pretty nice.  I like Heineken...what is that?  Ale?  Or plain ole beer?  I like Killian's Red...same question what type of beer is that?  I tried Guiness..it's gross cold.  I tried some kind of Sam Adams Winter something or other.  I honestly don't know what's out there to try.  If it tastes like any of those three I'd probably like it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beer
Heineken is lager, while Guinness is a stout... didn't come across Killian's Red before so I don't really know. If you like lagers then Corona, Carlsberg, Shiners and San Miguel should appeal to your tastes, as do general pale lagers.

[Whoey]

I like all sorts of beer, and usually am trying out various Belgian brands that I find here and there around town (some supermarkets have some great selection!) I typically drink San Miguel at home, Alexander Keiths when I'm in Nova Scotia/Canada, and I do enjoy the odd couple pints of Guinness, Murphys, or Caffreys.

[Chako]

Ah yes, they do sell Tiger beer at the local LCBO. I have had it and it is not that bad, albeit not my style. Have you also tried Sapporo? I hear it is now made in Canada at an old Sleeman factility, but the beer isn't all that bad either.

[Mr. Whippy]

Ok, I need a beer education so I'm gonna ask questions (and go look for answers on the web)
I hardly ever drink.  But I must admit a cold beer especially after a rotten day at work or on a hot day when cooking on the grill is pretty nice.  I like Heineken...what is that?  Ale?  Or plain ole beer?  I like Killian's Red...same question what type of beer is that?  I tried Guiness..it's gross cold.  I tried some kind of Sam Adams Winter something or other.  I honestly don't know what's out there to try.  If it tastes like any of those three I'd probably like it.

Basically beers are broken down along the lines of Ale vs Lager.  Ales ferment at roomish temps, Lagers at low temps.  Virtually all lagers are lighter beers.  Ales can be anything from light to heavy (like Guiness).  Dark beers are porters or stouts which have more protein in them.  Ales then go lighter to the point of pale ales.  Pale ales tend to be more "bitter" due to high hop content.

Basically, beer flavors are influenced by barley, its style of roasting (malting) and hop content.  More barley/darkly roasted, darker beer.  More hops, more bitter (hoppy). 

Taste and try.  You'll find where you like your beer. 

[cgk]

Oh I forgot about Sam Adams...great stuff.  At a German restaurant I usually get Hacker-Pschorr.

[ducktapehero]

Free beer ........ is the best beer.

This is so true.

[cerbera147]

I am partial to a Guinness or three 

Don't know how people could drink it all night though 

They say it tastes better the closer it is served to the St. James's Gate Brewery in Dublin; I have found that to be the case

It's so well known globally I'm sure most people have tried it at least once 

[andre0407]

Ah yes, they do sell Tiger beer at the local LCBO. I have had it and it is not that bad, albeit not my style. Have you also tried Sapporo? I hear it is now made in Canada at an old Sleeman factility, but the beer isn't all that bad either.

Yes, Sapporo.. but I've always thought it's produced in Japan exclusively.   never mind- so long as they continue to produce beer the way they do. And speaking of beer brands associated with Japan, I like Kirin too.  

I am partial to a Guinness or three 

Don't know how people could drink it all night though 

They say it tastes better the closer it is served to the St. James's Gate Brewery in Dublin; I have found that to be the case

It's so well known globally I'm sure most people have tried it at least once 

It's a nice beer, but rather too strong for me to slug though the night. Give me a pale lager and that's a different story all together.

[Chako]

Can't say that I have ever seen kirin on this side. 

EDIT: Yep I was correct. Take a look at the history section...last sentence says it all I guess.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sapporo_Breweries_Limited

[Styerman]

Ales and Lagers also use different yeasts . Carlsberg bred their own famlies of yeasts - distinct yeast species , belonging to the same genus , neat stuff . As well as operating at different temperatures , ale and lager yeasts operate at different depths . Pale ales were designed for a long shelf life , for shipment to Brits in India . Rich social history .

Oddly enuff the Japanese , and Chinese brew superb pale Lagers , probably influenced by German brewmasters .

Chris

[andre0407]

Can't say that I have ever seen kirin on this side. 

EDIT: Yep I was correct. Take a look at the history section...last sentence says it all I guess.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sapporo_Breweries_Limited

Ah... I see. I learned something new today. Thanks for the information Chako. 

Ales and Lagers also use different yeasts . Carlsberg bred their own famlies of yeasts - distinct yeast species , belonging to the same genus , neat stuff . As well as operating at different temperatures , ale and lager yeasts operate at different depths . Pale ales were designed for a long shelf life , for shipment to Brits in India . Rich social history .

Oddly enuff the Japanese , and Chinese brew superb pale Lagers , probably influenced by German brewmasters .

Chris

Chris, if you are talking Qingdao beer... yeah, I've heard that during the German occupation period they taught the Chinese then how to brew beer. From Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qingdao#German_colonial_period_and_Japanese_occupation
'From January 1898 the marines of III. Seebatallion were based at Tsingtao. The German imperial government planned and built the first streets and early infrastructure of the city (still visible today), introduced electrification throughout, a sewer system and a safe drinking water supply. Commercial interests established the world-famous Tsingtao Brewery. German influence extended to other areas of Shandong Province, including the establishment of diverse commercial enterprises.'

[Beerplumber]

wow guys so much good info! i didnt realize that about japanese beer and the german influence! i should have quoted but to answer your question yes a good mt is so usefull to me at work as is probably true for so many service techs! all those times where your precision screw driver is in your truck two blocks away or making adjustments on equipment... like six times a day! and then of course to lift that cap on your end of the day bottle of wobbly pop!

[ducktapehero]

Here's the brewery I like.

http://www.blvdbeer.com/beer.htm

I really like their Wheat Beer and their Lunar Ale. There's a few I haven't tried but I will.