No way we should have a whiskey thread without a beer thread. I'm a big craft beer fan, and I've done some homebrewing over the years. Got into reviewing beers years ago and I have hundreds in my notebook. So what's your malted brew of choice?
If I had to pick only one forever, it would be Bell's Two Hearted Ale out of Kalamazoo, MI. It's a US IPA in an east coast style, with more floral and fruity notes compared to the bitter, piney west-coast IPAs. This time of year I enjoy a good marzen, as well as some winter warmers as we approach the holidays. I also love a good pilsner - not the yellow fizzy stuff from Bud or Miller, but a real pilsner. Something like Prima Pils from Victory Brewing in Pennsylvania.
I could ramble on for day, but first I'd better be sure someone is listening...
I like most ales. Not a porter fan myself, and I prefer middle of the road to overly hoppy or too dark.
However Meantime Brewery serves up some excellent beers - Yakima red is a particular favourite of mine.
Now don't rule out all lagers - there are some excellent offerings from micro breweries, just not anywhere near as readily available as decent ales. I hate light, fizzy ones.
Bitter for me, from the barrel. Favourites include Samuel Smiths Old Brewery and Greene King IPA. I used to go hop-picking as a child, so anything with the green, dusty aroma of hops hits the button.
There's a few bottled beers I like, including Pilsner Urquell for its steely dryness and Peroni for its freshness.
I generally steer clear of stronger speciality beers and things with novelty flavours. Old-fashioned quaffing beer by the pint, that'll do me.
Here in Ontario, we pay a high price for alcoholic beverages; so I tend to drink this:
However, this evening we will go to the Ashton pub, where they make their own beers, the one I like best;
Ashton Cream Ale
OG: 1050
ABV: 5%
SRM: 6
IBUs: 20
Traditionally cream ales were made by ale brewers trying to simulate lagers. Many of these brewers added flaked corn to the recipe to give it a smoother, creamier taste, hence the name "cream ale". Ashton cream is made with a combination of grains, these include pale malted barley, carastan malt, and wheat flakes. The beer has a light golden colour, is moderately hopped, and has a creamy mouth feel. Using sazz hops for aromatics, imparts a slightly floral nose and may cause pilsner drinkers to think they have just ordered their favourite Czechoslovakian pils. This is a great beer for people that are not convinced that they like the traditional British ales, but want a premium beer with a north American flare.
John
If you come to a fork in the road; take it, and then put it down so someone else can use it.
Not a huge beer fan but I do like the stuff. I really like going to a local brewery called Jailbreak Brewery where they have a different food truck daily. Good stuff!