What are the fellow Zilvia Beer Snobs Drinking? Happy Holidays Special!

[codyace]

Well Beer Snobs, what are you all drinking? Always good to see what the ZilviaNation is consuming!

To start:

Started with a:

Weyerbacher 13 (13% Imperial Stout) This beer is HUGE. Comparable to Goose Islands 'Bourbon County' and 'Kate the Great'. A big, boozy, flavorful, heavy Stout...right up my alley. It's a shame this beer never caught on, as it would have made for a great winter seasonal.

Then, I changed the entire spectrum (beer snob party foul) and had a:

Weyerbacher-Riserva. What a superb Wild Ale...possible the best America has to offer...sorry Lost Abbey! Sour, Sweet, perfect. This is a phenomical beer. Blows 2008's Riserva outa the water. Split with my middle brother.


Now I'm having a

The Bruery - Papier. This is a 75% Oak, 25% Bourbon Aged beer. Amazing. I know some east coasters complained of a lack of carbonation, but I think it's perfect! So long as it's not syrup, I'm happy. This beer is another Full Bodied 'big beer'. One of the best things to happen to beer, is barrel aging. This thing is like a .50 cal on the tounge. Amazing Beer. Also split with my middle brother.

And hoepfully finishing with a:

2007 Troegs - Mad Elf...I've had the 09 and 08...lets see how my Cellard 07 is doing :D


So while it's been all over, and CERTAINLY not in the right order...it's been a great day awesome beer. How bout the rest of you Zilvians??



So what have the rest of you guys been drinking? Any other locals drinking goodness? I plan on going to

[S14_Kouki]

Im drinking Full Moon right now.

[kouki fanatic]

no beer, but we've got johnnie walker's gold label

[matt11145]

i just got finished having a three wise men (jack daniels, captain morgan, jim bean) that combp will kick your ass

[cured13]

http://www.polishtennisassociation.com/assets/key_visual_export.jpg


CHEERS!

[cured13]

http://www.polishtennisassociation.com/assets/key_visual_export.jpg

CHEERS!

[LimeLite Racing]

I had a glass of wine at the in-laws. I'm currently drinking a PBR. About to have some whisky hopefully in a moment.

[1on1]

i actually got this as a present. i'll be drinking these the night away.

http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs128.snc3/17533_1273797535507_1546993552_30695924_1356078_n. jpg

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs148.snc3/17533_1273796975493_1546993552_30695923_7607431_n. jpg

[BustedS13]

i was pounding egg nog and Jack Daniels last night, along with white russians.
had some pinot tonight, don't remember the brand. just a couple glasses, i need a day off
because tomorrow i'm getting faced downtown, christmas weekend is a great time to go out drinking

[D.Adams]

boddingtons and newcastle ... 2 best beers ever made rite there ...

[ronmcdon]

Just made some mulled wine, & it came out horrid.
I'll be sticking to the leftover Spaten Oktoberfest.

[Freddy]

black tans, i have yet to disappoint someone with that drink

[codyace]

Blah, nobody cares about mixed drinks. That's for when you're underage and at Fat parties ;) Just teasing hehe.

boddingtons and newcastle ... 2 best beers ever made rite there ...

While I've had plenty of great beers, Newcastle is still my 'wing night' staple. Works perfect.

[shishcabobers]

If I had money, I would buy this.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9mlahWKCkv4/SJGYSBuPTgI/AAAAAAAAAek/kxbctI7UDNY/s400/sam-adams-utopias-2007-glas.jpg

[gzer750]

heff

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m267/sageone_2006/bier.jpg

[firm tofu]

drinking exponential hoppiness from Alpine brewery. nothing says Christmas like 11% IPA

[JVD]

stuff about beer
Cody,

Recommend me some beers to get me started. I usually just drink piss beers for parties, but want to experience some delicious ones.

I like honey lagers a lot. I tried innis and gunn or whatever and it was decent. I like the oak'ey flavour.

What should I try out?

Why do most higher end beers have such high alcohol content???

[SuperiorS14]

HEF all day everyday!!!!!

[codyace]

Cody,

Recommend me some beers to get me started. I usually just drink piss beers for parties, but want to experience some delicious ones.

I like honey lagers a lot. I tried innis and gunn or whatever and it was decent. I like the oak'ey flavour.

What should I try out?

Why do most higher end beers have such high alcohol content???

See, suggesting 'oaky' flavor could lead me to suggest barrel aged beers, as they will have that oakey/whisky flavor, while remaining a beer. However in order to suggest one, we'd need to know if you liked stouts/porters or belgians etc etc.

If you're looking for some nice introductory beers, that are affordable, look into the following. There are plenty of other examples, but any of these are going to taste great, be reasonably priced, and give you a nice introdcution to the style.

Light:
Troegs Sunshine Pils
Stoudts Pils
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale

Brown Ale:
Newcastle
Smithwicks

Hoppy:
Dogfish Head 60
Bear Republic Racer 5 IPA
Stone IPA


Hefewiezen:
Hoegarden
Franzikaner


Belgian (Tripel)
Weyerbacher Merry Monks
Victory Golden Monkey
Unibroue La Fin Du Monde

Stouts/Porters
Troegs Dead Reckoning
Victory Baltic Porter

(Again there are countless other examples, these are just off the top of my head)

Once you get a 'jist' of what you like, then you can start expanindg your horizons. If you like Hops, then check out Double IPA (Imperial IPA)...if you like Belgians, check out Strong Ales, ad Quads....etc etc. This is not to say you can't 'start from othe top', but there is no use paying money for the 'baller beers' if you're unsure if you like the style.

Also, don't be 'surprized' not to like certain styles of beer. I hated Hops when I first started drinking 'better beer'....however now I love them. Taste Pallets will change, as well recognition of style. Another thin many realize, is that 'gateway beers' (first micor they like) may not be a favorite after the first year.



In regard to the higher alcohol aspect of 'micro brews' there really is no specific answer. There are plenty of good micros without a high ABV, but they can often be viewed as 'watery'. A good beer with a punch helps complete the full bodied flavor IMO. In the same respect, to much booze can push beer to 'huge' (big) proportions, thus making it less 'tastey' to some (I love big boozey bourbon barrle aged beer).


The key to remember, is that drinkin craft beer should focus on the taste, not so much the ability to get drunk quickly. With that said, beware of teh high ABV at the same time. 3 mad elfs for example (12 percent) would equate to over a six pack of miller lites...so when yo uhear stories about your buddies drinking 'cases of pbr', you can think 'man, 10 Weyerbacher Quads would be the same alcohol, and you won't be full or hafta piss (but you'll be drunk like no other).

If you wanna get drunk, drink the cheapest vodka you can find. If you want to appreciate good beer, enjoy it. However, getting drunk off a good beer is a great feeling too :D

[GREXS14]

I like to keep my beers more local.

I have been drinking Rogue lately. good IMO and they have a nice assortment.

Dead guy is my preferred choice.

http://i646.photobucket.com/albums/uu189/DetCrockett/rogue20dead20guy20ale20review.jpg

[Csomme]

I'm obviously not old enough to drink, but when I do drink beer, I like to enjoy the flavor.

I usually drink whatever is handed to me(PBR or Carona) but I really have always enjoyed pretty much all that Sam Adams has. I also like Landshark. But my new favorite has to be Fat Tire. I haven't really gotten into the fancy beers yet, obviously because I usually don't get to choose what I drink. But I'd really like to try some of the stuff you guys are talking about.

[codyace]

I like to keep my beers more local.

I have been drinking Rogue lately. good IMO and they have a nice assortment.

Dead guy is my preferred choice.


Hehe, most of my suggestions were all within 100 miles of me hahaha. I'm surronded by some FANTASTIC breweries, all so close to me (Troegs, Victory, Weyerbacher, Selins Grove, Sly Fox, Captain Lawrence, Flying Fish, Stoudts, etc etc...the list just goes bonkers!


Howeer, great suggestion on a 'session' beer for me. Dead guy will forever be a favorite of mine. Not so much a fan of Double Dead Guy though. I also think their American Amber Ale is one of the finest in the nation...plus you can't beat the prefilled growlers for 10 bucks! Such a nice deal!

I'm obviously not old enough to drink, but when I do drink beer, I like to enjoy the flavor.

I usually drink whatever is handed to me(PBR or Carona) but I really have always enjoyed pretty much all that Sam Adams has. I also like Landshark. But my new favorite has to be Fat Tire. I haven't really gotten into the fancy beers yet, obviously because I usually don't get to choose what I drink. But I'd really like to try some of the stuff you guys are talking about.

Sounds like you're on a decent start with the Sam Adams (who makes fine beer, don't let people say otherwise). Try some of the other Sam Adams selections 'when you can' and you'll be pleasantly rewarded.


The biggest thing about beer, is trying new things. There is nothign worse to me than someone who orders (For example) Miller Lite EVERYWHERE they go. Even if they changed amongst Macro's...I mean, you don't eat Hot Dogs everytime you go out ya know? I've slowly converted darn near all of my closest friends into drinking 'better' beer. Always funny when they go back to a Macro Lite, as they're like 'wtf this stuff sucks'...haha.

[tt300zxFREAK]

Atwater and Obe. Two of my favorites.
http://i804.photobucket.com/albums/yy326/tchrzanowski/2816104911_b9571e2b01.jpg
http://i804.photobucket.com/albums/yy326/tchrzanowski/oberon-beer.jpg

[SexPanda]

http://www.collegehappenings.com/wp-content/beer/NaturalLight.jpg

Cheap bastard reporting in

[jworks]

http://www.collegehappenings.com/wp-content/beer/NaturalLight.jpg

Cheap bastard reporting in

don't bring beer pong beer lol, gennius = win

[GREXS14]

Hehe, most of my suggestions were all within 100 miles of me hahaha. I'm surronded by some FANTASTIC breweries, all so close to me (Troegs, Victory, Weyerbacher, Selins Grove, Sly Fox, Captain Lawrence, Flying Fish, Stoudts, etc etc...the list just goes bonkers!


Howeer, great suggestion on a 'session' beer for me. Dead guy will forever be a favorite of mine. Not so much a fan of Double Dead Guy though. I also think their American Amber Ale is one of the finest in the nation...plus you can't beat the prefilled growlers for 10 bucks! Such a nice deal!


I am also not a fan of the double dead guy. you listed a few that I have never had before that I now need to try.

you clearly live in beer country lol.

[codyace]

Natty Ice Cheap bastard reporting in

Barf! I wouldn't even use that for beer pong lol! Plenty of decent tasting cheep beer lol.

I am also not a fan of the double dead guy. you listed a few that I have never had before that I now need to try.

you clearly live in beer country lol.

I'm not sure how widely distributed some of them though out west. I tihnk Victory and Troegs are, but I'm certain Weyerbacher isn't.


What did they say from the election....PA's about Guns, Religion...and Good Beer :)

[Homer_Simpson]

boddingtons and newcastle ... 2 best beers ever made rite there ...
Yep, I like Red Hook ESP and pretty much whatever the local beer garden has. I forgot Guiness as well as Chimay.

[rb26man]

molson triple x ftw

[silviaguy240]

If I had money, I would buy this.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9mlahWKCkv4/SJGYSBuPTgI/AAAAAAAAAek/kxbctI7UDNY/s400/sam-adams-utopias-2007-glas.jpg

its VERY different to say the least. way to many tastes going on at the same time to figure it out completely and by chance on thanksgiving found out it tastes alot like sherry. not really a huge fan of it personally and overall concensus at my house was that its ok and not exactly worth the money in our opinion.

[exitspeed]

I live in Milwaukee and my wife works at Miller so...

http://images.businessweek.com/ss/06/05/miller_products/image/lite.jpg

[Dirty Habit]

http://fluidalchemy.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/wild-turkey-bourbon-whiskey-101-7246875.jpg

[GREXS14]

^^Thats the I got a DUI,my dog ran away,my wife filed a restraining order over just a little black eye, and my horse died drink. Nasty lol.

[bones321]

bhrama beer. best ive had so far

[dino6192]

Ahhh I miss the states!
I miss me some Sailor Jerry for my rum and cokes!
http://www.badservo.com/external_links/2007gift/sj.jpg
so I have been putting Captain morgan private stock in there instead.

for beers I drink Sapporro and Kirin usually, had a really good dark Kirin at the bar the other day.

cant wait to have some bodingtons, black and tans and Hefs when I get back.(not in that order! LOL)

[ronmcdon]

Guys who are just starting to try out beers,
should also consider pairing it with food.

Personally, i like using hefweizens as a substitute to white wines.
I might pair a hef with roasted chicken, fish, or even cold cuts.
Darker ales have worked well with burgers or red meats.
Its also generally a cheaper and more accesible than wines

personally i think beer is just a lot more enjoyable with foodstuffs

[codyace]

its VERY different to say the least. way to many tastes going on at the same time to figure it out completely and by chance on thanksgiving found out it tastes alot like sherry. not really a huge fan of it personally and overall concensus at my house was that its ok and not exactly worth the money in our opinion.


I've had utopia on draft...and yes, nto a fan of it either. Same can be said about Dogfish 120min...Sugar bombs

Guys who are just starting to try out beers,
should also consider pairing it with food.

Personally, i like using hefweizens as a substitute to white wines.
I might pair a hef with roasted chicken, fish, or even cold cuts.
Darker ales have worked well with burgers or red meats.
Its also generally a cheaper and more accesible than wines

personally i think beer is just a lot more enjoyable with foodstuffs

Totally agree. I love a good Belgian Tripel with a well prepared Chicken, much like I love a hearty Stout with a Steak Dinner. I always pair a fresh IPA with spicey food as well.

[fckillerbee]

absolute favorite
http://justbeer.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/petes-wicked-strawberry-blonde-medium-web-view.jpg

but I also like heineken on tap only, most hef's...don't like hoegarden...too much nut flavor for me, love blue moon....their honey moon...and full moon was different..but great as well.
I'm not a stout person...i'll try them...but just not for me.