Many of us (I'm sure) drink it, and most likely appreciate the finer brews. In addition, with the variety of "countries of origin" represented here, I bet we could come up with some solid recommendations for a fine pint. I'll start... While I'm further developing my taste for the nectars from the Low Countries, I'll start with a big, bad brew from here in the states. Stone Ruination IPA, brewed by Stone Brewing, North San Diego county, CA. One of the biggest, meanest, most hoppy IPAs you'll find. The tag line (from the name) is that Stone Ruination will "ruin all other IPAs for your palate", as none will match up with the Ruination. Very bold, decent alcohol content (7.7%, not overpowering). The brew just screams HOPS, starting with a hefty bite right on the first sip, through to a bitter, citrus laced finish. If you'd like to experience what an IPA *can* be, try a bottle or pint of this one. Would love to hear any favorites from anyone else! My trip to England a couple years back included a Fullers-supplied pub in London we frequented, so I can fully vough for the quality of that brewery... Any more gems out there?
Next time you're in the UK, go to an event organised by these guys. Campaign for Real Ale . They organise a twice-yearly beer festival about ten miles away from me, but it's been invaded by pretentious 'suits' and taken over as a glorified 'corporate hospitality' dodge in the last few years. Nothing else in the UK-apart from Guinness-is drinkable, which is why there's been an explosion in pubs selling real ale/foreign beers over the last 15 years or so. This is my local branch Forth Valley CAMRA. Check the side menu on their page for links which might interest you! [ 12. January 2006, 11:28 AM: Message edited by: The_Historian ]
Gordon- I find this line kind fo suprising- "Nothing else in the UK-apart from Guinness-is drinkable" The pub near us when we went to England was I believe a Fullers "owned" pub, or something like that- as in they only had Fullers beers on tap. And I must say I was pleased with all the offerings I tried! Nothing especially out of the ordinary, but solid, good ales nonetheless. And of course, Guinness is... Guinness. And that CAMRA is something I would most definitely support. It's very pleasing here in the US that we've gotten away from the dominance of macro-brewed "tasteless yellow fizzy" lagers, and nowadays one can easily find both domestic craft/micro-brewed ales and quality imported brews most anywhere in the states. And in fact- along the lines of TA's preference- I've been reading lately that a similar phenomenon has been going on in MExico and Latin America, with smaller breweries turning up in many places. But our friends to the South already have something of a leg up- brews like Dos Equis (XX) and Negro Modelo are huge steps above many of the macro-brewed US beers. Good article on Mexico's beer renaissance- http://www.allaboutbeer.com/features/242mexicanbeer.html Sorry to ramble - but along with WW2, boston sports, and gaming- Beer is very much a hobby/bordering on a passion for me. Tho one should be much more responsible with any alcohol than with something like sports... I'll go to town any day with a Yankees fan , but alcohol must be used responsibly. Any more gems? Heading to the pub tonight with the wife and some other ladies ( ), and would love something new to try!
Ugh beer is horrible. I have to drink what i like the taste of, i will not acquire a taste to it. I like the hard stuff, and no, im not an alcoholic
D, I meant beerwise that nothing in the UK apart from Real Ale and Guinness is drinkable. I hate the usual Tennents' fizzy lager bollox, but unfortunately the only nationally-sold beers tend to fit that description; real ales are generally pretty regional. Fullers is a Real Ale btw , and I don't think the company owns any outlets anywhere else in the Uk outside England. A pub round here specialises in French and Belgian beers; some of those are pretty good. [ 12. January 2006, 01:13 PM: Message edited by: The_Historian ]
Gotcha, understood. And an intersting side note- after lunch, I decided to check Beeradvocate.com, a boston-based Beer website/community. Interstingly, they mention CAMRA- apparently BeerAdvocate is now second only to CAMRA in membership. CAMRA checks in with ~75,000 members worldwide, while BeerAdvocate just recently crossed the 50,000 mark. http://beeradvocate.com/news/stories_read/652/ Nice to know that people around the world are beginning to abandon the macrobrewed tastless yellow fizzy beer in favor of Beer brewed the way it *should* be, using old traditions combined with modern ingenuity and technology. I'll raise a glass tonight to our comrades in CAMRA across the pond! Now where's Stevin with a suggestion from the Northern portion of that fine European land?! And Duce- beer, like many foods/drinks is an aquired taste. Some like it, some don't, and of course there's nothing wrong with that. I would note however that I used to dislike the taste of beer very much in college- but since have (obviously) developed quite the fondness for the brew. Keep an open mind! and Cheers!
It's actually interesting how CAMRA - in much the same way as 'organic food' - has altered the mainstream. About 20-25 years ago, just about all beer readily available in UK pubs was awful. Thanks to the impact made by CAMRA ( even though they are the butt of many jokes ) all pubs offer a selection of 'real ales'. ( Have to confess to being a wine drinker myself.... )
I do like to test different types of beers especially when I´m abroad but must say that often I´ve found the Czech beers my favourite. Budwar ( Not Budweiser!) is great. Anyway, if this ad is correct I´ll be putting some of this beer under my arms....
Ironic eh? A British tv ad has just been axed after complaints about it equating beer with sexual prowess!
Martin, I'm disappointed! For some reason, I had you pegged as an ale drinker... 'course, I have no idea why, but... And it is nice- although no specific organization has spearheaded it, the same thing has happened in the US, and I thoroughly enjoy the fruits of said effort! Ham and Jam- nice, that one's actually been on my "want to try list" for a while. I've heard it recommended by a few sources- you now included - as a very drinkable and tasty English Ale. And BeerAdvocate gives it an 84 out of 100- which is quite a good review for the style. BA tends to give the best reviews to the really "bold" beers- so often, the more "drinkable" brews get second billing. That's actaully something- in my limited experience- that I've noticed as something of a difference between American and English brews. The American breweries tend towards the really big, bold, almost overdone beers, while our friends across the pond tend more towards the brews that are more smooth and drinkable. And with the somewhat lower alcohol content- 4.5%- one could easily enjoy two or three pints of something like Spitfire without becoming foolish, which isn't true with many American brews that clock in at 6%+. Heh... sorry to ramble, but... hey, what can I say... I'll just quote the venerable Homer Simpson... MMmmmm, Beer. [edits after two responses while posting] Kai, I think you might be looking at Czech Rebel for the wrong reasons, eh? Or maybe all the right reasons, depending on how you look at it! And- I was reading over the reviews of Spitfire on BeerAdvocate and came across this...
D, It might interest you to know that not so many years ago, you could buy real ale with an ABV of 9-10% at Scottish beer festivals; forget the name, but it might have been 'Skullsplitter'. Anyhow, the usual moaning minnies started whingeing about the 'health aspects', and next thing it apparently disappeared. We're now left with ales not much stronger than the usual fizzy lager beloved of poseurs everywhere.
So CrazyD has a mental image of me with a distended beer-gut, florid complexion, bulging eyes and a hearty laugh....sounds like he's got me mixed up with Gordon....
No, no- I was kinda thinking a mix of the younger sean connery (classy), Ernest hemingway (I'm sure he liked beer)... and Egg Shen. Just don't come after me with your Six Demon Bag... And back to the beer- on Gordon's point, I actually have mixed feelings about the higher-alcohol beers. Some brews pull it off just fine, but I've tried some that would be a great brew but for too much alcohol interfering with the palate. Being drinkable and enjoyable are the main criteria! I'd put the "ideal" levels at anywhere from 4% to 9%.
Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) is the best guide in what to drink here in the UK there far to many beers with to much gas in them and no taste along with those alcho-pops. Real men drink real ale. [ 23. January 2006, 06:30 PM: Message edited by: Richard42 ]
