# Beer, glorious beer! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** beer\ **Created:** [February 7, 2007, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beer-glorious-beer/391161 "2007-02-07T01:14:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Rico](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rico/32/3582_2.png) [@Rico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rico)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2007, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beer-glorious-beer/391161/41 "2007-02-08T07:38:32Z")
I have a couple bottles of one of my current favorites, [Polygamy Porter](http://www.mccullagh.org/image/d30-20/polygamy-porter.html) (slogan: “Why have just one?”) from the Utah microbrewery [Wasatch Brewery](http://www.wasatchbeers.com/beers.html). **Silenus** , you need to get a six-pack of this if for nothing more than the entertainment value. ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2007, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beer-glorious-beer/391161/42 "2007-02-08T10:28:27Z")
I don’t have any booze in the fridge, but when I go out, I tend to drink Shiner Bock, the national beer of Texas. When Shiner’s not available, I get a Corona with a slice of lime. ---
**Author:** ![Pushkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2007, 10:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beer-glorious-beer/391161/43 "2007-02-08T10:50:13Z")
I currently have a few bottles of Becks and cans of Guinness hidden around the place somewhere. But if I fancy something a bit nicer I’d go for a bottle of something English, most likely something from [Shepherd Neame](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shepherd_Neame) 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![scareyfaerie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scareyfaerie/32/3135_2.png) [@scareyfaerie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scareyfaerie)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2007, 10:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beer-glorious-beer/391161/44 "2007-02-08T10:58:59Z")
My grandfather used to be a drayman for Shepherd Neame…must be where I get my liking for **Spitfire** from! ---
**Author:** ![CaveMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cavemike/32/16379_2.png) [@CaveMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaveMike)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2007, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beer-glorious-beer/391161/45 "2007-02-08T14:44:11Z")
My fridge has Pilsner Urquell and Stella Artois ( **Stranger** , please don’t unleash your wrath). I am also saving one bottle of Goose Island’s Christmas beer for my wife (she loves hoppy beers). Why there is any beer in my fridge after the Bears defeat – I have no idea. Beers that I would like in my fridge, but I just can’t buy are: Bergoff’s Hazelnut Winter beer, Bell’s Oberon, and my all-time favorite, New Glarus’ Belgium Red. Since there are a lot of hop-heads in this thread, if any of you are in Chicagoland, try Emmett’s Victory Pale Ale. For me it is one of those day-after beers. I had it on Friday for dinner and all day Saturday my mind kept calling up fond memories. But most of all, I have to agree with **mrklutz**. Samuel Smith’s Oatmeal Stout is beer Nirvana. ---
**Author:** ![Pushkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2007, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beer-glorious-beer/391161/46 "2007-02-08T14:57:01Z")
[QUOTE=ScareyFaerie] My grandfather used to be a drayman for Shepherd Neame…must be where I get my liking for **Spitfire** from! [/QUOTE] Spitfire’s nice too, I wonder what it must taste like on tap. There’s a beer I picked up in Tesco’s or Sainbury’s, a very dark, almost sweet beer. I’m not sure what it is but I’d like to rediscover it. Belgian monks must be a happy lot with the beer they make too 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2007, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beer-glorious-beer/391161/47 "2007-02-08T15:00:35Z")
[QUOTE=Pushkin] I currently have a few bottles of Becks and cans of Guinness hidden around the place somewhere. But if I fancy something a bit nicer I’d go for a bottle of something English, most likely something from [Shepherd Neame](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shepherd_Neame) 🙂 [/QUOTE] Rat bastard! 😃 Shepherd Neame no longer exports Bishop’s Finger to the US. That used to the one of my favorite beers, even if I had to make a liquor run to Las Vegas to get any. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2007, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beer-glorious-beer/391161/48 "2007-02-08T15:05:44Z")
[QUOTE=CaveMike] My fridge has Pilsner Urquell and Stella Artois ( **Stranger** , please don’t unleash your wrath). [/QUOTE] Hey, if you like it (and plenty of people do), good on you. I don’t snob out about other peoples’ beer choices, or at least I try not to, but Stella just always tastes skunked to me. I feel like I must be just…missing something that everyone else gets about it. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Jimson\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/838e76/32.png) [@Jimson\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jimson_Jim)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2007, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beer-glorious-beer/391161/49 "2007-02-08T18:18:41Z")
[QUOTE=mrklutz] [Samuel Smith’s Oatmeal Stout](http://www.merchantduvin.com/pages/5_breweries/samsmith_oatmeal_stout.html) is beer Nirvana. This is what a stout should taste like. Rich and flavorful. When I’m in the mood for something lighter, I groove on [Belhaven Scottish Ale](http://www.belhaven.co.uk/index01.html). It has a smooth, nutty flavor. Being in the US, I’m only exposed to Belhaven’s export varieties. Anyone know how they compare to the stuff available in the UK? [/QUOTE] I’ll second the Belhaven. A little sweet but quite tastey. My fridge also has some Guinness, Wexford Cream Ale and Murphy’s Stout. On the domestic front just some plane old Sam Adams Lager. ---
**Author:** ![RancidYakButterTeaParty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/53a042/32.png) [@RancidYakButterTeaParty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RancidYakButterTeaParty)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2007, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beer-glorious-beer/391161/50 "2007-02-08T18:21:25Z")
I’ve seen so many good beers posted above that I love–it warms the heart. A few that stuck out to me: Pliny the Younger from Russian River, Bear Republic Racer 5, New Glars Belgian Red (this is a fruit beer to be worshipped), and Dogfish Head 90 minute. There is a new brewer in Ohio called Hoppin’ Frog that is making some really good stuff right now. The best beer I’ve had lately was probably Surly Darkness from a fairly new brewery–Surly. Incredible stout–probably the best I’ve ever had. Getting ready to homebrew a huge barleywine tomorrow night! Hoorah for beer! ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2007, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beer-glorious-beer/391161/51 "2007-02-08T18:53:31Z")
[QUOTE=RancidYakButterTeaParty] Getting ready to homebrew a huge barleywine tomorrow night! [/QUOTE] Yum…barleywine. This is the season for it. Of course, it won’t be ready until _next_ winter, but what can you do? At least, if you brew them as heavy as we do it won’t. [anecdote]About 10 years ago we brewed a barleywine we called **Leviathan**. We have no idea what went in it. It came about when the owners of the local supply store and I were hanging around in the back with a few beers after hours. We started the batch with a mash of all of the floor sweepings from around the mill that day. Then we added all the extract that was label-less in the storage cabinet, along with several large bags of unidentified white powder (either rice solids or malto-dextrose is my guess.) This mess was then hopped with all of the expired or near-expired hops in the fridge. By the time the boil was over, we had 8 gallons of wort that wouldn’t register on a hydrometer. We split it between two carboys, pitched a mixture of ale and champagne yeast, and let it ferment for a few months. It bottled at SG1.73! After some aging, it went on to win awards in 5 states.[/anecdote] ---
**Author:** ![psycat90](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@psycat90](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psycat90)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2007, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beer-glorious-beer/391161/52 "2007-02-08T19:03:38Z")
Ahhh, Pliny the Younger. It’s served in 10 ounce pours, and for good reason, at 11% ABV, it isn’t messing around. My husband and I are at the brewpub frequently, and it’s a treat when Pliny the Younger is on tap as it’s not always available. We usually stick to just one or two then go back to our Elder/Blind Pig/whatever (and plenty of water), otherwise we’d have a hard time getting out of our stools and into our cab. They make some really good Belgians as well, particularly Damnation, Beatification, and Redemption. Other favorites: Mendocino Brewing Company’s Eye of the Hawk (I actually like just about all of their brews.) Anderson Valley Hop Ottin’ IPA [Rat Bastard Pale Ale](http://www.stumptown.com/) We camp every summer a couple of miles away from this brewery, it’s a short canoe trip from our campsite. I think it’s one of my most favorite bars/brewpubs in the area (for the atmosphere, Russian River is numero uno for the beer, and [Third St. Aleworks](http://www.thirdstreetaleworks.com/) takes top place for food.) Too bad it’s all the way the hell out in Guerneville. Of course, that’s probably part of the reason it’s so cool. You know, I just realized I have much greater knowledge of the breweries/pubs/bars of Wine Country than I do of the wineries, and I work in the wine business. 😛 Well, there’s a saying out here “It takes a lot of good beer to make great wine.” Ain’t it the truth. ---
**Author:** ![Enginerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bcef8e/32.png) [@Enginerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enginerd)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2007, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beer-glorious-beer/391161/53 "2007-02-08T19:33:08Z")
[QUOTE=psycat90] Mendocino Brewing Company’s Eye of the Hawk (I actually like just about all of their brews.) [/QUOTE] Somebody mentioned reds upthread - Mendocino’s Red Tail Ale is a good one as well. > [@NailBunny](#): > > Well hi, neighbour! I also enjoy Great Basin Brewery, although I’m partial to the classic Icky IPA. In fact, I might see if Mr. Bunny feels like popping over there tonight. Hi there! I used to be a regular on Tightwad Tuesdays, but that’s grown less and less frequent since I moved out of walking distance. It’s still one of my favorite places in town, though. I’ve seen a few other northern Nevada posters around as well - maybe we should brew up a DopeFest there. ---
**Author:** ![NailBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecae2f/32.png) [@NailBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NailBunny)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2007, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beer-glorious-beer/391161/54 "2007-02-08T19:45:59Z")
[QUOTE=Enginerd] Hi there! I used to be a regular on Tightwad Tuesdays, but that’s grown less and less frequent since I moved out of walking distance. It’s still one of my favorite places in town, though. I’ve seen a few other northern Nevada posters around as well - maybe we should brew up a DopeFest there. [/QUOTE] I know I’ve seen a couple folks from Carson City around here, count me in if there’s ever a Northern Nevada DopeFest! ---
**Author:** ![RancidYakButterTeaParty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/53a042/32.png) [@RancidYakButterTeaParty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RancidYakButterTeaParty)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2007, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beer-glorious-beer/391161/55 "2007-02-09T17:45:20Z")
[QUOTE=silenus] Yum…barleywine. This is the season for it. Of course, it won’t be ready until _next_ winter, but what can you do? At least, if you brew them as heavy as we do it won’t. [anecdote]About 10 years ago we brewed a barleywine we called **Leviathan**. We have no idea what went in it. It came about when the owners of the local supply store and I were hanging around in the back with a few beers after hours. We started the batch with a mash of all of the floor sweepings from around the mill that day. Then we added all the extract that was label-less in the storage cabinet, along with several large bags of unidentified white powder (either rice solids or malto-dextrose is my guess.) This mess was then hopped with all of the expired or near-expired hops in the fridge. By the time the boil was over, we had 8 gallons of wort that wouldn’t register on a hydrometer. We split it between two carboys, pitched a mixture of ale and champagne yeast, and let it ferment for a few months. It bottled at SG1.73! After some aging, it went on to win awards in 5 states.[/anecdote] [/QUOTE] Mine should end up at about 16% if everything goes according to plan. I’m using a distillers yeast this time around for proper fermentation. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2007, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beer-glorious-beer/391161/56 "2007-02-09T19:04:56Z")
I’ve found that if you add a good ale yeast to the pitch for a barleywine it helps give those yummy esters. Distiller’s yeast is deficient in that regard, IMO. So mix those yeasts! ---
**Author:** ![Eleusis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Eleusis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eleusis)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2007, 10:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beer-glorious-beer/391161/57 "2007-02-11T10:21:16Z")
[QUOTE=butler1850] Homebrew! Hop it to hell, high ABV, low ABV, dark, light, do what you like! [/QUOTE] Word. Around here in Bible Country… the best store bought I can get is Sierra Nevada. It’s good and all but you get sick of it after a while. It’s very heavy on the cascade dry hop. So, yeah, homebrew. Right now, in my kegerator, I have [C.J.’s House of the Rising Sun JPA](http://www.homebrewadventures.com/shopping/index.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=homebrew&Product_Code=T-IPA-CJH) (it’s a staple in my house, _everybody_’s favorite), [Belligerent SOB Ale](http://www.homebrewadventures.com/shopping/index.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=homebrew&Product_Code=T-HG-BSO) (an Arrogant Bastard clone), and the third tap is ready for an [American Red Ale](http://morebeer.com/product.html?product_id=18334), if I ever get off my ass and brew it… the damn grains are prolly going stale. :mad: Whenever I trek to Chicago, I tend to spend a fortune on various IPAs… Dogfishhead 90 minute comes to mind. ---
**Author:** ![RancidYakButterTeaParty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/53a042/32.png) [@RancidYakButterTeaParty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RancidYakButterTeaParty)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2007, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beer-glorious-beer/391161/58 "2007-02-11T22:27:05Z")
Brewing is done and everything went well. SG is 130!!! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beer-glorious-beer/391161.md?page=2)