What are some of your favorite brews?

[NekkidAl]

After reading someone mentioning Theakstons brewery and their Old Peculier ale in another thread (Open Conversations -- Tea), it brought back some memories and I wanted to start a thread about our favorite brews.

In no particular order (except that which they came to mind) here are some of mine:

Unibroue brewery in Canada -- Fin du Monde
(I've also really enjoyed their anniversary ales that I've been able to find and try)

Delerium Tremens from Huyghe brewery in Melle Belgium.(I think this one is a perennial favorite of the beer guy, Michael Jackson -- not the singer)

A local favorite -- Goose Island Brewery -- created a Pere Jacques for at least a short time that was quite nice. I think it's still available but I haven't seen it.

The aforementioned Old Peculier by Theakstons.

Yeungling's Black and Tan got me through a business trip quite nicely once. I was a bit dissapointed that they didn't distribute to the Chicagoland area.

I have liked the beers I've tasted by Samuel Smith such as the Nut Brown Ale and the Oatmeal Stout.

My wife and I also have tried some lambic or effervescent brews that we've liked by Lindemans.

There was also a hefeweizen that I used to drink a while back, but I can't remember the name of it. My wife likes Hacker-Pschorr's version.

Anyway, now that I am married with children, I don't get to play and taste as much as I'd like. So, here I am reminiscing in hopes that some of you will find some fun in this, too.

[Atlanta Runner]

Mine has been Saison Dupont for the past year.

[usuallylurk]

Good thread.

I grew up drinking Molson Export, even in coastal New Hampshire / northeast Massachusetts. It made me a little bit of an oddball amongst my peers, but it was better stuff.

Now --

My goodness, my Guinness (on draught)
Fuller's 1847 bitter
Fuller's ESB (extra special bitter)
Fuller's London Pride

We have some pretty neat brew pubs all over New England. One of my favorites is the Boston Beer Works - next to Fenway Park. They make a butt-kickin' IPA, and also the house specialty is Victory Red. Brewed on premises, always fresh.

Nothing better on a hot summer night than a Victory Red, a burger, and a stroll across the street to watch the Red Sox in the best ballpark anywhere.

[NakedGary]

Australian Southwark Bitter

http://www.brew.com.au/beer/southwark-bitter/

[earthpassenger(Kevin)]

Fuller's (everything from Fullers).
Guinness,
Sierra Nevada Pale ale
Pilsner Urquell
Anchor Steam and Libery Ale
Hoegaarden
Orval

Peace,
Kevin

[usmc1]

If France has a wine culture than Belgium has a beer culture. Virtually every town has its own brewery, so it would be impossible to give the names of all the great beers. But, I do remember one, which the locals of a small town on the edge of Antwerp called a "breakfast beer". Thick and almost crimson in color it was delicious...and potent.

There was a commercial beer there, all I can remember at the moment was that it was brewed by one of the main brands (maybe Copenhagen) but called "Elephant" beer. It had a sharp, dry bite that made your sinuses tickle. It was also lethal, two or three of them and you were ready to step off the field and become a spectator.

I can't really think of any good dometics any more. For me Griesedieck beer was the best with Stag running a not too close second. Alas, that was then and this is now!

[nudeM]

Just as long as the taste is not bitter nor too strong. Most of the European countries have multiple brewies, so finding a favorite would take a lifetime. A nice wine would be nice i.e. Rhine, White Zinfandel, Vin Rose, Burgandy, Chardonney, jut to name a few. Beers include Lowenbrau, Heineken, Amber Bock, Pilsner. Those are my choices.

[NekkidAl]

Thank you, Kevin!

Okay, so I'm not sure it's really a hefeweizen, but Hoegaarden is what I was trying to think of there. A refreshing, light brew.

[earthpassenger(Kevin)]

Originally posted by NekkidAl:
Thank you, Kevin!

Okay, so I'm not sure it's really a hefeweizen, but Hoegaarden is what I was trying to think of there. A refreshing, light brew.

Yeah, I think its' basically like a hefeweizen (and certainly as refreshing as one) but I think it's also flavored with a little orange peel and cilantro (I might be wrong It's been a few years since I had one--easier to find when I lived in San Francisco.
The guy who started Hoegaarden sold the Belgian brewery a few years ago and started making the same style of beer in Texas. The brand is called Celis--and Celis White is the one most like the original Hoegaarden--but, actually I've found Celis beer even harder to find than Hoegaarden if it's still made.
(Just at a couple fine wine stores in Los Angeles ten years ago.)
Peace,
Kevin

[Unwired]

Originally posted by earthpassenger(Kevin):

The guy who started Hoegaarden sold the Belgian brewery a few years ago and started making the same style of beer in Texas. The brand is called Celis--and Celis White is the one most like the original Hoegaarden--but, actually I've found Celis beer even harder to find than Hoegaarden if it's still made.

Yes! Celis White is one of my favorites. The Celis brewery used to be located in Austin but the owner sold it-original recipe and brewing equipment included-to the Michigan Brewing Company several years ago. Celis White has been back for a few years now and is definitely worth the effort in finding it.



UW

[earthpassenger(Kevin)]

Started out in Belgium moved To Texas now in Michigan--looks like the quality beer business is gettin' to be like professional baseball no more loyalty! Movin' out o' town as soon as the next better offer comes along!!
Oh well, at least Fritz Maytag's Anchor Steam is still staying put in San FRancisco (been there since 1896 If I recall the label correctly!). And Fritz could go bigger like so many of the micro-breweries like Samuel Adams or Sierra Nevada.
But the last time I toured the brewery on Potrero Hill in San Francisco they said they were keeping the size at not much more than fifty employees (and they didn't even have a website!)

Peace,
Kevin

[earthpassenger(Kevin)]

Some more brews I forgot to mention--

I have enjoyed the Thai beer Singha whenever I've eaten in a Thai food restaurant--I think it's close in style to Heineken, but I preferred it to Heineken (though it's been a few years since I've had it.)

I like Negra Modelo when I eat in Mexican restaurants--I think this is kind of in the German style.

As for German beers, I like all the Paulaner beers. Spaten's good but I still prefer Paulaner.

Peace,
Kevin

[RalphVa]

I've tasted beer all over Europe and Asia and Australia, too many to remember. Don't care for Guinness, and the majority of the beers in Italy are the ones that taste a tad bitter, particularly as they warm up a little.

Love Shiner, both regular and bock. Just finished a 6 pack of Icehouse. Took me about 2 months or so. I'm a 1-2 beer/week guy. Normally get my 1/week on Sunday, but drink one at home during the week if I don't.

Only within the last 5 years did I drink Yuengling. Found out it's about one of the oldest in the US. It has "world beer" taste, not like the bitter Italian ones.

Don't care for Bud or some of those cheaper Pennsylvania ones (Rolling Rock, etc.), particluarly in cans.

Made a bet with my workmate once that I could tell Taiwan beer from a can or bottle while blindfolded, and I could. It was actually better in the can. Most beers are better in the bottle.

[RalphVa]

Oh, my favorite Mex beer is Bohemia.

[tomkojohn]

Arrogant Bastard Ale is pretty good stuff here in the USA.