Favourite Beer
Hi all,
Wanted to get an idea of what good beers are out there and what are your favourite. I'll kick off
Top light beers: Ichnusa (Italian), Menabrea (Italian) and Viru (Estonian)
Top stronger beers: Guinness (I know, classic dark beer but I don't think its bad at all), Duvel (Belgian) and Chouffe (Belgian)
Axis IPA from Real Ale, and anything from Founders Brewing Co.
Founder's All Day IPA is unreal
PizzaPort - Swamis, Kook, Wipeout Greenflash - West Coast IPA Coronado - Islander, Guava Islander, Stingray & Idiot IPA. Culture Brewing - Rye & Mosaic IPA Saint Archer - IPA & DIPA, White Ale Mother Earth - BooKoo, Kismet Russian River - Pliny the Elder 3 Floyds - Zombie Dust
Love the saint archer white. Sounds like you’re a west coast guy. Also love Angel city pils and modern times’ oatmeal stout and saison.
I really like saison beers, I'll have to try it.
+1 for Zombie Dust. Hard to find but wonderful beer.
Brewdog / Two Chefs
Corona
What is wrong with you?
Gotta be Dos Equis if I'm going "Mexican."
Ommegang Three Philosophers and Left-hand Nitro Milk Stout
On Beer Advocate: “Milk Stout Nitro cascades beautifully, building a tight, thick head like hard whipped cream. The aroma is of brown sugar and vanilla cream, with hints of roasted coffee. The pillowy head coats your upper lip and its creaminess entices your palate. Initial roasty, mocha flavors rise up, with slight hop & roast bitterness in the finish. The rest is pure bliss of milk chocolate fullness.”
Damn... I really want to try it, but it’s not available in Canada. Is it available in NY? I can look for it next time I’m there...
Yep, it is available in the city. It's the best - my #1 favorite beer.
Most of Left Hand's other stuff is pretty good, too.
Field 41 Pale Ale - Bale Breaker Brewing (this is a PNW deep track)
Ichnusa is great. Another good one is Spitfire, or Old Rasputin beer (Russian).. Take a look at SCHORSCHBRAU SCHORSCHBOCK 43 as well lol
Leffe Belgian Ale is pretty solid.
summer time beer- live oak hefeweizen
everyday beer- karbach lemon ginger
winter beer- 8th wonder rocket fuel
ONLY TX BEER HERE BABY
Revolver - Blood & Honey Karbach - Love Street St. Arnold's - Lawnmower Karbach - Weisse Versa Deep Ellum Brewing Co. - Dallas Blonde
Division Brewco has a coconut stout that is woth trying next time your are in arlington
Dallas Blonde is just the best! Its just a perfect beer
Karbach has some terrific beers. Hard to find outside Texas, however. Shiner Bock is turning up all over East Coast. That’s my fav beer for just everyday drinking.
Julius Echter Hefe-Weissbier Hell
Fat Yak Pale Ale
Have you seen this in the US? I love the wild yak.
Nah only in Australia. Wild Yak is also pretty tasty as well
New Castle
Other Half Brewing, they are making the best IPA's in the USA, from Brooklyn. If you haven't heard of them they are changing the IPA game, a lot of their beers are better than Lagunitas and I'm a fan of lagunitas.
I would say 95% of the Other Half's beers blow everything Lagunitas makes clear out of the water.
I'm pretty biased towards the lighter side of the beer spectrum. Some of my favorites are Kronenburg 1664 Blanche, Blanche de Namur, Affligen Blonde, Hoegaarden, La Chouffe, and Grimbergen Blonde.
Same here !
Hoegaarden is one my summer pêché mignon... To add to those you mentioned (glad to see many people here giving creds to beers from my country), I would add the following:
-Smithwicks (Irish red ale)
-Boréale Blanche (Québec, Canada), great white beer
-Delirium Tremens (A Belgian triple)
-Kwak (a Belgian "amber" beer, really great)
-Blanche de Chambly (Québec, Canada), great white beer as well.
This is my first post on WSO, love the fact that it is about alcohol!
Speaking of light Irish beers - Kilkenny anyone?
I am a big fan of Belgian Tripels. My two favorite are "Merry Monks" and "Golden Monkey."
+1 SB for Golden Monkey. Tastes great and a six-pack can get you wasted on the cheap
To all those who commented about small breweries from the US (and I see Texas is popular) is there any way to get these beers in Europe, specifically the UK?
You'll struggle - Washington state has something like the most amount of micro-brews in the US (it was true 15 years ago at least). They just don't market outside, in most cases they don't even market outside their own state. You can't even find PBR in the UK, the king of all beers, or is it Natty Ice? Not sure.
You might be able to find some (technically former) craft beers that have been bought by the big brewers, like Lagunitas or Goose Island.
you could maybe find a Ballast Point or Stone in the UK
3 Floyds, Half Acre, Off Color Brewery, and my personal favorite Marz Brewery for sure.
3 Floyds might be my favorite brewery of all time, their Zombie Dust is of course amazing. My go to from them might be the Alpha King though
I don't drink beer as it usually entails removing my vagina from my purse, so I tend to go with scotch.
Awww, wittle guy who is still stuck in his beer pong glory days from middle/high school flung monkey shit.
Favorite beers are ever-changing but these ones are always favored.
New England IPAs - Trillium, Tree House, Hill Farmstead, etc.
I also really like Suarez Family Brewing up in Hudson
Other Half in NY does a great job too and there are West Coast guys like Monkish who make tasty stuff!
If you dig the Other Half juice, I'd also recommend LIC, Singlecut, KCBC, Finback (all in NYC).
Have you tried Hudson Valley Brewing's new sours? They're crazy!
Coors Light...cannot beat the Rockies
That Hopadillo is pretty fire
Heady Topper is amazing. Unfiltered and everything.
Wicked Weed - Pernicious IPA
Augustiner -> from Germany. You're welcome.
Beer does not get better than Augustiner, though Tegernseer Hell would comes close second.
Going to go on an MS limb here and say Zombie Dust is good but not the best from 3T. I think it's limited availability (pony kegs only) is what drives the cult following. I would reccomend 'Gumballhead' as a nice wheat or 'Space Station Middle Finger' for a great pale ale. If you like 'Alpha King', 'Alpha Klaus' is a holiday beer that isn't as offensive as most are.
If you ever find yourself in Cincinnati, we've had a craft beer renaissance with 2 major craft breweries distributing regionally and upwards of 15 micro breweries popping up and doing serious local distribution. That's not an exaggeration, local stores carry much more local beer than they do any commercial domestics or imports. Rhinegeist's 'Knowledge' DIPA is excellent, as well as their 'Franz' Oktoberfest. Madtree's 'PSA' is a refreshing pale ale, and their 'Lift' is the best Kolsch I've ever had not in Germany.
From KC, I can't not mention Boulevard. They are nationally distributing now, and I've had it many times in New York. 'Tank 7' is a Saison to end all Saison's in the states, and their 'Wheat' beer and 'Pale Ale' are staples that KC people will murder you for talking poorly against.
A great summer / light beer is Sierra Nevada Otra Vez... either the grapefruit and cactus one or the lime and agave. Fantastic beer.
i'm not a fan of the very bitter beers (such as IPA)...so i love shock top...in particular the fruit varieties.
ShockTop Sunset Orange (blood orange flavored beer) Shocktop Ruby Fresh (grapefruit beer)
if you don't like the VERY bitter beers...these are AMAZING
Tangerine Haze by Stillwater Artisinal
Can never really go wrong with a local IPA
I'm a fan of Miller. That's why - High Life, Genuine Draft, Lite and Midnight
Treehouse Brewing - Haze (IPA) Foam Brewing - Red Dot (American Wild Ale) Anything from Jester King
Natty Light, best pisswater in the world
Ah yes, the smooth pilsner with all natural ingredients
summer - Pyramid Hef and Hoegaarden winter - Guinness When in Mexico: Michelada made from Cerveza Victoria
My parents live about 15 minutes from Treehouse, and my previous job was a 5 minute walk from Trillium, so a bit spoiled on the beer front. All time favorites: 1. Barrel-Aged TrillBOMB 2. Julius 3. Heady Topper 4. Haze 5. Single Shot with Vanilla Bean
Best beer I ever had though was an ice cold Weihenstephaner Hefeweizen after a 99 degrees morning I'd spent walking around Boston. I stumbled into a North End restaurant for lunch, asked for whichever beer had the longest name in the largest size, and no other beer experience has ever lived up to that.
Can't go wrong with a nice pint of Peroni on tap.
Or pretty much any beer through the butt luge.
Rogue Dead Guy
Almost an impossible question to answer. When I first started drinking I hated IPAs, but they have grown on me. It's so dependent on an individual's palate.
That being said: get some type of variety pack of a type of beer that interests you. Most micro/mid-major breweries have one right now. That way you can try many different types of beers (people forget that variety is the spice of life). Try as many as possible, and you'll find one that you really like. Stick with that one for consistency purposes but branch out and try other things along the way.
So as to not avoid the question: my absolute favorite is a super cold Flying Dog Raging Bit*h IPA.
Stouts: Bell's Blacknote Founder's CBS and KBS
IPAs: Bell's Two Hearted Russian River Pliny the Elder Old Nation M-43
Bell's Two Hearted is hands down the best IPA
Allagash White is probably my favorite I've tried
Corona w/ lime
Second Corona
Modelo negro>
Fratty Light
pabst blue ribbon, tastes like freshman year
nothing like Sweetwater 420, especially fresh from the tap at the brewery in Atlanta
Troegs Perpetual IPA or Left Handed Brewing Company's Nitro Milk Stout
I've been enjoying Lagunita's IPA quite a bit recently. Goose Island makes several good beers like 312 and their pale ale. A couple local breweries make some great beers as well.
Mikkeller Windy Hill IPA
Pretty sure this is going to make me look like some neanderthal or alien but i personally enjoy coconut beer from Mongozo. Needless to say i usually prefer other kinds of drinks. ;)
Lagunitas IPA, and a Heineken once in a while. Nothing bears a Corona+lime while at the beach or boating. Sometimes it's nice to go to a craft beer tasting just to try something different but there's so many it's impossible to keep up on it and work full time hahaha. Lately though, I've largely switched to cognac, if I drink at all.
Blitzed, Smashed and Drunk: BSD’s Top 10 Americana Beers for America’s Birthday (Originally Posted: 07/04/2014)
In honor of July 4th, it’s only appropriate we spend a little time here at Blitzed, Smashed and Drunk talking about Independence Day. While I’m not going to delve into the historical significance of tomorrow, I am definitely going to talk about the social implications. The Fourth of July is celebrated with good food, good friends, blowing stuff and, of course, good booze. It’s also a day where every red blooded American bleeds red, white and blue and screams “‘Murica!” after everything they say… or at least that’s how they do it in the Red States.
The Fourth of July is also a day filled with Barbeques and Beer. When The Beer Institute released their 2012 figures, in the two week period, from June 24th to July 7th, over $1.3 Billion was spent on Beer in the US. CNBC placed Independence Day as the biggest beer drinking holiday, with over 63.5 Million cases of beer being purchased for that one day. Clearly, for all the money spent on food, Americans spend a ton of beer. So what better way to celebrate here at Blitzed, Smashed and Drunk than by coming up with my own list of American Beers to drink on the Fourth. I decided I’d go through my entire collection of tasting notes and pull together what I thought were the most “American” Beers to enjoy this Fourth of July. Some of those decisions were based on what I considered to be how much like America the beer is, the history of the beer or its brewery, or, just simply because it’s one of those beers. There's a little history to be shared, some stories to tell and a whole lot of interesting choices. I think the list is well rounded, a little humorous and definitely lighthearted and celebratory, but as I will remind you, go ahead and throw out your thoughts and your own Top 10 for the Most American Beers to drink on the 4th of July. We’re not talking the best America has to offer, but the best beers that just scream ‘Murica when you pop the top off to enjoy ‘em.
Of course, being that this is a Top 10 list, we have some honorable mentions that didn’t quite make the cut. The first isn’t really a beer. It’s more of a shout out to Laird & Company. Laird & Co. is a real Jersey Original if there ever was one. Forming in the small town of Scobeyville, part of what is now Colts Neck, Laird & Co. has the distinction of being the oldest distillery of any sort that is still distilling alcohol of any sort in the United States of America. The makers of Applejack have the first issued distiller’s license, License Number 1 in 1780. So hat’s off to Laird & Co. for the ‘Murican honor of being Number 1. Next up, we have another Jersey brewer who has a place in the hearts of all Beer Drinkers. G. Krueger Brewing Company, a long defunct Newark brewery was the first brewery to can beer. They first canned beer on January 24th, 1935, and the world has not looked back. So let’s raise another beer to the Garden State and thank G. Krueger for making it easier to drink beer whenever and wherever we want.
For a more modern drinker, we turn to two honorable mentions from the West Coast that exemplify the American Spirit. First, we have 21st Amendment Brewing’s Brew Free or Die. Naming your brewery after the repeal of Prohibition is one thing. To name your beer with a play on words made famous by a Revolutionary War hero, General John Stark, is a whole different ball game. Nothing says taste of patriotism like knowing you’re a beer that culls its history from rebellion. ‘Murica!
For our next honorable mention, we head about 3 hours from San Francisco, to a small town in Butte County called Chico, where Sierra Nevada makes it home. Sierra Nevada gets the honorable mention because it helped grow the entire Craft Beer Movement. Founded in 1979 by two home brewers, Sierra Nevada is considered the pioneer of craft beer, having grown from nothing and managing not to fail in the 80s, when most craft brewers failed once they realized the difficulty of going commercial. And, for all you hippies out there, they are one of the most environmentally friendly brewers there is, having been recognized by the EPA for their efforts to be fully sustainable. So have a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, the bestselling craft Pale Ale this 4th of July and enjoy a taste of what hard work, perseverance and loving what you do to celebrate freedom with.
Finally, we end our honorable mentions with a Pennsylvania based brewery, Pittsburgh’s own Iron City Brewing. Normally, I would just skip over why this is an honorable mention because it’s IC, and well, IC just straight up sucks, but they get included on the list because IC knows how to keep a landmark alive. IC owns the actual Latrobe Brewery where Rolling Rock was first brewed. For that alone, they get an honorable mention for helping to keep the dream that Pittsburgh actually makes a half decent beer alive. Even though Iron City tastes god awful, sometimes it’s just nice to have a reminder of the past still being alive, well and still shaping the present. So toast one with an Iron City or any of the beers that Iron City contract brews out for City Brewing Company. So without further Ado, may I present our Top 10 List of American Beers that really do scream ‘Murica for your 4th of July celebration.
So there’s BSD’s list. It’s a little bit sincere, a little tongue and cheek and hopefully, a whole lot of fun. Since it’s subjective as all hell, what are your Top 10 4th of July American Beers? What screams Americana in a beer can (or bottle) to you? What do you plan to drink tomorrow that completely and totally reeks of that feeling of ‘MURICA?
not too festive down this way obviously, but spending the day in american bar for the germany/france game with a Warsteiner in hand, and then off to a brazilian bar for the brazil colombia game, Brahma in hand. Oh how i miss good american craft brew; Seattle's got some of the best.
Great beer up in the NW. Pike's Kilt Lifter is great. Can't forget about Deshutes or Rogue down in Oregon either.
Andy, at least your celebrating in a Yankee bar. If they have Budweiser, at least you can enjoy the King of Beers! Although, I'm pretty sure it's not worth discriminating too much against a Miller or a Coors in order to have at least one taste of home.
yes might have to drink a bud tomorrow, it's better than most of what you'd get here anyways. if i can find fireworks i'll be shooting some off as well, but hopes aren't high
Let's drunk dial England!!!
What kind of PSU grad hates PA?
The same kind of PSU Grad who grew up in North Jersey. You try spending 4 years in the a town composed predominantly of Shitsburghites, with their Yinzers, Primanti Brothers and that damned annoying ass Pittsburgh Steeles Song, and the idiots from Philly screaming E-A-G-L-E-S! EAGLES! every chance they get. That said, I do like PA. I just like ripping on it a whole lot more.
Yuengling, for what it's worth, is a great beer and you definitely have a fantastic brewing culture in PA. While I can point out Victory, Sly Fox, Weyerbacher, Lancaster, Yards, Neshaminy Creek, Troegs and, for those in State College, Otto's as being great examples of amazing PA Brewers, I will always rip on PA when I have the chance.
Yuengling is a great #1 for this list. Really wish I could get some around here.
USA USA USA. F Belgium
I did go to PSU for undergrad. I don't think it's a bad as you're making it out to be. I grew up on the main line and I never did cheesy random Eagles cheers even though I'm a huge fan. Every school has there share of GDI tools doing annoying stuff on buses. I also don't know what's sooo great about NJ as a state. To me, the only redeemable thing is Avalon.
Anyway, I thought the list was really good. It really put me in the mood to get down to AV and start crushing some of the above listed beers.
I suppose living in a house that was half filled with Yinzers and half filled with the crazy Eagles fans definitely jades things.
I'm glad you liked the list. And since we're on the subject of PA Beers, if you really want to enjoy a nice 4th of July Beer and can find it, a bottle of the Yards Brawler. It's really nice and mellow for an Ale and is made for session drinking. It's very smooth too.
Yuengling definitely deserves the number 1 spot. I've been to the Pottstown brewery and they still do things very much in the same fashion as when the brewery was first built (they've semi-recently opened a second nearby). Definitely "weird" when family/friends from states who don't have access to it ask for cases when visiting because it's been such a staple in PA.
However, I picked up a case of Bud heavy for the weekend, partly because of the 'merican cans along with a case of BL Lime. May be girly, but it's a nice summer beer. Tried Coors' attempt at its knock-off and I wasn't a fan. Looking forward to heading "down the shore" this weekend as well.
[quote=Frieds]
It’s also a day where every red blooded American bleeds red, white and blue and screams “‘Murica!” after everything they say… or at least that’s how they do it in the Red States.
love the Anchor Steam inclusion, I personally prefer Liberty Ale, but what the hell, same company.
surprised you haven't gotten any SBs, I've loved these threads so far.
Steam is a must whenever you talk about Americana Beers. The California Common is one of two unique American styles and Anchor makes a great beer. I figured a little more Americana would work wonders for the list as opposed to including all possible contenders, which is why I went Steam over Liberty.
My favorite thing about yuengling is that you can get a case of it for less then $15. Got me through the college days, along with busch lattes.
I agree 100% with the top 3, great to see Anchor Steam on there!
Summer Shandy though? I read through the story, and get why you would want to put it on there. But the beer just tastes way fruity for me, and I dont know any other male that disagrees with me.
Great list. Anchor Steam and Blackened Voodoo are incredible beers
Yeah you kind of need to include Rogue... especially with a beer called "American Amber". If anyone on here has tried their seasonal Yellow Snow, you know what a great operation they run. I will be drinking my Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, or a few leftover Ruthless Ryes from the winter, like I usually am. I was reading a thread on a homebrew website where one of the site members couldn't seem to get his Sierra Nevada copycat homebrew right, and half-joking emailed the head brewmaster for Sierra. The guy emailed back with his attempted recipe corrected! Problem solved. Always been a fan of their beers, and that kind of attitude sealed it.
@"jss09", Steam was going to make the list no matter what. There is no doubt in my mind that about that one. It's a quintessential American beer.
Well, Leinie's made the list for more than just being a decent beer. My criteria was focused on the brewer's history, the innate "Americana" factor which are things like marketing, unique american style or a celebration of the American Dream or something equally as valued, and then of all the beers, is there something unique or great about having one in the summer. That's how the Shandy made the list. It's combination of being a still ran brewery founded in 1867, with a lengthy history of brewing beer, the fact that it's still a family ran business (despite being owned by SABMiller, the Leinenkugel family are still involved in the day to day running of the company) that reeks of "American Dream". The Summer qualifier came into play because it's a Shandy. It's not the Sam Adams Porch Rocker by any means, but it was the first real big Shandy to get released by a big player giving it a couple extra points.
Still, the Shandy is a unique drink to begin with. I've made Shandys and Hop, Skip and Go Naked!, or Skippies if you like, before but the innovation of bringing the two together is what really got it placed in the Top 5.
@"wareagle4230", not including Rouge was actually done on purpose. They run a great operation and I do enjoy many of their beers. They didn't get included because it wasn't just on name alone and there is nothing special about the American Amber. If I really wanted to find a way to include Rogue on this list, I would have gone with the Rogue Farms beers. It's a better quality beer, grown on site and is fairly eco-friendly. Plus, if Sierra Nevada didn't make the list, Rogue definitely wouldn't have gotten on the list. It was definitely tough to not put Sierra Nevada on the list. As a craft beer drinker, I have too much respect for Ken Grossman to not recognize the fact that he has been such a huge figure in the craft beer world. Without Ken Grossman, most of the West Coast Beer Scene, let alone the craft scene in general, wouldn't be what it was today. On influence alone, Sierra Nevada would be number 1, followed closely behind by Anchor, owned by Fritz Maytag who was a major influence on Grossman, and then Sam Adams. But influence alone isn't enough to win me over for Americana. They changed the game and that's the most important thing anyone can thank Sierra Nevada for.
@"Dingdong08", I'll let your questionable at best rules slide, but will agree on you about Lager. Anywhere in PA you are and you order a Lager, they know what you want. It's a fantastic feeling. I still drink Lager and definitely enjoy it when I'm out. For the cost, it's a hell of a deal and it drinks great. I just think it's one of those beers that makes a great alternative to the other Lagers out there - why drink a Sam Adams when you can have a Yuengling? That's always been my view, and part of my reason to drink Yuengling over Sam; I prefer the taste of it over the Boston Lager.
@"Frieds" We shall agree to disagree on the Civil War erupting along the Delaware River and someday meet in battle...
Cool story on Sierra Nevada, a beer I've enjoyed for a very long time and still do: when I lived in California after college one of my roommates who graduated from Chico State (I think he graduated in '95 so it's a while back) told us, and later showed us, that because Ken Grossman credited the students at Chico with being his first and very loyal customers while at school and basically being his initial marketing machine when they graduated and moved all around California, he'd sell SNPA in Chico at the same cost as Bud Light (case, keg, whatever). I didn't believe him at first but I went with him to Chico's homecoming one year (and this is a side note-Chico may not be the best school, but I think I partied in college and after seeing them party, I realized that I was but a child) we bought a keg for something like $40 while buying the same keg in San Fran cost ~$80. I don't know if that's still the policy but I thought it was a really cool thing to do.
Awesome post. I grew up in a town about 20 minutes south of Pottsville and their high school was one of the few, if not the only, in the country where they sold beer (obviously only Yuengling) on school grounds during football games. Needless to say it was every parents' favorite school to travel to.
Which of these 10 americana beers is most suitable for that quintessentially All-American sport... beer pong?
Would you like a serious answer or something more humorous?
Tom Raper, a real American, gives his honest opinion on why PBR is the most American of all beers.
//www.youtube.com/embed/nGSN7JVg1yQ
Blitzed Smashed and Drunk: A Guide to My Favorite Fall Beers (Originally Posted: 09/06/2014)
Now that the fall is “officially” here since Labor Day has passed us by, and much to my disdain of Season Creep, fall beers have officially been stocked in so many beer stores around the US. In honor of the fall drinking season, I wanted to discuss my favorite beers of the fall. Just to be up front, the Beer Universe is a pretty big place. I’ve been fortunate to try a lot of stuff and the beer stores near me are well stocked with amazing beers and brands to try. That said, unlike Liquor, where the distribution lines are pretty wide spread and it’s easier to sell without hassle, the ability to sell non-“tap room only” beer depends a whole lot more on licensure and being properly registered with a given state. This is why a brewery like The Alchemist, who only has the singular state license, only sells locally in a small region of Vermont while Lagunitas has expanded into 30+ states, with all the licensure issues that come with it. It also has an effect on what you can get. Either way, there are two key fall beer styles worth enjoying – the Pumpkin Beer and Marzen/Oktoberfest Beer.
There are two big styles to drink in the fall – Pumpkin Beer and Marzen/Oktoberfest Beer. These two beers are clearly on opposite sides of the spectrum. First we have Pumpkin Beer. Pumpkin Beer gets its name from the key ingredient in it, pumpkin. If pumpkin’s not available, winter squash makes a fine substitution. These beers are generally brewed with pumpkin or winter squash which helps infuse the obvious flavor of squash into the beer. In addition, spices may be used to enhance the flavor creating a nice, harmonious balance in flavor. In addition, the smell of pumpkin, be it pie, roasted, spiced or whatnot, should be present in the aroma and the predominant flavor. The hops and spices used, while present, shouldn’t overpower either the taste or smell of squash. These beers tend to not be hoppy and can range widely across the board, from extremely street to very mild. As with the sweetness, the alcohol content can range on these from 4.5% to upwards of 9.0% or more.
The other big style is the more traditional fall Marzen/Oktoberfest Beer. These beers get their names from the calendar and correspond to the idea of brew the beer in March and finish drinking it in October. There is actually a reason for it too! Prior to the advent of refrigeration and proper chilled storage, it was difficult to brew quality beer to be enjoyed in the summer. The biggest problem was that the beer would no longer be sanitary and get infected and overrun with airborne bacteria, thus getting people sick. In Bavaria, where these two styles originated, the brewers realized that they could store their beer in storage chambers underground that kept the beer chilled and relatively temperature controlled so that the beer would keep for extended periods of time. So, to have an ample supply of beer for the summer, the various brewers would brew a strong ale in March that would be drank over the summer months, and when it became time to brew again, right around October, they realized that they needed the kegs again to brew for the fall. As a result, the Germans decided that a little bit of merriment and a whole lot of drinking were in order to finish off the remaining barrels of Marzen Beer. This end of the season beer would become the Oktoberfest style that we are familiar with. The Marzen and Oktoberfest styles are very similar in profile. They tend to be more medium bodied and amber in color. Both styles embody a crisp clean palate, but have spicy malt notes and a lightly toasted malty sweetness to them. There are notes of malt and the taste of bread throughout this style of beer. They are not that hoppy or bitter, but have a bit of a spicy hop note in their aroma.
As with any seasonal beer list, I happen to have a ton of beers that I like. Unfortunately, some of those beers you can’t get on tap and others you can. Most of them… now that I think about it, can’t be found on tap. Most of them, I’ve had in the bottle for obvious reasons. There are a number of honorable mentions too. These are beers that I like and happen to think are worth trying to find and try at least once. For the Marzen/Oktoberfest beers, I only wanted one German Beer taking a spot on the list of beers I think are worth drinking so the rest take the Honorable Mentions. Spaten, Paulaner, Ayinger, and Lowenbrau are all fantastic beers to drink. They really do exemplify the Oktoberfest style really well, but there can only be one on the list. Also getting mention are the Blue Point and the Brooklyn Oktoberfest. Both are great examples of the style and are very nice to drink. I’m also a fan of the Victory Festbeir, which is a nice surprising beer that tastes great and feels like fall. When it comes to pumpkin ales, La Parcela by Jolly Pumpkin is worth finding when you can. It’s a fantastic beer by a wonderful brewing company. I also recommend checking out The Fear by Flying Dog Brewing and Pumking by Southern Tier Brewing. The Fear stands out with its high alcohol content, strong taste, high alcohol content and Ralph Stedman artwork. It’s also worth buying a six-pack and letting it sit in a closet until Halloween so the flavors have a chance to mellow a bit. Contrast that with the Pumking by Southern Tier, which is far more of a pumpkin pie flavored beer. It’s a classic example of a nice beer that drinks well and is great on a fall day.
Without Further Ado… the Beer List!
That is my list of beers. Every one happens to be worth trying. If you have your own beers to throw in, then go right ahead and add them. There are amazing falls beers, so I’m curious to hear what you like.
I just move into stout beers, heavier red wines and heartier meals.
I absolutely love Left Hand's fall seasonals, particularly their Fade to Black. However, Left Hand makes all kinds of delicious stuff, and their stouts are incredible. You have to try their milk stout when it gets a little colder outside ... mm.
@"ArcherVice", I don't generally start drinking Stouts until Mid October when it gets a little cooler. Same goes for Red Wines.
@"kraziazi", Left Hand's Fade to Black is good, but it changes from year to year. I wanted to go with beers that don't change much. As to the Left Hand Milk Stout, nitro is the only way to drink it from the bottle.
I probably drink once or twice a month, so I just don't explore that aspect of my palate much anymore.
As to Nitro, agreed. Or you could always buy one of their "world's first stout-specific glasses" http://lefthandbrewing.com/shop/left-hand-stout-glass-by-spiegelau/ Also, that's why I like Fade to Black ... because it changes. This is probably too early in the season to suggest this, but I also enjoy: http://renegadebrewing.com/radiator-2/
just booked a trip to Oktoberfest in Cordoba, Argentina October 10th, can't wait! http://www.welcomeargentina.com/villageneralbelgrano/beer-festival.html
Schlafly pumpkin ale if you can find it. Thank me later.
Southern Tier Pumking - a little pricy but at 8.6% ABV its well worth it
Saepe doloremque voluptas autem nisi minus voluptatibus aliquid. Ea non omnis quaerat tenetur deleniti. Est nam voluptas in omnis sunt reprehenderit. Dolorum est a illo ut omnis inventore consequatur qui.
Itaque ut beatae fugiat aut. Molestiae saepe quisquam ipsa vel sapiente ut cum. Aliquid veritatis sit est eius incidunt sit.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...
Inventore aspernatur perferendis dolorum excepturi qui asperiores. Voluptatibus voluptas sed similique ea. Enim est ipsam molestiae ullam mollitia quia molestiae. Aut itaque est culpa incidunt. Velit fugit sunt suscipit est voluptates est dolor. Eligendi esse voluptas voluptatibus qui sint. Aperiam et quasi dolores nihil in eos nesciunt.
Illum pariatur ratione et eos perspiciatis et. Deserunt perspiciatis qui ducimus porro. Rerum eius quae ut consequuntur cumque et mollitia. Autem amet quasi dolorum velit. Ducimus libero unde ratione placeat ut.
Perferendis et perspiciatis natus hic vitae eaque dolorem repellat. Doloribus ipsam sunt dolore ut vel saepe.
Rerum doloribus est placeat quibusdam deleniti. Inventore magnam nesciunt ipsum ullam eum.
Numquam rerum nihil a ut tempore ipsum. Molestias quia at quo illum. Quis totam sit et dolorem facere assumenda enim. Porro cum quam ut rem. Eos fugit culpa qui qui est id est eius. Distinctio recusandae omnis dicta est non sequi ullam.
Doloribus modi iste omnis. Ratione aut rerum deserunt assumenda ea. Delectus qui commodi nostrum natus perspiciatis.
Est voluptate id nisi labore enim assumenda ut. Quia doloremque vitae est. Distinctio ipsum nihil ipsum hic officiis est. Rerum est harum nisi vitae dolor est recusandae.
Vel in necessitatibus alias dolorem architecto illum voluptas. Et ratione laboriosam nam sed esse repellendus. Amet ut fugiat autem blanditiis.
Iusto magnam et neque est iusto. Commodi rerum voluptatum qui quis hic. Molestiae et necessitatibus autem est saepe. Id eum dolor architecto doloremque non. Non ut delectus voluptatem ipsum.
Quibusdam aliquid aut in. Rerum recusandae velit voluptates voluptate a iste.
Eaque vel impedit praesentium expedita. Facilis asperiores sequi delectus quae rem. Voluptate commodi assumenda nobis odit quod deleniti voluptatem. Qui iure voluptas occaecati sapiente. Debitis eos molestias dolore labore. Error aut ea minima eos ex. Accusamus culpa qui voluptatem labore doloremque. Et voluptatum et nihil delectus sit.
Fuga aut cum deserunt et ab. Sunt neque exercitationem odit sit qui. Eos laudantium amet et rerum in. Ea quas dolorem aut fugit adipisci ratione. Molestias enim et quidem nulla libero architecto.
Sit quo aut eum. Nobis est et labore aperiam nulla omnis autem. Quaerat repellendus omnis optio voluptatem natus.