Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.

[DRWS]

Couldn't help but notice only one Leviathan made the list, though. No love for the Baltic Porter?

I was fortunate enough to be the only person at a tasting at the Harpoon brewery, and I got to try 9 of their beers there, but only one was a Leviathan. Their beers averaged a low enough rating that I choose to get beers from other breweries when I am buying. They gave me the expectation that I will not enjoy a Harpoon beer very much, even though I did really like the Leviathan that I tried (and their White). I will keep an eye out now for the Leviathan Baltic Porter.

[Belial]

It is pretty fucking tasty.

[netcrusher88]

Yeah so uh... Back in Black Stout Fest (great name) at Brouwer's. I wound up sick afterwards but it was so worth it. Five beers I drank, one of them is technically a porter but whatever.

Avery Mephistopheles: Lives up to everything I expected of it. Great stout, a little bit sweet, darkly bitter.

Deschutes Abyss (Reserve RIS), 2008: I'm going to go with what I said on twitter: words cannot describe the culinary orgasm that is this beer. It's chocolatey, it's malty, it's bitter... think of Baker's semisweet chocolate, but beer. Just goddamn amazing.

Stone RIS, probably late 2010 (current batch): I cannot in good conscience compare this to The Abyss because they're just such different approaches to RIS, so I think they're both my favorite stout. Pitch black, bitter, in-your-face malt, everything I remember about that fourth beer I'd ever had but so much better because it's on tap and I know good beer now.

Deschutes Black Butte XX (Reserve Oak-aged, espresso-and-cacao-nibs adjunct Imperial Porter), 2008: Much like the '08 Abyss, I had a glass of this last year. Much like the '08 Abyss, it has only improved with time. Not quite sure how to describe this. It's Black Butte with the metallic edge aged off, and this tiny hint of mocha rounding out the base. Also a new top note I can't quite identify but it does have that coffee-cacao character.

Sierra Nevada Empire Strikes Black, current batch: a respectable stout. Not much more to say about it. It's definitely a Sierra Nevada - comfortable, enjoyable, unoffensive. Not particularly exciting but hey, it's a good stout.

[SurgicalSteel]

So, I recently had the good fortune to try Harpoon's Session 36 of the 100 Barrels Series, the Island Creek Oyster Stout. I completely loved it. Unfortunately, it's a limited release, and the Wegman's in my area seems to be out of stock. Can anyone recommend something similar? I think what I like about it was the savory taste, I haven't experienced that in beers much.

Also, tonight I had something called simply "Terrible" from Unibroue. It was quite good. Sweet like a Belgian ale (I guess it should be, it's a Belgian Dark Ale) and a little fruity. Very dark. Sort of caramely and raisiny. But, goddamn, one glass and I was definitely unfit to drive. I guess 10.5% will do that to ya. The last Belgian style I tried was Three Philosophers, and I loved that. I think I may be a fan of this style. Also, I just found out you can buy Three Philosophers from Wegman's in a six pack of smaller bottles. Fantastic!

[Garm]

So, I recently had the good fortune to try Harpoon's Session 36 of the 100 Barrels Series, the Island Creek Oyster Stout. I completely loved it. Unfortunately, it's a limited release, and the Wegman's in my area seems to be out of stock. Can anyone recommend something similar? I think what I like about it was the savory taste, I haven't experienced that in beers much.

Also, tonight I had something called simply "Terrible" from Unibroue. It was quite good. Sweet like a Belgian ale (I guess it should be, it's a Belgian Dark Ale) and a little fruity. Very dark. Sort of caramely and raisiny. But, goddamn, one glass and I was definitely unfit to drive. I guess 10.5% will do that to ya. The last Belgian style I tried was Three Philosophers, and I loved that. I think I may be a fan of this style. Also, I just found out you can buy Three Philosophers from Wegman's in a six pack of smaller bottles. Fantastic!

I've like most of what I've had from Unibroue. It's all super strong tho' so I rarely drink their beer.

[Azrael]

Nah, Blonde and Blanche de Chambly are both 5%. Ephemere is 5.5 and Noir is 6.2.

... and you should drink lots of Noir de Chambly. It's pretty awesome.

[TheAmazingRando]

I got my growler filled today with Stone's 2011 Imperial Russian Stout and I'm in beer heaven. Seems a lot more bourbon-y than previous releases, though that may just be because it hasn't had time to mellow since it's such a fresh release.

The version with anise and Belgian yeast is great too, the licorice flavor reminds me of The Abyss which is probably my favorite RIS. I'm not sure which I prefer, but I'd recommend both.

[TheGrammarBolshevik]

In Germany. Too many pilsners. Butts.

[Azrael]

Start asking for Dunkels and Altbiers. They'll have them, just might be in bottles instead of on tap. I remember Konig Ludwig Dunkel being nice.

Also, depending on where you are there's this somewhat regional schnapps called Korn. Try it. Now.

[TheGrammarBolshevik]

I believe I saw Korn on a menu yesterday, so I will try to grab one while I'm in this region.

[Garm]

Start asking for Dunkels and Altbiers. They'll have them, just might be in bottles instead of on tap. I remember Konig Ludwig Dunkel being nice.

Also, depending on where you are there's this somewhat regional schnapps called Korn. Try it. Now.

I had Konig Ludwig Dunkel in a gasthaus in a town outside of Schwangau (where Neuschwanstein, King Ludwig's castle, is). It was on draft and it was amazing. For a while they were importing Konig Ludwig Weissbier to Boulder but no more.

All the beer I brewed recently has turned out yucky. I think I let it sit in the carboy for too long. That's what I get for not ignoring my kid... Bunch of shitty beer. Actually half of it isn't even beer. It's just gross.

[Dream]

I remember Konig Ludwig Dunkel being nice.

Is it? I've only had the hefe, and that tasted like artificially sweetened banana juice. Schneider Aventinus is probably my dark wheat beer of choice. High alcohol, but very drinkable.

[uncivlengr]

All the beer I brewed recently has turned out yucky. I think I let it sit in the carboy for too long. That's what I get for not ignoring my kid... Bunch of shitty beer. Actually half of it isn't even beer. It's just gross.

Ah, too bad. Have you ever taken a bottle to your homebrew supplier? I had a bad one two batches ago (wheat beer ended up tasting like ginger ale) and I mentioned it to my guy when I went in to get the latest recipe. He told me I should have saved a bottle and brought it in, so he could try to determine why it didn't work out. I was so frsutrated/ashamed that it turned out badly that I had just got rid of it as quickly as possible, but next time I'll be taking it in for a second opinion.

[Garm]

All the beer I brewed recently has turned out yucky. I think I let it sit in the carboy for too long. That's what I get for not ignoring my kid... Bunch of shitty beer. Actually half of it isn't even beer. It's just gross.

Ah, too bad. Have you ever taken a bottle to your homebrew supplier? I had a bad one two batches ago (wheat beer ended up tasting like ginger ale) and I mentioned it to my guy when I went in to get the latest recipe. He told me I should have saved a bottle and brought it in, so he could try to determine why it didn't work out. I was so frsutrated/ashamed that it turned out badly that I had just got rid of it as quickly as possible, but next time I'll be taking it in for a second opinion.

I still have the whole batch, less the bottles I've opened. I'm sort of hoping that a little aging will magically turn it into amazing beer.

That's a good idea tho', I'll have to do that. I like the guys at my local store.

[TheGrammarBolshevik]

Start asking for Dunkels and Altbiers. They'll have them, just might be in bottles instead of on tap. I remember Konig Ludwig Dunkel being nice.

Also, depending on where you are there's this somewhat regional schnapps called Korn. Try it. Now.

You, sir, are a gentleman and a scholar.

[dubsola]

But Leinie's never makes lists like these. Not even close. Certainly not multiple times, nor top 10 appearances.

Can anyone explain to me why this list has NO British beers on there?

[Dark567]

But Leinie's never makes lists like these. Not even close. Certainly not multiple times, nor top 10 appearances.

Can anyone explain to me why this list has NO British beers on there?

Because there isn't enough room after all the American, Canadian, German, Belgian, and Scandinavian beers?

More seriously, its my understanding that craft brewing in the UK is a more recent trend that started after the US microbreweries already started to see some success. Its also my understanding that the UK's brewing industry was decimated by the world wars/temperance movement/massive consolidation of breweries, and didn't recover until CAMRA succeeded in getting legislation passed in favor of smaller breweries in 1989. Similar situations affected the US, but it generally recovered faster(our favorable microbrewery laws were passed in 1978).

[Роберт]

Can anyone explain to me why this list has NO British beers on there?

Because British beers aren't that good?

I'm partial to Scottish, Irish, and German stuff. British or French stuff? It might be good, but I've had better luck with other countries so far.

[dubsola]

More seriously, its my understanding that craft brewing in the UK is a more recent trend that started after the US microbreweries already started to see some success. Its also my understanding that the UK's brewing industry was decimated by the world wars/temperance movement/massive consolidation of breweries, and didn't recover until CAMRA succeeded in getting legislation passed in favor of smaller breweries in 1989. Similar situations affected the US, but it generally recovered faster(our favorable microbrewery laws were passed in 1978).

This is interesting.

I'm partial to Scottish, Irish, and German stuff. British or French stuff? It might be good, but I've had better luck with other countries so far.

Scotland is still part of the UK, and Scottish ales aren't especially different to English ones.

There are loads of fantastic British ales. I find it hard to believe there isn't a single one that could make the list of "best 100". That particular list is based on reviews from BA, so I wonder if it's not the demographics of that site.

Quick question: how many of you not from the UK have every drunk something from Timothy Taylors or St Peters? These are two brewers whose beer I regularly enjoy, whose products I have seen outside of the UK.

[Bakemaster]

It's probably due to demographics and distribution. Some of the beers on that list don't have that many reviews; it seems like a really outstanding UK beer should be able to make it on there, unless there are really few people in the UK reviewing stuff on BA.

It could also be due to a disconnect between styles. Some of the styles that have the same names on both sides of the pond are actually considerably different brews depending on which side you're on, and when someone isn't aware of that they might give a poor review on account of a mismatch between what they expected and what they tasted.

[TheGrammarBolshevik]

Travel update: any advice for Vienna?

[Bakemaster]

Stay the fuck away from the sausage?

[Belial]

Quick question: how many of you not from the UK have every drunk something from Timothy Taylors or St Peters? These are two brewers whose beer I regularly enjoy, whose products I have seen outside of the UK.

I've had two of St Peters', a cream stout and a gluten-free sorghum beer that I was trying out with the intention to recommend to a friend.

The former was pretty amazing, the latter was not my cup of tea but good for what it was.

[Роберт]

I'm partial to Scottish, Irish, and German stuff. British or French stuff? It might be good, but I've had better luck with other countries so far.

Scotland is still part of the UK, and Scottish ales aren't especially different to English ones.

Quick question: how many of you not from the UK have every drunk something from Timothy Taylors or St Peters? These are two brewers whose beer I regularly enjoy, whose products I have seen outside of the UK.

Part of the UK != British.

I acknowledged that I may just have had bad luck with British ones. I will keep Timothy Taylors and St Peters in mind.

[dubsola]

Tim Taylor's Landlord and St Peter's Organic Best Bitter are two good ones to look out for, but most (sorghum beer?!) of what St Peter's do is great.

Stay the fuck away from the sausage?

My advice: eat the sausage.

[Bakemaster]

NO.png (33.44 KiB) Viewed 1607 times

[dubsola]

I know that's fake because it's not in ze Deutsch.

[Bakemaster]

I know it's fake because it's made from old baloney sandwiches and the tears of children.

[Azrael]

Start asking for Dunkels and Altbiers. They'll have them, just might be in bottles instead of on tap. I remember Konig Ludwig Dunkel being nice.

Also, depending on where you are there's this somewhat regional schnapps called Korn. Try it. Now.

You, sir, are a gentleman and a scholar.

Indubitably!

Although, I wonder how strongly your opinion has been influenced by intoxicating spirits.

[TheGrammarBolshevik]

I posted that after a long (>24h) period of sobriety. So, rather little.

[SlyReaper]

Part of the UK != British.

Eh, I think it is. Scotland is, unless there has been some major tectonic movement in the past few hours, part of the British Isles, and is therefore British. A Scottish Ale is a British ale. So there.

Going back to some of the more mainstream beers, what are people's opinions on Badger Golden Glory? I used to think it was the most wonderful thing in the world because it was so powerfully fruity. I'm not so sure about it these days.

[dubsola]

Not bad, but a bit too

powerfully fruity.

In other news, craft beer is booming in Japan

[Роберт]

Part of the UK != British.

Eh, I think it is. Scotland is, unless there has been some major tectonic movement in the past few hours, part of the British Isles, and is therefore British. A Scottish Ale is a British ale. So there.

Next you're going to tell me a tomato is a fruit and not a vegetable.

Anyway: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Britain_(disambiguation)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotland

The continued existence of legal, educational and religious institutions distinct from those in the remainder of the UK have all contributed to the continuation of Scottish culture and national identity since the Union. In 1999, a devolved legislature, the Scottish Parliament, was founded with authority over many areas of home affairs following a successful referendum in 1997. Issues surrounding devolution and independence continue to be debated. The Scottish National Party won an overall majority in the 2011 Scottish Parliament election, and have announced their intention to hold a referendum on independence sometime during the second half of the present five-year parliamentary term.

If I meant the UK, I would say the UK. When I say Britain, I don't mean Scotland or Ireland. When I say British, I don't mean Scottish or Irish.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotch_(disambiguation)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish

[bigglesworth]

Your reasoning is false and your evidence proves the contrary to what you are saying.

[Azrael]

Pedantry, disambiguation and whatnot aside, the common usage I've run into in the not-UK is that 'British' is reserved exclusively for things in England proper, making English and British synonyms. And thus, Irish and Scottish are mutually exclusive terms with English and British.

And I know quite a few various ex-pats from any of the unified kingdoms who take offense when mistakenly called the wrong "-ish".

[dubsola]

Mancunians would take offense to being called Liverpudlians. I don't care what Braveheart says, Scotland is British.

I don't really think this. I don't care much either way, really. But in terms of beer, there's no particular difference between Scottish, English or Welsh ales. So when I said British, and he said Scottish, well. Come on.

[Роберт]

Mancunians would take offense to being called Liverpudlians. I don't care what Braveheart says, Scotland is British.

I don't really think this. I don't care much either way, really. But in terms of beer, there's no particular difference between Scottish, English or Welsh ales. So when I said British, and he said Scottish, well. Come on.

So you consider Belhaven a British ale? Then to you I'll say I've found some tasty British ale.

[dubsola]

I'd call it ale, Scottish ale to be precise, but since you'd find it at the Great British Beer Festival, it counts.

[Dream]

I have to agree about the BA list. I'm baffled. There should really be some stuff from Orkney and perhaps also from Black Isle. (Scottish beers are just better than english ones )

I've had tons of Taylor's Landlord, it's a perennial in casks around Scotland. I think it's great. St. Peter's I've had most of at one time or another, usually in bottles. Never really stuck with me, I couldn't tell you what it's like now.

Badger Golden Glory? I used to think it was the most wonderful thing in the world because it was so powerfully fruity. I'm not so sure about it these days.

I've ever been a fan, I think it's very unbalanced. Cloying. If you want a far superior replacement, Fyne Ales Avalanche is a citrussy light bodied ale that wears its fruity much more handsomely, and is something I could drink gallons of at any time. It's one of my top regular drinking beers, and might actually be in my top list of Best Beers of all kinds.

[Bakemaster]

The bros. gave the two Orkney brews they've reviewed A and A+ grades, respectively. They just haven't gotten total agreement on those ratings from the BA masses.

Of course, you can have a vote yourself, can't you? I hope they don't restrict membership by geography.