xkcd

by **bigglesworth** » Wed May 09, 2012 11:46 am UTC

I'm going to be looking around the Fullers brewery in June. What should I pick up at the brewery shop?

by **mosc** » Wed May 09, 2012 5:09 pm UTC

I'm not a fan of their beer. The ESB is pretty famous and some people say the porter is decent (which it's not). I'd look for things that aren't mass market. Maybe they suck less.

by **Dream** » Wed May 09, 2012 11:16 pm UTC

I'd concur that Fuller's probably isn't going to knock you out, but I actually like their beers. Their IPAs are very hoppy, more American in style than a lot of UK ones, and I think the ESB is actually a totally decent drop. But yeah, go looking for things not mass marketed. You might find some real gems.

by **dubsola** » Thu May 10, 2012 9:24 am UTC

I'm not sure I've tried their IPA, but I am not a huge fan of their beers either. London Piride is *everywhere* but unfortunately it tastes dishwatery to me. I remember enjoying their vintage ale, so maybe try that one, and also perhaps the Bengal Lancer - can't remember if it was nice, but might be worth a go.

Diageo seem to have put their foot well and truly in their mouth. Big LOLs.

by **Dream** » Thu May 10, 2012 10:11 am UTC

dubsola wrote:Bengal Lancer - can't remember if it was nice, but might be worth a go.

Bengal Lancer is their IPA, or one of them. I think they have an actually labeled IPA too.

dubsola wrote:Diageo seem to have put their foot well and truly in their mouth. Big LOLs.

Bunch of cunts. Thankfully I'm living near a Brew Dog pub now, and I can go in and enjoy the winner for myself!

by **Роберт** » Thu May 10, 2012 2:43 pm UTC

dubsola wrote:Diageo seem to have put their foot well and truly in their mouth. Big LOLs.

That is really hilarious. I like that they left the engraving of BrewDog on the award. Seems like they the organizers were intentionally not quite going along with Diageo.

My company has also run into issues with a large sponsor of an event trying to screw things up for us, as well. Jerks. The event organizers understandably were tempted to give into the pressure but in the end realized that we were in the right and apologized.

by **bigglesworth** » Thu May 10, 2012 4:50 pm UTC

Dream wrote:Their IPAs are very hoppy, more American in style than a lot of UK ones, and I think the ESB is actually a totally decent drop..

Not a big fan of American IPA-hopping. I think I'll just pick up a variety of the vintage ones, and whatever tastes nice on the day.

by **Malconstant** » Mon May 21, 2012 3:21 am UTC

Dream wrote: Thankfully I'm living near a Brew Dog pub now, and I can go in and enjoy the winner for myself!

My only experiences with Brew Dog have been terrible, though I've only had from their Paradox series. Anything I should keep an eye out for to change my mind?

by **ExplodingHat** » Mon May 21, 2012 3:23 am UTC

Sam Adams Imperial Stout is everything I love about beer.

by **TheGrammarBolshevik** » Mon May 21, 2012 3:50 am UTC

Three Philosophers.

Holy fuck.

by **Dark567** » Mon May 21, 2012 3:53 am UTC

TheGrammarBolshevik wrote:Three Philosophers.

Holy fuck.

It's my favorite (not limited edition)American beer. Its really fucking good.

by **hendusoone** » Mon May 21, 2012 2:25 pm UTC

TheGrammarBolshevik wrote:Three Philosophers.

Holy fuck.

This is a thing I've been saying for years. What took you so long? :mrgreen:

In other news: Berkle's Brown Ale, from Anchor - I wouldn't drink it again. It's *so* not what I want in a brown ale. Brown ales should be malty and maybe a bit nutty. This was all hops. I couldn't pick up any other flavors. Just too many hops. After the fantastic showing that was the Anchor Bock (have I mentioned how good that one is? I can't remember. Anyway - it's gooooood), I am very disappointed.

by **bigglesworth** » Mon May 21, 2012 2:33 pm UTC

In similar news - Byatt's Brewery Regal Blonde - quite sweet, very hoppy, not at all what I want in a blonde ale (and I usually have a sweet tooth in everything I drink).

by **Dream** » Thu May 24, 2012 8:40 pm UTC

Malconstant wrote:
Dream wrote: Thankfully I'm living near a Brew Dog pub now, and I can go in and enjoy the winner for myself!

My only experiences with Brew Dog have been terrible, though I've only had from their Paradox series. Anything I should keep an eye out for to change my mind?

Just their ordinary releases. Punk IPA, Hardcore IPA, Trashy Blonde, a few others I can't remember this minute. 77 Lager, 5am Saint. They're all very high quality, fairly characterful, but not so much that it might put of an opinionated drinker, and very drinkable.

They're nothing like Paradox, or their extra high strength stuff like Tactical Nuclear Penguin.

by **Dark567** » Thu May 24, 2012 8:54 pm UTC

5am Saint was quite good. On the other hand I still hold a grudge against them for the rip off that is Paradox Isle of Arran. :-/

by **TheAmazingRando** » Fri May 25, 2012 10:47 pm UTC

I think their Tokyo* is pretty decent. Even at >18% it's well balanced, not extreme just for the hell of it like I was expecting given the ABV.

by **Ulc** » Sun Jun 10, 2012 9:05 am UTC

Dark567 wrote:5am Saint was quite good. On the other hand I still hold a grudge against them for the rip off that is Paradox Isle of Arran. :-/

Or the new (second half) part of the IPA is dead series. Holy crap that is boring.

Their low-end simple supermarket beers are awesome, 77Lager, 5am saint, punk IPA, hardcore IPA and so on. Those are exactly what they should be, a simple, but decent quality beer for a good price. But whenever they try to do something interesting, they fuck it up. The paradox series is horrible, all of them. The new IPA is dead is... I can't even phrase how boring it is.

Overall, brewdog should get their grips together and realize what they are good at, and stop doing what they suck at.

by **bigglesworth** » Sun Jun 10, 2012 3:21 pm UTC

What style is the 5am Saint? Tasting notes?

by **Chuff** » Wed Aug 01, 2012 3:06 am UTC

Drinking Dieu de Ciel Aphrodisiaque right now. Holy deliciousness batman. Their Hibiscus is also amazing.

by **dubsola** » Thu Aug 02, 2012 2:23 pm UTC

Happy IPA day, everyone. To celebrate, I'm going to have some Kernel beers. Mmm, hoppy.

by **hendusoone** » Thu Aug 02, 2012 7:52 pm UTC

I recently finished a growler of Night Shift's Viva Habanera. That's some good beer.

by **SurgicalSteel** » Fri Aug 03, 2012 1:45 am UTC

Has anybody else tried Xingu? I'm reading reviews and they all talk about notes of vanilla and plum and dark fruit. But I literally taste nothing. It's like drinking thick-ish water. Did I get a bad bottle or something?

by **dubsola** » Fri Aug 03, 2012 8:04 am UTC

hendusoone wrote:I recently finished a growler of Night Shift's Viva Habanera. That's some good beer.

"Rye ale brewed with agave nectar and aged on habanero peppers". Holy shit.

by **hendusoone** » Fri Aug 03, 2012 3:26 pm UTC

dubsola wrote:
hendusoone wrote:I recently finished a growler of Night Shift's Viva Habanera. That's some good beer.

"Rye ale brewed with agave nectar and aged on habanero peppers". Holy shit.

I know, right?! This brewery makes some amazing stuff.

by **Malconstant** » Fri Aug 03, 2012 5:26 pm UTC

SurgicalSteel wrote:Has anybody else tried Xingu? I'm reading reviews and they all talk about notes of vanilla and plum and dark fruit. But I literally taste nothing. It's like drinking thick-ish water. Did I get a bad bottle or something?

It's not a heavy beer, but it's not bad at all for the style. Maybe you got a bad bottle, or maybe you just appreciate a stronger / heavier beer.

by **Whitekiboko** » Tue Aug 07, 2012 6:32 am UTC

SurgicalSteel wrote:Has anybody else tried Xingu? I'm reading reviews and they all talk about notes of vanilla and plum and dark fruit. But I literally taste nothing. It's like drinking thick-ish water. Did I get a bad bottle or something?

You probably got a bottle that hadn't been sitting around warm for god knows how long. Much like guinness, it has little taste other than a bit of roast.

by **dubsola** » Tue Aug 07, 2012 11:36 am UTC

GBBF tonight. I still don't know what the Champion Beer of Britain is. Hopefully I can find out there.

by **ImagingGeek** » Tue Aug 07, 2012 2:51 pm UTC

Anything by Unibroue is fantastic - their labels alone are worth the buy. I mosty brew my own.

by **bigglesworth** » Wed Aug 08, 2012 10:29 pm UTC

Drinking a stout - "March of the Penguins" by the Williams Bros Brewing Co.

Tasting notes: definitely strong taste of the chocolate malts, and the spicy finish actually comes in this beer unlike a lot of beers that claim it. It's a sort of herby finish that vaguely reminds me of tequila? The taste seems a bit sparse though, considering the 4.9% ABV. It is smooth and creamy though, and that's what it says on the bottle, so those brothers have achieved their aims it seems.

by **dubsola** » Thu Aug 09, 2012 11:31 am UTC

Good name, too.

The GBBF was great, as always. They held it at Olympia this year, which is a nicer venue than Earl's Court. The Champion Beer of Britain is a barleywine. I didn't get to taste it. I did get to taste one of the winter beer champions - Cairngorm's Black Gold - a delicious, chocolatey, malty affair.

A point of confusion: I don't understand why they didn't have any Kernel beers at the festival. The GBBF is a CAMRA-run affair, and CAMRA is pro-cask and anti-keg - perhaps they consider Kernel beers to be keg beers. But other CAMRA festivals have had Kernel beers there.

by **Bakemaster** » Wed Aug 15, 2012 3:09 am UTC

So I've been of the opinion for some time, as documented somewhere in this thread, that Fat Tire is a pretty good all-around balanced ale. I never really tried New Belgium's other brews, that I recall, until recently I picked up a mixed 12-pack with Fat Tire, Blue Paddle, Somersault and another I can't recall at the moment. Figured to cover some ground for people who might come help us remodel.

Well it turns out Somersault is really very good. Sarah even seems pretty fond of it. I'm drinking a Blue Paddle now, or just finished it... I didn't have high expectations of a pilsner-style lager, and it was pretty much as expected. I have heard that there are some really, really good pilsners around. It's likely I haven't encountered any of those but also maybe it is just not my style. I find ales plenty drinkable. Pilsners just seem kind of weak in comparison.

by **mercutio_stencil** » Wed Aug 15, 2012 11:08 pm UTC

Bakemaster wrote:So I've been of the opinion for some time, as documented somewhere in this thread, that Fat Tire is a pretty good all-around balanced ale. I never really tried New Belgium's other brews, that I recall, until recently I picked up a mixed 12-pack with Fat Tire, Blue Paddle, Somersault and another I can't recall at the moment. Figured to cover some ground for people who might come help us remodel.

Well it turns out Somersault is really very good. Sarah even seems pretty fond of it. I'm drinking a Blue Paddle now, or just finished it... I didn't have high expectations of a pilsner-style lager, and it was pretty much as expected. I have heard that there are some really, really good pilsners around. It's likely I haven't encountered any of those but also maybe it is just not my style. I find ales plenty drinkable. Pilsners just seem kind of weak in comparison.

I'm a big fan of The Ranger, New Belgiums IPA. It might be good memories (I've drunk a lot of that beer), but I quite like it.

Pilsners do tend to be a bit less flavorful than most ales, but there are other options. Take a loot for some of the new Imperial Pilsners that are coming out, they might suite your tastes better.

by **TheAmazingRando** » Wed Aug 15, 2012 11:30 pm UTC

I don't like Fat Tire much but New Belgium's line is usually pretty solid. La Folie, especially, is great if you can get your hands on it.

by **SurgicalSteel** » Thu Aug 16, 2012 1:27 am UTC

Malconstant wrote:
SurgicalSteel wrote:Has anybody else tried Xingu? I'm reading reviews and they all talk about notes of vanilla and plum and dark fruit. But I literally taste nothing. It's like drinking thick-ish water. Did I get a bad bottle or something?

It's not a heavy beer, but it's not bad at all for the style. Maybe you got a bad bottle, or maybe you just appreciate a stronger / heavier beer.

Whitekiboko wrote:You probably got a bottle that hadn't been sitting around warm for god knows how long. Much like guinness, it has little taste other than a bit of roast.

I thought about it, and think I might have been expecting a stronger beer due to the coloration. It's pretty dark. I may try it again with different expectations.

by **GenericAnimeBoy** » Thu Aug 16, 2012 3:52 pm UTC

TheAmazingRando wrote:I don't like Fat Tire much but New Belgium's line is usually pretty solid. La Folie, especially, is great if you can get your hands on it.

I had a NBB 1554 the other day and I've gotta say: I was pleased. It's very dark in color, but not too heavy and has a really nice lacy head to it. There's a Somersault sitting in my fridge too, alongside a Breckenridge Vanilla Porter and a Fireman's #4. Thank God for HEB's pick-your-own-6-pack. 8-)

by **TheAmazingRando** » Fri Aug 24, 2012 9:02 pm UTC

Just had Stone's 15th Anniversary black IPA aged in highland scotch barrels.
Not sure what distillery the barrels came from, the aftertaste reminded me of Dalmore 12yr but I'm hardly a scotch connoisseur. Very little smokiness, or maybe it was just overpowered by the darkness of the beer. Tasted more like halfway between an imperial porter and an imperial stout, but then the original was also pretty light on the IPA taste as well.
Probably impossible to get anywhere other than the brewery itself, but their 15th was one of my favorite beers ever, so trying a barrel aged version of it was nice. Not sure it wouldn't have been just as good in bourbon barrels, though.

by **SurgicalSteel** » Sun Aug 26, 2012 2:11 am UTC

Sam Adam's Fat Jack is in stores now. Mmmmm, so much pumpkiny goodness.

by **ExplodingHat** » Sun Aug 26, 2012 9:43 pm UTC

Just tried San Miguel Cerveza Negra. A highly drinkable dark lager.

by **hoppypress** » Mon Aug 27, 2012 5:45 pm UTC

For those of you in the Northeast, I did spot Sam Adams Oktoberfest just outside of Boston the other day. Always feels like it hits stores earlier and earlier every year...

by **Heisenberg** » Mon Aug 27, 2012 6:43 pm UTC

hoppypress wrote:For those of you in the Northeast, I did spot Sam Adams Oktoberfest just outside of Boston the other day. Always feels like it hits stores earlier and earlier every year...

It's 4 days until September. Oktoberfest happens in September. Doesn't seem early to me.

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