The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: Timothy on May 15, 2010, 10:23:05 AM
-
After 16 years, I've decided that life is too short to continue to abstain from the occasional cold one and have begun to explore the enormous variety of domestic and imported beers available to me after all this time.
I've always been a lover of a good stout and Guinness is alway available. I've sampled most all of the Sam Adams that's brewed here in Boston and found several that are quite nice if not excellent brews and found I'm quite particular to their Black Lager, good nose, smooth and a lovely finish even when it's warming in the glass.
Forget the pale ales and the pilsners, just not my style and nothing by the big bottlers are welcome, they just produce more urine in my opinion and light beer is for watering the garden, not worth the effort...
Darker ales, stouts, porters and focus on domestic beers please....
Let the discussion commence! ;D
-
After 16 years, I've decided that life is too short to continue to abstain from the occasional cold one and have begun to explore the enormous variety of domestic and imported beers available to me after all this time.
I've always been a lover of a good stout and Guinness is alway available. I've sampled most all of the Sam Adams that's brewed here in Boston and found several that are quite nice if not excellent brews and found I'm quite particular to their Black Lager, good nose, smooth and a lovely finish even when it's warming in the glass.
Forget the pale ales and the pilsners, just not my style and nothing by the big bottlers are welcome, they just produce more urine in my opinion and light beer is for watering the garden, not worth the effort...
Darker ales, stouts, porters and focus on domestic beers please....
Let the discussion commence! ;D
McCewans! Beer you can eat with fork! Same body as Guiness, but without the bitterness, slightly sweet, but not in an obnoxious way, dark as the inside of a dog and just about the best thing Scotland has ever produced (barring Clan McCullough of course! ;D). Just be sure you get their stout (the one with the tartan), not the export. Its labeled export since you'd be beaten to death if you sold it in Scotland, its like an inferior version of Bass, which is inferior enough on its own. Seriously, for the guy who just wants one beer at the end of the day? Ye cannae beat the McCewans!
FQ13 who is starting to feel thirsty, and hey, its the weekend. ;)
-
I think Tom T. Hall said it best..............
-
I'm a pie-ass....can't handle the 'dark beers', so I stick to the lighter stuff like Pilsners (?)......
Soooooooo, I'm no help here...except to say, "Good Luck". :D
In fact, this is the darkest alcohol I can handle. ;D
(http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0WTefX7yO5LqAQAOzOjzbkF/SIG=128ddqmf9/EXP=1274026619/**http%3a//media.americanfood4u.de/png800/10000553_1.png)
-
Some of the best beer commercials of all time!!
Ok, so this one is for bourbon......sue me.
Ok, that's enough for now.
-
I'm fond of Shiner's Black Lager, but I'm from here, so I have to be, or they come for you...... Guinness is sitting in the fridge right now. Just go buy some Shiner and drink that until time stops and your good. ;D I'm sure you know by now, I've got a feeling your be modest about your drunkenness, stay away from any thing flavored by any thing than beer. No lime, this, that, and the other.
On more thing.
-
Anybody want to guess which one of those we all clicked on first? Despite the fact it was the worst commercial (although funny as hell). I'll pay ten bucks to anybody who can remember the brand name or even describe the can's colors without looking. ;D
FQ13 who is no Frank Luntz but did run a focus group or two back in the day. Tight tanned asses on the beach! Mikey likes it But......"Were you guys selling something? I must have missed it". ;)
Note to marketing: Do not employ models so hot that they make a guy forget about beer. Save them for the political adds where you want folks to forget the product. ;D ;D ;D
-
KISS______________________________________________________________________________________cold
-
I think Tom T. Hall said it best..............
Thats all well and good. But lets stay on topic. He may like beer, but does he like guns? ;D ;D ;D
FQ13 who should be ashamed for swinging at that one, but oddly, I'm not! ;D
-
To continue back on subject after looking at the secondary subjects. ;D I love Beer My current favorite is Southwicks, A fine Ale marketed by Guiness tried some last month when I was home on leave . Can't wait to get back and have some more.
Mike Mc
-
To continue back on subject after looking at the secondary subjects. ;D I love Beer My current favorite is Southwicks, A fine Ale marketed by Guiness tried some last month when I was home on leave . Can't wait to get back and have some more.
Mike Mc
Do you mean Smithwicks? If so, I agree that is a fine Irish Ale. I had a few the other night myself.
-
My favorite domestic brews come from Stone Brewing Company.
My fav from them is :
Arrogant Bastard Ale (http://www.stonebrew.com/arrogantbastard/), which is technically an IPA, but at 7.2% alc/vol and some serious hop mixture, it is full bodied. Did I mention it is dark? Not black dark, but certainly not pale by any means. Double Bastard variety is 10%, and I swear to god you can taste the alcohol, like it was a weak shot...
I've also had this on its original release date:
Imperial Russian Stout (http://www.stonebrew.com/irs/). Talk about a serious brew! 10.5% alc/vol, thick enough to pass specs as road tar in 35 states. Damn tasty stuff.
Last but not least, Smoked Porter (http://www.stonebrew.com/porter/). Yep, bought a case of this a while back. Yep, it tastes smoked, and I liked it, but I can see how it is a brew not fit for everyone.
The above come in 22 oz bottles, 12 to a case, IIRC
-
+1 on the Arrogant Bastard stuff, I drink a lot of beer, so cannot do the super premium all the time, my 1st go to premium beer is Red Stripe from Jamaica, next is exotic, and expensive, but totally different from all other beers I have tasted, it is called Piraat, from Belgium, it has a fantastic head, that smells bad, but when sipped does not come through, it is a wheaty taste, not unlike wheat cheks cereal, and at 10.5% will relax you. 15 bucks for a .750litre bottle. It is yummy. ;D
-
Newcastle Brown Ale if no Guiness is on tap.
-
I'm trying some Sam Adams Double Bock tonight. High alcohol content of 9.5% and I can't say I like it too much. Kinda different in a weird sort of way. Don't think I'll give this one a do-over.
Might go well with a good steak dinner or something like a beef bourguignon but not as a basic drinking beer. Too winey in the finish and flat as hell after the pour.
.02 and as always, a bit more...
-
never fear the experts are here ;D
about 1 min in says it all for me ;)
Coopers Pale Ale for me any time or ( ANY COOPERS, Cascade , Guinness, Hoegaarden, Little Creatures Pale, Tooheys New or extra dry
as you may have seen I have also started Home Brewing http://www.downrange.tv/forum/index.php?topic=12128.0
I am a fan of most beers there are only a hand full that I won't drink if I have a choice and 3 I just won't drink ( Fosters West End Draft & XXXX )
if you can get hold of Coopers I really suggest getting it
-
Can't get Coopers here, at least not in the Northeast US.
Still, it's amazing how many great brews that are available.
-
Can't get Coopers here, at least not in the Northeast US.
Still, it's amazing how many great brews that are available.
yes you can
http://www.hitimewine.net/istar.asp?a=6&id=400006!1102
http://www.hitimewine.net/istar.asp?a=6&id=450064!1929
http://www.hitimewine.net/istar.asp?a=6&id=400008!1102
http://www.hitimewine.net/istar.asp?a=6&id=400004!1108
http://www.hitimewine.net/istar.asp?a=6&id=475543!1102
any of them are good especially Pale :)
also if you get Vintage ( a little different) make sure it is COLD ( like all beer needs to be ) & don't drive after a couple it is 7.5% per stubby
-
yes you can
http://www.hitimewine.net/istar.asp?a=6&id=400006!1102
http://www.hitimewine.net/istar.asp?a=6&id=450064!1929
http://www.hitimewine.net/istar.asp?a=6&id=400008!1102
http://www.hitimewine.net/istar.asp?a=6&id=400004!1108
http://www.hitimewine.net/istar.asp?a=6&id=475543!1102
any of them are good especially Pale :)
also if you get Vintage ( a little different) make sure it is COLD ( like all beer needs to be ) & don't drive after a couple it is 7.5% per stubby
The item you have requested is no longer available.
-
The item you have requested is no longer available.
copy and past the whole link and it will work, it does not work when you click on it due to the ! in it :-\
-
Thanks Phil but at 40 bucks a case for the stout and 43 bucks for freight to the US, I'm gonna have to take a pass. For 85 bucks, I'll buy a quart of 18 year old Glenfiddich Single Malt.
Holy Moly! That's some 'spensive brew!
-
we pay here about $40 for a slab as well however the freight is the killer however it is worth it :)
-
I'm going to suggest something supremely evil here.
Make your own beer.
If you have enough skill to follow the directions required to make a serving of Kraft macaroni and cheese you can, guaranteed, make beer better than any commercial brand of beer suggested on this thread so far.
I'm about to kick off my fifth five-gallon batch in the last year.
The only reason I've made only four five-gallon batches so far is because buying diapers has really cut into my gun-ammo-beer budget.
I am a totally newbie at making beer.
My beer making equipment is a six-gallon bucket with a hole in the lid, a rubber stopper with airlock to go into the hole, another six-gallon bucket with a hole cut in the side, a spigot to go in that hole, and a $15 bottle capper.
That's it. Oh wait....I totally forgot the six-foot section of rubber hose I use for a siphon.
I get used beer bottles from my friends. I wash them myself.
I buy beer kits that contain everything else, including bottle caps.
Now, just like reloading ammo, you can get all high-tech, and gee-gawed, and gadgeted about it.
But man, with my very, very simple tools, and beer kits, I can make and drink the best beer I've ever tasted anywhere.
I am not kidding.
Here's a link to check out.
http://www.annapolishomebrew.com/shopTrueBrewkits.asp
I used some company's Russian Stout kit and I made glossy black wonderful beer that's better than any Guiness I've ever had, anywhere, even from the tap.
I am not kidding on this one.
You want the best beer? Make it yourself.
It's EASY
rhill
-
Roy,
Crusader Rabbit and I have been doing this as well. There is a local place we get the wort at about 25.00 for a six gallon batch.
What do you use the 2nd bucket for? We just use the one and we put a tap at the bottom to bottle from.
-
Roy,
Crusader Rabbit and I have been doing this as well. There is a local place we get the wort at about 25.00 for a six gallon batch.
What do you use the 2nd bucket for? We just use the one and we put a tap at the bottom to bottle from.
The first is for fermentation. Its then strained into the second for aging (I may have my terms confused, its been a long time since I've done this). The only other thing you need is an alchohol meter to tell you when its done. I got the same type kit roy described for about $50. I also used the premixed stuff, rather than mixing my own wort with hops and such. He ain't lying when he said its the best beer you'll get outside of a brew pub. The only down side is waiting for it to age. Its why I only made ales, not laagers. ;) I didn't have the patience. The only key to doing it right is cleanliness. You have to be anal retentive about keeping stuff clean. Otherwise you will introduce wild yeast into the mix and the beer tastes like moldy cardboard. Trust me, you only have to make this mistake once and you'll come to Jesus on the cleanliness front. Still, if you can pour water, operate a siphon and wash dishes, you can make great beer.
FQ13
-
We mix and ferment in the bucket. Hydrometer works fine instead of an alcohol meter, just wait till the bubble stop (about 4-5 days), bottle and age (7-14 days), then chill and quaff.
-
Well, the definition of a rifleman is to be able to hit a target at 500 yards with iron sights. If you can't do that, you're a cook!
So, by that definition, I'm a cook; ;D ;D.... so I'm perfectly capable of making my own beer and I might just do that. I will have to convince the wifey that I'm not gonna stink up the house in doing so!
Until that time, I'm enjoying the huge variety of domestic brews available to me here in the Northeast. Tonight it's Dogfish Head Indian Brown Ale and some Oaked Arogant Bastard on the menu.
I'll give the required range reports as I enjoy them.
p.s. Phil, I have made several inquiries about Coopers and was told by two large packy's that they carried it for a while but just couldn't sell it so they've stopped trying. Don't take it personally Mate, it's gotten to the point that there are 50 local brewerys in the Northeast, too much really good beer to be had.
-
Range Report....
The Dogfish Head Indian Brown is probably one of the best tasting brews I've ever tasted. I'm really quite impressed! Has a nice taste, malty and bold with a scotch ale finish that's very satisfying. ;)
Definately a do-over.
-
Well, the definition of a rifleman is to be able to hit a target at 500 yards with iron sights. If you can't do that, you're a cook!
So, by that definition, I'm a cook; ;D ;D.... so I'm perfectly capable of making my own beer and I might just do that. I will have to convince the wifey that I'm not gonna stink up the house in doing so!
got for it mate
My Mrs got the kit I have for my birthday :) did not stick up the house at all
actually enjoying a couple at the moment
more about it here http://www.downrange.tv/forum/index.php?topic=12128.0
(http://gallery.mac.com/philw/100187/IMG_0022/web.jpg)
p.s. Phil, I have made several inquiries about Coopers and was told by two large packy's that they carried it for a while but just couldn't sell it so they've stopped trying. Don't take it personally Mate, it's gotten to the point that there are 50 local brewerys in the Northeast, too much really good beer to be had.
I won't however I stand by the Vid I posted about US beers :P
-
We (CR and I) are making the Nut Brown Ale.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p78/hazcater/DRTV/IMG_3065.jpg)
-
We (CR and I) are making the Nut Brown Ale.
Sigh, I've been wanting to try home brewing for years (like I need more stuff to clutter up the place) and Newcastle is one of my favorite...so not yas got me asking where you got the Nub Brown kit?
-
We get it local at the Beer and Wine Makers Pantry. They have a web site www.beerandwinemaking.com
-
We (CR and I) are making the Nut Brown Ale.
Crusader/Cat..... Haz/Rabbit.... brewing!
You two could come up with some great names for your custdom brews. :P
;D
-
Range Report.
Oaked Arrogant Basterd Ale............SUCKS!
Tastes like stale Heineken....bitter and nasty....couldn't finish the bottle, thank God I only bought one!
-
Range Report.
Oaked Arrogant Basterd Ale............SUCKS!
Tastes like stale Heineken....bitter and nasty....couldn't finish the bottle, thank God I only bought one!
NO! NO! NO!
Just get the regular Arrogant Bastard, try to get it from a source that keeps it cold. I had to scream (figuratively, I don't do that to nice people) to the beer dept head at my local Wegmans about that. Actually, I let the box the Arrogant Bastards come in do it for me. I asked him to show me a full case. It states "Keep refrigerated, numskull!!!" in big letters on the top or side, which I underlined with my finger. I then brought him to his unrefrigerated beer section, stopped in front of the Bastards on the shelf, hung my head and slowly shook it side to side while 'tsk, tsk'ing him. Gave him a big grin and he laughed and said, "I'm a numskull."
Bastard (and other Stone products) is now displayed as a single bottle with a note saying 'for purchase in our refrigerated section'.
BTW, Oaked bites anyway, sounds like yours got warm for an extended period, to boot.
-
OK Fatman, I'm willing to give it another chance on your recommendation.
The packy only had it on the shelf warm. Singles for $3.50 plus tax and deposit...$3.77 a bottle total...I hope you're right!
-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y39JehmZO4&feature=related
Nuff said,.... ;D
-
A local brew, Smuttynose Old Brown Dog Ale tonight.......range report on the 'morrow!
-
Do you know the significance of the name "Smuttynose" ? ;D
-
Do you know the significance of the name "Smuttynose" ? ;D
Murder?
The island was named after the seaweed on one side of the island that gave the apperance of a "Smutty Nose" of a sea creature.
At least that's what my google foo found!
-
BTW....The Old Brown Dog Ale is tasty stuff!
A good, hearty American brown ale worthy of another future engagement...
-
Murder?
The island was named after the seaweed on one side of the island that gave the apperance of a "Smutty Nose" of a sea creature.
At least that's what my google foo found!
The Murder.
Smuttynose is one of the "Isles of Shoals" off Portsmouth. In the late 1800's a guy named Louis Wagner rowed out there and killed 3 sisters with an axe. then he rowed back to Portsmouth and fled, he was later caught and hung.
The rooming house he was staying in belonged to my Grand Mother's Aunt.
-
24 hours in a day, 24 bottles in a case. Coincidence? I think not.
-
BUMP up the thread!
Sierra Nevada Porter tonight..
Damn fine little beer, great tasting and delightful. Almost a shame that it's bottled in California but it's way up north where the good folks live.
Oh well, who'd a thunk it?
-
Pilsner Urquell, from Czech. damn fine pilsner.
+1 on the Sierra Nevada. I enjoy California wine a bunch also, but would otherwise boycott the land of fruit and nuts.... :-\
-
Pilsner Urquell, from Czech. damn fine pilsner.
+1 on the Sierra Nevada. I enjoy California wine a bunch also, but would otherwise boycott the land of fruit and nuts.... :-\
There was good reason to steal California from the Mexicans!
It's a shame that the Californians f*@ked it up afterward!
;)
-
There was good reason to steal California from the Mexicans!
It's a shame that the Californians f*@ked it up afterward!
;)
It wasn't their fault. It was all that Okie trash that came in after the Depression. ;D
FQ13 who couldn't resist poking Rastus just a little, but it was said with a smilie ;).
PS If you like the hoppy beers, as I do, here are three great ones. Light to heavy:
Anchor Steam: as hoppy as Sierra, but not as heavy.
Alaska Amber: about like Sierra Nevada, but smoother. A very great beer and worth the trouble of finding it.
Anchor Liberty Ale: like Sierra on steroids. Not dark, but hoppy as heck and great with a steak. Despite being an Amber, it feels about like a Guiness after drinking one. Not a real high high alchohol content at alll, but heavy enough to be a sipping beer. One or two should do you.
They are all well worth a try and deserve a chilled mug.
-
Bump!
I finally found a packy that carries one of my old favorites.
Anchor Porter!
Damn fine beer, as good today as it was when I left Northern California in '79. Again, too bad that it's from the Bay area but screw the politics on this one.
-
Out here in Kalifornistan there's a purveyor of package goods and groceries by the name of Trader Joe's. The have, under the name Trader Jose, what they call Mexican Dark. It is a fuller beer than Modelo Negro with a great finish and a goodly amount of flavor. I'm going to do my best to transport a couple of 6-ers back the Florida, but the trip lasts more than a couple of days, and there is great risk that the shipment may not make it all the way. Pray for cold weather through Texas if there is to be a prayer of getting a few brews to my pal, Haz.
-
I can't believe no on was said it yet. Teh best beer is free beer.
-
I can't believe no on was said it yet. Teh best beer is free beer.
have we met before?
-
I can't believe no on was said it yet. Teh best beer is free beer.
Sadly, that's not always true. One of the saddest, and funniest drinking stories I know revolves around this topic. When I was at The University of Texas we used to do happy hour on Thursdays at this mostly outside bar called the Crown @ Anchor. They had cheap pitchers and great fries. It was however, hot as hell outside on a late afternoon during a Texas September. One day we show up and there was this Miller Beer truck. They were gving away (FREE! FOR NOTHING!) pitchers of Miller Clear. It was their answer to Zima. Being the good little drunks we were, we each got one. None of us finished a glass before we decided we'd rather pay for a pitcher of Shiner Bock. When you can't give away free beer to college students on a hot aftrnoon, you know you have problems. ;D
FQ13
-
Back in the day, circa Summer of 76 in Key West, the base Enlisted Club got a deal on Schlitz Lite. That Friday, they tried to get us to buy the stuff. People would buy a can for about a quarter and leave about 11 oz sitting on the bar. By the end of the month, they still had way too much of the crap and were giving it away for about a nickle. Tnen a two for one for a nickle and finally they gave up trying to sell it.
Still probably had some when I left in October....pretty bad beer when a Sailor won't even drink it...
-
Back in the day, circa Summer of 76 in Key West, the base Enlisted Club got a deal on Schlitz Lite. That Friday, they tried to get us to buy the stuff. People would buy a can for about a quarter and leave about 11 oz sitting on the bar. By the end of the month, they still had way too much of the crap and were giving it away for about a nickle. Tnen a two for one for a nickle and finally they gave up trying to sell it.
Still probably had some when I left in October....pretty bad beer when a Sailor won't even drink it...
or maybe spoiled sailors? ;D
deepwater
-
Got a bucket of Irish stout brewing!
-
Got a bucket of Irish stout brewing!
my dear friend. ;D
-
Back in the day, circa Summer of 76 in Key West, the base Enlisted Club got a deal on Schlitz Lite. That Friday, they tried to get us to buy the stuff. People would buy a can for about a quarter and leave about 11 oz sitting on the bar. By the end of the month, they still had way too much of the crap and were giving it away for about a nickle. Tnen a two for one for a nickle and finally they gave up trying to sell it.
Still probably had some when I left in October....pretty bad beer when a Sailor won't even drink it...
1978, Jacksonville NC, pitcher of Shlitz beer, one gulp and tossed my guts, stuck to the "Malt liquor" after that. AAHH The days of getting "gored by the Bull" ;D
Can't forget the traditional Post Super Bowl Breakfast either, cold pizza and warm beer. ;D