Beer talk

I drink my beer out of this. I've heard that crystal improves the flavor of wine, but I don't know if the same holds for beer. But I do know that it definitely tastes better in a mug than from the bottle, crystal or not. Plus it's fun to shine my laser at.

Out of curiosity, I bought a 40oz of Steel Reserve. I drank about 10oz of it and couldn't take it anymore. Nasty stuff.
 
Thats interesting about the crystal, I've never heard anything about that in regards to beer though - might be a fun thing to taste for in similar shaped glasses though! A mug is a good general shape for beer though, but i I'm trying something new I tend to enjoy drinking out of a wineglass/snifter, or something more along the lines of this:
large-irs-glass.jpg

Anything that narrows at the top tends to concentrate the aromas a bit better, much the same way as wine, etc. It makes more of a difference in bigger beers like Belgians, barlywines, RIS, etc.
Sam Adams came out with a pint glass specifically designed for tasting beer but I never bought it because it's real goofy looking :p
 
I am a poor college student currently enjoying a couple 24 oz. miller lights that were on sale... I can not afford to be a snob yet
 
I'm a total sucker for Weihenstephaner Hefe on tap, but give me a Gulden Draak, Trappiste Rochefort, or St. Bernardus anyday and I'm a happy man - as long as there is a Delirium Tremens in my other hand.
 
c00per said:
Not sure entirely what you mean by commercial, but I have drunk several cask ales from a variety of microbreweries that have been fermented/conditioned in wood. There is also many many pubs in England that still pump from a cask. :)

Oh and I had Damnation by Russian River on tap at the local bar a few days ago. Delicious. Slightly notes of biscuit, pear, and apricots with a good amount of spice. It had hazy straw color and a nice, thick, creamy white head. Quite a nice example of the style and would recommend it to any Belgian ale lover!
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The majority (I think) of pubs in Britain sell cask ale but a relatively small minority of those casks are made of wood.

Marstons is the only brewery in the world that still makes beer in bulk using oak vessels (the Burton Union system). Follow the links for the details. There may be some micro-breweries that ferment beer in oak barrels though I wouldn't know about that. Conditioning in oak is another matter, that is fairly widespread. :)
 
If anybody is near boulder, colorado, or ever pass through, dont hesitate to try anything made by Avery brewery!!! everything ive tasted of theirs has not disapointed!!! all very strong, full bodied, but unique....

I suppose it sells pretty far and wide though....I find it up here in minnesota on occasion!

everything they make is an experience for the palate....
 
jlubas said:
I am a poor college student currently enjoying a couple 24 oz. miller lights that were on sale... I can not afford to be a snob yet
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Next time, get ONE beer for double the money and drink it half as fast!
 
A.W.U.K. said:
The majority (I think) of pubs in Britain sell cask ale but a relatively small minority of those casks are made of wood.

Marstons is the only brewery in the world that still makes beer in bulk using oak vessels (the Burton Union system). Follow the links for the details. There may be some micro-breweries that ferment beer in oak barrels though I wouldn't know about that. Conditioning in oak is another matter, that is fairly widespread. :)
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It sounds like they only cask condition their beer. All the mashing, boiling, fermenting, and blending is done in steel vessels. At least that's according to this link: http://www.marstonsbeercompany.co.uk/perfect_pint/brewingprocess.asp

Dogfish Head uses wooden barrels on a large scale:

wooden_barrel_2.preview.jpg
 
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brewthunda said:
It sounds like they only cask condition their beer. All the mashing, boiling, fermenting, and blending is done in steel vessels. At least that's according to this link: http://www.marstonsbeercompany.co.uk/perfect_pint/brewingprocess.asp

Dogfish Head uses wooden barrels on a large scale:

wooden_barrel_2.preview.jpg
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From the same website:
http://www.marstonsbeercompany.co.uk/our_brands/marstons/pedigree.asp "Unique in this world, it is still brewed in the oak casks of the Burton Union to preserve its unique character, consistent quality and taste."
The Burton Unions are specific to the Marston's brewery in Burton-on-Trent, there are 2 other breweries in the group, producing other beers, that use modern methods.

Those Dogfish vessels look interesting! I haven't seen the like in a brewery before though they use similar vessels in France for maturing and blending wine and Cognac. I know that Dogfish is famous for Good beers though I've never seen them for sale over here to try. :(

The point (or one of the points) about the Burton Unions is that they allow large batches of beer to be brewed in relatively small casks so that there is a lot of contact between beer and wood and the wood noticeably affects the taste.

Any other Brewers in the US brew in wood?
 
I believe that's the vessels for their Palo Santo Marron. Those casks are made of Palo Santo, a specific tree from Paraguay so to utilize the wood best, they built large tanks out of it.
Most US micro brews in the US that utilize wooden casks mostly use them for seasonal offerings so they aren't regularly available. Dogfish head are somewhat known for unusual beers they sell most are really great but wasn't overly impressed with the Palo Santo Marron, I think it might come into its own with some aging. It just had a really huge alcohol bite to it - large amounts of wood flavor and other, quite delicious flavors coming through in the background though.
I had a great smoked porter aged in old oak bourbon casks during San Francisco beer week, only thing is - I have since forgotten who brewed it, which I'm kicking myself over. Going to have to ask next time I'm back at that particular bar.
 
Has anyone here drank North Coast's Old Stock 2008? Hooo-leeeey cow, that stuff is delicious! Other North Coasts I've had were too hoppy for me. This one, however, is so incredibly complex, flavorful, drinkable, yet un-bitter, it's simply amazing :thumbup: The 11.5% ABV means I can cellar a couple 4-packs for next winter. If you've not tried this one, it's very much worth the slightly higher price. It's a seasonal beer, so get it while the getting's good!
 
It has been super hot this week, I am ready for some refreshing brews tonight. I am headed to a store that is kind of out of the way for me, but they carry some great, hard to get stuff.

Trout Tamer, Old Stock Ale is some brutal stuff! A buddy of mine who was not ready for the taste called it old sock ale :D But it definitely will mellow nicely.
 
That's hilarious, tknife :D To me, Old Stock's flavor is much more balanced and mellow than, say, Guinness. It's most fascianting how we each perceive beer's flavor differently.

Oh yeah, last night's beer was the first in a while; school studies during finals season have kept me hoppin'. But, not hoppin' :cool: Last night, however, I tried a Sierra Nevada Wheat.

Unlike many other Sierra Nevadas, their Wheat wasn't powerfully hoppy. In fact, it wasn't powerfully anything. It had a hint of European wheat-beer flavor but wasn't nearly as strong or musty tasting (I've never liked a European wheat beer.) It was a medium-light yellow with a full head which quickly dissipated. Good carbonation made it crisp and refreshing. Low alcohol content - 4.4% ABV - was underscored by low hop flavor. I appreciate these two factors in wheat beer. However, I perceived a general lack of any flavor distinction.
It's a jack-of-all-wheat-beers; not musty like Europeans, not hoppy like other Sierra Nevadas, not heartily grainy like many American wheats. It's a good stepping stone, one to leave behind after discovering wheatier pastures.
 
I just tried a Guinness 250th Anniversary Stout. Not too bad but I still prefer their Draught or Extra Stout.
 
The wife bought me green lake organic ale by Deschutz. I love OR beers in general and this is one of the few org beers would bother with. Not bad stuff overall.
 
Ok a report on the Surly beers. First the Bitter Brewer. It is a English bitter style. It is a very good tasting beer, it kind of tastes like a mild pale ale. I liked it a lot it would be a good beer if you were looking for a beer to drink a lot of. Furious is also a pretty good beer worth a try but truthfully it’s just another well done IPA.
 
Another from New Glarus Fat Squirrel Ale a very well done and tasty brown. I liked it alot going to get this one often.
 
Picked up a Newcastle Brown Ale last night. Didn't care for it much it was skunked. Another reminder to myself to avoid clear glass bottled beer.
 
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