Beer Thread

[FactoredReality]

Mmm.. beer.

I finally got back into the land of good beer. Iowa has some crazy blue laws that limit any beer (not wine) over 6% ABV to state controlled. The state is so far behind in payments to breweries that most micros will not ship anymore.

I've been in VA since the middle of Nov. now and gorging on the good stuff. I'm a fan of Dog Fish Head, Omegang, Stone, and for everydays or when I want quantity over quality I like Newcastle, Yuengling, or Strongbow(cider).

I did bring back some Innis & Gunn from my recent trip to Scottland/England. I'm looking forward to a reason to break into those.

Anyone ever do a beer trade? It could be fun but I would think the shipping would make it prohibitive.

[mrtr33]

Enjoyed a Fantome Saison over Christmas. Delicious.

I actually did a beer tasting with my father in law and about 8 assorded Ales and Stouts, with some cheeses. It worked out pretty well. If I can find it, I'll post the full list. My wife always always likes doing wine tastings, so I thought, why not a beer tasting?

I am stuck in the land of Abita beers right now. *Sigh*

[FactoredReality]

Thats a tasty Saison. I'm curious to see your list, did you have any cheeses that paired well?

Enjoyed a Fantome Saison over Christmas. Delicious.

I actually did a beer tasting with my father in law and about 8 assorded Ales and Stouts, with some cheeses. It worked out pretty well. If I can find it, I'll post the full list. My wife always always likes doing wine tastings, so I thought, why not a beer tasting?

I am stuck in the land of Abita beers right now. *Sigh*

[chefchris]

You can find some nice cheeses that pair well with Belgians.

Ales and stouts are the same thing.

[mrtr33]

Ales and stouts are the same thing.

Are they really? Seriously?

I knew Porters and Stouts were the same thing, but thought there were distinct differences between ales and stouts.
We did:
Deschutes Brewery Mirror Pond Ale
Samuel Smith's Winter Welcome Ale
Stone IPA
Fantome Saison

Murphy's Stout
Stockyard Oatmeal Stout
Deschutes Brewery Black Butte Porter
Stone XII Anniversary Chocolate Oatmeal Stout

Can't find the list of cheeses, but with the darker beers, there were mostly goudas, and lighter beers there were lighter-bodied cheeses.

[chefchris]

Are they really? Seriously?

Yup.

A beer is either an Ale or a Lager.

Some ale examples are Pale ale, IPA, Porter, Brown, Stout, and Barleywine.
Some lager styles are Pilsner, Märzen, Bock, and California Common.

And porters and stouts are not the same thing. They can often be very similar. It gets confusing. One of the main differences in that stouts contain roasted barley. But then again, it's become widely acceptable to have roasted barley in porters. My robust porter contains a small amount. Porters came first and were often a more brown color. They used brown malt, usually up to 100% of the grain bill. Stouts later came and nearly wiped out the Porter from it's 200 year reign.

How did you like the Stone XII Anniversary Bitter Chocolate Oatmeal Stout? I've been looking for it forever.

[debo08080]

love beer, wish I wasn't such a poor college student though. Mostly I'm drinking natty light, coors, or miller lite if I'm real lucky When I'm home though I have a few with my dad and I enjoy molsen goldens, heineken(sp?), etc. He doesnt stock anything too crazy but it works for me.

[badwhale]

Yup.

A beer is either an Ale or a Lager.

Some ale examples are Pale ale, IPA, Porter, Brown, Stout, and Barleywine.
Some lager styles are Pilsner, Märzen, Bock, and California Common.

And porters and stouts are not the same thing. They can often be very similar. It gets confusing. One of the main differences in that stouts contain roasted barley. But then again, it's become widely acceptable to have roasted barley in porters. My robust porter contains a small amount. Porters came first and were often a more brown color. They used brown malt, usually up to 100% of the grain bill. Stouts later came and nearly wiped out the Porter from it's 200 year reign.

How did you like the Stone XII Anniversary Bitter Chocolate Oatmeal Stout? I've been looking for it forever.

True. The difference is what type of yeast is used. Bottom or top fermenting.

Will

[FactoredReality]

Are they really? Seriously?

I knew Porters and Stouts were the same thing, but thought there were distinct differences between ales and stouts.
...
Can't find the list of cheeses, but with the darker beers, there were mostly goudas, and lighter beers there were lighter-bodied cheeses.

A Stout is a type of ale that uses roasted / chocolate malt.


How was the Stone XII chocolate stout? I've been on the hunt for their Vertical Epic, I found it once this year and its eluded me since. Since we are in 2009, I believe it will be re-released 9-9-09. Definately one to look out for.