BS: Beer

Subject: Beer
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Jun 00 - 07:08 AM

Its the weekend folks, the time to relax, maybe with a fine glass of ale. Are there beers out there who's praises you would care to sing out loud, my efforts will be directed at Marstons, an ale of "pedigree".

Subject: RE: BS: Beer
From: Patrish(inactive)
Date: 16 Jun 00 - 07:15 AM

Nick Staffords "Hambletons Ales" -yum yum
Patrish

Subject: RE: BS: Beer
From: Ella who is Sooze
Date: 16 Jun 00 - 07:15 AM

Flowers Origial

Guinness

Old Speckled Hen

John Smiths Smooth

Guinness

And yes guinness

Ella

;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Beer
From: Lady McMoo
Date: 16 Jun 00 - 07:23 AM

All of the above but, especially, Adnam's.

(and this from one living in the Beermost Kingdom of Belgium!)

Slainte,

mcmoo

Subject: RE: BS: Beer
From: Timbobbin
Date: 16 Jun 00 - 07:59 AM

Timmy Taylors landlord

Subject: RE: BS: Beer
From: Gary T
Date: 16 Jun 00 - 08:05 AM

It's local, but I find it superb--Boulevard Brewerey's Pale Ale. They also offer a wheat beer (not like the German flavored ones, just a nice flavorful beer, lighter than the ale), an Irish Ale in spring, a lager in fall (not wimpy like typical American lagers, but robust and tasty), a porter, and a few others. If you make it to Kansas City, give the Boulevard beers a try.

Subject: RE: BS: Beer
From: Morticia
Date: 16 Jun 00 - 08:32 AM

Greene King Abbott...I love it, it hates me, go figure.

Subject: RE: BS: Beer
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 16 Jun 00 - 08:59 AM

Newcastle Brown Ale and Bass... Beer is no longer just fer breakfast mates. I was told you can drink it all day; and yes it goes with red and white meat. Aye. Dave

Subject: RE: BS: Beer
From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler
Date: 16 Jun 00 - 09:10 AM

I endorse most of those quoted, also Wadsworth's 4x and when in London, Young's Special. Not that I indulge often, you understand...but as the man said, it's nearly the weekend...
RtS

Subject: RE: BS: Beer
From: Brendy
Date: 16 Jun 00 - 09:11 AM

Of all the English Real Ales I have tasted - and I've tasted many - I always had a little grá for This Stuff!!!

Check it out, and 'Win beer for a Year'

B.

Subject: RE: BS: Beer
From: Ringer
Date: 16 Jun 00 - 09:11 AM

John Smith's smooth? You must be joking. Why include piss in a list of beers? Beer should be alive, served from handpump if not from the barrel, not pasturised cat-waz serverd under nitrogen top-pressure.

And while we're at it, I think Guinness is over-rated. They say it's better in Ireland. All I can say is, it had better be.

And while we're at it, am I alone in thinking that it's becoming increasingly difficult to find beer (that's beer, alive, served from handpump if not from the barrel) served at an appropriate temperature; for the Guinness & lager drinkers among you, an appropriate temperature is WARM. Why kill all taste, as is necessary with lager, by chilling it when the product at correct temperature fills the nose with delightful bouquet, the mouth with tastes of warm malt and sharp hops and leaves lingering aftertastes of elderflower or liquorice? The very names of the hops (Fuggles, Goldings, names themselves to linger on the tongue) are redolent of a tradition older than most of the song I sing, a tradition that I'm determined my thirst (and, I have to confess my sheer delight in drinking beer long after the thirst is quenched) shall help to maintain.

So what's good? Old Mill Mild (dark, nutty, delicious, brewed in Yorkshire, of a strength low enough to leave you standing up even after a satiety -- and satiety doesn't come early with a beer that good) is one of my favourites and, conveniently, served just round the corner from my office. London Pride is also wonderful (no geographical preferences here, you'll note). But I'll drink anything out of a handpump, and enjoy 99% of it.

Beer is wonderful. Beer is best.

Subject: RE: BS: Beer
From: A Wandering Minstrel
Date: 16 Jun 00 - 09:24 AM

Round where I am the beer of choice has to be Wychwoods "Hobgoblin", or "Fiddlers Elbow" both very drinkable

For real headcrashing, try the Newcastle Star or MacEwans No 1. don't have more than one though or drink it in halves!

Dave the mariner, I hope you drink your broon out of a schooner!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Beer
From: Grab
Date: 16 Jun 00 - 09:28 AM

3 beers from the Abbeydale brewery. Absolution is the standard, a strong bitter. Black Lurcher is stout, 9%-ish. And Last Rites is 12% upwards, is smooth as lemonade so you drink it without hardly noticing, until you try to stand up!

Or a pint of mild goes down nicely with a plate of decent home-cooked food.

Grab.

Subject: RE: BS: Beer
From: Patrish(inactive)
Date: 16 Jun 00 - 09:39 AM

I've jush had some loverly beer made by the Ossett Brewery called "Wobbly Bob" and do you know my bobs gone all wobbly.....
Patrish

Subject: RE: BS: Beer
From: Kim C
Date: 16 Jun 00 - 09:48 AM

Guinness, Guinness, and Guinness. I don't think it's overrated and it shouldn't be WARM, unless 55 degrees is considered WARM. By American ice-cold standards I suppose it would be. I keep them in thr fridge but let them sit out about 30 minutes before drinking. Then it's perfect (except for the fact it's in a bottle but I haven't figured out how to get my own keg just yet). Mister calls it "liquid rye bread" and usually won't drink it, or any other stout. Once in awhile he may have a porter but he doesn't love the dark beers as much as I do.

It's hot here in Tennessee now so pale beers are nice... I actually like a cold Rolling Rock on a hot day, or a cold Woodpecker cider. But my favorite beer drink for the summer is...... SHANDY. Rolling Rock makes a good shandy as do several of the medium-dark beers.

This week a houseguest treated us to a 12-pack of Shiner Bock. I like that pretty well too. Shiner makes several other beers which are unfortunately not available outside the Republic of Texas.

I tried Samuel Adams and really didn't care for it.

One of our new favorites is an import called La Trappe, which is brewed by Trappist monks in Holland. It comes in gray crock bottles, which is what caught our interest in the first place (we can use the bottles for living history events). It's a reddish beer with a slightly fruity aftertaste. There's a bottle in the fridge right now.......

Subject: RE: BS: Beer
From: Mooh
Date: 16 Jun 00 - 10:16 AM

Kinda partial to my homebrew at the moment, but I really like Creemore Lager. I'm not sure if it's available outside of southern Ontario. Upper Canada Dark is fine, as is their Wheat beer.

Somewhere on Earth it's time for a beer, I might as well start now. Thanks for the inspiration. Mooh.

Subject: RE: BS: Beer
From: GUEST,Mrr
Date: 16 Jun 00 - 10:26 AM

I have never managed to learn to like beer. I tried in college, and tried again much harder in grad school; I tried it in Ireland. I tried it after spending a day housepainting. I tried it everywhere and even when I am thirstier than I can imagine being, it still tastes, well, bad. I do, however, like liquor and mixed drinks; I did OK in Ireland without the Guiness once I'd learned that the "punch" the Clancys sang about is called Hot Whiskey where I was, and boy, is THAT good.

Any hints from y'all on how to learn to like beer? I find it a social grace I consider myself to lack.

Subject: RE: BS: Beer
From: Rana who SHOULD be working
Date: 16 Jun 00 - 10:29 AM

This thread is making me want to hop (pun not intended)on a plane and sample real ales!

Unfortunately there aren't too many around Toronto. A few brew pubs exist and there are some micros. Creemore , as Mooh said is, pretty good and is what I normally have. Cameron's Pale once you find it. I should go up to the Granite Brew pub - been to the one in Halifax, Nova Scotia and it was marvellous.

For English ales beggars can't be choosers so we do have to have John Smiths though Ruddles is now around.

Rana

Subject: RE: BS: Beer
From: Brendy
Date: 16 Jun 00 - 10:31 AM

I have to agree with Bald Eagle as far as the Guinness is concerned.
When you live and travel overseas, you get to sample a wide variety of Guinness. Most of which is certainly not what you would expect in Ireland.

However, I can almost always put this down to the impatience of the barman (Beers are much easier to pull, and you can sell more of them in the time it takes to pull a decent pint).
Proper care of the lines is very important also, and the distance from tap to barrel is critical.

I have tasted excellent Guinness in my travels, as well as chalky crap, heavily disguised behind the Guinness name.

A few notable 'Guinness' Pubs:
Vaughan's, Chicago
Paddy Go Easy, Åboulevarden, Århus, Denmark.
John D. McGurks, corner of 12th and Russell, St. Louis.

Caring people who care about Guinness!

B.

Subject: RE: BS: Beer
From: GUEST,art
Date: 16 Jun 00 - 10:48 AM

as i live in nethergate st. it would be disloyal of me not to mention nethergate ale, C.A.M.R.A. award winner,loved by thousands,brewed by enthusiasts, but does not agree with internal machine.

however when ABBOTT is "on song" it's hard to beat, but haven't had a decent draught since the early 90's. the cans with a widgett are the next best thing but if you've carried them home you're best off leaving them in the fridge for a few hours.

have fiddlers elbow in the cooler right now and am awaiting the arrival of the T shirt.5 bottle tops and £5 will get you one.they're online, look up "wychwood".it's worth it just for the artwork

cheers

bill

Subject: RE: BS: Beer
From: jeffp
Date: 16 Jun 00 - 11:03 AM

Usual quaff is Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, but I really prefer my own brew. Other favorites are Victory Hop Devil and Tupper's Hop Pocket Ale.

jeffp

Subject: RE: BS: Beer
From: Hollowfox
Date: 16 Jun 00 - 11:17 AM

When I was a wee tot, my parents were going to college, and all the parties were at our house. In the mornings, I'd help clean up (I was short enough to find the ashtrays hidden under the chairs, and I wasn't hung over.) *That's* why I like Iron City Beer (from Pittsburgh), with Duquesne Beer (likewise) coming in a close second, but I don't have to wait until they're flat anymore, and I don't have to check for used cigarette butts before I take a drink. The worst beerI ever had was a homemade dark brew that a medievalist flavored with cloves. Tasted like Evening in Paris perfume.

Subject: RE: BS: Beer
From: Sorcha
Date: 16 Jun 00 - 11:22 AM

Real German "Wiesenbier"--oh wow
From New Belguim MicroBrew in Northern Colorado, USA--
"Sunshine Wheat", "Fat Tire", and "Tripple Bock"
Sam Adams "Cherry Wheat"
Two Dogs "Lemon Brew"
"Newcastle Brown"
and no doubt several others, but it is too early here for me to think much about beer, still on coffee. Would really like to try Guinness in Ireland, the pop top cans are over rated, for almost $3 (US) each.

Subject: RE: BS: Beer
From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler
Date: 16 Jun 00 - 11:29 AM

Aaah, home brew! When I was poor and newly married we made our own beer. One night we awoke to a noise we thought was a car accident outside. Found the living room awash with beer and bits of glass embedded in the furniture as a gallon jar had exploded. Fortunate that we hadn't been in there at the time. We gave up after that! Another good thing was that it was a furnished let and the stuff was in a ratty state anyway ( a previous tenant had taken a knife to most of the furniture during a "domestic" - well it was Peckham!) so the landlord didn't gripe!
RtS

Subject: RE: BS: Beer
From: GUEST,John Gray / Australia
Date: 16 Jun 00 - 11:38 AM

For a good review of a large range of beer brands / types and countries of origin go to the "Long Distance Travellers". http://www.ozemail.com.au/~naibor/ldt/start.htm We are, we are, we are, we are, we are the engineers. And we can, we can, we can, we can demolish 40 beers. Drink up, drink up etc. etc. ( a song that us old stokers used to sing many years ago ) And just remember - there are no bad beers - just some better than others. Location is important too, a cold San Mig. at the New Jolo bar in Olongapo was the stuff that dreams were made of.

JG / FME

Subject: RE: BS: Beer
From: Mark Clark
Date: 16 Jun 00 - 11:47 AM

I too am quite partial to Guinness but I'd like to sing the praises of a local brew as well. I've thought for many years that American beer is some of the world's worst. There are no beer purity laws here and it's production (and quality) is close to that of soft carbonated beverages.

There is, however, a brew made a few miles from here called Stone City Iowa Pale Ale that is really good. The Stone City Brewrey began in Stone City, Ia., the subject of Grant Wood's famous painting, but found that the water in their wells was not conducive to the finest brew. They moved their brewrey to the nearby town of Solon and now make an excellent product. If you're driving through Iowa on I-80 on a weekday before 6:00pm it's worth the ten mile detour up Iowa Route 1 to Solon.

Iowa Pale Ale is sold locally in grocery stores but I don't think it has a wider distribution. Maybe it could be ordered through Beer Across America or one of those beer-of-the-month clubs.

You won't be disappointed.

      - Mark

Subject: RE: BS: Beer
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 16 Jun 00 - 11:54 AM

Well Guest, I guess I'm just not as particular as the rest of these guys. As long as I'm thirsty, and its cold, I'm happy.

Little Neo

Subject: RE: BS: Beer
From: GUEST,Frank B
Date: 16 Jun 00 - 12:07 PM

Yuengling Lager is my choice unless it is not available. Brewed in Pennsylvania, there are other "flavors" which includes a pretty decent Black and Tan, but my favorite is just plain Yuengling Lager, nice Amber color, Rich taste, not overbearing.....I'll stop now, it feels like I'm in the middle of a bad commercial!!

Frank

P.S. Honey Brown is a pretty good local beer as well....

Subject: RE: BS: Beer
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Jun 00 - 12:10 PM

Dos XX (Equis)....I'm told it's the last remaining example of a Vienna lager.

Mrr...if you've not learned to like beer by now, there's probably a good reason, and I wouldn't force it. Chalk it up to personal preference, as in some people don't like beets. Stick to your mixed drinks and liquor, and drink water when thirsty. (Your kidneys and waistline will probably thank you for it some day)

Subject: RE: BS: Beer
From: Hollowfox
Date: 16 Jun 00 - 12:29 PM

Yes, exploding homebrew stories...maybe we should start a new thread...

Subject: RE: BS: Beer
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 16 Jun 00 - 12:31 PM

I've always wondered about this beer belly thing. Do guys who drink a lot of alcohol get a belly too. Or is it just the beer that makes the belly big?

Little Neo

Subject: RE: BS: Beer
From: GUEST,sledge (as a guest)
Date: 16 Jun 00 - 12:35 PM

My fine lady laid in a bottle of a fullers brew called "1845", rich, dark and 6.3% alchohol, gets my vote so far this year

Subject: RE: BS: Beer
From: paddymac
Date: 16 Jun 00 - 12:48 PM

Whilst enjoying yer first pint of the weekend, offer up a kind thought in memory of the first man or woman so driven by thirst or hunger as to pick up a bowl of "rotting" barley, thereby securing for all humankind (and bulls in Kobe, Japan) the benefit of one of Creators most magnificent inventions. A true hero of all the nations (and smaller political entities as well)!

Subject: RE: BS: Beer
From: Micca
Date: 16 Jun 00 - 01:56 PM

I personally like many of the products of the Upper Canada brewing Co. in Toronto,, but at he moment I am in awe of one of our recent house guests from the US who was introduced to a Real Ale pub on her 1st visit to London and went for Abbott..and is now firmly converted,this has long been a favourite beer.,, BTW someone above, I think Wadsworths of Devizes, is 6X not 4, and Liz will probably tell you how TOTALLY excellent Tanglefoot is.. and Mrr have you tried Cider as a Quaffing drink? it is Sugar free, if you go for the dry version,( NOT Woodpecker, Spaw thats the brand name not the effect)and Ok for diabetics..

Subject: RE: BS: Beer
From: Brendy
Date: 16 Jun 00 - 02:00 PM

Good to see you back, Micca, and able to sample such wonders. *BG*

B.

Subject: RE: BS: Beer
From: GUEST,art
Date: 16 Jun 00 - 02:17 PM

wow 35 messages and no-one's mentioned john barleycorn

Subject: RE: BS: Beer
From: Max
Date: 16 Jun 00 - 02:32 PM

My favorite beer is any that I've never tried before. I think the best I've tried so far are:

1. Sam Smith's Old Brewery Pale Ale
2. Stoudt's American Pale Ale
3. Newcastle Brown

I think the worst beer I ever tried was the Sam Adams Cherry Wheat. Nasty.

Subject: RE: BS: Beer
From: Rana who SHOULD be working
Date: 16 Jun 00 - 02:39 PM

I'm going to mention that wonderful 2 CD set called A Tale of Ale. Of course it features John Barleycorn!

Rana who will be going for a Creemore in a few hours and will be spending the weekend at the London (Ontario) Morris Ale

Subject: RE: BS: Beer
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 16 Jun 00 - 02:45 PM

Here in Minnesota, the best local beers are James Page Voyageur Pale Ale and Summit Pale Ale.

Of the nationally distributed beers, I favor Redhook ESB or IPA.

I'm referring to bottled beer you drink at home. Most bars still serve it way too cold.

For more info about Canadian & American "craft" brews, check out the The Real Beer Page.

Here's a quote for you: "Beer is liquid bread. Most American beers are like Wonderbread. What we're brewing here is like a good rye or pumpernickel." -- Mark Stutrud, founder and owner of Summit Brewing Company.

Subject: RE: BS: Beer
From: Turtle
Date: 16 Jun 00 - 04:16 PM

Ah, Summit! Now that I'm in Minneapolis, that's what I drink too . . . but I sure miss those days back in Vermont when my friend Suze (Susan A-R to you) and I would drink local micro-brews: Magic Hat No. 9, Otter Creek Christmas Porter, and Long Trail Ale . . . those were the days, right Suze?

We used to say there were four food groups: beer, coffee, chocolate, and garlic. We figured they were pretty balanced because two were liquid and two were solid . . . often our goal in an evening or a weekend was to make sure we got to all four food groups . . .

Turtle

Subject: RE: BS: Beer
From: SeanM
Date: 16 Jun 00 - 04:20 PM

Max, I knew I liked you for good reason.

Sam Smith's just about anything is a good call... the only caveat is that some stores will let it sit out in full light (comes in clear bottles), and it will get a bit skunky in that case.

However, if you deal with reputable beer sellers, the Sam Smith Imperial stout is my all time favorite stout... the Samuel Smith pales are decent, and the Nut Brown Ale is an all around good brew.

Barring that, I've an affinity for Boddington's Pub Ale. Strangeways, here we come, indeed.

M

Subject: RE: BS: Beer
From: bob jr
Date: 16 Jun 00 - 04:32 PM

ive been trying to get some answers bout some folk tunes here and i get some and i dont get others but i guess i should have been asking about beer here and go to the local brewery and see if they got any folk singers there

Subject: RE: BS: Beer
From: SeanM
Date: 16 Jun 00 - 04:36 PM

Well, Bob Jr, we do our best to answer what we see, and my apologies if you're sincere and haven't had your questions answered. I (and a few other 'catters) been trying to keep unanswered Lyr Req threads refreshed until it's obvious we're all stumped, and Pene Azul especially deserves credit for being a research demon in getting SO MANY questions answered.

As for finding folk singers at a brewery, have you seen the prices at brew pubs lately??? Ain't no way you're gonna catch a folksinger in there unless they're on stage or bussing tables.

And as to folksongs about beer, anyone for a round of "Beer, Beer, Beer"?

Subject: RE: BS: Beer
From: Morticia
Date: 16 Jun 00 - 04:48 PM

Wadworth's 6x is wonderful but proportionally less so the furher from Devizes you get....Hogs Back Tea is also fab and only sold aroound here, I think,, ( you can say I'm going for Tea and mean it) and Adnams Broadside is probably my favourite of all time.

Subject: RE: BS: Beer
From: Hollowfox
Date: 16 Jun 00 - 05:22 PM

bob jr, are you the guest that started this thread? This is the first time I've seen your name (welcome, BTW). For drinking songs, I'd start out with the Tale of Ale CD set, unless you can get to a folk club or festival. This type of song is usually better live than recorded. I can't think of any other recordings devoted solely to the subject of drinking right now, but If I think of any, I'll put it up.

Subject: RE: BS: Beer
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 16 Jun 00 - 05:32 PM

As far as I'm concerned Guiness is only worth drinking while breastfeeding and should never be drunk cold!!! In fact no beer should be served cold except lager but that doesn't count and has to be drunk cold to hide the flavour. My favourite tipple is a pint of Old Peculiar as the song goes. Also drinking in the Jug which regularly receives awards from CAMRA I can strongly recommend Just 4 U - the house speciality brewed by The Brown Cow brewery in Selby. Their No 4 is also well worth a pint or several and whilst Maiden Over is not my personal favourite it gets the vote of many Juggers.

Subject: RE: BS: Beer
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 16 Jun 00 - 06:07 PM

I normally drink Guinness if I go out and I think it is a nice pint in the UK but not as good as the Dublin brewed stuff. With regards temperature, I think that Guinness does need to be a little colder than a real ale but the Guinness Extra Cold that a lot of pubs round here offer is too cold.

Some of my favourite bitters: Ruddles County, Abbot Ale, Bass, Norton Old Hookey, Wadsworth 6X.

Worst bitters; Robinsons, Wherry.

For something to drink at home, I am quite fond of Newcastle Brown and McEwan's Export.

Jon

Subject: RE: BS: Beer
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 16 Jun 00 - 06:19 PM

I tend to avoid the "killers" - all those strong bitters. Why drink one pint of those when you can drink 3 of something less strong? Which is why I tend not to do cider (that and the indigestion which seems to go with the apple acid).

No-one has mentioned "Flagship" beer brewed in Chatham dockyard, and they shoud have done. The beer is good and the names are exotic - including in particular "Frigging in the Rigging".

For the strangest tasting stuff (not nasty, just different, and very different indeed when relieving oneself after several) the vote would have to go to the USA fo Crazy Ed's Chilli beer.

Subject: RE: BS: Beer
From: Gary T
Date: 16 Jun 00 - 06:36 PM

Richard, I've had some chili beer (home-brewed) and it wasn't too bad. Wouldn't be my first choice, for it is indeed strange as you say--I think it would take some getting used to.

The mention of bitters reminds me that I enjoy Foster's Bitter (comes in the large "oil can" here in the States). Unfortunately it's hard to find, while their lager (boring) is readily available.

Subject: RE: BS: Beer
From: rangeroger
Date: 16 Jun 00 - 07:48 PM

To keep this thread somewhat on a musical note, John Prine does a song on his "German Afternoons" CD called "Out of Love" The lyrics are made up of beer commercial slogans.
rr