Beer Blog

I first got into alternative beer about 13 years ago. I read books, dabbled in home brewing and tried many different imports and micro brews.

Here is my personal take on beer.

Avoid beer in clear/ green bottles. Green glass does not block UV rays which skunk the beer in no time flat. Suffice it to say I have NEVER had a green bottled beer that did not taste like a skunk ass.

Belgian Trappist brews:
These can be very high in alcohol and often taste off and sour kind of like a carbonated vinegar. I recommend Madre Sous as an entry level Belgian brew. Expect to pay 5 to 7 dollars for a 32 oz bottle. Don't worry, one beer will do you. If you Acquire a taste for Belgian beer go ahead and try the Duvell and Chimay. They can be a little rough at first but tend to smooth out as you drink.

Stouts and porters,

These beers are very similar in nature being almost black in color, creamy and having a rich chocolate/coffee flavor. There are many different brands, the most famous being Guinness. If you can, try to drink stouts on tap. If you want to enjoy a nice bottle of dark beer at home. Try the Samuel Smith line of beers. Youngs double Chocolate, Oatmeal stout and London porter are very good choices as well.

As a side note, Porter was first created a few hundred years ago when a barn full of brewing barley went up in flame. Instead of discarding the harvest, the brewer went ahead and used it anyway. The rich, creamy dark beer was then sold at half price making it attractive to the servants and low wage porters of the time, hence the name.

I haven't been able to find it in years but the Australian Sheaf stout is one of my all time favorites.

Lagers.

A light yellow carbonated brew. Often considered the most refreshing of the beer family.Bittburger, Kingfisher, Tsing tao, St Pauli girl etc.. these are great for summer and for drinking with rich heavy foods.

Pilsners:

Very similar to Lagers only with a more characteristic hop flavor. Labatt, Becks, Urquell.Still refreshing but with a nice aroma and a hoppy sweetness.

Wheat beer or hefeweizen.

I have not had a bad example of this type of beer. Shiner, Sunshine, Yellow rose, and many many others make excellent wheat brews. This type is a little darker golden color, has a distinct hearty flavor and is best served in a cold class with wedge of lemon.

IPA (India pale Ale)
These are sometimes an acquired taste. Personally, I like them but you have to switch gears and adjust your taste buds for the strong fruity, spicy and hoppy flavors. These beers were created when the British found that the long ocean voyages, with temperature fluctuations and rough seas made their normal beers taste flat, sour, and musty once they reached the Indian market. In response to this, brewers increased the alcohol content significantly and added a large amount of hops, both of which worked to kill microbes that caused spoilage. Some good examples of IPA are Youngs, as well as many micro brews that fill this niche market including Abita and Russian river brewing company.

If you are just looking for a picnic beer or do not have access to a large grocery store I would recommend, Shiner, Michelob, Corona, Dos XX for the quick beer run at the corner store.

Remember to boycott Miller beer and their continued support for illegal immigration.