MetaChat - Beer

Formerly Rolling Rock here, because it meant I wasn't a Bud drinker. For reasons that remain mysterious to me, that was very important back in the day (the same as smoking Camels instead of Marlboros).

Now, it's Sapporo Black Label, 'cause they give me free stuff every now and then. I guess that means I'm not all that empowered or personal or individual.

But that's cool.

posted by Absit Invidia 20 July | 04:40

Bishops Finger, Guinness or Murphy's (I'm not picky), Spitfire and every summer, Hoegaarden:
≡ Click to see image ≡

posted by dabitch 20 July | 04:51

Ten years ago when I lived in the US (where beer is like screwing in a canoe) I used to drink Vodka, cheap-o Pabst and Brooklyn anything. Sam Adams never really did it for me.

posted by dabitch 20 July | 04:54

There are very few beers to which I will say “no thanks”, Rainier Ale (AKA “Green Death”) being one of them. That said, my very favorite would have to be Red Seal Ale. It’s a real treat for the hophead, strong and bitter. Just the way I like my women.

posted by bmarkey 20 July | 04:58

Ah, Brooklyn . . . That Hoegaarden looks tasty, too.

A while back I became a Guinness guy because I didn't like it and therefore thought it would save me money down at my local. Then I learned to like it, much to my shambling, muttering glee.

posted by Absit Invidia 20 July | 05:02

Mmmm... Nice line. ;)

Oh and before they quit making it, I drank the new Gammelbrygd at the release party every fall and collected the cap-openers. That beer so rocked.

posted by dabitch 20 July | 05:05

Ooo, that Rainier Ale looks a bit like that other Green Death, Ballentine Ale. Best drunk from a paper bag and through a straw. (Alas, the good times . . . )

posted by Absit Invidia 20 July | 05:11

I'm not a beeroisseur, so if it's on tap, and called something like "BLAHBLAH RED", I choose that. That's my rule of thumb: "red".

The rest of the time, I just drink Amstel or Heineken, in nice big bottles (0.5L). And speaking of bottles, here's something that should tip U.S. residents right over the edge. If you haven't yet fled because of the politics, for the love of god, escape before the plastic beer bottles gain a foothold.

posted by taz 20 July | 05:26

ooh! I forgot to answer: And what does your particular favorite say about your realization as an empowered personal individual?

Um... I like red? I also look at the pictures they put on the little beer coasters, and sometimes if the image is really cool, I'll order that. These tactics actually seem to work out pretty well.

posted by taz 20 July | 05:32

In no particular order of preference or quality: Chimey Brown, Bass, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Strawberry Blonde, Arrogant Bastard IPA, Anchor Steam, Newcastle Brown, Fat Tire, Spaten.

More. Lots more. Lots of tasty micros, usually in the brown/blonde/pale/IPA ale varieties. Or German wheats. Red Seal is tasty, when I can find it.

Guinness is alright when you can get it properly poured, but generally too chewy. Those widget-cans don't work. And they keep it in the goddamn fridge in the US.

Ice-cold Pacifico Claro with limes for hot days and fish tacos. Negro Modelo sometimes. Fuck Corona.

What does it say about me? Not much, except for maybe I'm not a cheap date.

Anything that comes in a 40 is naaaasty. Damn, that's a lot of 40s. Oh god, Mickey's, Hamm's, Colt .45, Olde English - please make it stop.

posted by loquacious 20 July | 05:39

It’s been a while since I drank any amount of beer—lately when I go out I’ve been most likely to have a few glasses of Krušovice. I also enjoy a pint of stout now & then. Very occasionally I might have a glass of Chimay or Lindemans Kriek at home.

posted by misteraitch 20 July | 06:14

I forgot about the rest of the question: my beer choice apparently means I appreciate a ‘harmony between taste and beauty.’

posted by misteraitch 20 July | 06:20

My beer of the moment: Abita Amber.

posted by jba 20 July | 06:40

I drink way too much cheap-ass Kung. As for real beers, Staropramen never goes out of style. (I'm not very into ale and fancy stuff.)

posted by mr.marx 20 July | 06:51

Don de Dieu is a current fav.

posted by AlexReynolds 20 July | 07:07

Since I moved to Cornwall, my regular tipple has been Skinners. Their Heligan Honey is particularly good, a light bitter with a hint of Cornish honey, inspired by the Lost Gardens of Heligan, previously discussed on MeFi here.

posted by biffa 20 July | 07:09

Busch or Pabst Blue Ribbon, whichever is cheaper by the 30-pack at the moment. See here for further reasoning and subtle mockery of most of the rest of you.

Not to say that a good beer, like Chimay or several others mentioned above, aren't good on occasion, they're just not, you know, beer.

posted by yhbc 20 July | 07:35

God, I'm so boring. Preferably it's Carlsbeg for me or Fosters failing that. I don't like the stronger lagers because I prefer to get drunk nice and slowly. If I'm going to get fancy then I'll have a Hoegarden (or however you spell it).

What does this say about me? That I'm rather boring, that I don't like bottled beers and that I'm too old to drink like prohibition is making a comeback.

posted by dodgygeezer 20 July | 07:45

forgot the rest of the Q too. I think my favorite means that I like to get drunk on the strong ales that don't taste like rats piss.

posted by dabitch 20 July | 07:53

GAWD I miss a good beer btw, this thread is killing me. I hafta wait until frickin APRIL before I can have a drink people. APril! I even dream of cocktails now. Want a Mt. Fuji baaad. Pass the Kaliber so that I may cry in it.

posted by dabitch 20 July | 07:55

Ooh, AR, I haven't tried that one yet. I'm usually more of a Fin du monde girl myself.

What this says about me? Well, it says that I am a failure as a student, since I would rather occasionally drink a moderate amount of good and somewhat more expensive beer than down a forty and yell at things.

Also, I love Unibroue's beer-names. I drank Fin du monde (End of the World) with my American friends as we were watching the election results come in.

posted by ITheCosmos 20 July | 08:08

Icehouse. It means I have a high tolerance.

posted by rainbaby 20 July | 08:09

(is there anywhere that doesn't drink guinness cold?)

i drink morenita, which is the only "cheap" bitter here in chile, or paulaner, which is a decentish moderate-price lager, or stuff from kunstman if i'm wasting money (i like their honey ale, but real beer drinkers think it's too sweet, apparently).

posted by andrew cooke 20 July | 08:11

Yak Light, with cubes, not shaved.

posted by quonsar 20 July | 08:19

Um... I like red?

taz is a communist? Who knew?

Me, I like a good Pilsner Urquell or a good stout or porter. I'm ashamed to say that I prefer Guiness in regular bottles to those with the special fizzy insert. But then I've never spent any time in a pub, just bars.

(Great first post.)

posted by omiewise 20 July | 08:27

There are only a few beers that I won't drink. They are: coors, bud light, miller light, corona, heineken and grolsch. Especially the last two. they taste metallic to me. Or something.

Anything that calls itself a brown ale is right up my alley. Move hoppier from there, and you pretty much have my tastes. For everyday drinking I'm all about the yuengling.

What does this say about me? I'm not very discerning?

posted by gaspode 20 July | 08:30

I like red, too. Beer, I hate.

posted by dg 20 July | 08:33

I do not like alcohol. =)

posted by weretable and the undead chairs 20 July | 08:42

If it's available, I'll drink Nukey Brown. For no other reason than I have striven throughout my life to model myself upon the greatest superhero of all time: The Brown Bottle.

If my tipple of choice is not being served, my self-medication choices are, in this order and according to availability, draught Grolsch, draught Kronenburg, draught Wife-Beater (also known as Stella). If none of these are available, I sarcastically apologise for mistakenly thinking that I was in a pub, and take my bill money to a different drinking pit.

None of this applies if I happen to be in a Samuel Smith pub, usually determinable by the presence of thick smoke, bare floor-boards, grim-faced professional drinkers, and impoverished students. In which case I will always (absolutely always) be drinking bottles of Oatmeal Stout.

posted by veedubya 20 July | 08:44

My go-to beers are Guinness, Bass, Tecate, and Sol. There are almost always at least two of those selections in the Slack fridge. The second tier would include Harp, Fosters, Modello, and any of the Goose Island beers. I love beer but I'm not a beer snob - I can find something to like in most beers (except Miller - just can't drink the stuff). If I'm at a bar with house brews on tap I'll usually try a few, but I've long since given up on bottled micro brews since there isn't much consistency.

And whenever I'm in New York a few rounds and a cheese plate at McSorely's is a must. McSorely's isn't the same in the bottle.

I grew up in an Old Style family, which means that I didn't really like beer until I got out of the house. Although at family functions I can drink it - you know, for the family. The college I went to was a Schaeffer town, but I opted for Black Label bottles (the other affordable beer with some kind of "taste").

As for what it says about me, I think it says that I like variety and always want to try new things. Great, it's 7:45 in the morning and I want a beer (actually, several beers).

posted by Slack-a-gogo 20 July | 08:44

Slack-a-gogo, amen about the McSorleys.. That is nice brew. I always have two dark. (that is four).

posted by dabitch 20 July | 08:49

I've just discovered Victory Prima Pils and I am drinking way to much of it. Let's just blame it on the heat :)

posted by 31d1 20 July | 09:05

Shiner Bock on draft. Also, whatever homebrew is at the best stage this month.

If you are offering a lambic ale, I will gladly help you with the bottle.

posted by sarah connor 20 July | 09:09

In a bottle: Oxford Class (of Linthicum, Maryland).

On draught: Guinness.

In a can: Schlitz.

There are shifting appropriate venues and times for all these choices. I can't say I always drink draught in bars, or always drink cans at pick-a-nicks. Nor can I say that my favorites are always available. I usually choose a beer over a cocktail, though, unless the bar has one tap or fewer. Or, like some Lower East Side hipsy joints, serves only PBR, which sucks. Schlitz is king of cans. Period.

Oxford Class is robust without heaviness. It spreads its flavors across the entire palate (palette as well, metaphorically) and tickles my tastebuds just right. It finishes with a burst, and leaves a pleasant taste in the mouth. What does that say about my realization as an empowered personal individual?

Everything.

posted by Hugh Janus 20 July | 09:09

A few of us keep a cooler stocked on the porch all summer long. It's full of the Champaign of Beer, High Life Light, Bud Light, Pabst Blue Ribbon...pretty much anything that runs about $10-$11 a case. I lean towards the PBR in the can. Folks are usually out there by 5:00 if you want a free drink. Bring some music.

In the fridge I have a few 7oz Miller High Lifes--they never get warm.

When I'm flush I like the occasional Bass or Harp at the bar. If it's payday I might pick up a six-pack of MacKeson XXX Stout.

What does this say about me? I don't have a lot of money in the summer and I don't like beer? I think so. Give me watery swill or sickly sweet MacKeson. (On a related note, I take my coffee fairly strong but with ample cream & sugar. If you accidentally take a sip from my cup you may puke.)

posted by kortez 20 July | 09:11

Mmmm....Beer: Guiness, Mac n Jacks African Amber, Spaten, Pilsner Urquell, Chimay, Brooklyn Lager, Brooklyn Brown, Fat Tire, Dogfish Head: Raison D'Etre, Boddingtons, Redhook ESB, Fish Tale IPA, and many more.

posted by safetyfork 20 July | 09:17

Brooklyn Lager when I'm flush. Schlitz or Bud when I'm broke.

posted by jonmc 20 July | 09:29

Coors Light. Pretty much.

posted by greasy_skillet 20 July | 09:34

I wish I liked beer, but I don't. So I don't have a favorite. I just wanted to say hey to Absit Invidia's very first post anywhere on the internets.

Hey!

posted by iconomy 20 July | 09:38

Guinness, Kilkenny, Warthog, Harp, Grapefruit Grolsch, and pretty much any of the Unibroue except Raftman.

Got myself into a beer tasting study once, to try out new beers. Was asked to compare each new beer to "my ideal beer". It was like light through a part in the clouds, heavenly music raining down. MY IDEAL BEER. I had never thought of that before. So as I rated each (on about 100 different qualities) I learned more about my ideal beer. It's quite dark, low carbonation, fairly bitter, with a hint of smoke, chocolate, and fruit, quite heavy... (oh, and they paid me. the fools!)

posted by dreamsign 20 July | 09:51

Summer: New Glarus Spotted Cow, Bell's Oberon, Franziskaner Dunkelweiss

Winter: Capital Winter Skaal, Bell's Porter, Beamish Stout

posted by hlewagast 20 July | 09:53

If I'm at the bar, my absolute favorite is Gaelic ale which most of y'all can't get, nyah nyah. Failing that I'll drink 420. At home or if the night is going to continue beyond 2 or 3 beers though, it's PBR or Rolling Rock or Yuengling. And sometimes at home it's Michelob Light only because I'm on yet another diet. What does this say about me? I'm flexible & like to drink local if possible. ;-)

Right now I have about 50 skunked Heinekens & PBRs in my fridge due to a less attended than we thought it would be party on Saturday night and a subsequent extremely motionless Sunday where the leftover beers just sat out in coolers in the heat. Any suggestions?

posted by mygothlaundry 20 July | 10:25

The difference between a Heineken and a skunked Heineken is slim. Enjoy!

The PBR won't skunk as much, and since it's in cans (I hope), you can just shotgun it anyway.

May I suggest Schlitz for your next can of beer?

posted by Hugh Janus 20 July | 10:41

Another vote for the Champ-Og-Nya of Beers! Also PBR which is making a comeback in the upper midwest after a long absence. When buying the good stuff, Summit (a St. Paul brew) or Beck's Dark.

posted by Scooter 20 July | 10:42

As previously mentioned, I don't like the taste of alcohol (it must be hidden in a mixed drink) and that includes beer. Dunno what that says about me.

posted by deborah 20 July | 10:53

Oh, if the mister tries a new beer I'll have a taste. It all tastes like beer to me.

posted by deborah 20 July | 10:54

Whatever's cold please. 7 to 9 of them, cold as hell please. Free is pretty good too.

In the winter he drinks Guinness and what maniac would drink it warm? That is an English problem not an Irish one (Anyone ever have Guiness extra-cold? It never made it to the states, but I was drinking it in Dublin and made the mistake of asking the smartarse barman what the difference between it and regular Guinness was, he pulled a book from under the bar, spent at least two minutes paging through it, ignoring thirsty customers, then looked up at me and said "Eh, about 4 degrees." Then he bought me one, that shit is awesome, just this side of frozen, a slurry of delight). I am mighty fond of Newcastle also (cold).Warm beer is nuts, except if there is none cold, then drink it warm until the ones in the freezer get cold. You can drink Corona warm if you need to in an emergency (like if zombies attack and the power dies and you need to get a little pissy before you go out and kill zombies).

In the summer it's anyones guess, I loathe Brooklyn lager though and most of the overhopped microbrews, I would rather have bud, coors, miller, cold!

When I was young I thought Heinecken was suave-bolo, and the official beer of the New York irish, then I realized it mostly sucks.

Beer, beer, beeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrr!

posted by Divine_Wino 20 July | 11:14

*belches*

PBR (while not a bad cheap beer, but Schlitz is far superior) has become ironically popular among the hepster crowd lately, which makes me feel vaguely embarrassed to be seen drinking it. But for the past couple days it's been the only cheap brew the Key Food has in 12-packs.

posted by jonmc 20 July | 11:21

That's what a neatly folded and creased paper bag is for Jon lad, sitting on the couch with the legs spread wide, pretend you are on the D train in 1986, extra points for a mesh Newport tanktop.

posted by Divine_Wino 20 July | 11:26

Divine_Wino should be Divine_Beero

posted by dabitch 20 July | 11:27

I drank supecooled Guinness by the bottle in the cold box in the back of the liquor store where I worked in high school and college. Teeth-chatteringly good. Sometimes a slurry.

Ah, me Guinness's all a-slurry,
My dear.
Ohee, me speech is kinna slurry,
As well.
An' with a beer and a bell and a
Fare-the-well.
I've left a farthin' on the table.

posted by Hugh Janus 20 July | 11:27

Is busch the one with the horse and mountains on it? I used to get cases of the cheap-cheap canned stuff which mainly was Pabst (I dug that) but there was another one I'd buy if it was available. Bright golden cans. Damn, I forget what brand it was, but it was more than ten years ago. Could it be a state? Milwakee..uh?

I had extra cold once in Ediburgh. Woke me up, I'll give it that. If I have the choice I'll go for the normal.

posted by dabitch 20 July | 11:30

Also, McDonald's mozzarella sticks are suprisingly tasty.

Yesterday at work, me and two midwestern born co-workers got into a lengthy discussion of regional fast food franchises. I wish we had a Sonic in NYC, and I really crave Arby's.

posted by jonmc 20 July | 11:31

But I thank the heavens every day we don't have Jack-in-the-Box.

posted by Hugh Janus 20 July | 11:33

Bright gold sounds like Hamms, which is the cheapest ever (was like 2 dollars a sixpack), an active debate exists as to if it even contains alcohol or just whatever petroleum fractionolate was lying around on brewing day.

It's funny Dabitch, I don't like wine that much (sometimes I do). I guess I'm more of a generalized derelict with a preference for beer.

posted by Divine_Wino 20 July | 11:36

We used to have a Long John Silvers up in the Bronx, but it seems to have disappeared.

posted by jonmc 20 July | 11:36

Anyone else here try and like that Belgian beer kwak? It's tasty!
≡ Click to see image ≡

Divine_Wino, I don't much like wine either but I make up for that by mixing awesome cocktails. It wasn't Hamms by the way, Hamms has that bear toon white mountains on it. Hmmmm....

posted by dabitch 20 July | 11:42

I went to an Arthur Treacher's Fish and Chips (which I assume was a chain, though I only remember them from MD Eastern Shore trips as a bairn) with my family when I was, oh, seven, and my mother reached across the table, took a hush puppy, bit it in half, and put the remaining half back on my plate. This is not the kind of thing my mother does, before or since.

"That's a good hush puppy, [Hugh]."

I felt the strangest mixture of mortification at her boldness, anger at her boldness, and glee at her boldness. I love my mom.

I'd love a beer right now, too.

Old Milwaukee and Milwaukee's Best are both reddish designs, right (reddish rhymes with fetish)? Bright gold. Stumper.

posted by Hugh Janus 20 July | 11:45

dingdingding! That rings a bell, and google images reveals gold tops on the cans. Must've been it. Thanks.

posted by dabitch 20 July | 11:53

Milwaukee's Best
Ugh, the Beast. Steer clear.

Since it's summer, I've been drinking Bell's Oberon a lot. As the weather cools, I'll be switching to darker stuff, like Duchess du Bourgogne or Fin du Monde.

posted by me3dia 20 July | 12:08

If I'm at the bar, my absolute favorite is Gaelic ale which most of y'all can't get, nyah nyah.

I'll back MGL up on this one, it's tasty, but i prefer their IPA.

In fact I like any IPA or ESB, especially from a local brew pub, but failing that, i like Red Hook breweries...

I grew up in St. Louis, so i could go without a bud for the rest of my life and not care one bit...*spits on the ground*

If i'm totally broke, i go for PBR or Stag...maybe old style if i'm in wisconsin...

I guess this says that i like my beer like my women. Full bodied.

posted by Schyler523 20 July | 12:10

I forgot that there is only one beer good warm...scotch ale. It tastes like arse unless it is room temp...

posted by Schyler523 20 July | 12:14

I like that pale ale with the rebus under the cap... Ballantine's, that's it!

posted by Hugh Janus 20 July | 12:39

For cheap beer, I go with Old Style, or Genessee Cream Ale when I'm visiting family in Ohio (they don't distribute to Chicago).

I've yet to have a bad beer from St. Peter's -- and they've got cool flask-shaped bottles!

posted by me3dia 20 July | 12:45

Leffe, and if anyone can tell me where to get Leffe Brune in the US, I'll love you.

posted by Wolfdog 20 July | 13:01

Sierra Nevada, Guinness, Samuel Smith Porter,Sam Smith Pale Ale, any kind of chocolate stout, Tetley Ale in the draft can, all the Real ales (bottle in Blanco, TX, and available in Austin), Chimay, El Toro amber, Anchor Porter, Anchor Steam, anything dark from Deschutes...

And then there's microbreweries. Based on personal visits, memorable ones in CA include: North Coast Brewing, Lake Tahoe Brewing (great pizza, great brats), Humboldt Brewing, Bison , Calistoga Inn (also has excellent, excellent food), Lost Coast Brewing, Eel River Brewing (food sucked, but I hear they have a new chef), Mammoth Lakes (great food), some Brewery in downtown Napa whose name I can't remember (beer and food were forgettable, but they have Trivial Pursuit cards on the table with the salt shakers), Karl Strauss in San Diego, Ukiah Brew Company (all organic, good food).

I think this says that I like beer, and really like brewpubs (though their food is often predictable and, well, bad).

posted by mudpuppie 20 July | 14:47

For quick drinking (IE beer pong, 1.5 beers a person unless you suck, hopefully a game every 45 minutes or so) I prefer PBR in the can (because it's cheap and goes down smooth) or Icehouse in the keg (what can I say I'm in college).

For recreational drinking, I'll buy pretty much whatever import or microbrew is on sale this week. I recently discovered Karl Strauss, a brewer in San Diego, which makes a very tasty amber lager, perfect for sunny California afternoons. I also enjoy Red Stripe because it's pretty cheap. In bars and restaurants, I'll get Heineken or Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. I don't particularly like the Big Three (Coors, Miller, Bud) because they taste like crap.

I think this means I like my beer cold and tasty.

On Preview: Yay mudpuppie!

posted by muddgirl 20 July | 14:57

I drink Corona mostly. I liked Guinness the few times I had it and I'm always willing to try a microbrew at whatever little pub I may visit. Mostly though, if I'm at a local bar or with my family or drinking a beer at home, it's usually Corona. The only beer I've ever truly hated is Miller Light (and this awful pumpkin ale someone gave me once).

posted by LeeJay 20 July | 15:13

and not a single one of you drunks reminded me to do laundry!
*starts raking the clothes off the floor*

posted by ethylene 20 July | 15:32

and this awful pumpkin ale someone gave me once

Yeah, that stuff is nasty. I'm not partial to apricot ale, either.

posted by muddgirl 20 July | 16:42

On Preview: Yay mudpuppie!
posted by muddgirl 20 July | 14:57

Great mud(d)s think alike.

posted by mudpuppie 20 July | 17:56

Gee, I missed my own party. Sorry about that, but I'm gratified to see that everyone had a couple of cold ones and yakked it up in fine fashion. And the place hardly needs any cleaning up. Thanks also for the welcome, folks.

Shortly after my last comment, way up above, I left the office and had a couple of Sapporos (tallboys, natch) on a street corner before the long journey home. Thought about a road pop for that, but decided against it.

I thought I'd jump back in late, but Mrs. Invidia and I got to chatting over another couple of Sapporo tallboys. MeatChat trumped MetaChat, I guess.

posted by Absit Invidia 20 July | 21:21

Liefmans Frambozenbier is the nectar of the gods. I only wish I could get it. I can't find anyone in a 200 mile area that can/will order it for me. And I haven't had any luck finding an online distributor...truth be told, I gave up looking and haven't tried in a couple of years.

My husband is a micro/home brewer...and we've tried and tried and tried to recreate it...thus far without sucess...but someday...and then there will be much rejoicing.

But otherwise, I prefer darker, richer brews. I'm not so much a pale ale person, although I can see the attraction on a hot summer day.

posted by PsychoKitty 20 July | 23:17

I've had okay pumpkin ale, but I bet it was better without the pumpkin. Flavored beer is mostly icky. Blueberry ale just smells awful.

Otherwise, beer, in general, is Good. Sam Adams Black Lager, Boston lager, or any local darkish, sweet, fine-sudsed beer is very good. Stout is very good. I am fortunate to live very near an excellent microbbrew joint. Y'all should visit. They have psychic waitstaff.

posted by theora55 21 July | 00:06

20 July 2005