The Beer Thread

[lukethedrifter]

i'm very happy about Civil Life's Soup Sundays.

[33anda3rd]

Fat Tire is more of an amber than a pale ale. And I can't stand Raison d'Extra from Dogfish Head.

If you want an amazing Belgian amber, I can't recommend Ommegang's Rare Vos enough.

"Belgian amber" isn't a beer style. "Belgian Cafe Ale", what Ommegang calls Rare Vos, is also not a style. Fat Tire is an American amber but in the style of a Belgian pale. Ommegang is a Belgian pale ale.

The only major recognized Belgian styles are: Abbey Dubbel, Abbey Tripel, Saison, Witbier, Belgian Pale Ale, Belgian Blonde Ale, Belgian Strong Golden Ale, Belgian Strong Dark Ale, Flanders Red, Labmic/Gueuze, Sour Brown/Old Bruin, Lambic, French Bières de Garde. It's far fewer shades of ales than in the US where we have 7 shades of ale recognized by brewers, cicerones and beer judges.

If the beer is genuinely in a Belgian style it has to fit into one of those buckets. If Fat Tire is inspired by a Belgian style beer then there's only one bucket for an ABV just over 5%, mild hoppiness, an amber color, and a light caramel maltiness, and that's Belgian pale ale.

[Swirls]

Fair enough - you obviously know way more about beer (and Belgians, in particular) than I do. All I know is Fat Tire is really good, but Rare Vos is [expletive] incredible.

[jim]

If you are going to be in the New Glarus area then be sure to bring home some Lake Louie stuff. They are my favorite brewer in that area, out of Arena, WI which is about 30 miles west of Madison. They have a Scotish Ale that is really good, I always pick some up passing through. I know jl21 likes there stuff, in fact he was the one that turned me on to them.

[Freed Roger]

If you are going to be in the New Glarus area then be sure to bring home some Lake Louie stuff. They are my favorite brewer in that area, out of Arena, WI which is about 30 miles west of Madison. They have a Scotish Ale that is really good, I always pick some up passing through. I know jl21 likes there stuff, in fact he was the one that turned me on to them.

I remember you guys mentioning Lake Louie, and will try to pick some up. Is it readily available up there? I plan on hauling back an assortment of beer for the holidays.

Even though we're close - probably will not make it to Arena this time, with her work schedule. Heading between Monroe and Madison - and as luck would have it, New Glarus and a new brewery are directly on the way.

[jim]

It should be around Madison. I just know the Mobil gas station on Hwy 14 just when you get off the Beltline carries it. When I'm coming back I stop there which is my halfway point. I do know though that I don't see it in that hell hole that is the I94 corridor between Chicago and Milwaukee. The brewer is in Arena, WI which is near Madison. I also know this place in Arena carries it:



It's probably my favorite brewer anywhere now that I think about it. They sell them six at a time in 12oz bottles too.



http://www.lakelouie.com/

[lukethedrifter]

http://www.lakelouie.com/

List of Upcoming Events

Due to Vandalism at recent Brewery Tour, all tours are haulted until further notice!.
Monday, October 28 2013

Until we increase security at the Brewery, tours are on hold until further notice.

What the hell did you do jim?

[jim]

Huh. Some local meth head probably.

[Swirls]

A friend and I split a bottle of St. Bernardus Abt 12. An absolutely amazing Belgian quad.

[Radbird]

I love Lake Louie. Especially the Milk Stout.