The Beer Thread

[jim]

I only had it once, I remember it says something on it like "It's not bad". I just remember thinking I could have had an Amber Ale.

Boy I just had a couple of Two Women tonight and I'm trying to identify that taste. It reminds me of Indio, my favorite Mexican beer.

So, New Glarus vs Schlafly? I really like both brewers, I'm more familiar with NG and therefore lean that direction. I think there is more variety with the NG stuff, but that could be just because I'm not that familiar Schlafly.

[JL21]

My two cents on Schlafly v. New Glarus:

Schlafly has a ton of awesome depth but it helps to be in the city to get it. The Porter, Oatmeal Stout, and Coffee Stout are my go-to options. They do seasonal Irish Extra Stout, Belgian Golden, and of course the Pumpkin and Oktoberfests. I [expletive] LOVE their Bourbon Imperial Stout, Oak Aged Barleywine, and the Raspberry Coffee Stout (special releases). Their American Brown (in cans only, I believe) is very solid. And one of my favorite options from Schalfly was the Bavarian Weissbier that they had a few years ago, but I'm pretty sure they discontinued it. At the Tap Room, you can get a Dortmunder and a Grand Cru that are aces.

In all, Schlafly is my 2nd favorite part of St. Louis (behind the Cardinals).

That said, they don't have anything that I love as much as the Dancing Man from New Glarus, nor do they have a simple, easy-drinking choice like the Spotted Cow (or the Yokel, for that matter). I think Staghorn is a better Okto than Schlafly's, and I like their Cabin Fever more than 95% of Schlafly's options.

I see it as:

New Glarus- better high end and go-to options
Schlafly- better variety (and more consistent variety)

Or put another way, New Glarus is the guy with a .900 OPS made up of homers. Schlafly's the guy with the .850 OPS revolving around doubles and more base hits.

[Freed Roger]

Schafly's - I've been a bit worn down on them lately, especially @ Bottleworks where they've been loading up the taps with IPA choices and little else.

Overall, my favorites
1. Vienna (which they rarely make)
2. Scotch Ale (seasonal - limited to tap)
3. Winter ESB
4. Schwarzbier - limited. I've had in can, but that wasn't nearly as good as on tap.
5. Pale Ale
6. Dry-hopped APA (preferably on tap)
7. Kolsch
8. Bier De Garde

(Admittedly I can't remember all the good beer I've had at the Tap Room brewery tour. Fog of good beer)

Their year round beer that I like is the Pale Ale. 2d Dry Hopped. Kolsch is solid, but in a crowded beer field I don't get it too much. I better give that Oatmeal Stout another go. (I'll admit, that name doesn't entice me to buy it. I know I've had it, but can't recall) Coffee Stout isn't my type.

Then there are a whole host of Schlafly Beers I don't like at all - Yakima Wheat, Creamy IPA, Organic IPA, Tasmanian IPA, Black IPA, Hefeweizen, Summer Lager.

In conclusion, they have a lot of very solid good beer choices. Still my favorite overall local brewer- but they probably do not have one beer that I'd say is my favorite for any style. If I'm at a bar with a variety of brewers' taps - I probably won't be drinking Schlafly's, which is a bit of a downer.

[Jocephus]

i bought some Leinenkugel's Sunset Wheat after work. i kinda hope my weed guy comes thru before i finish these...

[Jocephus]

he didn't come thru and i only drank 2 1/2 of those crappy beers

[cameldrags]

Came across Founders Dark Penance Black IPA for the first time over the weekend. Anyone else tried it? Thoughts? Was pleasantly surprised by it; was very tasty. I'm not sure I had ever tried a Black IPA before, but I think it'll become one of my favorite styles if this one is representative of the style in general. It's everything I love about IPAs and Porters/Stouts all rolled into one.

[Freed Roger]

Came across Founders Dark Penance Black IPA for the first time over the weekend. Anyone else tried it? Thoughts? Was pleasantly surprised by it; was very tasty. I'm not sure I had ever tried a Black IPA before, but I think it'll become one of my favorite styles if this one is representative of the style in general. It's everything I love about IPAs and Porters/Stouts all rolled into one.

[Freed Roger]

Came across Founders Dark Penance Black IPA for the first time over the weekend. Anyone else tried it? Thoughts? Was pleasantly surprised by it; was very tasty. I'm not sure I had ever tried a Black IPA before, but I think it'll become one of my favorite styles if this one is representative of the style in general. It's everything I love about IPAs and Porters/Stouts all rolled into one.

Some Black IPAs are too harsh, almost like cough syrup for me. One that is good black Ipa is Odells Myrcenary

[jim]

I have given up on IPA's. I thought once I was starting to get the taste, but no.

[jim]

I was getting some beer tonight and looked at a sale price on Leffe Blonde and thought about buying it for a party I have to go to tomorrow night, and thought no because 1) too heavy and 2) that's a beer you have to pour.

Huh?

Ok, I recant somewhat. Some beers I could definitely say are better out of a glass, but that's the only one (besides Guiness which only is good draft anyway) that I can think of.