The Beer Thread

[stlouie_lipp]

Just tried Negra Modelo the other day and loved it. Dark beers can be hit and miss, but this is definetly one of the best I've had.

I love Negra Modelo.

[Fat_Bulldog]

What's the best way to become a 'beer snob'? Go to bars and try as many as I can? I usually just end up drunk and can't taste the subtleties.

Just find some random beer on the internet, say you've tried it, talk about how good it is, aroma, hopiness, etc. Then make fun of people who drink Bud Light, etc.

Pretty easy.

[redbirdjazzz]

What's the best way to become a 'beer snob'? Go to bars and try as many as I can? I usually just end up drunk and can't taste the subtleties.

Go here, pick a style, check reviews of that style, then go to a liquor/grocery store that has the option to build your own six pack and pick up several different examples of that style. Repeat with other styles to find out which ones you like, and what beers you like in each style.

[Freed Roger]

What's the best way to become a 'beer snob'? Go to bars and try as many as I can? I usually just end up drunk and can't taste the subtleties.

Go here, pick a style, check reviews of that style, then go to a liquor/grocery store that has the option to build your own six pack and pick up several different examples of that style. Repeat with other styles to find out which ones you like, and what beers you like in each style.

In less than a few years, I've evolved from the guy who got excited when Natural Light became available in bottles, to the dude who whenever he picks up a Bud Light(out of curiousity or because its free) and spit-sprays it across the room.

I started by trying the darker malty beers with a hint of sweetness- such as Michelob Amber Bock and Newcastle Brown Ale.
Worked in the Schlafly Pale Ale and some darker lagers. Went thru a wheat beer phase. Then in time grew a liking towards the hoppier beers especially this time of year. The beer advocate literature is a bit much for me -way too many categories.

Thus, getting a feel for different beers in a bar is initially tough. You may like one you try but can't remember what the hell it was. I became a snob by buying a different six pack or two each time I grocered up for the at-home game-watching and grilling drinking. The variety 6 pack is nice, but sometimes you run into the same problem as the bars -remembering what you liked. Also the variety/sampler method has limits because beers like lagers taste awful IMO after you've had an IPA.

The important thing my son, is to just keep drinking, but be responsible of course.

[vinsanity]

What's the best way to become a 'beer snob'? Go to bars and try as many as I can? I usually just end up drunk and can't taste the subtleties.

Go here, pick a style, check reviews of that style, then go to a liquor/grocery store that has the option to build your own six pack and pick up several different examples of that style. Repeat with other styles to find out which ones you like, and what beers you like in each style.

In less than a few years, I've evolved from the guy who got excited when Natural Light became available in bottles, to the dude who whenever he picks up a Bud Light(out of curiousity or because its free) and spit-sprays it across the room.

I started by trying the darker malty beers with a hint of sweetness- such as Michelob Amber Bock and Newcastle Brown Ale.
Worked in the Schlafly Pale Ale and some darker lagers. Went thru a wheat beer phase. Then in time grew a liking towards the hoppier beers especially this time of year. The beer advocate literature is a bit much for me -way too many categories.

Thus, getting a feel for different beers in a bar is initially tough. You may like one you try but can't remember what the hell it was. I became a snob by buying a different six pack or two each time I grocered up for the at-home game-watching and grilling drinking. The variety 6 pack is nice, but sometimes you run into the same problem as the bars -remembering what you liked. Also the variety/sampler method has limits because beers like lagers taste awful IMO after you've had an IPA.

The important thing my son, is to just keep drinking, but be responsible of course.

Maybe I'm closer than I thought then.

Newcastle might be my single favorite beer right now. I don't mind Bud Light, if I'm drinking in volume/tailgate that kind stuff it works just fine. But my neighbor loves some trendier bars and Mexican beers. So Tecate, Pacifico, Negro Modelo have been staples. I drink Harp, Guiness, Bass on a fairly regular basis and try some micro-brews from time to time. I've rarely had a beer I didn't like, I just try it all.

[Fat_Bulldog]

What's the best way to become a 'beer snob'? Go to bars and try as many as I can? I usually just end up drunk and can't taste the subtleties.

Go here, pick a style, check reviews of that style, then go to a liquor/grocery store that has the option to build your own six pack and pick up several different examples of that style. Repeat with other styles to find out which ones you like, and what beers you like in each style.

In less than a few years, I've evolved from the guy who got excited when Natural Light became available in bottles, to the dude who whenever he picks up a Bud Light(out of curiousity or because its free) and spit-sprays it across the room.

I started by trying the darker malty beers with a hint of sweetness- such as Michelob Amber Bock and Newcastle Brown Ale.
Worked in the Schlafly Pale Ale and some darker lagers. Went thru a wheat beer phase. Then in time grew a liking towards the hoppier beers especially this time of year. The beer advocate literature is a bit much for me -way too many categories.

Thus, getting a feel for different beers in a bar is initially tough. You may like one you try but can't remember what the hell it was. I became a snob by buying a different six pack or two each time I grocered up for the at-home game-watching and grilling drinking. The variety 6 pack is nice, but sometimes you run into the same problem as the bars -remembering what you liked. Also the variety/sampler method has limits because beers like lagers taste awful IMO after you've had an IPA.

The important thing my son, is to just keep drinking, but be responsible of course.

Maybe I'm closer than I thought then.

Newcastle might be my single favorite beer right now. I don't mind Bud Light, if I'm drinking in volume/tailgate that kind stuff it works just fine. But my neighbor loves some trendier bars and Mexican beers. So Tecate, Pacifico, Negro Modelo have been staples. I drink Harp, Guiness, Bass on a fairly regular basis and try some micro-brews from time to time. I've rarely had a beer I didn't like, I just try it all.

You sound like a fine beer drinker.

[wart57]

Had this, except on draft, at Peel when I was in town last week. Excellent brew.

[thrill]

Had this, except on draft, at Peel when I was in town last week. Excellent brew.

mmmmmmmmm

[cards2468]

What's the best way to become a 'beer snob'? Go to bars and try as many as I can? I usually just end up drunk and can't taste the subtleties.

Just find some random beer on the internet, say you've tried it, talk about how good it is, aroma, hopiness, etc. Then make fun of people who drink Bud Light, etc.

Pretty easy.

lol, I love it

[G. Keenan]

Liking good beer and knowing a thing or two about it doesn't make you a beer snob. I drink a lot of good beer but I also drink a whole lot of Bud, PBR, Hamm's, etc. Every beer has its own charms and role in a beer drinker's life.

What you need is a gateway beer. That one beer that redefines your idea of what beer can be and makes you want to explore a new beer landscape. Beers like Newcastle, Guinness, and Sam Adams are fine beers, but not quite at that level. In general, the bigger the brewery the less interesting the beer. Can you get Dogfish Head beers where you live? Try to find their Festina Peche, or 90 Minute IPA, or Aprihop. In fact, IPAs are a good place to start exploring. It's a good summer style and there's a lot out there and in general they will be made by craft brewers.

The mixed six pack is a good approach. Or hell, just a lot of different six packs. Drink a lot of beer, period. Is there a bar near you with a really good beer selection? If so, become a regular there and talk to the bartenders. Bartenders who know a lot about beer, especially ones who have a say over what beers the bar orders, love to talk about beer and will happily recommend new ones to you and answer questions about how they're made. Also keep your eye out for local promotional events. Lots of breweries want to pimp their brews and will have events at bars where a set price lets you taste all their different offerings.