need beer advice

[ydx7]

First, let me say that I don't really like beer. I think most of it tastes the same. Since I live in the US, I'm mostly talking about the major domestic brands. Since I'm taking a few extra days off for the holiday, I'd figure I'd try some other kind of beer, probably imported. I'm looking for something that doesn't have the classic* beer taste.


Ive had Guiness in the can. I see it now comes in bottles, but there are two types: one with yellow bottlecaps, and the other with silver. What's the difference? I know they be chilled, but does that meen keep in the fridge, or put in the freezer for a while? The freezer's full, so that would be out. I also saw a brand called Harp. Is that a Guiness imitation or something?


I do recall that Michelob's Amber Bock wasn't that bad.


I saw a bunch of Samuel Adams beers. I remember that my bro liked the cherry wheat variety.


I saw Sapporo from Japan, and something that looked Chinese, but don't remember the brand name unless I saw the name and/or packaging.


The most interesting was something that was labeled as double chocolate.


I would like for you to give me some brands/types to look for that I might like. Thanks in advance.


* I heard this is due to the hopps. Is there actually beer that doesn't have hopps in it?

[Chase Bansi]

That is purely subjective. Everyone has a different opinion on what coffee is good (Starbuck's bleech. Learning about beer is like learning about wine, it takes awhile to develope a palet, which changes over time.


Personally I prefer my beers dark, rich, and thick. Sam Adams and Mich dark (Amber Boch or whatever they call it this week) are pretty good for domestics. Guiness Stout or Lowenbrau Dark Swiss import (not the domestic Miller version) are favorites of mine.


One of my best friends perfers pale ales like Fat Tire.


It comes down to a matter of taste.

[OverheadCam]

I reckon Chase is right...it's a personal thing!


Often it's just a case of what you're used to (that's why all home brewers love their own version and everyone thinks it's sh!t...it's just because its different to the comercial stuff we're used to. Have you ever had a diet cordial or soda?..at first they taste disgusting, but after a while you get used to it and actually hang out for a cool diet drink!


I've been told all exported Guiness (bottled or canned) tastes nothing like the draught version....so there's nothing lost there.


As an Australian, it pains me to admit it, but the Germans make the best beers...HANDS DOWN! (i'm told it's because they use the best water)...


If you're not a big beer drinker..then I highly recommend a German WHEAT BEER....(eg not hopps) they're fermented from a single batch of wheat germ (i.e single malt....no topping up with other grains half way through to improve the taste). They're a little expensive,...but once you've had one, you'll never look back.


bottoms up!

[SCREWLOOSE]

Harp is a Northern Irish Lager and brewed not to far from where I live. Its good gear I like to drink it if there is no Guiness available. What about getting some John Smiths Smooth in or Tetleys Smooth beer cant beat them with a barge pole and they are my two favourite beers!!


Theres plenty of good English Beers about such as London Pride, Spit Fire, Peddigree and Old Speckeled Hen. Another one to try is Cornish Knocker Ale its cracking!!!

[Foxtrot X-Ray]

Avoid African imports and Norwegian Imports.





My personal favorite is a Scottish style lager made at a microbrewery in my city..





I generally recommend Red Lagers for those after something more flavorful.


Killians Red for example.





Some find these "too much", though.


(Can't understand how anyone can drink dishwater like COORS)





Try King Cobra or Hurricane (Made by Anheuser-Busch) if you can find them.


Tried the both of these and they're both excellent.


(Though a trifle agressive for those Faint of heart)





Worth trying for a bit of variety is Two Dogs Lemon brew or Cave Creek Chilli Beer (Cave Creek is NOT for the wussy!! F**kin' HOT!!!!) I usually prefer to cut Cave Creek by half or more with regular beers. And I like hot food!


Don't let Cave Creek sit around for long.. it grows hotter with age. Four inch long chilli pepper in each bottle.





Here's an idea..


Any Microbreweries in your area?


Many bars & restaraunts connected to, or serving Microbrews will have "Sampler Platters".. a variety of their different beers in small portions..





Look for these.





You may find one you like.

[T.S.]

SAPPORO is a great beer....it does not really have a beer aftertaste and it is really smooth...another good one is PILSNER URQUEL it is a little different as well....

[SCREWLOOSE]

Ahhh Pilsner Urquel drank loads of that last year in the Chech Republic & Austria fantastic.

[OzHemi]

I prefer VB... of course I just ship some over in all the containers to keep me going, LOL..

[SCREWLOOSE]

Went to a bar in London in May called the Porterhouse it sells a wide viarety of beer from all over the world!! Tried an ale not to dsimilar to Guiness called Oyster (its made from Oysters) theres some kick off it!!


Tried an Ethiopain Beer there too in the hope it would make me thin and an Olympic Standard runner but that experiment didnt work!! It just made me run to the loo a bit quicker that was it!!!

[Big Bopper Bart]

VB is the Aussie Budwieser many of OZ folk get sh*tfaced on that,most think they drink fosters but I've heard from many people from OZ that they'd soon guzzle thier own piss than drink that sh*t.