Ha.

Most of your choices are pretty bad. Heineken & Corona are the beer world's version of Jan Wayne. Even those slightly better ones you select (Newcastle Brown, etc) aren't much better, and at the same level as DJ Sammy or something (OK production values, bad product).

Of course not everyone can afford the best of everything, or know what the best of everything is, but some of the stuff you guys have picked is significantly more expensive than beers that are a lot better. Those of you in the US who think Heineken is the best thing going should try some of your local microbrewery's beers. You would be supporting your local community and drinking a better product, instead of throwing your cash at the kind of bland, tasteless crap which big business chucks out.

BTW, Some of my favourite beers include:
Westvleteren 12 and 8
St Bernardus 12
Rochefort 10 and 8
Crouch Vale Brewers Gold Extra
Dupont Avec Les Bons Voeux
Girardin Gueuze Black Label
Drie Fonteinen Schaarbeekse Kriek
Belle Vue Selection Lambic
Oud Beersel Oude Gueuze
Schlenkerla Rauchbier Urbock
Liefmans Goudenband
and pretty much anything from Dark Star

Some of my local favourites are Fuller's, Hook Norton & Rebellion.

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Wow, it's joeh.

I'd have to go Belgian with this one and say a pint of good old wifebeater (Stella)

Or as some of you have mentioned a nice cold Heineken

quote:

Originally posted by Masonious If any of you ever get the chance to drink, "Mad Bitch", take it. It's about 15 dollars for a 750ml bottle. Best Belgian ale i've ever had. Even though most Europeans drinks their brew warm, i found that this particular ale is best to imbibe ice-cold.

Ah yes, great beer, brewed by the rather special De Dolle brewery.AFAIK the labels read "De Dolle Dulle Teve", with 'Mad Bitch' in smaller writing above, that might make this one easier to spot on the shelf.

I'm not sure I would pay $15 for a Belgian 750 (they are a lot cheaper here), but I think that is in line with the prices that are charged for them in the US, and since this is a beer that is the quality of a fine wine (and a similar alcohol content - 10% ABV), the $15 really isn't too much to pay.

BTW, Europeans don't drink their fine beers warm, they drink at cellar temperature or slightly chilled. I would recommend that you serve this beer slightly chilled, rather than ice cold.

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Chimay Blue

quote:

Originally posted by Minihero I'd have to go Belgian with this one and say a pint of good old wifebeater (Stella)

The version sold in the UK is actually brewed in the UK and not Belgium. It is also a far inferior product to that sold on the continent (which isn't very good to begin with).

This style of beer is completely non-Belgian, and such beers were barely even brewed in Belgium before WW2, but then they were brewed to quench the first of the invading German army. In the years after, like in every country in the world, the flavoursome local beers succumbed to big business and pale, swilly lagers became (and still are) the best selling beers.

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Last edited by joeh on Mar-14-2005 at 18:37

quote:

Originally posted by joeh Ah yes, great beer, brewed by the rather special De Dolle brewery.AFAIK the labels read "De Dolle Dulle Teve", with 'Mad Bitch' in smaller writing above, that might make this one easier to spot on the shelf. I'm not sure I would pay $15 for a Belgian 750 (they are a lot cheaper here), but I think that is in line with the prices that are charged for them in the US, and since this is a beer that is the quality of a fine wine (and a similar alcohol content - 10% ABV), the $15 really isn't too much to pay. BTW, Europeans don't drink their fine beers warm, they drink at cellar temperature or slightly chilled. I would recommend that you serve this beer slightly chilled, rather than ice cold.

Aye, have had it warm, chilled and cold, and for some reason cold really turned my crank that day. Could have been my palette was cleaner or something...

and you live in england so you must have had Olde Peculiar

I friggin love that beer, must be even better off tap.

quote:

Originally posted by Masonious Aye, have had it warm, chilled and cold, and for some reason cold really turned my crank that day. Could have been my palette was cleaner or something... and you live in england so you must have had Olde Peculiar I friggin love that beer, must be even better off tap.

Out of all the Belgian Ales, tripels (like Dulle Teve) are better suited to being chilled than other beers, that's for sure.

Theakston Old Peculier is pretty good, but not one of my favourites.

I am quite excited by it, though, as the Theakston family have recently brought the brewery back from Scottish & Newcastle, who previously owned it. However I think that, unfortunately, the brewery is not big enough to keep up with the demand, and some of the beers continue to be brewed by Scottish & Newcastle at other locations. Hopefully full or even part production being conducted the family in the future can improve the product. S&N, btw are one of the world's largest brewing groups.

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quote:

Originally posted by joeh The version sold in the UK is actually brewed in the UK and not Belgium. It is also a far inferior product to that sold on the continent (which isn't very good to begin with). This style of beer is completely non-Belgian, and such beers were barely even brewed in Belgium before WW2, but then they were brewed to quench the first of the invading German army. In the years after, like in every country in the world, the flavoursome local beers succumbed to big business and pale, swilly lagers became (and still are) the best selling beers.

Bloody hell, you know your stuff

I may have to try some of the beers you're suggesting. Are they all easily available in the UK?

quote:

Originally posted by Minihero Bloody hell, you know your stuff I may have to try some of the beers you're suggesting. Are they all easily available in the UK?

From better off licenses.

Most supermarkets stock some goods beers though. You should try Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Duvel or even Chimay. You should be able to get all three of them in Sainsburys, and 1 or 2 in Tesco or Asda.

If you are just visiting your local pub, depending on the pub you go to, you may be able to try some nice local cask conditioned ales (the ones served via a hand pump). It's quite hit or miss though, and in certain parts of the country not too many pubs have these. Also, those that do may keep them in poor condition. It's all about trial and error, and if you find a pub that serves it well, you may just find a beer which you prefer (and is cheaper than lager)!

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Nice one. I'm always game for trying new high quality beers