the basshunter beer chat thread

bassment zombie · 09-20-2008, 09:49 AM

Per the recommendation of my North Shore area beer connection, I bought a 6 pack of Fisherman's Pumpkin Stout last week. I was dubious, but gave it a shot. Color me VERY impressed. So much so, that I replaced that 6 pack with another when it ran dry.

An excellent beer. No over the top pumpkin-pie taste wrongly trapped in a beer bottle smacking you upside the face. Its subtle, hint of spices, some mocha, and nicely dry.

I love the Berkshire Imperial Stouts (and have enjoyed the Berkshire Ales, of course), and I just bought a Coffeehouse Porter which I'm going to give a shot tonight.

basshunter · 09-20-2008, 09:58 AM

I made the very first batch of BBC Coffeehouse Porter. I hope you enjoy it, I call it "alcoholic iced coffee". It is great for breakfast

So what should I chat about?

bassment zombie · 09-20-2008, 10:10 AM

Quote:

basshunter said...

I made the very first batch of BBC Coffeehouse Porter. I hope you enjoy it, I call it "alcoholic iced coffee". It is great for breakfast

So what should I chat about?

No shit? How cool is that! Mind sharing how you came up with the idea for it, and the process of making it?

I was planning to have it early this evening as we grill burgers outside

What are some other great brew recommendations I can find here in Massholio?

basshunter · 09-20-2008, 10:17 AM

Actually, the idea came from the guy at Dean's Beans roasters. The process for making it is actually quite simple. He creates a coffee extract that gets added to the base porter during the conditioning ("aging") period.

As for other recommendations, I've been drinking some West Coast beers lately that have just become available. If you like hoppy beers, Bear Republic Racer 5 and Red Rocket are good, as is the Green Flash West Coast IPA.

Look for beers from Stoudt's in PA. Their beers are incredible, all of them. I'm also partial to Victory. Their Hop Devil IPA and Prima Pils are excellent. For my money, their Pils is as good an example of what a fresh Pilsner should be as you will find.

If you haven't had it, Berkshire's Oktoberfest is excellent this year.

bassment zombie · 09-20-2008, 11:25 AM

Quote:

basshunter said...

Actually, the idea came from the guy at Dean's Beans roasters. The process for making it is actually quite simple. He creates a coffee extract that gets added to the base porter during the conditioning ("aging") period.

As for other recommendations, I've been drinking some West Coast beers lately that have just become available. If you like hoppy beers, Bear Republic Racer 5 and Red Rocket are good, as is the Green Flash West Coast IPA.

I'm definitely a hop fan. If you recall, I really enjoyed that Red Seal (per your recommendation) at Redbones at our last meet. I love the Dogfish 60 minute IPA, but the shop I buy from here in Beverly hasn't had any for a while. Not sure why.

I'll try to find the 3 you mentioned.
Have you tried this? I always go for Sierra Pale when pickings are slim.

Quote:

Look for beers from Stoudt's in PA. Their beers are incredible, all of them. I'm also partial to Victory. Their Hop Devil IPA and Prima Pils are excellent. For my money, their Pils is as good an example of what a fresh Pilsner should be as you will find.

Good recs! I haven't even bothered with a Pils in years. Now I have a good reason to take the plunge.

Quote:

If you haven't had it, Berkshire's Oktoberfest is excellent this year.

Just enjoyed my first one last night! I'm not a big lager fan, but I really enjoyed it. Definitely a beer I'll drink more of while they're made this season. In fact, it might be better suited to enjoy with our burgers tonight. Might have to make another run.

basshunter · 09-20-2008, 11:48 AM

The Okt would definitely be a better match with the burgers than the Coffeehouse. The Drayman's Porter from Berkshire goes well with burgers as well.

The Coffeehouse is good with ice cream though...

I'm partial to any Sierra beer, and the Anniversary is a good one.

I'm not much of a fan of DFH beers. I know the owner, Sam Calagione, pretty well, but he does some funky things with his beers that don't do it for me. They aren't bad, by any means, just not favorites of mine.

Otis The Bulldog · 09-20-2008, 04:59 PM

I'll have to give that Berkshires Octoberfest a try. I love Sam Adams Octoberfest. I enjoyed a few last night, along with a bunch of Sierra Pale Ale (another favorite). I love hoppy beers, but too many and I wake up feeling pretty awful.

I "grew up" on Yuengling Lager, being from PA. But we can't get it in MA. Do either of you guys know of a beer that's similar? Yuengling to me was the perfect all around beer. Not too heavy, but not some watery flavorless beer. It was the good "I'm going to drink a 12 pack" beer. Suggestions?

Zamfir · 09-21-2008, 06:52 AM

This just in: pale ales tend to suck almost as much as Aventinus.

On serious note, where Pilsners are concerned, I enjoyed a Berliner Kindl last night. Sort of standard for around here (the other being Berliner Pils

), but I like it.

It was in a Turkish restaurant where many of the Turks turned around to stare at us. I can't decide if that was because we're decidedly non-Turk, or because we were drinking beer during Ramadan.

Thunderbroom · 09-21-2008, 08:40 AM

I'm a fan of DFH brews and have recently become a huge fan of Three Floyd's. They're based in Munster, IN. Their Alpha King Ale is one of my all-time faves.

tim the enchanter · 09-21-2008, 09:40 AM

has anyone tried the Budweiser American Ale?

curious if it's actually decent beer or just a lame marketing ploy.

Zamfir · 09-21-2008, 01:28 PM

Quote:

tim the enchanter said...

has anyone tried the Budweiser American Ale?

[pic snip]

curious if it's actually decent beer or just a lame marketing ploy.

Did they think anyone was unsure if Budweiser was American?

basshunter · 09-22-2008, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Otis The Bulldog said...

I "grew up" on Yuengling Lager, being from PA. But we can't get it in MA. Do either of you guys know of a beer that's similar? Yuengling to me was the perfect all around beer. Not too heavy, but not some watery flavorless beer. It was the good "I'm going to drink a 12 pack" beer. Suggestions?

Not to beat a dead horse, but Victory Lager might fill tat void for you.

Quote:

Thunderbroom said...

I'm a fan of DFH brews and have recently become a huge fan of Three Floyd's. They're based in Munster, IN. Their Alpha King Ale is one of my all-time faves.

I've heard great things about 3F, but have yet to get my hands on any.

Quote:

tim the enchanter said...

has anyone tried the Budweiser American Ale?

curious if it's actually decent beer or just a lame marketing ploy.

The latter. A fairly bland,watered down interpretation. I've heard it is already being eliminated.

bpocall · 09-22-2008, 12:30 PM

Quote:

basshunter said...

I've heard great things about 3F, but have yet to get my hands on any.

It's delicious. PM me your address, and I'll mail some your way.

bnyswonger · 09-22-2008, 12:33 PM

How about that Tilt?

that shit's awesome!

bill · 09-22-2008, 12:37 PM

I was at a bar on Sunday watching the Vikings game, up on the walls they have old beer logos and what nots. Their was a sign on "miller Clear" how old is it and how long did they sell it?

basshunter · 09-22-2008, 12:40 PM

Quote:

bpocall said...

It's delicious. PM me your address, and I'll mail some your way.

Done. Thanks, bro!

basshunter · 09-22-2008, 12:43 PM

Quote:

bill said...

I was at a bar on Sunday watching the Vikings game, up on the walls they have old beer logos and what nots. Their was a sign on "miller Clear" how old is it and how long did they sell it?

Ealry/mid-90s IIRC. I don't think it was on the market more that a year or two.

bpocall · 09-22-2008, 12:46 PM

Quote:

bill said...

I was at a bar on Sunday watching the Vikings game, up on the walls they have old beer logos and what nots. Their was a sign on "miller Clear" how old is it and how long did they sell it?

Sounds like back when they tried Pepsi Clear. I imagine it tasted just as good too.

basshunter · 09-22-2008, 12:59 PM

Quote:

basshunter said...

Ealry/mid-90s IIRC. I don't think it was on the market more that a year or two.

Ah yes, April - October 1993, in "select" US markets of Richmond, VA, Minneapolis, MN and Austin, TX.

That sign is actually probably worth something to collectors.

bill · 09-22-2008, 01:01 PM

Quote:

basshunter said...

Ah yes, April - October 1993, in "select" US markets of Richmond, VA, Minneapolis, MN and Austin, TX.

That sign is actually probably worth something to collectors.

Its hanging outside on a fence, I'll be around that bar in a few weeks and snap a pix of it just for fun.

cdb · 09-22-2008, 01:10 PM

Quote:

basshunter said...

Actually, the idea came from the guy at Dean's Beans roasters. The process for making it is actually quite simple. He creates a coffee extract that gets added to the base porter during the conditioning ("aging") period.

As for other recommendations, I've been drinking some West Coast beers lately that have just become available. If you like hoppy beers, Bear Republic Racer 5 and Red Rocket are good, as is the Green Flash West Coast IPA.

Look for beers from Stoudt's in PA. Their beers are incredible, all of them. I'm also partial to Victory. Their Hop Devil IPA and Prima Pils are excellent. For my money, their Pils is as good an example of what a fresh Pilsner should be as you will find.

If you haven't had it, Berkshire's Oktoberfest is excellent this year.

Fuck yes! Was drinking Hop Devil last nite while watching the Birds beat the steelers. One of my faves. Stoudts is excellent, too, but I usually buy the Victory mixed case. Never a dud, no matter what the mix is.

basshunter · 09-22-2008, 01:31 PM

Quote:

bill said...

Its hanging outside on a fence, I'll be around that bar in a few weeks and snap a pix of it just for fun.

Cool!

Quote:

cdb said...

Fuck yes! Was drinking Hop Devil last nite while watching the Birds beat the steelers. One of my faves. Stoudts is excellent, too, but I usually buy the Victory mixed case. Never a dud, no matter what the mix is.

You sir, have excellent taste in beer

bassaussie · 09-22-2008, 01:39 PM

What's more popular in the US, these types of boutique beers you're talking about, or the big brands like Bud, Miller etc? Obviously the big brands sell more than any of the smaller brands individually, but I mean, across the board, do you think Americans would prefer to drink a boutique beer, or just stick to the big guys?

I'm not sure how it is in Australia these days, but when I was growing up, there were probably 3 or 4 main sellers - XXXX in Queensland, VB in most parts of Australia, Tooheys New in NSW (not sure about WA, SA or Tasmania). There were also the smaller brands, but generally, if you walked into a pub and got a beer on tap (ie. a draught beer), you'd be drinking one of the beers I mentioned. Foreign beers were generally a no-no - they tended to be the domain of "poofs and sheilas"!

bassaussie · 09-22-2008, 01:47 PM

Anyway, as for me, when I'm in Lisbon, I just drink one of the Portuguese commercial brands, Imperial. It's my favourite beer here, but funnily enough, it's not usually found on tap. The most popular beers here are Sagres and Superbock - I'm not big on either.

Up in Sweden, there's a few things I'll drink. In Irish pubs, I'll go with a Guinness. In normal pubs, I'll sometimes go with a Pilsner Urquell, which is a Czech beer that's quite popular up there. There's also a nice Swedish beer made in Stockholm called God Lager, made by Nils Oscar, which is brilliant, although it's not one I regularly find around the place. I'd imagine that might be available in the US, and I'd srongly recommend it if you come across it.

basshunter · 09-22-2008, 01:53 PM

The "Big 3" (Bud, Miller, Coors) outsell the "boutique", or craft, beers by a huge margin. In most regions of the country, you'll find these drank at the exclusion of any others. Based on that, I'd say most Americans would rather drink the "American light lager" style. It is changing though. Over the last few years, the craft brewing industry has been growing at something near 20% a year, while the Big 3 are losing about 2% a year. That's not to say that the big guys are in danger of being unseated by the crafts, but it does indicate that the market is shifting somewhat, and many Americans are drinking more craft beer. One trend of note is the number of Americans who now will drink craft beer over the Big 3 when out to dinner, etc. These same drinkers will buy a Bud 30 pack for the fridge at home, but their palates are changing to where they'd rather something with a little more flavor and character on special occasions.

Joe Steele · 09-22-2008, 01:53 PM

A vast majority of the beer US beer drinking market still opts for the cheap fizzy yellow swill.

We fans of the actual good craft beer are a smaller but steadily growing market.

oldivor · 09-22-2008, 01:55 PM

Ok, most of you know I have a dislike for beer. If I were to try some again, what should I try?

bpocall · 09-22-2008, 01:58 PM

Quote:

oldivor said...

Ok, most of you know I have a dislike for beer. If I were to try some again, what should I try?

What beers did you not like?

oldivor · 09-22-2008, 02:00 PM

Quote:

bpocall said...

What beers did you not like?

I've only had a Newcastle but that tasted so nasty to me if left me with a strong dislike for beer.

basshunter · 09-22-2008, 02:00 PM

Quote:

oldivor said...

Ok, most of you know I have a dislike for beer. If I were to try some again, what should I try?

Answer these questions and I will make a recommendation or 5:

1) What are your favorite beverages (alcoholic and non-)?

2) Favorite cuisine or dishes?

3) You are (pick one): sweet, salty, sour

Answer, and I'll get back to you.