American Beer: Love It or Hate It?

[SactoGuy18]

If you want an American-brewed beer that is at least as good as what you get in Germany, try a beer from a smaller brewery. I've had good luck with Anchor Steam beer from San Francisco and Sierra Nevada brand beer from Chico, CA.

 

[mkrishnan]

I guess I'll really have to look a little harder to find some of these brews.

I'm actually kind of surprised you didn't find anything at Whole Foods, although they do tend to over-represent non-domestic beers and premium large brewery beers over small breweries (in fact, I took this picture to amuse myself...)

Because they stock international beers from around the world, as opposed to only international beers from Wisconsin. 😉

But it seems like I always see Dogfish Head there, and a few more brands.

A lot of times, I've found that there'll be one liquor store or grocery store in town that has a really good beer selection, and often times it's not the place you'd expect at all.

 

[duncanapple]

Without a doubt my favorite beer is brewed right here in St. Louis. Its a small microbrew named "Schlafly." Their oatmeal stout is among the best dark beers out there, they do some really great seasonal stuff, and they have a wheat Hefewiesen (sp?) that (I think) is better than boulevard's.

I didn't bother to read all 7 pages of this thread, but I see a lot of people dismissing american beers in a blanket fashion. I think a lot of that stems from the fact that we happen to be home to (but not ness owners of anymore) some of the largest beer makers worldwide (cough - AB). These are sort of the walmarts of beers - not that they are cheap, but they appeal to a mass market, they aren't overly unique, and tend to be on the lighter side. (though even the big guys are getting into microbrew styles now). And even that sort of beer has a place. If I am tailgating or headed out to go camping or a float trip (in missouri this consists of floating in a canoe and drinking, fyi), I am not going to drink a schlafly or spaten optimator - I am drinking a bud light can, ususally in qty haha.

My point - dont be quick to dismiss "american beers." Many of these microbrews (such as schlafly) dont do anything to preserve their beers (hence not hurting the flavor) nor do they have breweries all over the country (or world). So its very unlikely that you have even tried the beer unless you within a states distance from the brewery.

If any of you ever come through STL I HIGHLY recommend stopping off at Schalfly Bottleworks or Schlafly Taproom. (I dont work for them btw, I just really like the beer 🙂

- Chris

edit - a couple other MO microbrews that I like that came to mind - Trailhead in St. Charles MO has a couple good ones, one of which is "missouri brown". Flatbranch in Columbia Missouri (near Mizzou) does some good brews as well. But these two don't even distribute outside their bars, so unless you visit, you are highly unlikely to see them.

 

[OutThere]

I'm actually kind of surprised you didn't find anything at Whole Foods, although they do tend to over-represent non-domestic beers and premium large brewery beers over small breweries (in fact, I took this picture to amuse myself...)

Because they stock international beers from around the world, as opposed to only international beers from Wisconsin. 😉

Nice one. 😀

On the subject of beers from Wisconsin, Milwaukee's Beast is probably one of the better beers to act as ambassador for American beer to the rest of the world, n'est pas? 😛

 

[mkrishnan]

On the subject of beers from Wisconsin, Milwaukee's Beast is probably one of the better beers to act as ambassador for American beer to the rest of the world, n'est pas? 😛

Yes, clearly anyone who has not tried the Beast and yet dismisses American beer is being completely unreasonable. 😀

Speaking of beers from around the world, I had Thai beer for the first (?) time 'tother night. Singha. It was kind of the typical Asian pale lager, but somewhat more flavorful than the Japanese ones. Not half bad.

 

[Unspeaked]

As an off-shoot of this thread, I'm considering posting a poll asking what country makes the best beers.

Before doing so, though, I want to make sure I have a pretty good list of the basic, well-regarded beer producing nations.

Obviously, I can't add an option for every country in the world, or even for every beer brewing country in the world. I'd like to keep it at no more than 15 choices, as I think this number would capture the majority of the world's highest regarded brewing nations, and this is what my list looks like now:

Australia
Austria
Belgium
Brazil
Canada
China
Czech Rep.
Denmark
England
Germany
Ireland
Japan
Mexico
Netherlands
United States
OTHER

Am I missing somewhere? Is there something there that shouldn't be? Post your comments so I can get together the poll...

 

[joepunk]

I like Mack & Jack African Amber

 

[D.M.S]

PBR
Although rarely found here (Australia)
Currently there is a big push on with Budweiser and I have to say the imported stuff tastes like dog piss.However Ithink they now brew/bottle it over here locally and it's a 10000 times better.

 

[Big-TDI-Guy]

PBR
Although rarely found here (Australia)
Currently there is a big push on with Budweiser and I have to say the imported stuff tastes like dog piss.However Ithink they now brew/bottle it over here locally and it's a 10000 times better.

Dog piss you say? Those mother (@*$rs! So they HAVE been exporting all the good batches. 😉

 

[iJohnHenry]

tastes like dog piss

Citation requested.

and it's a 10,000 times better.

Hyperbole. 😛

 

[lmcintyre]

.

 

[TwinCities Dan]

I love me some cheap American beer, but I'm NOT a connoisseur at all! I think Guiness tastes like soy sauce, and why anybody would drink beer anyway but cold is beyond me... 😕

Am I a hillbilly? 😱

 

[iVeBeenDrinkin']

I love me some cheap American beer, but I'm NOT a connoisseur at all! I think Guiness tastes like soy sauce, and why anybody would drink beer anyway but cold is beyond me... 😕

Am I a hillbilly? 😱

Yes


I like USA micro-brews. All the macros taste like water that is colored yellow....if you know what I mean.

 

[Abstract]

Hyperbole. 😛

No way. He thinks dog piss tastes 10,000 times better than dog s***, which is what imported Budweiser would taste like.

 

[Counterfit]

I love me some cheap American beer, but I'm NOT a connoisseur at all! I think Guiness tastes like soy sauce, and why anybody would drink beer anyway but cold is beyond me... 😕

Am I a hillbilly? 😱

"All signs point to yes"

 

[gilkisson]

I love me some cheap American beer, but I'm NOT a connoisseur at all! I think Guiness tastes like soy sauce, and why anybody would drink beer anyway but cold is beyond me... 😕

Am I a hillbilly? 😱

Take this test:

1) Prepare your favorite grilled entree.
2) Saute half with Soy Sauce, and half with Guiness.
3) Grill as usual.
4) Eat and evaluate.

If you cannot tell the difference, then Guiness, to you, does taste like Soy Sauce.

If your favorite grilled entree was raccoon, opossum, squirrel, or any member of Class Reptilia, then you might be a hillbilly. Go enjoy you some Natty Light or some Southpaw.😀

 

[mkrishnan]

All the macros taste like water that is colored yellow....if you know what I mean.

No, you had me up until here, and then you lost me. What do you mean? I thought yellow food coloring was flavorless. 😕

 

[cleanup]

Before doing so, though, I want to make sure I have a pretty good list of the basic, well-regarded beer producing nations.

The only good Chinese beer is Tsingtao. And as for Japanese beers, all are pretty much undrinkable, which is why it's usually freeflow at cheap bars in Shanghai and Beijing and yet nobody drinks it.

 

[mkrishnan]

And as for Japanese beers, all are pretty much undrinkable

Some of the Sapporo products that arrive in the US seem pretty drinkable to me... I actually fairly like Sapporo Black Label.

 

[Surely]

Ok, so I gave one of the American beers on the list a try last night. We went to a place called Barney's Beanery in West Hollywood, and they have a pretty extensive beer menu. However, they did not have many of the brews listed on page 1.

I tried Sam Adams Oktoberfest. Did not like. Not tasty.

0 for 1 so far. I hope my next choice will be better.

 

[SilvorX]

If you want an American-brewed beer that is at least as good as what you get in Germany, try a beer from a smaller brewery. I've had good luck with Anchor Steam beer from San Francisco and Sierra Nevada brand beer from Chico, CA.

I tried Anchor Steam about 3 years ago, it was the only beer that I tried that made me want to puke because I felt that it tasted like ****, I took no more than 3 sips and poured the rest down the drain.

@Surely, nice sig! I love CBC Radio 3! My voice is actually on one of their promos

 

[NightFlight]

Mmmm. Sam Octoberfest.

/drool

Coming from someone who IS German, Sam's Oktoberfest is a disgrace to anything that is supposed to be a true "Oktoberfest" beer.

It is terrible.

 

[mkrishnan]

Coming from someone who IS German, Sam's Oktoberfest is a disgrace to anything that is supposed to be a true "Oktoberfest" beer.

I guess there's always going to be some room for disagreement. I mean, I think Grolsch is terrible. 😛 As I said before, though, I too am no huge fan of Sam Adams in general and particularly do not like the Oktoberfest that much. But numerous people so far in this thread have stood up for it, and at least some of them evidence some taste for beer... so I guess.... 😱

 

[Tofaha]

i've never tried beer so i don't know if i'd love or hate it 😀

 

[Surely]

@Surely, nice sig! I love CBC Radio 3! My voice is actually on one of their promos

That's really cool. Grand Analog, is that you?

I listen to the podcasts (Grant Lawrence's and the R3-30) every week. Awesome music.

Coming from someone who IS German, Sam's Oktoberfest is a disgrace to anything that is supposed to be a true "Oktoberfest" beer.

It is terrible.

Based on my Saturday night experience, I couldn't agree with you more. Bad.