How do you figure out what you like in a beer?

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I have been brewing beer for 7 years now, if you have any questions that I may be able to help with, feel free to ask. I am on a serious IPA kick now and have a bunch of new favorites.

Check this website out,

The results are in for the 2011 Best Beers in America Poll! For the past nine years, we've asked Zymurgy readers to share a list of their 20 favorite commercially available American beers. A record number of votes were cast this year; 1,306 different beers from 433 breweries were represented in the poll.

Hope this helps !!!! YUMMY BEERS !!!:eek:

I don't see the link in your post so here it is again http://www.homebrewersassociation.org/pages/community/news/show?title=2011-best-beers
 
Thanks, guys. I'll definitely be posting something when I actually get to doing something serious...

So far I've made a couple of 2 litre brew-in-the-bottle batches (one didn't have enough hops and the other was kind of boring) and a spiced cider braggot using 2 litres spiced apple cider and 2 litres brew-in-a-bottle wort with some cinnamon, allspice, anise and clove and when I get around to tasting it I may add some Saaz hops, I've also got a hopped pumpkin second run hydromel which I really oughtta taste, it smells OK so far... baby steps... I just don't tend to go for regular plain old beer, which is why I wanted to try brewing my own. Fell in love with a spiced pumpkin ale at a local brew pub and want to give that a try, I also really like the coffee porter because it doesn't really taste like a beer (and it makes an AWESOME ice cream float).
 
I just don't tend to go for regular plain old beer, which is why I wanted to try brewing my own.


Exactly why I started brewing :)

I've got an idea for a Cappuccino Porter that i've run through many experienced brewers to refine the recipe. Hopefully I'll be able to fit it in sometime soon. If it works out well I'll post it here too.
 
I was wondering if anyone has tried that Fraoch Heather Ale from Scotland.
I'd like to check it out but there isn't any place in my area that they distribute to.

I was thinking heather might be interesting in a braggot, as well as being an authentically ancient adjunct.
 
I have yet to try it. Lot of beers there to get through and I don't get there often lol

I hear ya!
There's a market here in Salem that has a HUGE selection of micros and imports, and there has been many a time I went in thinking of trying something new only to come out with some of my old standbys cause I knew I would like them. :rolleyes:

However; Your mission TAK, should you decide to accept it, is to venture into the Travelers Club at your earliest convenience and order a Fraoch Heather Ale. Then report back here and post your findings so we can get an idea of the flavor of this elusive brew. ;D

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I hear ya!
There's a market here in Salem that has a HUGE selection of micros and imports, and there has been many a time I went in thinking of trying something new only to come out with some of my old standbys cause I knew I would like them. :rolleyes:

However; Your mission TAK, should you decide to accept it, is to venture into the Travelers Club at your earliest convenience and order a Fraoch Heather Ale. Then report back here and post your findings so we can get an idea of the flavor of this elusive brew. ;D

This message will self-destruct in 10 seconds.


I run into the problem of going to the Beer Cave Store (also a nice selection of Meads) with a specific beer in mind and then seeing the HUGE selection and wandering around finding a ton of others I want to try and forgetting what I went there for in the first place. :rolleyes:

I will accept the mission! Helping a friend move into that area next weekend so maybe I can convince her to take me to lunch there.
 
I was wondering if anyone has tried that Fraoch Heather Ale from Scotland.
I'd like to check it out but there isn't any place in my area that they distribute to.

I was thinking heather might be interesting in a braggot, as well as being an authentically ancient adjunct.

Me and the hubby to be have had the Fraoch. It was a light ale, very floral in nature. Tasty. We've also used heather flowers in a braggot that I don't like sharing with anyone. ;D
 
Tonight's homework was Beau's All Natural Brewing Company's Lug Tread lagered ale, made very near Ottawa. It says "This tasty golden beer combines complex ale flavours with refreshing lager-like crispness." on the label and that's pretty much what's in the bottle. Also apparently certified organic. It's nice, clean, crisp, plenty of hoppy flavour but not unbearably hoppy-bitter, and not much aftertaste, or at least nothing I disliked. I think it was a little cloudy in the bottle. Hubby described it as bitter but that's no surprise, he doesn't care for beer and describes everything as bitter ;D

If I weren't forever seeking the new and adventurous, I'd definitely order this if I were out somewhere.
 
Me and the hubby to be have had the Fraoch. It was a light ale, very floral in nature. Tasty. We've also used heather flowers in a braggot that I don't like sharing with anyone. ;D

Thanks for the description.
Your braggot turned out that good eh? If you have ever posted the recipe I'd be interested in checking it out. :)

Chevette - Another belgian style I recently discovered that is really good is Pranqster from North Coast Brewing. The only thing is, it occurred to me that it, like most of the other beers I recommended before are all brewed on the west coast so they may not distribute as far as your area.
You might look for Ommegang Three Philosophers, Ommegang brewery is in New York. It's a dark, malty ale with a little cherry lambic added.
Sorry - I'm probably just adding to an already very long list. ;D
 
mccann51 said:
Seconded!

Or you could just brew him one, it's one of the simplest recipes going in terms of beer brewing.
I've always been partial to British Mild Ales. Great Malt flavor, no hop bitterness.

I've always been partial to British Mild Ales. Great Malt flavor, no hop bitterness.

So, TAKeyser, if I brew a Scotch Ale can I count on you to hand it over the border to Chevette Girl when you pass over some of your mead? ;D


::ducks::
 
LOL

My mom keeps bugging me to get a passport... so theoretically we could do this LEGALLY some day. When we thumb-wrestle for first post ;D.

And I'll be brewing things I like, between the two of us we're lucky to get through a case of beer in a year. In fact we've still got a few leftover Coors Light from my brother in-law's wedding. In 2010. He doesn't like beer, aside from the occasional Guinness.

But if I can get my hands on a Scotch Ale or a British Mild I'll definitely give them a try.