I Are Torn! AKA The Beer thread
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I don't really consider myself a beer snob, its just been a long journey of trying different drinks and sticking with what I enjoy. I started off drinking your typical mass-market American lagers, then moved to imported stuff, most of which didn't taste a whole lot different (particularly the popular Canadian and Mexican beers). Eventually I started drinking stuff like Sierra Nevada and found I had a much higher taste for those beers than others. I lived real close to the Sam Adams brewhouse on Boylston street in Boston so I started going there for a while and trying out all the different kinds of brews and found several I liked. Then I found another bar I really liked (Delux in the South End) and they had a very limited selection but I really wanted to hang out at this bar so I developed a passion for Guinness there. BU had the BU Pub in the castle which had a lengthy list of beers (mostly in bottles) and a checklist so at one point during my senior year I began trying to get those checked off (didn't complete it).
Anyhow just experiment with different styles. Wheat beers, brown ale, amber ale, stouts, porters, IPA, lagers, etc and see which have a flavor profile that tastes good to you. If one stands out then you should try different brewers and styles inside that style. Portland and Oregon are home to more brewers than I could ever attempt to try and often when I go to a new restaurant I have never had any of the beers there so I'll just order the IPA by default and see if I like it. If not I'll try another style I like (usually a brown ale next).
Don't let anyone tell you what's good or bad, let your taste buds decide. I've had stuff that is supposed to be heavenly and found it boring. I also get sick easily off wheat beers. You'll find something or maybe you won't.
Also when trying out new stuff a good way is to buy 22oz bottles, that way you can try 2 or 3 different varieties without getting super trashed and not spend a whole lot more than you might on a sixer. Also when you go to brew pubs that have house beers you can get a sampler tray which is usually a pretty good deal. Or if you go to a taphouse with 100 different beers you can usually ask for a sample or two. The bartenders might also recommend a pairing if you are ordering food.
It's all trial and error, but never drink something that you don't like just because its supposed to be good.
Anyhow just experiment with different styles. Wheat beers, brown ale, amber ale, stouts, porters, IPA, lagers, etc and see which have a flavor profile that tastes good to you. If one stands out then you should try different brewers and styles inside that style. Portland and Oregon are home to more brewers than I could ever attempt to try and often when I go to a new restaurant I have never had any of the beers there so I'll just order the IPA by default and see if I like it. If not I'll try another style I like (usually a brown ale next).
Don't let anyone tell you what's good or bad, let your taste buds decide. I've had stuff that is supposed to be heavenly and found it boring. I also get sick easily off wheat beers. You'll find something or maybe you won't.
Also when trying out new stuff a good way is to buy 22oz bottles, that way you can try 2 or 3 different varieties without getting super trashed and not spend a whole lot more than you might on a sixer. Also when you go to brew pubs that have house beers you can get a sampler tray which is usually a pretty good deal. Or if you go to a taphouse with 100 different beers you can usually ask for a sample or two. The bartenders might also recommend a pairing if you are ordering food.
It's all trial and error, but never drink something that you don't like just because its supposed to be good.
I agree that you should go to some local breweries. I don't know which ones do this is MA, but see if any of the area offer a tour (sometimes free, mostly just inexpensive). They explain how the beer is made and what the differences are between them, and you can start your snobbery with this knowledge 
Most of the time you get a bunch of tasters too and it can help you decide what kind of beers you like more. After that, branch outside of that one brewery; lots of them tend towards certain ingredients to give their beer a "signature taste" and it can be a bit limiting. Once you have an idea of the kind of beers you like, buy a different six pack of those varieties every week.
Also, get a growler. People will automatically assume that you know your stuff about beer if you have a growler.
Most of the time you get a bunch of tasters too and it can help you decide what kind of beers you like more. After that, branch outside of that one brewery; lots of them tend towards certain ingredients to give their beer a "signature taste" and it can be a bit limiting. Once you have an idea of the kind of beers you like, buy a different six pack of those varieties every week. Also, get a growler. People will automatically assume that you know your stuff about beer if you have a growler.
Haha True true Hoovtrain. Actually i've lost valuable items like my Wallet,Celly, soooo many times from drinking OE the money thing evens out in the end.
I lied im not STRICTLY an OE drinker.. I dont know what it is but, I used to HATE Heineken Beer.. Whenever I drank it, it was from the tall cans and I was almost disgusted by it.. But then recently I tryed it from the bottle... Dear lord it was delicious... theres something about the bottle vs the can that makes it taste so much better. All i've been drinkin the past month is Heiny from bottle.
On Occassion I also like Brava with a lime or lemon in it (Beer of summer and super cheap, similar to Corona only better IMO)
MGD or Sleemans are other good ones if you want a smooth summer brew.
My favourite thicker beers have to be Rickards Red & Gold. Delicious.
Hammer: I've never been a fan of Guiness, I find it superrrrrr THICK! I've never had it from tap tho, so I'll have to find someone that knows how to pour that ish.
I lied im not STRICTLY an OE drinker.. I dont know what it is but, I used to HATE Heineken Beer.. Whenever I drank it, it was from the tall cans and I was almost disgusted by it.. But then recently I tryed it from the bottle... Dear lord it was delicious... theres something about the bottle vs the can that makes it taste so much better. All i've been drinkin the past month is Heiny from bottle.
On Occassion I also like Brava with a lime or lemon in it (Beer of summer and super cheap, similar to Corona only better IMO)
MGD or Sleemans are other good ones if you want a smooth summer brew.
My favourite thicker beers have to be Rickards Red & Gold. Delicious.
Hammer: I've never been a fan of Guiness, I find it superrrrrr THICK! I've never had it from tap tho, so I'll have to find someone that knows how to pour that ish.
I find Ninkasi to have a predominant amount of "good but not great" beers. They made a major push into my area right from their get-go, and I have no idea how they got such a push. They must have a stellar marketing team with great connections to stand out. I have no problem drinking it, but I can always find better options (including local ones). Their 22 oz. bottles are cheap though-- I'll give them that.
This past weekend I was at Avery and bought a sixer of Uncle Jacob's Stout, which was sold only at the brewery (it might have made it to some local shelves). It's an Imperial Stout aged in Bourbon Barrels with an ABV of 17.42%. I shared one with Mr. Avery...it was heavenly. I also have a maibock brewing right now. It's looking like it's going to be an interesting summer...
K
I struggle with this too. More so with the 49ers. That's my football team. I spent a few times many years ago wondering if having a few wins would be better than just getting slaughtered and getting high 1st round picks like Alex Smith. Although we had a couple 1st rounders that were quality, Alex seemed to still hurt.
It all ended up working out. Harbaugh was the big key, but I can't say good draft picks didn't help either. Desiring that is a touchy subject for a lot of fans. But if it pans out its worth the wait.
It all ended up working out. Harbaugh was the big key, but I can't say good draft picks didn't help either. Desiring that is a touchy subject for a lot of fans. But if it pans out its worth the wait.
Discovered a sweet little mom and pop startup brewery last Tuesday here in the Lewiston/Clarkston area called Riverport (http://www.riverportbrewing.com). Located right on the wide Snake River, has a sweet back patio with a view of the tan treeless mountains across the river. Spent a gorgeous warm evening trying their sampler tray. Turns out several of the professors at the college here (where I'm doing my pre med degree) frequent the joint, shocker! Apparently they like to come play trivia on Tuesday nights. I lost in a sudden death playoff, facing off in front of everybody, to a guy with a master's in history who correctly answered the U.S. town with the northernmost lattitude: Barrow, Alaska. (fer cryin out loud)
They serve only their beer, about 11 varieties. Overall rating I'd give it 7.5 out of ten, mostly on effort. I mean it's small batch beer, but it doesn't grab you the way great beer can. I feel like the dude is kinda just following a recipe (albeit a good and sometimes creative recipe) but doesn't have the art of it down yet. Still, a great little spot. Literally a tin walled warehouse finished with a bar and tables and with a back patio. They only serve popcorn, but you are welcome to use their little gas grill to cook up your own meat!
I usually don't like fancy flavored beers, but I was actually pleasantly surprised with their 5/5 Pepper beer. Supposedly flavored with 5 different peppers.
Anyway, I didn't try them all, and will likely be back at a subsequent Tuesday trivia night. Hopefully my PhD Biology teacher won't be on their frickin roided up tivia monster team.
I'll keep you all posted on if I find a hidden gem of a beer and if it's worth making a stop on your north-american-micro-brew-and-nba-arena-motorcycle tour. You never know what you might find in small town America these days.
They serve only their beer, about 11 varieties. Overall rating I'd give it 7.5 out of ten, mostly on effort. I mean it's small batch beer, but it doesn't grab you the way great beer can. I feel like the dude is kinda just following a recipe (albeit a good and sometimes creative recipe) but doesn't have the art of it down yet. Still, a great little spot. Literally a tin walled warehouse finished with a bar and tables and with a back patio. They only serve popcorn, but you are welcome to use their little gas grill to cook up your own meat!
I usually don't like fancy flavored beers, but I was actually pleasantly surprised with their 5/5 Pepper beer. Supposedly flavored with 5 different peppers.
Anyway, I didn't try them all, and will likely be back at a subsequent Tuesday trivia night. Hopefully my PhD Biology teacher won't be on their frickin roided up tivia monster team.
I'll keep you all posted on if I find a hidden gem of a beer and if it's worth making a stop on your north-american-micro-brew-and-nba-arena-motorcycle tour. You never know what you might find in small town America these days.
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So it's been a while, but I've been busy:
I went to Dark Lord Day at 3FLoyds this year, and had myself a grand ole' time. Swapped some homebrews and recipes with some people, and had, among others:
DFH 120 (loved it - a very smooth IPA) and World Wide Stout (yikes!)
Terrapin Wake and Bake, as well as their chocolate milk stout (can't remember the name)
Two from Cigar City. One was a fruity saison, and the other was El Murcielago. Very good stuff from them.
Some Nordic Stout that I can't pronounce...or remember.
and of course, some Dark Lord. 2010 was a little more coffee-esque than 2011 - it's still a little sweet right now.
Next week is Denver Craft Beer week - unfortunately I'm booked solid most afternoons with school responsibilities, which makes me weep.
I went to Dark Lord Day at 3FLoyds this year, and had myself a grand ole' time. Swapped some homebrews and recipes with some people, and had, among others:
DFH 120 (loved it - a very smooth IPA) and World Wide Stout (yikes!)
Terrapin Wake and Bake, as well as their chocolate milk stout (can't remember the name)
Two from Cigar City. One was a fruity saison, and the other was El Murcielago. Very good stuff from them.
Some Nordic Stout that I can't pronounce...or remember.
and of course, some Dark Lord. 2010 was a little more coffee-esque than 2011 - it's still a little sweet right now.
Next week is Denver Craft Beer week - unfortunately I'm booked solid most afternoons with school responsibilities, which makes me weep.