Beer!

[ruckman101]

I agree. Current offerings are ever more "big". Lagers needing the longer cooler fermentation used to be seasonal until refrigeration. Ales ferment at higher temps and have a quicker turn around, thus easier, cheaper to produce. I'm hopelessly hop addicted and was excited to see a new hop supplier business launched focusing strictly on the craft brewers, as the big boys scale back their hops and aren't interested in the complexities, but merely the "bittering" aspect. They kicked a mil to OSU to revive their hop developments. Rogue is growing their own hops now, in partnership with OSU.

Good times to be a beer drinker.


neal

[SlowLane]

If I sound like a picky wiener, it's cause I am; what I really want is a good crisp, clear Pilsner, but good luck finding that in the US

Hey, Michael, Trumer Pils in Berkeley brews nothing but their own German-style pilsner. The owner actually bought a defunct brewery and had it outfitted to brew pilsner just so he could get a fresh supply of his favorite German beer, as apparently pilsner doesn't "travel well". They import the same hops from Germany that are used in the Trumer brewery there, and apparently the water in Berkeley is very close to the water found in Germany.

Wife treated me to a tour of the brewery last year. Quite interesting. Sorry to say though, that the beer wasn't my favorite. Rather be knocking down a pint of Guinness or getting immersed in one of Unibroue's complex offerings.

Cheers,
Lyle

[Lanval]

If I sound like a picky wiener, it's cause I am; what I really want is a good crisp, clear Pilsner, but good luck finding that in the US

Hey, Michael, Trumer Pils in Berkeley brews nothing but their own German-style pilsner. The owner actually bought a defunct brewery and had it outfitted to brew pilsner just so he could get a fresh supply of his favorite German beer, as apparently pilsner doesn't "travel well". They import the same hops from Germany that are used in the Trumer brewery there, and apparently the water in Berkeley is very close to the water found in Germany.

Wife treated me to a tour of the brewery last year. Quite interesting. Sorry to say though, that the beer wasn't my favorite. Rather be knocking down a pint of Guinness or getting immersed in one of Unibroue's complex offerings.

Cheers,
Lyle

Thanks for the top ~ it's now at the top of my list of reasons to go North (well, that and a desire to see Big Sur from behind the widescreen presentation of a rear-engine VW camper) for a weekend.

Tip O' the hat to you!

Michael L

[poptop tom]

The best beer in each state.
Thoughts and opinions on YOUR state?
http://firstwefeast.com/drink/the-best- ... e/s/22130/

[yondermtn]

Illinois- Goose Island Bourbon County Stout

I've never had it, but hear it is good. I'm not much of a stout drinker. I drank my last Surly Furious(Minnesota's #1) last night. It is one of my favorites that made the list. Unfortunately they pulled out of IL.

[vdubzen]

New Mexico, specifically Albuquerque: IVB (il vicino brewery) Canteen has a couple IPA's I like, Exodus and wet mountain.

(for those of you in colorado and kansas , they have Il Vicino locations there as well. i don't know if they serve their brews though.)

[yondermtn]

Anyone try the Lagunitas Sucks?

Great beer! It's like a flavor explosion that I highly recommend.

[Westy78]

Anyone try the Lagunitas Sucks?

Great beer! It's like a flavor explosion that I highly recommend.

Just picked up a six pack of it last night. Haven't tried it yet. Still disappointed that we don't get Brown Sugga again this year.

[tristessa]

Still disappointed that we don't get Brown Sugga again this year.

^^^ THIS ^^^

Seriously, Guys At Lagunitas .. we'll buy the "lack of capacity while we expand the brewery" once, but what's your excuse this year? It better be a good one, something along the lines of an Undercover Federal Investigation Shut-Down.

[hambone]

After a steady diet of Canned American, anything else is honey.