The Beer Thread
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North_Ranger
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Interesting fact: in the Middle Ages it was commonplace in many parts of Europe that people drank up to a gallon and a half of beer a day, simply due to the fact that water was sometimes undrinkable. And when I say people, I mean everybody from children to adults to old people.
In other words, in the Middle Ages everyone was drunk as shit.
In other words, in the Middle Ages everyone was drunk as shit.
Yes, it introduces me to the next Guinness.I like Guinness, but I consider it an introduction beer to the more flavorful beers out there. Kind of like a gateway beer
I've heard great things about Guinness... as long as you don't live in the US. Rumor has it that the stuff you can get imported here and the stuff you can get outside the US are vastly different products. I really hope this is the case, because last time I tried Guinness (which was admittedly a long time ago before I had really developed a taste for any beer) it tasted like pine sap on tap.
Interesting fact: the beer and whine of the Middle Ages had roughly 1-2% alcohol content, making it considerably weaker than modern spirits. It was merely a practical way to keep water clean for consumption.
In other words, people weren't drunk as often as you think.
North_Ranger
Staff member
True, but there's the simple matter of quantity to consider. Also, in the Late Middle Ages and the beginning of the New Age, getting hammered was considered something of a cultural norm in Northern Europe, even among the aristocracy. In fact, there are mentions of foreign dignitaries visiting Sweden in the 1500s and bemoaning how the Swedes refused to treat with them because they refused to drink 'til they dropped.
There are some great American brewers. Stone makes some great stuff, especially if you like IPAs or Porters. AleSmith is pretty fantastic, too. I'm also a fan of Sam Adams, not so much the Boston Lager but the seasonal stuff is delicious.
My standby lately has been Sapporo. I've become a big fan of Racer 5 IPA also, and AleSmith's Horny Devil is glorious.
My standby lately has been Sapporo. I've become a big fan of Racer 5 IPA also, and AleSmith's Horny Devil is glorious.
Oh man I love Sapporo. Too bad we can't get it anywhere here except for in Japanese restaurants.
I'm saddened that Sam Adams stopped making their cream stout. This beer went down easier than any other I drink.
Guinness is GOOD beer, you just seem to get the McD's version of it. So obviously, it'll suck a dick.
American Guinness is brewed in Canada. So it is still an "import" just not from the right factory.
My wife bought me a case of Guinness foreign extra for our anniversary this year.
That said, the Guinness served in America is the same stuff served in Ireland. I asked the brewery tour guide in Ireland a couple years ago. Though he also said that it doesn't travel well and they get the same question from anyone outside of Ireland who doesn't get it as "fresh". I would also guess American bars and bartenders aren't paying as much attention to the proper pour, temperature, CO2 levels and line cleanliness as the people whose only focus is Guinness.
That said, the Guinness served in America is the same stuff served in Ireland. I asked the brewery tour guide in Ireland a couple years ago. Though he also said that it doesn't travel well and they get the same question from anyone outside of Ireland who doesn't get it as "fresh". I would also guess American bars and bartenders aren't paying as much attention to the proper pour, temperature, CO2 levels and line cleanliness as the people whose only focus is Guinness.
Right, Snuff. Which is why I keep comparing bottles, not tap. Most of the time, being in the non-metropolitan area that I am, I can really only get bottled (nothing is good canned, don't even say it) beers.
Hell, I had a Guinness tonight, but only because the bar didn't have any Founders on tap this month.
Hell, I had a Guinness tonight, but only because the bar didn't have any Founders on tap this month.
I know nobody asked, but here's my opinion:As a Maritimer, I'm contractually obliged to drink Keith's:
I also rather liked Brava:
And Mill Street:
For it's price, Brava is quite good. It is far from a favourite of mine, but for a cheap beer for a party, Brava is a good buy. Honestly prefer it over some of the sort of mid-range stuff like Molson Canadian (Which I find disgusting nowadays), and it's better than all of it's peers in the cheap category like Laker, Lakeport and Maclays.
Mill Street Organic and Mill Street Coffee Porter are delicious. Not a fan of their Tankhouse Ale.
And Keith's is Keith's. It's good, but honestly I feel like it's maybe a little overpriced, at least here in Ontario where it's considered an import. It's probably cheaper in the Maritimes where our Ontario beers are jacke dup in price.
I rarely buy it. For pretty much the same price I can get Rickard's, coming from BC, and I consider Rickard's Red to be an excellent beer. It's my preferred beer at hockey and la crosse games.[DOUBLEPOST=1351349478][/DOUBLEPOST]
I do love my Steamwhistle, but I can only ever drink one or two. Any more than that and I get what I can only describe as gut rot. Gassy.checkeredhat can attest to it's quality, but I am a fan of Steam Whistle.
Was very upset for the first year that I lived here because they hadn't started shipping over here yet, but they started to a few years back and everything is right with the world.
Once you get away from Corona, most Mexican Beers are pretty good. Throughout the 19th century Bavarian brewers were moving to Mexico and South Texas in droves.
That is why my first of the month beer is Shiner.
I think Moosehead's a good pale ale. Leagues above PBR anyway.
One of my husband's favorite beers is Stone's Arrogant Bastard Ale. It's too...bitey for me. I don't know how else to describe it.
That's a far cry from your implication of all men, women, and children being hammered all the time.
North_Ranger
Staff member
Okay, not dead drunk but definitely a slight buzz.
It's good, but honestly it's not even their best. Any Porter, the Sublimely Self-Righteous, Levitation and other IPAs are much, much tastier.
Dogfish Head 60 minute IPA. Pure beauty.
Newcastle should not be calling their Winter seasonal an IPA, because it's in no way got an IPA taste. However, it is still delicious.
Had some real good Pumpkin ale a few weeks ago. Pure bliss.
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