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You are here: Home / Food & Recipes / Beer Blogging / Open Thread

Open Thread

by Tim F|  August 10, 200812:32 pm| 50 Comments

This post is in: Beer Blogging

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Capsule review, Michelob Ultra:

Kidney-filtered river water. Some douchenozzle brought a case of this crap to my birthday bash, nobody went near it so now I have to get rid of the cans the old-fashioned way. Yech.

Capsule review, Southern Tier creme brulee stout:

Imagine soaking a box and a half of Count Chocula in a weakly-hopped stout. Or try making a half-and-half mix of Guiness and a case of caramel chews. As a general principle I always order beers that I haven’t tried before, but god was it a chore to get through this one. For some reason the cloying sweetness concentrates in the foam, making it painful even to get near enough to sip. I honestly want to know who approved this. If you’re old enough to drink it then you’re probably too old to enjoy Captain Crunch, Pixie Stix or a beer that should come with its own insulin shot. Do not order with food.

Chat about whatever.

***Update***

On an up note, Southern Tier’s Unearthly IPA is still the best beer made in the continental US.

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50Comments

  1. 1.

    SpotWeld

    August 10, 2008 at 12:37 pm

    Maybe you can marinate some chicken in it. With a little tobasco sauce or perhaps one the other spicy pepper sauces. The weak flavor will probably work well with such a mild flavored meat.

  2. 2.

    Third Eye Open

    August 10, 2008 at 12:51 pm

    Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout, Northcoast Brewery

    balanced at first taste, but as the flavor matures on the tongue you realize just how bitter it actually is.

    I recommend it with a good starchy food.

    Bring a designated driver who is sipping on a pilsner, it’s a beast.

  3. 3.

    ed

    August 10, 2008 at 12:51 pm

    Beer snob = dumpster gourmet

  4. 4.

    Incertus

    August 10, 2008 at 12:52 pm

    At the last family reunion I attended, the beer options were Mich Ultra, Bud Light with Lime and Mich Ultra with Tangerine, I believe. There were a couple of Basses left over in the refrigerator, so I made do with those.

    And in case there was any doubt, Mark Penn is a piece of shit.

  5. 5.

    Jake

    August 10, 2008 at 1:00 pm

    Lienenkugel’s new Sunset Wheat beer is pretty good. It’s like Blue Moon before Coors watered it down.

  6. 6.

    The Other Steve

    August 10, 2008 at 1:15 pm

    My former boss would always insure there were both kinds of beers at company events.

    Bud and Bud Light.

  7. 7.

    Tzal

    August 10, 2008 at 1:33 pm

    We were out visiting the in-laws a few weeks back. During our stay I was exposed to Natty Green’s Pale Ale. It’s like Sierra Nevada was a decade ago. A lot of depth.

    Also, Lagunitas IPA is a force to be reckoned with.

  8. 8.

    Tim F.

    August 10, 2008 at 1:38 pm

    Also, Lagunitas IPA is a force to be reckoned with.

    Which one? Laginitas makes one for every day of the month. Their Maximus is hop heaven. The Undercover Shutdown is a little over the edge in terms of hops bitterness, but that’s how it’s meant to be. The normal IPA is pretty good.

  9. 9.

    cynique71

    August 10, 2008 at 1:40 pm

    Anyone who buys lime beer should be mocked mercilessly. That shit’s vile.

    And Bud w/ Clamato juice…WTF?

  10. 10.

    Incertus

    August 10, 2008 at 1:51 pm

    And Bud w/ Clamato juice…WTF?

    Remember a few years ago when they tried B-to-the-E, the Budweiser energy drink? You think the mockery was bad–I worked at Anchor Brewing in San Francisco at the time. They were merciless.

  11. 11.

    Peter VE

    August 10, 2008 at 2:10 pm

    You’re gonna have to marinate a lot of meat in that… OTOH, remember that your compost pile needs to be kept moist.

  12. 12.

    grumpy realist

    August 10, 2008 at 2:20 pm

    Another vote for the Rasputin Old Russian Stout. This one really marches down your throat with muddy boots on. (thank you, Poul Anderson, for the simile.)

    I’ve paired it with a) sushi with lotsa wasabi, b)lentil + chickpea curry, c) Greek chicken (green olives, tarragon, onions and garlic, simmered in white wine) and it has paired nicely with each. About the only thing I can’t see this pairing with is something like poached fish or scrambled eggs.

  13. 13.

    Third Eye Open

    August 10, 2008 at 2:33 pm

    Grumpy,

    I have to get it brought down from Atlanta, unfortunately, but all this talk of beer today has me in the mood for it, so maybe i’ll introduce my girlfriend to it with some chicken curry.

    Cheap Accessible Beer: Mackeson’s XXX at less than $9 for a six-pack is fan-fraggin-tastic

  14. 14.

    Rudi

    August 10, 2008 at 2:39 pm

    Over at TMV found a link to WSJ MarketWatch about McClowns qualifications. LOL – WSJ’s writer trashing McClown on his lack over real experience.
    From TMV: WSJ Market Watch Lists Reasons Why McCain Would Make a Mediocre President
    From MarketWatch: Why McCain would be a mediocre president

    REX NUTTING
    Why McCain would be a mediocre president
    Commentary: It’s not a given that Republican candidate has the right stuff
    By Rex Nutting, MarketWatch
    Last update: 3:53 p.m. EDT Aug. 7, 2008
    WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) — In his frivolous Paris and Britney ad, Sen. John McCain has asked the right question: Is Barack Obama ready to lead this country?
    Since last January, Sen. Obama’s fitness for the presidency has been the only question that matters in American politics. The pollsters and pundits agree that if Obama can show the voters that he’s up to the job, he’ll win. If not, he won’t.
    But that begs another question: Is McCain fit to lead America?
    That question hasn’t been asked, nor has it been answered.
    The assumption seems to be that McCain’s years of experience in the military and in Congress of course give him the background and tools he’d need in the White House. As Britney might say, “Duh! For sure he’s qualified!!! He’s Mac!!!”
    But is that true? Does McCain have the right stuff?
    A careful look at McCain’s biography shows that he isn’t prepared for the job. His resume is much thinner than most people think.
    Here are some reasons why McCain would be a mediocre president.
    …

  15. 15.

    frogspawn

    August 10, 2008 at 2:57 pm

    so now I have to get rid of the cans the old-fashioned way.

    You’re shooting them, or killing slugs in your veggie garden?

  16. 16.

    OriGuy

    August 10, 2008 at 2:58 pm

    Took the Coast Starliner up to Tacoma. The best choice they had was Sam Adams. I can live with that.
    I second Lagunitas IPA. I also had several of Manny’s Pale Ale from Georgetown Beer in Seattle.

  17. 17.

    cleek

    August 10, 2008 at 2:58 pm

    Imagine soaking a box and a half of Count Chocula melting a quart of cheap vanilla ice cream in a weakly-hopped stout. As a general principle I always order beers that I haven’t tried before, but god was it a chore to get through this one. For some reason the cloying sweetness concentrates in the foam, making it painful even to get near enough to sip. I honestly want to know who approved this. If you’re old enough to drink it then you’re probably too old to enjoy Captain Crunch, Pixie Stix or a beer that should come with its own insulin shot. Do not order with food.

    that’s how i feel about Breckenridge’s vanilla porter: sweet, cloying, candy-flavored belch.

    on the other hand… i wish i could find Alexander Keith’s here in NC.

  18. 18.

    shirt

    August 10, 2008 at 3:02 pm

    Lagunitas IPA is indead a force to be reckoned with but
    Ballast Point “Big Eye” IPA trumps Lagunitas and Stone IPA but not by very much. Southern Tier is unavaliable in North County. Interestingly enough Both Big Eye and Stone california Pale ale aren’t even worth a bucket of warm spit.

    Of course, what do I know: my Wife’s favorite brew is a Bud light poured into a huge mug of crushed ice. She makes me watch, too.

  19. 19.

    Incertus

    August 10, 2008 at 3:30 pm

    OT, but Isaac Hayes just died.

  20. 20.

    iluvsummr

    August 10, 2008 at 3:30 pm

    Friedman on Denmark vs the US when it comes to energy independence…

    Unlike America, Denmark, which was so badly hammered by the 1973 Arab oil embargo that it banned all Sunday driving for a while, responded to that crisis in such a sustained, focused and systematic way that today it is energy independent. (And it didn’t happen by Danish politicians making their people stupid by telling them the solution was simply more offshore drilling.)

    Because it was smart taxes and incentives that spurred Danish energy companies to innovate, Ditlev Engel, the president of Vestas — Denmark’s and the world’s biggest wind turbine company — told me that he simply can’t understand how the U.S. Congress could have just failed to extend the production tax credits for wind development in America.

    Why should you care?

    “We’ve had 35 new competitors coming out of China in the last 18 months,” said Engel, “and not one out of the U.S.”

  21. 21.

    Ella in NM

    August 10, 2008 at 3:38 pm

    Lienenkugel’s new Sunset Wheat beer is pretty good. It’s like Blue Moon before Coors watered it down.

    I tried Lienenkugel’s Berry Weiss this weekend, and even though it definitely is a sweet, fruity beer, it was pretty good–as close to a lambic as I can get for less than 8 bucks.

    Also, if you like dark, malty-caramelly ales, try McEwen’s Scotch Ale. My husband would drink gallons of it if it didn’t cost $13 a six-pack–it’s a payday beer.

  22. 22.

    Evilbeard

    August 10, 2008 at 3:44 pm

    I am fond of Lost Coast’s Great White and their Downtown Brown. Humboldt Brewery’s Red Nectar is also delicious.

    Hooray for millions of American beers to choose from!

  23. 23.

    Tim F.

    August 10, 2008 at 4:07 pm

    try McEwen’s Scotch Ale

    Ambrosia.

  24. 24.

    Mr. Tactful

    August 10, 2008 at 4:09 pm

    Y’all’s some snobs.

    Yuengling,baby.

  25. 25.

    DC Badger

    August 10, 2008 at 4:16 pm

    My personal fave IPA right now is Bell’s Two Hearted Ale. That’s a damned fine beer. A nice combination of malt and hops.

  26. 26.

    taoless

    August 10, 2008 at 4:16 pm

    i’m not much into the sweet beer thing either, but there is one exception, though i haven’t had one in most of a decade. there’s a little brewery in colorado called tommyknocker’s that makes a maple nut brown that’s just absolutely delightful. you wouldn’t want to drink more that a bomber full, but it is, in and of itself, dessert. i could also see drinking it with some jerked pork or maybe a good meaty fish like salmon.

    oh, and i saw somebody mention manny’s pale up above in the thread. i tend bar in seattle, and i met manny and roger and all the other cats and kittens from georgetown brewing when we put the pale on tap. not only is their beer just absolutely stellar, but they are all righteously good people, too. one of the few cases where the beer’s popularity is actually based on the quality of the product instead of an ad campaign.

  27. 27.

    smiley

    August 10, 2008 at 4:20 pm

    As a diabetic, the really low carbohydrate “beers” are the only ones I allow myself to drink. Even light beers such as Corona or Amstel, or even Bud light or Coors light, mess up my blood sugars too much to risk. So, if I want to drink beer, and I do, it’s Ultra, Miller Lite, and very little else. Beer snobs – sometimes there’s a reason for drinking those beers other than just bad taste. Now, cry me a river because I know from where you are coming (from living previously in Belgium and not being able to touch the good stuff).

  28. 28.

    Martin

    August 10, 2008 at 4:26 pm

    “We’ve had 35 new competitors coming out of China in the last 18 months,” said Engel, “and not one out of the U.S.”

    We’ll be there soon. I understand Exxon is on the verge of launching diesel powered wind turbines. They’re even better than the European ones – they turn even in low wind and Exxon gets continuous rather than one-time profits from them.

  29. 29.

    Liz

    August 10, 2008 at 4:31 pm

    RE the Ultra: Beer bread. Beer batter. Add it to chili. Don’t drink the damned stuff, it’ll just kill your will to live. Use it like cheap wine…cook with it! That’s what I did with the damned vile Corona someone left in my fridge. As for the stout…that might make an interesting dessert beer bread.

    Also, as you didn’t even have to pay for the Ultra, the sink is your friend, and cash in the cans.

  30. 30.

    w vincentz

    August 10, 2008 at 5:03 pm

    Sorry Tim,
    I’m not too good with advice about beer, and less so about how to link something worth reading, but this is too good to not put out:
    http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/08/10/10908/

  31. 31.

    cleek

    August 10, 2008 at 5:16 pm

    diesel powered wind turbines

    a.k.a. “fans” ?

  32. 32.

    jake

    August 10, 2008 at 5:17 pm

    Um. Happy Birthday?

    My knowledge of beer amounts to stick to Sam Adams to avoid unpleasant experiences and it should not come in a plastic container. Ever.

    And Guinness stout with Oreo cookies are awesome if you’re already a tad buzzed.

  33. 33.

    Martin

    August 10, 2008 at 5:33 pm

    a.k.a. “fans” ?

    Freedom Turbines™

    The blades blow the exhaust away, so there’s no pollution!

  34. 34.

    trollhattan

    August 10, 2008 at 5:50 pm

    Oh man, I participated in a triathlon on a hundred-degree day and the beer tent had only Michelob Ultra. “Vile” doesn’t begin to describe…I couldn’t even finish one :-(

    I felt like Homer Simpson passing up free bacon after being lost in the woods for a week.

  35. 35.

    Volum

    August 10, 2008 at 5:53 pm

    Southern Tier is excellent, but you sincerely have to try any Craftsmen Ale.

    Craftsmen is based out of Pasadena, California, and only brews kegs, so you’ll have to find a pub that carries it.

    My favorite: Tripple White Sage Ale

    So damn good.

  36. 36.

    sylvainsylvain

    August 10, 2008 at 6:35 pm

    I live in a beer wasteland. The state of Oklahoma has so many effed up laws regarding beer that I haven’t even heard of most of the beers mentioned here, which pains me more than I can say. I guess my karma is paying for living in Prague in the 90’s…

  37. 37.

    J. Michael Neal

    August 10, 2008 at 8:09 pm

    My personal fave IPA right now is Bell’s Two Hearted Ale.

    Seconded, except that the guy I know who is really into beer, and brews his own, insists that Two Hearted is actually a pale ale, rather than an IPA. I have no idea whether he’s right, other than that he knows more about the subject than I do.

  38. 38.

    grumpy realist

    August 10, 2008 at 9:10 pm

    So can someone tell me why Japanese beer (most of which are quite light) tastes so good, while standard US beers are so vile?

    Oh, yeah–I also vote for using the beer in cooking. Pot roast, roasting a chicken, use in making black bread…chili….tons and tons of things you can do with it aside from torturing your taste buds.

    Heck, it’s what I do with gawdawful wine…

  39. 39.

    jbarntt

    August 10, 2008 at 10:09 pm

    Hi Tim,

    On an up note, Southern Tier’s Unearthly IPA is still the best beer made in the continental US.

    As someone who doesn’t care for IPA, regardless of the brewer, I’d be interested to know a few of your other faves re: USA made brews. Just to be fair, my day to day beer is Henry Weinhard’s Private Reserve. Not bad for the price, better than Bud. Shame they quit making their Dark, which was tasty, if not very robust.

    Better, and a fave of my wife is Black Butte Porter. More $ than the HW, but not too much more and a nice dark that is still quite drinkable as a day to day beer.

  40. 40.

    jbarntt

    August 10, 2008 at 10:25 pm

    Oh, yeah—I also vote for using the beer in cooking.

    Hi Grumpy,

    Mmm, beer in cooking. Been a while since I’ve made it, and it’s pretty easy, goes something like this:

    Beef, suitable for stewing cut into appropriate size pieces.
    Sliced onion and bell pepper
    Dark beer
    Spices to taste, clove, bay leaf, pepper, etc.

    Serve with rice or spuds. Easy and tasty. Can sub a red wine like Burgundy for the beer if you want. Simple and open to user preferred modifications.

    I think Mrs. Jbarntt married me because I cooked this for her in our courtin’ days !

  41. 41.

    OriGuy

    August 10, 2008 at 10:50 pm

    One more I tried while in Seattle: Mac & Jack’s African Amber. Quite tasty.

  42. 42.

    Darkness

    August 11, 2008 at 3:02 am

    now I have to get rid of the cans the old-fashioned way. Yech.

    Um, using them for slug bait?

    That’s what use cheap beer for. Just dump out 1/3 of the can and bury it so the ground is at lip level. The little buggers are attracted to the beer, fall in and drown. They’re not getting my eggplant this year, damnit.

  43. 43.

    Krista

    August 11, 2008 at 8:41 am

    cleek Says:

    …on the other hand… i wish i could find Alexander Keith’s here in NC.

    Really? I confess to being a bit surprised. Not that Keith’s isn’t a fine beer (they’d kick me out of Nova Scotia if I thought otherwise), but I didn’t realize it was uncommon enough to inspire far-away longings.

    And I’ll have to try that beer thing for the slugs. I have a lovely little crop of Chanterelle mushrooms growing on my land, but getting to them before the slugs do is an exercise in frustration.

  44. 44.

    vinegarhill

    August 11, 2008 at 9:51 am

    Has anyone noticed that Michelob has started brewing “craft” beers? I saw the Porter at my local market and bought a single bottle out of some perverse desire.

    It wasn’t very good, but I would definitely choose it over Bud, Coors, etc…

  45. 45.

    The Critic

    August 11, 2008 at 10:11 am

    New Belgium Brewing out of Colorado puts out some fine fine beers that unfortunately you can only get out west. Nearest they come to me is Illinois. Arrgh.

    Their Fat Tire Pale Ale is legendary and truly delicious.

    and Jake, do you dunk the oreos or just eat them along with?

  46. 46.

    Gus

    August 11, 2008 at 10:28 am

    Southern Tier’s Unearthly IPA is still the best beer made in the continental US.

    Surly Furious, baby. Tons of hops, but they didn’t forget the malt.

  47. 47.

    Gus

    August 11, 2008 at 10:30 am

    Now, cry me a river because I know from where you are coming (from living previously in Belgium and not being able to touch the good stuff).

    You have my profound sympathy. That’s just torture.

  48. 48.

    Seitz

    August 11, 2008 at 5:13 pm

    On an up note, Southern Tier’s Unearthly IPA is still the best beer made in the continental US.

    Even better, it’s got a shitload of alcohol in it, so it’s gets you wrecked really quickly. It’s like 10% or 11%. And you can get it at Whole Foods.

  49. 49.

    AlanDownunder

    August 11, 2008 at 10:48 pm

    On an up note, Southern Tier’s Unearthly IPA is still the best beer made in the continental US.

    but is it potable?

Comments are closed.

Trackbacks

  1. Balloon Juice » Blog Archive » Friday Beer Blogging - Too Much Of A Good Thing says:
    June 12, 2009 at 9:50 pm

    […] get me wrong, the brew isn’t a train wrecking into an airplane full of spiders like that godawful stout from Southern Tier. The Long Trail IPA just seems like a vanity project that accidentally got […]

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