Better beer

It only took four posts before beer came up in this blog. My sister recently had a friend turn 21 and she went out and got a sixer of Bud Light.

::Crickets::

Right, not sure why you would do that considering their are similarly priced alternatives that , you know, have flavor.

Being something of a jerk when it comes to the subject, I felt like this would be a good opportunity to list a few favorite transition beers on the road to the really good stuff.

Yuengling (Traditional Lager) - America's oldest brewery in Pottsville, PA has weathered many a storm in a competitive industry. The brand got a lift in the 80s (1980s) when they introduced the Yuengling Traditional Lager, a beer that is very similar to what was brewed at the dawn of the 20th century. It is not a bitter beer (for newbies, we say hoppy to describe the good type of bitterness) and perfect for someone wanting to make baby steps away from BudMillerCoors in terms of flavor and price.

Sam Adams - The Boston Lager is often an oasis in a desert of swill. Jim Koch pioneered, or was at the very least highly influential in, the microbrew revolution. A microbrew is a beer brewed with limited distribution. While the brand has matured, and it is now widely available, it is frequently still called a micro because of its superior quality over the other larger American "beers". This is a Vienna style lager that is crisp, refreshing and very flavorful.

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale - If you want to try something a bit bolder, take on this California (duh) microbrew. Pale Ales are very British, except that we now have improved the style and made it our own (more and different (cascade) hops, malt, alcohol, and flavor). Ales, using different fermenting processes have a fruitier, more refreshing quality than the more sturdy lagers. However the elevated hop usage has been known to turn off people that are already inclined to dislike beer, so I don't recommend it as your first beer unless you have already take a few steps forward. If you dig this, Celebration, their winter seasonal, may very well be heaven in a pint glass.

With this new found appreciation for beer, maybe you want to spend some more dough and end up with a high quality (for dessert or mains) beer.

Rogue Chocolate Stout - Okay, you have tried those, you have done the import bit and have come to the conclusion that Heineken is always skunked because of the stupid green bottle (something to be alert to with Yuengling, though the fact that it is brewed domestically usually means it is fresher), a Becks and Bass later, you get that pint of Guinness down and think beer can't get better. If you are digging the dark beer, you have to try a chocolate stout. At first glance, that sounds disgusting, but in reality they are using chocolate malt to brew a phenomally different and tasty beer. Like real chocolate, it is not sweet. Just make sure you serve it at a cool but not cold 55-60 degrees Farenheit (12-15 Centigrade)

Ayinger Celebrator - Once described to me through a recommendation made to my aunt, as the Lord of the Ring of beers. Holy shire this is good. Guinness tastes flat and flavorless in comparison. Perfect with Chili I highly recommend the beer, and what's better, I had it on tap in Munich. Oh and you get a cool plastic goat on a string (::cough:: worrisome Christmas ornaments) with every bottle. Can you beat that!

If you have never been, I recommend a visit to Beer Advocate where you can get recommendations, reviews, and even a newly developed magazine devoted to this amazing beverage.

Cheers,

--Joey