Uh...what's going on here?

[Le Ray]

What's this American Beer Month thingy about?

:confused:

[wild]

The 31 days of the year in which American breweries try to convince the general public that they should drink domestic beer simply because it is, well, American.

[Mill Rat]

It's too bad that they do so little during the other 11 months to convince folks that they should drink American beer other than LCD (lowest common denominator) advertising campaigns.

[jonlouisville77]

I'll gladly buy and drink American made beer, but the breweries have to help me out by brewing something drinkable! Finding good American beers is like a damned treasure hunt. What I'm trying to say is that, while it's out there, it takes some effort to go out and find it. My neighborhood bars, liquor stores, etc... all sell the same old macro stuff. The Germans had it right in 1516 when they basically legislated quality beer be made there. They virtually guaranteed the reputation of German beer forever. Even today, when you can ship something to Europe in 12 hours, you can go anywhere and they still have two prices for beer. Domestic and Imported.

[chazwicke]

Good beer is readily available in my area.

[skahtboi]

Good beer is readily available in my area.

Ditto. And I live in a small town in Texas.

[surfadelic23]

I live in Tampa and can find nearly everything... Mebbe it's time to re-locate from KY?

[steveh]

I live in Tampa and can find nearly everything...

I think you could be using "nearly everything" rather liberally. Got any 3 Floyds? Capital or Surly? New Holland?

But to Jon's statement, he needs to get to a better beer area. Jon, can you get the Victory beers in KY? They stand up to any German lager very well, as does anything from Gordon Biersch -- a wide-ranging micro with many brew-pubs across the country. And for the record, the Reihensgobott was more a tax shelter than a brewing law. Think about it, Weizen doesn't follow the rule and it's one of the best styles to come from Bavaria.

S.

[beerking]

I think you could be using "nearly everything" rather liberally. Got any 3 Floyds? Capital or Surly? New Holland?

But to Jon's statement, he needs to get to a better beer area. Jon, can you get the Victory beers in KY? They stand up to any German lager very well, as does anything from Gordon Biersch -- a wide-ranging micro with many brew-pubs across the country. And for the record, the Reihensgobott was more a tax shelter than a brewing law. Think about it, Weizen doesn't follow the rule and it's one of the best styles to come from Bavaria.

S.

Actually, I believe weizen fits the bill, because the wheat is malted. IIRC, the RHGB states that beer can only be made from malt, hops and water (yeast was later added as an amendment once they knew what it was).
Second, the tax comment is correct, and addresses the wheat beer piece more directly. At the time of the RHGB, it was illegal to anyone but royal family members, or their servants, to brew wheat beer. Schneider was the first brewer ever permitted to brew wheat beer not for the royal family, hence their claim as "the first."

[steveh]

Schneider was the first brewer ever permitted to brew wheat beer not for the royal family, hence their claim as "the first."

Exactly my point, the RHGB was "amended" later to include wheat for the sake of Weizen. Here's a translation of the original creed: http://brewery.org/library/ReinHeit.html

Of note -- it doesn't include yeast in the text anywhere, 'cause they didn't know it was yeast actually doing the work!

S.

[beerking]

Exactly my point, the RHGB was "amended" later to include wheat for the sake of Weizen. Here's a translation of the original creed: http://brewery.org/library/ReinHeit.html

Of note -- it doesn't include yeast in the text anywhere, 'cause they didn't know it was yeast actually doing the work!

S.

Interesting. I knew yeast was an amendment, but did not know wheat was. That makes your point even stronger, as my read of the text would specifically prevent anyone not of royal lineage from making wheat beer, which I know was highly coveted by the royals.

[steveh]

as my read of the text would specifically prevent anyone not of royal lineage from making wheat beer, which I know was highly coveted by the royals.

Actually, it was only the royals who could make any beer for a very long time (Hofbrauhaus' across the land were royal breweries) in Germany. Of course, they sold beer to the commoners... how do you think they made their fortunes? :)

S.

[beerking]

Actually, it was only the royals who could make any beer for a very long time (Hofbrauhaus' across the land were royal breweries) in Germany. Of course, they sold beer to the commoners... how do you think they made their fortunes? :)

S.
True, but I believe that predates RHGB by multiple decades. ;)
Don't forget, even in this country, the Kennedy's (the ones who actually worked for a living) made their fortunes on Whisky (significant protion of that during Prohibition, IIRC).:D

[steveh]

True, but I believe that predates RHGB by multiple decades.

Maybe, have to look back into that history, can't recall where the whole balance of brewing power tipped.

To the higher courts' credit, I believe they took over responsibilities (if not profits) mainly because there was so much tainted beer being sold -- with obvious disastrous results to the consumers!

S.

[surfadelic23]

"I think you could be using "nearly everything" rather liberally. Got any 3 Floyds? Capital or Surly? New Holland?"
No, but I CAN name three other random breweries I CAN get... Lagunitas! Weyerbacher!! and DFH!!!*
*Plus a wonderful assortment of Belgians and other tasty treats... Shall I name three?
;-)

[steveh]

No, but I CAN name three other random breweries I CAN get... Lagunitas! Weyerbacher!! and DFH!!!*

Um, me too. Got a Lagoo Pils waiting for me at home as we type.

*Plus a wonderful assortment of Belgians and other tasty treats... Shall I name three?

Have at it, but the point to be made is that there is plenty of good American beer to be had out there, whether available local or a great regional catch... but I really don't know anywhere that has "everything."

S.

[jonlouisville77]

I live in Tampa and can find nearly everything... Mebbe it's time to re-locate from KY?

Haha. Very good with the KY jokes guys. We have saying around here, though. "I'm from Louisville, not KY". Also surfadelic, I might add that at 701,500 people, Louisville is over double the size of Tampa. That's not counting the surrounding areas. Just sayin' ...

Seriously, my point was not that good beer doesn't exist around me. It's just alot more scarce than bud lite. I could take a 10 minute drive to Downtown and there's a few scattered brewpubs there. I could head east for 10 more minutes and find a couple more or drive across the river and find a few more. We even have a couple of decent local breweries. I like the BBC Bluegrass Brewing Company stuff. I simply saying that few of us, I suspect, can walk to the neighborhood bars and find much of a selection. Alot of times if there's a game on or I just feel like getting out, I'll walk down the street to one of the 2 or 3 bars nearby, run into some friends and cousins and drink a few of whatever. Usually Buds. It would be nice if I could have a glass of maibock or dunkel, or if they would shake things up every now and then with some wits or seasonal beers. It would be nice if American beer was synonymous with quality. It isn't. Most of the beer at most of the bars in America is tasteless ricewater made by the same three marketing machines. I've actually considered bringing a couple cases of my beer to the bar so I can buy it back from them when I'm down there!

[beerking]

I simply saying that few of us, I suspect, can walk to the neighborhood bars and find much of a selection. Alot of times if there's a game on or I just feel like getting out, I'll walk down the street to one of the 2 or 3 bars nearby, run into some friends and cousins and drink a few of whatever. Usually Buds.

There are no bars within 4 miles of where I live. Probably one of the benefits I am missing by not living in the city.

[psychodad]

There are stores close enough to me that I can find plenty of good American beers. Restaurants and bars on the other hand...

And really, one cannot take as much stock in "Buying American" as they could 30 years ago. In fact it would be damn near impossible to buy entirely American made products. And now for some reason I have that old "Look for the Union Lable" jingle from the 70s stuck in my head.

[jonlouisville77]

I don't expect everyone to buy only American or only union products, but I do think that the least we can do, as consumers, is consider whether or not a product we're buying is hurting someone. We can blame politicians, foreign heads of state, economic forces, corporations or whatever, but when it really comes down to it, the buck stops here.

[jonlouisville77]

I guess I'm going off on a tangent there. Ignore me. Sorry.

[chazwicke]

I hope you still use the line with the human cashier in the store. THose self checkout aisles are taking jobs.

[surfadelic23]

Nah,
I wouldn't slag KY. I grew up in South Central PA in the 70's which makes nearly everywhere look cosmpolitan by comparison... Some wags even refer to where I lived as Pennsyltucky!
FLA was pretty beer barren when I moved here 8 yrs. ago but now, I can get a fairly good choice (caveat...not nearly everything, please don't get angry steveh/mods!) of American, Belgian, and German good brews on tap and at local stores and there's 3-4 brew-pubs within 45 minutes of my house with another few opening soon... I'm lucky!!

[steveh]

I guess my gripe with people saying they can get "everything" stems back to when the beer shelves were a wasteland here in the US. Chaz, King, and I are probably the only few to remember searching out odd and different beers in the age before micros.

Of course, now "everything" available would literally fill a warehouse of shelves -- probably have to set it up like a Canadian beer store where the cases come out on a conveyor from the back.

S.

[beerking]

I guess my gripe with people saying they can get "everything" stems back to when the beer shelves were a wasteland here in the US. Chaz, King, and I are probably the only few to remember searching out odd and different beers in the age before micros.S.

I can remember when it was reasonable to go to a new paint store with a "good" selection, and walk out with "one of everything," or at least one of everything I had not seen before.

[steveh]

...or at least one of everything I had not seen before.

But back in 1979 or so, I'll bet that probably happened once.

I remember finding things like EKU-28, Brand Lager from Holland, Hacker-Pschorr Weiss (very old, the yeast had almost congealed), and some English brands -- after trying them, there wasn't much left but to go around the horn again.

I wish I could remember when I first saw Anchor Steam, but I'm guessing that was closer to 1984 or 85.

S.

[beerking]

Brand Lager from Holland,
I bet it was even in an opaque white bottle (I think I still have one or two of them for my homebrew).

I wish I could remember when I first saw Anchor Steam, but I'm guessing that was closer to 1984 or 85.

I had Anchor Steam well before that, but then again, I "came of age" in the SF Bay Area.

[jesskidden]

I guess my gripe with people saying they can get "everything" stems back to when the beer shelves were a wasteland here in the US.


There's a big liquor store near me (part of the Shop-Rite grocery chain) that, while it has a "big" beer section, it's by no means "good"- I give it just an "OK". And, on top it of it all, is an absolute mess as far as freshness (Czechvar 1/2 liters with a "Best Before" of 02-2006 my favorite example) and shelving logic* goes.

I was surprised one day to pull up (yeah, the place sucks, but sometimes I need beer and they *ocassionally* will have a good price and good date on things like Pilsner Urquell or Victory cases) and there was a HUGE banner displayed prominently in front window of the place that proclaimed:
WE CARRY ALL IMPORTED, MICROBREW AND SPECIALTY BEERS

"Wow", I thought to myself, " 'ALL'? They musta added on a few thousand square feet to the place and are getting a lot of "bootlegged" and grey market beers...".

Looked close at the banner (which- and this is a big hint- featured Hoegaarden, Bass and Widmer logos) and the fine print read "Import Brands Alliance"- A-B's import division that specializes in InBev and their other import brands. Still, do they REALLY think that's "ALL" the imported and craft beers?

* As far as being a mess and disorganized, I was looking around one day and found some of the shelving so funny, I had to write it down. Looking down the rows of bottles, these are some of the labels of beers arranged next to one another:

Stone – Taj Mahal –Rogue
Samuel Smith Winter Warmer – Hitachino Nest White Ale – Saku
La Rulles – Southhampton Imperial Porter – Podkovan Lager
Bud Chelada – Flying Fish Grand Cru – Red Bull
Sly Fox Weisse – Wells Banana Bread Beer – Schnieder Weisse
Coors NA- Sharp- O-Doul’s- Ballantine Ale



Chaz, King, and I are probably the only few to remember searching out odd and different beers in the age before micros.


Yeah, I'm in that grouping, too. The women I would date often found it very confusing when on a trip someplace, I'd stop in every liquor store/beer distributor (PA)/beer store we pass, but seldom return to the vehicle with any purchases. (They usually quickly decided to "stay in the truck" as I "shopped".) "Nothin'..." I'd mutter under my breathe...

The other day I was driving by an area near where I once lived, glanced a the local liquor store and thought "Hey, that's the store in which I first purchased "Ballantine 'Brewers Gold' Ale" (a short-lived Falstaff product, circa 1979)!" Happens all the time. I still remember the first stores where I found beers like Anchor, Catamount, Newman's, etc. I remember that first Anchor Liberty Ale came from a Boston trip my GF took while we were living in the Finger Lakes area.

Or, I'll drive by some dive bar (or, a building that once was a bar- local neighborhood mom & pop bars in NJ are dying at an incredible rate) and think, "They used to have the Rheingold-era McSorley's on tap" or "That place once had 8 German draughts".

[steveh]

I bet it was even in an opaque white bottle (I think I still have one or two of them for my homebrew).

Yup. We jokingly called it the "milk beer" because the bottle looked to contain dairy product! :)

S.

[steveh]

I'd stop in every liquor store/beer distributor (PA)/beer store we pass, but seldom return to the vehicle with any purchases.

Sounds like trips I'd make around the midwest. My trouble is, I'd find something I expected to be "new" and "exciting" and look closer at the label later: Brewed In LaCrosse, WI. Jeeze. Heilleman had bought a lot of trademarks and was bottling (for the most part) Old Style as an "old local favorite."

My best memories from those days was waiting for the Rhinelander Bock to come out in the Spring. Back when I still thought it was the barrel clean-out beer!

S.

[surfadelic23]

I was really lucky then! Went to school at Univ. of Delaware and had Stateline Liquors down the road all through the 80's! I remember my 1st bottle of Old Peculier like it was yesterday! We'd go in and buy raftloads of singles we'd never heard of before then have a brew watching the sunset in the Parking Lot...

[beerking]

If I had gone to college just down the road from a place like Stateline, I probably would never have finished college! :eek:

[Insidious Rex]

FLA was pretty beer barren when I moved here 8 yrs. ago but now, I can get a fairly good choice (caveat...not nearly everything, please don't get angry steveh/mods!) of American, Belgian, and German good brews on tap and at local stores and there's 3-4 brew-pubs within 45 minutes of my house with another few opening soon... I'm lucky!!

Tampa right? Last time I was there I was taken to a German bar/deli/restaurant INSIDE some horrible strip mall. Was the most peculiar thing. Meats hanging from the ceiling, strudles in the case, all the traditional german visuals, banners, paintings of okterbfest all over the wall and of course decent beers yet 5 feet a way you had canned mall music and people going into JC Penney. I did enjoy the Hofbrau on tap though.

[steveh]

If I had gone to college just down the road from a place like Stateline, I probably would never have finished college!

Same way I feel about U.W. Madison... but maybe more to the extreme of not surviving!! :eek: (of course, that would have been a time before craft brew -- can anyone say Huber for me? I knew you could)

S.

[surfadelic23]

If I had gone to college just down the road from a place like Stateline, I probably would never have finished college! :eek:

It WAS a close one! Like I said, they had a killer selection 20+ yrs. ago and it's only better now. Was in there before homecoming 2 yrs ago... Like a kid in a candy store I was!

[surfadelic23]

Tampa right? Last time I was there I was taken to a German bar/deli/restaurant INSIDE some horrible strip mall. Was the most peculiar thing. Meats hanging from the ceiling, strudles in the case, all the traditional german visuals, banners, paintings of okterbfest all over the wall and of course decent beers yet 5 feet a way you had canned mall music and people going into JC Penney. I did enjoy the Hofbrau on tap though.


too funny, dunderbaks is the spot you're describing I believe:

http://www.dunderbaks.com/

Pretty good spot, have never heard anything bad about it... It's a bit of a drive from my house so I haven't been there yet but the guys at my package store swear by it...

[beerking]

It WAS a close one! Like I said, they had a killer selection 20+ yrs. ago and it's only better now. Was in there before homecoming 2 yrs ago... Like a kid in a candy store I was!

Stateline is a great place, and a must stop for any beer geek heading north from DC/Baltimore. Whenever I go to Philly, I usually stop on the way home and fill whatever empty space there is in the car.

[corysdad]

too funny, dunderbaks is the spot you're describing I believe:

http://www.dunderbaks.com/

Pretty good spot, have never heard anything bad about it... It's a bit of a drive from my house so I haven't been there yet but the guys at my package store swear by it...

Hey thanks for posting this link. Looks like a place to
visit when we are in the Tampa area in couple of weeks.:)

[surfadelic23]

Hey thanks for posting this link. Looks like a place to
visit when we are in the Tampa area in couple of weeks.:)
LOL, I'll check it out with ya as I haven't been there but the guys I know who have love it and I respect their opinion... Also worth checking out is Tampa Bay Brewing Co. in Ybor city(next to tampa), mellow mushroom in Brandon(1/2 hr or so from tampa worst case), Kingdom Liqours (for your package good needs), Dunedin Brewing in Dunedin, BJ's brew house in Pinellas Park/St. Pete...
That's actually the order in which I like em...mol

[corysdad]

LOL, I'll check it out with ya as I haven't been there but the guys I know who have love it and I respect their opinion... Also worth checking out is Tampa Bay Brewing Co. in Ybor city(next to tampa), mellow mushroom in Brandon(1/2 hr or so from tampa worst case), Kingdom Liqours (for your package good needs), Dunedin Brewing in Dunedin, BJ's brew house in Pinellas Park/St. Pete...
That's actually the order in which I like em...mol

We stay in Palm Harbor and have been to some
of the places you've mentioned. Most are pretty
good. Relatively new package store in Clearwater
is Total Wine and More, it's the first stop after our
arrival to stock up for the duration.

[steveh]

too funny, dunderbaks is the spot you're describing I believe:

http://www.dunderbaks.com/

Beware the On Cask Traditional English Beer Engine.

Just 'cause it's being poured from a beer engine doesn't mean it's a cask conditioned ale.

And what the heck is a "Surger?"

But their German offerings are pretty respectable.

S.

[corysdad]

Beware the On Cask Traditional English Beer Engine.

Just 'cause it's being poured from a beer engine doesn't mean it's a cask conditioned ale.

And what the heck is a "Surger?"

But their German offerings are pretty respectable.

S.

Anyway of knowing if it is indeed cask conditioned? That's
what I was kinda interested in.

I just called the place, guy that answered phone said,
surger replaces need for nitrogen in the Guinness.

[steveh]

Anyway of knowing if it is indeed cask conditioned? That's
what I was kinda interested in.

Only real way to tell on your side of the bar is observation and taste. If they're just using the engine as a dispenser, odds are that the beer will be more carbonated than any truly cask-conditioned beer. The body won't be as smooth either, due to higher carbonation.

I just called the place, guy that answered phone said,
surger replaces need for nitrogen in the Guinness.

Wha...? I sure hope they're not serving it without the nitrogen, I'd bet it would be pretty flat.

I'm guessing that the "surger" is what the English call a "sparkler." It's a little device that attaches to the end of the beer engine spigot and forces air into the beer and adds a small head. Most purists ask a publican to pour sans-sparkler.

Then again, it looks as if Guinness has a new gimmick:
http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/gadgets/guinness-surger-160488.php yeesh.

S.

[steveh]

Here's the sparkler: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beer_engine#Sparkler I don't buy the explanation given, I've had the same beer with and without sparkler (from the same tap) and the only difference seems to be less smooth when "sparkled."

S.

[surfadelic23]

heh. had forgotten about the infamous fakey fullers pumps! In a pinch, we could always say we're camra inspectors and ask to see his cellar!
There was something months ago on what surgers are on BeerAdvocate maybe?... Can't remember off the top of my head though but I seem to remember them being a little more elaborate than just a sparkler...
Isn't the knock against sparklers that they do something wonkey to the carbonation? I've only run into sparklers in Northern England. Exactly right, they look like a plastic screw on attachment where the beer comes out...

[steveh]

Can't remember off the top of my head though but I seem to remember them being a little more elaborate than just a sparkler...

See my link on page 1.


Isn't the knock against sparklers that they do something wonkey to the carbonation?

From what I can tell, it just adds more (though not like forced carbonation) and thus changes the body & mouth-feel of the beer.


I've only run into sparklers in Northern England.

According to the Wiki page they're more popular in the north. A local good-beer-bar was using one (not sure why) and I asked for my pour without, please. I don't recall ever seeing one used in London when I was there.

S.

[Stahlsturm]

Actually, it was only the royals who could make any beer for a very long time (Hofbrauhaus' across the land were royal breweries) in Germany. Of course, they sold beer to the commoners... how do you think they made their fortunes? :)

S.

Where does that piece of info come from ?

[steveh]

Where does that piece of info come from ?

From some of the brewing history books I've collected over the years, am I misquoting or are they mistaken? Of course, they're talking on a large, marketable scale -- not "home brewing."

S.

[Beer Martin]

fyi...

Mr. Dunderbak's (http://www.dunderbaks.com/) has just changed locations from inside of "some horrible strip mall" to a new location. We affectionately refer to this place as Dunders. It's the home of the Tampa Bay beer club, TB BEERS (http://www.tampabaybeers.org/).

The Mall was not a great location, but Dunders is a great place. Now located at 14929 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard (a few miles from the mall).

The new larger Mr. Dunderbak's has upward of 50 beers on tap (none of which are bud/miller/anything similar). The staff is generally fairly beer educated from the monthly homebrew club meetings and various events. It is now one of the places to go.


And one quick note: Mr. Dunderbak's used to be a German beer franchise located in several Malls. There are 3 independently owned Mr. Dunderbak's remaining. Don't be fooled. Tampa's location is the best of the bunch. There is one in Daytona featuring Bud and miller products on tap and not much else.

As a prior member of TB BEERS i kind of felt the need to step up and explain things here.
________
Watch Her Clitoris Spasm With Orgasm (http://www.fucktube.com/video/41283/rubbing-her-clit-till-her-pussy-contracts-and-spasms-in-orgasm)

[corysdad]

Thanks for the update. My family
and I went to the University Mall
pub last summer. Glad they moved
from there as we didn't think that
that was avery good place for a
pub as nice as Mr.Dunderbak's.
Just not the right atmosphere. We
will look them up in a couple of
months when we get back to my
parents place in Palm Harbor.

[wortchillergoal]

I think you could be using "nearly everything" rather liberally. S.


I think your definition of everything may be a tad on the nitpicky side. Peoplwe get use to having a lmited option of choices. Then when that suddenly changes, they think, and with good reason, that they now have everything. For ibnstance, I come from a very rural part of NY. Just last year, that area learned that toilet bowls can be made from porcelain instead of wood. So now as they see it, they finally have everything in the world of plumbing.

I am also in the age group that you referenced. I too couid relate save for if we were that far behind in toilet bowls, one can only imagine what the beer selection was like. They may be getting better now as the area is about 85% absentee owner. They must bring some beer knowledge with them.

That area is so remote that to my knowledge, there is still no cell phone service available what so ever.

[vance71975]

I'll gladly buy and drink American made beer, but the breweries have to help me out by brewing something drinkable! Finding good American beers is like a damned treasure hunt. What I'm trying to say is that, while it's out there, it takes some effort to go out and find it. My neighborhood bars, liquor stores, etc... all sell the same old macro stuff. The Germans had it right in 1516 when they basically legislated quality beer be made there. They virtually guaranteed the reputation of German beer forever. Even today, when you can ship something to Europe in 12 hours, you can go anywhere and they still have two prices for beer. Domestic and Imported.


Anything by Dechutes brewery in Bend,OR is awesome!But i agree it is, in smaller rural areas very hard to find good craft beer.In Seattle i had access to a store that literally carried over 1000 different beers, i doubt very much they had everything but they did have A LOT! Now,Back in Podunk small town Ohio, i cant find a good stout or porter to save my life!I don't count Guinness as a good stout for the record.To me Guinness is just the Bud Light of Stouts....

[Undergradbrewin]

It's too bad that they do so little during the other 11 months to convince folks that they should drink American beer other than LCD (lowest common denominator) advertising campaigns.
+1 ahahaha

[vance71975]

+1 ahahaha

Well Budweiser does make an either American ale or an American wheat now, i really didn't pay much attn not that i would drink any swill they make anyway.But i could be wrong and which ever it is could be a stellar brew,but i aint brave enough to waste money to find out, so if anyone has tried it let me know how it was.For now ill stick to home brew or the occasional splurge on a Great Lakes Brewing Co Beer there Edmund Fitzgerald Porter is amazing!

[Jaimez]

Well Budweiser does make an either American ale or an American wheat now, i really didn't pay much attn not that i would drink any swill they make anyway.But i could be wrong and which ever it is could be a stellar brew,but i aint brave enough to waste money to find out, so if anyone has tried it let me know how it was.For now ill stick to home brew or the occasional splurge on a Great Lakes Brewing Co Beer there Edmund Fitzgerald Porter is amazing!
I drink Amber Bock once in awhile by Michelob. They also came out with other that arent bad at all for the price.
http://www.michelob.com/default.aspx

They make good Homebrew bottles. And at 5.49 a six pack at Wal-Mart, you cant go wrong. 9.99 for the 12 pack.

Atleast ONE major Company has got the clue, and realized theres a HUGE base of specialty beer drinkers out there.

I'm really getting tired of seeing Fat Tire for 9.99 a six pack. And other 22 oz. Specialty beers for 5.99. It's ridiculous .

Edit:
Oh and btw the Wheat beer from bud isn't even drinkable. Props top them for atleast attempting a wheat.

Not many people know this but pre prohibition, Wheat beers were the most common beer. After prohibition only a handful of Breweries survived, and due to costs went with barley.

[corkybstewart]

Michelob does actually put out a few good beers, their Dopplebock (I think) was good. Of course I can't usually get them here. Bud American Ale was awful.
I don't have any facts on hand but I'd have a hard time believing everybody was drinking wheat beers back then. Where's Jesskidden?

[Jaimez]

Michelob does actually put out a few good beers, their Dopplebock (I think) was good. Of course I can't usually get them here. Bud American Ale was awful.
I don't have any facts on hand but I'd have a hard time believing everybody was drinking wheat beers back then. Where's Jesskidden?
Well i'm going of a documentary i saw, Lol. So i guess i could be wrong.

[wortchillergoal]

We do realize that Michelob is an AB product , correct? As I have stated before, they could come out with the world's best beer and I would still not buy it. Not because of their other beers but because of their past ugly marketing and smear ads against smaller brewers.

[corkybstewart]

I haven't seen any of the ads you're talking about so I can't judge them on that. We don't have any smaller breweries out here that they would target.
Otherwise if they have a good beer at a good price I would probably buy it, but I've only had one or 2 AB products that I would even consider paying money for.
Who is it here on RB that works for or used to work for AB?

[vance71975]

I haven't seen any of the ads you're talking about so I can't judge them on that. We don't have any smaller breweries out here that they would target.
Otherwise if they have a good beer at a good price I would probably buy it, but I've only had one or 2 AB products that I would even consider paying money for.

But have you tried the NEW AB American Ale or what ever it is called?

[wortchillergoal]

I haven't seen any of the ads you're talking about so I can't judge them on that. We don't have any smaller breweries out here that they would target.
Otherwise if they have a good beer at a good price I would probably buy it, but I've only had one or 2 AB products that I would even consider paying money for.
Who is it here on RB that works for or used to work for AB?

I did not word that properly. It is more their strong tactics. if you recall, I posted a story about them forcing a local micro out of a charity event or they wanted their sponsorship money back. they pulled that move two days before the event. If they had been up front about that from the start, no problem. But to wait until two days before the event was underhanded, nasty and cheap to say the least.

Let us not forget the buy off of Nightline where they made contract brewing sound like a case of felony fraud.

[corkybstewart]

I did not word that properly. It is more their strong tactics. if you recall, I posted a story about them forcing a local micro out of a charity event or they wanted their sponsorship money back. they pulled that move two days before the event. If they had been up front about that from the start, no problem. But to wait until two days before the event was underhanded, nasty and cheap to say the least.

Let us not forget the buy off of Nightline where they made contract brewing sound like a case of felony fraud.
I'm not arguing wit ya, and I vaguely remember the charity issue. I have no idea what the Nightline story was. I do know that their distributor kept higher ABV beers out of Alabama for a long time, but that was the local distributor, not the corporate office.
And yes Vance I did try the Bud American Ale. I was at Mad Scientist's house and a buddy brought over a couple of bottles. We split the first one among the three of us, and I think he threw the other one in the garbage. It's really nasty stuff.