Quick! What's a good bonfire beer?!

[Brewdepest]

I'm going to a bonfire tomorrow, and while I plan on taking my usual I'm-Out-In-The-Woods standard PBR, I also wish to take a bottle of something extra as a treat. It's going to be really f-ing cold. Keep in mind, I won't be able to get any kind of local microbrew grap, I'm pretty much left at the moment with some of the bigger crafts like Sam Adams, Stone, Goose Island, and Bells, OR, I have the more popular imports like Chimay or Frank Hef Weiss. I'm thinking something hearty is in order. What's a good suggestion?

[Payson]

Sam Adams just came out with their holiday sampler. Included in the 12 pack is a Cranberry Lambic that's actually pretty good. The real "find" in the 12'er though is a beer called "Old Fezziwig's". It has cinnamon, orange and cardamom in it I believe. It would do nicely around a fire. The rest of the 12 includes the standards like cream ale and even sam adams light (shudder!)

[ron]

Leinenkugel’s Creamy Dark Lager is a good choice for cold nights spent in front of a fire. Very smooth and tasty; very drinkable.

[Fast_Eddy]

Go with an imperial stout or a barley wine

[newportstorm]

Can't go wrong with any of Bell's Stouts - Expedition might be nice. Or Stone Smoked Porter to accompany the smoky aroma of a bonfire. Old Fezziwig is a different idea - kinda festive.

Sorry, I can't agree with the Cranberry Lambic, though. About as far from a Lambic as one can get and a beer that has prevented me from buying the Sam Winter Samplers in the past.

Cheers!

[hops99]

I was going to suggest the Bell's stouts as well; maybe the Cherry Stout?

I think Goose Islan'd Brown might be a good pick, too, if you're looking to drink several.

[ray m]

Bell's Cherry Stout, mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm......or any other stout from Bell's (like newport said) or Dogfish Chicory Stout.

Maybe a good IPA?? Those'll warm ya up!

Drink hearty, y'all!!!!

Ray

[steveh]

Originally posted by Fast_Eddy
Go with an imperial stout or a barley wine

I second that notion - SN's Celebration is out too - that ought'a keep you toasty!

S.

[bigmf]

AB Budweiser.

Oh... you meant to Drink by the bonfire. ;)

M.

[chazwicke]

I liked Newport's suggestion of the Stone Smoked Porter. I wish we could get the Bells beers here! Damn!

[Brewdepest]

Thanks. I'm not sure that I can get the SN Celebration or the Sam Adams sampler here. Maybe the Bell's or the Stone, though for some reason I'm not in a mood for a bitter beer right now, so I'm thinking I'll stay away from IPAs for the time being.

[hopjack13]

not sure if you van get double bastard but that'll keep ya warm!!

[Fast_Eddy]

Originally posted by Brewdepest
Thanks. I'm not sure that I can get the SN Celebration or the Sam Adams sampler here. Maybe the Bell's or the Stone, though for some reason I'm not in a mood for a bitter beer right now, so I'm thinking I'll stay away from IPAs for the time being.

Old Foghorn is pretty tasty - only 8.8% abv but that's enough ;)

Old Rasputin might work for you too.

[skahtboi]

What about Sam Smith's Taddy Porter? To me, that seems to be an ideal, out in the cold, late fall kind of beer.

[Bryant]

Bonfire.....hmmmm..... definitely stay away from the 180 proof golden grain or you'll be a human torch >:P~

A good beer for something like that is a stout or a porter since you don't want something bitter. A good ESB would be ideal for me at a bonfire, but Sam Smith's Oatmeal Stout would be a good choice. I can't get many of the suggestions made on this board in my area, so I can't comment obn those. : /


Bryant

[Brewdepest]

I went with the Stone Smoked Porter. Did me right. Best thing about it? It was so cold outside, I was able to finish the whole bottle without it warming up despite the four-foot flames five feet away. Also, my cheap-o beers stayed ice-cold without a cooler. Nice.