Things to keep in mind when drinking a beer:

[beerking]

This comes from http://appellationbeer.com/ , one of our editor, Stan Hieronymous' many websites:

New Beer Rules
RULE #1: When you open a beer for a vertical tasting and there is rust under the cap it's time to seriously lower your expectations for what's inside the bottle.

RULE #2: A beer consumer should not be allowed to drink a beer with IBU higher than her or his IQ.

RULE #3: You must drink at least two servings of a beer before you pass judgment on it.

RULE #4: The god of beer is not consistency.

RULE #5: It is only beer

RULE #6: The best beer was in the empty glass.

RULE #7: Beer is not the new wine.

RULE #8: More beer, less analysis.

[steveh]

Drilling even deeper into the mind of Stan on the "rules":
http://appellationbeer.com/blog/category/new-beer-rules/

S.

[HogieWan]

good rules - #3 especially. Even when I get really excited about a beer, I wait a few days and taste another before I decide whether it's great or not. Unless a beer is a complete drain-pour, I'll give any brew a second chance.

edit - this is exactly what steve said in the comments on the page he linked, but he said what I was thinking - different day/circumstances as a lot of things play a role in how we perceive beer's flavor and aroma.

[steveh]

edit - this is exactly what steve said in the comments on the page he linked,

That would be the inimitable Stephen (Steve) Beaumont, not me -- though I agree completely.

S.

[East Coaster]

Although I haven't indulged into beer for sheer snobery, Just discovered layers upon layers of historical significane as well as Complexity. Referencing rule #7. I think Analysis is a good thing when lookingat beer. Not saying every beer should be looked at as a tasting, but if you like something about a beer you should try to defint what quality it is that you can taste.

I had influenced a colledge party recently and could only hold back disgust when I offered a sample only to hear nah man that's too heavy (" too much flavor") Maybe my palate has been subdued and I need more complex falovors to apease my appetite, but it was a sessionable bitter compared to a bland light Moosehed.

I rarely use discretion in the length of my rants.

[wortchillergoal]

I like the rules. I feel though that Rule 2 is unfair to goalies.

[steveh]

I feel though that Rule 2 is unfair to goalies.

That's being awfully stereotypical of you -- I imagine that there are some goalies out there who can handle highly-hopped beers.

Aren't there? :confused:

S.

;)

[wortchillergoal]

That's being awfully stereotypical of you -- I imagine that there are some goalies out there who can handle highly-hopped beers.

Aren't there? :confused:

S.

;)

Yeah, your're right as being insane has nothing to do with IQ.

[Mikegobrew]

Although I haven't indulged into beer for sheer snobery, Just discovered layers upon layers of historical significane as well as Complexity. Referencing rule #7. I think Analysis is a good thing when lookingat beer. Not saying every beer should be looked at as a tasting, but if you like something about a beer you should try to defint what quality it is that you can taste.

I had influenced a colledge party recently and could only hold back disgust when I offered a sample only to hear nah man that's too heavy (" too much flavor") Maybe my palate has been subdued and I need more complex falovors to apease my appetite, but it was a sessionable bitter compared to a bland light Moosehed.

I rarely use discretion in the length of my rants.

Give 'em time, though. That was once me. They want quantity to get messed up. Surely they will drink the goods sooner or later and hopefully realize a better option.

[HogieWan]

That would be the inimitable Stephen (Steve) Beaumont, not me -- though I agree completely.

S.

whoops - I saw steve and jumped to c. You have posted there before, correct?

[steveh]

You have posted there before, correct?

Oh sure, was even "guest blogger" at one time. Just didn't want to steal the thunder from the likes of a consummate beer pro like Beaumont. Even though he didn't like my logo for Lew's sessionbeerproject.blogspot! ;)

S.

[East Coaster]

Give 'em time, though. That was once me. They want quantity to get messed up. Surely they will drink the goods sooner or later and hopefully realize a better option.

Yes but hopefully with some influence and education they won't all go to wine.

It is a slow process here in eastern NB my selection choices are very limited and most of the "NEW" beers they bring in are very tasteless lagers. Albeit some are good they is more to encompass my tastes.

the industry is government run and is skewed towards the bigger boys. THe brewery at Picaroons I have helped out at have noticed that their beer is almost hidden in the storage coolers but they still sell very well.

the Magazine that comes out will have some good stories on the history and regions for wines, and then have a beer ad on the next page showcasing savings of $2 for 12 bland tasting lagers wherein it doesn't matter how cold you drink em cause there is nothing to hide.

fortunately able to get a pilsner urquell and a Budvar but the only hefeweissbier is an Erdiger, which I have enjoyed on tap not nearly flavorfull enough in bottle. A hoogarden is the only decent example of a wit beer or Blanche or Belgain Wheat, however you look at it. It is good to see that people are exposing themselves to the style drinking Rickard's White but there is more to the style than that. Alexander Keiths is coming out with one which should also be too sweet and otherwise bland.

Rant Rant Rant.

I apologize for the length but It is somewhat sad I must cross borders to go into Maine, Quebec, or Nova Scotia just to get excited about a beer.


Cheers

[markaberrant]

Yeah, but you've got Greg Nash brewing at the Pumphouse brewpub, I'd be there everyday if I lived anywhere close to his beers. Possibly the best brewer in Canada over the last couple years.

And the Picaroons Bitter is damn tasty too, though I haven't been crazy about their other offerings.

I'd say you are doing pretty good for a province of your size.