Wonderin' Aloud

[skahtboi]

I was sitting here thinking about all the talk of music and beer that has been going on, and some random thoughts occurred to me. I hjave noticed that my taste in so many things is really transient. In the seventies I listened to Jethro Tull (took the title of this thread from one of their songs), but it has been ages since I listened to any. During the late 70's and early 80's, I was really into the punk scene, so I would never have dreamt of listening to Iron Maiden or any of those "hair bands" I listen to blues and jazz and virutally anything else besides hip-hop/rap. Yes...even country. My tastes seem to be ever evolving.

So goes it with my taste in beer. For 20 some odd years now I have been drinking "real" beer. I used to prefer the pilsners and the lagers, it seemed back in the day. First time I drank Guinness, I thought it tasted like crap. Today, I love it. The first time I drank a SN PA, it was way too hoppy for my taste, and it was a long time before I tried another. Now I can drink them like water, and I times it doesn't seem hoppy enough. I remember thinking, once upon a time that Harp was the bee's nuts (or knees), now I view it as an adequate drink and nothing more. In short, my tastes have changed. There are many beers I used to really enjoy that, like the Tull albums, I rarely, if ever touch anymore. I used to drink more lagers and pilsners, now I drink more stouts and porters.

So...in leading this to a discussion, what I was wondering is, have most of you found this to be true? The beers you used to drink are no longer appealing? Are your tastes continuously evolving? Are there any beers that you once tried and didn't like, that you revisited a few years later and thought "damn! That is great! Not like I remembered it being?" If so...what are they? And vice versa, are there any that you used to swear by that now you wouldn't even recommend to a novice? Again...what would they be?

The floor is, hopefully, open.

[BluesHarp]

...nothing much to add, but I could have written that post!

Some times after many pints, I dig back into my stack of vinyl and pull out an old KISS, Triumph, or Led Zep album...still sounds good at the right time!

A bottle of Moosehead or Mickey's Big Mouth used to be a "premium" drink.

[toneyc]

I would say that most of the music I listen to is from the 70's and 80's. Iron Maiden still gets the lion's share of playtime. Lots of Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Jethro Tull, along with some newer stuff like Rammstein and Deichkind. Except for Guinness, I've only been drinking "Real Beer" for about 3-4 years. I think my introduction to Real Beer and homebrewing came almost at the same time. For a couple of years before that, I was on a Guinness only kick because I couldn't stand most of the standard corner store offerings and didn't yet know about craft beer. Life has improved immensely since then!

:)
Toney.

[threecb]

With beers, I find that some beers that I loved a while back don't quite appeal. The last few Bass Ales I've had, whether they were on tap or bottled, really left a bad taste in my mouth (pun intended!). Bass used to be a standard for me 10 years ago.

Others have staying power and I like them as much as or more than I did when I first had them. Dogfish Head Shelter Pale is like that for me. Compared to the rest of the DFH portfolio, this is a really tame beer. But it's a beer that I continue to buy again and again. It'll never go out of style for me.

I guess it's sort of like that with my musical tastes, too. There are a few bands that I listened to when I was younger that I still listen to, but for the most part, my tastes are constantly changing and pretty diverse.

And for the record, I don't consider Iron Maiden a "hair band". I don't really listen to metal anymore, but I don't think that IM can be put into that category. They were "real" Heavy Metal". Hair bands were bands like Warrent, Cinderella, Poison and all the other poser wannabes!

[brewmonkey]

My music tastes vary like my beer tastes, it is what is right for the moment. I listen across the spectrum, anything but rap and country (CANNOT STAND COUNTRY!). I grew up listening to punk (GBH, MDC, DK, Ramones etc...) but spent alot of time listening to New Wave as that is my era (have it on www.accuradio.com right now). But I also have tons of Big Band and Jazz for the lazy days and a good book.

[fretlessman71]

Grew up with KISS, Boston, Foreigner, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Van Halen,and Rush.... when I heard Rush I was hooked, and they remain my favorite band. I was playing in a band when I was 13-18, and we used to get a few 12-packs of Coors Light (a redundancy) for rehearsal (our drummer was over 18). As I grew older I began to listen to some pop-jazz like SpyroGyra and The Yellowjackets, and over the years I've come to appreciate everything except for rap (country I don't care for, but I can appreciate). My wife introduces me to all sorts of bands I never would have heard before like Coldplay and Enigma, and I really enjoy them. Funny... I still like the music I listened to back then, but you couldn't pay me to drink a Silver Bullet...

[kgaugler]

I'm in the same category as the rest of your posts. I can and will listen to just about any music if the time and place are right. I can even deal with some rap when I am getting my boys ready for a big football game (it's good for getting the blood and adrenalin pumping.) I can do without country. I still can always fall back on Pink Floyd to mellow out.

As for beer, this has been a transition. Back in the college days, it was quantity, not quality. Now, I'd rather sit back and enjoy a good IPA (I'm on a Magic Hat Blind Faith kick right now but I also like the Dogfish Head 90 Minute,) This started when I started homebrewing. I tried a bunch of different micros to find a style I liked and found there is whole world of tasty beers out there!! I never liked stout but now I can even appreciate them on a cold winter's night.

[Tweek]

I used to listen to a lot of speed metal. Slayer and Neurosis and the like, still occasionally will listen to Nuerosis- those guys rock. I also used to listen to a lot of Reggae that was more in my stoner phase of life you know puberty :D
My taste in music has evolved dramatically I mostly listen to jazz and blues now with some contemporary rock.

As far as beer, I feel ya Threecb on that bass Ale I used to drink that and Sam adams and SN pale. I cant stand those beers now. The SN pale will work in a pinch but it is definately last on my list of palatable beers, bass and sam isnt even on that list anymore.
I suppose my tastes are continually evolving, either that or just temporarily changing around. I find myself go through phases with my beer consumption at times one style or even one particualr beer will be all I will drink and another time I dont want anything to do with it. Unless it is a bad beer (like some of the holiday beers I tasted this year) I will always return to it at some point. The only style of beer that I dont care for is lambics. I think that comes from my love of wine and bret being something I consider a flaw, it is hard to get over that.
If I were to suggest a beer to a guy (or gal) that has never had beer and I wanted to get them into beer I would probabally go with something like Rogues Golden Ale. I find that beer to be among one of my most consistant favorite session beers because it is sooo easy drinking, one of the more well rounded beers imho.

Cheers!

[brewmonkey]

Ahhhhhhh Speed Metal, another favorite of mine. Early Metallica (Pre-Black & Load) Megadeath, Slayer, Anthrax (Bring the Noise w/ Public enemy is as close to rap as I go) etc.... They are from my early days in the Army (late 80's) and living in SoCal with tons of venues to see them at.

[MeridianFC]

I got started with the Beatles, though well after they had broken up. Lots of the solo work by them. I got into some metal and hard rock, but I listened to a lot of folk music, new wave, reggae, punk, etc. too. I got more heavily involved in indie rock in college. Even was in a band for 8 years (pro for about 5). I still listen to some some of the old stuff, but I find myself listening to more folk and "roots" music in the past few years. I like some classical, but tend to be more populist in my listening habits.

Like most folks I started with some cheap domestic beer but graduated to some pretty good brew early on mostly due to my best friend's mother being German. She thought it unnatural for growing boys not to have good beer with a meal (Gott sei danke!). I can remember early encounters with Hacker-Pschorr, Binding, Henninger (I can't remember the last time I saw the later two). From there it was on to bigger and better things. In college I would sometimes do the quantity over quality thing but I founds some pretty interesting beers to do it with (Stoney's, Old German). I've always been fairly particular in my tastes. My wife complains all the time when we're in circumstance where only watery domestic is on offer and I always do without rather than "drink from the cup of medocrity".

[wortchillergoal]

I am stuck in the new wave/punk music era. While I was in college, Radio & TV major, we learned that you will most likely prefer the music you listend to between the ages of 18-21. It is not that you will not listen to anything esle, but that will be your music staple.

I have come to the conculsion that I always wanted more from my beer. I may have been somewhat misguided at times, in my youth I liked Bud warm, but knew there had to be better beers out there. I would say now that my beer choice depends on mood. I may want HOPS or perhaps I am feeling the need for a little malt character. The nice thing is I now know that what ever may be my mood, there is a quality product available to sooth my tastebuds.





BEER CAN BE FOOD, BUT FOOD CAN NEVER BE BEER.

[barley ben]

I can't get out of my punk phase. Been in it for like 15 years now. Do like a wide array of music now. Anything from 50's R&R to Sinatra. No rap or country though. Well maybe some Cash Money Millionares! It's deffinately amusing!!

[chazwicke]

I have been thinking this same thing for a long time. The analogy of music and beer tastes. I have collected music forever. I can listen to almost anything except I don't like metal, rap or "Fake" country. I never minded country from mid 1970s or before. I listen to 30s jazz and Indian music. roots to rock, blues to bluegrass. I love it all. My beer journey has been a long and pleasurable one. It is not that I don't like some of my local beers but I often overlook them when making a selection because they are readily available and I am usually hunting for that rare and elusive one.

But as we all know taste is a very subjective thing be it taste in music or taste in beer.

[skahtboi]

Originally posted by threecb

And for the record, I don't consider Iron Maiden a "hair band". I don't really listen to metal anymore, but I don't think that IM can be put into that category. They were "real" Heavy Metal". Hair bands were bands like Warrent, Cinderella, Poison and all the other poser wannabes!

That could well be. I was just speaking from my perspective of one who was listening to Clash, Ramones, Circle Jerks, Suicidal Tendencies, Chain Saw, The Plugz, Burning Sensations, The Hebe GeeBees, Black Flag...etc. To me, anything at that time that was marketed as mainstream "metal" was a hair band.

[skahtboi]

Originally posted by chazwicke
"Fake" country.

Around these parts we call it "pretty boy" country. Chaz...here are some modern artists that you ought to check out, and that goes for those of you who don't particularly like country as well.

Trent Summar and the New Row Mob, Bruce Robison, Wayne Hancock, Hank Williams III, Heather Myles, Rosie Flores, Max Stalling, Robbie Fulks....heck...I could go on and on and on.

A lot these guys have the same spirit that the punkers did when it was all fresh, only they are doing with country.

[kgaugler]

skahtaboi, are you telling me there's yet ANOTHER Hank Williams. Then Jr. now III?

[skahtboi]

Originally posted by kgaugler
skahtaboi, are you telling me there's yet ANOTHER Hank Williams. Then Jr. now III?

Yes indeed. This one did his time as a cowpunker, so he has a lot more edge than number two did. Reminds me a lot of his granddaddy in the way he doesn't give a damn and really kicks butt. Of course, the pundits and dj's have hung the moniker "Tricephus" on him, borrowing from Junior's nickname.

Check it out: http://www.hankthree.com/

[crashbobo]

Hank III is awesome. I went to one of his shows here in Columbia a couple of years ago. He did two sets. The first was old style country and he sounded quite a bit like his grandfather. The second set was hardcore punk screaming stuff. It was great. Right before the last song in his first set he said, "Ok, this is the last warning for all of the older folks to head for the door before we start all the loud screaming shit." Or something to that effect. One of the most interesting shows I have been to. He is coming here to Columbia next month and I may go again if I don't have anything else going on :)

[S.F.B.]

I got my start with "real" beer back around the late '80's early '90's. It was New Belgium and Breckenridge Brewing. I thought avalanche was the ultimate in beer. The last time I had one was a year or two ago on a trip back to Denver. It just seemed adeqaute. Could have been that I was staying at the in laws and just wanted to be able to tolerate them so I was just getting drunk. My tastes in beer have evolved. I used to not like real hopped up brews. Now I enjoy them a lot. I have always loved stouts and thought Guiness was the end all for them. Now I rarely will drink it in favor of others.

Musically, I am all over the board. I like the classics from the '70's and like some of what is out there today. Mostly I listen to the '70s and '80s. Jethro Tull, Van Halen, Jimmy Buffet, Steve Miller etc...

[chazwicke]

By "Fake" I mean most country after about 1975 - 76. I like the older stuff that I used to hear in the barber shop when I was a kid in the early 60s. Of course Hank Sr. is great!

[threecb]

skahtboi, i can appreciate that "hair band" point of view. In high school I woulda fought (verbally) on the semantics of it. In college my tastes expanded to include all the 80's new wave and punkier stuff. Today I listen to a lot of power pop and indie rock like New Pornographers, Dressy Bessy, yound and sexy, The Mayflies USA, etc. Been into Jack Johnson lately, too. His stuff his great!

Hank III sounds like fun, too. I don't mind country, and I'll be in the minority and say that I like some rap and hip-hop, too. I think Opera is the only thing I can't get into, really. I've tried, and my wife wants me to go to an Opera with her, but I just can't give in (yet).

BTW, I've always been a huge Clash and Ramones fan!

[chazwicke]

Opera is great! I went to see La Boheme last season at the Kennedy Center. What about Wagner!? I love Wagner. I also love the three Tenors and have seen them perform together at MCI great show but bad venue.

[threecb]

I keep trying with the Opera, but it doesn't do it. I'll give anything a fair shake...

[Theakston]

Originally posted by chazwicke
Opera is great! I went to see La Boheme last season at the Kennedy Center. What about Wagner!? I love Wagner. I also love the three Tenors and have seen them perform together at MCI great show but bad venue.

I went to that same la Boheme last year as well. We went to Don Giovanni also. Enjoyed them both. I'd really like to see Pagliacci or any of the puccini operas.

[chazwicke]

Listening to Pagliacci can bring me to tears. When his heart is breaking. That just gets me.

[Summer]

I grew up listening mostly punk/grunge, like Nirvana, Hole, Dead Kennedys, Sex Pistols, some Finnish bands you'll never know... Evolved to Pixies, Breeders, Jon Spencer Bules Explosion, Nick Cave, PJ Harvey, Iggy Pop and the Stooges, REM, Rinneradio.... The biggest favourite as teenager was Depeche Mode, and I still like it a lot. I still like many bands I listened younger, but there is always more and new things to try, like in the world of beer too. I'm a BIG fan of Neil Young, Sonic Youth, Tori Amos, the Beatles, Steve Reich, Kraftwerk, the White Stripes, Fountains of Wayne, Foo Fighters, Ron Sexsmith, Joao Gilberto, Spain, Johnny Cash, Kelis, John Coltrane, Mercyry Rew, Sade, Marvin Gaye, Joni Mitchell, Daftpunk, Prince, Suzanne Vega... I could write here next 2 weeks... So I could say, I don't listen to all bands I liked years ago, but the variety of music that I like has become wider. And it's the same with beer. I don't drink any "swill" that I might have younger, but there are always few old favourites, like Pilsner Urguell, that I return to. (used to drink more lagers before, now ales and stouts) But I like a wider range of beers now, and I bet it grows all the time ;)

Good beer and good music together make a GREAT atmosphere!!

J.