Micro, Import or Homebrew?

[chazwicke]

Which do you prefer to drink? Micro brews, Imports or Homebrew?
It is a tough question for me. I was a home brewer back in the 70 during the low point of American brewing. I have brewed on and off for many years but my last batch was probably 1996. As the Micro Revolution took hold I found that there were plenty of fine beers becoming available many much better than I could brew. I traveled all over sampling beers beginning in the early 80s. Of course I took many trips overseas too. I really enjoy many of the European beers enormously. Those that are imported do suffer a bit on the boat but I still enjoy many of them. Really hard to select sometimes because we have such a wealth of choices. I guess on the whole, I drink mainly Micro brews. What do you all think?

[steveh]

Yes, yes, and yes. Or, uh...yes, yes, and yes? Yes yes yes!

Seriously, to give you an idea of what I'm talking about, in my fridge right now I have: The better part of a 12 pack of Dinkel Acker, 2/3 of a six-pack of Capital Fest Beer, and various bottles of other micros I'm saving for a special event (including a magnum of Anchor's 2001 Christmas Ale).

I mix and match all of the time - the closest to a U.S. macro that graces the fridge's shelves is when a friend may bring a sixer of Leinenkugel's over for the game, or a six of Miller Lite I may buy for my brother-in-law for Thanksgiving or Christmas (I'm in charge of the booze for the family holiday gatherings).

S.

[BluesHarp]

I echo Steveh...

I currently have in my fridge (quantities subject to change, probably before I finish typing this):

4 Hacker-Pschorr

New Glarus-
4 "Spotted Cow" bottle conditioned ale
8 "Hop Hearty" IPA
3 "Native" unfiltered ale

3 Tyranena "Headless Man" Amber Alt

6 Harbor City "Full Tilt I*P*A"

1 magnum Avery Brewing "The Reverend" Belgian Style Quadrupel Ale

1 Three Floyds "Alpha King" pale ale

8 Guinness Stout

1/2 keg homebrewed pale ale

5 Clausthaler NA
1 bud light
1 wine cooler

I love them all (with the exception of the last three..well, OK, the NA has it's place :D )

[cyanide]

Which do you prefer to drink? Micro brews, Imports or Homebrew?


I consider myself lucky to have ANY of those!

I live in Oklahoma and I have a terrible time getting good beer. There is ONE microbrewery in the entire state, it serves all of about 3 bars. And they have about 5 mediocre beers: lager, light ale, hoppy, medium, stout.

The liquor stores sell the basics, some of the popular foreign beers, a few good national ones, like Sad Adams, Sierra Nevada and then total crap. There are more malt liquor varieties available than non-lagers. It's just too hot and humid here, so I guess people don't like strong and heavy beers.

So sadly, I can't answer the question. I do think it's hard to have favorites in beer. It's all about mood. Even a draft bud is good sometimes.

[Redbird Fan]

I live in Oklahoma and I have a terrible time getting good beer. There is ONE microbrewery in the entire state, it serves all of about 3 bars. And they have about 5 mediocre beers: lager, light ale, hoppy, medium, stout.

Have you had an opportunity to search this page:

Breweries (http://www.realbeer.com/cgi-bin/realbeer/search/rb_brewtour.cgi)

within this website?

[cyanide]

Cherry St. Brewing Co. (Closed)
1516 S. Quaker
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74120
Phone: (918) 582-2739
Fax: (918) 582-3299

Tulsa Brewing Co. (Closed)
7227 S. Memorial Dr.
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74133
Phone: (918) 459-2739
Fax: (918) 254-2136

:(

I've done searches on the internet before. What little there was is all gone. There is only one micro-brewery in the entire state, and it's nothing special.

It would be so nice if someone had a very small brewery and made special craft beers we could enjoy on draft in bars. I love my town and my state, but I envy people up north and on the west coast who have all that variety and quality in locally made beers.

[Redbird Fan]

sounds like there's an opportunity to start a brewpub there - hopefully for you something is in the works!

[cyanide]

Yea, as I said, there is one microbrew that serves a handful of locations, but it's not great. It would be nice if someone just sold some really neat beers to a few bars... I think there is certainly a market for it, as long as it's something really cool. So I hold out hope for that.

Until then, I'll keep brewing my own.

[hopjack13]

I envy people up north and on the west coast who have all that variety and quality in locally made beers.

what are the laws like out there as far as alcohol? i have a cousin who lives out that way and he said the titty bars suck but he never mentioned any thng about the alcohol laws. i know alot of good website where you order your beer online if you want them. also there's always trading beers if you want to make things interesting.

[cyanide]

Originally posted by hopjack13
[B]what are the laws like out there as far as alcohol? i have a cousin who lives out that way and he said the titty bars suck but he never mentioned any thng about the alcohol laws.

i know alot of good website where you order your beer online if you want them. also there's always trading beers if you want to make things interesting.

Well, I'm not into that sorta thing, but people I know that have gone to them confirm that.

Alcohol laws are no buying booze on sunday over 3.2%, no beer in grocery stores over 3.2%. What is weird is that stuff like everclear is available.

Sadly, I believe it is illegal to ship here.

[paul84043]

I'm in the same boat as Cyanide as far as the liquor laws go, luckily, I have discovered a few good Micros.
The imports that I can get at the liquor store are unbelievably overpriced since Utah taxes by alcohol content. for example...a 10 oz skunky, sat in the light forever Grolsch is 3.25 a bottle.
Not worth it.

It's homebrew, Micro, or nothing.

[bhoshour]

That's a damn difficult question. I like my own beer even when I know it's not that great - it's MY beer. Besides, anyone who truly appreciates beer has got to give in to the urge to produce his own drink eventually; however, ya gotta love Stone, Rogue, Samuel Smith, and a dozen others I could list. I have a damn hard time finding the beers I want in Virginia Beach. We have quite a few here, but I'm always aching to try the ones I can never find. For the demand, you'd think there would be more beer stores, or even store sfor that matter, which would cater to such an end. Alas, the beer connosuer is doomed to wonder about the possibilities........

[homebrewaddict]

Definitly have to go with the homebrew here. Beer always tastes better when it is made by the consumer.

Although I must say when I do find a commercial beer I like, instead of buying more, I try and clone it. This way I get the best of both worlds!!