SN Wheat and Lagunitas IPA

[MiScusi]

the Sierra Nevada Wheat Beer was my first wheat beer, and let me say I really enjoyed it. It was fairly light bodied but packed a pretty good taste- I guess that was the wheat. This was something that I could definitely have a few of in a row.

On the other hand, I saved the Lagunitas IPA for dinner to go with my Filet and baked potato and this being my second IPA (tasted Stone yesterday), I didn't like it much at all. I'm 100% sure its more a problem with my taste of beers at this point than the quality of the IPA, as I've seen Lagunitas is a very high rated IPA. I think I will probably back off on IPA for some time- I like hops but I guess I don't LOVE hops.... yet. Of course, I'd take it in a heartbeat over Stone's Ruination IPA- 105 IBU's- yikes.

I think I will dabble in the North Coast lineup next. I've heard good things here about the Scrimshaw Pilsner.

[le qwak]

I also enjoy SN wheat. though if you try a German wheat
you'll find it to be a bit different. One of my favorite styles
are pales/IPA's & I certainly like a prominent hop presence.
I think some American styles are a little unbalanced with an
overpowering hop bitterness. I've never had the Lagunitas
IPA. I've had the Red Seal pale on tap back east here & I love it.
I believe North Coast makes it. I'm also a big Rogue fan as
alot of their beers are hoppy yet nicely balanced. I'm also
a big fan of some English pales/IPA's which tend to be a little
more toned down on the hop characteristics. Try a Fullers
IPA or ESB they are widely available & in my opinion excellent!!

cheers!!

[S.F.B.]

Originally posted by MiScusi
On the other hand, I saved the Lagunitas IPA for dinner to go with my Filet and baked potato and this being my second IPA (tasted Stone yesterday), I didn't like it much at all. I'm 100% sure its more a problem with my taste of beers at this point than the quality of the IPA, as I've seen Lagunitas is a very high rated IPA. I think I will probably back off on IPA for some time- I like hops but I guess I don't LOVE hops.... yet. Of course, I'd take it in a heartbeat over Stone's Ruination IPA- 105 IBU's- yikes.

I really enjoy the Lagunita's IPA. I also like Stone Ruination. I think if you give it time you may develope an appreciation for the more "hopped up" brews. I wasn't big on IPA's when I first got into "good beer". It was over time that my taste for them grew.

[chazwicke]

I'd recommend trying some of the pale ales first also. work your way up to those big boys. You may never develope a taste for the high IBU beers. I like them, but I usually prefer more moderation if Ii'm in for a session.

[fretlessman71]

Have you tried SN Pale Ale? It's hoppy, but nowhere near an American IPA. Liberty Ale from Anchor is another one you might try - I had one last night for the first time in over a decade! Boy, what I've been missing.... :)

[MiScusi]

yeah, i've had SN Pale Ale and other pale ale's too and i've loved every one of them. Unfortunately, the IPA is a little much for me right now. I guess i'll have to work my way up the IBU scale slowly:cool:

[fretlessman71]

When the SN Pale Ale starts tasting "ordinary," you'll know you're ready to step up. :)

[BluesHarp]

If you can get your hands on Bell's Two-Hearted Ale or Victory Hopdevil; these are IPA's which are a little mellower and better balanced than the ones you didn't care for. You get the full hop flavor, but not all of the bitterness.
In fact, regular Stone IPA is not as in-your-face as Ruination...I also might suggest one of the Bear Republic or Speakeasy beers.

[fretlessman71]

Don't forget that the IPAs seem to taste a little better when it's really hot outside. I know you're in SoCal, but I'm talking early August type heat! :)

[chazwicke]

I like them year round. :D

[Jake]

Originally posted by chazwicke
I'd recommend trying some of the pale ales first also. work your way up to those big boys. You may never develope a taste for the high IBU beers. I like them, but I usually prefer more moderation if Ii'm in for a session.

Good suggestion. I was thinking I was a 'hophead' untill I had my first IPA.

[fretlessman71]

Any time I'm having an IPA I make sure I let my wife have a whiff at some point - she makes a great "bitter beer face"! :)

[ray m]

Originally posted by fretlessman71:

Any time I'm having an IPA I make sure I let my wife have a whiff at some point - she makes a great "bitter beer face"! :)
_________________________________________

That's funny...I do the same thing to my wife. I make her have a taste, too. The look she gave when she tasted a swig of Stone Old Guardian Barleywine (slightly off subject, sorry) was priceless. She couldn't understand how I can "drink stuff like that".

[chazwicke]

I think that is a prerequisite for my drinking a beer. I have my wife try it first. She is a non drinker but will always taste it. Occasionally she will like a beer that I offer but usually it is the opposite.

[fretlessman71]

So far my wife has liked two beers. One is a "rich and meaty smoky peat-y" dark ale that a friend of mine brewed, and it had a thoroughly unique merlot quality to it, and the other was a Murphy's Irish Stout. I thought she'd enjoy the Mackeson's I had the other night, but it was far too bitter for her. Go figure.