beer styles

[chazwicke]

I know it is nearly impossible to name a favorite beer as it depends on so many variables. Time of year or day, mood, food and such. But if you wandered into a brewpub and only had time to sample ONE of their brews, Which style would you select? What is usually your first choice of styles when you are perusing the beer cooler. I think mine would be IPA. there are close seconds but I guess when I can only make one choice it is usually an IPA. How about you?

[cyanide]

Any styles I haven't tried before. IPAs are always a safe bet, but I love trying new things.

If they have something that's not typical, I'll go for it. Porters and stouts are generally my favorite common thing to get in a bar if they lack anything I haven't tried before.

[cyanide]

Although my favorite thing to get is samples of all their micros if they have it :)

[fuji6100]

Hmmmm. I usually try the Irish amber/red or something darker like a porter or brown ale. If they have something unusual, then I'll try one for experience's sake.

[steveh]

The best thing that (most) brew-pubs have going is the sampler flight - I get what's available in the small sampler's, then choose my favorite. However, I have noticed that hop nose and flavor tends to suffer in the small glasses. I tasted an IPA in a sampler collection and thought the brewmaster had goofed - then I had a pint and the full hop experience came through.

If I had to spend the rest of my life on a desert island with only one style of beer - it would be a toss-up between Oktoberfest and a draft Stout. Hmm - although it's not a desert - Ireland *is* an island...isn't it? Coincidence?

S.

[hnrblbrbrn]

I'd go for Porter, Stout, then Bock. If none of those are available I'll try an IPA, I've been meaning to try some but keep getting distracted. When I read the menu for something different, ESB shows up before IPA. One of these days I'll start at the end and work back.

[cyanide]

Originally posted by steveh

If I had to spend the rest of my life on a desert island with only one style of beer - it would be a toss-up between Oktoberfest and a draft Stout. Hmm - although it's not a desert - Ireland *is* an island...isn't it? Coincidence?

S.

Really, Oktoberest? I've always thought of it as a good beer in the fall to have whenever I made German food, but that's about it.

[steveh]

Originally posted by cyanide
Really, Oktoberest? I've always thought of it as a good beer in the fall to have whenever I made German food, but that's about it.

It's rich, malty, and clean - very tasty and refreshing without being completely light as a pilsner or heavy as a bock (or the double thereof).

Would you drink an ESB at any time the urge hit? When Seddlemayer and Dreher created the style, they were influenced by the Bitter, Special Bitter, and Extra Special Bitter they had sampled in England. In the south of Germany and Austria, where they were from, the beer of choice was Dunkel lager - they were trying to make a lighter style - and there was no Pils yet. The use of lager yeast and the cold storage time resulted in a malty and clean beer. Slight esters and diacytl, along and ESB line of flavors - but much more clean.

If you can find some left over Spaten, Paulaner, or Hacker-Pschorr Okt from last year, I'd bet it would have held up nicely. I once stocked up with about 4 cases of Spaten Okt. to last me through a Summer.

And what's wrong with German food year 'round? The Germans have done it for centuries! ;)

S.

[cyanide]

Oh, I make it all the time. I made a Sauerbraten just a few days ago. I was saying I drink Oktoberfest in the fall with German food because it's the only time the style is available ;)

Although a nice malty, low bitterness ale (or lager) would be a good choice for your only beer on a desert island.

[steveh]

Originally posted by cyanide
Oh, I make it all the time. I made a Sauerbraten just a few days ago. I was saying I drink Oktoberfest in the fall with German food because it's the only time the style is available

Maybe it's because it's not always available is why I enjoy it so much? Nah - just always liked it. ;)

BTW - I'll be over for the Sauerbraten right away! I'll bring Kartofelsalat made from the recipe given to me by a friend who once owned a local German restaurant - which is, sadly, no longer open for business (retirement of the owners, not due to the potato salad!).

S.

[chazwicke]

I'll come if you have spatzle.

[b3s]

for me it would be so easy...guinness stout...my favorite all-day drinker. i like lots of different styles and brands of quality ales...but i always return to guinness. discovered that the local sports bar has a decent tap of guinness. what a shame

i know where i'll be during football season :D

[hopjack13]

only time for one huh? when i usually go to a brew pub i shoot for the brewmasters special, whatever it may be. but if i was on a desert island i would want either a cell phone or a boat!!! then i would sit down and enjoy huummmm....? westvleteren 12 , arrogant bastard or maybe 15 or 20 brideport i.p.a.'s ....damn i don't think i could pick just one beer.....some one just shoot me!(hey brewmonkeys' got a gun!)....unless i had a boat or a cell phone then i would want to live.:D

[b3s]

heh...more than one of us are armed ;)

[steveh]

MANY more. ;)

S.

[Jarod]

I like big beers. Those with big flavors. Imperial Stouts, Barleywines, Belgian Artisans, etc.

[Brewdepest]

I have a habit of going for a nut brown ale first off if they have it. If not, my fancy can be rather flighty so it's hard for me to pin it down. I'm thinking lately my second choices are IPAs.