Beers, Lagers, Pilsners, Ales, Stouts, Meads, Porters...????

[Vodka7]

Seems like everyone else already beat me to my selections  Guinness, Red Stripe, and free or cold in that order.

When there's a special occaision or I'm in one of the very few places I've ever seen it, nothing makes me happier than a couple 500ml bottles of Franziskaner Hefe-Weisse Hell.  Try saying that one five times fast  Almost Pilsner-like taste for a wheat beer, with a strong taste of cloves, followed by a light and quickly-disappearing touch of banana.

[Felonious Monk/Fignozzle]

Nope, my Newcastle is from the bottle.
If I could find it from the tap, I'd drink it.
I'm in Mayberry.
It's a geographical oddity-- two weeks from everything.

[thorn]

i like Newcastle, but it's not really a "top shelfer"

SAmuel Smith's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  find your favorite flavor. i like- well it depends, sometimes nut brown, , sometimes the tadcaster, there's 2 more flavors.

the micro brews, ohh you can go on forever. i have to say i think Colorado may produce thre BEST micros, especially ones that get exported.

want a real crazy beer? TWO choices!
Foghorn ! WWWWWWWWWooooooorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrooooooooooooooooooooooommmmmmm.
and
Fin Du Monde. wow that stuff is strong. and tasty.
i just tried some cherry-laden bavarian (or bulgarian not 100% sure) stuff yesterday. very tasty.

my standbys are
anchor steam
sierra porter or amber

i like most porters. thiCK, but not quite stout

[Stickjockey]

Oh yeah:

cider- Strongbow. Careful though, it sneaks up on ya.

mead- Chaucer's, or my own.

[Felonious Monk/Fignozzle]

Found this, looks educational:
http://www.ratebeer.com/Ratings/Ratings-Top50.asp

[Agent P]

Haven't tried all that many brands of beer, but my favorite is definitely Newcastle. I will have to try some of the other suggestions as well!

Sicilian Sangria in Berry from Olive Garden is quite tasty.

Mead is honey wine, is it not? I really want to try that.

Want to try plum sake also.

[Felonious Monk/Fignozzle]

Had some plum wine (ONE glass) at Benihana's one time.  It was delicious.  I was with a bunch of Baptists.  They thought I was the Devil Incarnate.

[thorn]

>>>Haven't tried all that many brands of beer, but my favorite is definitely Newcastle.<<<<

oh you really need to try some more- Newcastle is REal good, but it is definitely the lower end of the really Good beers.

SAm Adams would be the bottom of the "good beer" barrel
killian's wishes it was even in the category

[Lo.Com.Denom]

May I heartily recomend "Innis and Gunn", if you can find it. One to be sipped and savoured, rather than glugged down by the pint. It's made in Scotland and left for thirty days in an oak barrel, like scotch whiskey, so it has this pleasant, woody taste. I think you'd like it, if you're into the Newcastle Brown.
Right now I've got a bottle of "Hobgoblin" on the go, so if my spelling deteriorates and one of you ends up being my new "besht frend", you'll know why. Again, it reminds me a little of the Newcastle Brown, but I can just taste a slight hint of sherry in the aftertaste... Not bad at all. Plus it's got a cool picture on the front and if you hold it up to the light, it's ruby-red!
Man, my spelling actually is deteriorating...

[grampster]

You guys have succeeded in making me really, really thirsty.  I'm going across the lake to Smugglers Cove and taste test for a couple of hours.  I will report back if I'm able.  heh.

[Jamisjockey]

Hefeweizen!  My fave.  Followed by a good pale ale.  Our local microbrews put some good stuff out.
http://www.uintabrewing.com/
http://www.wasatchbeers.com/
My fave of the three
http://www.squatters.com/

[SADShooter]

To any fellow homebrewers, I've never made cider, but I'd like to find a recipe to simulate Bellot cider (one of the few French products currently in favor).

El Tejon:

I noticed a blueberry concoction among your favorites. Just wanted to say that I started "homebrewing" with a Mr. Beer kit. The Blue Lighting, made with canned blueberries, was the only really palatable beer that kit produced, but it was quite tasty.

I'm partial to the sweet stouts for sipping. Mackeson came up, but I'm very partial to Sheaf and Dragon when I can find them, which is very rarely.

[Stickjockey]

Pamela-

Yes, mead is honey wine, although it's made more like beer in that it is actually brewed. Many variations on the theme as well. I have a friend who made a Rhubard mead that was excellent.

[Strings]

Stickjockey: I didn't see anyone else mention meade, but my name ain't "Pamela". Heck... wrong gender...

Don't know what you mean about "brewed, then left to ferment and age". I start mine fermenting, and rack it every couple weeks... just like wine. And mine has yet to have aged: it's usually gone within a couple weeks of being bottled...

 I also do something a bit different with mellomels (meade made with fruit in the must): I use actual fruit, not just juices. Let the must w/fruit sit in the primary for about a month, then strain into a carboy. Do NOT leave pulp in the carboy: it gets messy...

[Chris Rhines]

I've pretty much given up on imported beers.  They all seem skunked, right out of the bottle.  Poor climate control during shipping?

Dogfish Head Brewery makes some good stuff.  They just opened a brewpub near my house, too.  Imagine that.
Fat Tire Ale is good.
Anchor Steam is good, Anchor Porter is even better (found it on tap once in a bar in Long Beach.)
Sam Adams Cream Stout.

I'm probably forgetting others.  Need to run by the Brickskeller again...

- Chris

[El Tejon]

Chris, re:  non-skunked ferner beer, try Double Dragon from Wales.  Freshest tasting I've found, but maybe because it is a heavier beer.

SAD, good to see another fruit drinker.  I have yet to ask my doc if drinking a fruity beer counts toward my 5 a day.  Don't know if you can find it down there, but Back Road Brewery makes some fine products.  Mmmm.

[Stickjockey]

I didn't see anyone else mention meade, but my name ain't "Pamela".

Hunter, check Agent P's post #31.

Also: did I say "left to ferment and age?" (slaps forehead.) D'Oh! Post edited. Thanks. I am still fairly new to the home fermenting thing.

[Strings]

Oops... missed that one!

Pamela: depending on where you are, trying mead can be arranged. Be careful though: there are LOTS of people out there selling "mead" that is nothing more than white wine with honey added... :barf:

[Bob F.]

Finally had to register to get this thread BTT since I told my "boss" about the site and this thread. He's a Lancaster fan. I even learned to drink Carling's Black Label years ago in college. It was about $3 a case! Told you it was a long time ago!

Stay safe.
Bob

[Lennyjoe]

Best beers;
Fat Tire
Tecate
Dos Equis
Any beer from Bavaria!

Worst beer;
OB!!!

[grampster]

I remembered the Mexican beer that I thought started with an M.  Bohemia.  heh.

I'd sure like some of that, but I can't find it anywhere.

[triggertime]

J.W. Dundee's Honey Brown
Blackstone's Nut Brown Ale (local)

[...has left the building.]

You all mention some good brews. The best one I've had recently that hasn't been mentioned is the Dead Guy Ale by Rogue.

[Iain]

Finally had to register to get this thread BTT since I told my "boss" about the site and this thread. He's a Lancaster fan. I even learned to drink Carling's Black Label years ago in college. It was about $3 a case! Told you it was a long time ago!

Stay safe.
Bob

Bob - the can of Carling that I once drank that had stayed rather too long in the freezer and so had ice in it was the only can of Carling I ever enjoyed. That's from my student days.

Good beer should taste great 'warm' as you Americans put it. I prefer 'slightly colder than room temperature'. A multitude of beery sins can be hidden by serving ice cold.

[Stickjockey]

Post 22, Dan