Beer Thread

This thread is making me thirsty!

I myself had my first taste of brew at the age of 11, and I drank three or four bottles of Carling (blech) and about the same amount of one of my brothers' friends' dad's homebrew, which I recall tasted like licorice. Since then, I've grown to be a fanatic of the brew, as exemplified by the fact that just reading through this tread has made me reach for one at 11:50 in the morning.



I'm lucky enough to be in a province where microbreweries are plenty, and many of them produce at least a few varieties of quality beer. My personal favorites of all the breweries here are the McAuslan brewery with their Apricot Wheat (pic) and Oatmeal Stout beers topping the list, and the Barberie Brewery which produces, amongst others, a fine Blackberry White ale. The McAuslan brews should be available in other parts of the world (almost certainly in parts of the US) and their two main branches are the St-Ambroise and Griffon labels. I have yet to taste a brew as sweetly bitter as their Oatmeal Stout.

What's unfortunate about living in Quebec is the relative difficulty of locating a given import brew. Malmer's mention of Chimay has reminded me of how long it has been since one has crossed my path. At least we have a good chance of finding a bottle of Maredsous or two relatively easily. Another good brew, which I could lay hands on back home with relative ease, is Holsten. Their Festbock was my staple brew for a number of years, along with the occasional Premium Beer.

I would say to anyone who has a chance to lay hands on any of these brews to give them a good tasting, as you will surely be quite pleased.

On a final note, I daresay I agree with Shin's sentiment that if you're going to be tearing a place up, nothing equals a good pint of lager, or a sweet pilsener to get the job done. Most of the beers I've mentionned are great for a tasting, and even to get you a bit of a light head, but ingesting heavy quantities of them will surely result in a painful wake.

Moderation is your friend, good people.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

I'm bumping this thread because I'm in need of recommendations and because people need to drink more beer in general.

I just got into Orlando, Florida this morning and I would really enjoy checking out a local beer or twelve while I'm here. Bought a Blue Moon Summer Sampler and am enjoying it quite heartily so far. I'm actuallly curious as to what American beers are worthwhile and readily available since this is my first time in the States. However the main reason for this post is that I would really appreciate recommendations for breweries, restaurants or what have you that serve local brews.

Just to clarify, I don't see color when it comes to beer so any which kind of brew will do, so long as it's something that's got a bit of flavor to it.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Lurker: The only one I've tried from your list was a Rogue Dead Guy Ale (well, besides miller et al.), Though I saw a Dogfishhead variety or two at the Publix near here so I'll give it a try.

knk: I haven't really tried most of what Lurker mentioned, as Montreal is mostly Quebec beer in most places and there are a good enough variety of those that you don't have to go looking for imports most days. New Brunswick (where I'm originally from) is just piss poor for beer, besides Picaroon's and the Pumphouse brewery, both of which I'm pretty sure don't sell their beer outside the province. I'll see if I can give the place you listed a try, though with a couple reviews comparing it to a dank pit I can imagine having a hard time getting it to fly with my GF and her parents, though judging by the reviews that really should be the place to go. By the way, how many varieties of Big Rock do you guys have in Alberta? I tried their Grasshopper and red ale back home and they rate pretty high on my list of awesome. Wish we got more of that down there.

wvlfpvp: Sucking back a Coastal Wheat right now, eyeing the Black lager next (thank god for variety packs ). pretty good stuff.

Sprout: I've drunk that before and it is indeed quite good!

Thanks for the suggestions all, and keep 'em coming! I'm here 'til next sunday so I have a bit of time yet to try more!

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Drinking some Dogfish Head 90 minute IPA right now, it's the best beer I've tasted on this trip so far. Also had Yuengling lager wish was all right, and some Linenkugel Berry Weiss, which was ok, though it tastes a bit watered down. Also had a few at the theme parks, none too noteworthy though.

Additional brew: @wvlfpvp: Had a Noble Pils tonight, t'was indeed great stuff. It had an astringency to its aftertaste that I've rarely gotten from a beer before. It took me a while to find this beer though.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?