Some beers you should drink
Inspired by a brief discussion of delicious beers that recently transpired in the HSNL nonsense thread, as well as an enjoyable night of trying new ones in Colorado last week1 I decided to put together a little list of some of my favorite beers as well as some new ones I have enjoyed immensely. Most are likely to be distributed in a limited area (the West coast and Colorado are pretty awesome at concocting delicious beers) so if you can find any of them, you should buy them and drink them.
Brother Thelonius Abbey Ale – North Coast brewing company, Fort Bragg CA
I discovered it last week. The bottle caught my eye (any beer with a label like that had to be awesome), and the flavor was amazingly complex and delicious. Apparently they also give money to a Jazz foundation of some sort when you buy it, which is cool.
Ruben & the Jets – Lagunitas brewing company, Petaluma CA
The latest of the series of beers brewed by Lagunitas in honor of Frank Zappa. They’re local to the Bay Area and all of the beers in the series (which I’ve had the pleasure of sampling over the last few years) have been awesome.
90 Minute IPA – Dogfish Head, Rehoboth Beach DE
Classic delicious IPA that my beer-nerd friend Jonathan introduced me to in college. They also make a 60-minute IPA which is a little easier to drink and a 120-minute IPA which is a serious undertaking. I find the 90 Minute to be just the right balance of boldly flavorful and reasonably drinkable2.
Black Butte Porter – Deschutes Brewery, Bend OR
The go-to pint at my neighborhood bar.3
Gonzo Porter – Flying Dog Brewery, Denver CO
Another amazing beer that Jonathan introduced me to back in the day. My preference for dark and strong beers (as well as beers brewed in honor of cool/interesting people) should be obvious by this point.
Chocolate Stout – Rogue Brewery, Newport OR
Delicious, but not surprising given that everything Rogue does is. Side note: the Rogue brewpub in San Francisco is a great place for trivia night (consider getting all-you-can-eat sushi across the corner at Sushi Hunter, but be aware that combining all you can eat sushi and Rogue beers is an ambitious undertaking)
- I had a sweet vacation in Boulder and Beaver Creek hanging out and snowboarding. [↩]
- BTW, I hate those bud light commercials about drinkability. Stupid bud light is the worst beer ever. Well, maybe second worst behind Michelob Ultra. And Milwaukee’s Best. Ugh. [↩]
- Along with Racer 5 IPA or an assortment of other west coast microbrews [↩]
Sometimes there's a man... and I'm talking about the Dude, here. Sometimes there's a man who, well, he's the man for his time and place.
March 3rd, 2009 at 7:26 am
I may be extremely biased, but I am under the impression that North Carolina has the best beers of any state in the country. Highlands, French Broad, Carolina Brewing Company, Red Oak, Duckrabbit, and the new Triangle Brewing Company. The biology department at Duke recently had an event with four mini kegs:
Highland’s Gaelic Ale
Duckrabbit’s Milk Stout
Carolina’s Copperline Amber Ale
Triangle’s Pale Ale
I had two of each, and was doin great! Pretty much the best event ever.
March 3rd, 2009 at 1:15 pm
Agreed on the 90 Minute IPA, awesome bottled IPA.
If you haven’t already, check out Monk’s Kettle on 16th between Dolores & Guerrero — it’s a beer only pub that opened about a year ago. They have something like 25 beers on tap + 100s of other exotic ones in bottles, lots of Belgians. They’ve got tasty burgers and ‘gourmet’ style pub food too.
Give me a call if you are in the hood and I’ll come down for a beer!
J.
March 3rd, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Matt: NC definitely represents on the beer front. Gaelic Ale was my go-to ‘fancy beer’ at Satis (with yuengling naturally being the ‘regular beer’ of choice). Can’t get it out here though
And you’re right about duckrabbit too. Mmm.
Josh: I’m there. I’ve been once before but just for a few beers. That place is great!
March 4th, 2009 at 7:12 am
long time reader, first time commenter.
i must say – that is QUITE the delicious list of beers…I’ve had a few of them and the dogfish 90m is the nuts imo.
couple recommendations…
Racer 5 ipa (which i’m assume you must have had seeing as its a CA beer)
Bell’s expedition stout
speakeasy double daddy
March 4th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
I’ve definitely drank and enjoyed all of those recommendations. Mmm.
March 4th, 2009 at 5:20 pm
Its not even fair how tasty the expedition stout is. I’d put it right up there with flopping the nuts in terms of enjoyment level.