Quote:
Originally Posted by thechef
It wasn't my point that Yanks haven't experimented with beer, just that they're not unique in doing so. The good stuff they produce - and there is plenty to be found - are just variations of a theme. That's what beer has always been about and not a revolutionary thing. Yanks are just a little overexcited because they're no longer completely lousy at it.
Didn't really have the gimmicky/over the top stuff in mind when I said that although I take your point. That's just taken as a given (for beer as everything else) in the land of excess and I personally don't give or take any points away from America for it. It's just not the same thing IMO.
I have my favourite types (more likely to enjoy a given stout/porter) but I'm sure I'm richer for trying beers of all types indiscriminately. For example, I am not a huge fan of IPA as a rule but I'll try a new one if it comes recommended and occasionally hit one I really enjoy. The best thing about beer is the variety IMO and I think I'm doing LFC a favour by pointing out why he's wrong to dismiss a whole category as he does.
Believe me, when i go to Europe I'm not bringing my own IPAs from America t drink with me or anything. I want to try everything Europe has to offer. I've tried quite a bit. Some I really enjoyed, and some was really good, just not beer that is like oh my god I need to go back and have that beer again, until I stumbled on that Kabinet Brewery which is relatively new.
It's also not nearly as accessible as it is here and selection is way ****tier, at least in places I've lived and traveled. As more true craft beer breweries start opening up I think some great things are going to come out of Europe, but for now I'd much prefer the vast majority of what the USA has to offer.
As for warm beer, I guess it's personal taste. I love IPAs and tried a few in England (one of the places was the bar someone here recommended outside Fulham's ground, another in Bristol, and another in London) and it was just gross to me. The whole consistency of the beer was strange but the taste was not good and tasted more like a syrup than a beer. That's not the best way to describe it but I can't describe it any better.
And re: the session, we have tons of session beer here. Some are actually really good, but obviously lack the taste of their hoppier, stronger % cousins. For example if you drink a big IPA or 2xIPA and then drink a session it's not gonna taste as good. Obviously