Goofball,

If you like those two beers, I'd try the Sierra Nevada Celebration. It's the same style, but bolder flavor. Heck, the Stone Arrogant Bastard is in the same ballpark for flavor, too, even though it's not labeled as a winter ale. That beer is a classic.

jet,

When I was home for Christmas, I was out at Costco buying a case of beer for my family. I saw the Jubelale, but rather than get a whole case of something untested, I opted for Fat Tire. Did I make a mistake? I'll keep my eyes out next year.

Wookie,

I've definitely had my share of both of those

I had a bunch of Jubelale when I was in portland for christmas before. I thought it waws pretty tasty.

Really? And you still laud the Rogue Santa? Both Milesdyson and I were pretty underwhelmed with it. I haven't had 2 Below to comment on it.

Ha, I'm having my 'going away happy hour' at 21st amendment tomorrow night. Friday is my last day at work (YAY!). Anyone in town, look for a 6'3", enebriated, but stunningly handsome, asian dude.

Yeah that Rogue beer was a pretty huge dissapointment. I've had 2 Below, and I'd say it is only marginally more enjoyable. I can confidently say I'll never buy either beer again.

Not entirely sure, although I managed to get a pint in Edinburgh which I admit was awful but it was in a 2* hotel in the rougher end of the town which wasn't particularly well kept so could be a poor reflection. My dad had a pint in Wales once and said that it was excellent and just like at home. Abbots too is nice but in general I prefer the IPAs to the real ales since they are a bit easier drinking for me.

I think you would also like Humboldt Red Nectar. It is a CA beer so you should have no problem getting it.

Rogue is awesome.

I was happy to see three of its beers on the top 100 list.

To everybody here who likes Chimay, I strongly recommend trying out Rochefort 10. It's that big brother than just does everything better. Asides from tasting more perfect than sex, this was the first beer that actually smelled great!

3rd that. Awesome summer beer.

Bell's Brewery

Oberon's my personal favorite.

I like Jubelale a lot, but much prefer it on tap. Last year I bought a case at costco, but just didn't like it as much. Usually the difference doesn't bother me so much. Had it cask conditioned at one place and it was fantastic. I didn't drink any this year, I guess I was a moran for missing out.

All,

Some stouts and Porters.

Rogue Shakespeare Stout. Delicious. Thick and rich, nice sorta slight chocolate flavor, but not too sweet. One of my favorites. I've tried a few other Rogue Stouts. I'll make a trip there soon to refresh my memory and report back.

Sam Smith's Oatmeal Stout. This one is a little more "beer" tasting than other stouts, and a little more bitter. But still rich and delicious. I love it.

Elysian Perseus Porter. I thought this was decent, but not as flavorful as I generally prefer. I look forward to trying their Dragonstooth Stout.

I've had a few Imperial Stouts and Espresso Stouts at 21st Amendment and Magnolia breweries in SF. These have been really, really good. The Russian Imperial Espresso Stout they made during strong beer month last year was one of my favorites ever.

I am underage, meaning that the only beers I have access to are at my local bodege (which doesn't card, of course). Therefore I have a question to you connoisseurs:

Which of the more common beers do you enjoy? In other words, if you were forced to buy from a limited selection, which of the supermarket-type beers would you go for?

On another note, I tried a japanese beer called "Hitachino Nest" recently and I really enjoyed it.

- Best beer you can find anywhere in the states: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale

- Best city in the US for beer lovers: Seattle, WA.

- Best pub in Seattle for beer lovers: The stumbling monk.

- Best beer in Seattle that you can only get in Seattle: Elysian ESB. All the Elysian beers are exceptional and you should visit their brewpub if you go to the city.

- Most underrated beer in this thread: Your beer. It is really easy to brew high-quality beer 5 gallons at a time. The cost works out to about $.33/12 ounce beer and when you have a party featuring the beer you brewed all your friends will come over expecting to drink piss-water, and when they taste your beer which will be better than anything most have tasted before, you'll be regarded more-or-less as a God in their eyes ("jesus this guy makes all this money playing poker and he can also brew great f-in beer").

Even in Los Angeles -- the beer lover's hell where I unfortunately live now -- there are two homebrew shops/clubs w/in driving distance.

Brew your own beer.

Edit: I see that El D suggests an Elysian beer, which could mean that they are now available in the bay area.

Elysian. I need to go there next time I'm back in Seattle.

They usually have Sam Adams which is okay, as another poster said Sierra Nevada has gotten pretty common, as has Fat Tire, both of which are a notch above Sam Adams but nothing special IMHO. Generally places will have one better/different beer, so just get the one you've never heard of. Keep doing that everywhere you go and you'll soon be a beer expert.

edit : other pretty common gas-station beers that you can fall back on : Red Hook & Guinness

I've been digging Sam Cherry Wheat as of late. I tried an organic oatmeal stout last week, did not like it too much. I haven't had many yet, but thus far Stout's haven't impressed me too much.

CMA response: You should not drink underage. It is wrong to break the laws of your state.

I love Guiness. I was never a beer drinker until I found out that all beer was not that watered down Coors/Bud/Stone crap. After drinking a lot of Guiness I realized that I like dark beers. From there I started drinking Killians and Smithwicks (pronounced Smith-icks).

I spent a summer in Maine and whenever I went to a bar I asked "whats good here" they had a lot of local brews on tap. They had a lot of pale ales and some fruity beers, I liked some and did not like others but I am glad I did not simply order a Guiness every time that I went out because I descovered a lot of light beers that were great.

When I came back to school in Ithaca I tried a lot of local brews. I am a big fan of the Apricot Wheat but do not really like the Cascazilla (previously mentioned with two thumbs up by MrWookie).

Why am I telling you this? Because tastes in beer is different. People like different kinds of beer, so try everything. I would reccomend buying a different kind of beer every time you go into the bodega. Find out what you like. It will cost you more than just buying Keystone Light but it will be much more enjoyable to drink.

Keep cheep beer purchases for drinking games and chugging contests. The best way to find good beers in my oppinion is simply trial and error. And when you are of drinking age and you go to a bar ask them if they have any local brews on tap.

If your only options are Sam Adams, Yuengling, Heineken, Coors, and Bud then I would probably pick them in that order but other than a couple Sam Adams brews I don't think that any would come close to qualifying for a 'beer connoisseur' thread.

Oh, and if you ever find Rogue beer. Buy it.

sam cherry wheat?

you are seriously the first person ive ever heard of that likes that stuff.

altho now that im making this post im getting a strong sense of deja vu so you might be the 2nd person, but still, that stuff is awful.

I like Sam Adams Cherry Wheat, as do most people I know who've tried it, fwiw. Their Summer Ale, on the other hand, is terrible.

Only one way to settle this.

I've met a ton of people who like Cherry Wheat. It tastes way too much like bad children's cough syrup for my tastes though.

I wanted to get it at the suggestion of my dad but then this girl I know wanted some so I got it. He said the same thing about the Summer Ale.

jack,

"Edit: I see that El D suggests an Elysian beer, which could mean that they are now available in the bay area."

Haven't seen it here. I went to Elysian on a recent trip to Seattle. Your post rocked, though, and I hope to see you contribute more!