NationStates Jolt Archive

With St. Patrick's Day approaching, here's an inane (although some might think very significant poll): how do you like your beer?

I personally have never been a fan of canned beer, perhaps the metal affects the flavour too much. Bottles fare all right, but nothing surpasses it fresh from the tap in terms of quality and depth for my money.

So! What sayest thou NS? Poll to come.

dutch weissbier. this one has been my favourite in all my travels http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hertog_Jan
bottles of that stuff are delicious

Bottled. Stays colder, easy to transport.

Well, I pretty much only drink Guinness, and I pretty much only like it from the barrel - which means, here in Georgia, I basically don't drink beer.

I like my ale on tap, lager from the bottle.

Mine's a Deucher's, ta.

I only like super-girly beers, but of those, I really haven't had anything more delicious than Lindemans Pomme on tap. Yum. :)

I only like super-girly beers, but of those, I really haven't had anything more delicious than Lindemans Pomme on tap. Yum. :)

'Super-girly' beers?

Where I come from, we have a special name for beers like that...

(American)

:p

Bottled. Stays colder...
Cold beer!?

*shakes jowls in disgust*

I'd go with cans if I were a drinker. Keeps the light out, stays colder if you like that.

I like bottles. cans add an aluminum flavor.
And tap rarely has the beers i want.

Cold.

But in regards to the question I suppose from the tap is good but bottled is alright too. Not a fan of drinking out of a can, but that may just be because they only put shit beer in a can. (At least here anyway)

draft if I can get it, or else bottles (poured into a glass). Cans if I'm just looking to get shitty.

draft if I can get it, or else bottles (poured into a glass). Cans if I'm just looking to get shitty.

the only Reason you go with Cans is your going to the beach, or Mardi Gras, or some where else you cant take bottles.
though for MArdi Gras I actually strapped a hienikien Mini keg to my back and drank that.

the only Reason you go with Cans is your going to the beach, or Mardi Gras, or some where else you cant take bottles.
though for MArdi Gras I actually strapped a hienikien Mini keg to my back and drank that.

I usually take bottles to the beach, but that's just because most of the beers we call "beach beers" (moosehead and the like) only come in bottles in this area.

Cans are good for house parties...PBR, Coors, BL's and the like. Cheaper, lighter, and easier.

'Super-girly' beers?

Where I come from, we have a special name for beers like that...

(American)

:p

No, no, American beers are just super-crappy beers. I'm talking about beers that taste like fruit and spice and general not-beer-ness. :p

I usually take bottles to the beach, but that's just because most of the beers we call "beach beers" (moosehead and the like) only come in bottles in this area.

Cans are good for house parties...PBR, Coors, BL's and the like. Cheaper, lighter, and easier.

our beaches wont let you take bottles. afraid of them breaking and people cutting their feet.

No, no, American beers are just super-crappy beers. I'm talking about beers that taste like fruit and spice and general not-beer-ness. :p
I know of a mustard beer if you want spice ;)
our beaches wont let you take bottles. afraid of them breaking and people cutting their feet.

many of our beaches don't allow alcohol. Might as well break two rules at once.

We never drink from the bottle though...we usually leave the 24 in the trunk and fill up a keg cup there or use a cooler.

I know of a mustard beer if you want spice ;)


Yick. Beer mustard is yummy, but I don't think it'd work nearly as well the other way around.

We never drink from the bottle though...we usually leave the 24 in the trunk and fill up a keg cup there or use a cooler.

if we have a large enough group we have a keg delivered. though that results in someone having to always stand guard. damn moochers after the keg of shiner.

Yick. Beer mustard is yummy, but I don't think it'd work nearly as well the other way around.
I thought it would be horrible too. Turned out to be delicious...tastes like a nice beer but with a little bit of kick from the mustard.
if we have a large enough group we have a keg delivered. though that results in someone having to always stand guard. damn moochers after the keg of shiner.
Yeah...kegs in open spaces are bad. That and using red keg cups. We alternate colors so people can't pick up a trend and try to steal from us.

I thought it would be horrible too. Turned out to be delicious...tastes like a nice beer but with a little bit of kick from the mustard.


Huh. Well, I'll try almost anything once, so maybe I'll seek it out at some point. :)

Yeah...kegs in open spaces are bad. That and using red keg cups. We alternate colors so people can't pick up a trend and try to steal from us.

Sometimes what we do is one of us initial on the bottom of the cup.
then if we think we are going to have extra beer we sell some of the cups for 5 dollars and let them have all the beer they want.

We don't check when we fill the beer, but we have a certain way to say bottoms up and check then. If the chugger has an unmarked cup the group surrounds em until we get 10 dollars out of em.
half the time the 5 dollar cup rule works so well its a free keg.

Sometimes what we do is one of us initial on the bottom of the cup.
then if we think we are going to have extra beer we sell some of the cups for 5 dollars and let them have all the beer they want.

We don't check when we fill the beer, but we have a certain way to say bottoms up and check then. If the chugger has an unmarked cup the group surrounds em until we get 10 dollars out of em.
half the time the 5 dollar cup rule works so well its a free keg.

Fails with my friends...they've gotten very good at figureing out what mark we're using. The nice thing about random cup colors is that a sleve of cups costs just slightly less than the cost of a $5 cup and beer.

Fails with my friends...they've gotten very good at figureing out what mark we're using. The nice thing about random cup colors is that a sleve of cups costs just slightly less than the cost of a $5 cup and beer.

friends are free. the marked cup with a charge is for the random guy we don't know trying to get beer. normally what happens is the guy has 1 or 2 cups then sets down his cup to go swim for a bit/play volley ball. the cup will either blow away or get sand in it or we will pick up when he is not looking and wash it out and put it back with the cups. then we can charge him another 5 dollars for a cup again.

friends are free. the marked cup with a charge is for the random guy we don't know trying to get beer. normally what happens is the guy has 1 or 2 cups then sets down his cup to go swim for a bit/play volley ball. the cup will either blow away or get sand in it or we will pick up when he is not looking and wash it out and put it back with the cups. then we can charge him another 5 dollars for a cup again.

I like the cut of your jib.

I'm sort of post-beer, but when I am in the mood for it I like it on tap. Bottles are acceptable for home use, and cans only in a dire emergency.

Kronenburg from the tap, Corona icy cold and with a bit of lime in the top out of a bottle, and nothing from a tin.

...and nothing from a tin.
Not even Super T?

http://www.discountwinewarehouseshop.com/images/beer/tennants.gif

I cry. Scotland and the homeless cry with me. :(

Not even Super T?
Tennant's super is possibly the foulest thing I've ever tasted, other than Skol :tongue: (although it does get you impressively wankered)

Tennant's super is possibly the foulest thing I've ever tasted, other than Skol :tongue: (although it does get you impressively wankered)
Exactly the point, my good man.

A wonderful digestif at five in the morn.

EDIT: I'm a real ale/whisky snob at the start of the evening, but by the end I'm fiending on the Bucky or the Frosty Jacks.

Exactly the point, my good man.

A wonderful digestif at five in the morn.
I've an essay due in 9 hours so I'm sticking to the Glenmorangie, my clean spirit of choice.

With St. Patrick's Day approaching
Relationship between St.Patrick's Day and beer? :confused: I can't understand.

Anyway, czech pilsner or lagers, or german weizen, and tap, ALWAYS tap. In 0.5 l glasses for the czech ones, in 1.0 l (ein Maß) ceramic jugs for the german ones.

I've an essay due in 9 hours so I'm sticking to the Glenmorangie, my clean spirit of choice.
Slainte Mhath!

A wee Laphroaig won't hurt...

Couldn't drink a litre of Weizen myself. After about a half-pint I remember that it's a bit too odd for me.

Cold beer!?
*shakes jowls in disgust*

Oh my... you like warm beer? Yeeeuch... *shudder*

Slainte Mhath!
Za vás!
A wee Laphroaig won't hurt...
Hard to get in Hull or that's what I'd have on my desk.

Tap when out on the town, bottles at home.

Cans are unacceptable unless you didn't buy them yourself...if someone else bought them, they're fair game.

Relationship between St.Patrick's Day and beer? :confused: I can't understand.

Well we have to drink something for St Patrick's day.

Well we have to drink something for St Patrick's day.

:confused: what about the other 364 days? meh.

:confused: what about the other 364 days? meh.
Those too. Truly, the life of a student is hard.

:confused: what about the other 364 days? meh.

I agree with Youtopia, but on the other days you can also drink Vodka, wine and Galliano.

out of sight, out of mind and out of smell. sorry no likie.
green food color makes it cute, but its still recycled piss.

*ahem*

I'm sure you all will make the right choice.

Proper hand-pulled pint with no gas involved.

Slainte Mhath!

A wee Laphroaig won't hurt...

Prefer Ardbeg for an Islay myself. I have a precious, precious bottle of Ardbeg 1977 that I only break out for the most special of occasions. I also have a bottle of cask strength Port Ellen hidden away...

As to beer, I spent four years of my life in Belgium, so essentially Belgian=good, except perhaps Stella, which isn't really a proper Belgian beer anymore anyway.

I always get a laugh out of US-based marketing for German beers and the American Sam Adams brand that glorify the supposed virtues of the German beer purity laws, when the Belgians have been proving for centuries that you can make even better beer by cheerfully ignoring them.

Edit: Also note that may Belgian beers are bottle-conditioned, and therefore designed to be consumed out of the bottle, not off the tap.


Finally, I'm surprised no one's told this old but good joke yet:

Q: Why's American beer like making love in a canoe?

A: They're both f**king close to water.

dutch weissbier. this one has been my favourite in all my travels http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hertog_Jan
bottles of that stuff are delicious
Totally seconded, along with Brand and Brugse Zot (that one is from Belgium).

Beer me up Scotty, though cans are evil.

As to beer, I spent four years of my life in Belgium, so essentially Belgian=good, except perhaps Stella, which isn't really a proper Belgian beer anymore anyway.

As you have lived in Australia you may appreciate this comparison. Stella is the VB of Belgium. Which is why I laugh at those people who go to the Belgium beer cafe and drink Stella all day because that is what they know and think they are drinking a well crafted beer.

As for German beers well I find a few of them are quite nice.

With St. Patrick's Day approaching, here's an inane (although some might think very significant poll): how do you like your beer?

I personally have never been a fan of canned beer, perhaps the metal affects the flavour too much. Bottles fare all right, but nothing surpasses it fresh from the tap in terms of quality and depth for my money.

So! What sayest thou NS? Poll to come.

Honestly? I loathe beer. I can't stand it. I'm a whiskey and rum man :tongue:

I also severely dislike champagne...eww

A wee Laphroaig won't hurt...
Nothing like distilled smoke to wake you up in the morning, but that's Islay for you...

Anyway, a nice pint of bitter on tap, or failing that, a can of Tetley's.

I also severely dislike champagne...eww
I second this.

With added deer
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/7939423.stm

As you have lived in Australia you may appreciate this comparison. Stella is the VB of Belgium. Which is why I laugh at those people who go to the Belgium beer cafe and drink Stella all day because that is what they know and think they are drinking a well crafted beer.


Oh, I don't think Stella's quite as bad as VB. It's more the Fosters of Belgium - a bland internationalised brand with no individuality. I agree with you about people going to a Belgian beer cafe and then choosing to drink the stuff, though.

VB is more like - and this will only really be understood by people who've lived within a five hour radius of Baltimore, USA - the National Bohemian of Australia. A vile-tasting brand with strong local links that probably only survives through regional habit.

Tasmanian beer, meanwhile, is a lot like Canadian beer in the North American context... A lot of people claim it's superior to mainland/US beer, but it's realistically just the same sort of industrial mass-produced pap; it just has a better marketing image.

I always felt slightly envious of the South Australians. Their local brew (Coopers) is probably the best of the Australian 'big' beers with strong local associations. Still has nothing on a bottle of Chimay, though.

*ahem*

I'm sure you all will make the right choice.

Placenta?

Nothing like distilled smoke to wake you up in the morning, but that's Islay for you...

Anyway, a nice pint of bitter on tap, or failing that, a can of Tetley's.

why cant we have bitter on tap in the US

Relationship between St.Patrick's Day and beer? :confused: I can't understand.

Yes, what possible obscure reference could link the Irish people with the consumption of alcohol?:p

Yes, what possible obscure reference could link the Irish people with the consumption of alcohol?:p

Its obviously irony. We all know the Irish are prudes when it comes to alcohol. They've never touched a drop in their lives!

Fucking Irish Prudes!

...Where's the "I don't drink" option? :(

...Where's the "I don't drink" option? :(

Poll-whore:p

I like on tap, but mainly because if I'm having it on tap I'm in a pub and I like pubs. Bottles and cans are just as good. I had a bottle of Czech lager last night, pretty good. Not opposed to a British ale either.

...Where's the "I don't drink" option? :(

It's there at the top. The Log Out button.

Poll-whore:p...You lint-licker! :mad:*shakes fist*


:p

It's there at the top. The Log Out button.Harsh, man. Just harsh. :p

Totally seconded, along with Brand and Brugse Zot (that one is from Belgium).

Beer me up Scotty, though cans are evil.

i just need a reason to go back to the netherlands

and the money to do so wouldn't hurt, either

Oh my... you like warm beer? Yeeeuch... *shudder*
I don't like my beer to be ice-cold, no. You lose all the flavour. Better to have it about 18-20°c.

Lager or cider, on the other hand, I like chilled.


Hard to get in Hull or that's what I'd have on my desk.
A damn shame.


Prefer Ardbeg for an Islay myself. I have a precious, precious bottle of Ardbeg 1977 that I only break out for the most special of occasions. I also have a bottle of cask strength Port Ellen hidden away...
You lucky bugger.

As to beer, I spent four years of my life in Belgium, so essentially Belgian=good, except perhaps Stella, which isn't really a proper Belgian beer anymore anyway...

Edit: Also note that may Belgian beers are bottle-conditioned, and therefore designed to be consumed out of the bottle, not off the tap.
I've been trying a few Belgian Trappist beers recently; good, if occasionally odd, stuff.

Bottles come in first with me because some of the best beers(i.e. Sam Adams)don't come in cans and because beer bottles can be used for other things once you're done drinking out them.

Cans run second because they stay cold, you can take cans to the beach, you can use them to grill a chicken, and when you're done with the can, you can smash it on your head, which, given the right crowd, can be an impressive trick.

Tap beer isn't bad if you have a guy on the tap who knows what he's doing and doesn't just slop it in. The drawback to tap beer is that you run the risk of getting a dirty(or less than clean)glass.

I don't make my own beer, although I've often thought of trying. I do make my own moonshine, and it can't be that much more difficult.

Cold beer!?

*shakes jowls in disgust*

It's a horrific notion, no?

I prefer tap personally, but I confess myself a real ale person. Quite like Black Sheep, personally, what with it being a local Yorkshire ale, like Sam Smiths, and I do enjoy a Goliath every so often.

Bottles come in first with me because some of the best beers(i.e. Sam Adams)

Sam Adams? Seriously?
It's a horrific notion, no?

I prefer tap personally, but I confess myself a real ale person. Quite like Black Sheep, personally, what with it being a local Yorkshire ale, like Sam Smiths, and I do enjoy a Goliath every so often.
I think this is the most I've ever had in common with you.

My parents own an off license, and we stock some international beers, including some English ales. There are a handful of people who come in exclusively for them. Black Sheep, Goliath, Hobgoblin, Fiddler Elbow's, Hen's Tooth, Spitfire, more I can't remember. I've been slowly working my way through them all, inspired by my Dad working his way through all our wine.

...Where's the "I don't drink" option? :(

Why'd you come to a thread that's explicitly about beer, if you don't drink?

Why'd you come to a thread that's explicitly about beer, if you don't drink?

Generalites are drawn to polls like moths to a flame.

Oh, I don't think Stella's quite as bad as VB. It's more the Fosters of Belgium - a bland internationalised brand with no individuality. I agree with you about people going to a Belgian beer cafe and then choosing to drink the stuff, though.

VB is more like - and this will only really be understood by people who've lived within a five hour radius of Baltimore, USA - the National Bohemian of Australia. A vile-tasting brand with strong local links that probably only survives through regional habit.

Tasmanian beer, meanwhile, is a lot like Canadian beer in the North American context... A lot of people claim it's superior to mainland/US beer, but it's realistically just the same sort of industrial mass-produced pap; it just has a better marketing image.

I always felt slightly envious of the South Australians. Their local brew (Coopers) is probably the best of the Australian 'big' beers with strong local associations. Still has nothing on a bottle of Chimay, though.

Well true Stella is better then VB and I was talking about it more on the popularity side. I suppose not knowing how it is perceived in Belgium the use of the term VB is to strong. Foster's maybe a better choice.

I would say that some Australian beers are as you say mass produced pap, but some are better then others.

I currently live in SA and I must disagree with you on Coopers it isn't all that good and really does get the attention in SA because it is made here in SA so it does have the strong ethnocentrism here in the state. It isn't all that good (I tend to stay away from it) in my mind it is more just glorified home brew.

James Squire is a decent beer not all of their types but some are pretty good. But given the option I would still take the Chimay.

I don't like my beer to be ice-cold, no. You lose all the flavour. Better to have it about 18-20°c.

Lager or cider, on the other hand, I like chilled.

Lager is beer. As is ale.

Edit: and yes, the law in Texas is wrong. Or, not wrong perse, but uses the terms for legal reasons rather than brewing purposes.

Lager is beer. As is ale.

Edit: and yes, the law in Texas is wrong. Or, not wrong perse, but uses the terms for legal reasons rather than brewing purposes.

No, Texas is just wrong. *nods*

Chilled-cold bottles.
Cold if it is something shitty, like Heineken or Corona.
Chilled it is something decent, like Great Lakes or Guinness.

No, Texas is just wrong. *nods*

Now now...it just expresses itself different from the rest of us. We should use purple pens instead of red pens to protect its self esteem.

Bass Ale on tap = God's brew..

No, Texas is just wrong. *nods*

Texas law is the law of the universe. God himself decrees it so.

Interesting discussion thus far!

I can't villify American beers too much simply because I've not had too many varieities, but the ones I've had (e.g. Bud) while not too offensive, simply didn't strike a chord.

A fresh Guinness on tap is pure awesomeness, and Alexander Keith's is quite decent too.
And, since I can't get it on tap anywhere really, Molson Export (which Quebecers seem to be wild about) is perhaps my favourite mass-produced domestic in bottles.

Texas law is the law of the universe. God himself decrees it so.

God must be wrong too then. Pity.
Bass Ale on tap = God's brew..

Bertie Ahern approves of this post.

God must be wrong too then. Pity.

He wasn't wrong when he made hops.

Why'd you come to a thread that's explicitly about beer, if you don't drink?Generalites are drawn to polls like moths to a flame.Correct answer is correct. :p

Thought I don't know if I'm really a Generalite, or not. I browse the other forums. :eek:

He wasn't wrong when he made hops.

Even a broken clock is right twice a day.

Even a broken clock is right twice a day.

not if it's digital and flashing 0's...

It depends on the bar and the beer. If I'm at a bar where it is likely the taps have not been cleaned in a very long time: bottle. But then there are some beers which should never be consumed in a bottle...

If I'm going to a friend's house, bottles are good. If I'm going camping, cans are good (the fewer things that can break, the better).

not if it's digital and flashing 0's...

That would be midnight, oh wait yeah your right it's only right once a day.

Even a broken clock is right twice a day.

Beer is proof God loves us and wants us to be hapy.- Benjamin Franklin

That would be midnight, oh wait yeah your right it's only right once a day.our clocks show 12:00 for midnight, not 00:00. This may vary in countries that use 24 hour time rather than 12

not if it's digital and flashing 0's...

Or a digital clock where the screen is broken and it's showing no numbers at all.

Then it's just an expensive paperweight.

our clocks show 12:00 for midnight, not 00:00. This may vary in countries that use 24 hour time rather than 12

Fair enough, yeah most electronic devices over here use 24 hour time.

Sam Adams? Seriously?

Yes, seriously. I think Sam Adams is one the best domestic beers you can get in America. There are a lot of different varieties, it's affordable, easily procured, tastes good and ices down good. That's pretty much all I ask out of my beer. I have neither the money nor the inclination to be a beer snob, or any kind of snob, really.

I like mine with Alcohol in it....

Yes, seriously. I think Sam Adams is one the best domestic beers you can get in America. There are a lot of different varieties, it's affordable, easily procured, tastes good and ices down good. That's pretty much all I ask out of my beer. I have neither the money nor the inclination to be a beer snob, or any kind of snob, really.

not to mention their beers are actually very good. Particularly their white ale. Boston lager makes a great standby (at least in New England where it is on tap just about everywhere...)

not to mention their beers are actually very good. Particularly their white ale. Boston lager makes a great standby (at least in New England where it is on tap just about everywhere...)

Yeah, the Boston Lager is pretty good. I like their Scotch Ale as well, and the Black Stout.

not to mention their beers are actually very good. Particularly their white ale. Boston lager makes a great standby (at least in New England where it is on tap just about everywhere...)

Shiner is a far better beer then Sam Adams.
Also has less hangover

Beer is proof God loves us and wants us to be hapy.- Benjamin Franklin
Weed is proof that god loves us and wants us to be happy. Beer is proof that weed isn't enough happiness for us.
Yes, seriously. I think Sam Adams is one the best domestic beers you can get in America. There are a lot of different varieties, it's affordable, easily procured, tastes good and ices down good. That's pretty much all I ask out of my beer. I have neither the money nor the inclination to be a beer snob, or any kind of snob, really.

I had a bottle last night wasn't great. Though maybe being in Europe has spoiled American beers for me :tongue:

Yes, seriously. I think Sam Adams is one the best domestic beers you can get in America. There are a lot of different varieties, it's affordable, easily procured, tastes good and ices down good. That's pretty much all I ask out of my beer. I have neither the money nor the inclination to be a beer snob, or any kind of snob, really.

I pity people that think American beers are good. :(

But, I envy them at the same time. "If I hadn't seen such riches, I could live with being poor".

Ice cold and in LARGE quantities.:D

Lager is beer. As is ale.
The distinction, I find, is helpful.

Lager is lager; beer is stout, IPA, bitter, ale, etc.

The distinction, I find, is helpful.

Lager is lager; beer is stout, IPA, bitter, ale, etc.

It's the opposite for me. Lager is beer, anything else is what it is.

The only good beer is root beer.

The only good beer is root beer.

¬.¬
You. Log Out button.

It's the opposite for me. Lager is beer, anything else is what it is.
I think that's the difference, perhaps, in US/UK terminology.

I think that's the difference, perhaps, in US/UK terminology.

But I'm Irish :confused:

But I'm Irish :confused:
Oh yeah...

Though that's not much of an excuse. :P

Lager is lager; beer is stout, IPA, bitter, ale, etc.

that's how i see it. don't like 'beer' much, but i do like lager. the weissbier i was on about is a ale, technically, though...

that's how i see it. don't like 'beer' much, but i do like lager. the weissbier i was on about is a ale, technically, though...
Yeah, it's not a perfect taxonomy, and I'm not claiming it to be the ultimate definition of all things beer-y.

It's just how I think of it.

I think of lager as beer because I didn't drink ale or really know what it was until somewhat recently.

I think tonight will be a cider/snakebite/vodka night.

Tomorrow will not exist for me.

I prefer it from a tap or in a bottle. Can't remember the last time I had beer from a can.

I think tonight will be a cider/snakebite/vodka night.

Tomorrow will not exist for me.

In b4 death.

Cans are good when you're at the local arena watching punk chiks doing rollerderby.

Cans are good when you're at the local arena watching punk chiks doing rollerderby.
Yes please!

Yes please!

It is as awesome as you imagine.

With St. Patrick's Day approaching, here's an inane (although some might think very significant poll): how do you like your beer?

I personally have never been a fan of canned beer, perhaps the metal affects the flavour too much. Bottles fare all right, but nothing surpasses it fresh from the tap in terms of quality and depth for my money.

So! What sayest thou NS? Poll to come.
I like it root and without alcohol.

...

So I guess I don't like beer at all.

If I go to a pub I'll almost always have tap beer. Particularly stouts & English type ales are much better on tap.

Otherwise I prefer bottles (known as stubbies here) over cans. I prefer drinking out of glass and (I may be imagining this) I think you get a cleaner taste.

I'll get cans though if space is an issue, like going camping, or if I'm going to be carrying them around, because they're lighter.

Oh, I don't think Stella's quite as bad as VB. It's more the Fosters of Belgium - a bland internationalised brand with no individuality. I agree with you about people going to a Belgian beer cafe and then choosing to drink the stuff, though.

Agreed, I'm not a big fan of Stella, there are much better beers you can get.

VB is more like - and this will only really be understood by people who've lived within a five hour radius of Baltimore, USA - the National Bohemian of Australia. A vile-tasting brand with strong local links that probably only survives through regional habit.

I have to disagree with you a bit here. It's the largest selling beer in Aus, so I don't think the regional habit comparison is valid. I also don't think VB is vile. I don't think it's great & it's certainly not anywhere near my favourite, but I'll happily drink it if that's what there is.

Tasmanian beer, meanwhile, is a lot like Canadian beer in the North American context... A lot of people claim it's superior to mainland/US beer, but it's realistically just the same sort of industrial mass-produced pap; it just has a better marketing image.

I like Boags Premium, I think it's a lot like a good German lager in style. I used to like Cascade Pale Ale, but they've changed it & it's nowhere nears as good as it was.

I always felt slightly envious of the South Australians. Their local brew (Coopers) is probably the best of the Australian 'big' beers with strong local associations. Still has nothing on a bottle of Chimay, though.

You're spot on about Coopers, it's my favourite Aus brewer. More & more pubs here in Melbourne have the Pale Ale and Sparkling Ale on tap now.

I had a bottle last night wasn't great. Though maybe being in Europe has spoiled American beers for me :tongue:

That's possible. They do brew the hell out of some beer over there. Personally, I don't drink a lot of imports, though. Remember what I said about 'affordable' and 'easily procured?' A lot of imports fail one or both of those for me. I will spend money on a good single malt though.

Weed is proof that god loves us and wants us to be happy. Beer is proof that weed isn't enough happiness for us.


I had a bottle last night wasn't great. Though maybe being in Europe has spoiled American beers for me :tongue:

Sam Adams has nothing on Shiner Bock.

In b4 death.

Ha! I survived and even better. No hangover!

Otherwise I prefer bottles (known as stubbies here) over cans. I prefer drinking out of glass and (I may be imagining this) I think you get a cleaner taste.
We just got in 6 packs of VB, and it actually says stubbies on the packaging. I instantly thought "May, Aussies are weird".
Ha! I survived and even better. No hangover!

Excellent work!

Weed is proof that god loves us and wants us to be happy. Beer is proof that weed isn't enough happiness for us.

Touche

We just got in 6 packs of VB, and it actually says stubbies on the packaging. I instantly thought "May, Aussies are weird".

Why did you get VB? Send it back.

I'm a bottle girl, yup. BUt I don't mind tap.

I like it about as much as I like a tack in my foot.

I pity people that think American beers are good. :(

But, I envy them at the same time. "If I hadn't seen such riches, I could live with being poor".
Come now...you're much better than to call every beer in America bad.

In loads.

Come now...you're much better than to call every beer in America bad.

Well, obviously, I've not tried every American beer. Indeed, I've heard good things, but I've yet to find something worth drinking. So - unless these promising brews are increasingly concentrated in the decreasing pool of untried products...

Indeed, I've heard good things, but I've yet to find something worth drinking. So - unless these promising brews are increasingly concentrated in the decreasing pool of untried products...
I've heard that there's a burgeoning micro-brewery scene in the US which is producing some damn fine beer.

Though I doubt I'll taste much of them this side of the Pond.

Lager or ale?

Ale, I like on tap. It's not readily available, but it tastes best that way. Practically, I usually have it in whatever form is available. Bottles are a tiny bit better, but transportation and disposal are a bitch. Still, for ale, I slightly prefer bottles, maybe because it's usually bottles only anyway.

Lager, sadly, tastes like crap on tap. You get an overpowering load of CO2 and nothing else. Eww. A few beers are OK this way, most aren't. So I enjoy the less carbonated bottled and canned variety more. Usually canned, for convenience.

It seems better from a bottle, but in a double-blind test, I can't reliably tell bottle beer from can beer, nor can others I know, so I figure, why bother. Except aesthetically a well designed bottle makes it feel better. But either way the effect isn't significant after the second drink.