Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion The Water Cooler beer thread

harpoon ipa
never heard of that

in canada drinking is 18 or 19 right?

anyways, i didnt drink in high school, just college

and the drinking age should be changed to 18. what is 3 years going to do for you?

what is 3 years going to do for you?
when you're 75 maybe a lot.
harpoon india pale ale, the again, as mentioned sierra nevada pale ale is tasty too. recently tried a vermont brew, one of otter creek's. can't remember the name , not bad, but then again, 1/2 bass ale and 1/2 guiness is a holiday favorite of mine too.

Those out of balance beers just don't make sense to me. I absolutely love malt but not like that.
I remember a few years ago Samuel Adams made a beer they called a "triple bock" - tasted just like soy sauce to me. Those German and Swiss beers you mentioned aren't as bad as that stuff, but when you consider the legions of flavorful, quaffable beers available - one must ask, "Why punish the palette with such syrupy shiite?"

Thanks for the reply, Mark. I always enjoy talking about spirits with you.

On a "drinkability" and pure "enjoyment" scale, I'd agree with you. Those styles that are DESIGNED to be at the absurd extremes of a particular flavor component can be challenging, and are not really intended for a large serving size. I remember the SA Triple Bock; I was thinking about pouring it on pancakes.

And let's not hold harmless the over-hopped IPA's while we're at it. Again, particularly West Coast versions are intended to have 70+ IBU's of Cascade/Chinook/Columbus type hops (grapefruit city). But that level of bitterness has simply ceased to appeal to me; those beers are surely as one-dimensional as the strong, syrupy, malty varieties I mentioned earlier.

AND I think it is wonderful to have all of them!! Quaffability is not the only goal. Having a unique sensory experience, and tasting a profoundly expressed flavor can be a very joyful part of life. I guess I'd liken drinking Eku 28 to eating hot peppers or skydiving - not something I'd want to do every day, but a great opportunity to experience part of our world.

Has anyone tried Pumpkin Ale, by Buffalo Bill's Brewery (Hayward, CA)? I'm not sure if it's available outside NorCal.

It's definitely what I call a single-serving or one-bottle beer, but it's very enjoyable, nonethless. Tastes like you're drinking alcoholic pumpkin bread.

I haven't tried it, but I know Blue Moon's Pumpkin Ale is fairly decent. I know it's a Coor's beer, but my wife and her friends really like it. It gets her usual Michelob Light out of our fridge, which is nice.

I'm really into Goose Island's Octoberfest right now.

Anyone know when Anchor's celebration ale comes out??

It's out already (I think?) in the SF Bay Area, home of the brewery.

Thanks,

I'll check Sam's Wine here and see if they have any in stock.

I believe that both Anchor *Christmas* and Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale are already available, along with the seasonals from other NW brewers (Winterhook, Winterbrau, Wassail, Jubelale, Snow Cap, etc.). Yippee!

I've had the Buffalo Bill's Pumpkin; I believe it is available year-round. As you said, it's an interesting experience more than a session beer. But it definitely expresses its Pumpkinhood eloquently.

BUMP!

Just wanted to chime in that I bought a bunch of wonderful beers for Thanksgiving festivities.

Besides the previously-extolled Jubelale, I've now had a chance to savor this year's Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale and Full Sail Wassail. The Sierra is typically hoppy, but lively and fresh. The Wassail is darker (like the Jubel and Snow Cap), with strong alcohol notes and a dry nuttiness that I enjoy.

Don't miss Hennepin, a Belgian farmhouse-style ale from Brewery Ommegang in Cooperstown, NY. It is a long-time favorite of mine, and we used it to toast the passing of HOF'er Warren Spahn, who died yesterday at 82.

We always have a bottle of Lindeman's Framboise at holidays; love the intense, sweet/tart Raspberry flavor. Try it instead of Champagne.

Did not enjoy Perla, a Polish Pils. Just not as good as the Bohemian classics. Golden Pheasant is a satisfying new one (to me) from the Czech republic.

Still looking forward to Santa's Private Reserve from Rogue, La Fin du Monde from Unibroue and a few other tasty treats. Plus, we bought a five-litre can of Beck's at Costco the other day - session beer for after we've sampled the good ones.

Happy Thanksgiving, friends.

- Tom