Although not a dedicated beer drinker, but I've always wanted to add this beauty from Belgium, although I've run into this guy last in Madrid some years ago, but was pleased to meet him just the same:

Goes well with tapas.

Also, in Hungarian, the word for beer is "sör" and one can go out "sörözni", which means to drink beer at various times and places, actual translation is technically 'to beer', as in I beer, you beer, we shall beer or she shouldn't have beered that much.

It's been months since I last had one, but this is tasty.
Hitachino Nest White Ale

I really wanna try both of these.

That Rauchbier that ultrakaiju posted is insanely delicious- it’s like drinking smoked meats.

I visited with one of my all-time faves this week, good ol’ Anchor Steam… LOVE that beer!

I got my coworker a pint of Fin du Monde when he left the company, easily my favorite Canadian beer.

We are starting to see pumpkin ales hit the shelf around here, my favorites:

OMG! I really need to pick me up some Dogfish Head Punkin ale. I totally missed out on it last year. It's my favorite pumpkin beer.

Walked into a booze shop yesterday and saw a full case of black Yebisu. For months after the quake, ALL Japanese black beer disappeared from shelves. Very stoked to see them starting to produce again, and very much looking forward to the eventual return of black Suntory Premium Malts!!

I like black suds and I cannot lie.

Now if I could just find some Blue Moon in Tokyo...

Blue Moon = Coors. Friends don't let friends drink corporate beer.

QFT

I mean, you like what you like and I am sure the hefeweizen selection in japan is slim so I don't want to come off as captain of the beer snob elitist squad... but I always try to support locals or independents before feeding the corporate machine. If you haven't seen the documentary Beer Wars, I would recommend checking it on netflix or whatever. Huge beer conglomerates dictate every aspect of distribution all the way down to shelf space. Hefeweizens I am proud to pour:

Guess I'm in the wrong thread. I think some micro brewery stuff (and definitely the Belgian trappist stuff, which works its way everywhere!) makes it to Japan, but I can't pay $6-$10 a bottle or drink at pubs (smoke + prices = sayonara), so I'll have to continue my corporate whoring ways (while supporting the rebulding of northeastern Japan - where the black beer factories are) by drinking Kirin and Yebisu!

sure corporate beer sucks but you cant deny that bluemoon is pretty good. If i'm out at a chain restaurant where shit beer is the only choice...blue moon it is. but I'd never grab it at a nice microbrew spot.



I couldnt get into the whirlwind... I'm really into the Victory "summer love" right now though. Real hoppy yet easy drinkin.

I hear you. if there are no craft beers and I am committed to drinking I usually go for whatever Sam Adams is on the menu myself. I think the Whirlwind is a bit sweet for some, Victory also made a straight weissbier called Sunrise for people who prefer that style without putting a different spin on it. I am looking forward to the return of Moonglow in the fall.

Just had a bottle of the new Vertical Epic 11/11/11.


It was a really good. You can taste the subtle hints of the chili and cinnamon they used in this brew. Although the chili and cinnamon seem like an odd combination, it works really well and doesn't over power the beer itself.

Also picked up a couple bottles of Russian River Supplication. It is by far my favorite sour beer.

ooo the new vertical epic is out!

I find myself buying beer more than I actually drink it these days. I guess that goes with buying up toys I don't actually play with =P

I'm a collector through and through. When I was still drinking, I bought a lot of beer. Some people have a liquor cabinet, I had a beer cabinet. Beers for any occasion!

I've been saving bottles of older Vertical Epic until 12/12/12. Gonna have a little beer consuming party on that day. Should be fun.

Just received a mixed case of American beers for Christmas/New years. anyone tried any of these? I'm excited to try some real deal APA's, the Alesmith X sounds decent.

Coney Island and Lawnmower I have heard of, they are decent examples of that style.

bear republic's racer 5 IPA is amazing, never had the one you got from them though.

Also Bear Republic racer X is a Double IPA, which is really good as well. If you want something amazing, although it might be difficult to get, would be Pliny the Elder from Russian River brewing. I drink beer more than water, so you may want to take my recommendation into consideration.

Seriously there aren't any Founders fans here?
What about Bells Oberon, or Bells Winter Ale?

no Bells or Founders distribution here. I did get a chance to enjoy a pint of Stone's 11.11.11 Vertical Epic, which was great.

I love Founders, but although it's brewed just a few hours away from Detroit you just can't get it here! Rrrr.



Makes a lot more sense that I can't find this other favorite of mine around here.

One of my buddies is on a beer forum, and he tells me the Belgium's are wild for Bell's. I'm surprised you can't get Founders there, Dave. I know they do distribute out of state.

I have a pretty good micro brewery about 5 minutes away from my house (which is quite a feat considering I live in the countryside.).

You might be surprised that a lot of awesome micro breweries are located outside of major metropolitan areas.