From: gfl@herahera.cc.bellcore.com (lenahan,grant f)
Subject: Re: Recommended Bottled Beers For Beginning Beer Drinkers, Revision 6
Organization: Bellcore, Livingston, NJ
Distribution: usa
Date: Mon, 23 Nov 92 14:22:35 GMT
Followup-To: alt.beer
Summary: comments on beer synopses

> plutchak@pilsner.geo.brown.edu (Joel Plutchak) writes:
>    Foster Lager - Aussie contribution.  It's been awhile since I've
>       had one, but I recall it as only a little better than mass-brewed
>       American.  Cooper's products have more character.

Gosh is this stuff overrated.  On tap its indistinguishable from Bud.

>    Harp Lager - fairly ordinary for a lager, not as malty as some.

But smooth and well-made.  I also like the somewhat related
Guiness Gold.
>    New Amsterdam Amber Beer - After seeing this one appear on Jon's list,
>       this became my favorite "everyday" beer.  It's got a nice balance
>       between malt and hops.

Oh, I see. You like more hops than I do.  I prefer the lager in SA, and
while I like the NA too, I still prefer maltier brews.

>    Samuel Adams Stock Ale - my second favorite "everyday" beer, though
>       owner Koch's litiginousness is getting annoying.

Enlighten me.  Who's he sueing?

>    Watney's Red Barrel - something of a joke in England, still quite good
>       when compared to typical US swill (value judgment there!).  Bass,
>       Whitbread, John Courage are all better, though.
>    Whitbread Ale - good English ale

I really like Watneys, and all the criticism puzzles me.
I too prefer Whitbread.  Interesting "wheat" taste with zilch
in the bitterness category.
> 
>    Pilsner Urquell - the definitive Pilsner, from Pilsen, Czechoslovakia.
>       Light, hoppy, satisfying.  Note that my spelling of both Plzen and
>       Czechoslovakia may vary.

Um, where's Budvar?  I mean, really!

>    Grant's Imperial Stout - Tried this one again recently.  Intense
>       burnt malt and hop flavor, chocolatey aroma.

I've grown to love every single Grant's product I've tasted.
Quality brewery.

>    Guinness Stout - the classic Irish stout, bitter yet smooth.  Can be
>       quite different in different countries and in different containers.
>       Undeniably the best to be had is on tap at the brewery in Dublin.
>       In this country, try it anywhere on tap-- it's smoother and less
>       bitter than the bottled variety.

Gotta add Murphy's, whihc I find creamier and more "coffee" tasting
than Guiness in the US - more like Guiness in the UK.

>    Samuel Adams Double Bock - bock is a maltier, usually darker lager,
>       traditionally brewed in the fall for drinking in the spring.
>       Double bock is a stronger (~7.5% alcohol) version of bock.  Some
>       purists quibble over the "double" designation of this one; I don't.
>       More headaches.
>    Samuel Adams Winter Lager - not too impressive; drink their standard
>       lager or ale.
>    Samuel Adams Octoberfest - a maltier version of the lager.  Again, stick
>       to their standard products.

I have a pretty violent disagreement here.  I find the Octoberfest a
wonderfully malty version of their Lager, and the Winter Lager a rich,
rewarding drink.  Not best with most food though.

Thanks for your comments, treat mine with whatever they deserve :-).

Grant