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Interesting. I wrote a sociology paper on the Norwegian death metal scene and their penchant for arson and murder back in '97. Did you actually know Varg Vikernes personally?
I actually joined a group at the University of Oslo called the Church of the norse gods for a while back in 1994 or so, because they had old-school mead and authentic old norse cuisine, not to mention that I love the old norse myths and culture. However, I never quite developed a taste for mead- too sticky and sweet for me. Turns out the guys running the show were really pissed that so many nonbelevers had joined up for mead and parties, so they disbanded the whole thing shortly thereafter. A couple of them are still in prison for church-burning and sacrificial-style murder (hung a homeless guy in a tree and pierced him with spears); it was probably a good thing I didn't stick around...
I realised later that I've met the guy a few times, and conversed a bit with him, but I never knew the guy. Probably just as well; the guy is a complete pinhead. He was out on leave a couple of years ago and tried to escape; the police caught him with the car full of explosives, automatic weapons and a bulletproof vest. He had ten months or so left before he would have been eligible for parole, but now he'll have to serve the full 21 years - plus a few tacked on for trying to flee. Numbskull!
I'm a big time pale ale afficionado, so give me an APA or IPA any day of the week and twice on Sunday! Oktoberfest beers are also among my favorites. I live in Madison WI, so my favorite beers are from a pair of local breweries, the Great Dane and Capitol Brewery. Also love Sprecher, Tyranena, Bells (aka Michigan Brewing Company), Sierra Nevada, Sam Adams, Lake Front....mmmm...beer....
For cheap beer, you can't beat Miller Lite and Leinie's Honey Weiss.
yep that Saranac is good stuff; my wife and I sometimes vacation in the attorondaks or however its spelled. Have some Anchor steam in the fridge just waiting for me to come home.
Anyone else out there try beers based on cool labels? hehe, the Alien Brew had a cool label, very Roswell, and wasn't bad; the wilder the beer name and label the more likely I am to try it; esp if it is an amber.
Have you tried "Dead Guy Ale" from up Lilith's way (Rogue Brewing Co.)? It's not amber, but it's pretty good, and you'd like the label?
Oh yes, and Hobgoblin--it's pretty pricey, from England, but it's pretty good, and the label is definitely cool! I'm sure the brewers are gamers.
Dead Guy Ale is quite tasty. I frequently pick out a beer to try based on the label.
I'm also a fan of mudslides and mojitos. Mmm...tasty!
I'll keep a bottle handy. Mead only gets better with time.Anyone know where I can get some mead? I can't find it anywhere and I want to try some different types. Is there a place I can online-order some that anyone could recommend?
FH (is it mead or meade?)
The only commercially made mead that I ever found was Chaucer's Mead, which is available here . They used to stock it in some specialty grocery stores and health food stores in the Phoenix area, which I used to frequent back in the 90's.
It wasn't bad, but it was $14 a bottle. I make the equivalent of 18 wine bottles of mead for about $30 when I homebrew it, but I have to split the batch with my brewing partner, at whose house we keep all the equipment (he doesn't have grabby 3 year olds running around).
Chaucer's Mead wasn't too bad, though and if you just want to try it to see how it tastes, I linked the website for you further up in the post. Just remember that not all mead tastes like Chaucer's, necessarily. It's just like wine, some is sweet, some dry and you can make countless variations of your own recipes and desires (which is why I enjoy homebrewing-I get to experiment).
I've not been treated to too many German beers, but last time he went to Germany my dad brought home some Kulmbacher Reichelbrau (sp?). Wow was that good stuff.
Yeah, that´s a very good one. The Kulmbacher Brauerei makes several strong beers, and they make an Eisbock I tasted once - very expensive, very sweet, and one bottle is enough to get drunk...
Stefan
When out at a show or just in a bar (which Portalnd has one every 3 feet on any street) I drink PBR and Hamms. Cheap - save money for good scotch.
When it's time to get snooty and I have some cash to burn, I'll get a Guiness and follow it up with a Fat Tire or Bridgeport IPA. I also have been digging Terminal Gravity IPAs lately.
I go to McMennamins and will have 1 of their micros before returning to cool and cleansing PBR in bottles.
Durring winter I will look for and get some Tannenbaum Ale. Forgot who makes it (somewhere around here) but it sure is spicy and crisp.
I tried some Thunderhead IPA recently. Very, very hoppy....very, very good, but it's definitely a matter of personal taste.
Yeah, big fan of either cheapies (PBR and Hamms) or high end IPAs here.
Just at a BBQ today, friend of mine who is a high up at Widmer Brewing, and had some Widmer exclusives.
First: Ur-Alt 2004. A light and crispy Ale with a hint of hops. Left out to breathe a bit and you get that "peat" note like from scotch.
Second: Barley Wine (*add a name here - I forgot) 2002. Very heavy and looked like maple syrup. Was expecting it to coat my mouth and throat as other Barley Wines I have had did. Actually pretty dry and clean. Enjoyable.
Third: Russian Imperial Stout 2002. Frikkin blacker than night. I held the glass up to the sun to check for translucency and the sun stepped back in fear of it's darkness. It oozed out during the pour like sentient motor oil. Delicious but heavy. 10.9% alcohol by volume. Most the people at the BBQ were gamers so talk of drow started while drinking this beer.
I then washed all those down with a PBR and had some crackers and grapes.
RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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I tried some Thunderhead IPA recently. Very, very hoppy....very, very good, but it's definitely a matter of personal taste.
I tried some Stone Brewery Ruination IPA recently. You want to talk about hoppy? Man, that stuff almost made me grow a new tongue! It was surprisingly smooth, though. Just really bitter.
My personal favorite is definately Guinness and I prefer dark stouts in general. I'm generally not fond of IPAs or Amber ales, really, and anything in a 12-oz. can is automatically out. I have tried a few of the Rogue ales that were mentioned above and they were okay, but I wouldn't say they were anything special. My personal favorite in the 'lesser known' category is Gulden Draak. It's a Belgian light ale with a ridiculously high alchol content (~8-9% if I remember right) and its kinda sweet but REALLY crisp. Good stuff. I recommend it for those of you who like to get the most drunk off the least amount of beer. Not recommended for lightweights like Heathansson. ;)
Well, if anyone is coming to Albuquerque or Rio Rancho and would like a few beer micobrew pubs/establishments; I will do my best to hook you up; there are some pretty good ones brewed out here. There are 3 really good microbrews and they are not close together at all.
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Man. I just went to Albuquerque in April for a meeting.
What a beautiful place. I never been to the desert before.
I liked those Native American Kachinas, especially the black-and-white striped guy eatin' watermelon. He's bad ass cool.
I guess that stuff must seem touristy to a resident, but Albuquerque sure is a groovy city.
Third: Russian Imperial Stout 2002. Frikkin blacker than night. I held the glass up to the sun to check for translucency and the sun stepped back in fear of it's darkness. It oozed out during the pour like sentient motor oil. Delicious but heavy. 10.9% alcohol by volume. Most the people at the BBQ were gamers so talk of drow started while drinking this beer.
One of the worst beers I ever had was a Russian Imperial Stout; I had it a big beertasting festival and after one sip I had to pour it out and move on to something a little lighter. However, not only is your description of hte beer hilarious, it makes me want to try another Russian Imperial Stout. Never thought I'd say that again.
Well, if anyone is coming to Albuquerque or Rio Rancho and would like a few beer micobrew pubs/establishments; I will do my best to hook you up; there are some pretty good ones brewed out here. There are 3 really good microbrews and they are not close together at all.
Hey, cool....I love Albuquerque. We have only one brewpub in El Paso, Jaxons, but they make an excellent porter.
Go Miners! Beat the Lobos!! (Sorry Valegrim, couldn't resist--we barely pulled out a squeaker against UNM in EP last year--I have a feeling it ain't gonna be quite so easy up there this year) I actually root for UNM anytime they DON'T play UTEP.
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Yes,
Homebrewing is the way to go. I have one bottle left of my Summer Brew: A Light Honey Ginger Ale [Brewers Note: American Ale Yeast from Wyeast, Cascade Hops, 1 lb of ginger (although ginger-heads say "MORE"), and 1lb honey. I pour the honey in the wort. 1st attempt was to use as carbonating sugar, but it takes a lot longer. This adds the flavor and finish without the time (I use priming sugar to bottle condition).
Upper Canada Brewing Co makes some very nice beers.
Upper Canada Rebellion and their dark ale are some of my faves. They used to do a seasonal Bock that was amazing. I should check and see if they're going to do that again...
As for imports, Chimay Trappist beers are pretty darn fantastic.
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Hey! Where's the love for Pabst Blue Ribbon? Milwaukee's Best?
Opps. Sorry Carnivore, you beat me to it.
I love New Castle, Bass Ale, Guiness, Molson, Mooesehead, Red Stripe, and just about every Sam Adams brew out there.
I have to also not that I have never tried a dutch, a german or a belgian beer that I didn't like.
Well, I like Strohs; back when Detroit had a brewery; it is not so good anymore; so there is my love for a cheap beer; there used to be a place here that had it on draft and it was pretty good. I haven't had a Belgian beer that I have liked so far; though I have only tried a couple; they were to sweet and bubbly and tasted like champaine. After watching the Red Stripe, Jamaican for beer, commercials; I bought some to try to try it out; nothing special to be sure; I have heard that it is practically the only beer you can get in Jamaica; not sure how that is spelled; had to have a Red Stripe while I watched Cool Runnings; hehe great movie. Was wondering if anyone else had beers that they associate with particular movies; if I could get Elsenore Beer, if it exists in Canada; I would drink it while watching Strange Brew.
Dos Equis Ambar, when I can afford it.
But since I'm married with children ....
It's Icehouse or Keystone Light, whichever has a 30 pack going for $10.99.
It's not the quality, it's the quantity, baby!
Third: Russian Imperial Stout 2002. Frikkin blacker than night. I held the glass up to the sun to check for translucency and the sun stepped back in fear of it's darkness. It oozed out during the pour like sentient motor oil. Delicious but heavy. 10.9% alcohol by volume. Most the people at the BBQ were gamers so talk of drow started while drinking this beer.
Yez comrrrrade... you drink now! .. er... I mean... go for it!
One of the worst beers I ever had was a Russian Imperial Stout; I had it a big beertasting festival and after one sip I had to pour it out and move on to something a little lighter. However, not only is your description of hte beer hilarious, it makes me want to try another Russian Imperial Stout. Never thought I'd say that again.
A grocery store opened down the street from my house that offers "mixed" six packs. Pick 6 of your favorite bottles of premium brew and pay $8.49 for the whole six pack.
Very cool....very dangerous....
Last night I picked up:
Two Thunderhead IPA's, because I'm a hophead.
San Miguel (Filipino beer) pretty decent
Negra Modelo (Mexican beer) not too bad, but not great
Shiner Light --- pretty good
Kingfisher (Indian) already tried it and reviewed it here....this will be a regular in my beer-belly maintenance program.
Director of Narrative
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I'm a Guinness Draft fan. My beer fridge is always stocked with it. The second most likey beer to find in there is Abita Turbodog. Their amber is pretty nice too. Abita Brewing Company, for those of you not familiar with them, is a brewery in southern Louisiana that uses water from a nearby natural spring. Instead of from the Mississippi like Dixie and Jax did - yuk.
I'm not terribly picky with other beer choices, but there are a few I'll try to avoid. First, I will only take American macros in the rarest of circumstances. A super-cold Lone Star is tolerable, and tastier and cheaper than that evil pale triad of Miller/Bud/Coors. Red Stripe gives me a headache and digests poorly, but I love the cute little bottles. I'm with Lilith on the fruity beers. The only ones I've been able to stomach is Lindeman's Framboise Lambic, or the peach one, and only in small amounts with the right meal.
Thanks to all of you that mentioned micros and imports that I have not tried, or seen but wasn't feeling convinced to buy 'em. I've got some shopping to do today.
It's not the quality, it's the quantity, baby!
No way, dude. I'd rather spend $8.49 for a six pack of awesome premium beer than $10.99 for a 30 pack of swill.
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It's not the quality, it's the quantity, baby!No way, dude. I'd rather spend $8.49 for a six pack of awesome premium beer than $10.99 for a 30 pack of swill.
Not a bad price. I paid $7.50 per 6 pack for my SHINER BOCK, but I couldn't mix and match. That is a cool idea.
...my SHINER BOCK...
Y'all are evil. :)
I can't believe someone actually said they like Lone Star beer (just kidding Daigle, I'm pulling your leg)--that is godawful stuff, almost as bad as Texas Pride, which was $1.79 a six pack in 1983, the only time I actually tried to drink that stuff--you know it had to be bad when a 16 year old turned up his nose at the beer and used it for BB gun practice. (Shake 'em and shoot 'em--very entertaining).
Shiner and Celis are my favorite Texas breweries. Celis was bought out by Miller in 2000 and I haven't seen any of their beer lately--don't know what happened to them.
Celis White was awesome!!! How bad it that--to be nostalgic about an OOP beer...
Lone Star does suck, though ;)
Today, I'm taking an 18 pack of homebrewed beer to a tailgate party--Munton's American's Light Beer, one can of light malt extract syrup, 4 oz of Willamette finishing hops, 15 minute boil, tastes like a slightly hoppier version of Samuel Adams light.
I bottled it in 20 oz plastic soda bottles so the glass bottle nazis won't have a fit.
Coming from Philadelphia our default beer here is Yuengling.
Turbodog is a great beer. I found that at store on my last trip to the store. I got a mixed six pack (perfect when you want to try a few new things). I picked up some Allagash white, Kwak, and chimay red. Those are some great Belgiums beers.
I'm a huge fan of the Victory Brewery. Hopdevil is a great beer. Any ho heads out there must track this one down. And the 10 year Alt is amazing.
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Director of Narrative
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I can't believe someone actually said they like Lone Star beer......used it for BB gun practice. (Shake 'em and shoot 'em--very entertaining).
This past 4th me and two buddies went through a 12pack and a half like that. 'Cept we were using an AR15 and an SKS. See Lone Star is good for something.
I'm a huge fan of the Victory Brewery. Hopdevil is a great beer. Any ho heads out there must track this one down. And the 10 year Alt is amazing.
Mission accepted.....I will track down any beer with the name Hopdevil!
Coming from Philadelphia our default beer here is Yuengling.
The one and only time I've ever had Yuengling beer was right before a Penn State - UW game here in Madison; I think it was the first time that Penn State had ever visited Camp Randall as a member of the Big 10. Anyways, we were partying at my friends house across the street from the stadium, and suddenly these two Penn State fans who were in their 40s (we were all 18-21) came into the house at someone's invitation and shared their case of Yuengling with us. Great fun. One of the many reasons why Penn State is the only Big 10 Team that I don't hate (that and Joe Paterno).
I bottled it in 20 oz plastic soda bottles so the glass bottle nazis won't have a fit.
Huh? What´s so terrible about using glass bottles that it would send people into a fit ?
Stefan
I bottled it in 20 oz plastic soda bottles so the glass bottle nazis won't have a fit.Huh? What´s so terrible about using glass bottles that it would send people into a fit ?
Stefan
The US Postal Service is quite paranoid about shipping objects in glass containers.
Tailgate party is a pre-football game party in the parking lot of the stadium. The security forces and campus cops don't want glass containers during those parties to reduce broken glass.
--you know it had to be bad when a 16 year old turned up his nose at the beer and used it for BB gun practice. (Shake 'em and shoot 'em--very entertaining).
Shake 'em and shoot 'em had a rather different meaning when we were teens. Last time I tried that, though, was in the Gulf War, when I was in the Navy. We were underway for 45 days, so we qualified for "beer day"--2 warm cans of miller lite. A couple of us figured the only way to even get a buzz (or drink the stuff warm) was to shotgun the things, so we went out on the fantail, punched holes in the cans with a screwdriver and sucked them down in about 5 seconds each. I think warm miller lites were selling for about ten bucks a pop. The teetotalers were getting rich that day.
No way, dude. I'd rather spend $8.49 for a six pack of awesome premium beer than $10.99 for a 30 pack of swill.
:)
Meet F2K, future spokesperson for Icehouse.
Thank you, Troy....as long as I'm a "paid" endorser. I don't think I've ever had Icehouse.
I think warm miller lites were selling for about ten bucks a pop. The teetotalers were getting rich that day.
Another reason to join the Royal Navy instead. "Cheerio"
A grocery store opened down the street from my house that offers "mixed" six packs. Pick 6 of your favorite bottles of premium brew and pay $8.49 for the whole six pack.
Cost Plus World Market has a similar thing. I like to use it to try out alot of the stranger stuff I dare not attempt a whole pack of.
Last night I enjoyed Gordon Biersch's Marzen; its only 5.99 on sale for a 6 pack, so I got some. I like wheat beers, and this one was pleasing.
If anyone here is ever in NYC - go to McSorleys Pub down on 7th st. They only serve beer, and only their own beer, and it only comes in two flavors: light and dark, but they serve them to you two mugs at a time and they are DEELICIOUS. Try them with their "cheese plate". You will not be disappointed.
McSorley's is also a major part of NY history, so you can technically tell everyone you meet that you were just there for some culture and then HAPPENED to get inebriated while you were there. McSorley's is also the subject of a painting by Ashcan School painter John Sloan, a precursor of Edward Hopper and a socialist as of 1910.
Art History + Beer = Good times
Those of you who dont homebrew; I really recommend it; you really only have to do a batch or two a year; and it can be so simple as just opening a can of wart; adding water and sucrose and yeast; wait a bit; wash some bottles; bottle and cap; wait a bit; cool and drink; if I go super cheap I can make a pint of beer for about 17 cents American currency. That is about 5 gallons of beer for about $20. Many peeps form tasting clubs and you get to try a lot of other peeps stuff which can be a lot of fun. Initial gear is simple and fairly cheap; you can prolly do it all for about 20 or 30 buck for gear; you can save import bottles; not american ones; they typically arent strong enough; me; I have about 300 grolsh bottles so I only change the rubber seal and dont even need my capper.
Just go to your local beer guy and tell the trueth about what kind of beer you like and he will give you a wart that makes something very close to that beer. Easy smeasy. There seems to be enough of us brewers around that you can get tips and such; beer is incredibly hard to mess up; any contamination that gets in just makes it taste bad and is not dangerous; least that I know of; keep your stuff clean and scratch free and you can make many fine brews.
If your paying $8 or so a six pack for stuff you like; or even $5 a sixer of 12oz ers; I just wonder how you can justify that price if some of us can make a really good brew of six pints for about $1.50 or so. In the early '80's beer was fairly cheap, but not many kinds we're available; after Slick Willies sin tax and more sin tax; and more sin tax and my being in college at the time; just had to start brewing my own cause I couldnt afford to drink otherwise. Now I do it for fun and just to have a great beer. Try to clone a beer; its great fun.
Preach it, Valegrim. Homebrewing beer and mead and gaming go hand in hand as far as I'm concerned.
I've gotten really good results from canned Munton's kits boosted with canned malt extract, plus finishing hops. About $28 for 5 gallons--you can emulate almost any kind of beer you want.
Preach it, Valegrim. Homebrewing beer and mead and gaming go hand in hand as far as I'm concerned.
I've gotten really good results from canned Munton's kits boosted with canned malt extract, plus finishing hops. About $28 for 5 gallons--you can emulate almost any kind of beer you want.
*** gets on his soapbox *** nods to brews in the group***
ahem, 5 gallons of beer; that is 640 oz; that would be 53.3 12 oz bottles of beer. Now my math isnt so good so I might need to be corrected, but that is like 52 cents for a bottle of great beer. How can any of you doubt that homebrewing is a bad idea. My state says we can brew 400 gallons a year for ourselves and 200 gallons for each person extra in our household; lol; that is a lot; you just can't sell it. If you look around; I am sure everyone can find some closet space or pantry space for 50 bottles of beer; my parents used to keep it underground; remember light is your enemy when brewing beer, that is why bottles are a dark color; keep it cool and dark and have fun. Happy brewing and tasting.
***nods to all; sways a little; steps off soapbox ***
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My state says we can brew 400 gallons a year for ourselves and 200 gallons for each person extra in our household; lol;
That is almost a twelve pack a day + a 6pack for each extra person in the house. Sold. I will just have to wait until I get the funds and get the basement prepped for homebrewing. It has been my stash-and-go area since moving into this house and will take a bit to get cleared and ready. Is it dangerous to do in the basement? Are their hazards that I am unaware of? What are the contamination risks?
FH (soon to be Brewmeister)
Is it dangerous to do in the basement? Are their hazards that I am unaware of? What are the contamination risks?
No - unless your basement is overly hot/cold, and it's not dangerous, just potentially messy.
Hazards - not really, but keep your equipment clean.
Contamination - keep it clean. Keep it clean. Keep it clean. Keep it clean. Did I mention cleanliness? I usually do a warm/hot soap & water treatment, followed by a secondary step. Tri-chlor (you should be able to get it from your homebrewer's shop) is a cleaner that you can use to soak your equipment in. Iodine is a good thing as well (don't use it on your plastic equipment!). A faucet attachment is invaluable for cleaning bottles and carboys - it was a good $5 investment that has cut a lot of time when cleaning. Be sure to rinse everything really really really really well post-washing. I'm very anal about this part - no off-flavors in my beer!
One tip - don't wait to wash your equipment after you boil the wort. It sucks, you're probably tired from stirring constantly, but DON'T WAIT. Wash immediately and set to soak in a sterilizing solution, you'll be ready to go next time you're ready to brew.
The basement can be good; temperature can make a big difference in brew time; ie the time it takes the yeast to eat up the supply of sugar and process it to alchohol. To cold or to hot will kill your yeast, room temp is good. What Lilith said is right; pay strict attention to cleanliness and serilize everything; I use a commercial sterilization powder that I get at the local brewer supply store. Mix with water and dunk everything; if you wash your stuff with soap; really rinse well; also; you can buy a pressure nozzle for your sink that makes cleaning out bottles a lot easier; it is hard to find a good bottle brush that has a good scrubber on the tip. I have heard from all the beer gurus I know that contamination won't really hurt you; but it will ruin the taste of your beer.
I would recommend two stage brewing; but one stage works fine; you just have to pick a way to filter out the dead yeast or your beer will look cloudy or have sediment in the bottom; which is fine; the look just puts some people off; you can filter it of course. What most beginners do is just siphon the beer from the top and leave about two inches over the dead yeast at the bottom to get clearer beer for bottles; i usually do a couple 1.3 gallon mini kegs; cuts down on bottles needed and is great for gaming nights and bar b ques.
I highly recommend that you do not use tap water unless you can filter it or are in one of the rare places that have really good water; hard water affects taste as does the cholrine that the water guys use to kill off the bad junk. Use RO water or some filtered water that you like so you get consistant results.
I have heard that some peeps basements are damp; or get flooded; so you might want to keep your stuff off the ground; I wouldnt set it on concrete; put a board beneath it; this is due to temperature. Your brewing set up will be sealed when doing its thing so no problem there.