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Posted: |
Sep 19, 2018 - 5:06 AM
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By: |
Jim Phelps
(Member)
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Yes, Budweiser has been steadily popular in Ireland through the years. Heaven knows why though, I've always thought it too gassy. Miller was popular in the 90s but it seems to have died off. Very few bars seem to stock it anymore. I didn't like it at all. Is it still popular stateside? Harp and Carlsberg are much the same to me, I don't recognise much difference between them. Carling is even worse, though it's not that popular apart from in England. I try to drink ale when I'm in the pub, but it ain't easy getting good ones here. Also while I remember, there is a new "Irish Lager" from Guinness on the market here called Rockshore which is doing well. Light and crispy apparently, though it tastes like Coors to me ie. pointless. Yes, Miller beer is still a huge seller, though from a list I saw, "Lite" beer is the biggest seller in the USA--a true American tragedy. How can it be hard to find good ale in Northern Ireland?!? What is popular there? While in Prague, I discovered there was another Budweiser...Budweiser Budvar. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budweiser_Budvar_Brewery Never tried it. I avoid American Budweiser like a-ha avoid having more than one hit song. Guinness in bottles is not very good, though on draft I love the stuff. Beer "experts" online claim that Guinness in cans is better than the bottled stuff, but since no one here likes Guinness, I'll never know unless I try it myself. How is Bass ale? It's sold everywhere here, which of course makes me suspicious...
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Guinness in bottles is not very good, though on draft I love the stuff. Beer "experts" online claim that Guinness in cans is better than the bottled stuff, but since no one here likes Guinness, I'll never know unless I try it myself. I like Guinness. I don't enjoy stouts as much as I used to, but I still drink Guinness on occasion, particularly when in an Irish Pub or on St. Patrick's Day. Poured from a keg is certainly the best way to enjoy Guinness. Cans work in a pinch, as the can has a nitro cartridge in it to replicate the from the tap flavor/experience. You need to pour it into a glass and give it a couple of minutes to settle. With respect to the bottles, it depends on which type of bottle you get. They have a more recent bottle which also has a nitro cartridge in it, and is designed to be enjoyed directly from the bottle itself. It isn't bad, but it tastes a bit watered down when compared to the can. The other bottle, which I believe is still made, is a traditional bottle of beer. There is no nitro cartridge so you don't get the creaminess normally associated with Guinness. Not recommended. How is Bass ale? It's sold everywhere here, which of course makes me suspicious... Bass is okay. I will pick it when the other options are other mass produced beers, but when choosing between a craft microbrew ale and Bass ale there really isn't any contest. Basically, it is drinkable, but I can't imagine it is anyone's first choice. You see it everywhere because it is now owned by Anheuser Busch InBev, and their distribution reach is second to none.
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Two more binging days of beer and cognac drinking over (Friday and Saturday). Next batch: Tuesday. Wow. Binging on weekdays too now?
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Posted: |
Oct 2, 2018 - 8:47 AM
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By: |
Jim Phelps
(Member)
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This past weekend I was at my local booze warehouse, Total Wine, and while they have a nice selection of international beers, they did not have Tennent's, a brand consumed on the BBC sitcom, STILL GAME. I hear it's "piss water", but if I want to "taste" that city called Craiglang feeling, I must try Tennent's at least once. A midweek question for the "craft" beer experts (though they used to be called "Microbrewers"; remember those?): Are craft beers mostly "gimmicky" flavors, or are they just better-tasting beers with the traditional malty, hoppy, wheaty taste that I prefer? I would imagine that there are craft beers that are just as bad, if not worse, than their corporate counterparts. One highly-rated beer that interests me is "Two-Hearted Ale", though they seem pretty omnipresent, as I see the stuff most places now.
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A midweek question for the "craft" beer experts (though they used to be called "Microbrewers"; remember those?): Are craft beers mostly "gimmicky" flavors, or are they just better-tasting beers with the traditional malty, hoppy, wheaty taste that I prefer? I would imagine that there are craft beers that are just as bad, if not worse, than their corporate counterparts. One highly-rated beer that interests me is "Two-Hearted Ale", though they seem pretty omnipresent, as I see the stuff most places now. Craft beers run the gamut. Some are experimental flavors, particularly the ones that are limited runs, and some are more along the traditional flavors of beer that happens to taste much better. Are the Total Wine staff members at all helpful? The staff at my local Total Wine seem to be. If so, I would tell them what you are looking for, and they should have some great recommendations for you. My Total Wine does beer tastings from time to time, so you may be able to try something new that way. Not all craft beers are created equal, and there are some that are undoubtedly as bad as the mass-produced beers. Although, I find it hard to believe such beers would last very long. There are so many choices now, that I can't see awful beer without the market share and brand loyalty sticking around, but of course one man's piss water is another man's favorite. Mass produced beers tend to be lagers, which even the best are a hard sell for me, so I am probably not the best person to ask. I haven't tried Two-Hearted Ale before, and after taking a glance at their website, I can see why. They don't distribute where I live. If you end up trying it let us know what you think. If it is good, I may see if I can find some when I am traveling.
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