Beer Guide, Beyond Bud

News Type: Opinion — Seeded on Tue Jan 30, 2007 10:09 AM EST

Article Source: Epicurious.com

entertainment, home-garden, food, beer, ale, lager, pilsner, craft-breweries, fritz-maytag, microbrewing, stephen-beaumont

Seeded by Michael Sautter

Once upon a time, jokes about American beer made by Europeans and Canadians were both plentiful and cutting. (Fans of British comedy will recall the Monty Python sketch comparing the drinking of American lagers to the act of "making love in a canoe.") Sadly, this derision was, for the most part, deserved. Back in the 1960s, Americans in pursuit of boldly flavored domestic brews were faced with arduous searches.

Then along came young Fritz Maytag, part of the famous appliance family. In 1965, he chose beer over dishwashers when he bought 51 percent of San Francisco's Anchor Brewing Company. Driven by a desire for fuller, more richly flavored beers than the mild-mannered pale lagers that dominated the market at the time, he set about transforming it from a "pretty decrepit brewery," as he put it, into a model for the burgeoning microbrewing movement. Following his lead, small breweries sprouted up throughout the country, and by the mid-1990s, many had outgrown the diminutive "micro" label and become known as "craft breweries."

Today, there are approximately 1,400 breweries in the country, according to the Brewers Association, an industry organization, and exponentially more brands. Even more significant, numerous beer experts, including the esteemed British beer scribe Michael Jackson, consider the United States beer market the most exciting and innovative in the world today.

But with so many brews to choose from, any beer lover could use some help narrowing down the field. To this end, we present a handful of our favorite domestic bottles from breweries large and small, grouped by style. Use them to begin your own American beer quest for the best.

Published to:

Michael Sautter's Column, All of Newsvine
Groups: Bar Room Debates, Foodies!, Newsvines drunks
Regions: United States

What's this?

Who's leading the conversation?

This visualization below allows you to see the impact that each user has on the current conversation. The top row contains the group of users who have had the most impact, the 2nd row the group of users who have had the 2nd most impact (et cetera). Users with similar impact are grouped together, and the average score of the group is shown to the left of the group. The author of the article is also shown on the left, in their corresponding group. Each user's score is based on the number of comments the user has made plus the number of votes their comments have received. The scores are calculated relative one another, so while their absolute value is not particularly important, their relative difference does indicate a larger difference in impact on the conversation.

4.0

{"commentId":502383,"authorDomain":"LAUHAL63"}

lauhal

Avery the Beast

Yuummmmmm.

{"commentId":502383,"threadId":"72175","contentId":"544273","authorDomain":"LAUHAL63"}

1 vote

#1 - Tue Jan 30, 2007 10:14 AM EST

{"commentId":502391,"authorDomain":"michaelsautter"}

Michael Sautter

Also good, America's oldest brewery - Yuengling. I recommend the porter.

{"commentId":502391,"threadId":"72175","contentId":"544273","authorDomain":"michaelsautter"}

4 votes

#2 - Tue Jan 30, 2007 10:18 AM EST

{"commentId":502400,"authorDomain":"stevetherobot"}

stevetherobot

They've recently started selling Yuengling in my area. So far they only carry the lager and the black-and-tan, both of which I recommend, but especially the black-and-tan.

{"commentId":502400,"threadId":"72175","contentId":"544273","authorDomain":"stevetherobot"}

2 votes

#2.1 - Tue Jan 30, 2007 10:23 AM EST

{"commentId":503227,"authorDomain":"metalfalsetto"}

metal_falsetto

Growing up in PA, I was weaned on Yuengling (well, not literally) and missed it sorely once I left the state. As evidenced by steve's post, they've greatly expanded their distribution reach in the past couple years. Although some brewer/überconnoissuer friends of mine once naysayed my love for the beer, telling me something along the lines of "Man, those guys...they try to play themselves off as being a small, family-owned brewery, but they use the same tactics as the big guys!" When I asked them to elaborate, they explained they pulled Wal-Martesque moves of rolling into town and undercutting all the other regional microbreweries.

Or at least I think that's what they said. I was drunk at the time.

{"commentId":503227,"threadId":"72175","contentId":"544273","authorDomain":"metalfalsetto"}

1 vote

#2.2 - Tue Jan 30, 2007 4:32 PM EST

{"commentId":503266,"authorDomain":"thevineofhob"}

Adam Hobson

Yuengling, is pretty good, but it's hardly a microbrewery anymore. It's more like a mini-major if I may borrow terminology from movie studio speak. I believe they opened up a second brewery to further expand their business.

I've never heard anything about their business practices, positive or negative, though I really don't hear much about any brewery's practices.

{"commentId":503266,"threadId":"72175","contentId":"544273","authorDomain":"thevineofhob"}

3 votes

#2.3 - Tue Jan 30, 2007 4:47 PM EST

{"commentId":502464,"authorDomain":"splittooth"}

SplitTooth

Yuengling is great beer. I also enjoy a nice Harpoon Winter Warmer this time of year. Great spices make it ideal for a snowy day.

{"commentId":502464,"threadId":"72175","contentId":"544273","authorDomain":"splittooth"}

2 votes

#3 - Tue Jan 30, 2007 11:02 AM EST

{"commentId":502503,"authorDomain":"trevorburrus"}

Trevor Burrus

One New Belgium and one Odells are on the list. A little local Colorado representation. Fort Collins has some really good breweries and those two are the best. Good choice on the 5 Barrel Pale Ale, one of my favorite beers of all time.

Here in Colorado we have more mountain town breweries than we can shake a stick at. I love it.

{"commentId":502503,"threadId":"72175","contentId":"544273","authorDomain":"trevorburrus"}

2 votes

#4 - Tue Jan 30, 2007 11:17 AM EST

{"commentId":502805,"authorDomain":"MissDev"}

Miss Dev

Colorado has 102 breweries - more per capita than any other state!

I, for one, love Great Divide Hercules for a double IPA, and Flying Dog Road Dog for a mellow porter.

Growing up my parents would drive up to Ft. Collins every weekend to get a growler of 90 Shilling - I never really drank the swill that used to pass for good beer.

{"commentId":502805,"threadId":"72175","contentId":"544273","authorDomain":"MissDev"}

1 vote

#4.1 - Tue Jan 30, 2007 1:26 PM EST

{"commentId":503285,"authorDomain":"aw4re"}

Mikael A

I hope you like drinking that acid mine drainage from all those mountain town breweries. Cough... coors... cough..

{"commentId":503285,"threadId":"72175","contentId":"544273","authorDomain":"aw4re"}

2 votes

#4.2 - Tue Jan 30, 2007 4:55 PM EST

{"commentId":504267,"authorDomain":"200MilesUp"}

Oluseye

This is a thread after my heart. Are you guys on Coastr?

Best beer I've had in the states: Oatmeal Stout

Best beer ever had: Rodenbach .Belgian and red.

Best genre: Trappist beers /English ales. Can't pick which I like more.

Best beer I'd buy in a supermarket/store: Warsteiner

{"commentId":504267,"threadId":"72175","contentId":"544273","authorDomain":"200MilesUp"}

4 votes

#4.3 - Wed Jan 31, 2007 5:43 AM EST

{"commentId":504321,"authorDomain":"chill888"}

chill

The closest I ever came to finding religion was living briefly in Belgium ...one of the truly great beer countries in the world.

There are monasteries all over the country where trappist (and other) monks make strong and tasty beer. Worth converting for.

Thankks for seeding this article on an important subject.

{"commentId":504321,"threadId":"72175","contentId":"544273","authorDomain":"chill888"}

4 votes

#4.4 - Wed Jan 31, 2007 8:01 AM EST

{"commentId":504395,"authorDomain":"danCharles"}

Dan Charles

When Fall rolls around, I can't get enough New Belgium Summer Wheat.

{"commentId":504395,"threadId":"72175","contentId":"544273","authorDomain":"danCharles"}

1 vote

#4.5 - Wed Jan 31, 2007 9:17 AM EST

{"commentId":504422,"authorDomain":"VictoriaRose"}

VictoriaRose

Oluseye:

Best beer ever had: Rodenbach .Belgian and red.

I love Rodenbach - so glad it is available on the East Coast now. However, if you are in/visit the Philly region, head to Monk's Cafe in the city. They have a Monk's Flemish Sour, which is based on the Rodenbach Red, but I actually prefer the Monk's version. They also bottle, and you can find it at some better beer stores, at least in the greater Philly/Mid-Atlantic region. The bottles really don't do the draft justice, however. Or, it may just be that Monk's is such a great place - a beer drinker's mecca, with amazing selection, great food, and a nice atmosphere.

{"commentId":504422,"threadId":"72175","contentId":"544273","authorDomain":"VictoriaRose"}

3 votes

#4.6 - Wed Jan 31, 2007 9:28 AM EST

{"commentId":504799,"authorDomain":"MissDev"}

Miss Dev

My two favorite Belgians - Verboden Vrucht Belgian strong red and Judas Belgian Strong Ale. Rochefort 10 is also lovely. Mmm... Belgians...

{"commentId":504799,"threadId":"72175","contentId":"544273","authorDomain":"MissDev"}

2 votes

#4.7 - Wed Jan 31, 2007 1:17 PM EST

{"commentId":505598,"authorDomain":"LAUHAL63"}

lauhal

Yippie! I'm going to Belgium this summer! I will be sure to cheer my Newsvine buddies with some excellent beer.

{"commentId":505598,"threadId":"72175","contentId":"544273","authorDomain":"LAUHAL63"}

3 votes

#4.8 - Wed Jan 31, 2007 7:59 PM EST

{"commentId":505970,"authorDomain":"TomB1002067"}

Tom B.

"I love Rodenbach - so glad it is available on the East Coast now. However, if you are in/visit the Philly region, head to Monk's Cafe in the city" Yea-- Rodenbach is great! As is Monks Cafe....

"Verboden Vruch" Every beer in belgium has a special glass. This one transaltes to "forbidden fruit"-- they have a nice Adam and Eve. Delirium Tremens-- not a favorite of mine-- has cool pink elephants on the glass.

"Yippie! I'm going to Belgium this summer!" If near Brussels, try to visit the Cantillon Brewery. Beer aside, make an effort to see Brugge-- a neat Medieval town. Also, in Brussels--plenty of lovely Art Nouveau architecture from the likes of Victor Horta.

If you find yourself in the Netherlands, check out the pub Gambrinus (Rotterdam). Lots of nice pubs in Amsterdam and the smaller cities (Utrecht, Haarlem, Gouda...)

{"commentId":505970,"threadId":"72175","contentId":"544273","authorDomain":"TomB1002067"}

2 votes

#4.9 - Thu Feb 1, 2007 12:45 AM EST

{"commentId":506042,"authorDomain":"MissDev"}

Miss Dev

@lauhal - where in Belgium!? I would recommend trying to get an appointment at Westverletren Trappist Monetary - their brewery and beer are legendary and is only available to purchase by appointment. Pretty incredible. Chimay is also cool - if a little gimmicky and mass market.

Absolutely do not go to the beer museum in the Grand Place in Brussels! It's five euros and the biggest waste of money ever! I literally almost cried it was so pathetic - one room, one sentence descriptions of the equipment - no brewing, no real education, and the Belgian Paradise beer is weak at best (I did steal the glass, however). If you want to learn about the brewing process, come out the Colorado and I'll show you around my brewery.

Also - if you're in Antwerp, try and find the underground bar (ask for it at TI) and Kathedraal (both the actual Cathedral and the creepy bar behind it). The Delerium Cafe in Brussels has the most beers in the world (2004 in 2004) and is off one of the small side alleys off restaurant row by the Grand Place in Brussels.

The Brouwerij De Halve Maan in Brugge is also kind of cute. Cool history - the beer isn't great, but it's still fun. The restaurant directly across the square (not the one on the corner - the one on it's right when you have your back to the brewery) has great Flemish food.

And the best Belgian restaurant I've ever been to is In t'Spinnekopke off St. Catherine's square in Brussels (and the website is hilarious translated into English). The food is great (waterzooi is a great Flemish dish that's sort of a chicken stew, carbonnarde is Flemish beef stew, frites, and vol au vent which is chicken in a mushroom sauce, oh - and of course mussels in Brussels - or Brugge). The waiters are typical Belgian - and the beer is great. I love it. My parents (who live just South of Brussels) say it's the best Belgian restaurant they've found in Brussels.

{"commentId":506042,"threadId":"72175","contentId":"544273","authorDomain":"MissDev"}

1 vote

#4.10 - Thu Feb 1, 2007 1:50 AM EST

{"commentId":506340,"authorDomain":"LAUHAL63"}

lauhal

Wowie. Thanks for the excellent tips. I will be going to Delft, Brugge, and Ypres. I will definitely check out these spots! I'm so glad you checked out this article. Move over, Rick Steves!

{"commentId":506340,"threadId":"72175","contentId":"544273","authorDomain":"LAUHAL63"}

2 votes

#4.11 - Thu Feb 1, 2007 9:14 AM EST

{"commentId":506395,"authorDomain":"chill888"}

chill

Brugge is beautiful, you will enjoy

Ypres was one of the worst battlegrounds in world war 1 - and pqrticularly bloody for Canadian forces. It was destroyed and rebuilt. Try and take time to visit a couple of the WW1 cemeteries - sadly they are everywhere outside the town. it is a moving experience.

Miss Dev - The best museum off the Grand Place in Brussels may be the chocolate museum (for some at least) :-)

{"commentId":506395,"threadId":"72175","contentId":"544273","authorDomain":"chill888"}

3 votes

#4.12 - Thu Feb 1, 2007 9:46 AM EST

{"commentId":502724,"authorDomain":"TomB1002067"}

Tom B.

Best readily avaible beers in several categories:

IPA (super hoppy): Sierra Nevada Pale Ale "Snale" (California)

Wheat Beer: Pyramid Hefeweizen (my WORLD favorite is teh German Weihenstephaner) (Oregon?)

Lager: Sam Adams (it's also about the only lager I drink; not may favorite style) (Boston)

Less easy to find domestic beers I really like:

Belgian-style: Ommegang Hennepin, New York(Used to like Celis which was out of Texas; I think they are defunct)

Ale: Rogue Dead Guy Ale (Colorado?)

Brew Pubs I've liked:

Goose Island (Chicago); Capital (DC)-- had a nice AltBier there.

FOREIGN beers I really enjoy: Guiness (UK); Chimay (Belgium); Weihenstephaner (German); Cantillon Kriek (Belgium. Bacterial fermentation--not yeast; tart; cherry-infused. Americans haven't succeeded with fruit beers, to my taste. Sam Adams tried a cherry wheat that was undrinkable. Pyramids Apricot brew didn't work for me.); Jenlain (french. Flavored with cumin-- sounds wierd, but it works).

{"commentId":502724,"threadId":"72175","contentId":"544273","authorDomain":"TomB1002067"}

3 votes

#5 - Tue Jan 30, 2007 12:48 PM EST

{"commentId":503627,"authorDomain":"DMcM"}

DMcM

Tom B:
Thanks for the nod to Rogue Brewing. Actually, they're based in Newport, Oregon, and have a great line up of beers. Dead Guy is popular, but if anyone gets a chance check out their Russian Imperial Stout. It sends Budweiser screaming from the room.
Also in Oregon, Deschutes Brewing and Full Sail have stellar line ups.
Down in California, North Coast Brewing also has some great stuff, including Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout and Brother Thelonious, a Belgian style ale.
Drink up.
Dan

{"commentId":503627,"threadId":"72175","contentId":"544273","authorDomain":"DMcM"}

2 votes

#5.1 - Tue Jan 30, 2007 7:12 PM EST

{"commentId":504067,"authorDomain":"TomB1002067"}

Tom B.

Thanks for the correction.

Brother Thelonius! An excellent name for a beer, though the jazz crowd sometimes tend towards hard liquor.....

{"commentId":504067,"threadId":"72175","contentId":"544273","authorDomain":"TomB1002067"}

1 vote

#5.2 - Wed Jan 31, 2007 12:17 AM EST

{"commentId":504237,"authorDomain":"fatso"}

Fatso

Gasp and horror! You'll have people rolling over in their graves, Tom B. OK, it's owned by Diageo now and has its largest brewery in Lagos, but "Guinness (UK)"?!

Republic of Ireland, man. St. James' Gate, Dublin.

{"commentId":504237,"threadId":"72175","contentId":"544273","authorDomain":"fatso"}

2 votes

#5.3 - Wed Jan 31, 2007 4:06 AM EST

{"commentId":504410,"authorDomain":"VictoriaRose"}

VictoriaRose

For a good fruit beer, try Aprihop from Dogfish Head. Nice apricot taste, but not overwhelming, and subtle on the tongue. There is also a Saison-style beer with great banana undertones, I think it comes from Dupont, but I am not sure on this.

{"commentId":504410,"threadId":"72175","contentId":"544273","authorDomain":"VictoriaRose"}

1 vote

#5.4 - Wed Jan 31, 2007 9:22 AM EST

{"commentId":502734,"authorDomain":"TomB1002067"}

Tom B.

hmm-- should have read the article first. Celis moved to Michigan.

{"commentId":502734,"threadId":"72175","contentId":"544273","authorDomain":"TomB1002067"}

1 vote

#6 - Tue Jan 30, 2007 12:50 PM EST

{"commentId":505957,"authorDomain":"TomB1002067"}

Tom B.

""Guinness (UK)"?!

Republic of Ireland, man. St. James' Gate, Dublin."

My apologies. I should have spoken more carefully, being part Irish myself.

{"commentId":505957,"threadId":"72175","contentId":"544273","authorDomain":"TomB1002067"}

1 vote

#6.1 - Thu Feb 1, 2007 12:33 AM EST

{"commentId":502787,"authorDomain":"tcervo"}

gecko85

Around these parts, Sierra Nevada is king (since it's brewed so close...)

{"commentId":502787,"threadId":"72175","contentId":"544273","authorDomain":"tcervo"}

1 vote

#7 - Tue Jan 30, 2007 1:16 PM EST

{"commentId":502797,"authorDomain":"thevineofhob"}

Adam Hobson

If there is one thing I learned at college, it is that the best beer is the beer you brew yourself.

Though I am partial to a good Belgian Ale...

{"commentId":502797,"threadId":"72175","contentId":"544273","authorDomain":"thevineofhob"}

2 votes

#8 - Tue Jan 30, 2007 1:22 PM EST

{"commentId":503407,"authorDomain":"dingleberry"}

Dingleberry

I've had beer from all over the world, I love Yuengling and also products from the Mendecino brewing company (California) as well as Summit Brewing Co. in St. Paul (Octoberfest + Maibock) but being from Michigan I'm going to throw out a couple of local breweries you should try:

New Holland Brewery: located in Holland Michigan they have a wonderful restaurant, my personal favorates are:
Palooza (American Pale Ale)
Mad Hatter (IPA)
they also have a high-gravity series I enjoy

Bell's Brewery: located in Kalamazoo, a must-stop on an trip thru Michigan, they brew at least 20 beers with my favorites being:
Two Hearted Ale
Expedition Stout
Consecrator Dopplebock

{"commentId":503407,"threadId":"72175","contentId":"544273","authorDomain":"dingleberry"}

1 vote

#9 - Tue Jan 30, 2007 5:46 PM EST

{"commentId":503429,"authorDomain":"DrJuice"}

Dr Juice

I'm partial to some of the Great Lakes beers myself, however they aren't that widely available.

{"commentId":503429,"threadId":"72175","contentId":"544273","authorDomain":"DrJuice"}

1 vote

#10 - Tue Jan 30, 2007 5:52 PM EST

{"commentId":503493,"authorDomain":"Raymont"}

RaymontDeleted

{"commentId":503680,"authorDomain":"funkdilution"}

del37

Lagunitas

By far, my new favorite brewery. Their seasonals...devine.

{"commentId":503680,"threadId":"72175","contentId":"544273","authorDomain":"funkdilution"}

1 vote

#12 - Tue Jan 30, 2007 7:40 PM EST

{"commentId":504238,"authorDomain":"fatso"}

Fatso

Spoetzl Brewery in Shiner, Texas - Shiner Bock (or Blonde - both nice.)

{"commentId":504238,"threadId":"72175","contentId":"544273","authorDomain":"fatso"}

4 votes

#13 - Wed Jan 31, 2007 4:07 AM EST

{"commentId":504428,"authorDomain":"VictoriaRose"}

VictoriaRose

Is there a good beer/homebrewing/microbrewery group yet? Just wondering - the good beer articles keep coming, but I haven't seen a specific group attached.

Reading this article is making me thirsty...is 9:30 too early for a Golden Monkey?

{"commentId":504428,"threadId":"72175","contentId":"544273","authorDomain":"VictoriaRose"}

1 vote

#14 - Wed Jan 31, 2007 9:31 AM EST

{"commentId":504449,"authorDomain":"stevetherobot"}

stevetherobot

There is the Hop Vine group.

{"commentId":504449,"threadId":"72175","contentId":"544273","authorDomain":"stevetherobot"}

4 votes

#14.1 - Wed Jan 31, 2007 9:40 AM EST

{"commentId":504471,"authorDomain":"VictoriaRose"}

VictoriaRose

Thanks!

{"commentId":504471,"threadId":"72175","contentId":"544273","authorDomain":"VictoriaRose"}

1 vote

#14.2 - Wed Jan 31, 2007 9:57 AM EST

{"commentId":507111,"authorDomain":"michaelsautter"}

Michael Sautter

Is Hop Vine very active? I "joined group" yesterday and have not been added to the member list yet.

{"commentId":507111,"threadId":"72175","contentId":"544273","authorDomain":"michaelsautter"}

2 votes

#14.3 - Thu Feb 1, 2007 3:49 PM EST

{"commentId":507117,"authorDomain":"chill888"}

chill

list owner is probably passed out

{"commentId":507117,"threadId":"72175","contentId":"544273","authorDomain":"chill888"}

4 votes

#14.4 - Thu Feb 1, 2007 3:52 PM EST

{"commentId":505848,"authorDomain":"tcervo"}

gecko85

The best beer/microbrew I've ever had was in Salzburg Austria:

http://www.augustinerbier.at/

The Augustinerbräu Brewery and the Bräustübl Tavern at the Mülln monastery in Salzburg have been in existence since 1621.

Unfiltered, unpasteurized...straight out of a huge wooden keg. There's nothing like a beer recipe perfected by monks over the centuries.

{"commentId":505848,"threadId":"72175","contentId":"544273","authorDomain":"tcervo"}

2 votes

#15 - Wed Jan 31, 2007 11:03 PM EST

{"canLink":false,"threadId":"72175","isPrivate":false}

MICHAEL SAUTTER

Backyard

Beer Guide, Beyond Bud

Published to:

FUN STUFF:

COMPANY STUFF:

LEGAL STUFF: