Best Mainstream Beer

[cnfz]

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Founders Breakfast Stout is my favorite winter beer. Their Dirty Bastard is delicious, as well. Other favorites: Bells Amber Ale, New Belgiums Fat Tire and Hoponius Union by Jack's Abby Brewing.

I like Miller lite as a cheap drink after a long run...

Personally, I love Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale in the winters. I will usually grab a couple of cases from Costco. Tastes just like Christmas.

 

[deleted162650]

Gotta add this stuff to the list

And imfrankie, I think the problem is that you're just not drinking enough beer

 

[fakin' the funk]

Personally, I love Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale in the winters. I will usually grab a couple of cases from Costco. Tastes just like Christmas.

It's a fantastic beer. AFAIK there's nothing "spiced" or "holiday" about it, it's just a dark IPA. It's available and affordable and delicious.

 

[fakin' the funk]

all i've got to say is you guys must drink a helluva lot beer to know all this stuff about aromas and whatnot

Step 1: Smell the beer before you drink it
Step 2: Make up a bunch of words about what you just smelled
Step 3: Congratulate yourself, you're now a beer connoisseur

Seriously, it's that easy!

 

[Stellar Clouds]

finally someone who matches my hatred for corona and heineken. cant stand the 2.

all mexican beer aint bad, dos equis is alright

I decided forget about my bias, and I bought some Negra Modelo...very tasty. My only complaint is that it is a pain in the ass taking the foil off the top of the bottle.

 

[24858]

I'm don't drink beer much anymore but I used to enjoy spaten

http://smallmouthinyoursoup.blogspot.com/2010/05/green-beer-bottles-suck.html?m=1

 

[RT2MD]

I'm don't drink beer much anymore but I used to enjoy spaten

http://smallmouthinyoursoup.blogspot.com/2010/05/green-beer-bottles-suck.html?m=1

Who doesn't enjoy satan?

Oh, "spaten"... My bad.

 

[partydoc]

I decided forget about my bias, and I bought some Negra Modelo...very tasty. My only complaint is that it is a pain in the ass taking the foil off the top of the bottle.

Haven't had that one in a while. Gonna have to try it again soon.

 

[BuzzPhreed]

Enjoy by... NOW.

 

[G0S2]

Stone brewery is killer.

Sam Double Agent IPL. Hoppy Lager. Pretty good.

 

[BuzzPhreed]

I met Greg Koch of Stone (no relation to Jim Koch of Sam Adams) at a beer festival. Dude is out there. Does brew some killer stuff. Their Russian Imperial Stout would be extremely hard to get and coveted if it was a limited release. As it is, it's readily available and one of the best of its class. Try it if you're into the really big beers.

 

[BuzzPhreed]

Other stuff I'm aging right now...

• Firestone Walker "Velvet Merkin No. 001"
• Firestone Walker "Parabola" (2012, 2013, 2014 releases)
• Hardywood "Gingerbread Stout" (2012, 2013 releases)
• North Coast Brewing "Barrel-Aged Old Rasputin XVI"
• Founder's "KBS" (2011, 2012, 2013)
• Bell's "Black Note Stout" (2012, 2014)

Just to name a few.

 

[BuzzPhreed]

Wallstreet Journal listed the ten best beers in America (large brands):

1. Yuengling Traditional
2. Blue Moon
3. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
4. NewCastle Brown Ale
5. Guiness Stout
6. Samuel Adams Lager
7. Modelo Especial
8. Becks
9. Heineken
10. Corona Extra

Except for #3 and #6, all of those beers are macrobrews and are pretty much terrible. They are part-and-parcel to the Miller-Coors/InBev near monopoly of the beer industry and they are pretty much all undrinkable in my opinion.

I know this thread was titled "Best Mainstream Beer". But it's high time to start expanding the palette and enjoying some truly outstanding brews that (1) are made with quality ingredients (2) are interested in offering variety and taste not at the expense of marketing and sales and (3) won't leave you with a hangover the next day.

Work up to conquering this list (some of these are very hard to get). They will blow your mind.

http://www.beeradvocate.com/lists/top/

I've had 6 of the top 10.

 

[DrBeaker]

My hometown is where Founders is headquartered. I asked some family members to get me some KBS, it's near impossible to get. Went to college in Kzoo where Bells is located. Glad to see michigan beer getting some love. If any of you are near GR, there are a lot of breweries in addition to founders that are great. Check them out. I do when I get back home.

 

[SouthSideSteve]

Founder's is a fantastic brewery. Love their Red's Rye

Ballast Point Sculpin is my #1
Cigar City Jai Alai is a damn good IPA as well.
Straight to Ale Monkeynaut is my go to.
Westbrook IPA is solid as well.


I dont even drink beer unless its craft.

 

[RabbMD]

Yep. I get it here in my little BFE...

I've yet to see Leffe on tap here in the US though. 🙁

They have it at Camden Yards in center field in Baltimore for one... I've seen it on tap lots actually. Not as often as in Belgium but...

 

[OB1🤙]

Screw you guys for bumping this thread when I'm on pager. Now I'm thirsty.

 

[Mad Jack]

Dogfish Head's Midas Touch is probably my favorite easy to find craft beer. Innus and Gunn Oak Cask is probably a close second.

 

[okayplayer]

To add a NW flavor: Boundary Bay IPA (Bellingham, WA), Georgetown Lucille IPA (Seattle, WA). Double Mountain IPA (Hood River, OR), 10 Barrel IPA (Bend, OR).

I have also really enjoyed Lagunitas Little Sumpin Sumpin.

 

[MaximusD]

Wallstreet Journal listed the ten best beers in America (large brands):

1. Yuengling Traditional
2. Blue Moon
3. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
4. NewCastle Brown Ale
5. Guiness Stout
6. Samuel Adams Lager
7. Modelo Especial
8. Becks
9. Heineken
10. Corona Extra

WHAT? Remove Corona and Modelo Especial, and it's a decent list, but those are horrid beers.

And Blue Moon? Might as well say Stella Artois... tasteless, meaningless beer for people who don't like beer.

😛😎

 

[BuzzPhreed]

WHAT? Remove Corona and Modelo Especial, and it's a decent list, but those are horrid beers.

And Blue Moon? Might as well say Stella Artois... tasteless, meaningless beer for people who don't like beer.

Right on!

And here's a beer specifically for you.

 

[dhb]

Thirsty b1tches? 😀

 

[RT2MD]

Is that really Trappistes Rochefort? Because if it is... I hate you and whomever you are drinking that with.

🙂

 

[dhb]

Is that really Trappistes Rochefort? Because if it is... I hate you and whomever you are drinking that with.

🙂

Rochefort 10 (although the elephant in the room here is the Westvleteren 12), you hate me and myself 😉

 

[RT2MD]

Rochefort 10 (although the elephant in the room here is the Westvleteren 12), you hate me and myself 😉

Rochefort 10 is my favorite beer of all time. You anywhere near Minnesota? 😎

 

[dhb]

4220 miles from Minnesota

 

[RT2MD]

Give me 52 minutes...

 

[BuzzPhreed]

How the f*** did you get a CASE of Westy 12? I have one (as in a single bottle) in my fridge right now. I can't bring myself to drink it!

 

[Random Anesthesiologist]

Lagunitas is great. I don't mind yuengling either. Also have been into magic hat and good people lately. But those aren't as "mainstream" I guess. So much beer, so little time, heh.

 

[imfrankie]

How the f*** did you get a CASE of Westy 12? I have one (as in a single bottle) in my fridge right now. I can't bring myself to drink it!

Does the 12 stand for 12%?

 

[Wiscoblue]

I paid my neighbor $100 for a six pack of Westy 12. He's a pilot and flies a 747 to Amsterdam. Good beer!

My favs are Chimay red, fat tire, bells two hearted, founders breakfast stout, new glarus dubbel, Sierra Nevada pale ale, shiner bock, Alaskan Amber, moose drool, magic hat 9, ale asylum, Pliny the elder, dogfish Indian brown ale, Guinness and leininkugels vanilla stout. Oh and Bollywood blonde, Oberon, spotted cow, gumballhead, all the vivants, jolly pumpkin bam.

Anyone try Three Floyd's dark lord?

 

[dhb]

How the f*** did you get a CASE of Westy 12? I have one (as in a single bottle) in my fridge right now. I can't bring myself to drink it!

Only 95 miles from the abbey, and i have an other half case not in the picture..
The 12 is "only" 10.2%

 

[BuzzPhreed]

I just grabbed some "Enjoy By 12/26/14" and I will enjoy it far before then.

I also got some FW "Pale 31" which is a nice session APA, if you don't want the big 10% bombs while watching Sunday afternoon football... and posting on SDN. 😉

 

[gasdoc77]

Yuengling Black and Tan

 

[GassmanMD]

Enjoy by is my favorite IPA (and I have had many IPAs). Can't wait to open up 12-26-14.

The lonely westy 12 in my cellar will probably sit there until I get a second to replace it. Just can't bring myself to drinking it either!

 

[G0S2]

Love this.

 

[granolamd]

I like this stuff:

The best.

 

[BuzzPhreed]

Yeah, I like the Cali-Belgique too.

Ever had "Saison du Buff"? It was an interesting three-brewery collaboration between Dogfish Head, Stone, and Victory. The recipe is basically the same but brewed separately at the three breweries. Each was a little bit different. I had the DFH and Stone varieities. Never got to try the Victory batch.

Also love Two-Hearted. One of the first and best widely-available IPAs. I remember when I tried it several years ago I thought "too hoppy". That was when my palate was evolving. Now when I have it I think "not hoppy enough."

 

[Wiscoblue]

 

[G0S2]

Also my all grain home brew IPA. Cascade, Columbus, Amarillo hops. 5 gal doesn't last long. Kegged.

 

[deleted50478]

A sample of my current stash.

 

[BuzzPhreed]

nolagas, how is that Left Hand "Polestar Pilsner"? I had some of the Founder's "Dissenter" not that long ago and although I'm more of an ale than a pilsner guy, I really liked it. A good pilsner is still a good beer.

 

[courtnes]

I just grabbed some "Enjoy By 12/26/14" and I will enjoy it far before then.



I also got some FW "Pale 31" which is a nice session APA, if you don't want the big 10% bombs while watching Sunday afternoon football... and posting on SDN. 😉

Enjoy by 12.26.14 is probably one of the best of that series.

If you like Pale 31, I think Easy Jack is even better - probably my favorite session IPA.

Was just in the Kentucky/Ohio area and picked up a bunch of local beers - some surprisingly good - after an interview there. Now for another Vermont haul after the new year when I go up to UVM!

 

[BuzzPhreed]

Enjoy by 12.26.14 is probably one of the best of that series

I have two bottles. Will crack the first one this weekend.

If you like Pale 31, I think Easy Jack is even better - probably my favorite session IPA.

I think Pale 31 is okay. Reminds me of Founder's "All Day IPA". It's not a 9%+. So I don't expect it to be more than it is. If I can find some Easy Jack, I'll give it a try. I've yet to try a "bad" FW beer. (I have some Parabola, Stickee Monkee, Sucaba... and maybe one or two others... aging right now.)

Was just in the Kentucky/Ohio area and picked up a bunch of local beers - some surprisingly good - after an interview there. Now for another Vermont haul after the new year when I go up to UVM!

Vermont?!??! I'm all ears... 😉

 

[IlDestriero]

View attachment 187791

A sample of my current stash.

I have a bunch of 17. Good stuff.

 

[courtnes]

I have two bottles. Will crack the first one this weekend.



I think Pale 31 is okay. Reminds me of Founder's "All Day IPA". It's not a 9%+. So I don't expect it to be more than it is. If I can find some Easy Jack, I'll give it a try. I've yet to try a "bad" FW beer. (I have some Parabola, Stickee Monkee, Sucaba... and maybe one or two others... aging right now.)



Vermont?!??! I'm all ears... 😉

Yeah, I'm a fan of most of the FW beer - Union Jack is a great IPA, good mix of English and American style. Don't get me wrong, as I think Pale 31 is a pretty good pale. If you like pils, their Pivo blew me away. Might actually become my favorite of their beers, and I'm a confirmed hophead.

Haha, I've already had requests for some HT. Thinking we might have time to hit up HF too, as one of my buddies just opened a B&B up there. PM me if you're interested re: VT, though not sure what I can do given the limits that have been placed on purchases since the brewery isn't open to on-campus sales anymore.

 

[deleted50478]

nolagas, how is that Left Hand "Polestar Pilsner"? I had some of the Founder's "Dissenter" not that long ago and although I'm more of an ale than a pilsner guy, I really liked it. A good pilsner is still a good beer.

I came across it randomly and liked it enough to pick up some more. It gets lousy reviews on rate beer but better on beer advocate. I like it if I'm in the mood for a Pilsner.

 

[BuzzPhreed]

There are still a few good lagers out there. Yeungling is not one of them.

 

[deleted162650]

Necrobump time:

Stone Mutt Brown

Latitude 33 Brokini (just finished a pint and F me, that’s good)

 

[sevoflurane]

Nice Necrobumpage Salty...

Funny. I thought I remembered posting on this thread, which I did 4 years ago.

Finishing a tasty leffe as I write this.

At least I’m consistent.