Dark Beers anyone?

[Celt]

Occasionally I get to enjoy a nice dark ale or lager from a micro-brewery. One of them is a dandy place in downtown Little Rock that also makes some great pizza. Anyway, the other day I bought a pack of Heineken Dark Lager that's okay, but not up to what I've come to expect from the micro-breweries. Anyone care to share what store-bought favorites they enjoy? :beer:

[luvvinvinyl]

Sleiman's Cream Porter and Original Dark Ale. 150+ year-old family-run brewery, about 180 miles from me..

[ozmoid]

Micheloeb's AmberBock is passable. I'm with you, the microbreweries are the best, especially with the specialty brews. We have one here in WNC, Highland Brewing co., they make a GREAT porter. They also have an IPA called "Kashimir" that has a high, hoppy start but a mellower, malty finish - very nice touch, and a good beer.

The Sweetwater Brewing Company (Atlanta?) may be getting a wider commercial distribution, also a very good porter and IPA. I've seen it showing up in mainstream chain groceries lately, and not just the small shops. Give it a try if you can find it!

[Lambo]

Sam Adams Dark Wheat is a phenomenal brew! I haven't seen it for some years now, however. (and in looking at their website, it appears they don't make it anymore).
I also am partial to Oktoberfests and double bocks.
Spaten is a good brand for those styles.

Aventinus makes good dark wheat beers.

[Wornears]

Shiner Bock

[BridgedToMono]

Porters are one of the three, maybe four things that keep me getting up in the morning!

I don't know if you can get any of them, but anyhow...

*Bully Porter out of Kansas City is pretty good.
*Black Butte Porter from Bend, OR is my favorite mass-produced brew period.
There's the Samuel Smiths brews from Tadcaster, England. The English brews are a bit different, but their *Taddy Porter and *Oatmeal Stout are very good.

If you can ever get out here, McMenimans Terminator Stout on Nitrous would probably be worth the trip! :beerchug:

Of course you may not have meant thaat dark. The specific gravity of Guinness is too low for me, a chocolate porter at 55 degrees=yummy :D

[rulerboyz]

I also thought that Heineken Dark Lager was just okay. In addition to having the bitterness, a good dark beer should have a certain sweetness to it, and Heineken Dark is laking in that department.

[merrylander]

Sorry, but we are in the wrong place for a good dark ale, you need to go across the pond and find a nice pub.

Rob

[ashnut]

If you can find it: Old Dominion Oak Barrel Stout. Old Dominion is a regional brewery in northern Virignia, but this is one of my favorites, hands down. Brewed in oak barrels (duh) with vanilla beans. Yummy!

[Fishstink]

Guinness Draught is smooth with a creamy thick head. They've been brewing it since 1759. Chill, pour and drink in a large glass.

[jonman]

Make mine an Amberbock

[Yamaha B-2]

Any decent stout fits the bill. Guinness is fine. But, the occasional dark beer coming out of the Riverhorse microbrewery in Lambertville, NJ is also great stuff. Drop in there if you are ever in town.

[Just JP]

Any decent stout fits the bill. Guinness is fine. But, the occasional dark beer coming out of the Riverhorse microbrewery in Lambertville, NJ is also great stuff. Drop in there if you are ever in town.

Riverhorse does make some very nice brews but nothing that dark. Their Hop Hazzard being my favorite in the line up. But if you were to go up the Delaware River a little bit to Easton PA you would arrive at Weyerbacher (http://www.weyerbacher.com/) . They offer many great beers in many different styles. I usually don't like fruit beers but their Raspberry Imperial Stout is the bomb.

Jim

So much good beer, so little time!

[Yamaha B-2]

IIRC, Riverhorse did a Porter one year. My preference is IPA, but stouts are good. I'll look up the Weyerbacher. Have a party to attend on 4/9, so will bring some along if I can dig up. Thanks for the tip.

For Riverhorse, make that a Bock rather than a Porter. Both are very dark.

[Urizen]

Newcastle on tap! Oh yeah... :beer:

[MitsuMan]

If you can find it where you are (not east of the Missisisippi) I highly recommend Schlafly Oatmeal Stout. :beer:


This is pretty good too :yes:

http://www.mylifeisbeer.com/beer/bottles/autopics/561.jpg

[guptonr]

I love Kilkenny (from Guiness I think), but I don't think it's sold in the US. I can get it most any other Irish pub in nearly every backwater country in the world, but not the US.

[koseltri]

Now here's something I can discuss! I don't normally go for Stout, as it's too dry and a bit bitter for me. I prefer porters since they tend to be smoother and a bit sweeter. The Black Butte Porter mentioned earlier (made in Bend) is a good choice. Rouge makes a porter, but it's too aggresive for me. The Samuel Smith 'Taddy' porter (SS is brewed in Tadcaster, Yorkshire) is good too, and I have been known to have their Oatmeal Stout. Newcastle Brown is OK, browns has a tendency to be a bit hoppy to me. Oddly enough, when I was in the UK in 2003, I couldn't find a porter in any pub (I was expecting to dislike bitter, but found McEwan's 80 to be quite nice). when they drink dark, It's Guinness. I did find a porter, bottled, in an ASDA store in Lancashire (a chain that started in the northeast, and is spreading southward). I was told when we were there that the chain had recently been bought by You-know-who (it starts with a W). the porter, Whitechapel Porter, was equal to Black Butte. Young's Double Chocolate Stout is OK, not my first choice. Fuller's London Porter is good, but my Holy Grail is a brew that Widmer Brothers (right here in Portland!) came out with late in 2004. It's called Snow Plow. It's a Milk Stout, a stout with milk sugar in the recipe. It's rich, perfectly balanced, and is so smoooooth. It was a collaboration between the company and the Oregon Brewer's Guild, the first home brewing organization formed in the US after it was legalized. The only downer is that the company only makes it as a winter brew, so it's been gone for a month. I have hoarded 4 six-packs, I don't know if they'll last 'til summer. Pyramid Apricot Wiezen is my fave for summer, anyway. You porter guys, if you see Snow Plow next Nov., Grab it! BTW, I don't do pales, in case you haven't sussed it yet.

Scott
I'm not a lush, I'm a connoisseur ;) :beer:

[cruisaire]

Sheaf's stout, Abita Turbo Dog, and Sam Adams Black Lager

[Celt]

Dang! You guys got me chompin' at the bit for a good cold brewski! :beerchug:

[Yamaha B-2]

How about http://www.yuengling.com/ for Porter. Been around as a family brewery for almost 150 years. Think this was my first dark beer, having been raised in the land of Coors 3.2 beer.

[BridgedToMono]

Well as I head home from work now, I think I've decided on a Lagunitas Brown Shugga.

mmmmmm.

[koseltri]

Well, Celt, Widmer does offer the Milk Stout all year in their restaurant. I'll meet you at PDX :D

Scott

[SansuiSamRI]

If you can ever get out here, McMenimans Terminator Stout on Nitrous would probably be worth the trip! :beerchug:


I couldn't agree more. Oatmeat Stout is great too. Also a Cherry Stout that I've made. Guiness of course in on the list. Oddly enough, I don't like a Porter. If you guys like beer, you should check into making your own. It's easy, not expensive to get started, and has the best reward of anything you can make!

[koseltri]

I have had it on Nitro... creamy silk! Well, this has been fun, but my wife brought home a bag of Shiitakes from work (from a company client), so I'm off to fire up the saute pan.

Scott

[bre's dad]

About 10 years ago, I lived in Little Rock. We used to frequent a quaint little hole in the wall that was a pizza shop & micro brew... Vino's on 7th street. It wasn't the best pizza or brew, but was the only micro brew in town. Don't know if its still there or not.. haven't been back in many years. Anymore, its Oaken Barrel in Greenwood, In, makers of Gnaw Bone Pale Ale... good shit!

[Fisher-Dave]

Michelob time!! :smoke:

[Mark B]

McMeniman's Terminator Stout is very good, although I prefer Irish stouts such as Guinness and Murphy's.

[JDaniel]

The Rogue Brewery carries many of my favorites:

Mocha Porter
Imperial Stout

and for the not so dark:
Rogue Dead Guy Ale
Saint Rogue Red

And I find many of the Sam Adams just plain hard to beat. I particularly enjoy the Oktoberfest. Thumbs up also for the aforementioned Yuengling and Newcastle.

And my regular/daily beer for the past few months is Killians Red. Why you say? Three reasons:
(1) I like it.
(2) Mrs. JD likes it
(3) My local Target has the 6-pack bottles for $7.49, or a 12-Pack bottles for $7.55 (yep six cents more??? :wtf: ) This pricing has been in effect since last fall, and still going strong. I just bought some there today.

For that price, it's hard to beat.

JD

[dew042]

I love Kilkenny (from Guiness I think), but I don't think it's sold in the US. I can get it most any other Irish pub in nearly every backwater country in the world, but not the US.

I think that was the last pint I had before I left Ireland on my visit last year. It was very good indeed.

dew.

[Drybasement]

I love dark brews.

Mackeson triple stout is my current favorite. Finishes very nice. Not bitter. More of a mild sweetness. Very tastey.

Another favorite is a brew from the Unibroue Brewing Co of Chambly, Quebec called Trois Pistole. Not as dark as the Mackeson but has an irresistable flavor and aroma.

[Jovinyl]

St. Pauli Girl, dark. my fav. tasted many. was my beer of choice.

[fabvsix]

Schrelenkerla Smoke Beer from Bamberg Germany! :banana: :banana:

[jerryjg]

10-40 castrol, well aged and served at room temperature.

[piece-it pete]

Sorry, but we are in the wrong place for a good dark ale, you need to go across the pond and find a nice pub.

Rob

Amen Rob. It seemed the Guiness was diferrent over there, what do I know? :dunno:

I recently had St. Peters' Porter, quite good imho if a bit pricey for my plebian budget.

guptonr, I never had beer from Kilkenny, but heard about a girl from there...

whoa I'd better go buy some good beer, immediately. After that, another one :eek: .

Pete

[kichijai]

I'm too much of a pantywaist to handle dark beer. I tried to wash a Big Mac down with a Guiness once and almost vomited. Regular Budweiser is all that works for me.

[wineslob]

I couldn't agree more. Oatmeat Stout is great too. Also a Cherry Stout that I've made. Guiness of course in on the list. Oddly enough, I don't like a Porter. If you guys like beer, you should check into making your own. It's easy, not expensive to get started, and has the best reward of anything you can make!


I've been brewing my own beer for about 20 years. The initial cost is about $100.00 and each batch you make will run about 25-30 dollars, depending on what you want to make. One thing, if anyone wants to start making beer a kit is a good way to start. From there you decide on the "extras" you want to use, wort chillers (really is a must!) ect. Your first batches may not be the bestyou ever had, but it sure is fun to make your own. Especially when you can crank the alcohol content up to 7%+!


BTW Thoothes Sheaf Stout, is for real men/women. :D

[moondog]

"Hobgoblin" by Wychwood Brewery & "Wee Heavy" by Belhaven.

YUM... :beer:

[SPL db]

Newcastle on tap! Oh yeah... :beer:

Another vote for Newcastle! :beerchug: Good stuff! :yes:

Scott

[Zinker]

And the winner is.....Kostriker :beer: ...Hands down...Smooth, refreshing, NO after taste. Dark but not 10W40....



:banana: :banana:

[RussinOhio]

Ok not dark....but good! :thmbsp:

[MitsuMan]

BTW Thoothes Sheaf Stout, is for real men/women. :D

Pics or ban :D

[john_w]

San Miguel Dark Lager! Only Phillipino beer I know of, but man is it tasty! Sold only in liquor stores that...well, sell that kind of thing. :D

I used to cruise across the border to Canada from college and pick up "the real stuff". Labatt's Porter and Molson Brador were faves, but those don't qualify here.

A nice amber, of course, is the unofficial Colorado Beer of Choice - Fat Tire Ale by New Belgium Brewing Company. Smooooooooth!!! Most of us Coloradites take their Fat Tire quite seriously. :thmbsp:

Since I'm not much of a hop-head (I never got why anything SHOULD be very bitter) I tend to go for Bavarian style darks. One should try the very pricey ones at least once - Westmalle "Dubbel" Trapist Ale and St. Bernardus Prior 8 - richest, creamiest darks you may ever find, but far to expensive to justify making a regular habit of them.

[VinylHanger]

One of my favorite everyday drinkers is Sierra Nevada Porter, good stuff. I have some of thier Stout for tonight. Lagunitas Imperial Stout is a recent daily drinker as well. Imperials give you a bit more sweet due to the sugars, though that also adds to the alchohol content..... which isn't always a bad thing. For a nice smooth Stout you can't beat 8-Ball Stout. But if you want your socks knocked off go for the Arrogant Bastard and Double Bastard Ale's. Not so dark, but big beers none the less, as well as the Rogue Dead Guy, just a great beer.

As for Fat Tire, it is the absolute best beer I have had with cheeseburgers. Wonderful. :yes:

[Donkey!]

Well I love Guinness. But As an American I am partial to Canadian beer.
I go up north every summer. So while Im talking about beer, Canada and America I have a good joke.

What does sex in a canoe and American beer have in common.

-------There both fucking near water. :D

[Jack Lord]

But As an American I am partial to Canadian beer

Must respectfully disagree. While a Molson or O'Keefe may be better than the prototypical can of Bud (hell, what isn't), the major Canadian brews are pretty sad for the most part. Watery and boring and only marginally better, if at all, than their major counterparts in the States. An exception was the aforementioned Molson Brador, but that seems to have faded into oblivion.

But...Canada, like here, boasts some great microbrews. I found one in Quebec that made maple syrup flavored beer. Ambrosia...

Anyway, if you like, that's good enough of course. No worries.

As for dark beers, Guinness wins, but that is an easy one. Anchor Porter is a sure winner. The German Rauchbiers and Altbiers are fantastic but rarely make it over here intact. During visits to California, I have happened upon an Aussie brew known as Sheaf Stout. Very good.

Bottoms up. :banana:

[john_w]

While a Molson or O'Keefe may be better than the prototypical can of Bud (hell, what isn't), the major Canadian brews are pretty sad for the most part.

Just to clarify - Are you talking about imports, or the stuff you get across the border?

Plain old Molson Canadian is definitely just on par with most American brews, just judging by the import variety. In fact, I think I like Budweiser better! Though I think Labatts Blue is a tad better.

[BridgedToMono]

This thread makes me so happy to live in Portland. 30 breweries, soon to be 31.

More breweries per square mile than any other city on earth...

Methinks I've got more drinking to do. :beerchug:

[Texas42]

For me it's Shiner Bock (Texas beer) or Negra Modelo (Mexican import dark beer). Both are fantastic, especially listening to the blues...

[Jack Lord]

Just to clarify - Are you talking about imports, or the stuff you get across the border?

Both.

The major beers of both countries, whether they are Molson, Bud, Labatts, Miller, whatever, are the laughingstock of the rest of the world. Neither Bud nor Molson compare to something like Samuel Smith, Furstenberg Pils, Guinness Stout, Carlsberg, Samul Adams, Duvel, or even Kronenbourg.

But both countries have loads of decent micobrews and craftbeers which do stack up well to the competition.

I have heard a lot of the Molson vs Bud debate, primarily but not exclusively from Canadians. Its a pretty specious debate as both beers are nothing to brag about. But as I said before, whatever floats your boat.

[Andyman]

Got this email today and this seem a good place to post it:

Irish Beer

At a world brewing convention in the States, the CEOs of various brewing
organizations retired to the bar at the end of each day's conference.

Bruce, CEO of Fosters, shouted to the Barman: "In 'Strylya, we make the
best bloody beer in the world, so pour me a bloody Fosters, mate."

Auggie, CEO of Budweiser, calls out next: "In the States, we brew the
finest beers of the world, and I make the king of them all, gimme a Bud."

Hans steps up next: "In Germany ve invented das beer, ferdamt.
Give me ein Becks, ya ist der real King of beers, danke."

Paddy, CEO of Guinness, steps forward: "Barman, would ya give me a
diet coke with ice and lemon? Thanks."

The others stare at him in stunned silence, amazement written all
over their faces.

Eventually Bruce asks: "Are you not going to have a Guinness, Pat?"

Paddy replies "Well, if you fookin' pansies aren't drinkin', then neither
am I.

[Celt]

:lmao: @ Andyman! :thmbsp:

[Shinkukan]

Newcastle on tap! Oh yeah... :beer:

Kampai (cheers in Nihon-go) to that. (My first post is a beer post?!)

In 1997, no beer fan I, a Scottish pub and writer's haven in San Francisco beckoned to me. There, I discovered darkies on tap and the unfortunate need for additional belt holes, then belts, then pants. Alas, I've migrated toward scotch in my waist-restoration effort, the occasional brew notwithstanding:

- Ginga Kogen (brewed in Japan by a German beermeister, blue bottles)
- Chimay (Belgian Trappiste Monk ale, 9% alcohol, headache-ready)

Second only to witnessing my children's births: An audio session after a massage (ok, third, if we include the part between the massage and the audio)

Massages are to planars what brews are to tubes, less case-sensitive.

[kuisis]

This is my first post on this site. I saw the posts about Chimay, Westmalle,and Rochefort which are excellent, but has anyone had any unibroue beers from Canada, it's a belgian style brewery. Terrible is a great beer, along with La Fin du Monde. Great beer and great audio do seem to match nicely.

[john_w]

To the New Guys -

I see you have your priorities straight!

(Not that audio is secondary - but beer is a great compliment!)

Welcome!

:beerchug:

[Drybasement]

This is my first post on this site. I saw the posts about Chimay, Westmalle,and Rochefort which are excellent, but has anyone had any unibroue beers from Canada, it's a belgian style brewery. Terrible is a great beer, along with La Fin du Monde. Great beer and great audio do seem to match nicely.

Yes, Trois Pistole. I mentioned that in my post to this thread. Did you read it?

[Jack Lord]

La Fin du Monde

Now there is an exceptional Canadian beer!

[kuisis]

I must have missed your reference to pistole!, a damn fine beer. I live in Pittsburgh Pa
and have one of the best beer bars in the country five minutes from work, both a blessing and a curse if you know what I mean. They always have 54 beers on draft. at least 25 of them belgian, and over four hundred bottles, not the cheapest beer bar, but one of the best. It's called the sharp edge and if you google it they have a website.

What I always find interesting is that people always think dark beers are the strongest tasting beers and the strongest in alcohol, not generally the case. The triple style belgiums are stronger than most in both taste and alcohol. I always try to enjoy a gulden draak with my jazz or a Orval with my classical

[Just JP]

This (http://www.ommegang.com/) is where I will be visiting next week. I'm getting thirsty just thinking about it. :yes:

Jim

[kuisis]

Have a three philosophers for me.

[Just JP]

Have a three philosophers for me.

The funny thing is I'm using the wallpaper of three philosophers that I downloaded from their site as my background.

Jim

[kuisis]

Just had some yesterday, great beer. Enjoy the brewery I hope to get there some day along with the baseball hall of fame!

[Just JP]

I just had a great beer week. In the span of a couple of days I was able to visit, Ommegang (http://www.ommegang.com/), Cooperstown Brewing (http://www.cooperstownbrewing.com/), Triumph Brewing (http://www.triumphbrewing.com/indexfl6.html), and Riverhorse (http://www.riverhorse.com/). :beer: All four are great and highly recommended.

Too bad I have to go back to work next week.

Jim

[jtnchls]

I love Black Butte Porter from Deschutes. Distant second is a tie- Abita Turbo Dog or Sierra Nevada Porter. All very good.

[kuisis]

Jim

A few of my buddies and I want to go to Ommegang. Are the other three brewery's as good? Also could you do say lunch at one and dinner at the other over a three day weekend. Had some Hennepin last night.

Tom

[Just JP]

Jim

A few of my buddies and I want to go to Ommegang. Are the other three brewery's as good? Also could you do say lunch at one and dinner at the other over a three day weekend. Had some Hennepin last night.

Tom

Ommegang is easily the most unique of the four, a must visit. Don't get me wrong the others are very good also.

Also of the four only Triumph serves food, very good upscale food. It is a brewpub and the others are strictly breweries.

One problem you'll have is Ommegang and Cooperstown are around 300 miles from Triumph and Riverhorse. A little much for a three day weekend.

Speaking of Hennepin, I did bring back a couple of bottles of the cave aged versions of that beer. I'm just waiting for the right time to have some.

Jim

[kuisis]

We'll probably just do the HOF, Ommegang and Cooperstown. Thanks for the information. How long is the Hennipen aged for?

[Just JP]

Sounds like a plan. The Hennepin is aged for eight months and when I compared unaged and aged at the brewery there was a big difference.

Jim

[mageworlder]

I'm not allowed to drink beer yet.

[moondog]

But I thought you were "GOD-LIKE" mageworlder, so LIKE... Shouldn't you be able to drink a beer??? :scratch2:

:D

[john_w]

I think mageworlder may be eluding to that classic difference between "may" and "can" :D

Disclaimer: This is NOT to be construed in any way to be an encouragement of underaged drinking. I'm sure AK frowns on such things.

[Reel 2 Reel]

For me it's Shiner Bock (Texas beer) especially listening to the blues...

I have literly fell in love with this stuff....


http://audiokarma.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=33894&d=1166287175

[Yamaha B-2]

Yep.....really miss Shiner long-necks out here. Too bad it was taken over by the guys who make that rot-gut crap called Corona.

Another good micro-brew is River Horse. http://www.riverhorse.com/

Their ales have all been outstanding.

[eljr]

Murphy Stout :beer:

The water of gods.

[john_w]

I went to my usual haunts back in Michigan over the holidays, and sampled some of the most interesting brews I ever tasted.

I had a "pretty good" ale from Founders Brewing Company of Grand Rapids, and a much more intriquing, older style ale from the same brewery called "Old Curmudgeon". Very rich and intense. A lot of reviewers mention caramel, which I can see. My brother suggested black walnut, to which I would add a very rich, syrupy black walnut, with caramel drizzled over it. Very, very tasty, but so rich I had to alternate between Old Curmudgeon and their more conventional "Founders Ale". It encourages two-fisted drinking!

http://www.ratebeer.com/Ratings/beer/beer-Ratings.asp?BeerID=40543&Show=0&SortedBy=3

I also tasted somebody's home brew, which had a very refreshing smoky-but-light flavor. Too bad it's not commercially available.

[zr1gary]

Nectar of the gods..:thmbsp:

[bigshawn]

Didn't read all the posts, so hope this isn't a repeat. But one of my favorites is Spaten Optimator. Thick and dark like Guinness, but with out the burnt, mouthy aftertaste. I can drink one Guinness before I have to switch what I am drinking. But with Opitmator, you can drink them all day without getting that feeling - wait, I think I hear one in my fridge call my name...

[bigshawn]

One more to add to the list, Samuel Smith Nut Brown Ale. It's a little darker than Newcastle, without as much hops. A little more malty in flavor. But is delicously good. Sold in four packs for about the cost of a six pack. But worth every penny.

[onepixel]

I love dark beers during the cooler weather. My recent find was an Irish Ale called Mac...Something. Yeah that's lame I'll have to go buy some more and refresh the memory.

[theophile]

My favourite has already been mentioned;

Young's Double Chocolate Stout.:thmbsp:

I also like Theakston's Old Peculier and Guinness Stout.

I'd like to try Snow Plow.
Dunno if I can get it in Australia.:tears:
I've also been told about Wychwood's Hobgoblin.

[SixCats!]

Hi all,

Wow, unless I missed it, I'm surprised that no ones yet mentioned
SAN MIGUAL DARK! This is a simi sweet DARK Beer from the Phillipinees (sp) and was perhaps my favorite Beer while I lived in California. Alas, I haven't enjoyed a San Migual in nearly fourteen years (since I've moved back to the
East Coast from California) as it's not available on the East coast.
That being said, I recently tried (several) SAM ADAMS BLACK LARGER and it's FANTASTIC!

Regards,
SixCats!

[theophile]

Okay the liquor outlet 1 mile from me(bloody excellent selection:thmbsp:) stocks the Canadian Trois Pistoles and the Westmalle Trappist mentioned earlier.I'm gonna try both.
I just tried a Dutch beer La Trappe Dubbel.Not bad(7%).Also had a Czech beer called Kozel Dark(3.8%) nice.
Neither beat Young's Double Chocolate.:thmbsp::thmbsp:

[Russellc]

The only dark I can stand is guiness.....I love the bitterness that most have complained about, and detest the sweetness most of these beers have. The New castle is OK in this regard, but chrimeny...is there any alcohol in that stuff? I can drink a bazillion of them without getting lit up! The "Bully porter from kansas city" someone mentioned at the beginning of this thread would be made by Boulevard Brewing company here in KC. It's not bad either, but their unfiltered wheat (not dark) is wonderful. They are slowly spreading out, try some if your here. Most every place in KC has their Wheat and Pale ale on tap. I am tickled silly as I just discovered one of my fav dineing places in KC, Trezo Mare, has my beloved Paulaner Hefe Weizen ON TAP!

Russellc

[similost]

My new favorite dark beer is "Russian Imperial Stout" by Stone Brewery.. my other favorite was their Arrogant Bastard Ale...

http://www.stonebrew.com/

[Yamaha1]

Love Guinness Stout and Beck's Dark.

[john_w]

Wow, unless I missed it, I'm surprised that no ones yet mentioned SAN MIGUAL DARK!

Yep, you missed it...

San Miguel Dark Lager! Only Phillipino beer I know of, but man is it tasty! Sold only in liquor stores that...well, sell that kind of thing. :D



This is a simi sweet DARK Beer from the Phillipinees (sp) and was perhaps my favorite Beer while I lived in California. Alas, I haven't enjoyed a San Migual in nearly fourteen years (since I've moved back to the
East Coast from California) as it's not available on the East coast.
That being said, I recently tried (several) SAM ADAMS BLACK LARGER and it's FANTASTIC!


S.M. Dark shows up around here every once in a while. I first discovered it in Michigan but didn't find it there very often. Are you sure that they don't distribute at all on the East Coast? With that beer, at least around here, you just have to be at the right store at the right time. I grab it whenever I see it. It's most often found at some wine shops that have extensive beer and barley wine selections, or some of the larger liquor stores.

I just saw that Sam Adams Black Lager. I will have to give it a try when things cool a bit. (I'm more into the light pilsner mode during the summer months.)

- jw

[eljr]

Occasionally I get to enjoy a nice dark ale or lager from a micro-brewery. One of them is a dandy place in downtown Little Rock that also makes some great pizza. Anyway, the other day I bought a pack of Heineken Dark Lager that's okay, but not up to what I've come to expect from the micro-breweries. Anyone care to share what store-bought favorites they enjoy? :beer:


I though I might find some beer offers here since the other thread was bogus.:beer:
:lmao:


I still recomend Murphy's Stout.

[theophile]

Tonight's "State of Origin" night.Third game of a three game series of Rugby League(the best Rugby League in the world).
I'm going to a mate's place at Noosa,and I'm taking three approx 12 fluid Oz bottles of a selection.Not to get smashed but as a tasting,we'll all share these three bottles.
I've managed to track-down some;

Wychwood 'Hobgoblin'

http://www.wychwood.co.uk/wychwood_hobgoblin.htm

Morland 'Old Speckled Hen'

http://www.oldspeckledhen.co.uk/


and one from left of field,a Cherry-Beer.Matured in Oak for three years!
Belle-Vue 'Kriek'

http://www.adam.com.au/immw/Michael/BeerAppSeason3/Belgium/bellevuekriek.htm


It should be a fine evening.Quaffing these distintive beers and watching Queensland demolish New South Wales to clean-sweep the series 3-0(Queensland have already wrapped the series up 2-0).
GO THE MIGHTY MAROONS!!!:yes: :thmbsp: :banana: :D

[VinylHanger]

What a Maroon! :D

[theophile]

What a Maroon! :D

Oh, I've seen that Bugs Bunny cartoon where he says that.I love Bugs Bunny.:thmbsp:
Yep,a Maroon(QLD supporter) and proud of it.
GO QUEENSLAND!!! :thmbsp: :D

[jimfet]

I've tried a bunch of darks and just can't get into them.
The only one I think I will be able to get into, is the
Halle Berry stout with cheeze.
I hear it has the perfect head.
The stronger the better.

[theophile]

Halle Berry Stout,yes. :yes: :thmbsp:
As long as it's not self-cheezing. :worried: :yuck: :puke:

[jimfet]

The cheeze is the best part.

[cheon57]

:thmbsp:Cask conditioned Oatmeal Stout:thmbsp: which is one of the house brews at Four Peaks Brewery, Tempe AZ. 1 to kill the dust of the desert and a growler to take home.:smoke::smoke::smoke:

[theophile]

The cheeze is the best part.

:thmbsp: :lmao:

[subdermis2000]

My favourite has already been mentioned;

Young's Double Chocolate Stout.:thmbsp:



My favourite stout as well. We just got it back in our local liquor stores after a one year absence. Luxury is right. There's three left in the friggo. Two.

[theophile]

Just a little bit more about Belle-Vue 'Kriek'.
While looking on the bottle I saw it was referred to as a 'lambic.Unable to find the word in the dictionary,I looked it up on the 'net.
This is what Wikipedia had to say.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lambic

I enjoyed another bottle of it tonight.For a beer it's mighty unusual.It tastes like what you Yanks would call a rasberry/cherry soda,and comes in a mini-champagne bottle(!)
It's 5.1% alcohol,and it's very nice.It's not to everyone's taste.It was one of the three beers I took with me to a friend's place last Wednesday night,and he really disliked it because it reminded him of cough medicine.The others who tried it all remarked on the unusual flavour,but didn't dislike it.
I doubt if many or any reading this thread would like it.It's very unbeerlike

[modge]

Try a few of these http://www.beersofeurope.co.uk/acatalog/Beers_of_Europe__British_Beer___Ale_7.html?gclid=C J6wvuC2lY0CFRI-EAodmR4p0A

Cant beat a pint of Marstons

[theophile]

Ijust saw some Marston's at the liquor store tonight when I was buying the Belle-Vue Kriek.
I didn't recognise it from the link you posted(Bad Memory?).

Two othe beers I got tonight were.
Leffe Brune/Bruin

http://www.koff.fi/en/products/house_of_beer/leffe_brune.html

La Gaulois Brune

http://ratebeer.com/Beer/la-gauloise-brune/4984/

Haven't tried the two I've linked to yet.
I'll get back to you.

[Yamaha B-2]

Been trying the various microbrews around Colorado. The 'New Belgium' fares from Ft. Collins are great. Also are the 'Steamworks' and 'Carver' in Durango. And, the brew-pub in Idaho Springs (Tommyknocker?). The Stone IPA from San Diego (we were caught between brew-pubs) was also excellent.

[JimJ[VT]]

I <3 stouts :)

[nickrobotron]

*Bully Porter out of Kansas City is pretty good.

This is my favorite Porter. The entire line-up from Boulevard is great. Another one that deserves honorable mention is Anchor Porter from San Francisco.

[theophile]

I tried some Marston's tonight.Marston's 'Pedigree'

http://www.marstonsdontcompromise.co.uk/beer/pedigree.htm

Kind of a shame that in the link above the've got the wankers from the England cricket team superimposed over the Sydney Opera House.:thumbsdn:

Back to the Marston's.It's nice.
I still LOOOOOVE Young's Double Chocolate Stout.:thmbsp::thmbsp::thmbsp:

Can't wait to try the brew which knocks that off it's perch.

PS it was so much fun watching Shane Warne bowl-out Kevin Peterson around the legs in the Test at the Adelaide Oval.:lmao::lmao::lmao::lmao:

[stuartk]

Just a little bit more about Belle-Vue 'Kriek'.
While looking on the bottle I saw it was referred to as a 'lambic.Unable to find the word in the dictionary,I looked it up on the 'net.


These aren't really dark beers, so it's a bit OT, but...

From what I've been told, Kriek just means "cherry" in Flemish.

It's quite good, although it's not much like what most people expect when they drink beer.

You might also look and see if you can get any Framboise. It's similar, with raspberry instead of cherry.

For something really different, look for a Flemish Sour Ale. It isn't like anything else you've ever tasted.

I recently had some Corsendonck, which is an Abbey Ale (a tripel). It was pretty darn tasty. :)

[P. Shivers]

I'm also a fan of dark beer, and have tried many that have been mentioned here. I also made my own Porter for a number of years, before getting out of the beermaking hobby, and into the stereo gear hobby.:D One that I haven't seen mentioned, is Erdinger Weissbrau Dunkel (http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/703/2041) from Gemany. I was able to sample lots of this stuff on several business trips to Germany over the last couple of years. It is a dark hefe-weizen with a pronounced spicy taste. I highly recommend giving it a try if you come across it.:thmbsp:

[john_w]

I recently had some Corsendonck, which is an Abbey Ale (a tripel). It was pretty darn tasty. :)

I've found everything I've tried labelled "trippel" or "tripel" to be reeeally overpowering and didn't enjoy them so much, just for that reason. At least I grew chest hairs so thick that they were starting to grow their own chest hairs! I guess I'm just not enough of a man to drink tripel. :sigh:

[theophile]

The abbey ales are pretty much made within religious institutions,yes/no?
Have you noticed they're all about 9% alcohol?
Halle(hic)lujah.:beerchug: :beer: :drunk:

[ponderbear]

I like everything New Belgium breweries make. There are some good dark ales (1554, Abbey) as well as one of the best Pilsners I've had, Blue paddle. 1554 is called that because that's how old the recipe is. It's good stuff. I'll drink just about anything offered to me out of courtesy, but I'm very particular when it comes to beers I take home.

Not short on the alcohol, either, especially the abbey.

[john_w]

I like everything New Belgium breweries make.
Ditto. Except the "Trippel". :D

[john_w]

The abbey ales are pretty much made within religious institutions,yes/no?
Have you noticed they're all about 9% alcohol?
Halle(hic)lujah.:beerchug: :beer: :drunk:

I've heard that Martin Luther had 10 vertical levels of his beer stein measured off with the 10 commandments. (Never knew the man personally - that's just what I've heard.)

[Dusty Chalk]

There used to be a local bar by the name of Bardo Rodeo, which had a Buffalo Stout which was just wonderful. It was to other beers and stouts what tootsie rolls were to chocolate.

[stuartk]

In some countries, a drink called malta is very popular.

It's basically carbonated wort, and even hopped to some extent. It uses dark malts and is very sweet. I think you either love it or you hate it. :)

I've had 4 or 5 different ones, and I think Malta Goya is perhaps the second best, and it's probably available at any place that has a good selection of Goya products. (So it should be available to people across the US anyway.)

[theophile]

I decided to try an Aussie dark beer this time,a 'Cascade Stout'.Rather nice.:yes:
I also bought the ever dependable Guinness Extra Stout.You know,I think I preferred the Aussie.
That surprised me.:scratch2:

[cp2buy]

No one has mentioned Downtown brown. yet. Very strong but a very mellow favor. I am not very much of a beer drinker but when I do it has to be a dark ale.

[theophile]

My local booze outlet has stocks of Young's Double Chocolate Stout again.:thmbsp:
Oh the hangover was severe this morning!:thumbsdn:
It took me about 4 and a half hours to find my wallet. :tears: :cry: :grumpy: :scratch2: :headscrat: :wtf: :rolleyes: :banana:

[pmsummer]

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/3783/pb120002nq6.jpg

Shiner 97
Bohemian Black Lager

[Fedallah]

Newcastle, please.

I can't drink light beers. They just don't taste good.

[Rat44]

I'm enjoying a Snow Plow by Widmer at the moment.It's a fine Milk Stout.

[fabvsix]

I'm enjoying my "Chelada" with fresh squeezed lime, 4 jolts of Tabasco, pinch of salt.....:banana::thmbsp:

Have you tried "smoke bier" at www.smokebeer.com ? :thmbsp:

[john_w]

Lots of discussion on Smoke Bier earlier in this thread. (Or was it "that other" beer thread? :headscrat I'll have to crack open a beer and think on that one.)

I recently happened upon a nearly new drinking establishment here in Denver called "The Cheeky Monkey". All Belgian brews, all the time! And a pretty hefty selection on tap!

Well, OK, they do have a handful of American pee-water brews, but they're kind of tucked away in the corner.

[koseltri]

I've tried the Downtown brown, not my fave. Both Portland Brewing and Deschutes have been putting out a spring/seasonal brown, Beertown Brown and Buzzsaw Brown respectively. Buzzsaw is the winnah. Theophile, Just tried the Hobgoblin myself, very good. Ever tried Black Boss Porter from Poland? Rich, with definite chocolate hints. Got a Young's DC Stout in the fridge to go with my leftover pizza. Cheers! :D

[theophile]

(2 minutes later)
koseltri
Young's Double Chocolate is rich and gorgeous. :beer: :thmbsp:
I haven't seen the other one you mentioned.
I tried a nice one called 'Old Engine Oil' by Harviestoun Brewery in Scotland. :thmbsp:

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/323/875

[theophile]

BTW Thoothes Sheaf Stout, is for real men/women. :D

wineslob,
Just looking through this thread again(it's inspirational!),I saw your reference to 'Tooth's Sheaf'

http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/collection/database/?irn=111553

I nearly fell over.Tooth's was the first beer I ever drank(in moderation of course...NOT !!!).
It's not all that well known here in Australia,let alone around the world.You have been to Sydney or Newcastle,perhaps?

Edit:Another Aussie Dark Beer(a new one)is Carlton United Brewery's 'Black'.
I like it very much,at least as much as Young's DC.

[hypertone]

How about some Anchor Steam? That's good stuff.

Any of those beers that come in the 4 packs; Guiness, Murphy's, Tetleys. I like all of those.

And there's nothing like a Black and Tan. MMMM

[sfox52]

I just tried Anchor's Bock- Best bock ever! ( Not labelled double bock, but it's rich & malty & almost porter dark!)

[merrylander]

Is there any other kind?

[KentTeffeteller]

Hi,

Sweetwater Stout is superb. I like Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout very well. Also, Rogue has a good one. For a lighter dark beer I like Yuengling Black & Tan well.

[Twenty20Man]

Samuel Smiths..good stuff, Beck's Dark yummy..many people try a dark like becks and think them too bitter...its important to remember they have been brewed to enjoy with no refrigeration. below ground storage..kegs in the wall.. so you need to let the bottle get a good sweat then drink it it smooths out and gets a creamy taste and almost no aftertaste...

[john_w]

I found a new favorite on my last trip to Michigan. From the previously mentioned Founders Brewing Company, Dirty Bastard. (Not to be confused with Arrogant Bastard.) An incredible scotch ale, not quite as overpowering as their Old Curmudgeon, but similar in some ways and just very tasty!

Somebody recently brought back a nice dark from a ski town (Breckenridge? Vail?) that you can get with a nice refillable glass jug if you buy the jug. Similar to Dirty Bastard but not quite the body.

I just spoke with a guy from Australia who claims Fosters is the only Australian beer you typically see in America because they drink everything else they make over there. Foster's is the only thing left to export! Actually, if you read closely you discover that it's actually made here, "under the authority" of Fosters.

I don't know - maybe there are some specialty Aussie brews over here. Seems to me I've seen them.

[merrylander]

There is a shop near here that used to be called The Sutton Place Gourmet, then the bought out Balducci's from NYC and wisely changed the name to Balducci's - we used to mail order steaks from the NYC store. Anyway they stock a lot of imported beers, can't recall from the last visit whether there were any from Oz - probably drank enough in the three weeks I was in Melbourne to last quite a while in any case.

[whoaru99]

I just spoke with a guy from Australia who claims Fosters is the only Australian beer you typically see in America because they drink everything else they make over there. Foster's is the only thing left to export! Actually, if you read closely you discover that it's actually made here, "under the authority" of Fosters.

I don't know - maybe there are some specialty Aussie brews over here. Seems to me I've seen them.


I've been there a couple times and yeah, I never saw people drinking Foster's. Sorta like Mexico, the only ones you see drinking Jose Cuervo or Corona are the tourists. Local tequilas and Sol beer were far better, IMO.

VB (Victoria Bitter) or EB (Emu Bitter) were big hitters from what I recall.

[theophile]

I've been there a couple times and yeah, I never saw people drinking Foster's. Sorta like Mexico, the only ones you see drinking Jose Cuervo or Corona are the tourists. Local tequilas and Sol beer were far better, IMO.

VB (Victoria Bitter) or EB (Emu Bitter) were big hitters from what I recall.

You guys are close to stumbling on classified information.
We export the 'suds' and keep the good stuff. :smoke:

Nah.Only joking. :D

There's a fair bit of regionality with regards to the fave beers.
Emu gets drunk in Western Australia(an actual state).
Cascade in Tasmania.
XXXX(Fourex) is the Queensland beer.
Tooheys gets the vote in New South Wales.
Cooper's is the choice of the South Australians.
The Northern Territorians have the Darwin Stubby.

VB(Victoria Bitter) is the best selling beer in Australia,and is drunk in many states.It's not great,but it's not bad.
The boutique(and micro)brewery scene is pretty strong here also,which is great,because their inventiveness and willingness to tackle niche brews has stimulated the major breweries to develop some flair and experiment with different styles.
That's gotta be good. :yes:
All this comes back to the willingness of the consumers to try something different,to be adventurous.The breweries are trying to chase the demand of the public.

[sfox52]

The only brand I see from OZ is Fosters, it's brewed in Canada for our market ( US). I like the Fosters Bitter, but can only find it in the "oil cans".

[john_w]

I was just at a liquor store that sold some other aussie brews in the specialty section. I don't recall any names though.

[hellhound94]

The best dark beer that I have ever tasted in my lifetime is Edmund Fitzgerald Porter brewed by the Great Lakes Brewery in Cleveland, Ohio.