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Tuesday, March 08, 2011

Hey beer man! The top 10 brews available at big league ballparks

I estimate only 10-12 Primates care about beer…

Oh, hell, who am I kidding. Over/under for posts on this one is 300.

Most of the beers on this list are pale ales of some sort; along with pilsners and summer ales, you’ll find that these are the best kinds of beers to drink while sunning yourself during a late July baseball game. You’d be best to avoid full-bodied oatmeal stouts or brown bitter dunkelweizens that would only weigh you down and make you feel like John Kruk at a buffet table. And remember, these beers are meant to be enjoyed in moderation. They taste so darn good that you’ll want to savor the flavor, not chug them like you’re a sorority girl with a Solo cup and a half keg of Milwaukee’s Best.

Guapo Posted: March 08, 2011 at 08:02 PM | 125 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
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1. SuperGrover Posted: March 08, 2011 at 09:41 PM (#3766509)

I've had Dogfish Head IPA, Anchor Steam Ale, and Blue Point Lager from that list. Also had several "craft" beers at Citibank including Brooklyn Lager and 312. I'd say Dogfish Head IPA is the clear winner of the group, with Anchor Steam and Brooklyn Lager a strong 2nd and 3rd.

Still upset Kauffman pulled Fat Tire draft a few years back.

Would love to see Bell's make an appearance in Detroit or Chicago sometime. Oberon is the nectar of the gods.

2. Drew (Primakov, Gungho Iguanas) Posted: March 08, 2011 at 09:42 PM (#3766510)

Since I never eat at a ballgame, I want my brown bitter dunkelweizen, thank you very much.

3. Drew (Primakov, Gungho Iguanas) Posted: March 08, 2011 at 09:45 PM (#3766516)

Dogfishhead IPA is great, as is Anchor Steam Ale. Most of the stuff from Stone was too strong even for me.

4. Tulo's Fishy Mullet (mrams) Posted: March 08, 2011 at 09:46 PM (#3766517)

pretty shallow piece, I suspect researched from a basement. I assume Coors and Busch are the same way, but Miller Park has no shortage of 'micros' and local beers available at the ballpark.

One comment on beer at ballparks: SF Giants ballpark (is it still SBC?) charges $9 for a big cup of PBR. I told the guy that there isn't a place on earth charging more for Pabst.

5. hokieneer Posted: March 08, 2011 at 09:53 PM (#3766524)

I told the guy that there isn't a place on earth charging more for Pabst.

Is there a hipster problem in SF?

6. BDC

Posted: March 08, 2011 at 09:58 PM (#3766532)

I've also had Dogfish and Anchor Steam, which seem to be in the Whole Foods distributing nexus. The Dogfish IPAs run from hoppy to exhilaratingly hoppy. I like them.

But TFA mostly makes me realize how dull the beer at the Ballpark in Arlington can be. I usually have either a Rahr's Texas Red or a Ziegenbock. Neither is anything to write home about and both are served too cold, though 90 seconds out of the keg in Texas in August can correct that, I admit. You can get Guinness or Smithwick's in an "Irish pub" in one of the upper decks, but Arlington is a long way from Ireland and something gets lost in the translation. You can also get Shiner of various kinds in bottles, but I can get that anywhere around here. Everything else is a tasteless Light or Lite or something.

7. BrianBrianson Posted: March 08, 2011 at 09:59 PM (#3766533)

Tulo - it's worse if you keep heading west from there: If $9 is too much, don't order PBR in Shanghai

8. tshipman (The Viscount of Variance)

Posted: March 08, 2011 at 10:02 PM (#3766538)

I hate that most of these were IPAs. The IPA fetish of the craft brewer is my least favorite development in the beer world of the last 10 years.

Pile on the hops is not really a very subtle strategy.

9. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: March 08, 2011 at 10:09 PM (#3766544)

Small beer, Oakland Coliseum, Oakland: Don't fall for the scam. The $5 small beer and the $8 large beer are both the same size.

WTF?????

Boulevard Pale Ale in KC should be on this list.

10. smileyy Posted: March 08, 2011 at 10:10 PM (#3766545)

[8] IPAs seem to be all anyone brews in Seattle. That, or wheat beers. Basically, my two least favorite beers.

11. dr. scott Posted: March 08, 2011 at 10:14 PM (#3766550)

AT&T park has a bevy of great beer, some in the stadium, but the best are in The Public House, a bar connected to the park that has in an out privileges in the stadium. In addition to 24 beers on tap (and 24 TV's... see a theme?) that range from pedestrian, to the best craft been in the country, they also have most of the Trappist beers in bottles and about 20 other fine bottles to choose from. Its not a Giants game without Lagunitas IPA and a Rochefort 10.

12. dr. scott Posted: March 08, 2011 at 10:17 PM (#3766552)

As for the IPA revolution, I was never a big fan until my wife slowly got me into them. Now I cant imaging ever not having liked them. It helped that our local bar in Oakland had 30 rotating taps and we were trying different beer from around the country and world every night.... hmmm... Barclays.

13. The Piehole of David Wells

Posted: March 08, 2011 at 10:17 PM (#3766556)

Stone is the best beer on that list. Do they not serve Great Lakes Brewing Co's Dortmunder in Cleveland? That's a great beer.

14. dr. scott Posted: March 08, 2011 at 10:18 PM (#3766557)

Crap, sorry for all the posts, I just wanted to put in a word for the Sweetwater 420 pale ale at Turner Field. Its the best Pale Ale brewed in the south that Ive had. Really good stuff.

15. Swedish Chef Posted: March 08, 2011 at 10:19 PM (#3766558)

SF Giants ballpark (is it still SBC?) charges $9 for a big cup of PBR. I told the guy that there isn't a place on earth charging more for Pabst.

And here is where the Nordic audience thinks "$9, not super cheap but sounds like pretty good value for a large beer"...

16. bads85 Posted: March 08, 2011 at 10:19 PM (#3766559)

I assume Coors and Busch are the same way, but Miller Park has no shortage of 'micros' and local beers available at the ballpark.

Once upon a time, you could't get Coors' products at Coors' Field because A. Busch had the excelusive beer rights there. I doubt if that is still the same.

17. The Piehole of David Wells

Posted: March 08, 2011 at 10:23 PM (#3766563)

Pile on the hops is not really a very subtle strategy.

I never get why we have to make a choice between subtlety (prized as a mark of sophistication) and the polemic (using the term broadly here to mean really hoppy, loud, brash beer). Both have their virtues, and both can be differently sophisticated. If anything, evaluation is less sophisticated than either.

18. mike f Posted: March 08, 2011 at 10:25 PM (#3766566)

Most of the stuff from Stone was too strong even for me.

We went to a local craft beer festival over the weekend. The Stone booth had a bottle of Double Bastard. It looked like cough syrup. I love most of their beers, but that stuff was way over the top.

19. Drew (Primakov, Gungho Iguanas) Posted: March 08, 2011 at 10:25 PM (#3766567)

Pile on the hops is not really a very subtle strategy.

I never get why we have to make a choice between subtlety (prized as a mark of sophistication) and the polemic (using the term broadly here to mean really hoppy, loud, brash beer). Both have their virtues, and both can be differently sophisticated. If anything, evaluation is less sophisticated than either.

My take is that "piling on the hops" isn't really what's happening. If it were, all IPA's would taste the same.

20. Drew (Primakov, Gungho Iguanas) Posted: March 08, 2011 at 10:26 PM (#3766571)

I've never had Double Bastard, but I could only stand a few sips of the Ruination IPA before I was done.

21. tshipman (The Viscount of Variance)

Posted: March 08, 2011 at 10:36 PM (#3766583)

My take is that "piling on the hops" isn't really what's happening. If it were, all IPA's would taste the same.

They do, to me.

I never get why we have to make a choice between subtlety (prized as a mark of sophistication) and the polemic (using the term broadly here to mean really hoppy, loud, brash beer). Both have their virtues, and both can be differently sophisticated. If anything, evaluation is less sophisticated than either.

I guess I don't see how people taste any subtleties in an IPA, because all I taste is over the top hops.

22. Tulo's Fishy Mullet (mrams) Posted: March 08, 2011 at 10:38 PM (#3766584)

Tulo - it's worse if you keep heading west from there: If $9 is too much, don't order PBR in Shanghai

I think I suspected as much by the time I got to my seat at the park. I still marvel at how expensive it is in certain locales.

My other PBR moment regarding ballparks was being accosted by three dolled up young ladies with their guerilla marketing strategy to market the beer at a bar outside PNC park. Here these ladies approached us four Milwaukee natives with "Do you guys remember Pabst Blue Ribbon?"

I later recalled my first days as a vendor at County Stadium in the early 90s and seeing how they were still vending the 'fast fills' of Pabst (tap beer, already poured sold by a walking beer vendor) for $2.75, and thinking why would anybody spend that much for a beer that's been sloshed around for about 1 inning. (The same could be said for people who buy any fountain soda from a walking vendor, you are a fool)

23. ?Donde esta Dagoberto Campaneris? Posted: March 08, 2011 at 10:48 PM (#3766591)

Once upon a time, you could't get Coors' products at Coors' Field because A. Busch had the excelusive beer rights there.

When I was there in the late 90's (98?) it was like that. Only Bud products were being served in the stands and at the primary concessions. (I was expecting a golden can when I walked through the entrance and was very disappointed.) They did have a couple of concession stands that had a very wide selection of bottled beers however (IDK if they had Coors there or not.)

24. phredbird

Posted: March 08, 2011 at 10:55 PM (#3766595)

beer is too darn expensive at ball games. i just stay with bud, which, i keep telling everybody, is simply not a bad beer.

btw, happy mardi gras all. its just another day here in L.A. but all my old new orleans pals are on the street catching beads and whatnot. good for them. i'll be having a drink with my cajun pal jimmy at the little next door on 3rd st. later tonite in honor of carnival.

25. Forsch 10 From Navarone (Dayn)

Posted: March 08, 2011 at 11:04 PM (#3766599)

beer is too darn expensive at ball games. i just stay with bud, which, i keep telling everybody, is simply not a bad beer.

Bud is probably my favorite cheap/crap beer.

26. North Side Chicago Expatriate Giants Fan Posted: March 08, 2011 at 11:06 PM (#3766603)

We went to a local craft beer festival over the weekend. The Stone booth had a bottle of Double Bastard. It looked like cough syrup. I love most of their beers, but that stuff was way over the top.

I do like Stone Arrogant Bastard. Also, I would rather pay $9 for a PBR than have Old Style for free. Wrigley Field has Old Style Light. What the hell is the reason that Old Style Light exists? Are you kidding me?

Edit: Oh, and I have to add my plug for Anchor Steam. San Francisco's finest.

Edit 2: fixed too many uses of "also"

27. Colonel Samuel B. Sternwheeler Posted: March 08, 2011 at 11:06 PM (#3766604)

Then make it an Abita Red Ale for me.

28. North Side Chicago Expatriate Giants Fan Posted: March 08, 2011 at 11:08 PM (#3766608)

Bud is probably my favorite cheap/crap beer.

Bud really isn't so bad. Bud Light is atrocious. Miller Lite is probably worse. If you want a reason to hate America, there are two good reasons.

29. North Side Chicago Expatriate Giants Fan Posted: March 08, 2011 at 11:09 PM (#3766609)

Then make it an Abita Red Ale for me.

Speaking of subtlety, I was in NOLA last year, and had an Abita Strawberry Ale. Very nice addition of strawberry without being overpowering. I'm not usually for fruit beers, but that was quite nice.

30. Drew (Primakov, Gungho Iguanas) Posted: March 08, 2011 at 11:16 PM (#3766618)

Ever had Bud Lime? It has real lime flavor--yet tastes like it has fake lime flavor.

31. Jarrod HypnerotomachiaPoliphili (TeddyF.Ballgame) Posted: March 08, 2011 at 11:18 PM (#3766620)

Nice to see Mac & Jacks get a mention. Not an altogether remarkable beer, but dependably good. A Seattle brew that's not an IPA, by the way.

On the subject of beer, if not ballparks, does anyone know if Leffe Brune is available anywhere in the US? I see their blonde all over the place, but would love to be able to get the brown.

32. Lassus Posted: March 08, 2011 at 11:18 PM (#3766622)

Inspired, or, perhaps peer-pressured by all these beer threads, I took a couple swigs, two full swallows of beer last night. A Blue Moon pale ale, and another a local micro-brew from Cooperstown.

You'll all be happy to know that beer still sucks, and all of you still have no taste whatsoever.

Here these ladies approached us four Milwaukee natives with "Do you guys remember Pabst Blue Ribbon?"

And no one broke into their best frightening Frank Booth impression?

33. North Side Chicago Expatriate Giants Fan Posted: March 08, 2011 at 11:19 PM (#3766624)

On the subject of beer, if not ballparks, does anyone know if Leffe Brune is available anywhere in the US? I see their blonde all over the place, but would love to be able to get the brown.

I certainly can get it at bars in Chicago, but I'm not sure I ever have purchased it at a store.

34. Eddie A Posted: March 08, 2011 at 11:23 PM (#3766627)

It's reddish in appearance and tastes a little bit nutty and a little bit fruity

When did beer critics start using the same pretentious terminology that oenologists use to describe wine?

35. Biff, highly-regarded young guy Posted: March 08, 2011 at 11:49 PM (#3766638)

You’d be best to avoid full-bodied oatmeal stouts

Disconcur! Any time is a good time for a stout.

36. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: March 08, 2011 at 11:57 PM (#3766644)

Not sure why they went with IC Light for the Pittsburgh beer. Real men drink "Ahrn", and always have.

Incidentally, it's kind of an acquired taste as a drinking beer, but it makes a really good cooking beer, particularly with shellfish. If you're going to do a beer-based shrimp marinade, for example, it's money. That sort of metallic aftertaste you get just complements the other flavors really well.

37. dksutton Posted: March 08, 2011 at 11:59 PM (#3766646)

Of those on the stem list, I'm quite familiar with both Anchor and Sweetwater and will admit an affection for the ol' 420, but spending 99% of my MLB experiences in Busch Stadium, the vast majority of my ballpark suds have been from the red label of the King of Beers. However, I'm old enough to remember Falstaff in Busch, and even back to the day when Falstaff pony kegs were allowed on a carry-in basis.

Seven or eight Falstaffs or PBRs will prep you for a colonoscopy.

It's been a few years since I've been to Kaufmann, but the comment above about Boulevard Pale Ale gets a second here. All of the Boulevard product line are well done, and if available at the park, they should indeed be on the stem list.

I'm somewhat surprised that Yuengling or even Iron City aren't on the Three Rivers' list...or if so, that at least one didn't make the cut.

38. Forsch 10 From Navarone (Dayn)

Posted: March 09, 2011 at 12:07 AM (#3766654)

Bud really isn't so bad. Bud Light is atrocious. Miller Lite is probably worse. If you want a reason to hate America, there are two good reasons.

I'd reverse the order of those two, but, yes, Bud Light and Miller Lite are crimes worthy of a Hague tribunal.

A non-exhaustive list of beers I love:

- Newcastle Brown
- Harp on tap
- Anchor Steam
- Pretty much anything by Half Acre
- Shiner Bock
- Duvel
- Pretty much anything by Three Floyds
- Fat Tire

39. Tuque

Posted: March 09, 2011 at 12:08 AM (#3766658)

I love beer so much I don't even know what to say. Other than that everyone should drink more beer.

IPAs seem to be all anyone brews in Seattle. That, or wheat beers. Basically, my two least favorite beers.

How dare you. Those are probably my two favorite styles. Or, well, two of them.

I guess it depends on what you mean by "wheat beers." I love Bavarian wheat beers. And actually, as weird as it sounds, Trader Joe's has the best American Bavarian-style weiss and dunkelweiss beers that I've ever had.

There's a bar in the East Village that also serves lagers from a small brewery in Traunstein, Germany, and I have to say, I can't look at beers from Paulaner or Hofbrauhaus the same again. Best ####### beer ever.

40. Forsch 10 From Navarone (Dayn)

Posted: March 09, 2011 at 12:12 AM (#3766663)

I was planning on not drinking beer tonight, but this thread has undermined those intentions.

41. North Side Chicago Expatriate Giants Fan Posted: March 09, 2011 at 12:17 AM (#3766667)

A non-exhaustive list of beers I love:

- Newcastle Brown
- Harp on tap
- Anchor Steam
- Pretty much anything by Half Acre
- Shiner Bock
- Duvel
- Pretty much anything by Three Floyds
- Fat Tire

Three Floyds is excellent stuff. I would add Bells and Magic Hat to the list as well.

42. Jarrod HypnerotomachiaPoliphili (TeddyF.Ballgame) Posted: March 09, 2011 at 12:28 AM (#3766674)

And actually, as weird as it sounds, Trader Joe's has the best American Bavarian-style weiss and dunkelweiss beers that I've ever had.

Seconded, mostly. I'm not a big fan of weiss beer in general, so I haven't tried Trader Joe's version, but their dunkelweiss is surprisingly good. At a slightly higher price point, everything I've tried from Quebec's Unibroue has been good, especially the Maudite and the Fin du Monde. Their two more offbeat styles, the Ephemere and the Quelque Chose, are also topnotch if you're in the mood for something unusual. The first one is a great light summer drink, and the latter is almost like a dessert wine. It's shockingly flat, but by design.

I'll also give a shout out to two brewers from near my wife's home town--Maredsous and St. Feuillien. Talking about those is making me homesick for Belgium, and I've never even lived there.

43. Hugh Jorgan Posted: March 09, 2011 at 12:30 AM (#3766675)

IPA stuff all sucks.
I concur with Drew and Biff, anytime, anywhere is a good time for a stout or porter. Good, hearty stuff and it's a meal in itself...well once you've had a few pints.

Gently sipping an Ale.... WTF is that? You might as well be drinking a chardonnay and wearing one of those jackets with the patches on the elbows.

44. Forsch 10 From Navarone (Dayn)

Posted: March 09, 2011 at 12:35 AM (#3766679)

Speaking of Trader Joe's they make a surprisingly good stout that they sell in a larger, corked bottle. Really good stuff, I thought.

45. Jarrod HypnerotomachiaPoliphili (TeddyF.Ballgame) Posted: March 09, 2011 at 12:41 AM (#3766684)

The Trader Joe's Vintage Ale (also in a large, corked bottle) is made for them by Unibroue, I just found out. It looks like Goose Island makes the stout, and Gordon Biersch makes the dunkelweiss. At least according to this site.

46. KB JBAR (trhn) Posted: March 09, 2011 at 12:52 AM (#3766693)

For Chicagoans...

There's an organized bike ride out to the 3 Floyds brewery in Munster that's worth your time if you're not averse to 30+ miles of cold, drunk bicycling on the way home. Otherwise, it's worth a drive out.

Also, every spring or so, Durty Nellie's by the Metra stop in Palatine has a huge beer party with 100 or so beers (Abita, Stone, New Glarus, Ommegang, Two Brothers, DogFish Head, Left Hand, Dark Horse) on tap for a flat price. $25 or $30, I think. All the variety of the Map Room, but cheaper and with fewer hipsters. Last year, I tried so many beers, I don't remember any of them.

47. The Piehole of David Wells

Posted: March 09, 2011 at 01:02 AM (#3766697)

When did beer critics start using the same pretentious terminology that oenologists use to describe wine?

They've been doing it for quite some time. See Beer Advocate which is in every sense the equal of Wine Spectator.

I don't get the disrespect for Wheat Beer. I had Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier last night. Awesome.

48. dr. scott Posted: March 09, 2011 at 01:30 AM (#3766714)

So IPAs should all be about the freshness, aroma and taste of different hops. This comes from proper hop addition at different times while boiling the wort (My wife is a brewer) and during fermentation. the most frequent problem with IPA's is poor (i.e. warm) storage that causes the hops to quickly lose their flavor, and leave a funny taste. Many respectable brewers refuse to sell IPA's to Bevmo because they will store them warm for months, and will often be no good by the time they are bought. This causes many people to dislike IPAs. After while you learn to notice differences between the different aroma and flavoring hops, and can tell if the beer was dry hopped (adding hops during the fermentation). Simcoe and Amarillo give a fruity aroma for instance.

In my opinion its one of the harder beers to make excellently outside the Belgians, and can change the most after brewing. Dogfish, Stone, Lagunitas are all very good examples, but the best is still the original, the beer that started the West Coast hop craze, Blind Pig and Pliny the Elder... very bitter, but also very aromatic and perfectly balanced (if you like that type of beer). Even when I did not like IPAs I noticed that Pliny was an extraordinary mix of tastes that I had not encountered before, and led me to trying more IPAs that were less bitter.

Then you get into Fresh Hop beers. These are made with fresh non dried hops, and the beer has a shelf life of less than 1 month. A couple of specialized bars will carry them on tap after harvest time. Completely different flavor than even good Dry hopped beer. Hard to find, but worth the effort if you like IPAs.

My personal favorites are the Trappists like Orval, Rochefort and Westmalle. Chimay is also quite good, but because its so widely distributed, can often be off a bit.

49. Tuque

Posted: March 09, 2011 at 01:30 AM (#3766715)

I don't get the disrespect for Wheat Beer

I'm assuming that at least some people are talking about Belgian-style wit beers...they seem to be much more commonly imitated in the US. It's rare to see German-style wheat beers made by American breweries (other than Trader Joe's, the only other version I can think of is the inferior Sierra Nevada Kellerweis), but the Belgian style is popular, sometimes brewed with some BS like oranges or something. I'm not a huge fan of them, but some people are - all comes down to personal taste, I guess.

Hard to find

Not in Portland! I've had both Deschutes and Bridgeport fresh hops beers. Both excellent. What an awesome city for beer...

the beer that started the West Coast hop craze, Blind Pig and Pliny the Elder...

A lot of beers miss out on the floral, citrusy flavor. Pliny the Elder captures it perfectly, and there are a bunch of other small NW craft breweries that get it great too - the kind of thing where you open the bottle and can immediately smell the orange-y-ness of the hops. I remember Pelican being damn good, and last time i was home I had an IPA which was really outstanding...I wish I could remember the name of the brewery, I'd never seen it before. I'll post it if I can figure it out.

50. dr. scott Posted: March 09, 2011 at 01:33 AM (#3766717)

As for wheat beers, the Germans and Belgians do them better than the standard American wheat in my opinion. for whatever reason, according to my bartenders, wheat beers tend to be the domain of women and folks who generally don't like beer... Pyramid Heff was one of my favorites before I got into beer, now I rarely drink it... its much better for a very hot day, which we rarely have in SF.

51. Tracy Posted: March 09, 2011 at 01:35 AM (#3766718)

Last time I was at the local minor league team's stadium (Kane County Cougars), they were serving Two Brothers Domaine DuPage on tap. I could've stayed all night.

52. GregD Posted: March 09, 2011 at 02:30 AM (#3766771)

The Philly ballpark is my favorite for beer selection. There are different beers in different sections of the park. Not just kiosks with specialty beers but kiosks with different stuff on tap from the one around the corner. And Philly is a shockingly good beer town. Nothing super-famous and nothing very large but plenty of good small to mid-size breweries in the city and in the region. I miss Troegs so much! (Harrisburg.) And in the vicinity Flying Fish and Victory and, arguably, Dogfish. But little ones in the city like Yards are really good, too. I suppose it's the plentiful abandoned warehouses or something.

New York beer is pathetic. I don't know why. Though there are great bars that stock from far away, thankfully.

Milwaukee was heaven for a visitor, but I assume the west coast cities are now the best for beer drinking?

Happiness is a growler of Smuttynose Big A in the refrigerator.

53. Mike Webber Posted: March 09, 2011 at 02:34 AM (#3766778)

Boulevard Pale Ale in KC should be on this list.

AMEN!

54. Spivey Posted: March 09, 2011 at 02:42 AM (#3766792)

But TFA mostly makes me realize how dull the beer at the Ballpark in Arlington can be. I usually have either a Rahr's Texas Red or a Ziegenbock. Neither is anything to write home about and both are served too cold, though 90 seconds out of the keg in Texas in August can correct that, I admit. You can get Guinness or Smithwick's in an "Irish pub" in one of the upper decks, but Arlington is a long way from Ireland and something gets lost in the translation. You can also get Shiner of various kinds in bottles, but I can get that anywhere around here. Everything else is a tasteless Light or Lite or something.

False. As a dedicated alcoholic and beer snob I can assure you that you're wrong. They have a stand pretty close to home plate, on the ground level section where they have "Beers of Texas". This includes some very solid Saint Arnold beers - including the Lawnmower. I think it's a very solid beer, better than many of the ones I see on this list. Also, Dogfish Head 60 minute is very overrated in my book. And I say that as someone that drinks a *ton* of IPAs.

Anyways, the "Beers of Texas" booth also includes a large bag of hot, freshly roasted peanuts. It is the only booth I go to at the park since the other beers suck and all of the food has sucked for the last 10 years.

55. greeneater Posted: March 09, 2011 at 02:48 AM (#3766803)

I'd assummed Eddie was joking, but since piehole's taken him seriously, I might as well. when did "reddish", "nutty", or "fruity" begin to qualify as "pretentious" language? It looks like a firetruck and tastes like fruit and nuts. Simple, no?

56. Spivey Posted: March 09, 2011 at 02:51 AM (#3766809)

Bud really isn't so bad. Bud Light is atrocious. Miller Lite is probably worse. If you want a reason to hate America, there are two good reasons.

What are you talking about? Bud Light and Miller Lite aren't atrocious. They basically have no flavor. I prefer my beer to have flavor, since I like beer - but there's nothing that could possibly be considered atrocious about them.

57. Spahn Insane Posted: March 09, 2011 at 02:51 AM (#3766812)

Most of the stuff from Stone was too strong even for me.

I'm an IPA guy, and Stone's is probably my favorite.

Now, off to RTFA, followed by the rest of TFT.

58. Spahn Insane Posted: March 09, 2011 at 02:53 AM (#3766814)

OK--of that list, I've had Stone IPA, Anchor Steam, Dogfish Head 60 Minute, and IC Light. One of these things is not like the others.

59. McCoy Posted: March 09, 2011 at 02:58 AM (#3766822)

The problem with Dogfish is that they have expanded past their production ability. Distribution over the last month has been spotty at best. Many places are pulling it out and going with Harpoon or Anchor Steam in our area. We'll be going with Hook & Ladder Flashpoint for awhile and then settle on something at a later date.

60. Spivey Posted: March 09, 2011 at 02:58 AM (#3766823)

Also, Bells Two Hearted Ale is basically the perfect beer. Great flavor, great balance, and you can drink several of them back to back. Many great beers cannot be a session beer, and that counts against them in my book.

61. McCoy Posted: March 09, 2011 at 03:04 AM (#3766830)

I think almost all of the beers he wrote about are one and done beers in my book. If I ask a bartender to describe a beer and the first thing he says is hoppy or fruity I am not getting it. I absolutely hate hoppy beers, hate bitter beers, and hate overly fruity beers. Just give me a balanced American beer like Yuengling and I'll be happy for hours.

62. McCoy Posted: March 09, 2011 at 03:07 AM (#3766835)

New York beer is pathetic. I don't know why. Though there are great bars that stock from far away, thankfully.

Ommegang, Brooklyn, Cooperstown, Keegan. . . .

It seems to me that NY does quite alright.

63. Guapo Posted: March 09, 2011 at 03:14 AM (#3766846)

If one wanted to become a beer snob, where would be a good place to start?

I like beer and am always looking to expand my horizons, but I find the magnitude of options somewhat overwhelming.

64. PreservedFish Posted: March 09, 2011 at 03:39 AM (#3766866)

What are you talking about? Bud Light and Miller Lite aren't atrocious. They basically have no flavor. I prefer my beer to have flavor, since I like beer - but there's nothing that could possibly be considered atrocious about them.

Just for fun, I looked up Miller Lite reviews on Beer Advocate. This is review #5 of 693:

Scents of metallic lemon rind, orange, grass clippings and crackers.

Some slight hop presence up front with assorted lemongrass tendencies. Lemon peel and citrus with some metallic orange. Crackers and pepper with absurd amounts of dryness. Finishes dry and bitter with biscuit malt.

Anyway, I kind of disagree about them being flavorless. They are not flavorless. The flavor is weak, insipid, watery, but it does exist, and I find it mostly unpleasant.

65. McCoy Posted: March 09, 2011 at 03:41 AM (#3766867)

Start with your region. Find a bar or restaurant around you that tries to have a good selection and start there. Quickest way to learn what you like since you'll be able to taste a ton of different beers. I'd suggest not going full hog and drinking totally out of balance beers. Slowly step outside your comfort zone and go from there.

66. PreservedFish Posted: March 09, 2011 at 03:44 AM (#3766871)

If one wanted to become a beer snob, where would be a good place to start?

I love beer, but the number of options is bewildering, and a thread like this makes me eyes glaze over because it would be a ridiculous task to taste, discern, and remember the differences between all the beers named above.

I recommend getting a guidebook - I enjoyed one of Michael Jackson's books, although I bet there's even a useful For Dummies one - and tasting the archetypal styles that the book mentions. Once you know your way around the most famous handful of German, Belgian and English beer styles, you'll have an ability to contextualize the zillions of American microbrews.

67. Fred Lynn Nolan Ryan Sweeney Agonistes Posted: March 09, 2011 at 04:18 AM (#3766904)

I'll probably always favor Anchor Steam, if nothing else because their brewery is right near one of the fields where I play ball, and afternoons you often get that hoppy smell wafting across the field... heavenly.

68. Tulo's Fishy Mullet (mrams) Posted: March 09, 2011 at 04:22 AM (#3766907)

I am not a beer snob, nor do I want to be a beer snob, but I find the best way to enjoy beer is with food. There's drinking beer to get a buzz and going out, tailgating and all that, but there's also trying beer for the purposes of determining whether you like it or not, and for that, I'll take it during a meal.

69. Tuque

Posted: March 09, 2011 at 04:29 AM (#3766913)

I'll post it if I can figure it out.

Figured. It was the Oakshire Watershed IPA. Great beer.

New York beer is pathetic. I don't know why.

New York as a state has some decent stuff, but New York City is a shitty beer city. There are lots of craft bars and stores, but they're crazy expensive, and your average NYC bodega has about 1/4 of the selection of your average Portland minimart.

And of the good NYC breweries - Brooklyn, Coney Island, Sixpoint - only Brooklyn offers six-packs, at least that I've seen. And while Brooklyn ain't bad, Sixpoint kicks Brooklyn's ass.

I'd suggest not going full hog and drinking totally out of balance beers. Slowly step outside your comfort zone and go from there.

When I first got into beer, I actually did exactly the opposite - I had tons of imperial IPAs, imperial stouts, etc. before I finally developed the palate where I could recognize subtlety in beer beyond the extremes. I now am kind of skeptical of any beer with an ABV above 8.0%, really. There are some decent examples, but generally imperial IPAs, stouts, etc. are just so overwhelmingly sweet and syrupy to me now that they completely overwhelm a lot of the nicer flavors that I like in beer. But any way works - McCoy has the right idea...start local, try lots of different styles and breweries, etc.

Also, I agree with whoever said that Dogfish Head is overrated. They're like the Jean-Luc Godard of breweries - very experimental and weird, and sometimes great, but a lot of time their stuff just comes out half-baked and pretentious.

I'll probably always favor Anchor Steam

Anchor Steam is exactly the kind of beer that I never realized how great it was until I developed an appreciation for subtlety in flavor. Great, great beer, one of the best in the US easily. In my opinion, of course.

70. tshipman (The Viscount of Variance)

Posted: March 09, 2011 at 04:38 AM (#3766918)

If one wanted to become a beer snob, where would be a good place to start?

I would start with a Chimay Grand Reserve. Have it poured into a nice glass where you can really get your nose in it. Once you taste that, you will find yourself interested in drinking better beer.

71. Drew (Primakov, Gungho Iguanas) Posted: March 09, 2011 at 04:55 AM (#3766929)

I legitimately don't understand the "tastes like beer" people. Beers are so diverse that some of them don't taste at all alike in any way.

72. Hecubot Posted: March 09, 2011 at 04:59 AM (#3766931)

A little more love for Anchor Steam. There wouldn't be craft beers or microbrews without Fritz Maytag's pioneering efforts with Anchor Steam in the early seventies.

73. The Piehole of David Wells

Posted: March 09, 2011 at 05:05 AM (#3766933)

If one wanted to become a beer snob, where would be a good place to start?

I mentioned it above, but get Beer Advocate magazine.

74. Gold Star - just Gold Star Posted: March 09, 2011 at 05:12 AM (#3766936)

Thinking about it, I'm surprised Chase Field doesn't have Four Peaks on tap. Arizona doesn't have many microbreweries, but my local one is aces. For a game on a hot day (or, considering it's Phoenix, night), a Sunbru sounds lovely.

75. Spahn Insane Posted: March 09, 2011 at 05:31 AM (#3766942)

I guess I don't see how people taste any subtleties in an IPA, because all I taste is over the top hops.

Ever try Lagunitas? Kinda fruity, along with the hops. It's not my favorite, but I know non-IPA enthusiasts who enjoy it.

76. Spahn Insane Posted: March 09, 2011 at 05:33 AM (#3766945)

Also, Bells Two Hearted Ale is basically the perfect beer. Great flavor, great balance, and you can drink several of them back to back.

Yes. And it's better than Stone IPA, so I take my previous comment back. How I could've overlooked it for even a moment, Bell's being my hometown brewery, is beyond me. Dad's always got a case of Two Hearted cooling in the garage when I go visit.

77. Spahn Insane Posted: March 09, 2011 at 05:34 AM (#3766946)

Or if you wanna go really hogwild with the Bell's IPAs, go for their Hopslam. It's tough to find, but worth looking for.

78. Lassus Posted: March 09, 2011 at 01:33 PM (#3767003)

And of the good NYC breweries - Brooklyn, Coney Island, Sixpoint - only Brooklyn offers six-packs, at least that I've seen.

I'm not sure what the percentage is now, but until 2009, the majority - if not entirety - of the Brooklyn Brewery line was brewed in Utica at F.X. Matt's.

79. WhoWantsTeixeiraDessert Posted: March 09, 2011 at 01:55 PM (#3767012)

I feel like Anchor Steam is the most versatile beer, it goes well with a lot of different foods, and you could probably drink that all day at a ballpark. It makes sense you would see lighter varieties in the summer, but porters are really good with peanuts. In the earlier days of Camden Yards, they had Blue Ridge Porter which was an excellent combo with them or pretzels. On tap, Nats Park's best is Dogfish Head IPA, the Fordham stuff is only ok, and they have some Hook and Ladder brand that's nothing special. Occasionally, they'll have bottles of Starr Hill's stuff in the upper deck microbrew area, but not the stout which would really be great during those April night games. I haven't been to the new Yankee Stadium yet, but the 2nd incarnation featured vendors with Pilsner Urquell which I reckon is the best beer I didn't wait on line at the ballpark for. Crazy as it seems, a Belgian strong ale like Duvel with a hotdog is really damned good, but I know the Lerners ain't making that happen.

Five or so years ago, before Stella Artois's advertising seemed to take over, there were several Leffe taps around DC, which occasionally had the Bruin on tap. Wonderfully sweet yet complex stuff.

80. tribefan Posted: March 09, 2011 at 02:07 PM (#3767017)

Stone is the best beer on that list. Do they not serve Great Lakes Brewing Co's Dortmunder in Cleveland? That's a great beer.

Yes they do serve it here and yes it is a great beer.

81. GregQ Posted: March 09, 2011 at 02:17 PM (#3767024)

If you ever have the opportunity take the tour at Anchor Steam, if the new owners continue it. The tour is about ten minutes long and then you get an hour in the tasting room! Train station is just down the hill. BTW has anybody tried the new beer Anchor just released, Brekle's Brown or beer from the new steam-style brewery in Oakland, Linden Street Brewery?

82. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: March 09, 2011 at 02:28 PM (#3767035)

Scents of...crackers.

Well, I guess that makes sense. Those are typically the people who drink Miller Lite.

83. The Piehole of David Wells

Posted: March 09, 2011 at 02:36 PM (#3767047)

Yes they do serve it here and yes it is a great beer.

It's too bad they didn't put it on the list. It's better than all the beers listed.

84. BDC

Posted: March 09, 2011 at 02:43 PM (#3767053)

They have a stand pretty close to home plate, on the ground level section where they have "Beers of Texas".

Hey, that's where I get my Rahr's Red! No, I'm not saying I'm fixing to stop drinking beer at the Ballpark, I'm just longing for the apparently infinitely richer beer culture at other ballparks. I am perhaps a little less into Rahr's and St Arnold's than you. Unlike many on this thread, I do like IPA; I wish they had the St Arnold Elissa IPA in addition to the Lawnmower, which I think is aptly named and is forgettable unless you're mowing lawns.

Let me know when you'll be at the park, though, and if I'm there I'll meet you at Beers of Texas and buy you one from their selection :)

85. Guapo Posted: March 09, 2011 at 02:54 PM (#3767058)

Thanks for the beer advice.

86. Johnny Sycophant-Laden Fora Posted: March 09, 2011 at 03:04 PM (#3767066)

I hate that most of these were IPAs. The IPA fetish of the craft brewer is my least favorite development in the beer world of the last 10 years.

I've never met an IPA that wasn't vastly superior to all the weakass pilsners that were the only things available back when i was in college

87. covelli chris p Posted: March 09, 2011 at 03:31 PM (#3767081)

i had a few good beers last night. let's see ...

rapscalion honey - nice session beer. clean finish, not much hops. sort of a contradiction, but it was both dry and sweet ... i imagine that's the honey flavor tricking me.

rogue shakespeare stout - black color with a nice creamy head. big roast flavor with a malt backbone. hop bitterness was present. yum.

maine beer company peeper ale - i had never heard of them, and the plain white label caught my eye, so i figured i'd give it a shot. it was a pleasantly mellow american pale ale. hop flavor and aroma was there, but not overpowering, and the malt let you know it was there without taking away from the hops. it had a lot in common with the mellower (bier de mars, for instance) belgian/french farmhouse styles. very nice!

sam adams noble pils - sam adams' attempt at a bohemian style pilsner. i'd drink it again.

88. covelli chris p Posted: March 09, 2011 at 03:39 PM (#3767091)

Anchor Steam is exactly the kind of beer that I never realized how great it was until I developed an appreciation for subtlety in flavor. Great, great beer, one of the best in the US easily. In my opinion, of course.

I come over to Frisco last night with some of the boys and we took in the sights. Frisco is some live town Al. We went all through China Town and the Barbers' Coast. Seen lots of swell dames but they was all painted up. They have beer out here that they call steam beer. I had a few glasses of it and it made me logey. A glass of that Terre Haute beer would go pretty good right now.

-Jack Keefe

89. Der Komminsk-sar Posted: March 09, 2011 at 03:48 PM (#3767100)

I don't know much about beer at all, nor do I drink it often (maybe one a month?). That said, Beer Advocate is a neat site, every few months I'll flip through it just because it's interesting, not because I plan on buying these products.

Most interesting beer I've ever had was an Alaskan Smoked Porter. Darker/thicker than I tend to dig (I'm a lager/pilsner guy), but still very tasty.

90. Johnny Sycophant-Laden Fora Posted: March 09, 2011 at 03:51 PM (#3767105)

sam adams noble pils - sam adams' attempt at a bohemian style pilsner. i'd drink it again.

When Sam Adams Light came out, and they had that ad campaign where people drank it and were amazed that a light beer tasted that good?
Like a complete fool I actually ordered one at a restaurant one night... Without thinking too much, while eating I took a swig and... and reflexively spat/sprayed it out over the table...

horrible, absolutely horrible- oh it wasn't the worst beer I've ever had (back in college when I was poor...), but man oh man, I was really not expecting such a piss poor product from Jim Koch & Co...

I tried it again maybe a year later, thinking, hey maybe I just got a bad bottle... nope...

91. covelli chris p Posted: March 09, 2011 at 03:56 PM (#3767111)

but man oh man, I was really not expecting such a piss poor product from Jim Koch & Co....

one of my pet peeves is how many crappy divey dive bars around town serve stale sam adams boston lager through dirty tap lines. when it's served fresh through clean lines it's actually a really good beer. most people don't realize this.

this is even worse for harpoon ipa. not as good a beer when fresh, way way worse when mishandled.

92. depletion Posted: March 09, 2011 at 04:08 PM (#3767119)

This thread is useless without pictures.

Minor league stadia have cheaper good beer. When Utica NY had the Blue Sox (late '90's), 16 oz of Saranac Lager was $2.50.

93. Home Run Teal & Black Black Black Gone! Posted: March 09, 2011 at 04:16 PM (#3767133)

I tried it again maybe a year later, thinking, hey maybe I just got a bad bottle... nope...

Yeah, I'ma' second this. I like the seasonals but SA and SA Light taste rancid. Like something went horribly, horribly wrong--bottle or tap. I know a lot of people who feel this way (specifically, that SA tastes not just bad but bizarre in its badness).

94. Der Komminsk-sar Posted: March 09, 2011 at 04:18 PM (#3767138)

My understanding (from knowing a few beer snobs) is that Sam Adams Light is the best widely available light beer out there - and is also kind of not great. (Yuengling Light being up there as well ... which I think is okay, but I like beers for people who don't like beer, so what do I know?).

95. Home Run Teal & Black Black Black Gone! Posted: March 09, 2011 at 04:20 PM (#3767141)

Just to chime in, I'm another guy who prefers lagers and pilsners. Clean, crisp; sharp on the tongue, pure of soul. I got hooked on Augustiner Hellas while in Munich. God I love you, Augustiner. You're so beautiful. Sniff.

96. Home Run Teal & Black Black Black Gone! Posted: March 09, 2011 at 04:24 PM (#3767145)

that Sam Adams Light is the best widely available light beer out there

Maybe. I fully support the acquisition of a sophisticated and discerning palette, but I don't think beer snobs have much of a place in the light beer market. It's like someone busting out the Kama Sutra at a drunken coke-fueled orgy. Yeah, sure, some good points--but not the time or place.

If you're drinking light beer, you've made your choice.

And I drink quite a bit of light beer. I drink it when I'm at a cheap bar with friends and there's every reason to believe we're going to be downing a large amount. Bud Light is fine for this.

My favorite light beer is Michelob, but that's not something you see on draft much.

97. tshipman (The Viscount of Variance)

Posted: March 09, 2011 at 04:29 PM (#3767148)

My understanding (from knowing a few beer snobs) is that Sam Adams Light is the best widely available light beer out there - and is also kind of not great. (Yuengling Light being up there as well ... which I think is okay, but I like beers for people who don't like beer, so what do I know?).

My favorite light beer is Michelob, but that's not something you see on draft much.

Michelob light is pretty solid--goes well with most food.

Probably the best light beer is Amstel Light, although T&B is mostly right that if you're drinking light beer, you've made your choice.

98. Swedish Chef Posted: March 09, 2011 at 04:37 PM (#3767157)

I might as well. when did "reddish", "nutty", or "fruity" begin to qualify as "pretentious" language?

Funny thing is that all of those are useful when describing BBTF posters. :-)

99. GregQ Posted: March 09, 2011 at 06:31 PM (#3767291)

Since we are on beers one of the funniest things I have heard in a bar is a woman walking up and saying "Give me a merkin". I almost spit out my beer before realizing that it was an actual beer, and as it turns out, a pretty good one.

100. Der Komminsk-sar Posted: March 09, 2011 at 06:40 PM (#3767302)

You've inspired me - went out at lunch and bought an Anchor Steam single (among others) for later consumption.

but I don't think beer snobs have much of a place in the light beer market.
Very fair point that. I avoid 'em myself - don't drink enough for it to make much of a difference calorically.I almost spit out my beer before realizing that it was an actual beer, and as it turns out, a pretty good one.

I almost spit out my beer before realizing that it was an actual beer
Hell, I'm almost spat out my lunch reading that.

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