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Post by billhammond on Apr 4, 2022 13:06:00 GMT -5
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Post by drlj on Apr 4, 2022 13:27:07 GMT -5
Swill.
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Post by paleo on Apr 4, 2022 13:29:06 GMT -5
I don't usually drink beer, but when I do, I drink Totally Naked.
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Post by epaul on Apr 4, 2022 13:33:22 GMT -5
So your neighbors have mentioned.
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Post by drlj on Apr 4, 2022 13:36:18 GMT -5
Most of Indiana is filled with backwards bumpkins. In Northwest IN, better known as da region to Hoosiers, the top 5 beers come from Three Floyds Brewery. Zombie Dust and Gumball Head are two favorites of mine. Miller Lite? As if.
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Post by majorminor on Apr 4, 2022 14:17:55 GMT -5
Shiner Bock Bitches!!!  |
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Post by majorminor on Apr 4, 2022 14:18:36 GMT -5
Wait......I think I may have found a name for the new band I'm in!!
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Post by Cosmic Wonder on Apr 4, 2022 15:08:08 GMT -5
In spite of my state apparently (what is wrong with those people?), I’m still a huge fan of Rogue brewing, Lagunitas, and the like.
Mike
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Post by aquaduct on Apr 4, 2022 15:09:20 GMT -5
My favorite steadfastly remains anything that's free.
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Post by TKennedy on Apr 4, 2022 16:17:06 GMT -5
I pretty much go by how cool the label looks.
I drank mostly Stella mainly because it’s Belgian and the cool vintage European bicycle racing ads but now that I am seeing that it is brewed in the US I am considering going back to Bud Light.
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Post by coachdoc on Apr 4, 2022 16:19:20 GMT -5
Just finished my first Switchback 16oz. can of the day. Yum. Switchback is marvelous, especially when very cold. Refreshing.
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Dub
Administrator
I'm gettin' so the past is the only thing I can remember.
Posts: 20,492 
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Post by Dub on Apr 4, 2022 16:20:49 GMT -5
Around here, it's gotten so available beer is mostly Bud-Miller-Coors in their various brand names or some kind of IPA. Even the local craft breweries seem to turn out mostly IPA variants. I'm not a fan. But we have one local brewery that makes a couple of beers that are quite nice. It's the Big Grove Brewery and the good brews that they make year-round are these.   Unfortunately, they only provide their beers in cans. Often I have our local Hy-Vee order this one for me. (Yes, I am a beer snob.)  |
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Post by billhammond on Apr 4, 2022 16:55:18 GMT -5
Mark -- Just sayin' ... from SpartanNash, a Michigan-based food distributor:
If you’ve checked out our beer aisles lately, you might notice an increase in the number of beer cans — even in the craft beer section. Today, cans aren’t just for the major pilsner-style beers. You can also find some of the most highly regarded craft and international brews in cans, and some breweries are switching to cans exclusively.
To celebrate Beer Can Appreciation Day, learn more about this trend and find out four reasons why many brewers are falling in love with cans all over again.
1. Cans Keep Beer Fresher
Because beer cans limit exposure to both light and oxygen, they keep the beer inside fresh and flavorful for longer.
When beer is exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light for extended periods, it leads to oxidization and an unpleasant “skunky” flavor in the beer. Glass bottles block out some light, but not all. While brown or amber glass blocks a significant amount of UV light, green and clear bottles are much less effective. However, aluminum cans prevent all light from reaching the beer inside.
Additionally, cans create a better airtight seal than beer bottles. During the canning process, the aluminum container is completely sealed, which prevents additional oxygen from reaching the beer until someone opens the can. In contrast, beer bottles let tiny amounts of air in, which can add up over time. While some beers, like traditional Belgian ales, require oxygen to bottle-ferment, most beers do not benefit from prolonged exposure to oxygen.
2. Canned Beer Is More Portable
There’s a reason that most of us pick canned beer when we pack a cooler. Bottled beer is heavier and more fragile. For example, a six-pack of bottles weighs more than seven pounds on average; meanwhile, a six-pack of canned beer weighs about two pounds less. Two pounds might sound like a small difference until you’re halfway through a five-mile hike to your picnic site.
3. Cans Are Better for the Environment Than Bottles
There are multiple reasons why beer cans are better for the environment. First, because beer cans are lighter and more compact, it takes less fuel to ship them. Second, most communities have more robust recycling and deposit programs for aluminum than they do for glass. While only 26.4% of recycled glass actually gets reused, the EPA reports that 54.9% of all aluminum cans get successfully repurposed after recycling.
4. Aluminum Cans Don’t Impact a Beer’s Flavor
Like many people, you might believe beer tastes better out of a bottle. However, blind taste tests have shown that there’s no consistent difference between the flavors of bottled and canned beer.
In 2016, researchers had 151 beer lovers taste the same beer in both cans and bottles. Then, they tasted each beer in a blind taste test. While more than 61% of the participants preferred bottled beer to canned beer when they saw its container, those numbers didn’t hold up in the blind testing. Instead, the numbers were split almost evenly between canned and bottled beer.
If you feel like a canned beer tastes tinny or metallic, it’s not the can’s fault. All beer cans are lined with a coating that protects the beer. Instead, that metallic taste is likely caused by problems in the brewing process, such as issues with water chemistry and ingredient storage.
Remember also that you’re not really supposed to drink your beer out of the can anyway; beer always tastes better poured into a glass, whether it came to you in a can or a bottle.
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Post by dradtke on Apr 4, 2022 17:11:30 GMT -5
I'm ashamed and appalled. The good ones aren't even in the top five. |
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Post by billhammond on Apr 4, 2022 17:16:44 GMT -5
I'm ashamed and appalled. The top five are awful. Take heart -- lotsa newish lagers being made here now. MN has so many breweries now that it's statistically understandable why the top sellers would be national brands with heavy shipping and marketing power. By Michael Agnew Special to the Star Tribune FEBRUARY 2, 2022 — 3:07PM "What's the difference between a lager and a pilsner?" is a question that I am frequently asked. For many, the word lager is synonymous with the pale, mass-produced beers that craft beer drinkers love to hate. The understanding is that lager is a beer style, just like pale ale and porter, and all beers that don't fit that profile are something else. The truth is that a pilsner is a lager, as are bock beers, Munich helles, dunkel and a number of others. Rather than being a singular style, lager is a broad category that encompasses a range of styles with a variety of colors, flavors and strengths. In the beer universe there are two main groupings — ale and lager. The primary difference between them is yeast and fermentation. Ale and lager yeasts are different species with very different needs. Ale yeasts ferment quickly at warm temperatures; lager yeasts take things slow and like it cold. While an ale can be ready to package after just over a week, lagers require an extended conditioning period at very low temperatures to allow the yeast to finish its job. The path from sugar to alcohol is not a simple one. There are multiple steps, and at each one the yeast produces byproducts that contribute to a beer's profile. Ales' warmer fermentation promotes the formation of fruity and spicy flavors; lagers' cold fermentation inhibits them. Thus, ales tend to have a rounder profile with fermentation-derived character, while lagers are generally crisp and clean. Beyond those differences, the full spectrum of brewing ingredients and the flavors they bring are used by both lager and ale brewers. To sample a wide range of lager styles, look no further than Minnesota brewers. Feeling the light lager loveWhen it comes to lagers, craft beer has come full circle. The light American lagers that the movement initially railed against have now been embraced by a growing number of craft breweries, and Minnesota's are no exception. There are, of course, the old Minnesota standbys — Grain Belt Premium, Grain Belt Nordeast and Schell's Deer Brand. But the state's smaller breweries have also jumped on the light lager train. One of the best is Crankin' Foamers from Fair State Brewing Cooperative in Minneapolis. It leans a bit to the sweeter side with low, grainy malt, low bitterness and light lemon/lime/tropical hop flavors. It's fuller bodied than many American lagers, but still light enough to drink over the long haul. For a heavier take on the style, try Mexican Honey from Indeed Brewing Co. At 8% alcohol, it is significantly stronger than the others. Mexican orange blossom honey lends beeswax-like character to the toasted grain and bready malt. The bitterness is just high enough to cut through any sweetness. The Minneapolis brewery also has a light version for those who don't want the strength. Though Earth Rider Brewery is in Superior, Wis., its Precious Material Helles Lager is worthy of mention. The Munich helles style is a fuller-flavored, malt-forward golden lager from Bavaria. This version is spot on. White bread and toasted grain lead with moderate sweetness balanced by just enough bitterness. European hops offer a spicy counterpoint. Made for pilsner fansThere is a wealth of Minnesota-made riches for pilsner lovers like myself. Both the Czech and German styles are well represented. Utepils Brewing's Pils is everything a Czech-style pilsner should be. The Minneapolis brewery presents a lovely blend of sweet, bready malt and the spice and floral perfume of Bohemian Saaz hops. There is not much more to say about this beautifully balanced beer except drink it. On the German side, try Fair State Pils. Hops are at the forefront of this super crisp pilsner. Grassy, spicy and lemon-citrus flavors abound alongside a bracing bitterness. Bready malt plays support without getting in the way. The dry finish leaves you wanting another sip. St. Paul's Summit Brewing Company's Keller Pils is another can't-miss German-style pilsner. "Keller bier" in Germany is lager that is served before the normal long conditioning period is complete. It typically has a slight haze and exhibits fermentation character that disappears in a fully conditioned pilsner. Keller Pils is true to form. A gauzy haze makes it appear lighter than most pilsners. Low sulfur notes soften the typical spicy hops and bitterness, while boosting the grainy malt.
Amber waves of lagerMoving on to amber-colored lagers, Minnesota is lucky to have some great examples of the malt-forward Vienna lager style. Schell Brewing Company's Firebrick is an old-school classic from the classic New Ulm brewery. This is a malt-forward but balanced lager. Toffee and bread crust flavors lead the way. Moderate bitterness keeps the sweetness down while spicy hop flavors add just enough zing. Fair State's Vienna Lager is less sweet and more bitter than Firebrick. Toasted bread crust and kilned grain are the dominant notes. Earthy/herbal European hops provide a zesty counterpoint. The finish is dry with lingering bread and herbs. It's crisp, clean and refreshing, yet rich and satisfying. Malt is also the name of the game in the Minnesota Classic from Beaver Island Brewing in St. Cloud. This Vienna lager features smooth bread-crust maltiness with a slight toasty edge. Low bitterness is just enough to balance any sweetness. A touch of German hop provides a spicy counterpoint. It goes out crisp and clean, just as a good lager should. On the dark sideIf you like dark beers, Minnesota's lager brewers have got you covered. It's slim pickings when it comes to the Munich dunkel-style lager in the Twin Cities. Indeed's Loretta's Dark Lager is a welcome and delicious entry. This one is full-on toasted pumpernickel bread with light hints of caramel-like sweetness. Hop bitterness and floral flavor stays just below the surface, letting the malt take the lead. It's malty but not sweet, going out with a clean, dry finish. Fair State comes through again with Tmavé Pivo Czech-style dark lager. Those who think black beers are heavy, don't be fooled. Tmavé Pivo is light and crushable. The roasted malt character is low, with primarily coffee and cocoa background notes. The toasty taste of highly kilned grain is the primary flavor. Low bitterness and floral hops linger into the dry finish. Don't say you don't like dark beer until you've tried this. This is just a small sampling of the great Minnesota-made lagers. Get out there and try some. Prost! Michael Agnew is a certified cicerone (beer-world version of sommelier) and owner of A Perfect Pint. He conducts private and corporate beer tasting events in the Twin Cities, and can be reached at michael@aperfectpint.net. |
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Post by Rob Hanesworth on Apr 4, 2022 17:34:02 GMT -5
Dos Equis, which I find quite tolerable, shows up on the lists of a surprising number of states. I would have expected Yuengling to appear on Pennsylvania's list.
However, I am far from being a beer expert. The article says average beer consumption is 28.2 gallons per year. I doubt that I drink that much beer in a decade.
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Post by epaul on Apr 4, 2022 18:22:31 GMT -5
I will go on record as stating no way in hell is Spotted Cow the best selling beer in Wisconsin. Leinie, Point, Bud, and Bud Lite all surely kick its ass in sales. I have been in several Wisconsin bars and I've never seen it on tap and the Wisconsin offsales I've been in look like offsales anywhere else, Bud Lite stacked to the ceiling. And Heineken #1 in Ohio? Bull Hocky!, The survey is dodgy! (as all clickbait surveys are) |
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Post by Marty on Apr 4, 2022 18:25:50 GMT -5
They moved my beloved Newcastle Brown Ale brewery to the US, haven't touched it since.
Seems like IPA is the rage in craft beer and breweries trying to out hops each other.
Watching a documentary the other night about how self supporting monasteries were. They did brew their own beer and used the mash three times. The first fermentation was for Strong beer ie: the good stuff this was sold. The second for Table beer that they drank at every meal and the third for Small beer given to women and children.
Shiner Bock is a fav, as is Leinie Bock and Creamy Dark.
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Post by jdd2 on Apr 4, 2022 18:30:37 GMT -5
That skips hawaii -- it goes from "g" to "i' with no "h". |
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Post by billhammond on Apr 4, 2022 18:41:55 GMT -5
I will go on record as stating no way in hell is Spotted Cow the best selling beer in Wisconsin. Leinie, Point, Bud, and Bud Lite all surely kick its ass in sales. I have been in several Wisconsin bars and I've never seen it on tap and the Wisconsin offsales I've been in look like offsales anywhere else, Bud Lite stacked to the ceiling, The survey is dodgy! Well, let me say this about that. Spotted Cow is HUGE in Wisconsin, especially because you can only buy it in Wisconsin. Madison sales are off the charts, because of the U, and same is true in all Sconnie college towns. I gather that the way this ranking was set up it was for one specific label from each of the breweries considered, and no doubt added up both draft keg sales, cans and bottles sold. You can say it's dodgy, but prove it -- don't give me one of those "I know Biden didn't win because NO ONE I KNOW voted for him!" deals. |
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