The Official Huddle Beer Thread

[The Saltman]

Just bought some Sam Adams summer ale to enjoy for my birthday and to watch the game at the same time. Can't wait.

[LowDownBrown]

Just cracked an Old Rasputin for the first time. I think I need to go change my pants it's so good. You got some good taste there BB.

Just put some bbq chicken in the oven to have with my Highland Oatmeal Porter. This shall be a good night

[LowDownBrown]

Happy Birthday Salt

[CharlotteBeer.com]

Beyx Berry forgive me for my ignorance because I drink beer to get drunk and also because I only read the first 3 pages also I am a complete beer noob, but I hate the bitter beers, what would you recommend, something I can get all year round (not like hopslam). As I am getting older, and after numerous hangovers it gets hard to drink something that doesn't taste well. Price is of no concern I have access to anything the public does. Would you still recommend two hearts? Feel free to ask me any questions I figure your the beer genius try and find something I like.

I saw your other posts describing a difference, I always knew about it but when there is so many it gets intimidating so I just grab my regular Heineken. What would you suggest I try first, maybe something on the other side of the spectrum.

If you dislike bitter beers, I might stay away from India Pale Ales (IPAs) altogether. Bell's Two Hearted, however, really is pretty well balanced.

Do you have any stores around you where you might be able to make a mixed six-pack? Sometimes it will surprise you what sorts of beer you naturally like. I started out with porters and stouts before getting into the more bitter stuff.

You might like brown ales, which are a bit more sweet and often nutty, while still easy to drink. Maybe a good craft lager or pilsner (Brooklyn Lager or Victory Prima Pils is good), or a pale ale or wheat beer. It's just tough to say. American amber beers are often a safe bet. I like the aforementioned Highland Gaelic from Asheville.

Also, Sam Adams beers are very well-balanced and representative of the style, no matter what style that is. Maybe pick up their mixed pack.

Sorry I can't be more specific. Your tastes may surprise you right off the bat. I didn't think I'd naturally gravitate to the darker beers, but I did.

[CharlotteBeer.com]

Just cracked an Old Rasputin for the first time. I think I need to go change my pants it's so good. You got some good taste there BB.

Thanks man, glad you like it. I was blown away the first time I tried it, and I still am. Even though it's about as cheap an imperial stout as you'll find, I still treat it as a special treat sort of beer. Which reminds me, I need to go pick up a few more.

[The Saltman]

Thanx only 2 hrs left.

[Lumps]

If you dislike bitter beers, I might stay away from India Pale Ales (IPAs) altogether. Bell's Two Hearted, however, really is pretty well balanced.

Do you have any stores around you where you might be able to make a mixed six-pack? Sometimes it will surprise you what sorts of beer you naturally like. I started out with porters and stouts before getting into the more bitter stuff.

You might like brown ales, which are a bit more sweet and often nutty, while still easy to drink. Maybe a good craft lager or pilsner (Brooklyn Lager or Victory Prima Pils is good), or a pale ale or wheat beer. It's just tough to say. American amber beers are often a safe bet. I like the aforementioned Highland Gaelic from Asheville.

Also, Sam Adams beers are very well-balanced and representative of the style, no matter what style that is. Maybe pick up their mixed pack.

Sorry I can't be more specific. Your tastes may surprise you right off the bat. I didn't think I'd naturally gravitate to the darker beers, but I did.

Awesome thanks a lot for the help. Yes I am close to everything so I'm going to do the above mentioned. Good directions to go, the sweeter the better so I'll try the brown ales first, thanks

[ItsNotGonnaBeAlright]

Awesome thanks a lot for the help. Yes I am close to everything so I'm going to do the above mentioned. Good directions to go, the sweeter the better so I'll try the brown ales first, thanks

If you like sweet but still want it to taste like beer (read: not like mikes hard or smirnoff stuff) might I suggest one of the Sam Adams fruit brews. I think Blackberry Witbier is the one out now, but they do a different one for each season. Might be worth a shot for ya.

And here's a few brown ales to try - Pete's Wicked Ale, Bell's Best Brown Ale, Lost Coast's Downtown Brown Ale, and (if you're in NC and can find it) Natty Greene's Old Town Brown.

I know I'm no Beaux Berry, but I play one on TV.

[CharlotteBeer.com]

If you like sweet but still want it to taste like beer (read: not like mikes hard or smirnoff stuff) might I suggest one of the Sam Adams fruit brews. I think Blackberry Witbier is the one out now, but they do a different one for each season. Might be worth a shot for ya.

And here's a few brown ales to try - Pete's Wicked Ale, Bell's Best Brown Ale, Lost Coast's Downtown Brown Ale, and (if you're in NC and can find it) Natty Greene's Old Town Brown.

I know I'm no Beaux Berry, but I play one on TV.

Hey, everyone who loves beer is equal in this thread. Of the one's you've mentioned, I've only had the Bell's. I really like Sam Smith's Nut Brown Ale.

I've also been meaning to try Sierra Nevada's Tumbler. It's their fall seasonal, but it just recently hit the shelves.

[ItsNotGonnaBeAlright]

Hey, everyone who loves beer is equal in this thread. Of the one's you've mentioned, I've only had the Bell's. I really like Sam Smith's Nut Brown Ale.

I've also been meaning to try Sierra Nevada's Tumbler. It's their fall seasonal, but it just recently hit the shelves.

Downtown is robust, but definately has less of a burnt taste than most other brown ales. Wicked Ale is a good middle-of-the-road style and makes a great fall back (like Newcastle without that slightly watered down taste). Old Town is definately the sweetest of the bunch, almost a pure caramel flavor.

Not a fan of Sierra Nevada, but that's mainly because I'm not a fan of pale ales. Fall seasonals are usually the best beers of the year though....

[LowDownBrown]

This Spaten Optimator is smooth. Very easy to drink. Still a lot of flavor. I recommend it to anyone who doesn't drink hopsy beers but wants to try something different.

18 minutes Salt. Someone better bail you out of jail tonight. Otherwise, it wasn't a good birthday

[The Saltman]

that's 5 years ago now I have a family and can't go to jail but I'm drunk as hell if that is any consolation.

[LowDownBrown]

Understood. At least make it a misdomeaner

[CharlotteBeer.com]

Along those same lines another gateway beer could be a Dixie Blackened Voodoo Lager. Its light in the mouth for a dark beer. Its not at all hoppy with toasted malts and caramel notes.

Yep, that's a pretty mild dark beer that I think many would appreciate.

Another interesting gateway dark beer is New Belgium's 1554. I think it's called a black ale, but it's fermented with a lager yeast. It has some of that brown ale/porter taste to it, with the crispness and -- dare I say it --drinkability of a lager. Great beer for a cookout.