James Kirkpatrick's Not-So-Random Keyboard Strokes

Location: Blogs PaleBlueScot Miscellany
Posted by: James	9/13/2006 7:05 AM
I’m sure I’ll get the “James, you are so out of touch with the average person” plebeian comments again, but this blog is meant to educate, not pander. Today’s objective is to get people to try to expand their beer palates beyond the normal pisswater most American citizens expose their tastebuds to. If I can get a casual drinker to try one of these, I’ll be a happy man. If you want to see actual descriptions of each beer, go to Rate Beer or Beer Advocate. I will limit my categories to 3 – Top 5 worldwide, Top 5 US, and Top 5 Non-US. This list is purely subjective but if you rank Bud Ice in your personal top 5, don’t bother continuing reading. Keep in mind most of the beers listed here are at least 8% in alcohol so either do this at home or have someone else drive for you. For those who say that good beer costs too much, I can only say that in the grand scheme of things, is an extra $2 a 6-pack really a budget breaker for something that has so much more taste? Plus, let’s say you buy a 4-pack of a beer that has higher alcohol content. Since drinking 2 of those beers would be like drinking 4 or 6 regular beers, you are in fact getting your money’s worth. Worldwide Top 5 Beer Unibroue La Fin Du Monde – This Quebec brewery, which you will notice has several mentions in this list, stands out among most breweries. They have perfected the art of artisan batches of Belgian-inspired brews. This particular beer packs a wallop at 9% alcohol and the French translation means “The End of the World.” Delirium Tremens – A Belgian classic. You will notice the bottle by its pink elephant on the label and a white ceramic looking color to the bottle. Bell’s Amber Ale – As good as an American microbrew gets. Kalamazoo deserves to be proud of more than just Elvis sightings at a Burger King. Goose Island IPA – I am ranking this in the top 5 but only for the version served on tap on premises using nitrogen, not CO2. This gives it a creamy head like Guinness and brings out the hop intensity even more. Westvleteren – This is the rarest of the 6 Trappist breweries who brew beer in Belgium. You can only purchase their beer on site. It is forbidden to be resold. Thankfully I had someone who actually had gotten these while in Belgium. They have 3 styles – “6” (a pale ale), “8” (a dubbel), and “12” (a quadruple). All 3 are as good as they get for each style. U.S. Top 5 Goose Island Oatmeal Stout – One of the first microbrews to hook me onto the craft beer movement. As smooth as they get and flavorful to boot. Mac & Jack's African Amber Ale – This newcomer to my list was a nice surprise on my visit to Portland this year. An extremely unfiltered ale that is everything BudMillerCoors is not. Terrapin Big Hoppy Monster – One of 4 seasonal offerings from Athens, GA-based Terrapin Brewing. This bastard packs a hop and alcohol punch. Not for people who think mild salsa is too spicy. Ommegang Three Philosophers – Another American brewery that makes great Belgium-inspired creations. This is a blended Belgian ale with cherry lambic added. It’s smooth, but, at 9.8 percent, it too will knock you on your keester. Tie - Sweetwater Festive Ale / Flying Dog Gonzo Imperial Porter – I couldn’t include one without the other since I love both. The Festive Ale is a yearly treat for Atlanta area beer lovers and ages well. The Gonzo Imperial Porter has a hops aroma which is unusual for an imperial porter. Non-US Top 5 Unibroue Don De Dieu – Another Belgian beer from the best brewery in Canada. Unibroue Quelque Chose – The most versatile of Unibroue’s offerings. This cherry ale can be aged and then served either hot (steaming), cold (on ice), or at room temperature. La Biere du Boucanier Blonde – One of the stronger beers out there (11%)but surprisingly smooth. Have 2 of these and then enjoy the visions. Murphy’s Irish Stout – A simple pick, yes, but better than Guinness. Trust me on this one. Gulden Draak – A dark brown triple ale from Belgium that says “Who needs dinner? Just have me.” While I have tried my fair share of beers in my lifetime, this is by no means a comprehensive list of what is great out there. Belgium is the king when it comes to brewing tradition and originality but there is no doubt in my mind that in the past decade, American brewers by far have been the most creative and original in their designs. This is the golden era of American microbrewing and it's only going to get better. Hop on the bus and enjoy the ride.

Permalink \| Trackback

Comments (13) Add Comment

Re: My Favorite Beers	By Jason on 9/13/2006 9:41 AM
James! Hello! Excellent list. I'm still a big fan of good old Guinness... Jason

Re: My Favorite Beers	By Syl on 9/13/2006 11:32 AM
So this is the result of the time you used while you were blogged off. Nicely done. If I were describing a Mac and Jack on my palate I'd have to include 'creamy'...'rich'...mmmm. Salud!

Re: My Favorite Beers

By JA3 on 9/13/2006 12:30 PM

A spectacular list; you'll get no disagreement from me on any of these.

I have a case of Gulden Draak, a case of Chimay white and a few bottles of Tremens in the basement...because they're my wife's favorites, believe it or not. I also have a bunch of American Trippels from a variety of microbreweries -- Ruth likes them every bit as much as the imports.

Fin Du Monde used to be a fave but that style of beer isn't doing it for me these days.

I, too, miss Goose Island IPA from a keg. I buy a few bottles whenever I'm in town but it's not the same.

Currently in the fridge -- Sam Adams Boston Ale, which is currently my daily beer because you can get it in this area in 12-packs. It's hoppier and more to my liking than the Boston Lager, which is the "Sam Adams" you get in most of the country. Also a few bottles of Newport Storm Maelstrom IPA and their Rhode Island Blueberry -- IPA because they only sell it during the summer, and Blueberry because it's one of the few "berry" beers I've had that still tastes like beer; it isn't like drinking candy. Once winter rolls around I'll ride up to the brewery and get growlers of their Porter, which is like dark-brown liquid crack.

Dogfish Head 90 minute IPA -- like heaven in a bottle, but Nirvana is the bar I can walk to that has it on tap all summer. Although at 9% ABV, "walking" probably isn't an accurate description after I've had a few. Extremely hoppy, but they've cranked up the malt to match it; even my friends who "don't like IPAs" love it.

Wolaver's Organic Oatmeal Stout -- the same bar will have this on tap all winter and I'm already looking forward to snow, just for this. I can spend 10 minutes just taking in the aroma before I ever take a sip. Yum.

After a couple of these, Guinness tastes like Budweiser -- and as some of my friends have pointed out, Guinness pretty much is "the Bud of stouts" -- it's everywhere, it's safe, it'll get you drunk, and you have no idea how plain it is until you try one of the other multitude of stouts out there.

Sorry to take over the comments, James, but I figure you need someone to validate your habit.

Re: My Favorite Beers

By Muuurph on 9/13/2006 12:31 PM

I agree with Jason. I've had both Murphy's (surprise) and Guinness, and I really do like Guinness better. When they solved the freshness problem with the new cans, they really struck gold in my mind. When you get it out of a newly tapped keg, it's like mother's milk, I'm salivating just thinking about it.

My brother swears by Chimay Ale, which is a Belgian with a cherry tint, it's pretty damn good, if you haven't had it look for it.

At school we had a brief but passionate affair with Kuscher Alt, too bad you came along later, you'd have loved it. You could only buy this in those mini kegs and it was like a mix between beer and wine. I think the % was like 12 or something outrageous. One mini keg would do the job for Doyle, Baummann (you may not know who he is) and myself. Rich, smooth and creamy, that may very well be the best I've ever had. However, like the Westvleteren you mentioned, you can't get it in the U.S. anymore. I think because they don't produce enough to be allowed to export or some tripe like that. There was much crying when we discovered it was suddenly unobtainable.

mmmm beeer

Re: My Favorite Beers	By KB's on 9/13/2006 3:37 PM
Prosit!!!!! Since I'm at home and you have made me thoroughly thirsty, I think I'm going to open up a Honey Brown. Pretty lame beer compared to the ones everyone is mentioning.

Re: My Favorite Beers	By Jason's Mom on 9/13/2006 4:05 PM
This discussion just warms my heart. I'm thrilled to see that the tuition money at Bradley was so well spent. Such knowledge of geography! Did they use this model when teaching math, as well? "If Jason has 4 bottles of Ommegang 3 Philosophers and 3 bottles of Guklen Draak, what are the odds that he will vomit before the night is over?" Jason, call your mother.

Re: My Favorite Beers	By Ratt on 9/13/2006 4:45 PM
Great list! When I lived in Kalamazoo (well, until I made the mistake of getting married), I visited the Bell's Brewery at least 3 times a week. Only good thing about that wretched state.

Re: My Favorite Beers	By Jim on 9/13/2006 7:13 PM
LOL, James, you really are a beer snob! The only thing I've had on your list was Goose Island (not sure what variety), but it was by accident... Just happed to be in Chicago one weekend, at a Cubs Game, the bar across the street was serving that... Good suds!

Re: My Favorite Beers	By milo on 9/13/2006 9:06 PM
I have not had, nor have I heard of any of the beers on your list save the Goose Island. I take exception and must add Molson XXX, still one of only 3 or 4 beers I actually like. Move on, grow up and drink wine! or Goldschlager

Re: My Favorite Beers	By Gimme dat, nah.... on 9/14/2006 1:30 PM
XXX Canadian - it just sounds like it's missing something wild.

Re: My Favorite Beers

By TScavone on 9/15/2006 1:27 PM

Looks like I have a bit of homework to do. The rainy season is going to be starting soon in the Pacific Northwest and seeing as I don't drink coffee I will have to go the back up of Pacific Northwesterners, BEER.

If you are going to specify Goose Island IPA only at Goose Island then I will see your Murphy's and raise you a Jimmy's (A Peoria Pub) Guinness. I have tried Guinness all over the world and have not found it's equal. Must be the rust in the pipes.

I am personally getting ramped up for Oktoberfest and Winterfest Beers. Because these all vary from year to year there are several PNW taverns that host tastings/judgings and then the results are often posted in the paper.

Lastly, Jason's Mom, figure 6-1 as the answer to your little story problem.

PS- James, I like to hop pun at the end!

Re: My Favorite Beers	By Donna on 9/15/2006 4:16 PM
Finally! The long awaited top five lists. You've been promising to do this for so long and I'm glad you finally sat down to put your thoughts on paper. I can print this out and try these for myself. Many thanks, my friend!!

Re: My Favorite Beers	By Caruso! Caruso! on 9/17/2006 10:51 PM
Interesting list... I now have a new job, this time in the ETHANOL industry - making cheaper fuel! In any case, some ethanol goes into alcoholic beverages, so I get some beverage reports: the number one selling beer in the US is Bud Light (yikes!). Keystone Light beats Guiness (the horror!) at #5 and #9, respectfully. Take care, Mike "Replacing Mideast Oil with Midwest Moonshine"

Your name:
Title:
Comment:

Add Comment Cancel