Beer - Orchid Board

GreggC · #1 11-20-2007, 05:43 AM

This is a good subject. I used to make my own. I also used to consider myself a beer expert. I stayed away from commercial types of beer because of what I perceived to be and do to this day a lack of true beer flavor. American beer is like water with fizz, unless of course you are referring to one of our fine microbrewed varieties. Because of these, the big American breweries are coming out with all of these beer variations that still taste awful, but they have tried to change them so that they won't lose market share. In the recent past, I have sampled somewhere between 200 and 300 microbrews and imports, some of which I did not like, but most of which I thought came closer to tasting like real beer should according to the German Purity Law of 1516, which states what should be in beer, and only those ingredients-water, yeast, barley and hops-that is it and nothing more.

Dorothy · #2 11-20-2007, 02:11 PM

All I can say is

'Hiccup'

I'm not much of a beer drinker - so to me -
Beer is dear but wine is fine

GreggC · #3 11-20-2007, 02:14 PM

There are ones that go together, just like red wines go with certain meats and white wines go with others. It's the same principle.

littlefrog · #4 11-20-2007, 02:19 PM

Fortunately where I live we are experiencing a brewery revival. We have microbreweries everywhere in Michigan, can't trip over a sidewalk without falling into one. This is convenient.

I started making my own beer 15 years ago because I couldn't buy what I liked (IPA and bitter). Now I very rarely make beer, I can buy the good stuff almost anywhere. Now I just make my own hard cider, still hard to find a good one of those.

flhiker · #5 11-20-2007, 02:23 PM

I'm a O'Douls man myself. I love the taste of beer

but hate the effects of Alcohol.

Although I do cook with both beer and wine. Is there such of a thing is a non-alcoholic microbrew?

GreggC · #6 11-20-2007, 02:38 PM

on vacation. Where in Michigan are you located? Have you been to the Eccentric Cafe/Bell's Brewery? That is a really neat place to go for lunch. They generally have some kind of eats in the cafe-I have had Bison and Ostrich Burgers in there, plus they have small batch beers that Bell's does not sell in the liquor stores. My cousin works right down the street from that place. If you're close, check it out some time. flhiker, I too like the taste of beer, but I feel like there is something missing in O'Douls. It very well could be that because the alcohol is missing that it alters the taste so much that I can't drink it. I use dark beer to make bratwust. My recipe for it is quite simple. You need a frying pan, bratwurst, sliced onions, butter and dark beer. Simmer until cooked through, put on grill to brown.

I have not had a beer in over a year as I had to have a kidney transplant (high blood pressure was the cause and is the number one cause of kidney failure) I have had some port wine, though.

flhiker · #7 11-20-2007, 02:47 PM

I agree there is something missing in O'Douls, but there's not a lot to choose from. I enjoy the flavor of beer with pizza and a good steak dinner even if it's missing something rather then a cola.

littlefrog · #8 11-20-2007, 02:48 PM

I'm closer to Lansing than Kalamazoo, but I've been to Bell's a few times. Good place. Michigan Brewing Co. is on my way home from work, so that is where I spend most of my beer money. They are serving a double IPA to die for. Imperial Stout coming soon.

quiltergal · #9 11-20-2007, 03:15 PM

I'm a micro brew fanatic also. That's an easy thing to be in the pacific northwest. There are micros all over the place. My local brewpub has a really nice one called Downtown Brown. At home I drink Black Butte Porter from Deschutes River Brewing or Fat Tire Amber Ale from New Belgium Brewery. I also like Guiness on tap and MacTarnahan's Black Watch.

kavanaru · #10 11-20-2007, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreggC

...closer to tasting like real beer should according to the German Purity Law of 1516, which states what should be in beer, and only those ingredients-water, yeast, barley and hops-that is it and nothing more.

well, if you like german beer... anytime around south germany just drop a line... and I can show you where to get good one

Not in Switzerland... life is great here, but beer, bread and cheese...

A fortune that France and Germany are just over the street...

...and of course, the local small breweries are the best

and there hundreds of them everywhere!!!