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[Rei_Toei]

Since it's about beer here, let's talk about beer glasses! What do you pour your favorite brew in, GAF? - when it's not going straight into your system of course .

Every now and then a brewery gives away glasses, and a second-hand shop near my house is also a valuable source for very cheap glasses. I also got a couple as a gift together with a 75 ml. bottle of beer.

From left to right: Pauwel Kwak, Leffe, Chimay, Tripel Karmeliet, Franziskaner and Schneider Weisse.

 

[Ilúvatar]

http://www.3point.com/taverncraft/default.aspx?productline=hobbit

Got myself the Green Dragon and Prancing Pony pint glasses

 

[distantmantra]

Since it's about beer here, let's talk about beer glasses! What do you pour your favorite brew in, GAF?

I make a habit of picking up pint glasses from breweries I've visited.

From left to right: Deschutes (Bend, OR), Ninkasi (Eugene, OR), Upstream (Omaha, NE), Baird (Numazu, Japan), Full Sail (Hood River, OR), Georgetown (Seattle, WA), Maui Brewing (Maui, HI).

 

[Rei_Toei]

I make a habit of picking up pint glasses from breweries I've visited.

From left to right: Deschutes (Bend, OR), Ninkasi (Eugene, OR), Upstream (Omaha, NE), Baird (Numazu, Japan), Full Sail (Hood River, OR), Georgetown (Seattle, WA), Maui Brewing (Maui, HI).

Nice set! I must admit, the only one I know is Baird - stumbled upon it once in a bar in Osaka. Are the others big breweries in the States? It's very easy to get a hold of practically anything from Belgium, Germany etc here in the Netherlands, but there aren't that many American beers available. The only one I see around quite often is Flying Dog.

 

[tokkun]

Nice set! I must admit, the only one I know is Baird - stumbled upon it once in a bar in Osaka. Are the others big breweries in the States? It's very easy to get a hold of practically anything from Belgium, Germany etc here in the Netherlands, but there aren't that many American beers available. The only one I see around quite often is Flying Dog.

I'm a Midwesterner and the only one of those brands I've seen is Deschutes, but maybe they get better distribution along the west coast.

 

[thespot84]

I'm a Midwesterner and the only one of those brands I've seen is Deschutes, but maybe they get better distribution along the west coast.

deschutes and full sail have decent distribution as far east as denver (where i am). The others i've heard of mainly becuase of the great american beer festival but you won't find them in a liquor store here.

 

[distantmantra]

Georgetown doesn't bottle their beers at the moment, so you either have to go directly to the brewery or find a bar that carries it on tap. Ninkasi has started selling 6-packs which I've seen at Whole Foods and Fred Meyer in the last week or so. I've seen Maui's beers (6-packs in cans) at Whole Foods here in Seattle since December.

 

[fenners]

I *must* get that Baird Beer glass. I *must*.

Picked up my homebrew starter kit from the Austin Homebrew Supply store today at lunch Awesome store, like a giant beer making candy store, with the guys being very friendly, down to earth & willing to share advice. Picked up their kit + an 80 shilling ale kit that I'm looking forward to attempting.

 

[distantmantra]

I *must* get that Baird Beer glass. I *must*.

I bought it at the Baird Taproom in Harajuku. They have an online store, but don't ship outside Japan.

 

[fenners]

I bought it at the Baird Taproom in Harajuku. They have an online store, but don't ship outside Japan.

Oh they're Japanese? Mmmm.

 

[sharkmuncher]

I *must* get that Baird Beer glass. I *must*.

Picked up my homebrew starter kit from the Austin Homebrew Supply store today at lunch Awesome store, like a giant beer making candy store, with the guys being very friendly, down to earth & willing to share advice. Picked up their kit + an 80 shilling ale kit that I'm looking forward to attempting.

Be excited! Homebrewing is great. Remember SANITIZATION SANITIZATION SANITIZATION!
Also, in the words of Carlie Papazian. "Don't worry, relax, have a home brew"

 

[Yaboosh]

Control of fermentation is nearly as important, if not more important, than sanitation. What good is sanitation when your beer tastes like crap from the beginning?

At least if you suck at sanitation and rock at fermentation, your beer will taste good for a week or two.

 

[gcubed]

Control of fermentation is nearly as important, if not more important, than sanitation. What good is sanitation when your beer tastes like crap from the beginning?

At least if you suck at sanitation and rock at fermentation, your beer will taste good for a week or two.

nothing more important then sanitation! fermentation is just keeping it below 70 for the most part if you are sticking to ale's... sanitation can ruin lives, babies, fetus's and plastic equipment.

 

[Yaboosh]

nothing more important then sanitation! fermentation is just keeping it below 70 for the most part if you are sticking to ale's... sanitation can ruin lives, babies, fetus's and plastic equipment.

Thinking fermentation is just keeping it below 70 for ales shows a bit of a lack of knowledge about fermentation.

Sanitation is super important, and so is fermentation. Sanitation is emphasized by everyone which is why I like to point out that fermentation is as important, if not more so, in making excellent beers, since a poorly fermented beer will always taste crappy, but at least a really well fermented beer will taste good for a short while.

 

[ACESandEIGHTS]

This is a fascinating thread.

Does anyone drink National Bohemian? Sovereign of beers, man.

 

[sharkmuncher]

Control of fermentation is nearly as important, if not more important, than sanitation. What good is sanitation when your beer tastes like crap from the beginning?

At least if you suck at sanitation and rock at fermentation, your beer will taste good for a week or two.

I agree. Pitch rates and fermentation temp will have a greater impact on overall beer quality. But as a beginning brewer, sanitation is one of those things that it is just easier to get right the first time and then start tinkering with everything else.
Also, don't read the book "Yeast" by Palmer and Zainasheff unless you are ready to set aside room for a stir plate and equipment to both cool and warm your fermentation down to fractions of a degree. Great book, but man does it make me want to throw money at more equipment.

 

[Telosfortelos]

Young's is one of my favorite chocolate stouts, sooo dark.

Young's is pretty good, but Brooklyn's Black Chocolate Stout is by far my favorite. That might have something to do with it being an Imperial. I just wish it weren't a seasonal.

 

[ACESandEIGHTS]

This is a fascinating thread.

Does anyone drink National Bohemian? Sovereign of beers, man.

Though it's got nothing Falstaff.

 

[Yaboosh]

I agree. Pitch rates and fermentation temp will have a greater impact on overall beer quality. But as a beginning brewer, sanitation is one of those things that it is just easier to get right the first time and then start tinkering with everything else.
Also, don't read the book "Yeast" by Palmer and Zainasheff unless you are ready to set aside room for a stir plate and equipment to both cool and warm your fermentation down to fractions of a degree. Great book, but man does it make me want to throw money at more equipment.

I know it costs more, but control of fermentation temperature should, in my opinion, never be left up to the ambient air.

Something as cheap as a large tub of water with a bunch of frozen 2liter bottles of water can drop the temperature of fermentation by 10F. It takes work, but I think it is worth it.

Stir plates are not necessary at all, and really should be a super late upgrade to your system. I still don't have one, and see no need for one, and I have geeked out on beer about as much as you possibly can, including moving 1500 miles away from home to break into the brewing industry.

Starters, however, are pretty necessary, but they are as cheap as a growler and some tin foil, along with a bit of extract. Super easy, and super helpful in making better beer.

 

[sharkmuncher]

Since it's about beer here, let's talk about beer glasses! What do you pour your favorite brew in, GAF? - when it's not going straight into your system of course .

Every now and then a brewery gives away glasses, and a second-hand shop near my house is also a valuable source for very cheap glasses. I also got a couple as a gift together with a 75 ml. bottle of beer.


From left to right: Pauwel Kwak, Leffe, Chimay, Tripel Karmeliet, Franziskaner and Schneider Weisse.

Walnut Brewery, Walnut, Avery, Big Sky, Lucky Bucket

Wild Mountatin, Odell, Sam Adams, Avery, Odell

I have a few others sitting at my friends apartment. Tuesday night pint night is a very dangerous thing. My collection is growing a bit too rapidly

Also:

I got a new package in the mail today! And my sweet stout only has another day or so in the fermentor!

 

[Yaboosh]

Kegging is the best thing you can possibly do for your homebrewing setup. It makes everything about it so much better.

 

[thespot84]

[/URL]
W!

You forgot to mention the boulder brew in the back :-D

 

[sharkmuncher]

You forgot to mention the boulder brew in the back :-D

Actually that was just a box I got with some beer in Boulder. I can get Boulder Beer out here so instead it was filled with Oskar Blues, Stone, Russian River and Full Sail, all of which are excellent.

 

[Suburban_Nooblet]

Drunk..... like always. Hammered some shitty bud light followed by two 40's of mickeys and then I found some Bud light Lime which taste like piss that someone left in my garage from my last party. Yeah.... IM FUCKING RAW.

 

[Telosfortelos]

For denizens of Central Texas, 512 Brewing is throwing a tasting on the 19th. For $5 you get a pint glass that they fill up three times.
http://512brewing.com/events.php

The event will showcase their new Black IPA (seasonal, I believe), but you can taste any of their regular brews as well. I really like what Black IPAs I've had (or whatever you want to call them) and theirs at least sounds good. Their description: http://512brewing.wordpress.com/2011/03/07/512-black-ipa-nonsensical-but-delicious/

I'm a big fan of 512. Great Wit, I love the Pecan Porter, and I think their IPA fairs well compared to the really great Cali IPAs. Their seasonals have all been exceptional too. You can still find the Winter seasonal, Cascabel Cream Stout - a sort of spicy sweet stout, at a lot of Austin places.

I've been to a couple of their tastings before. It's good times.

512 is by far my favorite Texas brewery, although the new Jester King brewery, terrible names aside, seems to have some really excellent beers. I'm particularly fond of their Imperial Stout, atrociously named Jester King Black Metal.

 

[AcridMeat]

Enjoying this for the first time.

 

[thespot84]

Enjoying this for the first time.

It's a decent beer, but I hope you don't have anything against macrobrews (take a wild guess at who makes it...)

 

[HiResDes]

It's okay, I guess...I'd still rather have a Harp, and I'm not even a huge fan of Harp.

 

[AcridMeat]

It's a decent beer, but I hope you don't have anything against macrobrews (take a wild guess at who makes it...)

Bah, figures. :/

 

[J-Roderton]

It's a decent beer, but I hope you don't have anything against macrobrews (take a wild guess at who makes it...)

Budweiser

 

[thespot84]

Budweiser

Good guess, as close as you can be without being right

Spoiler

coors

 

[Slizz]

Doesn't Coors make Killians?

EDIT: Beaten.

 

[thespot84]

i haven't seen the anti-macrobrew movie, so I don't know what all the hoopla is about really. I prefer to support local craft brews, but i don't think being a macro makes a beer BAD. Case in point: Blue moon is a passable wheat, and the stuff they cook up for the GABF is some of the most amazing beer i've ever had.

So, in conclusion, I say if you like something, drink it. Just know that there's usually a local brewer with a better version out there.

 

[sharkmuncher]

i haven't seen the anti-macrobrew movie, so I don't know what all the hoopla is about really. I prefer to support local craft brews, but i don't think being a macro makes a beer BAD. Case in point: Blue moon is a passable wheat, and the stuff they cook up for the GABF is some of the most amazing beer i've ever had.

So, in conclusion, I say if you like something, drink it. Just know that there's usually a local brewer with a better version out there.

I tend to agree. The main problem many people have against the Big 2 brewers is that they tend to do everything in their power to prevent the growth and distribution of new microbrews (which, as a large industry that has flatlined as far as growth, makes sense) Everything from distribution to shelf space in stores is pretty much controlled by Bud and Coors. Its like anything else though and I'd rather support a small local beer store who stocks everything as opposed to a grocery store or gas station anyways.

 

[distantmantra]

I think a lot of it also has to do with the region and the wants of the population. Some of our big grocery stores in Washington state (QFC, Top Foods and Fred Meyer) have bigger and better selections than a lot of beer specialty stores I've been to in other parts of the country.

 

[thespot84]

Makes sense, I work for a small video game publisher and can tell you the video game shelves operate in much the same way.

As for regionalities, our blue laws (CO) don't allow for anything above 3.2 in grocery stores, so we're confined to liquor stores anyways, and the liquor stores here have a very healthy relationship with the craft breweries.

 

[distantmantra]

Stopped in at the grocery store to get a baguette....

 

[chaostrophy]

So Dark Lord Day tickets go on sale this Saturday. Anyone else on GAF going?

 

[LProtag]

Speaking of glasses, does anyone know where I can get a decent set of beer glasses that cover the essential types of glasses for a reasonable price?

 

[distantmantra]

Speaking of glasses, does anyone know where I can get a decent set of beer glasses that cover the essential types of glasses for a reasonable price?

Target, Macy's, or Crate and Barrel.

 

[Yaboosh]

Speaking of glasses, does anyone know where I can get a decent set of beer glasses that cover the essential types of glasses for a reasonable price?

Most good bottle shops tend to carry them.

 

[LProtag]

I guess I should follow up or revise this question:

Being a newbie to drinking good beer, what kinds of glasses should I have lying around? Preferably not being horribly specific and sticking to 3 or 4 styles at most.

 

[Yaboosh]

I guess I should follow up or revise this question:

Being a newbie to drinking good beer, what kinds of glasses should I have lying around? Preferably not being horribly specific and sticking to 3 or 4 styles at most.

Depends on your personal tastes.

I personally think a pint glass (I prefer a nonic/bubble pint) and a tulip cover all the bases.

Some people get fancy and specific with styles, but I think that those two glasses covers 100% of the spectrum for my needs. Anything sour or really big I will drink out of a tulip, and everything else I will drink out of a bubble pint.


Stone Imperial Pint

Stone Tulip

 

[meadowrag]

I tried that Killians the other night for the first time and my goodness.
After I had only cracked open two the entire house stank so bad, smelt like a bar that hadn't been cleaned in weeks.

I wish we had a better selection here, even the liquor store's selection is awful.
The best beer I can get is probably either Shiner Bohemian or Sam Adam's Boston Lager. They aren't bad beers but getting sick of drinking the same thing all the time.

 

[ErnieMcCracken]

So Dark Lord Day tickets go on sale this Saturday. Anyone else on GAF going?

As long as I get tickets. I've been every year since '06. Hopefully it goes better this year.

 

[HiResDes]

I tried that Killians the other night for the first time and my goodness.
After I had only cracked open two the entire house stank so bad, smelt like a bar that hadn't been cleaned in weeks.

I wish we had a better selection here, even the liquor store's selection is awful.
The best beer I can get is probably either Shiner Bohemian or Sam Adam's Boston Lager. They aren't bad beers but getting sick of drinking the same thing all the time.

Sam Adams makes pretty damn good imperial too if you want to check that out...But today is St. Patty's so I'm going to be drinking Smithwicks exclusively : )

 

[sharkmuncher]

Speaking of glasses, does anyone know where I can get a decent set of beer glasses that cover the essential types of glasses for a reasonable price?

Pint glasses for sure.

Tulip later.

As long as you pour any decent beer into a glass, you are close enough to getting the full effect. I feel sad for people drinking these wonderful hoppy IPAs out of the bottle, being deprived of the wonderful aromas such beers have.

 

[HiResDes]

 

[elitehebrew]

This beer is where its at! My favorite so far of the hundreds i've had the pleasure of trying.

 

[HiResDes]

FUCK I SAW THAT AND PASSED IT UP!