What is the best beer you've ever tasted?!
Answers: It doesn't matter if it's domestic or imported, as long as it's something you can easily buy in the US. I'm doing some personal "research".......or more of a beer tasting spree. That's where the "buying in the US" comes in, I'd like to avoid any international shipping or a need to travel half way around the world for this. Thanks for your opinions.
Best I've ever tasted is a homebrew I did in the fall... a pumpkin IPA, but that doesn't help you much.
Not sure where you live, but in Michigan we have some of the best craft beers available in the US. Check out Dragonmead, Kuhnhenn, Arcadia, New Holland, Jolly Pumpkin, Short's, Founders, etc.
I recently toured several breweries in Colorado when I was in Denver for the GABF. Everything from New Belgium is outstanding, especially Mothership Wit. Also O'Dell's makes amazing beers, such as Extra Special Red, IPA, and 5-Barrel Pale Ale. Oskar Blues makes a double IPA called Gordon that knocked my socks off!
As far as more readily available beers, I'd look at Harpoon IPA from Boston.
I could go on and on, hope that helps a little.
I personally like Killians a lot.
blue moon always a good adventure
Obensscheiche = Octoberfest brew - Hamburg Germany
Westvleteren Abt 12
http://ratebeer.com/Beer/westvleteren-ab...
http://www.ratebeer.com/RateBeerBest/Bes...
This beer is beyond description just how good it is, but I will try. First the mouth feel... The perfect balance of carbonation, not too much not too little with a velvet feel to it.. The sent was of sweet fruits and malts. The taste was bold malt with a spicy fruit sweetness. A touch of clove and caramel. With a raisin accent and citrus zest. I truly don't do this beer justice with my description. If you are ever fortunate enough to come across a bottle pick it up no matter the cost.
jpiepenbrok:
You can always get it from the monastery. And even though I do acknowledged the monks ask that it not be resold, they do receive proceeds from the original sale. If they were willing to distribute outside of one little building in the backwoods of Belgium... Well, that would be a dream come true. I have no qualms about purchasing the beer at auction. Should I not purchase Thomas Hardy Ales from prior to 2004 also? The TH brewery had people sign waivers that they wouldn't resell bottles. When I found a 1992 at a beer auction in Ohio I snatched it up.
Edit:
I wouldn't even consider purchasing at a restaurant and would completely agree with you that that is wrong. But I have no issue with purchasing it off eBay... maybe I'm contradicting myself a little but in my warped mind I see a difference.
i love corona with lime... yeh i know its kind of the norm but i loves it!
Alexander Kieths
Has such a different flavour, you will fer sure like it.
Also check out Colt 45.
Very good and strong :P
Miller High Life
My own home brewed IPA makes me Hoppy Hoppy very Hoppy.
I'll second Westvleteren but that's not easily purchased in the US. Dogfish head is a great well distributed brewer. Stone Brewing is another. If you are in the east, Bell's is a top brewer in this region. Don't know kind of beers you like so here's
Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA
Stone Russian Imperial Stout
Bell's Expedition Stout
Stone Arrogant Bastard (or Double Bastard if you don't have to drive)
Nutty Brunette, but you can only get it at BJ's Brewery, they also have very good BBQ pizza.
Sam Adams Cherry Wheat. My absolute favorite! The are a little harder to find... Yard House Restr. have it on tap. (:
anything in the Bud family
You might want to try a Lambic. Lindemans is a good brand. My favorite flavors are Kreik (cherry) and peach.
If you like hoppy beers, Bells Hopslam is awesome. Sam Adams Imperial Pilsner is also another good choice. Another good choice would be Breckenridge's 471 IPA.
A good stout to try is Guiness Extra stout.
ENJOY!!!
If you restrict is to something you can buy in the U.S, that rules out hombrew and my all-time favorite. Guess I'd have to opt for Turbo Dog, from the Abita Springs brewery in LA, just north of Lake Ponchartain.
Possibly the toughest question ever.
Depends on time, company, and ever-changing taste.
Westvleteren doesn't count in my opinion.
Most anything from Three Floyds
(especially Dreadnaught IPA),
but I really like most of the beers from Ommegang lately.
Can't go wrong with most of the Rogue beers, too.
And my latest taste- Gulden Draak Ale.
I am quite saddened that beer such as blue moon, Killians, Miller High Life and so forth have been included in "the best beer you have ever tasted" discussion. I dont know that anything miller makes is actually beer and blue moon is good but it doesn't even crack my top 50.
I am also saddened that another Michigander did not include Bell's among the high quality michigan breweries. If you look at Ratebeer.com, Bells I do beleive is the highest rated brewery in Michigan.
As far as my favorite beer, Have to go with a Bells brew. Double Cream Stout, Wheat Love (not available anymore) or Hopslam. You cannot go wrong with a fine Bell's brew.