What beers do brewers like?

I'd hazard a guess that professional brewers like the beers they get to brew the least, and homebrewers like the beers they get to brew the most.
I love my chinook IPA, fermenting as we speak.

 

My wife works for a large, global chemical company and they have to sign an agreement every year that if they do anything the company deems as "detrimental or embarrassing to the company" it is grounds for immediate dismissal. The clause has been invoked against people making offensive posts in the comments section of major websites like CNN.com. It's never really clear how they identify/track down the individuals, but I'm sure the NSA is involved somehow. (That's just a joke, Mr. Federale who monitors these boards).

 

I do know that larger companies walk the line between privacy and what they deem as "corporate interests". Perhaps as part of the yearly agreement employees have to divulge their screen names and if they use another and it's found out, that's "detrimental or embarassing to the company" as well.

 

I don't think she's ever been asked for any information like that. I think it's more likely that people were foolish enough to use their work computers and left a trail. Bottom line, as an "at-will" private employer, they don't really need any reason at all. They can fire you just because they feel like it, as I'm sure, can the big brewers. So, anyone who publically trashes the company product is asking for trouble. At the same time, just saying your also enjoy competitive products might not be enough to get you fired, given the potential PR backlash.

 

From what I've heard, pro brewers tend to go for lighter lagers & pilsners regularly. They seem to appreciate both the craft/technique & the ease of drinking.

 

Like people, some companies are more insecure than others. It all depends.

 

I don't always brew beer, but when I do, I brew Stout!

 

I'm a homebrewer and one of the three brewers at my local brewery. I'm all over the map, really. I love hops, dark and roasty, heavy, crisp, etc. I'd say I gravitate towards hops, but I would rather have a mildly hoppy pale ale than an unbalanced DIPA. I love lots of styles and beers within those styles. So I'd say I'm hugely open-minded, but above all, I appreciate quality. I'd prefer a quality true-to-style boring beer over a mediocre "big" beer or experimental style.

My boss, the brewmaster whom I have tremendous respect for, avoids hoppy beers because they give him a headache

 

I'm sure your interest are actually all over the map... that said, your list from this weekend isn't the best example of "all over the map." That sounds like a shit ton of hops to me.... with a touch of rye.

 

You're right. Just this weekends list. I tend to drink seasonally and right now im all hopped up. I do drink a fair amount of Saisons in the spring summer as well. Barleywines, Strong Ales, Tripels, and Quads coming soon with some pumpkin beers in between.

 

This isn't directly to the question, but twice I've asked a brewer which of his beers is his favorite, and both times I heard: "They're all my children, and I don't like to show any favorites."

 

The professional brewers I have drank with and discussed similar topics with are not that much different than most craft drinkers. I see a fair amount of variety being enjoyed, perhaps more focus on a breweries staples rather than rotating selections or limited releases. I would agree with the clean beer statement, as well as having a deeper appreciation for sessionable beers and well crafted beers in general. As for the lighter beers and pilsners, I do not see that holding true in most cases. They certainly appreciate them however I do not see this being any of their everyday drinkers.

 

I think it was on the brewing Network, or was it at an NHC(?), that Vinnie Cilurzo said he loves to drink SNPA or Orval.

 

I probably drink our pils half the time after my shift. Then our hefeweizen and rotating through our pale ales the rest of the time. Every now and then I go for something maltier.

I'm a big fan of clean, german-style beers for the most part these days, and also dry, balanced hoppy pale ales. I drink as many good sour and funky beers as I can get my hands on, but that isn't very frequently.

After years of sensory training and paneling, I really value fresh beer that doesn't have off flavors, which I've become very sensitive to. A little oxidation can completely ruin many beers for me. I'll drink almost anything that meets those criteria and has good balance.

 

Not a brewer, but one once told me Anchor Liberty Ale.

 

Except for brewers from FW....

 

Tomme Arthur said somewhere he likes to drink Mickeys.

 

As someone who loves hoppy beers, make that LOOOOOOOOOOOOOVVVESSSSS hoppy beers, and will likely be brewing professionally soon, I don't think my tastes will change.

 

I remember my first job was at a small pizza joint washing dishes. I got all the free pizza I wanted whenever I wanted. I grew to hate it over time, and the smell alone made me sick. After having quit, my love for pizza promptly came back. I wonder if this affliction spreads to other idustries such as brewing.

 

Guilty as charged. I love radlers. McCoy's (brewpub) here in Kansas City makes a ginger shandy that's absolutely amazing, probably the best I've ever had.

I think we tend to gravitate towards more sessionable beers because it's a beer we can drink without much thought. I spend a lot of time thinking about/analyzing beer and when I'm not working, I want to sit down, turn my brain off, shut up and drink a beer.