(Why) Are imports overlooked?

Here are my reasons for not buying imports very often.

• British Ale: my favorites are cask ales, and what shows up in bottles just isn't the same.
• German Lager / Czech Pilsner: if it isn't fresh, it isn't nearly the beer it should be
• Green Bottled Anything: if it isn't in a sealed case, I'm not risking my money for skunk

Here are reasons I buy the occasional European import

• Bamberg: I love me some smoke.
• Belgium: There are some nice imitations by US brewers, but few come close to the originals.

 

The USA makes better cask conditioned ale than the UK?

 

Why is it that misplaced posts are always from the "what beer are you drinking now" thread?

 

I think you meant to put a at the end of that instead.

 

Since the tanker is spoken for by @drtth , I'd be happy with the Schlenkerla-mobile.
Did you and your roommate make that joke on the way to having 5 marzens or on the way back?

 

I think the deal is those of us who are older, drinking before American Craft really took off, have been there done that and now we are more interested in what local or national producers can do. I think craft beer is one of the only industries that is also all made here, which is, in a way patriotism at its best. Although there is beginning to be a swing of the pendulum in the other direction somewhat,with the interest and demand for Belgian sours and saison's.

 

Weihevstaphaner is well made beer, to the point of total boredom imo. Aventinus Eisbock is strong flavored, it doesn't have a lot of bold flavors. It's also for me way too sweet and candy like. Nothing wrong with german beers we get in the US, I certainly like a lot of them, but I don't love any of them, and given their price points, there's very little reason to go back and have one a second time.

The biggest issues are price, variety, and newness. Most of the well established imports, are well boring. They aren't putting out a lot of new and different beers. Mikkler does, and they get attention. Brewdog does and they get attention (every now and then even the good kind), while not from Europe breweries like 8wire and Epic have put out some outstanding beers.

So while I'll certainly pick up a JW Less or a Thomas Hardy, who into beer doesn't know about those? There's little left to speak of just like a Hef from Germany.

Though I openly admit to not understanding the love of the overly sweet and overly sugary beers without something to balance them out. And to be honest, there are plenty of American breweries doing those styles just fine and for less money than the imports too.

 

I don't even remotely feel that way. I have always been into the best beers for their particular style and context, as well as the best choices; if that's what's on the shelf I'll gladly drink it no matter where it came from. The sad fact is, American brewers still can't compete in any number of styles (especially German ones), except for a handful of examples here and there.

 

With German beers, 6 months is actually a pretty good cutoff point, to tell the truth. Between their pasteurization and bottling lines, they are generally given a 1-year pull date; and they definitely are long in the tooth by then, but the decline usually starts after 6 months (depending on treatment, naturally).

 

Are you saying that craft brewing only exists in the US ? Or that's where it began?

 

When really fresh hop presence is better. The second hops begin fading in a lower hopped beer, it becomes different, and at least for me that ruins it. Drinking say something from Hofbrauhaus made locally the day they tap the keg vs. something from over seas it makes a world of difference.

 

I read a while back on the Beer paper LA that everything is here, in CA. damn nearly everyone trying to trade stuff from outside of CA wants CA beers.

 

I don't buy English imports because many use isinglass as a clarifying agent.

 

Could be tough - so far, no one will even state who is brewing the revived Thomas Hardy's Ale for the new Italian owners of the brand.

 

You caught me pre-edit. I took that part off!!!!

 

Hahaha great joke

 

The biggest reason for me is the fact that they are so expensive due to importation. Other than that I honestly feel that (again in my opinion) most American beers are superior to the imports. Of course there are some imports better than American beers but far fewer for my tastes. Last but not least, I personally would just rather buy American because well I'm American. I believe in supporting the American economy.

 

I've always found it to be the opposite. Hein-e-kin? You say? Now THAT sounds like a great beer. Or guys brag to their buddies about being man enough to handle "a Guinness."

But if I'm drinking a imperial stout from some brewery in Ohio, and it's just weird.

 

Ah yes overall then I agree! Well and speaking of imports, I am still planning on flying or driving back out to NJ for my 3rd Annual Beer tasting and we will do either Italian Beers Part Rare or Spanish brews. It would be great if you could attend! This will be some time in November!

 

Again well and depending on location look for that revered B. United International offerings. I can also make the call to Matthias himself and get some fresher German beers your way!