One beer to represent 'Merica

To represent America: SNPA or Bell's Two Hearted.
To represent Muricah: Bud Light.

Edit: Or, for the America Category, maybe something from DFH, like 60 minute or India Brown ale.

 

I have had Hill Farmstead on draft at Philadelphia area beer bars many times. I have had SNPA on draft at Philadelphia area beer bars many times. Common settings so a fair comparison from my perspective.

Cheers!

 

To make the comparison you're seeking, the playing field would have to be leveled for each beer. They would both either have to be consumed fresh on site with no transporation or delay involved, or they would both would have to be kegged, shipped equal distances and aged to the same degree. Until then....

 

Good point with DFH! India Brown Ale is really it's own thing completely.

 

Oh it is a great beer. Anchor is a classic, but the mindset in the craft beer community sometimes leaves brews like Anchor Steam behind. My mindset can be like that as well to be honest.

Cream Ales are another good example. Good call.

 

I have never heard of the Kentucky Common to be honest. What are they like?

 

Below is from the 2015 BJCP style guidelines:

“Overall Impression: A darker-colored, light-flavored, malt accented beer with a dry finish and interesting character malt flavors. Refreshing due to its high carbonation and mild flavors, and highly sessionable due to being served very fresh and with restrained alcohol levels.”

Do you subscribe to BYO? In the latest issue there is an article written by Gordon Strong on the Kentucky Common beer style; it is a good read.

Cheers!

 

Sam Adams Boston Lager.

 

1. New Belgium Fat Tire Amber Ale
2. Sam Adams Boston Lager
3. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale

 

Goose Island Bourbon County Coffee

That should take the globe by storm

 

Nailed it.

 

As ubiquitous as the lovers of the scientific method appear to be online, when it actually comes down to doing the science, these supporters become startlingly silent. Turns out, science and other rational systems are difficult and time-consuming. It's just a lot easier to say "X is the best" without having to show your work.

 

Yep, it definitely can be difficult and time consuming. Done some (not in food science though). Which is why I seldom assert that X is better than Y or that Z is "the best." What is even more surprising is that there are some relatively simple things that can be done to eliminate many of the known biases, but it appears many folks would rather ignore what research is out there (e.g., the effects of price, of expectations from knowing the brewery or country of origin, etc.) and rely on their own "experienced judgment" (or inexperienced judgment as the case maybe :-)) and ignore or pretend their own biases don't exist.

 

Good call, Jack. I think Sierra Nevada Vienna Lager would fair well in this made up competition.

 

I'm gonna go with SN Torpedo Extra Pale Ale.

 

Or perhaps better still, it's time to stop treating beer (or wine) like a competition. The last thing I want -- or trust -- is someone drinking tiny sips of a beverage in order to "judge" it telling me what is "the best" beer to actually...you know...drink.

 

Why would you see them as being either/or and mutually exclusive alternatives? Using any single source of information is inherently flawed in some way and should be complemented with others.

 

Fair enough. Next time I'm trying to decide which beer I want to drink 4 oz. of in a sterile setting, I'll be sure to consult these "judgements" first.

 

Sam Adams Boston Lager

 

Now your being deliberate argumentative. That is neither what I said, implied or meant.