Drain pour tales...

Why all the Pumking hate? Living in CA, I've never had a chance to try it until a buddy brought home a few bottles from Oregon a few weeks ago. Personally, I didn't think it was bad. It's not my favorite pumpkin beer, but it was still drinkable and FAR from a drain pour. Me thinks there be elitists about. Is it just this years batch that is off? Help me understand.

As for Creme Brulee, I loved it. It's good in small quantities, and genuinely tastes like it's namesake. Cheers to Sourthern Tier for making BOTH of those beers.

 

I drain poured the Red Barn ale last night from Lost Abbey. Just got worse with each sip, strong black pepper and dry finish just weren't my thing.

 

Yes. Just had one the other day after 2 years and it was poor. Not quite a drain pour... but I thought about it.

My only non-infected drain pour was Stone 11-11-11. Couldn't do it.

Other drain pours for infection were Pipeworks Blue Lady, Jester King Wytchmaker, Two Brothers Northwinds Imperial Stout, and 2012 Peruvian Morning. Don't think those really count as they weren't what the brewer intended.

 

There are people out there who hate anything that is sweet. Creme Brulee is too sweet for my liking but I can understand why there are people who love it. Pumking varies from year to year. 2010 was very nicely balanced and delicious, last year was a little hoppier and had a vegetal quality to it, this year is the sweetest of the 3 and really tastes like pumpkin pie.

No matter what, haters gonna hate. I love this year's Pumking for what it is...dessert.

I have pretty much the same comment on FMB too. Delicious, obviously it is going to be polarizing.

 

I'm surprised no one from Chicago has gotten on here yet and said Blue Lady from Pipeworks. Just cheese everywhere, ruined the taste for me. But, I might be getting a free glass so I forgive them. And I still love them.

Sam Adam's Imperial White. Just a mess of a beer.

I know there is more I'm not thinking of... maybe I need a beer to refresh my memory...

 

Big Sky Kriek. What an absolute piece of shit beer. How the hell could they ever taste that and say "Yep, this one is ready to be released!"

 

Oh so many good ones. The latest was Chocolate Rain, one of the worst beers our group ever tried. I believe there was a comedic video made...not sure whatever happened to it but it mirrored Kevin ejaculating into the sink full of chocolate rain...

 

I've heard it's good on tap. And don't sweat, it, you're not being an ass. We really weren't trying to be either. We were just having some fun with a beer that a couple of us (not myself in this instance) had given up pretty substantial stuff for (KH included) after it had been trumpeted as a wonderful beer. It made us wonder if anyone had even really tried it before trading it off...or if they knew it was infected and traded it anyway. Regardless...it was Philly Beer Week and we were having some fun with beer. It wasn't at anyone's expense but our own. We'd paid for it, didn't care for it, disposed of it dramatically. That's all.

 

This. Pipeworks makes mostly great beer, and I say mostly because this is the only one that really missed the mark for me.

Other notable drain pours include:
- Dogfish Head 120 (just awful awful awful)
- Dogfish Head Saison Du Buff (was not in the mood at all)
- Lost Abbey Ten Commandments (got through more than the others at least)

I nearly poured out Rodenbach Grand Cru. I guess I just don't like the strong vinegar flavour in my sours.

 

1. Bacon Voodoo Maple Donut. Tasted like club soda mixed with maple syrup.
2. Peak XV Imperial Porter. Tasted like vanilla extract with some porter thrown in.

 

I've only drain-poured three beers in my entire life. First was a beer I picked up from my local bottle shop called Arabier, and needless to say it probably cleaned my drain. Next was a brew by Sam Adams called Imperial White I believe. it was way over spiced and nearly burned my throat. The last beer I drain-poured was a brew by Bison Brewing called "Organic Honey Basil". It was completely disgusting.

 

I'm in the camp that very rarely drain pours (i guess that's the alcoholic camp). The being said i can think of two, although there was probably a couple others throughout the years.

Lakefront Snake Chaser- this must have been a bad bottle, i don't think Irish Dry Stouts are supposed to be sour.

Southern Tier Cuvee Series 3-i tried to power through this sweet mess, but after getting through about half the bomber over two nights, and probably wincing after each sip, i just couldn't do it anymore, down the drain.

 

Jockamo IPA, by Abita.

Certified Evil, Lucky Bucket. -- drank about a third of it. Got sick of the overpowering flavors.

 

Loved that people had the same answers as myself. Pumpking, Ta Henket, and Hell or High Watermelon ride at the bottom of my list. I do have to disagree with the Creme Brulee naysayers, it is really good! But that's my favorite dessert of all time.

 

In 2009 I bought a case of Abyss before the infection concerns were raised. I poured out at least 10 of the bottles cool thing was Deschutes refunded me for the case. But the only real drain pour in recent memories was Rogue's horrible Bacon Maple Doughnut.

 

Budweiser Chelada. Sweet bejaysus that was foul.

 

Sam Adams Triple Bock
2007 Thomas Hardy's Ale
And most recently... Beer Valley Leafer Madness

 

I wouldn't mind the sweetness of the ST Creme Brulee if it wasn't so hot and boozy on the back end. It's totally unbalanced and that's what makes it a total loser for me. On the other hand, some of my friends made homemade ice cream with it that was absolutely fucking fantastic, legitimately one of the best desserts I've ever had. Similarly, the pumpkin pie made with oak-aged Pumking that I had recently at an Oktoberfest party was excellent, even though I hate the beer.

 

?!? Is your tasting group comprised of 12 year olds? Get a palate!

 

Guys, you are doing it wrong. You're supposed to drink beer.