To love something you must spend time with it

Love Pliny, wish I had a home beer I felt so strongly about. But Im all over the place. If I lived I Vt I’d easily match your Pliny to a Heady. Great beers I have access to, iconic beers not so much.

 

Your favorite beer could be a one-time event, but your relationship will be built on a much shakier foundation.

 

If I had to pick a favorite, I'd probably go with Zombie Dust. It's everything I like in a beer, and it never disappoints. The only time I can get it, however, is when I travel back to Ohio, and sometimes not even then. I'm always excited to find it, and I guess that's at least part of what makes it special.

 

Its funny, here I am lamenting that I don't have the access to Pliny that OP has, but I can get fresh Zombie Dust any time.

I can agree with your sentiment here. Im most excited by seasonal releases. When you cant get something all the time, it makes when you can special. I dont think I could have a favorite, but beers like SN Celebration come to mind.

 

Someone's favorite beer should be one they have readily available. Otherwise it's like living in NJ and having a girl/boy friend who lives in Japan.

 

Speaking from experience?

 

This thread is a version of "What beer has never let you down when drinking it?" Giving it thought, I'd say it's one I never would have expected: Stone Woot Stout (not a fan of '18 but all those prior).

 

Pliny is at the top of my list too even though Two Hearted, which beat Pliny in a homebrewers association as being the best beer in the US. I love Two Hearted too, but I don't drink it very often even though it is readily available and fresh to me. I get to drink Pliny only every couple years or so when I visit CA, so I have no close relationship with it. Maybe absence makes the heart grow fonder?

 

I don’t have a favorite beer that’s local or always available, I rotate like crazy to keep things fresh. If I lived in Vt Heady would be it. Cali, Pliny would be it, MI, probably Abrasive in season or Furious. Chicago ZD. Boston, Trillium of some flavor. These are probably my list of beer that I love the most. There’s beers that are primarily locked to Charlotte that imo are world class beers, Routine Culture and Heist make great NEIPAS, but a beer run is a 4 hr round trip not counting hanging out having a few beers. I like Bells Two Hearted but Centennial hops sometimes turn me off. The orange hit sometimes wears on me, it’s certinly not an oj bomb just a characteristic of the hop.

 

I might say that about Younger. I've only had it 4x over two years (and not recently) but I felt it was pretty consistent and confirmed that it's the only TIPA I enjoy and find "drinkable". Wish it were more accessible, as I'm not willing to chase / wait in line for it.

The last few times I've had Elder, I've not really been impressed (but it's a solid beer and super available, since I'm a NorCal'er.)

Heady Topper is just gross though. Vermont can keep it. <3

 

We've finally reached the full 180 regarding the term adjuncts.

"Pacifico contains Filtered Water, Yeast, Malted Barley, Corn, and Hops."

 

Alternate title to the thread:
"To love something you must play Uno with it."

 

Haha, all the OG Phish fans have a different understanding of Uno than do the rest here.

Re: OP- My main love is ability to try so many different takes on so many styles. But in thinking about things for the last eight months or so I can see my beer that I have spent much time with, and grown to appreciate even more by this familiarity, is Wrench, by Industrial Arts. Drinking one now.

 

My "favorite" beer is SNPA so I can get it just about anywhere. Rarely get it when I'm away though. Always try to drink the locals.

 

For me picking out a favorite beer is nearly impossible - there are too many good beers to choose from. There are a bunch of great beers I would be happy with on any occasion.

 

Sometimes my SO and I get sick of certain aspects of life in the Great Lakes region and we are both on record making plenty of threatening comments about uprooting and moving out west. An honest fear I have is that if we ever made it out to Washington or Oregon I would immediately have an insatiable craving for all the New Glarus beers I walk past on a weekly basis. It's like a curse. Funny the way the mind plays these tricks and it makes me wonder how much of an effect it has on flavor and enjoyment when you do finally have the beloved special drink after a wild goose chase.