Help me branch out

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by dukes, May 15, 2012.

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  1. dukes

    dukes Initiate (0) Apr 2, 2012 Maryland

    So I feel like I've been stuck in a rut lately when I buy beer, getting quite burned out from IPA/IIPA's and stouts. I've been enjoying Belgian styles recently (Saison, Tripel, Belgian IPA, Strong Pale), but I have a few homebrews of those styles sitting in fermenters or bottle conditioning at the moment, and I don't want to be burned out from those styles when the become ready to drink. I could use some recommendations on some new styles to try and some good examples of those styles.

    To give some guidance, I enjoy pretty much all styles of ale, but do tend to lean toward the hoppy beers more than the malty beers and. I haven't really met a lager I've feel in love with yet. I would prefer beers that come in 12oz bottles so I can mix a six, which I know pretty much knocks out almost the entire import aisle, so I'll entertain 16.9oz and 22oz recommendations as well. I'd prefer to stay away from anything larger than that.

    I had Stone Smoked Porter recently and would be interested to try some other smoked beers...preferably ones that actually have a noticable smoke note :rolling_eyes:. I love scotch (more specifically really, really peaty scotch), so maybe when I'm looking for is a beer with a pronounced peated note. Any recommendations there?

    Barleywines haven't really done much for me in the past (except for Big Foot since it was nice and hoppy), but I wouldn't be against trying them again if I could find a few in 12oz bottles.

    Lastly, I live very close to MA, so CT and MA distribution is fair game. Thanks!
     
    #1 dukes, May 15, 2012
  2. knightlypint

    knightlypint Initiate (0) Apr 18, 2012 New Jersey

    Try some German and Czech Pilsners, KP.
     
    #2 knightlypint, May 15, 2012
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  3. FosterJM

    FosterJM Initiate (0) Nov 16, 2009 California

    Rauchbiers would probably do it for you.
    Scotch Ales might do it for you

    Cheers!
     
    #3 FosterJM, May 15, 2012
  4. robinsmv

    robinsmv Initiate (0) Jun 24, 2010 Florida

    If you are looking for smoke try Aecht schlenkerla, it's like drinking a delicious campfire
     
    #4 robinsmv, May 15, 2012
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  5. JohnnyTightLips

    JohnnyTightLips Initiate (0) May 30, 2009 Illinois

    Anything from Ommegang
     
    #5 JohnnyTightLips, May 15, 2012
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  6. kmello69

    kmello69 Initiate (0) Nov 27, 2011 Texas

    Do you get Left Hand? Left Hand Smoke Jumper is a nice, smoky beer.

    How about sours? Start with Monk's Cafe, Cuvee des Jacobins, or La Folie, and go from there.
     
    #6 kmello69, May 15, 2012
  7. knightlypint

    knightlypint Initiate (0) Apr 18, 2012 New Jersey

    JTL, have you tried Adoration...Awesome, KP.
     
    #7 knightlypint, May 15, 2012
  8. dukes

    dukes Initiate (0) Apr 2, 2012 Maryland

    The Aecht Schlenkerla beers are definitely on my list of beers to try. I just hope the smoke is as pronounced as people say. I've had most offerings from Ommegang and have enjoyed them all (except for Hennepin. Thought it was bland for a Saison). I've had quite a few Czech and German Pilseners (Noble Pils, Lagunitas Pils, Prima Pils, Summerfest, Urquell) as well, but am willing to try more. Might have to seek out Czechvar; I've heard good things about that brew.
     
    #8 dukes, May 15, 2012
  9. dukes

    dukes Initiate (0) Apr 2, 2012 Maryland

    We do get Left Hand, so I'll keep a look out for Smoke Jumper. I've recently gotten into Sours (Cuvee des Jacobins, Odue Gooze Boon, Old Burnside Highland Wild), and am always looking to try more. My only beef with Sours is that they usually come in 750ml bottles and are crazy expensive.
     
    #9 dukes, May 15, 2012
  10. kmello69

    kmello69 Initiate (0) Nov 27, 2011 Texas

    You should be able to get Monks Cafe and Cuvee in smaller bottles, and La Folie is smaller than a 750, I think (but I dont know if you get New Belgium). But you hit the nail on the head - sours are expensive!
     
    #10 kmello69, May 15, 2012
  11. xnicknj

    xnicknj Initiate (0) May 25, 2009 Pennsylvania

    maybe start branching out into other european beers. there's plenty of tasty beers from germany that are usually sitting on shelves all over the place. +1 to the Aecht Schlenkerla suggestion as well.
     
    #11 xnicknj, May 15, 2012
  12. dukes

    dukes Initiate (0) Apr 2, 2012 Maryland

    Good call on the Monk's Cafe. I'll definitely pick that one up! No New Belgium in New England, but I'm heading down to Virginia Beach next month so I can snag some there!
     
    #12 dukes, May 15, 2012
  13. Hopscotch

    Hopscotch Initiate (0) May 15, 2012

    I think the best thing to do is not seek advice, and don't close your door to Germany.
     
    #13 Hopscotch, May 15, 2012
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  14. knightlypint

    knightlypint Initiate (0) Apr 18, 2012 New Jersey

    Try Radeberger, Bitburger, and Javer. I hear Pinkus is good too. Javer is pretty far out there, many would find it to be too far out.

    I've found the Germans to have more bite than the Czech's, generally.
     
    #14 knightlypint, May 15, 2012
  15. KAF

    KAF Initiate (0) Jun 22, 2007 Iowa

    The first style I thought of was German Pilsener (but one actually from Germany, not an American brewed version).
    I agree 100% with Aecht Schlenkerla as they are one of my favorite brewers and brew wonderful beers.
    If you want peat and enjoy scotch try Harviestoun Ola Dubh (any vintage) you'll love it.
    If you want to try your hand at another barley wine dry Great Divide Old Ruffian.
    If you want to branch out maybe you could start trying some doppelbocks (Celebrator, Korbinian, Fish Tale Detonator, Grand Teton Double Vision).
     
    #15 KAF, May 15, 2012
  16. dukes

    dukes Initiate (0) Apr 2, 2012 Maryland

    Sometimes we need intervention to force us outside our comfort zone. There are people in this world that pay other people to force them to eat less :astonished:
     
    #16 dukes, May 15, 2012
  17. WeaponTheyFear

    WeaponTheyFear Initiate (0) Mar 9, 2008 Connecticut

    Have you tried NEBC Friar's Quad yet?
     
    #17 WeaponTheyFear, May 15, 2012
  18. Hopscotch

    Hopscotch Initiate (0) May 15, 2012

    Perhaps, but I was giving my advice, which is more about self-exploration/guidance, which I think is more rewarding than fitting the mold of apa--> ipa-> stout--> IRS--> Sours--> IRS-->--> IRS-->--> IRS-->--> IRS
     
    #18 Hopscotch, May 15, 2012
  19. knightlypint

    knightlypint Initiate (0) Apr 18, 2012 New Jersey

    German altbiers are good too, Uerige and Pinkus are two good examples.

    This is a style which Southampton and Long Trail (Americans) have duplicated well. Southampton's might go under the name Secret Ale. Long Trail's are Long Trail Ale, Double Bag, and now the massive Triple Bag.

    Altbiers lean toward the sweet side, usually the higher the ABV the sweeter the alt. They can be too sweet.
     
    #19 knightlypint, May 15, 2012
  20. dukes

    dukes Initiate (0) Apr 2, 2012 Maryland

    Thanks to all for the recommendations. Sounds like I need to get reacquainted with my Import aisle!
     
    #20 dukes, May 15, 2012
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