So a friend needs to bring a craft beer to a party. He asks your opinion of what to bring. What would you recommend that would be a safe bet? I would say to bring What would you tell him/her to bring?
Good Luck finding that on the shelves in the U.S. of A. (Well, actually, if you found it, it'd be bad luck). Besides, being a Heineken-owned brand few would call it craft. Exactly who is this "friend" you'd recommend it to?
Just about anything from... Founders Bell's Sierra Nevada (if you like hoppy beer) Allagash (if you like Belgian beer)
Zombie Dust. Close call between that and PseudoSue, but I'd go with ZD by virtue of the fact that you can get it on 12-ounce bottles.
Freshness caveat highly expressed here -- nothing like a sour Pils or gushing export strength Helles (voice of experience).
Our family July 4th Party included the above and surprisingly Stone (popular with youngsters - in their 20s). To be honest, any beer on the 4th of July tasted awesome as we sat in the pool and talked stories.
Well at least I preempted the spelling caveat. I'm still seeing Marzen from two years ago at Total Wine.
I don’t know any of my Bud Light drinking friends who wouldn’t call it craft but that’s neither her nor there
Yeah, they brew a beer with that Heineken-owned brand name - different recipe, different bottle and certainly not "Imported from England".
Locally? KC Bier's Hefeweizen or Pilsner. Hell, even their Dunkel sells well, and would be a good option. German's have known how to session good beer while being social for centuries.
SNPA is tough to beat. I echo the Ayinger Bavarian Pils recommendation, too. For a summer party, maybe an Anderson Valley gose? They do one called the Yimmie, the Yink and the Holy Gose that is lower in ABV (4.2%) and refreshing. They do some others in the Highway 128 Session series that have some fruit added, with the blood orange one being my favorite. .
I always start people with Einstoks line-up. Very approachable, not too far in any one direction. Its good to gauge their reaction to certain flavors. Depending on what they like from those you can move them up to something bigger. If they like the Toasted Porter, then they might like Founders Porter or even some stouts. If they like the Wee Heavy, then they might like malty brews and so forth.
First thought would be - what’s the closest brewery to your house, friend? Grab whatever their flagship is - spread the word - local/fresh is best!
I second this. You would hate to give them some obscure stuff they would have a hard time finding if they decided they liked it. Best off with something available in your area. Cheers.
What do the party members like would be my question. If the goal is just to bring "a craft beer" SNPA is a good choice. w
My guess is that the OP is talking about a party with more than craft beer heads in attendance. Sure, you and I would love those beers. But, the answer needs to be something more pedestrian.
I've been in this situation several times. For me, the two go-tos are SNPA and Boston Lager. Anything more "interesting" and you're going to lose people.
White claw☠ In all seriousness,speaking from experience here, i wouldnt bring shit in Los Angeles. All these bastards( men znd women) are consuming white claws and the like. Kinda sad Edit: Fremont Ollie or Lush. El Segundo Brewing Broken Skull LA Ale Works : Anything around 6%
