So Many Beers. How to Chose?

This is part of the reason I started to drink AAL again. Easy, cheap, always fresh and I like it.

I remember baby tunes going out and the list is I long , not many great beers and priced so high that I just ordered a Kenzinger or Yuengling and gas just as good of a time.

Enjoy

 

I like that idea.

Still buying Hamms. When I find a porter/stout at a great price this time of year I grab a bunch. Last year I got otter creek coffee and love stout for $25 a case.

Enjoy

 

I shop at a spot that does pallet sales. most times its very fresh too. With out that Im drinking hamms all the time

Enjoy

 

When I started to revisit craft beer after a 5 year dry spell I was completely overwhelmed by the amount of choices. I tried every style I could from every brewery I could get my hands on. Without knowing what I like or who was a good brewer, you can guess how many meh or blah beers I tried. Once I got things figured out in terms of reliable breweries and styles I prefer it was easy. I still have my preferred breweries and styles, but I really love beer, and even the beers that are okay are still pretty good.

 

Shopping for a party: Get a mix pack I have never had before, that if they aren't that great, I don't get stuck with them. Latest wins:
Sweetwater IPA pack, bunch of great ipa's, most sessionable
Oskar Blues Canundrum, my go to mix pack, a 3 IPA's 1 on the lighter side and a stellar pils

Shopping for self: Get the latest Lagunitas one hitter release, Shiner Brewers Pride, Sierra Nevada Hop Pack, or any other one off release from a trusted brewer. Most of these I don't even fret reviews on. If none of those exist, I go with known entities, Pilsner Urquell, Yellow Rose, Lagunitas Sumpin Easy (if I can find fresh), any 6 pack from Live Oak. I will build a mix pack off the shelf if there is new stuff that came in and it has been broken out.

For dark beers, BA beers, I tend to go to this site and check reviews. I don't mind forcing down a semi decent 6% beer, but when it is up around 10% I don't want to have to force down 3 more beers that I don't enjoy (Barrel Runner I am talking to you). I actually threw that bottle on the table when I had my daughter and some of her friends over and they DID NOT LIKE IT either which made me feel better.

Sometimes you fail, but you learn along the way. If you don't feel comfortable doing that, I highly recommend you start reviewing beers that you have. After writing the review, read some of the other reviews, normally the top rated, or those who rated the beer similar to you. I think you will find that there are peoples who's palate is similar to yours, and then you can start trusting those reviews when looking to purchase.

 

What sort of declasse, unsophisticated, 18th century stores do you shop at that don't have carts? Or at least hand baskets? Baskets would greatly expand your one-hand rule, at least.

 

It always seemed, and seems, to me that countries in Europe where they love quality and resist change would one day become full fledged conspirators in the craft brew revolution of experimentation and variety. Ten years ago I said I fully expect the next great wave of brewers who make the finest of American styles would be in Europe. It hasn't happened yet (or has it?) but it doesn't seem as stupid an utterance now as it must have seemed back then. We love their good styles, why wouldn't they love our good styles?

We still have no clear view to what our culture here is gonna look like, at least in this part of the country. We have a long tradition of brewing here in the Hudson Valley that goes back to the 1500's and NY is a state that has decided to be at the forefront of the modern beer movement, and is. Much about NY I dislike, but this is a state that loves beer, loves NY brewers, and helps them to succeed. But which direction beer culture as a whole is gonna move is beyond my thinking.

It's a heady time to be a fine beer lover, and fun to look ahead, knowing what we guessed right and guessed wrong along the way..

 

1. Local beers;
2. Beers I can't find everywhere;
3. Beers without flavorings;
4. Styles that aren't too sweet (no Märzens, e.g.)...

Those criteria usually narrow things down for me

 

Maybe they have baskets, but he chose to curb his buying habits?

 

Oh, of course you're correct, but if I wanted to expand the rule I would simply do away with the rule.

 

Unpossible!

 

Gut and recommendations, speaking of which anyone try something new they really enjoyed?

 

Shiner Barrel Aged Marzen, was unbelievable

 

I choose by literally trying everything I can get my hands on. I help manage a liquor store, and have become close friends with many distributors, and brewery reps along the way. So I can get a hold of just about anything in my distribution area. Sure my liver get's quite the workout, and my wallet may be a bit lighter, but the experience of trying a new brew is always fascinating and exciting. Sure there's disappointments, but there are just as many treasures. I have my go-to's, but I always try anything new that I come across.

 

Wow that looks incredible, no idea how i would obtain it though!

 

not sure where it is getting shipped, I grabbed 2 bottles drank one over the weekend with my daughter(she worked there for a few years) and her husband and was blown away.

 

At home I never use a basket to prevent an overlying situation, but when I travel I utilize said basket.

 

I always look up reviews for beers on Untappd. Sure, it's not foolproof, but I find that I tend to agree with most ratings of beers on their