The Quintessential Beer

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by AugustusRex, Dec 23, 2014.

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  1. AugustusRex

    AugustusRex Initiate (0) Apr 12, 2013 Canada (ON)

    Which Tripel(s) would you centre out as the best representation? I would say Dupont's "Avec Les Bons Voeux" or Tripel Karmeliet are my favourites. I know the Dupont is considered a saison on BA, but the matter is really open to opinion. Ratebeer lists it as one of the best "Abbey Tripels".

    **Although I am Canadian I find La Fin Du Monde (and Unibroue in general) to be very poor.
     
    #81 AugustusRex, Jan 7, 2015
  2. readyski

    readyski Pooh-Bah (1,557) Jun 4, 2005 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    yup, and that would be Orval (but he thankfully shared) :slight_smile:
     
    #82 readyski, Jan 7, 2015
  3. humuloner22

    humuloner22 Initiate (0) Feb 7, 2013 North Carolina

    No matter what we beer nerds want to think an American Adjunct Lager (Insert name here.....) is what comes to mind in probably 90+% of the population.
     
    #83 humuloner22, Jan 7, 2015
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  4. Ipaupaweallpa

    Ipaupaweallpa Savant (1,022) Dec 26, 2014 Alabama
    Trader

    Don't have a whole lot of experience like some of you guys, but DEFINATLY a stone ipa, Torpedo or Lagunitas iPa depending on my flavor /bitterness ratio craving for the day. Seems like no matter what new I try I always have one of those six packs in the fridge
     
    #84 Ipaupaweallpa, Jan 7, 2015
  5. marquis

    marquis Pooh-Bah (2,313) Nov 20, 2005 England
    Pooh-Bah

    Certainly a generic lager for most people, that's what they think of as beer.
    I'm surprised with some of the posts here, remembering that the reason for beer's existence is as a drink and apart from a small proportion of stronger stuff for special occasions it's intended to be drunk in quantity.So a quintessential beer ought to be taken from the former group.
     
    #85 marquis, Jan 7, 2015
  6. doktorhops

    doktorhops Pooh-Bah (2,065) Jan 12, 2011 Australia
    Pooh-Bah

    Duvel is (for me) the quintessential beer - it is a peerless brew that contains all the aspects of a great beer (i.e. the ingredients: water, malt, hops and yeast... oh and no doubt candi sugar in the case of Duvel).
     
    #86 doktorhops, Jan 7, 2015
  7. twb0392

    twb0392 Initiate (0) Aug 1, 2014 Wisconsin

    British Ales
     
    #87 twb0392, Jan 7, 2015
  8. polloenfuego

    polloenfuego Pooh-Bah (2,346) Jan 26, 2013 Canada (NB)
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Trappist ales is where I go. I guess it is the base from which I built my palate (which includes a wide variety now).
     
    #88 polloenfuego, Jan 7, 2015
  9. elektrikjester

    elektrikjester Initiate (0) Nov 15, 2008 Georgia

    Not sure I agree totally with @marquis, but I think he makes a good point that "quintessential" isn't necessarily the same thing as "perfect" or "best." For me, it means "beer that tastes like beer." Whatever the hell that means.

    In this moment (channeling my inner Michael Jackson), Greene King Abbot Ale strikes me as the perfect "middle of the road" beer.
     
    #89 elektrikjester, Jan 7, 2015
  10. ArkansasTraveller

    ArkansasTraveller Initiate (0) Aug 4, 2014 Arkansas

    This. Although quintessential in my life would be Founders Porter. Im never not in the mood for a Founders Porter.
     
    #90 ArkansasTraveller, Jan 7, 2015
  11. JAPack521

    JAPack521 Initiate (0) Aug 20, 2013 California

    Quintessence refers to the legendary 5th element--something transcendent beyond earth, wind, fire and water. I believe all of beer is quintessential based on this definition as it seems to defy its component parts, but I think, for me, that Orval truly transmutes basic ingredients into something that connects you with centuries of tradition and flavor but always amazes in new ways.
     
    #91 JAPack521, Jan 7, 2015
  12. Lukass

    Lukass Pooh-Bah (2,891) Dec 16, 2012 Ohio
    Pooh-Bah

    Probably a lager... not necessarily an adjunct though. That stereotypical frosty mug of yellow fizzy beer with a foamy white head has been stuck in my mind for a long time now, and I can't get it out!
     
    #92 Lukass, Jan 7, 2015
  13. Smakawhat

    Smakawhat Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,191) Mar 18, 2008 Maryland
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    Schlenkerla
     
    #93 Smakawhat, Jan 8, 2015
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  14. prock180

    prock180 Initiate (0) Mar 9, 2013 Arizona

    Sculpin and Union Jack
     
    #94 prock180, Jan 8, 2015
  15. slander

    slander Pooh-Bah (2,568) Nov 5, 2001 New York
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah

    Her name is (lovely) Orval.

    But man, Saison Dupont and De Ranke XX on draft...
     
    #95 slander, Jan 8, 2015
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  16. Stagga_Lee

    Stagga_Lee Initiate (0) Jul 22, 2014 Massachusetts

    Indian Brown Ale for this guy.
     
    #96 Stagga_Lee, Jan 8, 2015
  17. waitwhatamidrinking

    waitwhatamidrinking Initiate (0) Aug 17, 2014 Illinois

    Hamm's or Coors Banquet.
     
    #97 waitwhatamidrinking, Jan 8, 2015
  18. LittleDog

    LittleDog Initiate (0) Dec 19, 2014 Texas

    Some of you snobs will give me stink eye, but ...my goodness, my Guinness.

    [​IMG]
     
    #98 LittleDog, Jan 8, 2015
  19. Providence

    Providence Pooh-Bah (2,652) Feb 24, 2010 Rhode Island
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Ha! My answer as well.
     
    #99 Providence, Jan 8, 2015
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  20. Providence

    Providence Pooh-Bah (2,652) Feb 24, 2010 Rhode Island
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Dave, have you had Anchor's California Lager? I'm curious as to your thoughts....
     
    #100 Providence, Jan 8, 2015
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