What makes a great beer?

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by Mlkluther, Jan 18, 2015.

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  1. Mlkluther

    Mlkluther Initiate (0) Sep 22, 2014 Canada (AB)

    I'm drinking a Lagunitas Sucks right now. It is outstanding. It might be the best DIPA I've ever had.

    It has me thinking - what makes Sucks so good? Or Ruination? Or Myrcenary? Or Pliny (or so I've heard :slight_smile:)? What exactly is in the brewing process in a world class DIPA that is different than in the mediocre DIPAs? All of them are water, malt, hops, and yeast. Why is Sucks, for example, so much better than many?
     
    #1 Mlkluther, Jan 18, 2015
  2. offthelevel_bytheplumb

    offthelevel_bytheplumb Maven (1,277) Aug 19, 2013 Illinois

    In order to be a great beer, it has to be a double IPA, a BBA imperial stout/barleywine, or a sour ale. Otherwise, it's nothing more than swill for the uninitiated.:wink:
     
    #2 offthelevel_bytheplumb, Jan 18, 2015
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  3. VTBrewHound

    VTBrewHound Pundit (831) Jan 5, 2013 Vermont

    Freshness
    Hop Varieties
    Malt Bill
    Yeast strain
    Freshness
    I have had many mediocre Lagunitas DIPAs as it is next to impossible to get them fresh in VT, so I have to settle for Heady Topper, Second Fiddle, Abner, Double Sunshine, etc.
     
    #3 VTBrewHound, Jan 18, 2015
  4. hopnado

    hopnado Initiate (0) Aug 13, 2014 Michigan

    I think it's the knowledge and talent of the brewers. Give ten different brewers the exact same ingredients and they will brew 10 different tasting beers. I think that would make a good reality show...'Hell's Brewery'
     
    #4 hopnado, Jan 18, 2015
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  5. Vogt52

    Vogt52 Initiate (0) May 25, 2014 Maryland


    I think you'll survive the despair that is settling for sub par beers such as heady topper and second fiddle hahaha
     
    #5 Vogt52, Jan 18, 2015
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  6. dennis3951

    dennis3951 Initiate (0) Mar 6, 2008 New Jersey

    It also has to be hard to get. Now that Sucks is year around it won't be great for long.
     
    #6 dennis3951, Jan 18, 2015
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  7. Mlkluther

    Mlkluther Initiate (0) Sep 22, 2014 Canada (AB)

    Ok - fair enough. Tell me more. Why would ten Brewers come up with ten different tasting beers?
     
    #7 Mlkluther, Jan 18, 2015
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  8. Mlkluther

    Mlkluther Initiate (0) Sep 22, 2014 Canada (AB)

    If you think it's tough to get it fresh in VT - try in Canada :-).
     
    #8 Mlkluther, Jan 18, 2015
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  9. Mlkluther

    Mlkluther Initiate (0) Sep 22, 2014 Canada (AB)

    Hah! Fair enough.

    But seriously - Sucks is great. Even if I can get it here in Canada!
     
    #9 Mlkluther, Jan 18, 2015
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  10. iTunesUpdates

    iTunesUpdates Initiate (0) May 7, 2014 Florida

    For me, an extraordinary beer brings back memories, or the taste reminds me of something.
     
    #10 iTunesUpdates, Jan 18, 2015
  11. hopnado

    hopnado Initiate (0) Aug 13, 2014 Michigan

    it is a quality beer but I no longer purchase Lagunitas products
     
    #11 hopnado, Jan 18, 2015
  12. Malt_Man

    Malt_Man Initiate (0) Jul 4, 2014 England

    Ingredients, balance and freshness.
     
    #12 Malt_Man, Jan 18, 2015
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  13. alucard6679

    alucard6679 Savant (1,009) Jul 29, 2012 Arizona

    I was asking myself the same question last night, then I had a Palo Santo Matron and I remembered.

    There's well made beer and sometimes they can be doing everything right but it still won't achieve true greatness. Regardless of how rare or expensive a beer is you'll know when you pour it take that first sip if its truly special or not
     
    #13 alucard6679, Jan 18, 2015
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  14. Mlkluther

    Mlkluther Initiate (0) Sep 22, 2014 Canada (AB)

    Is it that the Brewers gets just the right balance of ingredients? Or is it the quality of ingredients?
     
    #14 Mlkluther, Jan 20, 2015
  15. Abbbp

    Abbbp Pooh-Bah (1,762) Mar 9, 2013 Texas
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Q. What makes a great beer?
    A. Sharing w great friends.
     
    #15 Abbbp, Jan 20, 2015
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  16. Ipaupaweallpa

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

    Just so much flavor your brain can't even comprehend it. Haven't had sucks yet. But Damn enjoy by is so good - just so much taste it dosent even make sense to your mouth. Every time I have this beer I have like a, "come down" period where for 2-3 days everything else taste bland as hell. THAT is what I think makes a beer great.
     
    #16 Ipaupaweallpa, Jan 20, 2015
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  17. djl9701

    djl9701 Crusader (441) Mar 8, 2008 Illinois

    What makes a great beer ?





    Whatever brews taste great to you !!!
     
    #17 djl9701, Jan 20, 2015
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  18. marquis

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

    That's like saying what makes a car great is that it can go over 200 mph. It's not always what it does but how it does it that matters.Or where quality matters more than quantity.
    The problem with a superfast car is that you can't use and enjoy all the performance and more modest cars can actually be more fun.
    The object of beer isn't to numb the senses, it's to be a drink which can be enjoyed over several hours.
     
    #18 marquis, Jan 20, 2015
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  19. Immortale25

    Immortale25 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,775) May 13, 2011 North Carolina
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Don't forget timing. The selection of hop varietals and at what time you add them during the boil is crucial.
     
    #19 Immortale25, Jan 20, 2015
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  20. TooGood

    TooGood Initiate (0) Jan 28, 2014 Minnesota

    For me it's all smell and taste. If it smells great and tastes great, it is great.
     
    #20 TooGood, Jan 20, 2015
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