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What's a great low ABV beer to have at a New Year's Eve "pre-party"?

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by ernieb, Dec 29, 2014.

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  1. ernieb

    ernieb Initiate (0) Jun 27, 2013 Illinois

    At work we traditionally have a party starting about 3PM on New Year's Eve. Nothing fancy, just a time to relax and unwind from the year with a few drinks and some appetizers. I want something great to drink, but don't want too much alcohol, which could make the later party with friends and family (where I plan to have some exceptionable beer) much less enjoyable.

    I generally prefer imperial stouts and DIPAs, which are not a good choice for a pre-party. At the same time, I want something with great flavor, and am not looking for a sessionable like All Day or Go To.

    So, what's your favorite stout or IPA with a relatively low ABV?
     
    #1 ernieb, Dec 29, 2014
  2. Vitacca

    Vitacca Pooh-Bah (2,238) Sep 15, 2010 Montana
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Over carb'd New Glarus Berliner Weiss! Great taste, low alcohol and can be used as bubbly in a pinch!
     
    #2 Vitacca, Dec 29, 2014
    TastyIsBeer, j47paco, russpowell and 7 others like this.
  3. Mongrel

    Mongrel Initiate (0) Feb 14, 2013 Maryland

    Sofie! That's usually my go-to on New Years - crisp, dry, sparkly and a little tart.
     
    #3 Mongrel, Dec 29, 2014
    SteveB3014, IowaPA, PseudoBen and 3 others like this.
  4. PapaGoose03

    PapaGoose03 Grand Pooh-Bah (5,533) May 30, 2005 Michigan
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    That's an oxymoron if you want something fairly low in alcohol. I'll suggest that you look into Oatmeal stouts -- they typically are not very high in ABV and almost always very flavorful.
     
    #4 PapaGoose03, Dec 29, 2014
    SteveB3014, A_Frayed_Knot, szmnnl99 and 1 other person like this.
  5. Hendrick24

    Hendrick24 Pooh-Bah (1,937) Sep 6, 2013 Wisconsin
    Pooh-Bah

    If you're close to the Wisconsin border, pretty much the entire New Glarus lineup would be a good choice. Moon Man is lower abv but still awesome flavor. As for a stout / porter, you can't go wrong with Founders or Sierra Nevada's Porters, or Old Fitz from Great Lakes.
     
    #5 Hendrick24, Dec 29, 2014
    TooGood likes this.
  6. otispdriftwood

    otispdriftwood Initiate (0) Dec 9, 2011 Colorado

     
    #6 otispdriftwood, Dec 29, 2014
  7. Dreizhen

    Dreizhen Initiate (0) Jun 6, 2013 District of Columbia

    I second Oatmeal Stouts. I'm also partial to lambics for low ABV drinking (Cantillon St. Lamvinus is my drink this year).
     
    #7 Dreizhen, Dec 29, 2014
    readyski, Buschyfor3 and chrismattlin like this.
  8. TylerKitchens

    TylerKitchens Initiate (0) Apr 9, 2014 Massachusetts

    Stout--Any oatmeal stout usually has a low ABV (Left Hand Milk Stout 6%) or if you're not into the sweeter stuff I would say dry irish stouts (Brooklyn Dry Irish Stout 4.7%)

    IPA--You said no session IPAs but that is the only choice I would go with (Go-To, All Day*, Daytime, etc) but if I had to choose a lighter IPA then I would go with Stone IPA or even SN Pale Ale

    *Number 1 Choice
     
    #8 TylerKitchens, Dec 29, 2014
    Buschyfor3, deford and end_27 like this.
  9. SerialTicker

    SerialTicker Pooh-Bah (2,815) Jun 18, 2012 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah

    Then go for those!

    Just add water!
     
    #9 SerialTicker, Dec 29, 2014
    A_Frayed_Knot and MammothTarantula like this.
  10. threeviews

    threeviews Initiate (0) Apr 18, 2011 Florida

    Is this for yourself or to share? If the latter, IPA's and Stouts (regardless of ABV) are pretty extreme styles for the non-craft beer enthusiast. I would suggest:
    Wheat Beer - Being in Illinois, can you score 3-Floyd's Gumballhead?
    Belgian - Chimay Red or White
    Fruit Beer - Unibroue Blanche De Chambly
    Amber - Rogue Dead Guy
     
    #10 threeviews, Dec 29, 2014
  11. ernieb

    ernieb Initiate (0) Jun 27, 2013 Illinois

    Funny. Yeah, I was expecting someone to say "just drink slower", which I suppose is an option.

    Thanks for the oatmeal stout suggestions. I had forgotten about Samuel Smith. I just looked up their Oatmeal Stout and Organic Chocolate Stout. Both are 5%, and both are a BA 94. I haven't had either for a while, and may just pick them up. I guess I was hoping for something I haven't had before, but either of those would be a bit above a "session" beer IMHO.
     
    #11 ernieb, Dec 29, 2014
    NHhomebrewguy likes this.
  12. BWM-77

    BWM-77 Initiate (0) Feb 21, 2014 Kentucky

    Any English-style bitter. Honker's from Goose Island is widely available and a fine brew.
     
    #12 BWM-77, Dec 29, 2014
    riverlen, AlcahueteJ, Golferallen54 and 2 others like this.
  13. JayORear

    JayORear Grand Pooh-Bah (3,046) Feb 22, 2012 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Read his whole sentence.
     
    #13 JayORear, Dec 29, 2014
    Hopzilla, DrStiffington, macesq and 2 others like this.
  14. jds16

    jds16 Initiate (0) Sep 21, 2007 Ohio

    Stone Milk Stout is low ABV and pretty tasty.
     
    #14 jds16, Dec 29, 2014
    Buschyfor3, TonyLema1, gibgink and 1 other person like this.
  15. ernieb

    ernieb Initiate (0) Jun 27, 2013 Illinois

    There will be 3 of us that are very much into craft, the rest of the crowd will be drinking champagne. Good non-IPA/Stout suggestions though.
     
    #15 ernieb, Dec 29, 2014
  16. ernieb

    ernieb Initiate (0) Jun 27, 2013 Illinois

    That's OK, I've been called a moron before. And he elevated it to OXY moron, so I kind of feel special.
     
    #16 ernieb, Dec 29, 2014
    deford likes this.
  17. Boca-X

    Boca-X Initiate (0) Jan 21, 2014 Missouri

    Yep...and it's the style that you like...
     
    #17 Boca-X, Dec 29, 2014
    ernieb likes this.
  18. Boca-X

    Boca-X Initiate (0) Jan 21, 2014 Missouri

    You could even drink Guinness if you are so inclined...I actually think it's a pretty good beer when starting early and knocking down some fish & chips at the local Irish joint.
     
    #18 Boca-X, Dec 29, 2014
    BILF likes this.
  19. undeadozzy

    undeadozzy Initiate (0) Mar 4, 2010 Pennsylvania

    Yards Brawler Pugilist Style Ale. Only checks in at 4.2%, but is VERY flavorful.
     
    #19 undeadozzy, Dec 29, 2014
    SteveB3014, keithmurray, Valleyview06 and 1 other person like this.
  20. Reds76

    Reds76 Initiate (0) Nov 3, 2014 Maine

    21st Amendment - Bitter American - solid choice!!!
     
    #20 Reds76, Dec 29, 2014
    Zetcha7x, Providence, MrDave and 2 others like this.
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