Your List of Must-Try Beers

Here's my list for the above. Perhaps I'd change it tomorrow though. I've limited myself to one beer per brewery, one beer per style, and what's currently available in the US.

Schneider Weisse Original
Ayinger Altbairisch Dunkel
Schlenkerla Urbock
Pilsner Urquell
Rodenbach Grand Cru
Saison Dupont
Westmalle Dubbel
Cantillon Gueuze
Duvel
Guinness Extra Stout
Thomas Hardy’s Ale (various brewers)
Anheuser-Busch Budweiser
Miller Lite
Anchor Steam
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
The Alchemist Heady Topper
Tree House Julius
Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout

 

That one is my favorite Hefeweizen, but I went with Schneider for my list for being a far more important beer in terms of it's history and influence.

 

There's lots of them but I think the following would have to make the list:

Pilsner Urquell (Hofbrau and Spaten are different but also really show what you can do with fizzy yellow beer)
Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier (substitute Scheneider Weisse or Ayinger Hefeweizen if you must)
Duvel (La Chouffe is only comparable)
Orval (no comparison)
Chimay Red (premiere) (Westmalle Dubbel is excellent)
Rochefort 10 (Westy 12 or St. Bernardus Abt 12 are viable)
Rodenbach Grand Cru (i'm sure other options exits, but I just haven't tried them)
Schlenkerla Urbock (Schlenkerla Marzen would work too)
Unibroue La Fin Du Monde (substitute Westmalle Tripel)
Saison Dupont (Ommegang Hennepin)
Oskar Blues Ten FIDY (Old Rasputin?)
Schneider Weisse Aventinus (Weihenstephaner Vitus)
Heady Topper (Pliny the Elder)
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
Du De Ciel! Peche Mortel (Founders Breakfast Stout)
Fuller's London Porter
Anchor Steam
Allagash White (Hoegaarden may substitute)
Tree House Julius (Potentially many substitutes)
Bell's Two Hearted or Sculpin
Sam Adams Utopias

A ton of other beers should be on this list though too.

 

A few days ago, a friend of mine and I had a discussion about him wanting to try new beers in order to really better understand beer nerds. He wanted to know which beers are the most important for him to drink, in order for him blow through all of his savings, spend the majority of his time over the next month acquiring them, and ideally giving him at least a moderate case of alcohol poisoning. Style diversity was a big no no.

Great list thank you

 

I was thinking of including another type of beer on this list, but not a specific brand so I decided against it. That was a mistake, so I'm adding it now.

- cask ale

Unfortunately, there isn't a good answer for this that's a brand that's regularly available here in the States (that I know of). Regardless, the list needs to include this. Some general advice about it: The best US option will possibly be a brewery or brewpub that specializes in English ales... and stick with something simple. If the OP's friend is in DC, then go to Churchkey.

@rozzom

 

Sticking to the US:

BCBS
Victory Prima Pils
Allagash White
Heady Topper
Sierra Nevada Bigfoot
Founders Porter
Lagunitas IPA
Pliny the Elder
Westbrook Gose
Fat Tire

 

Do you know for a fact this beer is still being brewed? There is no mention of it on the Victory website:

https://www.victorybeer.com/beers/?beer_type=year-round

@rotsaruch @SixpointMikey

 

You forgot to mention all the calories.

 

what’s the closest production wit to pierre celis’ intentions?

st bernardus wit?

his namesakes’s beer is in production limbo at the moment, and i recall reading how he walked away from hoegaarden with the recipe once they sold.

i’m gleaning this info from michael jackson’s books. i’ve been beering since 2008, so i never got to try pre-sale hoegaarden, nor celis white. the st bernardus wit, however, is a staple for me. excellent beer!

 

Bourbon County
Westvleteren 12
Heady Topper
Pliny the Younger
Hunahpu
Rodenbach Alexander
Pannepot
J.W. Lees Harvest Ale
Andechser Doppelbock Dunkel
Ayinger Brauweisse

 

Interesting and very inspiring thread!

Here's my quick list based on the beers that I had myself :

• Orval (first one that comes to mind)
• St Bernardus Abt 12 & Rochefort #10 (to compare these two)
• Schneider Weisse (they only produce very good beer)
• Voodoo Ranger
• Nøgne Ø Dark Horizon (any edition)
• Duvel Triple Hop (any edition)
• Chimay (Blue)
• Rothaus pilsener (Weisse is also good)
• Saison Dupont
• Guinness (from tap in a bar in Ireland / or the UK)
• Westmalle Triple as an addition

 

How far this beer (Storm King, and unfortunately along with other popular Victory beers) has come and gone! If I remember right, Stormy ruled as the No. Uno BA brew in 2002 & 2003! The brew has gone back and forth as only a seasonal to a year round favorite and available also on cask as well as Nitro. Now, the ABV management guys that are ruling the roost have decided to label it as a "throwback beer) not to be confused with a seasonal lager, known as Throwback Lager)." This designation is for one of many beers that will be rotated around on a quasi yearly or seasonal basis, only on draft. It's my understanding that any of the portfolio of Victory beers that have been trade marked have to make an appearance every 5 years or the brew can lose its trade mark status. I wouldn't hold your breath on when the next time you might see it again (likely less than 5 years from now). Sad outcome to a once very popular beer.

 

Maybe Hoegaarden?

I purchased a 6-pack of Celis White last fall when visiting family in Texas and I discussed this beer in a New Beer Sunday thread:

https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/new-beer-sunday-week-721.599407/#post-6308845

I sure hope that Celis Brewing Co. comes out of Chapter 11 proceedings in OK shape. I would hate for this beer to ‘die’ again.

Cheers!

 

SNPA
DFH 60
DFH 90
Woot Stout
Heady Topper
Focal Banger
TH Green
Guinness Draught
Jai Alai
Yards Brawler
Big Bad Baptist
Two Hearted
Abt 12
Golden Monkey

 

The last time I was at the Parkesburg location it was on draft and tasting just incredible!

 

Non-answer: local’s favorite.

Beer remains one of the few hyperlocal crafts (see: draconian distribution laws). I absolutely love going into a new market, finding a random brewery in an industrial park, and saying “give me your favorite.” I’ve been to plenty of shares where an unknown beer steals the show.

Forget your prejudices and forget the hype, love the beer, the community, and the adventure - taste the terroir!

 

I am still hoping for a fresh Pliny the Elder some day. I am also looking forward to Double and Triple Sunshine.

 

Macro:
- Coors Banquet
- New Castle
- Guinness

Craft:
- Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
- Old Rasputin
- Anchor Steam
- Fat Tire
- Stone IPA

 

Trying to limit to 10 is tough. I'm close enough...

• Guinness Extra Stout
• Timothy Taylor Landlord
• Pilsner Urquell
• St Bernardus Abt 12
• Weihenstephaner Hefe
• SNPA
• Old Rasputin
• Rodenbach Grand Cru
• Heady Topper or Pliny The Elder
• Duvel
• Arrogant Bastard or SN Bigfoot
• Saison Dupont
• Ayinger Celebrator

 

the Top 250......that is all of a sudden gone...

 

I'm too lazy to do a list but mine would be pretty close to this. Def a good shout with Tim Taylor