Author Topic: Craft Beers (Read 3075 times)

Ice · **on:** January 23, 2011, 10:56:57 pm

Why do they taste SOoooo Good

I was recentky introduced to Epicenter amber ale from the SanTan Brewing Company

My GOD its DELICIOUS !!!

What is the secret of the craft beers ?

Is it the ingredients, the process or something esoteric ?

1 Thump · **Reply #1 on:** January 24, 2011, 12:19:51 am

Never heard of it. Will try it out. Right now its Iron City Beer.

redcat · **Reply #2 on:** January 24, 2011, 12:53:53 am

Amen Brother

jdrouin · **Reply #3 on:** January 24, 2011, 01:37:27 am

Man, I can totally appreciate the emotion you just expressed. It really makes life worthwhile when it hits. Think I saw some SanTan brews at a local store, so I'll try to find the Epicenter. Thanks for the tip!

I've been pleasantly surprised by how good the beer culture is here in central Illinois. There's a brewery across the park from my house that makes amazing stuff right there in the room where you drink it. Straight from the storage tank to the tap, fresh as can be.

He had a Belgian dark stout up the other night that was absolutely delicious. I'm going to miss that place when we move again this Summer.

Anyway, if you ever see something by Two Brothers brewery, you should check it out. They're from central Illinois and have been making quite a name for themselves.

boggy · **Reply #4 on:** January 24, 2011, 01:52:28 am

I hear ya.

I was surprised yesterday by a Bear Republic - Racer 5 IPA. It looks and tastes like California. Gold and dank.

Very good beer.

prof_stack · **Reply #5 on:** January 24, 2011, 04:05:59 am

Quote from: Ice on January 23, 2011, 10:56:57 pm

Why do they taste SOoooo Good
I was recentky introduced to Epicenter amber ale from the SanTan Brewing Company
My GOD its DELICIOUS !!!
What is the secret of the craft beers ?
Is it the ingredients, the process or something esoteric ?

The grain ingredients are usually all barley malt. The big boys Miller/Bud/Coors/etc. use corn or rice to stretch the barley.

Craft beer makers usually have higher hop rates, and often at the end of the boil or perhaps in the fermenter or secondary tanks, called "dry-hopping".

Most of the big boy beers are lagers, using yeast that works at lower temperatures. That produces a clean, crisp finish most of the time. The lagering tanks usually hold the beer for more than 2 weeks before bottling/keggins.

Craft beer makers typically use ale yeast that ferments at a warmer temperature and finishes sooner, so the beer gets to market faster, usually in less than 2 weeks.

Craft beers just have more things going for them in terms of flavor components.

Personally I like both types, but the lagers I like are usually from Germany where their tradition of excellence is still unmatched for pilsners and export style beers.

Now the Belgian beers, that's a whole 'nother thread!

Ice · **Reply #6 on:** January 24, 2011, 05:08:10 am

Thank you prof_stack for the education in a nut shell.

Belgian beer/bier

Yes !!

Every few years a buddy brings me some Stella and my favorite Crystal.

scoTTy · **Reply #7 on:** January 24, 2011, 05:13:12 am

I've noticed if one drinks a 12 pack of millers lite with a sack of FunYuns.. that it is all good

2bikebill · **Reply #8 on:** January 24, 2011, 11:33:56 am

If you like Stella - look for some Artois Bock. A whole other dimension. But yeah, Belgian beers.......
A bottle of Duvel after supper last night....... God in his heaven and all was well....

PhilJ · **Reply #9 on:** January 24, 2011, 11:57:40 am

Guess it must be age (mine) but these days I prefer a good pilsner, i.e. Pilsn. That just flips my skirt.

gashousegorilla · **Reply #10 on:** January 24, 2011, 03:51:39 pm

The Harpoon winter seasonal, that was recommended last month was excellent

boggy · **Reply #11 on:** January 24, 2011, 04:22:39 pm

Harpoon Winter Warmer... just the thing for winter, huh? I might not make it otherwise. Glad you liked it.

redcat · **Reply #12 on:** January 24, 2011, 09:47:11 pm

Now that you bring it up I think I'll go downstairs and pour a nice Harpoon IPA into my favorite glass and drink it.

prof_stack · **Reply #13 on:** January 24, 2011, 10:02:24 pm

Quote from: PhilJ on January 24, 2011, 11:57:40 am

Guess it must be age (mine) but these days I prefer a good pilsner, i.e. Pilsn. That just flips my skirt.

Before the fall of the iron curtain in 1989, Pilsner Urquell (Pilsn) was heavily subsidized (sudsadized?) by the communist government. They fermented their stuff in large wooden vats and blended three strains of yeast to insure consistency. Those beers on tap (in Germany where I had them) were amazing, just amazing.

Alas, they have modernized and gone with more efficient stainless steel vessels to ferment and lager. It has taken away some of the life of the beer, which is still good, but not like it once was.

Also, they've gone away from a double or triple decoction mash and simplified the procedure for cost purposes.

Having said that, a Pilsner Urquell will always beat a Bud/Miller/Coors every time.

Ice · **Reply #14 on:** January 24, 2011, 11:01:44 pm

Quote from: prof_stack on January 24, 2011, 10:02:24 pm

a Pilsner Urquell will always beat a Bud/Miller/Coors every time.

I agree completely !

The odds are the Pilsner Urquell available at my local grocery store is not the same as in Europe but to my taste buds it is more flavorfull than B/M/C beer.

redcat · **Reply #15 on:** January 24, 2011, 11:43:23 pm

I'm a big fan of Pilsner Urquell too. I have gotten a couple of bottles with an off taste however that I put down to a long journey and time in a warehouse with no temperature control. Also green glass is not ideal.
I am afraid no beer will ever taste as good in the US because our Gov't in its infinite wisdom requires all beer to be pasteurized which dulls the flavors no matter how good the beer is. In Europe they do not require that step and it makes a huge difference. Its the same thing with cheese.

PhilJ · **Reply #16 on:** January 25, 2011, 03:04:07 pm

Interesting info Prof-Stack. Yes, I've never found a beer/bier as good here as what was in Germany in the early 60's. But it's close and Pilsn is my go-to beir.

C.C. · **Reply #17 on:** January 26, 2011, 12:30:11 am

Ok this is my favorite subject so the best of late is Lukcy Bastard from Stone Brewing Co. and yes it is spelled Lukcy. It is a very hoppy beer.

CC

jdrouin · **Reply #18 on:** January 26, 2011, 01:04:40 am

My recent favorite, aside from what's brewing locally at the Blind Pig, is Goose Island Bourbon County Stout. Very difficult to get ahold of, and expensive, but easily one of the best beers I've ever had. And dangerous, at a very drinkable 13% ABV.

redcat · **Reply #19 on:** January 26, 2011, 01:56:13 am

13% !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think that would be sparkling barley wine

ace.cafe · **Reply #20 on:** January 26, 2011, 02:31:50 am

Not sure if you are all aware of it, but we have our own award-winning brewer right here on this forum.

"Aleman" runs the Second Street Brewery in Santa Fe, NM, and has some outstanding brews of his own.

AND, he owns a Fireball!
A man of VERY good taste!

jdrouin · **Reply #21 on:** January 26, 2011, 03:33:04 am

Quote from: redcat on January 26, 2011, 01:56:13 am

13% !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think that would be sparkling barley wine

It's a finely crafted, aged strong stout -- very complex flavor that's a great mix of raw and refined, and the alcohol doesn't hit you over the head or make your mouth sticky like barleywine. You gotta try it.

http://www.gooseisland.com/pages/bourbon_county_stout/59.php

robbw · **Reply #22 on:** January 26, 2011, 05:11:36 am

Here's a link to the top 10 reasons you should buy craft beer. They make a compelling argument.
http://www.brewfanatics.com/the-top-ten-reasons-why-you-should-drink-craft-beer/

Ice · **Reply #23 on:** January 26, 2011, 05:37:18 am

Thanks for the link.

Back when the drinking age was 18, we would drive to Canada and bring back beer/bier. It was worth the drive because it just tasted better,,even warm.

prof_stack · **Reply #24 on:** January 26, 2011, 05:54:47 am

Quote from: robbw on January 26, 2011, 05:11:36 am

Here's a link to the top 10 reasons you should buy craft beer. They make a compelling argument.
http://www.brewfanatics.com/the-top-ten-reasons-why-you-should-drink-craft-beer/

Keep in mind that the big boys know HOW to make great beer. They've got the science, the technology, and the skills to make the best beer you've ever had. Problem is, though, they have shareholders to take care of. Budweiser probably spends more $ on advertising than on making their "rice" beer.

Having said that, I have had many craft beers that were sloppily made and just didn't taste like a good beer. There was a shakeout of the craft brew industry a while back and I think those around now are doing a better job, especially compared to the early micro-brewers (as they used to be called) who opened up breweries with lots of enthusiasm and not enough skill and capital to make it stick.

In the NW the survivors make quality stuff: Big Time Brewery, Elysian, Redhook, Hales, Mac and Jack's, and Alpine (Colville, WA) are names that roll off my brain.