Scholarship table
Thanks for all of the feedback on Orval guys. I am definitely going to try to get there now. It sounds like an amazing place.
I had a few bottles of the New Glarus 20th Anniversary Belgian Dubbel this weekend - highly recommend it if you can find it while it lasts, it is apparently in very limited quantities of 1/2 liter bottles. Otto's and Discount each have a 2 bottle limit.
Had a bottle last night... really nice beer. Would be a nice candidate to age as well.
Worst beer I ever had, sad to say, was "Milwaukee's Best". Beer so bad it made me quit drinking.
2 great summer beers I had last weekend with some friends tho not really new things along with a new thing coming out our brewery:1) New Glarrus Berliner Weiss - hot damn this is a great drinking beer and is so sessionable at 3.5%. Light tartness comes through from the souring brew process but that is ballanced so perfectly with the addition of Riesling grapes. Thank god I am coming back up to Wisconsin this weekend so I can try and find a few cases of it. 2) Steigl Grapefruit Raddler (now in 16oz Tallboys) - Hell to the motherf*cking yes! Always a summer favorite of mine, but this traditional combination of Lager beer and grapefruit soda is just kickass! Beyond refreshing but you need to watch out as too many can make your stomach a little wonky. 3) Goose Island The Illinois IIPA (draft only) - our head brewer Jared knocked it out of the park with this one. It's a very refreshing and drinkable IIPA coming in around 8.5% ABV. Not overly sweet or a tongue scraper like so many IIPA, you can actually enjoy a few glasses of this but it is still right in style spec. It's draft only so I would recommend you watch your favorite watering holes for this one. It's good.
First two sound like fruit juice. No thanks. Third one sounds awesome. Do you work for Goose Island?
First one is definately not Fruit Juice. It's actually a sour, tart beer - and not like the other New Glarus ones such as Belgian Red. The grapes ad a subtle sweetness to the beer overall tartness that balances into something refreshing. But a Berliner Weiss is a traditional style where the mash is allowed to come to room temperature and actually naturally sour a bit. Takes about 24-48 hours for that happen the brewing process is completed. The second one is a bit sweet but it's very refreshing and very traditional. Sort of speaks to my German soul. If you ever go to Oktoberfest in Munich, the majority of people will drink Raddlers during the day and Oktoberfest beers at night so they can drink longer due to the low ABV of Raddlers. Last question, yes I do work for Goose Island. Also, if you see anu Sofie Paradisi in your markets, go drink it. I know Mike Roman had some at Roman's but it may be gone. Beer is the sheeet.
Yeah, I've had Raddlers, had one at the Hofbrauhaus in Munich actually. Not my bag, but I get the appeal, especially in summer. I'll give the Berliner Weiss a shot. Is the Sofie Paradisi different than the regular Sofie? That's my gf's favorite Goose Island beer. I prefer the Pere Jacques. Also love the Green Line and IPA. Did you have something to do with the Pere Jacques naming, Mr. Marquette alum? What do you do at the Goose? I live very near the Clybourn location. Has the A-B buyout changed things a bit?
Also, if you see anu Sofie Paradisi in your markets, go drink it. I know Mike Roman had some at Roman's but it may be gone. Beer is the sheeet.
I haven't had a Sapporo in years, maybe even decades, but their commercial is pretty cool:http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=K-Rs6YEZAt8
I have lived in Japan more than 20 years. The Japanese lagers are the finest in the world. Sapporo is an outstanding draft. As with many things the Japanese took a western concept and perfected it.
Tsingtao is a pretty solid Chinese lager
Sapporo is good. I prefer Kirin Ichiban
Qingtao was the HQ of the German concession. The brewery was founded by German brewmeisters during the colonial period and made in accordance with the Reinheitsgebot. Tsingtao is an outstanding lager.
Kirin, Asahi, and Sapporo are all excellent. The Sapporo sold in N America is brewed by Molson. It ain't the same.
Kirin is owned by ABI.
Why anyone would order Bud in Tokyo anywhere is beyond me.