What kind of beer drinker are you?
We would like to get to know you….
Are you a total beer geek or not so much? Do you home brew? How long have you been a fan of good beer? Tell us everything, it will make you feel better…
Hopefully it will make us feel better about how much beer we are drinking lately too!
Loading...
It wasn’t until I started brewing myself almost three years that I really ‘got it’, but I’ve been following New Glarus and Bell’s since the late 90s.
I have a copy of the BJCP guidelines at work that I reference about once a week. I have a kegerator downstairs, three kegs of homebrewed ale of various strengths, and a keg of homemade ginger ale for the kids and teetotallers that drop by. I was tempted to throw a bottle of Orval into my attempt at tripel when I bottled. But I’m better now.
I prefer real ale.
In other words, I’m a self-identified beer geek. But I know about twenty-five other people off the top of my head who are more of a geek than I am.
Drew - March 8th, 2007 at 8:33 am
Very impressive mate! You certainly qualify as a Beer Geek in my books, I look forward to achieving your level of Geekdom one day some years from now… Home made Ginger Ale sounds awesome!
Thanks for posting.
Who’s next? You don’t have to be a Geek like Drew, just tell us what you like!
Alvey - March 8th, 2007 at 3:26 pm
I have been brewing for three years now. I just brewed my 300th gallon this past week. As far as who am I as a beer drinker. It all depends on what I’m doing. Watching the game, lighter lagers and Ales. Having dinner strong IPA’s, bold Brown’s,and a Stout for desert. Wrenching on bikes in the garage, what ever is cold and wet.
Drew- I too have a Tripple in the works, I have never had good luck with belgan yeast. It’s done in june so we’ll see.
I love almost all beers, from swill to the bottled heaven from are micro brewers. I drink it all.
This maybe a good Question?? What is the biggest hyped/worst tasting beer. I would have to say think BLUE and look to the north.
Tom - March 8th, 2007 at 6:52 pm
I just celebrated my 13th homebrew anniversary in January, and am currently president of my homebrew club, the Minnesota Timberworts (about 25 active members). Currently in the homebrew carboy on my kitchen floor is a “Clean Out the Brewing Closet” Russian Imperial Stout. I have long been a fan of Bell’s, Kalamazoo Brewing, Three Floyds, Unibroue, New Glarus and, in the past year, Surly.
I am a self-admitted beer snob, but there are a couple of “dishwater” mega-beers I will still occasionally consume to stay humble (Schmidt and Grain Belt).
The Timberworts are hosting this summer’s annual statewide Homebrew Campout, near New Ulm the end of June. Anyone interested in homebrewing is invited to attend–it is a great way to meet fellow brewers and taste some amazing beers. Check out my website http://akoster.mysite.com for complete details.
Am I geeky enough for you?! (Need I mention I am single!?)
Allison - March 8th, 2007 at 9:49 pm
I’ll try anything. I’ve grown very tired of “mainstream beers”. But for a home relaxing beer, it’s usually Leinie’s regular or red, dependiing on weather I want a bottle or a can. I guess I do prefer the Red though.
About once a month I buy a six pack of Moose drool. Its not the beer that convinced me that there are better beers out there than Miller or Bud, but its a great beer. New Castle is the first non light beer that I really enjoyed. This was in 2004. A friend bought it for me. I was skeptical, but I loved it, and it stills holds a special “beer place in my crazed world.
I started homebrewing in Sept of 2005. I am still just a malt extract kit brewer, but I love it. I research as much as I can and found this pod cast lat night and plan to be a regular listener/question answerer. I only hope that someday, someone will call me a beer geek. I will keep working towards that.
Brad Heinrich - March 8th, 2007 at 10:01 pm
Alvey, once you get the kegerating equipment, all soda is simply a matter of finding the ingredients. Soda never lasts long enough in-keg at fridge temperatures in a CO2 environment to worry about spontaneous fermentation. For example:
Dr Finneus Johnson’s Extraordinary Ginger Tonic 7 oz fresh ginger, peeled and chopped 3 1/2 cups of turbinado (available in bulk at many fine co-ops) 3 1/2 cups of table sugar 1 lemon, vigorously scrubbed and cut into pieces 1 Myer’s Lemon, vigorously scrubbed and cut into pieces
Carbonate with CO2. Soda tastes best around 3 atmospheres of pressure.
That’s it. You can vary your amount of sugar and ginger. I usually find that the more tasty varieties of the same flavor I add, the better it tastes. Next time, I’ll be either trying young ginger along with ‘normal’, or I’ll add the juice of a blood orange instead of the Myer’s lemon. Obviously, don’t be a dope and add molasses unless you like the taste of burnt sugars with your ginger.
Drew - March 9th, 2007 at 11:26 pm
This is awesome feeback! I love the idea of brewing soft drinks for the kids, (even though I don’t have or know any!).
Allison, I’m betting you are a popular sheila in your town! I checked out your website. Looks like you and your mates know how to have a good time…
Tom, as for the biggest hyped/ worst tasting beer I would aggree with you, I assume you are speaking of the Canadian Brewed Fosters. It drives me crazy when people just assume I drink that Pap. Sure I once did, but then I aquired some taste!
Brad, Moose drool is a favourite of mine too. It was one of the first brown ales I had upon arriving in America and I remember being blown away…( remember I grew up in a country of crap lagers….) Good on you mate for brewing as long as you have.
Alvey - March 10th, 2007 at 7:50 pm
Boy, do I feel like a slacker. I have never brewed my own beer. I will try anything though. I’m looking for a good brown I can get my hands on easily. I really liked the Brown Cow Ale from the Firehouse Brewing Company, but since it is only in Rapid City, SD, I haven’t had it for a long time. Schell’s is always good. I need to visit the local breweries. I plan on doing that this summer. Cheers all. “Sometimes when I reflect back on all the beer I drink I feel ashamed - Then I look into the glass and think about the workers in the brewery and all of their hopes and dreams. If I didn’t drink this beer, they might be out of work and their dreams would be shattered. Then I say to myself, ‘It is better that I drink this beer and let their dreams come true than be selfish and worry about my liver.’” -Deep Thought, Jack Handy
Ashton - March 11th, 2007 at 9:44 am
I’m not a total beer geek, but I do love craft beers above all fizzy yellow stuff. Currently I am enamoured of Stone Brewing and Pyramid. Arrogant Bastard and the Smoked porter by Stone are knock your socks off intense and bold. Pyramid put out Snow Cap, a tasty, spicy winter brew that is holding me over until their Curve Ball kolsch resurfaces for the summer.
Though not an official hop head I do love that floral aroma and bite on the back of the tounge.
I’m exploring my local brew scene to discover what the brewers in my town can produce. I’ll report back on fabulous finds!
Rachael - March 12th, 2007 at 5:01 am
hey Alvey, I met you at the flat earth release party at happy gnome. I would consider myself at the very least a “wannabe” beer geek. I certainly drink enough beer to qualify myself but may be lacking in actual beer knowledge. I have brewed about 10 batches of homebrew. I got my beer itch about 5 years ago while bored at concordia college supposedly working on a paper. I started looking up different styles of beer online and havent looked back since.
I really appreciate most styles of beer but I’m definitely a “hop head”.
Great website! I especially loved the Omar interview. Thanks
Andrew - March 12th, 2007 at 7:31 pm
was in germany as an exchange student between high school and college and had as much as i could handle, including what i still consider to be the best beer i’ve tasted, from a little place in luebeck called brauberger. they do this golden-orange colored lager exclusively, and i doubt i will find. i tried anything and everything i could get my hands on.
came back and had a bit of a lull while waiting for my 21st, only infrequently having access to the possibility to get decent beer from my 21 brothers.
21 came and i tried everything i could find. moved from the shallow kiddie pool of leinie’s and schell into the standbys of big sky, a few of the english imports (samuel smith, st. peter’s), some belgians (chimay red and blue, orval, westmalle, ommegang–note on ommegang; a ny beer brewed to belgian style that outperforms many of the country’s own attempts), and then bell’s and their fantastic line. recently had some heavy hitters of bell’s (have 3 of their single batches logged so far: consecrator doppelbock, hell hath no fury dark ale, and hopslam). also hit the brewpub scene pretty hard, the best so far being barley john’s just north of minneapolis. bell’s is a staple, and i’ve converted the boys in my place to following flavor instead of style with surly. recent discovery of blue max liquors in burnsville proves to widen the palette even further, budget willing. i also spent a semester in northern ireland, had the 8-10 different beers 99 percent of the place offers, but found a gem in a place called the porterhouse. all onsite brews, freshest damn beer anywhere on the island, and a weissbier with a two stage finish of gentle banana and then soft bubble gum, without being overly sweet. they also had a chocolate truffle stout, best chocolate beer i’ve ever had, one of the top 3 stouts all around.
enjoyed my first homebrew last week, a deep dark wheat kit from midwest, and am praying to get going on more homebrewing asap. the beer’s been fantastic, but the conversation and comradery has been what keeps me coming back for more. the beer drinkers vary all over the flavor map, but damn are they interesting and fun.
Phillip Romine - March 12th, 2007 at 8:33 pm
sorry if i sounded a bit snobbish, i used “kiddie pool” prematurely. let it be known that i regularly enjoy schell’s caramel bock and especially leinie’s. i will drink their red til the day i die, so many fond memories attached to that beer.
also, i don’t have 21 brothers, but rather my two 21 brothers.
and i doubt i will find…a better beer than the one mentioned from brauberger. it’s not only the beer, but more importantly the memory of bonding with my host brother and a couple friends while draining pitcher after pitcher of overly delicious beer in a cellar that dates back to the 13th century.
Phillip Romine - March 12th, 2007 at 8:43 pm
damnit, 21-plus
Phillip Romine - March 12th, 2007 at 8:44 pm
Holy Crap! Phillip R you take the cake for the most elaborate post yet! I’m very envious, I too was in Ireland some years back but I didn’t appreciate good beer at the time so I didn’t seek any out.
Ashton, Love the quote mate, makes me feel much better about my consumption!
Rachael, where is your home town? I’m guessing you’re out west somewhere?
Alvey - March 14th, 2007 at 4:51 pm
I think Beer-Geek-Dom is a relative quality. Posting on this board, I am a light-weight, but my friends and fellow imbibers think I’m a snob.
I was never much of a beer drinker until I lived in Mexico for a while. In the city I lived in, you pretty much had to drink beer, so I did and yes, I actually got a taste for it (despite the anti-Mexican-beer bias, cold Sol is damn good in August and Negra Modelo is good about any time). When I got home, a bud took me out and treated me to a Blue Moon, which lead to Allagash at my girlfriend’s mom’s wedding and so on and so on and now here I am posting on the site of a Beer Podcast.
As for what kind of beer drinker I am, I would say “balanced.” I like hops (a bunch), but I’m not a hop head and I don’t think more is necessarily better. Same with styles - I love to mix it up. Brown Ales, APAs and Stouts are my favs right now (particularly Brooklyn Brown, Flying Fish Extra Pale and Wild Goose Oatmeal Stout).
Racheal - I spent some time in Oregon and I LOVED Pyramid. Almost impossible to get here on the east coast (at least Philadelphia way).
Keith Stetson - March 16th, 2007 at 9:10 pm
Keith, Negra Modelo is a warm blast of joy in the cold land of bad Mexican beer. It’s the last gasp of a style called ‘Vienna Lager’, brought to Mexico by Germans a long while ago, and it is delicious.
Drew - March 17th, 2007 at 10:55 am
My first beer, in 2000 (at age 19!) was a Beck’s. Rather harsh for a first beer, but I found something I liked in that, and since then continue to find. I’ve never found Millers/Buds/etc. compelling. The first beer I really latched onto was Newcastle, and still enjoy one here and there from a tap. I had, thankfully, never had to suffer a skunked one until very recently.
I’ll still drink Grain Belt Premium as well; my “cheap beer of choice”. But that’s seldom, especially as I find more and more pubs locally that have a great selection of tap beers and micros. Great Waters is across the street from my office, and the Happy Gnome across the parking lot from my winter haunt of the St. Paul Curling Club.
John - June 26th, 2007 at 3:18 pm