Prejudices are a good thing...

When it comes to beer. :P

Earlier this week, as I often do when we do groceries, I picked a 6 pack at Trader Joe's. I don't drink much these days, and when I do, I try to discover new things and imported stuff.

Last week was a 6 pack of a German beer called Spaten. Pretty average imho. Funny name, though, especially when you have a french accent. 

But on a scale of 1 to Guinness and/or Pilsner Urquell, a rough 4. Not like I feel the need to ever buy any again.

Then, as I was weeding through the imported beers, trying to make my way through the darn wussy stuff non-alcoholic stuff and while my wife was getting impatient, I thought - the first thing w/ alcohol in it, I'm grabbing.

Well, the first thing I found was a 6 pack of italian beer.

Italian wine, I'd have been all over it - but beer? That didn't compute. Almost as if I'd heard "South-African Ski Champion" or "English fine-cuisine" or "amazing Canadian rock band". ;)

So I decided the second thing I find... And that's how I ended up w/ a 6 pack of Smithswick's.

Irish. Beer. 2 words that actually fit in the same sentence. 

Actually, not bad. Maybe a 5, close to a 6 on my scale. And reading the label, it seems that it's from the brewers of Guinness. Well, that figures... Best I've tried since Boddington's Pub Ale.

Anyway, what I'm trying to say is: I'm open to suggestions for next week...

What do you guys suggest next? (And no, taking the plane and traveling to a British pub or a German tavern isn't an option...)

A dedicated fridge? That's what I call the place where I was born. Alcohol and freezing temperature. 

More seriously, Quebec is pretty big on micro too.

Thanks for the recommendation, man! :) I'll see if I can find some of those here in Vegas. 

Best I've tried since Boddington's

Funny how tastes vary..I cannot stand Boddington's. McEwans Champion Ale is my current favourite, but at 7.3%, 2 bottles is plenty. 

My brother-in-law loves Arkell's 3B's (a Swindon brewery) but the stuff smells like eggs...

Overcome the prejudice.......

  

 
They serve this at my local Italian restaurant and it's quite acceptable to me. Then again, some people like Budweiser. ;)

Zonno


Buy Belgian Beer
 

Ja, Dat is heerlijk.
 
However precautions are necessary as its likley to result in stumbling and falling. The strongest stuff is brewed by monks!

1984 - I purchased a two or three bottles of Hertog Jan Bock Bier in Bolsward in the Netherlands. It came in 75cl bottles with a cork held down with a metal strap. An absolutely astounding drop of beer I have never came across out side of the Netherlands, several bok beers for sure but not like that brew, not even the same brand in normal bottles came close. if you see such a thing, snap it up.

The YSB I mentioned above had a special 30th anniversary version that came in bottles like that.  I still have a couple I kept for decoration.  It was by far the best bottled beer I've ever had.

There's a brewery back in Quebec called Unibrew - you might have seen some of their stuff on the shelves in the US. I've seen one of their beers here in Vegas.



They make lots of strong beers, such as "La Fin Du Monde" (end of the world) w/ its 9% and "La Maudite" (The Cursed) - but I'm not a fan of because I like to drink, but not to be drunk).

I'd much prefer their "Blanche De Chambly" - maybe not as good as Hoegaarden, one of my top 5 beers ever.

Their Raftman I used to enjoy quite a bit too. A whiskey malt ale.

Overall, I seem to have a thing for pilsners, though I love a bunch of ales as well.

I never met a dark beer I didn't like.