Winter Beers

[JoJoYZF]

Ok since the time of year is upon us when the winter brews come out I decided they needed their own thread. Feel free to list some favorites, reviews, dislikes, etc.

Im a big fan of the Sam Adams Winter Lager and Blue Moon's Full Moon. Last night I decided to give this one a try:

http://www.wellfed.net/media/sierranevadacelebration-glass.jpg

Not my pic but figured Id add it for reference. It was pretty decent. If you like SN's Pale Ale youll probably like this one. Pretty decent taste and only $9 a six pack.

This year Im gonna have to track down some of the Great Lakes Christmas Ale thats really popular out here. I wanted to last year but the only place I found it(towards end of holiday season) wanted 15 or 16 bucks for the sixxer and I couldnt justify it with being broke at the time.

[VatorMan]

I have a sneaky brown ale (12% AC),hoppy bitter, and a Guinness clone aging right now. Now is the time for dark,full body beers.:pat:

[jeeps84]

This year Im gonna have to track down some of the Great Lakes Christmas Ale thats really popular out here.

Ive never seen that. Must not make this far south.

[JoJoYZF]

Ive never seen that. Must not make this far south.

Ive heard a lot of good things but havent gotten to try it yet. Im not sure where all its available seeing as how I live less than a half hour from where its brewed. Couple reviews of it below

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/73/1576/

[PhiSig1071]

In the winter I LOVE unfiltered wheat beers! The most common is Blue Moon, but some of the best (I've had) were from this brewery called Linenkugel.

[JoJoYZF]

Im a big fan of blue moon just because of the flavor and how smooth it is. I like all of their beers except the harvest moon. Ive have the sunset wheat from Linenkugel and it was a good one. Ill have to look into some of their other stuff.

[marko138]

I love Sam's Winter Lager. Might have to pick up a case soon. Or today for that matter.

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m95/markgraves138/IMG_0393.jpg

[JoJoYZF]

I love Sam's Winter Lager. Might have to pick up a case soon. Or today for that matter.

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m95/markgraves138/IMG_0393.jpg

Yeah it was very tough to pass it up when I bought the Sierra Nevada a couple days ago but I was in the mood to try something different. Thatll most likely be the next beer in my fridge.

[marko138]

I like the Pale Ale...so if the distro has the winter SN I might give it a try.

[JoJoYZF]

Its a good move. Its no winter lager but the Celebration is a good change of pace.

[marko138]

I gotta get off my ass and go to the gym...stop by the beer store on teh way back. And finish putting the Buell back together and ride it...only to put it away.

[JoJoYZF]

I gotta get off my ass and go to the gym...stop by the beer store on teh way back. And finish putting the Buell back together and ride it...only to put it away.

Not a terrible day, minus the putting the bike away part. I was at the gym yesterday in order to leave more time to work on a paper today.

[marko138]

We've got our Christmas beer exchange at work coming up soon too. That should be awesome.

[JoJoYZF]

We've got our Christmas beer exchange at work coming up soon too. That should be awesome.

Thats a damn good idea. Im not sure how many people where I work actually drink real beer though.

[marko138]

We've got a waiting list to get in the exchange. We have like 18 people right now. We get like 3 or 4 of our own and 1 of everyone elses.

[JoJoYZF]

We've got a waiting list to get in the exchange. We have like 18 people right now. We get like 3 or 4 of our own and 1 of everyone elses.

Thats a nice set up. A lot better than just chancing getting a full case of something you may not drink.

[marko138]

Yeah thats the idea...to buy some sort of micro brew that you've never had. No mass produced stuff allowed.

[JoJoYZF]

Yeah thats the idea...to buy some sort of micro brew that you've never had. No mass produced stuff allowed.

Another great rule. I may have to see if anyone at work would be down for something like this.

[marko138]

If you could get 4 guys you could do a 6 pack of each. That would be a good start. Maybe by next year you have a couple more people interested and it keeps growing.


We do 2 a year...Christmas and July.

[JoJoYZF]

If you could get 4 guys you could do a 6 pack of each. That would be a good start. Maybe by next year you have a couple more people interested and it keeps growing.


We do 2 a year...Christmas and July.

I know we've got at least a couple so I may have to give it a shot.

[Rider]

Winter Lager rocks. The Old Feziwig is good too. Another good one is Pyramid Snow Cap Ale.

[marko138]

Winter Lager rocks. The Old Feziwig is good too. Another good one is Pyramid Snow Cap Ale.
Old Fezzy is pretty good.

[t-homo]

Maybe I'll upgrade to Coors light for the winter.

[Rider]

Maybe I'll upgrade to Coors light for the winter.

Why do you want to drink a can of piss? :panic:

[t-homo]

Why do you want to drink a can of piss? :panic:

Because its better than Natty. You have to love 12 dollar 24 packs.

[Rider]

Because its better than Natty. You have to love 12 dollar 24 packs.

No I don't..... But then again, I'm not a college student anymore.

[JoJoYZF]

Winter Lager rocks. The Old Feziwig is good too. Another good one is Pyramid Snow Cap Ale.

I knew thered be suggestions from a few people in here. Ill have to track that down.

No I don't..... But then again, I'm not a college student anymore.

Im still in college and I wont touch natty. The only time Ill drink any light beer is if Im trying to get drunk and thats all thats around. Of course I dont drink just to get trashed all that often either.

[PhiSig1071]

Actually I like Coors better than Bud products. But honestly when I want to drink "cheap" beer the lowest I'll go is Yuengling.

FYI, Blue Moon is a Coors product.

[Rider]

Actually I like Coors better than Bud products. But honestly when I want to drink "cheap" beer the lowest I'll go is Yuengling.

FYI, Blue Moon is a Coors product.

Which tastes like piss. :panic:

[marko138]

Bought some brew. Not winter but Lancaster Octoberfest. It's good shit. Very similar in taste to Sam Adams Octoberfest. I'll take a pic later. Gotta go work on bike while sun is out.

[PhiSig1071]

Which tastes like piss. :panic:

:ps:

[Rider]

:ps:

I have 3 blue moon in the fridge so I can offer my friends a beer when the come over so I don't have to give them some of my good beer. Hops FTMFW. Blue Moon = zero hops.

[PhiSig1071]

I have 3 blue moon in the fridge so I can offer my friends a beer when the come over so I don't have to give them some of my good beer. Hops FTMFW. Blue Moon = zero hops.

I bet you like IPA's too. :lol:

Sorry man, but I'm not a fan of very "hoppy" beers. I love blue moon, even though it's a cheap wheat beer. There are some really good wheat beers that are better, Linenkugels being one, that also have no hops.

[Rider]

I bet you like IPA's too. :lol:

Sorry man, but I'm not a fan of very "hoppy" beers. I love blue moon, even though it's a cheap wheat beer. There are some really good wheat beers that are better, Linenkugels being one, that also have no hops.

IPA's are what I drink 90% of the time.

[PhiSig1071]

IPA's are what I drink 90% of the time.

Quiz time, WITHOUT using google/wikipedia etc do you know what IPA stands for, why it's the way it is and where it originated?

[Rider]

Quiz time, WITHOUT using google/wikipedia etc do you know what IPA stands for, why it's the way it is and where it originated?

India Pale Ale. The British used to ship beer over to India and in order to preserve the beer, that had to add more hops because they act as a preservative.

[PhiSig1071]

Yep! Not bad! They used to issue beer rations to the troops, which is why they were sending beer to India in the first place.

[marko138]

This is what I just bought. It's fucking awesome. I'm really digging it.


http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m95/markgraves138/IMG_1340.jpg

[PhiSig1071]

Oktoberfest beers are pretty damn good.

Ever try Becks Oktoberfest? I know it's a mass-produced beer but it's pretty good. It's pretty cool too, when you look through the bottle as it's tilted up the beer changes color to a dark red.

[marko138]

Oktoberfest beers are pretty damn good.

Ever try Becks Oktoberfest? I know it's a mass-produced beer but it's pretty good. It's pretty cool too, when you look through the bottle as it's tilted up the beer changes color to a dark red.
Never had it. I don't care for normal Beck's so I never bothered with their Oct.

[JoJoYZF]

Actually I like Coors better than Bud products. But honestly when I want to drink "cheap" beer the lowest I'll go is Yuengling.

FYI, Blue Moon is a Coors product.

I like yuengling but they dont sell it in ohio so I dont have it all that often.

[PhiSig1071]

:lol:

It cracks me up that they sell it in FL, but not in Ohio, when it's brewed one state over.

[JoJoYZF]

Yeah you know. The first time I ever tried it was when I was down in Myrtle Beach one year. Luckily I have a friend that grew up right on the PA border that brings me some on occasion.

[ceo012384]

The sierra nevada is a goodun, and the SA winter ale I drink a TON of over the course of the winter (good choice mark).

Also, the Harpoon winter warmer is a real treat, it tastes like gingerbread. Give it a shot.

[JoJoYZF]

The sierra nevada is a goodun, and the SA winter ale I drink a TON of over the course of the winter (good choice mark).

Also, the Harpoon winter warmer is a real treat, it tastes like gingerbread. Give it a shot.

Ive never heard of that one. Ill see what I can find. Thanks for the recommendation.

[PhiSig1071]

Ive never heard of that one. Ill see what I can find. Thanks for the recommendation.

No kidding, that sounds interesting, I'll have to see if the local booze superstore carries it. I have to head up there sometime in the next couple days to return a couple kegs anyway.

[marko138]

The sierra nevada is a goodun, and the SA winter ale I drink a TON of over the course of the winter (good choice mark).

Also, the Harpoon winter warmer is a real treat, it tastes like gingerbread. Give it a shot.

I almost bought a case of that Harpoon.

[dubbs]

Sam Adams Winter Lager, Full Moon are my favs this time of year..

One I just tried recently was Spaten Oktoberfest.. That was damn good as well.

[Porkchop]

So if we are talking winter, we must be talking Christmas too...

I know you Ohio guys have, but has anyone else heard of the Great Lakes Brewing Company?? They make some good good beer... go to the beer section and then you can browse through their always available and seasonal sections..... http://www.greatlakesbrewing.com/

So yea, their Christmas ale isn't bad... its pretty strong though...

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y226/BRbaseball52/ChristmasAle_BottleGlass.jpg

If you guys out of ohio cant get some, I would be willing to send a trial bottle to anyone...

[JoJoYZF]

So if we are talking winter, we must be talking Christmas too...

I know you Ohio guys have, but has anyone else heard of the Great Lakes Brewing Company?? They make some good good beer... go to the beer section and then you can browse through their always available and seasonal sections..... http://www.greatlakesbrewing.com/

So yea, their Christmas ale isn't bad... its pretty strong though...

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y226/BRbaseball52/ChristmasAle_BottleGlass.jpg

If you guys out of ohio cant get some, I would be willing to send a trial bottle to anyone...

Yeah, thats been mentioned in here somewhere I think. I gotta try it yet, hopefully within the next couple weeks.

[Particle Man]

I like the SN winter but always end up back at the Cherry Wheat from Sam Adams

[neebelung]

I'm getting so boring and predictable in my old age.... Don't wanna drink anything but the ol Blue Moon or Yuengling anymore.

[LeeNetworX]

Winter? Shit, it's only Fall here. As for beers of the season, I love:

- Blue Moon Harvest Moon
- Sam Adams Octoberfest
- Sam Adams Winter Lager

[Archren]

I'm not a big fan of hoppy beers either.. Blue Moon Full Moon and Harvest Moon are nummy.

All time favorite beer from ANY season was the Hirschauer Hefe-weissen. You pretty much can only get it if you're in that part of Germany. :D

[PhiSig1071]

I just picked up a Sixxer of blue moon winter ale, and a mixed six pack of different winter beers, so we'll see.

[marko138]

So if we are talking winter, we must be talking Christmas too...

I know you Ohio guys have, but has anyone else heard of the Great Lakes Brewing Company?? They make some good good beer... go to the beer section and then you can browse through their always available and seasonal sections..... http://www.greatlakesbrewing.com/

So yea, their Christmas ale isn't bad... its pretty strong though...

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y226/BRbaseball52/ChristmasAle_BottleGlass.jpg

If you guys out of ohio cant get some, I would be willing to send a trial bottle to anyone...


I think it might be illegal to send booze in the mail.


I like the SN winter but always end up back at the Cherry Wheat from Sam Adams

That is good shit!

[Particle Man]

I think it might be illegal to send booze in the mail.


there are companies that do that as a business so I'm thinking not...

[LeeNetworX]

The problem is that some states have odd liquor import and distribution laws. Unfortunately, GA is one of them.

There is a vineyard just over an hour North of us that has a chardonnay we like, but we can't buy it in any store in the state. They also can't ship it to us. Yet, we can have stuff from out of state shipped to us.

Then there's some stuff that is awesome that we can't buy here OR have shipped here. Fat Tire Ale is one of them.

It's fucking retarded.

[marko138]

The problem is that some states have odd liquor import and distribution laws. Unfortunately, GA is one of them.

There is a vineyard just over an hour North of us that has a chardonnay we like, but we can't buy it in any store in the state. They also can't ship it to us. Yet, we can have stuff from out of state shipped to us.

Then there's some stuff that is awesome that we can't buy here OR have shipped here. Fat Tire Ale is one of them.

It's fucking retarded.
Right. PA might not be kosher with it.

[PhiSig1071]

The Blue Moon Winter Ale is good, but really not what I was expecting.

[t-homo]

Cheap beer HATERZ

[marko138]

Cheap beer HATERZ
Why would anyone like cheap beer?????

[t-homo]

Why would anyone like cheap beer?????

when you are just drinking to get drunk and you are in college.

[PhiSig1071]

Actually sometimes I like to be able to drink 10-12 beers and NOT feel like I have eaten an entire bakery. Cheap beer is good for that, if I tried to drink that many Blue Moon or Guinness I would die.

[tommymac]

A huge to the harpoon. Our local pub has it on tap or shoudl real soon. The real beer to drink in the winter is Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout:dthumb:

Tom

[tommymac]

I wanted to type a plus one but didnt see what that icon was LOL

Another good one is breckenridge brewerys vanila porter, I am having one as I type this.

Tom

[JoJoYZF]

A huge to the harpoon. Our local pub has it on tap or shoudl real soon. The real beer to drink in the winter is Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout:dthumb:

Tom

Ive had the youngs double chocolate stout and was pretty impressed, especially since I really questioned chocolate beer.

[FT BSTRD]

My three favorite right now are:

http://www.specialtybeer.com/images/stber_wit_big.jpg


http://www.kascak.com/users/Tom/beer/bottle%20collection/1web/thumbs/tn_blue%20moon%20-%20belgian%20white%20-%20f.jpg


The last one is an unfiltered Belgian Wit, but I can't remember the name right now.

[tommymac]

Ive had the youngs double chocolate stout and was pretty impressed, especially since I really questioned chocolate beer.

i realy dont care for the youngs that much. The brooklyn has hints of choc but its a very good imperial stout. Sam adams had a chocolate bock out a few years ago that was also quite good.

Tom

[marko138]

A huge to the harpoon. Our local pub has it on tap or shoudl real soon. The real beer to drink in the winter is Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout:dthumb:

Tom

Oh man...that stuff is like Hershey's syrup coming out of that bottle. I can't drink it...there's a guy at work who loves it.

[NONE_too_SOFT]

anybody every try dead man ale IPA? good stuff.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/47/136476102_c224b3d204.jpg?v=1147858069

[marko138]

anybody every try dead man ale IPA? good stuff.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/47/136476102_c224b3d204.jpg?v=1147858069
I've had that...it is good.

[LeeNetworX]

Cheap beer HATERZ

Life is too short and I'm too sexy to drink cheap beer.

[JoJoYZF]

I've had that...it is good.

Agreed. Ive had that one a few times and its a good one.

[Melissue76]

Life is too short and I'm too sexy to drink cheap beer.

I love this quote. :lol:


& I'm a Sam Adam's girl...winter summer spring & fall. :D
I also love Wachusett Blueberry

[NONE_too_SOFT]

I love this quote. :lol:


& I'm a Sam Adam's girl...winter summer spring & fall. :D
I also love Wachusett Blueberry

brand loyalty to a beer is such a terrible waste of the thousands of microbrews around the country. more for me i guess.

[tommymac]

Oh man...that stuff is like Hershey's syrup coming out of that bottle. I can't drink it...there's a guy at work who loves it.

You can only have one or 2, one nigh tI drank 6 at the bar along with some other beers, that night didnt end well for me :lol:

Tom

[tommymac]

brand loyalty to a beer is such a terrible waste of the thousands of microbrews around the country. more for me i guess.

Esp where she lives, there are a lot of good small micros up in the new england area.

Do yo uget the beers from great lakes brewing co. I bought a case of their porter when I was at a track day at beaver run, and fookin love the stuff. its nowhere to be found in the metro NY area.

Tom

[NONE_too_SOFT]

Esp where she lives, there are a lot of good small micros up in the new england area.

Do yo uget the beers from great lakes brewing co. I bought a case of their porter when I was at a track day at beaver run, and fookin love the stuff. its nowhere to be found in the metro NY area.

Tom

great lakes is everywhere around here. on tap, too. burning river is good, elliot ness is good, but their winter lager tastes like fucking christmas morning.

[ceo012384]

Life is too short and I'm too sexy to drink cheap beer.
Amen to that shit.

[askmrjesus]

great lakes is everywhere around here. on tap, too. burning river is good, elliot ness is good, but their winter lager tastes like fucking christmas morning.

I never understood the term "Winter Lager". Lagers are summertime beers.

Burning River is the shit, as is the "Edmund Fitzgerald" Great Lakes makes. I'm drinking a clone I made of it right now.

JC

[JoJoYZF]

great lakes is everywhere around here. on tap, too. burning river is good, elliot ness is good, but their winter lager tastes like fucking christmas morning.

Dortmunder Gold is also pretty good and the Blackout Stout usually leads to fun times when I get to drinking those.

[marko138]

Drink up, be merry. http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m95/markgraves138/smilies/trink21.gif

[JoJoYZF]

Just had a few Great Lakes Christmas Ales last night and I must say, I was very impressed. It lives up to the hype I always hear about it. It has a good flavor and goes down smooth. The taste honestly seemed dead on for what I would imagine christmas with alcohol in a bottle should be. I highly recommend anyone who can, try it.

[Porkchop]

Just had a few Great Lakes Christmas Ales last night and I must say, I was very impressed. It lives up to the hype I always hear about it. It has a good flavor and goes down smooth. The taste honestly seemed dead on for what I would imagine christmas with alcohol in a bottle should be. I highly recommend anyone who can, try it.

Told ya.... pretty strong flavor though!!! I'll get to drink some over thanksgiving when I'm up in grafton.

[marko138]

I had a tall glass of Siera Nevada Celebration Ale on Friday. It was okay. Nothing special to me.

I had this on Saturday. Lancast Hop Hog IPA. GOOD SHIT!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3049/2664533312_472d6fc377.jpg?v=0

[JoJoYZF]

I had a tall glass of Siera Nevada Celebration Ale on Friday. It was okay. Nothing special to me.

I had this on Saturday. Lancast Hop Hog IPA. GOOD SHIT!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3049/2664533312_472d6fc377.jpg?v=0

I liked the celebration ale, but definitely no where near the top of my list. Right now I wanna try to find the Troegs Mad Elf. It was even in this months playboy as one of the top 5 christmas beers.

[ceo012384]

So did anyone go and try the harpoon winter warmer like I suggested?

It's getting cold enough that it will really hit the spot. Tastes like gingerbread :cheers:

[marko138]

I liked the celebration ale, but definitely no where near the top of my list. Right now I wanna try to find the Troegs Mad Elf. It was even in this months playboy as one of the top 5 christmas beers.
Mad Elf is some wicked shit. And expensive.

[tommymac]

So did anyone go and try the harpoon winter warmer like I suggested?

It's getting cold enough that it will really hit the spot. Tastes like gingerbread :cheers:

I have been drinking it for many years and even went up to the brewery a few times. its my fiancees favorite beer.

Tom

[ceo012384]

I have been drinking it for many years and even went up to the brewery a few times. its my fiancees favorite beer.

Tom

Nice!!!

Did you go to the Boston brewery or the one up in Vermont?

I drink their IPA daily. Great everyday beer.

[marko138]

I haven't tried it. I don't want to buy a whole case until I know I like it...so far no one has 6 packs or draft of this stuff.

[Particle Man]

mmmmmmmmmm.... beer.

[ceo012384]

^ love that shit.

[Particle Man]

as do I :D

[JoJoYZF]

^ love that shit.

Definitely a great beer.

[snaps]

I love living in the NW. There are probably 10 really good breweries within driving distance, and beer is always stronger/better at the source :)

Red Hook, Pyramid, Pike's Brewery, Rogue, Pete's Wicked, Mac n' Jack's, Elysian...some of my favorites, and they all have delicious seasonal beers. Alaskan isn't technically local, but they've got a good one too.

[marko138]

mmmmmmmmmm.... beer.
Good stuff.

[tommymac]

Nice!!!

Did you go to the Boston brewery or the one up in Vermont?

I drink their IPA daily. Great everyday beer.

Boston, went to a couple of their brewer festivals. Then we stayed in a hotel outside of boston that was also a brewpub:rockwoot:

Tom

[ceo012384]

Nice. I've been to a bunch of the 'harpoonfests' at the boston brewery.

:cheers:

[tommymac]

Nice. I've been to a bunch of the 'harpoonfests' at the boston brewery.

:cheers:


been a while since we went up there. We would hit their fest one day/evening and then squeeze in a few trips to other breweries/brewpubs.

Do you know the name of the brewpub behind the green monster. We went there once way back when and was a realy nice place and had some good beers.

Tom

[marko138]

Alright. I bought a case of this Hop Hog bullshit. It was too good to pass up. 7.9% and hoppy as hell. EXCELLENT!

[Rider]

Alright. I bought a case of this Hop Hog bullshit. It was too good to pass up. 7.9% and hoppy as hell. EXCELLENT!

Sounds fucking good. Yeah I'm a hop head. :idk:

[marko138]

Sounds fucking good. Yeah I'm a hop head. :idk:
It's delicious...but local...so probly not available in MI.

[Rider]

You should try some Arcadia Hopmouth. You should be able to get it there.

[marko138]

You should try some Arcadia Hopmouth. You should be able to get it there.
I'll look for it.

[ceo012384]

Do you know the name of the brewpub behind the green monster. We went there once way back when and was a realy nice place and had some good beers.

Tom
I think you'd be referring to the cask and flagon :idk: