The Beer Nerd - what are you drinking / brewing thread

And lots of times beer awards don't mean shit. It means the beer fit the style guidelines best and was better than the competition. I've judged enough bad flights of beer (BJCP rank Certified) to know how low that bar is sometimes.

Something like the AHA poll of best beers in America means something. Let me know when a HF beer hits Pliney status in terms of desirability. Going to Russian River is a lot higher on the list of destinations than HF for most people. So when some blowhard labels themselves as the greatest undeservedly they dig themselves holes of expectations unnecessarily and earn negative starting points from me.

 

Polls too can be very subjective, but a great starting place to figure out what you like.

 

Does anyone have any other forum/website that they follow to read beer news/reviews?

 

Also note that what you are getting with Goses is nice light tart mildly salty crisp refreshing beer ideal for summer days. Something more complex than a Berlinner Weiss with a bit more alcohol and usually more rounded, and possibly not as sour but both Goses and Berlinners run the gamut in that respect.

 

Do you have a good Berliner Weiss recommendation?

 

If I am at an away beer store and see something I might buy and want to check I open up Ratebeer on my phone. I consider the numbers pretty accurate. The descriptions usually help too. Then of course, attempt to take dating, storage temp, dust and beer style into account.

 

That is a very loaded question, it depends on your sour tolerance level and what is available. I think you are West coast or close. I would start with a Bruery Hoottenroth and see if you like that. The traditional BWs run from mildly sour, hazy and wheaty to clear and highly tart (Kindl). Then you have various US ones. Just be aware there is a flavor range. Again this is a tart, highly carbonated, low alcohol (~ 3.5%) refreshing beer ideal for pounding after summer yard work. If you like the Hottenroth you will love exploring the options. Bruery also came out with more fruited BWs, I just had an outstanding one with Boysenberries that wakes up the taste buds.

 

Good water at that.

Can be one of about 15 different flavors depending on the day and mood.

Just about any of the Boulevard beers since they are just up the road and lately the KC Bier Co. stuff been good too.

Buddy brews some 9% stuff, damn good but you don't want too much of it.

 

I have for sale, or possibly trade depending on what's offered, a bottle of this years Chocolate Rain from the Bruery. $40 + shipping and it's yours. ($40 was the price of the bottle before tax, so you're saving a few bucks) if interested send me a PM.

 

From last night:

 

Nope. All it means is that Pliny is still sought after among the people who choose to vote. I've always wondered how many people that vote for it have actually had it. I mean, it's good, but I've had and made better DIPAs.

Beer news I read a couple local blogs:
http://www.nolabeerblog.com/
https://thealerunner.com/

I really don't read a lot of beer reviews other than https://beerconnoisseur.com/reviews and Zymurgy's Commercial Calibration. That's primarily because a lot of the stuff they're reviewing I have to trade for or get while I'm traveling. I wind up writing more reviews than I read lol

 

This x2

 

I thought victory at sea was really sweet and heavy.

So Jolly Roger is lighter an uses a local coffee maker for the coffee.

 

A bazaar beer in Jerusalem:
Stout IPA (aka dark IPA aka cascadian IPA). Bizarre indeed...


Actually a good beer named Dark Star by Shapiro brewing Israel.

 

More pics of surrounding area plz

 

Here is Tel Aviv


I just got into Jerusalem and it's dark so pic taking will be tomorrow...

 

Yes and no. I am on board with you and others about the Pliny worship. But I will take AHA poll opinions over self aggrandisement. And harping about my point because of Pliny totally misses the entire thing.

 

Tell me more about the Dragon's Milk please.