Who likes a good pale ale? I mean, with their music?

[Davey]

<img src=http://www.ratebeer.com/beerimages/2126.jpg align=left hspace=10>Off topic my ass! Who don't like a good pale ale with their music?!?! In this case, American Pale Ale. Picked up a six of this last night and had a couple bottles (or four) and it went down so smooth. Don't think I've had it before but it was on sale at the big local supermarket so that's incentive enough for me. Damn good. No skunky flavor at all. Very clean and enjoyable. Not overly hopped, but there is generously cascade hoppiness to it. A bit light on the aroma, but what's there is still very nice. Not quite as good as that excellent Bridgeport IPA I love and previously posted about that is also from Oregon. But any port (or in this case, ale) in a storm, that's what I say. Kind of sunny outside right now, though.

Oh yeah, got one of my modern day goto type discs cued up in my mind and ready to play, Yo La Tengo Electr-O-Pura. Perfect match for some more of that Mirror Pond Pale Ale tonight :)

You must have a beer story on tap, yes?

[Swish]

I did find this link to read more about it, but I'm sure I would have a tough time finding it out here on the East Coast. http://www.mylifeisbeer.com/beer/bottles/bottledetail/137/

Have you tasted the Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale? It's my current fave and I now own 4+ cases of it. I decided to buy up the remainder of the local supply, or at least what I could find, since they stopped production until next year and the regional distributor is sold out. I've tried a number of the seasonal ales produced by micro-breweries, and find that most are too spicy for me, but this one has such an excellent flavor that I can't imagine tiring of it anytime soon. I think I'll go drink one right now.

Swish

[rufus]

as far as i know, only distributed in the northeast, massachusetts and above. brewed and bottled about half a mile from my front door.

http://www.tuckermanbrewing.com/Images/6pac.jpghttp://www.tuckermanbrewing.com/Images/Glasscloseup.jpg

[BillB]

I'll have to check out the Tuckerman tonight when I visit the beer distributor (we in PA don't have the luxury of beer at the grocery store!)

Smithwick's (though not a pale ale) is at the top of my list as I've heard it's begun making it's way Stateside in cases finally.

If nothing tickles my fancy at the distributor I suppose I'll just polish off some Wexford Irish Ale:

http://www.thamesamerica.com/images/wexford.jpg

This time of year I turn to porters, stouts, and ales like Wexford. A bit heavier on the pallet but good for a night in, listening to tunes.

Bill

P.S. Swish, Victory's tapping a one-off porter (Baltic Porter) on New Years Eve. It was the last thing they made in their Century brewhouse, which has been sold to Weyerbacher Brewery in Easton.

[Finch Platte]

<img src=http://www.ratebeer.com/beerimages/2126.jpg align=left hspace=10>Off topic my ass! Who don't like a good pale ale with their music?!?! In this case, American Pale Ale. Picked up a six of this last night and had a couple bottles (or four) and it went down so smooth. Don't think I've had it before but it was on sale at the big local supermarket so that's incentive enough for me. Damn good.

Nail/head. If you can get these, you've gotta try 'em. Jesus (whoops, wrong thread), what great stuff.

Sloshed, if you need help getting more Winter Ale, I'm "only" 3 hours from Chico. :D

fp

[BillB]

Alright gentlemen, I need your opinions. I took a trip while Christmas shopping to a fantastic store in Delaware called Total Wine. Their selection of wine, liquor, and beer is first rate and preices range from good to great.

Many breweries have their winter beers out now and I'm interested in trying a few. Swish's rave review of Sierra Nevada's Celeration Ale has me interested as well as Samuel Smith's Winter Warmer.

This store in DE allows you to buy single bottles, six packs, half cases, or full cases which is perfect for experimenting with new beers. Aside from these two, any other seasonal's worth trying if they have them?

I'm looking to get something special for the holidays.

Thanks,
Bill

[Dusty Chalk]

L, yeah -- my absolute favourite: Anchor's Seasonal Brew is my favourite. It uses spices, which I don't think usually works, but this would be the "exception that proves the rule". Highly highly recommended.

Sort of the alcoholic equivalent of a classy Pet Shop Boys song.

[ericl]

Davey,

The Mirror Pond Pale is my absolute favorite Ale, and its in a very close race with Guinness as my favorite beer, period. Thats a fantastic ale, I recommend everyone try it, make sure you have it in a glass, as opposed to straight from the bottle (beer needs to breathe!). Try some on tap if you can find it..

mmm beer...

Cheers
Eric

[Finch Platte]

I'm looking to get something special for the holidays.

Thanks,
Bill

Keep an eye peeled for Sierra Nevada's Bigfoot. It's a barley wine, and it's seasonal, but not until January. But maybe your place has some from '04. If so, snag it all. Barley wine improves with age, but I dunno how that stuff could get any better.

My favorite, but be careful- it's strong.

fp

[BillB]

Finch,

I've only ever had one barley wine, Old Horizontal from my local brewery down the street. The taste is tolerable but at 12.5% it's only good for sipping. I'm a big fan of UK beers because most of them have an average alcohol level of 3-4%. You can drink them all night and not have to worry about being hung over.

Any other suggestions for holiday specials is appreciated. I'm not a big fan of super-hoppy beers though I can tolerate them over a couple pints. My favorite style are Irish stouts and English porters. How are Sierra Nevada's porters and stouts? Imperial stouts leave a lot to be desired for me.

I'm also a big fan (probably in the minority on this one) of English/Irish ales/bitters like Tetley's, Wexford, Boddington's, Caffrey's.

Thanks,
Bill