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I never drank ale growing up, only Mass-produced lightly-hopped American lagers, which some people think is more than bitter enough. But who has developed a taste for highly-hopped India pale ale, with its extra bitterness?
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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Like most people in their 20s I also grew up with cheap American beer such as Bud, Miller and Coors. It was only after I quit drinking for a buzz and started drinking for the taste that I started trying new varieties, and the first was Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, which was 38 bitterness rating (IBU). Since then I have discovered several others while eating dinner out that are now favorites, such as Manny's (38) Fat Tire (22) or Mac & Jack's (30). I'll try others, too, but like to stick to IBU 40 or less. For just hot afternoon thirst quenching, I keep a 12 pack of Blue Moon wheat ale in the drink fridge, it's only 9 IBU but has some actual flavor compared to it's cousins from Miller-Coors.
I like lighter beers like IPAs and lagers, and also like darker beers like stouts and porters. I don't drink too often, so budget-wise I feel okay with buying a decent quality beer brewed in the region. instead of a lowest common denominator national beer, however I am not buying the real high end beers either. Some brands I get are: Long Trail, Atlantic Brewing Co, Sea Dog Brewing Co, Mayflower Brewing Co, Sam Adams, Newburyport Brewing Co, Ipswich Ale Brewery, Harpoon Brewery...
Last edited by OutdoorLover; 05-17-2024 at 07:50 PM..
Bitterness to the point of some taking on grapefruit juice notes, not for me.
I love Belgium farm house and Saison style beers. To me they have more complexity.
I've been a beer lover for most of my life and for a while made a hobby out of sampling all kinds of beer, either buying from a store, doing beer swaps with friends around the country, or homebrewing. There's no denying that IPA is my favorite type of beer and that's pretty much all I drink now.
Current favorite is Georgetown Brewing Bodhizafa, 6.9% ABV and 80 IBU. Second runner up is Mother Earth Brewing Boo Koo IPA, 6.5% ABV and 58 IBU.
Not a fan of DIPA (double or imperial IPA), usually 8 or 9% ABV. Way too boozy and sweet tasting. I like beer crisp and a bit bitter, but with flavor, which the American lagers don't have at all.
I've been a beer lover for most of my life and for a while made a hobby out of sampling all kinds of beer, either buying from a store, doing beer swaps with friends around the country, or homebrewing. There's no denying that IPA is my favorite type of beer and that's pretty much all I drink now.
Current favorite is Georgetown Brewing Bodhizafa, 6.9% ABV and 80 IBU. Second runner up is Mother Earth Brewing Boo Koo IPA, 6.5% ABV and 58 IBU.
Not a fan of DIPA (double or imperial IPA), usually 8 or 9% ABV. Way too boozy and sweet tasting. I like beer crisp and a bit bitter, but with flavor, which the American lagers don't have at all.
There’s a company called Anita Brewery in Louisiana that makes a brand of imperial IPA called “Alphagator”, but on the can it is referred to as a “malt beverage with natural flavors”. So is it not a beer?
There’s a company called Anita Brewery in Louisiana that makes a brand of imperial IPA called “Alphagator”, but on the can it is referred to as a “malt beverage with natural flavors”. So is it not a beer?
Not sure about that. I thought ales are classified as beer, and malt beverage/liquor are a different category - the flavored drinks like Mike's Lemonade and wine coolers, that don't taste like beer and have higher alcohol content.
Living in the PNW we are blessed with an incredible selection of IPA varieties. My favorites are usually between 6.5-7.2% abv and 50-70 ibu. Depending on the brewery, I do like a few DIPA's and Imperials as well that sit between 8-9%abv and 70-90ibu.
Of course, one needs to pace themselves a bit with these. They aren't made to be slammed like Coors or Bud at a backyard BBQ on a hot day. We have what are called growler stations where people go to enjoy many types of micro brews, as well as fill up their growlers to take home and enjoy too.
I've been a beer lover for most of my life and for a while made a hobby out of sampling all kinds of beer, either buying from a store, doing beer swaps with friends around the country, or homebrewing. There's no denying that IPA is my favorite type of beer and that's pretty much all I drink now.
Current favorite is Georgetown Brewing Bodhizafa, 6.9% ABV and 80 IBU. Second runner up is Mother Earth Brewing Boo Koo IPA, 6.5% ABV and 58 IBU.
Not a fan of DIPA (double or imperial IPA), usually 8 or 9% ABV. Way too boozy and sweet tasting. I like beer crisp and a bit bitter, but with flavor, which the American lagers don't have at all.
Long Trail makes a double amber ale that I like - two bags of malt in the brew... it *is* potent though @ 7.2% ABV
I really enjoy hoppy, bitter ales. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale was the first I’ve ever tried (in the mid 80’s, at a bar in Lake Tahoe, California.) I really enjoy a hoppy, bitter ale with a beef steak and salad (yum!)
I enjoy Sierra Nevada Torpedo Extra IPA on occasion, it is my go to IPA. Sierra Nevada Stout and Porter were also excellent, but more malty from what I recall. Haven’t had a stout or porter for years now.
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