I think the IPA market is so over saturated that companies have to do something to stand out, and that something is usually subpar. I still like to drink Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, one of the earlier companies, along with Anchor Steam Liberty Ale and of course Bass Ale (gotta have Bass in a Black & Tan).

Nowadays for a hot summer, lawn-cutting beer, I'll take an ice-cold Coors Golden Banquet beer, preferably in the short bottles.

Agree. Not an IPA fan here. The only one I've found tolerable was Deschutes Fresh Squeezed IPA.

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Originally posted by TMats:

quote:

Originally posted by snwghst:
I was professionally involved in the craft industry very early. Luckily (or not) I was taught how to brew by a TRUE German Master Brewer who graduated top of his class at Doemans in Munich after his apprenticeship in Bavaria. He was 1 of 12 in the country that held the brewing certifications he does. Which included the "Big 3"

To say the least, his perfectionistic attitude towards brewing basically ruined me on what was and mostly is available today within the craft beers (they have gotten much better since I was in it 25yrs ago)

I opt to typically not taste a beer while one of the brewers is present as I can typically and have told them what they did incorrect through the process

Is it true that lagers are more difficult for a craft or micro-brewer to make than ales and stouts? Sure seems like many brew pubs don't even make a lager.

That's my understanding that a good lager takes true skill to make while any yahoo with a carboy and a pot can throw an ale together.

I was told that lagers are pretty much impossible to "fix" if they go wrong where ales are more forgiving and off flavors can be masked with hops and malt.

Lagers take a lot longer to make too, which is why I think you don't see a lot of craft brewers making them.

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Originally posted by AirmanJeff:

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Originally posted by P220 Smudge:
I used to love IPA's. Until my body decided that they now give me the screaming shits, every time. Last attempt was several months ago, had about six ounces of that one and it was a struggle. I also paid for it after.

I've refined my taste down to pilsners and lagers and I'm ok with it.

A pilsner is a lager! #beersnob

Hey, way to own it, lol.

Ok, straw-colored oat soda with no bite. Whatever that is.

Guinness and New Castle are my go to beers. Also like a good hefeweizen in the summer.

I've tried just enough IPAs to be convinced I hate them - which is to say, maybe 3 or 4.

I liked Newcastle as an emergency there is no good beer here beer, but then I read they use corn syrup.

What's an IPA?

if I cant see thru it I wont drink it, most of them are so bitter it's more of a punishment to drink them.

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What's an IPA?

India Pale Ale.

How about some KBS?

Para, "IPA" means India Pale Ale. There are much more knowledgeable people about them than me, but I believe they were developed for export to British held India during the colonial period. Seems like they were brewed to withstand temperature extremes and the voyage from GB to India. Don't know exactly how more hops made the beer more "durable," I assume there's more to it than that.

quote:

Originally posted by TMats:
Para, "IPA" means India Pale Ale. There are much more knowledgeable people about them than me, but I believe they were developed for export to British held India during the colonial period. Seems like they were brewed to withstand temperature extremes and the voyage from GB to India. Don't know exactly how more hops made the beer more "durable," I assume there's more to it than that.

I can only imagine how much more IPA sucked warm, in the heat of India...

quote:

Originally posted by TMats:

quote:

Originally posted by snwghst:
I was professionally involved in the craft industry very early. Luckily (or not) I was taught how to brew by a TRUE German Master Brewer who graduated top of his class at Doemans in Munich after his apprenticeship in Bavaria. He was 1 of 12 in the country that held the brewing certifications he does. Which included the "Big 3"

To say the least, his perfectionistic attitude towards brewing basically ruined me on what was and mostly is available today within the craft beers (they have gotten much better since I was in it 25yrs ago)

I opt to typically not taste a beer while one of the brewers is present as I can typically and have told them what they did incorrect through the process

Is it true that lagers are more difficult for a craft or micro-brewer to make than ales and stouts? Sure seems like many brew pubs don't even make a lager.

Yes, Jürgen often would say even his grandmother could brew an Ale, and she's dead

Ales (as a style include stouts, IPA etc etc... top fermented) don't require near the temperature specifics as lagers do. Ales can be brew to serve in 10- 14 days fast eating yeast at warmer temps. Lagers (bottom fermented)require very specific temp ranges and take longer from brew to serve 21-30 days

Ales are mostly artificially carbonated prior to packaging, lagers (typically) are naturally carbonated through the brewing process so having tanks which can withstand higher pressures is necessary. Thus higher equipment costs

IPA's were introduced for the super high hop (IBU - international bitter units) act as a preservative

This style enabled the English to produce a product that would stay fresh and not spoil while on ship going to India

My biggest issue in the US with the IPA style is 98% of every brewer uses Cascades (type of hop) because they are inexpensive and readily available because they grow domestically. There are dozens of other varieties available.. saaz (usually in pilsners), Kent Goulding name just a couple. Each imparts its own unique flavor characteristic. As well as some do better with the primary hopping and others as a finishing hop. They just a spice used in the beer really

Anyone can brew a shitty ale, hop the hell out of it, and call it an IPA. Most IPAs to me taste like yak urine strained through a dirty sock.

It takes a steady hand to brew a really good, crisp, malty lager.

If all I had was Spaten Premium Lager or Devils Backbone Gold Leaf Lager to choose from, I'd be happy.

I am a fan of micro-brew IPA's. I don't drink that much so I have not had the necessary exposure to them to generate fatigue. I will say though that for me at least, you can go overboard on the hops.

Examples

Dogfish 60 minute IPA = good

Victory Hopdevil = Too much

This is all true, and I will confess to drinking a Bud when it is 96 degrees and 89% humidity and I have been outside for 5 hours. (I won't drink Bud Light, and I'd prefer to die than drink a Corona, though.)

jhe888, I totally agree with you on Corona. It reminds me of a skunked beer. If I am going to drink a Mexican beer it will be Dos Equis.

Of course I'm no beer expert, I'll take a Coors Banquet, not Coors Light.

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Originally posted by bassman:
How about some KBS?

That would be great, or a CBS as well.

I love a big, hoppy IPA/Double IPA, but it has it's place. Usually a happy hour or an evening beer for me. You're right, it's not refreshing on a summer day. I usually lay off them in the warmer months. It can also really change the flavor of food, so I don't usually drink them with dinner.

What I really don't like is all the extra nonsense in the IPAs. I don't need habanero, jelly donut, back sweat flavored IPAs.

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Originally posted by bassman:
How about some KBS?

I scored a 6-pack of this for the wife and I through the Tavour site. Sooo good! This isn't something I would ever be able to find in a store around here.

Ironically, the German beer lovers may hate IPAs, but the IPA-fueled craft beer movement is slowly turning the US into a version of Germany with small neighborhood breweries popping up all over. I love it! Most decent size towns (and some small ones) have 1 or more breweries/brewpubs. They usually have a decent selection on tap including lots of barrel aged varieties and seasonals.

We used to just have macro-beer and that was it. Now variety abounds so even if you don't like IPA's, other styles have come along for the ride. Heck, I bet there are more imports as well. I know before I got into craft beer hard core, it never would have entered my mind to buy anything made by Ze Germans or Belgians. Now I love to try different German and Belgian beers as excellent examples of certain styles.