OT: Poll: Beer for World Cup
Most important question of the day. I'm making a beer run for the weekend. That's not just a simple task as my county doesn't allow liquor sales... including beer... to the average person. Restaurants can sell by the glass, but that's it. They also have to gouge you with "membership fees" to drink at their establishment. It's horrible.
So the question, do I buy American beers for the World Cup or do I drink themed to the country we're playing in pool play? Obviously Slovenia and Algeria could be tough, especially in a beer-starved state like Texas, but I'm also open to suggestions in the comments.
Ideas:
America
Sam Adams - It's a solid American representative even if it's not the best. I'd prefer Ommegang's Three Philosophers, but that's a Belgian style of beer despite being American. I think I can at least convince myself that Sam Adams is a very American style. I refuse light beer or anything owned by those Dutch (Bud) or English (Miller).
English
Bass - Light enough where I can have a few over the game, but not so much that I'll be full at the half.
Slovenia
From what I hear, they like pale lagers. I may cheat and head 2 countries north to Pilsner Urquell. It may not be true Slovenia, but where am I going to find a Slovenian beer in this market? Unlikely.
Algeria
Algeria is primarily Muslim to the point that alcohol is very limited. I'm definitely in help of something that can represent Algeria. Perhaps O'Douls due to the alcohol ban? Yeah right.
Obviously you are a man of good taste, as you have mentioned the Ommegang Three Philosophers, so may I suggest the Arrogant Bastard from Stone Brewing in Escondido, CA? It is an American Strong Ale, excellently named for the situation. It is a hoppy, aggressive beer, and you'll probably want to have one per half to avoid being completely blitzed. Good luck on your future beer decisions!
Just buy a shitload of cans of Southern Star Pine Belt Pale Ale (from your homestate), and supplement it with Carlsberg, the big beer sponsor of soccer.
I can't get Southern Star here. I'd have to drive another hour on top of the 45 minutes I already have to go, at least, to get it. They don't have enough sales in this area of East Texas with the limited places to sell it. If I was closer to Nacodoches or Huntsville perhaps.
Carlsberg was also on my short list and I'm pretty sure I could get it at the 45 minute drive. I'm still not sure which English or English style I would want to go with. I could theoretically use any IPA, but eh, I think I want something slightly more authentic. Same sort of rules as eliminating Ommegang (reluctantly).
It kind of looks like the poll is going to stick with American anyway. That's kind of what I was leaning with any way. I may get a few different 6 packs to get a strong sampling of America, east to west.
Yuengling is fantastic if you live anywhere on/near the east coast.
Yuengling is alright. I'm not a huge fan. Definitely better things out there. I consider it like Shiner pre-2005. It's a regional beer that's a solid session beer. I can have a few because it's light enough, but it's definitely not light beer. It just doesn't have strong flavors. In my beer-conomy, I'm in need of flavor.
I spent last week in Boston touring Sam and Harpoon. Sam had their Pumpkin Ale on tap and I tried to go through the tour twice to get more. They don't make the Pumpkin Ale for sale. There was one batch of it made and finding bottles is nearly impossible. They had a keg on tap on the tour. I could have drank the entire thing. Best pumpkin I've ever had.
Sierra Nevada Kellerweis. American and delicious.
The best Slovenian beer. They have it in some of the Balkan stores in Sterling Heights.
I'll look for it, but unlikely that they'll have it in this remote location. Thanks for the advice.
if you want the drink of slovenia, look no further: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slivovitz
Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA
"Too extreme to be called beer? Brewed to a colossal 45°P, boiled for a full 2 hours while being continually hopped with high alpha American hops, dry-hopped every day in the fermenter for a month, and aged for a month on whole leaf hops, 120 Minute IPA is by far the strongest IPA ever brewed. And at 21% ABV and 120 IBU’s, you can see why we are calling this the Holy Grail for Hopheads. "
www.ratebeer.com/beer/dogfish-head-120-minute-ipa/22904/
My favorite brew.
True story. I've had it from a tap. Better than the bottle. Had to go to a place with 120+ taps to find it.
Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA
"Too extreme to be called beer? Brewed to a colossal 45°P, boiled for a full 2 hours while being continually hopped with high alpha American hops, dry-hopped every day in the fermenter for a month, and aged for a month on whole leaf hops, 120 Minute IPA is by far the strongest IPA ever brewed. And at 21% ABV and 120 IBU’s, you can see why we are calling this the Holy Grail for Hopheads. "
www.ratebeer.com/beer/dogfish-head-120-minute-ipa/22904/
My favorite brew.
by SAB (South African Brewery) and is perfect from the standpoint that it's American (in history) and South African, so you are paying tribute to the host country!
Actually, any of the SAB brands would work.
Hence the reference to the Brits.
To confuse things even further, SABMiller and Molson Coors have apparently merged to become MillerCoors.
I'm not sure what is prompting Formerly Anonymous' hostility to the Dutch. Isn't Inbev's headquarters in Belgium?
Mistaken. For some reason I remember during the acquistion of Budweiser that it was the Netherlands. Apparently not. It is in Belgium, who I can't hold in any contempt when talking beer, as Belgians are a particular favorite of mine.
I wish I had thought/read this before going. I would have gone against the poll. I went with a couple old favorites and one new one. Went with Sam Adams (Boston Lager for game, Imperial White for general consumption), Brooklyn Lager (Would have preferred Pennant), Kona's Fire Rock Pale Ale (new to me), Anchor's seasonal bock, Left Hand's Milk Stout, and Abita's Turbodog.
I figure that should give me a good regional American selection. They had a poor selection of Northeast and Midwest. Leininkugels Sunset Wheat was just about the only Midwest beer I could find. I was also unhappy that the Stone Brewing company is their Oaked Arrogant Bastard in 6-packs. I could get the regular AB in a single tall only. Both were extra expensive.
I've put in a order for them to carry Magic Hat #9, as that's the only Magic Hat beer able to be sold in Texas. Also put in inquiries on more Tommyknocker, Stone, Allagash, Goose Island, Harpoon Leviathons, Smuttynose, and Rogue. They didn't sound very optimistic.
Since the Dutch are going to win it all, I suggest Amstel Light, Heineken, and Grolsch in massive quantities.
Apparently, these are your options if you're looking for Algerian beer:
Moretti vs. Peroni. I don't expect much out the doge's on the pitch, so I am planning on deciding the better of these two. Moretti is the strong favorite going in. Both good beers that I can get sixers of around here for a decent price when I feel the need to go upscale during the cup.
around the time of Smokey and the Bandit 3. Are you kidding me?!?!? Guess Miranda Lambert knows about which she sings... "Dry Town". Sucks to be you brother, but glad you made your choices.
I think you'll love the Kona stuff. I was fortunate enough to go on a family trip to Hawaii last year (first time), and fell in love with several beers. Longboard is another one I really enjoyed.
If you're sticking with an American beer, I'd go with Pyramid's Hefeweizen but if you want to go with the winner's local brew, go get some Quilmes.