I'm 28 & I've never had a beer before

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: scott916

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: scott916

Originally posted by: soulcougher73

Originally posted by: scott916

Originally posted by: moshquerade
Hoegaarden

Good choice.

OP - I'll ship you a Pliny the Elder on me if you'd like. I'm assuming it wouldn't cost more than 5 bucks or so.

Ill take you up on that offer 😛

Sweet, PM me according to my last post and I'll wait a few days to give everyone a chance, say by sunday evening, and ship them out monday. I live a block away from the post office, so it's no biggie.

Is this for real? Are you mailing some beer to a complete stranger off the internet?

I would like one million dollars in unmarked bills. I will advise you of my address via PM. :Q

Uh, why not? if its legal, i see no problem with sending him a tasty pliny. Worst case scenario it gets lost in the mail, I'm out $10. Big woop.

I want the guy to experience how a great beer can be savored and appreciated just like a great wine. Given, it's not the same as a draft one, but the bottled version is excellent. I simply extended the offer, no different than a FS/T thread.

Not trying to rain on your parade.... too much.

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Can_...cohol_through_the_mail

 

[soulcougher73]

Originally posted by: kalrith
Well, I bought the Boulevard Sampler tonight. Unfortunately it didn't have the Dry Stout, which I was looking forward to trying. It had the Oktoberfest instead. I tried the Bully Porter, Pale Ale, Oktoberfest, and Single-Wide IPA. I would rate the beers I've tried so far as follows:

• Mothership Wit: :thumbsup:
  Bully Porter: :thumbsup::thumbsup:
  Pale Ale: :thumbsdown:
  Oktoberfest: :thumbsdown::thumbsdown:
  Single-Wide IPA: :thumbsdown::thumbsdown::thumbsdown:

As I already mentioned, I enjoyed the Mothership Wit but found it a bit weak. I really enjoyed the Bully Porter. The smell was excellent, and the flavor was great. I didn't enjoy the last 20% or so, but I'm not sure if that's because I was sick of the flavor, some bad flavors lingered in the bottom, or it got warmer than I like. The Pale Ale was tolerable. I didn't enjoy the flavor too much unless I swallowed it really quickly. It had a somewhat bad aftertaste. The Oktoberfest and Single-Wide IPA were much the same as the Pale Ale just worse. I only drank 80% of the Oktoberfest and 50% of the Single-Wide IPA. I didn't like the smell, taste, or aftertaste of any of those three. Maybe I'm more suited to dark beers.

Anyways, I'll get to try the Lunar Ale and Unfiltered Wheat on Friday night. I'll have to get a bottle of the Imperial Stout sometime, but I'll be sure to not drink it in one sitting. I'm going to try to talk my wife into "letting" me have some beer in the house, because it's a pain just having it at the remodel house with no fridge. It would also be nice to not have to worry about driving afterwards. I know I haven't been drunk, but I also know that even one beer can cloud one's judgment.

I dont blame you on the IPA. I hate them too. Too hoppy for my tastes. But they are big right now in the beer world for some reason. Also the Lunar Ale is tasty. I think youll like that one.

 

[kalrith]

Originally posted by: vi edit
Heh. You're like a mirror of my tastes.

I really don't like pale ales and extra hoppy stuff (IPA's). I love dark beers (porters & stouts) and dark, earthy coffees like Sumatras.

Hops are definitely an acquired taste that you have to work your way into. The pales and IPA's are way more hop heavy than the dark stuff. They use excess hops to up the bitter factor. It's something that you warm up to after a while but not something that most people like right off the bat.

I really like the Lunar ale. They don't say it outright, but I'm pretty sure it's a dunkelweiss which basically means dark wheat. It uses wheat and a bit darker grains more akin to a brown ale and a different type of yeast for a more full flavor and thicker feel to the texture. Definitely a more flavorful brew than their wheat.

Their wheat is a brilliant beer to sit back and enjoy when it's 90 degrees outside. I can drink that stuff by the quart in the summer. But when it gets cooler out, the darker the better.

🙂

Sorry you didn't like the lighter stuff in the sampler, but it was good to really hone in your tastes. If you lean towards the darker stuff hit up that micro brew by you and see if they have their milk stout on tap. A well brewed milk stout is freaking heaven in a glass.

Since our tastes seem similar and you like the Lunar Ale and Wheat, that gives me something to look forward to. I'm looking forward to having the other Bully Porter as well. I'm glad that I was able to try some of the lighter stuff to realize that I don't like it.

Overall, it's been a good week so far. It's been nice to venture into something new even though I don't have much extra time or money. I haven't done anything new for a while because I've been busy remodeling a house whenever I'm not at work.

Edit: And I really appreciate all the advice on here so far. My friends who do drink beer seem to just drink one type and probably couldn't offer the level of advice I've gotten on here.

 

[CoinOperatedBoy]

Originally posted by: kalrith

• Mothership Wit: :thumbsup:
  Bully Porter: :thumbsup::thumbsup:
  Pale Ale: :thumbsdown:
  Oktoberfest: :thumbsdown::thumbsdown:
  Single-Wide IPA: :thumbsdown::thumbsdown::thumbsdown:

Ah, shame you didn't go for the IPA. I love IPAs, but the hoppiness is definitely an acquired taste. Glad you enjoyed the porter! Keep trying dark beers. I tried the Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald Porter when I lived back up north and I thought it was great, but I don't know if you'd be able to find that. Hell, even try the Yuengling Porter, and maybe you'd like Guinness after all. 😉

 

[kalrith]

It's been a while, but I figured I'd update this thread again. I updated the OP with my likes and dislikes so far. I tried the second Bully Porter and had a similar, yet worse, experience than the first time. It tasted good at first, became bitter toward the middle, and was even difficult to finish. I definitely wouldn't drink two of them. I'm not sure what taste I didn't like, but it kind of had that yucky taste that old, reheated coffee has, if that makes any sense.

I drank the rest of the Mothership Wit and still like that one pretty well. I tried the Unfiltered Wheat and the Lunar Ale (dark wheat) and liked them both. The Wheat was on par with the Wit, but the Lunar Ale was leaps and bounds above everything else I tried. I could drink that indefinitely. There was no hint of bad flavor in it; nothing but deliciousness.

I would like to try a different porter and a stout. I read some recommendations from this thread and other threads and came up with the following list:

• Delirium Nocturnum
  Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout
  Mackeson XXX
  Edmund Fitzgerald
  Utenos
  Alderis (Latvian) Porteris
  Sierra Nevada
  Gonzo Imperial Porter
  Anchor Porter
  Twisted Ivan
  St. Bridget's
  Sam Adam's Honey Porter
  Bell's Java Stout
  Shakespeare Stout
  Guiness (which Guiness is the stout?)
  Yuengling Porter

I know it's a long list, but I don't want to waste money on something that I'm unlikely to like. If I'm likely to have the same experience with all porters (and maybe stouts) that I did with the Bully Porter, then tell me that, and I'll stick with some dark wheat beers. Speaking of that, what are some other good dark wheat beers. Also, in case you didn't read the rest of the thread, I HATE hoppiness, so nothing like imperial stouts for me.

 

[dougp]

Left Hand Milk Stout

 

[kalrith]

Originally posted by: dougp
Left Hand Milk Stout

That sounds so wrong.

 

[Redfraggle]

I like Young's Double Chocolate Stout. It's not like drinking chocolate milk, it's a hint of chocolate, don't be misled.

 

[joesmoke]

Originally posted by: kalrith

Originally posted by: dougp
Left Hand Milk Stout

That sounds so wrong.

well then definitely avoid Reacharound Splooge Lager

 

[kalrith]

Originally posted by: Redfraggle
I like Young's Double Chocolate Stout. It's not like drinking chocolate milk, it's a hint of chocolate, don't be misled.

Hmmm...I'm having a hard time finding any sort of where-to-buy list for this stout.

 

[vi edit]

One of my favorite stouts is this one:
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/193/615

Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout. If you have a HyVee with a decent beer selection they should have it.

Dark Wheats are hard to find. There's some hard to pronounce german brands that do it. But otherwise the only other one I've found is from Budweiser oddly enough. They have a wheat craft pack that has a dunkel in it.

 

[soulcougher73]

Originally posted by: kalrith

Originally posted by: dougp
Left Hand Milk Stout

That sounds so wrong.

I didnt like it myself. It wasnt disgusting but i wouldnt buy it again.

 

[phoenix79]

Definitely give the nocturnum a try. I know I've been carrying on about it this entire thread but I believe it's worth it. It's not a stout or a wheat beer, it's a belgian dark ale.

 

[RESmonkey]

nvm

 

[dougp]

Originally posted by: vi edit
One of my favorite stouts is this one:
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/193/615

Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout. If you have a HyVee with a decent beer selection they should have it.

Dark Wheats are hard to find. There's some hard to pronounce german brands that do it. But otherwise the only other one I've found is from Budweiser oddly enough. They have a wheat craft pack that has a dunkel in it.

I see quite a few Dunkel's here in Houston, just can't recall the names off the top of my head.

 

[kalrith]

If I can find them, I'll definitely give the Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout and Delirium Nocturnum a try. I'll also see if I can find some of the hard-to-pronounce German dark-wheat beers. There's a huge place in town (5,000 sq. ft.) that's supposed to have a large wine selection and a decent beer selection. Hopefully they'll have some of these.

 

[rh71]

I don't drink, but my first was Honey Brown, decent.

 

[scott916]

Originally posted by: kalrith
If I can find them, I'll definitely give the Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout and Delirium Nocturnum a try. I'll also see if I can find some of the hard-to-pronounce German dark-wheat beers. There's a huge place in town (5,000 sq. ft.) that's supposed to have a large wine selection and a decent beer selection. Hopefully they'll have some of these.

If you like the lighter beers, you may prefer Delerium Tremens.

 

[kalrith]

Well, I went to the large place in town, and they had a very extensive collection. They had every one of the recent recommendations, and I tried all of them except for Left Hand Milk Stout. I spent quite a bit at one time, and I couldn't justify buying a six-pack (all they had) of the Left Hand Milk Stout as well. I'll probably try it again later.

Here are my impressions. I tried the Young's Double Chocolate Stout first. It was OK. I was surprised by how much of a chocolate flavor there was. It tasted a bit bitter to me, but I might have figured out how to keep that from happening in the future, and I'll explain that in a minute. Out of the 5 new beers I tried, this was my least favorite.

I tried Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier Dunkel next. It's a top-rated dunkelweizen on Beer Advocate. It was nothing short of excellent. It had about the perfect flavor for me. It could've been a tad stronger, but as far as what I would drink all the time if I could afford it ($5 for one bottle is a bit steep for me), this would be it.

I tried the Delerium Nocturnum next. I had no idea of what to expect with this, and I was simply blown away. At first it had the same bitter taste that I disliked in the Bully! Porter and Young's Double Chocolate Stout. However, I found that the bitterness disappeared once I let it warm up quite a bit, probably around 50-55 degrees. Once there, it tasted excellent. I enjoyed how strong it was and was very surprised that the bitterness disappeared. I'm not sure if the previous porter and stout would not have the bitter taste if I were to let them warm up considerably. I might have to revisit them in the future.

I tried the Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout, and it was also excellent. I'm not sure if I liked it or the Nocturnum more, but I had a problem with the Nocturnum going flat which tainted the experience (more on that in a minute). I let it warm up just like the Nocturnum and then completely enjoyed the flavor. It had what I would describe as a very rich, malty flavor but lacked a bad aftertaste and bitterness. I'll definitely be trying this, the Dunkel, and the Nocturnum again in the future. I was disappointed in the high cost of these, which means they'll have to be infrequent special treats rather than my main source of beer.

I also tried the Michelob DunkelWeisse. It was better than I expected. It tastes different than the Lunar Ale, almost a bit sweeter. I think this and the Lunar Ale will likely be what I drink most often. I still need to try the Dry Stout by Blvd. Brewing Co. and revisit their Bully! Porter as well. I can certainly afford $1/beer better than $5-10/beer.

I had a problem with both the Nocturnum and the Oatmeal Stout going flat (although much more with the Nocturnum). I bought the 750 mL bottle of the Nocturnum and obviously couldn't fit it all in my 20-oz. mug. I couldn't get the cork back in, and I assume that buying a reusable cork like this would solve this problem in the future. Since I didn't have that nor any plastic wrap, the Nocturnum went quite flat by the time I finished the bottle. The Oatmeal Stout didn't go nearly as flat, but I still couldn't fit it all in my mug, and I just stuck the cap back on and put the bottle in the fridge, which caused the remainder of the beer to go somewhat flat. Does anyone have any pointers on how to keep the remaining beer in the bottle from going flat? Should I get a huge 32-oz. mug so that I can fit almost all bottles in it?

Thanks again for all the advice, recommendations, and hopefully help with the flat-beer problem :awe:.

 

[arcenite]

YOu didn't like octoberfest? Either you got it in a bottle (BIG NO NO!!!!!) or you are a pansy 🙂

 

[soulcougher73]

Well, I went to the large place in town, and they had a very extensive collection. They had every one of the recent recommendations, and I tried all of them except for Left Hand Milk Stout. I spent quite a bit at one time, and I couldn't justify buying a six-pack (all they had) of the Left Hand Milk Stout as well. I'll probably try it again later.

Here are my impressions. I tried the Young's Double Chocolate Stout first. It was OK. I was surprised by how much of a chocolate flavor there was. It tasted a bit bitter to me, but I might have figured out how to keep that from happening in the future, and I'll explain that in a minute. Out of the 5 new beers I tried, this was my least favorite.

I tried Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier Dunkel next. It's a top-rated dunkelweizen on Beer Advocate. It was nothing short of excellent. It had about the perfect flavor for me. It could've been a tad stronger, but as far as what I would drink all the time if I could afford it ($5 for one bottle is a bit steep for me), this would be it.

I tried the Delerium Nocturnum next. I had no idea of what to expect with this, and I was simply blown away. At first it had the same bitter taste that I disliked in the Bully! Porter and Young's Double Chocolate Stout. However, I found that the bitterness disappeared once I let it warm up quite a bit, probably around 50-55 degrees. Once there, it tasted excellent. I enjoyed how strong it was and was very surprised that the bitterness disappeared. I'm not sure if the previous porter and stout would not have the bitter taste if I were to let them warm up considerably. I might have to revisit them in the future.

I tried the Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout, and it was also excellent. I'm not sure if I liked it or the Nocturnum more, but I had a problem with the Nocturnum going flat which tainted the experience (more on that in a minute). I let it warm up just like the Nocturnum and then completely enjoyed the flavor. It had what I would describe as a very rich, malty flavor but lacked a bad aftertaste and bitterness. I'll definitely be trying this, the Dunkel, and the Nocturnum again in the future. I was disappointed in the high cost of these, which means they'll have to be infrequent special treats rather than my main source of beer.

I also tried the Michelob DunkelWeisse. It was better than I expected. It tastes different than the Lunar Ale, almost a bit sweeter. I think this and the Lunar Ale will likely be what I drink most often. I still need to try the Dry Stout by Blvd. Brewing Co. and revisit their Bully! Porter as well. I can certainly afford $1/beer better than $5-10/beer.

I had a problem with both the Nocturnum and the Oatmeal Stout going flat (although much more with the Nocturnum). I bought the 750 mL bottle of the Nocturnum and obviously couldn't fit it all in my 20-oz. mug. I couldn't get the cork back in, and I assume that buying a reusable cork like this would solve this problem in the future. Since I didn't have that nor any plastic wrap, the Nocturnum went quite flat by the time I finished the bottle. The Oatmeal Stout didn't go nearly as flat, but I still couldn't fit it all in my mug, and I just stuck the cap back on and put the bottle in the fridge, which caused the remainder of the beer to go somewhat flat. Does anyone have any pointers on how to keep the remaining beer in the bottle from going flat? Should I get a huge 32-oz. mug so that I can fit almost all bottles in it?

Thanks again for all the advice, recommendations, and hopefully help with the flat-beer problem :awe:.

I may have to try this dunkel that you say was nothing short of excellent. I try a lot of beers quite often but i dont think ive had that one. The big liqour store here lets you build your own 6 packs. It costs a bit mor per bottle but its a good way to sample. A recent beer i tried and enjoyed a lot more then i thought i would was Leinenkugel's Fireside Nut Brown. Very tasty to me and ill be buying again 🙂 Welcome to the dark side by the way 🙂

 

[kalrith]

YOu didn't like octoberfest? Either you got it in a bottle (BIG NO NO!!!!!) or you are a pansy 🙂

I did get it in a bottle. I wasn't aware that that was sacrilege 🙂. I don't like hop bitterness whatsoever. I think that was my problem with Octoberfest.

I liked the Nocturnum so much that I'd like to try some other dark ales. Leinenkugel's Fireside Nut Brown is a brown ale, so I might like that as well. It's the right time of year for it.

 

[arcenite]

I did get it in a bottle. I wasn't aware that that was sacrilege 🙂. I don't like hop bitterness whatsoever. I think that was my problem with Octoberfest.

I liked the Nocturnum so much that I'd like to try some other dark ales. Leinenkugel's Fireside Nut Brown is a brown ale, so I might like that as well. It's the right time of year for it.

Draft octoberfest has NO bitterness IMO. But bottled octoberfest is just plain AWEFUL