What are you drinking ?

[jt]

Ok, so What Are You Brewing was a hotty, as topics go.

Now I'm 15 pints into a keg I only filled on Tuesday and wondering if anyone else has a favourite at the moment ?

It's my second brown with US-Oh05 and it's better than the forst, maybe Ikept the temps down a bit during the scorcher we had in januray

[Stu McKinlay]

So it is in the 100th percentile overall but only in the 96th for imperial stout

I do love ratebeer (and I think it is about as relevant as any beer awards) but that says a lot about the site, and especially its users, to me.

[Ally Mcg]

Big big beers rate higher than anything else?
It troubles me too, the balance towards high abv, high ibu beers on RB. But, as you say, its a pretty good site with a few flaws.

[Daniel Parker]

Hmm.. I have difficulty describing Beer.. without sounding really boring.. so I tend to defer to 'the community'

I do base a lot of our purchasing decisions on RateBeer.. With some exceptions.. We still buy Beer that Rates a 0.

FYI.. We have sold more Coors Light this week (0th Percentile) than *any* other Beer (this week) :-(

[Stu McKinlay]

I just lost a massive update to that last post.... but I still have the link at least:

http://brookstonbeerbulletin.com/beer-advocates-top-100-beers-on-pl...


True, Daniel, it is a valuable resource when you are buying in untested beers from overseas.

On that note... got any Stone coming in the near future ;-)

[Daniel Parker]

Here now:
http://www.beerstore.co.nz/search.lasso?Brewery=Stone

So I guess the answer is yes :-)

[Reviled]

Oh my, that is awesome!! Some amazing Stone beers there Daniel..

I tried the Cali-Belquique or however its spelt IPA off the tap at the brewery and it was amazing!! The brewer was saying its just their bog standard IPA brewed with a different yeast, awesome!! And the mustard that goes with it is even better!!

[Daniel Parker]

Just read the link.. I agree, everything is skewed.. often based on availability.

In saying that.. I believe that at least 54 of these top 100 will be available from us by this Friday.

Daniel

[Stu McKinlay]

I've noticed Ally has no trouble describing beer without sounding boring.

[Daniel Parker]

Yes.. agreed, but it is something that I do have difficulty with..

I saw a Wine Tasting Kit recently (at Scenic Cellars in Taupo) , that contained vials of smells to determine faults and flaws in wine (Similar to this: http://www.wineenthusiast.com/the-complete-wine-taste-aroma-kit.asp ), While I have read about Beer flaws (Cardboard, skunked, Cabbage etc) And have experienced all of these, I don't feel like an expert yet :-)

When I read others descriptions of Beer ( http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/pink-elephant-imperious-rushin-stowt/6... Search for the word 'varnished') I just don't get the descriptors.. I have never tasted Varnished Wood (That I know of) so can't use this description.

I know what I like, and what I don't. I guess that is what is important at the end of the day.

Daniel

[Stu McKinlay]

I like fun descriptions like this one: "The wizard of yeasty combinations in your mouth cast a spell that resurrects skeletons of forgotten flavours"

flavour kits are for tossers... ;-)
Or people who seriously want to learn - either as a brewer or a judge.

[Hugh Grierson]

Just tried siera nevada's 'Topedo Extra IPA' really floral and bitter but not as harsh as some hoppy Kiwi beers. Had a good beer weekend, the Motuaka Monster was fantastic at Galbraith's, and my less intense version of Vince's Bass Player APA has cleared up, very passionfruity that one.

[Martin Bridges]

Argh! I missed the Motueka Monster at GBs? Why doesn't anyone announce these things?!