Confessions of a Beer Snob
I recently picked up a six pack each of Budweiser and Miller. For those of who do not know me, this is out of character. I prefer darker beers (imports). Most of what I have on hand falls between New Castle and Guinness on the color/flavor spectrum. The logic behind my domestic foray is twofold: 1) I cannot criticize what I do not know, 2) I have been drinking lighter beers lately anyway (e.g., Stella Artois) and 3) cost. There are six Buds still in the beer fridge. However, the High Life is going to need to be replaced soon.
If you are looking for a pretty good mass produced domestic beer, I recommend any of the Michelob line. Mich Lite is an excellent light beer, Amber Bock is a nice mellow dark beer, a little on the sweet side but still very good. Just plain Mich is a very nice lager. Michelob actually presents the best of both worlds… it is in the same price range as Miller and Bud, but you can still maintain some air of beer snobbery.
I definitely agree with Steven here. Michelob is probably one of the few domestic light beers I enjoy. My all time favorite beer, however, is Samuel Adams Boston Lager.
I cant afford good beer, so amber bock is the staple (unless my dad brings newcastle). for really cheap, matt m opened my eye to the wonders of PBR. about half the price, and a little more than half as good, and it does the trick, so to speak. not bad at all, esp in the bottle. I’m still a bottle snob.
Heh. Beer out of a bottle is THE ONLY way to go. Beer in a can is nasty.
I may have to give Michelob a try, but I’m not interested in “light” beers per say, but rather lighter bodied, less sweet more summer heat friendly brews. In other words, calories are not an issue…providing I start working out again soon.
Have you seen those new aluminum bottles? What’s the point? I agree that the metallic taste imparted to the beer is nasty.
Seems only fitting that if you are drinking PBR you should just live it up and drink it from a can… or from a keg! I think I will stick to drinking less and drinking better.
As for me I will have an Old Speckled Hen.
I have long held to the drink less/better philosophy, but I actually like the taste of MHL…and I’d like to say that it has nothing to do with the cost of the beer. In other words, maybe millions of Americans can’t be wrong? Besides, the funny thing that I have heard about Europeans is that many of them drink American imports…just like we consume their exports. I don’t think my taste buds are compromising as much as they are broadening and being trained.
As for the regular Bud, I think I’m going to be disappointed. I had one of those Budweiser Selects recently and was not too impressed. Despite the ultra-hip lifestyle promised by the commercials on TV, it was remarkably bland (kind of like PBR)…sorry Bob!
I guess another way to put this is that as a general rule I have never liked American beers, except of course for Sam Adams, Yuengling and other micro brews. I have stayed away from the big boys…turned my nose up at them in fact. So what I’m saying is that maybe they’re not all that bad and that some of them can be appreciated?
Bud=good. Bud Select=horrible; but 4 hot chicks appeared in a jeep on a mountain top when I opened the bottle, so I guess that counts for something…or was that my bottle of Busch?
Although one could make the argument that I’ve been brainwashed from birth by my own hometown
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ideally, I would agree with the quality over quantity philosophy, but sometimes a rough day, or a particular meal (mexican, pizza) just calls for a beer, high quality or no.
So, Scott, apparently posting about beer comes in at a pretty close second on receiving comments compared to posting a woman’s chest.
I will refrain from adding much of an opinion since I am self proclaimed “beer trash” (Give me a really cold Ice House or Corona on on summer night and I’m good), but I will add that I don’t even drink soft drinks out of a can…definitely beer in a bottle.
Bring on the champagne!
Yes Willa, it is so popular of a topic that I had to put a little “Noteworthy” star next to the post title. And since you brought up the B&B post, I must pause for a moment to reflect on the course of this conversation. For the record I think that 1) drinking in moderation is certainly permissable for Christians, 2) dare I say encouraged?…e.g, wasn’t it Ben Franklin (that great theologian…NOT) who said, “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy,” 3) any comments that stray too far will be moderated…e.g., I already corrected your typos
and 4) this post will probably make someone mad due to the public nature of the conversation. Is it a good one? Hmm… Does talking about it in a connaisseur way make it edifying? Uhh… What about the weaker brother? Ehh… I’m being somewhat rhetorical and simultaneously joking and serious, but putting it out there will certainly keep the comment count going.
Chris, lol, I just got that! The MHL tag line is “The Champagne of Beers.”
Yeah, that’s old school, man. Get with it.
Along with Haze, I have been brainwashed by growing up in St. Louis….. I like the Michelob line, specifically Michelob Light. Although, Ultra is water.
My favorite beers are (in random order):
Warsteiner
Pilsner Urquell
Michelob Light
Grolsch (which is now distributed by AB)
Schaffly American Lager (St. Louis’s second largest brewery)
Miller Light
Bass
Blue Moon
Dos Equis (sp?)
I guess this list does probably qualify me as a beer snob
Okay, I’m late to this blog party but I’ll chime in anyway.
If I’m staying on budget and drinking more than two a week I’ve got MHL, Michelob, or Amber Bock. I flirted with some other domestics but this is what I’m sticking with for now.
Outside of that list there are many many beers that I enjoy but can afford only on holidays/special occasions. My birthday’s coming up so “beware the Ides of March.”
Felone/Haze, I grew up in Pennsylvania, but that doesn’t mean I like Rolling Rock…though I really like the green bottle with the “33″ etched on the side.
Seriously, though, I think that one of the reasons I like MHL is that it reminds me slightly of Genesee, which is a regional brew from NY. I used to get sips from the adults in the family all the time.
Dave, I hear what you are saying. MHL is $3.69 a six pack vs. $5.29 for the Michelob. I suppose that does not seem too significant until you compare it to the price of the imports that I usually buy ($7.99 -$11.99). Then if you have a bunch of friends over…well, good thing there’s Bud in the fridge still.
I like lists, so here’s a random/diverse list of ten beers I would buy again.
1. Bass Ale
2. Yuengling Porter
3. Hoegaarden White Ale
4. Guinness Extra Stout
5. Miller High Life
6. Red Stripe Lager
7. Stella Artois
8. Pilsner Urquell
9. Boddington’s Pub Ale
10. Blue Moon Pumpkin Ale
My preference if price isn’t an option. Choice depends on mood, time of day and what I’m having with it.
Brown Ale
Dunkel Hefe-Weizen
Pilnser
That said, if I find a brand that I’ve liked in the past at a good price – I’ll buy it.
Looks like you’ve struck a chord with your readers here, Scott!
Maybe I need to change formats and make this a beer blog only?
Scott, the market saturation in PA for Rolling Rock isn’t a fraction of what AB’s is in the STL (I’m not even sure Coors compares), and while Bud isn’t good beer…it sure ain’t The Rock either!
Also, I’ve intentionally avoided any listing of actual good beer I like for fear of a list long enough to make me look like a lush.
That’s exactly the reason why I kept my list to 10, but I don’t think I have anyone fooled.
[...] By the way, I am puzzled why this post received so many comments (twenty-four at last count). I think Mark Twain was right when he wrote: “Whiskey is for drinking; water is for fighting over.” [...]