A few nice beer images I found:
Beer
Image by meowdip
I don’t even really drink much beer.
Down-Under Beer Log
Image by mezzoblue
Some of the beers I tried while spending a month in Australia and New Zealand earlier this year, and the sample size which leads me to believe the latter’s brews are far superior.
I had all the crappy mass-produced lagers in Australia too of course; Hahn’s, VB, Toohey’s, etc. (Though, no Foster’s since no one serves it there.) Not worth including. And, they were a lot more scarce in New Zealand, which says something to me.
My theory is that warm weather leads to a preference for lighter, easier-drinking beer. New Zealand being a bit colder, they’re inclined to experiment with a wider variety of styles. And they clearly have a more vibrant beer culture; maybe the smaller geography leads to accelerated sharing & collaboration.
One thing I loved about both countries was the ale house phenomenon; where in North America you typically have a single brewpub from a brewer if you’re lucky, down under the breweries run a chain of pubs where you can go drink their great beer and have some very good food with it. They felt a bit commercial, but not in a bad way.
(Keep in mind this is a month’s worth of work here, before you go and call AA…)
Beer Tasting
Image by BUR?BLUE
Went to Bristol Farms in OC where they have dozens of imported beers you don’t find everywhere… picked up about a dozen of my favorite varieties, many of which I haven’t tried yet. I love darker, malty brews like bocks, Scotch ales, brown ales, Maerzens, and Porters. I’m gonna have some fun with these…
I hate you and want your life.
Plausible theory. Emerson’s beers are excellent. Did you try any Tuatara beers? http://www.tuatarabrewing.co.nz
i don’t drink but this is an impressive analysis
@mrbirch – Nope, missed that one. We spent most of our time on the South Island, so we didn’t get a chance to sample many from the North Island.
If you get near Nelson on subsequent visits. Try the "Sprig & Fern" …same home as Founders, same family as Harringtons, but loads more interesting Ales.
If you can get your hands on it, try the Moo Imperial Stout. Good review.
Bristol Farm at Kaleidoscope?
Anchor Porter is one of my favorites but didn’t care too much for the 2006 Christmas Ale. Let us know which one’s your favorite!
Cool.
I have had……..
Anchor Porter
Hofbrau
Paulaner
Abbot Ale (Fav)
1845
Can’t see what that last one is…..
Tino – yup. Small world, eh?
Head zoo – Anchor can do no wrong, in my eyes. Anchor Steam is an all time beer brewing landmark.
L’Etat – it’s a Fischer Biere d’Alsace – should be interesting; I’ve never tried a French beer before.
Fischer is amazing beer, dont forget to swirl the bottom end for sediments.
To be honest I am not a beer lover. Re-phrase. Not a larger lover. I prefer wine. But…
Coming from the UK I do like to try different ales. Belgum has to be the best. St Louis. Will look for the L’Etat. (The State) King Louis the Sun King.
You got some great beers there!!
Mmm…that’s quite the lineup. I’m jealous.
If you’re a fan of Belgian-styles at all, I highly recommend just about everything Unibroue brews. They’re in Quebec, but probably make the best belgian-style beers outside of Belgium.
I haven’t experimented much with Belgian beers, though they’re pretty widely available here in Santa Barbara. I guess I was just put off by the amount of fruity lambics and adjuncts…
mmm…beer
Theakstons Old Peculiar, man it’s been a long time ;-p
I’m not that much into beers either, but Gordon Scotch can’t be beat in my eyes. Problem is that it’s not sold in the US. You can get it here though. But at 2.78€, it’s a bit pricey.
Here’s a funny fact about this beer. It’s made in Scotland, but is only sold in Europe.
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Seen on your photo stream. (?)
And no Belgian beer?
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Seen on your photo stream. (?)
Hi, I’m a admin for a group called BEER Nation and I would love to invite you to join and post your pic in our pool. Hope to see you there!!
gotta love the paulaner, although the hefe-weizen is better than the oktoberfest stuff
Dunno, mate – I’m a big Maerzen fan! Love me some Bocks!
Hi, I’m an admin for a group called Bottles, and we’d love to have this added to the group!
erdinger hef is the way to go. this is a cool shot. well done
Hi, I’m an admin for a group called borracho y loco, and we’d love to have this added to the group!
Erdinger Dunkel is my fav.
Lots of good ideas for today in this photo! haha
Hi, I’m an admin for a group called Bier-Beer-Bölkstoff, and we’d love to have this added to the group!