Beer discussion

Have any of you read "Tasting Beer" by Randy Mosher? It seems like it would be an interesting read. I've just sarted getting interested in craft beers after years of avoiding the big three - can't tell them apart brews.

No, I haven't but Mosher's got good beer cred.

I recommend taking a beer judging certification course, it will be the best money you spend on beer -ever. Reach out to a local homebrew club for details.
http://www.bjcp.org/index.php

Thanks. I was beginning to wonder if this group was still active. There are three local brewpubs/microbreweries in the immediate area - Red Oak, Natty Greene, and Foothills.

I did order the book mentioned along with Naked Pint and will post reviews when I've read them. I did take a mini-course from beer judge though our church. It got me interested in beer again as I had given up on the national brands as tasteless and not worth drinking.

Finally finished Tasting Beer . for me, this is more of a reference book than an easy reading guide to the subject. I've posted my review of the book.

Hi. I'm in England and, fortunately, there are loads of beers to choose from. I'm guessing that it's the same in the U.S. but I don't know because I've never been there. Maybe someone can comment on the beer situation in America.
I regularly drink in a pub called'The Boot' which is four hundred years old and where the landlord knows how to keep draught beer properly. If you've got someone in charge who doesn't keep the pipes clean the beer suffers!
Anyway, I'm new here so I'd like to say, cheers!

Good beer (microbrews, brewpubs, and quality imports) has become much easier to find in the U.S., even in smaller towns. I can now go to my local grocery store and buy 4 of the 6 Belgian Trappist beers, and there are beer stores an hour from me with over 1000 different bottles to choose from. Local pubs haven't quite caught up, though again, in larger cities, there are some terrific places to drink - including cask beer served properly!

The average bar/pub here, though, isn't quite as old as yours in England, and we've also had the unfortunate history of Prohibition which messed things up for a long time. The majority of bars in smaller towns still stick to national brands (Budweiser, Coors, etc.), and certainly no casks or half-pints.
Anthony wrote: "Hi. I'm in England and, fortunately, there are loads of beers to choose from. I'm guessing that it's the same in the U.S. but I don't know because I've never been there. Maybe someone can comment o..."

Well, Anthony it is hard, but not impossible, to find anything, let alone a pub, that is 400 years old in the US. But, Nate is right. There is a lively craft brew scene in the US. But it can't match the history you have there. Here in Greensboro , NC we have two local brewers - Red Oak and Natty Greene ( named after a hero of the American Revolution). Most of the larger towns in this state have local brewers of brew pubs.

Dig the name "Natty Greene".

Nate wrote: "Good beer (microbrews, brewpubs, and quality imports) has become much easier to find in the U.S., even in smaller towns. I can now go to my local grocery store and buy 4 of the 6 Belgian Trappist b..."

Thanks for the insight into the American beer situation. U.S. TV shows often give us the impression that everyone drinks light Belgian type beers but I guess the dark stuff (my favourite) is available to you. I hadn't given prohibition a thought. What a nightmare that must have been. Many breweries must have gone bust. You must make up for that by DRINKING MORE BEER!

Jim wrote: "Well, Anthony it is hard, but not impossible, to find anything, let alone a pub, that is 400 years old in the US. But, Nate is right. There is a lively craft brew scene in the US. But it can't matc..."

It's interesting to me that the word 'pub' is used in the U.S. There's a lot of history involved with this drinking thing. We call many of our dark beers 'ales'. Some of the names for these ales are strange. 'Bishops Finger', 'Hob Goblin' and 'Old Peculiar' are but three of a host of brews that are on sale nationwide.

BeerDiablo wrote: "Dig the name "Natty Greene"."

It comes from Nathaniel Greene, the general who led the American forces in the Battle of Guilford College. The americans actually lost that battle but the British suffered such heavy casualties that it seemed more like a defeat. they still have a yearly reenactment of the battle.

I like talking about beer, so I'm back again.

My brother has started home brewing recently. I tried it and it tasted a lot better than the stuff I was making twenty years ago. Maybe they have improved the contents of this stuff? Also, I have decided that beer drinking is a better way to get mellow than drinking wine or spirits. Everything seems to happen at a better pace - if you know what I mean.

I know what you mean. I do enjoy wine but it is way to easy to go for that third glass. Some of the IPAs and stouts available allow you to slow down and appreciate the taste and drink less while enjoying it more.

Jim wrote: "I know what you mean. I do enjoy wine but it is way to easy to go for that third glass. Some of the IPAs and stouts available allow you to slow down and appreciate the taste and drink less while e..."

Hi Jim. That third glass of wine usually gives me a headache!

Anthony wrote: "Jim wrote: "I know what you mean. I do enjoy wine but it is way to easy to go for that third glass. Some of the IPAs and stouts available allow you to slow down and appreciate the taste and drink ..."

Anthony, the third glass of beer can do the same for me. But, we are beginning to see some high quality, god tasting low ABV beers that give you a chance to enjoy a third glass without the negative consequences.