So, I got one of those Miller Lite keg things last night.

[DexterBelgium]

Actually, Westvleteren is one of the 6 Belgian Trappist beers (we don't talk about number 7 (they're Dutch ))

But yeah, I think I made my point

[Dorvan]

Man and he didn't even mentioned trappist beer yet
BUt really, if americans think miller lite is horrible beer while the good beers there are already basicly colored water... what is miller then? toxic waste?

Apparently you haven't had good beer in America. Certainly lots of love to Belgium brewing too though, lots of good stuff to be had there.

[Kiorken]

In my house, we drink Shiner Boch. Well, actually, I drink Shiner Boch pretty much wherever I go. And if I go to a place in America that doesn't have it (because they are terrorists), then I settle for Blue Moon. Ah well.

[Adryl]

(because they are terrorists)

My manager would like to speak to you as to why I could not stop laughing for about 2 minutes straight.

[Fridmarr]

To be fair, American beers (which I don't really care for either) are extremely high quality with rather insane controls. They are just often designed to be somewhat bland German style pilsners. It's not that they are low quality, but that you simply don't like the product as they designed it, for mass appeal. It's not all that different than most restaurant food in most modernized countries, very salty and otherwise bland, again mass appeal is the aim, so strong flavors don't work well.

[Dorvan]

To be fair, American beers (which I don't really care for either) are extremely high quality with rather insane controls. They are just often designed to be somewhat bland German style pilsners. It's not that they are low quality, but that you simply don't like the product as they designed it, for mass appeal. It's not all that different than most restaurant food in most modernized countries, very salty and otherwise bland, again mass appeal is the aim, so strong flavors don't work well.

I think you'll have to define "American beers". If you're talking about Budweiser, Miller, etc...then I disagree, they *are* low quality. They're also cheap and capable of getting you drunk, two very popular selling points. The production may be tightly controlled, but that doesn't mean the use quality ingredients or don't cut corners...it just means they're aiming for consistency in their product (you could say the same thing about McDonald's).

There's a a great, thriving craft/micro brew industry in the US...with carbonated ales being particularly popular. Even as pilsners go though, the difference in quality between a good craft pilsner and a Budweiser is huge.

Yes, I'm a beer snob. No, I don't scoff when someone serves me cheap beer (though I will choose water if I can do so without being insulting).

[ulushnar]

But yeah, I think I made my point

You were doing fine until you mentioned Stella. Horrible fizzy, inexplicably-popular pisswater.

FWIW, I actually quite like Miller Genuine Draft, and I've been known to drink Budweiser when I want something beer-flavoured but not likely to make me drunk. Generally though, I prefer Deuchars IPA where I can get it or Belhaven Best. Both are common enough in Scotland that I don't have to resort to Lager that often.

[edsdame]

Does the name Leffe say anything to any of you?
Needs mood, because porter beer is not the "I sit and drink six bottles of it" but it really tastes good.

Basically I'd prefer any good quality draught lager beer for just drinking with the friends.

(Man, times like this I realize, I don't know any proper "beer term" in english.)

[DexterBelgium]

Does the name Leffe say anything to any of you?
Needs mood, because porter beer is not the "I sit and drink six bottles of it" but it really tastes good.

Basically I'd prefer any good quality draught lager beer for just drinking with the friends.

(Man, times like this I realize, I don't know any proper "beer term" in english.)

Leffe, ofc. Though I'm not a fan myself, it (along with Stella, I'll admit, both are AB Inbev products which is trying to McDonalds-ise Belgian beer AND is giving it a bad rep in countries such as the UK) has been a little too popularised for my tastes, and is losing a lot of the edge that make those "abbey style" (including Grimbergen, Petrus, Corsendonk, etc.) beers so good. They themselves are based on the abovementioned Trappist beers, but are not necessarily linked to or brewed at an existing abbey. If you think you have to be in the mood for a Leffe, sit down and have yourself one of the trappists (Orval, Chimay, Westmalle, Westvleteren (good luck getting hold of that one!) Achel or Rochefort) in either the Dubbel (brown ale) or Trippel varieties. Hang onto your socks though.

[edsdame]

Thanks for the tips, I will try them, if I have the chance.

[Fridmarr]

To be fair, American beers (which I don't really care for either) are extremely high quality with rather insane controls. They are just often designed to be somewhat bland German style pilsners. It's not that they are low quality, but that you simply don't like the product as they designed it, for mass appeal. It's not all that different than most restaurant food in most modernized countries, very salty and otherwise bland, again mass appeal is the aim, so strong flavors don't work well.

I think you'll have to define "American beers". If you're talking about Budweiser, Miller, etc...then I disagree, they *are* low quality. They're also cheap and capable of getting you drunk, two very popular selling points. The production may be tightly controlled, but that doesn't mean the use quality ingredients or don't cut corners...it just means they're aiming for consistency in their product (you could say the same thing about McDonald's).

There's a a great, thriving craft/micro brew industry in the US...with carbonated ales being particularly popular. Even as pilsners go though, the difference in quality between a good craft pilsner and a Budweiser is huge.

Yes, I'm a beer snob. No, I don't scoff when someone serves me cheap beer (though I will choose water if I can do so without being insulting).

They use somewhat cheaper ingredients, but they don't cut corners from what I understand. NPR did a big piece on them, and other breweries a few years ago that was pretty informative. Comparing them to McDonalds is fairly inaccurate, as they use both cheap and poor ingredients, along with poor processes at least in culinary terms.

A better comparison is likely between something like a hamburger and a steak. While a hamburger is cheaper than a steak, it can also be of high quality, if select ingredients are used, and the preparation process is proper and performed well. If you want a steak but order a hamburger you will likely not be satisfied. However, you didn't get a poor quality steak, you just got something you didn't want.

[katraya]

Corsendonk

This is probably one of my favorite beers. Sadly it is really expensive.

We actually have a great local brewery/restaurant here. In the Spring they make a phenomenal Green Peppercorn Tripel. I have to bring their beers up to my dad everytime I see him and he isn't even a beer person usually.

[Dorvan]

A better comparison is likely between something like a hamburger and a steak. While a hamburger is cheaper than a steak, it can also be of high quality, if select ingredients are used, and the preparation process is proper and performed well. If you want a steak but order a hamburger you will likely not be satisfied. However, you didn't get a poor quality steak, you just got something you didn't want.

The thing is, I've had good pilsners. Budweiser is not a good pilsner. To be fair, it's not the worst out there either (see PBR, Natty Light, etc), but it's still quite mediocre in its category...that analogy doesn't really hold.

[Fivelives]

Miller Genuine Draft isn't as horrible as the rest of the "big" American beers, but given the choice I'll go to a brewery and drink microbrews. Luckily, I live in a town where brewing is a Big Deal so I have a few options there.

[Rachmaninoff]

if I'm gonna drink "cheap" I go for the high life

anyone IPA fans? I'm always up from a recommendation, I like the smuttynose IPA, most of my friends hate it