I am not a stout dude, as I tend to feel they're like a meal or something, but I did have a bunch of different beers with some folks, splitting it and getting a taste, and one stout I did really like was Highwater S'mores, delicious.

 

I love stouts. Especially imperial stouts. But I get that they might not be for everyone. To each their own. Dont worry about what other people like and dont like. Just enjoy your own beer. Its not like anyone is forcing you to drink anything against your will.

 

Totally! I have heard so many people say they don't like an entire style/category, only to find an example down the road that they do actually like, and it's always a positive experience when that happens. People should like what they like and not worry about it regardless though as you said.

Usually when someone says "I don't like <style of beer>" I see it as a challenge to be able to bring them an example of that style that they may appreciate. Sometimes I am wrong, sometimes I am right. I spend a good amount of time at breweries/beer festivals and often have this opportunity - it's really fun to see someone find something new they enjoy!

There are also some people, like my sister, who have a mild allergy and to them, something as hoppy as an IPA is literally disgustingly bitter/soapy to them. There is nothing I can do there except take their word for it and try to supply something they might enjoy. For folks like this, or people who seem to not like any style of beer at all, I usually default to something extremely mild like a wheat or German rye beer. The time I have spent in this thread alone talking about wheat beers I have brewed myself and sought to find in the Bay should show that I have nothing against them or people who enjoy them.

I am getting ready for a trip to Frankfurt soon so I will be experiencing a whole array of wheat and Kölsch style ales. Stoked!

 

Smh!!!

 

Picked up a 22 of Ale Industries Unlce Jesse session ale the other day. Was pretty impressed.

Also picked up some Mirror Pond for the first time in a while...forgot how much I love it.

 

If you want a cheap man's Pliney the Elder, go with Sierra Nevada's Hop Hunter. It boasts some hop oils and is as close to a Pliney and cheap.

My fridge holds Drake's 1500 dry hop ale and Racer 5's Grand'Am as solids in there. I'd also add Ballast Point Sculpin's, but those are a tad bit pricey. (the Grapefruit Sculpin is too fruity for me, tastes like a Fresh Squeeze from Deschutes)

I also saw Sierra Nevada's 4 way IPA 12pack, I'm interested to try the Rye IPA in the pack, the rest I'm not too uppity about or have tried before

 

Served Drakes 1500 at my wedding, good stuff.

SN 4IPA is just ok...the Rye is tasty however.

 

Speaking of Drake's...anybody had their Drakonic Imperial Stout?

Had it on tap the other day...so good.

 

I have to admit, I am a fan of the Hop Hunter. It's good stuff and I agree. I also want to shout out to Lagunitas because it would have taken me a lot longer to try it if they had not raised such as stink about it. I think I have a Lagunitas IPA and a Maximus lurking in my fridge because no one wants to drink that ish.

Deschutes Fresh Squeezed is one of my all-time favorite store-bought IPAs. Much better on tap. On tap at Jersey Joe's Coastside, and the Old Princeton Landing out on the coast.

Habanero Sculpin is good for soaking beef in. Leave it in for a while - couple hours even - grill/slice/tacos/profit.

 

I cant handle chili beers. Habanero Sculpin sounds gross. The grapefruit is pretty good though. And yes I agree Hop Hunter is awesome

 

Any of yall see Track 7 beers in the bay? It's a Sacramento micro-brew.

 

^Saw it, haven't tried it, might keep it in mind since it's local. Love trying everyone's stuff.

Local Safeway sells 6pack Grand-Am for 7.99.
Hop Hunter 12pack for 15.99 (this isss sooooo worth).

 

Yup Danville bevMo has 2 IPA's from them as well as the peanut butter porter. I assume most bevmos will have it too.

 

Right there with you on the chili beers - so I use them in cooking.

 

Was in Sac over the last few days. Ended up at Burgers & Brew on R St on Fri nite. I had a tasting of a couple different beers... something from Green Flash (sucks that i can't recall what exactly) and PranQster from North Coast.

I ended up going with a glass of the PranQster. Really good stuff.

I would have liked to try out the homebrews they had available, but my buddy & I already had plans to hit up the Shady Lady Saloon next door. I will definitely visit again to try out many more of the offerings at B & B.