Beer

[Ibrahim]

what is great about it?

Having been made to taste a high quality beer (when I was a student--and long story there), I find it tastes like moldy bread, and is disgusting at that. it looks like urine, with its golden color, and smells like old honey wheats--without the honey. It makes your breath smell like a sewer (or you just woke up in the morning), and of course, it makes you drunk, and therefore dangerous.

aftertaste varies I imagine, but what I tried reminds me of flavored mouthwash.

so again, what gives? why drink it?

I've never found a rational reason, and hope to hear your opinions.

[Fragony]

Moldy bread is how it was invented! Not really a beer drinker myself but at times it can be the best drink ever. But if you don't like it don't drink it

[Ibrahim]

Moldy bread is how it was invented! Not really a beer drinker myself but at times it can be the best drink ever. But if you don't like it don't drink it

don't plan on starting to drink. just wondering why others--many others--like it.

[Fragony]

don't plan on starting to drink. just wondering why others--many others--like it.

It has been proven that the taste of beer releases endorphines, hormones that make you feel good. Spicy food and sex have the same quality

[a completely inoffensive name]

Oh wow, this is something I could talk for a while about. Not because I know a lot about beer, but because I am in the process of trying to figure out what makes a good beer "great" as well.

So I have a sibling who is really into beer. Brews it all the time at home. Has tried probably over 100 different beers from microbreweries across the West coast. For my 21st birthday the present I got from this sibling was a selection of different craft beers (as well as some hard apple cider which was a request I made). Now I am not a big drinker at all. I have said on this forum somewhere at I am almost mormon in how I avoid alcohol and caffeine. But since it was my 21st birthday I got curious and figured I may as well at least try to see if I can develop a taste for beer which usually tastes extremely bitter and unappetizing to me.

So for the past few weeks I have been slowly trying the craft beers I have (have not drank one in a while though due to feeling too sad to drink). I have had some ales, IPA's and Stouts. Been keeping a beer journal so I can remember which ones I liked the most for reference when I go out drinking with others since I am going to try to be a lot more social in my life. From what I can tell thus far, a lot of the enjoyment of beer comes from the large versatility it has and the variations it can come in which provide a lot of durability and excitement in comparison to say, a standard hard liquor drink. I mean, so far in every party I have gone to, a vodka and cranberry is a vodka and cranberry is a vodka and cranberry. Which is nice if you like vodka and cranberry. But it isn't changing anytime soon. If it did, people would give it a new name.

So far of the three types of beers I have tried, I have noticed noticeable differences in how palatable it was based on the texture of the beer. By texture I mean for example whether the beer is really clear and filtered (ignore the color just talking about the opacity) or if it is really murky with the yeast still floating around in there. Then there is the flavoring which is tied into the durability of the beer. It seems that you can throw in almost any flavor into a beer and have it work. I had a double chocolate stout and although I really didn't like the taste of it, as someone who can't stand the taste of ethanol, the chocolate malt (or whatever they put in) did a good job of really overpowering the ethanol and if the taste was to my liking I actually could see myself pounding down more than a few at a social event.

I don't know how to really continue this post. I have only just started my exploration of what good beers are. I still have a traditional German imported beer of some type sitting in my fridge, my sibling tells me it is a good example of a beer that follows the Reinheitsgebot (German beer purity laws).

Would I say that I enjoy beer? Not yet, still haven't found one that really got me excited to drink. But my opinion of what a beer could be has certainly been shaken as the only exposure before this past year has been your typical college party beer (AKA Bud Light).

[rajpoot]

Some strong beer have a scent that matches that of baked bread. I love that smell.

and of course, it makes you drunk, and therefore dangerous.

Reason number 2, and the most important reason why most people drink it.

[Xiahou]

So for the past few weeks I have been slowly trying the craft beers I have (have not drank one in a while though due to feeling too sad to drink). I have had some ales, IPA's and Stouts.

I love ales and IPAs in particular. Stouts? Not so much. I enjoy some lagers too, like Yuengling. My brother gave me a few bottles of Dead Guy Ale the other week- it was excellent.

I don't drink much alcohol really, but I do love trying out different craft beers and micro brews.

[Kadagar_AV]

I think beer is an acquired taste, much like smoking.

I used to abhor beer and cigarettes. These days I drink beer like water, and if you can roll it I can smoke it.

[Rhyfelwyr]

I don't drink anymore but being drunk is nice, especially for someone like me who needs valium for a similar effect to feel calm and happy. It's really a social thing - it helps people find anything entertaining.

I never really thought much of the taste of beer - good or bad. It's just a drink.

[The Lurker Below]

For most it's probably an acquired taste. A cheap source of adolescent intoxication. With spicy foods I enjoy it. I think it enhances the flavor of some good buffalo wings. When hot and humid a very cold beer seems more refreshing than water.

[Strike For The South]

Physical dependency

I also don't trust people who refuse to partake

[TinCow]

All alcohol tastes like the first time you try it. If you get beyond that and keep drinking it for a while, you'll eventually start to enjoy it on its own. Over time, you stop noticing the unpleasant aspects of the flavor and start to enjoy it. It's the same thing for many other substances, including tobacco and coffee.

If you want to learn on beer, start with lagers. They're the least harsh alcohol tasting and easiest for people to get into. After you've started enjoying those, it's easy to branch out into other styles. If you want to start with liqueur, start with mixed drinks and then gradually decrease the amount of mixer.

[a completely inoffensive name]

Well my current emotional state seems stable tonight. So I am going to try another beer I got for my birthday. Gonzo Imperial Porter from Flying Dog Brewery.

EDIT: Holy hell, this is 9.2% ABV and you can taste it.

[rajpoot]

All this talk made me crave for good beer so I went and got the costliest one at the booze store. Tuborg strong. Has a more mellow taste than the brand I usually drink. I like it.

[SwordsMaster]

Try 'sink the Bismark'. Since I've been able to afford it, I prefer champagne as my bubbly refreshment. Beer is so bourgeoise.

[Moros]

what is great about it?

Having been made to taste a high quality beer (when I was a student--and long story there), I find it tastes like moldy bread, and is disgusting at that. it looks like urine, with its golden color, and smells like old honey wheats--without the honey. It makes your breath smell like a sewer (or you just woke up in the morning), and of course, it makes you drunk, and therefore dangerous.

aftertaste varies I imagine, but what I tried reminds me of flavored mouthwash.

so again, what gives? why drink it?

I've never found a rational reason, and hope to hear your opinions.

You sir do not know what quality beer. Take this opportunity to be educated.

Lesson 1. Drink this:


After lesson 1 it is normal to feel like a fool. No one blames you, you couldn't know what real beer tasted like. And yes, I know you're anxious for lesson 2 now. But be patient young one, first we must repeat lesson 1 a few times. Than we'll go explore the vast richness of the old Belgian heritage, Cech pilsner, recent experimental Dutch, American Micro-breweries and experimental Belgian beers. Rejoice at the unfathomably large varieties of magnificent beers you will discover.

[Ibrahim]

again, just to be clear, I'm not asking because I want to start drinking. I just want to know why others find it attractive--to satisfy my curiosity on the subject: it is very fascinating. As it is, I'm happy remaining a tea-totaller.
@Moros: sadly, the beer was a Belgian type. I forget the exact name--just the appearance. this is all going by what I was told. Might have been the New Belgium brewery in the town I was in (Fort Collins)

having said that, I see now why many love beer. it is an acquired taste, and people (for reasons I still can't understand), like the buzz associated with alcohol. I'm not sure though how Orange flavoring (or other flavors) helps mitigate it though, or how it can be bypassed, in light of the distinct taste. all this sounds like a topic for a few research papers.

[a completely inoffensive name]

Every thing I drank tonight except the weak Belgian apple beer tasted meh to me.

[Moros]

@Moros: sadly, the beer was a Belgian type. I forget the exact name--just the appearance. this is all going by what I was told. Might have been the New Belgium brewery in the town I was in (Fort Collins)

Sadly not all that comes from Belgium is good anymore. Some have lost their way by wanting to become more successful export products. (ABInbev is the best example, Stella Artois, Leffe,...) And of course not everything that claims to be inspired on Belgian Beer is great either.

So get on with Lesson 1!!!

[The Lurker Below]

@Moros: sadly, the beer was a Belgian type. I forget the exact name--just the appearance. this is all going by what I was told. Might have been the New Belgium brewery in the town I was in (Fort Collins)

having said that, I see now why many love beer. it is an acquired taste, and people (for reasons I still can't understand), like the buzz associated with alcohol. I'm not sure though how Orange flavoring (or other flavors) helps mitigate it though, or how it can be bypassed, in light of the distinct taste. all this sounds like a topic for a few research papers.

dunno Belgians, but the Dutch Grolsch brewer makes a product that goes great with spicy burritos. a beer focused research paper sounds like using academics as an excuse to get loaded. impressive move!

[Papewaio]

Just like bread there is a huge variety if beer.

The right beer for the food and the day can be a massive difference.

Had a liter of dark Belgium beer with a kg of NZ mussels last year and still remember how good the combo was.

I like the darker malty beers by themselves. Lagers go well with spicey foods.

[Fragony]

Best regular beer comes from the Chech-republic. Heavier beers, can't beat our soutern neighbours. High awesome factor as well as a lot are still brewed in abbeys

[Ibrahim]

Best regular beer comes from the Chech-republic. Heavier beers, can't beat our soutern neighbours. High awesome factor as well as a lot are still brewed in abbeys

yeah, a professor of mine (a German), swears by its taste.

[Moros]

Heavier beers, can't beat our soutern neighbours. High awesome factor as well as a lot are still brewed in abbeys

Don't be fooled though. Many just have a bought an abbey's name and nothing more (Leffe is a prime example). Though of course there are quite a few which are actually brewed by monks or supervised by monks.

[Fragony]

Don't be fooled though. Many just have a bought an abbey's name and nothing more (Leffe is a prime example). Though of course there are quite a few which are actually brewed by monks or supervised by monks.

Had a great store in my street that didn't let you leave before you heard everything there is to know about the beer you bought, passionate guy. He didn't make it sadly but he had some great beers, a little bit too expensive for a small town like Amersfoort, not enough of a customer-base to make it work. Fake or not, Leffe Dubbel is still one of my favourits, doubles tend to get a bit too sweet usually, Leffe Dubbel has a pleasent bitterniss that makes it really easy to gob up

[Moros]

Had a great store in my street that didn't let you leave before you heard everything there is to know about the beer you bought, passionate guy. He didn't make it sadly but he had some great beers, a little bit too expensive for a small town like Amersfoort, not enough of a customer-base to make it work. Fake or not, Leffe Dubbel is still one of my favourits, doubles tend to get a bit too sweet usually, Leffe Dubbel has a pleasent bitterniss that makes it really easy to gob up

My friend and I once wrote a column on Belgian beers in a student paper for foreign students in Leuven. Which meant every month we had a meeting with such a guy who gave us a lot of information, history, background stories and anecdotes as well on quite a few beers of some category (every month a different one). And of course we could all taste them free of charge. Best job I ever had. I didn't get paid, but still.

[rvg]

I never understood beer. It's just not my thing, I guess. A good red wine goes nicely with a steak, Coke & Brandy on the rocks is always a great way to relax at night. Beer? It's just bleh.

[Fragony]

Also more of a wine guy. A cold beer can at times be devine though, on a warm day or after some hard labour it's the mana of the gods

[Kurando]

For me beer is all about pairing... Beer and nachos, beer and pizza, beer and a cheeseburger. IMO beer makes a good meal much better!

[rajpoot]

beer and a cheeseburger

A large cheeseburger with a pint of strong beer is on my list of the best meals I've ever had.