08-11-2002, 09:02 AM
I used to manage a liquor store...one of the biggest, if not THE biggest, in North Jersey. I probably tasted/got drunk off of every beer available in the area. I even met Michael Jackson (the beer guru, not the princess). Now I don't drink at all. I don't really miss being drunk, but I miss the taste of the beer.
For the best, gotta go with the Trappists - Chimay, Westmalle, etc. The other Belgians are great - Duvel, Lucifer, Hoegaarden...
German Weisse is nice...Franziskaner Hefeweizen especially
Microbrews are great of course, Dogfish Head out of Delaware made some excellent beers. If you ever get the chance to try Dogfish Head Blackfish, cut your arm off for it if you must. It's that Damn good.
As for brewing your own...I used to do it. It's an art, really, so don't be discouraged when your first few batches don't come out too well. It's easy to make your own beer, but it's not as easy to make GOOD beer. Ale takes a few weeks to ferment, so don't expect to buy the equipment today and start drinking your own shit tomorrow, but with some practice, time, money, and patience, along with the right resources, within a few months you should be on your way to brewing something halfway decent. Check the Ale Street News for places to buy homebrewing equipment...and good brewpubs, microbreweries, beer stores, and the like.
Being sober sucks ass...
For the best, gotta go with the Trappists - Chimay, Westmalle, etc. The other Belgians are great - Duvel, Lucifer, Hoegaarden...
German Weisse is nice...Franziskaner Hefeweizen especially
Microbrews are great of course, Dogfish Head out of Delaware made some excellent beers. If you ever get the chance to try Dogfish Head Blackfish, cut your arm off for it if you must. It's that Damn good.
As for brewing your own...I used to do it. It's an art, really, so don't be discouraged when your first few batches don't come out too well. It's easy to make your own beer, but it's not as easy to make GOOD beer. Ale takes a few weeks to ferment, so don't expect to buy the equipment today and start drinking your own shit tomorrow, but with some practice, time, money, and patience, along with the right resources, within a few months you should be on your way to brewing something halfway decent. Check the Ale Street News for places to buy homebrewing equipment...and good brewpubs, microbreweries, beer stores, and the like.
Being sober sucks ass...