If everyone else likes it ...

When discussing and tasting beer from many different breweries, it seems like I am the only person not wild about Brewery X or Y.  I know I am not the only person that thinks that but I might be in the minority when it comes to my thoughts on the brewery.  No, I am not saying that the beer from the brewery is bad, but there are better beers out there.  Liking beer from a brewery or not is a personal opinion, but when the brewery in question garners rave reviews in print, online and from your friends, you may begin to wonder if you are crazy.  Do not worry you may be crazy, but probably not from disliking a brewery or a beer from a certain brewery.

For myself I have a few breweries that come right to mind: Brewdog from Scotland http://www.brewdog.com/, Mikkeller from Denmark http://www.mikkeller.dk/ and Nogne from Norway http://www.nogne-o.com/.  All have received rave reviews and much print about their beers.  I have tried numerous beers from each of these breweries and all of the beers were good, but none I would say outstanding.  They have made numerous out of the ordinary beers as well as beers to style.  Some of their beers include single hop IPAs, a coffee stout using coffee that was eaten by a civet, a 41% ABV quadruple IPA and numerous beers using herbs, spices and twigs.  Of the beers I tried all were good but none were awesome; however they are all sold at a premium price.  With that said to me it makes no sense to pay more for a good beer than an outstanding beer I all ready buy.

Also I find I have the same feelings about some flagship beers produced by some really good breweries.  A couple quick ones are Spotted Cow by New Glarus http://www.newglarusbrewing.com/index.cfm/beers/OurBeers/Beer/spotted-cow and Fat Tire by New Belgium http://www.newbelgium.com/beer/detail.aspx?id=7c5b394b-d7b7-486a-ac9a-316256a7b0ee.  Thankfully there are a whole bunch of people that love these beers, so that enables each brewery to produce all of the beers that I do like.

I am not saying that only my opinion counts, since I have friends that disagree with me on some of my favorite breweries.  One big one that comes to mind is Stone Brewing Company http://www.stonebrew.com/ and their flagship Arrogant Bastard.  To one friend the beer and brewery are good but nothing outstanding.  Needless to say each beer drinkers tastes are different and no one beer is better than any other.

That is pretty much my point that every beer drinker has their favorite beer or brewery and there is no right or wrong.  Another point is do not like a beer or brewery just because it seems like every other beer drinker loves a specific beer or brewery.  Believe it or not not every well reviewed beer or brewery is as outstanding as advertised.  Needless to say, like what you like and if you feel you are the only one that is not blown away by the beer, just remember more than likely you are not.

QC Beerguy

Time for something familiar

Every now and then I find my self just wanting a familiar beer or beer style for an enjoyable quaff.  Not that I do not enjoy the quest for those beers or beers styles that are extreme, different, hard to find or just down right odd.  Sometimes just kicking back and relaxing with a beer near and dear to my heart and palate can be as big of a thrill as finally cracking open a bottle of that rare Imperial Stout, Double IPA or that special Sour beer I have been searching for.  Even a run of the mill every day beer can be an adventure unto itself.

I came to these thoughts while I was enjoying my dinner with a personal favorite of mine, Schmaltz's Alt from August Schell Brewing http://www.schellsbrewery.com/ourbeers_info.php?id=9.  This is to me a wonderfully malty, slightly chocolatey alt beer, that I enjoy while it is in season.  Another "comfort" beer to me is Sam Adams Old Fezziwig Ale http://www.samueladams.com/enjoy-our-beer/beer-detail.aspx?id=93fe771b-3f68-4b4d-8de8-ebf83f9bff4e, another seasonal beer that I enjoy every time I have it.

I am sure that even the most intrepid beer explorer has to put their quest on hold to cleanse their palate and mind with an enjoyable "comfort" beer.  These time outs can be a great way to refocus and reevaluate what beers you are looking for.  The "comfort" beer does not need to be something exciting to anyone but yourself.  When the urge arises do not fight it go with the flow and have that very familiar, enjoyable "comfort" beer.  I know I am looking forward to later this year when I have my Dumbass  Kolsch on tap and I can just sit back and enjoy a couple of pints.

After I have quenched my desire for something familiar, I find I enjoy those new exciting beers even more.  So if you feel you have hit a wall in your quest, stop and enjoy a few "comfort" beers and refocus on your quest.  Then go out and hunt down those beers you desire.

QC Beerguy