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Friday, June 20, 2008

Beer Spree

Around Chez Alworth, we have no hard-and-fast rule against profligate beer buying, yet I try to moderate my purchases. Since dropping $15 on a wee dram of spontaneously-fermented kriek is an out-of-budget expense, I don't do it often. However, a few months ago, thanks to my superior insight as a basketball prognosticator, I came into some March Madness cash. A hundred and fitty. I may not spend it all on beer, but since it's found cash, I'm gonna go on a spree.

But which beers?

I appeal to you all: which world, national, and local classics do you consider must-tries? Jon has his list, but I've never really thought it through. I recognize that not every beer I should try is on the classic list (Hoegaarden Wit ... yawn.) But others, like Orval, do make my cut as one of the world's best. That beer I reviewed last week (Taras Boulba) was so new the brewers haven't even gotten their own facility yet, and it would be a respectable recommendation. There are at least a dozen world-class beers brewed right here, too.

For what it's worth, if someone asked me this, I'd offer this list (excluding locals, which don't require a spending spree):
  • Budweiser Budvar
  • Cantillon Rose de Gambrinus
  • Coniston Bluebird Bitter
  • Saison Dupont
  • Duvel
  • Fuller's ESB
  • Guinness Extra Stout
  • Hanssen's Oudbeitje
  • Huyghe Delerium Tremens
  • Orval
  • Rodenback Grand Cru
  • St. Peter's Porter
  • Verhaeghe Duchesse De Bourgogne
As you can see, my tastes tend toward the Flemish. I would easily double or treble the list if I added domestics (the US is now rivaled by only Belgium in the sheer number of world-class beers it produces). Not limiting yourself to foreign styles only, or even those available in the US, on which beers should I absolutely, positively spend my hoops lucre?

10 comments:

  1. How about Allagash Curieux, or any of the other fine beers from their barrel-aged series?

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  2. Hennepin Farmhouse Saison from Ommegang.

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  3. I can't believe you left out Kingfisher!

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  4. I absolutely agree with Fred from the Wood - imo this beer will ultimately go down as one of the all-time great beers.

    I also think the Allagash is a good pick, but the Hugh Malone might be the pick there (although you can't really quibble with the Curieux)

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  5. I would add the Lost Abbey collection which you can pick up in Washington at Buy the Bottle. I'm partial to the Red Barn myself.

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  6. And speaking (loosely) of Lost Abbey, you might also consider a bottle of the Tomme Arthur / De Proef collaboration 'Signature Ale'.

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  7. Or any of Russian River's Belgian eries, though they can be tough to lay hands on in this neck of the woods.

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  8. Thanks, guys. Allagash is a good idea--they've had national attention for years now, and I've been neglectful. Hennepin is an amazing beer and very closely rivals Dupont (apostasy notwithstanding). Fred from the Wood--I'll try to track it down. I'll check out Lost Abbey if I can find it.

    Kingfisher ... no.

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  9. I know this thread has probably reached the end of it's lifecycle, but I can't resist adding one more that I just tried: Avery's 15th Anniversary beer, fermented with 100% brett; very nice if you like that sort of thing.

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