Cigar Social Network

Your favorite beer

This is the toughest question for a beer drinker, and one that may change as life goes on, but everybody has a favorite.

I discovered my new favorite recently when I was on a trip to Toronto to visit friends. We ate dinner at the Beer Bistro on King Street in a private room after going to see a hockey game, it was an amazing experience and I got to go through 18 bottles of beer from all over the world that night. If you are ever in Toronto, be sure to stop by the Beer Bistro, http://www.beerbistro.com/.

Anyway, so, being a guy who was born and raised in Missouri, I have an affection for Boulevard beer. My favorite for regular drinking is without a doubt Boulevard Lemon Wheat. I'm also a big fan of Samuel Adam's Chocolate Stout, but that's another story.

I have found something that has taken the crown from Boulevard in my mind:

Samichlaus Bier from Brauerei Schloss Eggenberg

It's a doppelbock, or double bock, and advertises itself as once being the strongest beer in the world. This stuff is sweet, but with a bit of bitter hops undertone, but oh so sweet. It's like nectar. It is definitely strong though, both in flavor and alcohol content.

Funny thing, one of the friends I met in Toronto is German and told me the name translates to Santa Claus Beer. He said according to the story on the back that the beer was brewed only once a year on December 6th to be drank on Christmas of the next year. My bottle was of 2006 vintage, so was fairly young. According to some reviews online, the flavor gets creamier and sweeter (if that's even possible) as the beer ages. It is brewed at Castle Eggenberg in Austria.

So, post your favorite beer, where you discovered it, and some information about it. I'll make an attempt to acquire and try anything you all suggest with time permitting.

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Permalink Reply by Tony Giovanni on February 25, 2008 at 7:36pm

First total Kudos to the 18 beers man, second I lived in Branson for a few years and can swear the only beer those guys drank was BUD, third that beer sounds great I'm looking to increase my beer knowledge and the fact that it is a high alcohol brew makes it even better. The website you gave can lead me to this beer?

Permalink Reply by Tyler Duzan on February 25, 2008 at 11:06pm

Well, Beer Bistro has it, but I'm not sure if any of my favorite internet dealers carry it or not yet. I'd look on internetwines.com or beergeek.biz. They tend to have a lot of stuff, and I've bought things through them before with a good experience. Actually, a quick look shows that both carry Samichlaus Bier and Beer Geek has Abbot Ale as well. Looks like I'm doing a virtual beer run pretty shortly ;)

Permalink Reply by Paul on February 25, 2008 at 9:15pm

It's simple. Abbot Ale. Best place to get it used to be the Tickell Arms. Looks like its disappeared up its own arse, which is a bit of a shame. Alternatively try any pub in Cambridge that sells Greene King

Permalink Reply by Charming Karl, Cookie King on February 26, 2008 at 1:08pm

Surprisingly, for me this is an easy question to answer:

My favorite is De Dolle Extra Export Stout, from Essen Belgium. Discovered it in my local beer heaven, Bierkraft, on 5th avenue in Brooklyn. It's a pricey one at $7.50 for a .33 liter bottle. But for an occasional trip to nirvana, nothing does the trip better. Creamy, rich, not too bitter, very spicey, flavorful. Never had one with a cigar, but then I don't smoke in my apartment.

Other close seconds are Corsendonck ale and Dragon Stout from Jamaica.

Permalink Reply by Fenian on March 12, 2008 at 1:07pm

Man...that is a difficult question. So many I love.

I guess you have to go with the beer that is always your stand-by. The one that you drink the most of. The one that led you down the path of trying good beer.

For me....it's Guinness.

There are many beers I love, and drink regularly, and will go out of my way to get. But you will alwys find Guinness in my beer fridge.

Permalink Reply by Tony Giovanni on April 7, 2008 at 9:36pm

I am now going to say that Holy Mackerel out of the Florida Brewing Company is by far the best beer I have ever drank.

Permalink Reply by TokyoKris on April 7, 2008 at 10:22pm

Do I have to pick one?

Chimay Blue
Delirium Tremens Noël
Duvel

Permalink Reply by Tony Giovanni on April 7, 2008 at 10:39pm

nope, in my world all beer is great beer, well with some exceptions and I'm sure you know what I mean. We want to know your favorites or any great beer you have tasted that we can all try. Thanks for joining the group, if you like wine we have another group for that.

Permalink Reply by Casa De Sanchez on April 28, 2008 at 1:35pm

well lets see this is a real hard one. well i live fairly close to two good micro brewery's and if i had to choose my favorites from each it would be the Stone Arrogant Bastard Ale Oaked a great aged ale and also their levitation ale is great, actually have a growler of this in the fridge right now for later. The other micro brewery is Port brewing co. also real close to my house and from them and from them I'm really digging the wipeout IPA very hoppy but finishes very smooth and Ive always been a fan of their Carlsbad Cronic. and If any of you guys are ever in NorthCounty San Diego you need to check out Stone Brewery they give kick ass tours of their brewery and the merchandise is pretty cool too. (http://www.stonebrew.com/).

Permalink Reply by Tony Giovanni on April 28, 2008 at 3:03pm

is that the Stone Brewery in SD, I read about them in Beer Advocate Magazine and wish they had a supplier on the east coast, I would love to sample some of their brews.

Permalink Reply by Casa De Sanchez on April 29, 2008 at 3:49pm

yes its in San Diego.. really they don't supply to east coast? thats too bad they have really good beers...

Permalink Reply by Tony Giovanni on May 5, 2008 at 11:25pm

Let's Make A Deal, you ship me some great beer and I'll ship you some great cigars, just name your price.