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I was born in Germany, and as proud as I am to have started life in the land of Octoberfest, I've long since recognized that Belgium was the best beer nation in the world. Westmalle, Westvleteren, Chimay, Rochefort, Orval and Achel—God's love is in the beer from those abbeys. But while the Belgian company InBev recently bought that American icon of horse piss known as Budweiser, smaller breweries in the U.S. have made an argument that America is finally the true King of Beers. Here are five beers that help make the case:
Dogfish Head Worldwide Stout
Despite its massive 18-21% alcohol-by-volume (depending on age), this stout goes down
smoothly. The Delaware brewer has several beers that could have made
this list—the 120-minute IPA, Raison D'etre—but the Worldwide Stout is
among my favorite offerings of any style, any county.
Weyerbacher Imperial Pumpkin Ale
There are a lot of gross pumpkin ales in the world, but this Pennsylvania brewery has created the perfect balance of pumpkin/cinnamon/nutmeg flavors without losing sight that what you really want to taste is beer. They also make a delicious Quad.
Terrapin Gamma Ray
From the home of R.E.M. and the best college mascot on the planet comes a gigantic wheat beer "brewed
with a obscene amount of locally grown Tupelo and Sourwood Honeys from
Savannah Bee Company." Athens, Ga., just keeps getting better.
Oskar Blues Ten FIDY
Oskar Blues is single-handedly making the beer can cool again by
filling it with quality beverages—and by putting the Paste logo on several
million cans of Dale's Pale Ale. Their Ten FIDY, though, is a
draught-only stout with chocolate, coffee and malt overtones. And when
you get it with cherries, you really get it with cherries—you'll see
their remains lining your glass when you're through.
Three Floyds Dark Lord Russian Imperial Stout
OK, so I haven't tasted this last one (brewed with coffee, vanilla and
molasses), but it's among the highest rated American beers and it's
only available once a year—on "DarkLord Day" at the Three Floyds
Brewpub in Munster, Indiana. But that day, April 25, is coming up quickly. Get thee to Munster.
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One of my favs is Bell's Beer from Kalamazoo, Michigan. Oberon is a summer favorite that's arguably their most popular. I love their Cherry Stout and Hopslam Ale in the winter months.
Nice list - though I was disappointed to not see a Bell's beer listed - then was happy Heavy Liquid filled in that gap.
Bell's Amber is a staple in my diet.
I agree with the other comments. Bell's makes some pretty amazing beers. Thanks for featuring an Indiana Beer (Three Floyd's), they're one of a handful of very unique brewers in the state. Josh, I know how much you like Belgian beers, you should try Brugge Brasserie (www.bruggebrasserie.com) brewed in Indianapolis and Terre Haute, IN.
Good list, except for the Terrapin, which we refer to as "Terrible un." Honey in my beer? No thank you! Tastes like vomit and produces copious quantities of the same. Funny that Terriblun is associated with some sort of Athens cool amongst tourist douches, as the locals avoid that turtle urine at all costs. Terriblun has a reputation for inducing stomach cramps and the sh!ts. Heck of a way to ruin an evening out or a hot date: have a Terriblun or two and then spend the rest of the evening running to the bathroom to crap for the next several hours. Terriblun has truly earned it's name.
Who told you guys Ten Fidy is draught only? Nope - it's available in cans, too. Just bought some a few months back at the World of Beverage in Smyrna, and they were still stocking it last weekend when I was there and picked up a 4-pack of Oskar Blues' Gordon IPA.
I'm confused. REM comes from Athens, but Buzz is the mascot at Georgia Tech in Atlanta. Surely, you can't mean that other "school."
It's the Gamma Ray...not a GammY ray.
I do agree that it's fantastic though, as well as the new one from Terrapin called the Monk's Revenge.
And while I do love Weyerbacher...I'll pass on that pumpkin beer.
Bob, you are not "beer worthy" based on your idiotic remarks about Terrapin. I've been drinking Terrapin beer for most of this decade and so have many of my friends here in the ATL. I call BS on your claims as I have never heard of Terrapin causing anyone to run to the bathroom or vomit?? WTF?!? I am also calling you out as you probably work for a mediocre competitor and are jealous of the high-quality beers that Terrapin consistently produces. Or maybe you've been drinking nothing but Buttweiser your entire life and anything better causes your stomach to go into overload mode. I guess you didn't know that Terrapin won a Gold Medal in '02 at the Great American Beer Fest for their Pale Ale? That's MAJOR stuff right there! Terrapin is one of the best, hands down, and one of the most innovative breweries out there in my book. I posted a link to their web site which shows many of the accolades/press/awards they've received in the short time they've been in business. Read it and get a clue.
http://www.terrapinbeer.com/news/list
I have to concur with Bob - here in Athens nobody drinks "Terrible un" except maybe some sorority / fraternity douches. Bob said it tastes like vomit, not that it would make you vomit.
I gave terrapin 3 tries on 3 different occasions. It did not make me vomit. But it did make me and the people I was with each time go to the bathroom with cramps each time, within an hour each time. So, yes, "terrible un" is a beer we avoid. Unless I'm constipated, then I would probably give it another go to get things "moving" again.
As for the "gold medal" (seems like all beers have won a gold medal somewhere), I read that the judges at those beer contests don't actually drink the beer, the just swish it around and take a sip. "Terrible un" tastes OK, it's the ensuing cramps/craps that I have a problem with.
All you Terrapin haters, no matter what you think of the brewery, try the Gamma Ray.
And I must have been thinking about the Ten Fidy Cherries that's just on draught.
Jana,
I have never ever heard of this in my life and it doesn't even make any sense. There's nothing that drastically different between it and any other beers. Have you thought about your diet and everything else you eat?
And, Bob, are you 12? Your "terrible un" puns are pretty much the worst I have ever encountered. I've never heard one person ever say such a thing. So you don't like the beer. That's okay. But c'mon.
I personally know some of the Terrapin folks. I'm sure they are aware of any problems with their beer and are or will work on it to figure out what the problem is with some of the beers having a laxative effect.
The beers on this list are all pretty darn good. However, I'd add the following from Lakefront Brewery: the seasonal pumpkin and cream city ales. Both are excellent!
Well, I think Terriblun has a reputation for inducing stomach cramps and the sh!ts. Heck of a way to ruin an evening out or a hot date: have a Terriblun or two and then spend the rest of the evening running to the bathroom to crap for the next several hours, thanx.
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Well, Nice post, i really like the way you written, thanx for the share.
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