Beer drinkers: I've got a question for you

[Hot_Sauce]

Do you think we are in a golden age right now?

I remember about 13 years ago thinking that we were. It was just the begining of the micro brew era. I thought that drinking Widmer Hefe, Alaskan Amber, Mac & Jac, Full sail Amber, Red Hook and a some other great mico's & Imports that tasted so much better than Domestics like Budwieser, MGD and Coors.

But since then there has been a bunch more great micro's and imports that have came along. And some different styles of beer that I never imagined are now available.

My tastes in beer have changed dramaticaly. There are so many great beers out there that I hope to try and with so much competition out there. I only expect thing to get even better. I have a feeling that this is a great time to be a beer drinker.

I'm just curious if your tastes in beer has changed do to this over the years as well? If so? How have they changed.

 

[cvm4]

Ahhh man great topic for the Beer Brothers of the Leaf social group :wink:

I think we're at an age and coming upon a time (3-5yrs) where beer won't be judged by the best brewery. It'll be segmented into the best brewer in a region. Then, of course you'll have those brewers who will be known for doing the best niche beer in craft brewing like a sour, barley wine, etc. That's how I see it, America cut into segments where each brewery beer of par with the next brewery in a different region. I could go further into it, but I'm drinking... :bottle:

 

[smokemifugotem]

Was thinking about this today...wondering if the major distributors are noticing a dip in sales in past year or so. Every time I walk into the beer store seems like there is always someone else buying micro brew and not very many grabbing the staple big brands.

 

[cvm4]

They are losing share... There only glimmer of hope is the emerging South American and Asian markets. The USA and Western Europe are fading at an alarming rate.

 

[smokemifugotem]

I was trying to explain this to my wife a month or so ago...hard to drink a corona these days when I can have flavor and substance for same price on most mico's here. Don't get me wrong...I can drink the living shit out a case of corona on a hot day on the boat...or a coors draft at the ball park...but not too many other places. Especially with restaurants now usually offering something from a local brew house.

 

[TheDudeAbides]

Ahhh man great topic for the Beer Brothers of the Leaf social group

He probably didn't get an invite either, Cliff:stickbeat

To the original question, I think what we're experiencing now is the result of a bunch of folks who also experienced that first wave of micros you mentioned, and have gone on to refine, and improve upon that ideal.
I'm glad you mentioned Full Sail, as that was the first beer I can remember tasting where I said to my 14 year old self "Why the hell don't they all taste like this?". That beer on a hot summer day in '95 or so is probably responsible for my current love of craft beer.
And to the point of changing tastes, as much as that Full Sail was a bellwether sorta moment, I really don't care for it at all anymore. I've just come to expect so much more from my beer.
-Dude

 

[gibbleguts]

They are losing share... There only glimmer of hope is the emerging South American and Asian markets. The USA and Western Europe are fading at an alarming rate.

I think the big brands have already seen that things are changing and their are some concerns that go with it. The big breweries have one thing that the small breweries don't have and that is big money. If they start to see too much of an impact they will buy up more craft breweries. Think Goose Island?

 

[NickThePyro]

I was trying to explain this to my wife a month or so ago...hard to drink a corona these days when I can have flavor and substance for same price on most mico's here. Don't get me wrong...I can drink the living shit out a case of corona on a hot day on the boat...or a coors draft at the ball park...but not too many other places. Especially with restaurants now usually offering something from a local brew house.

I've noticed the exact same thing. I turned 21 about half a year ago and since then I wont drink anything besides craft beers really. Right now I have a 24 rack of Fat Tire in my fridge along with a lot of craft brews. Nothing taste good anymore when it comes to your basic beers after you get accustomed to the dark side, no pun intended.

 

[cvm4]

Good point Aaron! They have money, but they also have logistics and huge R&D departments. I think the whole Bud/InBev deal will blow up with Inbev shedding Bud. We'll see... The shining star when it comes to big brewers buying up craft brewers will be Tenth & Blake which is a subsidiary of Miller/Coors. Watch and see!

 

[jimmypa]

For sure even hearddistributors pretty much quote that whereever I go

 

[KPP]

And to the point of changing tastes, as much as that Full Sail was a bellwether sorta moment, I really don't care for it at all anymore. I've just come to expect so much more from my beer.
-Dude

You and I have very similar taste and opinions on local beer Dude...

I used to think Full Sail was pretty damn good.

Now, however, when compared with some of the local Powerhouse breweries...and even the young up and comers....their stuff just can't hold a candle to em'. They pretty much all taste flat, watery, and lacking flavor.

Too bad really....but not sure if that is a shared opinion beyond you and I. They seem to do well.

Craft beer is certainly growing in interest.

But I think it comes with age honestly. I'm sure 85-90% of college kids out there are still drinking Coors Light/Busch Light/Bud Light. Once you get older, and begin to appreciate some of the finer things in life......(i.e. cigars, beer, scotch).....that's when we seek out things such as craft beer, fine single malts, and $7-10 smokes. There's no doubting there are more options now more than ever though. Whether that's going to make a dent in the domestic beer market....I doubt it.

When we see breweries like Sierra Nevada, or Dogfish head earn sponsorship for things like the NFL......then we'll know the switch has been flipped. I certainly would welcome it with open arms.

 

[W.B.]

My taste's have changed alot. The beers I first tried(pretty much the Big Three stuff) I hated and wondered why people even drank them apart from catching a buzz. Years past without drinking any beers and one day an old bud and I were hanging out and was introduced to Chimay blue. Ever since, my pallet has developed for the preference of the sweet complexities of very malty beer style like Dopplebock's and certain Trappist brews to where I'm at now enjoying R.I.S.'s, Barley wine's, Amber/Red's, certain pale ale's with a small to no bitter finish and various others. It sure has been great over that period of years, glad I got the interest at a time there's been a surge in growth in the craft brewing industry.

 

[NickThePyro]

But I think it comes with age honestly. I'm sure 85-90% of college kids out there are still drinking Coors Light/Busch Light/Bud Light. Once you get older, and begin to appreciate some of the finer things in life......(i.e. cigars, beer, scotch).....that's when we seek out things such as craft beer, fine single malts, and $7-10 smokes. There's no doubting there are more options now more than ever though. Whether that's going to make a dent in the domestic beer market....I doubt it.

From what I have seen in the Greek community at WSU the number realistically is around 98-99%. It is $16 in Washington for 30 cans of Busch Light which comes out to 53 cents a beer. The beer to cost ratio is so much higher on Busch compared to $3+ for a craft beer at the grocery store in town. When somebody can choose a six pack of cheap beer (~$3) or a single good beer you will almost never see people go for the good stuff. I know personally I am the only person in my Fraternity of almost 100 people who drinks craft beer outside of the bar.

 

[dabullup]

But I think it comes with age honestly. I'm sure 85-90% of college kids out there are still drinking Coors Light/Busch Light/Bud Light. Once you get older, and begin to appreciate some of the finer things in life......(i.e. cigars, beer, scotch).....that's when we seek out things such as craft beer, fine single malts, and $7-10 smokes. There's no doubting there are more options now more than ever though. Whether that's going to make a dent in the domestic beer market....I doubt it.

As a college student at Marshall University (Go Herd!) even I am realizing the switch happening. I throw in a dart league here so I have been In about every bar in the area at one point or another and I have seen the Tap collection go from American Style Light Lagers and the occasional Blue Moon/Shocktop to Micros from the area and further. The home bar we throw out of in the last year has went from 3 taps (bud lt, miller lt, and blue moon) to 17 Taps adding selections from Circus boy, Flying Dog, and assorted local beers. Another note, most bars are offering great drink specials to help establish a strong base for these beers. Tuesdays are $2 pint night, and Wednesdays are Mug Night. (You bring in a mug of your own up to 32 oz and the bar will fill it with any beer on tap for $1) When you can get 32 oz Flying Dog and Circus boy for $1 that is unbelievable! They offer 4 diff brews of each! Also We have 2 New Restaurants Opening up Pies and Pints, and Burritos and Brews. Both are going to have 32 Taps! Goes to show that even In Huntington, WV (def a college town) the market for a great beer is strong.

Also, many of my college buddies make routine trips to Lexington, Ky just to snatch some of the amazing Bourbon Barrel Ale's they have to offer!

 

[daniyal]

I'm still in the dark ages when it comes to beer Murree just isn't cutting it.

 

[mthhurley]

My first job out of college was working for Miller Brewing Company as a rep...so yea...selling and launching Red Dog and Icehouse were the highlights of my one year there. That job was the shiznit!

My gateway beer was Bass, then Sam Adams....all down hill from there.

 

[cvm4]

Also, many of my college buddies make routine trips to Lexington, Ky just to snatch some of the amazing Bourbon Barrel Ale's they have to offer!

Do explain... This is relevant to my interests :bottle:

 

[dabullup]

Do explain... This is relevant to my interests :bottle:

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eD95dPbME60"]Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale - A Timeless Tradition - YouTube[/ame]

Brewed by Alltech in Lexington. Such a nice change up to brews that we can get here. Runs about $12 for 4.

 

[cvm4]

Seriously, I have never heard of that... I thought they'd age it longer than 6 weeks??

 

[dabullup]

Shocked me to hear that as well. It's a pretty sweet ale, but still has a crispness to it. However, not dry by any means. Strong hints of oak and cinnamon, and of course the bourbon after-nodes. I believe it runs 8.5%. Not a great beer to switch from tho, it can be a tad bit overpowering.