Cool pictures. I have only bought Shiner Kölsch in the bottle in the second photo. I have not seen the other version before. I believe Shiner Kölsch is available from March to September.

I used to buy it by the case.

[This message has been edited by exige (edited 11/1/2010 12:26a).]

Anyone tried this beer?










[This message has been edited by exige (edited 11/1/2010 7:37a).]

I don't think Shiner makes the Kolsh anymore. I haven't seen it in a year or two.

My wife sometimes surprises me...she brought home a case of "Beers of Mexico" containing 4 labels. My grading of these on 1 to 5 scale:

Tecate: 1
SOL: 1
Dos Equis green bottle: 3
Dos Equis brown bottle: 4

Shiner decided to replace the Kolsch with the Smokhaus since they have limited capacity. That was a horrible decision but I know that they aren't as big on making ales.

The Kolsch was one of my favorites from them, and now if I want it I have to buy the St. Arnolds version.

To me the Smokhaus just proves the point that mesquite wood gives too bitter of a taste to whatever you smoke with it. I am a oak man from here on out on my pit.

Also, I have one of the Horny Toad on the cactus Shiner Summer tap handles. My favorite one of the bunch and so glad I got it before they went away.

exige-

Me too. I wish they'd bring it back!

rln_'01 Whoop!

so i'm still a novice beer drinker, trying to find my 'niche' in the world of fermented godliness

i bought some of these the other day and fell in love immediately



based on this, what higher-echelon beers should i try next?

What did you like about it?

honestly, most everything about it was above average to me. enough carbonation and full enough body that it felt like it had some substance to it, creamy with a not-too-bitter aftertaste, darker/stronger i guess than the bock that i've quaffed many a time

tbh i would probably have liked the strength of it to be kicked up a notch* but as it is, it had a very good drinkability to it

*i had a 22oz Arrogant Bast-ard Ale a few weeks ago and loved every bit of it, if that helps

[This message has been edited by unicyclist_ag (edited 11/1/2010 7:40p).]

I feel like I'm the only person in the world that really hates Arrogant *******.

It is quite doubtful that you have the taste or sophistication to be able to appreciate an ale of this quality and depth

I'm going to remember that you said that.

uni...try an Ayinger Celebrator if you haven't tried it yet.

never even heard of it, i'll make a note and keep an eye out next time i'm at Specs, thanks!

wow just checked spec's site, 12.50 a bottle?? i'm still on a college budget

nvm i can't read, it's 12.50 per 4-pack, that's reasonable

[This message has been edited by unicyclist_ag (edited 11/1/2010 11:30p).]

quote:

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I feel like I'm the only person in the world that really hates Arrogant *******.

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You are not alone, that stuff tastes like shi*.

I tried a bottle of 1554 last night. Mmmm.
It could have been hoppyier, and have more carbonation, but it was so smooth. I was anticipating less subtlety from a black ale.

I also tried Raci-Jacyi's recommendation, Kona Brewing Co. Pipeline Porter. It was right after the 1554, and the color was about the same, but the bubbles hesitated even more after pouring. While I detected a tiny amount of hops, the combination of sweetness and coffee tasted like I had poured it in the morning's coffee cup without rinsing it out. Oh well, their Fire Rock Pale Ale and Longboard Lager are pretty good. I think a Bass Pale Ale palette cleanser was completely justified. Oh, has anyone found their Big Wave Golden Ale???

1554 and the porter are malty styles, they aren't supposed to be hoppy.

[This message has been edited by 62strat (edited 11/2/2010 7:20a).]

I agree with Jayci in that I love Kona porter. I am also waiting for the New Republic guys here in town to nail down their Cafe au lait beer recipe.

That being said I think I am making a coffee porter next. Time to order from Austin!

Also if you are still in CS Uni, I wouldn't mind meeting you at Obannons, explaining the styles and making some suggestions based on what you like.

Dallas here. Went to Central Market to see if there was anything new and enjoyed the following last night for the first time: (with comments from website)

- Deschutes Jubelale (Seasonal)- Perfect for a cozy winter gathering, Jubelale is a festive ale characterized by a large malt body balanced with hop bitterness derived from a variety of American & European hops. Enjoy this celebrated seasonal tradition.
IBU’s 60| Alcohol by Vol. 6.7%

MY NOTES - I expected more of a spice to it for being a winter ale, but happily it was very toned down. I thought it was an excellent beer with obvious hops bitterness (as Deschutes loves) but more bold maltiness than expected.

- Deschutes Hop Trip - Deschutes' brewers took the journey over to the Willamette Valley to pick an abundant amount of the freshest whole leaf Crystal hops straight from the vines of Doug Weathers' farm. The return trip to Bend was greeted with a homecoming welcome as the hops were immediately added to the boiling brew kettle. All together, there are seven pounds of hops per barrel. A brisk hop flavor is created with a finish of soothing bitterness from the fresh hop oils.
IBU’s 20| Alcohol by Vol. 5.0%

- Real Ale Oktoberfest



[This message has been edited by p-wonk01 (edited 11/2/2010 11:24a).]

You are aiming low unicyclist. Get the Real ale sampler. Try some st arnolds. Shiner is better than the 3 bigs, but its a stretch to call it craft beer, imo.

Edit for the damn phone aut ocorrects!

[This message has been edited by doubleag91 (edited 11/3/2010 12:04p).]

doubleag - i wouldn't say i'm "aiming" for beers of Shiner quality, i really am just a horrible novice when it comes to the world of good beer. haven't had much exposure yet to the "real stuff"

i do see Real Ale and St. Arnold mentioned quite frequently on Texags, i'll try to find some samplers next time i'm out buying

I prefer real ale to st. Arnold by a long shot.

Also check out Serria Nevada beers. Their pale ale is highly regarded as the American standard for pale ales.

Sierra Nevada IMO is the best brewery in America. There may be others with better single beers, but nobody can match their linup:
Pale Ale: One of the best & most well known.
Torpedo (IPA): A notch below the best but very solid.
Kellerweis(Hefe): One of the best American Hefes... right up there with the Germans IMO.
Porter: I'm not an expert on this style, but this beer is very good!
Stout: Very smooth & not too heavy, plenty of taste.

The seasonals are great too!

[This message has been edited by Apache (edited 11/3/2010 6:55a).]

Celebration and Bigfoot are excellent.

Sierra Nevada just doesn't do it for me. I've had their pale ale and stout. I'm not sure what it is but the finish doesn't sit well on my palate. It has a VERY metallic finish to me to the point of killing my taste buds about 1/3 into the beer. The first 1/3 tastes great until I swallow.

I've tried the Pale Ale and Stout at least three times. O well.

I have a strange relationship with S.N. I am a hop head, and have come across only two pale ales or ipa's that I don't like, harpoon IPA, and SNPA.

However, I think their torpedo is escellent.

I'm guessing they use different hops.. the grain bill is surely similar., and every bomber I've had of theirs, I liked a lot.

so go figure, the second highest selling craft beer in the USA, SNPA, is a pale ale, and I don't like it.

BTW, #1 is sam adams boston lager, which I hardly even think should be labeled a craft brew.

quote:

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I am a hop head

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Try these two from Deschutes:

Hop in the Dark...outstanding
Hop Trip (see above)

Saint Arnold's Xmas is out.

Sailing Santas this weekend!!

quote:

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Hop in the Dark...outstanding

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I saw this bottle on the shelf in Spec's this morning and lol'd.