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Originally posted by BinDerSmokDat:
Another favorite is Ommegang Abbey, a Trappist Belgian that goes great with savory and roasted dishes, as well as cigars! It's made in Cooperstown NY.

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While in Cooperstown this summer, I visited the brewery and did a little tasting and a brief "tour". Ommegang brews several varieties - Weissbier, Hennepin, Rare Vos, Abbey Ale, Three Philosophers (I think there's a 6th?). After sampling them all, I wasn't able to pick a favorite, so I came home with a 750ml of each. All EXCELLENT, all gone...
BTW, you can find them cheaper outside the factory - I paid $5-6 a bottle at the brewery, saw them for $4 at a local distributor. Look for them and give them a shot - can't go wrong.

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Originally posted by jamesdrums66:
As far as another good stout goes...look for Sam Smith oatmeal stout or Youngs double chocolate stout...Rouge chocolate stout to name a few.

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Got some Young's double chocolate in the fridge waiting for the right opportunity - can anyone recommend a smoke to pair with them?

Had quite a few Young's Oatmeal Stouts at Club Macanudo a month or so ago - great stuff.

For the record (I'm sure I'll catch flak for this!): Call me a heathen, but I much prefer Watney's Cream Stout to Guinness. It's more caramel and vanilla than chocolate and coffee.

What a great thread. I will be bookmarking that site if I go to pitt any time soon.

A local brew house (now closed down) used to make something called Peggy's Blonde Ale. This was the best beer EVER! Light in color, but thick as can be and with a heck of a punch. One and I was gone... Anyway, has anyone heard of it or do you suppose it was just a "house thing"?

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Originally posted by jessiesgirl:
A local brew house (now closed down) used to make something called Peggy's Blonde Ale. This was the best beer EVER! Light in color, but thick as can be and with a heck of a punch. One and I was gone... Anyway, has anyone heard of it or do you suppose it was just a "house thing"?

Jessiesgirl,
I have not heard of that beer before but sometimes those "house" beers are great.

Lancaster Malt Brewery in Lancaster, PA. It's always been on one of my favorite places ever. Good food, good beer, good everything. Check it out.

here's another....
www.pennbrew.com

this brewery has some of the best german styles out there. The brewery is located 2 minutes from PNC park & Heinz field...

Hey Jimmy!
What do you think of the seasonal releases from Sam Adams? I bought a 6 of the Spring Ale and I was rather mystified. Not bad, but not WOW either. But you ARE the Beer Man, so that's your cue...

Sam's summer ale is real good. They also have a chocolate bock that is incredible. That runs over $200.00 a case. I like Sam lager. For a massed produced beer I think they are one of the best. We just recieved a sample case of a new line from sam...a porter. Looks good, have one in my fridge, haven't tried it yet though. I'll keep you posted. I think the spring ale is okay. A little on the light side for me. If I'm in the mood for a not so heavy beer, I always grab a Hoegaarden....ever try one Andy?

James, the limit of my beer knowledge is limited to really basic stuff - Sam Adams, Becks and an Argentine one called "Quilmes" are about the limits of my excursions off the beaten path of Corona, Bud, Coors... you know, the supermarket stuff.

Out at BJs the other night I had a cask conditioned fuller IPA. It was only slightly carbonated and warm. It was pretty good stuff. A nice flavor with a slightly hoppy finish. I have never had a cask conditioned beer before.

Andy: Have you tried the Budweiser Select? I also enjoy the Seasonal releases of Sam Adams...my favorite being the summer ale.

Ladi

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Originally posted by andymiami:
James, the limit of my beer knowledge is limited to really basic stuff - Sam Adams, Becks and an Argentine one called "Quilmes" are about the limits of my excursions off the beaten path of Corona, Bud, Coors... you know, the supermarket stuff.

Sorry Andy....I'm a bit of a beer snob....
But try a hoegaarden when you get a chance. It's a belgium beer, readily available. Some others to look for, also pretty available
Sierra Nevada pale ale (usa)
Rouge Dead guy ale (or any Rouge brew, usa)
Tecate (good mexican beer, better than corona imo)
Stella Artoris (belgium)
Beck's premier light (brand new light beer!!!)
Beck's dark
if you happen to try any of these, let me know. Like to hear your opinion.

It's a deal. Thanks for the help. I have had Becks a number of times and enjoy it quite a bit. Tecate also, but more when I lived in Mexico - along with Negro Modelo (I think this is what it was called) - but Rouge Dead Guy???? Nope. Oh, I had an Abita or 3 before and too many Dixie Beers when living in New Orleans. Can't wait to try the ones you mentioned.

Stell artois is pretty good stuff. I like hoegarten too allright. They aren't my favorite but they aint bad either. For mexican beers I dig dos equis amber and tecate isn't bad. Pacifico is better. I am in love with chekvar for a lighter beer and I just found spaten that is awesome too. I am definitely not a beer snob. I will drink almost anything but I can tell the difference. Actually, the most exciting thing I have seen lately is a blonde beer from BJ's. It is great stuff as most of their beer is.

BJ's the wholesaler, like Costco?
What is it called?

No. BJs is a restraunt/brewery. I thought they were nationwide but I guess they only have them in Cali, Texas, Oregon, Nevada, and Colorado, Arizona, and Hawaii. They have killer pizza and the beer is good too.

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Originally posted by andymiami:
It's a deal. Thanks for the help. I have had Becks a number of times and enjoy it quite a bit. Tecate also, but more when I lived in Mexico - along with Negro Modelo (I think this is what it was called) - but Rouge Dead Guy???? Nope. Oh, I had an Abita or 3 before and too many Dixie Beers when living in New Orleans. Can't wait to try the ones you mentioned.

Yes, Modelo Negro is some good stuff. I like tecate and corona also, but the best surpize I had when drinking in Mexico is the Bohemia. Its a little darker and has a nice hoppiness, I really liked it.

PMP, did you ever try some of that Grolsh Blonde Lager. If you like Blondes, you'll like that one. Shiner blonde is also good one, its a czech style Pilsner.

another excellent blonde is Abby de Leffe....they also make brown as well. It's another belgium

Well, after an insane day of work, I stopped by my local Publix (a supermarket here in FL)and picked up a 6 of Grolsch Blonde Lager as well as a 6 of Grolsch Amber Ale. I tried one of each so far and they are both really good. Wasn't Grolsch the beer that used to come in a bottle with a special ceramic top that made it look like a Mason Jar type thing?
Thanks again for the suggestions. I will check out a bigger store for the other brands you all mentioned

you are right sir!

keep me posted on that, Andy. BTW...did you ever get to the mandingo?