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Breweries

#41
Pilgrim said:
Amen. There are a couple of local versions here that are like having a drill bit run up each nostril. Great for opening up the pipes, but DANG - too bitter.....
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And I believe that’s the issue.....the hops are in no way subtle. In reality, it is smacked on the label as a symbol of pride when it is, to me, a warning.

Of course, it wasn’t always the case, and I do still appreciate a well hopped beer, it’s just the fact that they have turned into what should, in my opinion, be a specialty beer into a main offering. Especially when they enter high gravity territory.....it’s just not good. I view them as a Summer beer, and a lower alcohol content should go hand in hand with a Summer beer. But, I guess that’s a whole other issue altogether.
 
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#42
Member8675309 said:
And I believe that’s the issue.....the hops are in no way subtle. In reality, it is smacked on the label as a symbol of pride when it is, to me, a warning.

Of course, it wasn’t always the case, and I do still appreciate a well hopped beer, it’s just the fact that they have turned into what should, in my opinion, be a specialty beer into a main offering. Especially when they enter high gravity territory.....it’s just not good. I view them as a Summer beer, and a lower alcohol content should go hand in hand with a Summer beer. But, I guess that’s a whole other issue altogether.
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I'm a believer in the concept of balance when it comes to beer recipes. The hops' primary purpose is to balance the sweetness of the malt with their natural bitterness. An excess of malt makes the beer heavy with an over-filling body. But an excess of hops buries all other taste factors. You might as well just make tea out of hop cones and drink it along with a shot of vodka.
 
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#43
hbarcat said:
I'm a believer in the concept of balance when it comes to beer recipes. The hops' primary purpose is to balance the sweetness of the malt with their natural bitterness. An excess of malt makes the beer heavy with an over-filling body. But an excess of hops buries all other taste factors. You might as well just make tea out of hop cones and drink it along with a shot of vodka.
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Hmmmmm, sounds like an idea.
 
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#44
Member8675309 said:
Hmmmmm, sounds like an idea.
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At the risk of taking this thread further off the rails, I will say that I've done this before as a bed time sleep aid. I grow my own hops and always have more than I need for beer making. Substituting a single hop cone for a bag of tea makes a cup of hop tea that promotes sleepiness. It will taste very bitter, so a bit of sugar helps balance the taste. I prefer a spoonful of honey. And a jigger of bourbon.
 
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#45
The first brewery I ever visited was the Sudwerk in Davis, CA. I don't know if they still have them, but they had these huge open fermentation tubs behind glass, in a tiled room. That was impressive.
 
#46
I've been a bit of a Stone fanboy since I've been legal drinking age, but my favorite overall is probably Real Ale from down here in TX. I love visiting their taproom out in the hill country whenever I get out that way.

I also love North Coast, bury me with a bottle of Old Rasputin.
 
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#47
hbarcat said:
At the risk of taking this thread further off the rails, I will say that I've done this before as a bed time sleep aid. I grow my own hops and always have more than I need for beer making. Substituting a single hop cone for a bag of tea makes a cup of hop tea that promotes sleepiness. It will taste very bitter, so a bit of sugar helps balance the taste. I prefer a spoonful of honey. And a jigger of bourbon.
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You can also make a pillow from your excess hops. It's a traditional sleep aid...

I have 4, but only the Tett is really happy. Gah, I have to get poles up, like, now. But first, play the farmers market and hope the tent holds (big wall of green on the radar coming at us.)
 
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#48
Right now I'd say:

1. Zoiglhaus, their German-style Pils and Schwarzbier are very close to authentic.
2. Sierra Nevada, I just love Torpedo, Sidecar, Celebration Ale, Narwhal, Big Foot, Summer Ale, what have you.
3. Georgetown Brewing, Bodhizafa, Lucille, Citrus Galaxy IPAs are all up my alley.
 

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