Five Beers I Should Try?

[Lecterfan]

Well, the imminent likelihood of getting a small trickle of cash in the next week or so is increasing.

As such, I've promised myself to put aside around $60-80 to try a few decent ales (or lagers if so suggested). I haven't done this since I started brewing about 5 years ago. At the time I had no idea of anything (and not much has changed), but I went to my local DM's and got a duvel, some chimay and a few other odds and sodds that I can't recall.

Now I have a better idea of what I consider a worthwhile beer I am keen to do the same again. BUT I am putting out an appeal to some of the more wizened among you to give me a list of beers to try.

I want to experience something that is generally considered a peer/representative of it's style, something that will allow me to further understand different nuances between beers/hops/yeast (based on aftertaste, differences on the palate etc).

Sure I could go to DM's and just buy a heap that I liked the look of, but I don't have the budget for trial and error anymore and I have got heaps of good advice from everyone here so far.

Of course if you just want to all freight me a keg of your finest I will find the room and time to drink them hee hee.

Aaaaaaaaand....GO!

 

[Acasta]

I wont suggest anything, but i'd really like so see what gets suggested!

 

[schooey]

Fullers ESB is pretty much landmark for an ESB and is quite affordable.
Schneider Aventinus for a Dunkelweizen Doppelbock... not so to the style, but an awesome beer. If you can't get it, get the Erdinger Pikantus.
Sammy Smith's Oatmeal stout is a great beer.
Timmy Taylor landlord is a great beer, but those in the know tell me it's much better off cask.
La Trappe do a great dubbel and trippel

 

[Dazza_devil]

Timothy Taylor's Landlord
Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout
Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier
Duvel
Moo Brew Pale Ale

Of course there are a lot more but these are beers I'm glad I did try from a broad spectrum of styles.

 

[seemax]

The entire range of Sierra Nevada :chug:

 

[barls]

Duchesse de Bourgogne or Liefmans Goudenband for the ouid bruins.
cantillion for lambics
most of the other belgians are good but take some getting use to.

 

[np1962]

As you have not stated what styles you are interested in my best suggestion is to go to the AABC website HERE and download the style guide. After each style they have a list of commercial examples, choose the styles you like and go from there.
Do like Schooey's list though :icon_cheers:
Nige

 

[Cocko]

Shofer hoffer hefeweizen
Kooinda PA
Moo Brew PA
Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier Dunkel
Mountain Goat - surefoot stout

And if you want the top shelf:
Anything I brew

2c

 

[Cocko]

The entire range of Sierra Nevada :chug:

But only in the States IMO! - PA and CA etc have to be fresh to truly understand how good these guys are!

4c

 

[Back Yard Brewer]

Have had it a couple times, last one I bought from the Wheatie. Not cheap but an experience!! :icon_drool2: :icon_drool2:


BYB

 

[Lecterfan]

As you have not stated what styles you are interested in my best suggestion is to go to the AABC website HERE and download the style guide. After each style they have a list of commercial examples, choose the styles you like and go from there.
Do like Schooey's list though :icon_cheers:
Nige

Gday Nige, I purposefully didn't mention styles as I want everyones/anyones input and I am willing to try anything. I am eager to try new things, not just 5 pale ales or 5 stouts (for eg). The AABC list looks great - thanks for that, I'll give that a go, but as I am on a budget I figured I could do a quick factor analysis of all the suggestions and spend my cold-hard on a variety of brews that got a consensus from a forum of my peers.

Thanks everyone, keep 'em coming.

 

[haysie]

Byron Bay Pale Ale
Byron Bay Stone and Wood
Coldstream Chocolate Porter
Coopers Red
Hoegaarden

 

[seemax]

But only in the States IMO! - PA and CA etc have to be fresh to truly understand how good these guys are!

4c

Agreed... I was there end of last year for work, oh what a bender that was.... but, yes fresh is best.

 

[InCider]

Harvestoun Old Engine Oil,
Little Creatures Bright or Pale ale...

 

[dcx3]

Raging bull

 

[haysie]

Harvestoun Old Engine Oil,
Little Creatures Bright or Pale ale...

avatar :icon_cheers:

 

[Lecterfan]

Raging bull

Is that Raging BUll as in the black/stout from Bootleg Brewery in Margaret River? If so, BIG +1 from me hee hee :icon_chickcheers:


.....if not, then please elaborate

 

[petesbrew]

Harvestoun Old Engine Oil,

+1 (got it from 1st choice)

Leffe Blonde
Kozel Dark Lager
A german hefeweizen
Youngs Special London Ale (but my clone was better :icon_drunk: )
And if you happen to get to a GOOD bottlo, Cantillon Rose Gambrinus (lambic framboise) -- the cantillon's are so sour they'll give you an ulcer, but they're worth it!

 

[bluebetty]

For what it is worth

Orval
Anything from Cantillon
Hargreave Hill ESB
Newcastle Brown
Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier

 

[waggastew]

I have been doing a bit of taste testing of late too. I justify it as research and figure the cost is more than off-set by the cheaper cost of making homebrew.

Below is a quick list of beers that I think deserve some investigation and most are popular targets for HB clones. They are probably at the more obvious end of the spectrum but that doesn't make them any less tasty! Most are Aussie (a credit to the improving Oz beer scene) are all available from DM.

Wheat Beers
- Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier
- Hoegaarden witbier

Pale Ales
- Little Creatures Pale Ale
- White Rabbit Dark Ale

Dark/Strong Beers
- James Squire Porter
- Coopers Best Extra Stout
- Chimay Red Belgian Dubbel
- Coopers Strong Vintage Ale
- Wicked Elf Mad Abbott Triple

Funnily enough I am yet to drink any lagers that are really worth tasting. I think thats more where I am at in terms of taste rather than a lack of good ones out there.