"Beer is Proof That God Loves Us and Wants Us to Be Happy" - Benjamin Franklin

Post by: Kingpin

There's nothing I love more after a long day than an ice cold beer. While the mainstream world of Budweiser, Coors, Pabst Blue Ribbon, and Miller dominates the market, there is a whole variety of microbrews out there to suit different tastes. I would like to share my favorites with you, and I have divided them up by type of beer. I have also included an epic fail section for beers that don't make the mark. I will keep updating this post each time I try a new beer that makes or breaks.

Amber Ale
Leinenhugel's Classic Amber: 
★ ★ ★ ★
  
Black Lager
Samuel Adams Black Lager: A thick, dark beer with a very slight chocolate/malt taste. One of my favorite Samuel Adams beers.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★


Yuengling Black and Tan: When it comes to cheap beer, you cannot go wrong with Yuengling Black and Tan. It offers a delicious flavor, but it will not hit your wallet quite as hard as the other beers on this list. If I need to conserve a few extra dollars, I will usually buy Yuengling Black and Tan.
★ ★ ★ ★
 
Imperial Stout

Sweetwater Happy Ending: I did not know love until I tried Sweetwater Happy Ending. Aside from the 9% alcohol by volume, it is a bold, full figured, dry, tasty imperial stout that all men worth their salt should try.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Samuel Smith's Imperial Stout (Import): 
★ ★ ★  1/2

India Pale Ale

Dogfish 60 Minute IPA: My favorite IPA, it has an aggressive, hoppy taste.

★ ★ ★ ★★ 
 

Dogfish 90 Minute IPA: Aggressive, hoppy taste, even more-so than the 60 minute. Not for wimps. The only downside is that it only comes in a 4 pack.

★ ★ ★ ★★ 

Sweetwater IPA: A great alternative to Dogfish if you love IPA but do not want to dish out the extra couple of bucks.
★ ★ ★ ★ 1/2 


Pale Ale
Flying Dog Pale Ale: A very tasty pale ale. Try it.
★ ★ ★ ★★ 

Magic Hat Almost Pale Ale: A delicious pale ale with blueberry flavor.
★ ★ ★ ★ 1/2 

Sweetwater 420: Very hoppy for a pale ale, and one of my favorites.
★ ★ ★ ★  
  
Pilsner
Samuel Adams Noble Pils: Sam Adams Noble Pils has a bright, lively flavor with a very, very slight citrus taste, which, along with the taste provided by the five Noble hops, makes for a delicious brew. 

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Pilsner Urquell (Import): 
★ ★ ★ 1/2


Other
Arrogant Bastard Ale: Brewed by the Stone Brewing Company in San Diego County, CA, this is one of my favorite strong-flavored beers. It has a very aggressive, hoppy taste, so wimps need not apply.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Sweetwater Blue: If you like fruity tasting beers, I'll cut you some slack on this one. Drink it, and you'll taste blueberries. And beer. Beerberry. Good stuff.
★ ★ ★ ★
 
Samuel Adams Octoberfest:  The best way to describe this beer is tasty. It's not too strong for wimps, not too light for strong beer lovers. 
★ ★ ★ ★  1/2


Leinenhugel's Fireside Nut Brown Ale:
★ ★ ★ ★


Warsteiner Premium Dunkel (Import):
★ ★ ★ ★

Newcastle Brown Ale: 

★ ★ ★ ★ 1/2 

Negro Modelo:

★ ★ ★  1/2

Sierra Nevada Glissade:
★ ★ ★ ★

Sweetwater Georgia Brown:
★ ★ ★ 3/4

Samuel Adams Coastal Wheat: The most unique-tasting beer I've ever tasted. It is light with a hint of lemon. A good thirst quencher.
★ ★ ★ ★

Duvel (Import): 
★ ★ ★ ★ ★   

Kirin Ichiban Special Premium Reserve: Let's not let the Japanese out-beer us, too. A great tasting beer. Not too strong, not too light, but lighter than Samuel Adams Octoberfest.
★ ★ ★ ★  
    
Epic Fails 
Hoegaarden Witbier-Biere Blanche (Import):  Fruity names for fruity beers applies to this import. It is a very light beer with a very slight, sweet, fruity taste.  

★ ★

Abita Pecan Ale, Abita Purple Haze, Most other Abita Brews: My biggest problem with Abita is that their beers taste watered down. Their varieties are good ideas, but the taste just isn't there. However, their Jockamo IPA is pretty good.

★ ★

McSorley's Irish Black Lager:  Thick and dark, but not near as good as Samuel Adams Black Lager.
★ ★ 1/2