People often ask, “What’s your favorite beer?” My standard “cop out” answers are, “Picking my favorite beer would be like picking a favorite from my 3 children.” Or, “The next beer I drink.”
Well, I was in historic Ellicott City for Midnight Madness and the question came up again. This time, I did not cop out but sort of stammered out something about Guinness. Maybe it’s time I came up with a better answer.
Enjoying a beer is very situational. For instance, Natty Boh is not a particularly good beer, but it is wonderful paired with steamed crabs on the back porch especially with family. Or the other day, I had a Troegs Mad Elf with friends and it was my favorite beer at that moment.
But, I’ll try to answer the question 2 ways. First, I’ll look at my postings from the social media app of beer lovers, uncappd; It is my inconsistent way of ranking and recording of my tastings over the years. As all of us, my tastes have evolved over time. I’ll try to end up with a definitive list of my top ten beers.
My top uncappd list is:
- Guinness Draught
- Southern Tier Choklat
- Guinness Original Extra Stout
- Brouwerij Liefmans Kriek Brut
- Unibroue La Fin de Monde
- Firestone Walker Parabola
- Tired Hands SaisonHands
- Tired Hands Gatherer
- Clown Shoes Pecan Porter
- Huyghe Brewery Delirium Black Barrel Aged
As I mentioned, my tastes have changed over time. Right now, I’m not the biggest fan of wheat beers; there’s something about the mouth feel that I find unpleasant. I do enjoy the really good ones like Allagash White and Hoegarden Wit. I’m just not a fan of rye beers. Although I love the taste and smell of coffee, my body no longer tolerates caffeine. So coffee beers like Founders CBS, and Flying Dog Kujo, which at one time I had a passion for, are no longer on my list.
And just one more qualifier. I’m the kind of person that has favorites but always wants to explore. For instance, hands down, my favorite ice cream flavor is black raspberry. I continue to have it a few times a year but I’m always willing to try an undiscovered flavor.
So, here’s my off the cuff list for today, December 9th, 2019.
- Guinness Stout Draught (with a shamrock on top)
- Bell’s Two Hearted IPA
- Heavy Seas Siren Noire
- Unibroue La Fin de Monde
- Tire Hands (any of their milkshakes)
- Burley Oak (any of their JReams, but must be on tap.
- Oskar Blues Old Chub on nitro
- Rodenbach Grand Cru – (well aged)
- Any beer I made with my kids
- Any homebrew given to me from my friends
- Firestone Walker Double Jack (retired)
This list is pretty fluid. I’m already questioning missing beers like Sam Smith’s Nut Brown Ale, Duval, Heavy Seas Olde Ale, Mad Elf, Victory Golden Monkey, Steinhart’s Tupelo Honey Stout, Unibroue’s Mautite and a well-aged Samichlaus. Consider them my honorable mentions, along with Jai Alai, Loose Canon, 60 Minute and Racer 5. What’s your list look like?
Cheers!
Warren