In Reply To #1 I try to bring a high quality rare beer to parties and gatherings. If the people know beer and you bring a BA Speedway stout to share, you can't lose.

I opt for good beer. If I am going to a party I often will take good beer. The first time I did this the host thought that I was being a snob and bringing my own. I had to explain that this was a thanks for inviting us gift for them. I just gave a friend who is a beer fan a bottle of 3 P's I figure if you are going to give beer may as well give the good stuff. As to the rare stuff I like that too but am more apt to try that myself or set up an exchange for beers I can't get.

I don't really mind trying any beer once. Though I'd prefer to drink good stuff, I try not to complain if I end up with crap, as long as I get to try something new.

Yeah drinking bad beer sucks. Really puts me in a bad mood if I drink too much of it.

I've had some microbrews, but I guess you'd have to define "rare". Guess it just depends on what kind of beer-person you are. For instance, I love damn near every beer I try. Unless it's swill, the chances are I'll rate it high. But casually? I drink good beer. Guinness, Sam Adams, Bass... they're mainstream, but there's no denying the fact that they're world class at the same time.

Well no doubt that at a taster, or under any circumstsance, I would prefer quality beer period. But having said that, I do have a philosophical difference with the notion of constantly seeking the best beer. I consider myself on a quest to try what's out there, not to find the most amazing brew ever made. In other words, I am on a quest, not necessarily on a quest for the best. I feel that sometimes it's fun to try something new from some far away land, or some rare freakish style - even if it's a grade A disappointment. So heck yeah, quality wins out in the end - but to me it's not everything.

I just bought 4 12-packs of beer for a party Saturday and I got Redtail Ale, Gordon Biersch Golden Pilsner, Sam Adams Light for the fatso's and Corona. I think those are mostly quality beers that are tasty or in demand enough(Corona) to be satisfactory but, fuck it gents, they were all on sale at my local supermarket. That has to count for something,eh?

I like to try any new beer weather it turns out bad or not. Its the trying of anything new or rare that I enjoy. However anything that I happen to bring will be something unique which I consider to be above average not just rare.

I still have nightmares about that Samuel Adams Cranberry Lambic I tried. *shudder*

When I feel I need to bring some brew, I'll get something good that I know people will have a second glance at. The last get together I went to. I went down to the Grocery Store and got bought a sixer of Pilsener Urquell, a sixer of Heineken Dark, and two bottles of Duvel to try with the host, He liked them all.... Not bad beers at all, but far from rare!