quote: Originally posted by eaglefan538 quote: quote: quote: Originally posted by FoamDome Who hates Derek Jeter? Only jealous people, envious people, small-minded people who think it's unfair that so much talent, good looks, and wealth should be concentrated in one human being. Those people and people he has dissed. Same with Sam Calagione, the Bruce Springsteen of Brewers, the Notre Dame of Brewers. Haters gonna hate. I think Jim Koch is a hero, and BBC is a National Treasure. Sam Adams beers are all of good or great quality. But is BBC among the best in the US? No. And is Mr Koch a rock star / All Star / little school with 7K undergrads and more Heisman winners (7) than Florida State, Miami, Alabama, and Penn State combined? No. Can't stand the Yankees, but I have oodles of respect for Mr. Jeter. And DFH is nothing analogous to Mr. Jeter. Philly Phanatic: funny, but probably a better analogy. Jim Koch.... I'd totally respect his contributions to craft beer. Definitely has covered a broad range of styles, done quite nice with the standard Lager, and doesn't get ridiculous. Very drinkable stuff, sans.... Oops, I'm now thinking of the cranberry lambic.... well, maybe he does go over the top, but without the gimmicky bs, very passable. It is what it is. And he's representin' Boston.... a villain sports city to Philly.... Love his exposure to home brewers and their concoctions and taking those competition winners to market..... subtle marketing packs like colonial us beers are cool too.... neat stuff. One of the most under-rated brewers in the country.... cuz it is "big stuff" and "mass produced." The heck with that. Go, Jim! Adios megalomaniac, Sam C.

Sam is nothing more than a mascot of what "extreme" brewing is. He's a fancy, used-car salesman "rock star" (which, by the way makes me want to vomit every time I hear that term used...everyone's a rock star these days...Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift, the crew from that Jersey Shore show, etc...stop it already). He's never met a gimmick he doesn't like. I equate Jeter with the pro's pro. Never flashy (can't say that about Sam G.), always consistent (again, not Sam G.), more about the team than himself (Sam G. is all about his facetime) and always clutch. I like my Jim Koch analogy even more.

quote: Originally posted by slowrunner77 In response to the poll, I voted Stone, and right now that's the right call. I've had HUGE exposure to their bottles and some of their special stuff on tap and love sooo many of their brews. I'm hoping that a trip next month to Alesmith might do for them what my first trip to Stone did for them...they leapfrogged Deschutes as my favorite brewer. So much respect for several of these brewers, though. Founders? Awesome across the board. Bells turns boring styles (to me) like a brown ale into something really good (New Glarus Snowshoe Amber somes to mind too) as well as making some awesome top shelf stuff. Russian River makes what is among the best hoppy beers and the best sours on the planet. Deschutes Reserve line took an already great brewer to another level. Others not on the list but way up there IMO...The Bruery, Oskar Blues (limited exposure), New Glarus, Cigar City, Great Divide, Firestone Walker... God Bless America! [:D]

See, we *do* have lots in common too. Agree w/ just about everything you said. And for the distribution size and quality of representin', Stone was my other debated #1. Just couldn't abandon the quality of both sours and IPAs of RR, as those are two of my favorite available in the US styles.... if not favorite. Other breweries for consideration: Allagash, Jolly Pumpkin, Pizza Port/LA, Bear Republic (for anything hoppy that they make).

Great Lakes? Would it qualify for the "Other brewers" poll?

quote: quote: Originally posted by bluesandbarbq Great Lakes? Would it qualify for the "Other brewers" poll?

It should! I also vote for New Glarus, Great Divide, Boulevard and Hair of the Dog. For the current poll I went with Bells because I can get it. If I could buy regularly I would probably vote Alesmith or Russian River. 3F's, DFH and Rogue are all crazy expensive.

Lost Abbey/Port is probably still a fringe top 10 for me, but have dropped due to their quality control issues on premium price brews. The Bear is a top 20. I hope to get more and more barreled and wild stuff from them as they delve deeper into that arena. Totally agreed about RR...if they made a couple more malty brews, maybe a great impy stout and a barleywine, or a scotch ale, doppelbock...they might get my vote. But saying they are "one of the best" is pretty damn high praise too.

quote: Originally posted by eaglefan538 quote: quote: Originally posted by slowrunner77 In response to the poll, I voted Stone, and right now that's the right call. I've had HUGE exposure to their bottles and some of their special stuff on tap and love sooo many of their brews. I'm hoping that a trip next month to Alesmith might do for them what my first trip to Stone did for them...they leapfrogged Deschutes as my favorite brewer. So much respect for several of these brewers, though. Founders? Awesome across the board. Bells turns boring styles (to me) like a brown ale into something really good (New Glarus Snowshoe Amber somes to mind too) as well as making some awesome top shelf stuff. Russian River makes what is among the best hoppy beers and the best sours on the planet. Deschutes Reserve line took an already great brewer to another level. Others not on the list but way up there IMO...The Bruery, Oskar Blues (limited exposure), New Glarus, Cigar City, Great Divide, Firestone Walker... God Bless America! [:D] See, we *do* have lots in common too. Agree w/ just about everything you said. And for the distribution size and quality of representin', Stone was my other debated #1. Just couldn't abandon the quality of both sours and IPAs of RR, as those are two of my favorite available in the US styles.... if not favorite. Other breweries for consideration: Allagash, Jolly Pumpkin, Pizza Port/LA, Bear Republic (for anything hoppy that they make).

quote: Originally posted by Clash quote: quote: Originally posted by FoamDome "That's a clown question, bro." http://www.beerpal.com/Denver-Clown-Question-Bro-Beer/48433/ [:o)]

I love it, Clash! Even the clown emoticon is perfect. I can't wait for the reviews when this beer is tapped for the Nats-Rockies rematch. A little backstory for anyone not up to speed on the source of the quote: http://bit.ly/Olsb3U

More polls in this series: maybe we continue to assemble groups of 8, but group them based on a changing theme: Favorite US Brewery:

• featuring Belgian styles
• no one has heard of
• from Colorado
• etc

Sound good?

quote: Originally posted by FoamDome More polls in this series: maybe we continue to assemble groups of 8, but group them based on a changing theme: Favorite US Brewery: featuring Belgian styles no one has heard of from Colorado etc Sound good?

Sounds like a good idea Foam!

If Russian River was available everywhere I don't think DFH would be #1 Pliny the Elder and Younger Blind Pig Consecration Supplication Damnation oh I know why, they don't have an overdone Imperial Stout that is aged in bourbon barrels... and Rouge sucks...

Russian River's 3rd string IPA (just called Russian River IPA I think) is still better than most places best...

quote: Originally posted by Chef Chad If Russian River was available everywhere I don't think DFH would be #1 Pliny the Elder and Younger Blind Pig Consecration Supplication Damnation oh I know why, they don't have an overdone Imperial Stout that is aged in bourbon barrels... and Rouge sucks...