I was recently in the Denver area, and although I didn't get to visit New Belgium, I did get to hit Oskar Blues and Great Divide. Both of which are brewing great beer. Denver in general has a pretty solid beer scene. I do give New Belgium props for brewing Belgium influenced beers, which makes for a good alternative when I'm not in the mood for hoppy goodness. I partial to the New Belgium Triple myself. Great Divide is also brewing some worthwhile Belgium influenced beers. 

Since you've mentioned three beers you love, Kopper, I'm interested in hearing what your other favorites are.

Ranger IPA is palatable, but the rest of the New Belgium lineup is sub-par at best.

With so many great craft brews now available nearly everywhere, you can choose better. I strongly encourage you to drink and support your local breweries.

Cheers!

I'm fairly certain that you couldn't buy any brands from New Belgium here until around the beginning of last year, when they expanded their distribution into Virginia. I could be wrong, but I don't recall seeing them for sale until around then. Now, Fat Tire is one of THE "in" yuppie beers to be seen drinking, all the white collar watering holes are carrying it now, and I even see it in 24 oz. bottles at some of the "ghetto marts" I frequent. The IPAs are nowhere near as popular, and not so widely found.

Yeah, I definitely agree!  A good Lambic like Chimay or Maredsous is well worth the extra $ because it's more of a special occasion luxury thing.  Stella is not even on my list of favourite Belgian beers.  Great commercials, but I won't be paying for them. :)  Nothing wrong with cheap stuff either.  Not everyday is payday.

joey fuckup said:

Whew, Stella is hard to put down. It's bought by the "elite" here, and for the price, it makes me wonder if it's just a status symbol. I can spend a fraction on cheap shit that tastes much better!

Matt said:

What's funny is Stella has more in common with PBR, Olympia etc. than actual champagne-like Belgian beers. That stuff is garbage too haha


kopper said:

My wife bought me a sixer of Fat Tire a few weeks ago. I knew I didn't like it from drinking it in the past, but I thought I'd give it another shot. I was able to down two of 'em before saying "fuck it" and told her she could drink the rest of 'em. And yeah, I've been known to consume cheapo shit, too... Stag, PBR, Hamm's, Olympia, etc. I can drink those ANY day before I'll drink another Fat Tire. "Wet cardboard" is a perfect descriptor, Matt!

And Spite, it's funny you mention that about Belgian beers and champagne. Stella Artois is actually marketing itself that way lately, offering a new canned version with an image of a chalice on it, cross-merchandising with wine, etc.

joey fuckup said:

I haven't tried the Winter Ale yet, but I do like the IPA brands. Funny you mentioned this, I received a 12 pack of Fat Tire for Christmas from a friend of mine. I can drink it just fine, but then again, I'm known to drink some nasty shit...

Whew, Stella is hard to put down. It's bought by the "elite" here, and for the price, it makes me wonder if it's just a status symbol. I can spend a fraction on cheap shit that tastes much better!

Matt said:

What's funny is Stella has more in common with PBR, Olympia etc. than actual champagne-like Belgian beers. That stuff is garbage too haha


kopper said:

My wife bought me a sixer of Fat Tire a few weeks ago. I knew I didn't like it from drinking it in the past, but I thought I'd give it another shot. I was able to down two of 'em before saying "fuck it" and told her she could drink the rest of 'em. And yeah, I've been known to consume cheapo shit, too... Stag, PBR, Hamm's, Olympia, etc. I can drink those ANY day before I'll drink another Fat Tire. "Wet cardboard" is a perfect descriptor, Matt!

And Spite, it's funny you mention that about Belgian beers and champagne. Stella Artois is actually marketing itself that way lately, offering a new canned version with an image of a chalice on it, cross-merchandising with wine, etc.

joey fuckup said:

I haven't tried the Winter Ale yet, but I do like the IPA brands. Funny you mentioned this, I received a 12 pack of Fat Tire for Christmas from a friend of mine. I can drink it just fine, but then again, I'm known to drink some nasty shit...

What's funny is Stella has more in common with PBR, Olympia etc. than actual champagne-like Belgian beers. That stuff is garbage too haha
kopper said:

My wife bought me a sixer of Fat Tire a few weeks ago. I knew I didn't like it from drinking it in the past, but I thought I'd give it another shot. I was able to down two of 'em before saying "fuck it" and told her she could drink the rest of 'em. And yeah, I've been known to consume cheapo shit, too... Stag, PBR, Hamm's, Olympia, etc. I can drink those ANY day before I'll drink another Fat Tire. "Wet cardboard" is a perfect descriptor, Matt!

And Spite, it's funny you mention that about Belgian beers and champagne. Stella Artois is actually marketing itself that way lately, offering a new canned version with an image of a chalice on it, cross-merchandising with wine, etc.

joey fuckup said:

I haven't tried the Winter Ale yet, but I do like the IPA brands. Funny you mentioned this, I received a 12 pack of Fat Tire for Christmas from a friend of mine. I can drink it just fine, but then again, I'm known to drink some nasty shit...

I remember back in the '90's here, PBR was so "uncool" to drink, and you couldn't even find it in bars. I'd show up at cookouts with it just for laughs, and got ridiculed for even carrying it in. Then it becomes THE beer and all the bar and grill type places started putting it as a draft choice, and the dives serve it in the 24 oz. cans. so all the hipsters can look "cool" gripping these cans while sporting their preppy attire.

We've never had Stag nor Hamm's here, but Olympia was fairly available back in the '80's (and possibly the early '90's), and I would buy that instead of Milwaukee's Best. (I was a minor sliding cash to older co-workers at the grocery store I worked at.) If I remember right, Olympia tasted a lot like "The Beast", and probably couldn't compete with the sales.

I do plan on getting my hands on some Ranger IPA, though, since you've brought it up...

kopper said:

My wife bought me a sixer of Fat Tire a few weeks ago. I knew I didn't like it from drinking it in the past, but I thought I'd give it another shot. I was able to down two of 'em before saying "fuck it" and told her she could drink the rest of 'em. And yeah, I've been known to consume cheapo shit, too... Stag, PBR, Hamm's, Olympia, etc. I can drink those ANY day before I'll drink another Fat Tire. "Wet cardboard" is a perfect descriptor, Matt!

And Spite, it's funny you mention that about Belgian beers and champagne. Stella Artois is actually marketing itself that way lately, offering a new canned version with an image of a chalice on it, cross-merchandising with wine, etc.

joey fuckup said:

I haven't tried the Winter Ale yet, but I do like the IPA brands. Funny you mentioned this, I received a 12 pack of Fat Tire for Christmas from a friend of mine. I can drink it just fine, but then again, I'm known to drink some nasty shit...

My wife bought me a sixer of Fat Tire a few weeks ago. I knew I didn't like it from drinking it in the past, but I thought I'd give it another shot. I was able to down two of 'em before saying "fuck it" and told her she could drink the rest of 'em. And yeah, I've been known to consume cheapo shit, too... Stag, PBR, Hamm's, Olympia, etc. I can drink those ANY day before I'll drink another Fat Tire. "Wet cardboard" is a perfect descriptor, Matt!

And Spite, it's funny you mention that about Belgian beers and champagne. Stella Artois is actually marketing itself that way lately, offering a new canned version with an image of a chalice on it, cross-merchandising with wine, etc.

joey fuckup said:

I haven't tried the Winter Ale yet, but I do like the IPA brands. Funny you mentioned this, I received a 12 pack of Fat Tire for Christmas from a friend of mine. I can drink it just fine, but then again, I'm known to drink some nasty shit...

I don't think we can buy those products here in Toronto. I sure do love Belgian beers though! Had a few of these instead of Champagne for New Years! EXQUISITE!  It's a little sad that the finer cottage brews don't often cross the Canada/US border in either direction.

I haven't tried the Winter Ale yet, but I do like the IPA brands. Funny you mentioned this, I received a 12 pack of Fat Tire for Christmas from a friend of mine. I can drink it just fine, but then again, I'm known to drink some nasty shit...

Pretty solid beers. I agree about Fat Tire, that stuff tastes like wet cardboard. I dig that they can a lot of their beers...

While I absolutely CAN'T STAND Fat Tire ale (sorry, it just tastes like crap to me for some reason), I gotta give BIG props to New Belgium for their Ranger IPA, Belgo Begian-Style IPA, and Snow Day Winter Ale. All of those are excellent! Who else here loves New Belgium beers?

A big bottle of Gatorade and two asprins before going to bed. Not sure if that is the best thing for your stomache or liver when you already have them overloaded though.

And as gross as many people seem to think it is, a big bowl of menudo really does seem to help me the morning after. Lots of fattiness and spicyness. Oh and lots more water.

How has nobody suggested that you just have a beer to get you to work? It doesn't matter if yer hangover comes back, you wouldn't want to be there anyway, but at least you made it & you'll make it through.

If it's a weekend then just go back to the pub for a bit, go home & pass out... or stay out all day & do it again.

And this was the last shot of us together...

Yep! Whoever can pay first wins! 

I'm a money waver: (    Actually I usually just have my cash out so as to let the bartender know I'm ready when they scan the bar as they usually scan the drinks on the bar, not people's faces in my ecperience. 

IDON, you're taking this a bit too personally, I think. Hmmm... ;)

Love and Rockets, by the Hernandez Bros. has got to be 1 of the most inflential comics of the past 50 years, and about half of it is aboot Punk! Do yerself a flavor and track down a compilation, esp. the Jaime volumes...

Strohs, by the way.... & probably some champagne later.

I'm sure everybody in this group is having a few today... What are you drinking & listening to for new years? I'm starting out slow, but there's lots of time left today.

Nothing fancy, Strohs... I think it's my favorite domestic>

You have a great New Year too:)

sleazy said:

Will look into that Mikel.......HAPPY ROCKIN' YEAR TO YOU ,MAN:)

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