5 Questions

To let people out there know a little more about the two behind this site - we've decided to post an on-going series where we answer questions asked by the other half.

In this second part I answer 5 questions from Kelly. Here we go - per the e-mail I just received from Sweden.

Question 1:

K: You have a lot of beer in your cellar at the moment, which one would you save for last?

R: Definitely one of the Westvleteren 12s. I toy with the idea of holding on to one for the next 10+ years or even longer. But, I may end up drinking it on a whim if the right company is present. Beer is fun to look at but its more fun to enjoy with friends. 

Question 2:

K: What in your opinion is currently the most overrated beer on the market, and why?

R: Heineken. Its been overhyped for years. It is godawful stuff. Heineken drinkers do have potential, they've moved past Bud/Coors/Miller, now they need to move past the odd notion that "if its imported it must be good". If it came down to Budweiser or Heineken (hypothetically speaking of course), I would buy Budweiser before I bought Heineken because at least Bud comes in a brown bottle and doesn't always taste skunked. 

Question 3:

K: If you could spend a week in a particular region of the world trying local beers where would it be?

R: I'd have to say Bavaria. Its the last beer stronghold where I've yet to spend any time. I'd love to check out Munich, Bamberg and parts of the Czech Republic. Yes, I'd go to Oktoberfest and yes I'd find some leiderhosen to wear. 

Question 4:

K: If you had to lower your standards, how low could you go? Honestly, where do you set the line for drinkable beer?

R: Err..if I HAD to lower my standards? When would that happen? Anyways, I'd have no problem drinking a can of Coors Light at a barbecue if that is all they had. Yeah, I like good beer but I try not to be that annoying beer geek who scoffs at cheap beer. I'd say the line right now is a 40 oz. I would NOT drink a 40 of King Cobra or Bull Ice or anything like that.

Question 5:

K: East Coast or West Coast - who currently leads in the US when it comes to originality?

R: That is a tough question, one that rappers have been faced with for years. As far as originality goes I'd have to say its pretty even. There are breweries on both coasts and in the middle of the country that are doing some really unique things. Don't ever leave out the middle of the country, Michigan, Wisconsin, Missouri, Minnesota, Indiana and Illinois have some awesome breweries. Some of the most original breweries, if I had to name a few, in my opinion are Dogfish Head (DE), Short's (MI), The Bruery (CA), Bullfrog (PA), Allagash (ME), Russian River (CA), New Glarus (WI) and Three Floyds (IN). 

Labels: 5 Questions

5 Questions

To let people out there know a little more about the two behind this site - we've decided to post an on-going series where we answer questions asked by the other half.

In this first part I answer 5 (almost sensible) questions from Russ, he will have to deal with mine next time. Here we go - per the e-mail I just received from Massachusetts.

Question 1:
R: You've really liked some awful beers over the past 10 years or so. What would you say was the worst beer you remember liking?

K: Jeez, I am really glad you asked that question, since it will bring up so many happy memories. I can't really nail on Yuengling that much, and that was one that I liked a lot the entire time I was living in PA. That just seems too easy. I also had that Michelob thing for a short period of time, but I blame dad for that. I guess, if I had to pick just one, I would have to say that actually being happy to find Moosehead in bottles was the worst beer time of my life. I mean, Moosehead...yeah, that was the worst beer that I really liked.

Question 2:
R: True or False. Sweden has better beer than Norway?

K: I'd have to say that is both true and false at the same time. Norway has Nøgne Ø, otherwise Sweden is the clear winner based on the number of newer breweries. But, you have to take into account that Norway is smaller than Sweden population wise - of course that doesn't explain Denmark which has better beer than both Sweden and Norway. Can I say Denmark?

Question 3:
R: In November you'll be making your way down to Belgium for the fourth time, you lucky bastard, what would you say is your favorite Belgian beer that you are unable to find in Sweden?

K: Yeah dude, how does that feel? I mean, it's like right down the street practically. Hmm...that's a tough call. I've scouted and actually found most of my favorites at Belgobaren, Akkurat and Duvel Cafe here in Stockholm. The one that I wish they would sell here that I can never find is the Petrus Aged Pale - that beer is insane - and one of the beers I will never forget drinking for the first time. (Nobody would.)

Question 4:
R: You once took 24 cans of warm Yuengling Lord Chesterfield Ale with you on a plane as a gift for your father-on-law in Sweden. How many of those cans did you drink on the plane before you landed in Sweden?

K: That is still his favorite beer. I can't say that I drank any of them. Instead I got to probably drink a can of Miller or some other shwag on that plane. I did bring 6 regular Yuengling's back for myself though, but those I drank cold. This reminds me of how much I hate that stupid rule about liquids in the cabin...

Question 5:
R: If you could try one super hoppy American IPA that you are unable to get in Sweden, what would it be? Seriously, I don't think I could live abroad purely due to the lack of insanely hoppy beer that I've become accustomed to here in the US.

K: Good question beatlejerk. Me thinks you won me over with your glowing remarks about Pliny the Elder. That one will no doubt never reach these shores. Although Big A and Juxtaposition Black Pilsner rank up there as ones that I am really curious about.

Labels: 5 Questions