(Part 2) Top products from r/beer

Water has a huge effect on how beer tastes/smells/feels/etc. However, a company like Diageo can absolutely purify and treat the water at one location to be just like another.

In addition, all Guinness draught in the the UK and the US is made at the St. James Gate brewery in Ireland, though some other Guinness products may be made elsewhere.

A couple years ago, I was at the St. James Gate brewery the day before I flew home to the US. I bought a can of draught at both the brewery and then another at my local grocery store, and the day after I got home myself and about 20 other big nerds double-blind tasted them. The consensus was that they were different, though only just. Had I not had them side by side, I don't think I could have distinguished them. There was a slight preference among us for the one from Ireland, but it was not universal, as the beers were extremely similar.

We also all felt that what differences we could detect could be easily explained by the slightly different ages and markedly different shipping conditions experienced by the two cans.

I pretty firmly believe the differences between how we experience Guinness in the US vs. in Ireland are almost entirely due to psychological factors. We're excited to try it in Ireland, and we're relaxed and on vacation, priming us to enjoy the experience far more than we would having it at our local faux-Irish bar here in the states.

Whenever I think back to when I first discovered something I now love, I find that it was a time I was happy, relaxed and open to new experiences. Usually out with friends or family and having a good time well before I tried whatever thing I now love. I think drinking Guinness in Ireland has the same effect. It's not that the beer is different in Ireland, it's that we are different in Ireland!

Freshness, presentation, clean lines, correct gas pressures/mixtures, etc. certainly all play some role, but a good bar should have those pretty well dialed in in either country, minimizing the effect.

I'm fairly inexperienced as a homebrewer, but I can tell you where to find some good information. Most people seem to love Jamil Zainasheff's recipes. Here are some samples with links to his webcast and there are more in his book, Brewing Classic Styles, that he wrote with John Palmer, author of How to Brew (for the updated edition, you have to buy the book). How to Brew is the best book for starting out, imho, but there are some other great books, too, particularly if you move to an all grain setup and get more comfortable with brewing. There are also solid recipes in Zymurgy, the American Homebrewers Association magazine, and Brew Your Own is a pretty good magazine, too. HomeBrewTalk is a friendly, knowledgeable and active community and they're always up for sharing and helping out. There are a lot more websites out there, of course.

Anyway, I'm sure that some redditors have some good recipes to share.

I got Michael Jacksons Great Beer Guide for christmas a few years back and loved it. It's not exactly sleek, but is a book of 500 great beers with descriptions on taste and their brewing. I thought it was a great way to find out about the HUGE range of flavors in beer and what was actually out there. Also Great Lakes is represented three times (Dortmunder Gold, Edmund Fitzgerald, and Elliot Ness). When I got it from my brother, he bookmarked his favorites.

I also second analog_guy's suggestion of Tasting Beer.

By the way, Great Lakes Sample Pack FTW!

I'd say an unbranded tulip and you're done. Or two. Or four. Depending on your plans and your rate/likelihood of having beer geek guests over. To the degree glasses make a difference, this shape is favored for various reasons like, surface area exposure to generate more aromatics, concentrating those aromatics with the taper, head retention for some reason, etc.

Set of 2 Spiegelau

Set of 4 Spiegelau better price

Not sure why they call it a stemmed "pilsner" glass since we're used to seeing a different, taller style of glass typically associated with pilsners, but a tulip by any other name would smell as sweet. They make them smaller, but I like this bigger version.

I have a couple of these and they're just my default for anything better than everyday beer, but realistically could be somebody's only beer glass just as easily. I've never bothered to test whether my senses are attuned enough to notice a difference vs., say, a shaker pint, but I figure it can't hurt. With these in my cabinet, I don't otherwise feel compelled to get a bunch of different shapes for different styles. Some people are glass junkies and have fun getting lots of different kinds, but if you want to one-and-done it, I think this is the one.

I think branded glasses are tawdry myself but lots of people prefer branded/painted/artsy and like to collect different ones. Luckily there are tons of branded glasses in this shape from lots of breweries if you like that better than plain.

I would love this as well because I'm geeky like that. Books that I found interesting that you might as well:

-The Comic Book Story of Beer: A fun way to learn more about the history of beer as beverage. It goes into I'd say a medium amount of detail, enough that if you wanted to go deeper you'd have the right search terms. Plus it's a comic book...bonus! Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Comic-Book-Story-Beer-Revolution/dp/1607746352

-National Geographic Atlas of Beer: Another medium level detail book about beer all over the world for a more global perspective plus it's National Geographic so the photography is gorgeous. Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/National-Geographic-Atlas-Beer-Globe-Trotting/dp/1426218338/

-Radical Brewing: Even if you don't homebrew I feel like this book is worth picking up, especially early on in your beer journey because it gives you an idea of what wide range of styles and ingredients can make up a "Beer" (with a capital B). Also, it's a good introduction to Randy Mosher who is a Beer Geek (with a capital B and a capital G). Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Radical-Brewing-Recipes-World-Altering-Meditations/dp/0937381837

If anyone has any other books along the same lines they enjoy, feel free to share them.

Cheers!

I'd take a look at The Brewmaster's Table by Garrett Oliver. He's the brewmaster at Brooklyn Brewery and world renowned for his beer/food pairings and experience.

One caveat: he loves his superlatives. I remember one passage where he discusses how cheap and widely available Schneider Weiss is and how it's surprisingly a "tour de force," or something like that. Not sure why it's a surprise that one of the most highly respected/awarded breweries in the world turns out a good beer. Still, for beginners who are serious about learning beer it's a good read.

I've also really enjoyed Radical Brewing by Randy Mosher. If you have any interest in brewing it's highly informative and a great historical look at all kinds of different beer. Michael Jackson (the wine critic, not that other guy) wrote the forward, which is about as much endorsement as I needed.

How about home brewing. It may take you a few times to get the hang of it, but you can make some pretty awesome belgians if you take your time. There are a few really good books out there that will give you clone recipes so you can recreate your favorites without starting from scratch. Watch out...it's a rabbit hole :)

Clone Brews
http://www.amazon.com/CloneBrews-Homebrew-Recipes-Commercial-Beers/dp/1580170773

Brewing Classic Styles
http://www.amazon.com/Brewing-Classic-Styles-Winning-Recipes/dp/0937381926

Belgian Ale
http://www.amazon.com/Belgian-Ale-Classic-Beer-Style/dp/0937381314/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1344644397&sr=1-6&keywords=belgian+beer

Michael Jackson's Great Beer Guide: (by Michael Jackson): The description says: "The world's 500 best beers!" So, it's a catalog of beers. There are many of these indeed (see below). I think, websites like Beer Advocate fill in the need for this kind of books. But, could still make a good gift :) Amazon score: 4.5/5 stars

Similar books:

• The Beer Book: Your drinking Companion to Over 1,700 Beers -- Breweries; Tasting; Notes; Tours (by Tim Hampson)
  
• The Beer Guide (by Josh Oakes)
  
• The World Atlas of Beer: The Essential Guide to the Beers of the World (by Tim Webb and Stephen Beaumont)

Do this, seriously... now. First head over to HowToBrew.com and get some knowledge so you don't make shitty beer. Homebrewing = good beer for cheap (like a $0.25/beer if you go all-grain). Plus, you can tell your friends you made that liquid gold they are drinking. But don't punk out, the reason everyone and their momma don't homebrew (although back in the middle ages everyone's mom homebrewed) is that it takes time, patience, and attention to detail if you want good beer.

Get yourself a beginner kit and ingredients for your first batch. Mix that shit up, boil it an hour, throw it into a bucket, and forget about it for 3 weeks. Then you get to bottle it and forget about it for 2 more weeks (I told you this takes time). Chill those bottles down and giggle like a baby when you hear the pssst as you open your first bottle of your own creation.

Once you've done a few batches, get yourself a copy of Brewing Classic Styles and make every style of beer you can imagine. While you're brewing, commuting, or just dicking around, listen to BrewStrong and become an expert brewmaster. And of course don't forget r/homebrewing if you have questions, want some ideas, or drool over someone else's home bar.

That's it. Now get brewing!

By the way, all you need for homebrewing is a big pot, a bucket, and some tubing. There's a couple small items like airlock and bottle capper. Also start saving your bottles (no screw-tops) so you have something to put all this beer you'll suddenly have. Or you can get the kit and not worry about making sure you have everything.

And talk to the shopkeeper at the LHBS (local homebrew shop), they are wise and can show you the way to beer-vana.

You can't go wrong with two books, both of which are readily available on Amazon.

I'd start out with the New Complete Joy of Homebrewing, and then move on to Designing Great Beers.

After that, I would recommend joining a local homebrew club, and there will be a big community to support you. And if you need yeast, come on down to Sixpoint with a clean mason jar and we can hook you up.

Let us know how it goes!

glasses make a huge difference in all styles - some glasses are more appropriate than others.

there might be a lot of interest in a teku glass; i have them, i love them, but i will not use them with IPAs or other delicate beers. tekus are more suited for loud beers like barrel aged stouts, double IPAs, and heavy belgian quads. they provide a very well rounded experience, but they can destroy a beer at the same time.

tulips and belgian style glasses seem to be well suited to just about everything. when it doubt, tulips for everything.

i have no experience with anal bead glassware (spiegelau) but i have heard many great things about them. i dont know anyone to do a comparison with.

honestly, i would buy 4-6 short stemmed 16 oz tulip/belgian style glasses like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Libbey-Belgian-Beer-Glass-16/dp/B00ALYINVS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418937303&sr=8-1&keywords=libbey+belgian+beer+glass

edit: this is worth a buy

http://www.amazon.com/Belgian-Tulip-BeerGlass-Set-4/dp/B007PITWCM/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1418937441&sr=8-5&keywords=tulip+glasses

My Secret Santa sent me this book.
It just arrived today, so I've only had a chance to leaf through it, but it looks to be a great resource for the experienced brewer. It touts itself as "The ultimate guide to brewing classic beer styles."

Good luck!

I'd highly recommend Radical Brewing: Recipes, Tales and World-Altering Meditations in a Glass

My cousin, who has brewed for a living, bought this book for me one Christmas. Lot's of great in depth information on various ingredients, recipes, stories, techniques, equipment, etc etc. It's wonderfully illustrated and just an overall fantastic book about beer.

http://www.annarbor.com/entertainment/a-lesson-in-beer-stout-vs-porter/

If you're really interested, Designing Great Beers by Ray Daniels has a great chapter on the history of stouts and porters, and how they came to be known today.

They both started as dark roasty beers from different origins around the same time. Some stronger or weaker, on both the sides of porters and stouts. They merged into one style, stouts, with a few breweries choosing to keep a dark beer on the books with the name 'porter.'

Today, in modern craft brewing, stouts are usually include roasted barley with more coffee-like flavors, while porters typically taste more chocolatey. Although this is a very fuzzy spectrum, and there aren't any real rules.

For more info, check out the BJCP style guidelines. Category 12 is porter, 13 is stout.

Most beer people will have plenty of glassware, but DFH/Sierra Nevada IPA glasses are pretty cool and most people I know have really liked using them.

This is also a great read on AB InBev's impact on craft brewery buyouts. This one focuses on Goose Island. Easily one of the best beer books I've read.

https://www.amazon.com/Barrel-Aged-Stout-Selling-Out-Anheuser-Busch/dp/1613737211/

> Any book recommendations that really stand-out on the subject (or tangents) of beer history etc.

I don't know why this book is rarely part of the beer library conversation, but The Comic Book Story of Beer is great! Not only does it cover the history of most beer styles, it goes over the brewing process and zymurgy. Highly recommend.

Depends what you're looking for.

For the classic, you can't do better than anything by Michael Jackson. This one is very good, as is this. For a more contemporary approach, Sam Calagione of Dogfish Head and Garrett Oliver of Brooklyn Brewery both have very good books. Sam's book focuses mostly on contemporary beers and breweries, and is light of actual process and history. Garrett's does a better job of covering those things; if you get his book and like it, keep an eye out for The Oxford Companion to Beer, of which he is the editor, and which is coming out in 2011.

If you want a fantastic deep dive of this exact issue, read Josh Noel's book Barrel-Aged Stout and Selling Out, Goose Island, Anheuser-Busch, and How Craft Beer Became Big Business The story of Goose Island.

From the details: Goose Island opened as a family-owned Chicago brewpub in the late 1980s, and it soon became one of the most inventive breweries in the world. In the golden age of light, bland and cheap beers, John Hall and his son Greg brought European flavors to America. With distribution in two dozen states, two brewpubs and status as one of the 20 biggest breweries in the United States, Goose Island became an American success story and was a champion of craft beer. Then, on March 28, 2011, the Halls sold the brewery to Anheuser-Busch InBev, maker of Budweiser, the least craft-like beer imaginable. The sale forced the industry to reckon with craft beer’s mainstream appeal and a popularity few envisioned. Josh Noel broke the news of the sale in the Chicago Tribune, and he covered the resulting backlash from Chicagoans and beer fanatics across the country as the discussion escalated into an intellectual craft beer war. Anheuser-Busch has since bought nine other craft breweries, and from among the outcry rises a question that Noel addresses through personal anecdotes from industry leaders: how should a brewery grow?

Michael Jackson's Beer Companion. And look at that, it's only a quarter!

By it's second edition, however, Oxford's Guide to Beer may supersede Michael Jackson's publication, but it's been the highest-regarded for almost twenty years. It's going to take a lot of reworking in it's second edition to top the marvelous and thoroughly-researched work of Michael Jackson, who is also the authority on Whisky and Belgian beers.

Check out Tasting Beer by Randy Mosher

From Amazon: This completely updated second edition of the best-selling beer resource features the most current information on beer styles, flavor profiles, sensory evaluation guidelines, craft beer trends, food and beer pairings, and draft beer systems. You’ll learn to identify the scents, colors, flavors, mouth-feel, and vocabulary of the major beer styles — including ales, lagers, weissbeirs, and Belgian beers — and develop a more nuanced understanding of your favorite brews with in-depth sections on recent developments in the science of taste. Spirited drinkers will also enjoy the new section on beer cocktails that round out this comprehensive volume.

> than they do with Dogfish Head

Sam Calagione is very business-savvy, always had been. Hell, he wrote a book about how to run a successful business.

The "arty" image is in part truth and in part PR. He has famously lobbied lawmakers to change laws in his favor when he launched the brewery (and still does), secured investors to help grow his business, learned the art of contract negotiation, gets into trademark disputes to protect his business (he says that DFH spent more enforcing their trademark in 2013 than they spent launching the business in 1995), and more.

Anyone who think he's not just as in tune with how to run a business as any other savvy businessman is fooling themselves. That man knows his stuff. He wouldn't be where he is if he didn't.

I'd probably but something like one of these links

http://www.amazon.com/Metrokane-Rabbit-Beverage-Stoppers-Assorted/dp/B005N0WCE4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418844236&sr=8-1&keywords=wine+stopper

http://www.amazon.com/Set-Zyliss-Bottle-Stoppers-Assorted/dp/B001PNBZEQ/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1418844236&sr=8-12&keywords=wine+stopper

But what TheMoneyOfArt is completely right. These products are pretty much meant for wine, beer should really be drank in one sitting. I've only ever used bottle stoppers for wine.

Firstly, once oxygen has entered the bottle, the countdown is on until it goes stale. You can try to reduce the time exposed to oxygen, but short of recarbonating the bottle with more sugar and yeast, you're never getting the oxygen out.

Secondly, you're battling against losing CO2. The best bet to keep CO2 in solution is to keep the beer cold. Beer loses CO2 as it warms up. So pour your first glass, and then get the bottle back in the fridge ASAP.

Thirdly, and I have no science to back this up, I like to use a rubber cap to seal my bottle in the fridge. I figure this will physically block some of the CO2 from escaping, and reduce the oxygen getting in, but I honestly don't know if it works or it's just placebo. I've left half full bombers sit in my fridge for 3-4 days with a rubber cap with some solid success though.

Beer Saver Cap I'm talking about : https://www.amazon.ca/Beer-Savers-Silicone-Rubber-Bottle/dp/B003Z5GW0O

I'm really enjoying the Stone Brewing book. Lots of great photos of their operation, stories from when they were getting going, and recipes for their beers at the end. It's $16 on Amazon.

Edit: non-mobile URL added

If he uses it because he likes the beer from it, I strongly suggest getting him a Spiegelau Beer Glass (also available individually). They get amazing reviews from every beer connoisseur who tries them.

I agree. I own "The Complete Joy of Homebrewing" as well, but Radical Brewing is so good.

My boyfriend and I are sort of beer snobs ourselves... I've flipped through this book called Clone Brews at Borders before, and it would make a nice gift if he's shown interest in brewing his own beer. The book features 150 "recipes" for replicating brand beers, including Three Floyd's Gumballhead (one of my fav beers), Guinness, Sierra Nevada, Tsing Tao, etc. Never tried to make any of them myself, but looking at the reviews, the book seems promising.

My general reply to this question:
> If you're talking about the level 1 server exam, Tasting Beer and going over the syllabus (basically the test) will get you good and ready to pass with ease. r/Cicerone could have some stuff too.

I highly recommend The Craft of Stone Brewing Co. It's one part history of the brewery, one part recipes for their beer and one part recipes from their Bistro.


I haven't read Brewed Awakening but it's got some good reviews on Amazon (and one oddly, scathing review so who knows?)

Yes, it actually will. Brewing relies heavily on the salt and mineral content of the water. Salt and mineral content changes significantly if they change a water source like that. Water content is also the reason why breweries are located in certain areas in certain states/countries around the world.

The other ingredients that you mentioned really don't have a huge impact, even with seasonal variations. Yeast is the only other factor that can seriously change flavor, and the yeast used in these beers is highly controlled and not subjected to conditions that will cause mutations.

For someone with the username 'Eddie_The_Brewer' you seem to not know a lot about brewing science.

Edit: And if you really don't believe me, there's a freaking book dedicated to water science: http://www.amazon.com/Water-A-Comprehensive-Guide-Brewers/dp/0937381993/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1371673133&sr=8-1&keywords=water+brewing

The definition of an IPA has changed since the 1800's, mostly within the last 25 years or so. This is largely due to the popularity of American hops and the ingenuity of west-coast brewers. The 'Imperial' designation usually just means a higher gravity ale.

You might enjoy Mitch Steele's book "IPA". He's the brewmaster for Stone and he dives into where the style has come from and how it has evolved.

http://www.amazon.com/IPA-Brewing-Techniques-Recipes-Evolution/dp/1938469003

The Spiegelau set is usually a pretty good place to start, especially if you're looking for a decent range of glasses. You could add another glass or two onto it (snifter, flute, stange, nonic, etc.) if you think he brews styles that might call for one of those.

My girlfriend recently purchased this awesome set and it is quite awesome!

I've had success with champagne bottle stoppers. I've had better success recapping entirely, but that's not always practical for non-brewers.

+1 for this opener. It holds a seal pretty well. For 750's I have these:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001PNBZEQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_18?qid=1413647079&sr=1-18&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70

I would buy a set of these, they're a great glass for any beer style.

>The Siebel Institute and the cicerone program both contradict your points.

Traditional standards? High abv beers aren't true beer? The term stout was used. If we are talking about the stout styled beer, what is colt 45 is and by your standards no more than champagne is.

Using non beer yeast and new cross breeds of non beer yeast...

Randy wrote a book about the basics try it out for a read.
https://www.amazon.com/Tasting-Beer-2nd-Insiders-Greatest/dp/1612127770/ref=asc_df_1612127770/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312126476072&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=245257007931428990&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=t&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9021431&hvtargid=pla-315141247606&psc=1


Ray also wrote a good book. Try reading it.
https://store.bellsbeer.com/products/designing-great-beers-daniels?variant=5244520464419&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&gclid=CjwKCAjw7_rlBRBaEiwAc23rhkIN1vnq0tSKbSBl5nAYMaGjtacUpDgLYgLcKBwapqkkHUarKOlFwhoCy-wQAvD_BwE

I haven't read this, but it sounds like it might be along the lines of what you're looking for: https://www.amazon.com/IPA-Brewing-Techniques-Recipes-Evolution/dp/1938469003

He makes a clear distinction in his book from 2012 when it comes to the styles.

I like these glasses but you could also go a bit fancier and get him some teku

Sure.

https://www.amazon.com/Tasting-Beer-Insiders-Worlds-Greatest/dp/1603420894/

https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Beer-Course-Tasting-Classes/dp/1402797672/

Also since you're talking about aging:

https://www.amazon.com/Vintage-Beer-Tasters-Guide-Improve/dp/161212156X/

Much older but seminal:

https://www.amazon.com/Michael-Jacksons-Beer-Companion-Gastronomy/dp/0762402016/

edit: shorter links

Food/Beer pairing: The Brewmaster's Table
Business: Brewing Up a Business
General Beer Listings: 1001 Beers You Must Taste Before You Die
Beer Info: Oxford Companion to Beer

Usable desktop link for the same product.

(this should be a bot)

Beer Savers! I use them, they work. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003Z5GW0O?pc_redir=1413281083&robot_redir=1#

I got this one here but you can get it cheaper at other places. https://www.amazon.com/Libbey-Belgian-Beer-Glass-16/dp/B00ALYINVS

People have written entire books on the topic, e.g. https://www.amazon.com/Water-Comprehensive-Brewers-Brewing-Elements/dp/0937381993

Spiegelau IPA glass.

If you're drinking an IPA drink it from the Spiegelau IPA Glass. Almost anything else can be drank from a Stemmed Pilsner.

Only exception imo are heavy abv bourbon barrel(or other heavy barrel aged) beers. For those I go with a Teku

Brewing up a Business by Dogfish Head Founder Sam Calagione

Yeast

Brewhouse Op

These are the books I'm using in school this semester. Hope they're what you're looking for.

If you have to buy one to use for everything, get a stemmed tulip style glass. http://amzn.com/B003QRJCY4

Spieglau sells a mixed pack of 4 glasses that includes a Hefe, a Pils, a Snifter and an "Ale" glass. I think that's the breakdown. Here's a link to it on Amazon.

The Comic Book Story of Beer

They are not offering a clone product, they are merely reverse engineering the recipe and posting that for home brewers. It is a common practice. It also rests on firm legal ground. The only questionable act was using too similar a name. Had they called it "Garfnagle - a hearty ale that might ring a bell" we wouldn't even be having this discussion.

Maybe a tulip glass like this? I uses these more than pint glasses anymore.

Do make sure whatever you get holds at least 12oz w/ 16oz preferable. My wife got me a couple glasses that were tulip glasses, but not for beer and held only 10oz. The 2oz left at the bottom of the bottle gets lonely, be it in the bottle, or in my stomach first.

You fucking serious?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTH3a_2zb1o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGUoxBV0Tck
https://www.amazon.com/Barrel-Aged-Stout-Selling-Out-Anheuser-Busch/dp/1613737211/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1J7HTKD1DEJVA&keywords=barrel+aged+stout+and+selling+out&qid=1571619650&sprefix=Barrel+A+stout+and+selling+out%2Caps%2C178&sr=8-1

https://www.fooddive.com/news/ab-inbev-unit-paid-retailers-and-bars-to-push-its-beers-massachusetts-repo/442989/

https://www.motherjones.com/food/2015/12/big-beer-wants-take-away-your-craft-beer/