What beer do you guard jealously?
Speedway Stout, AleSmith Brewing Co., San Diego, CA. Beer doesn’t get any more flavorful than this.
Michelob Ultra, Anheuser Busch, St. Louis, MO. Michelob Ultra is by far the best low carb beer on the market. This is a beer that you can sit back and enjoy with out feeling like you’re missing out on a smooth taste.
Hog Heaven Barley Wine, Avery Brewing Co., Boulder, CO. Everyone gets a kick out of the label and a kick out of the beer.
Deus Brut des Flandres, Brouwerij Bosteels, Buggenhout, Belgium.
Samuel Adams Utopias, Boston Beer Co., Boston, MA. Warms you up on a cold Chicago night.
Chimay Grand Reserve (Blue), Chimay, Abbeye de Notre-Dame de Scourmont, Belgium. I (heart) Chimay.
World Wide Stout, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Milton, DE. One year-old WWS for friends; two year-old WWS for good friends.
Samichlaus, Eggenberg (formerly from Hürlimann), Eggenberg, Austria. I bought 10 bottles of 1994 from a small “ma and pa” store for a $1 a piece. If they’re port drinkers, then I have won them over.
Double Barrel Ale, Firestone Walker Brewing Co., Paso Robles, CA. Hard to find outside California, so I stock up when I can, and drink on very special occasions. The best beer I’ve had.
Leviathan, Fish Brewing, Olympia, WA. Complex barley wine, sure to satisfy the desert wine/aperitif drinker. Warming, raisiny.
Gueuze Marriage Parfait, Brouwerij Frank Boon, Lembeek, Belgium.
Fred, Hair of the Dog Brewing Co., Portland, OR, Intense!!
Cinderbock Lager, Heavyweight Brewing Co., Ocean Township, NJ. A smoky bock—excellent!
J.W. Lee’s Harvest Ale, J.W. Lee’s & Co. Manchester, England. These are like fine vintage wines.
Delirium Tremens, Brewery Huyghe, Melle, Belgium. If the bottle doesn’t freak them out, the 10% will do the job.
Belzebuth, Brasserie Jeanne d’Arc, Ronchin Lille, France.
Fire Rock Pale Ale, Kona Brewing Co., Kona, HI. My wife and I fell in love with this beer while in Hawaii. We order it every year.
Lindemans Framboise, Lindemans, Ulesenbeck, Belgium. The King!
Wisconsin Belgian-style Red, New Glarus Brewing Co., New Glarus, WI. I always have fun turning wine lovers on to this beer. They are always shocked at the flavor and balance of this brew.
Thomas Hardy’s Ale, O’Hanlons (formerly from Eldridge Pope), Clyst St. Lawrence, England. A true cellar beer.
Porter, Okocim, Brzesko, Poland. Not much left of this amazing beer.
Three Philosophers, Brewery Ommegang, Cooperstown, NY. A wonderful example of what a beer can be.
Rochefort 10, Rochefort, Abbaye de Notre Dame de St. Remy, Belgium. Top of the top! Fell in love with it in Belgium (some lady in a shoppe in Antwerp got it from the brewery weekly!) At $8 for an 11-ounce bottle here, it’s worth every penny. “Daddy Candy” in a glass!
Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Weizen, Schlenkerla, Bamberg, Germany. “Eww, it tastes like smoked salmon!” Oh well, more for me!
Celebration Ale, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Chico, CA. I still have bottles of the 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1996 and 1993 vintages.
Arrogant Bastard Ale, Stone Brewing Co., San Marcos, CA. only the brave need apply.
La Fin du Monde, Unibroue, Chambly, Québec, Canada. Powerful and smooth.
Westmalle Triple, Westmalle, Abdij der Trappisten, Belgium. Great beer, but so hard to find.
Westvleteren 8, Westvleteren, Abdij Sint Sixtus, Belgium. I would have to say the best beer in the world. I prefer the 8 (Dubbel) to the 12 (Strong Dark).
Double Chocolate Stout, Young and Co. Brewery, Wandsworth, London, England. A beer with chocolate? That’s the usual reaction I get. Will they ever learn?
