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stat quo · 11-10-2005, 06:48 PM

have you ever brewed anything that was, unbiasedly, better than newcastle?

not to insult your brewing skills. just a question out of curiosity, you know...

btw, im not trying to make newcastle the "standard" of all beers...just asking.

**Baron von BeeGee** · 11-10-2005, 07:10 PM

While this is a highly subjective question, I find Newcastle to be a 'good' beer at best...kind of a 'gateway' brown ale for beer neophytes to better brown ales. Not that I mind drinking it, however.

At this point I would take anything I brew over a Newcastle. Whether someone else would is up to them.

**Walker** · 11-10-2005, 07:13 PM

90% of the people here will tell you that they have made many batches that are better than newcastles. I'm sure they are telling what they believe to be the truth, but come on... we're talking about our own beer, special to us, and we are all a little biased to some extent. (Like with parents, who will ALL insist that THEIR children are the smartest/funniest/cutest/etc kids on the planet.)

That said, newcastles is a 'decent' beer, and I honestly think that EVERYONE here can make beer better than that on a regular basis.

-walker

stat quo · 11-10-2005, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walker

90% of the people here will tell you that they have made many batches that are better than newcastles. I'm sure they are telling what they believe to be the truth, but come on... we're talking about our own beer, special to us, and we are all a little biased to some extent. (Like with parents, who will ALL insist that THEIR children are the smartest/funniest/cutest/etc kids on the planet.)

That said, newcastles is a 'decent' beer, and I honestly think that EVERYONE here can make beer better than that on a regular basis.

-walker

good point.

**Walker** · 11-10-2005, 07:20 PM

it's funny you specifically mentioned newcastles, though.

My most recent batch of brown ale was very disappointing to me; drinkable, but boring. My actual words when I drank my first pint were, "That tastes like Newcastles.... bummer."

Not that I dislike newcastles... I just always expect more from my own craft.

-walker

**DesertBrew** · 11-10-2005, 07:41 PM

I'm pretty sure that you'll find you can make brews you like and prefer over others that you purchase and others that miss the mark. Don't base your outcome on something you buy/like and think you'll replicate it. Judge it on its own per style.

Just for me, the Brown Ale is the bugger I can't seem to make to my liking. I've tried kits, AG (multiple recipes), whatever I just can't get something that I'm happy with. My Porter, Belgium Wit, Pale, IPA, Apricot wheat all are great IMO and I'd stack them up against my local brewpubs. This darn brown I'm about to forget about trying to brew and no its not better than a Newcastle which I personally like.

**Orfy** · 11-10-2005, 08:39 PM

Not to blow my own trumpet (wish I could) or any one elses.

But I reckon anyone on here can brew better Ale than me. I'm still doing extract.
Since brewing my own I really do not like it if I have to go to the pub orbuy shop bought . I have not tasted anything from the pub that matches the stuff I can brew.
Some of the shop bought bottle conditioned stuff is better and I'll still drink it.
I went to a beer festival last week (In a pub) but left after 5 half pints because my stuff at home had more appeal.

DeRoux's Broux · 11-10-2005, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desertBrew

I'm pretty sure that you'll find you can make brews you like and prefer over others that you purchase and others that miss the mark. Don't base your outcome on something you buy/like and think you'll replicate it. Judge it on its own per style.

Just for me, the Brown Ale is the bugger I can't seem to make to my liking. I've tried kits, AG (multiple recipes), whatever I just can't get something that I'm happy with. My Porter, Belgium Wit, Pale, IPA, Apricot wheat all are great IMO and I'd stack them up against my local brewpubs. This darn brown I'm about to forget about trying to brew and no its not better than a Newcastle which I personally like.

try this brown, it rocks!

Big Brown Dog Ale
10 lbs. domestic 2-row
0.5 lbs. Special B Malt
0.5 lbs. Medium Crystal Malt
0.5 lbs. Chocolate Malt
0.25 lbs. Chocolate Wheat Malt (Dark Wheat Malt)
1 oz. Cascade @ 70 min
2/3 oz. Willamette @ 20 min
1/3 oz. Willamette @ 0 min
1300 ml starter of WLPOO1 California Ale yeast
og 1.057 IBU's 30.5 SRM 35
mash in @ 153 for 60 minutes, sparge w/ cenough water @ 170 to collect enough wort for 5.5 end boil volume. Boil for 90 min.
primary @ 68 degrees. rack to secondary and crash to 32 degrees for 7 days (if possible). keg or prime w/ 3/4 cups priming sugar and bottle.
you don't have to make a starter but i highly suggest one.
give it a whirl!

andre the giant · 11-10-2005, 09:54 PM

I've never been a huge fan of Newcastles... So its safe to say that I've brewed many batches that I think are better. I can also say that I've never found an Oatmeal stout that I like any better than my own. There are many that are just as good, but not better. Everyone's taste is different, and brewing companies have certain advantages, but we as homebrewers have some as well.

El Pistolero · 11-10-2005, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stat quo

have you ever brewed anything that was, unbiasedly, better than newcastle?

I don't know how everyone else feels, but if you couldn't brew it better than the commercial guys (or at least strive for that), then what would be the point of brewing it at all?