I went to the package store last night and had about $4 worth of can/bottle deposits in my hand. I figured I'd look around and see "what $4 could get me" 1 bottle, 1 six pack, growler deposit... I was curious as to how far or (not very far) less than $5 would last.
I saw "Golden Anniversary Ale" it was $3.65 for a six pack. I had seen it briefly once before and thought "cheap beer" and walked past by. But since I had an hour to kill I figured I would investigate this beer. Looking at the cans it says it won a gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival - the same one we've come to respect the opinions on.
Is this true? Now obviously it didn't win in the Barleywine category, but if it won a light american lager...do we look at these "cheap beers" as cheap because they aren't produced by the same companies that produce micros.
For instance if Dog Fish Head pumped out an American Light Lager (they may have, I don't know - not a huge DFH fan) I'm sure their fan base would enjoy the beer, say its good and move on - it might not be their go to beer, but in the summer they would enjoy it.... Take the same beer put it in a can/bottle with the words "Golden anniversary ale" on it and charge far less, we'll look at it as crappy beer and move on.
So I guess the issue I've come to is, are we all snobs in the beer world and that brand/name really does change our perception or does the GABF have really bad judges....I have no problem buying "No-Ad Sunscreen" (they don't advertise at all and so they can give quality product at a fraction of the cost)
I've never tried this beer yet, but I did buy the 6 pack with the deposits to do a blind taste taste with some Narragansett (local light lager), Bud, and what ever we can get our hands in the light lager/light ale category.
Any thoughts?
I saw "Golden Anniversary Ale" it was $3.65 for a six pack. I had seen it briefly once before and thought "cheap beer" and walked past by. But since I had an hour to kill I figured I would investigate this beer. Looking at the cans it says it won a gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival - the same one we've come to respect the opinions on.
Is this true? Now obviously it didn't win in the Barleywine category, but if it won a light american lager...do we look at these "cheap beers" as cheap because they aren't produced by the same companies that produce micros.
For instance if Dog Fish Head pumped out an American Light Lager (they may have, I don't know - not a huge DFH fan) I'm sure their fan base would enjoy the beer, say its good and move on - it might not be their go to beer, but in the summer they would enjoy it.... Take the same beer put it in a can/bottle with the words "Golden anniversary ale" on it and charge far less, we'll look at it as crappy beer and move on.
So I guess the issue I've come to is, are we all snobs in the beer world and that brand/name really does change our perception or does the GABF have really bad judges....I have no problem buying "No-Ad Sunscreen" (they don't advertise at all and so they can give quality product at a fraction of the cost)
I've never tried this beer yet, but I did buy the 6 pack with the deposits to do a blind taste taste with some Narragansett (local light lager), Bud, and what ever we can get our hands in the light lager/light ale category.
Any thoughts?