What are your contrarian/"unpopular" beer opinions?

[brewstergalVT]

I've already admitted I don't like marketing and I like warm, flat beer so what do I know...

Can I post a third time? Good! I don't like Brett beers.

Mild Brett I can tolerate as it just smells like leather to me but when it's strong it smells like wet wool and manure. It's not that the smell of manure is that offensive to me (I'm not a city person), it's just that I don't want it in my beer. Just like I don't want hazelnut or raspberry in my coffee.

 

[TANSTAAFB]

We can agree on coffee flavored coffee!

 

[Bosh]

Most people radically underestimate the amount that different palates matter. Time and time again I've had a certain flavor overwhelm a beer that my friends couldn't even taste and vice verse.

For example me and two friends shared a bottle of Hobgoblin a while back (Korean bottle bar so probably old and had horrible things happen to it in shipping) and:
-1st friend: yeck, tastes like ash.
-2nd friend: mmmm, delicious maltiness.
-Me: my tongue was really overwhelmed by overripe fruit esters that I had to sip it slowly, tasted far more estery than most Belgians I've had.

Which of us was right?

 

[hotwatermusic]

Beer drinkers try too hard to sound like somms. Ratebeer, Untapped, etc. are all basically worthless, and filled with "experts" who contradict each other. Brulosophy shows how bad we are at tasting and nothing more.

 

[NVRsummer369]

So yeah with all that being said... I just really love making beer and enjoying it

 

[hotwatermusic]

So yeah with all that being said... I just really love making beer and enjoying it

Don't ruin the vibe this thread is destined for utter nihilism!

 

[JonM]

This probably isn't contrarian/unpopular around here, but is sure to piss lots of people off in other circles. BeerAdvocate, Untappd, etc. are so #&$%ing stupid. Sure, it's nice to see if people universally hate a particular beer, but here's what I mean:

I went to a get-together last summer where every brought some beer for sampling. Every bottle that got opened, people would take a sip, then whip out the smartphones to log in and give their review, then check off that particular beer on the list so that they can show everyone that they officially tried it. This went on for hours. Every bottle. How silly.

 

[theowlman16]

I love Genny Cream!

God made pumpkins for pie.

Low carb brown ales make me gag.

 

[brewstergalVT]

This probably isn't contrarian/unpopular around here, but is sure to piss lots of people off in other circles. BeerAdvocate, Untappd, etc. are so #&$%ing stupid. Sure, it's nice to see if people universally hate a particular beer, but here's what I mean:

I went to a get-together last summer where every brought some beer for sampling. Every bottle that got opened, people would take a sip, then whip out the smartphones to log in and give their review, then check off that particular beer on the list so that they can show everyone that they officially tried it. This went on for hours. Every bottle. How silly.

I couldn't agree more. What would be more interesting would be to have wrapped all those beer bottles/cans so that those trying them were blind to what they were tasting, have them make notes and then reveal the beer. I really love doing blind tastings as it reinforces to me how terrible I am at recognizing a beer I've had before unless it's something that I really like or really don't like, then I'm a bit better that 50% correct. Doing blind tastings with a group is really fun and educational.

I think many use the above sites because they're insecure about what they're tasting so they want to go with what the majority say to figure out whether they like a beer or not and they don't want to be left out of a beer conversation so it's important to have lots of beers rated, even if it's only a sip.

 

[Yeastieboy]

"Amazeballs".. . .

 

[soccerdad]

I love Genny Cream!

I went straight from Mama's tit to Genny Cream. With an occasional Koch's Deer Run Ale.

 

[NSMikeD]

99% of the time I will look over the taps in the bar and select something different, sip it and enjoy what the brewer was attempting, then settle on some great craft beer I know.

AND then there is the BLUE CAN. Don't know why, but I just do, especially if it's buried in ice in a cooler but ......


I LIKE BUD LIGHT.


There, I said it. Screw you beer snobs, but I'd bet the rent that many of you have cracked one open, taken a big sip and then opened you mouth and let out a relaxing "ahhhhhhhhhh" of pleasure.

 

[Murphys_Law]

99% of the time I will look over the taps in the bar and select something different, sip it and enjoy what the brewer was attempting, then settle on some great craft beer I know.

AND then there is the BLUE CAN. Don't know why, but I just do, especially if it's buried in ice in a cooler but ......


I LIKE BUD LIGHT.


There, I said it. Screw you beer snobs, but I'd bet the rent that many of you have cracked one open, taken a big sip and then opened you mouth and let out a relaxing "ahhhhhhhhhh" of pleasure.

I can't stand Bud Light! It's just gross, IMO.

And I'm not coming from a "beer snob" perspective...I drink Miller Light often when I go out with my buddies and sometimes sneak in a Coors Light, as well!

 

[Cavpilot2000]

1. Belgian beers are okay, but generally overrated. I'm tired of people acting like they're the Second Coming in beer form.

2. Not a big fan of sour beers, but they occasionally have their place - it's probably the trend-chasing beer crowd that turns me off of them (you know, the guy in cuffed skinny jeans, a flannel shirt with red suspenders, a beard and more hair pomade than Elvis?).

3. Tired of everything needing to be Extreme in beer
a. imperialization of everything
b. the "more IBU/hops = better" mentality of west coast IPAs
c. 8-10% ABV beers unless they're barleywine

4. Tired of Session IPAs - it's a damn American Pale Ale at that point

5. Tired of Triple chocolate bourbon barrel cherry vanilla chile java coconut stouts (and their ilk).

6. I think classic German lagers are amazing beers and not boring at all, unless your palate has been killed by "more-is-better" west coast IPAs or the aforementioned ridiculous stout.

7. And if I am visiting someone and they offer me a BMC Light, because thats their house beer, I will graciously accept their hospitality and drink it without complaint. And you know what? I'll enjoy it too, because there is a time and place for every beer under the sun.

 

[Redlantern]

1.

7. And if I am visiting someone and they offer me a BMC Light, because thats their house beer, I will graciously accept their hospitality and drink it without complaint. And you know what? I'll enjoy it too, because there is a time and place for every beer under the sun.

I humbly accept this wisdom in manners and consideration as a necessary adjustment to my own snobbishness. Thank you

 

[TANSTAAFB]

I LIKE BUD LIGHT.

There, I said it. Screw you beer snobs, but I'd bet the rent that many of you have cracked one open, taken a big sip and then opened you mouth and let out a relaxing "ahhhhhhhhhh" of pleasure.

I can't stand Bud Light! It's just gross, IMO.

And I'm not coming from a "beer snob" perspective...I drink Miller Light often when I go out with my buddies and sometimes sneak in a Coors Light, as well!

The BMC I like and drink section!!! My wife's a Bud Light drinker. Lonestar is my lighter brew of choice but damn near impossible to find outside of Texas. Since moving to Colorado it has become Coors light or Coors original. I can't stand Bud or Bud Light...I'd rather drink the Beast!

 

[TANSTAAFB]

(you know, the guy in cuffed skinny jeans, a flannel shirt with red suspenders, a beard and more hair pomade than Elvis?).


7. And if I am visiting someone and they offer me a BMC Light, because thats their house beer, I will graciously accept their hospitality and drink it without complaint. And you know what? I'll enjoy it too, because there is a time and place for every beer under the sun.

I think we all cringe at that guy.

And I couldn't agree with you more...Being gracious seems to be a rapidly disappearing trait.

 

[Genghis]

Dryhopping an IPA more than 2oz in a 5 gallon batch is unnecessary and a waste of good hops.

Poop. I just put 2.5oz in my last batch yesterday. I'd better go dump it.

 

[jurgenph]

don't tap my beer with the faucet inside the glass, submerged in the beer/foam.
can't believe how many bartenders don't know how to properly tap a beer

J.

 

[schematix]

I LIKE BUD LIGHT.

I am a huge fan of Bud Light Platinum, but only in the tall thin aluminum cans. The bottles are trash. I can guzzle those down in 3-4 sips easily.

6% carbonated alcohol water. It doesn't even attempt to taste like beer.

 

[303Dan]

I hate the idea that if you won't drink a Budweiser it makes you a beer snob. It's just a style like any other style. It's just one I don't care for. I enjoy probably 90% of all beer styles. That's one of the other 10%. I don't give anyone crap for liking it, so I'd appreciate the same consideration when I choose not to drink one.

If I'm at somebody's house for a social occasion and there are literally no other options, including wine, mixed drinks, etc, then I'll drink one to be polite, and I'd never make a derogatory comment about someone's taste in beer.

 

[Cavpilot2000]

I hate the idea that if you won't drink a Budweiser it makes you a beer snob. It's just a style like any other style. It's just one I don't care for. I enjoy probably 90% of all beer styles. That's one of the other 10%. I don't give anyone crap for liking it, so I'd appreciate the same consideration when I choose not to drink one.

If I'm at somebody's house for a social occasion and there are literally no other options, including wine, mixed drinks, etc, then I'll drink one to be polite, and I'd never make a derogatory comment about someone's taste in beer.

THAT IS LITERALLY THE WORST OPINION I'VE EVER HEARD!!!




lol just kidding.

 

[303Dan]

THAT IS LITERALLY THE WORST OPINION I'VE EVER HEARD!!!




lol just kidding.

Well played, sir.

 

[Barley_Bob]

Poop. I just put 2.5oz in my last batch yesterday. I'd better go dump it.

As tribute to the beer gods, I demand you sacrifice one quarter of your batch by bottling and shipping it to my address in a carefully packed box!

 

[pretzelb]

Light lagers aren't that bad. There, I said it.

 

[Shawn0522]

I think there are american IPAs but not west coast and NE IPA. If NE IPA wernt cloudy i think one could pass for another most if not all of the time

 

[Bosh]

Light lagers aren't that bad. There, I said it.

Nope, as long as they don't have a metallic aftertaste (**** you Cass), are plenty cold and aren't "lite." In Korea Max is really quite acceptable, don't find it any worse than a lot of hefeweizens I've tried. But now that all the minimarts have continual sales on mass market imports I'm not freaking buying it when I can buy Pilsner Urquell for about the same price unless I buy one of the 1.6 liter bottles.

Just I have the palate of leather and I'm not going to really enjoy something unless it had enough flavor to penetrate my dulled senses.

Similarly I quite like sweet white wines as far as wines go (reds gotta be dry as a bone though) but I'd see why wine people would get pissed off if the vast vast majority of the wine that got stocked was nothing by white zinfandel.

 

[Bosh]

4. Tired of Session IPAs - it's a damn American Pale Ale at that point

5. Tired of Triple chocolate bourbon barrel cherry vanilla chile java coconut stouts (and their ilk).

6. I think classic German lagers are amazing beers and not boring at all, unless your palate has been killed by "more-is-better" west coast IPAs or the aforementioned ridiculous stout.

For 4 mostly agreed but I expect a session IPA to be a lot drier than an APA.

For 5 I couldn't agree more. I'm pretty experimental with my brewing but except for some sugar in styles that call for it I haven't used any adjuncts since the summer. There's so many ways to experiment with just malt, hops and yeast. For example I'm gearing up for wheatless wit with lots of pilsner malt and a small dry hop. Too many people chain themselves to artificial styles and then add waaaaay too many adjuncts to try to spice them up.

6 agreed in theory but a lot of German breweries have really been cutting corners to keep prices down and it really really shows. German beer is getting to be like French wine, if I see either for a low price it's the absolute last thing I'd ever think of buying.

 

[Redlantern]

I drink heady out of a tulip glass

 

[Cavpilot2000]

I think there are american IPAs but not west coast and NE IPA. If NE IPA wernt cloudy i think one could pass for another most if not all of the time

Not really - the big difference is that NEIPAs are very low on the bittering scale compared to West Coast, and tend toward more fruity hops varieties.
I know a lot of people haven't had enough samples of NEIPA and on this site you will get a lot of advice that doesn't fit what we see in most of them up here as far as hops additions.
Most of the better/ more "prototypical" examples of the style either don't include any boil hops at all, or don't boil hops for more than 15 minutes.
West Coast IPAs are usually all about bitterness - NEIPAs are softer, FAR less bitter, and the dry hop character (through hops choice) is quite different.

If you can't tell the difference (i.e. one could pass for the other), then the brewer smudged the lines between the styles. And as exemplars of the style, you should look to products from The Alchemist, Treehouse, and Hill.

In Massachusetts we have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to the style (unfortunately its getting hard to find beers that AREN'T dripping with Citra or Galaxy - my kingdom for a Munich Dunkel!!)