What beer set you free?

[Willy Boner]

The world of craft beers opened up when I first tried a Hammerhead,which is McMenamen's pale ale .I think this about the same recipe as Mirror Pond. Then I graduated to Terminator Stout.

 

[JKelley]

+1 for Old Rasputin, I long for the day its available anywhere near here. Can't complain too much though- Dogfish Head, Victory, Flying Fish, Otter Creek and a few others all have good varieties available to supplement my home brew intake. Our local distributors all have a love affair with Sam Adams which is ok beer, just don't feel as strongly about it as they apparently do...

 

[JohnA111]

For me it was a Pete's Wicked winter sampler in 1995. Not to say that I haven't had gallons of BMC from then on, but good beer was redefined and sought out much more often. In the last 4 or 5 years I can't stand much BMC. And since I've started brewing and begin to know what makes each beer each beer, I'd rather have a water than a Bud at a bar.

My vote is for Pete's Wicked Maple Porter and Ottercreek's Stovepipe Porter.

Wasn't ever a hop head either until shortly before I started brewing and wanted control once the beer I wanted was formulated in my head.

 

[Beerthoven]

The Bayern Amber from Bayern Brewing Company in Missoula, MT.

Back when I was there, Bayern was housed in the Iron Horse Brew Pub, but I think the two businesses have since parted ways. The restaurant where I cooked was also housed in the same building. After work we would go get soused on great German beer.

Funny story: One day the Head Brewer came over to the kitchen and asked me if he could have 15lbs of sugar. I said yes, and pointed him over to the sugar bin. He went and measured out 15# of sugar and left. A few minutes later he came back and said it wasn't sugar at all, it was salt! Somebody had accidentally poured salt into the sugar bin. Good thing he tasted it first before adding it to the kettle. He taught me a saying that day that I have never forgotten: "Trust is good, but control is better."

 

[Hell Brew]

Mine was Spaten Optimador and then I drank a ton of Guiness until I had a Stone IPA and it was all over after that. Belgians , Barleywines, Imperial anything.:rockin: I am a certified EAC now, and Guiness tastes bland and watery now unless I let it warm up alot.

 

[mrk305]

For me it was a brew pub rather than a beer brand that got started. I guess it was Smokey Mountain Brewery in Gatlinburg TN that got me interested in better beers. My wife and I go there every year for our anniversary and I would always get a sampler platter of brews plus a mug of my favorite, along with a darn good dinner!

 

[Schlenkerla]

A "James Polk Porter" from Court Ave Micro-Brewery in Des Moines.

 

[Jaybird]

without a doubt it has to be SPATEN OPTIMATOR I was 23 years old and my step dad turned me on to it I LOVE IT!!!!!! and still cant get enough
RECIPES PLEASE!!!!!
JJ

 

[Demon]

High Roller Red Ale at the Monte Carlo Brewery in Vegas. We drank a few giraffes of the stuff and that is when I started to appreciate the flavors in a beer.

 

[RobertHSmith]

A mix pack of Sam Adams stuff for me