Snobbery or not, I noticed a difference with the glass - at least with the aroma.

I've no problem 'red cupping' it at a kegger, however.

Anyone else like as much of the carbonation to stay in the beer as possible rather than coming out in a giant frothy head?

The head is part of the "experience". Aroma, flavor, so much is unleashed through a proper pour.

I had a few new samples over the weekend, not a fan of any, one I even had to pour down the drain!

I have had some decent beers from Brooklyn Brewing, Their Brooklyn Lager is a good "standard" so when I saw their Winter Ale, I wanted to try it, that was a BIG mistake!
But I later found out this is not really a winter ale as I am familiar with from other breweries, this is a Scotch Ale and I don't care for Scotch Ales. It tasted like armpit!

The best of the 4 I had was "Never Summer" by Boulder Beer
It had a lot going on and was actually pretty good but for the one problem (for me) it having a too "burnt" flavor. I know plenty of people who love the roasted malt flavor so if you enjoy roasted malts, I would recommend this for you to try. I just couldn't get by that burnt flavor!

I really like Troegs beers, Hopback Amber and Nugget Nectar are awesome brews! I also like Bock beers, Troegs has a highly rated double bock called Troegenator, I was looking forward to this one! Meh, it wasn't as good as I had hoped! Maybe I'm not a fan of Double Bock as I am simple Bock? This just wasn't that good.

Funny, I can't seem to remember the other two off hand, whatever they were, they didn't knock my socks off so who cares? But I will take a look in my bottle return bin to jog my memory!
I do have several still to try (I think I got 10 to play around with so I still have 6 to go!)

I talked to quite a few people today that said they either wouldn't be going out for NYE or would go out early and be done specifically to avoid the drunks. Obviously that issue probably has improved much over the years but it only takes one obnoxious drunk to ruin any environment.

I certainly appreciate those in the craft industry & enthusiasts in general that genuinely hold up the banner of moderation; that part of really enjoying life's pleasures includes moderation.

To your health and well being gents. Personally I'm glad for 2013 to be over and am looking for a new year of possibilities. Cheers!

Happy New Years to all!
Myself, my wife and I went to a small party where we had a grand total of 7 people. That was quite nice, we had a "few" drinks (moderation was the name of the day) and played party board games. Geeky, dorky, whatever, we had a good time! Honestly, that's more my idea of fun, relaxing, laughing, no pressures, not drunks, no crowds, just being ourselves and having fun (Though I left my next few beers home as I wanted to keep them to myself and did not want to drink on this night)

Happy new year to y'all as well!

Stayed up past midnight even though I had a 5:30 a.m. flight to catch (my poor father-in-law caught the drop-off duty). Yesterday played Dominion: Prosperity & then Dominion: Dark Ages with my daughters, 5 & 7. The 7-year old kept catching me on rules violations… unintentional on my part, of course. Only drink I had was a New Glarus Stone Soup. That was a really good abbey style beer, not one I'm familiar with but plan on trying more of. During the course of my stay I also tried two other New Glarus beers: Black Top (good black IPA but not great) and Moon Man (a pretty weak IPA, meh).

Anyway, after a short nap and making a house full of Christmas go away for my wife's return (still with her dad & the kids), I'm sipping on one of my favorites, a Founder's Breakfast Stout. I'm in desperate need of the caffeine.

Off to Philly tomorrow for a conference and it so happens I'll be there Saturday night for the game. Any suggestions for where to watch? I suspect it will be crazy anywhere but I'll be in the downtown area if it helps. Tom, that's your old stomping grounds, right?

Best wishes for a great year for you and your families!

By the way, the stout is tasting mighty fine in my new tulip glass. Eat my snobbery dust, punks!

I really didn't do too much "stomping" when in Philly. I was born there, moved up north when I was 6
Moved back for 2-3 years right after college (but was too busy with a long commute and a LOT of trips back north and few friends). Plus I lived up in Bucks County (the long commute) AND it was about 20 years ago so my knowledge of Philly is not that good as far as places to watch a game! (though I didn't work all that far from the Stadium complex ...passed by it every day)
My limited suggestion is the City Tap House (Penn University area)
It is near where I used to work, it's a sports bar and they have over 60 beers on tap!
sounds like a plan to me!

Seahawk victory...now there's a beer for that.

Southern Tier Eurotrash Pils
Pilsners are not my favorite but why not try what the mass produced beers should taste like? Yeah, it was better than Budweiser but still it was a pilsner and fair at best.

Otter Creek Copper Ale
I had this about a year ago or more, not since. It wasn't as good as I liked back then. It had nice malt flavors and even was a touch sweet (not sickeningly though). It was good but not great or even real good. Worth a try to those who are not hop heads and who enjoy malt flavor.

Philly bars have really upped their beer game since I was last here. Spent most of my time a few blocks from the hotel at Rotten Ralph's quaffing Dogfish 60 mins. Great bartender & friendly company. Now sitting in bar at the train station with Founders Breakfast Stout. I can't remember all the different beers I had but the one I didn't like much was Yard's English style IPA. Too bitter for me.

Face it Randy, you are wrong on this count!
the "correct" glassware is not terribly important, but glassware most certainly IS an important part of any decent beer! You simply can't dismiss two things...

Beer is meant to be POURED
the pour releases flavors, a beer from a tap is of course poured, but if from a bottle, it too should be poured! The pour releases gasses, it releases flavors, it makes the beer the way it was intended to be consumed! Saying it is simply meant to be drank and the POUR (not the glass) doesn't matter is like saying a steak should be eaten and how you cook it doesn't matter, of course it matters, saying otherwise is simply being ignorant to the facts.

Secondly, aroma is most certainly part of flavor. Try plugging your nose when you taste anything, all flavor is lost! Aroma is a big part of the taste and keeping the aroma locked in the bottle, keeps the full flavor from being released as well. Simple facts pal, the pour and the aroma most certainly DO affect your flavor. You may not care, and when drinking crap beer, maybe you prefer to NOT taste what you are drinking!? but trying to put down the science behind flavor is not making you look manly and me a sissy, it simply makes you look a fool!

Wanna call the correct glassware sissy is fair game and (if you read what was posted) I agree with that sentiment. You can even use a red solo cup (I prefer clear so you can see the color and clarity of your brew but this does not affect flavor so solo cup = no big deal) But saying a pour doesn't matter....nope, you went too far and ignored basic science of taste!

and regarding your dislike of Cascade Hops.
To each their own, I like the bright citrussy and piney flavor of Cascade Hops but I understand it is a flavor that may not appeal to all!

I had mentioned you try Great Lakes Brewing, Eliot Ness. Have you tried this yet? No cascade hops there, they use Mt Hood hops (another Pacific Northwest local hop, maybe you would like that one better!?) seriously, from what you have said about what you like and do not like, this is a serious recommendation I think you will really enjoy!

RUFFHAUS 8 wrote:Mike, I'm still looking for some of the beers you recommended, but not with much luck... So on your recommendation I tried the Lost Rhino Pils,

Not my recommendation - I've never had it.

If you don't like those big hoppy beers, you might actually shy away from my recommendations.