Question for beer drinkers

[Vampyr]

Lately I have gotten more into trying different types of beer, and one type in particular that I enjoy are brown ales.

The first one I had was a Hobgoblin, which was awesome. I put it in my fridge for a while, but drank it before it was all the way cold, and the flavour was amazing. I had another one recently that had been in the fridge for a day or so, which still tasted great, but with less flavour.

I know that brown ales are best served at "cellar temperature" (45 - 50 degrees), which I think is what I inadvertently hit the first time.

From your experience, are bottled brown ales best served at this temperature? I have a friend who said he would drink it cold from a bottle, and wouldn't go for the cellar temp unless it was being served from a cask. I'm not sure if it really matters.

Also, what's a good way to measure the temp of the beer? I'm want to just be able to set one out of my fridge when I know I'm going to be drinking it. Would a thermometer like this work?:

http://www.amazon.com/CDN-DTQ450X-ProAccurate-Quick-Read-Thermometer/dp/B0021AEAG2/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1UQVQGBHV0EN5&colid=2WLQU6WVZOHRN

[KillerGremlin]

Skip the thermometer. If we are approaching beer with an OCD-finesse, I would be just just as concerned that inserting a thermometer into the beer would contaminate it with germs and oils that might accumulate on the thermometer. Of course you could wash the thermometer every time...but why bother. I find what works best for me is to throw a sixer in the fridge, and when I want a beer I take it out about 10 to 20 minutes in advance. After the beer has sat out I'll open it and pour it, and then if the beer is still too warm I'll let it warm up as I drink. Your mileage may vary.

To be honest, temperature is largely a preference thing. The only hard fact with temperature is that if the beer is too cold you'll numb your taste buds. I've heard people say to drink Brown Ales at cellar temps, but I think the lightness of the style and the similarities to American Amber/Pale Ales lend the beer to be served at cooler temps (40-45°F).

Another thing...pour the beer into a glass. That's probably going to make as much of a difference as temperature. You don't need anything fancy...a standard shaker will do.

[Vampyr]

Yeah, I always pour into a glass.

[KillerGremlin]

I typically side on the warmer spectrum....but every now and then I pour a beer and let it warm up because I'm not satisfied with the temp. I take notes (and am contemplating a beer blog to keep tabs on all the beers I've tried) so when you are writing stuff down that gives the beer an opportunity to warm up....

I like my cream stouts, American strong ales and porters warmer...sometimes I let an IPA/IIPA get pretty warm too. When the beer warms up you sometimes can pull out more malty notes or caramel.

[Dyne]

I'm crazy about beer. I've tried tons and I've never really written reviews. My favourites are the bitters, pilsners and IPAs. My go-to beer is Russell's Wee Angry Scotch Ale, which is from a local place.

If you can find it though, try this stuff. Extra Special Bitter by Propeller Head:

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/1878/5125

[gekko]

I mainly drink imperial stouts, and those change flavor as they warm up, however, I prefer them cold. Usually they come in 22oz bottles, so they will warm as you drink it. I personally find it they start cold, they will warm to a "cool" temperature by the time it's done, which gives me the full flavor spectrum. If it starts at any warmer temperature, it'll be a bit too warm at the very end.

[Vampyr]

I mainly drink imperial stouts, and those change flavor as they warm up, however, I prefer them cold. Usually they come in 22oz bottles, so they will warm as you drink it. I personally find it they start cold, they will warm to a "cool" temperature by the time it's done, which gives me the full flavor spectrum. If it starts at any warmer temperature, it'll be a bit too warm at the very end.

I haven't had many imperial stouts, however, one of the top beers on BeerAdvocate is this one: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/1199/19960

I am fortunate enough to live in Lexington, KY, and I'm really looking forward to buying a few of these this winter.

I've tried a few IPA's, and I'm just not a fan of them. I like some hoppiness, but IPA's are just crazy.

[gekko]

Ya, I can't get those out here :(

[KillerGremlin]

I'm crazy about beer. I've tried tons and I've never really written reviews. My favourites are the bitters, pilsners and IPAs. My go-to beer is Russell's Wee Angry Scotch Ale, which is from a local place.

If you can find it though, try this stuff. Extra Special Bitter by Propeller Head:

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/1878/5125

I was going to say I haven't tried any bitters, but then I looked and New Belgium's 2° Below Winter Ale is on the list...so I guess I'm just a goof since I thought it was an IPA when I tried it. I also have had Goose Island's Harvest Ale...but that was a ways back. I'll keep an eye out for the Extra Special Bitter.

I mainly drink imperial stouts, and those change flavor as they warm up, however, I prefer them cold. Usually they come in 22oz bottles, so they will warm as you drink it. I personally find it they start cold, they will warm to a "cool" temperature by the time it's done, which gives me the full flavor spectrum. If it starts at any warmer temperature, it'll be a bit too warm at the very end.

You strike me as someone who really takes the time to appreciate their beer. But then, you stated in the other thread that you love The Abyss, which with my newer-found appreciation of beer, I now know is one of the most coveted stouts.

[KillerGremlin]

I haven't had many imperial stouts, however, one of the top beers on BeerAdvocate is this one: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/1199/19960

I am fortunate enough to live in Lexington, KY, and I'm really looking forward to buying a few of these this winter.

I've tried a few IPA's, and I'm just not a fan of them. I like some hoppiness, but IPA's are just crazy.

A good gateway Imperial is Old Rasputin by North Coast Brewing: http://www.ratebeer.com/Ratings/Beer/Beer-Ratings.asp?BeerID=680

It is complex...widely available, and cheap. It also has wide availability unlike the Abyss or Dark Lord, so you don't have to pay out the ass or trade to get a bottle.

As far as IPAs go...some are definitely unbalanced in that they really favor hops. Maybe give New Belgium's Ranger IPA a try...it has a lot of "dank" hops, and is funky enough to draw attention away from any IBU-punch. Also excellent is Green Flash Brewing's West Coast IPA. It's easily one of my favorite IPAs, and it is full of dank hop flavors (including lawnmower and hemp notes).

On the other end of the spectrum is Dogfish Head's 60 Minute IPA...that is just a clean, polished, and balanced IPA.

[The Germanator]

I haven't had many imperial stouts, however, one of the top beers on BeerAdvocate is this one: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/1199/19960

I am fortunate enough to live in Lexington, KY, and I'm really looking forward to buying a few of these this winter.

I've tried a few IPA's, and I'm just not a fan of them. I like some hoppiness, but IPA's are just crazy.

Oh man. KBS is a beer I've been wanting to try forever. It's fairly rare to get it anywhere here on the East Coast. A friend of mine had it recently and said it lived up to the billing.

A local beer warehouse lists it in their stock, but they've never actually had it. A case runs over $100, but if they ever got it in, I'd probably try to buy it, or at least see if they'd save one or two for me.

KBS and Pliny the Elder are the two American beers I really want to try the most.

[Vampyr]

A good gateway Imperial is Old Rasputin by North Coast Brewing: http://www.ratebeer.com/Ratings/Beer/Beer-Ratings.asp?BeerID=680

It is complex...widely available, and cheap. It also has wide availability unlike the Abyss or Dark Lord, so you don't have to pay out the ass or trade to get a bottle.

As far as IPAs go...some are definitely unbalanced in that they really favor hops. Maybe give New Belgium's Ranger IPA a try...it has a lot of "dank" hops, and is funky enough to draw attention away from any IBU-punch. Also excellent is Green Flash Brewing's West Coast IPA. It's easily one of my favorite IPAs, and it is full of dank hop flavors (including lawnmower and hemp notes).

On the other end of the spectrum is Dogfish Head's 60 Minute IPA...that is just a clean, polished, and balanced IPA.

Wow, Old Rasputin looks great, and has an awesome review on BeerAdvocate. I'll look for it next time I'm at the liquor store.

I've had DogFish Head 60-minute IPA, which I really didn't like. The only IPA I've kind of enjoyed is Bell's Two Hearted Ale, but not enough to buy it again.

On the other hand DogFish Head Punkin Ale may be my favorite beer of all time. Can't wait for it to be in season.

Oh man. KBS is a beer I've been wanting to try forever. It's fairly rare to get it anywhere here on the East Coast. A friend of mine had it recently and said it lived up to the billing.

A local beer warehouse lists it in their stock, but they've never actually had it. A case runs over $100, but if they ever got it in, I'd probably try to buy it, or at least see if they'd save one or two for me.

KBS and Pliny the Elder are the two American beers I really want to try the most.

I would be willing to trade a KBS for something when it's available, but it's illegal to ship alcohol in Kentucky. :\ Not sure what the punishment is for getting caught.

[gekko]

You strike me as someone who really takes the time to appreciate their beer. But then, you stated in the other thread that you love The Abyss, which with my newer-found appreciation of beer, I now know is one of the most coveted stouts.

:D I got 5 in my house, and I found some on tap 2 months ago :D :D :D I can't find any damn Ten FIDY though, usually I can get it all year. Not too happy about that.

Speaking of Pliny, we have gotten tons of it this year. I've been meaning to try it. Not the biggest IPA fan, which is why I've haven't jumped on the opportunities thus far.

[The Germanator]

Ten FIDY is nice. We get most of the Oskar Blue's around here pretty easily. I love that canning is becoming more and more common in the microbrew world. Sometimes you get that "can taste", but usually it's fine. Great for tubing!

21st Amendment's Hop Crisis in a can is great. 9.7% and it doesn't taste like it.

[Typhoid]

Coldness of beer is always personal preference. I find when beers market the coldness of their beer hilarious, aren't we in control of how cold the beer is?

Anyways, typically, the darker the beer, the warmer you want it.
Also, the warmer the beer - the more flavourful it will be, regardless of what type it is. Now obviously drinking something like a warm Pilsner isn't a great idea just to see how much fuller it will taste, because I can assure you it still tastes like Pilsner.

The problem is refreshingness vs. flavour. The warmer the beer, the more flavour you get, but the less refreshing it will be - the colder it is, the less flavour you experience, but it will be at maximum refreshment potential.

[DeathsHand]

I haven't had many imperial stouts, however, one of the top beers on BeerAdvocate is this one: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/1199/19960

Founders' Breakfast Stout (the non-Kentucky variety) is probably my favorite beer.
So I was quite excited last year my favorite bar got a small keg of their Kentucky Breakfast Stout.
It cleared my nasal passageways and I could barely finish my 12oz goblet.
That is all.

P.S. Flying Dog Gonzo Imperial Porter is also a delicious dark beer.
P.P.S. A fairly new brewery (Port City) opened up in Alexandria, VA. Their porter (aptly named "Porter") is quite delish.
P.P.P.S. I am a recovering alcoholic.

[gekko]

P.S. Flying Dog Gonzo Imperial Porter is also a delicious dark beer.

Sounds familiar. Is that the one with the crazy label art?