Better Drinking

From time to time, I am asked about my favorite beer. My usual answer is, 'it depends'. What time of year it is? What time of day is it? What is the occasion? What am I eating with it, if at all? Who am I drinking with? A list of my personal tastes could be very large, so I've decided to list some of favorite favorites, but not necessarily beers I drink all of the time, and in no discernable order.

Everyone's a critic, so if you don't agree, lift your own glass for the right reasons; joy in creation and the Creator.

Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout - cream of the crop when it comes to sweet stouts, best on cool evenings in fall and winter, accompanied with home-made meat pie. A 12oz bottle is not really big enough; buy a bomber and savor. Smooth and creamy, absolutely a shame when the glass is empty.

Paulaner Hefeweizen - the best wheat beer on the planet, hands down. Excellent warm weather brew, especially when beer is nice and cold. American hefeweizens just can't touch this one. If on vacation on the beach, it's ok to start at 10am with one of these.

Ayinger Celebrator - the king of dopplebocks, black as midnight, incredibly malty, just like a liquid dessert. As a lager it needs to be cold when imbibing, and pairing it with food is fine, but tends to distract from it's own meal-like quality. I recommend this one with like-minded friends in the evening, while discussing theology or another high-minded pursuit.

Hennepin - outside of Unibroue, Ommegang is one of the best Belgian brewers outside of Belgium. This beer is refreshingly crisp, light, and good anytime of day. True to the Saison style, it is dry, spicy, carbonated, yet not overpowering as some Belgians are. If you can handle the 7.5% ABV, drink the 750ml over an hour, along with a good book. A great wind-down-your-day beer.

Weihenstephaner Hefe Weisse Dunkel - the best dunkelweizen I've ever had, like drinking chocolate milk. Imagine all the characteristics of a great German wheat beer, mixed with chocolate, cloves, and bananas. Maybe that doesn't appeal to you, but I could drink this stuff all day. The best time to imbibe is right when you get home, waiting for dinner.

Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout - a great, big beer from the talented Garrett Oliver. Incredibly complex, chewy and powerful, excellent with dessert. Also bold enough to handle a cigar paring, though I recommend a maduro. Best on a fall or winter evening around a nice campfire, with friends or family. Buy some and cellar them for a year. It's still great.

That's it for now; enjoy.