I like a fine brew. But over years of experience buying beer in this marketplace I've come to find that the storage/shipping/handling of beer in this nation often times severely impacts the quality and content.
The result is that beer sold here is often not the quality that it should be and was when bottled.
Its really a shame, but beer is not a respected enough product in N.A. and doesn't get its proper handling due and consideration.
Some obvious problems of note:
Storage Temperature)
Most of the darker beers are improperly stored in transport, and coolers, and are also subject to changes in temperature as they are being unloaded. Many of these quality beers basically suffer the refrigeration conditions best preferred by connoisseurs of N.A. horse piss. In otherwords 45-50C instead of the preferable 55-60C that dark beers prefer. Any supplier of note here either stores dark beers at room temperature or in overcold coolers. I've not once visited a store here that has any of this product properly stored on shelf.
Storage lighting)
Next most liquor stores here are to use understatement, EXTREMELY well lit. This is apparently for benefit of security vs product as no port, wine, champagne, or beer benefits at all from this condition. Particularly due to decreased use of dark beer bottles and imports not being contained in full case they are particularly susceptible to being damaged by light.
I should mention that the above two conditions are irreversible. Once a beer has been stored at the wrong temperature/lighting for a length of time its quality has been altered. Contrary to common opinion you can't restore it by returning it to proper temperature/lighting. But light, and particularly natural light virtually destroys beer like no other factor and in the case of quality beer ruins good product.
For this reason and due to a quarter century of exposure to deplorable shipping and handling standards here I am no longer even trying to be a beer connoisseur here.
I'll instead drink any reasonable beer and hope that its storage has at least been adequate.
ps just to add I think bottled "dark stubbies" possibly stored beer better due to move volume/surface volume of bottle and due to contents being less impacted by light/external temp. But convenience of pouring/packaging has resulted in the current bottle.
Last edited by Replacement: 06-19-2008 at 02:18 PM.
Its interesting to see how much marketing impacts peoples selection. Beer is one of many classic case studies in this.
For instance 15 yrs ago when all things Aussie seemed popular "Fosters" was all the rage even though it was, and is, standard horsepiss. High priced piss at that. For close to a decade I rember many that were for some reason devout "Fosters" fans. Now predictably without adds theres no fans of this beer here.
Another example found in Budweiser "King of Beers". Does anybody actually like Budweiser?
I would say since then that Corona is the most advertising effected brand choice. Nothing special at all. Really just marketing at work.
Its interesting to see how much marketing impacts peoples selection. Beer is one of many classic case studies in this.
For instance 15 yrs ago when all things Aussie seemed popular "Fosters" was all the rage even though it was, and is, standard horsepiss. High priced piss at that. For close to a decade I rember many that were for some reason devout "Fosters" fans. Now predictably without adds theres no fans of this beer here.
Another example found in Budweiser "King of Beers". Does anybody actually like Budweiser?
I would say since then that Corona is the most advertising effected brand choice. Nothing special at all. Really just marketing at work.
I would let tastebuds decide.
I dont know about that. It works on people at a young age but once you get to enjoy beer I dont think it matters. A lot of peoples choices of the higher end are imports. Which never get advertised. The only beers that get advertised really are Molson, Corona, Bud and a few other american beers. I think free **** you get with beer is better advertising. I really dislike Budwieser but a few years ago I bought a 12 pack because it came with a hat.
Its interesting to see how much marketing impacts peoples selection. Beer is one of many classic case studies in this.
For instance 15 yrs ago when all things Aussie seemed popular "Fosters" was all the rage even though it was, and is, standard horsepiss. High priced piss at that. For close to a decade I rember many that were for some reason devout "Fosters" fans. Now predictably without adds theres no fans of this beer here.
Another example found in Budweiser "King of Beers". Does anybody actually like Budweiser?
I would say since then that Corona is the most advertising effected brand choice. Nothing special at all. Really just marketing at work.
I would let tastebuds decide.
Ya depends are marketing big time, Personally, Kokanee, Canadian, Bud and Pilsner taste all about the same, put them in 4 unmarked glasses and it would amaze me if any one could guess all correctly. They all are pretty crappy beer really.
Heinaken is another, huge big name label, really bland beer in my book.
Any way, you are right for sure. Look at all the comercials, making you feel canadian for drinking canadian ect... and Fosters is horse piss.
1. MGD (I could crush 15 of these and I would be in my glory)
2. Hoegaarden
3. Rickards White
4. Brewhouse (Not just because it is so cheap **$11 for 12 at Superstore} But it is really good!)
5. Labatt Light
6. Keiths
7. Coors (On the beach in Maui I learned how good this beer can be!)
8. Traditional
9. Grasshoper
10. Molson Dry
For the record, Molson Canadian is disgusting! I had one for the first time in 5 years last weekend and almost threw up!
Its interesting to see how much marketing impacts peoples selection. Beer is one of many classic case studies in this.
For instance 15 yrs ago when all things Aussie seemed popular "Fosters" was all the rage even though it was, and is, standard horsepiss. High priced piss at that. For close to a decade I rember many that were for some reason devout "Fosters" fans. Now predictably without adds theres no fans of this beer here.
Another example found in Budweiser "King of Beers". Does anybody actually like Budweiser?
I would say since then that Corona is the most advertising effected brand choice. Nothing special at all. Really just marketing at work.
I would let tastebuds decide.
I agree, I have a friend that devoutly drinks Bud, since he was like 16. A month or so ago I convinced him to have a bottle of my Keiths Traditional and he said it was disgusting, didnt even finish the bottle . Made me think that if I poured Bud in an empty Keiths bottle he would have said the same thing.
In no particular order, this is what I will be drinking:
1) Red Stripe (I only drink it in the summer on hot days, it's perfect for it)
2) Alex Keith's Red
3) Keith's IPA
4) Newcastle
5) Guinness (Draught only, and they need to know how to pour it!)
6) Kilkenny Ale
7) Big Rock Trad
8) Black and Tan (Kilkenny and Guinness)
Visiting fan here... being from the States, haven't had too much in the way of Canadian brew, but here are some of my favourites, in no particular order:
- Hoegaarden (Good, shame it's so damn expensive)
- Schwelmer Hefe Weisen (If you can find this stuff, BUY IT... best hefe I've ever had, by a long shot, though a bit pricey. All other Hefeweisens feel inferior all of a sudden)
- Sam Adams Winter Lager (My favourite of the 15 Sam Adams varieties I've tried, best brew to grab with dinner or in the hot tub after a long day on the slopes... wouldn't much suffice in the summer, so good thing it's a seasonal)
- Long Trail Blackbeary Wheat (Vermont microbrew, another excellent winter brew, just enough blackberry to taste, and not enough to be overwhelming)
- Boddington's Pub Ale (Think Guinness Lite... that's Boddington's. Full bodied, smooth flowing dark ale. Very creamy mouthfeel and texture. Awesome brew)
. Made me think that if I poured Bud in an empty Keiths bottle he would have said the same thing.
