Beer Forum

Just wanted to say hello.
been listening for a few years now and as UK brewer I wanted to join the forum to see if you guys brew shit like we get sent over from the US Big boys, only joking the big boys beers are really shit .

I'm always on the lookout for US beers we are now getting a steady flow BUT!


Goose Island and S Nav best brews I'v had so far which is a bit poor for the amount I have sampled.

WTF is Blue Moon, I love Wheats but come on, stick an orange in it LOL


Go search out BREW DOG beers ( Uk) current fave is Punk IPA

anyhow Hi 5 People

I second the BrewDog beers. I think they're the best there is. The BrewDog pub in Camden Town is great. I got a brewing lesson from Stewart Bowman, who is the head brewer there. He told me the secret to his beers was Thomas Fawcett Caramalt and dry hopping at very low temps...0 C. He also said that he uses 20% TF Caramalt in 5 AM Saint. I tried everything he said, and I wasn't even close. I don't recommend dry hopping that cold because it leaves a flowery flavor and aroma. The only beers that we have in the US that are as aromatic as BrewDog are made by Lagunitas. I'd try brewing some of those if I was you. Also, Stone Levitation Ale tastes similar to 5 AM Saint and almost identical to Hops Kill. I'd listen to that podcast on the Jamil Show. Fawcett malt is hard to source in the US. I recommend you sourcing it in the UK. I lived in East Anglia for about 8 years, and I hope to return soon. But when I do go back, I'm going to source better malt and hops. If you don't get exactly what the big boys are brewing with, you can't make the beers that people will confuse for professionally crafted beer. Also, do whatever you can to get White Labs yeast. I couldn't find it out there, but it makes a big difference if you can find it. Welcome to the forum.

GARYSMIFF wrote:WTF is Blue Moon, I love Wheats but come on, stick an orange in it LOL

As you may know, that's one of the big boys' attempts to make a Belgian wit... as for BrewDog, I always kind of saw them as overhyped and gimmicky, but admit I may not have given them a fair shake. May have to pick up something of theirs next time I see it and give it a go.

Welcome to the Madhouse!

BeaverBarber wrote:The only beers that we have in the US that are as aromatic as BrewDog are made by Lagunitas.

This is VERY far from the truth. While I've never had anything from Brewdog, I have had many Lagunitas beers. There are MANY beers from many breweries that are just as aromatic as anything from Lagunitas (which I totally agree do have excellent aromatics) out there.

One of my locals - Black Raven Trickster IPA, comes to mind. Elysian Immortal IPA? Ever try Racer 5, Hop Rod Rye, or Racer X, all from Bear Republic? What about Russian River Blind Pig? Rogue Brutal Bitter? Caldera Pale Ale? Anything from Ninkasi?
Every one of these beers is incredibly aromatic. My point isn't to put down Lagunitas or Brewdog by any stretch.
My point is that Lagunitas is but one star in a galaxy of US breweries that produce fantastic products.
And on top of it, I limited it to a small set from Northern California, Oregon, and WA. There are MANY more great beers from all over the US that have great aromatics.