Nathan Berrong says West Coast is Best Beer Coast

[runkmaster]

Hey, this guy is making a lot of sense....

http://eatocracy.cnn.com/2011/06/27/...ews/?hpt=hp_c2

[JFryauff]

Ha...the comments to the article say it all.
Much love for the West coast beer scene, but the guy doesn't know shite.

[Guerdonian]

Whoa, this thread could get red hot fast. Sounds like a stoker for east coast vs. west coast flamage. I say the beer scene in between the coasts (ala rocky mountains, colorado) is the best (mostly to start an argument) muhahaha

[jtmartino]

Ha...the comments to the article say it all.
Much love for the West coast beer scene, but the guy doesn't know shite.

Actually, without being subjective, he's correct that the West Coast has the best beer in America. More beers from the Pacific region have won medals in national and international competitions than any other single region.

Also, the West Coast has more top 100 beers on BA and RB than anywhere else.

The only other place that even comes close is the Midwest, but they just can't compete with the sheer volume of award-winning beers brewed out west.

Looks like you've got some shite to learn yourself.

[Guerdonian]

One could argue that beer advocate is user based, therefore can not give a great representation of the actual consumer market. For the same reason that the Turner forum on MTBR is one of the most active, but one of the smaller sized manufacturers with lower sold #s, than a lot of other companies. Using my own logic i guess one could conclude that Budweiser is the best beer in the US, as something ridiculousness like 40% of all beer sold, comes from them.

[jtmartino]

One could argue that beer advocate is user based, therefore can not give a great representation of the actual consumer market. For the same reason that the Turner forum on MTBR is one of the most active, but one of the smaller sized manufacturers with lower sold #s, than a lot of other companies. Using my own logic i guess one could conclude that Budweiser is the best beer in the US, as something ridiculousness like 40% of all beer sold, comes from them.

I see what you're saying, but you already discounted your argument with the Budweiser comment. Also, the people who know beer are the ones who are on the review websites, posting reviews and ratings. Personally, I would value the opinion of 1500 people online more than a small panel of judges at a beer competition.

And even if the reviews on BA or RB are not valuable, then the North American beer competitions would be the only metric. Fortunately this metric also supports the fact that West Coast beers are the best.

That being said, I think the numbers speak for themselves. And, as I've said before on another thread, more of the top beers in the US come out of San Diego than any other city.


Then again, I pretty much love beer from all over. West Coast, East Coast, other countries, whatever. It's all interesting, and exciting, and this kind of reporting is great for the industry as a whole.

[Guerdonian]

You already discounted your argument with the Budweiser comment. Also, the people who know beer are the ones who are on the review websites, posting reviews and ratings. Personally, I would value the opinion of 1500 people online more than a small panel of judges at a beer competition.

That being said, I think the numbers speak for themselves. And, as I've said before, more of the top beers in the US come out of San Diego than any other city.

I guess you missed the sarcasm in my statement, of course i don't think Budweiser is the best beer, simply trying to point out that the numbers don't necessarily mean its the "best". Toyata corolla, most sold car ever, not necessarily the "BEST". Some of the numbers i think are simply skewed due to high demand. Pliny the younger is rated ridiculously high due to the fact that its so hard to get.

I think the US coast to coast has a lot to offer. Lived in Nor Cal, now live in Nor CO, both are awesome in different ways.

[jtmartino]

I guess you missed the sarcasm in my statement, of course i don't think Budweiser is the best beer, simply trying to point out that the numbers don't necessarily mean its the "best". Toyata corolla, most sold car ever, not necessarily the "BEST". Some of the numbers i think are simply skewed due to high demand. Pliny the younger is rated ridiculously high due to the fact that its so hard to get.

I think the US coast to coast has a lot to offer. Lived in Nor Cal, now live in Nor CO, both are awesome in different ways.

You are contradicting yourself. First you state that popularity shouldn't determine the "best" beer, because otherwise we'd rate Bud (or Toyota Corolla) as #1. Then you state that numbers are skewed by high demand, which is completely opposite to your Budwesier idea.

So what is it? If a beer's popularity, or demand, or rating on BA or RB, or track record of wins at national competitions can't determine what's "best," then what can?


Oh, I know, nothing. Because "best" is a subjective term. However, if more people think that West Coast beers are better than other regions, then it's really hard to argue with the masses. Masses of people who know beer, many of which have actually had Pliny the Younger (which is the best IPA I've tasted.) People who know beer are the ones who are determining these rankings.

[wbmason55]

Hasn't this topic already been beaten to death in this forum? The west coast has great beer, and certainly wins the battle in terms of shear quantity of great craft brewers. The east coast (particularly the north east and mid-Atlantic) also has great craft brewers. So does the midwest (particularly the Great Lakes region.) Could someone please explain to me what difference it makes? Haven't we learned anything from Tu-Pac and Biggie?

[Guerdonian]

I am going to pull the whole "its personal opinion" BS. yes yes its total bull but i have had too many beers that are supposed to be "good" that i find to be crap, and vice versa. For example, Rodenbach Grand Cru 2007 vintage, my all time favorite. Literally angels singing in my mouth. Shared it with a couple friends, they thought it tasted like olives mixed with cherry juice, hated it.

I also use BA and RB prior to dropping seriose cash on a bottle, but it is just a starting point, you are the real judge. Each persons preference is different.

Sooo to bring back to the OP comment, seems like the best spot is in the eye of the imbiber. obviously mr. nathan whatevermacallit thinks the west coast wins. I neither agree nor disagree.

Edit: for the record i lived 40min from russian river, and have had pliny the younger and elder. good beers, but also not some peoples cup o tea.

[jtmartino]

I am going to pull the whole "its personal opinion" BS.

You make a lot of good points, and I definitely understand how different people like different beers. I love sours, and if you like Rodenbach you should check out New Belgium's La Folie or, my personal favorite, Lost Abbey's Red Poppy. Funny how many people hate sour beers...


But back on track, I think the only metrics we have in place for ranking beers are legitimate competitions and online sites like BA and RB. I tend to believe ratings online more than competition rankings, but they're all valid.

It all comes back to this: no matter how you cut it, beer snobs, nerds, aficionados, and experts as a whole have ranked West Coast brews higher than those from other places.

[Guerdonian]

But back on track, I think the only metrics we have in place for ranking beers are legitimate competitions and online sites like BA and RB. I tend to believe ratings online more than competition rankings, but they're all valid.

It all comes back to this: no matter how you cut it, beer snobs, nerds, aficionados, and experts as a whole have ranked West Coast brews higher than those from other places.

I can agree with that.

[xprop1]

yeah. it's tough to argue with Nathan Berrong article title: Going Big on West Coast Brews...

San Diego is the beer city, the IPA's & other hopish brews are down pat. Though I think the NW crafters keep an overall edge, particulary when keeping the winter seasonals in mind. But then again, ( harp music in background please) imagine if the SD weather, had all four seasons.

[JFryauff]

Looks like you've got some shite to learn yourself.

Cute.

Probably shouldn't try and use sarcasm with the unobservant
My bad.

Nathaniel blogs at The Belgian Way, and is quite well versed beer connoisseur (in my opinion).

Try and take the for what it's worth.

[jtmartino]

Cute.

Probably shouldn't try and use sarcasm with the unobservant
My bad.

Nathaniel blogs at The Belgian Way, and is quite well versed beer connoisseur (in my opinion).

Try and take the for what it's worth.

Your sarcasm is not clear at all. Good try, though.

[Klurejr]

Ha...the comments to the article say it all.

Really?

Chase

Best beer in the USA.. Great Lakes-Dortmunder Gold Lager

Gold Medal, 2010 World Beer Championships
Gold Medal, 2008 World Beer Championships
Gold Medal, 2007 World Beer Championships
Gold Medal, 2006 World Beer Championships
Gold Medal, 2004 World Beer Championships
Silver Medal, 2003 World Beer Championships
Gold Medal, 2002 World Beer Championships
Gold Medal, 2001 World Beer Championships
Gold Medal, 2000 World Beer Championships
Gold Medal, 1999 World Beer Championships
Gold Medal, 1998 World Beer Championships
World Champion, Gold Medal, 1997 World Beer Championships
World Champion, Gold Medal,1996 World Beer Championships
World Champion, Gold Medal, 1995 World Beer Championships
World Champion, Gold Medal, 1994 World Beer Championships
Gold Medal, 1990 Great American Beer Festival

Having a most awarded LAGER..... give me a break, Lagers are the most boring and bland of all beers made. I would not say being good at that makes for a good brewery.

Give me a Belgium Style Dubble, Imperial Stout, or Lambic Geuze any day over a Lager.

[Guerdonian]

Really?



Having a most awarded LAGER..... give me a break, Lagers are the most boring and bland of all beers made. I would not say being good at that makes for a good brewery.

Give me a Belgium Style Dubble, Imperial Stout, or Lambic Geuze any day over a Lager.

I would agree as far as personal taste, but as far as brewery judgment i would disagree. The most difficult beers to get right are lagers and pilsners. No big flavors to hide impurities, off flavors, infections, etc.... I judge a brewery most by its light beers. Anyone can brew a manly malty hoppy beast, but to get a delicate light crisp beer correct is very hard.

[Klurejr]

I would agree as far as personal taste, but as far as brewery judgment i would disagree. The most difficult beers to get right are lagers and pilsners. No big flavors to hide impurities, off flavors, infections, etc.... I judge a brewery most by its light beers. Anyone can brew a manly malty hoppy beast, but to get a delicate light crisp beer correct is very hard.

making a Pils or Lager is a science, making good beer is an art.


I prefer Art to Science.

[JFryauff]

Really?

Really, what?
That I find it humorous that this type of suggestive narrative is never one sided, and induces an unecassary regional division amongst American craft brew lovers?
I enjoy Nathaniel's beer rants as much as the next guy, but he knew he'd get this type of reaction from the article.
Your "really?" is about as vague as my sarcasm.

Having a most awarded LAGER..... give me a break, Lagers are the most boring and bland of all beers made. I would not say being good at that makes for a good brewery.

Give me a Belgium Style Dubble, Imperial Stout, or Lambic Geuze any day over a Lager.

Boring to you, wonderous to others.
That's the joy of beer, it's all personal taste.
I'll enjoy a well made lager or pils as much as a DIPA or RIS, there is art and science in all beer...heck, even that clydesdale urine had artistic value as one point in it's life.
*que the cheesy inspirational music*
You can't make good beer, whether it's a lager or farmhouse classic without having the artistic passion to want to enjoy good beer.

[Hand/of/Midas]

Wow, so much Homer-ism on this thread. (example: Hellshire I, it was a hugely regarded Barrel Aged Barleywine, expected and claimed to be the next Wooden Hell by everyone from Oregon, untill people outside of Oregon got bottles Via trade, then it turned out to be terrible.) This is a commonly discussed topic on BA....to often.

San Diego has had a reputation for beer, specifically IPAs. They were kinda ahead of the curve on this style(only a few from SD are really great though honestly), and also in their depth of brewery population. With towns such as SD, Portland(great local only options too), the Bay Area, and others really set this place apart from 1990-2010.

The rest of the country has been spouting breweries up like wildflowers in the past few years, increasing density and brewing with historic tradition yet going to new places. Just in my area there has been 5+ new breweries with canning/bottling lines in the past single year, already with very promising results, Daisy Cutter anyone? The rest of the nation is in the same position, and there are many of them already with class defining beers untouched by any west coast breweries.

West coast got the head start, but the rest of the nation is almost there, if not already.

BTW, Alpine's Bad Boy, is the best IPA you guys have out west. It's tap only but worth the trip/shipping. It breaks from the dull traditional west-coast style ipa, and goes into juicy grapefruit bitterness, tropical fruits, and mangos. outstanding. I still need to upload that review i wrote out.

Also, if you care to chat about this, a BM to my Beeradvocate.com account will be easier, as i'm on there alot everyday. http://beeradvocate.com/user/profile/ChadQuest

Good night for now, i have a 09 Black Tuesday review, and some other Cantillion reviews to upload.

[jtmartino]

San Diego has had a reputation for beer, specifically IPAs. They were kinda ahead of the curve on this style(only a few from SD are really great though honestly)

Only a few great ones?

Stone Ruination
Port Brewing Hop 15, Wipeout, Mongo
Alesmith IPA and summer Yulesmith
Ballast Point Sculpin
Alpine Pure Hoppiness and Bad Boy
Green Flash West Coast and Imperial

[Hand/of/Midas]

Only a few great ones?

Stone Ruination
Port Brewing Hop 15, Wipeout, Mongo
Alesmith IPA and summer Yulesmith
Ballast Point Sculpin
Alpine Pure Hoppiness and Bad Boy
Green Flash West Coast and Imperial

Had all those(xcept yulesmith). some are great, some are just average. And most of them are not dated and a big risk, all because they don't want you to know when their product is expired. fresh sculpin is great(better then pliny), but Ballast point refuses to tell you the bottle date.

Like i said, other breweries have reached the bar and leveled the average. have you had Heady Topper? Abrasive? Ephraim? Artic Panzer Wolf? Boy king? There are alot of IPAs that make san diego seem less special then it used to be. Just saying, they were ahead of the curve, but they are going off of past reputation now. Alpine is really the one leading the current IPA trends out there now, i get about every bottle/growler they do for local tastings, and they are always above the rest of the SD crew, really great brewery right there, i envy having that one local.

PS. Tell Tomme just to admit he cant make a beer with carbination.

[2melow]

Hey, this guy is making a lot of sense....

http://eatocracy.cnn.com/2011/06/27/...ews/?hpt=hp_c2

West Coast might be the best coast for IPA's, but Colorado, Michigan, PA, and a few others hands down for every other style. Just my opinion of course.

Brett (burned out on IPA's at the moment)

[dubthang]

I thought the article was spot on... the West Coast is the Best Coast... if you never look East.*





*Typed while drinking a Victory Storm King.

[jtmartino]

Storm King is good (I had one two nights ago). If you want something better, try Stone RIS, Great Divide Barrel Aged Yeti, Founders Imperial, Firestone Parabola, and the coup de grace, Three Floyds Dark Lord.

And we're not even talking American Imperial Stouts .