You know something? I just realized that I’ve been sharing my experiences and thoughts about beer with you for a while now, but I’ve yet to share what my favorite brew is. Pardon my ill manners.

Choosing a favorite beer is as difficult to me as it would be for a mother to choose her favorite child. There are so many beers that I like for so many different reasons, that proclaiming a single favorite would be almost impossible. So instead I’ll give you a rundown of some of my top choices and why they made the list.

A quick note: Since I’m still a newbie beer connoisseur, I tend to lean toward less hoppy beers. I find heavily-hopped beers too bitter or tart. I imagine that over time I’ll come to appreciate them more, much like I eventually came to appreciate red wines after being an exclusive white wine drinker.

St. Bernardus Abt 12
Why: My first taste of ‘real’ beer, and the catalyst for my love affair with Belgian beers. Rich, malty, and sweet with a hint of bitter chocolate. As beautiful to look at when perfectly poured into a goblet as it is to taste.

Gulden Draak
Why: Style meets substance. Another malty, creamy Belgian with a bit more bite than the Bernardus. The white bottle, with its black-and-gold label, looks mysterious and intriguing – like there might be magic potion inside. Plus it sounds cool when you order this beer with your best fake Transylvanian accent.Gulden-Draak

Photo credit:
speed-light (Flickr)


Koningshoeven La Trappe Quadrupel
Why: A beer that literally tastes like banana nut bread!? Really? Well I’ll be a monkey’s uncle.

Sweetwater 420
Why: Maybe I’m a bit biased, since Sweetwater is based in Atlanta. But I’d like to think I’m not just playing favorites. This is one of my regular go-to brews no matter the season, locale, or occasion. Though it’s an everyday kind of beer, it should not be mistaken for ordinary.

Brooklyn Sorachi Ace
Why: A light summery brew with a refreshing taste of lemon and chamomile.  Perfect level of hops for me, balanced with some yeastiness.

Of course, I know as I continue to discover new and exciting beers, this list will change and grow. But I’ll be sure to keep you posted.

Cheers,

K