Favorites
When people find out we are into beer we inevitably get asked one question, that being “what’s your favorite beer?” The trouble is, we never know what to say. It’s a tall task to pick one favorite from all the great beers out there. Here we list some of our favorites, which can vary depending on the season, our moods, what we are eating, and other fickle factors. We’ll update this page fairly often.
Chris’ Favorites:
I have a really hard time picking favorites. I worry that I’ll be judged harshly for picking one beer above all others. I never want a friend to buy a beer I recommend and be put off, because everybody has their own tastes. There are many factors that go into choosing the right beer for an occasion and so many styles to choose from. If anyone ventures to take my taste seriously, I’ve attempted to organize my favorites as simply as possible.
Everybody
These are beers that I think everyone, even non beer drinkers will enjoy. They tend to be lighter in color and constitution, and not very bitter.
- Mt. Begbie High Country Kolsch
- Rogue Kells Irish Lager
- Swans Old Towne Lager
- Old Yale Pale Ale
- Red Canoe Lager
- Coney Island Lager
- Innis and Gunn Canadian Cask Edition
- Deschutes Black Butte Porter
Challenging
More challenging beers for those who love beer. These beers will feature more bitterness, roasted flavors, or spicy notes.
- Swans Appleton Brown Ale
- Old Yale Sergeants IPA
- Tin Whistle Chocolate Cherry Porter
- Fullers ESB
- Samuel Smith (I love everything I’ve had by them, save the mediocre organic ones)
- Tree Spy Porter
- Central City Red Racer Pale Ale
- Phillips Accusation Ale
Intense
Intense beers for the adventurous sorts, usually featuring high alcohol content and/or high levels of bitterness.
- Driftwood Old Cellar Dwellar Barley Wine
- Philips Amnesiac
- Rogue Yellow Snow IPA
- Lost Coast Winterbraun
- Central City Empire IPA
- Westmalle Trappist Tripel
- Rochefort 8
Erik’s Favorites:
As with most who have a deep love affair with beer, I find it incredibly challenging to pick a favorite. The favorites listed below are my current favorites and will certainly change frequently; this list is not exhaustive in anyway.
Everybody
- Mission Springs Brewery Bombshell Blonde Ale
- Reissdorf Kolsch
- Port Townsend Boatyard Bitter
- Central City Red Racer Pale Ale
- Lost Coast Brewery Raspberry Brown
- Old Yale Brewing Pale Ale
Challenging
- Port Townsend Bitter End IPA
- Rogue Santas Private Reserve
- Samuel Smith’s Oatmeal Stout
- Elysian The Wise ESB
- Granville Island Brewing Limited Edition Porter