This is a new thread I am starting to be a generic conversation starter. The topic is beer and a discussion of beer drinking and favorite types of beer should follow, but it is not limited to that. Feel free to throw in superfluous anectdotes or smart-ass remarks as inclined, but try to keep the usual political animosity on the other threads, please. Just imagine we are sharing a beverage and small talk.

That being said, I am on a quest to locate and try a sample of what for me is the most ass-kicking sounding name of a beer I've seen: "Gulpener Gladiator Gigantor." Sounds like it will put you down and ram a spear through your breastplate! It is made by my favorite Dutch brewery: Grolsch, and instead of weakling 3.2 alcohol content or moderate 5.0, this stuff has an alcohol content of 10.0! John--any clue where I can order the stuff?

Wow! that sounds like a brew that the Isrealites created to commemorate king Davids early exploits!

Honestly I've never seen that in all my travels, Pete. It's a lager, and reviews say it's rather a sweet 10%, so it probably wouldn't be my cup of tea anyway. None of the usual online beer retailers I am aware of seem to carry it, and Beer Advocate doesn't have it in the locator section that I could see, and five of the six reviews of it are from people in Europe or just back from Europe. So to be honest, I'm not even sure it's imported to the US. It would almost have to be, yet I can't find any evidence of that.

I'm more of a hop head myself, so I go for the IPAs, the double IPAs, etc. Right now I'm trying to justify the shipping charges to get some Pliny The Elder from Russian River. Couple that with the fact I'd have to have it sent to my brother's in Joplin, since most places don't deliver to Kansas, and it doesn't seem worth it, especially since I'll be in Denver at the Great American Beer Festival in just over a month, where I can get it at the fest AND bring home bottles. Same with Stone's Ruination and Arrogant Bastard, Dogfish Head's 90 Minute IPA, etc.

There's good stuff available in Kansas and Missouri too, but why throw everything into one reply?

quote:

Wow! that sounds like a brew that the Isrealites created to commemorate king Davids early exploits!

Yeah, or the main characters in a Godzilla movie.

Dang, John! I may have to send you some dough so you can be my mule!

I'd love to go to that, maybe see my folks in Estes while I'm at it, but the chances are slim. Seriously, I might have you put a sampler package together for me. I trust your selection--you've never steered me wrong so far!

Yes, John there are some wonderful beers available here in MO. Flatbranch Brewery and Pub in Columbia, MO comes to mind. Several years ago, it had some of the best beers around. They also had a wonderful rye wine.

I personally like a good wheat beer, or heife-wiesen (sp). There was one, can't remember where it was from exactly, but is was Schmidt and Sohn (could be son). Wonderful, light, crisp beer. I also like the duppel bocks, trippel bocks and even one quadrupal bock. They came in really cool ceramic bottles that could be resealed (like Grolsch).

I used to work in a liquor store while in college and during the summer, I would work full time. We could purchase items and have it taken out of our checks. There were many times that I owed money to the company.

Have any of you gone to the beer fest in Springfield, put on by Brown Derby? The last one I went to was the third annual one, right after the brewery opened up downtown.

Pete, if you want to check out a good selection of brew, go to the Brown Derby on South Glenstone, the International Wine store. Go to the far right side of the store, bypassing all that crappy wine to get to the golden aisle of beer. They have a good selection of beers from all over. It's a good start for people wanting to try new brew.

Springfield's about a six-hour drive for me, but thanks Kevin.
There was a Brown Derby in Columbia at one time--were you familiar with it?
Used to get some good beers at Octoberfest in Hermman, MO. All the yuppie dweebs flocked to the wineries to drink grapejuice, but there were a couple of restaurants downtown that had fantastic German food along with an assortment of Dutch and German beers. First place I tried Grolsch, in fact.

Can't remember which city you said you were in these days, Pete, but if I'm right, try going to Cellar and/or Cellar West liquors. Apparently they have among the best selection in that particular city.

And yeah, the GABF is beer drinker's Mecca. You have to make it at least once in your life. The sight of first-timer's faces when they ascend the stairs and see the thousands of square feet of taps.. it's worth going just to see that. 1800+ beers from 450+ American brewers, unlimited one-ounce samples... heaven on earth.

I didn't realize you were so far away, Pete. If you ever get into the area, look it up.

I remember that store, though I was too young at the time to go in. If I remember correctly, it's no longer open. There is one in Lebanon, MO though.

By the way, I gotta agree with Rawhead's choice. La Fin Du Monde is a very good example of a Belgian golden, as is Delerium Tremens. Both are easy to drink and deceptively loaded.

John, aren't those lambics? If so, I've noticed that they are very easy to drink and VERY deceptively loaded!

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Originally posted by John O:
By the way, I gotta agree with Rawhead's choice. La Fin Du Monde is a very good example of a Belgian golden, as is Delerium Tremens. Both are easy to drink and deceptively loaded.

Haven't seen Delerium Tremens anywhere but I'm going to be keeping an eye out for it. Who has the best selection in Joplin? I usually wind up getting stuff at May's.

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Originally posted by Kevin Cline:
John, aren't those lambics? If so, I've noticed that they are very easy to drink and VERY deceptively loaded!

No. The lambics are spontaneously fermented, and as such tend to have a good bit of wild yeasts and bacteria in them, giving them a deliciously sout flavor. These are just strong, pale colored ales with a light flavor that typically has overtones of banana and pear from the yeast.

Don't mistake those Lindeman's fruit things for a true lambic. Those are sickly sweet and fruity, like a liquid Jolly Rancher. It's kind of annoying that that's what most people think of when they think "lambic" because that's all bars carry. If you can find it, try a Cantillon. The unblended gueze is very sour, tart, and delicious, and if you like sour cherries, try the kriek.

quote:

Originally posted by Rawhead:

Haven't seen Delerium Tremens anywhere but I'm going to be keeping an eye out for it. Who has the best selection in Joplin? I usually wind up getting stuff at May's.

I always end up at Mays. Their selection is a world beater, but it's good for the area. They might even be willing to order you in something, provided it's legal in Missouri.

I think the DT is available at Pizza by Stout. That's where Pete saw the little pink elephants on the glass. They also have a darker version called Delerium Nocturnum, and a Christmas version called Delerium Noel. Both are worth checking out, but I prefer the Tremens.

Of course, for that style, I believe Duvel trumps both DT and La Fin Du Monde, but that's just me. Duvel is bottled in a very heavy glass due to it's extraordinarily high carbonation, and is served with a 22 ounce glass for an 11 ounce bottle because no matter how carefully you pour, the foam just explodes out of this one. It's part of the experience. I know they had Duval at Stout last time I was there.