Quote:I'm not an IPA fan either and it's interesting to find that others aren't either. It is, as RachelnTeal said, almost blasphemous to not like them...especially where I am a homebrewer and belong to a homebrewing club. I don't like the hoppiness and so many IPA's are loaded up with Cascade hops which have a distinctive odor.

 

I much prefer a pale ale (such as Sierra Nevada Pale Ale) as it has a similar grain profile but the hops are much less prominent. Hops, BTW, are generally either "bittering" hops or "aroma" hops. Cascades, in IPA level quantities can be both. Chinook Hops, OTOH, are mainly bittering. It's fascinating how you can vary the final product via the grain bill, the hops, and the yeast.

 

I like amber ales too as they are not as bitter and the fermentation process is not as complete, leaving the beer a little sweeter and a little fuller.

 

There's a guy on the board opening up a brewery, named Grassfields I think; it would be cool if he jumped in here and told us what he was up to...I forget his name.

 

Best beer I've had in a long time is the Kentucky Bourbon beer on draft- in the bottle it's just OK but on tap it's terrific IMO. NYC you would love it but I'm sure you've had it by now.

PF* - you are once again proving to be someone I could enjoy a drink with.    :thumbsup:   You have, however, beaten me to the tap on the Kentucky Bourbon beer.  I've seen it on tap in two places that I recall - but haven't tried it yet.  I'll put it on my list to try.

 

You're smart to mention the pale ales.   RacheInTeal -  some of those may be more your style.  

 

Off the IPA topic - A beer I've always enjoyed as something with a bit more color and flavor than a pilsner, but still not too heavy is "Palm." It's a nice belgian "special" ale.  Slightly amber in color from use of a "roasted champagne malt."   It's an interesting "tweener" beer, IMO.  

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