Westvleteren 12 at Beer Mania. #craftbeer #latergram #beer #brussels

Chimay Red, my first favorite beer and the one that turned me on to the craft movement.

Shipyard Imperial Porter

Surf Brewery Black IPA

Gouden Carolus

Grimbergen Dubble

Abita Purple Haze

Alaskan Smoked Porter

Pliney the Elder

Brother Thelonius Abbey Ale

Racer 5 IPA

Alagash White

I generally prefer porters and stronger Belgians, but I’m moving into IPAs, black ales and stouts. Among garden-variety beers you can find anywhere: Red Stripe is delicious and Stella will do in a pinch. To my generation’s credit, PBR is most drinkable of the 30-pack beer bottom-tier. 

The thing that’s most exciting and risky about beer drinking is flavors are so volatile: a style you loved on tap in L.A. might taste quite different bottled in San Francisco. I haven’t had a great Chimay Red in years, which means my tastes have changed (yes), the recent vintages have had freshness issues or both. If you’re ever in Mexico, Corona and Tecate — really — rise to the level of gourmet heaven. 

drakes hopocaplyse 4 way aesome serious ipa
pliney the elder 4.5 oh shit sonnnn
golden road strong ale 3.5 cooool
golden road ipa 2 no taste ?
firestone otmeal stout 3.5 omg yes

I had a dry-hopped Arrogant Bastard, too, and didn’t like it very much.