Now I know that Mega beers are pretty bad, and most of you don’t like them, or if you do you keep it to yourself, and there are some whiskeys, especially the blends that are truly bad. They can elicit the kind of look you see above from me. I’m not too interested in your stories of blended whiskeys or mega brews. I want to know if there are brews or whiskeys out there that are well respected in the industry that for some reason you just don’t like. I know Scott , you don’t like pumpkin beer. But other than that are there some that you don’t even want to acknowledge exist?
I am trying to resist using the word “hate” because it is such a strong word that evokes such negative connotations, but you all pretty well know my feelings on Makers Mark Bourbon. Really don’t like that stuff. So lets hear it from you all. Is there a beer or whiskey that you wouldn’t be heartbroken if they stopped producing? Give us your worst shot!
Beer & Whiskey Brothers 
Don, thanks for calling me out on my anti-pumpkin ale thing! For some reason, I keep trying them! Maybe I just like pain…I don’t know.
I do find myself NOT trying IPAs. I find them to be mostly horrible. I’ve been given some tips such as the Two Hearted one Jim was able to score, and even the Sam Smiths ‘English Style’ IPA, but I still find myself passing them up on the shelf in favor of nice stouts and other beers. (Like pumpkin ales)
One beer I really dislike is Southampton’s Belgian Wheat Beer. This beer makes me nuts, because it’s always highly rated and it tastes like stomach acid to me. It’s putrid IMO, but everyone dotes on it, which makes the fact that I don’t like it even more frustrating.
Scott: Any time! I’m just trying to help you over the hump with the whole pumpkin thing. I’m telling you’d be better off to eat a piece of pumpkin pie while drinking a nice porter! 😉
As far as IPAs are concerned if you don’t like hoppy beers you probably will never like the genre. Do you like Imperials? The ones I have had are all very hoppy too. 100IBUs. It is kind of weird though, because Hops are such an integral component of beer that you wouldn’t like the IPAs. I’ll bet if you will continue to give them a chance eventually you will find a few you like. I thought that about Wheat Bourbon too, because all I drank was Makers Mark, now I love Wheaters but still don’t care for MM.
Jim: You would think a wheat beer woudn’t be so acidic because the wheat actually tends to soften flavors. I find the Belgian thing kind of overblown. I think Belgian brews should have to be brewed in Belgium! Too many people claiming their beer is Belgian. I know, I know it is a style blah blah blah. :p
Don good points. I’ll try IPAs if other Brew Club members bring them in, but it will be an odd day when I go looking to buy them myself. Also, no worrries on the pumpkin – pie consumption. I’ve got that covered big time!
Jim, I actually have a bottle of that very beer @ home. I wasn’t planning on trying it soon, but maybe I will to see if you are off or everyone else is!
Please do, Scott. That beer vexes me! I keep thinking “maybe I had a bad one” and try it again, like Charlie Brown with that stupid football. And every time, Lucy pulls the ball away (the beer stinks) and I feel like a buffoon.
I’ve even had it on tap at the NY Beer Fest a couple of years ago and it was still awful! Yet folks around me were enjoying it. I wanted to scream THE EMPEROR HAS NO CLOTHES!! but I still had beers to sample, and didn’t want to get booted.
You heard it Brew Club! Buy Scott IPAs!
I feel the same way about Bell’s Oberon as Jim does about the Southampton’s Belgian Wheat Beer. It’s just not good, but everybody in Michigan thinks it’s Larry Bell’s greatest gift to the world. I also loathe Stella Artois (not really craft i suppose…) and I’m wholly unimpressed by New Belgium’s Fat Tire. I suppose I’m on a crusade against beers people really like… I was also thoroughly disgusted by Jolly Pumpkin’s Bam Bier. It’s a farmhouse ale, and just really… gross. I’ve even developed a palette for the style and I’m still disgusted by that one…
Sometimes one taste is all it takes to ruin a beer (or food) forever, even if your tastes change. Good thing there’s so many great alternatives in the infinite universe of craft beer.
Hey Brian I think I missed you on ff. I’ll fix that! I haven’t had most of the beers you mentioned, but I have had Fat Tire, and I agree. Overrated. Stella is ok, I will have it now and then when it is the closest thing to a craft brew available.
Yeah Fat Tire is a little over rated now 1554, that’s a good one from New Belgium.
I have a problem with ambers anyway. They make me sweat uncontrollably..Gross I know. I have a blue paddle I have to try still. Hoping it is better.
Puddles and paddles, eh?
I had Bam Biere last night a really liked it. All of Jolly Pumpkin’s stuff is sour so it definitely isn’t for everyone.
Looks like we have some differences of opinion, and that’s OK! Pretty cool! All these beers for all these people! Anyone have any whiskey stories?
Unfortunately, Oberon is the ubiquitous Bell’s tap here in MI in summer. Their Lager of the Lakes is so much better (and more refreshing). Can’t agree on the Bam Biere though.
Though it isn’t terrible, Three Floyds Dark Lord has got to be the most over-rated craft beer in the U.S.
I’ve never had the Three Floyd’s Dark Lord, but in general, overrated beers drive me nuts as well. I think this is why I despise Blue Moon. So many people think it’s the pinnacle of tastefulness (what with the fancy orange and all) and have no idea that it’s an underwhelming example of its class produced by a macrobrewery. I keep thinking “what if they had a “real” beer, just once…
But I guess it’s better than Bud. Baby steps, right?
Jim, Bud is actually better than Blue Moon, that’s the crazy thing
Next time you see someone drinking a Blue Moon slap it out of their hand immediately
I love DL…scarcity creates buzz…for the quantity produced I think it’s great.
I hate Santa’s Reserve by Rogue. Blegh.
I wouldn’t classify Blue Moon as a Craft beer, but agree. The stuff’s just not good, and would agree with steve…Bud has a bit more flavor. But, as per my post a few days ago, I’ll give every craft beer a second chance, and when i go to a family bbq, if someone hands me a beer i don’t care for, I’ll drink it find enjoyable qualities hiding below the surface…’cause that’s how I was raised.
That is very good Nate. I’m sure you tell your kids to always find the good in things. I know I harp on that with mine all the time! Even the 21 year old! As far as Blue Moon goes, I think you are all being just a little harsh. It isn’t great, and I know its a poser too, but really worse than Bud? Cmon, I think some aren’t being too intellectually honest. The only thing I do with Bud is cook Beer Can Chicken with it! Even then I spice it with fresh Rosemary and Thyme. But I’m breaking my own rule no mega bashing because it is too easy. I’ll give everyone a pass on Blue Moon however because if Coors Molsen wants to be a poser it can take its lumps from the likes of you all. Have at em!
As a guy who doesn’t like wheat beers, it’s easy to bash Blue Moon. I can think of a couple of instances where a Bud would taste pretty good. Can’t say the same for Blue Moon. Honest.
this one is easy, Blue Moon Pale Ale
it’s super popular and super disgusting, I’d rather not drink anything than have that
I agree with your thoughts about Bud, Steve. At least it is what you think it is. Blue Moon is mostly image, no substance IMO.
I also enjoyed the mental image of you slapping a beer out of a surprised yuppie’s hand. I could actually see that happening! 🙂
I hate bashing craft breweries but I have never had anything good from Mendocino Brewing.
Sometimes you have to wonder how some places stay in business!
I have run into breweries where I love everything they make. I have also run across places that can’t make a beer that I don’t want to spit out. Sometimes you get what a brewer is going for and other times it’s lost on you.
Sounds like Mendocino is the latter for you, Mike. The fact that they’re still in business means that there must be plenty of folks who love their stuff. Sometimes it’s boggling how varied tastes can be.
No Pumpkin or Leinenkugels. I hate them with a passion.
Maybe Scott does too, but he keeps trying…Snicker…WAHHHAHAHA
I apologize. Its kind of a running joke Scott from the brew club and I have going on. I kind of like some Pumpkin ales. I haven’t had a Leinies in 3 decades. You do the math, I’m 45..Wink, Nod.
Don, thanks again! We should see how long we can keep this going – we’ll become legends in beer blog commenting. There’s got to be a tie-in to pumpkin beers in every topic right? I definitely would try more IPAs if people brought them in. So far, nobody is!
I’ll agree w/ Don though, Bud better than Blue Moon? It isn’t even an apples to apples comparison really.I think people are just pissed about M/C trying to pass as a craft beer when it isn’t.
Finally the voice of reason. Thanks Scott, I think it is pretty certain that Blue Moon is better than Bud. Someone should pick up a sixer of Southern Tier Black IPA. I hear its great.