Let's talk about "health-conscious" beer

[mike31154]

I make my own at home from Cooper's concentrate kits. Another good reason to have an RO system & a CO2 tank.

What's the beef with micro breweries? They generally abide by the German purity law of 1516, restricting ingredients & no funky additives. Okanagan Spring brewery is my go to label when I run out of home brew. Most if not all their beer follows the 1516 law, they even have a beer named 1516. Besides that, it's a local Vernon brewery & I like to support my local businesses. It was one of the early entries in the craft brewing industry in BC. Sold to Sleeman of Ontario years ago which is now owned by Sapporo, Japan! Fortunately the new corporate owners have left things alone with regard to the actual brews produced here.

Belgian beer is pretty good as well. When I lived in Ottawa my local pub the Royal Oak had a good selection of Stella Artois on hand. During my years in Europe, I had the opportunity to visit the Stella brewery in Liege. Most European brews, including the Dutch are generally pretty good, trouble is, you need to be in the country to get the really good stuff. Most of the beer they export, like Heineken, has preservatives since they don't want to take a chance of it spoiling due to lengthy shipping & storage.

[Myka]

Originally Posted by mike31154

What's the beef with micro breweries?

I don't like the taste. I'll check out some of your suggestions.

Originally Posted by Aquattro

If I were to drink a beer, it would be Corona.

That's like the king of bad beers.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by Myka

That's like the king of bad beers.

Lucky I don't drink then!

[Slick Fork]

Micro-brews are all a little different and you really do have to just look until you find what you like, but once you find one you like you'll find it hard to believe that you actually ever enjoyed a Molson product.

Try Steamwhistle, I have a lot of friends that 'enjoy' Molson & Budweiser etc. who like Steamwhistle so it might work for you.

[Myka]

Originally Posted by Slick Fork

Try Steamwhistle, I have a lot of friends that 'enjoy' Molson & Budweiser etc. who like Steamwhistle so it might work for you.

I have tried this one before, and I don't like it. Thanks for your suggestion though!! I have tried a lot of microbrewery beers, and haven't found anything remotely to my taste.

[daplatapus]

I typically don't like home made beer, personally. I'm not a micro-brewery beer guy either. There's just something about the aftertaste I just don't enjoy. But strangely enough I drink Corona Extra and Kokanee.
But... I have to admit, there's a micro brewery beer made on Granville Island that's actually pretty good. Not sure if you can find it in Saskatchewan though.

[rsisvixen]

More of a wine drinker myself, but strangely enough I grow my own hops, lol

[Wretch]

One of my favourites right now is Deschutes. They are from Oregon with a wide selection beers. Should be able to find something you like.

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by mike31154

What's the beef with micro breweries? They generally abide by the German purity law of 1516, restricting ingredients & no funky additives. Okanagan Spring brewery is my go to label when I run out of home brew. Most if not all their beer follows the 1516 law, they even have a beer named 1516. Besides that, it's a local Vernon brewery & I like to support my local businesses. It was one of the early entries in the craft brewing industry in BC. Sold to Sleeman of Ontario years ago which is now owned by Sapporo, Japan!

your the first person I know of that admits to drinking Okanagan springs

Seriously though Myka, be carful when looking at the micro breweries, most are not following the law of 1516 (which only Germany has to follow) as the latest trend is putting different stuff in beer, and than god because plain old pilsner is so darn, well just plain. and I am German from a very German family. I like the variety, and if your worried about what is in the beer, I think your worries are a little misplaced. your looking for bad things in alcohol, where the booze isn't the best thing for us anyways?

when looking at the micro breweries (which is where it is at) and there are so many good ones, which Okanagan springs isn't even close to being on the ranking list (sorry Mike) the stay to there pilsners. some will be more hoppy than others but if it is just a plain pilsner then there all pretty much the same. Phillips makes 78 which is there lightest beer. I myself have been indulging in big rock brewery lately, in the spring/summer they release purple gas (Saskatoon infused beer) I also like the black betty (blackberry infused) by Vancouver island brewery and Grandville island makes a raspberry ale. honey lagers pumpkin beer, lions winter ale, and on and on are the kinds of things that are making beer exciting. now they aren't for everyone, but if you see taster tables set up try them, or go on brewery tours to try some of them.

most important is to have fun with your beer

PS. I saw you talking about tester packs, most of the micro breweries will put out mixed packs, as long as your other half will drink what you don't like you can't go wrong with those haha that's how I started. Phillips has one, Big rock has one, and there are a few others I see out here all the time.

Steve

[Wretch]

You may also want to try New Belgiums Fat Tire amber ale.

Flavour: Toasty malt, gentle sweetness, flash of fresh hop bitterness. The malt and hops are perfectly balanced.