Two countries, 14 beers
After last night’s epic Toronto sports post, I’m back with a shorter and more beer-specific post today. I mentioned earlier I’d discuss the several varieties of beer enjoyed on my road trip — not while actually driving on the road trip, of course — and in counting, I came up with 14 beers consumed in four cities over two countries. In St. Louis, there was Sam Adams Irish Red and Bud. In Chicago, there was Leinenkugel Summer Shandy. In Milwaukee, there was an MGD. And in Toronto, there was Stella, Heineken, Corona, Labatt Blue, Molson Export, Bud Light, Alexander Keith’s India Pale Ale, President’s Choice Lager, Moxie’s Amber and some apricot beer that for the life of me I can’t recall the name of. Overall, it was some quality beer enjoying time. Here’s an enjoyment-level/taste ranking of the beers on the trip, taking into account the environment in which the beers were had:
1. Alexander Keith’s India Pale Ale: Got this one on tap at the SkyDome during a Blue Jays-Rays game on Canada Day. It’s from a brewery in Nova Scotia, but you can find it all over Canada. You really can’t beat a cold draught at the ball game. Only drawback: $10.50 for the cup.
2. Moxie’s Amber: Had this at a pub in a mall in Toronto. If you’re in a mall in the city and are looking for a quick bite and a nice glass on tap, try the amber at Moxie’s.
3. Labatt Blue: I never thought I’d have this one this high on the list, because every time I get a Blue down here I end up feeling like it tastes terrible. Maybe it was the lack of importing time that led to a fresher, tastier beer?
4. Leinenkugel Summer Shandy: I thought I was through with fruit beers after the bad Sam Adams Blackberry Witbier episode of 08, but I really took a liking to this one. Very refreshing for a warm evening on the patio with a nice steak. Plus, this would be a good transitional drink for people who are just getting into beer after an ill-fated fling with fruity malt beverages.
5. Stella: Although I’m typically not a big fan of beer in green bottles, the Stella went down very easily.
6. Corona: I must be in the mood for refreshing summer beers, because the Corona with a slice of lime really hit the spot.
7. Molson Export: Nice Canadian lager here. Besides, how could I be a Canadian if I ranked a Molson under a Bud or Miller product?
8. Sam Adams Irish Red: No surprise here; decent beer. Nothing special.
9. Budweiser: A beer critic once told me Budweiser was actually a very underrated beer. I tend to agree to a certain extent. It’s better than all the mega-brewery light offerings, but maybe still not that great.
10. Heineken: I’m fairly burned out on Heineken at the moment, but it’s better than the other offerings mentioned below.
11. President’s Choice Lager: This beer was OK. President’s Choice is like the Canadian equivalent to Target’s Market Pantry or Walmart’s Great Value; a generic food company. That being said, it was not a bad beer, but really nothing special.
12. MGD: Had this at the zoo in Milwaukee. Mainly just felt like I had to have a Miller beer in Milwaukee.
13. Apricot beer: I wish I could recall the name, because I’d be doing you a service by informing you to skip this one. Anyway, just a good example of adding apricot to a beer to have an apricot beer, not to have a good beer that has an apricot taste.
14. Bud Light: I just can’t find very many redeeming qualities for this.
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