Comments on: Wine Lovers, Listen up! I Love Beer!

By: Jeff

Jeff — Wed, 07 May 2008 22:43:26 +0000

Uh, what’s beer? Never heard of it. Since you left this beer-forsaken land full with only Summit and Grain Belt to its name, so many good, local beers have poured in. From Surly (which I’m sure you’re familiar with), to Flat Earth, Tyranena, Rush River, Furthermore, etc. - the landscape has changed so much over the past few years. Let me know- I’ll send you a “care package” sometime if you want. Hmmm, if only there were someone motivated enough to bring all those great beers to the people of Spain:) (Just a thought for you- with all that spare time and money you have hanging around).

By: Bill

Bill — Thu, 01 May 2008 22:07:40 +0000

Trolling for beer now, eh? Can’t say that I blame you. I will corroborate your father’s assurance that your store held 1,400 different beers. A veritable cornucopia of beer. I especially liked the six pack special. Great way to experience a wide variety at a reasonable price. First place I tried Bell’s, for one. And the only place I’ve ever seen a Belgian Single. You must really trust your folks with all that great beer.

By: el

el — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 13:20:17 +0000

I miss that beer cellar and that beer store. I’m here in the Pacific Northwest, but on a grad student budget and with no real beer lover to keep me company. Ryan and Gab, I’m still waiting for you to come visit so we can hit Bottleworks (http://www.bottleworks.com/beerlist.html) and try out lots of regional and obscure beers. They only do beer. I’m not sure how many they have in their collection - maybe not as much as Cellars, but close.

It’s great that even the grocery stores here carry great beer. I didn’t think I was an IPA girl until I had Stout’s Ruination. So tasty.

By: Cornell

Cornell — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 01:36:08 +0000

I will vouch for Ryan’s store with it’s 1,000 beers but I only got to 134 so I will have to take his word for the remaining 1266. However, there is an article in the May issue of All About Beer that pits a wine drinker - Marnie Olds - vs. a bee man - Sam Calagione to a debate about which - beer or wine - is best and which goes best with food. A fun article with both scoring points - thought the beer lovers of Catavino might find this of interest.

Also, they have a listing of the 125 Places to Have a Beer before you die (from all over the world). Based on the contents and comments found in this post this will not come as a surprise but with what seems like every country on globe getting at least one “Place” mentioned, Spain does not show up even one time on this lengthy list . Why even Zanzibar, Moscow and the Happy Gnome from St. Paul, MN (close to Ryan’s home town) even makes the list!!

Sounds like a business opportunity exists in Spain.

By: AllAboutAlavesa

AllAboutAlavesa — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 22:25:04 +0000

What, no love for the almighty Spanish “beer” Cruzcampo?? The best warm/flat/old tasting beer in all of Spain, I wouldn’t have made it through all those festivals if it weren’t for that red canned beauty! While I have become more of an enophile in recent years, I still consider myself a beer man. I’m not sure where I get it from, maybe my Irish heritage, growing up Catholic in Mormon Utah, or probably more surprising for people not familiar with the Beehive State, the amazing small breweries we have here! Yes it’s true, we have breweries here (with real beer!) and most are top notch, one of my local faves, Redrock Brewing, won “Large Brewpub of the Year” at the 2007 Great American Brew Festival, and most recently picked up a silver medal at the 2008 World Beer Cup for their nut brown ale. While wine has quickly won over my heart, there really isn’t anything better that a good beer after a long day mountain biking the Wasatch Mountains. Bottoms Up!!

By: Ane Miren

Ane Miren — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 13:07:55 +0000

Ryan, please - you do NOT go to an Irish pub for a “nice British bitter”!!. You go to an Irish pub for something Irish, like Guinness.

Incidentally, my British, bitter beer-loving husband calls all Spanish beers “eurofizz”.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 11:23:38 +0000

Erika you guys have some great beers in NY, and I miss them all!

Chris we do need to figure out how to exchange beer/wine - hmmm we need to get that pipeline set up

Carol - I hope to find some Spanish beers to talk about

Anna - Anytime you want to taste just let me know!

By: Erika

Erika — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 00:34:50 +0000

I love beer too. Been tasting a lot in NY as lots of bars have been opening lately that boast thirty something different brews on tap. And I don’t think it’s uncommon for wine drinkers to love beer as well. Appreciating good quality can transcend all beverages and foods. I’m sad to hear that you’re a bit deprived in that aspect, over there across the ocean!

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 20:02:33 +0000

Great post, man. Living in Prague is exactly the opposite: great beer culture, emerging but still relatively underdeveloped wine industry. We need to work out some kind of annual exchange program.

By: Anna

Anna — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 18:58:34 +0000

Great Ryan, I am pleased to know that you drink beer as well. I know exactly what you mean about the diversity of beers. I used to live in Holland, and not only do they have very nice wine shops but also the diversity of beer that each little restaurant, pizza place or cafe is carrying is amazing. It used to take me a long time to order because of this enormous variety. It was great. Looking forward to join you for a beer tasting sometime in the future.