Being a beer writer, blogger, home brewer and frequent beer drinker who has visited over 700 different breweries, I am often asked in casual conversation “What is your favorite beer?” or “What is your favorite brewery?”.
I have to admit I struggle with those seemingly simple questions, because, honestly while I have a pretty good palate and sense of what is a quality beer experience – I take these questions seriously. I am also mindful that any answer is subjective and personal. I want to be careful what I say.
Crisp and Clean Rice Lager
The “My Favorite Beer” Question
Twenty or more years ago, I used to wonder why a lot of my brewer friends used to answer the “what’s your favorite beer” questions with semi-humorous responses like “The next one I have” or “the free one” etc. But now, after years of teaching classes, talking to friends and acquaintances about beer and brewing I understand the temptation to be trite. Why? Because the answer is complicated.
To start with, what I believe most people mean is “What brand of beer do you like best?” – as “What beer” could as easily mean what style of beer – and I often go there in my answer. I like IPA’s, but I vastly prefer those with ABV less than 6% and a dry bitter finish – while some of the New England style are fine, they are not my preference. I also find myself drawn to hoppier lagers – whether they are the traditional pilsner style, or the newer “hoppy lager” or “IPL” (Indian Pale Lager). That doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy a stout or a Belgian ale now and again either. Is this type of long winded and beer-nerd answer what people want to hear? Unless you are a “beer person” I think probably not.
Hoppy Lagers are a Favorite of mine
Should I give some examples of my preferred brands? Well – these can change too. I realize that I do often seek out the exotic or less familiar brands, or beers from local breweries that many have not heard of. If i say I like the lagers from Tired Hands, or Daisy Cutter from Half Acre Beers or even the more popular IPA from Fiddlehead, a lot of people will not really know what I’m talking about. How about “Lil Hipster” from La Cabra in Berwyn PA, or Palatine Pils from the Suarez Family brewery in New York? What about Head High from Kane Brewing? And just about anything from “The Seed” of Atlantic City ?
Finally the situation when and where any particular beer is consumed has a major influence on why it might be “the best”, right? I know that when I have been in a great mood, or very thirsty, or eating a fine meal and a particular beer sometimes hits me just right, I can think it’s great. I also know that sometimes later I go back to that beer again and I think “did they change this?” or “Is this this same beer?” To really properly critique a beer you have to have it a few times in a few different situations, and often that is just not possible.
And finally, my tastes are mine, and they do change over time. That doesn’t mean a style is or isn’t the best style or type of beer right
Tired Hands fine, refreshing IPA
now or ever, it’s a bit of a moving target. I usually reply to the best beer question with a local brewery that I think is good, or a current favorite style – and ask the questioner what they like best.
I have to admit that once not too long ago I had a long and entertaining conversation with a brewer and then I asked him which if his beers on that day did he like the best. His response was “I don’t like any of them” which made me feel a bit uncomfortable. As a wise man once said, “Be careful what you ask as you might not enjoy the answer you get”.
The “Favorite Brewery I Have Been To” Question
Sure, visiting over 700 breweries gives you a lot of context as to how to judge the quality and attributes of a brewery experience. I recall that when I started creating my life list of breweries visited, there was a natural temptation to rate them. And now decades later everyone rates just about every experience they have or is asked to do so. (I recall that after knee surgery I got an email asking me to rate my experience with the doctor that gave me anesthesia. I sure don’t remember the experience – other than I guess I could say he “knocked me out”). (Sorry.) But I decided that everyone should rate their own experience and since in a lot of cases I am not able to return to many of these places and try them again, it would not be fair of me to rate them based on one experience. But I can say a few things about elements of an experience at a brewery or tap room that makes a difference to me:
Doesn’t feel that appearance is that important here
- The Appearance – Is it appealing, comfortable, and clean? (All or any of those?) Does the place look interesting or unusual (in a good way of course) or does it seem forced? Is care put into creating the look?
- The Staff – Do they appear to be having fun, do they engage with their customers, are they attentive? Do they seem to really care and know about the beer? If the brewer is accessible, that’s a huge gold star in my book.
- The Vibe – This one is harder to explain, but it involves the look, feel, sounds, patrons, and overall experience. Do people seem to be happy to be there? Is the music good but not intrusive, can you have a conversation with people at the bar? Does it seem that the owners are trying too hard or not hard enough? (I guess a definition of “good vibe” is like the old comment one judge said about pornography – “I can’t tell you what it is, but I know when I see it”.) Even having a good logo and cool merchandise can add to the vibe.
- The quality and diversity of the beer and food (if applicable). The beer has to be at least good, with at least one very good offering, and hopefully with some out of the ordinary styles available. The lagers are clean, the ales well constructed with the right body and flavors. Is the food quality good, and is it more than just the standard pub grub? Does the food support or compliment the beer (or the other way around?)
A German Themed Brewery that Looks like it
I can say that recently I have had two really excellent brewery experiences – two very different places with very different location, vibes and beers – but both excellent. Future Days Beer Co in Philadelphia’s Northern Liberties area is a new, smaller, unassuming brew pub without food, but they more than check off my boxes – a nice look, pleasant and engaging staff, people that are happy to be there, and the beer is top notch. (Check out my post on my visit here.)
I was recently in Mesa Arizona and happened upon a local brew pub named the “Phantom Fox” which shared a generous space with a gourmet pizza shop. The place was packed with a mix of locals and curious other patrons, the bar staff was putting on a show of efficiency and
Great fun at Phantom Fox Brew Pub in Mesa Az
good humor, and the place was really jumping. The beer was very good, and the staff happily directed me to styles that matched my interests. Some really outstanding beer and pizza always puts me in a good mood – I think most of us would agree.
So, if I ever get to meet you and you ask me about my favorite beer or brewery, don’t be surprised if my answer is not necessarily a direct one. I am not trying to be a beer snob, or appear not to want to tell you what you want to hear – I will try my best to give you an answer that is meaningful. If you feel like you want to dig a bit deeper
Quality and care is obvious at the Future Days Beer Co in Philadelphia
with me, I will definitely go there and give you my opinions. But like I said, it’s complicated.
