Exactly.  I've heard that terminology as well-- ales and even dark lagers are better able to hide the flaws.  With lighter lagers, there's just nowhere to hide.

Which is why I really love beers like Live Oak Pilz.  It's absolutely delicious and flavorful in a way that American macro pilsners aren't and don't attempt to be.  It tastes every bit as good as the Czech pilsners did fresh at their breweries when I visited the Czech Republic some years ago.  It's an incredibly difficult beer to brew well, and consistently.  And of course living in Texico, it's pretty much a year-round brew for us.


So bwar, when will your pilsner be ready for consumption?

Sounds like a nice tap list. I'll await my invitation eagerly.

Yeah, they're seasonal for sure.  But all of those breweries offer bocks and most of them offer doppelbocks, so if you want malty German goodness outside the Autumn months, there are always options.

Today I'll go local, my three favorite beers are:

1) Oaktoberfest - Live Oak Brewing, Austin, Texas
2) Oktoberfest -  Saint Arnold Brewing, Houston, Texas
3) Montecore Oktoberfest - Austin Beerworks, Austin, Texas

I know this isn't a good recommendation for utee, but I've been enjoying Firestone Walker's Luponic Distortion lately. It's been available in 6-packs at my local Costco so I've been grabbing it regularly.

A local brewery here called Barley Forge is also quite good. I don't know how far their distribution goes, but if you happen to see them anywhere, give it a try. Their "Grandpa Tractor" Dortmunder lager would even please utee lol... @MarqHusker , you should be able to find some of this easily when you're driving through SoCal...

Ha! Described as "an ever-evolving mix of experimental hops."  Definitely gonna be a hard pass from me.



But a Dortmunder lager would certainly be interesting.

So while on my trip to the Breeders' Cup last weekend, I stopped at one liquor/convenience store in suburban LA, and within 30 seconds I was able to see, grab and purchase
Alaska Brewing Co. 'Smoked Porter' which was a 2008, amazing
RR's: Supplication and Consecration  

That was  the highest quality single visit beer purchase I've ever made.

Clearly I dropped the ball on my travel tips... I didn't even think to send you to Hi Time... Possibly the best bottle shop in Orange County. 

About to start my yearly Beervent...


Each year, my homebrew club makes beer advent calendars. Each person brings 12 each of two different beers, so 24 total, and we rearrange all of the beers (we always have at least 12 people join) so each person leaves with a mixed case. 


Then, much like an advent calendar, you open a new one every day from Dec 1 through Dec 24. 

Oh, this one is commercial beer... I brought Barley Forge Orange Curtain IPA and Left Hand Nitro Milk Stout for mine...