After writing about beer for two semesters I thought it would be good to drive home the biggest lessons by revisiting the best and worst experiences I have had. The point of drinking good beer is threefold:
1) Enjoy your beer. Whether you like super hoppy India Pale Ales or the always crowd-pleasing Corona and lime, enjoy what you pay for.
2) Drink for pleasure, not to black out. The best part about drinking good beer is not remembering it, right? False: The point of drinking good beer is to enjoy yourself. Who enjoys waking up with their wallet missing and only one contact in their eye?
3) Try new things. If you like beer there is a whole world outside of what you usually find in a 30-pack. With so many choices at every supermarket, why wouldn’t you take advantage? The only way you will find what you like is by trying new beers, so ask the bartender to recommend something new or just pick something up off the shelf at Wegmans.

The good

Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
Delaware
6 percent alc./vol.
$9.49 per 6-pack

This beer is an all-around perfect brew for anyone who is interested in branching out. It is not too bitter or too light, and you will smell citrus and pine. Also, you can taste a nice balance of hops and caramel malts, which results in a really drinkable beer. Dogfish is usually cheap and found at most bars — and definitely worth a try.

The bad

Blue Moon
Molson Coors Brewing Company
Colorado
5.7 percent alc./vol.
$8.79 per 6-pack

While Blue Moon seems to be a crowd favorite among both guys and girls, it falls short to beer connoisseurs. Blue Moon is an attempt to make a Belgian White ale, which results in a fruity light beer that usually comes with an orange in it. While this might be good for those nights with no money, next time try Ommegang’s Witte beer. It’s local and tastes way better than other typically found beers.

The ugly

Labatt Blue Light Lime
Labatt Brewing Company
Ontario
4 percent alc./vol.
$12.99 per 12-pack of 24oz.

As previously reviewed, this beer is not even worth the money. It tastes like fake lime chemicals on top of an already mass-produced, watered-down beer. If you’re that desperate for lime flavor, just buy a real lime and save your taste buds.

— Compiled by Will Halsey, asst. photo editor, wlhalsey@syr.edu

Published on April 28, 2010 at 12:00 pm