Beer Question for Europeans who have visited the USA (or otherwise have tried US beers)

[austintexican]

Hi, I know most of our national brands suck really bad, but I'm just wondering if you have tried any American beers that you did enjoy, whether they were micro-brews, regional brands, etc.

Thank you, and please let me know where you are from if you respond!

PS: please also let me know if you tried any bourbon or whiskey! Thanks again!

[Annoula]

Forgot to respond about this: I am from Greece. Can't help you much with bourbon or whiskey, I'm afraid, although I do know that Greeks are huge consumers of both. It's even been said that whiskey has unofficially replaced ouzo as our national representative drink.

[austintexican]

Thanks again!

The first time I ever got really, really drunk was on ouzo when I was 13. We "liberated" it from one of our waitresses Greek boyfriend. I was begging to be put out of my misery the next day. :D

[Annoula]

I've spent a lot of the time in the USA and honestly, I enjoy the beer culture there. I especially like how you can get beer in pitchers for a group of people.

I don't think American beer is inferior to "European" beer, it has to do with a different approach to beer-drinking. You're not supposed to drink slowly to savour the flavor, as with Czech beer, for example. Most American beer I've tried was blonde-ish, light in alcohol content, and somewhat watery tasting; it's thirst-quenching and goes well with food.

I don't remember specific brand names, but I sipped a few different beers that I liked at this upscale burger place in LA called Father's Office. They had an extensive beer list, maybe it's on their website?

[austintexican]

Thanks! I'm not a fan of our national beers, especially Coors or Budweiser, but I do our local Shiner Bock, which is much lighter than the German and Czech beers I've had (and very much enjoyed). I even like cheap, "watery" Lone Star once in awhile, for sentimental reasons, lol.

I haven't had any new micro-brews in awhile, but I've been a big fan of New Belgium Brewery since they got started as a micro-brew company. They're all over the US, now.

Finally, I really like Tequila, Mescal, and Mexican beers, especially Dos Equis and Bohemia.