What USA beer would you call the most classic to a beer lover from somewhere else?

OregonYeti · #1 08-31-2008, 08:52 PM

My neighbor asked me that question. He's from Mexico and considers Corona a signature Mexican beer. I told him that I like Dos Equis dark just as much or more, and I aso agree that Corona is very good.

He put me on the spot asking about a "signature" beer for the USA. I didn't want to say Budweiser, because I don't consider it really good. I consider it a beer to drink if you aren't noticing the flavor much, not bad at all, but also nothing special.

Put on the spot, I said Sierra Nevada pale ale. I do consider that an exceptional beer, but Anchor Steam, Liberty Ale, Sam Adams and Yuengling have a claim to fame for sure. Some of the microbrews here in the northwest, such as Full Sail and Portland Brewing put Budweiser to shame.

What would your answer be? It's hard to nail down a certain brand or even a certain style of beer here. I think variety is our signature, but maybe that's a lame answer.

OregonYeti · #2 08-31-2008, 09:17 PM

I call Budweiser the king of average beers.

DMT · #3 08-31-2008, 10:00 PM

Kinda depends on what you want in a taste...

I have a colleague from Germany who really likes Miller Genuine Draft. When he comes over to the states, I need to have an adequate supply on hand for both of us.

B****ser (and most of the the Anhuaser Busch family of products) are not generally well recieved, but I have other friends who swear by B*** Light (why? i have no idea...)

So many of the micro brewery offerings are regional, so they have no "national" presence to stand behind.

I think we can rule out Blatz, Schlitz, Hamms, Coors, and Miller High Life...

Saying that, there are some others that do offer "diversity"...

OregonYeti · #4 08-31-2008, 10:09 PM

Miller Low Life too. There are some really great beers here imo, but none of my favorites is a top seller. Maybe that reflects on me :^)

Pete · #5 08-31-2008, 11:16 PM

While I prefer "better" beers, there is good argument for picking Bud. It is instantly recognizable and a great majority of people here in the US drink it. I think it kind of makes it our "signature" beer. Again, it may not be the best to put forward but it certainly has the recognition factor.

teamfat · #6 09-01-2008, 12:54 AM

Back in the early 90s when we went to visit friends in Paris, they took us to a hypermart. Basically think of a grocery store with everything on one floor, a home improvement store on the second floor, and a general department store, K Mart type place on the third floor. Quite impressive.

What Chuck really wanted me to see there, though, was the beer aisle. He was a grad student at the U earlier, and a brewing partner of mine at one time. We get to the beer selection, which was like two major rows of all kinds of stuff. At the end of one row they had a display of special imported beers from various countries - England, Germany, Belgium, Japan and of course the United States.

The beer they picked to represent the US that month? Milwaukee's Best.

mjb.

OregonYeti · #7 09-01-2008, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teamfat

The beer they picked to represent the US that month? Milwaukee's Best.

mjb.

Oh No!!

RPMcMurphy · #8 09-02-2008, 11:48 AM

most popular is bud and coors light...

classic?

hmmm..."classic"

classic....doesn't have to be "good"

bud and I'd say....PBR Pabst Blue Ribbon.

BryanJ · #9 09-10-2008, 04:13 AM

Bud, no. PBR, definitely. Love it. Old Style is good, too, but it's more of a Chicago beer then an "American Classic" beer.

Ninja_59 · #10 09-10-2008, 06:43 AM

I d say Budweiser, my 2 cents here

Lucía · #11 10-17-2008, 09:29 AM

I'm Australian, and we're pretty renowned for being copious consumers of beer (though wine is quickly catching up). Like in the US, there are many small and boutique brewers in Oz, and quite a few big names, like VB, Carlton, James Boag's, and Cascade. But now I live in Europe and when you mention Australian beer, there is one name that pops up 99% of the time.

You guessed it, Fosters.

I personally don't like it and I have never, ever seen anyone drink it back home, but in Europe it's marketed as "The Australian Beer". My guess is that most of the Fosters in Australia is brewed for export, because you rarely even see it available in pubs. My point is that as USA-ians you probably don't get to pick your own signature beer, it's decided for you by marketing companies and overseas public opinion. Another question might be: which beer would you like to represent your country?

DMT · #12 10-17-2008, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucía

I'm Australian, .... But now I live in Europe and when you mention Australian beer, there is one name that pops up 99% of the time.

You guessed it, Fosters.

I personally don't like it ..., but in Europe it's marketed as "The Australian Beer". ....

Another question might be: which beer would you like to represent your country?

I must be odd, but I enjoy an "oil can" of Fosters when it's one of the choices available, and it's also marketed here in the U.S. as, "Foster's, Australian for beer."

As a representative beer of the United States, I'd like to nominate Moose Drool, from Big Sky Brewing...

Big Sky Brewing : Home

Try it sometime when you're feeling a bit brave.

chefhow · #13 10-17-2008, 10:12 AM

If I had to choose I would say either Anchor Steam, Yeungling, or Rogue Porter.

renhoek · #14 10-23-2008, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucía

But now I live in Europe and when you mention Australian beer, there is one name that pops up 99% of the time.

You guessed it, Fosters.

Which is funny, because I haven't seen Fosters sold widely in Australia since the 1980s...today it's hard to even find somewhere that sells it at all. It's probably 99.9% export.

On that note, I went to BEERFEST last weekend. Guests had to bring a beer from another country. People who brought beer to represent America brought....Budweiser.

I think Budweiser might be the Fosters of America....although you can actually buy Budweiser in Amercia :P

abefroman · #15 10-23-2008, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by renhoek

Which is funny, because I haven't seen Fosters sold widely in Australia since the 1980s...today it's hard to even find somewhere that sells it at all. It's probably 99.9% export.

On that note, I went to BEERFEST last weekend. Guests had to bring a beer from another country. People who brought beer to represent America brought....Budweiser.

I think Budweiser might be the Fosters of America....although you can actually buy Budweiser in Amercia :P

Fosters....Australian for export.