Gary, very exciting show. I was a bit offput by your initial lack of confidence and seriousness regarding the beers, though it could be chalked up to the Jets’ loss. Even though I’ve been watching WLTV since the first episode, I’m more of a beer-guy myself (which is surprising for a Frenchman). I wholeheartedly agree with you general message of “try new things”, and I think craft beer is definitely of that sort, just like your lesser known grapes. Beer clearly doesn’t have the stature wine does, but I think it can definitely rival its quality and complexity.

I dream of doing a BLTV myself, but my funds aren’t quite the same. I’m glad you guys might explore a few more beers in the future. I think you should definitely try some upscale Gueuzes such as Girardin or Drie Fonteinen which are definitely up your alley.

I have to say Alec is perfectly correct. I have a couples cases of the famed Westvleteren 12 in my cellar, which when purchased at the abbey cost about 30 bucks. At around 1-2 dollars for the most sought after beer in the world, you’ve definitely got a value. Something you always like to praise, and which I thoroughly agree with.

I haven’t said anything in quite some time, and being Catholic (kinda), the guilt has finally overpowered me. So…

1.) Episodes on beer are less worthwhile to 99% of viewers, as (and you mentioned this towards the end of the show) beer is so much cheaper than wine. Meaning I can go into my local beer mart, and pick up one of every kind of beer they have, and spend less than I might on a single bottle of 2001 Brunello or 2005 Bordeaux. Therefore, your guidance in trying to identify good values is significantly diminished, as the cost of buying a ‘bad’ beer are much much less than the costs (actual cost and opportunity cost) of buying a ‘bad’ Brunello.

2.) On an unrelated note, you (Gary) have struggled with scoring vs. not scoring the wines that you taste on your show, and I thought I would provide a suggestion. Instead of a point score, give a dollar value that would reflect what you, Gary, the well-informed and price-sensitive wine consumer would pay for the bottle (i.e., a wine that is a ‘steal’ would get a dollar ‘score’ that is in excess of its cover (or market price to you folk) while a wine that is a ‘pass’ would get a price that is less than what you sell it for). This would add value by a) quantifying the level of upside provided by the wine above its market price and b) allowing you to avoid having to make 89 vs. 90 point distinctions, etc.

Just some thoughts. Now back to the shadows…

mmmmmmmmmmm….beer.

lactose intolerant beer geek? check. lactose intolerant wine library assistant? check. gary v on his fourth episode of the day ( wine, port, and beer) freaking CHECK!

I would add to my previous comment that in the future you probably shouldn’t pour as much beer. Though it does help highlight the head and body, it makes the glass much harder to swirl…

Awesome episode and as a member of the CKC and someone with a really huge beer store near by; I accept the Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Marzen challege.

Great with a beer ep.
I was a huge beer drinker before I got interested in wine. There´s def. a lot of fine american beers I love. The whole Sierra Nevada Range (Bigfoot is a rollercoaster) and the North Coast brewing Co always brings the thunder. Brooklyn Brewery makes some good ones to.

Swedish T

Fun beer episode, I love the micro/craft/small production beers. I love Rogue but haven’t had the I2A, and megan and I love pumpkin/oktoberfest beers so we are going to seek out the pumpkin ale you guys tried.

NO QOTD Today so I will make one up. Favorite beer = Legend Brown Ale brewed right here in Richmond Virginia, HOLY COW DOES IT ROCK!!

Dude:
You have definately regressed this month. Most of the people who come to Winelibrary TV are interested in wines. I have been watching what has transpired over the last four days, and I must say that I am disappointed. Get back on track with Wines.

CKC, in the house. Even though i like wine much more than beer I would love to try the Pumpkin spice and the last one. Good show very enjoyable. And btw did Gary just call out Alec for drinking at the tender age of 14. haha awesome guys.

Awesome show!!….for the next beer episode you need to try some Young’s double chocolate stout, now that is a good dessert beer.

Great Show! Very nice beer show and a nice departure. I don’t drink much wine, but like the show because I think that you-Gary are funny. But I do drink a lot of craft and micro beer. As a homebrewer as well, it’s nice to see that beer is starting to get the recognition that it deserves as a beverage on par with wine in sophistication (if people would just stop drinking BMC – Bud Miller Coors a.k.a. macro watered down no taste lagers)

Finally, a freakin’ beer episode!!! Bring it on!!! Beer is soooooooooooooo much more of a QPR than wine will ever be. Those “Wine Only” people are such snobs! They don’t know how to have fun like us beerfolk 🙂

Loved the episode!

Nice job Alex and Gary…question for you….

How come these craft beer are not available on the WL website?
Want to find the Weyerbacher Imperial Pumpkin Ale and Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Marzen.

Beer, I love beer. I love beer so much that I started a website called The Beer Library, click my name for link, where I review and rate beer. Shot out to Gary still waiting for you opinions on my site. Great episode keep up the good work. GO PACKERS!!!!

Great to get some diversity. I guess that some of us like anything related to high gastronomy. I understand that some might be reluctant on something that might be viewed as lost of objectivity. But people… let the guy have some fun. Keep going GV, do your thing and break da rules.

P

Freaking funny ass episode! I loved it and loved the ending, buck up little GV, there is always next Sunday in the NFL.
QOTD: have you ever tried the Stone beers from San Marcos, CA? Amazing hoppy beers! The kind that of beer that knocks you out cold!

Perfect episode for Oktoberfest GV, well done! I’m diggingthe Paulaner Oktoberfest beer right now, also digging the Sierra Nevada Anniversary Ale, some damn good beers brotha.

Gary:

Loved the beer show, could have done without the cheese show, but I like the idea of doing special shows on beer, and sprits. As far as the cheese show is concerned I like when you talk about food and drink pairings, but the cheese thing was just �� to much cheese, But what do I know.

Keep fighting the good fight
Love the show

Eddy S.

Interesting episode. I am still waiting for that vino verde episode though. Anyhow I am sorry about the Jets I hope they can pull things together and win some games. Take care my friend

I lived in Germany and went to the beautiful town of Bamberg on many occasions. They are famous for Rauch Beir but as many times as I tried it I could never acquire a taste for it. It was like liquid sausage. Speaking of Fois Gras my wife and I just finished a nice tin that we brought back from the Alsace. We paired it with a Pinot Gris Cremant from Dopff and Irion a favorite of ours from Riquewihr and it was tremendous. Truffles, goose liver, crusty bread and Cremant almost heaven.

Good episode. Most drinkers can’t stand Aecht Schlenkerla the first time they try it, so cheers to Gary’s palate for having an open mind.

Oh, it’s West-vle-ter-en (http://tinyurl.com/3bfl5a) and it’s only $35 when you order it in America where it’s not distributed. It’s very reasonable when you buy it legitimately from the brewery.

Hey GV and Alec, interesting show today! It was definitely something new to see GV swilling a pint glass!

You guys need to try Wisconsin’s New Glarus Spotted Cow. I don’t like beer, but I love that brew!

Ahhhh nice little change up there! Now you have me craving some Weyerbacher Pumpkin Ale.

Luckily thought, on October 20th they’ll be at the 2nd annual Newtown PA Brewfest. Literally the best beer-drinking time I’ve ever had.

http://www.newtownbrewfest.com/

WOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOO a beer episode. My first and true love BEER!! This was really cool gary you should do more of these shows. I only drink craft “real” beers and i love it. I am always excited to walk into the local brewery of the town i am in and try their craft beer. Believe it or not i have sierra nevada in my kegerator at home right now haha. I love sierra nevada!! Gary next time you are in san fran come to my house because if you like the sierra nevada out of the bottle it is a whole different ball game when it is on tap and fresh at your own house 🙂 CHEEEEEEEEEERS!!! No QOTD but hell this episode was so cool i dont mind no QOTD 🙂