Just read through some of the comments.I prefer the real ales some from the Sheppard Neame brewery plus others from the Greene King brewery (especially Abbots Ale). I also make my own real ales from kits.... just made a nice one called Donner & Blitzed which is beautiful Xmas ale that has a good chocolately / spicey taste to it.
Even though beers encompasses all lagers, stoutsand ales, I am afraid I am more of an ale man at heart and only use lagers as a thirst quencher on hot days. To relax and savour a drink I don't think you can beat a good real ale straight from a hand pump (and yes must be a hand pump not an automatic pump).
Wachusett IPA (brewed/bottled in Westminster, Mass, USA), Dogfish Head 90-minute IPA (brewed in Delaware,USA, I think) and LongTrail IPA (from up in Vermont, USA). Good craft beer is my weakness. I can't stand most American-brwed lagers with the exception of Yuengling which is brewed and bottled by the oldest continually operating American brewery...in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. Good stuff...even straight from the bottle.
In regards to skunkie beers, and friend of mine had thissimple philosophy: Life's too short for bad beer! Well put, I'd say.I've had several of the brews produced by Sierra Nevada, and was never disappointed. I'll have to give this one a taste.Mike
Unfortunately Sierra Nevada is gone. Bought and closed by AB/Heineken.