Sometimes we craft beer fans get so wrapped up in the latest and greatest extreme beer, that we fail to see the good beer right in front of us. Growing up in Maryland and living in Virginia, having access to Pennsylvania's Yuengling Lager is simply a matter of fact. I was attending a meeting at our church recently and during the social break I opened the supplied cooler, cynically thinking, "Gee, wonder what great beer they have for us this month." Every now and then I'll find a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, but generally it's nothing more than BudMillerCoors. I saw cans, and almost closed the cooler. Then I realized the hospitality folks were serving Yuengling Traditional Lager, in cans.
I can't say much about the appearance of the beer, because I drank the Yuengling right from the can. Getting a hint on the aroma was difficult as well, just a faint bread smell. The flavor was slightly sweet malt with some citrusy lingering hops. Nothing complex, just a basic amber lager. Easy to drink and low in alcohol.
I frequently hear folks from western states lamenting not having access to Yuengling, or read how they take back cases when they visit the east coast. It's similar to how folks in the east wait in excitement over the arrival of New Belgium Fat Tire, while the folks in Denver often dismiss it.
The grass is always greener...
I have to constantly remind myself not to overlook beers. Beers like Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA and (for me) Troegs Hopback are in almost every bar/restaurant, I look to find the exotic. But there is nothing wrong with those, in fact they are great beers.
ReplyDeleteI consider Yuengling to be a great beer to have on hand. It is a) cheap b)unoffensive to anyone (everyone drinks it). Sounds like a winner to me.