Best beer you've ever had on draft!

[frost@41]

Hello all!
Don't know if I am re-attacking an old issue or not (searched threads but didn't find anything that covered this specific topic) apologize if it was already covered.
I know that everyone's tastes are different but you can never learn too much about different beers. I just want to know what are your favorite beers on draft or "Draught", for the purists, that you have ever had.
Best that I've had on draft is probably Killian's Irish Red. It was my retirement party from the military and I just don't know but the beer was fantastic that day!

[stn]

Frost, there are so many great craft brewers out there now, from very small to the "macro" craft breweries like New Belgium and Sierra Nevada, to the big mass production guys. There are as many right answers to your question as there are beer drinkers. Find a place that offers tastings and/or growler fills, and find what you like. A knowledgable server can steer you to beers in the same general style of Killian's if that's what you like, but don't be afraid to try a broad range of styles. You may find some surprises, and it will certainly be an enjoyable learning experience. There are online resources like Beer Advocate that provide descriptions and user reviews of hundreds of beers too.

I'd say it's really more a matter of finding what style you like the most, rather than a specific beer. I tend to favor hoppy IPA's when I really want something delicious, although I also enjoy a good porter or stout from time to time. My wife will only drink stouts, though. Anything pale and hoppy makes her lip curl.

As far as my "short" list of favorites, just refer to my signature line!

Cheers,
Todd

[frost@41]

Todd,
You are correct. I am excited to try out the different beers on draft. I noticed that you have listed Smithwicks, I love this beer in bottle and wondering how it is on draft? I would love to make this my next keg.
Frost

[stn]

It is excellent on draft. Just a couple of things to be aware of:

1) You will need a "U" style coupler such at this -

http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-beer/taps-faucets-pid-G408.html

More than likely this means switching out your coupler since most all American beers are the "D" standard, but it is well worth the effort.

2) I think you can only get Smithwicks in a 50L, which is almost the same size as a full 1/2bbl keg. I usually prefer 1/6bbls as I like changing kegs often, and because I can get two 1/6bbls in my kegerator at the same time, so I have more variety. However, Smithwicks is so smooth and so many of my friends enjoy it that I don't mind having it as the only beer on tap. It is also one of the few beers my wife and I both enjoy, so it goes faster!

You may read that you also have to run nitrogen gas for Smithwicks, but that is not accurate. I ran mine with straight CO2 with no problems whatsoever. Balanced to a v/v of 2.4, I had a nice creamy head on every pour. Mmmmmm, I'm making myself thirsty................

[frost@41]

Todd,
LOL, well I guess i'm going that route then, Smithwicks it is.
Frost

[frost@41]

Just got back from Dallas, had Goose Island Honkers Ale on draft, WOW!!

[scootermsp]

Came back from Buffalo, NY yesterday. Thursday night I was at Root 5 in Hamburg, overlooking Lake Erie at sunset. I had a new IPA that freakin blew me away! Ithaca Flower Power (7.5% ABV) on tap. My God was it great. I had three pints and must say, one of the best I've ever had.

[djc]

Came back from Buffalo, NY yesterday. Thursday night I was at Root 5 in Hamburg, overlooking Lake Erie at sunset. I had a new IPA that freakin blew me away! Ithaca Flower Power (7.5% ABV) on tap. My God was it great. I had three pints and must say, one of the best I've ever had.

New to you (and me) , it has been around for around 9 years. I had it bottled the first time a few weeks ago. Hopefully you weren't the driver.

[cubby_swans]

i only have a few dozen favorite beers on draft.

Rarz:
Founders CBS
Bear Republic Racer X
Pliny the Younger
Goose Island Bourbon County Stout

easily obtainable:
Bell's Two Hearted
Avery Maharaja
Stone IRS
Great Divide Yeti

These are few of my favorite things.

[TomK]

Will I get the boot if I say Bud Light?

[scootermsp]

^^^^ If that's how you roll, who am I to judge? Everyone's taste is different. That being said, one really becomes a draft snob once they have their own system. I've sent a few flat beers back and even told one place they need to clean their lines because the beer tastes like shat.

[djc]

Who is to judge if you like ice water?

[cubby_swans]

^^^^ If that's how you roll, who am I to judge? Everyone's taste is different. That being said, one really becomes a draft snob once they have their own system. I've sent a few flat beers back and even told one place they need to clean their lines because the beer tastes like shat.

Hey if a beer is off I am all for sending it back.
A) the mark up is incredible at a bar/restaurant. If I am paying $4-$8 for a glass of beer, it should be right.
B) the server/bartender should be out for YOUR best interest. I have known many people who are afraid to send something back that is off for fear of being a pain. I have also known many servers who say they would rather you say something so they can fix it. It's your money... get what you are paying for. A good establishment and server will happily rectify your bad beer. If they give you grief... well there are other places to go.

And C) No one gets any flack for drinking any beer, be it Bud Light or whatever. Everyone should drink what they like to drink. This is not a beer snob forum. There are other sites for that nonsense. It is a forum for helping people dispense their beer properly, whatever beer that may be.

Cheers!

[scootermsp]

There IS a difference between beer snob and draft snob! I'm the latter.

[frost@41]

I have to agree with cubby on his points. Before owning a kegerator, i really wouldn't care or for that matter, know any difference at my local watering hole. Now after research (here), owning a kegerator and learning just a bit, I will let my bartender know when something seems to be off (taste/flat etc..) and they have appreciated me for it. We have had several conversations (bartender and I) and unless they have their own home system, they are unaware of draft problems since they don't service or maintain them (here). They simply call their rep.