Beer Fridays Beerstravaganza Part 2: The Top Five Weekday Beers

I think we can all agree that the best of the world's beers are generally not massed produced. The finest ales often come in single bottles or in small amounts, with extra love and care in each hand crafted sip. They are premium brews that must be supped from just the right glass at just the right temperature with just the right dish. But what about the everyday beers? What about the beers that, while not among the greatest, are still tasty and refreshing in their own right, the beers that you can purchase twelve or eighteen of at a time, the grocery store beers, that beers that you can always keep in the back of your refrigerator in case of an emergency? These beers deserve to be celebrated as well, in all their common glory. The following are the top five such beverages, old friends that will always be there for you and that you can normally find at least one of in any bar, pub, or bowling alley in America.

5. Sam Adams Boston Lager
Sam Adams is somewhere between the micro and macrobrew, in that they've managed to become a large commercial entity while retaining their small-time brewery appeal. Their Lager is pretty much the perfect example of a good, simple, American beer. It's a little malty, a little hoppy, and completely non-threatening to the non-connoisseur.


4. Bass / Newcastle
These two brews are essentially two sides of one English coin. Bass being the light, refreshing side and Newcastle, its dark, heavy counterpart. If you have a long night at the pub planned, the malty, fruity, uncomplicated Bass will keep you well lubricated throughout. If you like to make more of a meal out of your beer, reach for the always filling and flavorful Newcastle, a frothy mix of nuttiness, caramel, raisins, and chocolate.


3. Blue Moon
While one normally shouldn't "fruit" the beer, Blue Moon's Belgian White Ale is often served with an orange, which matches it's citrus tang. It's somewhat cloudy and heavily carbonated, but easily drinkable. Spicy, lip-smacking refreshment on a hot day.




2. Fat Tire
One of America's "New Belgians", Fat Tire has a nice, toasted malt flavor and amber color. It is fruity, floral, and somewhat sweet. It has a distinct flavor, but not one that should offend the unskilled beginner. It's also one of the trendier of the grocery store circle and can be consumed in heavy quantities.



1. Sierra Nevada
Sierra Nevada may be the essential pale ale. It is widely available, if not wholly consistent, and full of delicious hops. Light carbonation and a mix of pine cones and orange rinds tickle your tongue with each sip of its classic goodness. It is a rich, red orange brew that is perfectly acceptable on any occasion.