Beer Cap Challenge!

[gothbat]

Well, sorta... Last weekend I was in a small beach town for their annual Labor Day celebration and as with most celebrations there were plenty of drinkers and many different kinds of beer being drunk. Anyway, my dad, inspired by something he read on the internet, picked up every different cap he saw that night. We were able to identify all but 2 of the 30 or 40 different ones collected and I was wondering if anyone recognizes either of these 2 caps. My dad doesn't drink but he's been to several different liquor stores this past week just to look at the different bottle caps and hasn't found a match. The one on the left looks familiar to me but I know I've never had either of these before. Who knows if either or both are even beer. Anybody know?

[Joeluka]

I think the one on the right is Woodpecker cider.

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/312/854

or

http://www.bulmer.com/index.html

[barturtle]

The one on the left is Hoegaarden

[gothbat]

Looks like you two nailed it, thanks guys! I read a little about both last night, the Hoegaarden sounds interesting and I've never had a witbier before so I'm going to have to look out for it.

[pepcycle]

I recognize the one on the left as a Belgian, from Belgium, but can't place the name.

[TBoner]

Looks like you two nailed it, thanks guys! I read a little about both last night, the Hoegaarden sounds interesting and I've never had a witbier before so I'm going to have to look out for it.

Hoegaarden is spectacular, a really nice wit that's by far the most traditional widely available of its kind. Blance de Bruxelles is a nice wit that's gotten some better distribution lately. Blue Moon is Coors' ubiquitous attempt at a wit...and, well, if you can't think of anything nice to say...

A good wit has a good bit of citrus and spice: coriander is used, but clove flavors come from the yeast. It's a nice refreshing summer drink, and I prefer mine sans lemon/orange slice. Definitely give it a try.

[mier]

Yep,Woodpecker cider and Hoegaarden witbier.

[jesskidden]

Hoegaarden is spectacular, a really nice wit that's by far the most traditional widely available of its kind.

InBev closed the Hoegaarden brewery recently (last year?) and had a lot of trouble with the beer at the new site (according to the beer rumor mill), and many feel that the beer has suffered and "isn't what it once was" (hey, but what is?). Can't say I've had a bottle recently but the draught is becoming very common (in my area, at least) in part, I assume, because it's one of the InBev brands that A-B is importing and the local Bud distributor seems to be pushing it.

I still miss the Celis White (from Hoegaarden's creator, Pierre Celis) and the "new" Celis from Michigan hasn't made it to NJ.

[TBoner]

InBev closed the Hoegaarden brewery recently (last year?) and had a lot of trouble with the beer at the new site (according to the beer rumor mill), and many feel that the beer has suffered and "isn't what it once was" (hey, but what is?). Can't say I've had a bottle recently but the draught is becoming very common (in my area, at least) in part, I assume, because it's one of the InBev brands that A-B is importing and the local Bud distributor seems to be pushing it.

I still miss the Celis White (from Hoegaarden's creator, Pierre Celis) and the "new" Celis from Michigan hasn't made it to NJ.

Interesting.

I noticed a dearth of availability for several months, but it's everywhere now. As you say, there seems to be good reason for that. I haven't tried any recently, either. As for the "new" Celis...don't bother. It's honestly among the worst 5 beers I've ever had. The old stuff was brilliant, though, and rumor has it Pierre Celis is working with the boys from Real Ale Brewing, right here in TX (Blanco, to be precise) on some Belgian-style brews. I can't wait. In the meantime, if you get the chance to try Grotten, also created by him, I think you'll be impressed.

[jesskidden]

As for the "new" Celis...don't bother. It's honestly among the worst 5 beers I've ever had.

Yes, I heard similar about the early batches of the Celis beers from Michigan but thought I'd read that they are much improved -possibly with some help from Pierre? Or am I confusing that with the news that...

rumor has it Pierre Celis is working with the boys from Real Ale Brewing, right here in TX (Blanco, to be precise) on some Belgian-style brews.

Yes, I read that when it was first announced but haven't heard much about it later. I don't think I'll ever get a chance to try them up here in the northeast (well, you never know, we were a major market for Celis). I have been meaning to make it down to Texas again someday (I had an unfortunate reaction once driving through the state during sorghum harvest- my body had built up no resistance to that allergy [which, of course, I didn't even know I *had*] and, at the time, the most interesting beer I had was "Pearl" (circa 1976).

In the meantime, if you get the chance to try Grotten, also created by him, I think you'll be impressed.

I did and I was. Think there might still be a bottle of the brown in the back of the beer 'frig' but I should pick up some next time I see it- it did sell out quickly in NJ IIRC (particularly the Flemish Ale).

[mier]

Inbev had some troubles with their whitebeerproduction.Since we had a shortage here some others filled a gap.We now have a choice of Wittenberghe(Belgian)Grolsch has launched his whitebeer,Leeuw(A Heineken company) did had his Korenwolf white,another Heinekendaughter has Wieckse Witte and Bavaria is busy making one.Trappistbrewery la Trappe has a whitebeer nowadays(all Dutch) and there is WEizenstephan from Germany but nothing can beat Hoegaarden,no matter what they try!

Eric.

[craigthom]

I toured the Celis brewery in Austin several years ago. Well, I missed the tour, but I got there in time for the tasting. Austin law limits one to four drinks in one place, so I only got four free beers.

I never had any made in Michigan, but it seems I wasn't missing much. I just googled to find out what happened. I see that Miller happened.

[gr8erdane]

This last spring/summer Flying Dog did a witbier that was almost a clone for Hoegaarden. I was hoping it was going to be a regular production addition but much to my dismay it is gone. Next year I'm stocking up. 7.99 a 6 for a local beer is tough but not compared to 9.99 for Hoegaarden.

[TBoner]

Austin law limits one to four drinks in one place, so I only got four free beers.

I wonder how strictly this is enforced. Last spring, my wife and I went to the SXSW music festival. We decided to stop in to the Gingerman (a very good beer bar with a large selection). To promote the very good acoustic concert on the back patio, they were offering St. Arnold's (Houston brewery) Elissa IPA (a good, balanced, hoppy example of the American style) free. I had six before deciding I needed to be able to walk back to the car.

At any rate, yeah, you didn't miss much by missing Miller's abomination of Celis White.

Sons of...well, you know.

[gothbat]

I'm glad I posted this. After hearing so much about the Hoegaarden after the cap was identified I picked some up when I noticed it in a liquor store I was in. This stuff is expensive, the 6 pack cost about $11, but it was worth it. I've never had a beer like this, the finish makes me think of champagne. This is definitely on the buy again list. Based on the comments I'll say it's too bad I can't try the original one.