A few weeks ago, I asked readers to share their most memorable beers of 2011. Here’s a selection of what you said:

Sean Essen – Had to be Southern Tier’s Creme Brulee Stout, ridiculous stuff, dessert in a glass. … Actually, scratch that – ’96 Sam Adams Triple Bock.

Andy Baker – About three weeks ago I had the Autumn Maple from The Brewery. There was so many flavors, it was just like my thanksgiving dinner. Incredible!

Joey Petrilli – Savor Flowers, best no, but most memorable.

JW Robinson – My most memorable beer was a pint of Bayern’s Maibock from the wood keg that was tapped at the brewery. Maibock out of a bottle is good enough to stand alone, Bayern’s medals prove that. But when you drink it from the wood keg, it has this distinct, unknown flavor that you can’t get unless you visit Bavaria. We are lucky to have such great brewmasters in our own backyard. I make sure to plan my life around the wood keg Maibock every spring. What made the beer experience even better was that I was sharing, and discussing how great it was, with my very close friends and family. You can’t ask for much more.

Johnny Bevins – Kona Blend from brew fest

Mark Molvig – Galaxy Pale Ale- Flathead Lake Brewing Co.

Feel free to add more to the comments.

- Matt Pritchard

As 2011 comes to a close, it’s time to reflect on the year that was. So GG’s interested: What was the most memorable beer you had this year?

Now, it doesn’t necessarily have to be the best beer, just one that sticks out in your mind. For instance, it could be one you had while watching a Montana sunset this summer, or one after an epic snow day last winter, or one at your favorite beer festival. It doesn’t have to be a beer from Montana or even one you had in Montana, just anything you’d like to share.

For me, one that sticks out in my mind is the glass of 2011 Abyss by Deschutes Brewery I indulged in at the 2011 Grizzly Scholarship Association’s Beer and Wine Festival. Any beer that smells like chocolate chip pancakes is right up my ally. Dark, deep and rich, truly a special beer. Plus, throw in a side of Posh Chocolate that actually has some of the beer in it and you have yourself a winning combination. And although it doesn’t sound like it, I’m not even that into chocolate.

You can leave your comment with this story, on Facebook or email matt.pritchard@missoulian.com. If there’re enough responses, I’ll compile and post them.

Cheers.

- Matt Pritchard

Reading down the list of beers selected by a supposed A-team of beer people in this America’s Next Best Beer Poll, one must assume that most of the “beer experts” were from the East Coast. Yes, Colorado is well represented on the list, which features a poll so that it can be decided once and for all. What will America’s Next Best Beer be? But the divide between beer connoisseur and the general beer-buying population is great.

The beers that were selected, the few that I’m actually familiar with, seem like great candidates to go national, but will they? That’s up to the fickle American public. Perhaps Kettlehouse Brewing Company’s Cold Smoke Ale will end up going national, becoming as it is in the town a national sensation. Or perhaps Big Sky Brewing Company’s Scape Goat in a can ends up satisfying a national thirst for a light, crisp pale ale with good hops and a refreshing taste. Don’t discount Bayern Brewing’s Dump Truck or Face Plant. Both beers could end up running hog wild all over the market if the general American beer consumer decides that these are a product they cannot live without.

That said, a general poll cannot possibly capture all the information that is out there on the subject. We can only stop and watch whatever happens.

For now, here’s the list of beers on that poll. Which one would you pick? If you don’t like the selection, what would you pick instead?

AleSmith Anvil ESB
AleAlpha King
B.O.R.I.S. the Crusher Oatmeal-Imperial Stout
Bell’s Two-Hearted Ale
Brooklyn Lager
Cigar City Brewing Jai Alai IPA
Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA
Lagunitas Brewing’s IPA
New Belgium Brewing’s Fat Tire Amber
Ommegang Abbey
AleStone Pale Ale
Surly Brewing Co.’s Furious

Prost,

GG

Somebody posed a good beer question to me today, and as much as I thought about it, I’m no closer to the answer, and the time in which to decide is slowly drawing to a close. The question is:

What kind of beer does a lover of great craft beer drink during a time of great celebration, like a birthday perhaps?

I have a cellar full of great beers, but as much as I thought about which beer I’d open today, as I celebrate my 36th birthday, I couldn’t narrow it down. And that kind of frustrates me.

I’ve saved really good cigars with which to celebrate the birth of each of my children, and I’ve enjoyed really good beers on wonderful occasions, but I”m struggling to find one beer in my cellar or that I’d even buy to commemorate 36years on this earth. I don’t know if it’s just the age or what, but I can’t decide if I should open up something really special, because, you know, tomorrow you could die. Or, should I go with something befitting the I’m-not-quite-40-yet age of 36, like a young barley wine I’ve been holding onto for a couple years.

So here’s the question posed to you, my readers. What beers have you celebrated with? What beer would you most want to have on your birthday that you would not normally get? Any significant beers for significant birthdays or just whatever you have on hand?

I would love to hear your replies.

Prost,

GG

Actual hoodie may vary

Who doesn’t want an awesome hoodie [s] for those cold days and nights of the seemingly eternal Montana winter? Well, Big Sky Brewing Co. is giving away said hoodie to one person. And as an added bonus, you’ll get to take their beer survey. OK, maybe I got that backwards. Take the beer survey, and as an added bonus, get entered to win one of Big Sky’s cool hoodies. Why should you take 5-minutes out of your day to take a beer survey? Easy. If you love Big Sky beers, you’ll want to let them know all about what you like about beer so they can further develop their product line according to the tastes of their valued customers. Besides, who doesn’t like answering questions about beer?

Take the survey here.

Prost,

GG

P.S. According to new information, Big Sky is giving away 5 hoodies, so take that survey.

I could really use your help. If you’re in Western Montana and you love craft brew, heck even if you aren’t in the area, consider becoming a member of SpeakUpMissoula.com. It’s a great place to raise your voice, and, if you join the craft brew group, to raise your glass. Here’s a little survey for my summertime beer research project.