Is all Macro Beer Really that bad?

[Pheeel]

This is like going to confession  . I actually don't half mind Smithwick's Pale Ale on Draught.  I hope my membership is not subsequently revoked now  .

Get out!!!

[danger_zone]

Most Macro beer tastes terrible to me. Heineken is probably the worst followed by Harp. I also really detest Guinness. Never liked the stuff. Visually, it looks so damn tasty though. Its by far the nicest looking beer.

Nice Macro beers...How about Pilsner Urquell. It's just superb. Brahma beer is quite easy to drink, and I quite enjoy the odd pint of Fischers Helles

[Leann ull]

I used to chug PUrq, and this stuff by the gallon in my 20's, all the dirty little secrets coming out now

[Shanna]

I used to chug PUrq, and this stuff by the gallon in my 20's, all the dirty little secrets coming out now

In fairness in terms of macro larger you could do worse when compared to some other equivalents with a similar coloured bottle or similar sounding name. I spent time in OZ and became fond of VB - Victoria Bitter (aka Vicious Bastard to some) and Toohies Red. I must admit to also having developed a taste for Boddingtons, Black Sheep Bitter, Hoegaarden, Sam Adams and even Kilkenny over the years having lived/worked in various overseas location. Generally speaking I would be a great believer of drinking/eating whatever is locally brewed.

Shanna

[nigel_c]

I used to chug PUrq, and this stuff by the gallon in my 20's, all the dirty little secrets coming out now

Sorry.   

[Leann ull]

Go fuck yerself

To the unfamiliar Nigel and I know each other very well and this is friendly banter as he is as wide as I am tall

[nigel_c]

 

[helmet]

I was reared on McArdles ale, Smithwicks filled in for it when I moved to Dublin.
Guinness would still be my fallback these days.
Luckily, it's been a long time since I've been in a pub that didn't at least have a couple of bottles of crafty stuff in the fridge.

[Bubbles]

I just laughed so hard I think I did some wee...

[DEMPSEY]

My favourite macro stout was Beamish but it's a pale shadow of what it once was. Also lately when I do drink a pint of Guinness it tastes very watered down.

[imark]

Duvel - No better example of Belgian golden strong? Definitely not micro. One of my favourite beers.

Also,
Kozel - super Czech dark lager.

[cruiscinlan]

My favourite macro stout was Beamish but it's a pale shadow of what it once was. Also lately when I do drink a pint of Guinness it tastes very watered down.

Over what time range?  I couldn't spot any difference between when I first tried it to today.

Also what is that taste/smell of cheesy feet in Heineken?

[Bubbles]

+1 on Duvel. You tend not to think of it as a "macro" beer, because it's so bloody good.

Bottles of Erdinger and pints of Paulaner have also saved me on many a night when there's no craft options available.

I remember being at a wedding a couple of years ago and spent the night drinking McArdles, much to the amusement of my da and uncles. Even they saw it as an auld fella's drink. But it's a really nice beer, I'd love to make a clone of it.

[DEMPSEY]

My favourite macro stout was Beamish but it's a pale shadow of what it once was. Also lately when I do drink a pint of Guinness it tastes very watered down.

Over what time range?  I couldn't spot any difference between when I first tried it to today.

Also what is that taste/smell of cheesy feet in Heineken?

I can remember when Guinness had more body to it then it does today. The Beamish too use to be more chocolate/coffee in its taste. Have not drank Heineken in years so cannot attest to that

[irish_goat]

Macro beers go through tasting panels all the time and have the recipe change depending on what they think the market wants, hence why Budweiser has halved their IBUs over the past 20 years. Guinness sent to Britain isn't even the same recipe as Irish Guinness either so that shows how far down their recipe targeting goes.

My thinking is that Guinness used to be a "stout" beer (in the literal sense of the word) and with the increasing popularity of lighter lagers they had to alter the recipe to stay more in line with those beers.