Freshenss doesn't really matter with lots of high-end beers - in fact lots of more complicated Belgian beers (many of which are only availble bottled) age in the manner that wine does. In general the higher the alcohol content or the hops, the more resilient and longer a beer will keep (which is why IPA is IPA). Also - it's not difficult to keep beer fresh if it is not subjected to extreme heat and most importantly, extreme light. Most specialty beer stores/distributorships are dimly lit for this reason.
I voted wine, but I'm glad I don't really have to decide. I drink great beer most days, but I only drink great wine occasionally. I voted wine, because it would be pretty nice to be able to drink ANY wine I wanted at any time. The good stuff is freaking expensive. Futants, you nearly bottomless pit of fine wine, you're lucky. Send me some wine.
I know IPAs exist as a style because they are supposed to age and ship better, but the ironic thing is that IPAs actually don't age well at all, unless you don't like hop character. In my opinion, IPAs that are more than a couple of months old don't taste anything like they are intended to. (I don't drink the garbage they ship over from the UK. Beers should all be required to have "brewed on" dates. Duvel holds age pretty well though. Beer is shipped in cases, so light shouldn't matter until it gets to the retailer. Retailers shouldn't be allowed to store beer warm. It totally ruins it. Might as well buy warm milk if you're buying warm beer.
No one is denying that a fresh beer is better than a bottled beer (although that's not the case for some beers), but to say that a home brewed beer is better than any bottled beer is ridiculous. I love going to breweries and restaurants that brew their own beer, but there are many commercial bottled beers that I would choose over any of those any day.
Yeah, I was talking about fresh brewed beer compared to store bought beer. I wasn't talking about breweries since it is kind of unrealistic for most people to go to a brewery to drink a beer.
i never really got into wine for some reason the wines i have tasted have all had a weird taste that i never got used to. but i will say i have just tried red wines, havent had a white wine yet. but all my relatives down wine like water which is weird. i am more of a lager man myself
i will go with wine, simply because of the prices can get out of control much more so than any beer. I prefer beer but a 12 pack may cost $15, where as a nice bottle of wine ...well needless to say they get pricey
I was about to post something very similar. The cost of the best beer in the world would not even approach the cost of a premium wine.
Very simple choice...BEER. You just can't throw back a glass of wine to quinch your thirst in the Texas sun.
room temperature is not that bad, a hot warehouse or storeroom is a different matter. 24-7 flourescent lighting is the real killer. none of the best IPA's are made in england anyway, for that matter.
I drink mostly IPAs and Pilsners and there is a huge difference in the taste of IPAs stored refrigerated and the taste of IPAs stored a room temperature. It usually doesn't even taste like the same beer. Just my experience. And I have way too much experience in the matter.
i love both but beer is more versatile. what i find interesting is how this poll broke down by sexual orientation. the homosexual crowd seems to be voting for wine by a wide stance.
or the people who are economically savvy. i prefer beer, but if you could have limitless amount of one or the other, why would you choose the liquid that sells for a fraction of the other?
