My Favorite Beers:
New Castle
Boddington's
Guinness Extra Stout
Lagunita's IPA
Grolsch
Negra Modelo
Gordon Biersch Winter Bock
Anchor Steam
There's a lot of others I'll experiment with, but I basically drink one of those listed above on a rotating basis. The New Castle Founder's Ale was quite delicious as well, but much different character than regular New Castle. It was a bit Hoppier and not quite as carmely, still a damn fine brew.
For the domestic side Anchor Steam, Gordon Biersch and Lagunitas are all great micro breweries and all have their own style. Anchor is brewed more traditionally American, but what an American beer should be. They're best on a hot day, and don't let the bitterness of the 1st drink get to you, by the end the flavors meld nicely and make you want more. Gordon Biersch is about as traditional German as you can get that's brewed in the US. I actually got turned onto it by the local Turn Verein Hall's Oktoberfest. Lagunita's is straight new-wave American brewing from the 80's Renaissance. Very strong character with a lot of hops, but enough sweetness in there to make them easy to drink, and definitely high gravity.
I would agree that in all, the German's definitely have a great brewing tradition, but I'm also a fan of my English Stouts and Ales which have a completely different character from German brewing. Finally, I think I go for American the best for the simple fact an Above Average beer brewed in the US and drank at it's peak freshness will always blow out of the water an Excellent Import from Germany that's sat in shipping and customs for god knows how long.
