by D. Kearney Sparano

Created on: February 21, 2009   Last Updated: February 23, 2009

No, if it tastes good, drink it. There are many fantastic beers out there some outside the U.S. and many in the States as well. Here are just a few beers I like from around the world.

Guinness (Ireland): There is no other stout like it. To me it is the quintessential stout: thick, smooth with a wonderful sweet coffee aftertaste. There is no better sight to me in a bar,a well poured Guinness sitting in front of me. Watching the thick foamy head, that just came from the nitrogen delivery system, cascading down the inside wall of the glass is a miracle of Irish ingenuity.

Old Speckled Hen (England): if you never heard of it I am sure you are not alone. I first ran across it at Croxley's Ale House. It is kind of a cross between Sam Adams and Guinness. It is amber with a lighter taste then Guinness, but with the same thick head and nitrogen delivery.

Heineken (Holland): I defy you to find a better all purpose lager. It is crisp, refreshing, easily found and has a great flavor. It is what Budweiser should be and will never be. It is easy to drink and goes well with almost any food. I particularly love it with pizza.

Sapporo (Japan): if you were to counter my view on Heineken by mentioning Sapporo I would respect you greatly and partly relent in my fervor. Sapporo is an excellent beer; it too has all the qualities of an excellent lager. I highly recommend it next time it is a warm day and you go out for sushi.

Now I can go on listing foreign brews, but that is not the point of this article. If you are truly a lover of beer and good beer then you have already sampled beers from other shores. Buying non American beer became almost a necessity for many years.

During the dark times of American brewing foreign beers trounced domestic in flavor. For a long time American beer was dominated by large faceless breweries and light tasteless beers. Luckily, there has been a great resurgence in micro brewing in past couple of decades.

Now Americans have a huge variety of options, which is fantastic. However that doesn't mean you must forsake your favorite import. Beer is the ultimate swinger relationship; you can have your favorite but also sample others free of guilt.

The question truly is answered by your taste buds. If you found you have a taste for Stella Artois then drink it. If you love the complex taste of Magic Hat then drink it. Dark Russian imperial stout is more of your mugs of beer then drink it. Plain simple Budweiser is your speed, then you are not a beer lover but by all means enjoy and drink it.

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