You asked for it, we delivered.Last week, while many of you were enjoying our map of the United States of Soft Drinks, just as many of you alcoholics were demanding a United States of Beer map instead. And so we hunkered down all weekend, doing the kind of brutal and difficult work that it takes to determine a fitting beer for every last one of our 50 states.

Texas, naturally, belongs to Shiner. Our rationale for this? Lone Star and Pearl are now brewed by Pabst (even though they’re still brewed in Texas), so they’re out. Saint Arnold, Real Ale, Independence, Southern Star and other Texas brews are all wonderful — each and every one of them — but none have the reach and recognition that Shiner has on a national scale. Plus, it tastes great with Gulf Coast oysters.

That logic applies to most of the other choices on the map, as well. Budweiser? Born in Missouri, known worldwide. Miller? Sorry, Leinenkugel, but it’s arguably Wisconsin’s biggest invention to date. Yuengling? You’re awesome, Victory, but no other beer can compete with Yuengling’s longevity.

Other states were more difficult to choose beers for, however.

Florida? South Dakota? Kentucky? These aren’t places that one naturally associates with beer, as the map and our choices demonstrate. We finally settled on Bud Light for Kentucky as it’s traditionally the most favored beer in beer cheese, a regional favorite. Florida gets saddled with MGD Light 64 because it’s the beer we imagine bikini-clad Miami Beach babes drinking to stay slim.

And still other states have frustratingly outdated liquor laws, like Alabama and West Virginia. Those states were penalized by being “awarded” awful, low-ABV brews like Keystone Light and Natural Light, as these are some of the only beers that can lawfully be sold in these pitiful states. Mississippi, however, was rewarded for its persistence in fighting the man with breweries like Lazy Magnolia.

Did we leave off your favorite beer? Probably. With only 50 beers, it was bound to happen. But is the United States of Beer still our favorite food infographic to date? You bet your Venn diagram it is.

via The Houston Press

Finally killed off this guy last night – pretty good but won’t spend that kind of coin on it again. If they put it in a regular bottle and charge $10, but not worth nearly $18 after taxes. I doubt anyone from Rogue reads this, but if by some chance they do – sell the ceramic bottle as a decor item for $5 and give us regular bottles at the usual “anniversary beer” retail price of $10 per 750mL bottle

The overwhelming bite of alcohol kept a damper on the taste, I felt more like I was drinking a boilermaker then a beer. The Unibroue 16 also suffered from an overwhelming alcoholic bite, but the U17 nicely covered up the 10% ABV. Otherwise the taste was outstanding, very nutty and mocha-coffee like complex flavors, motor oil black color, thick consistency, excellent aroma.

I’m starting to think 7-9% ABV is the sweet spot to go for – anything less is pisswater, anything more starts to taste like wine or a spiked hard liquor drink. Personal opinion only!

From Rich30N90W in the Beer Forum

Second beer I’m reviewing tonight. Finally laid my hands on this one. I’ve had Maudite and La Fin du Monde in years past, but that’s it from Unibroue. Got it for $6.99, and the abv is 9%.

First things first, as you can see it’s a very dark beer, maybe not stout dark, but darker than amber. The aroma is very smooth, with bouquets of fruit and raisin. The taste is fantastic. It’s actually quite sweet to my palate, but not even close to cloying. Fruity, a distinct blackberry taste to it, raisin, and a little peppery on the end.

Wow, I’m definitely floored by this beer. Not something I would drink all the time, but it will definitely be a future purchase.

From Joey in the Beer Forum

Billed as Captain Sig’s Northwestern Ale. Obviously based on The Deadliest Catch, whether or not Sig has anything to do with it, I dunno, but it’s damn good. Got it for $7.49, abv is 6.2%.

It’s a very Amber beer, in fact it looks a lot like Killian’s Irish Red, but the taste is way more like an IPA. Not quite as hoppy, but the hops is definitely at the forefront. Along with a distinct floral or fruity element, there’s also a toasty sensation on the back end. All in all, very tasty and drinkable beer. Totally would buy again.

I keep meaning to lay my hands on some more Rogue. I’ve only had 4 including this one.

From Joey in the beer forum