Dearfolk,
The worst beers I remember from the past have to be Master’s Choice Bavarian Style and its (redundantly) Light compatriot, brewed for Albertson’s stores by Duncan Brewing in Auburndale, Florida. In very close second would be anything from Eastern Brewing in Hammonton, New Jersey. I swear they used soybeans instead of barley malt.
In the dreadful Malt Liquor division, I think of Cool Colt (Colt 45 Malt Liquor with added menthol!). Champale I could at least get down on a blistering hot afternoon… but not the Pink!
Beers I really do miss include Ballantine India Pale Ale (when it was brewed in Newark and then Cranston, held in wood for 9 months, and contained a proud 65 units of bitterness), the old recipe version of Stegmaier Porter from Wilkes-Barre, PA. (it tasted like a licorace/anise milkshake), Old Shay Golden Cream Ale from Jones Brewing (Stoney’s) in Smithton, PA. (was almost orange and reminded me of carrots), and Blind Man Ale, Blind Man India Brown Ale, Blind Man Espresso Stout, and Blind Man Summer Wheat, made here in Athens for too short a time… bottle-conditioned ales would go over in Georgia now, but they were far ahead of their time… much like the late, lamented Riley’s Red Lyon Ale from Little Rock, Arkansas.
Whoever posted regards Bell’s Eccentric Ale: I owe you a pint somewhere, sometime. It broke me to tears of joy to be alive when I tasted it; that’s the best accolate I can apply to a beer.
Thirstily Submitted, Ort. Carlton in Athens, Georgia.