Just checking in. Where can I put my coat and hat?
Beer guy myself. Though a good cognac does not go unappreciated. I'll also buy a $10 bottle of wine - but won't buy a $20 for myself. Even though I live about 30 minutes from Napa and 40 from Sonoma.
Beer... well, the wine affecionados may be familiar with the Anderson Valley - west of Sonoma. Lots of good wines there. And, the Anderson Valley Brewing Company. What I see most frequently is their Boont Amber, a very good beer. But, I think their Oatmeal Stout is rather good as well.
I have a couple of cans of Budwiser... good for marinating steak.
Of course, the product line from Anchor Brewing Co is good as well - their Steam beer is by far the best known, but they make a good Liberty Ale and a stout or porter as well.
Then there's Sierra Nevada - their most widespread offering is their Pale Ale, but as with the others, they make several other flavors as well. I recently tried their Tremblor(?) beer and liked it a lot.
Bottom line... definitely agree to go with the local concoction where ever you are. But I'll admit - when I visit Kazakhstan I order a Baltica - its the only beer whose name I can pronounce well enough (by looking at the label) to order!
jt