Monday, May 14, 2007
SBP: BeerAdvocate Support
Props/kudos/cheers to The Brothers Alström of BeerAdvocate: recognizing the ABV-tilted nature of their BeerAdvocate Top 100 Beers list, they also have a Top Session Beers list here. Before anyone else brings it up, yes, I know, the list is heavily weighted to the beers between 5.0 and 5.5% ABV, but that's okay. This is a very healthy start, and something I'm quite happy to see. Check it out, start thinking session. (Thanks to Tony/WVbeergeek of BA for the link!)
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11 comments:
In regard to BA putting up a session beer list...really, isn't the problem that most proper session beers (3.2 ABV, 3.6, 4.0, 4.2, etc) simply don't travel well? I mean, you're talking mostly bitters and milds down there when we speak of craft beer (not counting light lagers, which the BA patrons wouldn't give a good rating to if it danced the Dance of 7 Yeasts for them...).
It's hard to have a nation- or worldwide rep if you can barely make it over the border to the next state.
As for me, mine's a Landlord.
Well, this is where you get into the whole "just what is a session beer" issue. We have a different definition we're working with, the 5.5% thing, which makes it easier to find beers that will travel. You can say that's cheating, but believe me, when you're faced with the kind of strong support for huge monsters over 8% we have here, 5.5% is a start.
You do make some excellent points, though, and my resonse would be that I don't care if the individual brands have a nationwide rep, so long as the rep of the general classification increases. When that happens, more local brewers will be moved to try it themselves. At least, that's one plan.
It is a good list, but it would be interesting to have the list re-orderable by a number of factors including alcohol content so that the best weaker beers could be identified.
Alan
AGBB
I agree, but I'm not whining: this is a good idea, and the Brothers are reaching out. I can easily meet them halfway.
Now...how about a Top 100 Lagers?
Heh. Actually, I'm from Minnesota, Lew.
We've got three local brewpubs that make session ales as they might call 'em over in England; Barley John's (known for a big freakin' beer called Rosie's Ale at 15-25% ABV and the Dark Knight) make Little Barley Bitter, a sweet little 3.5 that is just about the best thing this side of the Pond.
But while people cry their eyes out that the bourbon-barreled Dark Knight costs $64/growler and can only be bought from John's tiny little brewpub, no one gripes about the same thing for an $8 growler of the LBB.
I know what you mean, though. There are a lot of folks out there that seem to think life begins at 70...7.0%, that is.
Nice list. I've reviewed 9 and have enjoyed many more on it. I love a big beer, but lately have really been enjoying the slow seduction of a well crafted lager or ale that will not fry your tongue nor leave you with phone numbers written on your forehead the next morning after a few.
The list does seem to have a LOT of lambics, which are great, but personally I don't think I could session Lindemann's.
There ARE a lot of lambics. I could session a Lindeman's Cuvee Rene (and I have), but probably not the fruits: too sweet.
"Now...how about a Top 100 Lagers?",
Where do I sign the petition? Although, the Alströms have always been pretty decent proponents of good lager, even when the majority of their constituency hasn't come around yet.
Fullers London Porter's a session beer?
Not on a school night, that's for sure!
Hmm, conspicuously missing from the list: Goose Island Summertime Kölsch at 5.0.
Not surprising though, looking at the BA reviews, most of them aren't at all familiar with the style (and their favorite beers are Imperial Souts and Belgian Strongs).
I bring up the Goose because I had my first of the season last night - wot a treat!
One of the Alstrom Brothers' goals for the next year is to focus on promoting lagers more within their beer events. I read this in the May issue of the BA mag.
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