tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315262155858800734.post2401665102228134025..comments2024-03-29T01:30:47.656-04:00Comments on Seen Through a Glass: Sam Adams Hallertau Imperial PilsnerLew Brysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04084380741402026573noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315262155858800734.post-91780230772599282922007-08-30T16:33:00.000-04:002007-08-30T16:33:00.000-04:00Take it to e-mail, guys: I'm shutting this down fo...Take it to e-mail, guys: I'm shutting this down for a while.Lew Brysonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04084380741402026573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315262155858800734.post-60835242201519651062007-08-30T16:25:00.000-04:002007-08-30T16:25:00.000-04:00"...describes the beers sold at the Munich Oktober...<I>"...describes the beers sold at the Munich Oktoberfest as being amber in colour."</I><BR/><BR/>Fortunately for we in the U.S., Spaten, Paulaner, & Hacker-Pschorr still make that beer for export to us. I think I was at the last Okto'fest where they sold the Amber Märzen (1990?). And Sam Smith's Imperial Stout is still as lucious as the first sample I tried around 1986.<BR/><BR/>I don't disagree that things are ever-evolving, but there isn't that much overall change in what's in the glass (no matter what they're calling it). The ingredients and process haven't changed that considerably. As said above: variations on a theme.Stevenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10585545034172431563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315262155858800734.post-37939153266848092982007-08-30T15:53:00.000-04:002007-08-30T15:53:00.000-04:00I've only drunk two beers that resemble those from...I've only drunk two beers that resemble those from 1870: Courage Russian Stout and Harveys Imperial Stout. <BR/><BR/>I've been drinking since 1973 and I've noticed considerable changes. Go back another hundred years and just about every style has been totally transformed.<BR/><BR/>An example: Michael Jackson, in his original World Guide to Beer describes the beers sold at the Munich Oktoberfest as being amber in colour. They are no longer - they've been pale yellow for a couple of decades.<BR/><BR/>That's why trying to pin down precise definitions of a style is a crap idea. They are in a constant state of flux. The bjcp definitions are, at best, 20 years out of date when it comes to European styles.Ron Pattinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03095189986589865751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315262155858800734.post-31497523612030845112007-08-30T15:38:00.000-04:002007-08-30T15:38:00.000-04:00"But what he wrote in the 1970's was a snapshot."I...<I>"But what he wrote in the 1970's was a snapshot."</I><BR/><BR/>Indeed, an awakening snapshot. We all eveolved with the awakening; enthusiasts, brewers, even MJ himself.<BR/><BR/>Things <I>have</I> changed, beer has evolved, but many styles hold true to what was enjoyed in 1870, 1970, and today.Stevenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10585545034172431563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315262155858800734.post-64931222709278611272007-08-30T15:22:00.000-04:002007-08-30T15:22:00.000-04:00Michael Jackson (god rest his soul) described beer...Michael Jackson (god rest his soul) described beer as it was in the mid 1970's. And a very good job he made of it. <BR/><BR/>He was my inspiration, too. He pointed me to the Altbiers of Dusseldorf, Lambic, Kölsch and the lagers of Czechoslovakia. I owe him an enormous debt. <BR/><BR/>But what he wrote in the 1970's was a snapshot. Beer styles have changed considerably since then. As they always have. To use his style desciptions as some immutable truth misses the point. Beer styles are inherently dynamic.Ron Pattinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03095189986589865751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315262155858800734.post-29637125542301201932007-08-30T13:22:00.000-04:002007-08-30T13:22:00.000-04:00"you need to go back further than the 70s."Only sp...<I>"you need to go back further than the 70s."</I><BR/><BR/>Only speaking of my own sources and awareness, my friend. I'm fully aware (and appreciative) of our favorite beverage's long, rich history.<BR/><BR/>S.Stevenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10585545034172431563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315262155858800734.post-42344968098114811242007-08-30T12:04:00.000-04:002007-08-30T12:04:00.000-04:00steven, you need to go back further than the 70s. ...steven, you need to go back further than the 70s. Beer (in the form we know it today) has been brewed for centuries. The period in which the American craft beer movement took off does not represent a "year zero", though many people seem to think otherwise.<BR/><BR/>If you look at Ron Pattinson's stirling work on researching from original sources (early twentieth and nineteenth century brewer's logs, for example) you can learn about the history of the "building block" beer styles we know today. I'd urge you to do so.Stonchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15927490011165896353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315262155858800734.post-80413942116596713882007-08-30T10:32:00.000-04:002007-08-30T10:32:00.000-04:00"I think you're wrong when you think styles were "...<I>"I think you're wrong when you think styles were "defined" in the past, unless you mean it in the broadest possible sense."</I><BR/><BR/>I guess it would have to be researched to dates (who really wants to?), but the definitions I've always followed were published by Jackson back in the mid/late 70s or early 80s, and I don't think he was making the names up on his own.<BR/><BR/>Broadest sense? I suppose they were/are, in dealing with as broad a range of different "types" of beer brewed over history.<BR/><BR/>But yes, a good analogy may be the periodic table of elements; no other element has been found -- all new beer styles are no more than variations on elemental themes. Even the IIPA is a variation, sorry Stan.Stevenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10585545034172431563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315262155858800734.post-49545668771988661732007-08-30T09:59:00.000-04:002007-08-30T09:59:00.000-04:00Knowledge, background, history, inspiration.>If th...<"Most, if not all, style guidelines are for what?"<BR/><BR/>Knowledge, background, history, inspiration.><BR/><BR/>If that's the case then the bjcp ones fail on three counts for a start.<BR/><BR/>Brian, the brewer at the Moonlight Brewery has the right idea. This is a summary of what he said was his method of working. If you want to brew a beer in a style you're unfamiliar with, the first thing you do is try as many examples as possible. Then, when you've got your head around a style, you have a go yourself, tweaking the recipe until it's how you want it. No need for style guidelines whatsoever.<BR/><BR/>As far as I can see, style guidelines are only any use for:<BR/><BR/>1. homebrewers entering competitions<BR/>2. professional brewers who are too lazy to investigate for themselves<BR/>3. geeks who want to pretend they understand about beer<BR/><BR/>As many of the bjcp definitions are deeply flawed, using them as a basis for formulating recipes or discussions is just plain stupid.Ron Pattinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03095189986589865751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315262155858800734.post-80282972473326468782007-08-30T09:30:00.000-04:002007-08-30T09:30:00.000-04:00When I say this "styles" thing I mean this odd ten...When I say <I>this "styles" thing</I> I mean this odd tendency to consider any unusual beer as representative of a brand new sub-category of beer, and then building rules around that. I clearly don't mean the natural and broad concept of style that has arisen over time.<BR/><BR/>I think you're wrong when you think styles were "defined" in the past, unless you mean it in the broadest possible sense.<BR/><BR/>I just don't get this desire to categorise and sub-categorise, and I doubt I ever will. It serves no purpose other to annoy the rest of us.Stonchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15927490011165896353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315262155858800734.post-63240628183673446352007-08-30T08:49:00.000-04:002007-08-30T08:49:00.000-04:00"I really hope this "styles" thing doesn't catch o...<I>"I really hope this "styles" thing doesn't catch on in Europe."</I><BR/><BR/>Well, considering that's where it all originated, you are probably SOL.<BR/><BR/>But I agree that immediately creating new style guidelines is wrong (mentioned that above in agreeing with Lew). My comments on history and inspiration were referring to tried and true guidelines from styles that were defined long before either of us were contemplating good beer.Stevenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10585545034172431563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315262155858800734.post-53036579221806353712007-08-29T15:59:00.000-04:002007-08-29T15:59:00.000-04:00Loren said: "Most, if not all, style guidelines ar...<I>Loren said: "Most, if not all, style guidelines are for what?"<BR/><BR/>Steven said: Knowledge, background, history, inspiration.</I><BR/><BR/>As far as I can see, immediately creating new "style guidelines"* when a brewer comes up with an innovative recipe hardly has any historical basis - it's a pure fiction. I can't see how it helps inspire further innovation, it simply creates further rules that purport to bind.<BR/><BR/>As for the BCJP - even if their guidelines couldn't be picked apart immediately as inaccurate, I'd still be opposed to giving such a body any authority whatsoever, particularly internationally.<BR/><BR/>I really hope this "styles" thing doesn't catch on in Europe.<BR/><BR/>* the speech marks denote utter contempt.Stonchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15927490011165896353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315262155858800734.post-72708483068301205082007-08-29T11:43:00.000-04:002007-08-29T11:43:00.000-04:00"I was being facetious. Mostly."D'oh.Is it arguing...<I>"I was being facetious. Mostly."</I><BR/><BR/>D'oh.<BR/><BR/>Is it arguing styles, or arguing the <I>need</I> for styles?<BR/><BR/>Okay, I'll admit -- this has probably run its course. Again! ;-)Stevenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10585545034172431563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315262155858800734.post-48514849347957469342007-08-29T10:29:00.000-04:002007-08-29T10:29:00.000-04:00"I just don't think we necessarily need a new styl...<I>"I just don't think we necessarily need a new style guideline every time..."</I><BR/><BR/>That's the real bottom line, IMO too.Stevenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10585545034172431563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315262155858800734.post-26906904511961016502007-08-29T10:27:00.000-04:002007-08-29T10:27:00.000-04:00I was being facetious. Mostly. Of course brewers n...I was being facetious. Mostly. Of course brewers need to follow some set of "rules" when brewing...but...<BR/><BR/>God, arguing styles is so much fun.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315262155858800734.post-16218671508270678842007-08-29T09:48:00.000-04:002007-08-29T09:48:00.000-04:00I'm with Steven on this one: I know brewers who ge...I'm with Steven on this one: I know brewers who get out the notes and books when they want to formulate a new beer. And guidelines can serve as inspiration, or at least a jumping off point. <BR/><BR/>I just don't think we necessarily need a new style guideline every time a brewer throws another shovel of hops OR malt into the kettle.Lew Brysonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04084380741402026573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315262155858800734.post-66628519688205899642007-08-29T09:33:00.000-04:002007-08-29T09:33:00.000-04:00BTW -- I can't believe most brewers are "ignoring"...BTW -- I can't believe most brewers are "ignoring" the original styles -- every beer out there is basically a variation on a theme (to quote a phrase) -- just look at the original topic of this discussion.<BR/><BR/>Though it would be interesting to survey some brewmasters on their methods.Stevenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10585545034172431563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315262155858800734.post-9951621123269410312007-08-29T09:30:00.000-04:002007-08-29T09:30:00.000-04:00"Most, if not all, style guidelines are for what?"...<I>"Most, if not all, style guidelines are for what?"</I><BR/><BR/>Knowledge, background, history, inspiration.<BR/><BR/><BR/><I>How many brewers follow a recipe book, with every brew?</I><BR/><BR/>They still had to start with the basics before they expanded their repertoir(s).<BR/><BR/>And I'll bet they still fall back on some of those old "calculus notes" when they feel the need. I still do when it comes to my profession.Stevenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10585545034172431563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315262155858800734.post-45888421638713699742007-08-29T07:16:00.000-04:002007-08-29T07:16:00.000-04:00Most, if not all, style guidelines are for what? C...Most, if not all, style guidelines are for what? Competition. How many brewers follow a recipe book, with every brew?<BR/><BR/>Not many I would guess.<BR/><BR/>The calculus you studied in college...do you open that book daily or...<BR/><BR/>Exactly.<BR/><BR/>Remember this though...categorization for a square peg that doesn't seem to fit in a round hole will always be necessary. As will the arguments that will no doubt follow. So deal with it or ignore it. Most brewers already are.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315262155858800734.post-70552068433442262672007-08-28T22:01:00.000-04:002007-08-28T22:01:00.000-04:00"We're already past that point: the discussion's u...<I>"We're already past that point: the discussion's underway."</I><BR/><BR/>True 'dat, but all my recognition of the different aspects of beer, including input in this discussion, originated from either BJCP guidelines or Michael Jackson's books. They were the catalyst for me to seek out new and different beers in the world.<BR/><BR/>Now -- I just need to allow my mind to accept such things as Imperial IPAs...even if it's stretching the "Imperial" definition juuust a bit. ;-)Stevenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10585545034172431563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315262155858800734.post-23943495362102262782007-08-28T18:13:00.000-04:002007-08-28T18:13:00.000-04:00Actually, Steven, I think Loren has a valid point ...Actually, Steven, I think Loren has a valid point on the BJCP styles. More people are familiar with and give credence to the GABF guidelines. But Loren, there is only a passing reference to (God help me) "quadruple pilsener" in the "Other Strong Ale of Lager" Category, that I hope was facetious, but probably wasn't. Otherwise, that's the only place something like this could hope to get a medal. Oh, and maybe Experimental, although I'd laugh it right out of there if I were judging.<BR/><BR/>But "a baseline to start discussions"? Not in this case, I don't believe. We're already past that point: the discussion's underway.Lew Brysonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04084380741402026573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315262155858800734.post-81707838028243104922007-08-28T17:55:00.000-04:002007-08-28T17:55:00.000-04:00"Since when have BJCP styles been recognized by an...<I>"Since when have BJCP styles been recognized by anyone but homebrewers (their actual target)?"</I><BR/><BR/>They're a baseline on which to start discussions.<BR/><BR/><I>"Now the Brewers Association on the other hand..."</I><BR/><BR/>You mean the folks who don't think Goose Island is a "craft brewer?" And isn't Charlie Papazian a charter member there? :-OStevenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10585545034172431563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315262155858800734.post-71825422825264753562007-08-28T13:43:00.000-04:002007-08-28T13:43:00.000-04:00Since when have BJCP styles been recognized by any...Since when have BJCP styles been recognized by anyone but homebrewers (their actual target)?<BR/><BR/>Now the Brewers Association on the other hand...<BR/><BR/>I believe it is recognized there, and furthermore Rogue made one YEARS ago.<BR/><BR/>Anyway...enough style crap already. At least until tomorrow.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315262155858800734.post-64922875406740115902007-08-28T10:22:00.000-04:002007-08-28T10:22:00.000-04:00If it stems the Imperial Pilsner fear any, the BJC...If it stems the Imperial Pilsner fear any, the BJCP hasn't recognized it as a "style."<BR/><BR/>Yet.<BR/><BR/>I have to agree with lew when he says, <B>"And to tell the truth, the whole"this is an imperial pilsner" thing kind of doesn't do it for me, kind of pisses me off."</B><BR/><BR/>I think the Dbl-hopped Maibock is closer than anything -- anything "imperial" from Germany would have been saved for the Kaiser (or Prinz), not shipped overseas! ;-)Stevenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10585545034172431563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315262155858800734.post-71434537601034369872007-08-28T05:41:00.000-04:002007-08-28T05:41:00.000-04:00That depresses me greatly.That depresses me greatly.Stonchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15927490011165896353noreply@blogger.com