Maibock

British and North American Styles

The Changing Definition of Style

By Thomas Sulinski Published July 2013, Volume 34, Number 3 0 Comments | Post a Comment

Each year, the first round of the World Beer Championships is reserved for British and North American ale styles. Following trends of years past, we continue to observe expanding diversion between these two great banners of beer. While British-style ales typically seem to hold a reverence for austerity and balance, it’s here that many American-style ales tend to buck British tradition, becoming beers of their own definition. On either side of the Atlantic, contemporary brewing culture seems to have developed two different opinions in regards to balance. Yes, overall balance is important in regards to most beers, but in the evolution of American styles we’re seeing that balance within a particular style may hold just as much significance. In a short amount of time, American brewing culture has found its own identity in the world, and is adding another definition of balance to the dictionary while doing so.

Lagers

Lagers Get Some Love

By Jerald O'Kennard Published March 2012, Volume 33, Number 1 0 Comments | Post a Comment

Our most recent lager tasting of the World Beer Championships brought forth a host of fine lagers from around the world. As expected, European lagers showed strongly, but what was remarkable this year was how many of the top lagers were domestic craft brews. The explosion of the craft beer market has been largely driven by ales, but more recently craft brewers have been trying their hand at precise and demanding lager styles to the delight of beer drinkers and critics like. Read More…

The New Standard

Specialty Beer Evolution and Revolution

By Thomas Sulinski Published January 2012, Volume 32, Number 6 0 Comments | Post a Comment

Each year at the World Beer Championships, we open our doors and prepare our palates, for what we like to categorize as “specialty beers”. This session always brings forth a discussion of what exactly specialty beers are, and more so, how this changing definition of specialty beers attributes to the overall landscape of beer.

Wheat Beers

The Hazy Heroes of Summer

By Thomas Sulinski Published November 2011, Volume 32, Number 5 0 Comments | Post a Comment

Wheat ales are unique for a myriad of reasons. Traditionally, wheat ales are softer and more delicate than other ales. Containing little to no hop presence and higher carbonation, these ales are certain to be refreshing and sessionable beers that pair with both the heat and cuisine of summer.

Continental Ales

Beer From Saints, for Sinners

By Thomas Sulinski Published September 2011, Volume 32, Number 4 0 Comments | Post a Comment

Each year the World Beer Championships takes time to review what we describe as Continental European ale styles. This year’s tasting included a variety of Belgian brewed and inspired ales, as well as, alt, kolsch, and seasonal maibock styles.

British and North American Ales

The Lords of the Ales: A Powerful Onslaught of Ales from the Two Towers of North America and Great Britain

By Thomas Sulinski Published July 2011, Volume 32, Number 3 0 Comments | Post a Comment

The two towers of the ale world, Britain and America, have legions of devoted fanatics. One camp would campaign that too many North American craft ales have become too brash, too assertively hoppy, leaving drinkers craving the subtle and traditional session ales inspired by the U.K., while the other camp lusts for even bigger “imperial” American-inspired ales. Who’s winning the war? Who cares? Read More…

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