When I ask people to tell me the difference between porters and stouts, even if they can do it, most can’t do it quickly. This confusion is understandable since, of all beer styles, stouts and porters are arguably the twins of the beer world. Originally they were more or less identical, and now more or less fraternal. Read More…
Buyer's Guide for Beer Lovers
Stouts and Porters
Twins of the Beer World
Published May 2010, Volume 31, Number 2 0 Comments | Post a CommentAll The World’s a Stage for Lagers
All the World's a Stage for Lagers
Published March 2010, Volume 31, Number 1 0 Comments | Post a CommentIt never ceases to amaze me how pervasive lager style beers are. And, as I was enjoying a spicy sushi roll last night that paired brilliantly with a Korean pale lager that I hadn’t had in a long time, I could see why. While often criticized or mocked as either boring, insipid, industrial, etc., the ubiquitous pale lager and pilsner styles are clearly the world’s choices if you are looking at sheer sales volumes and numbers of brands. But beyond these cold facts, that I would argue that these beers often times are the best beers to pair with cuisine, especially spicy Latin and Asian ones that seem perpetually in vogue. Form follows function in the evolution of beer and, in lager’s case, food affinity goes a long way towards explaining lager’s planetary hegemony. Read More…
Specialty Beers
Exploring the Foamy Fringe of Beer
Published January 2010, Volume 30, Number 6 0 Comments | Post a CommentEvery year during the World Beer Championships, we dedicate one session to specialty styles of beer that includes fruit-flavored beers, beers made with unusual fermentables, barrel-aged beers and some Belgian-specialty styles like Lambic. When you open the door for brewers to send in their most unusual creations, you can be sure that you will receive things that you’ve never seen before, both good and bad. However, what’s interesting to me is that the very concept of an “unusual” beer is almost passé in the era of “beer imperialism” and “extreme beers.” Read More…
Wheat Beers
It's a Hefe Load
Published November 2009, Volume 30, Number 5 0 Comments | Post a CommentIt is the middle of summer and I’m moving out of my house. Boxes, a lot of them, heavy and awkward, are littering each room of the abode. How am I going to get this stuff out? Movers are too expensive and aren’t really considerate of your possessions. Ah! I’ll call some mates and promise that the beer will flow and the coals will be lit when the work is done. Now, what should I pour? What goes better with the season other than a swimming pool? Wheat Beer. Yes! That will quench my friends’ thirst. Fortunately the World Beer Championships has just run through the Wheat Ale category and there are some great recommendations to sample. Read More…
Continental European Ales
To Quench and to Savor
Published September 2009, Volume 30, Number 4 0 Comments | Post a CommentIn early April of this year, the World Beer Championships held their annual tasting of Continental European Ale styles. Maibocks were also included, as they are in season this time of year. A few tasty sessions of an eclectic assortment of brews turned out some excellent results. Thanks again to all of the participating breweries and to our panel of judges.
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Ale
Ale’s What Cures Ya!
Published July 2009, Volume 30, Number 3 0 Comments | Post a CommentI recently received an email from a past participant of the World Beer Championships. He was excited about his well-deserved accolades and also very excited about coming to the U.S. market with his brand. His respect for the beer culture in the States was profound! A claim was even made that he feels the beer being produced in the United States is some of the best in the world. He receives a lot of “stink-eye” from his colleagues when making this claim, but once they taste an IPA or well-balanced pale ale, their minds quickly change. Read More…
