Posts Tagged: Styles
Did Michael Jackson Actually Invent Our Beer "Styles"?
Posted by on Thursday, April 28, 2011 in - 41 comments
This week, I received Brewery History, No. 139, in the mail. A freebie. It was gratefully received as so few packets and packages come my way these days. Time was the mail brought cheques for ads, couriered samples of beer, love letters, job offers. It's been too quiet lately. More mail would be …
Ontario: Black IPA, Church-Key, Campbellford
Posted by on Wednesday, January 5, 2011 in - 1 comment
"...Whoa-oh black bitter... bam-a-lam.... • I gave my opinion of the matter of the name last September so I don't want to revisit that whole kettle of fish - unless you do - so let's just leave it that I was mightily happy to find dinner bottles of Church-Key's Black IPA at the brewery, my local …
What Does It Mean When We All Talk About Style?
Posted by on Thursday, October 21, 2010 in - 7 comments
Now Stan has jumped into the fray on the usefulness of "style." It reminds me of all the little words we use to convey something other than the personal experience: expert, connoisseur, judge. There is so often a downside to any of these things. Consider what Hemingway said of "aficionado" … read more »
Three Tales Of Beery Negativity Today
Posted by on Tuesday, September 21, 2010 in - 1 comment
It is a rare day that I do not feel that I am a little too negative. I should, frankly, find more reason to cheer up when thinking about beer. So, it was with some pleasure that I read others being crankier than me or at least turning a critical eye on good beer events and news: • Pete Brown is …
Why Do Names For This New Beer Style Kinda Suck?
Posted by on Wednesday, September 1, 2010 in - 20 comments
Forget the question of whether styles are real and essential. Forget the question of whether beer styles have been accurately described and traced historically. The real issue is that the names of beer styles are a mess and cause consumer confusion. Andy raises the question of the name of one … read more »
Ontario: Dark Ale, Muskoka Cottage Brewery, Bracebridge
Posted by on Friday, June 25, 2010 in - leave a comment
Just learned that my camera died. Also just learned what a crappy camera I bought my kid last birthday. No focus. No warm tones. The corner of the cold room looks like the corner of a cold room. Sad. • Today for Ontario craft beer week, I went out to the LCBO and bought a few cans of beers that … read more »
Ontario: Stock Ale, Mill Street Brewery, Toronto
Posted by on Tuesday, June 22, 2010 in - 1 comment
Where was I? The 1830s and 40s? About there. Local breweries popping up as settlers move west, filling up southern Ontario right up to the Lake Huron coast. Familar names start popping up. In 1835, James Morton is operating out of the old Molson brewery on the Kingston waterfront. John Sleeman …
More Thoughts On That Pesky Albany Ale Question
Posted by on Tuesday, April 27, 2010 in - 80 comments
I have been thinking more about this pre-1850 invention called "Albany ale" and I am a bit surprised to find so many references to it of one sort and so few references of another. The stuff was made in volume, transported and traded over great distances but now seemingly forgotten to memory. As we …
Star Island Single, Smuttynose Brewing, New Hampshire
Posted by on Tuesday, July 14, 2009 in - leave a comment
Smuttynose calls this an eminently sessionable, abbey-style ale. Which may make it Belgianesque, I suppose. The colour of aged pine with white froth and rim. The aroma is more grainy than spiced which makes me worry a bit about FBS - false Belgian syndrome. There is, however, comfort in the …
Extreme... X-Treme... X-Tre-m... XTRM... ?
Posted by on Sunday, March 29, 2009 in - 2 comments
Hub-bub. That is what is going on. There is hub-bub afoot these days about "extreme" beer. Here is what I know, though things may be changing on the fly, minute-by-minute as it were: • The Independent in England goes all yikes over BrewDog and other new strong beers even categorizing their …
