American Beers That Rival European Beers in European Styles

As an Oktoberfest? No. Maybe a Brown Ale. Which is not to say it isn't a good, drinkable beer -- just far too roasty for an Oktoberfest to-style.

 

Have you had Uncle Teddy's Bitter from Victory?

http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/345/4173/

It's awesome.

 

I don't find the flavor any less full, just not to-style. No bready, melanoidin character and subtle spicy hops. Just big roastiness. To NG's defense, they've been making it this way for many years based on (IMO) what Americans "expect" from an Oktoberfest, and people like it, so I don't think they're going to change it.

 

I have no names to suggest for Baltic Porter but having a chuckle because they seem much more common stateside than the Baltics. Anyway.

Prepare to laugh: I put together a side-by-side of SA Winter Lager with a couple different German bocks, in Germany, for a local brewer a few years ago. We were surprised that, while it was distinguishable, the American fit right in there with them. I blushed with pride, or alcohol.

On more familiar ground, I'd say that Allagash White would be in the upper tier of wheats in Belgium. (I realize that sounds like faint praise.) It's Resurgam isn't top tier gueuze but doesn't embarrass itself, and I mean that praise not to be faint.

Spencer will probably gather some steam with the American beerati. Recognizably Trappist but with a bit more modern profile.

The discussion of IPAs is interesting. I mentally put those Merkins in a different category.

 

I would have described it as more toasty than roasty, and I do recall the hops being as you described, but in the end I haven't had very much of it myself, so I'll defer to you on that one.

 

That's both surprising (I would expect them to come from Great Britain) and good to know.

Last year I did have a nice American-style ESB in Rome that brought me back to the PNW of the 90s, a very enjoyable beer.

 

From that perspective I can't honestly think of any. Except maybe Victory's Uncle Teddy Bitter on cask. I've made a decent bitter myself, but I had drank it side by side with a Coniston Bluebird Bitter (in bottle nonetheless) and it wasn't nearly as good. My homebrew compared to a proper UK bitter on cask? Forget about it.

I mention all this because I do not feel this is something anyone can do, and I give Victory extremely high praise for getting this one right. Other than Uncle Teddy's I can't think of any other US examples of any style that I'd drink over a European benchmark.

 

In keeping with the season Great Lakes Oct fest just as good as any from Germany
Nebbie

 

Michael, if you can track down Brawler on cask please do drink it. Brawler is tasty on regular draft and out of the bottle but that beer really shines on cask.

Cheers to Yards Brawler on cask!

 

Olde Mecklenburg has been mentioned and they're spot on.
Victory Golden Monkey and Weyerbacher Merry Monks comes pretty close but compared to a Westmalle or Val-Dieu they don't stand a chance.
Green Man ESB and IPA are good substitutes for their respective styles that when they're imported are usually out of date.
Victory and Foothills Oktoberfest is decent in a sea of American made marzens that totally miss the mark.
Finally there a tiny brewpub near me called Frog Level Brewing Co. that makes one the best Irish dry stouts I've ever had.

 

Michael, I have a few hoppy beers from BrewDog that a very good; they hold their own when compared to US craft brewed American style IPAs in my opinion. One of their beers which comes to mind is Punk IPA.

Cheers!

Jack

 

A little over a week ago I had Live Oak's Hefeweizen and I'd say its rivals if not beats Paulaner.

http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/383/1062/

 

This stood out to me, could you please elaborate? Hearing "citrusy-hopped pilsner" in a vacuum I'd assume someone was talking about Jack's Abby or another American brewer. Do you think the beers you're describing are American-influenced or the evolution of some other trend?

 

I know that your query wasn’t directed to me but….

I have had more that my fair share of Troegs Sunshine Pils and besides the Pilsner malt flavor/aroma the dominant flavor/aroma is herbal/spicy from the hops. I personally have never perceived citrus in any of the Troegs Sunshine Pils I have tasted.

Below is the list of ingredients for Troegs Sunshine Pils from the Troegs website. I have homebrewed extensively with Saaz hops and a fair amount with Hersbrucker hops. In all of my homebrewed beers using those hops the flavor/aroma was principally herbal/spicy; consistent with the flavor/aroma of Sunshine Pils.

Cheers!

“Tröegs Sunshine Pils®

Alcohol by Volume: 4.5%

Hop Bitterness (IBUs): 45

Color (SRM): Straw / Golden

Availability: Seasonal (April - July)

Malts: Pilsner

Hops: Hersbrucker, Saaz

Yeast: Lager

TASTING NOTES

The sun's role dominates the Hop Cycle as vines grow before the human eye and budding hop cones reach maturity beneath the sun's rays. Sunshine Pils combines the refreshing snap of a Euro-style Pilsner with an assertive hop character. Crisp. Hoppy. Pilsner.

FOOD COMPLIMENTS

Since Sunshine Pils is a summer beer, it is a fine complement with all types of salads. It also pairs well with shellfish and mild fish filets.

Serving Suggestions:

Temp: 40-45º F | Glassware: Pilsner Flute”

 

Yards India Pale Ale, to me anyway, is about as good as Meantime IPA and Bengal Lancer if not better.

 

Yeah, I was thinking more Prima, Kenzinger, or Hoponius Union (though I've never had the HU). I've seen Mittelfrueh and some other German hops described as "citrusy" but even dumping an extra pound or two of that into a pilsner would strike me as a hat tip to the American "moar hopz!" trend.

 

American made German Pilsner

 

These & I also mourn their retired Glockenspiel which was a great American weizenbock.

 

Troegs Troegenator

 

I've seen that one, but haven't tried yet because of concerns about freshness. Kind of what this post says:

With IPAs, and other hoppy American styles I think it would be difficult to try them here at their best (i.e. under a month old). I wonder how our brewers are perceived in Europe, considering the shape the beers must be in?

Fortunately, it's not exactly like that the other way around. Many European styles make it here in fine shape- in fact, I was really enjoying some Weihenstephaner Oktoberfestbier last night that was drinking very well indeed.