American Beers That Rival European Beers in European Styles

I actually reviewed that almost 3 years ago, with a best by date of 2009(random singles find). It was still awesome.

 

“I've seen Mittelfrueh and some other German hops described as "citrusy"…”

I am not familiar with “citrusy” being associated with Hallertauer Mittelfruh hops. I homebrew with Hallertauer Mittelfruh hops a lot (German style beers, Classic American Pilsner) and for my palate is has the flavor/aroma of predominantly herbal with some spicy as well. Below is how Stan Hieronymus describes Hallertauer Mittelfruh in his Hops book:

“Classic landrace hop, complex but subtle, well suited for lagers. …herbal, spicy, mildly woody aromas and flavors.”

I personally have never picked up “woody” in any of my homebrewed beers which feature Hallertauer Mittelfruh.

A commercial beer which features Hallertauer Mittelfruh is Sam Adams Boston Lager; that beer is dry hopped using Hallertauer Mittelfruh hops. I have never perceived any citrus in Boston Lager.

Cheers!

 

Michael, all of my drinking experiences with BrewDog have been on draft. Needless to say I have no way of knowing how old those kegs were. What I can say is that every BrewDog pint that I have drunk was hoppy on the nose and was very tasty with hop aroma/flavor dominating; those are indicators that the beers were fresh to me.

Cheers!

Jack

 

Now that's something I can get behind; I'd definitely take a chance on Punk or Hardcore on draught.

 

Hopunion's description: Mild, yet spicy, with floral and citrus tones

 

I'll bet, damn I would have liked to have found that...

 

Yes, the citrus-y note is slight, but, to my palate, present. I think using them -- and doing things like "hopfenstopfen" (or dry hopping) -- can accentuate this character. Plus there are new hops such as Mandarina Bavaria being used more and more frequently by places over there that exhibit this type of citrus flavor. I wouldn't say it's necessarily an American influence, but that American brewers tend to like this profile and use it more frequently than German brewers.

 

Never said it was impossible. Just that I have yet to experience any single U.S. brewed beer in any German style that is better than the benchmark for the style. Obviously you feel differently.

 

I have zero experience with Hallertauer Mittelfruh hops from HopUnion; I purchase my Hallertauer Mittelfruh hops from an alternative vendor.

Have you ever perceived any “citrus tones” in Boston Lager?

Cheers!

 

OK. It is clear you feel differently.

Again, I simply disagree. Moonglow is, to my mind and palate, heavy-handed. Vitus is, again to my mind and palate, much better balanced.

 

I have definitely picked up slight citrus tones from fresh Boston Lager.

 

I'm drinking it right now but I'd put Ommegang's Fleur de Houblon up against any of its Belgian adversaries.
Good thread, btw, I think few American beers stack up well against its much older and traditional European counterparts.

 

Mr. herrburgess, you also pick up citrusy in Sunshine Pils: “There is a slightly citrusy element to the Sunshine…’

There is nothing in the list of ingredients of Sunshine Pils which equates to “citrusy”. There is nothing in the lager brewing practice which would create "citrusy".

Cheers!

 

Mr. Horzempa.

Tell that to Jack's Abby.

Cheers!

 

Sierra Nevada as well.

 

E. G.
BrewDog
Mikkeller
Nøgne Ø

 

Also, since you seem to be such a big fan of manufacturers' descriptions (although you've selectively chosen to ignore HopUnion's for some reason), here's what Sam Adams has to say about Boston Lager on their Web site:

"Samuel Adams Boston Lager uses only the finest ingredients, including two-row malted barley and Bavarian Noble hops. The sole use of two-row barley not only imparts a full, smooth body but also gives the beer a wide spectrum of flavor ranging from toffee to toasted. We also take great pride in the Noble hops we use – they’re hand selected by Jim Koch and our brewers from the world’s oldest hop growing areas. The Hallertau Mittelfrueh and Tettnang Tettnanger Noble hops add a wide range of floral, piney and citrus notes, which are present from the aroma, through the taste, and all the way to the lingering smooth finish."

Cheers!

 

You haven't had Allagash White yet, have you.