Imperial Hefeweizen

..please,don't offend us wine lovers...

 

Maybe because it's a backlash from people vilifying the Reinheitsgebot in order to prop up American craft (an occurrence that's common enough that last night I had a conversation with someone who was flirting with that notion.) The reality of the situation isn't as black and white. In the US, it's illegal to call an Eisbock beer. So legal parallels between the countries certainly exist, and yet, brewing an Eisbock strikes me as far more indicative of "creativity and innovation" than brewing with lemon verbena.

 

...And yet, they would still be free to brew traditional beer styles. (And I'm sure they would) It's just that they would be able to experiment and innovate as well.

 

Let's also not forget that the RHG has survived 500 years and the beer being brewed under the "restrictions" has remained pretty popular all this time too.

 

Yup! If the RHG was eliminated tomorrow that would not compel breweries to change their brewing process if they choose to stay 'traditional'. It would permit them to 'brew outside the box' for some of their beer brands if they are so inclined.

Cheers!

P.S. I just got done brewing a Kolsch which was brewed in a traditional manner (malt, water, hops and yeast). In a few weeks I will be brewing a Cranberry Belgian Pale using fruit (cranberry) and sugar.

It's all good!!

 

But it's too bad that that isn't the prevalent perspective in these parts.

 

Chris, maybe it is up to you and me to spread the joy!

Perhaps together we can mitigate the folks on BA!?!

Cheers to “it’s all good”!!!!

 

Why don't you just make the top number 10 instead of 11? Because it's better if it goes to 11.

 

It's part of what make German Beer so good, the history. The culture. Like bourbon in the US. 2 years in fresh, charred oak. 51% corn as a minimum. Port, cognac, champagne etc. English session beer history? Maybe you just like to drink zima and coors light here in the US? Not. I spent 3 weeks in Germany drinking great brews. You should try it sometime. Neapolitan pizza, it has very strict regulations, not limiting the creativity there. Crushed innovation? Or limited thinking by some? One doesn't need mango, extra NZ hops or vanilla to make great beer. See the UK and Germany for examples. You've tasted them all? Yes? See also some great lager brewers in the US, Jacks Abby for one. Von Trapp in VT for another. many others as well. Oh wait, you're from NY? Never mind.

 

Wow, 3 whole weeks! You're certainly special! Here at home, do you still ride in a horse drawn buggy? They are kinda fun, but change and innovation have ended up with the Porsche 911. Much more fun! Why won't you allow that with something much more basic and simple as beer?

 

I thought that's what the RHG promoted, did I miss a deleted post?

 

And you made my point. The Porsche is German. Sure, change and innovation. But not for the sake of it. 400 years of tradition? Just sucks to your palate now? Hmmm. Look at Sake, Wine or Scotch. Bourbon too. Or Proscuitto ham. You think the Carando is better in the US? English cheddar? French brie? Some things of food and wine are tied to the local, the ingredients at hand and traditional ways of doing things. That work and taste good. Terroir? Ever hear of it? Quality ingredients. Some of the bourbon laws came into affect due to additives and cheap junk being put in. Bottled in bond. And such. Look at the big picture. Some of the earliest immigrants to this country, German, Scottish, British and such, had a long history of distilling and brewing. Great. Fast forward 150 years in the US. And Germany. The US gets you zima, bud light and michelob dark. Germany gets you quality pilsners, alts, Hefes and octoberfests, you choose. The US can run wild, innovate and come up with vanilla mocha porter. Seems not be a German thing or in their interest.

 

Whether we like it or not, the word "imperial" has come to mean "stronger" in American beer lingo. It's a bit ridiculous, but we missed our chance to kill that off 10'ish years ago and it's probably here to stay these days. Back when Garrett Oliver used to post here regularly he railed against the term and pushed brewers to stop bastardizing the term. I'd say it's too late now.

 

How is this even a valid argument? The comparison should be like if someone bought a Porsche 911, shoved in a blown big block chevy, stuck 30" rims on it with a suspension lift and tried to get respect at Pebble Beach. Sure, performance enhancements are great but that stylized 911 has been completely stripped of it's heritage and is utterly worthless and gaudy now.

 

I would say to you @Leebo, that yes, tradition and terroir are important. And for the most part, good. But inflexibility and tradition for traditions sake are not so good. Yes, having no LAW so far as what it takes to make beer has led to aberrations such as zima. But I would submit to you that for every zima out there, there are many exceptional american beers that may use a quality adjunct along with the 4 pure ingredients to come up with a great variation of beer. I have no problem with German beers. In fact, I spent 4 years over there enjoying them. But come on, quality variations of the traditional can be very good too. Or awful, but that is what america is about, the freedom to have options in every subject.

 

Here is the crux of the conversation, both arguments are based on interpretation of what's cool or appealing. In the end nobody wins the argument at hand. Sometimes I want a horse and buggy, sometimes a Porsche, and sometimes I want my shit to hop and cruise on three wheels. Sometimes I want a Pilsner, sometimes I want a NEIPA, and sometimes I want a kotbüsser.

 

And that's completely fair. However, just like that ridiculously styled 911, in my most previous post's scenario, it had absolutely no business classified with the flawless classics at Pebble Beach. Similarly, IMHO "Imperial" has no business in Hefeweizen. Create its own class,style and name.

 

But this isn't the case. Such as: "Beer must be brewed from malt or from substitutes for malt."

Did you ever notice that many products in the ice cream section of the supermarket are called "frozen dairy dessert" rather than "ice cream?"

 

I think you answered this whole thing with IMHO

 

Ha, ha. I like the frozen dairy dessert comparison. Wouldn't that make them "American Adjuct Ice Creams" in beer spiel?