Bass Ale was at the GABF

The Great British Beer Festival has a separate section for foreign beers. When I went I steered clear of that section, as I was there to drink as much real ale as possible. But I guess I'd have to say I wasn't put off by its presence. On the other hand, I wish the GABF would do more to cultivate and help define a particular direction, or directions, for what can only be described as an adolescent U.S. craft beer culture.

 

Is that any more absurd than having five "English-style" and ten "German-style" categories at the GABF? The way I see it, beer is global. If the point of GABF is that it's American-made, let it be entered, regardless of who owns it or where it became popular.

 

So even though Goose Island created all of their beers under Chicago ownership, they should not be allowed to enter because they're getting $$$ & owned by foreigners? Not sure if that's what you're saying, but if so, I disagree. If Americans are making the brew, that should be American enough.

 

If it's brewed in America by Americans it's American

 

What about Ommegang? Much of their beer is a "product of Belgium".

 

Since the Bass we get here is brewed in the US, it qualifies.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bass_Brewery

 

Do they pour Ommegang at GABF? I believe that Ommegang is at least partially if not wholly owned by Duvel...I don't think they even brew all their stuff in the US either.

How do they define an American beer? By where it's brewed or by who the owners are? Despite my opinion, the former seems to make more sense, because I really don't consider Bass to be an English Ale because it's not brewed there any more...and it would just be plain hypocritical to say that I don't consider it to be English and then say that it can't be at GABF. Face it, it's an American beer now whether we like it or not.

 

I must have missed the Mendocino and Ommegang threads about this subject over the years.

 

I think as long as it's brewed in the US, it should be eligible for the GABF.

The only question I have is whether or not it really is ``Bass Ale''. When properly stored, aged, and served as true cask ale, Bass is (supposedly) one of the most complex and tasty pours on the planet. Are they making real cask ale here or is it just the product that goes into bottles?

 

no. you are confusing "belgian style" with made in belgium perhaps?
for a brief moment they did import some beer to meet demand, and it was never much regardless.
Ommegang is 100% American made in their fancy and impressive spread in Cooperstown. (and what could be more American than Cooperstown?)

 

the GABF is important for Bass, InBev and probably a bunch of other brewers who need to reference this well known event.

i for one could not give a rat's ass if any brewer large or small made a showing. 20 years ago, maybe. but this craft beer thing is way, way beyond the GABF. don't believe me? how many top reviewed BA beers have a GABF connection?

GABF? don't care. good for Bass.
Cheers.

 

For what it's worth, Bass is one of the classic English ales and is in no way American. That's like saying the curry I just had is Welsh food because it was manufactured in Wales not India.

Though as it's already been pointed out, pretty much all American beers are styles foreign to the US.

Maybe the organisers of the festival should be encouraging more originality? Then the US can have its own distinctly American beers.

 

Huh ? - We have more distinctly American beers here than we can shake a stick at .

 

Yeah but have the majority being them, rather than just versions of English, Belgian and German beers.

 

Wow this is a vastly ignorant statement...or i'm confused....is it still 1984?

 

So if we look at it that way , The English were coping the Egyptians as they were one of the first to brew beer .
I personally prefer more English styles than American until it comes to hop forward beers .

 

Yeah sure.

 

Well, Hell's bells...Redstone Meadery was there. Mead ain't beer