Still Beers?

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by JouerAvecLeFeu, Oct 12, 2017.

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  1. JouerAvecLeFeu

    JouerAvecLeFeu Pooh-Bah (1,946) Apr 17, 2015 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Society

    I've been seeing a few breweries producing still beers - beers that are intentionally not carbonated. I can't say I'm a fan, but the concept is intriguing. I know that The Ale Apothecary has two - Be Still and Red Echo - and Upright Brewing just release one called Ives.

    Are there any other breweries doing this? Does anyone really want this?
     
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  2. superspak

    superspak Grand High Pooh-Bah (10,336) May 5, 2010 North Carolina
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    Unblended lambics are traditionally flat as a style; but aside from that, I can't say I've seen or tried anything else that is purposely uncarbonated.
     
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  3. EvenMoreJesus

    EvenMoreJesus Initiate (0) Jun 8, 2017 Pennsylvania

    Side Project has done so in the past. As has The Lost Abbey with Angel's Share, but that was less than intentional.

    With some styles, it works just fine. With others . . . umm . . . not so much. Even though The Lost Abbey and Tomme got a LOT of flack for releasing Angel's Share flat, it really didn't take away from the quality of the beer as massive barrel aged barleywines don't benefit that much from carbonation.
     
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  4. RutgersBeerGuy

    RutgersBeerGuy Savant (1,047) Jan 16, 2007 New Jersey
    Deactivated

    There are Lambics that are served still. Cantillon’s Bruocsella is probably the most prominent example. It’s also one of Cantillon’s lowest rated beers, so perhaps that partly answers your question in regard to the demand for the treatment.

    The Referend Bier Blendery (conveniently 10 minutes from my house) frequently serves their beers, especially Jung, which is basically a young, spontaneously fermented Lambic-esque beer, still. I personally enjoy it a lot. It’s different, sure, but it creates a very interesting experience in terms of mouthfeel.
     
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  5. PorterPro125

    PorterPro125 Pooh-Bah (1,700) Jan 19, 2013 Canada (NB)

    I seem to come across a lot of English Ale's with really low carbonation, but as far completely flat? I've never personally seen it and I can't see how it would be all that appealing.
     
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  6. Sweatshirt

    Sweatshirt Initiate (0) Jan 27, 2014 New Hampshire
    Deactivated

    Mystic Entropy is a still ale and is truly unbelievable. I am a big fan of still Lambic as well. I want this.
     
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  7. EvenMoreJesus

    EvenMoreJesus Initiate (0) Jun 8, 2017 Pennsylvania

    All straight lambics should be still. It is gueuze that is carbonated.
     
  8. RutgersBeerGuy

    RutgersBeerGuy Savant (1,047) Jan 16, 2007 New Jersey
    Deactivated

    Yes, of course. However, I think that, in common usage, “Lambic” is inclusive of straight Lambic, Gueuze, Kriek, etc. So, to say “there are Lambics that are served still” is fine, especially when commercially available examples of still Lambic are so rare. Most Lambics that a person will encounter will not be straight Lambics and will not be still.
     
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  9. EvenMoreJesus

    EvenMoreJesus Initiate (0) Jun 8, 2017 Pennsylvania

    I was just being pedantic, man. I just have this "thing" about all things related to lambic.
     
  10. RutgersBeerGuy

    RutgersBeerGuy Savant (1,047) Jan 16, 2007 New Jersey
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    Understood. Have you gotten over to try Referend? They’re not exclusively drawing from that tradition, but they are entirely spontaneous fermentation and I’ve been very pleased, so far.
     
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  11. EvenMoreJesus

    EvenMoreJesus Initiate (0) Jun 8, 2017 Pennsylvania

    I have not. Where are they from?
     
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  12. RutgersBeerGuy

    RutgersBeerGuy Savant (1,047) Jan 16, 2007 New Jersey
    Deactivated

    Pennington, NJ.

    http://www.thereferend.com/home/

    They go into a lot of detail in regard to their philosophy and methodology on the site. They also have great taste in literature, but that’s a little beside the point.
     
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  13. EvenMoreJesus

    EvenMoreJesus Initiate (0) Jun 8, 2017 Pennsylvania

    Cool looking site and beers. Will have to look further into them. Thanks!
     
  14. JrGtr

    JrGtr Pooh-Bah (1,689) Apr 13, 2006 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Sam Adams Utopias is as well.
     
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  15. BeanBump

    BeanBump Initiate (0) Dec 14, 2016 California

    Uncarbonated Beer = Booze Juice
     
  16. Beersnake

    Beersnake Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,330) Aug 17, 2013 California
    Super Mod Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    Four words: Hair of the Dog!
     
  17. maltmaster420

    maltmaster420 Initiate (0) Aug 17, 2005 Oregon

    Despite what Mr. "beer is more than bubbles" Sprints says about the matter, those beers were never meant to be still, with the exception of Dave.
     
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  18. EvenMoreJesus

    EvenMoreJesus Initiate (0) Jun 8, 2017 Pennsylvania

    I find it more than a little cunty when brewers have this type of response to issues like this. Say something like, "It was supposed to be carbonated, but it isn't. I think that it works pretty well uncarbonated, though." instead of "It was supposed to be that way, so just shut it you plebeian morons."
     
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  19. THANAT0PSIS

    THANAT0PSIS Pooh-Bah (2,201) Aug 3, 2010 Wisconsin
    Pooh-Bah

    I enjoy them if the style is fitting. For instance, Ale Apothecary Be Still is a really great beer. Still lambics (especially Cantillon Grand Cru Bruocsella and Drie Fonteinen Golden Doesjel) are also very tasty.

    I have always wanted to try the Side Project still releases as well as Mystic Entropy, and the one you mention from Upright really intrigues me (Upright as a brewery is drastically underrated and can basically do no wrong in my book).

    It's not quite the same thing since they're host to soft, natural carbonation, but I hear similar "complaints" about cask beers, whether anyone wants "flat beer" or whether cask ale should even be a thing, and I generally just shake my head in those cases since I think cask is basically the zenith of beer. Again, I know it's not the same, but my mind went down that path.

    To answer your question, I definitely want still beer if it works and is intended. If not, the brewer should say so and determine whether to release it or not based on the quality of the product as it came out. I hate Hair of the Dog for blatantly lying about the carbonation of their beers and whether the lack of carbonation was intended (it clearly wasn't).
     
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  20. EvenMoreJesus

    EvenMoreJesus Initiate (0) Jun 8, 2017 Pennsylvania

    Agreed.

    And once again.
     
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