English vs. German Ale

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by Warwick7, Sep 10, 2019.

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  1. Warwick7

    Warwick7 Crusader (493) May 25, 2019 Maryland

    How do these compare? My assertion is that England is more Malt focused and Germany is more Wheat focused.
     
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  2. FBarber

    FBarber Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,161) Mar 5, 2016 Illinois
    Super Mod Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    But isn't wheat just a type of malt? I'm not sure what you're getting at ...
     
  3. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,181) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Society

    “Germany is more Wheat focused”

    Germany does not typically refer to their top fermented beers using the word of “ale”. Instead they are detailed as being obergärig (top-fermented).

    The types of ales you will find in Germany are Hefeweizen, Kölsch, Altbier, Roggenbier, Gose, Berliner Weisse,..

    And while the Heferweizen, Gose and Berliner Weisse beers will be brewed with a portion of wheat malt the others ales typically do not contain wheat. So, to characterize German Ales as being “wheat focused” would be a limiting viewpoint.

    Cheers!
     
  4. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,181) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Society

    For the case of German beers they do utilize wheat malt (i.e., wheat that is malted).

    Other beer styles such as Witbier utilize raw wheat.

    Cheers!
     
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  5. Warwick7

    Warwick7 Crusader (493) May 25, 2019 Maryland

    I must have a lot to learn most of there Ales I saw were Wheat Ales.

    Is wheat listed in the purity law?

    Ive spent all this time time drinking English Ale, so I dont know much at all about Germany.
     
  6. Warwick7

    Warwick7 Crusader (493) May 25, 2019 Maryland

    I am attracted to Medieval style labels, Im not sure how Much I will get into Wheat Ales. There Great but I have been drinking Leffe for awhile and have been drinking Wells Banana Bread Beer. Would like to drink something else.

    What sticks out to me so far is Aecht Schlenkerla line and Aventinus.

    I know its a Wheat Ale but I cant deny the cover art.
     
  7. Warwick7

    Warwick7 Crusader (493) May 25, 2019 Maryland

    I have had Korbinian before and it was gorgoues. Gothic cover art and intense Malt flavor I am in heaven.
     
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  8. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,181) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Society

    It is permitted now:

    "In order to accommodate the co-existence of the two traditions, the 1919 Reinheitsgebot effectively became two laws; the old, restrictive one for lagers and a more lenient one for ales. The bifurcated “Reinheitsgebot” has caused quite a bit of confusion over the years. In the popular imagination, all German beer is made with only barley, hops, water and yeast. But an ale brewery making beer with wheat malt, coriander and salt is also Reinheitsgebot-compliant, thanks to the expanded rules. There are just so few of those latter beers left that few people have had occasion to take notice."

    http://allaboutbeer.com/article/happy-birthday-reinheitsgebot/

    Cheers!
     
  9. hopfenunmaltz

    hopfenunmaltz Pooh-Bah (2,611) Jun 8, 2005 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah Society

  10. FBarber

    FBarber Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,161) Mar 5, 2016 Illinois
    Super Mod Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    Aecht Schlenkerla's beers are rauchbiers so they will be (quite imho) smoky.

    You really should try more German beers - I am confident you will find other beers you like.
     
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  11. Warwick7

    Warwick7 Crusader (493) May 25, 2019 Maryland

    From what I have seen so far the comparable styles are. I have only had a dopplebock and not the two other styles.

    Golden Ale Kolsch

    Brown Ale Bock

    Stout Schwarzbier
     
  12. Warwick7

    Warwick7 Crusader (493) May 25, 2019 Maryland

    The only difference Ive noticed so far Is language and that Germany produces a lot of Wheat Ales. maybe Dopplebock is more different then Brown Ale then I think. At any rate it was delicious.
     
  13. Warwick7

    Warwick7 Crusader (493) May 25, 2019 Maryland

  14. jesskidden

    jesskidden Grand Pooh-Bah (3,071) Aug 10, 2005 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    :astonished: Wait, so this wasn't an authentic brew?:wink:
    [​IMG]
    No wonder it was 79¢ a sixpack.:grimacing:
     
  15. bsp77

    bsp77 Pooh-Bah (2,185) Apr 27, 2008 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Overall, I am not a fan of using the word "Ale" for German beers. All that means is that they are top fermenting, but Weizens are yeasty wheat beers, Berliner Weisse is more of a sour, and Kolsch and Altbier are hybrids that kinda drink more like lagers. Germans don't typically say ale either.

    Ale, when not just talking about yeast, is a term typically applied to English beers, and American ones by proxy. Even the English don't typically include porters and stouts when simply saying ale. The whole ale vs lager thing is very limiting.
     
  16. Warwick7

    Warwick7 Crusader (493) May 25, 2019 Maryland

    Yeah I am looking forward to it. I enjoy that they come in larger bottles. I dont seem them often in English Ale besides Samuel Smith but I do see them in Trappist Ale and German Ale
     
  17. Warwick7

    Warwick7 Crusader (493) May 25, 2019 Maryland

    Yeah I come from drinking English Ale so youll have to pardon my terminology. It wasnt long ago where I didnt know anything about German Imports.

    I just go with my own terminology rather then Debate. To me Session Ale ends at 4.9 if not higer and Stouts are Ales.
     
  18. Warwick7

    Warwick7 Crusader (493) May 25, 2019 Maryland

    Aetch Weizen Says Ale on the bottom but they could be for the English speking market not Germans.
     
  19. bsp77

    bsp77 Pooh-Bah (2,185) Apr 27, 2008 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Oh, nothing to pardon; just giving my perspective. And yeah, people that say a sessionable beer can be 5% or higher drive me crazy. :slight_smile:
     
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  20. Warwick7

    Warwick7 Crusader (493) May 25, 2019 Maryland

    Appreciate it, My favorite is 3 - 4.9%. Thank God we have Ale in the 4 percentage still.
     
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