Style Representations

Hefeweizen? Look at the well known traditional Bavarian ones. I've had Weihenstephaner, Franziskaner, Hacker-Pschorr, Schneider, Ayinger, Paulaner, and Erdinger. With the exception of Schneider, which is a little bit darker and maltier, they're variations on a theme. Erdinger, IMO, is the weakest amongst them though. Weihenstephaner is widely seen as the best of them, though I remember a best weissbier thread where Paulaner had it's fans as well.

 

Bear in mind that style guidelines are simply the writer's opinions.
Beer exists over a vast spectrum and any attempt to tie down styles in neat compartments is an exercise in futility.Even with punlished guidelines very frequently there is more diversity within a style than between two neighbouring ones.
It's also worth bearing in mind that much of what we call our beers began as simple names. That's why the same beer could be described differently at different times and/or in different locations.
For example Caledonian Brewery's Edinburgh Strong Ale is sold in the USA as Edinburgh Scotch Ale.

 

I think as you continue further in your journey…researching, tasting, discussing… you'll discover what beers are widely considered great examples of certain styles. Looking at the “most popular” lists for each style here on BA is a great place to start if you haven’t see that yet. For example, here’s a list of hefewizens
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/style/89

The thing to keep in mind however, is that some beers may be exemplary of its style, and some beers are simply icons within their style, and you’re more likely to hear about the latter. But some are both. For example, you mentioned Double IPAs. Many might say Russian River’s Pliny the Elder is THE example of a DIPA. While others may have another personal preference, most people can agree to Pliny’s cult status.

Regarding the RIS style – many would probably agree that something like Old Rasputin is iconic given its value, wide availability, and flavor that pleases many. However, is it considered to be THE russian imperial stout? That question will give you a myriad of answers that will speak to everyone’s personal taste for that style.

In other styles, like ambers, or brown ales, what’s “correct” may be seen as boring. What may score high in those categories may be something that’s overly hopped to appeal to today’s beer geek crowd…but isn't seen as traditionally correct.

I’ll stop rambling. Can you tell I’m bored at work?

 

THE Russian Stout is obviously Courage.

 

Isn't Courage supposed to be the modern descendant of the first RIS? Or something like that.

Could it also be said that Pilsner Urquell is the same for bohemian pils? Even if the recipe has changed over time, its still the original golden lager right?

 

For Saisons: Saison Dupont

(Hands down, IMO.)

 

It is the descendent of the original.

 

What was the original?

 

Thrale's IBSt.

 

I'm going to play the BJCP card and say that on their style guidelines they have numerous commercial epitome examples of beer styles.

 

Le Coq Imperial Extra Double Stout is IMHO what the original RIS was/tasted like. Something tells me it only got better and became something like John Courage as time went on.

 

Not really. The Le Coq/Harveys is an 1850's Barclay Perkins IBSt recipe.The 18th-century version would have been quite different, being 100% brown malt. Barclay Perkins were taken over by Courage in the 1950's and started brewing Russin Stout after Barclay's Park Street brewery closed in 1968.

I was lucky enough to drink a 1977 Courage Russian Stout last year and it tasted remarkably like the Le Coq. Particularly the Brettanomyces chgaracter. Mind you, the Brettanomyces had an extra 40 years in the Courage.

 

The Beer Judge Certificate Program publishes style guidelines which can be found here:
http://www.bjcp.org/2008styles/catdex.php

Definitely the best resource and it includes a list of beers that represent each style. Though, with all the interesting craft beers coming out, some of the styles may be hybrids of the BJCP guidelines.

 

The BJCP guidelines have more than their share of critics and it's imperative to accept that these guidelines are merely opinions and interpretations.There's a sort of circular argument , begin with writing down your take on a particular style then use commercial brews which fit what you wrote as exemplars of the style! It's not unknown for the same beer , sold under different labels, to be placed in two separate styles.
If you use anything other than very loose "rules" you will run into anomalies and contradictions because brewers didn't brew with styles in mind; the entire concept of styles didn't exist (except as loose overall names) until quite recently by which time the genie was out of the bottle.

 

Les Trois Mousquetaires Porter Baltique or Smuttynose Baltic Porter are THE baltic porters as far as I'm concerned.

 

For Baltic Porters, I gotta go with Zyweic porter. Cheap&tasty = iconic

 

is there an alternative? dude is asking for guidance and BJCP is the most comprehensive style guide i have seen. Of course brewers are brewing with a style in mind. Otherwise, they'd just label everything ale or lager.

 

Consecrator is typically considered the doppelbock benchmark.