When beer isn't really beer anymore..

If you can tell me where I can buy a bottle of any of the PVW offerings I'll gladly just have that.

 

I would say that a large amount of the liquid served these days isn't really beer (malt, water, yeast and hops) as it is historically defined.

 

Yeah, not a big fan of BA beers for that reason. All too often the liquor character is at the forefront, while any flavor resembling beer has a small supporting role at best. Blends like the Abyss are much more subtle in adding that touch of boozy character, and I appreciate those far greater.

 

I've thought about this too. A lot of the beers that generate the most interest here are pretty bastardized versions, with really high alchohol levels, a lot of barrel characteristics, or added flavorings. I don't have an issue with it and I'm not a purest, but when I try something like King Henry my first thought is that its more akin to some ports than beer and maybe folks would find it easier to just start drinking port. I also find it funny when people go on about coffee taste dropping off; I think 'I know how you can get more coffee taste . . .'

Mystic here in Boston just released their 14.2% ABV Entropy and call it a 'Malt Cordial' - that might be a better description of some of these beers.

 

Here comes the "because I like the flavor of those beers the best" replies.

 

That would probably also include a large amount of the liquid (historically and otherwise) served in Belgium and Britain- best to look for another definition, imo.

 

Simple: People don't like beer flavors. They like chocolate, vanilla, grapefruit, pineapple, etc.

Otherwise, more people would appreciate lagers which show off the taste of barley and the subtleties of hops. Big beers are more akin to adult candy.

 

I equate this to how people don't often like 'fishy' fish. I used to find it funny when people said, "Yeah I love fish, as long as it doesn't taste fishy," or, "I had this fish the other day and it tasted more like meat, barely tasted like fish at all...delicious," but then I realized people are the same about beer. If someone says a beer, "tastes like beer," it's usually not a compliment.

 

People like them, so brewers make them.

 

Beer isn't beer anymore when it is a sour. My personal opinion as a lot of people like sours, to me it doesn't even seem like beer.

 

To me, the bigger question is why we, as humans, are so concerned with things like labels and history. I like drinking things that taste good. This isn't limited to beer, beer-like liquor, liquor-like beer, water, coffee, tea, wine, port, chocolate milk with Baileys in it, etc. And so what if beer was first made from 4 ingredients? Some people like to put lemon in their water and sugar in their coffee and vanilla beans in their beer.

Taste buds are awesome. Feed them good stuff. Keep evolving and enjoy living.

 

Brilliant!

 

melange 3, no longer a beer, just a big big BA wonder

 

What about lambic which dates back at least 1000 years?
Is there any other style around as old and authentic?

 

If you want to adhere strictly to the reinheitsgebot... then feel free to do that. Nobody's stopping you.

I think most people will drink what tastes good to them.

 

I think that it is a lot about diversity and differentiation when it comes to beer. I agree in part that some breweries may be going a little overboard to set themself apart from the crowd and possibly undervalue some traditional concepts. I worry a little that some have lost sight of the idea that "simpler can be better" as there continues to be a demand for crazy high abv, as well as unconventionally aged and flavored brews.

But another part of me likes to see breweries push the envelope and continuously evolve the dynamics of the craft brew industry. I welcome the innovation that challenges the boundries of beer...and maintain a small level of skepticism at the same time.

 

I see all the hype around about Perennial. Barrel Aged, Chocolate, Cinnamon Chili Beer? Chocolate Mint Stout? Beer with Grapes in it? Maple Roasted Squash? I really don't get it. I'd rather have a good Doppelbock any day. Or an IPA.

I'm not looking for the Reinheitsgebot, but c'mon, let have it resemble beer. Bartle and Jaymes was a malt beverage too.

 

beer is a beverage made from fermented starch.

personally I am a bit of a purist who eschews exotic flavorings to beer and am content with the classic barley malt, hops, yeast and water but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy a Barrel Aged Stout with added chocolate and coffee flavors once in a great while. I do avoid fruit and vegetable flavored beers including pumpkin beers, however.

no use fighting it, folks will drink lots of things.

 

I'm with you on this, but even more so when it comes to Lambics. Lambics focus on one main fruit flavor (i.e. - raspberry, cherry, etc) and they don't even look like beer. They more resemble a wine. I saw one in the store the other day that literally looked like it was a bottle of red wine. I will never understand the fascination for these beers and others like Cantillon, Kuehnnen (spelling?), etc. I'll stick with stouts and IPA's