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Beers that define their styles

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by twb0392, Jan 16, 2015.

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  1. twb0392

    twb0392 Initiate (0) Aug 1, 2014 Wisconsin

    I am making up a list of beers that are the epitome of their style instead of working. These are not necessarily the best in style (but most are great), but they were good early, maybe increased popularity in the style, and many afterwards tried to copy. Here is a start, any changes or additions?

    • Hefe: Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier
    • Porter: Samuel Smith Taddy Porter
    • APA: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
    • Pilsner: Pilsner Urquell
    • IPA: Dogfishhead 60min (this one is hard for me to pick)
    • dopplebock: Ayinger Celebrator
    • california common: Anchor Steam
    • ESB: Fullers ESB
     
    #1 twb0392, Jan 16, 2015
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  2. steveh

    steveh Grand Pooh-Bah (4,082) Oct 8, 2003 Illinois
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Actually, Salvator (Paulaner) was the original Doppelbock, so it probably would have been that which helped increase the style's popularity.
     
    #2 steveh, Jan 16, 2015
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  3. Lurkerson

    Lurkerson Initiate (0) Jan 18, 2013 Pennsylvania

    Solid list. I'd say Pliny the Elder for Imperial IPA.

    Victory Hop Devil or Bell's Two Hearted could give 60 min a run for defining the style as is today.
     
    #3 Lurkerson, Jan 16, 2015
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  4. steveh

    steveh Grand Pooh-Bah (4,082) Oct 8, 2003 Illinois
    Society Pooh-Bah

    I think Sam Smith's has more history, probably the biggest inspiration for all the popular Imperial Stouts of today.

    Their Oatmeal Stout, too.
     
    #4 steveh, Jan 16, 2015
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  5. lambpasty

    lambpasty Initiate (0) May 3, 2013 New Hampshire

    Curious as to peoples opinions on brown ales and lagers. Dare I credit Sam Adams with lager popularity in recent history?

    Definitely agree with SN for APA.

    Adding Irish Dry Stout, personally I would say Cadillac Mountain but (as much as I dislike it) I think a lot of popularity credit probably should go to Guinness.
     
    #5 lambpasty, Jan 16, 2015
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  6. misternebbie

    misternebbie Initiate (0) Aug 24, 2014 Pennsylvania

    I'm sorry, but I don't think there is one single beer that totally defines a style
     
    #6 misternebbie, Jan 16, 2015
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  7. jmdrpi

    jmdrpi Grand High Pooh-Bah (8,647) Dec 11, 2008 Pennsylvania
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    #7 jmdrpi, Jan 16, 2015
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  8. jmdrpi

    jmdrpi Grand High Pooh-Bah (8,647) Dec 11, 2008 Pennsylvania
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    American Barleywine - Sierra Nevada Bigfoot
    English Barleywine - JW Lees Harvest Ale
     
    #8 jmdrpi, Jan 16, 2015
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  9. gopens44

    gopens44 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,498) Aug 9, 2010 Virginia
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I'd lean towards Union Jack or Two Hearted for American IPA. Only because 60 minute is a bit more malty IMO.

    Only two others really come to mind:

    Weihenstephaner Kristallweissbier - Kristalweizen (sorry for sloppy copy and past but that's a bitch to spell)
    Eliot Ness - Vienna Lager
     
    #9 gopens44, Jan 16, 2015
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  10. steveh

    steveh Grand Pooh-Bah (4,082) Oct 8, 2003 Illinois
    Society Pooh-Bah

    I'd point to Sam Smith again with Brown Ales, even though (as jmdrpi points out) there are many Brown Ales in the UK.

    With lagers you need to be as specific as with other styles. Sam Adams lists as a Vienna -- doesn't taste like any Vienna recreation I've ever had.
     
    #10 steveh, Jan 16, 2015
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  11. PeterAK

    PeterAK Initiate (0) Mar 4, 2011 Alaska

    Saison - Anchorage Brewing "Love Buzz"
     
    #11 PeterAK, Jan 16, 2015
  12. PeterAK

    PeterAK Initiate (0) Mar 4, 2011 Alaska

    It's not about defining the style, more about setting a baseline. When you are judging beers, you need something to compare it against.
     
    #12 PeterAK, Jan 16, 2015
  13. steveh

    steveh Grand Pooh-Bah (4,082) Oct 8, 2003 Illinois
    Society Pooh-Bah

    With this part of the OP in mind:
    Spaten brewed the first Munich Helles and Oktoberfest Märzen.
     
    #13 steveh, Jan 16, 2015
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  14. LakesideBrewing

    LakesideBrewing Zealot (592) Dec 1, 2013 Massachusetts
    Trader

    Westmalle Tripel for Belgian Tripels
     
    #14 LakesideBrewing, Jan 16, 2015
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  15. jmdrpi

    jmdrpi Grand High Pooh-Bah (8,647) Dec 11, 2008 Pennsylvania
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    Newcastle Brown would probably be the most widely distributed. From what I understand, Sam Smith is really focused on the US Import market, they aren't that popular in the UK.

    Bass Ale for English Pale Ale, even though it's now owned by InBev.
     
    #15 jmdrpi, Jan 16, 2015
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  16. EyePeeAyBryan

    EyePeeAyBryan Initiate (0) Dec 20, 2011 Arizona
    Trader

    Farmhouse/Saison - Saison Dupont
     
    #16 EyePeeAyBryan, Jan 16, 2015
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  17. BMBCLT

    BMBCLT Grand Pooh-Bah (3,415) May 9, 2014 South Carolina
    Pooh-Bah

    Tripel: Westmalle
    Dubbel: Westmalle
    Quadrupel: La Trappe
     
    #17 BMBCLT, Jan 16, 2015
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  18. Hop-Droppen-Roll

    Hop-Droppen-Roll Initiate (0) Nov 5, 2013 Minnesota

    I was going to say 2 Hearted
     
    #18 Hop-Droppen-Roll, Jan 16, 2015
  19. twb0392

    twb0392 Initiate (0) Aug 1, 2014 Wisconsin

    Ok, I don't know how I forgot these...
    • Stout(dry): Guinness
    • Sout(sweet): Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout
    • Dubbel: Westmalle Trappist Dubbel(I'm sure you could argue any of the trappist)
    • Helles: Spaten
    • Oktoberfest: Ayinger (probably Spaten, but I love the Ayinger)
     
    #19 twb0392, Jan 16, 2015
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  20. DarkerTheBetter

    DarkerTheBetter Pooh-Bah (2,233) Sep 30, 2005 Minnesota
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    If anyone is interested, the BJCP guidelines list commercial examples that exemplify the style.

    http://www.bjcp.org/stylecenter.php

    Concerning the OP's list, here's how he stacks up.

    Hefe: Weihenstephaner, #1
    [Brown] Porter: Sam Smith, #2 (Fuller’s)
    APA: SNPA, #1
    [Bohemian] Pilsner: Pilsner Urquell, #1
    IPA: 60 Minute, #11 (Two Hearted) (@Lurkerson!)
    Dopplebock: Celebrator, #2 (Paulaner Salvator) (@steveh!)
    California Common: Anchor Steam, #1
    ESB: Fullers ESB, #1

    And others…

    Imperial IPA: Pliny the Elder, #1
    RIS: Old Rasputin, #3 (Dark Lord)
    Dry [Irish] Stout: Cadillac Mountain, NA (Guinness)
     
    #20 DarkerTheBetter, Jan 16, 2015
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