Beers that define their styles

OTOH -- I didn't know this, from the St. Bernardus web site:

So St. B has a strong legacy!

 

Yes, yes, yes. Pierre Celis was responsible for bringing back the ancient style and pushing it forward, and that was what became Hooegaarden before the company was consumed/bought out and he moved to the states. He founded the brewery, and he even held Bernardus's hand and helped them create their witbier - not the other way around. The OP was asking for the "epitome" example, as in the example most responsible for preserving, creating, or being most associated with a style... not which is the "best." Hell, I'd take Bernardus, Hitachino, or Allagash over Hooegarden any day. Still, that's not how I interpreted the thread. Without Celis and Hoegaarden, there would be no Bernardus Witbier.

 

I feel like there have been 100 of these threads already.

 

Huh, and you've only been around 2 years.

 

Which of them do you think is the epitome of these types of threads? We can add it to the list.

 

No problem. Forum searches do wonders...

Just one of em I found from October: http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/flagship-beers-by-style.221251/#post-2885863

 

Duvel-Belgian-style Golden

 

RIS Should be Brooklyn Chocolate Stout.

 

I'm totally with you there, but not to long ago @jesskidden made a post pointing in the direction of the Pre-pro (American) Vienna style:
http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/samuel-adams-boston-lager.196003/page-3#post-2614824

If you take a look at the recommended grain bill, it does seem like that's what inspired SABL, rather than the Continental style (of the same name )

 

I think you nailed those styles very well. Nice job!

 

Probably not, but it is possible to point to beers that would give somebody a great sense of what their style is all about (which is where this kind of list would mostly come in useful).

 

Fuller's ESB certainly does. It established the sub style (the actual style is of course Pale Ale) and had the courts not considered the name was "too general" ir would have been trademarked.

 

Bfm Bon chien...biere de garde

 

IPA is two-hearted, not 60 minute. Widely available and far more representative of what the style has become.

Also, Drie Fonteinen is better than Cantillon for straight gueuze/lambic.

 

You may want to read this thread: http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/style-defining-beers.42757/

Cheers!