"Imperial" Beers

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by Relik, Mar 11, 2016.

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  1. Relik

    Relik Zealot (603) Apr 20, 2011 Canada (NS)

    sorry i meant in regards to that "imperial" moniker slapped onto a beer style. I know you said you gravitate towards the lower abv. but if you had to consume a style at an elevated higher than normal abv what would be your poison so to speak?
     
    #41 Relik, Mar 11, 2016
  2. drtth

    drtth Initiate (0) Nov 25, 2007 Pennsylvania
    In Memoriam

    Oh I got what you said and meant. Those are the two I'd be happy with being as much as double their present ABV range so there were examples of imperial Kvass and imperial Low Alcohol.
     
    #42 drtth, Mar 11, 2016
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  3. Relik

    Relik Zealot (603) Apr 20, 2011 Canada (NS)

    well played sir.:slight_smile:
     
    #43 Relik, Mar 11, 2016
  4. Roguer

    Roguer Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,811) Mar 25, 2013 Connecticut
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I've seen a number of Imperial Pilsners or Saisons (the latter make me shudder). They've never quite impressed me, and although there are some relatively higher ABV Saisons out there that are quite good (Hennepin clocks in at 7.7), I wouldn't go the "Imperial" route with those.

    Styles I could see? Imperial Brown Ale, or Imperial Bitter.

    As to the third question, I don't see a Tripel as an "Imperial Belgian Pale Ale," and there are in fact very strong BPAs out there already (hence: BSPA). It may fill a similar niche, and German styles have similar analogues for stronger Bocks and Weizens. Still, do I want an Imperial label attached? I find it neither necessary nor attractive.
     
    #44 Roguer, Mar 11, 2016
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  5. Relik

    Relik Zealot (603) Apr 20, 2011 Canada (NS)

    thank you.
    I was just using those styles as examples. Much along the lines of IPA --- > IIPA but when is it safe to call a IIPA a Barleywine?
    In my eyes BSPA encompasses Blond, Saison and Triple Styles, much like BSDA takes care of the Dubbels and Quads/Abts of the world.
     
    #45 Relik, Mar 11, 2016
    Last edited: Mar 11, 2016
  6. Relik

    Relik Zealot (603) Apr 20, 2011 Canada (NS)

    Is there any style that doesn't deserve that Imperial notation because its a "bigger" version? Where do you draw the line?
    Imperial Wit? Imperial Cali Common? Imperial Hefe? Imperial Swartz? Imperial Gose? Imperial Oud Bruin? Imperial Kriek? ect.
     
    #46 Relik, Mar 11, 2016
  7. drtth

    drtth Initiate (0) Nov 25, 2007 Pennsylvania
    In Memoriam

    I'd say it is not safe to call an IPA a Barleywine. That's like calling a rattlesnake a chicken because they taste pretty much the same when properly cooked into a nice stew.

    Similarly I'd suggest that collapsing an exiting categorization scheme on only a few of its multiple dimensions can create more problems than not. If one is going to throw out historical dimensions/differentiations an entirely new set of dimensions ant terminology is needed.
     
    #47 drtth, Mar 11, 2016
    Last edited: Mar 11, 2016
  8. drtth

    drtth Initiate (0) Nov 25, 2007 Pennsylvania
    In Memoriam

    Well, the line is like the one on a map that represents the tree line. Go out on the ground and you won't find it. Above where it is supposed to be there will be some trees, below some open spaces. It's fuzzy because the world is fuzzy.
     
    #48 drtth, Mar 11, 2016
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  9. Relik

    Relik Zealot (603) Apr 20, 2011 Canada (NS)

    So you've never had an IIPA(Imperial IPA) that could be mistaken for a fresh barelywine in a blind tasting? Its safe to say an IPA ≠ Barelywine no matter how you look at it.
     
    #49 Relik, Mar 11, 2016
  10. Relik

    Relik Zealot (603) Apr 20, 2011 Canada (NS)

    I was looking for more personal insights into that fuzzy area, for me an Imperial Gose seems like it would be just a mess and do an injustice to the Gose as a style. I also feel and Imperial Wit would be just too if i had to put in one word syrupy comes to mind.
    But i also feel like there must be a few styles that could possibly work as a "bigger" version, and trying to crowd source some ideas.
     
    #50 Relik, Mar 11, 2016
  11. Jaxbeerdude

    Jaxbeerdude Initiate (0) Apr 17, 2014 Florida

    Exactly. This is quite possibly the dumbest and most obscure forum I've ever viewed. It's very obvious this guy just wants to argue. Beer is supposed to be fun. Come on man.
     
    #51 Jaxbeerdude, Mar 11, 2016
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  12. bubseymour

    bubseymour Grand Pooh-Bah (4,800) Oct 30, 2010 Maryland
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Higher ABV Pilsners I haven't found that tasty. I've had many higher ABV Saisons seem to be quite tasty though (like in the 8-10% range).

    Berlinner's and Gose's >8%, would have to taste before I can comment. Haven't seen any out there yet.
     
    #52 bubseymour, Mar 11, 2016
  13. Relik

    Relik Zealot (603) Apr 20, 2011 Canada (NS)

    I thank you for your imput.
     
    #53 Relik, Mar 11, 2016
  14. elucas730

    elucas730 Initiate (0) Feb 5, 2010 New York

    Pretty much have to agree with this guy.
     
    #54 elucas730, Mar 11, 2016
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  15. Relik

    Relik Zealot (603) Apr 20, 2011 Canada (NS)

    Cheers, thanks
     
    #55 Relik, Mar 11, 2016
  16. Relik

    Relik Zealot (603) Apr 20, 2011 Canada (NS)

    then why reply?
     
    #56 Relik, Mar 11, 2016
  17. bbtkd

    bbtkd Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,790) Sep 20, 2015 South Dakota
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Imperial low-alcohol beer. They have around .5% so an imperial would take it to .75% or higher. :wink:

    Seriously though, I don't go looking for a beer with more kick, or with more alcohol taste. One 12% ABV 12oz beer puts me over the limit (or over my comfort factor) for driving so can't have a quick one when out and about, and even at home I worry about having one only to get a call from one of the kids or a friend with car trouble and I need to drive. I've had this happen. I'd prefer to have beers no higher than 5%.
     
    #57 bbtkd, Mar 11, 2016
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  18. drtth

    drtth Initiate (0) Nov 25, 2007 Pennsylvania
    In Memoriam

    No I've not ever had that experience.

    Given all the jabber on here about how DIPAs became barleywines I long ago did a personal test. Bought a fresh case of DFH 90 min. (about 5 days after bottling). Drank it over 9-10 months. Wrote my review at about 9 months of age and in my comments about drinkability expressed some thoughts about it's resemblance at that age to both a Barleywine and Sherry. Never had a Barleywine with that particular flavor profile so I think most confuse it simply because there's sweetness when they want bitterness.

    http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/64/2093/?ba=drtth
     
    #58 drtth, Mar 11, 2016
  19. gopens44

    gopens44 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,560) Aug 9, 2010 Virginia
    Pooh-Bah Trader


    This thread has succeeded in making me really, really want a wheatwine right about now. And probably an Imperial Pils..... Where's My Antonia when you freaking need one!

    I think an Imperial Radler would be competitive with the influx of "hard" sodas and ciders.
     
    #59 gopens44, Mar 11, 2016
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  20. Relik

    Relik Zealot (603) Apr 20, 2011 Canada (NS)

    Cheers.
    Imperial Radler sounds both interesting and like the worst hangover ever.
     
    #60 Relik, Mar 11, 2016
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