Recommend a Mind-Changer

Give Weihenstephaner Korbinian a try. Easy to find and in my opinion not quite as sweet.

Haven't tried that one but BSDA and quad are basically the same thing. I would give Boulevard Sixth Glass, Gouden Carolus Cuvee van de Kaizer blue label (especially older bottles), Chimay Blue/Grande Reserve, St. Bernardus ABT 12 (especially older bottles), La Trappe quad, and Rochefort 10 all a try.

 

Yeah, there's definitely a pretty pronounced vinegar sort of flavor (sometimes even close to balsamic) in Flemish ales, and they usually have a higher malt bill than say a gueuze which makes them less dry and sweeter. That said, Duchesse is probably the most pronounced vinegar bomb out there, far more than Rodenbach which trends towards tart fruitiness (especially the Carctere), so don't assume it's a flagship of the style. Definitely look to Oude Tart (very American in how sour it is and not that vinegar-heavy) and RU-55 (lots of oak presence which lends vanilla flavors and a lot drying tannins).

 

If you can get your hands on Jack's Abby's Bride Maker, it is quite different than a normal barelywine.

 

I've only had 2 EBW's so far. Flying Dog's Horn Dog I actually enjoyed (caviat I aged it for about 4-6 months though.

I've yet to find a single American Barleywine out of 4-5 I've tried that wasn't a drainpour. Bigfoot was most tolerable but even that I couldn't finish. Find me one that isn't a medicinally bitter hopped, boozy mess (that I don't have to age for a year for it to be any good).

 

American blonde
English ipa

 

Not an expert on the matter, but i enjoyed both Proper Job and Jaipur a lot.

 

If for some reason you want to get into rauchbiers, you might start off very light by way of Schlenkerla Helles Lagerbier.

It's not a smoked beer but, since its made in the same equipment as Schlenkerla's rauchbiers, it has a very small amount of smokiness to it.

 

Technically Maudite is a Belgian strong dark not an amber ale. For those not traditionally fans of english barleywine, Sucaba.

 

maybe according to ba, but not according to unibroue
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VZRBGTRDnYM/UhpvIMxe8xI/AAAAAAAAGPc/ItaAPkAbkiQ/s1600/DSCF2747.JPG

 

Yea, well... they're Canadian lol

 

Never had a Kolsch I've liked, they smell musty and taste like a dusty old computer. Gimmie one I might actually like.

 

yeah but they make a good beer

 

Hell yes they do. Some of my favorites. It does have a lot more in common with a belgian strong dark than an amber ale though.

 

I will check it out.

 

Thanks for the review on style! (In the least sarcastic way possible)

I do understand the process that goes into them, I was more asking for recommendations of the style. I don't mind spending money on something that is worth it, but I was looking for some recommendations that people thought were worth it. You also answered that question, so thanks! In the past (more so than any other style), I just feel like I've gotten burned by geuzes and Lambics.

 

I have had Fruh, Reissdorf and Gaffel Kolsch. Try the Gaffel.

I cannot get into Oud Bruin. Recommendations?

 

Thanks boss, will check it out.

 

Any Narragansett Autocrat Coffee Milk Stout come up that way? Less sweet than most (I don't like sweet).