CHECKPOINT 2.2
It is said that the amount of alcohol, as ABV, in a beer can be calculated using the equation (OG−FG) * 131. What is the ABV if the OG is 1.048 and the FG is 1.008? If the ABV is 6.5 % and the OG was 18 °P, what is the FG?
cleaner beer. But, this took longer to ferment and age, hence the slightly higher price.
From Michaelmas (September 29) to Georgi (April 23), the price for one Mass or one Kopf, is not to exceed one Pfennig Munich value, and From Georgi to Michaelmas, the Mass shall not be sold for more than two Pfennig of the same value, the Kopf not more than three Heller.
The advent of refrigeration in the early 1800s meant that lagers were possible in locations that did not have access to year-round cool places. Because of the low temperatures during fermentation and conditioning, the yeast slowly converted sugars in the wort into beer. The process produced very few off-flavors. Therefore, lagers, in general, have a crisp clean flavor. They represent almost every color possible with other styles, but typically the head on the beer is white or off-white.
Many lagers are very carbonated and bubbly, and many are relatively still.
2.3.1.1 European Lagers
European lagers are quite varied. While some accounts suggest that the lager style began as early as the mid-fifteenth century in Munich and its surroundings, the repeated brewing season over the winter months likely selected the lager strain of yeast. In the colder temperatures, the yeast that fell to the bottom of the fermenter had a better chance of surviving the cold. And thus, the style was born.
Many of the European lagers are represented in the traditional beers of Germany, France, and the Czech Republic. These lagers differ in the ingredients that tradi- tionally are grown in the specific areas, but all have a fairly similar set of characteristics.
Pilsner The beer produced and consumed near the town of Plzen, Czech Republic, best represents the Pilsner style of lager. This style,first brewed in the early 1840s, is characterized by its golden color and slightly maltyflavor. Noble hops tend to complement the flavor. Boiling portions of the mash as the beer is made (in a process known as decoction mashing) help to darken and flavor the beer. It is relatively lower in alcohol (*4 % ABV) and is very drinkable and refreshing.
Amber and Dark lagers A slightly darker style of lagers characterizes these styles. Anton Dreher (Vienna Lager) and Gabriel Sedlmayr (Oktoberfest) created two of the common members of this style after the lager yeast was identified and isolated. The style is characterized by a malt-forward profile with a slightly higher alcohol content than the pilsner style (*5 % ABV). The roasty maltyflavor of the beer is coupled with crispfinish. Many of the examples of these styles are found served at festivals in October in Germany.
Bock This style of beer, which includes the dopplebock and eisbock, was histor- ically made by brewers in the German town of Einbeck. When consumers in Munichfirst tasted this style of beer, it was an instant hit. They referred to the style as the beer made in“einbeck.”Over time, the style became known as“ein bock.”
Ein bock in german literally means“one goat.”The name stuck and is the reason beers of this style often have a goat on the label.
The main style of this category tends to be fairly malty with a relatively high alcohol content (*6.5 % ABV). The dopplebock (or double-bock) has typically the same amount of hops as the bock, but a little more alcohol (ranging from 7 to 10 % ABV). Partially freezing a bock and then removing the ice results in the eisbock version (eisbock literally translates to“ice bock”). The ice that is removed contains mostly water, but also contains a small amount of the off-flavors that are made during fermentation of the bock. Thus, the style becomes a little more malty with a greater alcohol content (ranging from 8 % ABV on up). Repeated partial freezing and removal of the ice can continue to“purify”theflavor and increase the alcohol content. Some commercial examples of the eisbock have greater than 30 % ABV.
2.3.1.2 English Lagers
Lagers in England are not the style that was originally preferred by consumers.
However, in modern times, the lager style has become one of the best selling products. It is a bottom-fermented beer that is very crisp and clean in itsflavors.
Adjuncts, such as rice, are used to lighten theflavor of the beer, but most are made solely with lighter kilned malts. The lighter color andflavor of these beers com- pliments the lighter alcohol content (ranging from 3.5 to 4.5 % ABV). The low-alcohol content, light color, and crisp finish are likely the reason for their appeal.
2.3.1.3 American Lagers
The American Lager style is probably the best selling beer style worldwide (based on the amount of consumption of this style in North America alone). It is typically made with large amount of adjunct cereals (such as rice and corn). Both of these adjuncts ferment very cleanly and lend themselves well to the crisp, cleanflavor of the beer. And in some cases, the beers mimic theflavors of the pilsners made in the Czech Republic. This particular style ranges on the lighter end of the ABV spec- trum (from about 3.5–7.0 ABV) and on the lighter end of the SRM scale (from about SRM 2–6). The drinkability of the style also arises from the high levels of carbonation. Many, the authors included, have noted that there is nothing better to drink on a hot summer day after mowing the yard.
While some classifications make a distinction between the American Lager and the lower calorie versions of this style, we consider that they are in the same major classification. Similarly, rather than making a distinction between those made exclusively in the USA versus those made in Canada, Mexico, or other countries, the major style classification is somewhat identical across the entire set of examples from these countries.
CHECKPOINT 2.3
What is the relationship between Saccharomyces pastoranus and Saccha- romyces bayous? (You may need to look this up on the Internet.)
Using the information in this section, propose a reason why the lager styles are more prevalent and diverse in Europe than they are in the UK.
2.3.2 Ales
The traditional method for the preparation of beer used yeast that fermented on the top of the wort. The top-fermenting yeast isSaccharomyces cerevisiae. This species of yeast prefers a slightly warmer temperature during fermentation, and with this warmer temperature, the yeast produces additional chemical compounds that give flavors to the beer. Theflavors of ales tend not to be as crisp and clean as the lager, but contain some lingeringflavors and mouthfeel that truly influence the experience of drinking. Because of this, a wider variety of ales exist.
Homebrewers often start their exploration of the craft by creating ales. This is an easier style of beer to make and is a great one in which to practice the craft of brewing. The style does not require the colder temperatures of fermentation and conditioning that the lager styles require. And, the ability to create malty, hoppy, sour, and otherflavors easily is very accessible.
The microbrewer and startup brewery also tend to focus on the preparation of this style for the same reasons. Ales are easier to produce, and the variability of the ingredients and yeast varieties alone gives rise to a wide variety offlavors. Fur- thermore, the need for expensive refrigeration, decoction, and/or longer time from production to sale makes the ale the obvious choice.
As we noted, there are a very wide variety of ales. Many are simple modifica- tions of the original. Basic groupings of these into three main style classifications are discussed here.
2.3.2.1 European Ales
Beers from Belgium, France, and to some extent Germany predominate this clas- sification. The German version of this class of styles tends to be made with wheat or rye. In many cases, the wheat must occupy at least 50 % of the total amount of grains used to make the beer. Because of this, many of the styles are cloudy due to the high levels of wheat proteins. They tend not to be very bitter, but instead, showcase theflavors of clove and banana. Some of the German ales mimic the bock style, but are made using the top-fermenting yeast rather than being lagered.
The Belgian and French ales showcase rich, deep, and complex flavors. They can be divided into two main categories based on this.
Sour Ales These range from slightly tart or barely perceivable sourness to the very sour. The base of the beers comes from the use of pale malt (and sometimes from the use of large amounts of wheat). As a class of beer, the malty flavors are complemented with complex fruity and/or spicy notes. The level of alcohol ranges dramatically based upon the specific style or region in which the beer is made. The most predominant flavor is that of the sourness due to the use of wild yeast, Lactobacillus (which produces lactic acid—a sour flavored compound), or Bret- tanomyces (a yeast strain that produces many off-flavors along with a mild sourness).
Sour ales in this category include styles known as Saison, Oud Bruin, Witbier, Berliner Weisse, Lambic, and Geuze (not to be confused with Gose—a beer made from salty water with added coriander spices). Many of the beer styles in this category originate from what is referred to as a“farmhouse”style. This refers to the early production of beers by residents making their own beers at their home. With limited equipment, the beers often were inoculated using spontaneous fermentation.
The results of allowing spontaneous fermentation are the inclusion of some wild strains of yeast and bacteria. These strains become stable in the overall beer-making process as they inhabit the casks that are used. Mild and wildflavors (sourness, complex fruity, spicy) often result from this method.
Belgian Ales Ales made in Belgium are typically malt-forward with an alcohol content that is greater than the sour ales (ranging from 6 to 12 % ABV). These beers also have a very complex flavor and darker colors. Aromas and flavors of prunes, raisins, and other dried fruits can be found in the styles. While hops are used, these strong fruity flavors and malty background gives the drinker the impression of wine. The higher levels of alcohol in the beers give rise to their names: dubbel, tripel, quadrupel, etc.
Particularly noteworthy examples of this style are those made by Trappist Monks. The Trappist order is originated in France and throughout the Middle Ages, and this order produced beer for the local communities. Over the ages, the beers and style that were produced became quite desirable by those fortunate enough to sample them. Today, eleven Trappist breweries exist and are the only ones licensed to brew beer and call it a Trappist Ale (the oldest brewery with this designation is the Basserie du Rochefort that began in 1595). For a brewery to be allowed to use the Trappist designation, its beers must be made inside a Trappist monastery, not as the primary work of the monastery, and the proceeds from the sale of the beers must only go to cover the living expenses of those in the monastery. Any remaining profits are donated to charities.
Related examples of the Trappist Ales are known as Abbey Ales. When brew- eries are unable to be classified as Trappist, they can still produce beers that are similar in style, although they are not held to the same rigorous style guidelines.
However, brewers are not just allowed to use the Trappist name to describe the flavors that they have created. So, they use the name“Abbey”to refer to their beers.
2.3.2.2 English, Scottish, and Irish Ales
The classification of the ales from England, Scotland, and Ireland includes a wide variety of relatively similar products. The similarities are not very obvious, but exist in the type of malt and hops that are used in the creation of these beers. While grouping the myriad of different styles into this one category eliminates many of the special styles that deserve individual mention, the general trends in the differences of the styles are the intent.
English Ales This class of styles is quite varied. With the exception of the barley wine, imperial stout, and robust porter styles, the entire class of ales typically has an alcohol content at the lower end of the spectrum (ranging from 3 to 6 % ABV, with many of the examples falling in the 4–5 % ABV range). Malt tends to predominate the mainflavors with a noble hop aroma and flavor. Most are very well balanced between malty and hoppy.
As the demand for these ales outside of the country became high, the brewers began adding additional hops or increasing the alcohol levels in order to improve the shelf life of the beers. This was necessary as many of the ales had to be shipped overseas on long voyages. When the lighter colored pale ales were stored in kegs with additional hops added and then shipped to colonies in India, the beer style known as the India Pale Ale was born. When the darker more malty beers were brewed to contain higher levels of alcohol and shipped to Russia, the Imperial Stout and Robust Porter styles were produced. But for the exported beers, the majority of the styles in England were very drinkable throughout the day with lower alcohol contents.
One of the more interesting styles in this category is the Porter. This beer was initially produced in the 1700s as a drink for the workers in the shipyards (i.e., the porters who loaded and unloaded ships). It was first made around 1721, though historical records are somewhat confusing as to which brewery is likely the pro- ducer. Brewers noted that they could sell beer that wasflavorful, but had a lower ABV, to these customers at lunch, dinner, or after a shift, if it were inexpensive to purchase and not inebriating. And the beers sold quite well as a thirst quencher. At the time, most of the inexpensive malt was kilned over woodfires and had a smoky aroma and flavor and a brown color. The beers, thus, also had these flavors and colors. The smokyflavors likely were reduced by relatively longer maturation times in wooden casks or kegs. As the industrial revolution brought about cheaper ways to make malt (without the smokyflavor or darker color), the brewers modified the recipes by adding chocolate malts and roasted barley to give back the darker colors to the finished product. The porter style almost died out entirely when customer preference for lighter ales became the trend, but has since found a resurgence in the craft beer drinker.
The porter style is a deep dark-colored beer that is very malt-forward. It typically has a lower alcohol content (ranging from 4 to 6 % ABV) with complex caramel, coffee, and/or chocolate notes. It has a light-colored, almost white, head that appears contrary to the dark color of the beer. And, it is very drinkable.
The porter is not to be confused with the stout, but is currently a very close cousin to the stout. The stout began as simply a stronger version of beer; a customer might ask for a“stout porter,”meaning a stronger version of the porter. In fact, the first mention of a stout in 1677 likely predates the production of a beer known as a porter. The stout, as a current style, has a dark, almost black, appearance and a pronounced bitterness that complements the roasty, toasty, somewhat “darker” flavors of caramel. The head can be white, but also can be tan to brown in color.
Alcohol concentrations range from 4 to 6 % typically, but can be much higher in the imperial or extra categories of stout.
Scottish Ales The more maltyflavors of the Scottish Ales are obvious in this class.
The limited use of hops is apparent with some earthy or esteryflavors. The result is a malt-forward beer that has very little hoppiness or bitterness. While this is the case, the result is not an overly cloying or sweetflavor. The alcohol content tends to range from about 2–5 % ABV, and is often denoted in the number of shillings associated with the name of the beer. For example, a 90-shilling Scottish Ale would have a higher ABV than a 60-shilling version. The color of the ale also can be related to the number of shillings and ranges from a golden to copper color.
Irish Ale The most commonly thought of Irish ale is likely the stout. This style of beer is characterized by a very dark, almost black, color and a hop bitterness that is accentuated by the use of roasted and darker malts and barleys. The darker roasty flavors and astringency from the use of these grains is characteristic of the style.
The creamy tan-colored head on the beer is a necessity. Increased alcohol contents are found in the export versions of the Irish Stout. Guinness makes one of the more recognized versions of the Irish Stout. Initially, the beer we know as Guinness Extra Stout was known as Extra Superior Porter, reflecting the appropriation of the word
“stout”as a stronger version of the porter style.
Also in this class is the Irish red. This beer style is malty but has a strong bitterness from a hop addition early in the production of the beer. Often the grains used are such that the color of the beer is deep amber to red or copper. Very little, if any, hops are noted in the aroma orflavor of the beer. And the alcohol content tends to be in the 4–6 % ABV range. The result is a very drinkable beer with a dryfinish that invites another sip.
2.3.2.3 American Ales
As expected with this classification, the sky is the limit for any of the ales produced.
Many are mimics of the styles found elsewhere on the globe. However, in mim- icking the style, many of the brewers exaggerate or downplay a characteristic or two (or more) for the original style. This does not mean that these are poor versions of
the original style, but instead that they are examples of an American version of the style.
For example, many different breweries in the USA have produced mimics of the India Pale Ale style from England. The more successful IPAs, in terms of consumer preference, are extremely hop-forward. As we noted in Sect.2.1.2, this particular style has been taken to the far extreme.
Another example lies in the American version of the Porter style. This style is often veryflavor-forward with emphasis on the use of chocolate- or coffee-flavored malts. In some cases, the American Porter is flavored with the addition of cold coffee extract or chocolate nibs (cocoa beans) to emphasize those flavors in the finished beer.
CHECKPOINT 2.4
How is it possible that the sameflavor of a farmhouse style ale from Belgium could be obtained from spontaneous fermentation?
The Gose style is mentioned in this section. Compare and contrast it to the Geuze style. (Use the Internet tofind information on these two styles.)