The Gorilla Bar Guide - Beer

(Some of the Options)

 

 

by Foursx2

 

Note: The Gorilla Bar Guide is intended only for readers who are 21 years old, or older. All images are displayed for educational purposes only - do not reuse.

 

No bar can be considered well stocked unless it has at least a modest selection of cold beer (Lager), and in today's world the number of possible choices is bewildering. But before we even get to the choices there's the difference between lagers and ale. To some of my friends it's a distinction without a difference. But alas, there is in fact a difference between the two, both in the way they're made and the way they taste.

 

LAGERS AND ALE

 

A lager is what we usually think of as beer. Lagers are brewed with a yeast that works at a cold temperature and, as a result, it sinks to the bottom of the tank. Ale, on the other hand, is made from yeasts which work at a warmer temperature and rise to the top of the fermentation tank. Because they didn't require special cooling, Ales were brewed for many centuries before lagers came on the scene.

The first lagers to compete with ales were dark lagers (in the 1800s) and only later (in the 20^th century) after reliable refrigeration became available were the pale lagers brewed on a consistent basis. The United States is really responsible for the rise of the pale lagers at about the time of the conclusion of the WWII.. Now you know why some lagers tout their cold brewing. You can now also guess why the English ales are usually consumed at room temperature.

But story doesn't end with the Lager - Ale distinction. Lagers themselves can be further subdiivded by their fundamental brewing methods which give them their distinctive coloration and taste. These categories listed below are necessarily the last word. Over time the breweries have merged and crossed over the archtypes, until we almost have as many categories as beers. Still the major classifications might arguably include but certainly aren't limited to those we've listed below.

If you disagree with any of these classifications, or the beers we've listed within a category, let us know in a comment.

 

THE PALE, AMBER AND DARK LAGERS

 

Pale Lagers

 

Typical international beer style spun off from the pilsner brewing style. Pale lagers are generally light to medium-bodied with a light to medium hop impression and a clean, crisp malt character. The following favorites arguably fall within this style.

Corona Extra - is a full strength lager, lighter than traditional beers, with a crisp and refreshing taste. This light, dry beer has pleasant malt and hop notes with a round dry finish. Regardless of the time of the year, Corona is best served ice cold, with a wedge of lime that complements and intensifies the flavor through the palate. One of favorites, especially as a marinade for tri-tip roast.

Fosters Lager - Brewed under license in a number of countries, including the United States, this pale lager has a nice bite. We even like the over sized 25.4 oz can.

Trader Jose' - Brewed and bottled by Cerveceria Alta, Tecate, B.C. Mexico. Imported by Alta Marketing Co. This premium lager, when served cold, has crisp, clean taste similar to the light, dryer taste of Corona Extra. A Corona clone which hasn't been rated highly. We liked it, but only very cold and a slice of lime doesn't hurt.

 

 

Dortmunder Export

 

As you can imagine this pale lager originated in the city of Dortmunder, Germany. Dortmunder Export was probably influenced by the pale lagers of Pilsen, Germany now known as Pilsners.

DAB Dortmunder - "Toasty clean pale malt aromas follow through on a crisp, medium-bodied palate with a touch of sweetness giving way to snappy hops and a dry finish." (tasted on 10/1/2002) Source: Tastings.com.)

 

 

Amber Lagers / Red Lagers

 

Amber lagers (a U.S. favorite) are usually amber to copper in color and more full flavored than pale lagers. Amber lagers generally max out at about 5% alcohol with various levels of hops depending on the brewery, although as a general rule American amber lagers have more hops than the Vienna lagers. The American Amber Lagers also generally have a low bitterness level and a bit more malt than the lighter Lagers. Some examples might include the following:

Dos Equis Amber - Vienna Style Amber Lager.

 

 

Dark Lager/Dunkel

 

The precursor lager which originated in Bavaria. Dark lager is now brewed widely around the world and is what most people of think of when they talk about dark beer. These lagers have a taste normally associated with dark roasted malts. Examples might include:

Negra Modelo - A Vienna style dark lager purportedly brought to Mexico by Austrian immigrants. Negra Modelo was first sold on draft in the mid 1920s.

 

Schwarzbier

 

Schwarzbier is German for "dark beer". A German dark lager which, at a glance, looks like an opaque black English ale. Schwarzbier however, is brewed with bottom fermented lager type yeast. The color is derived from dark roasted malt.

Kostritzer Schwarzbier - A dark German lager which is rated fairly high by some sources.

Samuel Adams Black Lager - We've tried this one and found it to be a consistently good black lager.

Saranac Black Forest - We haven't tried this one, but it rates well and we've put it on our to do list.

 

 

Pilsners

The pilsner style derives from Bohemia in the Czech Republic. They are medium to medium-full bodied and are characterized by high carbonation and tangy czech varieties of hops that yield a bitter finish. The hallmark of a fresh pilsner is the dense, white head. Classic pilsners are delicate and must be served fresh. German pilsners are similar to the classic Bohemian style though often slightly lighter in olor.

Dos Equis Lager - Is a light tasting lager arguably more like a pilsner than a pale lager. A good accompaniment to carne asada.

 

 

Vienna Lager

 

A brewing style of lager developed by a brewer in Vienna, Austria in the mid 19^th century. Vienna lager is reddish brown or copper in color with a malt sweetness and a medium body. The Vienna style of lager eventually lost favor in Europe and migrated into the Americas where it took root.

Samuel Adams Vienna Style - is a good example of the Vienna brewing method.

 

 

"Light" or Reduced Calorie Beer

 

There are a number of patents on file for the brewing of low or reduced calorie beers. Usually in reduced calorie beer the object is to achieve "a higher proportion of alcohol a lower amount of residual dextrin." We aren't partial to "light" beers, however that doesn't mean there aren't some good ones out there.

Amstel Lite - A pale lager with about 35% fewer calories and a lowered alcohol content (abv 3.5%). The ratings on this one range widely and we suspect it's one of those beers you either like it or don't.

Samuel Adams Light - A pale lager with reduced calories and a slightly higher abv (4%) than Amstel Lite. Sam Adams Light tends to be rated higher than the Amstel Lite but again we think this is a matterof individual taste. The only way to know for sure is to try them both.

 

 

THE BOCKS

 

Bock

 

Bocks generally thought of as having originated in Germany. They are a strong lager ranging in color from to a pale to dark amber. Bocks can taste sweet and they tend to have a little higher than average alcohol content. Examples might include the following:

Michelob Amber Bock - "Deep-dark color and a roasted malt taste that finishes clean are the hallmarks of this distinctive brew. Brewed using 100-percent malt - including dark-roasted black and caramel malts and all-imported hops - Amber Bock has a unique, rich amber color and smooth, full-bodied taste."

 

 

Doppelbock

 

Doppelbock simply means double bock. This specialty lager is darker than the run-of-the-mill bock with a lot of hops. Accordingly, the abv (alcohol by volume) for doppelbock is higher than for standard bock. This beer runs from dark amber to almost black in color.

Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock - A higher rated doppelbock brewed by Privatbrauerei Franz Inselkammer KG / Brauerei Aying in Germany. We have to admit we haven't tried this one, and can't comment on it.

 

 

Eisbock

 

Eisbock means "ice strong beer". The true eisbocks are frozen before they are finished. Once the water in the beer begins to freeze the brew is drained leaving behind up to 10% of the water in the form of ice. As a result, the alcohol concentration in the drained beer can be as much as twice that of a regular lager (abv around 10% to 15%). The eisbocks are a member of the bock family and as such are more malty than a standard lager, yet smoother than the double bocks.

Aventinus Eisbock - An example of an eisbock made by freezing and saving off the stronger mixture. Dark in color, this lager is brewed by G. Schneider & Sohn. We haven't tried it, but we suspect it's got a kick.

 

 

Hellesbock and Maibock

 

Hellesbock is a pale bock out of the nineteenth century with the alcohol levels and flavor of bock.. Hellesbock has a little more hops than dunkles and doppelbock. And Maibock (May-bock) is a seasonally brewed Hellesbock usually showing up in the spring. Maibock is a pale bock like Hellesbock.

Smuttynose Maibock - Brewed by the Smuttynose Brewing Company of Portsmith, New Hampshire. We're going to hunt some of this down and give it a try.