This is basically the main style of beer
in America. It is a mass produced, inexpensive product that’s
aimed at the broadest possible demographic. Since it is very watery
and has little flavor characteristics, it is the least likely to offend
a large number of consumers. In the health craze of the 70’s
brewers started offering Light Beer. Light Beer is simply an American
Lager with an even lower gravity. American Lagers achieve a low gravity
by adding corn or rice syrup which is highly fermentable. This means
that a higher percentage of sugars ferment into alcohol leaving behind
less flavor.
Pilsner
Pilsner style beer originated in Plzen, Czechoslovakia
in 1842. It was the very first light colored beer. Today, it is the
world’s most popular style of beer. The original Pilsners’
defining elements were the extremely soft water that was pumped locally
and the unique aromatic hops that were also grown nearby. Pilsners
are malty sweet, and well hopped. Caramel flavors are often noticed
accompanied by medium to high bitterness. Pilsners have a good amount
of carbonation and are clean and crisp.
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Bock
Originating in Germany, Bock beer is a hearty
beer with high alcohol content. Contrary to the rumor, bock beer is
not what’s cleaned out of the bottom of the vats at the end
of the year! Bock beer has a pronounced malt flavor with just enough
hop bitterness to tame the sweetness. The German word for lager “lagern”
means to store. This being said, Bock beer is a well lagered. In other
words, the beer is matured for a long period of time during the second
fermentation. A variation on Bock beer is the Doppelbock. A Doppelbock
has a higher gravity and slightly higher alcohol content. Traditionally,
most all breweries end the names of their Doppelbocks in “ator”
(such as Optimator or Salvator) which makes them easy to find.
Oktoberfest
(Marzen)
Marz, the German word for March, is when
the last batch of beer was brewed before the warm summer months (before
refrigeration). This beer was stored in Alpine caves to keep cool
and consumed throughout the summer. At harvest time and the beginning
of the new brewing season (around October), the remaining beer in
storage was taken from the caves and consumed during a celebration.
This celebration still takes place in Munich for 16 days and ends
on the first Sunday in October. This beer is amber in color and is
slightly heavy. It is malty sweet as typical with beer from southern
Germany and Austria. There is low to medium bitterness but enough
to offset the sweet. This is a favorite of many homebrewers because
it’s fairly easy to make.
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Helles
The main beer consumed in Bavaria. Helles
is a pale lager that is light in color, not taste or calories. It
is low in alcohol and intended to be an everyday or session beer.
The main quality that separates a Helles from a Pilsner or Pale Lager
is a less potent hop aroma and flavor. Only a mild, short lived bitterness
should be expected.
Dunkel
Commonly known as German dark beer. It’s
basically a Helles with additional roasted malt added for color and
a toasty, chocolate-like taste. Contrary to its reputation, it is
really not as heavy or strong as many would think. It is slightly
more bitter than a Helles, but the bitterness is a result of the roasted
barley rather than from hops.
