Better Drinking

Last Friday, July 7th, was our latest tasting, a UK versus US taste-test, in several UK styles. One of the interesting things about BJCP standards is that many of the British styles produced here in the states actually have their own category. For example, a Northern English Brown Ale is an entirely different category as the American Brown Ale. While this makes for a somewhat unfair comparison, it does highlight the differences between what respective brewers are trying to emphasize.

For the most part, American styles are bigger and bolder, placing greater emphasis on the hop character or a fuller body. Our tasters reported mixed results. In some styles, the bigger character (either hop or malt) was a distraction or too potent, making the "traditional" interpretation a better session choice. And many rightly pointed out that they were completely different beers, the brown ales being a prime example. In others though, the "bigger" beer made for more a filling treat, one that offered more satisfaction flavor-wise. As always, there is that element of subjectivity to beer drinking that makes one person's evening aperitif, another's session beer. So it goes and so it should; if we all liked the same thing, the beer world would be a very boring place and I would not be doing such events.

We also had new faces at this one, which is always encouraged, making my emphasis on education more prominent than usual. It is not really good enough to pour a bunch of samples and hope for the best. An appreciative drinker is one that ponders the flavors and aromas presented, and listens to the experience of the taster next to him. Sobriety is definitely required, but so is an attitude of learning. Over the years, I've found that what one person can taste or smell becomes noticeable only after announcing it, many of the subtleties being hidden in complexity. This is what makes such events important educationally, since every palate is different and more often than not, a beer with friends places the emphasis on fellowship, which is not to be denied in its importance.

That being said, here is a list of what we tasted:

Fullers London Pride Pale Ale
vs
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale

Young's Old Nick Barleywine
vs
Anchor Old Foghorn Barleywine

Samuel Smith IPA
vs
Sweetwater IPA

Fullers London Porter
vs
Anchor Porter

Samuel Smith Nut Brown Ale
vs
Rogue Hazelnut Brown Nectar

Samuel Smith Taddy Porter
vs
Thomas Hooker Porter

St. Peter's Cream Stout
vs
Sam Adams Cream Stout

Guinness Extra Stout
vs
Rogue Shakespeare Stout

Samuel Smith Imperial Stout
vs
Terrapin Oatmeal Imperial Stout


My hope is to cover German beers in late September and perhaps one more tasting in December. Thanks to Bob and Dorothea Horton for hosting, again, and to Michelle and Dorothea for all of the food and snacks, which were excellent as usual. And certainly my thanks goes to everyone for their participation. Without willing tasters, there would be no tastings.

Hope to see you next time.