Beer Styles Flashcards
Understand the types of beer and how they differ
List the beers that have a malt-driven style
- Munich Helles
- Golden or Blonde Ale
- American or International Pale Lager
- Dunkel
- Brown Ale
- Porter
- Barley Wine
List the beers that have a hop-driven style
- Czech Pilsner
- Bitter
- American Pale Ale
- American IPA
- Hazy IPA
List the beers that have a yeast-driven style
- Weissbier
- Witbier
- Dubbel
- Tripel
- Saison
List the beers that have a sour style
- Berliner weisse
- Gueuze
What does it mean for a beer to be malt-driven?
The malt and grains used to make the beer have the defining impact on the aroma and flavors
What is the difference between a base malt and a specialty malt?
Base malts are lightly-kilned, malted barley. Specialty malts frequently have longer kiln times
What are adjuncts and how does their use impact beer aroma and flavor?
Adjuncts include more neutrally-flavored grains like wheat, rice and oats, as well as sugars and syrups. These can lead to lighter body and lighter aromas in the beer.
Describe the characteristics of a Munich Helles
- Ale or Lager? Lager
- Color? Gold
- Aromas? Bread crumb or water cracker
- Bitterness? Low to medium
- Alcohol? Medium
- Other? Subtle spicy, herbal or floral notes from hops
- Malt type? Base only
Describe the characteristics of a Blonde ale
- Ale or Lager? Ale
- Color? Straw to gold
- Aromas? Subtle bread crumb
- Bitterness? Medium
- Alcohol? Low to medium
- Other? Subtle fruity flavors from ale yeast strains and subtle hop aromas
- Malt type? Base only
Describe the characteristics of an American or International pale lager
- Ale or Lager? Lager
- Color? Straw to gold
- Aromas? Bread dough and water cracker
- Bitterness? Low to medium
- Alcohol? Medium
- Other? High carbonation; sometimes subtle hop aromas
- Malt type? Base only
Describe the characteristics of a Munich dunkel
- Ale or Lager? Lager
- Color? Copper to brown
- Aromas? Toasted bread, bread crust, toasted nut and sometimes caramel or chocolate; sometimes subtle spicy, herbal or floral aromas from hops
- Bitterness? Low to medium
- Alcohol? Medium
- Other? High carbonation; sometimes subtle hop aromas
- Malt type? Some specialty malts
Describe the characteristics of a Brown ale
- Ale or Lager? Ale
- Color? Amber to brown
- Aromas? Toasted nut, toasted bread and sometimes caramel or chocolate
- Bitterness? Low to high
- Alcohol? Low to high
- Other? Sometimes has fruity yeast-derived aromas; some versions have subtle fruity, earthy and herbal hop aromas, while others have have more intense notes of citrus, stone or tropical fruit or pine
- Malt type? Some specialty malts
Describe the characteristics of a Barley wine
- Ale or Lager? Ale
- Color? Gold to brown, but often amber
- Aromas? Intense toasted bread, caramel or digestive biscuit/graham cracker to dried fruits
- Bitterness? Low to high
- Alcohol? High to very high
- Other? Full-bodied, notable sweetness; sometimes has fruity yeast-derived aromas; hopa aromas can range from fruity, earthy and herbal hop aromas, while others have have more intense notes of citrus, stone or tropical fruit or pine; often suitable for aging
- Malt type? Some specialty malts
Describe the characteristics of a Porter
- Ale or Lager? Ale
- Color? Brown or black
- Aromas? Coffee or chocolate and sometimes caramel; very high alcohol versions have pronounced roasted malt aromas
- Bitterness? Low to high
- Alcohol? Low to very high
- Other? Some have subtle fruity, herbal or earthy hop aromas, while others may have more intense notes of citrus, stone or tropical fruit or pine. Fruity yeasty aromas are also sometimes apparent; high alcohol versions use the word “imperial” in their name
- Malt type? Some specialty malts
Which hop-driven styles are brewed with traditional Czech, German, or British hops?
- Czech pilsner
- Bitter