Do you ever wonder which beers are the best examples of a particular style? What are the “standard of measure” when it comes to a stout, a lager, a porter? Are there such things? We think that there are beers that have come to define a classic style of beer. These are not necessarily the “best” in category, but they do represent what most closely defines the style in the historical sense of the word. For instance, Budweiser is the truest and best version of a classic German Lager. Now that we’ve all had a good laugh, let’s actually look into those beers that would best define particular styles. Here are the definitions of the styles.
This is easier said than done. For every example you’ll get one or more detractors who argue that beer X or Y actually predates, trumps, etc., the beer that you’ve named (I bet Scott might remember a certain stout review on his site as raising someone’s ire). Therefore, let me be clear that some of these are preferences in the style, others are first, and some are new enough styles that I’m making a declaration in new territory.
Feel free to detract, add, or suggest. Just remember that being too absolute about this stuff is simply a bit silly at times. I imagine this could end up being a somewhat lengthy post, so I may have to spread the wealth between a couple of them. Honestly, I hope that people are very much interested and that we hear a lot from you about which beers you consider the classic/classics of a given style.
For my part, I’m going to try to do a bit of research on the topic (i.e., determining the first stout, porter, trappist, etc.). Again, this won’t mean that I won’t name Guinness as the classic example of an Irish/dry Irish stout, even if something else predates it. We are not trying to get you to go to a small Czech village to try “the classic,” we are attempting to give you an accessible example to try. More than likely, these posts will be just as helpful for giving people an intro into the world of particular styles. The point it raising beer awareness and IQ. Won’t you join us in that pursuit?
I view Chimay Red as my “baseline” Belgian, the one by which all others should be measured. I prefer Trappist Rochfort 8, but Chimay is my standard, probably because it was my first.
I also play “King of the Hill” with beers, where I pick my favorite representation of a style and then sample other beers in hopes of dethroning it. My longstanding stout is Victory Storm King, the beer that has it all. My KOTH IPA was Stone IPA, but it was recently pushed off its perch by a combination of Bell’s Double Hearted and Founders Harvest Ale (either one is fantastic). Victory wins again with Prima Pils.
Other than that, it’s all muddy for me. I think the more you like a style, the more opinionated you are about which beers are special.
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rochefort 8 is certainly my baseline Trappist. I’m excited about posting some of the styles for interaction because most people have different ideas. You’re probably right to say that more you care about a style the more adamant you’ll be about it. I’d definitely drink Bell’s over Stone’s IPA. I’m going to be posting what I like and think is a classic IPA at some point. I had to make this a series because I’ll end up talking too much about this or that style.
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Agreed on the Rochefort 8 … excellent beer!
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For me, the Trappist standard is set by Chimay Grande Reserve (blue).
Dunkelweiss: Hacker Pschorr
“Other” Weiss: Schneider & Sohn
IPA: Bridgeport IPA
Brown Ale (UK): Samuel Smiths
Brown Ale (US): Iron Horse
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[...] is really a classic Trappist ale. A few may argue that it even the classic beer within the style…I would beg to differ, perhaps citing Rochefort or Chimay; regardless, it is a pinion of what [...]
[...] As promised, this is the beginning of our series of classics within the given styles of beer. The format seems like it can take a similar shape to our Styles of Beer Series. The previous series really just attempted to define what the styles of beer are, not what beers are the best/oldest/good versions of those styles. Now this series has taken shape because we feel that we ought to give the beers that are the gateway to those styles. Plus, we’ve had some prodding from others to the effect that we ought to do a series like this. So, it’s high time we do it. Without further ado, here are some of the classics. [...]