The Beer Thread

[JoeSmith1721]

For any of you Cantillon fans out there, the 2015 Zwanze Day locations were released.

https://beerservedrare.wordpress.com/tag/zwanze-day-2015/

[Benny B]

I haven't had Sprecher in a while.  It's a shame they pasteurize it now.

I am still waiting on the results of any blind taste test where testers are able to consistently discern a difference between Pasteurized and non-Pasteurized beer.

I can't help but to believe that "non-pasteurized beer" is simply a marketing gimmick once employed by Coors that's evolved into a tagline for craft brewers who can't afford Pasteurization equipment.  Yet once these craft brewers increase production & start shipping their beer, their tune changes entirely.

And this is coming from someone who never Pasteurizes beer.

[Chili]

I am still waiting on the results of any blind taste test where testers are able to consistently discern a difference between Pasteurized and non-Pasteurized beer.

I can't help but to believe that "non-pasteurized beer" is simply a marketing gimmick once employed by Coors that's evolved into a tagline for craft brewers who can't afford Pasteurization equipment.  Yet once these craft brewers increase production & start shipping their beer, their tune changes entirely.

And this is coming from someone who never Pasteurizes beer.

It does have an impact on the beer.

[Spotcheck Billy]

I am still waiting on the results of any blind taste test where testers are able to consistently discern a difference between Pasteurized and non-Pasteurized beer.

I can't help but to believe that "non-pasteurized beer" is simply a marketing gimmick once employed by Coors that's evolved into a tagline for craft brewers who can't afford Pasteurization equipment.  Yet once these craft brewers increase production & start shipping their beer, their tune changes entirely.

And this is coming from someone who never Pasteurizes beer.

If it would be possible to A/B test Sprecher's Oktoberfest from before they pasteurized with the version they make now it would be easy to tell, the one now has about 50-60% of the flavor, maybe Randy made recipe changes too but I always placed the blame on the known change of pasteurizing it.

The only 2 Mindblocks and Oktoberfests I used to look for were Sprecher and Hacher Pschorr.

[Benny B]

It does have an impact on the beer.

Of course it has an impact on the beer, but are we talking about simple changes at the molecular level or something can actually be discerned by the average consumer?  I'm sure a veteran BJCP judge could probably pick out the pasteurized beer in an A/B test... but I'm willing to bet that any BJCP judge - if given ten random beers, one of which was Pasteurized - he/she will pick out the Pasteurized beer only 10% of the time.

What I'm getting at is that Pasteurization isn't necessarily a bad thing.  Recipes change all the time.  Hop and grain crops can vary from year to year.  Water profiles are constantly changing.  Heck, even the shelf time of a beer can alter the finished product.  Whether a beer is Pasteurized or not is just one component of a beer's overall profile.  In fact, Pasteurization may actually improve a beer's profile.

Not sure what happened at Sprecher... but one thing to keep in mind is that when breweries make the change to Pasteurization, they're typically increasing their distribution and trying to reach new markets... and many times, that can be accompanied by changes to the beer - be it recipe or process - to make it more available and/or appealing to wider audiences.

[Chili]

Of course it has an impact on the beer, but are we talking about simple changes at the molecular level or something can actually be discerned by the average consumer?  I'm sure a veteran BJCP judge could probably pick out the pasteurized beer in an A/B test... but I'm willing to bet that any BJCP judge - if given ten random beers, one of which was Pasteurized - he/she will pick out the Pasteurized beer only 10% of the time.

What I'm getting at is that Pasteurization isn't necessarily a bad thing.  Recipes change all the time.  Hop and grain crops can vary from year to year.  Water profiles are constantly changing.  Heck, even the shelf time of a beer can alter the finished product.  Whether a beer is Pasteurized or not is just one component of a beer's overall profile.  In fact, Pasteurization may actually improve a beer's profile.

Not sure what happened at Sprecher... but one thing to keep in mind is that when breweries make the change to Pasteurization, they're typically increasing their distribution and trying to reach new markets... and many times, that can be accompanied by changes to the beer - be it recipe or process - to make it more available and/or appealing to wider audiences.

It does have a difference that is not a positive for the beer. It's why we don't pasteurize our beer at the big breweries even though they have the best pasteurizers in the world. There are 2 things that pasteurization is good for:

1) killing off critters that could harm the beer. this isn't needed if you're a good brewer who CIP's (cleans) very well and you use very quality ingredients
2) extends shelf life and makes it more shelf stable -- also means you don't need to refrigerate it.

Also, you cannot bottle condition if you pasteurize. Trust me, dead yeast is one of the worst tastes and smells in the world.

[Spotcheck Billy]

It was nice being able to buy GI bourbon county vanilla rye and the coffee stout at the state fair on Saturday

[Dr. Blackheart]

Wisconsin Craft Beer Fest at The Harley October 23-24

http://www.wisconsincraftbeerfestival.com

[Chili]

So if you're ever flying on Aer Lingus, you can get this beer:

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

So if you're ever flying on Aer Lingus, you can get this beer:

Now available outside Indiana!

[tower912]

Is the flavor pretentious but ultimately disappointing?

[warriorchick]

Is the flavor pretentious but ultimately disappointing?

The brewery is great at procuring top-notch ingredients, but the final product never measures up.

[tower912]

Has trouble developing that 'big' flavor. 

[MUfan12]

Can never land a tallboy.

[mu03eng]

Mostly got lucky with that one batch of hops they got in.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Served best in a karategi.

[Spotcheck Billy]

consuming it might cause one to lose control of their ATV

[Jay Bee]

I drinx dat Surly Bender

[Dr. Blackheart]

Best beer in Africa

http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/07/travel/namibia-beer/index.html

[Spotcheck Billy]

Heineken buys 50% of Lagunatis, take that Goose Island.

[warriorchick]

Glow and I made the pilgrimage to Chippewa Falls this weekend.  Wenthe to the local ice cream parlor and indulged in some Oktoberfest-flavored ice cream.

[Chili]

Heineken buys 50% of Lagunatis, take that Goose Island.

What should I take? Tony is a good businessman but he did just want John did. Something Tony railed John for.

[Golden Avalanche]

What should I take? Tony is a good businessman but he did just want John did. Something Tony railed John for.

Goose wasn't the only one. Magee made big waves the last few years browbeating all of those who "sold out" or "leveraged" or "took investment" from the big boys. His pivot from here will be fascinating to watch.

[MU B2002]

Favorite Oktoberfest brews?


I need a couple new ones to try.

Favorite thus far is Great Lakes Brewing.

[MUfan12]

Not one of my favorite styles, but I really like New Glarus' Staghorn and Southern Tier Harvest.