Blue Moon and the Belgian Canon

A word of caution: If you tell a group of beer snobs you like Blue Moon, they're likely to try and laugh, or at least smirk, you out of town. Blue Moon is a Belgian style beer made by brewing giant MillerCoors. It is consistently accused of attempting to masquerade as an independent craft brewery creation, however, because its bottles fail to state that it is a MillerCoors product. 

As high as Blue Moon's critics have their noses in the air, they are often confronted  with argument that its production is likely what influenced many craft breweries to put forth their own Belgian style beers.  And Belgian beers are a beautiful thing, making it little wonder that Blue Moon is so popular, particularly among those who would otherwise avoid the beer aisle altogether. Also, let's face it, beer geeks: Blue Moon was the gateway to discovering Belgian beer, if not craft beer in general, for many of us.

There are a great many types of Belgian beers, but what sets them apart from other beers in general is their abundance of sweetness and lack of bitterness. Belgian beers often exhibit fruity and spicy flavors, byproducts of fermentation using Belgan yeast. Blue Moon itself is a Belgian Witbier, a style known for its citrus taste. This quality continues to make Blue Moon unique among the big ne beers (that is, until Shock Top came along), but it doesn't quite compare to the great many Belgian ales now available from craft breweries. 

Belgian ales have a long and lofty history, but I won't delve too much into that now. What I will tell you, is that while craft breweries continue to create and disseminate excellent interpretations of the Belgian styles (Witbier is just one of many) there are a handful of classic Belgian ales which will continue to be regarded as masterpieces for the ages. I refer to them as "The Belgian Canon," and have listed a few below:

Duvel:

A style of beer called a  Belgian Golden Strong, Duvel (a Dutch word for "devil") is the flagship beer of the Moortgat brewery, which was founded in Belgium in 1871. It is considered to be the paradigm of Belgian Golden Strong Ales, complex and delectable combinations of pale malt, exotic spices, and light colored fruit (think apples and pears). Duvel, like the other beers within this "canon," is meant to be sipped and saviored, not chugged. Besides having a plethora of flavors and other sensations to enjoy, its ABV is over eight percent. In other words, guzzling this stuff will make you understand very quickly how it earned its name. 

Rochefort Trappistes 10:

A Quadrupel Ale, this is the strongest and most celebrated of a trilogy of beers produced by the Trappist brewery Brasserie de Rochefort, also founded in--you guessed it--Belgium. Rochefort is currently one of only ten breweries which bear the Trappist badge of honor. The term "Trappist," is not to be taken lightly: It is granted only to those beers brewed within a Trappist monastery using techniques which date back to the Middle Ages, during which these monasteries brewed beer to feed their communities. Rochefort 10's "prequels," if you will, are Rochefort 6 and Rochefort 8, and while all three are Belgian Dark Strong Ales, as a Quad, Rochefort 10 is the richest, as well as the most "wicked" of the three--its ABV is over eleven percent. Belgian Dark Strongs differ from Belgian Golden Strongs in that their fruit flavors are of the darker variety--plums, raisins, and black currants, for instance. Rochefort 10 has all of these, in addition to a viscous mouthfeel, notes of oak, cloves, caramel, and a complex combination of malts. 

Chimay Premiere: 

Another member of a trio of Trappist beers, Chimay Premiere, also referred to as "Chimay Red" for its red cap and label, is the oldest and most popular beer produced by Chimay Brewery in Scourmoubt Abbey, Belgium. It is a Dubbel style beer, and while its flavor profile is similar to that of Rochefort 10, it is crisper, less intense in terms of flavor and alcohol content, and also evokes characteristics of a few lighter fruits, such as apricots. The beer is certainly a classic: It was first brewed in 1862 (although the recipe was revised after World War I). 

Saison Dupont: Brewed by Brasserie Dupont, also located in Belgium (of course), this beer is considered the golden child of the Saison style. Since Saisons are also referred to as "Farmhouse Ales," it seems more than appropriate that the Dupont brewery is located on an eighteenth century farm. Like other Belgian beers, the Saison is a complex combination of fruit and spice, and yet, it is more fruity than spicy, and bears a zesty, citrusy taste. The style is different from orangey and lemony Witbiers such as Blue Moon, however, in that it is more tart than sweet, and has a marked dryness which gives it a sharper bite. Both "Saison" and "Farmhouse" refer to the style's brewing history--Saisons were first brewed in farms during the slower, cooler seasons, so that they could be enjoyed during the hot, fast-paced summer months. 

Beer Suggestions for Wine Drinking Women (and Men)

The "gentlemen prefer blondes" ideology long been rendered obsolete, and one of our missions here at Dames on Draft is to do the same to the notion that women prefer wine. We recognize that the pinot over pint stereotype is likely true for females today, but we also believe that this is largely due to many women having yet to give beer a chance. Most haven't tried enough beer styles to find one they like enough to become more open-minded about this presumably more masculine beverage. Of course, with the craft beer movement at its height, there are so many different types of beer available, it's difficult for these women to know where to start. In this article, we attempt to give them some assistance by matching favorite styles of wine to corresponding styles of beer.

If you like Chardonnay, try a Witbier: These two citrusy favorites are crisp and refreshing. A dry finish makes them taste tart at times, but they are still notably easy to drink. Both may have notes of vanilla and honey, and project a character of smooth elegance. Some wine drinkers might be quite surprised to find how much a Witbier resembles their favorite Chardonnay more than the Bud Lite beer they're used to.

If you like Merlot, try a Chocolate Stout: Both of these styles are full-bodied crowd pleasers--who doesn't like chocolate, after all? And for the skeptics who liken beer to keg stands and tailgating, trust us when we say that a chocolate stout is for sipping, not chugging. Mocha can be tasted in some types of Merlot, while many Chocolate Stouts (also referred to as Milk Stouts) exhibit notes of dark fruit. Both have silky mouthfeels and well-blended complexity.

If you like Riesling, try a Hefeweizen: Rieslings and Hefeweizens are notoriously sweet, with fruity flavors and aromas that are more sugary than citrusy. Rieslings remind drinkers of pineapple and apricot, while Hefeweizens are known for their banana and bubblegum qualities. Both are light and bright beverages for those with not only a sweet tooth, but also a preference for more delicate concoctions

If you like Syrah, try an Oud Bruin: Oud Bruins, also referred to as Flanders Brown Ales, resemble Syrahs in that they are bold, complex, and dramatic. Their strong flavor and aroma profiles mirror those of a Syrah, encompassing a cornucopia of dark, juicy fruits; a cabinet of mysterious spices; and a dose of oak and smoke.

If you like Sauvignon Blanc, try a Belgian Golden Strong: Golden Strongs are meant to be sipped--they pack quite a punch when it comes to alcohol content. They also, however, pack a plethora of tasty flavors, many of which can also be found in Sauvingnon Blancs. Belgian Golden Strongs evoke fruit found in orchards such as peaches and pears, as well as peppery spices and herbs. Like Sauvignon Blancs, they are sweet upfront, but typically have a very dry finish.

If you like Cabernet Sauvignon, try a Russian Imperial Stout: Both of these beverages are rich and velvety on the tongue, with an opulent collection of dark tastes and smells. Chocolate, plum, and currant characters are balanced by peppers and herbs in Cabernet, and roasted malt in the Imperial Stout. In both instances, these characteristics create a bittersweet blend.

How to Talk About Beer 101

Whether you're a lady or a lad, if you're out with a group of beer lovin' pals, there are just a few things you need to know to fit into a beer-centric conversation. The following are my top five snippets of knowledge for such a situation:

1. Ale vs. Lager

When you're breaking down your beers, the first fork in the road is whether you're drinking an ale or a lager. Lagers are brewed using bottom fermenting yeasts, which ferment at cooler temperatures. Meanwhile, ales are brewed using top fermenting yeasts, which require warmer temperatures for proper fermentation.  The cooler temperature at which lagers ferment inhibits the formation of fermentation byproducts that make a beer smell and taste stronger. Therefore, lagers tend to be cleaner and lighter, with a lower alcohol content. Most of the well known beer brands we see in the supermarket (Budweiser, Coors, etc.) are lagers. If you want to discover the true variety of flavors beer has to offer, you need to find a bar or store with more ales available.

2. Is it Hoppy?

If you're anything like I was before I ventured into the world of beer, you've probably heard people describe a beer as "hoppy" and wondered what on earth they were talking about. A hoppy beer refers to the perceived intensity of hops, one of beer's main ingredients, Hops are the female flowers of the hop plant, and they bring both bitterness and distinct flavors to beer. Each hop variety has its own flavor, aroma, and level of bitterness, but in general, hops will smell and taste intensely earthy, resinous, grassy, citrusy, and/or floral, and will also bring a good amount of bitterness to the beer. A bitter beer might sound distasteful to some, but hop bitterness can actually be a delightful quality if balanced well with other flavors. India Pale Ales (IPAs) are the hoppiest of beers, with American Pale Ales arguably coming in second.

3. Complexity

Just like wine, beer has a variety of flavors and aromas layered on top of one another. Some beers, like Lite Lagers, taste fairly simple and clean, but a diverse flavor profile is a desirable trait for most beer styles. When you smell and taste your beer, you are sensing compounds produced by malt, hops, and yeast. A beer's flavor and aroma can remind a person of an infinite number of edibles, the most common being coffee, citrus or dark fruit, caramel, chocolate, and spices such as cloves and coriander. Remarking on a beer's complexity should never be intimidating--each of us senses things differently, so there is never a right or wrong answer as to what you are tasting and smelling. And the more beer you drink thoughtfully, the more your palate will be able to pick up. Very complex beers often have higher alcohol contents, and are sometimes referred to as "big beers." For me personally, the bigger the beer, the better!

4. Dark vs. Light

Even though there are over eighty different specified beer styles, the color of your beer can give you a clue as to what you're getting yourself into, and many people do find that they prefer either light, or dark beers. Light colored beers include lagers and pilsners, which are simple and malty; pale ales, which are crisp and hoppy, and wheat beers, which are sweet and fruity. Meanwhile, dark beers include brown ales, which can be toasty and nutty, porters and stouts, which can be roasty and chocolaty; and dark Belgian ales, which have flavors reminiscent of dark fruit, such as cherries or plums. "Big beer" lovers like me tend to favor dark beers, but are also often "hop heads" (beer geek slang for folks who love very hoppy beers), and will therefore cross over to the light side to indulge in IPAs.

5. Can a Beer be Just Plain Bad?

Tastes in beer are extremely subjective--a style one person loathes can easily be a style someone else loves. Therefore, the only time a beer can really be indisputably "bad," is when it has become infected during the brewing process or has developed "off flavors" due to being oxidized, old, or exposed to too much light (the reason why most beer comes in brown bottles is because clear and green bottles let in more light). There are some beer connoisseurs, however (myself included), who argue that big name beers, such as Bud Light and Michelob Ultra, are simply no good. These beers are brewed with quantity over quality in mind, and mass production requires cutting out the time and money required to create and produce a really good recipe. So, if you think you hate beer, seek out a style you've never heard of before. You will  likely be surprised to find that it tastes nothing like those big brands you're used to.

People Ask Me: What is an Oktoberfest?

Oktoberfest beers have been on the shelves and bar menus for well over a month now, but they'll be sticking around for the remainder of the month.

Before I "got into beer," I always wondered what these Oktoberfests were, and what was so awesome about them that they made a special appearance year after year. I don't think I ever tried one out of curiosity back then--I was still of the mindset that all beer tasted the same; I highly doubted I would find an Oktoberfest to be an exception. 

Today, even as a recognized beer judge, I  believe that had I actually tasted an Oktoberfest back then, I would have had to have someone walk me through the comparisons between this particular style and the usual beers on draft. An Oktoberfest is a light, smooth, clean brew, and can take a practiced palate to appreciate all of its nuances. 

But for inquiring minds who want to know what all the fuss is about, here's a quick overview of the style of beer we refer to as an Oktoberfest:

Oktoberfests are formally referred to as Marzens, and were first produced in  16th century Bavaria. Marzen is German for "March," the month during which this beer was typically brewed. Heat can easily affect the clean, crisp quality this style of beer is known for, so before refrigeration, it was best to brew Marzens before the summertime. The beer was left to ferment in cool caves, then brought out for enjoyment during the autumn months. In keeping with this tradition, early autumn is when Oktoberfests are consumed today. As a light lager with an ABV typically below 6.2%, Oktoberfests are what beer drinkers refer to as "sessionable," meaning they can be consumed in a session (one after another) without as much risk of drunkenness or fullness. Needless to say, this makes them perfect for festivals all about alcohol.

An Oktoberfest is a lager, as opposed to an ale, which means it is made from bottom-fermenting yeast which works best at cool temperatures and creates a smooth, "easy-to-drink" beer free from heavy flavors and aromas. What makes Oktoberfests different from other lagers is what some would refer to as "a deeper malt character." A more complex variety of grains can be detected in Oktoberfests, giving them a toastier, more flavorful quality. 

Many people associate Oktoberfest beers with the famed beer festivals of the same name, and Marzen is indeed the brew of choice at these European celebrations which take place in the beginning of autumn. 

 

 While I appreciate Oktoberfests, they aren't my favorite type of beer by a longshot. I prefer "bigger beers," beers with more complex flavors as opposed to a lighter taste. To many new beer drinkers, Oktoberfests may taste quite similar to the big name beers they've already tried, and for that reason, I don't recommend it as a starting point for "getting into beer." Once a palate gets some practice, however, there are plenty of excellent Oktoberfests available for consumption during the fall season.

Brew Gene: How an IPhone App Made Me a Craft Beer Fanatic

Upon careful consideration, I realize that the iPhone app "Brew Gene"  played a critical role in my decision to become a beer judge. I was at the point where I was first learning there were actually some really tasty beers out there, and this realization was surprising and interesting enough to me to have me hooked on collecting a list of these discoveries.

Since there's "an app for everything," I knew I'd be able to find something to help me catalog and rate the beers I'd tried. My main goal at this point was for me to be able to know what to order the next time I was at a bar with an overwhelming beer list.

Beer Gene fit the bill, and then some. Not only did it allow me to rate the beers I'd had, it also suggested specific beer styles for me to try based upon my ratings. Until that point, I had no clue there were so many different styles in existence. I was overwhelmed in a good way, excited and compelled to try each and every one of them. Shortly after embarking upon this quest, my passion was put together. 

Beer Gene is like the Pandora of beer apps--it both records and adds to your list of faves. It also serves as a great rating site: Once you are satisfied that you are indeed a fan of a certain beer category, you can browse other users' reviews of beers from that category to determine which are the ones worth trying. It's fun, enlightening, and easy to use, so whether you're a cicerone, or a total beer newbie, it's an application I highly recommend.

Learn more at http://www.brewgene.com/.