Strong Gourmet Beer Styles now available in Georgia

NEW
GOURMET STRONG
BEER STYLES
Now Available in Georgia

By Owen Ogletree
Founder and Director - Classic City Brew Fest
www.ClassicCityBrew.com

Thanks mainly to the efforts of the grass-roots group "Georgians for World Class Beer," House Bill 645 finally passed the House and Senate in 2004 and updated Georgia's outdated beer law that limited beer sold in the state to less than 6% alcohol. This new law was wonderful news for Georgia beer fans who are now able to enjoy some of the world's richest and most flavorful gourmet, high-gravity beers! The new brands have been extremely popular in the state thus far in terms of sales. It's a great time to be a gourmet beer lover in Georgia! Below are descriptions of some of these beer styles now available for sale in Georgia. Remember that when savoring these classic brews, it's all about quality and not quantity. Cheers!

Doppelbocks are rich and malty German lagers that range from deep gold to dark brown in color and have an intense toast and toffee aroma and flavor from the use of bold German malts. The bitter hop aspect of these beers is barely noticeable, as the sweet malt character dominates. Examples: Paulaner Salvator, Ayinger Celebrator, Sam Adams Double Bock.

Weizenbock is a strong version of a dark Bavarian wheat beer. It is filled with rich aromas and flavors of clove, banana, caramel, and wheat, and has a definite alcohol presence. Bottled versions taste best when the yeast sediment at the bottom of the bottle is poured into the glass along with the rest of the beer. Example: Aventinus.

Strong Scotch Ales have a character that is deeply malty with caramel notes. There can also be peaty and smoky aromas and flavors with hints of roasted or smoked malts. There are also notes of plum, raisins or dried fruits in the thick flavors, and alcohol warmth is usually present. This beer is like a dessert in a glass. Examples: Traquair House Ale, McEwan's Scotch Ale, Belhaven Wee Heavy.

Russian Imperial Stouts are rich and complex with lots of alcohol character backed up by roasted malts that provide coffee, dark chocolate, or slightly burnt tones. These are the strongest Stouts in the world and are jet-black in color with flavors of dark grains, hop bitterness, and fruity esters from the ale yeast fermentation. Examples: Samuel Smith Imperial Stout, Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout, Old Rasputin Imperial Stout.

Imperial IPA is a big version of the classic India Pale Ale. These strong, malty pale ales are golden amber to medium copper in color and have a huge spicy, citrusy hop aroma, flavor and bitterness. This style is a recent American innovation. Examples: Rogue I2PA, Dogfish Head 90-minute IPA, Terrapin Rye Squared.

Belgian Dubbels are dark amber to copper in color and have malty flavors of raisin, plum, clove, and caramel. These beers originated from the monasteries of Belgium in the middle ages and are very fruity and complex. Examples: Westmalle Dubbel, Affligem Dubbel, Corsendonk Abbey Brown Ale.

Belgian Tripels and Strong Golden Ales have a color that is deep yellow to gold, and flavors that are spicy, fruity, alcoholic, and softly sweet. There is a bit of spicy hop character along with substantial carbonation which provides a creamy head. Examples: Westmalle Tripel, Affligem Tripel, Duvel.

Belgian Strong Dark Ales have aromas that are very complex with malty sweetness and bready notes. Sweet dark fruit and malt flavors provide for a rich mouthfeel and warming alcohol character. Examples: Rochefort 10, Chimay Grand Reserve, Kasteelbier Donker.

Barleywines are ales brewed to the strength of wines. These powerful beers have intense fruity, malty flavors and aromas, and are very warming. Hop bitterness and aroma can be mild in English versions and quite spicy, resiny and predominant in American brands. These beers are best on cold nights in front of a roaring fire. Examples: Young's Old Nick, Sierra Nevada Bigfoot.

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