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Author Topic: English Ales - Am I alone  (Read 7145 times)

Offline gmac

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English Ales - Am I alone
« on: March 25, 2011, 04:05:21 pm »
The more I read the posts on this forum, the more I wonder if I'm in the minority.  So, I have to ask.  Does anyone else out there like just normal, plain old traditional English-type Ales?  I see lots of discussions on high alcohol barley wines but I just don't have a taste for them.  I see lots of talk about American style IPAs with all of their fruity, citrusy C hops which I am fine with and do enjoy on occasion but I certainly can't spend a whole night drinking these.  There's just too much there.  Maybe the hard core lupulin addicts out there can do it but not me.

So, is there anyone out there that just likes a plain old 4 or 4.5% English Bitter or Pale Ale?  

I put this in the Pub because it's meant just as a discussion, not as a criticism of any style or anyones taste.  Something you'd chat about over a beer in a pub somewhere in the world.  Am I alone?  Are there others out there that don't want 11% beer or hops, hops and more hops or am I just becoming a boring old man?  
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Offline nicneufeld

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Re: English Ales - Am I alone
« Reply #1 on: March 25, 2011, 04:18:19 pm »
I love all the weird ones, the American more-of-everything styles, the barleywines, the crazy belgians, etc.  That said...I have a very strong affinity for British bitters, milds, and pale ales.  The best of these seem to have a perfect balance between modest hopping, really tasty malt character, and yeast esters that straddle the fence between the strong notes of Belgian yeast and the very neutral character of American yeast.

In short, British ales are sublime and wonderfully balanced.  Marstons Pedigree Bitter would be my desert island beer.  If I had a good clone of that on tap all the time I'd probably gain weight in no time...

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Offline dannyjed

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Re: English Ales - Am I alone
« Reply #2 on: March 25, 2011, 04:27:49 pm »
I enjoy good English Ales and I made 4 over the winter that turned out nice.  I think it can be very difficult to get a 3.8%-5% beer just right.  I think I have ADD when it comes to beer because I am constantly changing from one style to another. :-[
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Dan Chisholm

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Re: English Ales - Am I alone
« Reply #3 on: March 25, 2011, 04:28:46 pm »
+1 for beer ADD
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Offline tygo

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Re: English Ales - Am I alone
« Reply #4 on: March 25, 2011, 04:31:00 pm »
I love a good ESB.  It's one of the recipes I'm trying to perfect this year.  I'd be happy having it on tap all the time.  I'm sipping on a pint of the latest batch as I type this as a matter of fact.

I do also like some of the 11% ales but that's not exactly a session beer.  The over the top C-hop American ales are not my favorite style.  There are some good ones and I enjoy them occasionally but like the OP I usually don't want to drink too many in succession.

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Offline tubercle

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Re: English Ales - Am I alone
« Reply #5 on: March 25, 2011, 04:40:50 pm »
Quote from: gmac on March 25, 2011, 04:05:21 pm
 Does anyone else out there like just normal, plain old traditional English-type Ales?  

 Hear, Hear ;D
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Offline euge

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Re: English Ales - Am I alone
« Reply #6 on: March 25, 2011, 04:42:50 pm »
Quote from: tubercle on March 25, 2011, 04:40:50 pm
Quote from: gmac on March 25, 2011, 04:05:21 pm
Does anyone else out there like just normal, plain old traditional English-type Ales?  

 Hear, Hear ;D

I do. This style is my favorite. You are not alone.
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Offline timberati

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Re: English Ales - Am I alone
« Reply #7 on: March 25, 2011, 04:43:50 pm »
I miss Watney's.
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Offline stlaleman

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Re: English Ales - Am I alone
« Reply #8 on: March 25, 2011, 04:47:46 pm »
Nothing better than a good Bitter! My favorite. Not to say I don't make all the others.....
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Offline maxieboy

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Re: English Ales - Am I alone
« Reply #9 on: March 25, 2011, 04:51:38 pm »
Just a boring old man... ;)  j/k  I mostly drink bitter, hoppy brews.
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Offline Hokerer

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Re: English Ales - Am I alone
« Reply #10 on: March 25, 2011, 05:07:42 pm »
My next attempt at an ESB is the next brew on my calendar.  Still tweaking the recipe
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Joe

Offline beersk

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Re: English Ales - Am I alone
« Reply #11 on: March 25, 2011, 05:11:09 pm »
Goose Island Honker's Ale...num num nummers!
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Jesse

Offline Mark G

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Re: English Ales - Am I alone
« Reply #12 on: March 25, 2011, 05:26:18 pm »
A bitter is one of the beers that I keep on tap year round, along with an APA, and a saison.
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Mark Gres

Offline MrNate

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Re: English Ales - Am I alone
« Reply #13 on: March 25, 2011, 08:35:57 pm »
Quote from: tubercle on March 25, 2011, 04:40:50 pm
Quote from: gmac on March 25, 2011, 04:05:21 pm
 Does anyone else out there like just normal, plain old traditional English-type Ales?  

 Hear, Hear ;D

Aye.
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Offline hopfenundmalz

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Re: English Ales - Am I alone
« Reply #14 on: March 25, 2011, 09:08:38 pm »
Since Labor Day we have made a Mild and 2 Best Bitters.

Plan on a traditional British IPA soon.  Also made a Sister Star of the Sun, which drinks as a British IPA.

You could say I like these.
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