if a "special bitter" should be listed under bitter, what are the 900 or so ESB's listed on the site? bitters are usually the lower abv counterpart, right?

quote: Originally posted by slowrunner77 if a "special bitter" should be listed under bitter, what are the 900 or so ESB's listed on the site? bitters are usually the lower abv counterpart, right?

There are really three types of bitters, Ordinary Bitter, Special/Best Bitter, and Extra Special Bitter. In general terms, they are placed in each category based on abv%. The BJCP has this to say: 8A. Standard/Ordinary Bitter Vital Statistics: OG: 1.032 – 1.040 IBUs: 25 – 35 FG: 1.007 – 1.011 SRM: 4 – 14 ABV: 3.2 – 3.8% 8B. Special/Best/Premium Bitter Vital Statistics: OG: 1.040 – 1.048 IBUs: 25 – 40 FG: 1.008 – 1.012 SRM: 5 – 16 ABV: 3.8 – 4.6% 8C. Extra Special/Strong Bitter (English Pale Ale) Vital Statistics: OG: 1.048 – 1.060 IBUs: 30 – 50 FG: 1.010 – 1.016 SRM: 6 – 18 ABV: 4.6 – 6.2% There are lengthy descriptions on the site. Obviously, we are not the BJCP and only use these guidelines as a rough idea of what the categories are. When adding these beers to the site, use whatever the brewer calls them. If a brewer calls it an Ordinary Bitter and it's 5%abv, it should go under Bitter. If they call it an ESB and it's 3%abv, it should still go under ESB.

why wouldnt pumpkin beers that actually use pumpkin in the recipe be listed as a fruit beer? where as a "pumpkin" beer that only has pumpkin pie type spices would be listed as a spiced ale.

quote: Originally posted by zythum why wouldnt pumpkin beers that actually use pumpkin in the recipe be listed as a fruit beer? where as a "pumpkin" beer that only has pumpkin pie type spices would be listed as a spiced ale.

Well, wouldn't pumpkin have to be a fruit to argue it belongs in the fruit beer style? The funny thing about that is no one knows what the heck a pumpkin is. Botanically speaking it's a fruit by definition because it has seeds. Same goes with some other vegetables, though. Culinary will tell you it's a vegetable. And believe it or not, the tomato classification went to the supreme court in Nix versus Hedden, 1883, and was ruled a vegetable lol. Regardless of the above, I still think it's more liked a spiced beer.

can we delete the black ipa category.. ..maybe if we delete it, the style will disappear too! [}:)]

quote: Originally posted by Flashpro quote: quote: Originally posted by zythum why wouldnt pumpkin beers that actually use pumpkin in the recipe be listed as a fruit beer? where as a "pumpkin" beer that only has pumpkin pie type spices would be listed as a spiced ale. Well, wouldn't pumpkin have to be a fruit to argue it belongs in the fruit beer style? The funny thing about that is no one knows what the heck a pumpkin is. Botanically speaking it's a fruit by definition because it has seeds. Same goes with some other vegetables, though. Culinary will tell you it's a vegetable. And believe it or not, the tomato classification went to the supreme court in Nix versus Hedden, 1883, and was ruled a vegetable lol. Regardless of the above, I still think it's more liked a spiced beer.

Cool story bro. Your seeds are showing. To me, a fruit beer is a beer in which the fruit flavor is a central part of the beer. I can only think of one or two pumpkin beers where that's true, usually the spices associated with pumpkin pie are the theme of the beer, so it best fits in the Spiced Ale category (IMHO). Pumpkin Ale is really a style that should be added to the site, there's a ton of them being brewed every fall, it'd be good to distinguish them from the rest of the spiced ales.

quote: Originally posted by Suds McDuff can we delete the black ipa category.. ..maybe if we delete it, the style will disappear too! [}:)]

I wish.

Just wanted this where it would be "stickied:" Here's the beer description we came up with, as noted on the Styles page. quote: The recently developed American Black Ale (ABA) is the product of American craft brewers’ love affair with hops, and their constant desire to innovate and push the envelope. Believed to have originated at the Vermont Pub and Brewery in 1994, the style has surged in popularity since 2007, especially in the Pacific Northwest region, prompting many to refer to it as a Cascadian Dark Ale. The ABA, often called a Black IPA, is similar to its predecessor, the India Pale Ale, but has had its malt bill modified to include a small percentage of highly kilned or roasted malts, giving the beer a dark brown or black appearance. The aromas are typically grassy, spicy, floral, citrussy and/or piny, thanks to aggressive quantities of hops being added at the end of the boil and as dry-hops. Despite its dark color, the malt flavors are typically in the background as they are dominated by ample bitterness and hop flavor. Flavors are resinous and citrussy, and in some versions the dark malts can lend light caramel, chocolate, coffee, or ashy flavors to the beer. The alcohol content for ABAs is typically in the 5.5%-8% by volume range. From now on, all Black IPAs, Cascadian Dark Ales, and American Black Ales belong in this category. If you know of any off the top of your head that hasn't been recategorized yet, let me know.

quote: Originally posted by Cottrell quote: quote: Originally posted by Suds McDuff can we delete the black ipa category.. ..maybe if we delete it, the style will disappear too! [}:)] I wish.

I enjoy Black IPAs[:D]