A Hophead’s Guide to Craft Beer – Pt. 1 (by Jeremy Daniell, from TLV #162)

A Hophead’s Guide to Craft Beer (Part 1)

by Jeremy Daniell

Whether you are a beer novice or a connoisseur, this guide has something for you. From dark stouts to white ales, the spectrum is covered. We’ve listed one recommendation for each of seven different varieties of brew to get started.

When you finish perusing, head to Bikini Beer (900 College Hill Rd.) or Joe’s Craft Beer (2570 Jackson Ave.) to satisfy your inevitable craving.

Stout: A dark beer made using roasted malt or roasted barley.

Samuel Smith Imperial Stout (Tadcaster, England): For those who venture in the wonderful world of stouts, this delectable Imperial Stout has a dark blackish color that meets the taste buds with an initial divine silky smooth bitterness and complete bodied taste, concluding with a leftover emptiness that can only be solved with another sip. For all those who enjoy a stout crafted by a brewing genius look no further.

Porter: a dark style of beer in the tradition of brown beer made from brown malt. The name is a result of the popularity of this beer with street and river porters in London in the 18th century.

Anubis Imperial Coffee Porter (Ponderay, Idaho, USA): A complex mix of the classic porter taste infused with coffee and bittersweet chocolate deliciousness. Expect an initial bitter yet smooth taste, followed with a rush of coffee and dark cocoa maltiness, concluded with a lingering caramel aftertaste. Recommended for those who appreciate the bitter sweetness of a truly delicious porter.

Doppelbock: a stronger, maltier variant of a bock, a strong lager of German origin.

Spaten Optimator (Munich, Germany): Very sweetly smooth and full bodied. A great beer for everyone, with a mesmerizingly deep, very dark brown color and tan head. The taste is all smooth and sweet, with a perfect amount of effervescence. One of the best and a must try for all who have yet to experience one of Germany’s finest brews.

IPA: India Pale Ale or IPA is a style of beer within the broader category of pale ale, beers brewed from pale malts.

Rocky Mountain IPA (Fort Collins, Colorado, USA): For all the bitterness hops typically add to an India Pale Ale, this one from Fort Collins Brewery is very easy to enjoy. The initial taste is classic IPA, but surprisingly smooth and quite pleasant. A recommended starter IPA, loaded with hop flavor without being as bitter as most.

Belgian Blonde Ale: a style of light-colored Belgian ale, similar to a Tripel but sweeter and without the complexity of flavor.

Affligem Blond (Opwijk, Belgium): The beer world is not all filled with bitter tasting brews. Belgian Blond Ales are always a sweet option, and the Affligem Blond ale is no exception. The initial taste will encompass the mouth with bubbly tingle and sweet yeast sensation that pleasantly lingers for a while. A very solid Belgian Blond loaded with effervescence and sweetness, recommended for all those who like beer but dislike bitterness.

Pilsner: a type of pale ale, it took its name from the city of Pilsen, Bohemia.

Rogue Morimoto Imperial Pilsner (Newport, Oregon, USA): Rogue is always solid when it comes to American breweries, and this beer is no exception. The always popular pilsner taste is intensified in the Morimoto, with more effervescence and a nice zing of barley. If you are a fan of pilsner or lager the Morimoto is a must try for you.

Witbier: A barley/wheat beer brewed primarily in Belgium and the Netherlands, its name comes from suspended yeast proteins which cause the beer to look hazy or white when cold.

Southampton Double White Ale (Southampton, New York, USA): A classic witbier loaded with a vast array of spices and flavor. The coriander, lemon, and orange peel blend perfectly with the mild yeast flavor. On first taste the coriander and yeast mix to provide a lovely spiced ale, followed by a hint of citrus pizazz from the peels, concluding with a citrusy coriander tingle. For those who enjoy a beer packed with flavor from spices and fruit peel this one is very solid and quite tasty.