Beer Styles

Craft brewing is about creativity, but it's also a matter of style. Every beer doesn't have to be an exact clone of some classic example, but it's important to the consumer to know styles and important for brewers to label their beers accurately so the consumer can have a reasonable expectation of what he or she is buying. Miller Lite does not taste anything like "true pilsener beer" and Alexander Keith's is not really an India Pale Ale. Whether you're a homebrewer or you simply enjoy good beer, you need to know classic beer styles to make a good beer and to protect yourself in the marketplace.

The Beer Judge Certification Program and the American Homebrewers Association are two good places to start for detailed descriptions of beer styles.

It's March, and that means it's time for the Blessing of the Bock in Milwaukee and for a little bit about bock beers. Follow this link for more!