Malt-driven Styles Flashcards
Describes beer styles where malt flavors are predominant. (108 cards)
1
Q
What can malt and grains contribute to a beer’s style?
A
- Flavor
- Texture
- Color
- Head formation
2
Q
What was one of the major drawbacks in early kilning of grains?
A
Inconsistency in the process, often resuilting in smoky aromas in the beer.
3
Q
What types of malts were more consistently produced as a result of the industrial revolution?
A
Increasingly pale-colored malts, that were more consistent in style and available on a larger scale.
4
Q
What do base malts provide to the ferment?
A
Enzymes for starch conversion as well as a straw or golden color and aroma such as bread dough, bread crumb and water cracker.
5
Q
What do specialty malts provide to a ferment?
A
- Colors that can range from amber to black.
- Aromas that range from toasted bread, chocolate, coffee, caramel, molasses and smoke.
6
Q
What might the proportion of malt/grain to water in a ferment affect?
A
The amount of sugar in the wort, and therefore the alcohol content and body of the beer.
7
Q
What does lagered mean?
A
An extended maturation at cold temperatures.
These beers have very little yeast-driven aromas.
8
Q
What type of malts are used for straw or golden-colored lagers?
A
Only base malts.
Aromas of bread dough, bread crumb and water cracker.
9
Q
Where do the true differences in the syles of straw and gold-colored lager originate?
A
In the grain bill and whether to include adjuncts or use 100% malt, as well as the water-to-grist ratio, and the amount/types of hops to use.
10
Q
At low levels, what aroma characteristic is considered acceptable in straw / gold-colored lagers, but not in other style sof beer?
A
DMS
Dimethyl Sulfide
sweetcorn, cabbage, tomato juice
11
Q
What general beer styles fall under the pale and gold-colored lagers category?
A
- American lager
- International pale lager
- Light lager
- Munich Helles
12
Q
What is the common ingredient makeup for American lagers?
A
- Base malts such as lager and pilsner malts
- Relatively neutrally flavored adjuncts such as rice, corn, or syrup
Adjuncts provide little in aromas or body.
13
Q
What are the common style characteristics for American lagers?
A
- Light body
- Subtle malt aromas
- Medium alcohol
- Low bitterness
- High carbonation
14
Q
What is the common ingredient makeup for International pale lagers?
A
Similar to American lagers, but has more bitterness (medium), and can be made with 100% malt for more bread dough and water cracker aromas.
Can also use adjuncts.
15
Q
What is the common style defintion of Light lagers?
A
Simply a lighter version of the American lager, intended to be easy and lower in calories than other lagers.
16
Q
What does helles or helle translate to?
A
Bright, light or pale in English.
17
Q
What is the common ingredient makeup for Helles lagers?
A
- 100% base malts
- Traditional German malts
18
Q
What is the common style characteristics of Helles lagers?
A
- Bread crumb or water cracker
- More subtle spice, herbal or floral (hops) than American versions
- Low to medium bitterness
- Medium alcohol
19
Q
What is Münchner Hell?
A
A helles beer from a brewery in Munich, DE.
20
Q
What ingredient is often found in an amber, copper or brown lager that is different than pale lagers?
A
A proportion of highly kilned or dark roasted malts.
These are specialty malts added ot the base malts.
21
Q
What are the general style characteristics of amber, copper or brown-colored lagers?
A
- Amber to brown color
- Aromas of graham cracker, toasted bread, bread crust, toasted nut, chocolate
- Added bitterness from hops, depending on type and amount used
22
Q
What general beer styles fall under the amber, copper or brown-colored lager category?
A
- Munich Dunkel
- International Dark lager
- Märzen
- Vienna lager
- International Amber lager
23
Q
What does Dunkel mean in English?
A
Dark
These beers are considered the darker traditional counterpart to helles.
24
Q
Where does the Munich dunkel style originate?
A
Munich, Germany
The water is bicarbonate-rich. This is because the water in the region lends itself to brewing beers with darker malts.
25
What are the common **style characteristics** for *Munich dunkel*?
* Copper brown in color
* Aromas of toasted bread, bread crust, toasted nut
* As well as aromas of caramel or chocolate, depending on the mash/grain mix
* Subtle herbs (German hops)
* Low to medium bitterness
* Off-dry to medium sweetness
* Medium alcohol
26
How do International dark lagers **compare** to Munich dunkel styles?
Often have **lighter** aroma intensity and **less** complexity.
27
What are the common **style characteristics** for *International dark lager*?
* Designed to be easy drinking (like the International Pale lagers).
* Subtle cocoa, coffee or caramel notes.
28
Where did the **Märzen** style **originate** and what does the term mean/**translate** to?
Originated in **Germany**, Märzen is the German word for the month of **March**, which is the month these beers would have been traditionally brewed.
29
What are the common **style characteristics** for *Märzen beers*?
* Clear and amber to copper in color
* Aromas of toasted bread, graham cracker (often from the addition of small amounts of Munich malt in the grain bill)
* Can have subtle spice, floral, or herbal notes from German hops
* Medium bitterness
* Medium to high alcohol
30
What is an **alternative name** for Märzen style beers?
Oktoberfestbier
## Footnote
Will only appear on beer labels outside of Germany.
31
What are the **style characteristics** for *contemporary Oktoberfestbiers*?
* Can also be labeled as Festbier or Wiesn.
* Often more golden in color than Märzen.
* Similar to a Munich Helles but slightly stronger and fuller-bodied.
32
Where do **Vienna lagers** originate?
Austria
33
What are the **style characteristics** of *Vienna lagers*?
* Similar in style to Märzen but with Vienna malts.
* This results in slightly lighter color and malt aroma intensity.
* More bitterness than a Märzen, but with the malt character still the main focus.
34
What are the **style characteristics** of *International amber lager*?
* Tend to have a lighter aroma intensity than Märzen or Vienna lager
* Easy drinking style
* Often includes adjuncts (corn, rice)
* Lighter flavor, body and overall intensity
35
Which *beer styles* fall under the **Strong lager** category?
* Helles bock
* Dunkles bock
* Dopplebock
## Footnote
All have elevated alcohol, fuller body, and concentrated malt character.
36
What beer style is considered a **stronger version** of a Munich helles?
Helles bock
37
What are the **style characteristics** of a *Helles bock*?
* Similar aromas to a Munich helles, such as bread crumb and water cracker
* Sometimes a subtle floral, herbal, spice from traditional German hops
* Clear gold to amber in color
* Medium bitterness
* Medium to full-bodied
* High levels of alcohol
## Footnote
Can sometimes be labeled as Maibock for Spring.
38
What are the **style characteristics** of a *Dunkles bock*?
* Similar to a stronger version of a Munich dunkel
* Copper to brown in color
* Aromas from Munich malt, such as toasted bread, bread crust, toasted nut, and even dried fruit or caramel aroma (from caramel malt)
* Subtle spice or herbal notes from German hops
* High alcohol
* Low to medium bitterness
* Medium to full bodied
39
Which came first - **Dunkles bock** or **Helles bock**?
Dunkels bock
| or simply Bock
40
What does "**Doppel**" translate to in English?
Double
## Footnote
It refers to the strong style of this beer, although it is **not** twice as strong as a standard bock.
41
What are the **style characteristics** of a *Dobbel bock*?
* Essentially a stronger, fuller style of Helles bock
* Off-dry to medium sweet
* Medium or full-bodied
* High to very high alcohol, with a light, pleasant warming sensation
42
Which **brewery** created the original style of Dobbel bock, and what is the **name** of the beer?
It was created by **Paulaner** Brewery, and the beer is called **Salvator**.
43
How do **smoked lagers** get their unique aromas?
Traditional brewers smoke their malt over **wood**.
## Footnote
The malts have aromas reminiscent of smoked bacon or smoked cheese.
44
Where do smoked lagers **traditionally** come from?
**Bamburg** in Bavaria, Germany
45
What is the **primary style category** of smoked lagers?
Rauchbier märzen
## Footnote
Rauchbier is German for **smoked beer**.
46
What are the **style characteristics** of *Rauchbier märzen*?
* Amber or copper in color
* Woodsmoke aromas, along with Munich malt aromas, such as toasted bread, graham cracker
* Subtle spice from German hops
* Medium bitterness
* Medium to high alcohol
47
What **other category styles** can use smoked malts or be called Rauchbier in Germany?
Any **other style**, such as Doppelbock and Helles, when brewed with smoked malts.
## Footnote
These beers will always be labeled with the underlying style.
48
What might be considered the **primary** difference in style between malt-driven lagers and ales?
Ales will have **more fruit aromas** derived from ale yeast ferment.
49
Which **beer styles** fall under the straw or gold-colored ale category?
* American blonde ale
* American wheat ale
* Kölsch
50
What **malt / grains** are used for straw or gold-colored ales?
Any combination of:
* Pale-colored base malts
* Wheat malt
* Pale-colored grains
51
What are the **style characteristics** of pale or gold-colored ales?
* All should be easy drinking
* Water cracker or bread crumb aromas of base malts
52
What are the **style characteristics** of *American blonde ale*?
* Easy drinking
* Slightly more aroma intensity and bitterness than American lager
* Straw to gold in color
* Bread crumb aromas
* Subtle hop aroma
* Medium to high carbonation
* Low to medium alcohol
* Medium bitterness
53
What category style is sometimes referred to simply as '**Golden ale**'?
American blonde ale
54
What is the **primary difference** between an American blonde ale and an American wheat ale?
American wheats are brewed with a **higher percentage of wheat malt**, and have a pronounced bread-crumb wheat character, as a result.
55
Where did the style of **Kölsch** originate?
City of **Cologne** (Köln) in Germany.
56
What are the basic **production techniques** used for making Kölsch?
Kölsch is a style of beer that is **fermented** with **ale yeast** but then is **cold-conditioned**, similar to lagers.
## Footnote
This style offers the added flavor of an ale with the refreshing, carbonated aspect of a lager.
57
What are the **style characteristics** of a *Kölsch*?
* Gold in color
* Aromas of bread crumb and water cracker (pilsner or pale ale malts)
* Floral, spicy, or herbal aromas from traditional German hops
* Subtle fruity esters (ale yeast)
* Medium alcohol
* Medium bitterness
58
What are the **styles** under the amber, copper or brown-colored ales category?
* Irish red ale
* Brown ale
59
What type of **malts** are used for amber, copper or brown-colored ales?
**Specialty malts**, such as highly kilned, caramel, and sometimes small amounts of dark roasted malts.
## Footnote
These malts help drive the color of the beer as well as the aromas.
60
What are the **two main contributions** to the differences in styles of the amber, copper or brown-colored ales?
1. Type of malts used in the grain bill.
2. Use of hops, both for bitterness and aromas.
61
What can be used to **balance** the **sweetness** of malts in a beer?
The **bitterness** in **hops**.
62
What is the **color** of *Irish red ale*, and how is this derived?
**Amber** or **copper** in color, and clear, this is often derived from using a small amount of **dark roasted malt**, or roasted unmalted barley, and sometimes caramel malt.
63
What are the **aromas** of *Irish red ale*?
* Graham cracker
* Toasted bread
* Caramel
64
How can the **distinct finish** of a red ale be described?
The finish will **layer** hop bitterness with the subtle roasty bitterness and subtle coffee character of the roasted malt.
## Footnote
Overall the bitterness is low to medium.
65
What is the **sweetness level** typical of an *Irish red ale*?
**Off-dry** or **medium** sweetness.
66
What is the **alcohol level** of the typcial *Irish red ale*?
Medium alcohol
67
What happens when a beer is **nitrogenated**?
It will have a **dense**, **creamy** foam when poured.
68
What are the **aromas** of a *Brown ale*?
* Toasted nut or toasted bread (from highly kilned malts)
* Caramel notes (from caramel malts)
* Chocolate notes (from the use of dark roasted malts)
69
What is the **color** of British-style brown ale?
**Amber** to **brown** in color, and clear.
70
What is the **alcohol** level of a *British-style brown ale*?
**Low** to **medium** alcohol.
71
What are the **common aromas** of *British-style brown ales*?
* Some fruity aromas (British ale yeast)
* Subtle fruity, earthy or herbal aromas (traditional British hops)
72
What are the **common aromas** of *American-style brown ales*?
Can have prominant hop aromas (American hop varieties), such as:
* **Stone** or **tropical** fruits
* **Pine** or **resin**
73
What is the **alcohol** levle of *American-style brown ales*?
Medium to high alcohol.
74
What is the **bitterness** level of *American-style brown ale*?
**Medium** to **high** bitterness, from American hop varieties.
## Footnote
More than British brown ale counterparts.
75
What are the **styles** within the *Brown or black-colored ale* category?
* Porter
* Dark mild ale
* Irish stout
* Other stouts, including Oatmeal, American, and Sweet stouts
76
What are the common **style characteristics** of *Brown or Black-colored ales*?
* Brown or black color
* Prominent aromas of coffee, dark chocolate from dark roasted malts or grains in the grain bill
77
**Where** did the Porter style **originate**?
**London**, England
## Footnote
Where the carbonate-rich water is ideal for brewing dark beers.
78
What is the common **color** of a Porter?
Brown or black, clear and opaque.
## Footnote
Opaque means you cannot see through it.
79
What are the common **aromas** of a Porter?
* Chocolate or coffee (from dark roasted malts)
* Caramel notes, if caramel malt is used
* English Porter will have fruity esters (British ale yeast), as well as low level diacetyl
* American porter has more burnt bread note and a subtle fruitiness (American ale yeast)
80
Are hops used for the production of **English porters**?
Yes
## Footnote
Hops can be used in the production of English porters, often British hops, offering a subtle earthy, fruity, or herbal note to the beer.
81
Are hops used in the production of **American porters**?
Yes
## Footnote
American hops are used in the production of American porters, offering more prominent citrus, stone, tropical fruit, pine, or resin aromas and bitterness than their English counterparts.
82
What is the **alcohol content** of *English and American porters*?
* **English** - low to medium alcohol
* **American** - Medium to high alcohol
83
What are the **style characteristics** of a *dark mild ale*?
* An English-style porter that is lower in alcohol and lighter in body.
* Malt aromas such as caramel, toasted nut, coffee or chocolate.
* Fruity yeast-derived aromas.
* Subtle hop aromas (British hops).
84
Where did Irish Stout **originate**?
Dublin, Ireland
## Footnote
Where the water is high in carbonates and well suited to brewing dark malts and grains.
85
What are the **style characteristics** of *Irish stouts*?
* Brown to black in color
* Clear and opaque
* Burnt and roasted aromas, such as coffee, cocoa, dark chocolate, burnt bread
* Subtle fruit character from yeast
* Floral hop-derived aromas
* Low to medium alcohol
* Often nitrogenated
| Often uses roasted barley.
86
What is the **key** ingredient in *oatmeal stouts*?
Oats
87
What do oats **contribute** to the style of the beer?
They enhance the **body** (medium to full body) and provide a silky **mouthfeel**.
88
What distinguishes **American stout** styles?
Aromas such as citrus, stone or tropical fruit, pine or resin (American hop varieties), dark roasted malt.
89
What distinguishes the **Sweet stout** styles?
* Elevated sweetness level - medium to sweet
* Also called milk stouts, as lactose is added to the wort
90
What is **lactose**?
An **unfermentable milk sugar**, often added to beer to give residual sugar (sweetness) to the final beer.
91
What **beer styles** fall under the *Strong ale* category?
* Imperial stout
* Barley wine
* Scotch ale
92
What are the common **style characteristics** of *strong ales*?
* High to very high levels of alcohol
* Full-bodied
* Concentrated malt character from the use of wort with high original extract
## Footnote
Style differences come from selection of malts and grains.
93
What is an **alternative name** for *Imperial stout*?
Russian Imperial stout
94
What are the common **style characteristics** for *Imperial stouts*?
* Black in color, and opaque
* Full-bodied
* Off-dry to medium sweet
* Medium to high bitterness
* Pronounced aroma intensity
* Low to medium carbonation
* High to very high alcohol level (offering a pleasant warming sensation)
95
What are the **aroma characteristics** for *Imperial stouts*?
* Dark roasted malt aromas
* Coffee and dark chocolate
* Fruity, yeast-derived notes
96
What are the **differences** between British and American Imperial stouts?
* **British Imperial stouts** will have subtle herbal, earthy and fruity notes from traditional British hops.
* **American Imperial stouts** will have some citrus, stone, tropical fruit, pine or resin notes from American hops, as well as more dark roasted malt notes (burnt bread).
97
What are the typical **appearance notes** for *Barleywine*?
* **Amber** in color (but can range to brown)
* **Clear** in appearance
98
What are the typical **aroma notes** for *Barleywine*?
Complex malt aromas:
* Toasted bread
* Caramel
* Graham cracker
* Molasses
* Dried fruits
## Footnote
Can have fruity, yeast-derived aromas as well.
99
What are common **alcohol notes** for *Barleywine*?
* High to very high alcohol
* Warming sensation
100
What is the **sweetness note** for *Barleywine*?
Medium sweetness
101
What is the **carbonation note** for *Barleywine*?
**Medium** carbonation
102
What are common **differences** between **English**-style and **American**-style Barleywine?
* **English-style** Barleywine - more subtle hop aroma (earthy, floral, fruity), plus low to medium bitterness
* **American-style** Barleywine - more prominent hop aromas (citrus, stone, tropical, pine and resin) as well as more bitterness from American hops
103
What is the effect of **aging** on Barleywine?
Tends to gain **dried fruit** notes and even **port**-like aromas.
104
What is the **appearance** note for *Scotch ale*?
* Copper to brown in color
* Clear
105
What are the **aroma** notes for *Scotch ales*?
* Prominent caramel or graham cracker
* Toasted nuts
* Can have fruity aromas from ale yeast
* Can have subtle hop character, if used
106
What might be intersting aromatically with Scotch ales produced by brewers using **smoked malts**?
Could have aromas reminiscent of Scotch whisky from Islay - mainly **peat** / smoky aromas.
## Footnote
This is not traditional, though.
107
What are the common **style characteristics** of *Scotch ales*?
* Low to medium bitterness
* High to very high alcohol
* Medium to sweet for sweetness level
108
What is the **alternative name** for a *Scotch ale*?
Wee heavy
| (strong Scottish ale)
