Franconian Beer Message Board

Back to the main page
Back to parent post

Weekend round-up...and what's wrong with

Posted by Andy H on 2016-03-04 13:19:08

Sorry, bit late getting to this interesting thread. Re the cost of producing high terminal gravity,low ABV ales.whilst to the beer factorys it is a case of "a penny saved is a penny earned" It would not,due to the relativly low cost of malt,Put off most Micro/small scale brewers.It is interesting to note that several of the most popular(high selling) Ales in theUK.
ie,Doombar,Abbot ale, london pride,etc, all have the "mouthfeel" associated with said style. though often achieved,by more scientific,and cost effective means.And of course levels of sweetness beloved by the mass of casual Ale drinkers.
Whilst reading through these
posts I have come to a long pondered conclusion.That there is a case for using "Ale" for the type of beverage that old fellas such as I,and Barry bang on about.And the tradition that surrounds them,And to use the generic "Beer" for all other loosely malt based alcoholic drinks.I hear what has been said about the use of adjuncts etc in the the beers of yore so well documented by Mr Pattinson.And from my own reading the brewers of the day used adjuncts mostly to get over shortages in supply,or high cost at the time of malt.or taxation (And of course they were not agin using some pretty toxic substances given half a chance.in order to keep profits up.) So to summarise my humble opinion is that most of the ridiculous experimentation seen in modern beer brewing,is the "Peacock approach" look how bright my feathers are! ie,landlord/manager put our beer on the taps,it is the brightest newest thing on the block.And so of course,increase sales.I do believe that the Homebrew to professional startups have had a big impact on this.As without a doubt the really good low to midrange Ales are the most difficult to produce.and far easier to concoct something else.Think of the wondeful artisan bakers,who produce just traditional bread and sell out by lunch time.And the Camden lock,"peanochocacherry" loaf!