Beer 101
What you drink and
why you like it
BY BILL WHITE
we look for beer in beer stores and pubs, occasionally
deceptive. Bitters are often not bitter, but
rich in malt character. Try a Fullers ESB or
When
we step outside the case and try something different
an Elora ESB and see what I mean. “ESB”
and are the richer for it, or not, depending on personal
stands for Extra Special Bitter and I think
you will find an extra special taste in these
taste and the mood of the moment. Here’s a look at the different types of beers
beers. Although not ESB’s, two smooth
so you have a better understanding as to which ones you like, and why.
malty ales to try are Neustadt’s 10W30
Brown Ale and Black Oaks Nut Brown ale.
Traditional styles of beer, like so many ales The next time you have a king’s thirst
other consumer products, have morphed Ales were the most common beers for cold refreshing beer, pick something
into such a variety that the World Beer produced before the invention of different from the styles above, and you’ll
Cup now judges 91 different categories. refrigeration in the late 1800s. Ale ferments be rich in flavour with each sip.
For example, in the IPA (India Pale Ale) with a totally different strain of yeast. Legendary Brew Master Bill White — one
style there are now east and west coast Mainstream ales in Canada are Molson of Canada's most knowledgeable beer experts
U.S. styles, double and triple IPAs, and a Export, Labatt 50, O’Keefe and Keiths. But, — was recently on hand for the launch of a
continuing argument on what an original as with the North American lagers, they are summer beer, Hefeweissbier. «OO
IPA really was like. light golden in colour and have very little
So let’s try to make it simple. taste compared the ales of Belgium, the U.K.
or the North American craft brewers. Easy
PEARS
S
lagers drinking Sleeman, Cameron’s or Lakes of
This is the style of most mainstream Muskoka Cream ales quench that summer
/
DIETER
North American beer. They are light golden thirst. Or for a bigger taste, try Mill Street’s
.
C
OM
T
O
beers, easy to drink, designed for thirst Tankhouse Ale, Smithwick’s Irish ale or an
quenching and celebration. This is the Affligem Abbey Ale.
T
OCKPHO
turf of the biggest selling beers in Canada
I
S
– Budweiser, Canadian, Moosehead and wheat beer
B
Y
©
T
O
Coors Light. German and Belgian style wheat beers HO
P
It is a surprise to many to learn that are very flavourful. These redefine the
T
OP
lagers can also be red or amber (Walkerville taste of beer with citrus and spice flavours
Amber Lager, Rickard’s Red or a Dos Equis combined with the lightness of wheat.
Amber) or black (Waterloo Dark or Great Experience the character of cloves and
Lakes Black Jack Lager). These beers have bananas with a German Weihenstephaner
a hint of caramel and/or roasted malts that Hefe Weissbier, an Erdinger or Paulaner. A
deliver lots of flavour but have a quick finish Belgian style wheat beer has citrus notes
∆ Beautiful surroundings and year-round
and are still very refreshing. from coriander and orange peel – Blanche
activities offer over 40 exciting adventures
de Chambly, Rickards White or Mill Street including horseback riding, golf, outdoor tennis,
pilsner beer Belgian Wit. Many wheat beers are cloudy swimming, curling, hiking, cycling, Canada's
Originating in Pilsen in the Czech but don’t be afraid – that’s the way they are
only Land Rover Experience Driving School, as
Republic this style was the first golden meant to be.
well as a brand new Spa to name but a few.
beer and looks beautiful when poured
Fairmont Le Château Montebello is the ideal
destination for a family outing or a romantic
into a tall narrow glass. Labatt Blue is a stOuts anD pOrters
weekend.
pilsner, and for the true Pilsner taste try a Porters and stouts are dark beers with
The Chateau is only one-hour away from
Pilsner Urquell, the “original pilsner,” and full flavours of rich roasted malts. The best Ottawa through Quebec.
you will notice an almost herbal note in known are Guinness, Wellington Imperial If you’d like to see more, or to book a
the aroma. This character comes from Russian Stout and Mill Street Coffee Porter.
reservation, you can visit their website at www.
the famous Czech Saaz hop. JR Brickman
ChateauMontebello.com.
Pilsner and King Brewery Pilsner are
Enjoy this magical getaway.
english bitter
others to try. This is another ale but the name is
www.OttawaOutdoors.ca OTTAWA >> SUMMER/FALL 2008 53
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64