. . . and do you remember when GABF had only twelve (12!) style categories?
I’m doing a lot more reading of blogs than writing of blogs these days (when not being amazed by what a terrific climate Asheville has for all things local). Two topics I suggest you chime in on:
– Should we be as excited about the screening of Beer Wars on April 16 as the next episode of 24? Start with what Andy Crouch has to write.
– The proliferation of designated beer styles. Start with Jack Curtin, but also check in with Jeff Alworth, Tom Cizauskas and Ron Pattinson.
I have one thought to add to Topic #2. In 1987 they began judging beers “by style” at the Great American Beer Festival. Got by with twelve of them, they did. Interesting to see what the 12 were:
Ales
Alts
American Cream Ales
American Lagers
American Light Lagers
Bocks/Dopplebocks
Continental Amber Lagers
Continental Pilsners
Porters
Stouts
Vienna Style Lagers
Wheat Beers
New Amsterdam Amber — there’s a blast from the past! Ahh, the good ol’ days.
It’s interesting to look back and see how far things have developed (or grown out of control depending I suppose upon your point of view). It’s also interesting to see which styles they thought should be represented back then. Alts and Vienna Style Lagers? Seems like some real outliers when compared to today’s contests.
Do you suppose Oktoberfests fell under the Vienna Lager style? And if so, was it because of the historical aspect of Dreher & Sedlmayr?