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US ABV versus Euro ABV
I was reading the most recent issue (I think) of All About Beer, and it had an article about something the US is lacking: "A 5 cent beer." Or rather, a common "table-beer," or "session beer" that was under 5%abv.
And the article's right, IMO. Beers we call "session beers" are more often than not over 5%, sometimes even 6%. Normal beers seem to hover oer 5%, it seems.
I've lived in Europe twice, both in Germany, but I've visited most of the countries in Europe. I can say with a general authority that their average quaffing beer comes in under 5%. I lived in Dusseldorf most recently, and both Altbier and Koelsch clock in anywhere between 3.9-4.9%. I'd say the average German Lager/Pils/Czech Pils comes in under 5% as well, and they're supreme. Hefeweizens too.
A lot of homebrewers I see, they're pumping out 6% session Pale Ales, 5.7% Hefes, etc etc etc. Widmer Bros even had a "Double Alt" come in at 8.7% or something. It tasted nothing like a Dusseldorfer Altbier.
I mean, I realize that some beers will be higher in alcohol than others. IPAs will be higher in alcohol than a pils. Imperial Stouts will rock the hell out of a British Mild. But what I don't understand is why there is such an aversion to lower ABV brews...they're viewd as wimpy, and I just don't get it. Some of the best beer I've had, and had a lot of, is Gaffel Kolsch.
In my home brewing, I'm making it my goal to brew delicious beers that come in under 5%. Some might call them "Lawnmower Beers," but I don't. I call them amazing.
So what's your opinion? European beers under 5%abv. Are they wimpy? Or are they refreshing and tasty? And why the American aversion to anything under 5%?
If you can, check out that article...if I can find the URL, I'll post it in a reply.
/ Alex
I saw something very similar in the current Zymurgy issue.
I brew several, european style session beers. I primarily brew the English style sessionable brews.
Bitters, browns and most recently porter.
I prefer these beers almost exclusively over some of the bigger beers. I like tasting bigger beers, but I like to drink a few beers in a sitting and for me these session beers are it....maybe I am a wimp?
I brewed a dark Mild last year, that would have easily "rocked" several imperial stouts I have tried.
I am not very good at sipping beer, and prefer to have a few as opposed to a couple.
So, usually, a target ABV of 4-1/2% to 5% ABV, depending on the brew, suits me just fine.
I still remember my first HB, and not being able to stand up after 3.
AlexChesbro wrote:
So what's your opinion? European beers under 5%abv. Are they wimpy? Or are they refreshing and tasty? And why the American aversion to anything under 5%?
Are European beers listed as ABV? I thought they were listed as ABW.
To put things in perspective a 5% ABW beer equates to 6.25% ABV.
It's 4% or less for almost everything here in Utah. Although many of you may not believe it there are some amazing beers coming from our breweries such as the Cut Throat Pale ale and Bristlecone brown ale from Uinta, the Organic Amber from Squatters, the UPA from Desert Edge and the Nut Brown from Red Rock just to name a few.
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