Years ago, when I first started getting into craft beers, I wanted to try all kinds of different things. I found that there was a lot of styles that were popular that I just didn't care for. Like a lot of people, I slowly became that guy that liked anything that had an ass load of hops in it. That's where I stayed for years. Not really appreciating the complexities of all the different styles. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed a frequent stout, wheat, or Belgian, but I wasn't the beer connoisseur I thought I was.
Over the past few years, I've tried several beer styles that I thought I didn't like. I found that they are now some of my favorites! The two biggest examples are Dopplebocks and RIS. At times, I really enjoy an intense beer, but the first time I tried both those styles they were both overpowered with fusel alcohol. It was like drinking gasoline.
I was young and didn't know a ton about beer flaws and off flavors when I first tried these beers. I just figured that's how they were supposed to be. I just thought that the high ABV meant high in unpleasant alcohol taste as well. Whenever I was buying beer, I wouldn't even give those styles a second look.
Homebrewing has really changed beer for me. I have learned so much about beer from reading books and forum lurking that I was able to realize that I was turned off by a crappy beer, not a style I didn't like. Now that I understand them better, I have gone back and tried some of those styles again. I really appreciate the complexities of beer and RIS and Dopplebock's have become two of my favorites. In fact, I usually have one of the two in my fridge at all times.
The quest for knowledge brought on by homebrewing has led me to a greater understanding of beer in general, as well as the different flavors/profiles of diiferent grains/yeasts etc. It has given me a whole new appreciation for beers and increased my enjoyment of beer exponentially.
Thanks homebrewing!!!!
Over the past few years, I've tried several beer styles that I thought I didn't like. I found that they are now some of my favorites! The two biggest examples are Dopplebocks and RIS. At times, I really enjoy an intense beer, but the first time I tried both those styles they were both overpowered with fusel alcohol. It was like drinking gasoline.
I was young and didn't know a ton about beer flaws and off flavors when I first tried these beers. I just figured that's how they were supposed to be. I just thought that the high ABV meant high in unpleasant alcohol taste as well. Whenever I was buying beer, I wouldn't even give those styles a second look.
Homebrewing has really changed beer for me. I have learned so much about beer from reading books and forum lurking that I was able to realize that I was turned off by a crappy beer, not a style I didn't like. Now that I understand them better, I have gone back and tried some of those styles again. I really appreciate the complexities of beer and RIS and Dopplebock's have become two of my favorites. In fact, I usually have one of the two in my fridge at all times.
The quest for knowledge brought on by homebrewing has led me to a greater understanding of beer in general, as well as the different flavors/profiles of diiferent grains/yeasts etc. It has given me a whole new appreciation for beers and increased my enjoyment of beer exponentially.
Thanks homebrewing!!!!
