Double India Pale Ale

Double IPA, sometimes called DIPA or Imperial IPA, is a strong ale with IPA characteristics, but with higher alcohol content, more complex flavors, and increased hop bitterness and flavor. It is a modern style, born of the innovation of the American craft beer movement. You know us Americans, we’ve always got to make everything bigger … Read more

American Cream Ale

Cream Ale may be the most unfortunately named beer style. I once offered to pour one for a customer who wanted a “lighter” beer, but when I told him it was a Cream Ale, he said, “I don’t like vanilla.” It’s a common misconception. There’s no vanilla, or anything else creamy, about a cream ale. … Read more

Steam Beer, AKA California Common

There is only one Steam Beer. It’s been brewed and bottled since 1971 in San Francisco, CA by Anchor Brewing Company, a modern tribute to the Anchor Steam of the late 1800’s. Anchor trademarked Steam and protects it vigorously. Normally, that wouldn’t sit well with me, but Anchor is a legend, dating back to 1896. … Read more

Belgian Dubbel

Our last post was about Tripel, one of Belgium’s best known beers. Dubbel is another one.  Like Tripels, Dubbel have their lineage in ancient monastic brewing traditions. Westmalle’s version dates back to the mid-1800s, about five years before the US Civil War, but the inspiration goes back to the Middle Ages. While several Dubbels are … Read more

Belgian Tripel

The Tripel is one of Belgium’s best known beers. The roots of the style are in old monastic brewing traditions, but the style was first commercially sold as a “Tripel” by the Monks at Westmalle in 1956. Here’s an important note… Tripel is not necessarily Trappist. Trappist Ales are brewed by Trappist monks in Monasteries … Read more