Beer Forum

What with the discussion on Old Ales in last weeks show and Jamil's Imperial Stout show, I thought I'd mention a small publication put together by a British homebrew group.

If you have any interest in 'Old British Beers and How to Make Them', then I thoroughly recommend this book of the same name.

There's an old review article by Michael Jackson HERE (ignore Info at end of article regarding how to purchase as it's out of date)

I've been told it is available in the states at http://www.thebeveragepeople.com

My only connection is that I know one of the homebrewers who was involved in researching the recipes.

Darren

Thanks for the info. I was just thinking about Old Ales after hearing an interview of a guy that specializes in colonial period brewing and he indicated that he had to research British beers to figure out recipes. From what I know, real Old Ales meant, no hops and higher gravity. Do you know if that is that correct?

Thanks,

Rob

Not as far as I know. A definition in a Roger Protz book I have defines the style as follows;

"Ripe malt aromas, big hop bitterness and a rich fruitiness are typical characteristics of a style that dates from a time when ales were aged in wooden vats for a year or more."

I've made beers from the Old British Beers book where the last pint, drunk 18 months after brewing was the best.

Darren.

Darren, I got this from Wikipedia, a free encyloepedia:

Before the introduction of hops into England from the Netherlands in the 15th century the name "ale" was exclusively applied to unhopped fermented beverages, the term "beer" being gradually introduced to describe a brew with an infusion of hops. This distinction no longer applies.

I thought I had read that some place.

Anyway, just thought I'd share.

Later,

Rob

2DogAle wrote:Before the introduction of hops into England from the Netherlands in the 15th century....

Blimey, you really are talking old Ale!

Darren

HAHAHA!!... yeah sorry, I gues "Old" is a relative term isn't it.

Oh well...

Later buddy,

Rob

You guys can also check out some online recipes from the 2nd edition of old british beers....check it out here.... http://www.countybeermakers.org.uk/oldb ... 2-list.php

Nice list...

Travis