tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282140921851003304.post435772548813826466..comments2023-10-19T08:07:01.709-04:00Comments on drinkdrank: Zymurgy Magazine Proves Jeff's PointCraighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14129472719929268755noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282140921851003304.post-86754280876666727072013-06-22T13:50:17.908-04:002013-06-22T13:50:17.908-04:00Well, balance isn't a flavour and not really t...Well, balance isn't a flavour and not really the opposite of intense. I had an Arrogant Bastard ale last night that I find intense and balanced with it's crystal malty goodness matching the loud-mouthed hops.Alanhttp://agoodbeerblog.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282140921851003304.post-9312040039954426032013-06-21T17:42:23.333-04:002013-06-21T17:42:23.333-04:00But, intense doesn't always mean bad either—ju...But, intense doesn't always mean bad either—just as balance doesn't necessarily mean good.Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00374706510870731159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282140921851003304.post-60782902685835614432013-06-21T12:12:37.577-04:002013-06-21T12:12:37.577-04:00 I think Americans do like strong tastes, you see ... I think Americans do like strong tastes, you see it too in the vinifera wines (buttery vanilla Chards, fruity brambly Zins, etc.), the coffee-subculture with coffees more roasty than any expresso from Italy, and take-no-prisoners straight bourbon and rye whiskeys. Modern soda pop is fairly bland but originally sarsparilla, root beet and ginger ale were strong-tasting - a revival could come in there too but is blocked by the sugar factor I think, too sweet is not hip.<br /><br />Other cultures of course have examples in these various areas, but the U.S. style is to go all out and you get great results or abject failures - I like the spirit behind it.<br /><br />GaryGary Gillmannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282140921851003304.post-7946205603903934982013-06-21T12:00:14.050-04:002013-06-21T12:00:14.050-04:00I agree with all these comments. A contrast is Bav...I agree with all these comments. A contrast is Bavarians, who brew for subtlety. At one poor, I used the word "volume" and was thinking of making a reference to Spinal Tap (IPAs that go to 11). In some ways, it's even more obvious in "lighter" beers. Nobody brews Berliner Weisses at 3.5% or bitters under 4%. Americans just don't know how to do that. Jeff Alworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02930119177544342495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282140921851003304.post-50903830993279212572013-06-21T11:10:13.225-04:002013-06-21T11:10:13.225-04:00And a beer can be, unfortunately, intense without ...And a beer can be, unfortunately, intense without being complex. Or intense, complex and yet horrible. An eye to subtlety is much more inclined to brew a better beer.Alanhttp://agoodbeerblog.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282140921851003304.post-685267478965592332013-06-21T10:03:09.623-04:002013-06-21T10:03:09.623-04:00It struck me a while ago that American geeks often...It struck me a while ago that American geeks often confuse intensity with complexity. A beer can be complex without being intense.<br /><br />In the days when I used to give beers scores on my website I had a very simple scoring system. I gave 5 points for each distinct flavour I could identify. It didn't mnatter how intense they were. The point was to reward complexity.Ron Pattinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03095189986589865751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282140921851003304.post-65932914740924634672013-06-21T08:46:12.953-04:002013-06-21T08:46:12.953-04:00I think that's why I like the term—it expresse...I think that's why I like the term—it expresses all. Be them good, bad, hoppy, bitter, sour or strong, "intense" fits the bill. Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00374706510870731159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1282140921851003304.post-62992400245870917502013-06-21T08:17:16.896-04:002013-06-21T08:17:16.896-04:00But - like that saison I had when I was there - in...But - like that saison I had when I was there - intense includes crappily unbalanced. Maybe this reflects a risk based culture.Alanhttp://agoodbeerblog.comnoreply@blogger.com