Best Californian Beer Style Types
American pale ale was developed in the 1980s as an American counterpart to British pale ales and bitters. These beers are typically clean and crisp, and they will have more hop character than their British equivalents as well as higher alcohol content, usually around 4.4–6.0% ABV.
The use of American hops, primarily Cascade, will give these beers distinctive citrus and piney aromas. Their color may range from dark gold to amber and copper. They are usually medium-bodied and have a subtle bitter finish. Sierra Nevada Brewery produced the prototype of American pale ale, and their version was a model on which other breweries mainly relied in production of American pale ale style.
THE BEST American pale ale Ales
American barley wine originated from the original British style of barley wines—bold brews with strong malty flavors. The first examples of American-style barley wines appeared in 1975 with the first version that was released by Anchor Brewing Co., which was then followed by Sierra Nevada Brewing’s Bigfoot.
The American version is also characterized by intense malt character, but unlike the British counterparts, American versions will usually have more assertive hop flavors. The beers that fall into this style are typically rich, full-bodied, light amber to medium copper, and luscious.
California common is a hybrid beer style that is brewed with lager yeast but is then fermented at ale temperatures. Modern interpretations were made to reflect historical steam beer that first appeared on the West Coast during the Gold Rush era.
It was an improvised and somewhat rustic style that grew out of necessity. This upgraded modern version was introduced in the 1970s by the Anchor Brewing Company in San Francisco. Anchor protected the label steam beer, while California common is used for other examples of the style.
American amber ale originates from California and the Pacific Northwest, where it appeared in the 1980s. The style was modeled on pale ales and strong bitters, but it eventually grew as a separate and distinctive category. Amber ales are brewed with crystal malts, which provide toasty and toffee flavors.
The color of these medium-bodied beers may range from amber to copper or deep red. They are characterized by moderate to strong malt sweetness, while the use of American hops occasionally provides for citrusy and piney aromas. Although they often resemble American pale ales, amber ale should typically have more body and more pronounced caramel flavors.
THE BEST Amber ale Ales
Best Californian Beer Styles
Three Bridges Brown is an American Brown Ale brewed by Wild Fields Brewhouse. As an American brown ale, it typically features a malt-forward flavor with caramel, toffee, and nutty notes, but also incorporates a noticeable hop presence that is more characteristic of American-style beers compared to its English counterparts.
The beer is likely to be medium-bodied with a smooth, balanced finish, combining the richness of roasted malts with a moderate hop bitterness.
AWARDS
Great American Beer Festival - Gold
2022
World Beer Cup - Gold
2022
AWARDS
World Beer Cup - Gold
2022
Mango hops with a splash of guava give this beer a strong tropical vibe in both flavor and aroma. Grassy herbaceous aromas, very subtle rubber-like aromas in the background, and just a touch of tropical aromas. The finish is clean with a little bit of hop astringency.
Sweetness and bitterness are up front in the mid- palate but subside quickly. It bridges New Zealand IPA and cold IPA.
AWARDS
World Beer Cup - Gold
2024
AWARDS
Great American Beer Festival - Gold
2022, 2021
World Beer Cup - Gold
2022
Musically speaking, the second note of the diatonic scale, or one step above Tonic. In our terms, a more potent elixir than the original. Infused with more flavors of milk chocolate, more roast, more mouthfeel, and most important – more coffee. Whoever said there can be too much of a good thing never had a chance to try this here beer.
A wiser man once said – everything in moderation, especially moderation.
AWARDS
Great American Beer Festival - Gold
2022, 2020
AWARDS
European Beer Star - Gold
2020
AWARDS
European Beer Star - Gold
2023
AWARDS
World Beer Cup - Gold
2024
Great American Beer Festival - Gold
2020
AWARDS
Great American Beer Festival - Gold
2022
World Beer Cup - Gold
2022
Reminiscent of traditional Porters, the Baltic-Style Porter has more intense flavors, but tempers them with a smooth, lager-style fermentation. Dark chocolate flavors still dominate, but treacle and dark fruit add to the complexity. Noble hops help tame the abundant sugars and bring to a finish a beer that is made for sipping.
It’s heavier-bodied with medium carbonation.
AWARDS
World Beer Cup - Gold
2022, 2016
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