Weisen, Amber, Ale, Lager?

Question

I've recently joined the "UFO" club at the bar Flying Saucer and was wanting to know.

What is the differance between each of the beers? How can I tell which beers use what ingredients?

I want to get to the point where I taste a beer and say ..."hmm this beer has a high flavor of ____ and/or _____, it must be a ____"

Answer 1

http://www.bjcp.org/index.php

My friends and I use this as our guide. You do not need to become a beer judge. But just learn the styles you like best.

Click on Style Guidelines

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After a session of beer tastings last night I recalled a great book for such.

Evaluating Beer

   Edited by Brewers Publications

   Brewers Publications, Boulder, CO USA

   ISBN 0-937381-37-3

Tel. [phone]

This book will take you through the elements of styles and the process of evaluating those styles of beer.

In addition:

http://cryptobrewology.com/show-article....

Keep in mind it is not so much the top of bottom thing because that just means the yeast flocculates (groups together)  on top or bottom. But the flavors imparted to a particular beer we want to know.

Answer 2

Weisen (weizen) is a wheat beer. There are Weizen/Weissbier, Dunkelweizen and Weizenbock.

Amber is an Ale (American Amber / Red Ale) Dark Ale in color, ranging from amber (duh) to deep red hues. This style of beer tends to focus on the malts, but hop character can range from low to high.

Ale is a type of beer brewed from malted barley using a top-fermenting brewers' yeast.

Lager is a type of beer which is distinguished from ale by its yeast. The word "lager" comes from German and means "storage". Traditionally, the beer is stored for several weeks or longer before being served. Lager is a general term that includes several variations or styles, such as Pilsener, Vienna, and Märzen.

Hope it helps...

Answer 3

I am not an expert but Weisen is a wheat beer and the others are just made using different types of ingredients, mostly hops. The best way to learn is to just keep drinking. Personally, I just completed the world beer tour at Old Chicago's and took the time to visit the many local microbreweries. Which Colorado has no shortage of.

Answer 4

Well for starters, Weisen is made from wheat.  Bud is made from Rice,yes,rice.  Amber is called amber, because of it's color,Ale is a stronger beer.  Most beer is made from grains, and I don't know anybody who wants to be a beer snob.  Why don't you go to the Rahr Brewery on a Saturday, from 1 to 3, you Can drink free beer, and talk to the brew masters, about beer.

Answer 5

Weisen is a German Wheat Ale.

An Amber can be an ale or lagers. It is characterized by a red hue and a bitterness different than other beers. I realize that calling it a bitterness is odd, but the hops characteristics in most ambers are unusual. At least to me.

Ale is a top fermented beer. It is brewed with yeast that sits on the top and at temperatures in the mid to high 70F. Characterized by fruit, nutty and vibrant flavors. This is the largest and most varieties style of beer.

Lager is a bottom fermenting beer. It is brewed using yeast that sits at the bottle and at temperatures near refrigeration in the mid to high 30F. It is characterized by duller flavors and a crisp bite. This is the most common style of beer.

Don't know if this link will work for you...you may need to create a profile to view it, but it is well worth it AND FREE.

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/style

"I want to get to the point where I taste a beer and say ..."hmm this beer has a high flavor of ____ and/or _____, it must be a ____"

Join Beer Advocate, get a subscription to it and or All About Beer.

Buy a note book and take notes of what you think you taste in the beer. Then compare those notes to other reviews on BA.

EDIT:

I was thinking about my answer and I figured I assumed you meant what is a Hefeweizen...but you could have meant Weizenbock or Kristalweizen.

Hefeweisen - Is a German wheat ale.

Dunkelweizen - This is a dark hefeweizen...kinda. It is typically brewed in Southern Germany.

Kristalweizen - It is a filtered hefeweisen...removing all wheat and yeast sediment.

Weizenbock - Is a dunkel that has been amped up. Higher alcohol and high malt.

Berliner Weissbier  - To a weizen, but often confused with one. It is characterized by a sour taste.

Answer 6

I have been reading a lot for awhile now. I got the standard books on brewing and still getting more. All the web cites answered here are great sources as well. The main thing is to keep on drinking and you will learn from experience.

Answer 7

A weisen is a wheat beer, though it can and usually does still contain barely. Ales are are brewed with barely and top fermented (i.e. the yeast floats). Ales can come in a huge variety of different styles, amber of which is one. Lagers are beers that are bottom fermented (i.e. the specific type of yeast used sink to the bottom during fermentation).