Chicagoist: Chicagoist's "Beer of the Week:" Unibroue Raftman

RoyE

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 17:58:21 -0600

I would say Spotted Cow is more of a Cream Ale than a Belgian Pale.

frp

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 16:41:22 -0600

Thanks for the clarification, Chuck. I gotta say, you're WAY more informative than Bill Daly (Trib). I think he's a hack compared to the stuff you put on Chicagoist. I'm gonna try to buy all of these beers this week and run my own tasting. BTW, Bridgeport is where I spent my formative years -- way back in the day, I attended St. Barbara's elementary school.

Chuck Sudo

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:19:40 -0600

It's mainly found in both the hopping. Back in the days when the sun never set on the British empire, when they had to sail around the Cape Horn to get back to England, they would add extra hops to their bitter in order for the beer to survive transport without spoiling. among other things that hops give beer (spice, bitter flavor), it also acts as a preservative. Hence the name "India Pale Ale." Now, a Belgian Pale Ale is typically a Saison, what's commonly known as a farmhouse ale. It's still brewed with some pronounced hops, but the malt flavor tends to run on the sour or stringent side. If you've ever had Jolly Pumpkin Bam Biere, Saison DuPont, or New Glarus Spotted Cow, you've had a Belgian Pale ale.

frp

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:57:41 -0600

What's the difference between an "India Pale Ale" and a "Belgian Pale Ale", or any other "Pale Ale" for that matter?