New beer styles are being invented all the time but history tells us that few of these outlive the seven year life-cycle afforded to many new products. A few stand the test of time. but do not really catch on outside their home country and some specific exports markets.
Australian sparkling ale
Perfected a century ago by Coopers brewery of Adelaide, this smooth but gassy, highly attenuated and estery ale (5.0-6.5% ABV) is brewed from lightly kilned malts and fermented with long-attenuating yeast, ending clear and spritzy character.
California common
Roasted and caramel notes appear in this grainy, medium-bodied (4.5-5.5% ABV), light amber coloured beer fermented with a lager yeast that can work at higher temperatures traditionally in wide, shallow fermenting vessels. Known as ‘Steam Beer’ during the American gold rush, this unashamedly American beer style favours old-fashioned hops over modern US hops, Northern Brewer being a favourite.
