Beer vs. Specialty Beer
So what is the difference between a typical American macro beer and the specialty beers FTH would like to bring to Alabama?
The main difference is the ingredients used: craft beers use at least twice as many hops and twice as much malt to create a richer flavor. (Try comparing a Riesling to Rioja - the rich flavors and depth of the Rioja make the Riesling taste almost like water.) As a result, craft beers cost at least twice as much as macro beers to produce, and cost more on the shelf... but they are also designed to be sipped, savored, and enjoyed slowly and thoughtfully.
Below is a table of some well-known gourmet and specialty beers along with a typical American macro beer. Information about the style, flavor, alcohol by volume (ABV), bitterness (IBU), and price is included.
| Name | Budweiser | Orval | 90-minute IPA | Rochefort 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Style | Macro | Trappist | Double India Pale Ale | Trappist |
| Place of origin | Missouri | Belgium | Delaware | Belgium |
| Alcohol By Volume (ABV) | 5% | 6.9% | 9% | 11.3% |
| Bottle size | 12 oz | 11.2 oz | 12 oz | 11.2 oz |
| Flavor | Mild, crisp, highly carbonated | Tart, sour, citrus | Extremely hoppy, pine, bitter | Smooth, malty, slightly sweet earthiness |
| Bitterness Units (IBU) | 8.5 | 24 | 90 | 26 |
| Cost per bottle | $0.83 | $5 | $2.50 | $6 |
About these beers
Budweiser is one of the most well-known examples of an American Macro beer. These beers are usually very mild and best served cold. They are generally very inexpensive (average cost: $0.83 per bottle or $5 for a 6-pack).
Orval is a well-known Trappist beer, brewed in Belgium by Trappist monks. It is a very dry beer with a slightly tart, acidic flavor which is a result of the wild yeasts used in its fermentation. As such, it is a bit of an acquired taste. Orval is purchased by the bottle (there are no six packs or four packs) and it is generally in the range of $5 - 6 per 11.2 oz bottle.
90-minute IPA, from the Dogfish Head Brewery in Delaware, is an example of a specific variety of IPA known as the Double IPA. As the style implies, it has roughly double the ingredients of a regular IPA. As a result, it has double the bitterness, double the maltiness, and not quite double the alcohol. People often either love or hate IPAs due to their bitterness. 90-minute IPA is sold in four packs with a price range of $10 - 11 per four pack.
Rochefort 10 is another Trappist beer but one which is quite different than Orval. It has an intense flavor profile with a slightly rummy finish from to the Belgian candi sugar used in its production. Like many fine wines, it can be cellared indefinitely and only grows more complex with time. Like Orval, it is sold only by the bottle and it is generally in the $6 range per 11.2 oz bottle.