Writer: Gordon Strong
All Aboard for Gourds
Pumpkin beers get a bad rap nowadays. I think it’s a natural backlash to over-exposure, since they went from a highly-anticipated fall seasonal beer to a faddish trend about ten years ago.
Traditional Pumpkin Ale
Gordon Strong’s traditional amber spiced pumpkin ale recipe, a classic example of what would come to mind if you ordered a pumpkin beer a decade ago.
Squash Tripel
An unspiced squash tripel recipe courtesy of Will Meyers, Brewmaster at Cambridge Brewing Company in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Gordon Strong’s Czech Dark Lager
I prefer maltier versions of this style a touch stronger but this version is on the hoppy side to help distinguish it from its German cousin.
Czech Dark Lager: Prague’s dunkel
When it comes to dark lagers, schwarzbier and Munich dunkels aren’t the only kinds being brewed in Europe. Learn about the differences between those two styles and the Czech version of a dark lager.
Gordon Strong’s Scottish Export
This recipe can easily be scaled down to make a Scottish heavy, say at 3.5% ABV, or scaled up to a stronger but still export strength 5.2% beer. Pick the alcohol level you want, and let your recipe software do the work for you to scale it.
Scottish Export: The pale ale of Scotland
An often misunderstood style here on this side of the Atlantic, shilling ales should be sessionable and refreshing. Gordon Strong explores Scottish export ales.
Gordon Strong’s German Helles Exportbier
This beer is bolder than your typical lawnmower beer, but it is meant to reward a hard day’s work. So go cross something off your to-do list, then grab a cold one, like life was meant to be.
Helles Exportbier: Dortmunder export, for those of you who aren’t German
Here in the U.S., it is often known as Dortmunder export beer, but in Germany a better name is helles exportbier. Learn the historical context for the style as well as possible techniques and ingredients to brew a classic interpretation.
Gordon Strong’s American Amber Ale
The challenge in this style to me is restraint, and keeping the flavors in balance. If you do that, this could be a choice as one of your regular house beers.
American Amber Ale
While its popularity peaked in the earlier years of the craft beer movement American amber ales are far from dead. Learn some of the key traits to brewing one of the classic styles in American craft beer lore.
Gordon Strong’s Witbier
The beer should ferment dry but not seem bitter because of the low IBUs. This should increase drinkability, as long as it is carbonated well. The spices shouldn’t be heavy, but if you find yourself wanting more, you can always make a quick “tea” of the parts you want to increase and blend it in post-fermentation.
