# Brewing the Basic/Classic styles **URL:** \ **Category:** General Homebrew Discussion\ **Created:** [January 22, 2015, 8:32pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/brewing-the-basic-classic-styles/18858 "2015-01-22T20:32:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![TMX](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/tmx/32/10834_2.png) [@TMX](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/TMX)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2015, 8:32pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/brewing-the-basic-classic-styles/18858/1 "2015-01-22T20:32:37Z")
Ok, so this year is the year I get back to the basics of brewing. I need / want to be able to brew good versions of the basic styles of beers, This year I want to concentrate of 5 and only 5 styles, yet I am not sure what they are yet, so what would be your 5 must know how to brew beer styles. Currently this is where I am (in no particular order) 1. Irish Red Ale – First beer I ever brewed, time to get it nailed down 2. Stout/Porter – I think everyone should know and understand the DarkSide 3. IPA- because IPA! 4. Fizzy Yellow Ale – for the masses 5: Amber Ale – to hit the mid ground between Malt or Hop forward beer Tim ---
**Author:** ![slowbrew](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/slowbrew/32/8927_2.png) [@slowbrew](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/slowbrew)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2015, 8:38pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/brewing-the-basic-classic-styles/18858/2 "2015-01-22T20:38:18Z")
My house brews are (and hence my basic list): 1. American Wheat 2. Irish Red 3. Amber Ale 4. A Fat Tire clone - so Belgium Ale? 5. Blonde In no particular order.  These are ones i brew the most. ---
**Author:** ![JT](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/jt/32/11629_2.png) [@JT](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/JT)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2015, 10:08pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/brewing-the-basic-classic-styles/18858/3 "2015-01-22T22:08:37Z")
American Pale Ale India Pale Ale English Bitter English Mild Robust Porter ---
**Author:** ![braufessor](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/braufessor/32/21101_2.png) [@braufessor](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/braufessor)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2015, 10:45pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/brewing-the-basic-classic-styles/18858/4 "2015-01-22T22:45:14Z")
The beers that make it into my rotation on a regular basis: \*Citra IPA \*Dark Mild \*West Coast type Amber Ale \*Bo Pils \*Dortmunder \*Pale Ale/Session IPA \*Robust Porter Recent Addition - American Blonde - replacing American Wheat ---
**Author:** ![fchenette](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/fchenette/32/6207_2.png) [@fchenette](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/fchenette)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2015, 11:22pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/brewing-the-basic-classic-styles/18858/5 "2015-01-22T23:22:20Z")
My top 5: Kolsch Saison IPA Pale Ale Wheat + Fruit (rotating) Close behind are Altbier, blond, nut-brown, bitter, amber. ---
**Author:** ![morticaixavier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb9ed0/32.png) [@morticaixavier](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/morticaixavier)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2015, 11:23pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/brewing-the-basic-classic-styles/18858/6 "2015-01-22T23:23:54Z")
I guess mine would be 1. saison 2. marzen 3. dry stout 4. Wit 5. Ordinary Bitter/barley wine partigyle ---
**Author:** ![maaswinhester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/maaswinhester/32/13423_2.png) [@maaswinhester](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/maaswinhester)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2015, 11:39pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/brewing-the-basic-classic-styles/18858/7 "2015-01-22T23:39:11Z")
I think my 5 would be: Porter Bitter Czech Dark Lager CAP Burton Ale Braggot would be high up there as well as Flanders Red. ---
**Author:** ![TMX](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/tmx/32/10834_2.png) [@TMX](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/TMX)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2015, 11:42pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/brewing-the-basic-classic-styles/18858/8 "2015-01-22T23:42:06Z")
The idea behind this is to expose my process. Other than the stout. I am trying to brew some things that are hard to cover faults and that I don’t mind drinking all year. These will be all I brew this year ---
**Author:** ![69franx](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/69franx/32/10699_2.png) [@69franx](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/69franx)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 12:03am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/brewing-the-basic-classic-styles/18858/9 "2015-01-23T00:03:38Z")
I like that idea TMX. I spend a lot of time thinking about the brew day, but have not done a lot of rebrewing  the same recipe to nail down process, recipe, and systems. Time to hunker down and make a difference in my brews, not just make my brews. I also need to settle on a small number of recipes and start nailing them! ---
**Author:** ![jonhughey\_att.net](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/jonhughey_att.net/32/6277_2.png) [@jonhughey\_att.net](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/jonhughey_att.net)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 12:05am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/brewing-the-basic-classic-styles/18858/10 "2015-01-23T00:05:32Z")
> [@TMX](#): > > The idea behind this is to expose my process. Other than the stout. I am trying to brew some things that are hard to cover faults and that I don’t mind drinking all year. These will be all I brew this year Well, the styles that are tough to hide faults behind are often pretty drinkable. I say cream ale, kolsch, helles, Belgian blond, maybe Scottish 60.  Or you could just decide to perfect your favorite five styles to drink and be sure to have what you like on tap. ---
**Author:** ![TMX](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/tmx/32/10834_2.png) [@TMX](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/TMX)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 12:11am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/brewing-the-basic-classic-styles/18858/11 "2015-01-23T00:11:19Z")
I think this is the final list for me, but please continue to discuss and offer up suggestions. I brew American style ales for the most part, and this list reflects that. Next step will be to post up the recipes for each, stay tuned. 1. Irish Red Ale – First beer I ever brewed, time to get it nailed down 2. Stout/Porter – I think everyone should know and understand the DarkSide 3. IPA- because IPA! 4. Fizzy Yellow Ale – for the masses/ this will be pitched with a cal common yeast 5: American Wheat - because ---
**Author:** ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/original/1X/f1a2211dcb353b921ed70873794a31db2031eccc.png) [@system](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/system)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 2:44am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/brewing-the-basic-classic-styles/18858/12 "2015-01-23T02:44:48Z")
> [@morticaixavier](#): > > I guess mine would be > > 5) Ordinary Bitter/barley wine partigyle Yes! ---
**Author:** ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/original/1X/f1a2211dcb353b921ed70873794a31db2031eccc.png) [@system](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/system)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 2:52am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/brewing-the-basic-classic-styles/18858/13 "2015-01-23T02:52:01Z")
If I ever get around to purchasing another fermentation/lagering refrigerator, my five are going to be: 1.) Dortmunder 2.) Pre-Pro Pils 3.) Boh Pils 4.) Maibock (Helles on steroids) 5.) Alt ---
**Author:** ![TMX](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/tmx/32/10834_2.png) [@TMX](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/TMX)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 3:12am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/brewing-the-basic-classic-styles/18858/14 "2015-01-23T03:12:20Z")
Guys, I am digging the list, keep them coming. I know it can be hard to limit to 5 with so many to choose from. Moving forward, I will post up the grain bills and such for my final 5 ---
**Author:** ![ranchovillabrew](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/ranchovillabrew/32/8203_2.png) [@ranchovillabrew](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/ranchovillabrew)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 3:15am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/brewing-the-basic-classic-styles/18858/15 "2015-01-23T03:15:10Z")
Mine has become: Irish Red Agave Wheat ESB Sparkling Ale Ordinary Bitter ---
**Author:** ![TMX](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/tmx/32/10834_2.png) [@TMX](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/TMX)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 4:16am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/brewing-the-basic-classic-styles/18858/16 "2015-01-23T04:16:33Z")
Great list but not sure agave wheat is a Basic/Classic style lolz ---
**Author:** ![ranchovillabrew](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/ranchovillabrew/32/8203_2.png) [@ranchovillabrew](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/ranchovillabrew)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 4:29am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/brewing-the-basic-classic-styles/18858/17 "2015-01-23T04:29:07Z")
Agreed.  I was more calling out my “always ready and improving recipes” ---
**Author:** ![erockrph](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/erockrph/32/13330_2.png) [@erockrph](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/erockrph)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 5:14am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/brewing-the-basic-classic-styles/18858/18 "2015-01-23T05:14:17Z")
Mine are: 1. IPA 2. Maerzen 3. Saison 4. ESB 5. Robust Porter ---
**Author:** ![Joe\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/73ab20/32.png) [@Joe\_T](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/Joe_T)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 5:39am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/brewing-the-basic-classic-styles/18858/19 "2015-01-23T05:39:02Z")
In no special order: Imperial Stout: master roasty + creamy + BIG and you’ve got something truly special. 4 German pilsner: does anyone not love a good German pilsner? American IPA: a well made IPA just plain rocks. American pale ale: because it’s the German pilsner of american beer. Barley wine/ordinary bitter parti gyle: it’s the gift that keeps on giving! ---
**Author:** ![ynotbrusum](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/ynotbrusum/32/10316_2.png) [@ynotbrusum](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/ynotbrusum)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 4:20pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/brewing-the-basic-classic-styles/18858/20 "2015-01-23T16:20:18Z")
I brew mostly lagers, so I agree with S.Cerivisae on this point, but a Saison in the summer months is pretty hard to beat, also. [Next page](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/brewing-the-basic-classic-styles/18858.md?page=2)