This topic came up last night and I'm hoping some of you more experienced brewers may help to settle this for me.
The question is: What gives certain breweries their distinctive tastes?
For example: All Pete's Wicked beers seem to have a common element to them. Locally, our Lancaster Brewing Company's beers all seem to have a similar "tinge" to them that I can't really describe but is evident in every single one of their beers regardless of style. Furthermore, I tried the new Bud American Ale, while probably the best Bud I ever drank, I could still tell it came from that family.
Any ideas? My first thought is that they likely have common ingredients that they have around and are comfortable using, but it doesn't really make sense to me that A Belgian Tripel would share characteristics with say a Porter, and likewise through their entire catalog.
The question is: What gives certain breweries their distinctive tastes?
For example: All Pete's Wicked beers seem to have a common element to them. Locally, our Lancaster Brewing Company's beers all seem to have a similar "tinge" to them that I can't really describe but is evident in every single one of their beers regardless of style. Furthermore, I tried the new Bud American Ale, while probably the best Bud I ever drank, I could still tell it came from that family.
Any ideas? My first thought is that they likely have common ingredients that they have around and are comfortable using, but it doesn't really make sense to me that A Belgian Tripel would share characteristics with say a Porter, and likewise through their entire catalog.