[TMX]

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

[Slowbrew]

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.

[JT]

American Pale Ale
India Pale Ale
English Bitter
English Mild
Robust Porter

[braufessor]

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

[Frankenbrew]

My top 5:

Kolsch
Saison
IPA
Pale Ale
Wheat + Fruit (rotating)

Close behind are Altbier, blond, nut-brown, bitter, amber.

[morticaixavier]

I guess mine would be

1) saison
2) marzen
3) dry stout
4) Wit
5) Ordinary Bitter/barley wine partigyle

[kmccaf]

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.

[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

[69franx]

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!

[HoosierBrew]

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.

[TMX]

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

[S. cerevisiae]

I guess mine would be
<snip>
5) Ordinary Bitter/barley wine partigyle

Yes!

[S. cerevisiae]

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

[TMX]

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

[ranchovillabrew]

Mine has become:

Irish Red
Agave Wheat
ESB
Sparkling Ale
Ordinary Bitter