Encyclopedia
A. B. The mixture of mild and bitter is usually called
half-and-half, although this name is also used for a mixture of porter
(or stout) and bitter. The last one is often called a Black-and-tan,
but that name has bad connotations in Ireland, where it was the
nickname (due to the colors of their uniforms) for the Royal Ulster
Constabulary, who were hated by the catholics. The term "A. B." is
unknown to me, and I have not been able to verify it on
Internet. Note that A.B. is also the common Swedish abbreviation for a
Inc.
Abbey. This entry confuses two things: the concept of an abbey
ale, and the trade label of "genuine trappist" beer. An abbey ale is
an ale in the style brewed in abbeys. A Trappist ale is an ale that is
brewed in a trappist abbey.
Abdijbieren. Technically this definition is correct, but
slopply and incomplete, as the term is in plural, while the
explanation is in singular. Worse is that it should have a reference
to the fact that the term is in Dutch, and as such refers to Dutch and
Belgian abbey beers when used in English. (And there are very few
Dutch abbey beers because The Netherlands are mainly a protestant
country. However, there is the abbey of Köningshoven, which happens to
be a trappist abbey, and where the brewing has been set out to an
external, secular organization.
Acetaldehyde. This entry contains a contradiction when it says
that acetaldehyde "forms during fermentation" and "decreaes ... druing
the production of ethanol". Because fermentation is the production of
ethanol, this statement does not make sense.
Adam. This story is not verifiable. Searching the Internet for
"Frederick William IV" and "adam" "beer" and "dortmond" turns up a
large number of references in English to the story given in the
book. However, trying to go the source, and searching for the kings
name spelled in German (Friedrich Wilhelm IV, and the proper German
name for the beer (adam bier), turns up nothing. The story is strange,
because the adam bier of Dortmund is not the kind of beer that you
would like to drink a tankard at once. Possibly a urban legend.