tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48459423668618011142024-02-07T08:22:27.336+00:00Fermenting RamblingsThis is just another blog. Random writings about random times. Random people. Beer for random events. Random beer for random times. Consuming and enjoying all aspects of the beer. I don't know where it will lead or where it will go. Hopefully some minor credit in the beer world or a job in the industry. Who knows?Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04383343727650548268noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4845942366861801114.post-74802596884532079732012-03-18T18:53:00.005+00:002012-03-18T19:19:47.249+00:00De Molen Tsarina Extra Imperial PorterDue to a trade with Jan, aka FoneFan on <a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/Ratings/beerClub.asp">Rate Beer.com</a> and its highest recorded ticker of beers at this period of time, I was able to obtain a bottle of De Molen Tsarina Extra Imperial Porter from 2007. A limited bottled range from the windmill brewery in the Netherlands, not too far from the city of Utretch. The containing vessel is a 33cl bottle. Bottle number 53. Highly limited and highly collectable.<br />
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The bottle is brown and has a long neck. The label is white on top of an orange background. It has their logo and information recorded for export and domestic selling rights as well as technical information on the beer.<br />
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The beer is 93 on the EBU scale so I suspect it will be quite dark but also a shade of brown and not fully black as it is not on the extreme EBU side of over 100 units. EBU is the European method for measuring the colour of the beer. Americans use a different value and therefore have a different title. Theirs is SRM.<br />
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The beer was pooured into a goblet, a St Bernadus Watou glass, and it was left to decant over night. I hoped that the natural wild yeast would inject a new aspect of sour flavours and textures. I fell asleep whilst the magic of the live yeasts were working.<br />
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On the eye the beer is black and has a brown, sugar-like edge. I suspect sugar was used considerably for this beer as it is very sweet and quite potent on the OG scale. Sugar increases the OG scale, or abv as commonly registered, when it is mixed into the kettle during fermentation. Belgian brewers use a considerable amount for their traditional beers, especially saisons.<br />
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On the nose the beer is still quite hoppy for an imperial stout. They have clearly bottled this well. There is no sulphar or eggyness on the aroma which means there are little signs of bad bottling.<br />
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The taste is extreme. Loads of booze hits me like a juggernaut. There is thick velvet, dark chocolate, hot and burnt toast, massive chocolate malts, maybe some smoked malts from Bamberg, but definitely a smokey element. <br />
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The palate is sticky toffee pudding with a high chocolate malt factor. The burn from the alcohol in the finish is hot and long. The vinous port-like character is exemplary for this fine version of a classic Russian Imperial Stout. This is like the great old English imperial stouts which are now even harder to find and I am sure Menno used a vintage recipe from England. I will have to enquire when I see him next. Pretty positive that this beer has a high level of the Fuggles' hop variety.<br />
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I am staggered by the qualities of flaovur in this beer. It is a massive impy and perfect for a celebration. Perfect for my 30th birthday beer of choice. Menno is a master brewer and this has aged well. Five yeaars' old. No brett and funk textures or aromas which is unfortunate but I would love a version with added brett. It is not oxidised either but the flaovur is there. Superbly drinkable despite the hotness. <br />
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You can buy De Molen from English beer retailer <a href="http://www.alesbymail.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1237">Ales By Mail</a>. I have linked an alternative which is available for retail. Also their festival in September is world class and well worth visiting.Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04383343727650548268noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4845942366861801114.post-11594044503813437282012-03-16T22:44:00.003+00:002012-03-16T22:48:07.357+00:00Cantillon Lou Pepe Framboise 2008 - 75cl BomberThis is my review of <a href="http://www.cantillon.be/">Cantillon</a> Lou Pepe Framboise 2008. For transparency I feel it is important to note that I was not paid to review this and this was not a free sample and it was purchased at a store for £14.80 from my own money. <br />
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On the eye this beer is extremely pleasant. Extremely red on the side but if you hold it up to the light there is a lovely sunbeam golden red colour which is really stunning. It is very hazy and dark but the colour is still gorgeous. The aroma is strawberries; perfume, white wine grapes and very faint lemons. The taste is plenty of strawberries, a sweet and ripe texture, the acidic levels is quite sharp and dry, very tarty but not too aggressive. <br />
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The palate is sticky and almost lemon-tart like but very drinkable and an interesting taste of maybe elderflower combined with the strawberries. Really complex and challenging to describe. The sourness sticks to your mouth for quite some considerable time afterwords and this is no complaint. The finish is incredibly long; vinegary and woody. This beer is a bomber from 2008 and has evened out well. A classic lambic. Bought from <a href="http://www.utobeer.co.uk/">Utobeer</a> in Borough Market, London.Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04383343727650548268noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4845942366861801114.post-56606263740248608462012-03-07T23:17:00.015+00:002012-03-12T19:10:26.568+00:00Camden Brewery and Kernel Brewery VisitsOn Saturday, 3rd March 2011, following a few hectic and hasty Twitter correspondences with Mark Dredge, <a href="www.pencilandspoon.com">'Pencil and Spoon'</a> writer and <a href="http://www.camdentownbrewery.com/">Camden Brewery</a> media mogul, I made my arangements to meet up with Andy of <a href="http://www.graphedbeer.com/">'Graphed Beer'</a> blogging at the Kernel Brewery and visit the Camden Brewery opening day. I was supposed to meet James, brewer of <a href="http://www.sandstonebrewery.co.uk/wp/">Sandstone Brewery</a>, and blogger of <a href="http://sessionbeer.mesb.co.uk/">'Session Beer'</a> but seeing as he had to experience a lengthy train journey from Wrexham I agreed to pick up his Kernels and meet him at 14:00 at Camden for the elusive opening day brewery tour.<br />
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I arrived at the <a href="http://thekernelbrewery.com/">Kernel Brewery</a> at around mid day after a brief stoppage at <a href="http://uk.westfield.com/shop/stores/tapeast/stratfordcity?category_root=dining&retailer=45390">Tap East</a>, Stratford City. There I sampled a rather dissapointingly earthy <a href="http://www.oakhamales.com/">Oakham Brewery</a> hop bomb and an oddly Sauvignon Blanc tasting <a href="http://www.otleybrewing.co.uk/">Otley</a> 008 which was a little too bitter and a ltitle too white wine esque for my palate. I cleared up with a half of a <a href="http://www.summerwinebrewery.co.uk/">Summer Wine Brewery</a> ale, a 4% Jericho. This is a sumpteous session golden ale, straw coloured and an abundance of floral hops. Then I exited the Stratford montropolis and headed back to the Underground for the Bermondsey connection and a short walk to the Kernel Brewery on London's Maltby Street and Druid Street. <br />
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Well for those whom don't know <a href="http://www.maltbystreet.com/">Maltby Street</a> is a mecca of an artisanal craft beam right slap bang in the middle of railway arches and inbetween Borough Market and Bermondsey. The street is a haven for artisanal craft produce ranging from imported cheeses to cured ham; <a href="http://www.monmouthcoffee.co.uk/">Monomouth coffee</a>, <a href="http://www.colemancoffee.com/">Coleman's coffee</a>, some outstanding oils and additional products. A lot to list including their own <a href="http://www.topolski.co.uk/">Polish deli shop</a> and <a href="http://www.stjohnbakerycompany.com/">St John's Bakery</a>!<br />
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I ordered a cuppacino from Coleman's and relaxed with the market hustle and bustle surrounding me. The cuppacino is one of the best which I've ever had. All emphasis is on quality not quantity and a 1950's Vienna made roaster is on hand to provide it! The artistic baristas know their game well and will time your coffee to perfection. I prefer to wait around 4 minutes for my coffee as this is what is required for a freshly grounded and perfectly brewed cuppacino. At a price of £2.30 this is fantasitc value. The serving is small in volume but the quality is very prominent, not just a mug of cream!<br />
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I walked accross the road to the opposite archway and greated Evin, The Kernel brewer and his team. I qued up for my dosage of hop medicine and ordered a Galaxy IPA at around £3 per unit. Galaxy is an Australian hop which I suspect was brewed to honour the departing of their former colleague, Nathan, to his homeland due to visa reasons. <br />
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The hop bite was punchy and fresh; light and poised. The yeast is superbly clean and not at all astringent; like a mix between a fine Dupont (yeast geeks) and an American double IPA such as Russian River Pilny The Younger or Ballast Point Sculpin. The hop bite is superbly fruity. Mango; peaches, tropics, well-balanced and very hazy. This is because it is unfined. This is a bonus if you ask me. Good beer doesn't always have to be clear!<br />
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I met Andy and his wife-to-be and promptly got stuck into some world-class mozerlla. This mozeralla is incredibly fresh and outsourced speciifcally and imported directly via plane from Italy. The cured meats are also a delight as they too are imported from various sources which is a time consuming process. Both cheeses and meats are in the same archway as The Kernel. Good ham can last for ages and they are supposed to be hung for aging. The brettanomyces work wonders with the ham and cause an extra level of intensity and flavour. Natural yeast works incredibly well with aged artisanal ham. <br />
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I tweeted James to discover his favourite hops and any requests. I made an order based on James' favourite hops and promptly paid Evin - the owener - before hitting the dreaded Northern Line to Camden Town and Camden Town Brewery. <br />
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I met James in a circle of friends and provided him with his beer. James was dresed in black metal attaire and sporting a Lucana Coil coat. Ironic that after eating Italian delicassy I am talking to a man with a passion for their leading metal outfit!<br />
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James informed me that Mark Dredge had put us aside for his 14:30 tour so once James had grabbed me an unfiltered lager hell we did not have too much time. I drunk this easy-quaffing hells (German for light) and reealised how strikingly similar it was to the joys of Pilzen and the Munchin beers which I drink on hot summer days. I explained this to Mark whom agreed and said they were aiming for a lager like that combination. Hats off to Cmaden for achieving this. <br />
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Mark promptly announced the tour would start so James and myself headed into the shiney and expensive brew house complete with state of the art equipment and modern, specifically imported computers. This was a well funded and well designed breweery tipped to capacity with tanks tightly knitted in a railway arch. The glass windows proudly and prominantly displayed the fermenting tanks which were visible quite some distance away. The brewery had clearly expanded conisderably as Mark explained. They had a tough delivery to negotiate with tanks rolling down a narrow road and encompasing a tight entrence. This he had pictured and uploaded to Camden Town brewery's <a href="http://www.facebook.com/camdenbrewery">Facebook page</a>. <br />
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The tour was brief but informative and purposely prepared for the general public instead of the beer geeks such as myself and James. This was in order to create a clever balance to increase the public's awarness without overdoing it and showing too much technical nature. This was a great strategy as people receied the tour extremely well and there was a nice standing ovation at the end. I thought this was an ideal approach for increasing general awareness. As I have been on brewery visits domestically and abroad I knew of what to expect. This time I was not bombarded by technicalities and long speaches which is a great way to conduct a tour to people whom may have not visited a brewery before and want to know snippets. <br />
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The day was finished off wih a few visits to random pubs and enjoying fantastic beers from the likes of <a href="http://www.buxtonbrewery.co.uk/">Buxton</a>; <a href="http://moorbeer.co.uk/">Moor</a> and <a href="http://www.brewdog.com/">Brewdog</a>. I had a most enjoyable tour and regretted not bringing a camera. Camden are clearly pushing bounderies for lager drinking and want to keep things authentic to the tune of importing the ingrediants directly from the best sources in the famous brewing town of Bamberg. To know that a North London brewery cares that much in reproduction of fine German beers is fantastic. They certainly know how to keep it authentic so we can have a true clean and unpastuerised lager. I'll drink to that. In summer or winter.Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04383343727650548268noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4845942366861801114.post-65479151571062961642012-01-11T00:55:00.001+00:002012-03-06T18:19:44.729+00:00Top Ten UK Beers For 20111. BrewWharf VS The Danko<br />
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Loads of strawberry; massive fruity vibe, sticky and sugary in the mouth but one amazing mind-meld. Off the scale og and authenticly-styled to the Dupont factor. It is fantastic that two great guys with little brewing experience can churn out something this unique yet this authentic. It doesn't get better than that. Given the added circumstances of BrewWharf problems and exploding casks adding extra pressure then this is one amazing venture. Danko come back and brew another beer.<br />
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2. The Kernel Citra Single Hop<br />
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Stunning fruit blend; tropical storm in a glass, a bit hazy (unfined!) and bittery but flavoursome in all the right aspects. A stunning take on the classic Citra hop which has been my hop for 2011. <br />
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3. Oakham Citra - Merton Winter Beer Festival<br />
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Golden colour and excellent lacing, conditioning is stunning and a superb take on the citra hop. I really can’t complain and would love to compare this with the Kernel Citra. I love this hop and the grapefruit bounce and frutiy vibe is so flavoursome and drinkable and enjoyable. No overtly aggressive hopping but balanced; poised and stunning. <br />
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4 Thornbridge Geminus <br />
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This beer was the highlight of GBBF and the evening. It gave me a huge headache yet it is the most fantastic rye beer which I've ever had. The hops were insane and just perfect really. I was too happy to make notes but wow wow wow. <br />
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5 Steel City - Shadow Play<br />
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Really pleased with how this turned out at the festival but traveling with the take out and the beer definitely regressed by the time it got to London which was a shame. This is my 600th scoop chosen beer! Excellent oaky-coffee-bittery espresso aroma; similar to Great Divide Oak Aged Yeti. also dark raw chocolate, hint of vanilla and LOADS of good hops! Yes HOPS! Taste is shit loads of velvet; bitter espresso, raw chocolate, maybe a hint of vanilla bean, tad edge of sourness, balanced and incredibly drinkable. Can drink this all year round. fantastic work. <br />
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6 Green Jack Baltic Trader<br />
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Now we’re talking. A huge impy; death black appearance, good lacing, looking very promising. Aroma is liquorish, coffee, smoke and chocolate by the bucket. Taste is sweet malts; Swiss milk chocolate, coffee, smoke, some lovely sour note which has me gasping for more, faint raspberry, treacle and toffee. Hits hard and delivers. Excellent.<br />
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7 Crouch Vale Pioneer<br />
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Lovely golden-yellow colour below lacing and strong gold appearance through the body; similar to the classic Brewer's Gold. Aroma is straw; hey, raspberries and floral hops. Taste is raspberries; floral hops, so succulent through the body, excellent bitterness, can session this all day long. Just drink it and bask.<br />
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8 Hopshackle Caskadia<br />
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Appearance is copper-yellow with thin, off-white lacing. The nose is lime; grapefruit, honey and nectar. Taste is grapefruit; honey, lime, fresh bread, gorgeous hop-bite and thirst quenching. Would LOVE to have this in the summer with a steak meal. Such a quaffable beer. Hats off to Hopshackle for another great gem.<br />
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9 Harwich Town The Suffolk<br />
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Aroma is nectar; blackcurrant, cherries, taste is roasted malts, chocolate, coffee, syrup, toffee, sweet honey, Ace drrinkability Just super.<br />
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10 Windsor and Eton Conqueror<br />
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Off-white lacing, opaque black red appearance, aroma is oak, cherry, coffee, black licorish taste is coffee, chocolate, herry, oak, nice bitterness, good drinking. Would like to see more of this. I really love Black IPA I do.<br />
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I've mainly been drinking The Kernel all year but I thought I'd give a nice diverse range and focusing on important breweries for 2011 and ones which I think will make great strides in 2012. There has been a lot of problems at some breweries in 2011 but many have excelled and only improved from their set backs.<br />
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I hope with 2012 we will see a huge surge in craft beer and the uprising will continue. It doesn't have to be keg. It doesn't have to be cask. It has to be good; bold, flavoursome and appealing. We have to branch out to other sectors and defend ourselves. <br />
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Also the Government's constant attack on beer and their huge ignorance on beer is something which has to change. Tied pub cos and crap chemically-fuelled beer at so many locations is a huge problem. We want and we deserve a level playing field where we can go out to just a random pub and get the real craft produce instead of something tied or a bought out pub by a huge firm with a massive wallet. <br />
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Appreciation of what goes into the beer and how it is made is another personal journey for me in 2012 for I hope to expand on my first assistant brew day and do my first proper brew. <br />
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Here is to 2012 and all the great beers we will consume.Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04383343727650548268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4845942366861801114.post-30169632184157364752012-01-02T23:49:00.001+00:002012-03-06T18:22:38.116+00:00Top Ten Foreign Beers of 2011Ok I guess it's time for this. <br />
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I have been drinking a fair amount during 2011. I have been fortunate to visit a few gatherings where copious amounts of small quantities of beer has been thrusted onto my eager hands. <br />
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1 Ballast Point Sculpin.<br />
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2 Alvinne Beer Geek Wedding in London City.<br />
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3. De Dolle Dulle Teve 10º (Mad Bitch).<br />
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The aroma is loads of candi sugar; fudge, marzepan, hey and toffee and caramel. Taste is burnt toast; caramel, toffee, fudge cake, some bubblegum, really nice balance<br />
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4. De Molen Hemel & Aarde (Heaven & Earth) Bruichladdich Barrel.<br />
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Pitch black opaque on appearance with a nice mocha lacing, a little patchy but very nice. Aroma is pure whiskey; smoke, peat, wood, oak, some moderate grains, chocolate and coffee. Taste is rich dark raw chocolate; cream, vanilla, oak, single malt whiskey, coffee, stunning blending, stunning biterness, roasted malts, extremely balanced and drinkable.<br />
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5 De Struise Black Messy - 39% and drinkable. <br />
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6 Mikkeller 黑 / Black (Whisky Edition) (White wax).<br />
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Taste is a rich big bad malty affair; maybe not the best balance but definitely rich, bold, aggressive, intimidating, well pumped of booze, whiskey, smoke, wood, oak, lots of wood chip, slight grainial element, leather, earthyness, bitterness is fantastic, so so mourish and drinkability is not bad for something this potent!<br />
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7 Lost Abbey The Angels Share (Bourbon Barrel).<br />
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FULL on candi sugar; marzepan, barely, black currents, figgs, raisins, chocolate, oak, leathery goodness and some citrus hidden gently. Taste is striking; exhaustingly complicated, the senses lit up devinely. I am knocked out. Thick velvet; rich Belgian truffle chocolate, marzepan, candi-sugar, treacle oozes down my throat like a juggernaut, STUNNING blending, balance is superb. The malt is stunning, loads of nice booze and whiskey but the descent stuff, wood, oak, cherries, soy source, leather, could really do with some coffee.<br />
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8 Stoudts Fat Dog Stout (Vintages 2004 and later).<br />
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I love the oatmeal aroma. Pure stunning. Held up incredibly well after a year’s worth of aging. Loads of chocolate and cream and oatmeal and rye on aroma. Some coffee too. Taste is oatmeal; cream, chocolate, good bitterness, stunning blending, balanced soo well, really great beer.<br />
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9 Goose Island Bourbon County Vanilla Stout.<br />
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Aroma is espresso; vanilla, oak, burnt toast, marzepan and chocolate. Taste is chocolate, Belgian truffles, Devonshire cream, sharp penetrating velvet, big bourbon, oak, wood chips, roasted malts, sticky toffee pudding and big booze but so well measured and balanced. Damn this is a world class beer! <br />
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10 Founders' Breakfast Stout<br />
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Chocolate; coffee, roasted malts, vanilla, leather, bitterness is really strong but such a fantastic bitterness I am reeling, why can’t other beers have this kind of bitterness? Wow. This is an extreme shot of coffee; like a double of your favourite Americana coffee in one glass, some smoke, some really tough complex Swiss dark chocolate, some Devonshire cream and a full whack of character which is balanced, poised and extreme.<br />
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Honourable mentions:<br />
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Mikkeller Black Tie<br />
Alesmith Speedway<br />
Alesmith Speedway Barrel AgedThomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04383343727650548268noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4845942366861801114.post-28221043109474335102011-12-21T19:16:00.008+00:002011-12-21T19:50:47.469+00:00Golden Pints' Awards For 2011Considering everyone else is doing this I may as well add my own coverage; thoughts and perceptions on 2011. <br />
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All in all 2011 has been a mixed-bag of a year for me. Still no progress with the job front yet a massive overhaul of project work which is seriously gaining ground fast and should hopefully see light of day sometime in the second quarter or around Easter of 2012. <br />
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2011 for beer has been utterly fantastic. I've been lucky enough to time my events around short-term temporary employment situations; having a unique ability to budget in the limited constraints of these environments and some wonderfully generous people on the continent and domestic have really eased a lot of potential stress and personal pain which I am going through. <br />
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Anyway my Golden Pints' nominations are as follows:<br />
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Best UK Draught Beer<br />
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1 Brew Wharf Vs Danko<br />
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The saison which I've been waiting to happen on tap in the uk for a long time. So good. All the correct saison elements with an added special edge. Wonderful beer and a delight to consume. <br />
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2 Magic Rock Cannonball - So stunningly balanced and elegant. A stunning beer which I can drink copiously if threatened or politely asked. A great tropical fruit-storm in a glass. Something wonderous which I keep on going back to when I can find it. <br />
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Best UK Bottled or Canned Beer<br />
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The Kernel Citra - Just hits me so hard every time I have it. Just as good as the other best UK Citra hopped beer - Oakham Citra but maybe better. WOW. <br />
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Best Overseas' Draught Beer<br />
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Alvinne Beer Geek Wedding - Mes and Sim's Wedding<br />
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The best new sour beer of the year and something special it is. Just pips De Struise Black Messy. Stunning work and something I can keep on drinking again and again. It also gets better with age. Can't thank Tom enough for getting me the samples when he does. <br />
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Best Overseas Bottled or Canned Beer<br />
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Ballast Point Sculpin. Have been very fortunate to have this via trade or generosity a couple of times. Now it is on at Brewdog Camden for a bargain price of £10 I can enjoy it in the UK. Simply the best IPA on the market. <br />
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Best Overall Beer<br />
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The Kernel 1890 Export<br />
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I can't remember how many times I've drunk this beer. This says it all really. A world-clsss imperial stout by a world-class brewery. <br />
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Best Pumpclip or Label<br />
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Brew Wharf's 'Danko v Brewwharf'. WOW. Great artwork which takes me back to my Amiga days. <br />
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Best UK Brewery<br />
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The Kernel for pushing all the boundaries in all the right places.<br />
Thornbridge for being stunning at everything and pushing things in the markets where craft beer drinkers can feel safe once again. <br />
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Best Overseas' Brewery<br />
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Alvinne<br />
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Amazing sour beers and new direction with a new brew kit. Expect to be making big things in 2012. <br />
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Pub/Bar of the Year<br />
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The Craft Beer Company. It has the Cad in it. Mario works there. I can get the best beer extremely easily and knowing I am close to friends and a perfect night out.<br />
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Beer Festival of the Year<br />
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Mes and Simone's Wedding. It had De Struise. Yes.<br />
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Supermarket of the Year<br />
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Sainsburrys for selling Punk IPA for a stupid price in cans. <br />
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Independent Retailer of the Year<br />
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Utobeer for still going and for getting those big bad Goose Island imperial stouts<br />
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Online Retailer of the Year<br />
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MyBreweryTap - Thornbridge and Magic Rock!! YES PLEASE.<br />
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Best Beer Book or Magazine<br />
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How To Brew by John Palmer - not got Des' book yet but will do soon<br />
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Best Beer Blog or Website<br />
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Thornbridge Dom's and Scoopergen for all that data from Gazza<br />
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Best Online Brewery Presence<br />
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Gazza's e-mails on Scoopergen and Rate Beer. <br />
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Food and Beer Pairing of the Year<br />
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Roman Pizza in Bir Et Fud with whatever Manuelle was giving me. WOW. <br />
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In 2012 I’d most like to..<br />
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Launch 'Ale Ticker' and rejuvenate the image of craft beer<br />
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In 2012 I’m most looking forward to...<br />
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Ale Ticker. Alvinne Craft Beer Festival. Job. Going to Bir Et Fud and hopefully brewing at BrewWharf. <br />
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Best beer I’ve drunk in a brewery in 2011<br />
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BrewWharf V Danko from the tank <br />
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Second<br />
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Eddie's beer from the fermentation tank. <br />
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Third<br />
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Harwich Town double ipa from the fermentation tank.<br />
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I love visiting breweries!<br />
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Twitter of the year<br />
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Emma J Cole - constantly cracking me up and top music buys. <br />
Special mention - Beery Matt.<br />
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Blogger of the year:<br />
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Chris O's Beer Blog. Outstanding coverage of the trade and my most trusted festival accompaniment. Thanks Chris.Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04383343727650548268noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4845942366861801114.post-10551072195435731462011-07-19T02:40:00.005+01:002011-08-26T07:10:10.773+01:00Italia Part 2Leaving Brassiere 4:20, we headed straight to the Beer Party, some Italian craft beer organisation had set up for that weekend. This is some sort of mash of beer and music in a nice park in Roma, complete with auditorium complex, nice stone features to sit on and a wide panoramic stage. On offer were a variety of craft us beers in key-keg form and other prominent breweries from Europe such as, from memory, Brew Dog and De Molen. Unfortunately, due to little light and my pathetic knowledge of Italian words, it was hard to depict offerings available. The group's gracious host just explained, whilst they were drunk, which beers we were consuming. The night culminated with a high abv 'Tactical Nuclear Penguin' by Scottish brewers Brewdog and a giddy and obscure walk back to the host's apartment. The, now assumed lost, taxi driver whom had been called at 3am failed to turn up so walking was our only option. <br />
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Whilst we arrived at the apartment some ridiculously rare Madeira from the 1920's was to be consumed. To say I was content was an understatement. These vintage bottles are considerably rare. To get them you really have to be in industry. Thankfully we were with Mr Industry of the Italian beer scene. This is a fortified wine, similar to port and made in a Portugese-owned Island. The Island of Madiera is as exotic and provocative as the content in the thick, half litre glass bottle. <br />
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At between 6-7 am I woke up with some acute pain somewhere inside my head. Damn. An espresso, costing only '50 cents' which was graciously poured by my good Danish friend and I'm much better. Rich, coffee, bitter, cream, nutty texture and intense bittering is what is required to acclimatise to the intensities of the morning light and accompanying aromas of thick dew. I feel fresher and energised and ready for some real rustic food. After our group has re-formed we depart the top lavish apartment for a remote vineyard on the edge of the City.<br />
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This proceeds in one of the best hangover cures ever. A massive, steak cooked for relatively nothing in a vineyard establishment. Their own wine is only 1.50 Euros and tasting as good as a £15 Burgandy with considerable aging so, obviously I was utterly content. The steak was as good as it is in those mad Gaelic institution pubs were they have it as bloody as possible. I love a bloody steak and this was just dandy. My stomach was filled and my glass was occupied with small samples of red wine; 3 Fonteinen ‘Schaerbeekse Kriek’ and a Hanssens’ ‘Oud Kriek’ along with a tasty IPA which I forget (hey when you have lambic after steak you always forget). The meal finished with an appetiser, an alcoholic lemon-sherbet shot which was absolutely stunning. Like a distilled version of the sherbet bon-bons available in sweet-shops, the small round balls full of sugar and a massive crunch to match and leave your mouth reeling with sourness, considerable tart and a satisfying acid-kick. Something I would gladly drink at a modern bar. Someone sign it up.<br />
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By now it was very late afternoon so back to the base of the weekend which was Brassiere 4:20. Call a cab, this one turns up, head for the hotel, refreshing shower, change of clothes, early evening Ice Cream, something not to be missed in Italy, traditional, and a walk back to the base of the weekend for a few evening drinks.<br />
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This bar has an astronomical range of taps. I went through some crazed list like a raging fanatic which contained some of the following beers: De Molen Bommen and Granaten, Dutch for The Windmill Brewery and Bombs and Grenades, a stunningly complex and delicate barely wine, this is ON TAP, a beer I love, Moor brewery from Langport in rural Somerset (love Moor and to see them there was epic), West Coast IPA, joint brewing venture by Gadds’ Brewery in Ramsgate and Revolution Cat, native of Roma, owned by our hos of the weekend, 10 year old lambic from Frank Boon's brewery, Boon. Stunning. Most places would never ever even dream of seeing these world class ranges and one offs. Truly mesmerising. <br />
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Additionally out of the establishment's seemingly never-ending cellar came some stunning mead from a bottle, some random bottles were opened and I ended up VERY drunk, happy, chatting to the cutest Italian waitress trying to make her understand that Bommen and Granaten is one of the best beers for its style and very rare and Boon lambic mixed with Mead was a good idea, the Mead increasing the texture of the delicate lambic to create a stiff-wooden sipping beer with a delicate kick of acid, tart and all the funk and brett you could wish for. Exotic to say the least. <br />
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The food we had for the evening there was mind-blowing. I had the best ever cheese cake I have ever had. Something which I refuse to eat in England as it is made entirely differently here, the American style of cheese cake. I had plate after plate of samples of amazing artisinal food, shared between four. Simply phenomenal level of craftsmanship occurred inside the kitchen that night. This place is a gastro bar with style! Probably the best complete food day of my entire life. I was left with utopia-like content and flustered with a gastronomic fulfillment rarely achieved before. <br />
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At around 01:00am my hotel companion and myself left Brassiere 4:20 despite knowing the venue closes at 4!! We stumbled out into the streets fancying games of pool and wondering where we could get bottles of Tipopils from to take home to England with us. A light abv lager full of honey, some lyches but utterly delicate and soft on the palate. An ideal cleanser for your palate. Our fruitless search at the only open off license we could find proved to be an epic fail. Still on a massive high we walked back to the hotel for a solid and required night's sleep.<br />
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On the final day we had marvellous risotto (rice) balls cooked in bread crumbs at a fantastic restaurant in the center of Roma. Pizza was perfect and to die for. There it was served squared instead of round. This is in tradition with true Roman standards. I found the Lovabeer lambic I was after and the place had Tipopils’ lager so it was the perfect destination to relax and wait for our entourage from their sleepy-slumber.<br />
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After another exceptional and world-class lunch we headed back to Brassiere 4:20, had our final drinks, said our good-byes and left. Sorry for lack of photos and accuracies but it was a very very beery weekend and I loved every minute of it. I recommend going to Roma and going to just three places. This is all you need. Brasserie 4:20, Ma Che Siete Venuti a Fà and Bir and Fud.<br />
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I missed the Coliseum. I missed doing sites. I did however have the best beery weekend of my life and want to go back.<br />
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You don't even need to be a tourist but you will enjoy yourself in spectacular fashion. I can not wait to go back. Italian customs are such a delight. Recovery is an option which you will need after you get back. Sight-seeing is my excuse to return next time. Promptly, hopefully. <br />
Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04383343727650548268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4845942366861801114.post-32635128663326152422011-05-20T00:39:00.005+01:002011-08-26T07:23:37.437+01:00Italia - Part OneThis weekend I went on somewhat of an epic stag do; most go to the casino, most do strip clubs, most do football, I just did beer and a stunning old and picturesque place which we call Roma. <br />
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Firstly I can only apologise for lack of pictures. My Android phone run out of power and I took the wrong charger. Amateurish here one may say. However let's give the beer the talking as it did, quite frequently to me on several occasions during the trip!<br />
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I arrived at my hotel after an ordeal on the underground, realising a little too late that there was two connections between where I wanted other than the one I had mistakenly read on google maps. Thanks, Google! <br />
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I dropped off my bags; headed for the nearest internet café to find out where my party was (epic fail - roaming switched off and everyone else an hour away) and then to the next best place close to Brassiere 4:20 which my limited intellect knew. As my phone had google maps I was able to easily navigate to the fantastic football pub - Ma Che Siete Venuti a Fà, some sort of football bar hybrid with a beer cellar and beer taps. Wow. What more do I need to do to get this place as a local? My town has NO descent places to see football in. This is something special.<br />
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I witness the Lazio and Arsenal t-shirts on display which keep me happy; supporting both clubs for a long time. I twitch my ears to tune into the most glorious post Sabbath metal riffs emerging from the stereo, eye up the bar and find my friend Ryan's brews have made it! I'm quite speechless. Two of Ryan's brews in a pub in Italy which has both football and METAL on a the same time! This is a quite frankly astounding way to start my weekend. <br />
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I await evening kick off and entertain a stag party; a home brewer into Belgian beer, speak metal with the barman and dive into halfs of Crooked Moon amber beer and Tipopils, both costing around 5 Euros a glass each. Next up is a superb Nogne O stout from Norway. This was considerably bitter, had thick dark chocolate, syrup, leather. coffee, roasted malts, cream, espresso, well balanced, intricate and biscuity malt based but done in a great manner. <br />
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Evening kick off is near and commotion arises, I turn my head and find Manuele, friend and owner behind me. Emphatic greetings all round. Manuele informs me that Lazio are about to play so I inform in return that I used to watch them on an early morning football show called Italia 90, a coverage dedication programme ala Match of the Day for Italian football, way back in the 90's on Channel Four. I won't bore you with the football talk. <br />
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He offers to find me the rare bottles (gold hen's tooth rarity levels) of the Cigar City beers but these limited brews were unattainable so instead I order a De Struise Pannepot (the Sturdy Brewery in northern Belgium). This is one of my favourite beers of all time, but in a football bar? How does this make sense? I love this place. <br />
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After the game we visit Bier et Fud. I enjoyed a superb, surely Michelin standard asparagus meal with a unique modern chaux pastry twist and a spectacular and refined sauce. An amazing post meal Balladin rarity was to be consumed before my two mile walk back to meet my entourage, after dinner and drinks were paid for, of course. <br />
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I met my entourage around 11:30 at Brassiere 4:20, commence generous group hugs and see our host for the weekend opening bottles of the Revelation Cat Woodwork Lambic Series. Read on two part two for the remainder of the weekend. To get messier. <br />
Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04383343727650548268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4845942366861801114.post-44557154989209792192011-04-14T16:18:00.001+01:002011-08-25T17:04:34.434+01:00My First Printed InterviewThis is somewhat of an honour for me. My first printed interview, held by the Financial Times and journalist Glynn Davis, featured in their supplement magazine.<br />
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You, my readers, can view this <a href="http://www.docstoc.com/docs/document-preview.aspx?doc_id=73674680">here</a>.<br />
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I wonder how this will affect my career in beer? <br />
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Will it propel more writings and ramblings or more opportunities to be paid for buying beer, one of my favourite hobbies!<br />
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I would like to take time out to thank Glyn Roberts and Evin @The Kernel brewery for forwarding my details. I am very grateful. Thanks, gents!<br />
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Cheers and enjoy <br />
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ThomasThomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04383343727650548268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4845942366861801114.post-37497471314211833292010-12-01T20:36:00.001+00:002010-12-01T20:36:31.979+00:00Beer Tax Levy - my response. Also posted @ Brewdog's blogI completely agree that 7.5% abv beers for increased tax is a bad idea. This is not focussing at all on the route of the problem <br />
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They blame beer every year yet always freeze spirits' duty. Why is this? Do they not realise that £5 vodka bottles are the real route of the mess of the alcoholicism which some people face? <br />
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Beer is always branded as an escape goat because education on beer is so poor in this country. They have their agendas confused and cross-wired and for CAMRA to jump into bed with this is disgusting. <br />
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A lot of pre-war beers were above 7.5% and this new tax will hurt breweries whom brew beers above that abv. To stifle that is disgusting. CAMRA are being hypocritical again about the industry and are ignoring imperial stouts and barely wines which are traditional and British and should be rewarded with production instead of condemned with an unfair tax levy. <br />
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The greed of the Government is disgusting. They see this is an easy option as a cash cow and are not focusing at all on why there is the problems which this country has To demolish £5 vodka bottles is a start. Make those £15+ and then you have a bitter situation. Beer is an escape goat and it's unjustified and pathetic.Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04383343727650548268noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4845942366861801114.post-16637635871624963372010-11-23T18:46:00.001+00:002010-11-23T18:46:49.014+00:00Brewmasters: The Series - Episode One - Dogfish Head and Miles Davis' projectI watched it this morning. <br />
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It’s VERY discovery style orientated. Similar to the Motor City series but on craft beer. <br />
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It goes into the science; it follows the process and is basically a fast forward how to brew a new batch with the goofs and the mistakes thrown in for good measure. It’s well weighted and well paced with comedy and quirky elements which Sam pulls of well. <br />
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The rap song yes is a little annoying but it’s tv and Sam understands that some viewers need a break. <br />
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It’s a good show and I think it’s great for the exposure of a fantastic brand. I just hope the programme makers focus on other fantastic microbreweries such as Captain Lawrence; Great Divide, Stone and Alesmith. <br />
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It would be great to watch a different focus on world class breweries. If they need someone to take a camera around Europe I’m free! <br />
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Great for craft beer and great for learning on the core businesses.Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04383343727650548268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4845942366861801114.post-74600232916042512972010-06-16T11:55:00.000+01:002010-06-19T15:44:23.459+01:00Brewdog Abstrakt 002 NightLast night a craft beer scene emerged openly. The patrons of the arts' world from the Tate were invited to merge with the craft beer tickers; managers and writers. The venue was pumped with the adolation and expectation of another <a href="http://www.brewdog.com">Brewdog</a> experimental wonder. <br />
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A packed out '<a href="http://caskpubandkitchen.co.uk">Cask and Kitchen</a>' in Pimlico was the venue. Have never seen the craft beer community and the arts' scene merge so succesfully. Hats off to Brewdog for this quite frankly genius and spactacular marketing skill. <br />
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Arrived in the venue pretty drained from an hour and a half train ride. Walk to the bar and bump into fellow rating friends and order a Hardcore. Let me tell you about Hardcore. When this is on form it is like the finest UK double IPA. The malt character is so well balanced. It's incredibly outstandingly drinkable for an astonishing 9.2% IPA. The crystal malts, the caramel body and the juicy fruit texture combine to leave you gasping on the floor for more. <br />
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The quality when fresh is outstanding. The balance and lacing is spot on. The smooth succulate sip to the bottom of the glass knocks me for six every time it's fresh. <br />
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The fact it was on cask and in a half pint measure for under £2 was thoroughly awesome. Thak you Cask and Kitchen for this. <br />
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The pub also provided us with Punk IPA Batch, 123; the 5.A.M Saint, 77 Lager, Trashy Blonde and Hardcore. Tom Cadden, their regional sales' manager for London informed that this was to be the biggest Brewdog event yet in London. I just had to attend. It did not dissapoint. <br />
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I conversed with tickers before meeting Brewdog's new Scottish sales' person. A very entertaining and passionate marketing man. Very keen to show to us, craft beer lovers, that Brewdog is keen to expand and innovate and set a trend for introducing new beers at an outstanding capacity rate. Great to meet you, Richard! <br />
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To his credit he was very keen for us to report back when we have a dodgy or inconsistent ale from Brewdog. I mentioned I have been reporting to Tom when the beer has fluctuated in recent times. As a genius cellar man Tom knows his stuff and can definitely sort out issues with conditioning at other pubs. Despite specific instructions from Brewdog HQ, bars and pubs still manage to screw up their beer! <br />
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The Absrakt 002 tastings was conducted after a simulating speech by Richard. Very brave to dive into the UK scene like that. I felt he did admirably. Not only was the pub fall; not only had he just met people in the pub that day but also there was the art scene from the Tate Modern which meant an even trickier crowd to manage. A bunch of drunks like me were just easy pickings.<br />
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After the speech the Abstrakt 002 was produced like some sort of holy grail. Contained in a silver; transparent and substantial glass. The beer was keg conditioned. As the crowd realised that the beer was available there was a massive surge towards the bar. <br />
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The bar was absolutely rammed. I had bought a few for friends and consumed one myself. The beer is tripple dry-hopped and at 18%. I tasted more pears than vanilla however the vanilla was hidden. There was a large caramel base and the appearance was very brown-mild ale style; redding out on the edges. I was very impressed with the appearance. For some reason the dryness, pears and the sweet crystal malts for me just didn't work. I'm not a fan of dry beers. I felt really odd and cold as the original Abstrakt 001 was outstanding. <br />
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I enjoyed the beer but was just left a little let down. I then switched to Hardcore and Punk IPA batch 123 which I believe is their best batch. For some reason the pint of Punk does not contain so much grapefruit notes as the bottles do. I found it especially drinkable and regard it as an excellent lager and one you can come back to again and again. A very assuringly retailed price too and available in supermarkets. Surrounding critics agreed that the grapefruit element was weaker compared to the bottled conditioned Punk but it was a thoroughly enjoyable session beer. The alcohol is very well hidden and drinkability is awesome. <br />
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The event petered out and it was left to the crowd to try the beers; enjoy the company and write some buzz words on the wipe board which they produced. <br />
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All in all a fantastic night and I hope they strive to do this again and again. It is really great that during this recession a brewery such as Brewdog can profit and enable its customers to share their beer with core members of their team. The pub benefits from the turn out of both the art and the beer world. The pub is likely to become a major success given the strength of their conditioning and their newly inspired bottle beer fridges. Just a shame that Abstrakt 002 didn't live up to the expectations. Maybe Brewdog have just raised the bar and made even the good neglectable??<br />
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A great night with many thanks to the Brewdog team for a thoroughly enjoyable evening. Time for a little rest now. <br />
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You too, can judge for yourself as the beer is retailing on their website. Go <a href="http://www.brewdog.com/product.php?id=53">here</a> for the experience.Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04383343727650548268noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4845942366861801114.post-46646896858741039212010-06-10T16:36:00.000+01:002010-06-11T14:11:32.013+01:00World Cup BeersIt's that once every four years' experience. The echelon of the profesional game. The grandest exposure of the art of football on the planet. The grandest field to play your game. The competition you need to excel at to show your value as a world class professional footballer. <br />
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The World Cup. Maybe just the finest tournament in the world. One tournament worth an astronomical amount to the economy. One of the tournaments where companies whom know nothing about football decide all their marketing should be based around the beautiful game. The TV sales shoot up and companies try and push the latest technology so you can really feel like you're there but you're really in Nebraska. <br />
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So what does this mean for the best brand in the world? What does this mean for beer? Beer I tell you. <br />
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Supermarkets sell cut price crates to the discerning publc. They are desperate to flog you high brand poor quality beers accross their shelves. They ignore the craft scene completely. Do the majors release world cup beers? No. The craft beer scene is full of them.<br />
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Beers such as sheps 4-4-2; Robinsons 4-4-2. Woodfordes Game On, Acorn - England's Dreaming, Green King's Back of The Net, all this before the tournament is on!<br />
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The world cup of beers. Well for me you would have to have a beer representing each country. Let's put all the countries best micro beers together and see how the beers rival the football. <br />
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From Group A I would have:<br />
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Mexico - Casta Unica - Especialidades Cerveceras (FEMSA), Apodaca Nuevo Leon, Mexico <br />
France - La Bavaisienne Ambrée - Brasserie Theillier, Bavay, France <br />
South Africa - Helderbräu Lager - Helderbräu Brewery, Somerset West, Western Cape, South Africa <br />
Uruguay - FNC Patricia Dunkel - Montevideo, Uruguay <br />
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From Group B:<br />
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Argentina - Murrays Old Ale - Murrays Cerveza Artesanal - Buenos Aires, Argentina <br />
Greece - Zeos Pilsner (Unpasteurized) - Argos, Argolida, Greece<br />
Nigeria - Guinness Foreign Extra Stout (Nigeria) - Lagos, Nigeria <br />
South Korea - Platinum Microbrewery - Seoul, South Korea <br />
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Group C <br />
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Algeria - Schems Bavaroise - Sab Miller - Oran, Algeria<br />
England - Old Chimneys Good King Henry Special Reserve - Diss - England<br />
Slovenia - Laško Termalni Desert - Laško, Slovenia<br />
United States - Three Floyds Oak Aged Dark Lord Russian Imperial Stout - Munster, Indiana, USA <br />
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Group D<br />
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Australia - Redoak Baltic Porter - Redoak Boutique Beer Cafe - Sydney, Australia<br />
Germany - Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock - Brauerei Aying - Aying, Germany<br />
Ghana - Guinness Foreign Extra Stout (Ghana) - Guinness Ghana - Kumasi, Ghana <br />
Serbia - Krugher & Brent Extra Stout - Ritiševo, Serbia <br />
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Group E<br />
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Cameroon - Beaufort 8.9 - Les Brasseries du Cameroun (BGI) - Douala, Cameroon <br />
Denmark - Mikkeller Beer Geek Brunch Weasel - Mikkeller - Copenhagen V, Denmark <br />
Japan - Hitachino Nest Espresso Stout - Kiuchi Brewery, Ibaraki, Japan<br />
Netherlands - De Molen Hel & Verdoemenis (Wild Turkey Barrel) - De Molen - Bodegraven, Netherlands <br />
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Group F<br />
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Italy - Panil Barriquée (Sour) - Panil Birra Artigianale - Birrificio Torrechiara - Torrechiara-Parma, Italy<br />
New Zealand - Epic Armageddon IPA - Steam Brewing Company - Auckland, New Zealand <br />
Paraguay - Brahma Beats - Cerveceria Paraguaya - Cervepar - Ypané, Paraguay <br />
Slovakia - Popper Palatin 16% - Pivovar Popper Bytca, Slovak Republic <br />
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Group G<br />
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Brazil - Eisenbahn Lust - Cervejaria Sudbrack - Blumenau, Brazil <br />
Ivory Coast - Mamba - Solibra - Abidjan, Ivory Coast <br />
North Korea - Taedonggang 15P - Taedonggang Beer Brewery - Pyongyang, North Korea<br />
Portugal - Lusitana Double Bock - Cervejeira Lusitana (Unicer) - Carnaxide-Oeiras, Portugal <br />
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Group H<br />
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Spain - Agullons Setembre - Masia Agullons - Sant Juan de Mediona, Spain <br />
Switzerland - BFM Abbaye de Saint Bon-Chien 2004 - BFM (Brasserie des Franches-Montagnes) - Saignelégier, Switzerland<br />
Hundorus - Cerveza Port Royal Export - Cerveceria Hondurena (SABMiller) - Tegucigalpa, Honduras <br />
Chille - Szot Strong Ale 12% - Szot Microbrewery - Santiago, Chile <br />
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So there we have it. The countries and their most highest rated beer according to Rate Beer.com - a general consumer forum group for rating and reviewing beers; pubs and shops selling beer. <br />
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If each beer could be consumed whilst teams play each other it would be a great experience. Trying obscure cult classics and micros no one's heard of. The competition would grow so other beers could be introduced. The beers could be pit against each other and for an overall winner. <br />
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I for certain don't see Dark Lord being rated less than a micro larger from Brazil. <br />
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These are some pointers for you to sink when you are watching the cup. If you were thinking hey what is their countries best beer in a consumer focus group? Then this site is a great source and I have compiled them here for your amusment. To have these beers against each other well that would be an insane tasting evening but one I would be thrilled to attend. There is a lot more to beer than a huge macro and much more out there.<br />
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Please don't be ignorant of the high flying micros. Please try these during the world cup and try and seek out the opposition's favourites. This is a discovery and a cup is the perfect way to seek new beers and cultures. <br />
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I will be sinking Punk IPA from Scotland during the world cup. Feeling sorry that our neighbours aren't in the competition. If Glyn puts on his mighty Motley during the event I will try and have that too. Wales are not in the competition either. <br />
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Looking forward to the summer ale festivals which I will write about later. <br />
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Have a good tournament. Enjoy and don't be fooled by the marketing scams.Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04383343727650548268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4845942366861801114.post-36091680813071757572010-05-04T12:59:00.000+01:002010-05-04T13:30:49.816+01:00A True Recession - Beer Is The KeyWhen you think of luxurious alcoholic products you immediately become aware that you're going to spend a substantial amount. If you want the best this is a general sods law of the beverages' industry. With beer however there is a better way of economics. You DON'T have to spend a lot to consume the BEST. <br />
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The <a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/Ratebeerbest/bestbeers_012010.asp">best beer in the world</a> is considered to be Westvlereten 12. This beer is in VERY high demand. You may think this beer costs as much as a Grand Classe Cru or some other ostentatious fine beverage. It doesn't. I can acquire it at a De Struise auction shop for very little. Ok you have to pay postage and packaging and wait for customs to clear it but if you WANT the best you can buy it. <br />
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You can get it <a href="http://beerinvest.eu/">direct here</a>. Please bare in mind they are only selling limited quantities at the moment. I was lucky to get mine and now you may have to wait for fresh stock. They are brewers based in Vleteren which is close to Saint Sixtus, where Westvleteren is brewed, so minimum traveling involed from Saint Sixtus to De Struise. A small disclaimer if you will. I paid under 4 Euros for this. Other sources it sells for 6 Euros MORE. <br />
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I went to the Kulminator last March and found you don't need to pay a lot for a vintage either. I paid 15 Euros for a <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b3/Chimays.jpg">Chimay</a> Rouge from 1982! I was astounded by the oaky woody notes I received from the beer. A definite sherry flavour laced around the caramel base. This is due to the aging. Certain beers can hapily sit there and age. Even milds can age and they are relatively low abv. However the problem with aging beers is you instantly lose the hop appeal. You have to have a beer fresh to get the hops. Blondes are always better straight away but the brunnettes age with find distinction. This has happend regularly on my findings. I am currently aging Thomas O'Hardy's from 2008. Along with a Westvleteren 12 from 1996 and an Achel Exstra bomber. <br />
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Anyway back to the point. Today I received from an order from <a href="http://www.beermerchants.com">Beermerchants</a> a mixed personally selected crate of beers. <a href="http://www.3fonteinen.be">3 Fonteinen 2005 vintage</a>, a superb geuze from Belgium, <a href="http://www.www.brewdog.com">Brewdog's</a> 77 Larger and Zietgeist, the famous <a href="http://www.portbrewing.com/">Port Brewing's</a> Wipeout IPA; Old Viscosity and Santas Little Helpa 2008! I also received a Rochefort 10 (also in top 100), <a href="http://www.mikkeller.dk/index.php?id=61&beer_id=50&land=1">Mikkeller Black Hole</a>,<a href="http://moorbeer.co.uk/"> Moor</a> Tripple J, Old Freddie Walker and Merlin's Magic.<br />
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The grand total of these mainly very highly rated and globally appreciated beers?? Not even more than £80! This included delivery. I paid £74.80. This is the equivilant of ONE St Julien! Now I love my fine wine but as beer economics goes and I've been hit by the global supressive recession I forsee that beer drinking and beer buying is the way forward. I can no longer afford to acquire my descent grand classe crues which in England are easily £30 a bottle. I used to buy Margaux at £35 but now I can't do that. I got my tax credits recently and decided to buy a mixed crate when I can still get these beers. <br />
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I am pretty convinced there will be a trend away from wine and other beverages to beer. Beer is high quality, beer has its health benefits with moderation and there is a massive social element to beer drinking. I believe that craft beer will ride the recession as it is a cheaper option and more reliable option than the Bordaux circuit for instance. Champagne sales have plumbeted recently. There are a lot of reserves UNTAPED and beer is selling through the roof. Craft brewers are popping up like there is no tomorrow. Not too long ago Mikkeller wasn't even a brewery. Now it is setting trends for microbeers in Denmark like nothing else. They have an amazing array of beers. <br />
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Domestic ale sales are on the increase. Ale has a small tax benefit in the UK so people are realising this and trying out ale for the first time due to their economic worries. Ale is benefiting from this and due to this there are a lot of new craft ale brewers in the country. There is a graet growth at the moment for the industry. Here is an <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/features/rise-of-the-microbrewery-small-but-perfectly-formed-1928605.html">article</a> from <a href="http://www.beer-pages.com/">Roger Protz</a> on the current state. <br />
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You can save a fantastic amount of cash if you are smart and use the right resources. I shop at Beermerchants. They are rated very highly by the Rate Beer community. This site is an awesome guide to find out the best beers from the consumer perspective and ratings are fair and sometimes conducted during blind tastings. There is no corporate side to rate beer. It is not owned by a brewery but run by a great guy called Joe Tucker. <br />
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Do yourself a favour. If you want to get into beer and you want to do it properly and to learn about the hops and the funk and the brett and the intensity of the lambics then log in, try a few beers, write on them and buy them. There are links to shops and resources on the places' page. <br />
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A recession comes accross as markets contract globally. People lose jobs. Business die. Business become taken over by new chairmans. Businesses collapse. <br />
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It's a worrying time but there is always good and cheap beer. Instead of getting smashed on champagne show some true class and buy some beer. Beer is a fraction of the cost and the taste is something you will come back to again and again. If you don't like it just try a different beer. That beer could be shot or just bland and awful. Have another. Wait for something else. Stay away from the macro big business and stick to the micros. There are some great cases options at <a href="http://www.beermerchants.com">Beermerchants</a> so start there. £35 a mixed crate or a bottle of Margaux Grand Classe Cru????<br />
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Enjoy, sit back and have your mates in envy at your ever increasing cellar. I have one, although pretty primitive. I will write up about that later. Cheers.Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04383343727650548268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4845942366861801114.post-42620785979274754122010-04-23T11:54:00.000+01:002010-04-23T11:54:41.834+01:00Brewdog Abstrakt 001. My experience.Keg - <a href="http://www.whitehorsesw6.com">The White Horse</a> - 22nd April 2010 (Edit me if I am wrong, Tom) This is a stunner. The yeast strain is evident in epic poportions. The taste is mindblowingly good. The caramel body against the Westy yeast strain is just a tour de force for the sensors exploding around my head. This is a limited beer however one of the better English quad attempts I’ve had and a true abbot quad at that. This deserves special honourable praise for doing. There is the yeast strain which is paramount for this but the actual body and the beer itself is so good. The drinkabilitiy for a beer this aggressive is utterly insane. It is so drinkable. The alcohol is not over the top nad it is nicely measured so fantastic result. This a <a href="http://www.brewdog.com/blog-article.php?id=292">Brewdog</a> special and damn I want more.Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04383343727650548268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4845942366861801114.post-58755862282789657402010-04-11T21:34:00.000+01:002010-04-11T23:39:03.125+01:00World Beer Cup 2010 - kinda flawed if you ask meAfter reading some forums on Rate Beer I found out the winners' list for the 2010 World Beer Cup. Now there are some excellent choices made such as Brewdog's '<a href="http://www.brewdog.com/hardcore_ipa.php">Hardcore IPA</a>', Second Edition, batch winning gold; <a href="http://www.thornbridgebrewery.co.uk/thornbridge-beers.php ">Thornbridge</a> coming second, <a href="http://www.portbrewing.com">Port Brewing</a> doing well and some other notable micros doing well and most likely receiving a huge boost of media promotion for this event. <br />
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Now to enter your beer into this event you have to avoid shipping with the following: TNT; DHL or Fedex. This means if you are a certain position where you only have one distribution outlook such as only using DHL you are immediately withstricted from entering the competition so this could deduct some remote micros from taking part. Especially if they only know how to ship with those three major courier companies. There is a security warning issued which is irrelevant as ALL customs' inspections can withstrict your beer moving to the US.<br />
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So therefore it's completely irrelevant of which courier system you use. You may have a higher chance of being spotted out with these majors so as a safety pre-caution this could be why they are withstricting movement from those companies. I mean it is actually pot luck if you shipment gets spotted and stopped. Customs can hold items for as long as they like before proceeding with shipping. This is just a matter of life. Due to these holding reasons some micros may not even be able to get their shipment to the panelists for the event on time. <br />
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There are some fantastic entries and an oddly high number of styles. It seems to me that styles now are often being created to satisfy a gap. I mean 'Foreign Style Stout'. What does that mean? Stout was made in England and exported to Russian markets via the Baltic. So does this mean the style became foreign as soon as it was done somewhere else? Does an English entry under this criteria become obsolete due to history or is it from an American per-spective thus all non-American stouts are accepted under this entry? I don't understand this at all. Very confusing. <br />
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There are re-assuring styles such as German Style Marzen beers (which actually are just Marzen beers originating from Germany), Baltic-Style porter, session beer (no Brewdog's 'Sinck The Bismark' here I'm afraid), a fantastic entry called 'Gluten-free beer' and other traditional entries. This is sensible. However the obsurd is making it difficult for the brewer to truely label their favourite styles. <br />
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How are brewers supposed to advertise beer if it is too confliting with other brands? Surely their labelling may be conflicted by these new style standards. I mean look at Stone and Brewdog. They have a new collaberation stout (see Brewdog.com and the blog section) however it is a golden colour and people may misslead it as an IPA. It's a very interesting situation which could get out of hand as the micro market expands and becomes even more confusing.<br />
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Overall I'm pretty pleased with the way the winners have been announced. There are a substantial amount of micros I have not seen gaining gold so I will try my upmost to look out for them. After the judging from the American Beer Festival 2009 I purchased a crate of Port Brewing and received a crate of Lost Abbey for Christmas. I was extremely satisfied with those beers. <br />
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It shows that these competitions can create a media interest for these beers which you otherwise may only hear about during gathering at festivals. I am pleased that the list has projected some new micros on my radar which I can now seek out and attempt to import or buy if the retailers here can obtain them. Hopefully <a href="http://www.beermerchants.com">Beermerchants</a> and <a href="http://www.utobeer.co.uk/">Utobeer</a> can acquire these micros in the future. <br />
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The other issue is what about the other beers that weren't selected? What about acquiring these beers? If I can't acquire these beers until I go to America then it will be difficult for the micros to gain the international exposure they need to gain a bigger market to sell more beers and to expand such as <a href="http://www.samadams.com">Sam Adams</a> has done in Boston. They are still a micro but a huge one right now. Due to years of dedication and hard work. They are ocasionally miss-labeled as a macro which is a slang for a big major beer company for instance Coors; AB and INBEV.<br />
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If I ever get to taste these micros I will try and rate and review these. I am focusing on acquiring these even though the odds are stacked against me. It is pretty annoying that as a beer lover you have to get a plane ticket in order to purchase the beer. It is insane that a lot of breweries can't get their beer out due to tight customs' regulations. I believe that until this is loosened it will be incredibly difficult to acquire these special winning beers. I will wait until GBBF 2010 and see what develops. There could be some surprises. Last time I had a few American micros and <a href="http://www.brouwerijdemolen.nl/">De Molen</a> managed to ship in two massive vessels. There is hope for us to try these beers.<br />
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Thesee awards are great but they do have their issues. I would like to be able to try these beers at places closer to home but this is a fantasy. I don't think we as a consumer market here will get to try the large proportion of beers in this cup. To have a cup of beers is a great idea but is there a knock out stage? Is it Scotland v Germany? Hardcore v <a href="http://www.distelhaeuser.de">Distelhäuser Frühlingsbock</a>??<br />
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Does this work? Can you compete certain styles against each other in a pit of beer fuelled rage? Does the knockout mean you have to eliminate some styles in order to accomplish the greatest beer? How do you award this without including the greatest <a href="http://www.trappistbeer.net">Trappists</a> and other micros? <br />
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It is a great cup although with its flaws. I will try and discover and outreach if I can. I just think the odds are stacked against us with customs' influences; the premimum cost of importing these beers and the fact that the limited stock runs ala <a href="http://www.russianriverbrewing.com">Russian River </a>beers means it is all too difficult to do. Trading with likeminded indivduals at festivals and gatherings is my greatest hope but that's not the same as walking into a bar or a shop and ordering Russian River's Pliny like it's a session macro. <br />
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It could change the world for good but the macros are stacked up against the micros. To have these macros involved in this festival also means there is balance but on the other hand it would be better to promote more micros. The influences of American beer is still substantial in this festival. I would like there to be a better balance of other beers. Just look at the German category for example. Surely more German micros are out there and should be in the winnings' list??<br />
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Here is the <a href="http://www.worldbeercup.org/pdf/2010_winners.pdf">table</a>.<br />
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To view you require <a href="http://www.adobe.com/downloads/">Adobe Acrobat</a>.<br />
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Make your own conclusions; seek out and enjoy. It's a strong market and that's the best news for us consumers. To have your own cup with your own ratings' reviews and define your favourite beer. If you want it can also open up new avenues. How many styles can we have? How far does this take us with craft brewing? It's going to be an interesting future. Craft brewing is a massive consumer market and is only going to expand. <br />
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CheersThomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04383343727650548268noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4845942366861801114.post-19550454553988304262010-04-05T02:30:00.000+01:002010-04-05T02:35:13.077+01:00My Response to E-Bay Craft Beer Auctions' ComplaintsI find the Ebay situation with alcohol rather frustrating. These people buy the small limited amount of beer at a local site then sell these bottles on at astronomical prices for a single unit. <br /><br />They may use a gimmic such as free shipping but when the crate costs US $400 for this luxury then the gross profit is substantial. For instance Westy auction recently at this price. The crate costs 70Euros and a case to send costs E120 at least. So that's a MASSIVE profit.<br /><br />If brewers want to make limited beers or different styles to test the market then it's their prerogative to do so. The brewer has to have a sustainable business. They have to sell beer at a certain amount to cover their costs. They have to function for the future and put money away for future investments. <br /><br />If beer is all $3 yet the cost to make it is $5 then the brewery is making no money and will soon cease to function. It will become bankrupt. People are more concerned with saving some cash then ensuring their favourite brewery is making enough money to self sustain themselves. It is a free-market economy and ebay has its issues. <br /><br />The prices that these beers go for are also at an extreme which is rediculas. The brewers don't make that money. The greed of the invididuals do. The reason why Struise is doing this auction is to reduce this affect.<br /><br />The brewers at Struise are trying to ensure that the craft beer people like us are not being ripped off by Ebay sellers. The trick is very good. The Struise people can only release a certain amount of the beer at a certain time. They are doing this as a test. <br /> <br />It is rather sad that the Ebay situation which they are trying to help with has got out of hand. Carlo and Urbain are lovely people. I want to help them sustain their business and if people fail to see that ebay doesn't sustain their business and you can buy from them to help the Vleteren brewers' (plus whomever else) incomes then that is fantastic. <br /><br />Remember that if a £10 beer has £2 profit margin and tastes amazing would you rather pay that out then pay £3 on a bland tasteless other alternative with a much higher gross profit? This situation will occur if people don't rise to paying a premium for their beer. We can't have brewers going out of business. We have lost too many great lambic brewers over the years. Education for good beer and sustainabily is vital for the craft world.Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04383343727650548268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4845942366861801114.post-74014430358638837212010-03-18T12:11:00.000+00:002010-03-18T12:53:55.431+00:00Special beer day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIh7H3WaUqu1KP2S4qWsgXSV81pRo6VnDqwxAW43zHpAXLQjhNuHyGDrTPUJW3YIAXLYGZSsj_L6zSMhmuJVCHJ2bmyCCkC-otAXOe_1cDigxSvRggEkWB6BbCr2vgt7TTtlGCag3ZMilr/s1600-h/Photo002.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIh7H3WaUqu1KP2S4qWsgXSV81pRo6VnDqwxAW43zHpAXLQjhNuHyGDrTPUJW3YIAXLYGZSsj_L6zSMhmuJVCHJ2bmyCCkC-otAXOe_1cDigxSvRggEkWB6BbCr2vgt7TTtlGCag3ZMilr/s320/Photo002.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449947634327781138" /></a><br /><br />Ok folks. I'm 28 today so I'm going to be invading my cellar. This cellar is next to walls and usually shut off from day light. This is the larder cupboard but I use it for my beer as I find it's the ideal temperature for storage. I consume my beers warm unless it's a heavy, hoppy IPA or a blonde or a larger. I feel the exposure of the coldness from the fridge manipulates the taste of the beer and has an affect on the yeast strain and also the flavour. Too much sunlight can kill a beer! That is why my beers are safely stored away. It makes sense. They are vertical. I would love my lambics to be horrizontal but there isn't enough space so sorry about that. It is s problem with my cellaring as there is limited room. <br /><br />Anyway ramblings' aside. I popped open a bottle of Westlveteren 8 aged a couple of years from May 2008 fresh at the Cafe. This I have kept specially. I have some more but will be aging these. When I asked Carlo from De Struise he said I am wise man to do so so I'm happy there. If anyone knows Westvleteren it's Carlo and Urbain. <br /><br />I firstly picked up my classic Westmalle bottle opener:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1HpJAvyugCVtdtK2IGT2bUZkOHWC6S4VQ_7b1MyNS3cbSlTUMti9x52AqtXE0UkMA9-BD4-ORm8Rz9rv25Q7NDGA1HA_GDkaRhuwRewE3_CUYP5bqLEbnj4xsexxrDkiXB-OnUJl2gMTm/s1600-h/Photo003.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1HpJAvyugCVtdtK2IGT2bUZkOHWC6S4VQ_7b1MyNS3cbSlTUMti9x52AqtXE0UkMA9-BD4-ORm8Rz9rv25Q7NDGA1HA_GDkaRhuwRewE3_CUYP5bqLEbnj4xsexxrDkiXB-OnUJl2gMTm/s320/Photo003.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449947900112671442" /></a><br /><br />Next I proceeded to slowly open the bottle which unfortunately exploded a little. I poured it as slowly as possible which is tricky when it's recently exploded. I poured the beer into my own Westvleteren glass which I acquired from the Cafe opposite where the Saint Sixtus abbey is. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtTH_GApaxAEwNnuFQrrQSoHWmzCVzwTI_Rp23gVLkkI9y5nqKvbG5thuFHq1-z7VcU96IOioDx4RpVD5Y60tfokxR1aelHi5M3Tjw9-zFWQjjmnnEfJmu_l0M_5__ewnX5Ow96yK7zzIW/s1600-h/Photo006.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtTH_GApaxAEwNnuFQrrQSoHWmzCVzwTI_Rp23gVLkkI9y5nqKvbG5thuFHq1-z7VcU96IOioDx4RpVD5Y60tfokxR1aelHi5M3Tjw9-zFWQjjmnnEfJmu_l0M_5__ewnX5Ow96yK7zzIW/s320/Photo006.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449948695068993842" /></a><br /><br />Then I tasted and logged into rate beer.com to make my observations. This is as follows:<br /><br />"A classic trappist beer to celebratae my 28th. Poured from bottle into the goblet Westvleteren glass. Lovely foamed head. Very creamy on the texture. The beer is dark brown. redding out at the bottom. The beer is prominent of caramel; rich dark malts, dried fruits, brown sugar and a touch leathery. A lovely beer. Drinkability is good for the abv. The mouth feel is well balanced and the finish is moderate with notes of caramel and spices. This is aged a little. I haven’t rated it yet so thought it would be an appropriate beer to continue with after Pannepot. Some good beers to go through today and this is just the start. A classic beer".<br /> <br />Following this I found there is a hint of sherry or port at the end. I'm not a liquer guy in these areas yet so feel I will need to step this up in order to appreciate the agings of the beer. This is a perosnal note. I didn't use this for the site. <br /><br />I think this beer is rather good. It's not as high a callibre as other beers I enjoy but it's exceptionally solid. There is the right amount of complexity in a beer which I enjoy. However, I prefer a Rochefort 10 or a De Struise Pannepot Grand Reserva. I also enjoy my IPA's. This beer is a special beer and not to be consumed all the time. It's meant for good incentives. The monks brew this as and aid to find their path for god. This beer helps them support their local charities and projects in Westvleteren. They also consume the beer as part of their dietry regulations, however the monks have this beer fresh. I have had this both aged and fresh. I can see the appeal in the aging. <br /><br />Overall this beer is thoroughly worth seeking. If you like complex beers you would enjoy this. If you don't then you have just sampled a hard to get special beer. Some people may not appreciate it but that's not the point. It is a special beer for good causes. This is against the monopoly of the big beers which are in this world. This is a craft beer. I now wish I had some gorgeous Belgian wheat bread to go with this or the abbey's on cheese. Now that would be an ideal appetizer.Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04383343727650548268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4845942366861801114.post-3626803660284246442010-03-16T13:29:00.000+00:002010-03-17T00:30:27.177+00:00PRE-ZBF/The Kulminator<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAwqWpBoQBWHI3_qIreRBL1xpRK2wPMPoL0wyWMnc1PMbl49DXFZUG9DC2PXSUBiavAVHVF-6XKqlBxHywYp7obY6tigUk1XJcUNKQPSSECxwTASbfjhNETZrBgSJ9TtolDB3DINwjKlWb/s1600-h/PRE-ZBF+Castle.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAwqWpBoQBWHI3_qIreRBL1xpRK2wPMPoL0wyWMnc1PMbl49DXFZUG9DC2PXSUBiavAVHVF-6XKqlBxHywYp7obY6tigUk1XJcUNKQPSSECxwTASbfjhNETZrBgSJ9TtolDB3DINwjKlWb/s320/PRE-ZBF+Castle.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449236618381314786" /></a><br /><br />A little later than promised. Oh well. A trip to Guildford to see a mate and settling down in a new routine applying for jobs have caused a little lapse period of my blogging. Also loosing the memory card data transfer for the photos didn't help either. <br /><br />I went to the PRE-ZBF on March 4th, 2010. An awesome festival in literally a castle in the Belgian heartland away from Brugge. The Alvinne people were responsible for setting it up. An awesome venue. It is only the third festival of its kind.<br /><br />Let me explain. ZBF is the big national festival held in Belgium. This is called 'Zythos Beer Festival'. This is a huge Belgian beer festival I guess the equivilant for them to GBBF. Speaking of which tickets are released now if you want to go. The ZBF is from the 6-7th March. <br /><br />My entourage choose the PRE-ZBF on the 4-5th of March. This included a night of whisky and beer with a talk from Joris Pattyn. He is a Belgian Dentist whom writes about beer and speaks at festivals and is involved in tastings' evenings. The Belgian answer to Roger Protz, I guess.<br /><br />We were greeted by Glenn of Alvinne at the door. He arranged the tastings' glasses and the tickets for us. We already paid the amount beforehand and he had allocated tickets for people whom paid. There were a limited number of tickets for this exclusive event. Each cost 50 Euros. A meal was also included. <br /><br />I found myself wondering to the Struise beer stall with a small 175ml glass in hand. This glass was perfect. Not a 33cl but 10cl over half a 33cl. Perfect for tasting enough of the beer and enough for ensuring one can get another four without worrying about the consequences. Maybe this glass could be introduced on the British public at beer festivals to entice more tastings' sessions instead of drinking copious half pints which I usually end up doing. <br /><br />I met the De Struise brewers, Urbain and Carlo, finally, after talking on the internet to Urbain and wondering when I would eventually get to have their beer on tap! That dream came true. I had a wonderful range of Struise beers the first night. The rest happend on the Friday when I handed Urbain my X-33 Czech microbeer. He was very greatful. He stored it in their cooling system to keep it at a good temperature.<br /><br />Consuming the De Struise beers was an extra experience. These beers are incredibly good. They are a very small brewery in a school in Oustvleteren in Belgium. Very close to the famous Saint Sixtus in Westvlesteren.<br /><br />During the weekend I consumed a large majority of their beers. 'Dirty Horse Batch O'; 'Earthmonk', the famous 'Black Mes', 'Saint-Amatus' and 'Coffee Club' all from memory. A fantastic range. Sour beers to stouts but probably lacking on an IPA/larger, of which I have every faith of them brewing. <br /><br />After what seeemed too short a period we were ushered away from the tastings' area to the castle for the evening session. There we consumed some ludicrusly expensive whiskies and some special beers. These were consumed side by side. The whisky was stunning. The beers were equally stunning. The best of the bunch was trying Black Mes there for the first time. On offer was, in order:<br /><br />1. Alvinne Mano Negra Glenrothes Barrel – Glenrothes malt 1991 43%<br />2. BrewDog Paradox Isle of Arran – Isle of Arran malt Sherrycask 50%<br />3. Struise Brouwers Black Mes – Coal Ila 1995 Destillers edition 43%<br />4. Thornbridge St.-Petersburg Islay Reserve –Coal Ila 1982 55.2%<br />5. De Molen Hemel & Aarde Bruichladdich – Bruichladdich Port Charlotte 8 60.5%<br /><br />Joris made a talk on the beer and the whisky comparing the beers back ground and the whisky. A fascinating and in depth talk I wish I could remember more of. I thought for future events he could suggest what tastes he found in the beer before we could judge for ourselves. Joris is a master taster and beer reviewer. He really knows his trade. After the talk we headed back to our hotel. The following day was very much the same with the tastings. <br /><br />My entourage and myself arrived early at 10:30am on the Friday. I spent most of the morning session missing out on Brewdog's 'Sink The Bismarck' and 'Abstract' (thanks to the Rake for not making me miss these due to their tastings' night) talking to the Thornbridge people. Martin from Brewdog was opposite Thornbridge on their stall. Martin started work in brewing at Thornbridge before creating Brewdog with James. Lovely folks. Talking in depth about their beer and other issues was fantastic. I consumed their 'Bracia' which was one of the highlights of the weekend and something I hope to have at home consumed from bottle for a proper, more dedicated, review.<br /><br />Beers of the festival for me were De Struise's 'Dirty Horse'/'Black Mes', De Molen's 'Hel and Verdoemenis 666' (say that on a session!), Thornbridge's 'Bracia' and 'Kipling' and also '77 Larger' from Brewdog.<br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1qEJaWmNK9M4EeoG9UFC2o-FMXV8TSbK5WrU_0iPc6FknMaVSdl_HsImpmSggG9DEc0R0oUdlQyX6OngXivDHCGRMYU-EJ39r8CQ_RqZvmJrZAXyxjWbT11VKQY2h8DmAnZ5m8rRPVhJq/s1600-h/de+molen.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1qEJaWmNK9M4EeoG9UFC2o-FMXV8TSbK5WrU_0iPc6FknMaVSdl_HsImpmSggG9DEc0R0oUdlQyX6OngXivDHCGRMYU-EJ39r8CQ_RqZvmJrZAXyxjWbT11VKQY2h8DmAnZ5m8rRPVhJq/s320/de+molen.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449279563868000946" /></a><br />Phil Lowry from the Beermerchants turned up which was a nice surprise. It's always nice to speak to the faces of the people you otherwise only recognise via text and photos. Phil was on a beer buying trip to the lambic brewers so if you want to buy some lambic please head over to http://www.beermerchants.com I bought some Cantillon Iris last night! A rare event in this country! <br /><br />Phil took my friend with him to the festival in the evening so I stayed and mingled with my group and random beer fans. I talked to an American, his friend and some Belgians in the castle during consuming a lovely plate of patte and other beers Glenn had choose to mix together. The patte went exceptionally well with the De Molen-De Struise combo. The stout-urbock combo bought out the flavour and the bitterness of the patte which also complemented the beer style considerably. <br /><br />The experience of the festival was awesome. Everything I had hoped for and then more so. There was even a Rate Beer tent for raters to mingle. I, the loon I am, forgot my notepad so couldn't make any observations on my beer or reviews whatsoever. I managed to remember a few and that's about it. That's mainly due to the vast quantities of De Struise's Dirty Horse I consumed and the fact that the person responsible for the name of De Struise's Black Mes was in my entourage. <br /><br />Anyway the festival is surely the highlight of my beer calander this year. An awesome event. I only have GBBF and Chelmsford Summer Beer Festival on my agenda now. <br /><br />The Saturday following was phanonamel. A day lined up for bars in Antwerppen. I was in beer haven. We visited the Oud Arsenaal as the Kulminator didn't open until 5. We found that out at 2! At Oud Arsenaal I had the best Orval of my life. Orval classic aged two years. Also the best Westmalle Dubbel in my life! This was aged 5 years!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2KS4IqOUK4krbdEBHq6zI0f6Lz6QslnRk5VscorNuuU_tIWkH4gQikmxxUwKlNqjH6J5GP4XHsZtvreaVVun_atl0wSUGxBGIwa5P-bCJX5jbNW9KmUgkHUCsE3uPg_LHFjC598Rw6jj/s1600-h/westmalle+dubbel.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2KS4IqOUK4krbdEBHq6zI0f6Lz6QslnRk5VscorNuuU_tIWkH4gQikmxxUwKlNqjH6J5GP4XHsZtvreaVVun_atl0wSUGxBGIwa5P-bCJX5jbNW9KmUgkHUCsE3uPg_LHFjC598Rw6jj/s320/westmalle+dubbel.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449278494238401106" /></a> <br /><br />I also had an aged kriek beer which was just stunning. I then proceeded to have one more beer before our group headed to the Kulminator. This follows my second best beer experience ever. I consumed a De Struise Pannepot from 2005. The green cap. The body was phanonamel. So much depth to this beer. An intense rich malted dark chocolate coffee ale. One of my favourite beers of all time. <br /><br />I then proceeded to De Dolle Stille Nacht Reserva 2005. A wonderful craft brewery. This beer was every bit as stunning as I had anticipated. A marvel. The buzz I got from this beer was tremendus. I then consumed a Chimay 1982. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrfrXRk31_oe7-wGw-B18XoSUsFnusXDPE3V4cNpoHZu50RAmD6h2k586Yaw3VDhZVdsZrBN6AxHI__L0G1oVDhqazkCG7GG1veFDabbdpZUoRjxEuWqnEEW_f9ETWfeY1FKKG3QhaIFIL/s1600-h/chimay.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrfrXRk31_oe7-wGw-B18XoSUsFnusXDPE3V4cNpoHZu50RAmD6h2k586Yaw3VDhZVdsZrBN6AxHI__L0G1oVDhqazkCG7GG1veFDabbdpZUoRjxEuWqnEEW_f9ETWfeY1FKKG3QhaIFIL/s320/chimay.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449275584999701810"/></a><br /><br />This was the old red bottle. It had lost the caramel edge of modern Chimay. Instead it tasted woody; oaky and leathery and also a tad sherry like. The beer was stunning. The Thomas O'Hardy's I ordered I can't even remember how it tasted but I enjoyed it very much. <br /><br />Then my group and myself staggered onto a very nice restaurent which I can't recall apart from Rochefort 10 and steak and eventually to the hotel. I seriously urge any true beer afficiondo to visit the Kulminator. It is seriously the best beer bar ever. I have been to a few and this tops the others. <br /><br />The Sunday was spent visiting pubs serving lambic in Brussels. A good amount of rare lambic was consumed.I had Cantillon Iris <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWcDcP92H6dNDfqdrABO4DuKdX3mDao2ig5AGG5vXUZ1FPrXJG2scK1AIJxYhrrmdB4CwX17UEO_V16Sh6fYymYn51xIVe-UF45je1BX9HrJ6c91WoBJVplCRPDepeCGfE0lhrBjEghGX8/s1600-h/cantillon+iris.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWcDcP92H6dNDfqdrABO4DuKdX3mDao2ig5AGG5vXUZ1FPrXJG2scK1AIJxYhrrmdB4CwX17UEO_V16Sh6fYymYn51xIVe-UF45je1BX9HrJ6c91WoBJVplCRPDepeCGfE0lhrBjEghGX8/s320/cantillon+iris.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449276407939464498" /></a> and Be Hop from an Italian Micro. Both were stunning. The rest of the day was used up drinking in bars. <br /><br /><br />At night We found Herge's drinking den.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimg5kpLRJ19S2gtnMVrs-17O93_xxY6-YKhoEWQypoAVhivKGNu40H59bC53ZkLnQ6-nz1MeKZ-e7UmA0pyI9Uj33aJhMG5k-4JsroHSApx52hByNkRmpKlTILLhnwNioGBeDU3MSRrOzR/s1600-h/herge+drinking+den.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimg5kpLRJ19S2gtnMVrs-17O93_xxY6-YKhoEWQypoAVhivKGNu40H59bC53ZkLnQ6-nz1MeKZ-e7UmA0pyI9Uj33aJhMG5k-4JsroHSApx52hByNkRmpKlTILLhnwNioGBeDU3MSRrOzR/s320/herge+drinking+den.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449276661399580578" /></a><br /><br />Afterwords we went to a wonderful restaruent in the City. I had meatbeals in vail and Saison on tap. The meatballs were probably the best I've ever had. There were only three but they were very large and excessively tasty. Nuetnigenough was the restaurent's name. I advise to visit whenever in Brussels.<br /><br />I got back to my hotel at 2pm and tuned into Belgian football highlights. <br /><br />On the Monday we had to head home. This trip was still not over. We visited De Struise in order to sample some De Struise and also buy some beer and a glass if we choose. I had a lovely time at the De Struise school. The school they bought was a primary school which otherwise may have been destroyed for most likely housing. See brewing saves establishments! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdNeXZVe187nV016gUztpjWa8t0gAj1DcK_cyfrwyqVzbwtosC63JmERmEJVeKdzt6uVowTw_bVGDD9aALRPawZp6xq87eh57AOKOD-TQIj5fj_5Lna2OzhUrW1P3FjlEixVNV0COf_Ing/s1600-h/Struise+farm.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdNeXZVe187nV016gUztpjWa8t0gAj1DcK_cyfrwyqVzbwtosC63JmERmEJVeKdzt6uVowTw_bVGDD9aALRPawZp6xq87eh57AOKOD-TQIj5fj_5Lna2OzhUrW1P3FjlEixVNV0COf_Ing/s320/Struise+farm.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449279001378108690" /></a><br /><br />I had Pannepot on tap for the first time ever which was an amazing experience. It is such a good beer I can not beleive how good it is. I will review it on Thursday when I have my own tastings at home. <br /><br />I allowed myself to buy some beer from De Struise. I acquired Pannepot Grand Reserva 2005; some Pannepot, some De Dolle Stille Nacht, some other De Struise. Urbain was an awesome host. Carlo was busy with his artwork which he unvailed on the internet on Rate Beer. An epic piece it turned out to be. <br /><br />There I met Owen again whom was at the festival. I spoke to him a bit at the festival. He said he was working for De Struise but transfers to Brew Dog the following week at the time of the visit. What a job. I hope to meet him during his time in the UK. He is also a blogger.<br /><br />Our enterouge left De Struise at 2pm for a quick blast to France and to the Eurotunnel. I was reminded by the impending rush hour. Realising I had 22 bottles of beer with me to take during rush hour past a terminal change was not going to be fun at all. I somehow got all of these home and only had to leave one bottle of De Molen with my friend. I was very impressed with taking 22 bottles from Stratford International until normal Stratford and then to my home. A big feat. Thank you national rail for providing lifts but note you need one at Stratford! <br /><br />Cheers<br /><br /><br /><br />ThomasThomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04383343727650548268noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4845942366861801114.post-63288279533012874562010-03-02T10:39:00.000+00:002010-03-02T12:17:20.179+00:00Welsh beer festivalOn Sunday, as promised, I commuted to the Welsh beer festival. Firstly a 40 minute wait for a bus. Secondly another bus from Chelmsford to Billericay then a train journey from Billericay to London Liverpool Street. Finally the walk to the Rake. A mental journey delaying me considerably for the tastings' event so I choose to stay in the beer tent instead. <br /><br />Glyn, bar manager, put on a splendid bash. Lots of craft Welsh delights I've not found before, Boon 3 Year old on tap and some fantastic hop bomb called Motley also on tap. Food and beer combos were great. The oaky cheese went very well with the fabulous 'Purple Moose Dark Side Of The Moose/Ochr Tywyll Y Mws' (with Welsh translation). I also enjoyed the 'Purple Moose Snowdonia Ale/Cwrw Eryri' and a mild which was on and also the Otley Motley brew which only has 6 ratings on ratebeer!<br /><br />I rated the Motley the highest. <br /> <br />Really solid brew. Fantastic malt experience. Really well balanced. Very cloudy coloured brew. Hops are dried fruits and citrusy. A bit of a bitter kick but a very good one. An impressive malt balance reminiscent of Crown’s famous IPA. An awesome brew. Thick sunkist orange texture which is a delight to get lost in. I found myself loosing track of the event just staring into the pleasure of the glass. Glyn mate thanks for the taster. Aroma is very solid but slightly musky. Otherwise killer brew. The taste is bang on 10. A real slow malty beer. Thanks, Glyn. <br /><br /><br />Then my thoughts for the Purple Moose Snowdonia.<br /> <br />An enjoyable session bitter with good hop measure. One of my favourites from the Welsh beer festival at the Rake. Light citrusy and hoppy, trying to blend an American IPA with an English bitter which kinda works but kinda fails. However just an enjoyable session bitter. I would like to try this again. An excellent session example and should be available more often then it is.<br /><br />Finally signing off with the Purple Moose - Dark Side of the Moose (one of my new favourite ale names!).<br /><br />A descent dark ale. Roasted malts; caramel. nutty biscuit texture and a dossage of dry fruits. I enjoyed this. Purple Moose are pretty hard to find but with this and Snowdonia I have to find their ranges more often. Thanks to Mario for the recommendation. A good beer. <br /><br />My only problem having the mild which was scarly reminiscent of Baines' dark mild but with more character and more body but can't remember what it's called. I also discovered wonderful Welsh cheeses which left before I got a chance to buy some to take home! Also Welsh rarebit source is awesome. A culinary delight. Like a thick patte paste spread however with rabbit I assume instead of other meats. Truely devine. <br /><br />I thoroughly enjoyed the festival; caught up with Mark Dredge, apologised profoundly to Mellisa for screwing up on the commute and somehow manage to miss Pete Brown despite being no more than a few yards away. Glyn I'm sorry I didn't remember the otehr ales I had and my time was withstricted. I hope to make it down on Wednesday to tidy up and get the name of the mild back. <br /><br />Got to prepare tomorrow for PRE-ZBF which is close to be coming beer event of the year for me. I need to take some pictures this time. Try and get some whisky for Urbain of De Struise and meet world's peace at the Kulminator bar. I'm pretty excited as the beer porn will be through the roof. I will write up about the Kulminator experience. I will write about the festival and what beers I can attempt to bring home. I will also get back to tastings at home which is far easier than in a pub. Time to sign out.Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04383343727650548268noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4845942366861801114.post-47485445488478610072010-02-26T21:20:00.000+00:002010-02-26T21:45:37.069+00:00First Blog - Writer's Wall Allready!Currently sipping a slightly pastuerised yet traditionally clean and fruity; pale and bitter, light session supreme ale of Scotland - Harviestoun 'Bitter and Twisted'. Poured into glass and very springy hoppy summery beer this is. Completely incorrect for the weather but I am hoping for a little sunshine for the Welsh beer festival on Sunday at the Rake and even more sunshine for PRE-ZBF in Belgium on Thursday.<br /><br />There in Belgium, I should be sipping ale, and dark matter substances with brewing supremo Urbain; the De Struise brewer, the Brew Dog team, De Molen, Thornbridge and other brewers. I am a little excited by this. Not only will some of the best brewers in the modern age be there but there will be a considerable amount of rarity on offer and a massively cool tastings during the evening by beer geek<span style=";font-family:Verdana,arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </span></span>Joris P Pattyn. <span style=";font-family:Verdana,arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" ><a href="http://www.wine-pages.com/cgi-bin2/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile;u=00000488" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></a><br /><br />This event will also see my first visit to the legendary beer bar the Kulminator where you can drink aged beer appropriately cellared and also modern treats but beers which are not that easy to acquire. Something very special indeed. I hope to tie this in with a trip to Cantillon on the Saturday but that could be wishful thinking. It's been a while since my last visit to a foreign brewery. That was U-FLEKU for their sole ale which you can only consume at the brewery.<br /><br />Anyway this is going to see some of my ramblings; some beer reviews, some articles on new beers, some articles on debates and some record collecting and gig stuff. Films and other issues maybe posted in spite or in lust or just for the sheer damned hell of it.<br /><br />I have been fortunate to chill out with a few of the most prominent bloggers in this country on beer - Pete Brown, Mark Dredge and Glyn Roberts, so I felt it was about time I contributed to the free media cause.<br /><br />I am also out of work now and seeking to gain a greater understanding of the industry in which I one day hope ot be fully employed and fully involved in. Instead of a tasting guinnea pig for Brew Dog or a free marketing agent for De Struise which I have become recently. I'm not complaining though. I would love to market the finest craft beer and sample Brew Dog fresh off a vessel; preferably on Hebridean Princess. Especially now that I'm no longer responsible for providing it with its documentation.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span>Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04383343727650548268noreply@blogger.com1