Beer: Lowenbrau Original
Type: Lager
Region: Munich, Germany
Rating: Novice
We're down to the final two days, and I'm feeling a bit melancholic. It's been a fun journey and I can't believe how quickly the time goes by. So today, I'm going old school - to a beer I hadn't enjoyed since I was an underage teen going to buy beer in the Depanneur's of Quebec. The goal of course was to get a tall boy or King Can of whatever was on sale or stood out in a fridge at a house party. Lowenbrau was one of those beers that take me back to those days.
Now, the stuff I drank, and was this way from the 70's to 2002, was Americanized, brewed by the Miller Brewing Company, and was much different from the beer that was and is still only one of six allowed to be served during Germany's Oktoberfest. The American version was horse piss, but the German one is noted by it's Original label, distancing itself from the former crap.
It's a very hot day here in Ottawa, and this beer is perfectly refreshing on a day like today. Light, earthy, humble, with a nice golden colour. The medium head disappears VERY quickly. The smell is light malt, with faint spicy, grassy hops. Finishes dry and clean. This is one easy drinking beer that is uncomplicated and does the trick to quench the thirst.
Two days to go...any suggestions?
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
40 Beers to Celebrate 40 Years! Day 37
Beer: Georg Schneider's Weisen Edel-Weisse
Type: Wheat beer
Region: Germany
Rating:Novice/Intermediate
Holy crap, what a beautiful beer this is. At first open, a quick sniff told me it had the familiar trappings of a wheat beer - floral, grassy, tinge of hoppiness.
This beer is deemed 'organic', which I guess means it's good for you, but what beer isn't? Again, another 500 ml bottle at 6.2% alc makes me wonder what are the other brewers doing putting their creations in small bottles?
In any case, I poured this into a much taller pilsner glass, and noticed the head was very light, slight tan colour, and lasted awhile (but not throughout the consumption period). The taste is familiar to other wheat beers but the differences are subtle and yet extremely memorable and likeable - incredibly smooth finish, slight sweet and bitter when as it makes it way down the throat. There is really nothing not to like about this beer, except the fact that if you only buy one, you'll be wishing there was more in the fridge.
Type: Wheat beer
Region: Germany
Rating:Novice/Intermediate
Holy crap, what a beautiful beer this is. At first open, a quick sniff told me it had the familiar trappings of a wheat beer - floral, grassy, tinge of hoppiness.
This beer is deemed 'organic', which I guess means it's good for you, but what beer isn't? Again, another 500 ml bottle at 6.2% alc makes me wonder what are the other brewers doing putting their creations in small bottles?
In any case, I poured this into a much taller pilsner glass, and noticed the head was very light, slight tan colour, and lasted awhile (but not throughout the consumption period). The taste is familiar to other wheat beers but the differences are subtle and yet extremely memorable and likeable - incredibly smooth finish, slight sweet and bitter when as it makes it way down the throat. There is really nothing not to like about this beer, except the fact that if you only buy one, you'll be wishing there was more in the fridge.
40 Beers to Celebrate 40 Years! Day 36
Beer: Kronenbourg 1664
Type: Pale ale
Region: France
Rating: Novice
Another premium bestseller, this one in France and owned by the Carlsberg Group, The original brewery, Brasseries Kronenbourg, was founded by Geronimus Hatt in 1664, hence the clever name.
The colour is quite yellow and bright, the head is frothy but doesn't last too long. I've got myself the accompanying glass that goes with it, which for most beers, the glass plays an integral part in the enjoyment. There is some mild hop and flower/citrus scents, and slight effervescence.
I'm a bit surprised when reading the ingredients that the third one is a glucose syrup, adding to the touch of sweetness to the malt finish. In any case, this is another easy drinking, enjoyable by the dozen beer. And because it's from France, you can be snobbish and people will understand.
Viva la biere froid!
Type: Pale ale
Region: France
Rating: Novice
Another premium bestseller, this one in France and owned by the Carlsberg Group, The original brewery, Brasseries Kronenbourg, was founded by Geronimus Hatt in 1664, hence the clever name.
The colour is quite yellow and bright, the head is frothy but doesn't last too long. I've got myself the accompanying glass that goes with it, which for most beers, the glass plays an integral part in the enjoyment. There is some mild hop and flower/citrus scents, and slight effervescence.
I'm a bit surprised when reading the ingredients that the third one is a glucose syrup, adding to the touch of sweetness to the malt finish. In any case, this is another easy drinking, enjoyable by the dozen beer. And because it's from France, you can be snobbish and people will understand.
Viva la biere froid!
40 Beers to Celebrate 40 Years! Day 35
Beer: Tiger
Type: Lager
Region: Singapore
Rating: Novice
Well, here's a beer that I've seen at the LCBO many times, but have yet to try, mainly because the big intimidating cat was too scary. But in the end, it's a real pussy cat.
This pale lager doesn't bite, but rather purrs from the moment you pour it to the last drop of the glass. Okay....no more cat references from here on in.
It is a dry-hopped beer and has a rich taste. It is a great beer if you want a long drinking session. My initial reaction was that it tasted quite strong. However after a several large sips your taste buds gradually get used to the invasion of hops and the strong taste is replaced with a rich one with a lingering bitter finish. It is an extremely refreshing beer and I find that it goes very well with food, especially with peppery and spicy dishes. It's actually quite pale compared to other lagers, but don't let that deter you. The flagship product from Asia Pacific Breweries, this is worth keeping a few stocked in your fridge.
It's time for a Tiger. grrrrrr
Type: Lager
Region: Singapore
Rating: Novice
Well, here's a beer that I've seen at the LCBO many times, but have yet to try, mainly because the big intimidating cat was too scary. But in the end, it's a real pussy cat.
This pale lager doesn't bite, but rather purrs from the moment you pour it to the last drop of the glass. Okay....no more cat references from here on in.
It is a dry-hopped beer and has a rich taste. It is a great beer if you want a long drinking session. My initial reaction was that it tasted quite strong. However after a several large sips your taste buds gradually get used to the invasion of hops and the strong taste is replaced with a rich one with a lingering bitter finish. It is an extremely refreshing beer and I find that it goes very well with food, especially with peppery and spicy dishes. It's actually quite pale compared to other lagers, but don't let that deter you. The flagship product from Asia Pacific Breweries, this is worth keeping a few stocked in your fridge.
It's time for a Tiger. grrrrrr
40 Beers to Celebrate 40 Years! Day 34
Beer: Asahi
Type: Lager
Region: Tokyo, Japan
Rating: Novice
Drinking Japanese, I think I'm drinking Japanese, I really think so! There are a number of decent beers that come out of the Far East, but I don't seem to recall seeing this one, so I jumped all over it and decided tonight was the night to give it a try.
Asahi means "Rising Sun", and the can claims it to be "super dry". At first pour, it gives a light frothy head that disappears quickly. The colour is a light straw and has a faint grassy aroma, which may explain why it's a 'rice lager'. No hops, no malt. The taste is slightly sweet, a little bite on the tongue, and a smooth crisp finish with no aftertaste.
Not a whole lot of character, but it also won't crowd what you are eating, and will hold up all night if that's your aim. It's the most popular beer in Japan - think the Budweiser of Tokyo and beyond - and you'll have a better idea of what to expect. Yeah, it's a pretty predictable lager, which is not to say it's terrible. In fact, impress your friends with a few cans of this in the fridge. You certainly won't offend anyone.
Gonna be a good weekend for beer consumption!
Type: Lager
Region: Tokyo, Japan
Rating: Novice
Drinking Japanese, I think I'm drinking Japanese, I really think so! There are a number of decent beers that come out of the Far East, but I don't seem to recall seeing this one, so I jumped all over it and decided tonight was the night to give it a try.
Asahi means "Rising Sun", and the can claims it to be "super dry". At first pour, it gives a light frothy head that disappears quickly. The colour is a light straw and has a faint grassy aroma, which may explain why it's a 'rice lager'. No hops, no malt. The taste is slightly sweet, a little bite on the tongue, and a smooth crisp finish with no aftertaste.
Not a whole lot of character, but it also won't crowd what you are eating, and will hold up all night if that's your aim. It's the most popular beer in Japan - think the Budweiser of Tokyo and beyond - and you'll have a better idea of what to expect. Yeah, it's a pretty predictable lager, which is not to say it's terrible. In fact, impress your friends with a few cans of this in the fridge. You certainly won't offend anyone.
Gonna be a good weekend for beer consumption!
40 Beers to Celebrate 40 Years! Day 33
Beer: Kilkenny
Type: Cream Ale
Region: Ireland
Rating: Intermediate
Wow, day 33 and we're getting into the home stretch. Kinda sad, kinda excited. I'll have to really line up some nice pints for the next seven days. Well, off we go with today's selection.
Kilkenny (not to be confused with Kill Kenny), is an Irish Cream Ale from the makers of Guinness. Now, I've stated before that I'm not all that fond of Guinness, but I'm definitely fond of this beer. If possible, get this beer on tap but in a fix, out of the can is a good alternative.
This beer is all about head. When pouring into a glass, don't be afraid of tilting the can into a nice pour, and watch the 'cream' rise to the top as it has a reverse cascade effect, leaving behind a rich red colour. It's smooth and as flavourful as an Irish beer can get, with just enough carbonation to make it less heavy, more enjoyable than Guinness or Smithwicks. There is very little aroma to this beer to give you a hint of what's to come.
The can comes with a nitrogen capsule inside which gives it that bit of CO2 which is not apparent when canning. Gives it that extra fizz when opening. So don't think that someone slipped a silica pellet in your beer when you weren't looking.
Oh no, you kilkenny!
Type: Cream Ale
Region: Ireland
Rating: Intermediate
Wow, day 33 and we're getting into the home stretch. Kinda sad, kinda excited. I'll have to really line up some nice pints for the next seven days. Well, off we go with today's selection.
Kilkenny (not to be confused with Kill Kenny), is an Irish Cream Ale from the makers of Guinness. Now, I've stated before that I'm not all that fond of Guinness, but I'm definitely fond of this beer. If possible, get this beer on tap but in a fix, out of the can is a good alternative.
This beer is all about head. When pouring into a glass, don't be afraid of tilting the can into a nice pour, and watch the 'cream' rise to the top as it has a reverse cascade effect, leaving behind a rich red colour. It's smooth and as flavourful as an Irish beer can get, with just enough carbonation to make it less heavy, more enjoyable than Guinness or Smithwicks. There is very little aroma to this beer to give you a hint of what's to come.
The can comes with a nitrogen capsule inside which gives it that bit of CO2 which is not apparent when canning. Gives it that extra fizz when opening. So don't think that someone slipped a silica pellet in your beer when you weren't looking.
Oh no, you kilkenny!
40 Beers to Celebrate 40 Years! Day 32
Beer: Moosehead "Red"
Type: Pale Ale
Region: New Brunswick
Rating: Novice
I've never been a fan of Moosehead "Green" (lager). My experience is that the green-bottled beer has always had that 'skunky' taste and smell. But living in New Brunswick for a few summers, there's a lot of other choices from Canada's last large Independent Brewery. And, I think we all owe something to the Moose for keeping things family owned and staunchly Canadian.
Pouring reveals a very light beer, a pale, straw gold - darker than other ales like Export, but nothing especially unique. Nothing special, and fairly average for a 'Canadian ale'.
Taste is also rather average. The best I can say for Moosehead Pale Ale is that it's crisp and has all the hallmarks of a good hot-weather, outdoor picnic beer. Heavy carbonation plays on the tongue, flavours of apples and white bread dominate, though there's a bit of nice sweetness and some toasted flavour on the back-end. Finishes somewhat sweetly, with a macro lager-y sort of aftertaste. Overall, quite middle-of-the-road.
Mouthfeel is also quite average. Drinkability is on the high side, because it's so inoffensive, and when a brewery concentrates on volume rather than small batches, certain sacrifices are sure to be made. But if we're talking volume, this is a beer you can drink large quantities of.
Type: Pale Ale
Region: New Brunswick
Rating: Novice
I've never been a fan of Moosehead "Green" (lager). My experience is that the green-bottled beer has always had that 'skunky' taste and smell. But living in New Brunswick for a few summers, there's a lot of other choices from Canada's last large Independent Brewery. And, I think we all owe something to the Moose for keeping things family owned and staunchly Canadian.
Pouring reveals a very light beer, a pale, straw gold - darker than other ales like Export, but nothing especially unique. Nothing special, and fairly average for a 'Canadian ale'.
Taste is also rather average. The best I can say for Moosehead Pale Ale is that it's crisp and has all the hallmarks of a good hot-weather, outdoor picnic beer. Heavy carbonation plays on the tongue, flavours of apples and white bread dominate, though there's a bit of nice sweetness and some toasted flavour on the back-end. Finishes somewhat sweetly, with a macro lager-y sort of aftertaste. Overall, quite middle-of-the-road.
Mouthfeel is also quite average. Drinkability is on the high side, because it's so inoffensive, and when a brewery concentrates on volume rather than small batches, certain sacrifices are sure to be made. But if we're talking volume, this is a beer you can drink large quantities of.
40 Beers to Celebrate 40 Years! Day 31
Beer: Christoffel Nobel
Type:
Region: Netherlands
Rating: Intermediate
The other beer in the Christoffel collection, this is another 'strong' beer with 8.7% alc. Now, since I'm lazy and it's my beautiful daughter's 2nd birthday, I'm going to let someone else describe this for you. Again, lovin' the flip-top, and my wife likes the bottle because it 'looks like a Christmas' beer. No matter what time of year, it's sure to be a gift.
"Bottled unfiltered, it pours a dark and hazy golden-orange with a large and creamy white head. The aroma makes it obvious that the beer has been dry-hopped, as there's a ton of citrus peel, cut grass and floral notes on the nose, along with hints of orange-blossom honey, bread crust and mild yeast. Honey and toast are the initial flavours, followed quickly by orange zest and spice, a bit of yeast, and a finish that is long and hoppy without being excessively bitter or astringent. Make no mistake, this is a big beer in every regard, but it's also got enough balance to keep things in check, the alcohol in particular, making it a pleasure to drink."
Christmasy without the cram!
Type:
Region: Netherlands
Rating: Intermediate
The other beer in the Christoffel collection, this is another 'strong' beer with 8.7% alc. Now, since I'm lazy and it's my beautiful daughter's 2nd birthday, I'm going to let someone else describe this for you. Again, lovin' the flip-top, and my wife likes the bottle because it 'looks like a Christmas' beer. No matter what time of year, it's sure to be a gift.
"Bottled unfiltered, it pours a dark and hazy golden-orange with a large and creamy white head. The aroma makes it obvious that the beer has been dry-hopped, as there's a ton of citrus peel, cut grass and floral notes on the nose, along with hints of orange-blossom honey, bread crust and mild yeast. Honey and toast are the initial flavours, followed quickly by orange zest and spice, a bit of yeast, and a finish that is long and hoppy without being excessively bitter or astringent. Make no mistake, this is a big beer in every regard, but it's also got enough balance to keep things in check, the alcohol in particular, making it a pleasure to drink."
Christmasy without the cram!
40 Beers to Celebrate 40 Years! Day 30
Beer: Hoptical Illusion Almost Pale Ale
Type: Ale
Region: Barrie, Ontario
Rating: Novice
When the Robert Simpson Brewery decided to re-launch their brand, they came up with Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery. This was the first beer under that branding, and to see the bottle and box label, it's hard to distinguish whether it's a beer, a cooler, or something else altogether. But in the tough world of micro-breweries, it's hard to get noticed, so a big part of that job is having a unique marketing ploy. This one works. For how long is still to be determined.
Enough about outside the bottle, what's the stuff like inside? Well, it's a pale ale, but not your typical pale ale. This one pours a dark golden colour, almost amber, with a cream head. It smells and tastes more hops than a regular ale which I suppose is the distinguishing characteristic. It has a crisp finish and no lingering bitterness.
Not my favourite of the bunch as I still prefer the Confederation Ale, but it's still palatable.
Not your Dad's flying monkey piss in a bottle. No, this stuff you can actually drink!
Type: Ale
Region: Barrie, Ontario
Rating: Novice
When the Robert Simpson Brewery decided to re-launch their brand, they came up with Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery. This was the first beer under that branding, and to see the bottle and box label, it's hard to distinguish whether it's a beer, a cooler, or something else altogether. But in the tough world of micro-breweries, it's hard to get noticed, so a big part of that job is having a unique marketing ploy. This one works. For how long is still to be determined.
Enough about outside the bottle, what's the stuff like inside? Well, it's a pale ale, but not your typical pale ale. This one pours a dark golden colour, almost amber, with a cream head. It smells and tastes more hops than a regular ale which I suppose is the distinguishing characteristic. It has a crisp finish and no lingering bitterness.
Not my favourite of the bunch as I still prefer the Confederation Ale, but it's still palatable.
Not your Dad's flying monkey piss in a bottle. No, this stuff you can actually drink!
40 Beers to Celebrate 40 Years! Day 29
Beer: Tecate
Type: Lager
Region: Baja, Mexico
Rating: Novice
Lately I've been making notes about nice, complex micro brews that are good one-offs (enjoyable in ones or twos, but not necessarily for a whole night of boozing). So with summer right around the corner, it should come as no surprise that the occasional weekend will bring lengthy hours of beer drinking amongst friends, and the last thing you're going to want to whip out is a heavy stout. And since I am avoiding some of the bigger North American breweries or "Top Ten" type beers out there, I have to delve a little deeper to find a few that are made for those long afternoons on the patio.
Tecate is a Mexican beer that is miles better than a Corona or Sol, comparable to a Dos Equis XX Lager, and not as bitter as a Negra Modelo. I found it on the shelf at the local Beer Store, which was the first surprise because the Beer Store has a pretty small selection outside of Labatt's, Molsons, and Sleemans. The red can, to the unadulterated eye, may seem like a can of Coke, but the only buzz you'll get from this beer is not from the sugar, but the booze.
Again, there's nothing earth-shattering about this beer - it won't win any awards, but it's a beer great out of the can with a burger or sausage, some Mexican food, chips or pretzels. Best consumed in quantity!
Type: Lager
Region: Baja, Mexico
Rating: Novice
Lately I've been making notes about nice, complex micro brews that are good one-offs (enjoyable in ones or twos, but not necessarily for a whole night of boozing). So with summer right around the corner, it should come as no surprise that the occasional weekend will bring lengthy hours of beer drinking amongst friends, and the last thing you're going to want to whip out is a heavy stout. And since I am avoiding some of the bigger North American breweries or "Top Ten" type beers out there, I have to delve a little deeper to find a few that are made for those long afternoons on the patio.
Tecate is a Mexican beer that is miles better than a Corona or Sol, comparable to a Dos Equis XX Lager, and not as bitter as a Negra Modelo. I found it on the shelf at the local Beer Store, which was the first surprise because the Beer Store has a pretty small selection outside of Labatt's, Molsons, and Sleemans. The red can, to the unadulterated eye, may seem like a can of Coke, but the only buzz you'll get from this beer is not from the sugar, but the booze.
Again, there's nothing earth-shattering about this beer - it won't win any awards, but it's a beer great out of the can with a burger or sausage, some Mexican food, chips or pretzels. Best consumed in quantity!
40 Beers to Celebrate 40 Years! Day 28
Beer: Antigravity
Type: Light ale
Region: Barrie, Ontario
Rating: Novice
There's a little micro-brewery situated in downtown Barrie that was formerly known as the Robert Simpson Brewery. Their first beer was a Confederation Ale, and several years ago I enjoyed a lot of it on tap in various pubs around the Muskokas. I managed to tour the brewery and was not only thoroughly impressed with the operations, but I loved the product and the micro-breweries in general.
Today they are now known as Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery and have expanded their menu of beers. I don't drink a lot of light anything because many sacrifice taste, but not in this case.
Antigravity uses real, natural, certified organic ingredients and by brewing this a a light ale, you'll find better body and complexity than other light beers. Effervescent, not too hoppy or aggressive, it's a very easy beer to like.
As a footnote, if you can find yourself some Confederation Ale, get yourself a six, sit back, and enjoy a few.
Type: Light ale
Region: Barrie, Ontario
Rating: Novice
There's a little micro-brewery situated in downtown Barrie that was formerly known as the Robert Simpson Brewery. Their first beer was a Confederation Ale, and several years ago I enjoyed a lot of it on tap in various pubs around the Muskokas. I managed to tour the brewery and was not only thoroughly impressed with the operations, but I loved the product and the micro-breweries in general.
Today they are now known as Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery and have expanded their menu of beers. I don't drink a lot of light anything because many sacrifice taste, but not in this case.
Antigravity uses real, natural, certified organic ingredients and by brewing this a a light ale, you'll find better body and complexity than other light beers. Effervescent, not too hoppy or aggressive, it's a very easy beer to like.
As a footnote, if you can find yourself some Confederation Ale, get yourself a six, sit back, and enjoy a few.
40 Beers to Celebrate 40 Years! Day 27
Beer: Warka
Type: Lager
Region: Poland
Rating: Intermediate
Deep golden in colour, initial sweet malty taste, this fine beer from Poland is nice and smooth and easy on the palate. The carbonation leaves quickly, as does the head. There's a slight caramel aroma, and for a 7% alc strong beer, goes down nicely and in a 500ml bottle, can sneak up on you when you least expect it.
You'll find that the taste of any beer is directly affected by the food you eat/don't eat. On it's own, it may be a bit sharp at first and the sweetness may be hard to grasp for those novice drinkers, but it's not too difficult to get into either. I accompanied this with some home-made fajitas, which corresponded well with the spiciness of the food.
It's not the most adventurous of beers, and compared to the last 27 days, may be forgettable, but it's definitely worth the try.
Type: Lager
Region: Poland
Rating: Intermediate
Deep golden in colour, initial sweet malty taste, this fine beer from Poland is nice and smooth and easy on the palate. The carbonation leaves quickly, as does the head. There's a slight caramel aroma, and for a 7% alc strong beer, goes down nicely and in a 500ml bottle, can sneak up on you when you least expect it.
You'll find that the taste of any beer is directly affected by the food you eat/don't eat. On it's own, it may be a bit sharp at first and the sweetness may be hard to grasp for those novice drinkers, but it's not too difficult to get into either. I accompanied this with some home-made fajitas, which corresponded well with the spiciness of the food.
It's not the most adventurous of beers, and compared to the last 27 days, may be forgettable, but it's definitely worth the try.
40 Beers to Celebrate 40 Years! Day 26
Beer: Don de Dieu
Type: Triple Wheat Ale
Region: La Belle Provence (Quebec)
Rating: Intermediate
To find good beer in Canada, one doesn't need to look much further than Unibroue in Quebec. These guys make GREAT beers! This gem is also one of the highest alcohol contents thus far.
Don de dieu means "Gift of God", which it certainly is, even to non-believers. It has won many awards over the years and has moved from seasonal ale to full-time status at the Beer Store.
You may be expecting a dark, heavy type beer, but those expectations are dashed when you pour it in the glass. First sip is sweet, the head is creamy and stays that way until the end. Constant carbonation and an nice orange flavour and colour makes this extremely enjoyable with every taste and it goes down easy. It has the familiar malty taste that defines many of Unibroue's stable of beers. Dangerous if you throw back a few of these.
I could (and possibly may) write about the whole suite of their beers, as they all deserve attention.
Type: Triple Wheat Ale
Region: La Belle Provence (Quebec)
Rating: Intermediate
To find good beer in Canada, one doesn't need to look much further than Unibroue in Quebec. These guys make GREAT beers! This gem is also one of the highest alcohol contents thus far.
Don de dieu means "Gift of God", which it certainly is, even to non-believers. It has won many awards over the years and has moved from seasonal ale to full-time status at the Beer Store.
You may be expecting a dark, heavy type beer, but those expectations are dashed when you pour it in the glass. First sip is sweet, the head is creamy and stays that way until the end. Constant carbonation and an nice orange flavour and colour makes this extremely enjoyable with every taste and it goes down easy. It has the familiar malty taste that defines many of Unibroue's stable of beers. Dangerous if you throw back a few of these.
I could (and possibly may) write about the whole suite of their beers, as they all deserve attention.
40 Beers to Celebrate 40 Years! Day 25
Beer: Christoffel Bier
Type: Pilsner
Region: Netherlands
Rating: Intermediate/Expert
First, I love beer with flip tops. My first one was many years ago, and it was Grolsch. I'll always remember how cool that was. Since then I've had many types of beers that had various types of tops, but the flip will always be near and dear to my liver.
But ultimately, we don't enjoy the stopper that prevents the beer from coming out, but rather the product that it is used to protect. Thus, the Christoffel Bier.
It's a strong, double hopped pilsner, pours like a lager, feels like an ale. Newer labeling will have it as Blond. Brewed in the German Pilsner style, this beer poured straw yellow, cloudy, and had a white inch tall head that stood out. A light spicy hop aroma floated above sweet caramel and malt. Slightly toasted nut flavor first, then a sweet fruitiness that overwhelmed initially. Loads of hop and bitterness that lingers in the mouth at the end.
Overall, an interesting beer if not a bit complex which can be fun if you like taste-bud trivia. Not the best in the bunch, but definitely worth trying. You'll be saying to yourself as you take the last sip "Damn, that's a small bottle!"
Type: Pilsner
Region: Netherlands
Rating: Intermediate/Expert
First, I love beer with flip tops. My first one was many years ago, and it was Grolsch. I'll always remember how cool that was. Since then I've had many types of beers that had various types of tops, but the flip will always be near and dear to my liver.
But ultimately, we don't enjoy the stopper that prevents the beer from coming out, but rather the product that it is used to protect. Thus, the Christoffel Bier.
It's a strong, double hopped pilsner, pours like a lager, feels like an ale. Newer labeling will have it as Blond. Brewed in the German Pilsner style, this beer poured straw yellow, cloudy, and had a white inch tall head that stood out. A light spicy hop aroma floated above sweet caramel and malt. Slightly toasted nut flavor first, then a sweet fruitiness that overwhelmed initially. Loads of hop and bitterness that lingers in the mouth at the end.
Overall, an interesting beer if not a bit complex which can be fun if you like taste-bud trivia. Not the best in the bunch, but definitely worth trying. You'll be saying to yourself as you take the last sip "Damn, that's a small bottle!"
40 Beers to Celebrate 40 Years! Day 24
Beer: Mort Subite Kriek
Type: Lambic
Region: Belgium
Rating: Intermediate
Okay, so we've sampled quite a few beers from Belgium, not by mistake, but because frankly, they make some pretty damn fine beers, and have been doing so for a very long time. Today's late entry is due to the fact that I had to a) bring Aiden to drama class and b) I'm bringing out a lambic beer, a type of beverage that should be enjoyed on it's own and unmolested.
So first, a little about Lambic beers, because frankly, if you don't know what to expect, you will either be pleasantly surprised or you will hate me forever.
In it's simplest form, Lambic is a Belgian term for beer fermented with wild yeasts. It is this unusual process which gives the beer its distinctive flavour: dry, vinous, and cidery, with a slightly sour aftertaste. Various types of fruit are added (either real or syrup) to give it a bold distinction, but note that not all Lambic beer are fruit-flavoured beer. To get more information, try Google. Now, on to the beer.
The small, dark, dry-tasting cherry typically used in Belgian fruit beers is "kriek", meaning cherry. It is a very well-balanced beer with a creamy, cherry head and a light, tart finish. Some fruit lambics are heavy on the syrup and, if you're like me and get acid reflux, a lemon lambic is death on the esophagus. However, this gem from Mort Subite (meaning 'sudden death') is a great dessert beer that would go great with a wheel of camembert or other soft cheese. Poured in a glass, it has the appearance of a darker rose wine and certainly doesn't have that 'hop' smell. The other nice touch is the corked bottle, and at 4.5% alc, easy drinking. Deceiving, yes. Delicious - indeed.
Type: Lambic
Region: Belgium
Rating: Intermediate
Okay, so we've sampled quite a few beers from Belgium, not by mistake, but because frankly, they make some pretty damn fine beers, and have been doing so for a very long time. Today's late entry is due to the fact that I had to a) bring Aiden to drama class and b) I'm bringing out a lambic beer, a type of beverage that should be enjoyed on it's own and unmolested.
So first, a little about Lambic beers, because frankly, if you don't know what to expect, you will either be pleasantly surprised or you will hate me forever.
In it's simplest form, Lambic is a Belgian term for beer fermented with wild yeasts. It is this unusual process which gives the beer its distinctive flavour: dry, vinous, and cidery, with a slightly sour aftertaste. Various types of fruit are added (either real or syrup) to give it a bold distinction, but note that not all Lambic beer are fruit-flavoured beer. To get more information, try Google. Now, on to the beer.
The small, dark, dry-tasting cherry typically used in Belgian fruit beers is "kriek", meaning cherry. It is a very well-balanced beer with a creamy, cherry head and a light, tart finish. Some fruit lambics are heavy on the syrup and, if you're like me and get acid reflux, a lemon lambic is death on the esophagus. However, this gem from Mort Subite (meaning 'sudden death') is a great dessert beer that would go great with a wheel of camembert or other soft cheese. Poured in a glass, it has the appearance of a darker rose wine and certainly doesn't have that 'hop' smell. The other nice touch is the corked bottle, and at 4.5% alc, easy drinking. Deceiving, yes. Delicious - indeed.
40 Beers to Celebrate 40 Years! Day 23
Beer: Gouden Carolus Ambrio
Type: Amber Ale
Region: Belgium
Rating: Intermediate
Small bottle, big alcohol content, HUGE HEAD! That in a nutshell is how I would first describe this belgian ale.
After pouring it into a stemmed goblet, the head grew and would not go down. I really don't think there was any way around it. I thought of shaving it down with a knife, but thought better of it, letting it settle naturally. But I got thirsty, so I went for the froth-stache.
Cloudy caramel colour, it is reminiscent of most typical belgian ales - lots of yeast/malt up front, fruit essences, bitterness, bitter aftertaste that lingers well after the last sip. Flavours definitely fill the mouth (and you'll know what I mean when you take a hefty sip).
At 8% alc, it's surprisingly light, which could hurt you in the end if you enjoy too many.
Small in stature, big on booze!
Type: Amber Ale
Region: Belgium
Rating: Intermediate
Small bottle, big alcohol content, HUGE HEAD! That in a nutshell is how I would first describe this belgian ale.
After pouring it into a stemmed goblet, the head grew and would not go down. I really don't think there was any way around it. I thought of shaving it down with a knife, but thought better of it, letting it settle naturally. But I got thirsty, so I went for the froth-stache.
Cloudy caramel colour, it is reminiscent of most typical belgian ales - lots of yeast/malt up front, fruit essences, bitterness, bitter aftertaste that lingers well after the last sip. Flavours definitely fill the mouth (and you'll know what I mean when you take a hefty sip).
At 8% alc, it's surprisingly light, which could hurt you in the end if you enjoy too many.
Small in stature, big on booze!
40 Beers to Celebrate 40 Years! Day 22
Beer: Edelweiss
Type: Wheat beer
Region: Austria
Rating: Novice
Ski season may be over, but Edelweiss still plays a big part of my weekends. No, not ski patrol, but a really cool beer that shares the same name as my area ski hill. Ladies and gentlemen, introducing Edelweiss Snow Fresh Alpine Herbed Wheat Beer!
Pours a nice hazy straw-grass colour with a light frothy head. Subtle floral scents and fairly light on the palate. No bitterness. Has that citrus taste associated with most wheat beers as it goes down. Not overly carbonated, and very refreshing. I wish I had picked up more than just one bottle.
If you've never had a wheat, and are willing to venture into these types of beer, this is a very nice summer brew that will not disappoint.
Type: Wheat beer
Region: Austria
Rating: Novice
Ski season may be over, but Edelweiss still plays a big part of my weekends. No, not ski patrol, but a really cool beer that shares the same name as my area ski hill. Ladies and gentlemen, introducing Edelweiss Snow Fresh Alpine Herbed Wheat Beer!
Pours a nice hazy straw-grass colour with a light frothy head. Subtle floral scents and fairly light on the palate. No bitterness. Has that citrus taste associated with most wheat beers as it goes down. Not overly carbonated, and very refreshing. I wish I had picked up more than just one bottle.
If you've never had a wheat, and are willing to venture into these types of beer, this is a very nice summer brew that will not disappoint.
40 Beers to Celebrate 40 Years! Day 21
Beer: Chimay Triple (White Cap)
Type: Trappist Strong Ale
Region: Belgium
Rating: Expert
Trappist monks dedicate their lives to God and all things godlike. Beer is one of those things that brings you that much closer to Heaven.
Since 1862 the Cistercian Trappist monks of Chimay have been developing the production of Trappist beers which, owing to their character and qualities are well known and enjoy great success.
Chimay is an authentic Trappist beer that is brewed within a Trappist monastery, under the control and responsibility of the monastic community. Only 6 beers in Belgium can carry the appellation "Trappist": Chimay, Orval, Rochefort, Westmalle, Westvleteren and Achel.
Of the three types (Red, Triple, and Blue), this one is a real gem. Honey colour and hazy, it pours a fine head and smells of hops, yeast, and citrus (orange and some banana). Slightly bitter at first, there is a distinct fruitiness that hits the mouth.
You may be a bit concerned with the bits of sediment floating in the beer when it is first poured, but don't let this bother you, as it's perfectly normal for a brew that is top fermented, then refermented in the bottle. There is little carbonation which makes it nice and creamy going down.
The monks take a lot of time and care making this product, so you should take the same time and care to sit back and enjoy this fine Trappist Ale. If you can find it on tap, all the better.
Last bit of advice - don't drink it from the bottle. Better to pour it into a goblet, as this allows the fragrance to really envelope your senses each time you take a sip.
Type: Trappist Strong Ale
Region: Belgium
Rating: Expert
Trappist monks dedicate their lives to God and all things godlike. Beer is one of those things that brings you that much closer to Heaven.
Since 1862 the Cistercian Trappist monks of Chimay have been developing the production of Trappist beers which, owing to their character and qualities are well known and enjoy great success.
Chimay is an authentic Trappist beer that is brewed within a Trappist monastery, under the control and responsibility of the monastic community. Only 6 beers in Belgium can carry the appellation "Trappist": Chimay, Orval, Rochefort, Westmalle, Westvleteren and Achel.
Of the three types (Red, Triple, and Blue), this one is a real gem. Honey colour and hazy, it pours a fine head and smells of hops, yeast, and citrus (orange and some banana). Slightly bitter at first, there is a distinct fruitiness that hits the mouth.
You may be a bit concerned with the bits of sediment floating in the beer when it is first poured, but don't let this bother you, as it's perfectly normal for a brew that is top fermented, then refermented in the bottle. There is little carbonation which makes it nice and creamy going down.
The monks take a lot of time and care making this product, so you should take the same time and care to sit back and enjoy this fine Trappist Ale. If you can find it on tap, all the better.
Last bit of advice - don't drink it from the bottle. Better to pour it into a goblet, as this allows the fragrance to really envelope your senses each time you take a sip.
40 Beers to Celebrate 40 Years! Day 20
Beer: Sinha
Type: Extra Strong Stout
Region: Sri Lanka
Rating: Intermediate/Expert
It's day 20, and what a great way to bring us to the halfway mark of this little adventure.
Another gift beer from my main man Dan, I was a bit hesitant to open this one up because generally, stouts can be a bit heavy, and at 8.8% alc, it's gonna have a bit of buzz factor. Additionally, when a beer characterizes itself as having "a blend of chocolate, coffee and toffee flavours that has a mocha liquer like" qualities, you best make sure your palate is up to the task.
So when I initially poured this into the glass, it was like runny molasses (black as a moonless night) with a very defined tan head. I fully expected full-on heaviness and overpowering flavour. I was wrong on both accounts.
Although you would be hard-pressed to see through it's opaqueness, the taste is surprisingly light. Yes, there is chocolate and coffee flavours, but it is gentle and smooth, and extremely easy to enjoy. A perfect after dinner brew, you shouldn't be afraid to drink it on it's own. To be sure, it doesn't taste like the bottom of a coffee urn and there's no burnt taste to it, only a sweetness and creaminess that brings this baby up to the top ten!
You will find the taste and aroma more pronounced if you drink this on it's own, and less so when enjoyed with stronger foods (garlic, hotter spices).
If you are able to find this at your local LCBO or other fine alcohol supplier, snap up a few and impress your friends.
Type: Extra Strong Stout
Region: Sri Lanka
Rating: Intermediate/Expert
It's day 20, and what a great way to bring us to the halfway mark of this little adventure.
Another gift beer from my main man Dan, I was a bit hesitant to open this one up because generally, stouts can be a bit heavy, and at 8.8% alc, it's gonna have a bit of buzz factor. Additionally, when a beer characterizes itself as having "a blend of chocolate, coffee and toffee flavours that has a mocha liquer like" qualities, you best make sure your palate is up to the task.
So when I initially poured this into the glass, it was like runny molasses (black as a moonless night) with a very defined tan head. I fully expected full-on heaviness and overpowering flavour. I was wrong on both accounts.
Although you would be hard-pressed to see through it's opaqueness, the taste is surprisingly light. Yes, there is chocolate and coffee flavours, but it is gentle and smooth, and extremely easy to enjoy. A perfect after dinner brew, you shouldn't be afraid to drink it on it's own. To be sure, it doesn't taste like the bottom of a coffee urn and there's no burnt taste to it, only a sweetness and creaminess that brings this baby up to the top ten!
You will find the taste and aroma more pronounced if you drink this on it's own, and less so when enjoyed with stronger foods (garlic, hotter spices).
If you are able to find this at your local LCBO or other fine alcohol supplier, snap up a few and impress your friends.
40 Beers to Celebrate 40 Years! Day 19
Beer: Ochakovo
Type: Lager
Region: Moscow, Russia
Rating: Novice
Dobry den!
Tonight was a little culinary united nations of food and drink - lebanese food, mexican hot sauce, and Russian beer. And I have to say...a mouth-watering masterpiece by ME.
So, let's talk about the beer, shall we?
It's the first time I've had a Russian beer, so I was anxious for this Lager, and I knew that I needed something a little lighter than an ale or stout. Ochakovo delivered. First, it has a cool pull/pop tab, and once again, I scored on the 500ml bottle.
I asked my wife to describe the colour - she said it looked like your pee when you're dehydrated. But since that doesn't sound very appealing, lets say it has a bright sunflower yellow colour, a faint malt scent on the white frothy head, and a slight hop aftertaste.
At 4.5% alc, it's comparable to some American Lagers, but without the cool tab. It's a safe beer to venture towards if you are a mainstream beer drinker, but it can be a few steps down the rung if you're used to more sophisticated micros.
May not be the best Russia can offer, but here in Canada, we're used to anything Russian coming in less than third place!
Type: Lager
Region: Moscow, Russia
Rating: Novice
Dobry den!
Tonight was a little culinary united nations of food and drink - lebanese food, mexican hot sauce, and Russian beer. And I have to say...a mouth-watering masterpiece by ME.
So, let's talk about the beer, shall we?
It's the first time I've had a Russian beer, so I was anxious for this Lager, and I knew that I needed something a little lighter than an ale or stout. Ochakovo delivered. First, it has a cool pull/pop tab, and once again, I scored on the 500ml bottle.
I asked my wife to describe the colour - she said it looked like your pee when you're dehydrated. But since that doesn't sound very appealing, lets say it has a bright sunflower yellow colour, a faint malt scent on the white frothy head, and a slight hop aftertaste.
At 4.5% alc, it's comparable to some American Lagers, but without the cool tab. It's a safe beer to venture towards if you are a mainstream beer drinker, but it can be a few steps down the rung if you're used to more sophisticated micros.
May not be the best Russia can offer, but here in Canada, we're used to anything Russian coming in less than third place!
40 Beers to Celebrate 40 Years! Day 18
Beer: Dos Equis Amber
Type: Amber Beer, closer to a lager or lighter ale
Region: Mexico
Rating: Novice
Happy Cinco de Mayo! Tonight was a quick Mexican feast of chicken tacos, black beans, and authentic salsa and Mexican hot sauce. So with all of this spicy goodness going around, it called for a Mexican beer. Enter Dos Equis XX Amber.
Amber in colour, but not entirely in taste. In fact, most if not all beers from Mexico have a distinctive blandness to them. Some say light, I say bland. Negra Modelo is darker and more sharp, Corona is refreshing for the summer but you might as well drink water at that point. Others like Estrella and Pacifico are not available at the LCBO. So this is probably one of the better macro brews.
However, if I'm in the mood for a few mass-produced beers on the backyard patio, then this will do nicely. And with spicy food, it's waaayyy better than milk to bring down the heat.
There is very little aroma that separates itself from another beer. It's colour is light amber-red, carbonation doesn't last very long, the head is frothy and tan, and slight caramel and malt taste. It goes down very smooth, leaves little aftertaste, and very easy to drink. Ole!
Type: Amber Beer, closer to a lager or lighter ale
Region: Mexico
Rating: Novice
Happy Cinco de Mayo! Tonight was a quick Mexican feast of chicken tacos, black beans, and authentic salsa and Mexican hot sauce. So with all of this spicy goodness going around, it called for a Mexican beer. Enter Dos Equis XX Amber.
Amber in colour, but not entirely in taste. In fact, most if not all beers from Mexico have a distinctive blandness to them. Some say light, I say bland. Negra Modelo is darker and more sharp, Corona is refreshing for the summer but you might as well drink water at that point. Others like Estrella and Pacifico are not available at the LCBO. So this is probably one of the better macro brews.
However, if I'm in the mood for a few mass-produced beers on the backyard patio, then this will do nicely. And with spicy food, it's waaayyy better than milk to bring down the heat.
There is very little aroma that separates itself from another beer. It's colour is light amber-red, carbonation doesn't last very long, the head is frothy and tan, and slight caramel and malt taste. It goes down very smooth, leaves little aftertaste, and very easy to drink. Ole!
Tuesday, May 04, 2010
40 Beers to Celebrate 40 Years! Day Seventeen
Beer: Golden Pheasant
Type: Pilsner
Region: Slovakia
Rating: Novice
Recommended by food and beverage guru Ranjiv Singh, I could not bypass this beer at the LCBO, and I'm always up for entertaining a good reco.
The beer has a nice, fluffy, white head and the body is quite clear. The colour is, you guessed it, a nice golden hue. The aroma is hoppy and reminiscent of Heineken, but this Pilsner is a bit sweeter and smells of grass.
I'm usually not fond of green bottled beer because I find that they don't filter out enough harmful light, which means that they stay fresh for a shorter period of time, but in a standard 500ml bottle, there's enough Pheasant to finish a meal with.
Na Zdraví!
40 Beers to Celebrate 40 Years! Day Sixteen
Beer: Wells Bombardier
Type: Ale
Region: England
Rating: Intermediate
I love a fine English ale and this one was a 'gift' or 'donation' to my cause by my good friend Dan. The product is Wells Bombardier English Premium Ale and I don't think it would be too difficult to find outside of Ontario. It weighs in with a hefty 500ml bottle and 5.2% alc, so leave the skirt and purse at home.
Pouring this malt beverage shows a dark ruby red colour and an unmistakable yet not overpowering malty nose. The one thing that is very noticeable is how consistent and long-lasting the head is, which is important to allow you to enjoy the aroma. In fact, if you are trying any of the beers that I list, please do the beer a good service and ALWAYS use the appropriate glass. Save the 'out of the bottle or can' stuff for the more mass-produced varieties.
The taste combines toasted malt, caramel, and a light spiciness that is easy to savour.
If you've thought about moving from a novice-type beer to dabble into a fine English Ale, this one is a very good introduction and will leave few disappointed.
Type: Ale
Region: England
Rating: Intermediate
I love a fine English ale and this one was a 'gift' or 'donation' to my cause by my good friend Dan. The product is Wells Bombardier English Premium Ale and I don't think it would be too difficult to find outside of Ontario. It weighs in with a hefty 500ml bottle and 5.2% alc, so leave the skirt and purse at home.
Pouring this malt beverage shows a dark ruby red colour and an unmistakable yet not overpowering malty nose. The one thing that is very noticeable is how consistent and long-lasting the head is, which is important to allow you to enjoy the aroma. In fact, if you are trying any of the beers that I list, please do the beer a good service and ALWAYS use the appropriate glass. Save the 'out of the bottle or can' stuff for the more mass-produced varieties.
The taste combines toasted malt, caramel, and a light spiciness that is easy to savour.
If you've thought about moving from a novice-type beer to dabble into a fine English Ale, this one is a very good introduction and will leave few disappointed.
40 Beers to Celebrate 40 Years! Day Fifteen
Beer: Amsterdam
Type: Lager
Region: Ontario
Rating: Novice
There's not a whole hell of a lot of good that comes out of Toronto, but beer is definitely the exception.
Amsterdam is right downtown, near the Rogers Centre and Air Canada Place. They have a number of different varieties, but this is the first one I've tried, and on a nice hot sunny Sunday afternoon, it's the perfect patio pint.
Light straw colour, mild citric tones, and a clean finish that is common with most lagers are characteristics of this beer. Get yourself a few tall boys and laugh to yourself knowing that the Leafs still suck!
Type: Lager
Region: Ontario
Rating: Novice
There's not a whole hell of a lot of good that comes out of Toronto, but beer is definitely the exception.
Amsterdam is right downtown, near the Rogers Centre and Air Canada Place. They have a number of different varieties, but this is the first one I've tried, and on a nice hot sunny Sunday afternoon, it's the perfect patio pint.
Light straw colour, mild citric tones, and a clean finish that is common with most lagers are characteristics of this beer. Get yourself a few tall boys and laugh to yourself knowing that the Leafs still suck!
40 Beers to Celebrate 40 Years! Day Fourteen
Beer: Headstrong Black & Tan
Type: Ale/Stout
Region: USA
Rating: Novice/Intermediate
It's Saturday, a great day for a BBQ and some beer. Today, I bring you a fine concoction from our neighbours to the South, the brewery being Big Hole Brewery in Utica, NY.
It blends two types of beer - ale (a type of beer brewed from malted barley using a top-fermenting brewers' yeast. This yeast ferments the beer quickly, giving it a sweet, full bodied and fruity taste), and stout (dark, sometimes bitter beer, think Guiness, the world's most popular stout beer).
Normally, you would take a pale ale and a stout and pour the ale first, with the stout sitting on top, giving it a blended tan (from the bottom) to dark (top) hue. Unfortunately, coming from a can, it is not separated, so you don't get the visual. Mixing two types of beer shouldn't come as any surprise, as wine makers have been mixing grape varieties for years.
The end result of this beer is one that is a dark brown colour with a dense white head. Aroma is vague, with bread and a slight nuttiness. Thin body. In the flavour: caramel, toasted nuts, water leading to a slight grassiness with more nuts and possibly a bit of molasses in the finish. In fact, you could argue that it could be a Guiness Light, in that is has a similar aroma but much more carbonation and not nearly as heavy - but the Guinny lovers would strongly disagree.
May not be for everyone, but worth a try. I actually kinda like it!
Type: Ale/Stout
Region: USA
Rating: Novice/Intermediate
It's Saturday, a great day for a BBQ and some beer. Today, I bring you a fine concoction from our neighbours to the South, the brewery being Big Hole Brewery in Utica, NY.
It blends two types of beer - ale (a type of beer brewed from malted barley using a top-fermenting brewers' yeast. This yeast ferments the beer quickly, giving it a sweet, full bodied and fruity taste), and stout (dark, sometimes bitter beer, think Guiness, the world's most popular stout beer).
Normally, you would take a pale ale and a stout and pour the ale first, with the stout sitting on top, giving it a blended tan (from the bottom) to dark (top) hue. Unfortunately, coming from a can, it is not separated, so you don't get the visual. Mixing two types of beer shouldn't come as any surprise, as wine makers have been mixing grape varieties for years.
The end result of this beer is one that is a dark brown colour with a dense white head. Aroma is vague, with bread and a slight nuttiness. Thin body. In the flavour: caramel, toasted nuts, water leading to a slight grassiness with more nuts and possibly a bit of molasses in the finish. In fact, you could argue that it could be a Guiness Light, in that is has a similar aroma but much more carbonation and not nearly as heavy - but the Guinny lovers would strongly disagree.
May not be for everyone, but worth a try. I actually kinda like it!
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