Friday 29 December 2006

Aass Juleøl 2006 (6.5%)

Last beer of the year. This one also a gift from ØM.
  • Name: Aass Juleøl 2006, 6.5%, Norway
  • Appearance: Dark, redish brown. Little bit of head.
  • Aroma: Fruit and malt. Slightly winey.
  • Taste: Quite hoppy. Also malt and some fruit. Bitter aftertaste.
  • Bought: Gift, 330 ml, NOK ?.??
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 29/12-2006

Thursday 28 December 2006

Ringnes Juleøl (6.5%)

2006 edition: Another Christmas Beer, again gift from ØM.
  • Name: Ringnes Juleøl 2006, 6.5%, Norway
  • Appearance: Dark brown, quite red. Very little head.
  • Aroma: Dark fruit, prunes. Some malt. Bit of honey.
  • Taste: Malt and fruit, some hops. Nice, full aftertaste.
  • Bought: Gift, 330 ml, NOK ?.??
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 28/12-2006
2007 edition: Another one bought by ØM at Vinmonopolet, Tromsø.
  • Name: Ringnes Juleøl 2007, 6.5%, Norway
  • Appearance: Dark redish brown. Nice amount of head.
  • Aroma: Caramel, malt. Dark fruit.
  • Taste: Malt and dark fruit. Slight bitterness.
  • Bought: Vinmonopolet, 330 ml, NOK 24.60
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 25/12-2007

Wednesday 27 December 2006

Ringnes Julebokk 2006 (9.9%)

2006 edition: Fourth bottle that ØM got me. This one was rated Best Christmas Beer by two of the biggest newspapers in Norway (VG and Dagbladet).
  • Name: Ringnes Julebokk 2006, 9.9%, Norway
  • Appearance: Very dark brown, redish. Very little head.
  • Aroma: Dark fruit. Malty. Hint of coffee.
  • Taste: Very malty. Dark fruit. Bitter, longlasting aftertaste.
  • Bought: Gift, 330 ml, NOK ?.??
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 27/12-2006
2012 edition:
  • Name: Ringnes Julebokk 2012, 9.0%, Norway
  • Appearance: Very dark brown, clear. Little bit of tan head.
  • Aroma: Good malt, slightly roasted. Some dark fruit.
  • Taste: More dark malt, quite roasted. Dark fruit. Nice.
  • Bought: Vinmonopolet, 330 ml, NOK 39.10
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 25/12-2012, BB: 4/10-2014

Sunday 24 December 2006

Hansa Juleøl (6.5%)

2006 edition: Third bottled gift from ØM.
  • Name: Hansa Juleøl 2006, 6.5%, Norway
  • Appearance: Dark brown. Caramel. Almost black. Very little head.
  • Aroma: Dark fruit. Malt. Honey and prunes.
  • Taste: Dark fruit and malt. Smooth. Bitterish aftertaste.
  • Bought: Gift, 330 ml, NOK ?.??
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 24/12-2006
2007 edition: Bought for me from Vinmonopolet, Tromsø by ØM.
  • Name: Hansa Juleøl 2007, 6.5%, Norway
  • Appearance: Dark redish brown. Little bit of head.
  • Aroma: Malt, dark fruit. Burnt. Prunes? Alcohol.
  • Taste: Slightly bitter, alcohol. Malt. Watery. Dark fruit.
  • Bought: Vinmonopolet, 330 ml, NOK 26.60
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 24/12-2007

Thursday 21 December 2006

Mack Juleøl (6.5%)

2006 edition: Second Juleøl from the batch ØM brought over. This one brewed by Mack, the northernmost brewery in the world (until 2000).
  • Name: Mack Juleøl 2006, 6.5%, Norway
  • Appearance: Golden dark brown. Little head. Hint of red.
  • Aroma: Pretty malty and fruity. Oaky. Coffee.
  • Taste: Dark fruit and malt. Bitterish, but not too much.
  • Bought: Gift, 330 ml, NOK ?.??
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 21/12-2006
2007 edition: Second Norwegian Juleøl of the season. Also bought by ØM at Vinmonopolet, Tromsø.
  • Name: Mack Juleøl 2007, 6.5%, Norway
  • Appearance: Dark redish brown. Nice amount of head, shortlived.
  • Aroma: Dark fruit, some malt. Burnt caramel?
  • Taste: Burnt caramel, malt and dark fruit. Smooth.
  • Bought: Vinmonopolet, 330 ml, NOK 27.20
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 25/12-2007
2012 edition:
  • Name: Mack Juleøl 2012, 6.5%, Norway
  • Appearance: Dark, redish brown. Lots of light tan head.
  • Aroma: Good malt, some fruit.
  • Taste: More malt, some spices. Slight alcohol. Good.
  • Bought: Vinmonopolet, 330 ml, NOK 33.80
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 23/12-2012

Tuesday 19 December 2006

De Troch Chapeau Pêche

Slightly stronger than the 3.0% as listed in the 500-book.
  • Name: De Troch Chapeau Pêche, 3.5%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Brownish orange. Cloudy. Absolutely no head.
  • Aroma: Peach. A bit sour.
  • Taste: Very sweet and peachy. Hint of sourness.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 250 ml, £1.09
  • Overall score: 2/6
  • Info: 19/12-2006, 127/500

Monday 18 December 2006

CB Juleøl 2006 (6.5%)

My brother ØM and girlfriend came over to visit before Christmas. I asked him in advance if he could bring over my favourite type of Norwegian beer, Juleøl (Christmas beer), and he really outdid himself and brought over seven different types. I'm not one to complain, of course...
  • Name: CB Juleøl 2006, 6.5%, Norway
  • Appearance: Very dark brown, almost black. Little bit of head.
  • Aroma: Quite malty, hint of chocolate. Some hops. Dark fruits.
  • Taste: Malty and hoppy. Some dark fruit. Quite bitter.
  • Bought: Gift, 330 ml, NOK ?.??
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 18/12-2006

Thursday 14 December 2006

Broughton Black Douglas Ale

Hmm, lots of Scottish beers lately...
  • Name: Broughton Black Douglas Ale, 5.2%, Scotland
  • Appearance: Dark brown. Lots of head.
  • Aroma: Malt and fruit. Dark fruit.
  • Taste: Malty. Fruit and hops. Bitter aftertaste. Earthy.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.89
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 14/12-2006, 126/500

Wednesday 13 December 2006

Alba Scots Pine Ale

  • Name: Alba Scots Pine Ale, 7.5%, Scotland
  • Appearance: Chestnut brown. Not much head.
  • Aroma: Sweet, malt. Pine. Maybe fruit.
  • Taste: Sweet and pine. Interesting. Malt.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.39
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 13/12-2006, 125/500

Tuesday 12 December 2006

Grozet Gooseberry & Wheat Ale [Lagered Celtic Ale]

  • Name: Grozet Gooseberry & Wheat Ale, 5.0%, Scotland
  • Appearance: Golden orange. Nice amount of quite thick head.
  • Aroma: Hopsy. Fruity, gooseberry.
  • Taste: Gooseberry and hops. Bitterish. Weird. Not wheaty.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.69
  • Overall score: 2/6
  • Info: 12/12-2006, 124/500

Monday 11 December 2006

Cottage Norman's Conquest

  • Name: Cottage Norman's Conquest, 7%, England
  • Appearance: Dark brown, bit of red. Little bit of head, more when warmer.
  • Aroma: Oaky, malt. Dark fruit. Raisins.
  • Taste: Malt, hops. Some fruit. Nutty. Bitter aftertaste.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £2.09
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 11/12-2006, 160/300, 123/500

Friday 8 December 2006

Gordon Finest Scotch Highland Ale

  • Name: Gordon Finest Scotch Highland Ale, 8.6%, Belgium*
  • Appearance: Dark brown, slightly red. Little bit of head.
  • Aroma: Dark fruit. Malt. Bit of hops.
  • Taste: Malt and fruit. Quite bitter. Strong.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.79
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 8/12-2006, 122/500
* Changed from Scotland to Belgium as per Ratebeer.com 2014-07-08

Thursday 7 December 2006

Celis White

  • Name: Celis White, 5%, United States
  • Appearance: Yellowy grey. Lots of head, initially.
  • Aroma: Wheaty, lemony. Flowery. Hops. Caramel?
  • Taste: Pretty hopsy, not too wheaty. Flowery. Surprisingly good.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 250 ml, £0.99
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 7/12-2006, 121/500
Nitpicking now, but this beer is listed as being 4.9% in the 500-book.

Wednesday 6 December 2006

Liefmans Glühkriek

Did not initially see that the ideal serving temperature according to the 500-book is 70 degrees Celsius. At 6% instead of the 6.5% listed in the 500-book.
  • Name: Liefmans Glühkriek, 6%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Dark, brownish red. Basically no head.
  • Aroma: Cold: Fruit and a bit of cinnamon. Hot: Strong cloves/cinnamon aroma.
  • Taste: Cold: Sweet, but acidic too. Herbs/fruit. Hot: Like mulled wine, cinnamon.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 250 ml, £1.29
  • Overall score: 2/6
  • Info: 6/12-2006, 120/500

Tuesday 5 December 2006

Gouden Carolus Classic

Slightly stronger than the 7.5% listed in the 500-book.
  • Name: Gouden Carolus Classic, 8.5%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Chestnut brown. Not much head.
  • Aroma: Dark fruit. Prunes, raisins. Malty.
  • Taste: Again, dark fruit. Prunes. Some malt. Slight mocha-taste.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.59
  • Overall score: 5/6
  • Info: 5/12-2006, 119/500, 16/100

Monday 4 December 2006

Boon Framboise

  • Name: Boon Framboise, 5%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Brownish red. Cloudy. Basically no head.
  • Aroma: Raspberry, tort? Sour. Maybe flowery.
  • Taste: Raspberry, but not overload. Pretty sour, quenching.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 375 ml, £2.75
  • Overall score: 1/6
  • Info: 4/12-2006, 118/500
Strange, must have been quite a lot stronger at 6.2% before since this is what it is listed with in the 500-book.

Thursday 30 November 2006

Cristal

Flashback to Cuba - had a lot of these while in Varadero.
  • Name: Cristal, 4.1%, Cuba
  • Appearance: Pale golden. Tiny amount of head, shortlived.
  • Aroma: Some malt, fruit and hops.
  • Taste: Hoppy. Some malt and fruit. Not very exciting.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.19
  • Overall score: 2/6
  • Info: 30/11-2006, 10/300M

Tuesday 28 November 2006

Bacchus

  • Name: Bacchus, 4.5%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Dark, redish brown. Very little head.
  • Aroma: Tart fruit, bit sour.
  • Taste: Tart fruit. Quite quenching and a bit sour.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 250 ml, £0.99
  • Overall score: 2/6
  • Info: 28/11-2006, 117/500

Monday 27 November 2006

Castelain Ch'ti Blonde

  • Name: Castelain Ch'ti Blonde, 6.4%, France
  • Appearance: Golden, very little head. More when warmer.
  • Aroma: Yeasty, some fruit.
  • Taste: Fresh, hopsy. Some fruit. Bitter-ish aftertaste.
  • Bought: Budgens, 750 ml, £3.02
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 27/11-2006, 159/300

Sunday 26 November 2006

Hoegaarden Hougaerdse DAS

Stronger than the 4.0% listed in the 500-book.
  • Name: Hoegaarden Hougaerdse DAS, 5.1%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Orangy brown. Cloudy. Not much head.
  • Aroma: Pretty wheaty. Yeast. Some fruit.
  • Taste: Not too wheaty. Spices. Some fruit and hops.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 250 ml, £1.09
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 26/11-2006, 116/500

Saturday 25 November 2006

Lindemans Framboise

  • Name: Lindemans Framboise, 2.5%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Dark/Blood red. Almost no head.
  • Aroma: Strong raspberry aroma. Not much else.
  • Taste: Strong raspberry. Quite sour. Good for a lambic.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 250 ml, £1.39
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 25/11-2006, 115/500

Wednesday 22 November 2006

Celis Pale Bock

  • Name: Celis Pale Bock, 5%, United States
  • Appearance: Dark, redish brown. Not much head.
  • Aroma: Fruity and malty.
  • Taste: Fruity and fresh, some hops and malt. Some aftertaste. Flowers, pollen, honey.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 250 ml, £0.99
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 22/11-2006, 114/500
This beer is listed as being 3.9% in the 500-book.

Tuesday 21 November 2006

Lefebvre Saison 1900

  • Name: Lefebvre Saison 1900, 5.2%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Dark, orangy brown. Cloudy. Quite a lot of head.
  • Aroma: Pretty fruity. Bit of hops.
  • Taste: Fruit and bit of hops. Nice bitterish aftertaste. Some malt.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.19
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 21/11-2006, 113/500

Monday 20 November 2006

Liefmans Goudenband

  • Name: Liefmans Goudenband, 8%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Dark brown, slightly red. Nice amount of head. Pretty longlived.
  • Aroma: Earthy, bitter grains. Dark fruit?
  • Taste: Fruity, bittersweet. Bit of sourness. Not too bad.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 355 ml, £2.35
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 20/11-2006, 112/500, 9/300M

Sunday 19 November 2006

Gambrinus Premium

  • Name: Gambrinus Premium, 5.0%, Czech Republic
  • Appearance: Light, golden brown. Little bit of shortlived head.
  • Aroma: Malt and hops - not much.
  • Taste: Malty at first, then hoppy. Slightly bitter aftertaste.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.49
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 19/11-2006, 111/500, 8/300M

Thursday 16 November 2006

Küppers Kölsch

  • Name: Küppers Kölsch, 4.8%, Germany
  • Appearance: Pale golden. Short fizz, then no head at all.
  • Aroma: Bit of hops and fruit. Honey. Not much.
  • Taste: Hops and malty. Some fruit. Refreshing. Bitter aftertaste.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.69
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 16/11-2006, 110/500, 7/300M

Tuesday 14 November 2006

Gaffel Kölsch

  • Name: Gaffel Kölsch, 4.8%, Germany
  • Appearance:Pale yellow/golden. Short fizz, then absolutely no head.
  • Aroma: Bit of hops and fruit. Not much.
  • Taste: Mix of malt, fruit and hops. Nice, bitter-ish aftertaste. Bit boring, though.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.69
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 14/11-2006, 109/500

Saturday 11 November 2006

Jennings Cocker Hoop

Slightly weaker than the 4.8% listed in the 500-book.
  • Name: Jennings Cocker Hoop, 4.6%, England
  • Appearance: Pale golden. Little bit of head. Shortlived.
  • Aroma: Fruity. Raisins? Pretty hopsy. Bit of malt.
  • Taste: Quite hopsy. Fruity, just a bit of malt. Bitter aftertaste.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.79
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 11/11-2006, 108/500

Friday 10 November 2006

Badger Tanglefoot

  • Name: Badger Tanglefoot, 5%, England
  • Appearance: Golden brown. Little bit of head.
  • Aroma: Fruity. Bit of malt. Lemony.
  • Taste: Malty, pretty malty. Bit of fruit. Bitter afterwards.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.55
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 10/11-2006, 107/500

Thursday 9 November 2006

Meantime Raspberry Grand Cru

In case you wonder (probably not, but here goes), this one is not the same as the "Meantime Red Beer" in the 300-book. I emailed Meantime Brewery and asked them about the "retired" Red Beer, and I received a nice reply from Alastair Hook, their brewmaster. He said that the Red Beer is the same as the seasonal raspberry beer sold in Sainsbury's Taste The Difference range, but they only sell it in spring and summer. So I have to wait a bit for that one...
  • Name: Meantime Raspberry Grand Cru, 6.5%, England
  • Appearance: Cloudy orangy-red. Quite a lot of head, though shortlived.
  • Aroma: Raspberry. Maybe some wheat.
  • Taste: Raspberry, bit of wheat. Bit weird.
  • Bought: Waitrose, 330 ml, £1.49
  • Overall score: 2/6
  • Info: 9/11-2006

Saturday 4 November 2006

Meantime Pilsner Organic

Support your local brewery? Meantime is brewed in Greenwich, London, so the number of food/beer miles is pretty low.
  • Name: Meantime Pilsner Organic, 5.4%, England
  • Appearance: Pale golden, bit of clouds. Very little head.
  • Aroma: Quite fruity. Bit of hops.
  • Taste: Pretty hoppy, fresh. Bitter-ish aftertaste. Bit of fruit.
  • Bought: Waitrose, 330 ml, £1.45
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 4/11-2006

Thursday 2 November 2006

Bucanero Max

Bought at Varadero airport for 2.50 Cuban Dollars after a fantastic beach holiday.
  • Name: Bucanero Max, 6.5%, Cuba
  • Appearance: Dark yellow. Amber. Very little head.
  • Aroma: Pretty fruity. Hint of hops and malt.
  • Taste: Hops and malt. Bit of fruit. Bit of bitter aftertaste.
  • Bought: Cuba, 350 ml, CUC 2.50
  • Overall score: 2/6
  • Info: 2/11-2006

Tuesday 17 October 2006

Battersea Power Station Porter

  • Name: Battersea Power Station Porter, 4.9%, England
  • Appearance: Dark brown. Not head at all.
  • Aroma: Smokey, malt. Bit of fruit. Chocolate.
  • Taste: Smokey, bit of malt and fruit. Bitterish aftertaste. Chocolate. Watery.
  • Bought: Waitrose, 330 ml, £1.39
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 17/10-2006

Friday 13 October 2006

Meantime Pale Ale

  • Name: Meantime Pale Ale, 4.7%, England
  • Appearance: Pale yellow-brown. Very little head. Tiny bit cloudy.
  • Aroma: Fruity. Bit of honey.
  • Taste: Fruity and hoppy. Bitter-ish aftertaste.
  • Bought: Waitrose, 330 ml, £1.39
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 13/10-2006

Wednesday 11 October 2006

Belle-Vue Kriek

  • Name: Belle-Vue Kriek, 5.1%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Dark brownish red. Not much head.
  • Aroma: Strong cherry-aroma.
  • Taste: Strong cherry-flavour. Pretty sweet. Hint of sourness.
  • Bought: Waitrose, 375 ml, £1.99
  • Overall score: 2/6
  • Info: 11/10-2006, 106/500
Listed as 5.2% in the 500-book.

Tuesday 10 October 2006

Achel 8 Bruin

Another nice Trappist beer:
  • Name: Achel 8 Bruin, 8%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Dark brown, redish. Lots of longlasting thick head.
  • Aroma: Fruit and malt. Biscuit?
  • Taste: Fruit and malt. Hops. Bitterish aftertaste. Fizzy.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.85
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 10/10-2006

Sunday 8 October 2006

Boon Mariage Parfait Kriek

This bottled version much stronger at 8% instead of the 6% listed in the 300-book and the 500-book.
  • Name: Boon Mariage Parfait Kriek, 8%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Cloudy golden. Pale. Fizzy, quite a lot of head.
  • Aroma: Cidery. Lemon. Sour.
  • Taste: Sour fruit. Lemony. Cidery. Bitter.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 375 ml, £2.59
  • Overall score: 1/6
  • Info: 8/10-2006, 158/300, 105/500

Saturday 7 October 2006

Young's Special London Ale

  • Name: Young's Special London Ale, 6.4%, England
  • Appearance: Light, golden brown. Little bit of head.
  • Aroma: Hops and malt. Bit of fruit and raisins.
  • Taste: Hoppy and malty. Bitter aftertaste. Some fruit.
  • Bought: Tesco, 500 ml, £1.59
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 7/10-2006, 104/500, 6/300M

Friday 6 October 2006

Achel 8 Blond

The Achel 5 Blond in the 300-book is unfortunately only sold in the monastery itself. This version is a bit stronger, and as I am a big fan of Trappist beers, it will have to do until I one day hopefully can visit the monastery to try the 5% version.
  • Name: Achel 8 Blond, 8%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Golden. Enormous amount of thick head. Longlasting. Cloudy at the end.
  • Aroma: Flowery. Hops. Fruit. Honey.
  • Taste: Fruit and hops. Fresh. Warming.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.85
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 6/10-2006

Monday 2 October 2006

George Gale's Prize Old Ale

  • Name: George Gale's Prize Old Ale, 9%, England
  • Appearance: Dark brown, bit of red. Cloudy. Bit of shortlived head.
  • Aroma: Fruit and raisins. Earthy.
  • Taste: Hopsy, fruit. Earthy, soil. Bitter aftertaste.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 275 ml, £2.29
  • Overall score: 2/6
  • Info: 3/10-2006, 157/300

Liefmans Oud Bruin

  • Name: Liefmans Oud Bruin, 5%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Brown, hint of red. Cloudy. Some head.
  • Aroma: Dark fruit. Hops. Actually chocolate. Vinous.
  • Taste: Sweet, fruit. Bit sour.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 250 ml, £1.09
  • Overall score: 2/6
  • Info: 2/10-2006, 156/300

Sunday 1 October 2006

Black Sheep Riggwelter

For interested readers, the word "Riggwelter" is basically the Norwegian word/expression "ryggvelter"...
  • Name: Black Sheep Riggwelter, 5.7%, England
  • Appearance: Dark redish brown. Nice amount of head. Longlasting.
  • Aroma: Malt and fruit.
  • Taste: Malty. Dry. Bit of fruit. Bitter aftertaste. Prunes. Coffee-ish.
  • Bought: Waitrose, 500 ml, £1.79
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 1/10-2006, 102/500, 5/300M

Saturday 30 September 2006

Cantillon Kriek

  • Name: Cantillon Kriek, 5%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Cap&Cork. Light red, pink. Cloudy. No head at all. Little bit when warmer.
  • Aroma: Sour fruit. Bit of cherry.
  • Taste: Incredibly sour, some fruit. Cherry. Quenching!!!
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 375 ml, £2.69
  • Overall score: 0/6
  • Info: 30/9-2006, 155/300, 101/500

Wednesday 27 September 2006

100/500

It has taken me 13.5 months to reach 100 in the 500-book. The first 50 were done in 6.5 months. Most of the beers in the pipeline are from the 500-book, so should be able to do the next 50 in say 4 months?!

Kasteel Bruin (Donker)

  • Name: Kasteel Bruin (Donker), 11%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Redish brown. Not much head, not even when warmer.
  • Aroma: Malt and alcohol. Maybe some fruit. Vinous.
  • Taste: Vinous. Alcohol, warming. Fruity.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.95
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 27/9-2006, 100/500

Tuesday 26 September 2006

Christoffel Robertus

  • Name: Christoffel Robertus, 6.0%, Netherlands
  • Appearance: Brown red, ruby. Little head initially. Loads of head when warmer.
  • Aroma: Malt, some fruit. Hops.
  • Taste: Fruit and malt. Nice aftertaste, balanced.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.59
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 26/9-2006, 99/500

Monday 25 September 2006

Bass Premium Ale

This beer is listed as Bass"Our Finest Ale" in the 500-book.
  • Name: Bass Premium Ale, 4.4%, England
  • Appearance: Brown. Very little head.
  • Aroma: Malt and hops. Flowery/fruity.
  • Taste: Boring. Some malt and hops. Bitter aftertaste. Smooth.
  • Bought: Waitrose, 500 ml, £1.59
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 25/9-2006, 98/500

Sunday 24 September 2006

Cubay

  • Name: Cubay, 5.2%, Cuba
  • Appearance: Very pale yellow. No proper head, just fizz. Nice head when warm.
  • Aroma: Fruity, citric. Hops.
  • Taste: Fruity, bit of hops. Nice aftertaste. Not too bland. Some malt.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.29
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 24/9-2006

Saturday 23 September 2006

Harveys Imperial Extra Double Stout

  • Name: Harveys Imperial Extra Double Stout, 9%, England
  • Appearance: Dark, dark brown. Very flat.
  • Aroma: Vinous, oaky. Tangy fruit. Treacle.
  • Taste: Vinous, oaky. Bitter, some fruit. Alcohol. Soily?
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £2.85
  • Overall score: 2/6
  • Info: 23/9-2006, 154/300

Thursday 21 September 2006

Lucifer

  • Name: Lucifer, 8.5%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Dark yellow. Cloudy. Little bit of head, shortlived. Doesn't look tasty. Golden?
  • Aroma: Fruity, citric. Some hops.
  • Taste: Fruit. Fresh. Hoppy. Alcohol.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.75
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 21/9-2006

Wednesday 20 September 2006

Fuller's 1845

  • Name: Fuller's 1845, 6.3%, England
  • Appearance: Redish brown. Nice amount of head.
  • Aroma: Fruity, orangy. Vinous.
  • Taste: Vinous, malty but fresh. Dry, bitter aftertaste.
  • Bought: Waitrose, 500 ml, £2.05
  • Overall score: 5/6
  • Info: 20/9-2006, 96/500, 4/300M

Tuesday 19 September 2006

Burton Bridge Porter

  • Name: Burton Bridge Porter, 4.5%, England
  • Appearance: Dark, dark brown. Bit of thick head. Not longlasting.
  • Aroma: Fruit. Burnt. Wood. Malt.
  • Taste: Malty, bitter. Fruit. Burnt. Bitter aftertaste.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.95
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 19/9-2006, 95/500

Monday 18 September 2006

Almaza

Every time I order from Beers of Europe, I try to order a beer from a new country, and this time it was Lebanon.
  • Name: Almaza, 4.0%, Lebanon
  • Appearance: Pale yellow. Quite a bit of head.
  • Aroma: Yeast and fruit. Bit of hops.
  • Taste: Fruit. Hops. Malt in aftertaste, and bitter.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 280 ml, £1.29
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 18/9-2006

Young's Waggle Dance

  • Name: Young's Waggle Dance, 5.0%, England
  • Appearance: Orangy brown. Quite a lot of head.
  • Aroma: Honey and hops. Fruit.
  • Taste: Honey. Hops. Nice bitterness, though sweet.
  • Bought: Tesco, 500 ml, £1.54
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 18/9-2006, 94/500

Sunday 17 September 2006

Aass Bayer

Bought in southern Norway after work-trip to a small island there.
  • Name: Aass Bayer, 4.7%, Norway
  • Appearance: Redish brown. Nice amount of head. Longlasting. Thick head.
  • Aroma: Malt. Iron? Burnt.
  • Taste: Burnt, malt. Bitter. Long aftertaste.
  • Bought: Norway, 330 ml, NOK 15.00
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 17/9-2006

Ludlow Gold

Gift from PM. According to their website, Ludlow started brewing only in June 2006.
  • Name: Ludlow Gold, 4.2%, England
  • Appearance: Cloudy yellow. No head at all. No bubbles either, actually a little bit later.
  • Aroma: Fruity. Hopsy.
  • Taste: Very hopsy. Bit of fruit. Very bitter aftertaste.
  • Bought: Gift, 500 ml, £?.??
  • Overall score: 1/6
  • Info: 17/9-2006

Saturday 16 September 2006

Westvleteren Extra 8

Celebrating the 200 landmark with a Westvleteren, I guess:
  • Name: Westvleteren Extra 8, 8%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Dark, nutty brown. Loads of head.
  • Aroma: Malt and fruit. Plums.
  • Taste: Fruit and malt. Nice aftertaste. Plums. Smooth.
  • Bought: BelgianShop.com, 330 ml, $14.00
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 16/9-2006, 153/300, 93/500, 15/100

Friday 15 September 2006

200 bottles of beer in the attic...

Another round number already. Reached 100 bottles in 7 months, and 200 bottles in 13 months. I've now done 152 beers from the 300-book and 92 beers from the 500-book. Most of the beers in the pipeline are now from the 500-book, so should hit 100/500 in two-three weeks time.

Budweiser Budvar Dark

After having an expired version on Isle of Wight, I could finally try it properly:
  • Name: Budweiser Budvar Dark, 4.7%, Czech Republic
  • Appearance: Dark, dark brown. A lot of head, though shortlived.
  • Aroma: Malty. Raisins. Coffee.
  • Taste: Malt and coffee-ish. Bitter. Smooth.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.49
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 15/9-2006, 3/300M

Tuesday 12 September 2006

Weltenburger Kloster Barock Dunkel

Listed as 4.5% in the 500-book.
  • Name: Weltenburger Kloster Barock Dunkel, 4.7%, Germany
  • Appearance: Dark brown. Little bit of head.
  • Aroma: Malty. Hint of smoke. Burnt.
  • Taste: Malt and smoke. Some fruit. Bit watery. Long aftertaste.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.59
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 12/9-2006, 92/500

Monday 11 September 2006

Weltenburger Kloster Hefe-Weissbier Dunkel

Listed as 5.1% in the 500-book.
  • Name: Weltenburger Kloster Hefe-Weissbier Dunkel, 5.3%, Germany
  • Appearance: Dark brown. Quite a lot of head. Cloudy.
  • Aroma: Wheaty, but not that bad. Bit of chocolate, actually.
  • Taste: Wheaty-ish. Maybe spicy. Not nice aftertaste.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.59
  • Overall score: 2/6
  • Info: 11/9-2006, 91/500

Thursday 7 September 2006

Singha

  • Name: Singha, 6.0%, Thailand
  • Appearance: Yellow/Pale golden. Little bit of head, but shortlived.
  • Aroma: Hopsy. Tiny bit of fruit. Not much.
  • Taste: Hopsy. Fresh. Dry.
  • Bought: Waitrose, 630 ml, £2.29
  • Overall score: 2/6
  • Info: 7/9-2006, 90/500

Shepherd Neame Spitfire

  • Name: Shepherd Neame Spitfire, 4.5%, England
  • Appearance: Brown. Little bit of head. Amber brown.
  • Aroma: Hopsy. Some malt as well.
  • Taste: Malt and hops. Nice and bitter. Bitter aftertaste. Fresh.
  • Bought: Waitrose, 500 ml, £1.69
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 7/9-2006, 89/500

Wednesday 6 September 2006

Black Sheep Ale

  • Name: Black Sheep Ale, 4.4%, England
  • Appearance: Brown. Nice amount of head. Golden brown.
  • Aroma: Hopsy. Some malt. Aniseed.
  • Taste: Hops and malt. Fresh. Bitter aftertaste.
  • Bought: Waitrose, 500 ml, £1.65
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 6/9-2006, 88/500

Würzburger Hofbräu Sympator Doppelbock

  • Name: Würzburger Hofbräu Sympator Doppelbock, 7.9%, Germany
  • Appearance: Dark brown. Tiny bit of head, shortlived.
  • Aroma: Fruit and malt.
  • Taste: Pretty fruity and bitter. Dry. Full-on flavour.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £2.19
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 6/9-2006, 87/500

Tuesday 5 September 2006

Bush de Noël

  • Name: Bush de Noël, 12%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Brown. Little bit of head - shortlived.
  • Aroma: Pretty fruity. Alcohol.
  • Taste: Alcohol/warming. Flowery. Barley. Long aftertaste.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 250 ml, £1.75
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 5/9-2006, 86/500

Everards Tiger Best Bitter

  • Name: Everards Tiger Best Bitter, 4.5%, England
  • Appearance: Brown. Little bit of head.
  • Aroma: Malt and bit of fruit.
  • Taste: Malty. Hopsy. Bitter aftertaste.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.89
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 5/9-2006, 85/500

Monday 4 September 2006

Huyghe Delirium Tremens

Slightly weaker than the 9.0% listed in the 500-book.
  • Name: Huyghe Delirium Tremens, 8.5%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Cloudy golden. Little head. Fizzy. Tiny amount of sediments.
  • Aroma: Fruity. Citric. Flowery?
  • Taste: Sort of fruity. Hopsy.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.99
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 4/9-2006, 84/500

Sunday 3 September 2006

Würzburger Hofbräu Schwarzbier

Slightly stronger than the 4.8% listed in the 500-book.
  • Name: Würzburger Hofbräu Schwarzbier, 4.9%, Germany
  • Appearance: Dark brown. Nice amount of head. Basically black.
  • Aroma: Fruit and malt. Berry-like. Bit of coffee.
  • Taste: Fruity/flowery. Malt and coffee. Raisins?
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.79
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 3/9-2006, 83/500

Saturday 2 September 2006

Hook Norton Old Hooky

  • Name: Hook Norton Old Hooky, 4.6%, England
  • Appearance: Brown. Little bit of head. Nice amount later.
  • Aroma: Fruity and raisins. Malt, bit of hops.
  • Taste: Fruit and malt. Bitter aftertaste.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.65
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 2/9-2006, 152/300, 82/500

Cantillon Gueuze-Lambic

  • Name: Cantillon Gueuze-Lambic, 5%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Cap&Cork. Light brown. Cloudy. No head, or a little bit.
  • Aroma: Like cider, again.
  • Taste: Sour. Like gone-off Champagne.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 375 ml, £2.39
  • Overall score: 0/6
  • Info: 2/9-2006, 151/300, 81/500

Friday 1 September 2006

Pater Lieven Bruin

  • Name: Pater Lieven Bruin, 6.5%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Brown. Quite a lot of head (shortlived). Sediments.
  • Aroma: Fruit and berries. Bit of malt.
  • Taste: Fruit and malt. Dry mouth afterwards.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.39
  • Overall score: 2/6
  • Info: 1/9-2006

Thursday 31 August 2006

Burton Bridge Bramble Stout

  • Name: Burton Bridge Bramble Stout, 5.0%, England
  • Appearance: Dark brown. Quite a lot of creamy head.
  • Aroma: Blackberries, malt. Bit of smoke.
  • Taste: Malt, blackberries. Smokey. Bitter aftertaste.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £2.05
  • Overall score: 2/6
  • Info: 31/8-2006, 80/500

Wednesday 30 August 2006

Pater Lieven Blond

  • Name: Pater Lieven Blond, 6.5%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Cloudy golden. Lots of head initially. Pretty fizzy.
  • Aroma: Fruity. Hint of wheat.
  • Taste: Fruity. Hopsy. Fresh. Hint of wheat.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.39
  • Overall score: 2/6
  • Info: 30/8-2006, 79/500

Tuesday 29 August 2006

Suthwyk Liberation

Third and last bottle bought from the Great British Beer Festival.
  • Name: Suthwyk Liberation, 4.2%, England
  • Appearance: Light brown. Very little head. More brown and more head later.
  • Aroma: Hopsy. Little bit of malt and fruit.
  • Taste: Pretty hopsy. Bitter aftertaste. Malt.
  • Bought: Great British Beer Festival, 500 ml, £2.70
  • Overall score: 2/6
  • Info: 29/8-2006

Monday 28 August 2006

150/300

Halfway through the 300-book now, and it has taken me 12.5 months. The first 50 took around 3 months, the second 50 around 5 months, and the third 50 around 4.5 months. Getting very tricky now to source more 300-beers, so will be ordering more 500-beers from now on to catch up there.

Westvleteren Abt 12

I had been saving the Westvleteren 12 bottle for a few months, and decided to celebrate reaching the halfway point of the 300-book with it. At 10.2%, not 11% as in the 300-book.
  • Name: Westvleteren Abt 12, 10.2%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Dark brown. Little bit of head. Cloudy.
  • Aroma: Vinous, malty. Alcohol?! Fruity.
  • Taste: Vinous, very fruity. Malt. Hops. Warming.
  • Bought: BelgianShop.com, 330 ml, $16.00
  • Overall score: 5/6
  • Info: 28/8-2006, 150/300, 14/100

Brains SA

  • Name: Brains SA, 4.2%, Wales
  • Appearance: Orangy brown. Little bit of head.
  • Aroma: Malty and fruity.
  • Taste: Pretty malty. Hops. Bitter aftertaste.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.75
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 28/8-2006, 149/300, 78/500

Sunday 20 August 2006

Tongerlo Double Brown

  • Name: Tongerlo Double Brown, 6%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Cloudy brown. Lots of thick head.
  • Aroma: Nice and fruity. Malt. Raisins.
  • Taste: Fruit and malt. Raisins. Hopsy and warming.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.45
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 20/8-2006, 148/300

Friday 18 August 2006

Ridley's Old Bob

  • Name: Ridley's Old Bob, 5.1%, England
  • Appearance: Copper brown. Very little head.
  • Aroma: Bit of fruit and malt. Raisins.
  • Taste: Very hopsy. Some fruit and malt.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.85
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 18/8-2006, 147/300

Sunday 13 August 2006

1 year anniversary

It is today one year since this "project" started, and I managed to go through 179 bottles from 23 different countries in the first year. 146 of them were in the 300-book and 77 were in the 500-book. Almost halfway through the first book, then :-).

Score distribution:

0/6: 3
1/6: 4
2/6: 29
3/6: 66
4/6: 56
5/6: 21
6/6: 0

Country distribution:
  1. United Kingdom [UK] (76)
  2. Belgium [BE] (37)
  3. Germany [DE] (22)
  4. United States [US] (8)
  5. Netherlands [NL] (6)
  6. Czech Republic [CZ] (5)
  7. France [FR] (4)
  8. Russia [RU] (4)
  9. Australia [AU] (2)
  10. Canada [CA] (2)
  11. Austria [AT] (1)
  12. China [CN] (1)
  13. Finland [FI] (1)
  14. Ireland [IE] (1)
  15. India [IN] (1)
  16. Jamaica [JM] (1)
  17. Japan [JP] (1)
  18. Sri Lanka [LK] (1)
  19. Lithuania [LT] (1)
  20. Norway [NO] (1)
  21. Nepal [NP] (1)
  22. Peru [PE] (1)
  23. Poland [PL] (1)

Hogs Back A over T

Second bottle bought from the Great British Beer Festival.
  • Name: Hogs Back A over T, 9%, England
  • Appearance: Redish brown. Cloudy (sediments). Very little head.
  • Aroma: Ripe fruit. Apricot or peach. Bit of hops. Malt.
  • Taste: Ripe fruit. Bit of malt. Strong (alcohol). Full flavour.
  • Bought: Great British Beer Festival, 275 ml, £2.80
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 13/8-2006, 2/300M

St Austell HSD

  • Name: St Austell HSD, 5%, England
  • Appearance: Chestnut brown. Very little head, more when warm.
  • Aroma: Ripe fruit. Bit of malt and hops.
  • Taste: Ripe fruit. Malt and hops. Nutty.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.85
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 13/8-2006, 146/300

Saturday 12 August 2006

Zum Uerige Alt

Bought on my first ever visit to the Great British Beer Festival. At 4.7%, not 4.6% as in the 300-book or 4.5% as in the 500-book.
  • Name: Zum Uerige Alt, 4.7%, Germany
  • Appearance: Brown. Not much head. More when warm.
  • Aroma: Hops and fruit. Malt.
  • Taste: Very hopsy and bitter. Malt. Very long, bitter aftertaste.
  • Bought: Great British Beer Festival, 500 ml, £3.00
  • Overall score: 2/6
  • Info: 12/8-2006, 145/300, 77/500

Isle Of Skye Black Cuillin Dark Scottish Ale

Gift, second of two bottles from a four-pack bought by GR on holiday in Isle of Skye.
  • Name: Isle Of Skye Black Cuillin Dark Scottish Ale, 4.5%, Scotland
  • Appearance: Very dark brown. Little bit of head.
  • Aroma: Malt. Very smokey.
  • Taste: Very smokey. Malt. Bitter.
  • Bought: Gift, 500 ml, £?.??
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 12/8-2006

Thursday 10 August 2006

Cains Formidable Ale

  • Name: Cains Formidable Ale, 5%, England
  • Appearance: Dark yellow. Very little head.
  • Aroma: Hops, bit of fruit.
  • Taste: Hopsy and bitter. Bit of lemony fruit.
  • Bought: Tesco, 500 ml, £1.68
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 10/8-2006, 144/300, 76/500

Monday 7 August 2006

Meantime Coffee Beer

This bottled version at 6.0%, not 4% as in the 300-book.
  • Name: Meantime Coffee Beer, 6.0%, England
  • Appearance: Dark, dark brown. Basically no head.
  • Aroma: Coffee. Vanilla.
  • Taste: Just like coffee! Strong coffee. Roast beans.
  • Bought: Waitrose, 330 ml, £1.49
  • Overall score: 2/6
  • Info: 7/8-2006, 143/300

Isle Of Skye Red Cuillin Scottish Export Ale

Gift, one of two bottles from a four-pack bought by GR on holiday in Isle of Skye.
  • Name: Isle Of Skye Red Cuillin Scottish Export Ale, 4.2%, Scotland
  • Appearance: Dark redish/brown. Very little head.
  • Aroma: Smoke and malt. Bacon.
  • Taste: Smokey. Bacon? Malt. Bitter.
  • Bought: Gift, 500 ml, £?.??
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 7/8-2006

Sunday 6 August 2006

Traquair House Ale

  • Name: Traquair House Ale, 7.2%, Scotland
  • Appearance: Very dark, redish brown. Not much head.
  • Aroma: Dark chocolate. Malt. Coffee.
  • Taste: Chocolate, malt, coffee. Warming. Bitter
  • Bought: Utobeer, 330 ml, £2.12*
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 6/8-2006, 142/300, 75/500
* Average price over four different bottles of beer.

Affligem Blonde

At 6.8%, not 6.7% as in the 300-book.
  • Name: Affligem Blonde, 6.8%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Orangy brown. Quite a lot of head.
  • Aroma: Hops and fruit. Hint of malt. Lemon?
  • Taste: Ripe fruit. Malt. Hops. Fresh. Very fruity.
  • Bought: Utobeer, 330 ml, £2.12*
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 6/8-2006, 141/300
* Average price over four different bottles of beer.

Saturday 5 August 2006

Newcastle Brown Ale (Alan Shearer Lim Ed)

One I drink quite a lot in pubs in London. This limited edition "Alan Shearer Testimonial 2006" bottle bought by HG in a pub(!) in Newcastle.
  • Name: Newcastle Brown Ale (Alan Shearer Lim Ed), 4.7%, England
  • Appearance: Redish brown. Very little head. A bit more when warmer.
  • Aroma: Malt. Bit of hops.
  • Taste: Malty and nutty. Sweet. Bitter aftertaste.
  • Bought: Gift, 550 ml, £2.99
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 5/8-2006, 74/500

Wednesday 2 August 2006

Du Bocq Blanche de Namur

  • Name: Du Bocq Blanche de Namur, 4.5%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Very pale yellow. Cloudy. Lots of head.
  • Aroma: Wheat, hops and fruity/orangy.
  • Taste: Wheat - bit of fruit. Watery.
  • Bought: Utobeer, 330 ml, £2.12*
  • Overall score: 2/6
  • Info: 2/8-2006, 140/300
* Average price over four different bottles of beer.

Monday 31 July 2006

Bosteels Tripel Karmeliet

First time to Borough market here in London, and dropped by Utobeer. They have a great selection of beers, so definitely coming back.
  • Name: Bosteels Tripel Karmeliet, 8%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Golden. Lots of head. Very fizzy/bubbly. Slightly cloudy.
  • Aroma: Grain/wheat. Bit of fruit. Banana.
  • Taste: Hopsy. Ripe fruit. Bit of malt. Bitter.
  • Bought: Utobeer, 330 ml, £2.12*
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 31/7-2006, 139/300, 73/500
* Average price over four different bottles of beer.

Wednesday 26 July 2006

Robinson's Old Tom

  • Name: Robinson's Old Tom, 8.5%, England
  • Appearance: Dark brown. Nice amount of head.
  • Aroma: Vinous. Fruity. Prunes.
  • Taste: Vinous. Hint of chocolate. Malt. Feels a bit strong.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.89
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 26/7-2006, 138/300, 72/500

Tuesday 25 July 2006

Young's Kew Brew

  • Name: Young's Kew Brew, 5.0%, England
  • Appearance: Light brown. A bit misty. Very little head.
  • Aroma: Hopsy. Malt and fruit.
  • Taste: Hopsy. Bitter. Flowery.
  • Bought: Waitrose, 500 ml, £1.69
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 25/7-2006

Monday 24 July 2006

Darwin Rolling Hitch

  • Name: Darwin Rolling Hitch, 5.2%, England
  • Appearance: Light/golden brown. Nice amount of head.
  • Aroma: Fruity, lemony. Hops and malt.
  • Taste: Bit of fruit. More when warmer. Malt, but fresh. Bitter.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.95
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 24/7-2006, 137/300

Wednesday 19 July 2006

Seidel Pilsner

Bought while on summer holiday in Norway.
  • Name: Seidel Pilsner, 4.7%, Norway
  • Appearance: Golden. Good amount of head.
  • Aroma: Malt and hops. Honey?
  • Taste: Malt and hops. Typical pilsner. Fruit/honey?
  • Bought: Norway, 330 ml, NOK 8.90
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 19/7-2006

Monday 17 July 2006

Broughton Old Jock

  • Name: Broughton Old Jock, 6.7%, Scotland
  • Appearance: Dark brown. Little bit of head.
  • Aroma: Vinous fruit.
  • Taste: Fruit and hops. Bitter aftertaste, malt.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.99
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 17/7-2006, 136/300

Friday 14 July 2006

Nethergate Old Growler

This bottled version at 5.5%, not 5.0% as in the 300-book.
  • Name: Nethergate Old Growler, 5.5%, England
  • Appearance: Blackish brown. Alright amount of head.
  • Aroma: Chocolate, fruit. Malt, coffee.
  • Taste: Malt, chocolate and bit of fruit.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.95
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 14/7-2006, 135/300

Thursday 13 July 2006

Goddards Ale of Wight

Bought in a local food shop in Yarmouth, Isle of Wight.
  • Name: Goddards Ale of Wight, 4.0%, England
  • Appearance: Pale gold. Very little head.
  • Aroma: Hopsy. Bit of fruit.
  • Taste: Hopsy. Bitter. Bit of malt.
  • Bought: Isle of Wight, 500 ml, £1.99
  • Overall score: 2/6
  • Info: 13/7-2006

Wednesday 12 July 2006

Green's Discovery

Actually got it for free from Co-op in Shanklin, Isle of Wight. I bought an expired bottle of Budweiser Dark that tasted pretty bad. I brought the bottle back the day after, they refunded me and I got to choose a free bottle, this one.
  • Name: Green's Discovery, 6.0%, England*
  • Appearance: Redish brown. Very little head, more when warmer.
  • Aroma: Fruity. Prunes. Bit of malt.
  • Taste: Fruity. Prunes. Malt. A bit weird.
  • Bought: Co-op, 330 ml, £?.??
  • Overall score: 2/6
  • Info: 12/7-2006
* Brewed and bottled in Belgium

Tuesday 11 July 2006

Ringwood Old Thumper

Bought in Co-op, Shanklin, Isle of Wight.
  • Name: Ringwood Old Thumper, 5.6%, England
  • Appearance: Copper brown. Lots of head.
  • Aroma: Nice and malty. Bit of fruit.
  • Taste: Juicy malt. Fruit. Smooth. Nice, bitter aftertaste.
  • Bought: Co-op, 500 ml, £1.69
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 11/7-2006, 134/300

Thursday 29 June 2006

Arkell's Kingsdown Ale

This bottled version at 4.5%, not 5.2% as in the 300-book.
  • Name: Arkell's Kingsdown Ale, 4.5%, England
  • Appearance: Amber, copper brown. Little head.
  • Aroma: Fruity. Pear/Orange.
  • Taste: Nice malt, hops. Fresh. Bit fruity.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.99
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 29/6-2006, 133/300

Wednesday 28 June 2006

RCH Ale Mary

  • Name: RCH Ale Mary, 6%, England
  • Appearance: Orangy brown. Very little head.
  • Aroma: Orangy. Fruity. Ginger.
  • Taste: Herby. Ginger and coriander. Bitter.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.79
  • Overall score: 2/6
  • Info: 28/6-2006, 132/300

Tuesday 27 June 2006

Elgood's Black Dog Mild

  • Name: Elgood's Black Dog Mild, 3.6%, England
  • Appearance: Very dark brown. Little bit of head.
  • Aroma: Toffee, coffee, prunes.
  • Taste: Vinous fruit, kinda. Malty. Coffee.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.79
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 27/6-2006, 131/300

Monday 26 June 2006

Caledonian Golden Promise

  • Name: Caledonian Golden Promise, 5%, Scotland
  • Appearance: Golden. Nice amount of head, shortlived.
  • Aroma: Fruits and flowers. Nectar/Honey.
  • Taste: Fruit, hops, malt. Bitter.
  • Bought: Waitrose, 500 ml, £1.70
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 26/6-2006, 130/300

Sunday 25 June 2006

Highgate Old Ale

This bottled version at 5.3%, not 5.1% as in the 300-book and the 500-book.
  • Name: Highgate Old Ale, 5.3%, England
  • Appearance: Dark brown. Little bit of head. Shortlived.
  • Aroma: Malty. Fruity. Berries/Raisins.
  • Taste: Nice malt. Vinous fruit. Burnt.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.49
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 25/6-2006, 129/300, 70/500
Called "Highgate & Walsall Old Ale" in the 500-book.

Dragon Stout

  • Name: Dragon Stout, 7.5%, Jamaica
  • Appearance: Very dark brown. Nice amount of head.
  • Aroma: Coffee. Malt. Hops. Bit of fruit. Metallic.
  • Taste: Coffee. Very malty. Bitter.
  • Bought: Costcutter, 284 ml, £1.29
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 25/6-2006

Friday 23 June 2006

Lech Premium

  • Name: Lech Premium, 5.2%, Poland
  • Appearance: Pale, golden yellow. Very little head.
  • Aroma: Bit of hops. Not much. Hint of fruit. Off fruit.
  • Taste: Hopsy, fresh. Standard lager. Bit of aftertaste.
  • Bought: Costcutter, 500 ml, £1.89
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 23/6-2006

Thursday 22 June 2006

Manns Original Brown Ale

  • Name: Manns Original Brown Ale, 2.8%, England
  • Appearance: Dark brown. Little head.
  • Aroma: Coffee and fruit. Caramel-like toffee.
  • Taste: Coffee, malt. Toffee. Fruit. Sweet.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.29
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 22/6-2006, 128/300, 69/500

Tuesday 20 June 2006

Burton Bridge Empire Pale Ale

  • Name: Burton Bridge Empire Pale Ale, 7.5%, England
  • Appearance: Orange, cloudy. Little bit of head.
  • Aroma: Fruity. Definitely orangy too.
  • Taste: Fruity, bitter, tangy.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £2.59
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 20/6-2006, 127/300, 68/500

Friday 16 June 2006

Westvleteren Blond

Trappist beers being my favourite beer type, I had been trying to get hold of Westvleteren for a long time. I finally found all three of them on BelgianShop.com, not cheap though.
  • Name: Westvleteren Blond, 5.8%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Pale yellow. Nice amount of head. Cloudy. Champagne-like bubbles.
  • Aroma: Hopsy. Bit of fruit. Yeast.
  • Taste: Hops, fruit and malt. Complex. Bitter aftertaste.
  • Bought: BelgianShop.com, 330 ml, $12.00
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 16/6-2006, 126/300, 67/500, 13/100

Thursday 15 June 2006

Wells Banana Bread Beer

  • Name: Wells Banana Bread Beer, 5.2%, England
  • Appearance: Bronze. Little bit of head.
  • Aroma: Very banana-y. Not much else.
  • Taste: Loads of banana. Bit of malt. Bitter.
  • Bought: Costcutter, 568 ml, £1.89
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 15/6-2006, 125/300

Wednesday 14 June 2006

O'Hanlon's Original Port Stout

  • Name: O'Hanlon's Original Port Stout, 4.8%, England
  • Appearance: Dark brown. Bit of nice head.
  • Aroma: Fruity, vinous. Burnt grain.
  • Taste: Vinous. Fruity. Burnt grain. Pretty bitter.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.85
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 14/6-2006, 124/300

Monday 12 June 2006

Bateman XXXB

  • Name: Bateman XXXB, 4.8%, England
  • Appearance: Amber brown. Little bit of head.
  • Aroma: Fruity. Lemony. Malt and hops.
  • Taste: Fruit. Pretty bitter. Hops and malt.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.85
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 12/6-2006, 123/300, 66/500

Sunday 11 June 2006

Black Sheep Emmerdale Ale

  • Name: Black Sheep Emmerdale Ale, 5%, England
  • Appearance: Golden brown. Quite a lot of head, shortlived.
  • Aroma: Nice fruit, orangy. Hops and malt. Honey.
  • Taste: Fruity. Malty aftertaste. Honey.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.85
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 11/6-2006, 122/300

Coors Fine Light Beer

Last bottle from the four-pack gift from MG.
  • Name: Coors Fine Light Beer, 5.0%, England*
  • Appearance: Pale yellow. Very little head. Fizzy.
  • Aroma: Just hopsy, really.
  • Taste: Hopsy, bit of fruit. Boring.
  • Bought: Gift, 330 ml, £?.??
  • Overall score: 2/6
  • Info: 11/6-2006
* Changed from United States to England as per Ratebeer.com 2014-07-08

Saturday 10 June 2006

Hogs Back BSA

  • Name: Hogs Back BSA, 4.5%, England
  • Appearance: Bronze, little head. More when warmer. Cloudy. Sediments.
  • Aroma: Fruit, orange. Little bit of malt.
  • Taste: Bit of fruit. Pretty bitter afterwards.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.85
  • Overall score: 2/6
  • Info: 10/6-2006, 121/300

Friday 9 June 2006

Exmoor Gold

At 5.0%, not 4.5% as in the 300-book.
  • Name: Exmoor Gold, 5.0%, England
  • Appearance: Yellow. Slightly golden. Little head.
  • Aroma: Hopsy and fruity.
  • Taste: Hopsy and pretty fruity. Fresh. Smooth finish.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.79
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 9/6-2006, 120/300, 103/500*
* Should have been 66/500, but is listed as "Golden Hill Exmoor Gold" in the 500-book, so didn't initially find it.

Thursday 8 June 2006

Shepherd Neame Master Brew Bitter

This bottled version at 4.0%, not 3.7% as in the 300-book.
  • Name: Shepherd Neame Master Brew Bitter, 4.0%, England
  • Appearance: Copper/brass coloured. Very little head.
  • Aroma: Malt and fruit. Sultana.
  • Taste: Malt and hops. Pretty bitter.
  • Bought: Costcutter, 500 ml, £1.89
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 8/6-2006, 119/300

Wednesday 7 June 2006

Hook Norton Double Stout

  • Name: Hook Norton Double Stout, 4.8%, England
  • Appearance: Dark, redish brown. Bit of head, not lasting.
  • Aroma: Coffee and bit of chocolate. Bit of fruit.
  • Taste: Coffee and fruit. Bit of chocolate. Bitter. Burnt.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.69
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 7/6-2006, 118/300

Tuesday 6 June 2006

Moorhouse's Black Cat

  • Name: Moorhouse's Black Cat, 3.4%, England
  • Appearance: Dark brown. Little bit of head.
  • Aroma: Burnt malts. Chocolate.
  • Taste: Malt and chocolate. Bitter aftertaste. Not that fizzy.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.95
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 6/6-2006, 117/300

Saturday 3 June 2006

Broughton Scottish Oatmeal Stout

  • Name: Broughton Scottish Oatmeal Stout, 4.2%, Scotland
  • Appearance: Very dark brown. Bit of head, shortlived.
  • Aroma: Malt, chocolate and coffee (roasted).
  • Taste: Coffee and malt. Bit of chocolate. Oatmeal.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.85
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 3/6-2006, 116/300, 65/500

Thursday 1 June 2006

Adnams Bitter

This bottled version at 4.5%, not 3.7% as listed in the 300-book.
  • Name: Adnams Bitter, 4.5%, England
  • Appearance: Redish brown. Little bit of head.
  • Aroma: Malty, bit of fruit.
  • Taste: Pretty malty. Hops. Nice bitter aftertaste.
  • Bought: Waitrose, 500 ml, £1.79
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 1/6-2006, 115/300
The below bottle of Adnams Suffolk Strong Bitter was actually bought by mistake, as I thought it was the Adnams Bitter from the 300-book. Turned out that the beer was in the 500-book (where it is called Adnams Suffolk Strong Ale).
  • Name: Adnams SSB Bitter, 4.5%, England
  • Appearance: Bronze, good head.
  • Aroma: Berries, malty.
  • Taste: Full flavour, malty.
  • Bought: Tesco, 500 ml, £1.58
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 5/10-2005, 20/500
But then, according to Ratebeer, they are all the same beer anyway :-).

Wednesday 31 May 2006

Jennings Sneck Lifter

  • Name: Jennings Sneck Lifter, 5.1%, England
  • Appearance: Dark brown. Like a stout. Bit of head. Creamy.
  • Aroma: Roasted hops. Coffee and malt.
  • Taste: Malty. Smoky. Stouty. Coffee and chocolate. Bitter
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.79
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 31/5-2006, 114/300

Tuesday 30 May 2006

Klinskoe Svetloe

Second bottle brought over for me from Moscow by TLL.
  • Name: Klinskoe Svetloe, 4.5%, Russia
  • Appearance: Golden. Basically no head.
  • Aroma: Hopsy. Normal lager. Hint of malt.
  • Taste: Hops and malts. Fresh.
  • Bought: Gift, 500 ml, $?.??
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 30/5-2006

Tuesday 23 May 2006

Oakham JHB

This bottled version at 4.2%, not 3.8% as in the 300-book.
  • Name: Oakham JHB, 4.2%, England
  • Appearance: Light golden. Very little head.
  • Aroma: Fruity. Honey. Bit of hops.
  • Taste: Hopsy, then malt. Little fruit. Fresh.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.65
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 23/5-2006, 113/300

Monday 15 May 2006

Stary Melnik Svetloe

TLL kindly bought this beer for me when she was on a business trip to Moscow. Always interesting to try something you can't normally find in the shops.
  • Name: Stary Melnik Svetloe, 4.6%, Russia
  • Appearance: Pale gold. Little head. Pretty fizzy initially.
  • Aroma: Hopsy. Normal lager, maybe less.
  • Taste: Very little. Bit of hops and malt. Watery, hint of bitter.
  • Bought: Gift, 500 ml, $?.??
  • Overall score: 2/6
  • Info: 15/5-2006

Saturday 13 May 2006

O'Hanlon's Thomas Hardy's Ale

I was unsure how they could justify the price before I tried it, and it is actually really nice. The bottle was at 11.7%, not 12% as listed in the 300-book (where it even says 11.7% on the pictured bottle) and the 500-book.
  • Name: O'Hanlon's Thomas Hardy's Ale 2006, 11.7%, England
  • Appearance: Red-brown. Seems cloudy. Little head.
  • Aroma: Very, very fruity. Malty.
  • Taste: Very fruity, vinous. Raisins. Doesn't taste that strong.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 250 ml, £3.49
  • Overall score: 5/6
  • Info: 13/5-2006, 112/300, 71/500
This beer is called "Eldridge Pope Thomas Hardy's Ale" in the 500-book, but the Eldridge Pope brewery was closed in 2003. Thomas Hardy's Ale is now luckily brewed under license by O'Hanlon's.

Update: I then tried both 2007 and 2008 editions on 30 December 2008:
  • Name: O'Hanlon's Thomas Hardy's Ale 2007, 11.7%, England
  • Appearance: Dark chestnut brown. Very little head. Bottle No. Q 00065.
  • Aroma: Dark fruit, very vinous. Prunes.
  • Taste: Very vinous, a bit too flat. Not handled the storage well?
  • Bought: Waitrose, 250 ml, £3.49
  • Overall score: 5/6
  • Info: 30/12-2008
  • Name: O'Hanlon's Thomas Hardy's Ale 2008, 11.7%, England
  • Appearance: Dark chestnut brown. Cloudy. Nice amount of tan head. Bottle No. T 12353.
  • Aroma: Dark fruit, little bit vinous.
  • Taste: Complex. Dark fruit and malt. Warming. Longlasting aftertaste.
  • Bought: Waitrose, 250 ml, £3.49
  • Overall score: 5/6
  • Info: 30/12-2008

Friday 12 May 2006

Koningshoeven La Trappe Quadrupel

The last, and strongest of the Koningshoeven beers:
  • Name: Koningshoeven La Trappe Quadrupel, 10.0%, Netherlands
  • Appearance: Orangy brown. Sunburnt orange. Quite a lot of head, shortlived.
  • Aroma: Very fruity. Orange.
  • Taste: Pretty fruity, bitter, but not too much. Orange, fizzy, fresh.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.89
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 12/5-2006, 64/500

Thursday 11 May 2006

Wye Valley Dorothy Goodbody's Wholesome Stout

The longest beer name ever?
  • Name: Wye Valley Dorothy Goodbody's Wholesome Stout, 4.6%, England
  • Appearance: Dark chocolate brown. A bit of head, shortlived. Some sediments.
  • Aroma: Burnt, chocolate. Hops. Currants.
  • Taste: Burnt, malty. Bitter, harsh aftertaste.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.79
  • Overall score: 2/6
  • Info: 11/5-2006, 111/300

Wednesday 3 May 2006

RCH Old Slug Porter

The name "Old Slug" doesn't actually make me want to drink it, but:
  • Name: RCH Old Slug Porter, 4.5%, England
  • Appearance: Dark redish brown. Little head.
  • Aroma: Woody, a bit burnt and fruit.
  • Taste: Coffee and fruit. Malt! Bitter and a bit burnt. Tiny bit sour.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.69
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 3/5-2006, 110/300

Tuesday 2 May 2006

Samuel Smith's Imperial Stout

And then one of the nicest porters/stouts I've ever had:
  • Name: Samuel Smith's Imperial Stout, 7%, England
  • Appearance: Almost black. Very little head initially. Nice, thick head when warmer.
  • Aroma: Vinous, barley, burnt, fruit.
  • Taste: Malty, burnt, coffee. Creamy. Fruit. Bitter aftertaste.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 355 ml, £1.75
  • Overall score: 5/6
  • Info: 2/5-2006, 109/300, 63/500

Wednesday 26 April 2006

Samuel Smith's Taddy Porter

  • Name: Samuel Smith's Taddy Porter, 5%, England
  • Appearance: Very dark brown. Loads of head, shortlived.
  • Aroma: Malt and coffee. Bit of fruit.
  • Taste: Malty, and coffee. Burnt. Bit of fruit. Bitter
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 550 ml, £2.09
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 26/4-2006, 108/300, 62/500

Sunday 23 April 2006

Young's Old Nick

  • Name: Young's Old Nick, 7.2%, England
  • Appearance: Redish brown. Nice amount of head. Short-lived.
  • Aroma: Malt and winey. Bit of fruit.
  • Taste: Malty and winey (again). Creamy. Bit of hops.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.59
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 23/4-2006, 107/300, 61/500

Saturday 22 April 2006

Samuel Smith's Old Brewery Pale Ale

This bottled version at 5%, not 5.2% as in the 300-book and the 500-book*.
  • Name: Samuel Smith's Old Brewery Pale Ale, 5%, England
  • Appearance: Brown, little bit of head.
  • Aroma: Malt and hops. Bit of fruit.
  • Taste: Malty, and some hops. Bitter aftertaste.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 550 ml, £2.09
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 22/4-2006, 106/300, 60/500
* The picture in the 500-book shows 5%, so they must be confused...

Staropramen

Third bottle from the four-pack gift from MG.
  • Name: Staropramen, 5.0%, Czech Republic
  • Appearance: Dark yellow. Basically no head. Fizzy.
  • Aroma: Hopsy. Normal lager, really.
  • Taste: Hops and malt. Fresh.
  • Bought: Gift, 330 ml, £?.??
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 22/4-2006

Thursday 20 April 2006

Fraoch Kelpie Ale

This bottled version at 4.4% instead of the 4.1% as listed in the 300-book.
  • Name: Fraoch Kelpie Ale, 4.4%, Scotland
  • Appearance: Dark, redish brown. Little bit of head.
  • Aroma: Malty. Can actually smell the seaweed.
  • Taste: Malty. Something weird about it. Tangy.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.69
  • Overall score: 2/6
  • Info: 20/4-2006, 105/300

Wednesday 19 April 2006

Orkney Dark Island

  • Name: Orkney Dark Island, 4.6%, Scotland
  • Appearance: Very dark brown. Nice head, not longlasting.
  • Aroma: Fruity. Blackcurrant. Malt.
  • Taste: Pretty malty. Burnt. Fruity.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.89
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 19/4-2006, 104/300

Tuesday 18 April 2006

Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout

I've had a few pints of Samuel Smith's beers in The Cittie of Yorke in Holborn, London, but this is the first time I've tried the bottled versions.
  • Name: Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout, 5%, England
  • Appearance: Black, loads of head. Not longlasting.
  • Aroma: Pretty malty. Hint of coffee and chocolate.
  • Taste: Malt and burnt coffee. Bitter.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 550 ml, £2.09
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 18/4-2006, 103/300, 59/500

Friday 14 April 2006

Leffe 9°

When I ordered the Westvleteren(!) Trappist beers from BelgianShop.com, I also ordered the only Leffe beer I hadn't tried yet:
  • Name: Leffe 9°, 9.0%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Light brown. Very little head.
  • Aroma: Very fruity.
  • Taste: Very fruity. Vinous. Sweet and bitter. Strong.
  • Bought: BelgianShop.com, 330 ml, $4.00
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 14/4-2006

Tuesday 11 April 2006

St Austell Clouded Yellow

  • Name: St Austell Clouded Yellow, 4.8%, England
  • Appearance: Golden, little head. Cloudy. Pretty fizzy. Sediments.
  • Aroma: Wheat, bit of banana.
  • Taste: Wheaty, little bit quenching. Sour. No malt!
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.85
  • Overall score: 2/6
  • Info: 11/4-2006, 102/300

Monday 10 April 2006

Gurkha Premium Lager Beer

As a "side project", I am also trying to drink beers from as many different countries as possible. Hence this one from Nepal*:
  • Name: Gurkha Premium Lager Beer, 5.0%, England*
  • Appearance: Golden. Very little head.
  • Aroma: Very little. Bit of malt and fruit.
  • Taste: Fruity, bit of malt. Fresh. Something "herby" about it.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 660 ml, £2.19
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 10/4-2006
* Actually, this is brewed in England. Changed as per Ratebeer.com 2014-07-08

Sunday 9 April 2006

Harviestoun Bitter & Twisted

This bottled version at 4.2% instead of the 3.8% in the 300-book.
  • Name: Harviestoun Bitter & Twisted, 4.2%, Scotland
  • Appearance: Golden. Little bit of head, not longlived.
  • Aroma: Fruity, lemony. Malt and hops.
  • Taste: Hopsy and fruity. Malty, but also fresh.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.75
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 9/4-2006, 101/300

Friday 7 April 2006

Affligem Dubbel

I think I had this one for the first time in the over-priced bar/restaurant in the Eiffel Tower in Paris. I remember liking it, so bought it again for the purpose of my beer project.
  • Name: Affligem Dubbel, 6.8%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Dark brown. Nice amount of head.
  • Aroma: Malty and fruity.
  • Taste: Fresh. Malty and fruity.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.75
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 6/4-2006

Wednesday 5 April 2006

100/300

Reached the magic 100 number after a bit under eight months, whereas I reached 50 in under three months. I find it harder to get hold of the beers now, especially as I for now limit myself to bottles only. Beers of Europe has helped me along a lot lately, but I think that will come to an end soon as well. Will probably start buying more 500-book beers soon...

Silly Double Enghien Blonde

I was very lucky with the 100th beer from the 300-book:
  • Name: Silly Double Enghien Blonde, 7.5%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Golden. Hazy. Not much head.
  • Aroma: Very fruity. Honey? Nectar.
  • Taste: Very fruity. Not much else. Like fruit juice.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.59
  • Overall score: 5/6
  • Info: 5/4-2006, 100/300

Monday 3 April 2006

Woodforde's Norfolk Nip

At 8.0%, instead of at 8.5% as in the 300-book.
  • Name: Woodforde's Norfolk Nip, 8.0%, England
  • Appearance: Dark brown. Absolutely flat, no fizz.
  • Aroma: Winey, fruity. Malty. Raisins.
  • Taste: Pretty malty. Fruits.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £2.29
  • Overall score: 2/6 (Mostly because it is so flat)
  • Info: 3/4-2006, 99/300

Sunday 2 April 2006

Saison Dupont

My first ever Saison beer:
  • Name: Saison Dupont, 6.5%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Orangy-gold, cloudy. Nice amount of head.
  • Aroma: Hopsy, fruity. Wheaty
  • Taste: Nice mix of fruit, hops and malt.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.39
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 2/4-2006, 98/300, 58/500, 12/100

Saturday 1 April 2006

Young's Double Chocolate Stout

They are actually using Cadbury's chocolate in this one. At 5.2%, not 5% as in the 300-book and the 500-book.
  • Name: Young's Double Chocolate Stout, 5.2%, England
  • Appearance: Black. Little bit of head, short-lived though.
  • Aroma: Dark chocolate, cocoa. Bit of malt.
  • Taste: Dark chocolate, cocoa. Malty? Hint of fruit?
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.59
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 1/4-2006, 97/300, 57/500

Conwy Celebration Ale

Third and last bottle that GR gave me and that was bought in Conwy, Wales.
  • Name: Conwy Celebration Ale, 4.2%, Wales
  • Appearance: Orangy brown. A bit cloudy. No head.
  • Aroma: Flowery, bit of fruit and hops.
  • Taste: Pretty hopsy. Acidic. Nice, malty aftertaste, though.
  • Bought: Gift, 500 ml, £?.??
  • Overall score: 2/6
  • Info: 1/4-2006

Friday 31 March 2006

Conwy Castle Bitter

Second bottle/gift bought by GR in Conwy.
  • Name: Conwy Castle Bitter, 3.8%, Wales
  • Appearance: Brown, light brown. Very little head. Some sediments.
  • Aroma: Hopsy. A bit of malt.
  • Taste: Watery. Hopsy. Bit of bitter/malt in aftertaste.
  • Bought: Gift, 500 ml, £?.??
  • Overall score: 2/6
  • Info: 31/3-2006

Thursday 30 March 2006

Conwy Arbennig Special

Bought by GR in Conwy, a nice gift from him.
  • Name: Conwy Arbennig Special, 4.5%, Wales
  • Appearance: Dark brown, little head.
  • Aroma: Very fruity, ripe fruit. Malt.
  • Taste: Very fruity. Malty. Burnt.
  • Bought: Gift, 500 ml, £?.??
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 30/3-2006

Wednesday 29 March 2006

Leffe Triple

This bottle of Leffe at 8.5% instead of the 8.1% listed in the 300-book.
  • Name: Leffe Triple, 8.5%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Pale brown, yellow. Cloudy, fizzy. Nice head.
  • Aroma: Hopsy. Raisins.
  • Taste: Very hopsy. Malt. Ripe fruit.
  • Bought: Sainsbury's, 330 ml, £?.??
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 29/3-2006, 96/300

Tuesday 28 March 2006

Fraoch Heather Ale

This bottled version at 5%, not 4.1% as listed in the 300-book.
  • Name: Fraoch Heather Ale, 5%, Scotland
  • Appearance: Chestnut brown, very little head.
  • Aroma: Flowery and fruity.
  • Taste: Fruit, with hops and malt. Hint of flower.
  • Bought: Waitrose, 500 ml, £1.65
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 28/3-2006, 95/300, 56/500

Friday 24 March 2006

Orval

As mentioned in the 300-book, the bottled version is 6.2%, not 6%.
  • Name: Orval, 6.2%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Light brown. Cloudy. Lots of head, longlasting.
  • Aroma: Very fruity.
  • Taste: Fruit and berries. Bitter. A bit sour aftertaste.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.65
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 24/3-2006, 94/300, 55/500, 11/100
2015 re-rate:
  • Name: Orval, 6.2%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Bottled 20/4-2011. Dark red-brown, clear. Nice amount of off-white head.
  • Aroma: Nice fruits, lots of it.
  • Taste: Lots of dark fruit, slight bitterness. Nice.
  • Bought: ?, 330 ml, CHF ?.??
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 11/7-2015, BB: 20/4-2016

Thursday 23 March 2006

Tsingtao Beer

Second bottle from the four-pack gift from MG. Stronger than the "accurate" 4.25% listed in the 500-book.
  • Name: Tsingtao Beer, 5.0%, China
  • Appearance: Pale yellow. Little head. Fizzy.
  • Aroma: Hopsy (very). Normal lager.
  • Taste: Hopsy, fresh. No malt. Standard light lager.
  • Bought: Gift, 330 ml, £?.??
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 23/3-2006, 54/500

Wednesday 22 March 2006

Kingfisher Premium

Gift from MG, in a four-pack of world beers, I think.
  • Name: Kingfisher Premium, 4.8%, India
  • Appearance: Pale yellow. A bit of head, not longlasting.
  • Aroma: Malt and hops. Normal lager. Citrusy.
  • Taste: Hopsy, bit of malt. Standard lager.
  • Bought: Gift, 330 ml, £?.??
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 22/3-2006

Tuesday 21 March 2006

Chimay Triple / Blanche / Cinq Cents

330ml version, Chimay Triple / Blanche:
  • Name: Chimay Triple / Blanche, 8%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Golden, nice amount of head - not longlasting. Last bit a bit cloudy.
  • Aroma: Bit of fruit. Citrusy.
  • Taste: Hopsy, bit of fruit. Bitterish.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.79
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 21/3-2006, 93/300
750ml version, Chimay Cinq Cents:
  • Name: Chimay Cinq Cents, 8%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Hazy golden. Good amount of off-white head. Sediments and floaty bits.
  • Aroma: Fruit and citrus. Wood. Fresh.
  • Taste: Hops and citrus. Nice aftertaste.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 750 ml, £4.55
  • Overall score: 4/6*
  • Info: 10/6-2008, 194/500
* I gave the Blanche version 3/6, so I might be enjoying Triples more now, two years later.

I originally put these as separate entries, but in the end they are too similar to justify separate entries.

Monday 20 March 2006

Chimay Rouge (Red)

  • Name: Chimay Rouge (Red), 7%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Dark redish brown. Little head.
  • Aroma: Malty, hint of blackcurrant.
  • Taste: Malty, fresh.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.65
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 20/3-2006, 92/300

Sunday 19 March 2006

100 bottles of beer on the wall...

So, after 100 bottles of beer in 7 months, I've done 91 beers from the 300-book and 53 beers from the 500-book. The focus at this point has primarily been on the 300-book. When I start getting problems sourcing more beers, the focus will change more to the 500-book.

Saturday 18 March 2006

Duyck Jenlain Ambrée

Stronger than the 6.5% listed in the 300-book and the 500-book.
  • Name: Duyck Jenlain Ambrée, 7.5%, France
  • Appearance: Dark brown, redish. Little head - more when warmer. Little bubbles.
  • Aroma: Malty, very fruity. Raisins.
  • Taste: Pretty malty, not that fruity.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 750 ml, £3.49
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 18/3-2006, 91/300, 53/500

Thursday 16 March 2006

Maredsous 10

  • Name: Maredsous 10, 10%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Dark golden. Loads of thick head. Loads of bubbles.
  • Aroma: Fruity, pears.
  • Taste: Fruity, pears. Strong. Hopsy. Malt in aftertaste.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.95
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 16/3-2006, 90/300

Tuesday 14 March 2006

Maredsous 8

  • Name: Maredsous 8, 8%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Chestnut brown. Nice amount of head.
  • Aroma: Malt and coffee.
  • Taste: Malty, coffee. Bitter. Bit of fruit.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.65
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 14/3-2006, 89/300, 10/100

Friday 10 March 2006

Cantillon Rosé de Gambrinus

My second lambic/gueuze, and a 750 ml bottle as well...
  • Name: Cantillon Rosé de Gambrinus, 5%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Cap&Cork. Orangy pink, cloudy. Absolutely no head.
  • Aroma: A bit like cider. Vinegary.
  • Taste: Hint of raspberry, vinegary. Pretty sour. Like it is bad.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 750 ml, £4.69
  • Overall score: 0/6
  • Info: 10/3-2006, 88/300, 52/500

Thursday 9 March 2006

Tongerlo Double Blond

Beers of Europe actually sent me this one by mistake instead of the Double Brown. Never mind, the beer wasn't that bad.
  • Name: Tongerlo Double Blond, 6%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Golden. Quite a lot of head.
  • Aroma: Pretty wheaty. Hopsy.
  • Taste: Hopsy. More malty aftertaste. Fresh.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.45
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 9/3-2006

Wednesday 8 March 2006

Tongerlo Triple Blond

  • Name: Tongerlo Triple Blond, 8%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Yellowish gold, nice amount of head.
  • Aroma: Very hopsy. Hint of wheat.
  • Taste: Malty, more hopsy. Warming.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.79
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 8/3-2006, 87/300

Wednesday 1 March 2006

Trappistes Rochefort 10

  • Name: Trappistes Rochefort 10, 11.3%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Dark, dark brown, cloudy. Nice, creamy head.
  • Aroma: Fruit, little bit of malt.
  • Taste: Very malty. Little bit of fruit. Warming alcohol.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £2.49
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 1/3-2006, 86/300, 9/100

Trappistes Rochefort 8

  • Name: Trappistes Rochefort 8, 9.2%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Dark brown, cloudy. Nice amount of head, creamy.
  • Aroma: Pretty malty. Raisins.
  • Taste: Malty, raisins. Bitter.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.89
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 1/3-2006, 85/300, 8/100

Tuesday 28 February 2006

(Schloss) Eggenberg Samichlaus

Supposedly the strongest lager in the world, and at 14% it is at the same level as most red/white wines.
  • Name: (Schloss) Eggenberg Samichlaus, 14%, Austria
  • Appearance: Redish brown. Nice amount of head.
  • Aroma: Malty. Like port wine.
  • Taste: A bit strong, cognac. Malt and nuts.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £2.79
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 28/2-2006, 84/300

Monday 27 February 2006

Boon Geuze

I thought wheat beers were bad, but that was before I started tasting lambic/gueuze... This bottle at 6.5%, not 6% as listed in the 300-book and the 500-book.
  • Name: Boon Geuze, 6.5%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Cloudy amber, almost orange. Lots of head.
  • Aroma: Just like a cider. Lemony, hint of wheat.
  • Taste: Sour. A bit like cider. Lemony. Yuck!
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 375 ml, £2.09
  • Overall score: 1/6 (Almost 0/6)
  • Info: 27/2-2006, 83/300, 51/500

Sunday 26 February 2006

Brinkhoff Dortmunder Union Export

  • Name: Brinkhoff Dortmunder Union Export, 5.3%, Germany
  • Appearance: Golden, basically no head.
  • Aroma: Hopsy, lemon fruit. Fresh.
  • Taste: Lemony, hopsy. Fresh. Clean, crisp taste.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.49
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 26/2-2006, 82/300, 50/500

Saturday 25 February 2006

Leffe Radieuse

  • Name: Leffe Radieuse, 8.2%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Dark brown. Little head. Bit more when warmer.
  • Aroma: Fruity, malty. Raisins.
  • Taste: Malty, little bit of fruit. Bitter-ish.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.45
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 25/2-2006, 49/500

Cusqueña

  • Name: Cusqueña, 5%, Peru
  • Appearance: Light golden. No head, fizzy.
  • Aroma: Hopsy. Hint of malt.
  • Taste: Hopsy. Normal light lager. Fresh. Bitter-ish aftertaste.
  • Bought: Sainsbury's, 330 ml, £1.00
  • Overall score: 2/6
  • Info: 25/2-2006, 1/300M

Friday 24 February 2006

Leffe Vieille Cuvée

I drink Leffe Brune and Blond regularly, so when I saw this one on Beers of Europe, I had to get a bottle to try it out. Not as nice as Brune, though.
  • Name: Leffe Vieille Cuvée, 8.2%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Chestnut brown. Almost no head.
  • Aroma: Malty, fruity. Prunes/dates.
  • Taste: Burnt malt. Fruity.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.59
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 24/2-2006

Thursday 23 February 2006

Hoegaarden

Nitpicking, but at 4.9% instead of the listed 5% in the 300-book and the 500-book.
  • Name: Hoegaarden, 4.9%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Cloudy white. Later pale brown. Tiny amount of head.
  • Aroma: Not too wheaty. Orangy? Citrusy.
  • Taste: A bit of wheat. Hint of fruit. Fresh
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.15
  • Overall score: 2/6
  • Info: 23/2-2006, 81/300, 48/500

Wednesday 22 February 2006

Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Märzen

This one really messed with my head. It just tastes plain weird in the beginning, but after a few sips you get used to it. At the end of the bottle, I actually liked it. This one is listed as 4.8% in the 500-book.
  • Name: Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier, 5.1%, Germany
  • Appearance: Dark chestnut. Nice amount of head.
  • Aroma: Smoked malt. Burnt wood.
  • Taste: Really smokey. Malty. Burnt wood.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.85
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 22/2-2006, 80/300, 47/500

Re-rated in 2018:
  • Name: Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Märzen, 5.1%, Germany
  • Appearance: Dark brown, light tan head.
  • Aroma: Smoke, but not too much, though. Some tar.
  • Taste: Smoke, metallic, roasted malt. Slight tar. Nice.
  • Bought: Schlenkerla (Bamberg), 500 ml draft, €3.40
  • Score: 3.6 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 8/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 15/20)
  • Info: 9/8-2018

Tuesday 21 February 2006

Bush Ambrée

Nice, low alcohol beer at 12%...
  • Name: Bush Ambrée*, 12%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Amber, tiny bubbles. Little head.
  • Aroma: Barley sugar, malty. You can smell that it is strong.
  • Taste: Barley, malty. Alcohol-taste, warming.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 250 ml, £1.69
  • Overall score: 2/6
  • Info: 21/2-2006, 79/300, 46/500
* Simply called "Bush 12%" in the 500-book.

Monday 20 February 2006

Trappistes Rochefort 6

Ah - another Trappist beer!
  • Name: Trappistes Rochefort 6, 7.5%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Redish brown. Cloudy. Nice head.
  • Aroma: Very fruity. Berries.
  • Taste: Fruity, malty. Creamy.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.79
  • Overall score: 5/6
  • Info: 20/2-2006, 78/300

Friday 17 February 2006

Koningshoeven La Trappe Tripel

After the shock of the Rodenbach Grand Cru (see below), I needed to wash the flavour away with something nice:
  • Name: Koningshoeven La Trappe Tripel, 8%, Netherlands
  • Appearance: Copper-coloured. Fizzy, nice head.
  • Aroma: Fruity, malty. Hint of hops.
  • Taste: Fruity, malty. Creamy. Bitter aftertaste.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.79
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 17/2-2006, 77/300

Rodenbach Grand Cru

The "Belgian Sour Red Beer" chapter in the 300-book had scared me for a while, but I had to get it over with. Luckily only one beer in that section!
  • Name: Rodenbach Grand Cru, 6%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Dark brown, redish. Little bit of head.
  • Aroma: Sour, winey. Red wine vinegar?
  • Taste: Very sour. Vinous. Sour fruit. Quenching.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.99
  • Overall score: 0/6
  • Info: 17/2-2006, 76/300, 45/500, 7/100

Thursday 16 February 2006

Koningshoeven La Trappe Dubbel

A Koningshoeven evening - even my girlfriend liked these.
  • Name: Koningshoeven La Trappe Dubbel, 6.5%, Netherlands
  • Appearance: Very dark brown. Nice head.
  • Aroma: Malty, fruity.
  • Taste: Malty, fruity. Smooth.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.49
  • Overall score: 5/6
  • Info: 16/2-2006, 75/300

Koningshoeven La Trappe Blond

  • Name: Koningshoeven La Trappe Blond, 6.5%, Netherlands
  • Appearance: Golden, nice amount of head. Champagne bubbles.
  • Aroma: Fruity, hopsy.
  • Taste: Malty, hopsy. Fresh. Fruity. Smooth.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.49
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 16/2-2006, 74/300

Wednesday 15 February 2006

La Caracole Troublette

Another wheat beer, at 5.5% compared to 5% in the 300-book.
  • Name: La Caracole Troublette, 5.5%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Cloudy, light brown. Muddy water. Little head.
  • Aroma: Not that wheaty. Sour fruits. Hint of hops.
  • Taste: Lemony, but quenching. Pretty bad...
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.59
  • Overall score: 1/6
  • Info: 15/2-2006, 73/300

Saturday 11 February 2006

Svyturys Ekstra

Must be my first ever beer from Lithuania...
  • Name: Svyturys Ekstra, 5.2%, Lithuania
  • Appearance: Gold, little head.
  • Aroma: Like a lager. Bit of fruit. Grainy.
  • Taste: Hopsy. Hint of malt. Bitter aftertaste.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.59
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 11/2-2006, 72/300

L'Abbaye des Rocs Blanche des Honnelles

  • Name: L'Abbaye des Rocs Blanche des Honnelles, 6%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Dark yellow, light brown. Hazy. Little head.
  • Aroma: Wheaty, not too much. Fruity.
  • Taste: Wheaty, but also fruity. Fresh. Fizzy.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.49
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 11/2-2006, 71/300, 44/500, 6/100

Friday 10 February 2006

Abbaye des Rocs

  • Name: Abbaye des Rocs, 9%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Dark brown, cloudy. Good head, foamed over when opened...
  • Aroma: Very fruity. Vinous.
  • Taste: Very fruity and sweet. Vinous, fresh. Smooth.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.75
  • Overall score: 5/6
  • Info: 10/2-2006, 70/300

Thursday 9 February 2006

De Dolle Arabier

Stronger at 7.5% compared to the 7% listed in the 300-book.
  • Name: De Dolle Arabier, 7.5%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Cloudy yellow/bronze. Loads of head.
  • Aroma: Very fruity. Gone-off fruit?
  • Taste: Very fruity, long aftertaste. Malty.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.79
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 9/2-2006, 69/300, 5/100

Wednesday 8 February 2006

Alt Pott's Landbier

Last one from the trip to Gütersloh/Bielefeld, Germany. Promise.
  • Name: Alt Pott's Landbier, 4.8%, Germany
  • Appearance: Dark/chestnut brown, basically no head.
  • Aroma: Pretty malty. Berries. Roasted hops.
  • Taste: Malty, bitter. Long, bitter aftertaste. Smooth, though.
  • Bought: Germany, 330 ml, €0.84
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 8/2-2006

Monday 6 February 2006

Detmolder Pilsener

When HH and I stayed in a local B&B in Gütersloh (Germany), we tried a few different types of Detmolder beers in the B&B pub. Just had to buy one later from Bielefeld, as a reminder of the chatty owner and HH refusing to stay another night in the B&B...
  • Name: Detmolder Pilsener, 4.8%, Germany
  • Appearance: Yellow/amber, very little head.
  • Aroma: Malty, hopsy.
  • Taste: Malty and hopsy, but not too much. Fresh.
  • Bought: Germany, 330 ml, €?.??
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 6/2-2006

Sunday 5 February 2006

St Sylvestre 3 Monts

  • Name: St Sylvestre 3 Monts, 8.5%, France
  • Appearance: Gold, dark yellow. Champagne-like bubbles. Lots of head, not lasting long.
  • Aroma: Very fruity, winey.
  • Taste: Very vinous, bitter, fresh. "Champagne beer"
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 750 ml, £3.99
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 5/2-2006, 68/300, 43/500

Friday 3 February 2006

De Koninck

  • Name: De Koninck, 5%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Basically no head.
  • Aroma: Malty, hint of hops. Burnt.
  • Taste: Pretty malty, fruity, bitter aftertaste. Fresh.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.29
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 3/2-2006, 67/300, 42/500, 4/100

Einbecker Ur-Bock Hell

Another one from the business trip to Gütersloh/Bielefeld, Germany. The 300-book is not clear which version of Ur-Bock, so this is the Hell version (at 6.5% instead of the listed 6.9%).
  • Name: Einbecker Ur-Bock Hell, 6.5%, Germany
  • Appearance: Light amber, bit of head, not longlasting.
  • Aroma: Hopsy, hint of honey.
  • Taste: Pretty malty, bitter. Strange, strong aftertaste.
  • Bought: Germany, 330 ml, €0.71
  • Overall score: 2/6
  • Info: 3/2-2006, 66/300

Thursday 2 February 2006

Hartwall Thors Øl

Also bought over Christmas in Kilpisjärvi, Finland.
  • Name: Hartwall Thors Øl, 4.5%, Finland
  • Appearance: Amber, no head.
  • Aroma: Honey, little bit malty and hopsy.
  • Taste: Honey, fresh, hopsy-hint. Nectar.
  • Bought: Finland, 500 ml, €?.??
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 2/2-2006

Wednesday 1 February 2006

Litovel Dark

Bought over Christmas in Kilpisjärvi, Finland.
  • Name: Litovel Dark, 3.8%, Czech Republic
  • Appearance: Black, little/no head.
  • Aroma: Pretty malty, fruity. Plum.
  • Taste: Pretty (again) malty, fruity. Fresh. Bitter
  • Bought: Finland, 500 ml, €?.??
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 1/2-2006

Tuesday 24 January 2006

Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier

Also bought on business trip to Gütersloh/Bielefeld, Germany.
  • Name: Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier, 5.4%, Germany
  • Appearance: Pale yellow, cloudy. Lots of head, not longlasting.
  • Aroma: Not that wheaty. Hint of fruit, honey.
  • Taste: Pretty wheaty, hopsy. Fizzy.
  • Bought: Germany, 500 ml, €0.88
  • Overall score: 2/6
  • Info: 24/1-2006, 65/300, 41/500

Saturday 14 January 2006

Duckstein

A new year, lots of new beers to try. Bought on business trip to Gütersloh/Bielefeld, Germany.
  • Name: Duckstein, 4.9%, Germany
  • Appearance: Redish brown, nice amount of head.
  • Aroma: Fruity, malty, hopsy.
  • Taste: Pretty malty, bitter/malty finish.
  • Bought: Germany, 500 ml, €1.87
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 14/1-2006, 64/300