Friday 31 March 2017

Faktoria Bass Reeves

New brewery:
  • Name: Faktoria Bass Reeves, 6.5%, Poland
  • Appearance: Very dark brown, borderline black. Some tan head.
  • Aroma: Dark malt, slightly roasted, hops.
  • Taste: Lots of hops, malt, roasted. Slight bitterness in aftertaste.
  • Bought: Trade with Grzesiek79 - thanks!, 500 ml
  • Score: 3.4 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 7/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 14/20)
  • Info: 31/3-2017, BB: 3/4-2017

Blanche Pierre l’Aléatoire - 03 Lai Voîe bianc di dûe die dûe

New Swiss brewery:
  • Name: Blanche Pierre l’Aléatoire - 03 Lai Voîe bianc di dûe die dûe, 4.8%, Switzerland
  • Appearance: Light orange, quite hazy and fizzy. Good amount of white head.
  • Aroma: Light fruit, slight wheat.
  • Taste: Light fruits, wheat, slight banana and sweetness. Slight yeast.
  • Bought: La Petite Brasserie (Fribourg), 330 ml, CHF 4.50
  • Score: 3.3 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 7/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 13/20)
  • Info: 31/3-2017, BB: 31/3-2017

Saturday 25 March 2017

BrewDog Mr. President [Hardcore IPA (9.2%)]

  • Name: BrewDog Mr. President [Hardcore IPA (9.2%)], 9.2%, Scotland
  • Appearance: Medium brown, red hue. Small off-white head.
  • Aroma: Hops, exotic fruits, some sweetness.
  • Taste: Strong hops, sweetness, a bit medicinal. Lasting bitterness. Underwhelming.
  • Bought: Tesco (England), 330 ml, £?.??
  • Score: 3.2 (Aroma 6/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 7/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 13/20)
  • Info: 25/3-2017, BB: 25/2-2018

Rothhammer Rebel Imperial Pilsner

Chile #2, new brewery:
  • Name: Rothhammer Rebel Imperial Pilsner, 9%, Chile
  • Appearance: Orange golden, hazy. Slight off-white head.
  • Aroma: Light malt, light fruits.
  • Taste: Malt, sweet, fruits, syrup. Light bitterness afterwards.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 350 ml, £3.89
  • Score: 3.2 (Aroma 6/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 7/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 13/20)
  • Info: 25/3-2017, BB: 7/8-2017

Ritter St. Georgen Starker Ritter Weizen-Bock

Weizen Bock #7, new brewery:
  • Name: Ritter St. Georgen Starker Ritter Weizen-Bock, 7.5%, Germany
  • Appearance: Hazy orange light golden. Some white head.
  • Aroma: Banana, wheat. Spices.
  • Taste: Banana, wheat, light citrus. Spices. Slight alcohol. Nice.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £2.89
  • Score: 3.4 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 7/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 14/20)
  • Info: 25/3-2017, BB: 20/4-2017

Friday 24 March 2017

Harviestoun Ola Dubh (18 Year Old)

  • Name: Harviestoun Ola Dubh (18 Year Old), 8.0%, Scotland
  • Appearance: Bottled 2/2016. Very dark brown. Slight light tan head.
  • Aroma: Dark malt, barrel. Oak.
  • Taste: Dark malt, strong barrel, slight smoke. Nice, but a little bit one-dimensional.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £5.19
  • Score: 3.6 (Aroma 8/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 8/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 14/20)
  • Info: 24/3-2017, BB: 28/2-2019

Nordbräu Ingolstadt Eisbock

Eisbock #3, new brewery:
  • Name: Nordbräu Ingolstadt Eisbock, 9.2%, Germany
  • Appearance: Amber, clear. Small off-white head.
  • Aroma: Dark fruit, prunes. Medium malt. Sweetness.
  • Taste: Malt, sweetness, caramel. Dark fruit, prunes. Slight alcohol. Nice.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £3.59
  • Score: 3.3 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 6/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 14/20)
  • Info: 24/3-2017, BB: 11/5-2017

Boon Faro

Lambic Style - Faro #3:
  • Name: Boon Faro, 5%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Light brown, hint of orange. Slight white head.
  • Aroma: Light fruits, light sourness. Candy sugar?
  • Taste: Sweet, sugar, light fruits, very light sourness. Ok.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 250 ml, £1.59
  • Score: 2.7 (Aroma 6/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 5/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 10/20)
  • Info: 24/3-2017, BB: 20/4-2018

Orkney Dragonhead (Bottle)

Scotland #50:
  • Name: Orkney Dragonhead (Bottle), 4.0%, Scotland
  • Appearance: Dark brown, clear. Some dark tan head.
  • Aroma: Dark malt, roasted. Some dark chocolate.
  • Taste: Dark malt, roasted, light coffee. Yes, some smoke. Nice. 
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £2.89
  • Score: 3.6 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 8/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 15/20)
  • Info: 24/3-2017, BB: 31/3-2018

Thursday 23 March 2017

Siren Long Forgotten Journey

  • Name: Siren Long Forgotten Journey, 10%, England
  • Appearance: Dark orange, quite hazy. Nice amount of white head.
  • Aroma: Light barrel, honey and orange.
  • Taste: Strong barrel, definitely honey and orange. Sweetness, but also some alcohol, harsh?
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £5.69
  • Score: 3.2 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 6/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 13/20)
  • Info: 23/3-2017, BB: 31/12-2018

Beeston Old Stoatwobbler

New brewery:
  • Name: Beeston Old Stoatwobbler, 6.0%, England
  • Appearance: Dark brown, red hue. Some light tan head.
  • Aroma: Dark malt, roasted.
  • Taste: Dark malt, roasted, light coffee/chocolate. Slight bitterness.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £3.59
  • Score: 3.6 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 8/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 15/20)
  • Info: 23/3-2017, BB: 31/10-2017

Primátor Polotmavý 13°

Polotmavy #5, new brewery:
  • Name: Primátor Polotmavý 13°, 5.5%, Czech Republic
  • Appearance: Medium brown, mahogany? Clear. Some off-white head.
  • Aroma: Toasted, medium malt. Butterscotch?
  • Taste: Malt, sweetness, toasted. Pretty good.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £2.69
  • Score: 3.3 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 7/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 13/20)
  • Info: 23/3-2017, BB: 5/10-2017

Wednesday 22 March 2017

Harviestoun Old Engine Oil Engineer’s Reserve

  • Name: Harviestoun Old Engine Oil Engineer’s Reserve, 9%, Scotland
  • Appearance: Very dark brown, tiny dark tan head.
  • Aroma: Dark malt, dark chocolate, roasted. Sweet?
  • Taste: Dark malt, slightly roasted, dark chocolate. Some sweetness. Warming. Very enjoyable.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £4.79
  • Score: 4.1 (Aroma 8/10, Appearance 4/5, Taste 9/10, Palate 4/5, Overall 16/20)
  • Info: 22/3-2017, BB: 31/7-2018

Mother Earth Cali Creamin

Cream Ale #10, new brewery:
  • Name: Mother Earth Cali Creamin, 5.2%, United States
  • Appearance: Light orange, slightly hazy. Tiny fizzy head.
  • Aroma: Light malt, light fruits, light caramel.
  • Taste: Quite strong vanilla, light malt and fruits. Some sweetness.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 355 ml can, £2.49
  • Score: 3.3 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 7/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 13/20)
  • Info: 22/3-2017, BB: 30/9-2017

Tuesday 21 March 2017

Backyard Brew Bee 17

  • Name: Backyard Brew Bee 17, 4.7%, Sweden
  • Appearance: Dark orange golden, clear. Ok amount of white head.
  • Aroma: Medium malt, light fruits.
  • Taste: Medium malt, not much hops, sweet. Standard.
  • Bought: Sainsbury's (England), 330 ml can, £?.??
  • Score: 2.5 (Aroma 5/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 5/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 9/20)
  • Info: 21/3-2017, BB: 11/9-2017

Fuller’s Wild River

  • Name: Fuller’s Wild River, 4.5%, England
  • Appearance: Light golden, clear. Tiny head.
  • Aroma: Light malt, some fruits.
  • Taste: Nice malt, light hops. Some caramel? Smooth.
  • Bought: Sainsbury's (England), 500 ml, £?.??
  • Score: 3.1 (Aroma 6/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 7/10, Palate 4/5, Overall 11/20)
  • Info: 21/3-2017, BB: 1/4-2018

Monday 20 March 2017

Greene King IPA Gold (Filtered)

  • Name: Greene King IPA Gold (Filtered), 4.1%, England
  • Appearance: Medium golden, clear. Tiny fizzy head.
  • Aroma: Light malt/fruit/hops.
  • Taste: Some light malt, slight hops. Some sweetness. Crisp. Ok.
  • Bought: Sainsbury's (England), 500 ml, £?.??
  • Score: 2.7 (Aroma 6/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 5/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 10/20)
  • Info: 20/3-2017, BB: 31/12-2017

Sunday 19 March 2017

Lagunitas India Pale Ale (IPA)

  • Name: Lagunitas India Pale Ale (IPA), 6.2%, United States
  • Appearance: Orange golden, clear. Some white head.
  • Aroma: Light fruits, citrus, nice hops.
  • Taste: Good hops, light fruits. Crisp. Good lingering bitterness. Smooth.
  • Bought: Sainsbury's (England), 355 ml, £?.??
  • Score: 3.7 (Aroma 8/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 8/10, Palate 4/5, Overall 14/20)
  • Info: 19/3-2017, BB: 28/12-2017

Sharps Doom Bar (Bottle)

New brewery:
  • Name: Sharps Doom Bar (Bottle), 4.3%, England
  • Appearance: Medium brown, clear. Very small, fizzy head.
  • Aroma: Medium malt, nutty, light caramel.
  • Taste: Malt, nutty, biscuits, some fruitiness.
  • Bought: Sainsbury's (England), 500 ml, £?.??
  • Score: 3.0 (Aroma 6/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 6/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 12/20)
  • Info: 19/3-2017, BB: 31/1-2018

Friday 17 March 2017

Piwoteka Kapral Brown

New brewery, for Masi:
  • Name: Piwoteka Kapral Brown, 6.5%, Poland
  • Appearance: Very dark brown, clear. Slight dark tan head.
  • Aroma: Dark malt, light coffee, cocoa?
  • Taste: Dark malt, burnt, charcoal, some burnt bitterness. Lacks a bit of balance.
  • Bought: Trade with Grzesiek79 - thanks!, 500 ml
  • Score: 3.4 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 7/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 14/20)
  • Info: 17/3-2017, BB: 2/3-2017

Sandorf Polotmavý Ležiak 12%

Polotmavy #4, new brewery:
  • Name: Sandorf Polotmavý Ležiak 12%, 5%, Slovak Republic
  • Appearance: Wow, that's a full bottle. Slow-gushing when opening. Dark orange amber-ish. Big white head.
  • Aroma: Light metal, earth, light malt. Light sick.
  • Taste: Butterscotch, light malt. Almost vegetables. Slightly tart. Not sure this is as intended.
  • Bought: Trade with Cuso - thanks!, 500 ml
  • Score: 2.1 (Aroma 4/10, Appearance 2/5, Taste 4/10, Palate 2/5, Overall 9/20)
  • Info: 17/3-2017, BB: 30/3-2017

Žil Verne Vynález Skazy 16°

New brewery, Slovak Republic #5:
  • Name: Žil Verne Vynález Skazy 16°, 5.8%, Slovak Republic
  • Appearance: Dark golden orange, huge amount of creamy off-white head.
  • Aroma: Fruit, hops, flowers.
  • Taste: Exotic fruits, resins, pine, strong hops. Pretty bitter aftertaste, lingering.
  • Bought: Trade with Cuso - thanks!, 330 ml
  • Score: 3.3 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 7/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 13/20)
  • Info: 17/3-2017, BB: 17/3-2017

Saturday 11 March 2017

Kormoran Podroze Kormorana Coffee Stout

New brewery:
  • Name: Kormoran Podroze Kormorana Coffee Stout, 4.8%, Poland
  • Appearance: Very dark brown, small dark tan head.
  • Aroma: Coffee, burnt, liquorice.
  • Taste: Strong coffee, roasted, slight dark malt. Maybe too much coffee, as it almost feels like just drinking a cold coffee.
  • Bought: Trade with Grzesiek79 - thanks!, 500 ml
  • Score: 3.6 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 4/5, Taste 7/10, Palate 4/5, Overall 14/20)
  • Info: 11/3-2017, BB: 7/2-2017

Amber Zywe

New brewery, Poland #5:
  • Name: Amber Zywe, 6.2%, Poland
  • Appearance: Light golden, clear. Ok amount of off-white head.
  • Aroma: Light malt, slight grains. Sweetness.
  • Taste: Light malt, light hops, sweetness. Not bad.
  • Bought: Trade with Grzesiek79 - thanks!, 500 ml
  • Score: 2.6 (Aroma 5/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 5/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 10/20)
  • Info: 11/3-2017, 105/300M, BB: 30/1-2017

Friday 10 March 2017

Chimay 150 / Spéciale Cent Cinquante

  • Name: Chimay 150 / Spéciale Cent Cinquante, 10%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Orange light brown, hazy. Good amount of white head.
  • Aroma: Dark fruits, prunes, spices.
  • Taste: Fruit, prunes, malt, spices, sweetness. Slight yeast? Well-hidden alcohol.
  • Bought: Trade with Grzesiek79 - big thanks!, 750 ml
  • Score: 3.9 (Aroma 8/10, Appearance 4/5, Taste 7/10, Palate 4/5, Overall 16/20)
  • Info: 10/3-2017, BB: 31/12-2015

Jama No Disco Tonight 14°

New brewery:
  • Name: Jama No Disco Tonight 14°, 5.7%, Slovak Republic
  • Appearance: Light orange golden, clear, fizzy. Lots of creamy, white head.
  • Aroma: Light fruits, lemon, hops.
  • Taste: Lots of light fruit, grapefruit, pine, nice hops. Quite bitter aftertaste. Refreshing.
  • Bought: Trade with Cuso - thanks!, 300 ml
  • Score: 3.4 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 7/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 14/20)
  • Info: 10/3-2017, BB: 28/2-2017

Friday 3 March 2017

Platan Protivínský Granát Polotmavý Ležák 11°

Polotmavy #3:
  • Name: Platan Protivínský Granát Polotmavý Ležák 11°, 4.6%, Czech Republic
  • Appearance: Dark brown, clear. Some off-white head.
  • Aroma: Malt, slightly roasted, wet wood. Sweetness.
  • Taste: Malt, bread, some sort of sweetness. Slight metal. A bit disappointing.
  • Bought: Trade with Cuso - thanks!, 500 ml
  • Score: 2.7 (Aroma 6/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 5/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 10/20)
  • Info: 3/3-2017, BB: 28/2-2017

Schorschbräu Schorschbock Ice 20 Dunkler Eisbock

Eisbock #2, new brewery:
  • Name: Schorschbräu Schorschbock Ice 20 Dunkler Eisbock, 20%, Germany
  • Appearance: Bottled 2014. Dark brown, seemingly clear. Basically no head.
  • Aroma: Lots of dark fruits. Prunes. Malt?
  • Taste: Dark fruits, strong prunes. Dark malt. Slight alcohol, but still easy drinking. Strong. Wow.
  • Bought: Trade with Grzesiek79 - thanks!, 100 ml sample
  • Score: 3.7 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 8/10, Palate 4/5, Overall 15/20)
  • Info: 3/3-2017, BB: ??/??-????

Ponghak Beer 12°

Ratebeer country #158:
  • Name: Ponghak Beer 12°, 5%, North Korea
  • Appearance: Medium brown, slight orange hint. Murky. Not much head.
  • Aroma: Light malt, prunes, slight fruits.
  • Taste: Light malt, slight fruit. Quite sweet. A bit odd.
  • Bought: Trade with Grzesiek79 - big thanks!, 200 ml sample
  • Score: 2.5 (Aroma 5/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 5/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 9/20)
  • Info: 3/3-2017