Monday 31 December 2018

Beer Goals 2018 - Result

My beer goals for 2018 were as follows (with inline comments):
  • Get from 167 to 179 Ratebeer countries   [Current status: 176]
    • Helped by trades, but didn't quite reach the goal with three more needed. Climbed from 16th place to 14th place, though.
  • Get from 6 to 8 Canadian Provinces   [Current status: 7]
    • Given up on the trade now, but managed to randomly find one new one at least.
  • Get last England County (Hertfordshire) again   [Goal achieved 2018-05-18]
    • Managed to get hold of it via a trade, but lost another County during the year, so will be a goal again next year.
  • Rate a top-50 beer from six of the last 11 styles   [Current status: 12!]
    • This is a difficult one, will be even harder next year.
  • Reduce styles I have tried less than 5 beers from 2 to 0   [Goal achieved 2018-02-01]
    • Managed this one easily early in the year.
  • Reduce styles I have tried less than 10 beers from 4 to 0   [Current status: 3]
    • Still missing four bottles of three styles to get this completed. Hopeful for next year.
  • Reduce styles I have tried less than 15 beers from 28 to 14   [Goal achieved 2018-12-21]
    • Not helped by the introduction of NEIPA (had to get from 9 to 15), but managed this just before Christmas.
  • Get from 1084 to 1200 breweries   [Goal achieved 2018-10-17]
    • Ended up on 1237 breweries, pleased with managing to try 153 new breweries in a year.
  • Get from 345 to 400 Swiss ratings   [Goal achieved 2018-09-01]
    • Ended the year on 431 Swiss ratings, so did well here.
  • Get from 109 to 140 Swiss breweries   [Goal achieved 2018-09-01]
    • Ended the year on 148 Swiss breweries, but it is getting harder and harder to find and buy beers from new Swiss breweries.
Some other minor country related goals:
  • Increase countries with 50+ ratings from 10 to 12   [Goal achieved 2018-10-20]
  • Increase countries with 10+ ratings from 28 to 32   [Current status: 29]
  • Increase countries with 5+ ratings from 39 to 45   [Current status: 43]
  • Increase countries with 2+ ratings from 90 to 95   [Current status: 92]
I only managed one of the four "minor country related goals", but did some good progress on 5+ and 2+ at least.

Prairie / Evil Twin Bible Belt - Barrel Aged

Virtual/Skype tasting with Nordcore!
  • Name: Prairie / Evil Twin Bible Belt - Barrel Aged, 13%, United States
  • Appearance: Very dark brown, near black. Tiny head.
  • Aroma: Some dark malt, dark fruits, prunes. Barrel.
  • Taste: Some dark malt, dark chocolate, roasted, sweetness, lots of barrel.
  • Bought: Beergium.com, 355 ml, €11.49
  • Score: 4.0 (Aroma 8/10, Appearance 4/5, Taste 8/10, Palate 4/5, Overall 16/20)
  • Info: 31/12-2018, BB: ??/??-????

Lervig Barley Wine 2017 BA Bourbon

Virtual/Skype tasting with Nordcore!
  • Name: Lervig Barley Wine 2017 BA Bourbon, 12.9%, Norway
  • Appearance: Very dark brown, seems clear. Small, dark tan head.
  • Aroma: Dark ripe fruits, prunes, slight wood barrels.
  • Taste: Dark fruits, prunes, good sweetness. Some barrel.
  • Bought: Boxbeers.com, 330 ml, €11.97
  • Score: 3.9 (Aroma 8/10, Appearance 4/5, Taste 8/10, Palate 4/5, Overall 15/20)
  • Info: 31/12-2018, BB: 30/10-2027

Ego Dis

Virtual/Skype tasting with Nordcore!
  • Name: Ego Dis, 6%, Norway
  • Appearance: Yellow golden, hazy. Lots of frothy head.
  • Aroma: Good amount of fruits, hops, some pale malts.
  • Taste: Light fruits, tropical fruits. Good hops. Quite low bitterness.
  • Bought: Vinmonopolet (Kopervik), 330 ml can, NOK 52.20
  • Score: 3.3 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 7/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 13/20)
  • Info: 31/12-2018, BB: 16/7-2019

Sunday 30 December 2018

La Pirata / Laugar Tovarisch Block

  • Name: La Pirata / Laugar Tovarisch Block, 13%, Spain
  • Appearance: Darkest brown, near black. Nice amount of dark tan head.
  • Aroma: Dark malt, roasted. Prunes. Some coffee.
  • Taste: Dark malt, dark ripe fruits. Roasted, some coffee. Sweetness. Smooth.
  • Bought: qoqa.ch, 330 ml, CHF 6.30
  • Score: 4.0 (Aroma 8/10, Appearance 4/5, Taste 8/10, Palate 4/5, Overall 16/20)
  • Info: 30/12-2018, BB: 30/4-2023

La Nébuleuse / Brew By Numbers 42/1020

  • Name: La Nébuleuse / Brew By Numbers 42/1020, 5.0%, Switzerland
  • Appearance: Bright yellow, clear. Small, fizzy head.
  • Aroma: Light fruits, faint sourness. Lemons.
  • Taste: Light fruits, some sourness. Lemons. Some light lingering bitterness. Refreshing.
  • Bought: qoqa.ch, 330 ml can, CHF 3.00
  • Score: 3.3 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 7/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 13/20)
  • Info: 30/12-2018, BB: 31/8-2019

Saturday 29 December 2018

La Calavera Blue Blood Fuck You

  • Name: La Calavera Blue Blood Fuck You, 11.8%, Spain
  • Appearance: Very dark brown, near black. Some tan head.
  • Aroma: Dark malt, roasted, sweetness and coffee.
  • Taste: Dark malt, roasted, caramel sweetness. Some coffee. Good balance.
  • Bought: qoqa.ch, 375 ml, CHF 6.30
  • Score: 3.9 (Aroma 8/10, Appearance 4/5, Taste 8/10, Palate 4/5, Overall 15/20)
  • Info: 29/12-2018, BB: 30/4-2020

Friday 28 December 2018

De Dochter van de Korenaar Charbon

  • Name: De Dochter van de Korenaar Charbon, 7%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Very dark brown. Fizzy, tan head.
  • Aroma: Dark malt, smoke, roasted. Vanilla.
  • Taste: Dark malt, roasted, burnt, smoke. Some vanilla.
  • Bought: Siblings Christmas gift - thanks!, 330 ml
  • Score: 3.7 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 4/5, Taste 8/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 15/20)
  • Info: 28/12-2018, BB: 30/11-2018

3 Fonteinen Oude Geuze (Cuvée Armand & Gaston)

Lambic - Gueuze #13:
  • Name: 3 Fonteinen Oude Geuze (Cuvée Armand & Gaston), 5.5%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Cage and cork. Dark orange, slight haze. Big, off-white head.
  • Aroma: Tart fruits. Funk.
  • Taste: Tart fruits, dry. Funk, lingering sourness. Not for me.
  • Bought: Mikkeller Webshop, 375 ml, DKK 110.00
  • Score: 2.5 (Aroma 5/10, Appearance 2/5, Taste 5/10, Palate 2/5, Overall 11/20)
  • Info: 28/12-2018, BB: 26/10-2037

Beavertown Smog Rocket

  • Name: Beavertown Smog Rocket, 5.4%, England
  • Appearance: Very dark brown, near black. Some dark tan head.
  • Aroma: Dark malt, roasted, slight smoke.
  • Taste: Roasted, smooth smoke, dark malt. Some burnt bitterness and tar. Pretty good balance.
  • Bought: Siblings Christmas gift - thanks!, 330 ml can
  • Score: 3.7 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 4/5, Taste 8/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 15/20)
  • Info: 28/12-2018, BB: 27/1-2019

Thursday 27 December 2018

Le Traquenard Double IPA

New CH brewery:
  • Name: Le Traquenard Double IPA, 6.7%, Switzerland
  • Appearance: Dark brown, hint of red. Huge amount of creamy, tan head.
  • Aroma: Light hops, some dark fruits and toasted.
  • Taste: Good amount of hops, some malt. Some dark fruit. Slight earthiness. Atypical for a DIPA.
  • Bought: Halle aux Boissons (Matran), 330 ml, CHF 4.50
  • Score: 3.3 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 7/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 13/20)
  • Info: 27/12-2018, BB: 30/4-2019

Godthaab Moskus (Umímak Bâja)

Greenland #2:
  • Name: Godthaab Moskus (Umímak Bâja), 7.09%, Greenland
  • Appearance: Burnt orange, clear and fizzy. Quite big, creamy off-white head.
  • Aroma: Malt, herbs, faint fruits. Some bitterness.
  • Taste: Medium malt, bread, some sweetness and herbs.
  • Bought: Trade with Cunningham - thanks!, 330 ml
  • Score: 3.0 (Aroma 6/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 6/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 12/20)
  • Info: 27/12-2018, BB: 29/12-2018

Wednesday 26 December 2018

La Calavera / Black Cat Brewery Deadmocracy

New brewery:
  • Name: La Calavera / Black Cat Brewery Deadmocracy, 11.8%, Spain
  • Appearance: Very dark brown, near black. Big, dark tan head. Some sediments in bottle.
  • Aroma: Dark malt, roasted. Coffee, some dark chocolate.
  • Taste: Dark malt, roasted, slight burnt. Some coffee and dark chocolate. Very smooth.
  • Bought: qoqa.ch, 375 ml, CHF 6.30
  • Score: 3.9 (Aroma 8/10, Appearance 4/5, Taste 8/10, Palate 4/5, Overall 15/20)
  • Info: 26/12-2018, BB: 31/3-2020

La Nébuleuse / Hoppy People Brut

  • Name: La Nébuleuse / Hoppy People Brut, 7.0%, Switzerland
  • Appearance: Yellow, some haze. Lots of bubbles. Some white head.
  • Aroma: Fruits, grapefruit. Light hops.
  • Taste: Lots of light fruits, grapefruit. Nice hops, some pale malt? Pretty nice.
  • Bought: qoqa.ch, 330 ml can, CHF 3.00
  • Score: 3.4 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 7/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 14/20)
  • Info: 26/12-2018, BB: 31/8-2019

Père Porret La Tsalinde

New CH brewery:
  • Name: Père Porret La Tsalinde, 6.1%, Switzerland
  • Appearance: Chestnut brown, very slight haze. Nice, creamy light tan head.
  • Aroma: Malt, caramel, toasted. Slight metal.
  • Taste: Malt, caramel sweetness, cake, Christmas spices.
  • Bought: DrMousse.ch, 330 ml, CHF 5.80
  • Score: 3.2 (Aroma 6/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 7/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 13/20)
  • Info: 26/12-2018, BB: 31/8-2020

Tuesday 25 December 2018

Oitava Colina Plantageneta

  • Name: Oitava Colina Plantageneta, 11.5%, Portugal
  • Appearance: Dark orange, some brown. Hazy. Small light tan head.
  • Aroma: Dark, ripe fruits. Sweet. Slight alcohol.
  • Taste: Ripe fruits, dark fruits. Caramel sweetness. Some alcohol.
  • Bought: qoqa.ch, 330 ml, CHF 6.30
  • Score: 3.6 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 8/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 15/20)
  • Info: 25/12-2018, BB: 31/12-2021

La Nébuleuse / Beerbliotek The Titanic Soundtrack

  • Name: La Nébuleuse / Beerbliotek The Titanic Soundtrack, 6.5%, Switzerland
  • Appearance: Burnt orange, slight haze. Quite big off-white head.
  • Aroma: Quite a bit of fruits, grapefruit, some hops.
  • Taste: Good hops, some good fruits. Lingering, light bitterness.
  • Bought: qoqa.ch, 330 ml can, CHF 3.00
  • Score: 3.4 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 7/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 14/20)
  • Info: 25/12-2018, BB: 31/7-2019

Monday 24 December 2018

Goose Island Bourbon County Stout 2014

Re-rated this fantastic beer - added to the 2016-rating.

Amager / Surly Todd - The Axe Man

  • Name: Amager / Surly Todd - The Axe Man, 6.5%, Denmark
  • Appearance: Pale orange, slight haze. Fizzy. Good amount of white head.
  • Aroma: Grapefruit, light fruits. Nice, smooth hops.
  • Taste: Good fruits, grapefruit. Good hops, nice lingering bitterness.
  • Bought: Drinks of the World (Basel), 330 ml, CHF 6.90
  • Score: 3.7 (Aroma 8/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 8/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 15/20)
  • Info: 24/12-2018, BB: 30/4-2019

Sunday 23 December 2018

Rinkuškiai Microhistory Beer - Pupsy the Great

New brewery, Lithuania #3:
  • Name: Rinkuškiai Microhistory Beer - Pupsy the Great, 4.2%, Lithuania
  • Appearance: Very dark brown, clear. Small, tan head.
  • Aroma: Malt, toasted. Caramel sweetness.
  • Taste: Malt, caramel sweetness. Toffee. Way too sweet.
  • Bought: Drinks of the World (Basel), 330 ml, CHF 5.10
  • Score: 3.0 (Aroma 6/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 6/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 12/20)
  • Info: 23/12-2018, BB: 28/5-2019

Arriaca Imperial Russian Stout

New brewery:
  • Name: Arriaca Imperial Russian Stout, 10.1%, Spain
  • Appearance: Very dark brown. Small, tan head.
  • Aroma: Dark malt, roasted. A bit burnt. Some chocolate. Some alcohol.
  • Taste: Dark malt, nicely roasted. Dark chocolate. Bitter, though.
  • Bought: Trade with teddybeer - thanks!, 330 ml
  • Score: 3.7 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 4/5, Taste 8/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 15/20)
  • Info: 23/12-2018, BB: 15/2-2028

Timmermans Tradition Faro Lambic

Lambic - Faro #8:
  • Name: Timmermans Tradition Faro Lambic, 4%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Cage and cork. Medium brown, red hue. Clear and fizzy. Small, off-white head.
  • Aroma: Sweet, apples, honey? Very faint funkiness.
  • Taste: Sweet, some light caramel. Apples, quite a bit. Very low tartness, hence I quite like it.
  • Bought: Trade with tderoeck - thanks!, 375 ml
  • Score: 3.3 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 7/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 13/20)
  • Info: 23/12-2018, BB: 15/6-2019

Saturday 22 December 2018

Laugar Basatia

  • Name: Laugar Basatia, 8.0%, Spain
  • Appearance: Very dark brown, near black. Tiny, tan head.
  • Aroma: Dark malt, roasted, sweetness, coffee.
  • Taste: Dark malt, roasted, caramel sweetness, coffee, dark chocolate. Some dark fruits. Smooth.
  • Bought: Trade with teddybeer - thanks!, 330 ml
  • Score: 4.0 (Aroma 8/10, Appearance 4/5, Taste 8/10, Palate 4/5, Overall 16/20)
  • Info: 22/12-2018, BB: 31/7-2022

De Cam Oude Lambiek

Lambic - Unblended #9, new brewery:
  • Name: De Cam Oude Lambiek, 5.0%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Cage and cork. 2016 vintage or bottled in 2016? Orange golden, very hazy. Good amount of creamy off-white head.
  • Aroma: Tart, funk, basement.
  • Taste: Very tart, funk basement. Sour aftertaste. Pearls for swine?
  • Bought: boxbeers.com, 750 ml, €17.35
  • Score: 2.3 (Aroma 5/10, Appearance 2/5, Taste 5/10, Palate 2/5, Overall 9/20)
  • Info: 22/12-2018, BB: 31/12-2036

Friday 21 December 2018

CRAK NEIPA

New brewery:
  • Name: CRAK NEIPA, 6.5%, Italy
  • Appearance: Very hazy yellow. Small, off-white head.
  • Aroma: Fruits, tropical fruits. Some hops.
  • Taste: Lots of fruits, tropical, some good hops. Low bitterness. Nice.
  • Bought: Drinks of the World (Basel), 400 ml can, CHF 7.50
  • Score: 3.7 (Aroma 8/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 8/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 15/20)
  • Info: 21/12-2018, BB: 25/3-2019

8 Wired Hippy Berliner

Berliner Weisse #15:
  • Name: 8 Wired Hippy Berliner, 4.0%, New Zealand
  • Appearance: Light yellow, slight haze. Fizzy, good amount of creamy, off-white head.
  • Aroma: Light fruits, lemon. Some wheat and sourness.
  • Taste: Good wheat, slight sourness, but not too much. Light fruits, some lemon. Refreshing.
  • Bought: boxbeers.com, 330 ml, €4.57
  • Score: 3.3 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 7/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 13/20)
  • Info: 21/12-2018, BB: 6/7-2019

Wednesday 19 December 2018

Abbaye du Cateau / De Molen "A" Armagnac Barrel Aged Stout

New brewery:
  • Name: Abbaye du Cateau / De Molen "A" Armagnac Barrel Aged Stout, 10.3%, France
  • Appearance: Very dark brown, small tan head.
  • Aroma: Dark malt, roasted and burnt. Some Armagnac and tartness.
  • Taste: Dark malt, Armagnac, roasted. Some tart dark fruits.
  • Bought: Garosch, 330 ml, CHF 5.90
  • Score: 3.4 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 7/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 14/20)
  • Info: 19/12-2018, BB: 31/1-2028

Tuesday 18 December 2018

Officina della Birra Kremlin

  • Name: Officina della Birra Kremlin, 9%, Switzerland
  • Appearance: Very dark brown, near black. Some dark tan, creamy head.
  • Aroma: Dark malt, roasted. Some coffee.
  • Taste: Dark malt, roasted, coffee. Dark chocolate. Smooth. Good balance, nice surprise.
  • Bought: Garosch, 330 ml, CHF 3.90
  • Score: 3.9 (Aroma 8/10, Appearance 4/5, Taste 8/10, Palate 4/5, Overall 15/20)
  • Info: 18/12-2018, BB: 30/11-2019

Monday 17 December 2018

Kees American Barley Wine

  • Name: Kees American Barley Wine, 11.5%, Netherlands
  • Appearance: Dark brown, some dark red. Small, tan head.
  • Aroma: Dark, ripe fruits. Some alcohol.
  • Taste: Dark fruits, ripe fruits, prunes, malt. Sweet. Warming, some alcohol.
  • Bought: Bierrevier (Basel), 330 ml, CHF 5.70
  • Score: 3.8 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 4/5, Taste 8/10, Palate 4/5, Overall 15/20)
  • Info: 17/12-2018, BB: 31/7-2022

Saturday 15 December 2018

Brussels Beer Project Dark Sister

New brewery:
  • Name: Brussels Beer Project Dark Sister, 6.66%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Really dark brown, almost black. Quite big, tan head.
  • Aroma: Fruits, dark malt, roasted, some hops.
  • Taste: Fruits, dark malt, some chocolate. Also hops. Slight tartness. A bit strange.
  • Bought: MrBeer.ch, 330 ml, CHF 3.10
  • Score: 3.3 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 7/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 13/20)
  • Info: 15/12-2018, BB: 4/9-2019

Ridgeway Foreign Export Stout

  • Name: Ridgeway Foreign Export Stout, 8/0%, England
  • Appearance: Very dark brown, near black. Small, tan head.
  • Aroma: Dark malt, toasted, some chocolate.
  • Taste: Dark malt, roasted, dark chocolate. Some sweetness. Decent.
  • Bought: Trade with BeardedAvenger - thanks!, 500 ml
  • Score: 3.4 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 7/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 14/20)
  • Info: 15/12-2018, BB: 17/2-2020

Kitchen Brew / Braukollektiv NEIPA

New England IPA #15:
  • Name: Kitchen Brew / Braukollektiv NEIPA, 5.6%, Switzerland
  • Appearance: Light orange, some golden. Quite hazy. Nice amount of off-white head.
  • Aroma: Light fruits, grapefruit, some hops.
  • Taste: Lots of fruit. Orange, grapefruit. Nice mild bitterness. Smooth.
  • Bought: Drinks of the World (Basel), 330 ml, CHF 5.80
  • Score: 3.6 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 8/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 15/20)
  • Info: 15/12-2018, BB: 31/3-2019

Thursday 13 December 2018

Harviestoun Ola Dubh (16 Year Old)

  • Name: Harviestoun Ola Dubh (16 Year Old), 8%, Scotland
  • Appearance: Bottle 08845, bottled Feb 2017. Very dark brown, near black. Some dark tan head.
  • Aroma: Dark malt, roasted, wood, barrel.
  • Taste: Dark malt, roasted, slight tar, barrel, wood. Warming. Slight smoke? Nice.
  • Bought: Bierrevier (Basel), 330 ml, CHF 7.00
  • Score: 3.9 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 4/5, Taste 8/10, Palate 4/5, Overall 16/20)
  • Info: 13/12-2018, BB: 31/3-2020

Wednesday 12 December 2018

Mikkeller NYC Powder Pitcher

New brewery:
  • Name: Mikkeller NYC Powder Pitcher, 8%, United States
  • Appearance: Canned 26/9-2018. Hazy orange, good amount of creamy, white head.
  • Aroma: Nice fruits, grapefruit. Some hops.
  • Taste: Good hops, nice laidback bitterness. Good fruits. Some sweetness.
  • Bought: Mikkeller CPH Airport, 473 ml can, DKK 80.00
  • Score: 3.6 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 8/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 15/20)
  • Info: 12/12-2018, BB: ??/??-????

Saturday 8 December 2018

Shangri-La Black Yak

China #5:
  • Name: Shangri-La Black Yak, 5.4%, China
  • Appearance: Dark brown, seems clear. Some tan head.
  • Aroma: Malt, vegetables. Some caramel.
  • Taste: Malt, herbs, some chocolate and sweetness. Weird, and I wouldn’t say a porter.
  • Bought: Drinks of the World (Basel), 330 ml, CHF 4.00
  • Score: 2.7 (Aroma 6/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 5/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 10/20)
  • Info: 8/12-2018, BB: 7/2-2019

NordSud 18⁰ Rasberry IPA

New CH brewery:
  • Name: NordSud 18⁰ Rasberry IPA, 5%, Switzerland
  • Appearance: Light brown, slight red. Big, light pink head.
  • Aroma: Raspberry, light fruits. Very light hops.
  • Taste: Raspberry, very faint tartness. Low bitterness and low IPA factor. Not bad, though.
  • Bought: Drinks of the World (Basel), 330 ml, CHF 6.20
  • Score: 3.2 (Aroma 6/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 7/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 13/20)
  • Info: 8/12-2018, BB: 31/12-2018

Friday 7 December 2018

Tiersteiner Rotbier

New CH brewery:
  • Name: Tiersteiner Rotbier, 5.4%, Switzerland
  • Appearance: Dark brown, some red. Nice amount of light tan head.
  • Aroma: Malt, earthiness. Some red fruits.
  • Taste: Some malt, fruits and berries. Some sweetness.
  • Bought: Basel Christmas Market, 330 ml, CHF 5.00
  • Score: 3.1 (Aroma 6/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 6/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 13/20)
  • Info: 7/12-2018, BB: ??/??-????

Shangri-La Tibetan Pale Ale

China #4, new brewery:
  • Name: Shangri-La Tibetan Pale Ale, 5.4%, China
  • Appearance: Orange golden, slight haze. Small, off-white head.
  • Aroma: Grains, herbs. Some sweetness.
  • Taste: Grains, herbs. Some pine. Pretty sweet.
  • Bought: Drinks of the World (Basel), 330 ml, CHF 4.00
  • Score: 2.9 (Aroma 6/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 6/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 11/20)
  • Info: 7/12-2018, BB: 7/2-2019

Saturday 1 December 2018

Tanker Manipulation

  • Name: Tanker Manipulation, 12.5%, Estonia
  • Appearance: Very dark brown, slight haze.
  • Aroma: Malt, ripe dark fruits. Sweet.
  • Taste: Dark malt. Fruity, sweetness. Pastry. A bit harsh. A bit disappointing.
  • Bought: Bierrevier (Basel), 100 ml generous sample, CHF 3.25
  • Score: 3.3 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 7/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 13/20)
  • Info: 1/12-2018

Tanker / Post Scriptum Pastel Paradise

New brewery:
  • Name: Tanker / Post Scriptum Pastel Paradise, 6.8%, Estonia
  • Appearance: Light orange golden, slight haze. Some off-white head.
  • Aroma: Mostly fruits. Sweetness.
  • Taste: Fruits, slight caramel sweetness, herbs, cake, dessert. Just ok.
  • Bought: Bierrevier (Basel), 100 ml generous sample, CHF 3.25
  • Score: 2.9 (Aroma 6/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 6/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 11/20)
  • Info: 1/12-2018

Ægir Big Mug

  • Name: Ægir Big Mug, 7.1%, Norway
  • Appearance: Light orange, slight haze. Slim white head.
  • Aroma: Light fruits, some coffee notes.
  • Taste: Fruits, then coffee, quite herbal. Vegetables. Low bitterness. Very confusing.
  • Bought: Bierrevier (Basel), 100 ml generous sample, CHF 3.25
  • Score: 3.0 (Aroma 6/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 6/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 12/20)
  • Info: 1/12-2018

Garage Virtue Signal

New England IPA #14:
  • Name: Garage Virtue Signal, 6.2%, Spain
  • Appearance: Yellow, very hazy. Some white head.
  • Aroma: Grapefruit, light fruits. Some light hops.
  • Taste: Light fruits, grapefruit. Nice low-key bitterness. Quite smooth.
  • Bought: Bierrevier (Basel), 100 ml generous sample, CHF 3.25
  • Score: 3.7 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 8/10, Palate 4/5, Overall 15/20)
  • Info: 1/12-2018