Monday 19 December 2005

La Choulette Ambrée

My first ever Bieres de Garde, at 8% instead of the 7.5% as listed in the 300-book and the 500-book.
  • Name: La Choulette Ambrée, 8%, France
  • Appearance: Brown, little head.
  • Aroma: Malty, earthy.
  • Taste: Spicy, bitter-sweet. Vinous fruits.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 750 ml, £4.29
  • Overall score: 2/6
  • Info: 19/12-2005, 63/300, 40/500

Saturday 10 December 2005

Titanic Stout

  • Name: Titanic Stout, 4.5%, England
  • Appearance: Black (of course), not much head.
  • Aroma: Burnt wood, little bit of coffee.
  • Taste: Full, malty, smoky, long aftertaste.
  • Bought: Sainsbury's, 500 ml, £1.73
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 10/12-2005, 62/300

Tuesday 6 December 2005

Unibroue Maudite

  • Name: Unibroue Maudite, 8%, Canada
  • Appearance: Dark brown, cloudy. Little bit of head.
  • Aroma: Fruity, malty.
  • Taste: Nutty, malty, juicy.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.89
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 6/12-2005, 61/300, 39/500

Monday 28 November 2005

Unibroue Blanche de Chambly

  • Name: Unibroue Blanche de Chambly, 5%, Canada
  • Appearance: Dark yellow, light brown. Very cloudy, nice amount of head.
  • Aroma: Not that wheaty.
  • Taste: Hint of wheat (only). Lemony.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.59
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 28/11-2005, 60/300, 38/500

Sunday 27 November 2005

Grolsch Pilsener

  • Name: Grolsch Pilsener, 5%, Netherlands
  • Appearance: Golden, nice amount of head.
  • Aroma: Hopsy, hint of fruit and malt.
  • Taste: Malt, hopsy, bitter.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 450 ml, £1.59
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 27/11-2005, 59/300

Tuesday 22 November 2005

Diebels Alt

The bottle was at 4.9% instead of 4.8%, as listed in the 300-book.
  • Name: Diebels Alt, 4.9%, Germany
  • Appearance: Dark brown, nice amount of head.
  • Aroma: Malty, fruity.
  • Taste: Malty, quite bitter. Tiny bit of head.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.49
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 22/11-2005, 58/300

Monday 21 November 2005

Berliner Kindl Weisse

Here we go again...
  • Name: Berliner Kindl Weisse, 2.7%, Germany
  • Appearance: Pale yellow, golden. Not that cloudy. Very fizzy, no head.
  • Aroma: Pretty fruity, lemony, not wheaty at all.
  • Taste: Lemony, acidic, a bit like white wine. Fizzy.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.15
  • Overall score: 1/6
  • Info: 21/11-2005, 57/300, 37/500
At least it was stronger than the 2.5% listed in the 500-book...

Sunday 20 November 2005

Christoffel Blond

After yesterday's nightmare, glad to be having a pilsner.
  • Name: Christoffel Blond, 6%, Netherlands
  • Appearance: Light brown, cloudy. Little bit of head.
  • Aroma: Fruity. Not much else.
  • Taste: Hopsy, fruity, then bitter.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.59
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 20/11-2005, 56/300, 36/500
In the 500-book it is listed with 5.0% alcohol content.

Saturday 19 November 2005

Schultheiss Berliner Weisse Original

I was only supposed to rate beers from 1/6 to 6/6, but that was before I tasted this one... This was the worst beer I'd ever tried (at least up until now), and made me question the whole 300-beers project... The bottle was 3.3%, not 3% as in the 300-book or 3.7% as in the 500-book.
  • Name: Schultheiss Berliner Weisse Original, 3.3%, Germany
  • Appearance: Pale yellow-brown, no head, fizzy.
  • Aroma: Not wheaty at all, fruity. As if it is not ready.
  • Taste: Absolutely revolting. Acidic. Sour, though hint of fruit.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £0.95
  • Overall score: 0/6
  • Info: 19/11-2005, 55/300, 35/500

Friday 18 November 2005

Paulaner Salvator Doppelbock

  • Name: Paulaner Salvator Doppelbock, 7.5%, Germany
  • Appearance: Redish brown, little head.
  • Aroma: Honey, malt.
  • Taste: Bitter, malty, sweet, complex finish.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.95
  • Overall score: 5/6
  • Info: 18/11-2005, 54/300, 34/500

Thursday 17 November 2005

Schneider Aventinus

  • Name: Schneider Aventinus, 8%, Germany
  • Appearance: Caramel brown, cloudy. Little bit of head.
  • Aroma: Wheaty, but not too wheaty. Raisins?
  • Taste: Not too wheaty. Hint of fruit/malt. Cloves.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £2.39
  • Overall score: 2/6
  • Info: 17/11-2005, 53/300, 33/500
Listed as 7.7% in the 500-book.

Tuesday 15 November 2005

EKU 28

This bottled version at 11% instead of the listed 13.5% in the 300-book. Strong enough, though.
  • Name: EKU 28, 11%, Germany
  • Appearance: Amber brown, orangy glow. Almost no head.
  • Aroma: Honey, flowery. Malty
  • Taste: Sirupy, cough-medicine like. Strong, bitter aftertaste.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £2.09
  • Overall score: 2/6
  • Info: 15/11-2005, 52/300, 32/500

Saturday 12 November 2005

Lion Dark

Never thought I'd like this one as much as I did - pleasant surprise.
  • Name: Lion Dark, 8%, Sri Lanka
  • Appearance: Black, little bit of head, not longlasting.
  • Aroma: Coffee, hint of chocolate (dark).
  • Taste: Coffee, hops, nice, smooth aftertaste.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.59
  • Overall score: 5/6
  • Info: 12/11-2005, 51/300, 31/500
Called "Lion Stout" and listed as 8.2% in the 500-book.

Friday 11 November 2005

50/300

OK, so managed to try 50 of the 300 beers in just under three months. Not bad, but it is probably going to be harder to source beers as quickly as this later in the project.

Augustiner Hell

Finally reached the 50th of the 300 beers in the 300-book:
  • Name: Augustiner Hell, 5.2%, Germany
  • Appearance: Pale yellow, little bit of head.
  • Aroma: Honey, fruity.
  • Taste: Juicy, hopsy, fresh.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.75
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 11/11-2005, 50/300

Wednesday 9 November 2005

Köstritzer Schwarzbier

Another black lager already. At 4.8% instead of the listed 4.6% in the 300-book.
  • Name: Köstritzer Schwarzbier, 4.8%, Germany
  • Appearance: Black, nice amount of head.
  • Aroma: Fruity and fresh. Pretty malty.
  • Taste: Fizzy, fresh, a bit of malt. Irony.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.55
  • Overall score: 5/6
  • Info: 9/11-2005, 49/300, 30/500

Tuesday 8 November 2005

Kaltenberg König Ludwig Dunkel

My first ever black/dark lager, and I really liked it. The bottle was 5.1% instead of the listed 5.6% in the 300-book.
  • Name: Kaltenberg König Ludwig Dunkel, 5.1%, Germany
  • Appearance: Very dark brown, little head.
  • Aroma: Malt, fruity.
  • Taste: Nice and fruity, a bit different. Malty, but smooth.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.49
  • Overall score: 5/6
  • Info: 8/11-2005, 48/300, 29/500

Monday 7 November 2005

Jever Pilsener

  • Name: Jever Pilsener, 4.9%, Germany
  • Appearance: Pale yellow, nice amount of head, not longlasting.
  • Aroma: Malty, honey.
  • Taste: Pretty malty, then hopsy. Bitter.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.55
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 7/11-2005, 47/300, 28/500

Sunday 6 November 2005

Franziskaner Weissbier

  • Name: Franziskaner Weissbier, 5%, Germany
  • Appearance: Pale brown, cloudy. A bit of head, not lasting long.
  • Aroma: Wheaty. Raw dough.
  • Taste: Wheaty (of course), not too bad.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.59
  • Overall score: 2/6
  • Info: 6/11-2005, 46/300

Thursday 3 November 2005

Coopers Best Extra Stout

Coopers day... This one at 6.3%, not 6.8% as listed in the 300-book and the 500-book.
  • Name: Coopers Best Extra Stout, 6.3%, Australia
  • Appearance: Black, with sediment. Basically no head.
  • Aroma: Burnt malt, smokey. Banana. Dark chocolate.
  • Taste: Smokey, oaky. Bitter.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 375 ml, £1.49
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 3/11-2005, 45/300, 27/500
Called "Best Extra Food Stout" in the 500-book.

Coopers Sparkling Ale

  • Name: Coopers Sparkling Ale, 5.8%, Australia
  • Appearance: Very cloudy with sediments, little head, sewage colour.
  • Aroma: Fruity, hint of malt.
  • Taste: Does not taste much. Bitter aftertaste.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 375 ml, £1.49
  • Overall score: 2/6
  • Info: 3/11-2005, 44/300, 26/500

Monday 31 October 2005

Zatec

This bottled version at 4.6%, not 5% as listed in the 300-book.
  • Name: Zatec, 4.6%, Czech Republic
  • Appearance: Golden, not much head.
  • Aroma: Fruity, hint of hops and malt.
  • Taste: Similar to Budvar, fresh and fruity.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.09
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 31/10-2005, 43/300

Sunday 30 October 2005

Früh Kölsch

And my first ever Kölsch:
  • Name: Früh Kölsch, 4.8%, Germany
  • Appearance: Pale yellow, fizzy, but no proper head.
  • Aroma: A bit of malt, fruity, odd.
  • Taste: Hint of malt, fruit, not me.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.59
  • Overall score: 2/6
  • Info: 30/10-2005, 42/300, 25/500

Thursday 27 October 2005

Bitburger Pils

Is this one not Premium anymore? It is called "Premium Pils" in the 500-book, which was slightly weaker at 4.6%.
  • Name: Bitburger Pils, 4.8%, Germany
  • Appearance: Pale yellow, golden. Fizzy, little head.
  • Aroma: Hopsy, bit fruity.
  • Taste: Hopsy, but not much to it.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.55
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 27/10-2005, 41/300, 24/500

Wednesday 26 October 2005

Goose Island Honker's Ale

Having sourced as many bottles as possible from normal shops, I had to start ordering from Beers of Europe to continue. They have a very good selection of beers, at reasonable prices, even though shipping is a bit expensive.
  • Name: Goose Island Honker's Ale, 5%, United States
  • Appearance: Light brown, a bit of head, not longlasting.
  • Aroma: Malty, fruity.
  • Taste: Malty, a bit fruity, pretty smooth.
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 355 ml, £1.29
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 26/10-2005, 40/300

Wednesday 12 October 2005

Achouffe La Chouffe

Big bottle, high alcohol beer. Good combination.
  • Name: Achouffe La Chouffe, 8%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Pale gold, cloudy. Loads of head.
  • Aroma: Little bit of herbs.
  • Taste: Fruity, hopsy. Hint of malt.
  • Bought: Oddbins, 750 ml, £3.79
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 12/10-2005, 39/300

Monday 10 October 2005

Caledonian Deuchars IPA

This bottled version at 4.4% instead of the listed 3.8% in the 300-book.
  • Name: Caledonian Deuchars IPA, 4.4%, Scotland
  • Appearance: Golden, ok amount of head, while it lasted.
  • Aroma: Fruity, citrus fruit.
  • Taste: Juicy, fruity, nice aftertaste.
  • Bought: Oddbins, 500 ml, £1.75
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 10/10-2005, 38/300, 23/500

Saturday 8 October 2005

Schneider Weisse Original

I have never been big on wheat beers, but as they are in the beer books, I don't have much choice, do I. This was the first beer I rated only 1/6...
  • Name: Schneider Weisse Original, 5.4%, Germany
  • Appearance: Light brown, cloudy. Not much head.
  • Aroma: Wheat (obviously).
  • Taste: Very wheaty. Hint of banana. Not my thing.
  • Bought: Oddbins, 500 ml, £1.75
  • Overall score: 1/6
  • Info: 8/10-2005, 37/300, 22/500
Nitpicking, listed as 5.5% in the 500-book.

Friday 7 October 2005

Chimay Bleue (Blue) / Grande Reserve

Another fine example of a Trappist beer:
  • Name: Chimay Bleue (Blue), 9%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Dark brown and cloudy. Little head.
  • Aroma: Malty and berry. Vinous (red).
  • Taste: Fruity, malty, full flavour. Vinous!
  • Bought: Oddbins, 330 ml, £2.29
  • Overall score: 5/6
  • Info: 7/10-2005, 36/300
The 500-book includes the Chimay Grande Reserve instead of the above Chimay Bleue so I decided to try it separately even though they are supposed to be the same:
  • Name: Chimay Grande Reserve, 9%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Cloudy dark brown. Good amount of head, longlasting.
  • Aroma: Vinous, dark fruit. Yeast, acidic?
  • Taste: Malt and dark fruit. Vinous. Complex. Bit of cork (stored nine months at home).
  • Bought: Beers of Europe, 750 ml, £5.19
  • Overall score: 5/6
  • Info: 12/1-2008, 183/500, 23/100

Budweiser Budvar

Not to be confused with the rather less exciting US Budweiser:
  • Name: Budweiser Budvar, 5%, Czech Republic
  • Appearance: Very pale, dark yellow. Almost not head at all.
  • Aroma: Fruity, hint of hops.
  • Taste: Hint of hops, very fresh. Little bit fruity.
  • Bought: Oddbins, 330 ml, £1.29
  • Overall score: 5/6
  • Info: 7/10-2005, 35/300, 21/500

Wednesday 5 October 2005

Adnams SSB Bitter

See blog posting about Adnams Bitter.

Pilsner Urquell

  • Name: Pilsner Urquell, 4.4%, Czech Republic
  • Appearance: Dark yellow, little head.
  • Aroma: Honey, hopsy.
  • Taste: Smooth, not very exciting.
  • Bought: Tesco, 660 ml, £1.54
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 5/10-2005, 34/300, 19/500

Tuesday 4 October 2005

Shepherd Neame Bishop's Finger

The bottle was 5.4% instead of the listed 5% in the 300-book, and not 5.2% as listed in the 500-book either.
  • Name: Shepherd Neame Bishop's Finger, 5.4%, England
  • Appearance: Brown. little head.
  • Aroma: Fruity, hint of malt.
  • Taste: Malty, fruity, then bitter.
  • Bought: Waitrose, 500 ml, £1.69
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 4/10-2005, 33/300, 18/500

Monday 3 October 2005

Hop Back Summer Lightning

  • Name: Hop Back Summer Lightning, 5%, England
  • Appearance: Golden, little head.
  • Aroma: Hopsy, bit of malt, fresh.
  • Taste: Malty, nice balance.
  • Bought: Waitrose, 500 ml, £1.59
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 3/10-2005, 32/300, 17/500

Sunday 2 October 2005

Timothy Taylor Landlord

This is the bottled version (confusingly called Strong Pale Ale), at 4.1% instead of the listed 4.3% in the 300-book.
  • Name: Timothy Taylor Landlord, 4.1%, England
  • Appearance: Bronze, nice amount of head.
  • Aroma: Fruity. Hopsy.
  • Taste: Pretty hopsy. Bitter. Malty aftertaste.
  • Bought: Waitrose, 500 ml, £1.75
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 2/10-2005, 31/300, 16/500

Saturday 1 October 2005

Greene King Strong Suffolk Ale

  • Name: Greene King Strong Suffolk Ale, 6%, England
  • Appearance: Very dark brown, little head.
  • Aroma: Fruity, malty.
  • Taste: Malty, sweet.
  • Bought: Waitrose, 500 ml, £1.90
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 1/10-2005, 30/300, 15/500

Friday 30 September 2005

Wells Bombardier

This bottled version at 5.2% instead of the 4.3% listed in the 300-book and the 500-book.
  • Name: Wells Bombardier, 5.2%, England
  • Appearance: Dark brown, good head.
  • Aroma: Fruity. Hopsy.
  • Taste: Smooth and malty. Fruity.
  • Bought: Tesco, 568 ml, £1.54
  • Overall score: 5/6
  • Info: 30/9-2005, 29/300, 97*/500
* Called "Charles Wells Bombardier" in the 500-book, so should really have been 15/500...

Thursday 29 September 2005

Baltika 3 Klassicheskoe (Classic)

Version bought in the UK:
  • Name: Baltika Classic No 3, 4.8%, Russia
  • Appearance: Not even golden, very pale. Little head.
  • Aroma: Honey, fruity.
  • Taste: Honey, very light. Touch of malt.
  • Bought: Tesco, 500 ml, £1.50
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 29/9-2005, 28/300
"Local" version bought in Moscow, Russia by TLL:
  • Name: Baltika 3 Klassicheskoe, 4.8%, Russia
  • Appearance: Pale yellow. Little bit of head, not that shortlived.
  • Aroma: Honey, fruity. Not much.
  • Taste: Honey. Pretty watery. Maybe some malt.
  • Bought: Gift, 500 ml, $?.??
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 19/6-2006, 28/300

Wednesday 28 September 2005

Guinness Foreign Extra Stout

  • Name: Guinness Foreign Extra Stout, 7.5%, Ireland
  • Appearance: Totally black, loads of thick, creamy head.
  • Aroma: Smoky, oaky, burnt.
  • Taste: Bitter, long aftertaste. Smoky, woody.
  • Bought: Sainsbury's, 330 ml, £1.43
  • Overall score: 4/6*
  • Info: 28/9-2005, 27/300
* I originally gave this one 2/6, but I changed this to 4/6 after a re-taste in December 2008. I think I wasn't used to stouts back in 2005...

Monday 26 September 2005

Innis & Gunn Oak Aged Beer

  • Name: Innis & Gunn Oak Aged Beer, 6.6%, Scotland
  • Appearance: Light brown, good amount of creamy head.
  • Aroma: Smoky, oaky. Wood.
  • Taste: Oaky, smoky.
  • Bought: Sainbury's, 330 ml, £1.49
  • Overall score: 2/6
  • Info: 26/9-2005, 26/300

Friday 23 September 2005

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale

  • Name: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, 5.6%, United States
  • Appearance: Amber, little head.
  • Aroma: Fruity, very fresh.
  • Taste: Hopsy, a bit fruity. Very bitter aftertaste
  • Bought: Waitrose, 350 ml, £1.39
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 23/9-2005, 25/300

Kronenbourg 1664 Premier Cru

  • Name: Kronenbourg 1664 Premier Cru, 6%, France
  • Appearance: Amber, little head.
  • Aroma: Normal lager-smell, citrusy.
  • Taste: Very citricy, fruity.
  • Bought: Waitrose, 500 ml, £1.99
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 23/9-2005, 24/300

Fuller's ESB

Another Fuller's beer, bottled version at 5.9% instead of the 5.5% listed in the 300-book. Again this difference is explained in the 500-book as the draught version is 5.5% and the bottled version 5.9%.
  • Name: Fuller's ESB, 5.9%, England
  • Appearance: Dark amber, good amount of head.
  • Aroma: Very fruity, malty, hopsy.
  • Taste: Fruity, very malty.
  • Bought: Waitrose, 500 ml, £1.92
  • Overall score: 5/6
  • Info: 23/9-2005, 23/300, 14/500

Wednesday 21 September 2005

Fuller's London Pride

Since I live in London, I have obviously had this one quite a few times in local pubs, and I do rather like it. Bottled version was at 4.7% instead of the 4.1% listed in the 300-book. This difference is actually explained in the 500-book as the draught version is 4.1% and the bottled version 4.7%. Doh!
  • Name: Fuller's London Pride, 4.7%, England
  • Appearance: Dark brown, nice amount of head.
  • Aroma: Citricy, fruity.
  • Taste: Malty, particular aftertaste.
  • Bought: Waitrose, 500 ml, £1.80
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 21/9-2005, 22/300, 13/500

Monday 19 September 2005

Goose Island India Pale Ale

  • Name: Goose Island India Pale Ale, 5.9%, United States
  • Appearance: Dark golden, creamy foam/head.
  • Aroma: Fruity (again...).
  • Taste: Hopsy, very bitter.
  • Bought: Waitrose, 355 ml, £1.39
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 19/9-2005, 21/300

Sunday 18 September 2005

Samuel Adams Boston Lager

I tried Samuel Adams for the first time in New York in 2002, and whenever I drink it now, it brings me back to New York. This is one of my favourite US beers. The bottle is at 4.8% instead of the 5% listed in the 300-book.
  • Name: Samuel Adams Boston Lager, 4.8%, United States
  • Appearance: Bronze, good head.
  • Aroma: Nice and very fruity.
  • Taste: Fruity and bitter. New York for me.
  • Bought: Waitrose, 355 ml, £1.10
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 18/9-2005, 20/300

Wychwood Hobgoblin

Weaker than the 5.5% listed in the 500-book.
  • Name: Wychwood Hobgoblin, 5.2%, England
  • Appearance: Dark brown, red. Nice head.
  • Aroma: Fruity.
  • Taste: Fruity, then bitter, then malty.
  • Bought: Waitrose, 500 ml, £1.70
  • Overall score: 5/6
  • Info: 18/9-2005, 19/300, 12/500

Saturday 17 September 2005

Greene King Abbot Ale

And to round off the evening:
  • Name: Greene King Abbot Ale, 5%, England
  • Appearance: Golden brown, nice amount of head.
  • Aroma: Fruity, malty.
  • Taste: Particular taste, malty.
  • Bought: Waitrose, 500 ml, £1.82
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 17/9-2005, 18/300, 11/500

Kirin Ichiban

Second one that night:
  • Name: Kirin Ichiban, 5%, Japan
  • Appearance: Blond, very pale, almost no head.
  • Aroma: Not much, hint of fruit and malt.
  • Taste: Hopsy, bitter aftertaste.
  • Bought: Waitrose, 330 ml, £1.29
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 17/9-2005, 17/300

Pauwel Kwak

Bought in Paris, France, August bank holiday weekend:
  • Name: Pauwel Kwak, 8%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Dark amber, little head.
  • Aroma: Very fruity, honey.
  • Taste: Hint of banana and liquorice. Malty.
  • Bought: France, 330 ml, €1.76
  • Overall score: 5/6
  • Info: 17/9-2005, 16/300, 10/500

Friday 16 September 2005

Anchor Liberty Ale

Double Anchor evening:
  • Name: Anchor Liberty Ale, 6%, United States
  • Appearance: Golden, nice head.
  • Aroma: Extremely fruity.
  • Taste: Very fruity, nice bitter aftertaste.
  • Bought: Waitrose, 355 ml, £1.55
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 16/9-2005, 15/300, 9/500
This one is by the way listed as 6.1% in the 500-book.

Anchor Steam Beer

And now for something completely different - Steam Beer. This one was at 4.8% instead of the listed 5% in the 300-book.
  • Name: Anchor Steam Beer, 4.8%, United States
  • Appearance: Golden, good head.
  • Aroma: Nutty, honey and fruity.
  • Taste: Complex, loads of different tastes. Malty, citric.
  • Bought: Waitrose, 355 ml, £1.39
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 16/9-2005, 14/300

Thursday 15 September 2005

Worthington's White Shield

  • Name: Worthington's White Shield, 5.6%, England
  • Appearance: Light brown, almost too much head...
  • Aroma: Honey and fruity.
  • Taste: Fruity, malty and bitter aftertaste.
  • Bought: Tesco, 500 ml, £1.79
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 15/9-2005, 13/300, 8/500

Wednesday 14 September 2005

Young's Bitter

  • Name: Young's Bitter, 3.7%, England
  • Appearance: Musty, pale brown. Nice amount of head.
  • Aroma: Hopsy, citric, fruity.
  • Taste: Not much, hopsy and fruity. Bitter aftertaste.
  • Bought: Tesco, 660 ml, £1.54
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 14/9-2005, 12/300

Tuesday 13 September 2005

Theakston Old Peculier

Also one I had tried before (at 5.6% instead of the listed 5.7% from the 300-book).
  • Name: Theakston Old Peculier, 5.6%, England
  • Appearance: Dark, dark brown, redish. A bit of head.
  • Aroma: Fruity, honey.
  • Taste: Nutty, not too bitter.
  • Bought: Tesco, 500 ml, £1.54
  • Overall score: 5/6
  • Info: 13/9-2005, 11/300, 7/500

Monday 12 September 2005

Marston's Old Empire

Tenth beer from the 300-book. Still a long wait to go...
  • Name: Marston's Old Empire, 5.7%, England
  • Appearance: Golden, little head.
  • Aroma: Fruity, citric, not malty.
  • Taste: Fruity, tingling. Hopsy.
  • Bought: Tesco, 500 ml, £1.54
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 12/9-2005, 10/300

Wednesday 7 September 2005

Wadworth 6X

  • Name: Wadworth 6X, 4.3%, England
  • Appearance: Copper-colour, basically not head at all.
  • Aroma: Hint of malt, not much else.
  • Taste: Very bitter aftertaste, tingling tongue.
  • Bought: Tesco, 500 ml, £1.50
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 7/9-2005, 9/300, 6/500

Sunday 4 September 2005

Marston's Pedigree

  • Name: Marston's Pedigree, 4.5%, England
  • Appearance: Bronzy, little head.
  • Aroma: Nothing stands out.
  • Taste: Malty, but not too much. Little aftertaste.
  • Bought: Tesco, 500 ml, £1.84
  • Overall score: 5/6
  • Info: 4/9-2005, 8/300, 5/500

Wednesday 31 August 2005

Adnams Broadside Strong Original

  • Name: Adnams Broadside Strong Original, 6.3%, England
  • Appearance: Brown-red, good amount of head.
  • Aroma: Fruity.
  • Taste: Smooth and fruity.
  • Bought: Tesco, 500 ml, £1.84
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 31/8-2005, 7/300, 4/500

Tuesday 30 August 2005

Westmalle Tripel

Decided to try both Westmalle beers the same evening for comparison, but they are not similar at all. I guess I learnt this evening the difference between "double brown" and "triple blond"...
  • Name: Westmalle Tripel, 9.5%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Light golden, a bit cloudy.
  • Aroma: Fruity, citric.
  • Taste: Tangy, strong, not good.
  • Bought: Waitrose, 330 ml, £1.79
  • Overall score: 2/6
  • Info: 30/8-2005, 6/300, 3/500, 3/100
Listed as 9.0% in the 500-book.

Westmalle Dubbel

This is also one of my favourites, a proper Belgian Trappist beer.
  • Name: Westmalle Dubbel, 7%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Very, very brown. Nice bit of head.
  • Aroma: Not much to report.
  • Taste: Malty, very nice!
  • Bought: Waitrose, 330 ml, £1.59
  • Overall score: 5/6
  • Info: 30/8-2005, 5/300, 2/500, 2/100
Listed as 6.5% in the 500-book.

Thursday 18 August 2005

Coniston Bluebird Bitter

I actually had a pint of the Coniston Bluebird back in 2001 in their pub in Coniston. I liked it so much I bought a few bottles to bring back to London. Not surprised to find this in the 300-book.
  • Name: Coniston Bluebird Bitter, 4.2%, England
  • Appearance: Dark bronze, nice amount of head.
  • Aroma: Hopsy.
  • Taste: Very smooth, hopsy.
  • Bought: Waitrose, 500 ml, £1.65
  • Overall score: 5/6
  • Info: 18/8-2005, 4/300

Saturday 13 August 2005

Duvel

And to round off the evening, one of my favourites:
  • Name: Duvel, 8.5%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Light, golden. Loads of head.
  • Aroma: Earthy and fruity.
  • Taste: Very fruity.
  • Bought: Waitrose, 330 ml, £1.49
  • Overall score: 5/6
  • Info: 13/8-2005, 3/300, 1/500, 1/100

St Peter's Organic Best Bitter

Then the same evening:
  • Name: St Peter's Organic Best Bitter, 4.1%, England
  • Appearance: Pale bronze, almost no head.
  • Aroma: Malty and fruity.
  • Taste: Nice, smooth, bitter.
  • Bought: Waitrose, 500 ml, £1.65
  • Overall score: 4/6
  • Info: 13/8-2005, 2/300

Brooklyn Lager

Finally got started on my beer project, and first up was "Brooklyn Lager", at 5.1% instead of the listed 5% from the 300-book.
  • Name: Brooklyn Lager, 5.1%, United States
  • Appearance: Dark amber, almost no head.
  • Aroma: Quite malty, can smell the hops. Sweet.
  • Taste: A bit boring. Malty aftertaste.
  • Bought: Waitrose, 355 ml, £1.19
  • Overall score: 3/6
  • Info: 13/8-2005, 1/300
Easy start, just 299 to go from the book ;-).

Friday 12 August 2005

Prelude

This whole thing started when I in August 2005 bought the book "300 Beers To Try Before You Die!" by Roger Protz, and later "Great Beer Guide - 500 Classic Brews" by Michael Jackson (not the musician - he only drinks Jesus Juice as far as I have heard).

I started this blog 10 February 2007 to describe my struggles to locate and taste all the beers listed in these two books.