O'Hanlon's Thomas Hardy's Ale 2007/2008

I tried and compared the 2007 and 2008 editions of Thomas Hardy's Ale with MG, and put the tasting notes in the original posting.

Not sure the 2007 edition handled the 1-year storage too well. The beer had basically no head and was a bit too vinous and flat.

3 Fonteinen Oude Kriek

• Name: 3 Fonteinen Oude Kriek, 5%, Belgium
  
• Appearance: Dark red, very cloudy. Basically no head. Some sediments. Bottled 14/12-2007.
  
• Aroma: Lots of cherry, sweet. Fermented.
  
• Taste: Very sour, lots of cherry. Long unpleasant aftertaste.
  
• Bought: Beers of Europe, 375 ml, £4.29
  
• Overall score: 2/6
  
• Info: 30/12-2008, 199/300

Super Bock

• Name: Super Bock, 5.6%, Portugal
  
• Appearance: Orange golden. OK amount of white head.
  
• Aroma: Hops and some malt. Not much.
  
• Taste: Flat, some hops and malt. Watery. Not much aftertaste.
  
• Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.19
  
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 29/12-2008

Guinness: Nigeria vs Ireland

Since I got hold of the Nigerian version, I thought I'd try to compare it with the Irish version (which I also changed the rating of from 2/6 to 4/6):

• Appearance: The Nigerian version has darker and less head, and the head doesn't last as long.
  
• Aroma: The Nigerian version is sweeter, almost artificial. More malt?
  
• Taste: The Nigerian version is more fruity and sweeter. The Irish version is more bitter.
  

Guinness Foreign Extra Stout (Nigerian)

Another one shared with MG, and actually my 60th country:

• Name: Guinness Foreign Extra Stout (Nigerian), 7.5%, Nigeria
  
• Appearance: Very dark brown, basically black. OK amount of tan head, short-lived.
  
• Aroma: Dark malt, sweet. Prunes, dark fruit.
  
• Taste: Dark malt, burnt. Quite sweet, too sweet? Some coffee.
  
• Bought: Tesco, 325 ml, £1.54
  
• Overall score: 4/6
  
• Info: 26/12-2008

Meantime India Pale Ale

Also shared with MG:

• Name: Meantime India Pale Ale, 7.5%, England
  
• Appearance: Orange brown. Slightly hazy. Lots of white head.
  
• Aroma: Hops, some yeast. Lemony.
  
• Taste: Fruit, lemons. Quite hoppy. Bitter aftertaste.
  
• Bought: Beers of Europe, 750 ml, £4.79
  
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 25/12-2008

N'Ice Chouffe

Shared with MG.

• Name: N'Ice Chouffe, 10%, Belgium
  
• Appearance: Dark brownish red. OK amount of shortlived white head.
  
• Aroma: Prunes, dark malt. Some alcohol.
  
• Taste: Dark fruit and malt. Vinous. Slight alcohol, warming.
  
• Bought: Beers of Europe, 750 ml, £5.99
  
• Overall score: 4/6
  
• Info: 25/12-2008

Brugge Tripel

Finally got hold of a beer I had in Bruges in January :-).

• Name: Brugge Tripel, 8.7%, Belgium
  
• Appearance: Golden orange brown. Good amount of white longlasting head.
  
• Aroma: Quite yeasty. Good amount of fruit.
  
• Taste: Nice fruit and malt. Warming. Good aftertaste.
  
• Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £2.29
  
• Overall score: 4/6
  
• Info: 23/12-2008

Heineken Oud Bruin

• Name: Heineken Oud Bruin, 2.5%, Netherlands
  
• Appearance: Very dark brown. Small amount of off-white head.
  
• Aroma: Very sweet, malt, honey-like.
  
• Taste: Too sweet, malt. Dark fruit. Sweet aftertaste. Beer?
  
• Bought: Beers of Europe, 300 ml, £1.19
  
• Overall score: 2/6
  
• Info: 21/12-2008, 209/500

Heineken

• Name: Heineken, 5%, Netherlands
  
• Appearance: Yellow golden, very clear. Little bit of white head.
  
• Aroma: Hops and malt, some fruit. Bit of alcohol.
  
• Taste: Bland. Some fruit, hops and malt. Easy-drinking but boring.
  
• Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.09
  
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 21/12-2008

Joseph Holt Maplemoon

• Name: Joseph Holt Maplemoon, 4.8%, England
  
• Appearance: Chestnut brown, very clear. Smallish white head.
  
• Aroma: Malt and some maple.
  
• Taste: Nice malt and bitterness. Little bit of maple, slightly sweet.
  
• Bought: Sainsbury's, 500 ml, £1.69
  
• Overall score: 4/6
  
• Info: 19/12-2008

Morland Old Speckled Hen

I realised when trying their Old Crafty Hen that I had actually not tried the "normal" Old Speckled Hen:

• Name: Morland Old Speckled Hen, 5.2%, England
  
• Appearance: Clear chestnut brown. Very little head.
  
• Aroma: Malt, caramel. Some sweetness.
  
• Taste: Good amount of malt, slight sweetness and bitterness.
  
• Bought: Tesco, 355 ml, £1.04
  
• Overall score: 4/6
  
• Info: 16/12-2008

Purity Farmers Harvest Centenary Ale

• Name: Purity Farmers Harvest Centenary Ale, 4.8%, England
  
• Appearance: Dark clear brown. Lots of white head.
  
• Aroma: Malt and caramel. Slight sweetness.
  
• Taste: Nice malt and hops. Bitter aftertaste.
  
• Bought: Tesco, 500 ml, £1.41
  
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 13/12-2008

Okocim Mocne

• Name: Okocim Mocne, 7.0%, Poland
  
• Appearance: Dark golden. Good amount of fizzy white head.
  
• Aroma: Sweet. Some malt. Yeast?
  
• Taste: Sweet and malt, bit of alcohol. Unpleasant aftertaste.
  
• Bought: Waitrose, 500 ml, £1.69
  
• Overall score: 2/6
  
• Info: 12/12-2008

Westerham William Wilberforce Freedom Ale

• Name: Westerham William Wilberforce Freedom Ale, 4.8%, England
• Appearance: Orange brown. Cloudy. Little head.
• Aroma: Malt and hops. Slightly lemony.
• Taste: Malt and hops, slightly bitter aftertaste. A bit boring, but not bad.
• Bought: Waitrose, 500 ml, £1.89
• Overall score: 3/6
• Info: 10/12-2008, 27/300M

Wychwood Goliath Ale

• Name: Wychwood Goliath Ale, 4.2%, England
  
• Appearance: Chestnut brown. OK amount of white head.
  
• Aroma: Some malt and hops. Not much.
  
• Taste: Bit watery. Nice malt, some hops and fruit.
  
• Bought: Tesco, 660 ml, £1.69
  
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 6/12-2008

Bernard Cerné Pivo 13°

• Name: Bernard Cerné Pivo 13°, 5.1%, Czech Republic
  
• Appearance: Very dark brown. Lots of nice tan head. Swing-top bottle.
  
• Aroma: Roasted, dark malt. Dark fruit. Slight caramel.
  
• Taste: A bit watery. Coffee, roasted. Dark malt. Quite good.
  
• Bought: Tesco, 500 ml, £1.99
  
• Overall score: 4/6
  
• Info: 2/12-2008

Adnams Innovation (again)

Found two bottles of Adnams Innovation in the cupboard. They expired 10 October 2008, but tasted perfectly fine. Bottle numbers 1763 and 5257.

Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock

Last beer from my US-trip earlier this month.

• Name: Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock, 6.7%, Germany
  
• Appearance: Very dark brown. Good amount of tan head.
  
• Aroma: Roasted, coffee. Dark fruit, some hops.
  
• Taste: Quite sweet. Roasted, dark malt. Coffee.
  
• Bought: Total Wine & More, 330 ml, $3.49
• Overall score: 5/6
  
• Info: 28/11-2008, 198/300, 208/500

* 7.2% in the 500-book.

J.W. Lees Harvest Ale 2007

• Name: J.W. Lees Harvest Ale 2007, 11.5%, England
  
• Appearance: Golden brown. Little bit of off-white head.
  
• Aroma: Vinous, raisins. Honey. Bit of alcohol.
  
• Taste: Vinous, ripe fruit. Caramel? Honey. Nice, complex.
  
• Bought: Beers of Europe, 275 ml, £2.45
  
• Overall score: 5/6
  
• Info: 26/11-2008, 197/300, 207/500

Schloss Eggenberg Urbock 23°

• Name: Schloss Eggenberg Urbock 23°, 9.6%, Austria
  
• Appearance: Amber. Little bit of off-white head.
  
• Aroma: Caramel, some hops. Bit of alcohol.
  
• Taste: Caramel, too much alcohol flavour, but still alright. Warming.
  
• Bought: Total Wine & More, 355 ml, $3.99
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 24/11-2008, 206/500

North Coast Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout

• Name: North Coast Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout, 9%, United States
  
• Appearance: Basically black. Lots of nice tan head.
  
• Aroma: Dark malt/fruit. Burnt, roasted. Blackcurrant?
  
• Taste: Burnt, roasted. Dark malt. Quite smooth. Nice.
  
• Bought: Total Wine & More, 355 ml, $2.49
• Overall score: 5/6
  
• Info: 22/11-2008, 196/300, 205/500

Slightly stronger than the 8.9% listed in the 300/500-books.

Chiltern Bodgers Barley Wine

• Name: Chiltern Bodgers Barley Wine, 8.5%, England
  
• Appearance: Bottle No. 52216. Bronze, hazy. Not much head.
  
• Aroma: Tart fruit, malt.
  
• Taste: Lots of fruit, warming. Vinous. Malt. Slight bitterness
  
• Bought: Great British Beer Festival, 330 ml, £2.60
  
• Overall score: 5/6
  
• Info: 18/11-2008, 195/300

Morland Old Crafty Hen

• Name: Morland Old Crafty Hen, 6.5%, England
  
• Appearance: Dark redish brown. Little bit of white head.
  
• Aroma: No advertised oak. Bit of fruit and malt.
  
• Taste: Good malt, some oak. OK bitter aftertaste. Warming.
  
• Bought: Tesco, 500 ml, £2.49
  
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 16/11-2008

Spaten Oktoberfest Ur-Märzen

Slightly darker than the "normal" Spaten Oktoberfest.

• Name: Spaten Oktoberfest Ur-Märzen*, 5.9%, Germany
  
• Appearance: Dark brown. Clear. OK amount of white head.
  
• Aroma: Fruit. Nice malt.
  
• Taste: Quite sweet. Caramel and malt. Some hops.
  
• Bought: Total Wine & More, 355 ml, $1.99
• Overall score: 4/6
  
• Info: 13/11-2008, 193/300

* Called "Spaten Ur-Märzen" in the 300-book.

St. Ambroise Pale Ale

• Name: St. Ambroise Pale Ale, 5%, Canada
  
• Appearance: Clear brown. Good amount of white head.
  
• Aroma: Honey. Some hops. Fruit?
  
• Taste: Slightly sweet. Caramel? Hops and malt.
  
• Bought: Total Wine & More, 340 ml, $2.79
• Overall score: 4/6
  
• Info: 13/11-2008, 204/500

Geary's Pale Ale

• Name: Geary's Pale Ale, 4.5%, United States
  
• Appearance: Dark brown. Clear. Small white head.
  
• Aroma: Caramel and malt. Slightly vinous.
  
• Taste: Malt, some fruit. Some bitterness.
  
• Bought: Total Wine & More, 355 ml, $1.99
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 12/11-2008, 192/300, 203/500

Shipyard Fuggles IPA

• Name: Shipyard Fuggles IPA, 5.8%, United States
  
• Appearance: Orange brown. Cloudy. OK amount of head.
  
• Aroma: Some hops and fruit.
  
• Taste: Quite hoppy. Slightly dry.
  
• Bought: Total Wine & More, 355 ml, $2.29
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 12/11-2008, 191/300

Samuel Adams Boston Ale

• Name: Samuel Adams Boston Ale, 5.1%, United States
  
• Appearance: Redish brown. Little head. More when warmer.
  
• Aroma: Malt and fruit. Burnt.
  
• Taste: Sweet malt. Caramel? Nice.
  
• Bought: Total Wine & More, 355 ml, $1.49
• Overall score: 4/6
  
• Info: 11/11-2008, 190/300

Stoudts Triple

• Name: Stoudts Triple, 9%, United States
  
• Appearance: Orange golden. Tiny amount of head. Hazy. Sediments.
  
• Aroma: Quite fruity. Some spices.
  
• Taste: Some fruit, hops. Some alcohol. Bitter aftertaste.
  
• Bought: Total Wine & More, 355 ml, $2.49
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 8/11-2008, 189/300

Stoudt's Pils

• Name: Stoudt's Pils, ?%, United States
  
• Appearance: Yellow golden. Fizzy white head.
  
• Aroma: Hops, grass. Sweet malt.
  
• Taste: Hoppy, slight sweetness. Bitter aftertaste.
  
• Bought: Total Wine & More, 355 ml, $1.99
  
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 8/11-2008, 202/500

Sierra Nevada Bigfoot

US beer bought in the UK consumed in the US. Sorry about the beer-miles...

• Name: Sierra Nevada Bigfoot, 9.6%, United States
  
• Appearance: 2008. Dark amber. Good amount of off-white head.
  
• Aroma: Dark malt, dark fruit. Slightly sweet. Liquorice.
  
• Taste: Warming, strong, roasted, liquorice. Very bitter aftertaste.
  
• Bought: Great British Beer Festival, 350 ml, £3.60
  
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 6/11-2008, 188/300

3 Fonteinen Oude Geuze

• Name: 3 Fonteinen Oude Geuze, 6%, Belgium
  
• Appearance: Dark orange. Lots of white head. Bottled 2008.
  
• Aroma: Sour, citrus fruit.
  
• Taste: Very sour. Quenching. Hint of fruit?
  
• Bought: Great British Beer Festival, 375 ml, £3.30
  
• Overall score: 1/6
  
• Info: 2/11-2008, 187/300
  

Cardinal Spéciale

• Name: Cardinal Spéciale, 5.2%, Switzerland
  
• Appearance: Dark golden, clear. Little bit of white head.
  
• Aroma: Malt, some fruit and hops.
  
• Taste: Malt and some hops, slight sweetness. Quite nice.
  
• Bought: Coop Switzerland, 250 ml, CHF 0.95
  
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 31/10-2008

Calvinus Blonde

• Name: Calvinus Blonde, 5.2%, Switzerland
  
• Appearance: Golden orange, slightly hazy. Not much head.
  
• Aroma: Yeast. Hops and bit of malt.
  
• Taste: Fresh. Not much. Some hops and yeast.
  
• Bought: Coop Switzerland, 330 ml, CHF 1.95
  
• Overall score: 2/6
  
• Info: 30/10-2008

BrewDog Punk IPA

• Name: BrewDog Punk IPA, 6%, Scotland
• Appearance: Batch 150. Golden orange, little bit of white head.
• Aroma: Quite fruity, some lemon.
• Taste: Overly hoppy, slightly citric. Bitter aftertaste.
• Bought: Tesco, 330 ml, £1.29
• Overall score: 2/6
• Info: 28/10-2008

Verte du Mont Blanc

• Name: Verte du Mont Blanc, 5.9%, France
  
• Appearance: Light green, yes, green. Basically no head. Slightly hazy.
  
• Aroma: Herbs, vegetables. Sweet.
  
• Taste: Very sweet, some herbs. Sweet, slightly sickening aftertaste too.
  
• Bought: Coop Switzerland, 330 ml, CHF 3.70
  
• Overall score: 1/6
  
• Info: 25/10-2008

Feldschlösschen Panaché

• Name: Feldschlösschen Panaché, 2.4%, Switzerland
  
• Appearance: Pale golden. Very little head, fizzy and shortlived.
  
• Aroma: Lemonade and lemon.
  
• Taste: More lemonade than beer. Would be nice on a hot sunny day, I guess.
  
• Bought: Coop Switzerland, 330 ml, CHF 1.35
  
• Overall score: 2/6
  
• Info: 24/10-2008

Feldschlösschen Original

• Name: Feldschlösschen Original, 4.8%, Switzerland
  
• Appearance: Golden. OK amount of white head. Bubbling.
  
• Aroma: Hops and malt. Nothing special.
  
• Taste: Hops and malt. Slightly sweet. Boring.
  
• Bought: Coop Switzerland, 330 ml, CHF 1.35
  
• Overall score: 2/6
  
• Info: 24/10-2008

Williams Brothers Midnight Sun

• Name: Williams Brothers Midnight Sun, 5.6%, Scotland
• Appearance: Very dark brown, almost black. Little bit of tan head.
• Aroma: Dark malt. Roasted, burnt. Coffee?
• Taste: Malt and coffee, roasted. Slight bitterness.
• Bought: Tesco, 500 ml, £1.69
• Overall score: 3/6
• Info: 18/10-2008

Daleside Morocco Ale

• Name: Daleside Morocco Ale, 5.5%, England
  
• Appearance: Very dark redish brown. Little bit of tan head.
  
• Aroma: Dark malt, spices, dark fruit. Roasted. Raisins?
  
• Taste: Malt, spices. Slightly bitter. Roasted.
  
• Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £2.29
  
• Overall score: 4/6
  
• Info: 17/10-2008, 186/300, 201/500

A. Le Coq Premium Extra (Viru)

Best part was the nice bottle...

• Name: A. Le Coq Premium Extra (Viru), 5%, Estonia
  
• Appearance: Very light golden. Shortlived fizzy head.
  
• Aroma: Grass, hint of fruit. Grains.
  
• Taste: Not much. Bit of malt, sweet. Little bitterness.
  
• Bought: Tesco, 300 ml, £0.99
  
• Overall score: 2/6
  
• Info: 15/10-2008

Morrissey Fox Blonde Ale

They have expanded our local Tesco, and it was great to see that they have also expanded the beer section, with half a dozen new international and English bottled beers.

• Name: Morrissey Fox Blonde Ale, 4.2%, England
  
• Appearance: Light orangy golden. Tiny amount of shortlived white head.
  
• Aroma: Flowers, bit of honey. Sweet. Hops.
  
• Taste: Quite sweet, lots of hops. Flowers. Bitter aftertaste.
  
• Bought: Tesco, 500 ml, £1.89
  
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 14/10-2008

Bohemia Regent Tmavy Lezak (Dark Lager)

• Name: Bohemia Regent Tmavy Lezak (Dark Lager)*, 4.4%, Czech Republic
  
• Appearance: Very dark brown. OK amount of tan head.
  
• Aroma: Slightly roasted, burn sugar. Dark malt.
  
• Taste: Slightly burnt, dry. Dark malt, dark fruit. Not the best dark lager.
  
• Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.59
  
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 13/10-2008, 194/300**
  

* Called "Trebon Dark Regent" in the 300-book.
** Should have been 186/300, didn't initially realise it was the Trebon one.

Red Stripe

• Name: Red Stripe, 4.7%, Jamaica
  
• Appearance: Light golden. Little bit of white head. Shortlived.
  
• Aroma: Quite hoppy. Some fruit.
  
• Taste: Again, quite hoppy. Crisp. Bit of malt. Easy-drinking but forgettable.
  
• Bought: Tesco, 330 ml, £1.19
  
• Overall score: 2/6
  
• Info: 9/10-2008

200/500

It has taken me 2 years to go from 100 to 200 in the 500-book. The first 100 were done in 13.5 months. Progress is getting slower and slower, unfortunately. I'd better find a new source soon.

Anchor Old Foghorn Ale

• Name: Anchor Old Foghorn Ale, 8.8%, United States
  
• Appearance: Dark brownish red. Very little head, tan.
  
• Aroma: Sweet, caramel. Ripe fruit. Malt.
  
• Taste: Smooth. Vinous fruit, malt. Sweet.
  
• Bought: Beers of Europe, 355 ml, £2.89
  
• Overall score: 5/6
  
• Info: 8/10-2008, 185/300, 200/500

Slightly stronger than the 8.7% listed in the 300-book and the 500-book.

Brakspear Oxford Gold Organic Beer

• Name: Brakspear Oxford Gold Organic Beer, 4.6%, England
• Appearance: Orange golden. Slightly hazy. Good amount of white head.
• Aroma: Lemon, floral, hops.
• Taste: Lots of hops. Lemons. Long bitter aftertaste.
• Bought: Waitrose, 500 ml, £1.88
• Overall score: 3/6
• Info: 6/10-2008, 26/300M

Brooklyn Brown Ale

• Name: Brooklyn Brown Ale, 5.6%, United States
  
• Appearance: Dark redish brown. Little bit of tan head.
  
• Aroma: Malt, caramel. Dark fruit, some chocolate.
  
• Taste: Malt, chocolate. Some fruit. Smooth.
  
• Bought: Beers of Europe, 355 ml, £1.69
  
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 4/10-2008, 184/300

HaandBryggeriet India Pale Ale

Bought for me from Vinmonopolet, Tromsø by ØM.

• Name: HaandBryggeriet India Pale Ale, 6.5%, Norway
  
• Appearance: Dark orange brown. Quite hazy. Plenty of off-white head. Batch 139.
  
• Aroma: Hops, alcohol. Some fruit.
  
• Taste: Hops, caramel, some malt. Crisp. Bitter aftertaste.
  
• Bought: Vinmonopolet, 500 ml, NOK 56.10
• Overall score: 4/6
  
• Info: 3/10-2008

SFBT Celtia

Had quite a few of these while on a short holiday to Hammamet, Tunisia.

• Name: SFBT Celtia, ?%, Tunisia
  
• Appearance: Light golden. Fizzy. Little bit of shortlived white head.
  
• Aroma: Quite yeasty. Metallic? Not much.
  
• Taste: Light, a bit sweet. Again, some yeast and metallic. Unpleasant aftertaste.
  
• Bought: Hotel, 300 ml, TND 4.50
  
• Overall score: 2/6
  
• Info: 30/9-2008

Pshenychne Etalon Weissbier

Let's go Ukraine!

• Name: Pshenychne Etalon Weissbier, 5.0%, Ukraine
  
• Appearance: Light orange. Cloudy. Lots of longlasting white head.
  
• Aroma: Wheat and citrus. Some yeast and hops.
  
• Taste: Again wheat, hops and lemons. Refreshing.
  
• Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £2.05
  
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 25/9-2008

Lindeboom Pilsener

• Name: Lindeboom Pilsener, 5%, Netherlands
• Appearance: Golden, clear. Good amount of longlasting white head.
• Aroma: Bit of yeast. More hops, some malt.
• Taste: Malt and hops. Quite sweet. Quite standard.
• Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.49
• Overall score: 3/6
• Info: 24/9-2008*, 25/300M

* Happy Birthday JSM

J.W. Lees John Willies

• Name: J.W. Lees John Willies*, 5.0%, England
  
• Appearance: Chestnut brown. Hazy. Lots of longlasting white head.
  
• Aroma: Some malt and hops. Hint of yeast? Some fruit.
  
• Taste: Bit of malt, hops. Nicely balanced, but slightly watery.
  
• Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.89
  
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 22/9-2008, 199/500

* The beer in the 500-book is referred to as "Lees Manchester Champion Beer", but based on the label in the picture and some internet-searching, it seems like this is indeed the "Lees John Willies".

Fuller's Organic Honey Dew

• Name: Fuller's Organic Honey Dew, 5.0%, England
  
• Appearance: Slightly pale golden. Clear. Little bit of white head - more when warmer.
  
• Aroma: Honey, floral and fruit.
  
• Taste: Honey, quite sweet. Some malt and hops. Too sweet.
  
• Bought: Waitrose, 500 ml, £1.70
  
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 21/9-2008

Halfway to 1000 (quingenti)

The last 100 beers has taken me 9 months (same as the previous 100). The status now is 183 beers from the 300-book and 198 from the 500-book. This means that of the last 100 beers 10 were from the 300-book and 16 were from the 500-book. At least I have been able to tick 11 new countries, making the total 56.

Score distribution:

0/6: 6
1/6: 20
2/6: 118
3/6: 216
4/6: 112
5/6: 28
6/6: 0
Country distribution:

1. United Kingdom [UK] (186)
2. Belgium [BE] (118)
3. Germany [DE] (49)
4. United States [US] (22)
5. Norway [NO] (19)
6. Czech Republic [CZ] (9)
7. Canada [CA] (8)
8. Netherlands [NL] (7)
9. France [FR] (6)
10. Portugal [PT] (5)
11. Russia [RU] (4)
12. Austria [AT] (3)
13. Cuba [CU] (3)
14. Spain [ES] (3)
15. Finland [FI] (3)
16. Ireland [IE] (3)
17. Italy [IT] (3)
18. Japan [JP] (3)
19. Sweden [SE] (3)
20. Australia [AU] (2)
21. Brazil [BR] (2)
22. India [IN] (2)
23. Mexico [MX] (2)
24. New Zealand [NZ] (2)
25. Viet Nam [VN] (2)
26. Albania [AL] (1)
27. Bulgaria [BG] (1)
28. Switzerland [CH] (1)
29. China [CN] (1)
30. Colombia [CO] (1)
31. Cyprus [CY] (1)
32. Denmark [DK] (1)
33. Greece [GR] (1)
34. Indonesia [ID] (1)
35. Jamaica [JM] (1)
36. Kenya [KE] (1)
37. Lao [LA] (1)
38. Lebanon [LB] (1)
39. Sri Lanka [LK] (1)
40. Lithuania [LT] (1)
41. Morocco [MA] (1)
42. Mongolia [MN] (1)
43. Malta [MT] (1)
44. Mauritius [MU] (1)
45. Namibia [NA] (1)
46. Nepal [NP] (1)
47. Peru [PE] (1)
48. French Polynesia [PF] (1)
49. Poland [PL] (1)
50. Palestine [PS] (1)
51. Romania [RO] (1)
52. Singapore [SG] (1)
53. Thailand [TH] (1)
54. Turkey [TR] (1)
55. Trinidad And Tobago [TT] (1)
56. South Africa [ZA] (1)
    

Nøgne Ø Dark Horizon 1. Edition

My bottle is number 3006 of 6000 ever made. Bought by KF in Norway, and traded with me for a bottle of Fuller's Vintage Ale 2007 + NOK 100 :-). Definitely worth it, and saved it for my 500th rating.

• Name: Nøgne Ø Dark Horizon 1. Edition, 16%, Norway
  
• Appearance: Very dark brown, almost black. Tan/Brown head, not too much of it.
  
• Aroma: Coffee, dark malt. Vinous. Slightly roasted. Dark fruit when warmer. Caramel.
  
• Taste: Wow. Vinous, dark fruit. Coffee and chocolate. Bit of alcohol taste. Impressive.
  
• Bought: Vinmonopolet, 500 ml, NOK ?.??
  
• Overall score: 5/6
  
• Info: 19/9-2008

Baadog

Another country. Or actually, this is not brewed in Mongolia after all, but in UK...

• Name: Baadog, 4.8%, Not Mongolia (England)
  
• Appearance: Slightly hazy orangy brown. Not much head.
  
• Aroma: Lots of raisins, some malt.
  
• Taste: Crisp, malt. Some fruit. Bitter aftertaste. Quite nice.
  
• Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.35
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 16/9-2008
  

Hinano Tahiti

Another country.

• Name: Hinano Tahiti, 5%, French Polynesia
  
• Appearance: Pale light golden. Good amount of white head.
  
• Aroma: Hops and malt. Fruity, grains?
  
• Taste: Good hops, some malt and fruit. OK aftertaste.
  
• Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.79
  
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 13/9-2008

Coral

• Name: Coral, 5.3%, Portugal
  
• Appearance: Dark golden, clear. Good amount of white head.
  
• Aroma: Grains, quite sweet. Some yeast and malt.
  
• Taste: Crisp, on the sweet side. Some malt.
  
• Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.29
  
• Overall score: 2/6
  
• Info: 10/9-2008

HaandBryggeriet Porter

Bought for me from Vinmonopolet, Tromsø by ØM.

• Name: HaandBryggeriet Porter, 6.0%, Norway
  
• Appearance: Very dark brown, almost black. OK amount of tan head. Batch 143.
  
• Aroma: Dark malt, roasted. Smoke. Hint of cherry?
  
• Taste: Dark malt. Smoke, coffee. Roasted. Very nice.
  
• Bought: Vinmonopolet, 500 ml, NOK 55.40
• Overall score: 5/6
  
• Info: 7/9-2008

Saffron Budgens Local Brew (Pledgdon Ale)

This beer is brewed specially for Budgens, Sawbridgeworth, where I also bought it. Someone noted that it sounds very similar to the Pledgdon Ale, and according to the brewery "the difference between the two comes in the hop ratios ie we use a slightly different proportion of the aroma hops". Hence, they are basically the same beer.

• Name: Saffron Budgens Local Brew (Pledgdon Ale), 4.3%, England
  
• Appearance: Cloudy orangy brown. Little bit of white head. Sediments.
  
• Aroma: Hops and citrus. Fermented fruit, and malt.
  
• Taste: Hops, slightly roasted. Sharp. Bitter aftertaste.
  
• Bought: Budgens, 500 ml, £2.09
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 5/9-2008

Young's Kew Gold

• Name: Young's Kew Gold, 4.8%, England
  
• Appearance: Golden, tiny amount of off-white head. Hazy.
  
• Aroma: Hops and citrus. Honey.
  
• Taste: Lots of hops, but not overpowering. Citrus, hint of honey. Nice aftertaste.
  
• Bought: Waitrose, 500 ml, £1.85
  
• Overall score: 4/6
  
• Info: 4/9-2008

Black Sheep Yorkshire Square Ale

• Name: Black Sheep Yorkshire Square Ale, 5.0%, England
  
• Appearance: Dark orangy brown. Little bit of white head, longlasting.
  
• Aroma: Bit of yeast. Fruit, some hops and malt.
  
• Taste: Crisp. Nice malt and hops. Nice, bitter aftertaste.
  
• Bought: Waitrose, 500 ml, £1.48
  
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 2/9-2008, 198/500

Saffron Tiddly Vicar

Bought on our second trip up to Sawbridgeworth.

• Name: Saffron Tiddly Vicar, 5.1%, England
  
• Appearance: Hazy light brown, caramel. Good amount of fizzy white head. Sediments.
  
• Aroma: Malt, little bit of hops and chocolate.
  
• Taste: Malt, quite dry. Slightly bitter aftertaste.
  
• Bought: Budgens, 500 ml, £2.29
  
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 31/8-2008

Peroni Nastro Azzurro

• Name: Peroni Nastro Azzurro, 5.1%, Italy
  
• Appearance: Golden. Little bit of white head, shortlived.
  
• Aroma: Not much, bit of hops.
  
• Taste: Crisp. Hops and malt. Slightly "skunky" aftertaste.
  
• Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.29
  
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 28/8-2008

Bengal Tiger Premium Indian Lager

• Name: Bengal Tiger Premium Indian Lager, 5%, Belgium*/**
• Appearance: Yellow to orange. Cloudy with some floaty bits. Little head.
• Aroma: Some grain and hops. Maybe fruit.
• Taste: Very sweet. Some hops and malt. Boring.
• Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.49
• Overall score: 2/6
• Info: 26/8-2008

* This seems to be a beer brewed in Belgium, for a Dutch company under supervision from some people based in India. So I have chosen to file this under India, reluctantly.
** Changed to be from Belgium as per Ratebeer.com 2014-07-08

Alhambra Negra

• Name: Alhambra Negra, 5.4%, Spain
• Appearance: Very dark brown. Not much head.
• Aroma: Malt and prunes.
• Taste: Quite sweet. Malt, slightly roasted. Watery. Alright aftertaste. Bit dry.
• Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.39
• Overall score: 3/6
• Info: 20/8-2008, 24/300M

O'Hanlon's Goldblade / Wheat Beer

This beer was called O'Hanlon's Wheat Beer in the 500-book, but has since changed name to Goldblade.

• Name: O'Hanlon's Goldblade / Wheat Beer, 4.0%, England
  
• Appearance: Cloudy greyish orange. Lots of white head, longlived.
  
• Aroma: Citrus and hops, some spices and wheat.
  
• Taste: Lots of hops and wheat. Lemony. Quite bitter aftertaste.
  
• Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.89
  
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 14/8-2008, 197/500

Nils Oscar God Lager

• Name: Nils Oscar God Lager, 5.3%, Sweden
  
• Appearance: Golden orange. Tiny amount of fizzy head.
  
• Aroma: Hops and malt, unsurprisingly.
  
• Taste: Fruit, with malt and hops. Fresh. Nice, slightly bitter aftertaste.
  
• Bought: Waitrose, 330 ml, £1.49
  
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 12/8-2008

Beck's Alcohol-Free

• Name: Beck's Alcohol-Free, 0.05%, Germany
  
• Appearance: Clear golden, tiny amount of white head.
  
• Aroma: Grains and some hops.
  
• Taste: Bit of hops. Grains and slightly sweet. Some bitterness. Dry.
  
• Bought: Tesco, 275 ml, £0.65
  
• Overall score: 2/6
  
• Info: 11/8-2008

Bangla

I was led to believe this one was brewed in Bangladesh, but it is actually (and unfortunately) brewed in the UK.

• Name: Bangla, 5.2%, England
  
• Appearance: Dark orangy golden, clear. Little bit of white head.
  
• Aroma: Slightly sweet, some fruit. Grains.
  
• Taste: Sweet, too sweet actually. Some fruit and hops. Sweet aftertaste.
  
• Bought: Beers of Europe, 275 ml, £1.19
  
• Overall score: 2/6
  
• Info: 10/8-2008

Black Sheep Best Bitter (Cask)

• Name: Black Sheep Best Bitter (Cask), 3.8%, England
  
• Appearance: Orangy golden. Little head.
  
• Aroma: Quite hoppy, some malt and fruit. Very standard.
  
• Taste: Hops and malt, not overly bitter. Good but standard.
  
• Bought: Great British Beer Festival, 1/3 pint, £1.00
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 8/8-2008, 183/300

Butcombe Bitter (Cask)

• Name: Butcombe Bitter (Cask), 4.0%, England
  
• Appearance: Brown, clear. Not much head.
  
• Aroma: Hops and malt, some dark fruit.
  
• Taste: Quite bitter, malt and some fruit. Bitter aftertaste.
  
• Bought: Great British Beer Festival, 1/3 pint, £0.90
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 8/8-2008, 182/300

Theakston Best Bitter (Cask)

• Name: Theakston Best Bitter (Cask), 3.8%, England
  
• Appearance: Clear dark golden. Little bit of white head.
  
• Aroma: Hops and slightly lemony. Some fruit.
  
• Taste: Quite bitter. Some malt and fruit. Standard stuff. Dry.
  
• Bought: Great British Beer Festival, 1/3 pint, £1.00
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 8/8-2008, 181/300

Brains Dark (Cask)

• Name: Brains Dark (Cask), 3.5%, Wales
• Appearance: Very dark brown. Tiny amount of head.
• Aroma: Quite sweet and fruity. Berries.
• Taste: Very dry, some malt and hops. Watery. Bitter-ish aftertaste.
• Bought: Great British Beer Festival, 1/3 pint, £0.90
• Overall score: 3/6
• Info: 8/8-2008, 180/300

Cains Dark Mild (Cask)

• Name: Cains Dark Mild (Cask), 3.2%, England
  
• Appearance: Very dark brown. Lasting, tan head.
  
• Aroma: Sweet, some fruit and dark malt.
  
• Taste: Quite smooth. Nice malt, roasted. Dry aftertaste
  
• Bought: Great British Beer Festival, 1/3 pint, £0.90
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 8/8-2008, 179/300

Nethergate Umbel Magna (Cask)

• Name: Nethergate Umbel Magna (Cask), 5.0%, England
  
• Appearance: Dark redish brown. Little bit of off-white head.
  
• Aroma: Berries and coriander. Some malt.
  
• Taste: Mostly coriander, berries. Some malt and hops. Unpleasant aftertaste.
  
• Bought: Great British Beer Festival, 1/3 pint, £1.00
• Overall score: 2/6
  
• Info: 8/8-2008, 178/300

Slightly weaker than the 5.5% listed in the 300-book.

Mighty Oak Oscar Wilde (Cask)

My first cask of the project, at the Great British Beer Festival :-).

• Name: Mighty Oak Oscar Wilde (Cask), 3.7%, England
  
• Appearance: Chestnut brown, slightly hazy. Lots of nice, off-white long-lasting head.
  
• Aroma: Malt, bit of fruit.
  
• Taste: Malt, quite sweet. Chocolate? Bit watery. Slightly bitter aftertaste.
  
• Bought: Great British Beer Festival, 1/3 pint, £0.70
  
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 8/8-2008, 177/300

Carnegie Stark Porter 2007

The best Swedish beer I've ever had, at least.

• Name: Carnegie Stark Porter 2007, 5.5%, Sweden
  
• Appearance: Very dark brown, almost black. Little bit of tan head.
  
• Aroma: Coffee and dark malt. Hint of chocolate?
  
• Taste: Coffee, roasted, dark malt. Some hops. Slightly sweet. Nice aftertaste.
  
• Bought: Utobeer, 500 ml, £3.60
  
• Overall score: 4/6
  
• Info: 7/8-2008, 176/300, 196/500

Slightly weaker than the 5.6% mentioned in the 300-book.

Bitburger Drive

• Name: Bitburger Drive, 0.0%, Germany
  
• Appearance: Dark yellow. Fizzy, shortlived white head.
  
• Aroma: Strong grains, some hops. Slightly sweet.
  
• Taste: Fresh, some hops. Not too sweet.
  
• Bought: Tesco, 330 ml, £0.63
  
• Overall score: 2/6
  
• Info: 2/8-2008

Jupiler

• Name: Jupiler, 5.2%, Belgium
  
• Appearance: Light golden orange. Good amount of white head.
  
• Aroma: Citrus and hops, some grains and grass.
  
• Taste: Quite hoppy, fresh. Slightly citric. Forgettable.
  
• Bought: Beers of Europe, 250 ml, £1.09
  
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 1/8-2008

Bath Ales Gem

• Name: Bath Ales Gem, 4.8%, England
  
• Appearance: Dark redish brown. Some off-white head.
  
• Aroma: Nice malt and caramel.
  
• Taste: Some hops, but more malty. Caramel and fruit. Smooth. Slight bitterness.
  
• Bought: Waitrose, 500 ml, £1.79
  
• Overall score: 4/6
  
• Info: 31/7-2008

Xingu

Raising my glass to my old classmate KTK, who died last week.

• Name: Xingu, 4.6%, Brazil
  
• Appearance: Dark brown. Little bit of tan head.
  
• Aroma: Dark malt, roasted. Hint of chocolate and raisins.
  
• Taste: Some malt, slightly sweet. Surprisingly nice.
  
• Bought: Beers of Europe, 355 ml, £1.29
  
• Overall score: 4/6
  
• Info: 29/7-2008

O'Hara's Celtic Stout

• Name: O'Hara's Celtic Stout, 4.3%, Ireland
• Appearance: Very dark brown. Shortlived, tan head.
• Aroma: Roasted and hint of coffee and metal.
• Taste: Quite bitter and smokey. Dark malt. Slightly bitter aftertaste.
• Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £2.29
• Overall score: 3/6
• Info: 25/7-2008, 23/300M

The Ten Best Summer Beers (The Independent)

English newspaper The Independent earlier this week listed the Top Ten Best Summer Beers, as chosen by Roger Protz:

Adnams East Green [Me: 3/6]
Fuller's Organic Honey Dew [Me: 3/6]
Meantime IPA
Shepherd Neame Whitstable Bay [Me: 1/6]
Budweiser Budvar [Me: 5/6]
Duvel [Me: 5/6]
St Austell Clouded Yellow [Me: 2/6]
Young's Kew Gold [Me: 4/6]
Brakspear Oxford Gold [Me: 3/6]
Goose Island IPA [Me: 3/6]

The ones I haven't tried yet have been added to my shopping list.

Negra Modelo

• Name: Negra Modelo, 5.3%, Mexico
  
• Appearance: Dark redish brown. Slightly hazy. Little bit of off-white head.
  
• Aroma: Dark fruit. Some malt.
  
• Taste: Malt and some fruit. OK aftertaste. One of the better Mexican beers.
  
• Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.59
  
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 23/7-2008

Traquair Jacobite Ale

• Name: Traquair Jacobite Ale, 8%, Scotland
• Appearance: Very dark brown. Very little head. Slightly hazy.
• Aroma: Dark fruit and malt. Some alcohol.
• Taste: Malt and spices/herbs. Nice, strong aftertaste
• Bought: Utobeer, 330 ml, £2.80
• Overall score: 4/6
• Info: 17/7-2008, 195/500

Birra Moretti

• Name: Birra Moretti, 4.6%, Italy
  
• Appearance: Clear, light golden. Little head and carbonation.
  
• Aroma: Hops and malt, some grass.
  
• Taste: A bit watery. Some hops and malt. Slightly bitter aftertaste.
  
• Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.15
  
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 14/7-2008

Cobra Premium Beer

• Name: Cobra Premium Beer, 5.0%, England
  
• Appearance: Nice, clear golden. Nice amount of head.
  
• Aroma: Not much. Bit of hops and malt. Lemon?
  
• Taste: Light. Some malt and hops. Slightly bitter aftertaste. Standard stuff
  
• Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.19
  
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 10/7-2008

Cobra Alcohol Free Premium Beer

• Name: Cobra Alcohol Free Premium Beer, 0.0%, England
  
• Appearance: Light golden, clear. Good amount of white head.
  
• Aroma: Grains and sweet. Not typical lager. Artificial.
  
• Taste: Quite sweet, and corn again. Best low-alcohol so far.
  
• Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £0.85
  
• Overall score: 2/6
  
• Info: 10/7-2008

Brakspear Triple

Each bottle has a unique number, mine is A444422. According to their website this means it was brewed 24/04/08.

• Name: Brakspear Triple, 7.2%, England
  
• Appearance: Dark redish brown. Little bit of white head. Low carbonation.
  
• Aroma: Dark fruit and berries. Hops.
  
• Taste: Fruit, slightly lemony. Some hops. Warming. Bitter aftertaste.
  
• Bought: Waitrose, 500 ml, £2.19
  
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 8/7-2008

Tusker Lager

Next country; Kenya.

• Name: Tusker Lager, 4.2%, Kenya
  
• Appearance: Light, clear golden. OK amount of white head. Nice, small bubbles.
  
• Aroma: Grain, hint of hops. Not much. Metallic?
  
• Taste: Standard lager. Hops and malt. Slightly bitter aftertaste.
  
• Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.69
  
• Overall score: 2/6
  
• Info: 6/7-2008
  

Windhoek Lager

My "tour" of Africa continues.

• Name: Windhoek Lager, 4%, Namibia
• Appearance: Dark golden yellow, clear. Little head, white.
• Aroma: Hops and grass. Not much.
• Taste: Hops and some malt. Fresh. Slightly malty aftertaste. OK, but nothing special.
• Bought: Beers of Europe, 340 ml, £1.29
• Overall score: 3/6
• Info: 5/7-2008, 22/300M

Robson's Durban Pale Ale

New country again...

• Name: Robson's Durban Pale Ale, 5.7%, South Africa
  
• Appearance: Orangy golden. Good amount of head. Sediments. Slightly hazy.
  
• Aroma: Fruity, some yeast. Caramel.
  
• Taste: Surprisingly nice. Fruit, and malt. Some hops. Nice bitter aftertaste.
  
• Bought: Beers of Europe, 340 ml, £1.79
  
• Overall score: 4/6
  
• Info: 3/7-2008

Bintang Bir Pilsener

Country number 51.

• Name: Bintang Bir Pilsener, 4.8%, Indonesia
  
• Appearance: Golden. Almost no head nor carbonation.
  
• Aroma: Not much. Bit of sweet malt and hops.
  
• Taste: Quite watery. Slightly bitter and sweet. Not bad, just boring.
  
• Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.29
  
• Overall score: 2/6
  
• Info: 1/7-2008

KEO

Drinking this brings back memories from a fantastic week on Cyprus...

• Name: KEO, 4.5%, Cyprus
  
• Appearance: Yellowy golden. Tiny amount of fizzy head.
  
• Aroma: Some grain and hops. Not much.
  
• Taste: Hops and malt, quite sweet. A bit watery.
  
• Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.19
  
• Overall score: 2/6
  
• Info: 29/6-2008

Also country number 50.

Brugse Zot

Forgot to buy this one when we visited the brewery in January, but got hold of it now :-).

• Name: Brugse Zot, 6%, Belgium
• Appearance: Orange golden. Little bit of off-white head. Lots of bubbles. Slightly hazy.
• Aroma: Nice fruit and hops. Citrus? Yeast.
• Taste: Citrus and slightly bitter. Some malt and spices.
• Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.85
• Overall score: 3/6
• Info: 29/6-2008, 21/300M

Carib Lager

Country number 49:

• Name: Carib Lager, 5.2%, Trinidad and Tobago
  
• Appearance: Dark yellow to light golden. Little bit of head.
  
• Aroma: Not much. Some grain and hops.
  
• Taste: Sweet and unpleasant aftertaste. Watery.
  
• Bought: Beers of Europe, 275 ml, £1.25
  
• Overall score: 2/6
  
• Info: 27/6-2008

San Miguel Premium

• Name: San Miguel Premium, 5.0%, Spain
  
• Appearance: Light golden. Good amount of white head. Tiny bubbles.
  
• Aroma: Malt and hops, some fruit. Slightly lemony.
  
• Taste: Fresh. Nice malt and slight bitterness. Not bad
  
• Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.09
  
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 27/6-2008

Saigon Export

For some reason I wanted to try a different beer from Viet Nam (tried Hue already)...

• Name: Saigon Export, 4.9%, Viet Nam
  
• Appearance: Clear, light golden. Little bit of white head.
  
• Aroma: Some light fruit and rice aroma.
  
• Taste: Not much. Hint of malt and hops, I guess.
  
• Bought: Beers of Europe, 355 ml, £1.35
  
• Overall score: 2/6
  
• Info: 25/6-2008

So not quite "like a mouthful of mown grass a rat has pissed on" as someone commented on ratebeer.com...

Krusovice Imperial

• Name: Krusovice Imperial, 5.0%, Czech Republic
• Appearance: Clear golden, OK amount of white head.
• Aroma: Fruit and malt, some hops.
• Taste: Fresh, quite sweet. Hops and malt.
• Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.79
• Overall score: 3/6
• Info: 23/6-2008, 20/300M

Aperitif.no imported lagers/pilseners

Norwegian Aperitif.no last month blind-tested 25 lager/pilsener beers with an ABV higher than 4.75%. This means that they cannot be bought in normal shops, but have to be purchased in the state-run Vinmonopolet shops.

Their top 9 (of 20) imported beers:

1. Anchor Steam Beer (88p)
   
2. San Miguel Especial (87p)
3. Krusovice Imperial (87p)
4. Staropramen Lager (87p)
   
5. Furstenberg Premium Lager (87p)
6. Super Bock (87p)
7. Samuel Adams Boston Lager (86p)
   
8. Stella Artois (86p)
9. Vedett (86p)

And the wooden spoon went to:

• Glutaner (68p)
  

Silenrieux Sara Blonde (Bio/750 ml)

Last bottle from our Bruges-trip in January, and to my pleasant surprise this one was Blonde, not Brune :-). Well, that was until I tasted it.

• Name: Silenrieux Sara Blonde (Bio/750 ml), 6%, Belgium
  
• Appearance: Hazy, pale golden. OK amount of white head, lots when warmer. Sediments and floaty bits.
  
• Aroma: Wheat, lemon, slightly sour.
  
• Taste: Lemony, quite sour. Quite bad
  
• Bought: Bier Tempel, 750 ml, €5.60
• Overall score: 1/6
  
• Info: 18/6-2008

Silenrieux Sara Brune (Bio/250 ml)

Another Bruges-beer:

• Name: Silenrieux Sara Brune (Bio/250 ml), 6%, Belgium
  
• Appearance: Cloudy, dark redish brown. Lots of longlasting tan head. Bit of sediments.
  
• Aroma: Malt and some wheat. Metallic.
  
• Taste: Malt and some sourness. Quite unpleasant.
  
• Bought: Bier Tempel, 250 ml, €1.50
• Overall score: 2/6
  
• Info: 16/6-2008

The 750 ml version will be tested later this week.

Anchor Smooth

New country (number 48).

• Name: Anchor Smooth, 4.5%, Malaysia**
• Appearance: Clear, light golden. Little bit of white head.
• Aroma: Not much. Bit of hops and malt, I guess. Grain.
• Taste: Quite sweet, not pilsener*. Malt and bit of fruit. Forgettable.
• Bought: Beers of Europe, 330 ml, £1.35
• Overall score: 2/6
• Info: 12/6-2008

* Says "Pilsener beer" on the label...

** Originally put as Singapore - changed 2014-07-08 to Malaysia as per Ratebeer.com

Moorhouse's Pendle Witches Brew

Finally another beer from the 300-book. The previous one was 111 days ago, which means that if I'm not able to speed up I will finish the 300-project in 2046. Wow.

• Name: Moorhouse's Pendle Witches Brew, 5.1%, England
  
• Appearance: Orangy brown. Little head. Hazy.
  
• Aroma: Hops and malt. Pear?
  
• Taste: Again, hops and malt. Bitter aftertaste. Standard stuff.
  
• Bought: Beers of Europe, 500 ml, £1.95
  
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 9/6-2008, 175/300

Rogue Dead Guy Ale (Maierbock Ale)

I went to Utobeer in Borough Market today, and bought a few 300/500 beers! As this bottle expired in February I thought I'd better drink it today. This one is by the way currently called Dead Guy Ale, but was called Maierbock Ale in the 500-book. It is slightly stronger than the 6.0% listed in the 500-book.

• Name: Rogue Dead Guy Ale (Maierbock Ale), 6.3%, United States
  
• Appearance: Dark orangy-red brown. Little bit of head.
  
• Aroma: Not much, actually. Bit of fruit and malt.
  
• Taste: Sweet and some bitterness. Earthy aftertaste.
  
• Bought: Utobeer, 650 ml, £4.70*
  
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 7/6-2008, 193/500

* Too expensive, and the other bottles I bought from the shop were quite expensive as well...

Silenrieux Joseph Spelt Ale (x2)

Two of the last beers from the Bruges trip.

5.4% 250ml version:

• Name: Silenrieux Joseph Spelt Ale (5.4%), 5.4%, Belgium
  
• Appearance: Cloudy, very dull orange. Sediments. Good amount of white head.
  
• Aroma: Lemon and wheat. Some yeast and hops.
  
• Taste: Wheat and citrus. Hops and spices. Not the best aftertaste.
  
• Bought: Bier Tempel, 250 ml, €1.50
• Overall score: 2/6
  
• Info: 2/6-2008

5% 750ml version:

• Name: Silenrieux Joseph Spelt Ale (Bio/5%), 5%, Belgium
  
• Appearance: Corked. Cloudy, pale orange. Lots of sediments. Lots of white head.
  
• Aroma: Lemon and wheat. Herbs.
  
• Taste: Wheat and lemon. Some spices. Slightly dry. OK aftertaste.
  
• Bought: Bier Tempel, 750 ml, €5.60
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 4/6-2008

I originally put these as separate entries as only one might be the Bio (Organic) version, and they also have different ABVs. In addition, they also taste a bit different. But in the end they are too similar to justify separate entries.

Adnams East Green Carbon Neutral

I think it is great that Adnams have produced a Carbon Neutral beer, and hopefully more brewers will follow suit. I just wish the beer tasted nicer. As someone commented, "this was more flavour neutral than carbon neutral".

• Name: Adnams East Green Carbon Neutral, 4.3%, England
  
• Appearance: Golden brown. Little bit of white head.
  
• Aroma: Sweet, quite fruity. Some malt.
  
• Taste: Sweet, malt. Some hops. Quite standard.
  
• Bought: Tesco, 500 ml, £1.43
  
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 31/5-2008
  

Badger Harvester's Ale

This beer doesn't quite qualify as a low-alcohol beer (where I use the UK definition of being 1.2% ABV or less), but thought I'd give it a try anyway.

• Name: Badger Harvester's Ale, 2.5%, England
  
• Appearance: Light golden. Not much head.
  
• Aroma: Quite sweet. Floral and some fruit.
  
• Taste: Sweet. Again, floral. Some hops and malt. OK aftertaste.
  
• Bought: Tesco, 500 ml, £1.24
  
• Overall score: 2/6
  
• Info: 29/5-2008

I'm back!

After one week in Cyprus (Wedding) drinking KEO and Leon, and two weeks in fantastic Maldives (Honeymoon) drinking Tiger, Heineken and Corona, I am unfortunately back to "real life". The beer projects can continue after over a month's silence. Still wish I were back in Maldives, though...

Wells Bombardier Burning Gold

• Name: Wells Bombardier Burning Gold, 4.7%, England
  
• Appearance: Dark golden, little head.
  
• Aroma: Sweet. Honey and floral.
  
• Taste: Sweet, smooth. Quite nice bitterness.
  
• Bought: Tesco, 568 ml, £1.65
  
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 17/4-2008

Fuller's London Porter

• Name: Fuller's London Porter, 5.4%, England
  
• Appearance: Very dark brown. Nice amount of tan head.
  
• Aroma: Coffee, smoke and dark malt. Hint of chocolate.
  
• Taste: Again, smoke and coffee. Malty.
  
• Bought: Waitrose, 500 ml, £1.79
  
• Overall score: 4/6
  
• Info: 15/4-2008

Shepherd Neame 1698

Second bottle bought in Budgens in Sawbridgeworth, England.

• Name: Shepherd Neame 1698, 6.5%, England
• Appearance: Brown, not much head.
• Aroma: Malt and hops, slight sweetness.
• Taste: Quite bitter, also sweet. Some malt. Standard, nothing exciting.
• Bought: Budgens, 500 ml, £2.02
• Overall score: 3/6
• Info: 12/4-2008, 19/300M

Grimbergen Double (Dubbel)

• Name: Grimbergen Double (Dubbel), 6.5%, Belgium
  
• Appearance: Dark brown, hint of red. OK amount of lasting head. Lots when warmer.
  
• Aroma: Sweet, malt. Slightly metallic. Prunes.
  
• Taste: Dark malt, slightly sweet. Bitter.
  
• Bought: Tesco, 330 ml, £1.50
  
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 7/4-2008

Shepherd Neame Whitstable Bay

Bought in Budgens in Sawbridgeworth, England.

• Name: Shepherd Neame Whitstable Bay, 4.5%, England
  
• Appearance: Clear golden orange. Little bit of fizzy head.
  
• Aroma: Grass and some hops. Yeast.
  
• Taste: Grass, skunk. Not nice at all. Some bitterness.
  
• Bought: Budgens, 500 ml, £2.07
  
• Overall score: 1/6
  
• Info: 1/4-2008

I am not sure whether this bottle was off, or if it is actually supposed to taste this bad. It is a clear bottle, so you never know if too much light might have ruined it.

Innis & Gunn Limited Edition Oak Aged IPA

One of the 68,000 bottles in existence. In a nice cardboard box.

• Name: Innis & Gunn Limited Edition Oak Aged IPA, 6.4%, Scotland
• Appearance: Clear golden/copper. Alright amount of head.
• Aroma: Oak and slightly herby. Caramel.
• Taste: Oaky and smokey. Caramel again. Unpleasant taste.
• Bought: Waitrose, 330 ml, £1.99
• Overall score: 2/6
• Info: 30/3-2008

Stella Artois Bock

When I read that they were about to retire this beer, I thought I might as well try it.

• Name: Stella Artois Bock, 6.2%, Belgium
  
• Appearance: Redish brown, clear. Little head.
  
• Aroma: Burnt caramel. Malts, some dark fruit.
  
• Taste: More caramel, alcohol. Malt, quite sweet.
  
• Bought: Tesco, 275 ml, £1.00
  
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 28/3-2008

Du Bocq La Gauloise Blonde

• Name: Du Bocq La Gauloise Blonde, 6.3%, Belgium
  
• Appearance: Golden, slightly hazy. Little bit of fizzy head. More when warmer.
  
• Aroma: Wheat and herbs. Bit of fruit.
  
• Taste: Hops and herbs. Slightly bitter finish.
  
• Bought: Tesco, 330 ml, £1.45
  
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 26/3-2008

Bavik Ezel Wit (Kuurnse Witte)

Another one from Bier Tempel in Bruges. This one was called "Bavik Kuurnse Witte" in the 500-book, when the ABV was also 7.5%.

• Name: Bavik Ezel Wit (Kuurnse Witte), 5.8%, Belgium
  
• Appearance: Hazy light orange. Nice amount of white head.
  
• Aroma: Wheat and citrus. Spices.
  
• Taste: Lemon and not too much wheat. Slight alcohol taste.
  
• Bought: Bier Tempel, 250 ml, €1.50
• Overall score: 2/6
  
• Info: 21/3-2008, 192/500

Cristal Alken

• Name: Cristal Alken, 4.8%, Belgium
  
• Appearance: Light clear golden, not much head.
  
• Aroma: Hops and grain. Not much.
  
• Taste: Hops and bit of malt. Not too bad, but standard.
  
• Bought: Bier Tempel, 250 ml, €1.25
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 20/3-2008, 191/500

Brugse Zot Dubbel

Bought this one after visiting the De Halve Maan Brewery in Bruges, Belgium.

• Name: Brugse Zot Dubbel, 7.5%, Belgium
• Appearance: Dark redish brown. Lots of nice, tan head.
• Aroma: Dark fruit and malt. Caramel.
• Taste: Malt and dark fruit. Roasted. Slight bitterness.
• Bought: Bier Tempel, 330 ml, €1.95
• Overall score: 4/6
• Info: 12/3-2008, 18/300M

Blanche de Bruxelles (Lefebvre Floreffe Wit)

Another "Belgo Top Six":

• Name: Blanche de Bruxelles (Lefebvre Floreffe Wit), 4.5%, Belgium
  
• Appearance: Hazy, light golden. Nice, white head. Lots when warmer.
  
• Aroma: Lemon and orange. Some wheat, hint of yeast.
  
• Taste: Fruit and lemon. Crisp. Wheat. Dry finish.
  
• Bought: Bier Tempel, 330 ml, €1.50
• Overall score: 2/6
  
• Info: 10/3-2008

Barbar

Bought this one as it was mentioned in a newspaper article last year about Belgo top six Belgian beers. Actually quite nice.

• Name: Barbar, 8%, Belgium
  
• Appearance: Light orangy brown. Shortlived, alright head.
  
• Aroma: Honey and some fruit. Quite sweet.
  
• Taste: Obviously some honey. Nice bitterness. Nice surprise.
  
• Bought: Bier Tempel, 330 ml, €2.15
• Overall score: 4/6
  
• Info: 8/3-2008*

* Happy birthday KF

Affligem Patersvat Blond

I asked for "Affligem Noel" in Bier Tempel, and he insisted this was the one. They are of course not the same... I guess he really wanted that extra 1.85 from me...

• Name: Affligem Patersvat Blond, 6.8%, Belgium
  
• Appearance: Hazy orangy brown. Good amount of white head.
  
• Aroma: Some fruit and hops. Orange?
  
• Taste: Quite hoppy, bit of fruit and malt. Aftertaste a bit too bitter.
  
• Bought: Bier Tempel, 330 ml, €1.85
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 4/3-2008
  

Wells Bombardier Satanic Mills

Also bought by and shared with MG.

• Name: Wells Bombardier Satanic Mills, 5.0%, England
  
• Appearance: Basically black. Plenty of tan head.
  
• Aroma: Dark fruit and malt. Roasted.
  
• Taste: Burnt and smoked. Quite malty.
  
• Bought: Sainsbury's, 568 ml, £?.??
  
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 1/3-2008

Wychwood BeeWyched Honey'd Ale

Bought by and shared with MG.

• Name: Wychwood BeeWyched Honey'd Ale, 5.0%, England
  
• Appearance: Light hazy orange. OK amount of head.
  
• Aroma: Honey, floral and hops.
  
• Taste: Floral, and hops. Honey.
  
• Bought: Gift, 500 ml, £?.??
  
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 1/3-2008
  

Girardin Gueuze White Label 1882

Oh no, not another gueuze...

• Name: Girardin Gueuze White Label 1882, 5%, Belgium
  
• Appearance: Light orangy brown. Fizzy, generous head.
  
• Aroma: Sour, typical gueuze. Maybe slightly lemony. Unripe fruit. Honey.
  
• Taste: Sour and acidic. Unpleasant aftertaste.
  
• Bought: Bier Tempel, 250 ml, €1.75
• Overall score: 1/6
  
• Info: 26/2-2008, 190/500

Steendonk Brabants Witbier

• Name: Steendonk Brabants Witbier, 4.8%, Belgium
  
• Appearance: Yellowy light brown. Hazy. Little bit of white head.
  
• Aroma: Lemon and spices. Bit of yeast.
  
• Taste: Wheat, lemon and yeast.
  
• Bought: Bier Tempel, 250 ml, €1.25
• Overall score: 2/6
  
• Info: 24/2-2008, 189/500

Slightly stronger than the 4.5% listed in the 500-book.

Op-Ale

This is actually my 100th Belgian beer. Wish it was a nice one, though :-).

• Name: Op-Ale, 5%, Belgium
  
• Appearance: Golden orange. Nice amount of head.
  
• Aroma: Bit of yeast. Some hops and fruit.
  
• Taste: Slightly sweet, and bitter. Strange
  
• Bought: Bier Tempel, 330 ml, €1.50
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 22/2-2008, 188/500

Mackeson Stout

Second can of the project - will continue to try and get hold of this one on bottle.

• Name: Mackeson Stout, 3%, England
  
• Appearance: Very dark brown, almost black. Tan, shortlived head.
  
• Aroma: Coffee and dark malt. Burnt.
  
• Taste: Smooth and sweet. Coffee and dark malt. Too sweet?
  
• Bought: Waitrose, 330 ml, £0.99
  
• Overall score: 4/6
  
• Info: 19/2-2008, 174/300, 187/500

Ginder Ale

Second beer from Bier Tempel where the expiry date has been blacked out... So probably expired.

• Name: Ginder Ale, 5.1%, Belgium
  
• Appearance: Chestnut brown. Bit of shortlived head.
  
• Aroma: Honey. Ginger? Some fruit.
  
• Taste: Slightly sweet. Some hops and malt, caramel.
  
• Bought: Bier Tempel, 250 ml, €1.25
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 17/2-2008, 186/500

Vieux Temps

The guy in Bier Tempel sold me this one even though it expired in August 2006. Never mind, it tasted alright anyway.

• Name: Vieux Temps, 4.5%, Belgium
  
• Appearance: Chestnut brown. Little bit of head.
  
• Aroma: Honey and quite sweet.
  
• Taste: Sweet and honey. Smooth, though watery.
  
• Bought: Bier Tempel, 250 ml, €1.25
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 13/2-2008, 185/500

Slightly weaker than the 5.0% listed in the 500-book.

Huyghe Delirium Noel/Christmas

Another Bruges-beer:

• Name: Huyghe Delirium Noel/Christmas, 10%, Belgium
  
• Appearance: Redish brown. Very little head.
  
• Aroma: Fruit, prunes. Bit of alcohol. Sweet.
  
• Taste: Sweet, fruit. Raisins? Warming. Quite nice.
  
• Bought: Bier Tempel, 330 ml, €2.85
• Overall score: 4/6
  
• Info: 11/2-2008

Du Bocq Christmas

• Name: Du Bocq Christmas*, 8.1%, Belgium
  
• Appearance: Dark redish brown. Little bit of brown head.
  
• Aroma: Very sweet. Raisins and spices.
  
• Taste: Too sweet. Fruits and spices. Nice malt and bitterness.
  
• Bought: Bier Tempel, 330 ml, €2.50
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 9/2-2008

* Also known as Regal Christmas

Adnams Innovation

Found this one in Waitrose, Canary Wharf, London. Limited edition with identification tag (mine is bottle number 1792 of 7000) and in a nice cardboard box.

• Name: Adnams Innovation, 6.7%, England
  
• Appearance: Light clear golden, little head. More when warmer.
  
• Aroma: Floral and some hops. Quite fruity. Apricot.
  
• Taste: Quite fruity and flowery. Some malt and hops. Nice.
  
• Bought: Waitrose, 500 ml, £3.49
  
• Overall score: 4/6
  
• Info: 5/2-2008
  

Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale 2007

• Name: Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale 2007, 6.8%, United States
  
• Appearance: Amber, slightly hazy. Nice amount of head, longlasting.
  
• Aroma: Hops and some fruit. Citrus.
  
• Taste: Lots of hops, citrus. A bit too hoppy for me.
  
• Bought: Tesco, 350 ml, £1.40
  
• Overall score: 2/6
  
• Info: 31/1-2008, 184/500

Marks & Spencer Yorkshire Bitter (Cropton)

• Name: Marks & Spencer Yorkshire Bitter (Cropton*), 4.6%, England
• Appearance: Dark brownish red. Good amount of off-white head. Shortlived. Sediments.
  
• Aroma: Malt and flowery. Hops, slightly burnt.
  
• Taste: Malt and spices. Slightly sour and bitter. Burnt.
  
• Bought: Marks & Spencer, 500 ml, £2.00
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 28/1-2008

* According to Ratebeer this beer is also known as Cropton Yorkshire Moors.

Corsendonk Christmas Ale

First bottle from the batch of 18 beers I bought in Bier Tempel, Bruges. Shared this big bottle with MG.

• Name: Corsendonk Christmas Ale, 8.5%, Belgium
  
• Appearance: Champagne cork & wire. Dark redish brown. Good amount of dark head. Shortlived.
  
• Aroma: Sweet, fruit and berries. Cherry. Liquorice?
  
• Taste: Cherry and some malt. Dark fruits. Sweet. Bittersweet aftertaste.
  
• Bought: Bier Tempel, 750 ml, €5.95
  
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 26/1-2008

Marks & Spencer Buckinghamshire Ale (Vale)

According to Ratebeer this beer is also known as Vale Grumpling Old Ale, so moved there.

Marks & Spencer Norfolk Bitter (Woodforde's)

Late 2007 Marks & Spencer launched a range of four bottle-conditioned beers. I bought three of these from their branch in Canary Wharf, London.

• Name: Marks & Spencer Norfolk Bitter (Woodforde's), 4.5%, England
  
• Appearance: Light brown. Small amount of fizzy, shortlived head. Some sediments.
  
• Aroma: Malt and some fruit and hops.
  
• Taste: Rather bitter, some malt and citric. Bitter, unpleasant aftertaste.
  
• Bought: Marks & Spencer, 500 ml, £2.00
  
• Overall score: 2/6
  
• Info: 22/1-2008

Raising my glass to the late Heath Ledger...

Beer Hunting In Bruges

I was looking forward to check out the beer shops in Bruges, and got a list of shops from Ratebeer, and prepared my 300/500 shopping list.

First up was Bacchus Cornelius in Academiestraat 17, but I was disappointed to discover they were not open:



Next up was The Bottle Shop in Wollestraat 13, where I was met with the same thing:



Uh-oh, are all beer shops going to be closed in January? :-o

Getting slightly nervous, we walked past "2 be" in Wollestraat 53, and they were at least open. The selection was quite good, but it seemed a bit expensive.

In Philipstockstraat 7 I found Bier Tempel, and they have a good selection. The owner was very helpful, and I ended up buying 18 bottles from him.

We also more or less accidentally walked past Bier Paleis in Katelijnestraat 25-27 which is a combined beer shop and souvenir shop. I hadn't planned to buy more beers, but I just had to buy Westvleteren Abt (12) for €6 and Westvleteren Blond for €5 as a gift for someone. Shame they didn't have Westvleteren Extra (8), but I guess I just have to come back for that :-).

Visiting Brouwerij De Halve Maan

While in Bruges, Belgium, we decided to take a tour of the brewery De Halve Maan (The Half Moon), which according to them is the only brewery really inside Bruges' town center.

During winter they have hourly tours between 11am and 3pm, in English, Dutch and French, and they are limited to 50-60 people per tour. They quickly show you the new brewery where they brew today, and then spend the rest of the time showing you the old brewery. Please note that you have to walk up and down some very steep stairs (240 steps in total, allegedly), so this tour might not be for everyone.

The 45 minute tour is €5 per person, and it includes a glass of Brugse Zot at the end, so it is quite good value.

Beautiful Bruges

We have just returned home from a weekend Eurostar-trip to Bruges, Belgium. It is a very pretty town and it is a fantastic place for beer lovers.

In our pretty standard hotel, Hotel de' Medici, I had the following beers:

• Jupiler
• Brugge Tripel
• Kastell Bruin

At different lunch places I had:

• Vieux Temps
• Leffe Brune (on tap)
• Westmalle Dubbel

At the Bierbrasserie Cambrinus their beer-book (!) includes around 400 beers and it is probably the best beer selection I have ever seen. I only had one beer there:

• Westvleteren Abt (12)

I couldn't believe they had this (and the Blond and the Extra) on the menu, and it was only €6.95 per bottle. I just had to have it... This is the third time I drink the 12, and it was unfortunately served too cold and it was probably a bit too young. Still very nice, though!

We also went on a brewery tour of De Halve Maan, which included a free glass of:

• Brugse Zot
  

I am definitely coming back to Bruges - still need a few more beers for my collection! I didn't get around to go to 't Brugs Beertje this time around either. They have around 300 different types of beers and it is supposed to be even nicer than Cambrinus!

Fuller's Jack Frost

Nice winter beer bought at the end of December 2007.

• Name: Fuller's Jack Frost, 4.5%, England
  
• Appearance: Redish brown. OK amount of off-white head, shortlived.
  
• Aroma: Nice dark fruit and berries. Some malt.
  
• Taste: Dark fruit and malt, some berries. Slightly dry and bitter.
  
• Bought: Waitrose, 500 ml, £1.69
  
• Overall score: 4/6
  
• Info: 16/1-2008

Bergenbier

Saw this one in Tesco, and the only reason I bought it was to increase my country-tally to 47.

• Name: Bergenbier, 4.8%, Romania
  
• Appearance: Clear golden, nice amount of white head.
  
• Aroma: Hops and malt. Lemon.
  
• Taste: Standard lager: hops and malt. Dry.
  
• Bought: Tesco, 500 ml, £1.19
  
• Overall score: 2/6
  
• Info: 14/1-2008

Chimay Blue comparison

I tried both "Blue" versions at the same time to see if there was any noticeable difference between them. Unfortunately, the Grande Reserve seemed to have gone slightly off due to having been stored at home for nine months. One difference, though, was that the smaller Bleue seemed to be smoother, and the larger Grande Reserve had more head.


It is quite strong, so you'll definitely feel the effects of over a liter of 9% beer :-).

Erdinger Weissbier Alkoholfrei

Tried this one as part of my "mission" to find a nice low-alcohol beer to enjoy on days when one has to drive.

• Name: Erdinger Weissbier Alkoholfrei, 0.4%, Germany
  
• Appearance: Hazy yellow. Lots and lots of white head. Longlived.
  
• Aroma: Initially vile, then minestrone soup! And some lemon.
  
• Taste: Sweet, some fruit. Little wheat. Watery and boring, but no bad.
  
• Bought: Tesco, 500 ml, £0.95
  
• Overall score: 2/6
  
• Info: 10/1-2008

O'Hanlon's Goodwill Bitter

Christmas beer bought for me by MG in Sainsbury's.

• Name: O'Hanlon's Goodwill Bitter, 5.0%, England
  
• Appearance: Chestnut brown. Small head.
  
• Aroma: Malt and hops. Spices. Cinnamon?
  
• Taste: Quite hoppy, and malt. Sweet, though bitter aftertaste.
  
• Bought: Sainsury's, 500 ml, £?.??
  
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 8/1-2008

Kulmbacher Mönchshof Original Pils

As the previous one, bought by OKO in Germany, and kindly "donated" to me.

• Name: Kulmbacher Mönchshof Original Pils, 4.9%, Germany
  
• Appearance: Nice swing-top bottle. Light golden. Good amount of head.
  
• Aroma: Hops, some lemon. Grains?
  
• Taste: Quite hoppy. Some corn. Acidic, bitter aftertaste.
  
• Bought: Gift, 500 ml, €?.??
  
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 6/1-2008

Baisinger Teufels Bock Hell

Pre-Christmas gift from OKO, bought in Germany when he picked up a vehicle there.

• Name: Baisinger Teufels Bock Hell, 7.0%, Germany
  
• Appearance: Light golden, clear. Nice amount of white head.
  
• Aroma: Hops. Vanilla? Some malt. Citrus fruit.
  
• Taste: Malt and hops. Hint of alcohol. Fresh. Strong aftertaste. Warming.
  
• Bought: Gift, 500 ml, €?.??
  
• Overall score: 3/6
  
• Info: 4/1-2008

Zagorka Special

Not sure what is so "Special" about this one, but I can at least add Bulgaria as my 46th country.

• Name: Zagorka Special, 5.0%, Bulgaria
  
• Appearance: Pale clear golden. Almost no head. More when warmer. Small bubbles.
  
• Aroma: Some malt. Slight honey? Not much.
  
• Taste: Bitterness and some malt. Unpleasant aftertaste.
  
• Bought: Waitrose, 500 ml, £1.49
  
• Overall score: 2/6
  
• Info: 2/1-2008