Saturday 24 February 2018

Põhjala Must Kuld

  • Name: Põhjala Must Kuld, 7.8%, Estonia
  • Appearance: Very dark brown, near black. Some dark tan head.
  • Aroma: Dark malt, slight coffee, roasted. Some dark fruit.
  • Taste: Dark malt, roasted, sweetness, coffee. Very nice.
  • Bought: Foodist.ch, 330 ml, CHF 4.95
  • Score: 3.9 (Aroma 8/10, Appearance 4/5, Taste 8/10, Palate 4/5, Overall 15/20)
  • Info: 24/2-2018, BB: 11/2-2019

Tschlin Biosfera Weizen

  • Name: Tschlin Biosfera Weizen, 5.4%, Switzerland
  • Appearance: Pale yellow golden, slight haze. More orange later. Big, creamy off-white head.
  • Aroma: Wheat, light fruits, slight metal and yeast.
  • Taste: Wheat, slight banana, yeast, light fruits.
  • Bought: Coop Beer Advent Calendar, 330 ml, CHF 1.04
  • Score: 3.2 (Aroma 6/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 7/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 13/20)
  • Info: 24/2-2018, BB: 5/4-2018

Friday 23 February 2018

Drei Tannen Dampfross Stout

New CH brewery:
  • Name: Drei Tannen Dampfross Stout, 4.5%, Switzerland
  • Appearance: Dark brown, clear. Lots of tan head.
  • Aroma: Dark malt, roasted, slightly burnt. Slight smoke.
  • Taste: Roasted, dark malt, slight metal. Dry bitterness.
  • Bought: Wittich, 330 ml, CHF 3.80
  • Score: 3.3 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 7/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 13/20)
  • Info: 23/2-2018, BB: 6/4-2018

Beerbliotek Hip Hops India Pale Ale

  • Name: Beerbliotek Hip Hops India Pale Ale, 6.0%, Sweden
  • Appearance: Orange golden, hazy. Good amount of off-white head.
  • Aroma: Light fruits, grapefruit. Nice hops.
  • Taste: Clean hops, resins, light fruits. Nice bitterness.
  • Bought: qoqa.ch, 330 ml can, CHF 4.42
  • Score: 3.7 (Aroma 8/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 8/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 15/20)
  • Info: 23/2-2018, BB: 1/6-2018

Thursday 22 February 2018

Hairoun

Ratebeer country #170:
  • Name: Hairoun, 4.8%, St Vincent & The Grenadines
  • Appearance: Yellow golden, hazy. Sediments in bottle. Basically no head.
  • Aroma: Overripe fruits, some sort of juice.
  • Taste: Fruits, sweet, watery. Travelled far, though.
  • Bought: Trade with jtclockwork - thanks!, 100 ml sample
  • Score: 1.7 (Aroma 3/10, Appearance 2/5, Taste 3/10, Palate 2/5, Overall 7/20)
  • Info: 22/2-2018

Ishii Minagof Pale Ale

Ratebeer country #169:
  • Name: Ishii Minagof Pale Ale, 4.3%, Guam
  • Appearance: Golden orange, slight haze. Some sediments. Small, off-white head.
  • Aroma: Good fruits, some hops.
  • Taste: Lots of fruits, slight hops and bread. Slight sweetness. Not bad.
  • Bought: Trade with jtclockwork - thanks!, 100 ml sample
  • Score: 3.1 (Aroma 6/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 6/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 13/20)
  • Info: 22/2-2018

Maluti Premium Lager

Ratebeer country #168:
  • Name: Maluti Premium Lager, 4.8%, Lesotho
  • Appearance: Pale yellow golden, nice amount of white head.
  • Aroma: Grains, light fruits, cheap light malt?
  • Taste: More grains, light fruits, some malt traces. Not bad under the circumstances.
  • Bought: Trade with jtclockwork - thanks!, 50 ml sample
  • Score: 2.4 (Aroma 5/10, Appearance 2/5, Taste 5/10, Palate 2/5, Overall 10/20)
  • Info: 22/2-2018

Saturday 17 February 2018

Fuller's Vintage Ale 2015

Virtual/Skype tasting with Nordcore!
  • Name: Fuller's Vintage Ale 2015, 8.5%, England
  • Appearance: Bottle 046123. Dark amber brown, clear. Good amount of creamy, light tan head.
  • Aroma: Dark ripe fruits, medium malt, caramel sweetness.
  • Taste: Dark fruits, malt, slightly roasted. Caramel sweetness.
  • Bought: Drinks of the World (Bern), 500 ml, CHF 10.50
  • Score: 3.8 (Aroma 8/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 8/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 16/20)
  • Info: 17/2-2018, BB: 31/12-2025

Lervig Lucky Jack Extra Hard

Virtual/Skype tasting with Nordcore!
  • Name: Lervig Lucky Jack Extra Hard, 6%, Norway
  • Appearance: Hazy orange golden. Good amount of white head.
  • Aroma: Light fruits, tropical fruits. Good hops.
  • Taste: Hops, some light fruits, grapefruit. Lingering bitterness. Smooth.
  • Bought: qoqa.ch, 330 ml can, CHF 3.67
  • Score: 3.6 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 8/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 15/20)
  • Info: 17/2-2018, BB: 28/7-2018

Lervig Orange Velvet

Virtual/Skype tasting with Nordcore!
  • Name: Lervig Orange Velvet, 5.5%, Norway
  • Appearance: Hazy pale yellow, nice amount of white head.
  • Aroma: Light fruits, orange blossom.
  • Taste: Smooth hops, slight fruits. Orange, I guess. Low bitterness
  • Bought: qoqa.ch, 330 ml can, CHF 3.67
  • Score: 3.4 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 7/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 14/20)
  • Info: 17/2-2018, BB: 5/5-2018

Friday 16 February 2018

Riegele BierManufaktur Augustus 8

Weizenbock #11:
  • Name: Riegele BierManufaktur Augustus 8, 8.0%, Germany
  • Appearance: Dark orange, hazy. Slight off-white head.
  • Aroma: Strong banana and spices. Some sweetness.
  • Taste: More banana, ripe fruits, spices. Sweetness. Enjoyable.
  • Bought: Foodist.ch, 330 ml, CHF 3.30
  • Score: 3.8 (Aroma 8/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 8/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 16/20)
  • Info: 16/2-2018, BB: 13/10-2018

Öufi Chlausenbier

Spice/Herb/Vegetable #50:
  • Name: Öufi Chlausenbier, 4.9%, Switzerland
  • Appearance: Orange dark golden, clear. Quite big off-white head.
  • Aroma: Light malt, herbs, some spices.
  • Taste: Herbs, vegetables, light maltiness. Odd one.
  • Bought: Coop Beer Advent Calendar, 330 ml, CHF 1.04
  • Score: 2.7 (Aroma 6/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 5/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 10/20)
  • Info: 16/2-2018, BB: 1/4-2018

Saturday 10 February 2018

Omnipollo Selassie

  • Name: Omnipollo Selassie, 11%, Sweden
  • Appearance: Very dark brown, near black. Good amount of dark tan head.
  • Aroma: Dark malt, strong vanilla, coffee, roasted.
  • Taste: Very dark malt, coffee, quite strong vanilla, well roasted, burnt. Burnt bitterness. Very enjoyable.
  • Bought: Craft Gallery (Bern), 330 ml, CHF 9.90
  • Score: 4.2 (Aroma 8/10, Appearance 4/5, Taste 9/10, Palate 4/5, Overall 17/20)
  • Info: 10/2-2018, BB: 31/1-2022

Mashsee Beverly Pils

India Style Lager #13, new brewery:
  • Name: Mashsee Beverly Pils, 4.7%, Germany
  • Appearance: Pale golden, clear. Big, creamy white head.
  • Aroma: Hops, metal, resins, light fruits.
  • Taste: Hops, slight citrus. Dry and bitter. Lingering bitterness.
  • Bought: Foodist.ch, 330 ml, CHF 3.95
  • Score: 3.4 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 7/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 14/20)
  • Info: 10/2-2018, BB: 27/3-2018

Friday 9 February 2018

Thomas Hardy's Ale (2016)

New brewery:
  • Name: Thomas Hardy's Ale (2016), 11.7%, Italy(!)
  • Appearance: 2016 vintage, bottle 02788. Orange brown, quite clear. Not much head to speak of.
  • Aroma: Dark fruits, prunes, some malt and sweetness.
  • Taste: Lots of dark fruit, caramel sweetness, slight alcohol. Warming. Very nice.
  • Bought: Bier Arena Murten, 330 ml, CHF 9.90
  • Score: 4.1 (Aroma 8/10, Appearance 4/5, Taste 8/10, Palate 4/5, Overall 17/20)
  • Info: 9/2-2018, BB: 15/11-2026
Rate of the 2019 version:
  • Name: Thomas Hardy's Ale (2019), 12.8%, Italy
  • Appearance: 2019 vintage, bottle 2942. Medium to dark brown, slight haze. Ok light tan head.
  • Aroma: Dark fruits, prunes, caramel, toasted malt.
  • Taste: Dark fruit, prunes, medium malt, caramel sweetness. Lingering fruitiness.
  • Bought: amstein.ch, 330 ml, CHF 7.32
  • Score: 4.0 (Aroma 8/10, Appearance 4/5, Taste 8/10, Palate 4/5, Overall 16/20)
  • Info: 25/12-2020, BB: 13/2-2029

Häffner Bräu Hopfenstopfer Comet IPA

New brewery:
  • Name: Häffner Bräu Hopfenstopfer Comet IPA, 6.8%, Germany
  • Appearance: Orange golden, hazy. Good amount of creamy off-white head. Good lacing.
  • Aroma: Hops, resins, light fruits. Tropical fruits.
  • Taste: Good amount of hops, light fruits. Lasting bitterness. Lacking a bit of balance, though.
  • Bought: Wittich, 330 ml, CHF 2.30
  • Score: 3.3 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 7/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 13/20)
  • Info: 9/2-2018, BB: 7/3-2018

Saturday 3 February 2018

ANNWN Telda Él / Dernière Etoile

  • Name: ANNWN Telda Él / Dernière Etoile, 7.5%, Switzerland
  • Appearance: Dark brown, clear. Huge, creamy tan head.
  • Aroma: Malt, roasted. Brown sugar.
  • Taste: Roasted, dark malt, slight yeast. Dark fruit, prunes. Some sweetness.
  • Bought: La Petite Brasserie (Fribourg), 330 ml, CHF 4.00
  • Score: 3.7 (Aroma 8/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 8/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 15/20)
  • Info: 3/2-2018, BB: 30/11-2017

Põhjala Virmalised

  • Name: Põhjala Virmalised, 6.5%, Estonia
  • Appearance: Golden orange, hint of haze. Big amount of creamy, white head, long lasting.
  • Aroma: Grapefruit, light fruits. Clean hops.
  • Taste: Light fruits, nice smooth bitterness. Resins. Very good balance.
  • Bought: Foodist.ch, 330 ml, CHF 4.95
  • Score: 3.8 (Aroma 8/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 8/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 16/20)
  • Info: 3/2-2018, BB: 22/2-2018

Friday 2 February 2018

Taako Pihtla Õlu

Sahti/Gotlandsdricke/Koduõlu #7, new brewery:
  • Name: Taako Pihtla Õlu, 7.6%, Estonia
  • Appearance: Pale yellow, very hazy. Slight white head.
  • Aroma: Fruits, slight yeast, juniper, berries.
  • Taste: Light fruits, juniper, berries, moss. Bananas? Interesting and enjoyable.
  • Bought: Trade with Mart - thanks!, 1000 ml PET bottle
  • Score: 3.4 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 7/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 14/20)
  • Info: 2/2-2018, BB: ??/??-????

Bura Brew Tornado IPA - Istrian Pale Ale

New brewery:
  • Name: Bura Brew Tornado IPA - Istrian Pale Ale, 6.2%, Croatia
  • Appearance: Dark orange, clear. Huge amount of creamy off-white, cappuccino like head.
  • Aroma: Light fruits, good hops. Tropical fruits.
  • Taste: Citrus, hops, resins, nice lingering bitterness.
  • Bought: Wittich, 330 ml, CHF 4.00
  • Score: 3.1 (Aroma 6/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 6/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 13/20)
  • Info: 2/2-2018, BB: 1/2-2018

Thursday 1 February 2018

Boundary American Pale Ale

Northern Ireland #4:
  • Name: Boundary American Pale Ale, 3.5%, Northern Ireland
  • Appearance: Dark golden, clear. Huge amount of creamy off-white head.
  • Aroma: Good amount of fruits. Slight malt and floral hops.
  • Taste: Light bitterness, fruits, some light malts. Nice, smooth aftertaste. Bread. Pretty decent for the ABV.
  • Bought: qoqa.ch, 330 ml, CHF 4.42
  • Score: 3.4 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 7/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 14/20)
  • Info: 1/2-2018, BB: 18/8-2018

Oud Beersel Oude Faro

Lambic Style - Faro #5:
  • Name: Oud Beersel Oude Faro, 6%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Quite dark brown, pretty clear. Slight off-white head.
  • Aroma: Sour, wet wood, tart fruits.
  • Taste: Quite sour, acidic, some tart fruits. Basement. I prefer a Faro to be sweeter than this.
  • Bought: Trade with Mart - thanks!, 500 ml crowler
  • Score: 2.6 (Aroma 5/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 5/10, Palate 2/5, Overall 11/20)
  • Info: 1/2-2018

Cantillon Oude Lambik

Lambic Style - Unblended #7:
  • Name: Cantillon Oude Lambik, 5%, Belgium
  • Appearance: Orange with dark golden hue, slight haze. Not much head.
  • Aroma: Tart and sour fruits. Apples? 19th century wooden house that should, maybe, be demolished to build apartments instead.
  • Taste: More tart and sour fruits, slight wood. Ok, I guess.
  • Bought: Trade with Mart - thanks!, 500 ml crowler
  • Score: 2.6 (Aroma 5/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 5/10, Palate 2/5, Overall 11/20)
  • Info: 1/2-2018