Beer Goals 2019 - Result

My beer goals for 2019 were as follows (with inline comments):

• Get from 176 to 185 Ratebeer countries   [Goal achieved 2019-03-13]
• Helped as usual by some great trades, reached the goal and ended up on 189 countries. Also climbed from 14th to joint 11th place.
• Get from 7 to 8 Canadian Provinces
• Another fail on this goal...
• Get last England County (Northumberland) again   [Goal achieved 2019-12-23]
• Reached again via an online order, hopefully it lasts this time around!
• Rate a top-50 beer from five of the last 12 styles   [Current status: 9 left]
• Reduce styles I have tried less than 10 beers from 3 to 0
• Reduce styles I have tried less than 15 beers from 14 to 8
• Due to the addition of lots of  new RB styles, these all became impossible and I am now missing a lot of styles again.
• Get from 1237 to 1350 breweries   [Current status: 1349]
• Technically I didn't reach this goal as I am just on 1349. But I tried a new meadery, so I think I basically reached this goal anyway, on the last day of the year. 113 new breweries is less than last year, and I think next year will be even more difficult.
• Get from 431 to 500 Swiss ratings   [Goal achieved 2019-10-11]
• Ended the year on 521 Swiss ratings. 
• Get from 148 to 180 Swiss breweries   [Goal achieved 2019-11-08]
• Ended the year on 184 Swiss breweries, but this is getting harder and harder.

Some other minor country related goals:

• Increase countries with 100+ ratings from 6 to 8   [Goal achieved 2019-12-21]
• Increase countries with 10+ ratings from 29 to 32   [Current status: 31]
• Increase countries with 5+ ratings from 43 to 46   [Current status: 44]
• Increase countries with 2+ ratings from 92 to 96   [Current status: 95]

Same as last year, I only managed one of the four "minor country related goals", but I got pretty close on the other ones.

Lupulus Brune

 New brewery:

• Name: Lupulus Brune, 8.5%, Belgium
• Appearance: Dark brown, clear. Some tan head.
• Aroma: Dark malt, ripe fruits, slight spices.
• Taste: Dark malt, lightly roasted, spices. Some dark fruits in the mix. Slight alcohol.
• Bought: Halle aux Boissons (Matran), 750 ml, CHF 5.90
• Score: 3.3 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 7/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 13/20)
• Info: 31/12-2019, BB: 11/2-2022

BrewDog Mistletoe Mafia

• Name: BrewDog Mistletoe Mafia, 4.5%, Scotland
• Appearance: Dark golden, clear. Small white head.
• Aroma: Medium malt, some fruitiness, light caramel.
• Taste: Medium malt, toffee, some caramel sweetness.
• Bought: Drinks of the World (Bern), 330 ml, CHF ?.??
• Score: 2.9 (Aroma 6/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 6/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 11/20)
• Info: 31/12-2019, BB: 9/5-2020

BrewDog Punk AF

• Name: BrewDog Punk AF, 0.5%, Scotland
• Appearance: Pale yellow golden, slight haze. Small, fizzy off-white head.
• Aroma: Light fruits, some hops, but not great smell.
• Taste: Grains, some light fruits, a bit of hops. Metallic, funky.
• Bought: Coop, 330 ml can, CHF ?.??
• Score: 2.4 (Aroma 5/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 4/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 9/20)
• Info: 30/12-2019, BB: 8/7-2020

Feldschlösschen Bilz Panaché

Unfortunately unratable on Ratebeer:

• Name: Feldschlösschen Bilz Panaché, 0.0%, Switzerland
• Appearance: Light orange golden, clear. Slight fizzy head.
• Aroma: Sweet pale malt, lemonade.
• Taste: Lots of lemonade, very slight beer element.
• Bought: Coop, 330 ml, CHF ?.??
• Score: 2.1 (Aroma 4/10, Appearance 2/5, Taste 4/10, Palate 2/5, Overall 9/20)
• Info: 30/12-2019, BB: 3/10-2020

Brewski Silent Whisper

Skype-rating with Nordcore:

• Name: Brewski Silent Whisper, 10%, Sweden
• Appearance: Very dark brown, near black. Tiny tan head.
• Aroma: Dark malt, lightly roasted, but mostly coconut.
• Taste: Lots of coconut, some dark malt, very lightly roasted. Some dark fruits.
• Bought: qoqa.ch, 330 ml can, CHF 4.58
• Score: 3.7 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 8/10, Palate 4/5, Overall 15/20)
• Info: 29/12-2019, BB: 10/9-2024

Brewski Scarecrow DDH NE IPA

Skype-rating with Nordcore:

• Name: Brewski Scarecrow DDH NE IPA, 7%, Sweden
• Appearance: Very hazy light orange, small white head.
• Aroma: Light fruits, grapefruit. Some hops.
• Taste: Some light fruits, grapefruit, some hops. Juicy.
• Bought: qoqa.ch, 330 ml can, CHF 4.58
• Score: 3.3 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 7/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 13/20)
• Info: 29/12-2019, BB: 24/3-2021

Brewski / Örebro What Does the Fox Say? Kveik IPA

Skype-rating with Nordcore:

• Name: Brewski / Örebro What Does the Fox Say? Kveik IPA, 6.5%, Sweden
• Appearance: Hazy yellow, small white head.
• Aroma: Light fruits, grapefruit. Light hops.
• Taste: Lots of fruits, grapefruit. Good hops. Light bitterness.
• Bought: qoqa.ch, 330 ml can, CHF 4.58
• Score: 3.6 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 8/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 15/20)
• Info: 29/12-2019, BB: 30/3-2021

De Moersleutel Smoke Screen

• Name: De Moersleutel Smoke Screen, 8%, Netherlands
• Appearance: Near-black brown, almost no head.
• Aroma: Dark malt, coffee, roasted. Good smoke.
• Taste: Very dark malt, roasted, good amount of smoke. Slight coffee, bacon.
• Bought: Drinks of the World (Basel), 440 ml can, CHF 6.90
• Score: 4.0 (Aroma 8/10, Appearance 4/5, Taste 8/10, Palate 4/5, Overall 16/20)
• Info: 28/12-2019, BB: 31/1-2023

Northern Monk Eternal Session IPA

• Name: Northern Monk Eternal Session IPA, 4.1%, England
• Appearance: Light orange golden, hazy. Small off-white head.
• Aroma: Nice light fruits, grapefruit, clean hops.
• Taste: Light fruits, grapefruit, good amount of hops, resins.
• Bought: qoqa.ch, 330 ml can, CHF 4.50
• Score: 3.7 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 8/10, Palate 4/5, Overall 15/20)
• Info: 28/12-2019, BB: 18/5-2020

Murailles Bière de Noël

• Name: Murailles Bière de Noël, 7.5%, Switzerland
• Appearance: Dark brown, hint of red. Some light tan head.
• Aroma: Dark malt, caramel sweetness, red fruits.
• Taste: Dark malt, spices, red fruits, caramel sweetness.
• Bought: Coop, 330 ml, CHF 3.95
• Score: 2.9 (Aroma 6/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 6/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 11/20)
• Info: 27/12-2019, BB: 17/1-2021

Ringwood Boondoggle

• Name: Ringwood Boondoggle, 4.2%, England
• Appearance: Dark golden, clear. Small, off-white head.
• Aroma: Light fruits, floral, slight hops.
• Taste: Light fruits, floral, honey. Pale malt. Nice.
• Bought: Gift from wife - thanks!, 500 ml, CHF 5.90
• Score: 3.2 (Aroma 6/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 7/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 13/20)
• Info: 27/12-2019, BB: 30/9-2020

Pühaste Tumeaine

• Name: Pühaste Tumeaine, 11%, Estonia 
• Appearance: Very dark brown, near black. Almost no head.
• Aroma: Dark malt, dark fruits, prunes. 
• Taste: Dark malt, very lightly roasted. Dark fruits, ripe fruits. Burnt caramel. Warming.
• Bought: Drinks of the World (Bern), 330 ml, CHF ?.??
• Score: 4.0 (Aroma 8/10, Appearance 4/5, Taste 8/10, Palate 4/5, Overall 16/20)
• Info: 26/12-2019, BB: 19/8-2021

Dr. Brauwolf Sour IPA

IPA - Sour / Wild #8:

• Name: Dr. Brauwolf Sour IPA, 5.8%, Switzerland 
• Appearance: Light orange, slight haze. Lots of head, probably a bit too much.
• Aroma: Lemon, sourness, barn.
• Taste: Lemon, slight sourness and tartness. Slight hops. Malt end.
• Bought: Drinks of the World (Basel), 330 ml can, CHF 7.40
• Score: 3.0 (Aroma 6/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 6/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 12/20)
• Info: 26/12-2019, BB: ??/??-2020

Thornbridge Lucaria - Christmas Pudding

Porter - Flavored #13:

• Name: Thornbridge Lucaria - Christmas Pudding, 4.5%, England
• Appearance: Very dark brown, some light tan head.
• Aroma: Dark malt, roasted. Some chocolates and fruits.
• Taste: Dark malt, roasted, dark fruits, slight cake.
• Bought: Drinks of the World (Bern), 330 ml, CHF 4.50
• Score: 3.1 (Aroma 6/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 7/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 12/20)
• Info: 26/12-2019, BB: 1/10-2020

Lindisfarne Dark Mead

New brewery (meadery):

• Name: Lindisfarne Dark Mead, 14.5%, England 
• Appearance: Dark brown, clear. No head.
• Aroma: Dark, ripe fruits, honey, brown sugar.
• Taste: Sweet fruits, prunes, brown sugar, honey. Very nice sipper.
• Bought: Northumbrian Gifts, 350 ml, £8.40
• Score: 3.6 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 8/10, Palate 4/5, Overall 14/20)
• Info: 25/12-2019, BB: ??/??-????

Struise Aestatis

Saison / Farmhouse - Dark #3:

• Name: Struise Aestatis, 11%, Belgium
• Appearance: 2015 vintage. Medium brown, some haze. Lots of foamy head.
• Aroma: Dark malt, slight barn, earthiness. Some ripe, sweet fruits.
• Taste: Dark malt, earthiness, hint of sourness. Ripe fruits. Some alcohol, vinous.
• Bought: Drinks of the World (Bern), 330 ml, CHF 5.60
• Score: 3.7 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 8/10, Palate 4/5, Overall 15/20)
• Info: 25/12-2019, BB: 21/6-2020

Wild Beer Sleeping Lemons

Flavored Gose #7:

• Name: Wild Beer Sleeping Lemons, 3.6%, England
• Appearance: Very pale yellow, slight haze. Small, fizzy head.
• Aroma: Lemons, slight sourness.
• Taste: Lots of lemons, tartness. Dry end. Not much else.
• Bought: Drinks of the World (Basel), 330 ml, CHF 5.10
• Score: 2.9 (Aroma 6/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 6/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 11/20)
• Info: 25/12-2019, BB: 2/5-2020

La Nébuleuse Asgard

Eisbock #12:

• Name: La Nébuleuse Asgard, 10.0%, Switzerland
• Appearance: Dark orange brown, clear. Tiny off-white head.
• Aroma: Ripe fruits, prunes, some pale malt.
• Taste: Dark, ripe fruits, caramel sweetness. Warming. Nice!
• Bought: Coop, 330 ml, CHF 3.50
• Score: 3.7 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 8/10, Palate 4/5, Overall 15/20)
• Info: 24/12-2019, BB: 30/11-2021

Blackwell Apollo Wild IPA

IPA - Sour / Wild #7:

• Name: Blackwell Apollo Wild IPA, 6.3%, Switzerland
• Appearance: Light orange golden, hazy eventually. Some off-white head.
• Aroma: Farm, light fruits. Citrus.
• Taste: Sour, barn, light fruits, citrus. Lingering light sourness.
• Bought: Drinks of the World (Basel), 330 ml, CHF 5.90
• Score: 3.2 (Aroma 6/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 7/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 13/20)
• Info: 24/12-2019, BB: 21/2-2020

Kitchen Brew Ten Barrel Edition - California Common

California Common / Steam Beer #14:

• Name: Kitchen Brew Ten Barrel Edition - California Common, 5.5%, Switzerland
• Appearance: Burnt orange, clear. Small off-white head.
• Aroma: Pale malt, light farm and grass. Some hops.
• Taste: Pale malt, slight caramel, some hops. Slight bitterness. Some grass.
• Bought: Drinks of the World (Basel), 330 ml, CHF 4.80
• Score: 3.4 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 7/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 14/20)
• Info: 24/12-2019, BB: 30/11-2019

Allendale Christmas Ale

Final English county (again), Northumberland (46/46):

• Name: Allendale Christmas Ale, 5%, England
• Appearance: Dark brown, clear. Some light tan head.
• Aroma: Dark malt, roasted, some plum.
• Taste: Dark malt, lightly roasted, some spices, dry.
• Bought: Northumbrian Gifts, 500 ml, £2.75
• Score: 3.6 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 8/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 15/20)
• Info: 23/12-2019, BB: 31/10-2020

Schuum Citra IPA

• Name: Schuum Citra IPA, 5.3%, Switzerland
• Appearance: Dark orange golden, hazy. Good amount of foamy off-white head.
• Aroma: Light fruits, citrus, nice hops. Pine.
• Taste: Light fruits, citrus. Nice amount of hops, pine. Light bitter aftertaste.
• Bought: Drinks of the World (Bern), 330 ml, CHF 6.90
• Score: 3.4 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 7/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 14/20)
• Info: 23/12-2019, BB: 24/3-2020

Chérie Bière Blanche à la Framboise

New brewery:

• Name: Chérie Bière Blanche à la Framboise, 3.5%, Belgium
• Appearance: Hazy red, good amount of fizzy pink head.
• Aroma: Lots of raspberries, slight wheat, sweetness.
• Taste: Huge amount of raspberries, slight wheat, sugar syrup.
• Bought: Halle aux Boissons (Matran), 330 ml, CHF 2.90
• Score: 2.9 (Aroma 6/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 6/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 11/20)
• Info: 23/12-2019, BB: 17/5-2021

Riegele BierManufaktur IPA Liberis 2+3

• Name: Riegele BierManufaktur IPA Liberis 2+3, 0.4%, Germany
• Appearance: Light yellow golden, slight haze. Good amount of fizzy head.
• Aroma: Light fruits, exotic fruits, light hops.
• Taste: Light fruits, ananas, light malt. Some hops. Not much bitterness, though.
• Bought: Loeb (Bern), 330 ml, CHF ?.??
• Score: 3.2 (Aroma 6/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 7/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 13/20)
• Info: 22/12-2019, BB: ??/??-????

Erusbacher Bräu Callista

• Name: Erusbacher Bräu Callista, 4.4%, Switzerland
• Appearance: Light golden, huge amount of white head.
• Aroma: Light fruits/hops/malt.
• Taste: Light fruits/hops/malt. Forgettable.
• Bought: Courtesy of neighbour - thanks!, 330 ml
• Score: 2.6 (Aroma 5/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 5/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 10/20)
• Info: 22/12-2019, BB: 10/3-2020

Emelisse Barley Wine

Netherlands #100:

• Name: Emelisse Barley Wine, 12.0%, Netherlands
• Appearance: Dark brown, clear. Small, tan head.
• Aroma: Ripe fruits, caramel sweetness, slight alcohol.
• Taste: Dark fruits, ripe fruits. Caramel sweetness, warming.
• Bought: Drinks of the World (Basel), 330 ml, CHF 5.70
• Score: 3.9 (Aroma 8/10, Appearance 4/5, Taste 8/10, Palate 4/5, Overall 15/20)
• Info: 21/12-2019, BB: 10/8-2022

Unser Bier Kirsi Gose

Gose - Flavored #6:

• Name: Unser Bier Kirsi Gose, 4.3%, Switzerland
• Appearance: Dark red, clear. Some fizzy pink head.
• Aroma: Red fruits, cherries. Some pale malt. Slight butterscotch.
• Taste: Sour cherries, red fruits, light malt and earthiness.
• Bought: Drinks of the World (Basel), 330 ml, CHF 4.00
• Score: 3.1 (Aroma 6/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 6/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 13/20)
• Info: 21/12-2019, BB: 6/2-2020

Emelisse White Label Russian Imperial Stout Red Wine Blend BA

• Name: Emelisse White Label Russian Imperial Stout Red Wine Blend BA, 9.0%, Netherlands
• Appearance: Very dark brown, near black. Nice, dark tan head.
• Aroma: Dark malt, roasted, some barrel.
• Taste: Roasted, dark malt, heavy barrel. Burnt aftertaste.
• Bought: Drinks of the World (Bern), 330 ml, CHF 7.70
• Score: 3.6 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 8/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 15/20)
• Info: 20/12-2019, BB: 12/10-2020

Broyarde Hermaphrodite

New CH brewery:

• Name: Broyarde Hermaphrodite, 6%, Switzerland
• Appearance: Light orange, slight haze. Small, fizzy off-white head.
• Aroma: Light malt, earthy, ripe fruit. Slight ginger.
• Taste: Light hops and malt, some fruit. A bit of ginger, but could have been more.
• Bought: Brewery, 330 ml, CHF 4.17
• Score: 3.2 (Aroma 6/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 7/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 13/20)
• Info: 20/12-2019, BB: 22/11-2020

Maryensztadt Sourtime Agrest

Sour / Wild Beer - Flavored #6:

• Name: Maryensztadt Sourtime Agrest, 3.5%, Poland
• Appearance: Light golden, clear at first, very hazy later. Some fizzy, white head.
• Aroma: Light, sour fruits, lemon. Sour and tart.
• Taste: Light, tart fruits, lemon, quite sour. Not to my taste.
• Bought: qoqa.ch, 500 ml, CHF 6.43
• Score: 2.6 (Aroma 5/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 5/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 10/20)
• Info: 18/12-2019, BB: 30/4-2020

Bîrtel Wit Ale

New CH brewery:

• Name: Bîrtel Wit Ale, 4.6%, Switzerland 
• Appearance: Orange golden, very hazy. Nice amount of white head.
• Aroma: Light fruits, wheat, slight yeast and spices.
• Taste: Good fruits, some wheat. Light spices.
• Bought: Drinks of the World (Basel), 330 ml, CHF 4.80
• Score: 3.3 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 7/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 13/20)
• Info: 18/12-2019, BB: 29/2-2020

Emelisse White Label Dark Ale Tres Hombres Rum BA

American Strong Ale #7:

• Name: Emelisse White Label Dark Ale Tres Hombres Rum BA, 8.0%, Netherlands
• Appearance: Very dark brown, seems clear. Tiny tan head.
• Aroma: Dark malt, dark ripe fruits, barrel.
• Taste: Dark malt, barrel, rum, some ripe dark fruits. Warning. Nice.
• Bought: Drinks of the World (Basel), 330 ml, CHF 0.00
• Score: 3.8 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 4/5, Taste 8/10, Palate 4/5, Overall 16/20)
• Info: 14/12-2019, BB: 26/1-2021

Boréale IPA

New brewery, IPA #150:

• Name: Boréale IPA, 6.2%, Canada
• Appearance: Orange dark golden, slight haze. Small, off-white head.
• Aroma: Pale malt, some ripe fruits.
• Taste: Medium malt, slight hops. Some ripe fruits. Not great.
• Bought: Fribourg Center mini Christmas market, 341 ml, CHF 4.00
• Score: 3.3 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 7/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 13/20)
• Info: 14/12-2019, BB: 14/1-2020

't IJ IPA

• Name: 't IJ IPA, 6.5%, Netherlands
• Appearance: Dark orange golden, clear. Tiny, off-white head.
• Aroma: Good fruits, pale malt. Sweet apples.
• Taste: Good amount of hops, medium fruits. Pale malt, toffee. Not great.
• Bought: Drinks of the World (Bern), 330 ml, CHF 4.50
• Score: 3.1 (Aroma 6/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 6/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 13/20)
• Info: 13/12-2019, BB: 31/3-2020

Northern Monk Faith

New brewery:

• Name: Northern Monk Faith, 5.1%, England 
• Appearance: Light orange, very hazy. Nice amount of white head.
• Aroma: Nice light fruits, grapefruit. Good hops, resins.
• Taste: Good fruits, grapefruit. Light hops. Resins. Smooth. Very well balanced.
• Bought: qoqa.ch, 440 ml can, CHF 4.50
• Score: 3.7 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 8/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 16/20)
• Info: 13/12-2019, BB: 25/4-2020

Mad Scientist Frooth Hoperator

IPA - Flavored #10:

• Name: Mad Scientist Frooth Hoperator, 6%, Hungary
• Appearance: Very pale golden, quite hazy. Small, off-white head.
• Aroma: Light fruits, tartness. Not much hops.
• Taste: Light fruits, slight tartness. Not much hops, borderline watery.
• Bought: Drinks of the World (Bern), 330 ml, CHF 6.90
• Score: 3.0 (Aroma 6/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 6/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 12/20)
• Info: 11/12-2019, BB: 4/6-2020

Kees Pale Ale Citra

• Name: Kees Pale Ale Citra, 4.6%, Netherlands 
• Appearance: Yellow golden, slight haze. Big, white head.
• Aroma: Good amount of hops, citrus fruits.
• Taste: Good hops, citrus fruits. Nice, lasting bitterness.
• Bought: Drinks of the World (Basel), 330 ml can, CHF 5.00
• Score: 3.6 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 8/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 15/20)
• Info: 7/12-2019, BB: 29/2-2020

Lola Bier Alkoholfreies I.P.A.

New CH brewery:

• Name: Lola Bier Alkoholfreies I.P.A., 0.0%, Switzerland 
• Appearance: Golden light brown, slight haze. Small, off-white head.
• Aroma: Pale malts, light hops, slight bread.
• Taste: Medium malt, clear hops, slightly toasted. A bit thin, but decent NA.
• Bought: Loeb (Bern), 330 ml, CHF ?.??
• Score: 3.2 (Aroma 6/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 7/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 13/20)
• Info: 7/12-2019, BB: 9/9-2021

Emelisse Espresso Stout

• Name: Emelisse Espresso Stout, 9.5%, Netherlands
• Appearance: Very dark brown, near black. Small, light tan head.
• Aroma: Dark malt, roasted, good amount of coffee.
• Taste: Very dark malt, coffee. Burnt bitterness. Some dark fruits.
• Bought: Drinks of the World (Basel), 330 ml, CHF 5.20
• Score: 3.6 (Aroma 7/10, Appearance 3/5, Taste 8/10, Palate 3/5, Overall 15/20)
• Info: 1/12-2019, BB: 28/2-2022