May 20, 2012
BOW #80 – Mikkeller Not Just Another Wit
As the weather conditions are finally getting warmer in these Nordic parts as well, it’s time to jumpstart the refresher-mode and begin to observe what delights might be most acceptable for the hot summer months. Let’s get that going with that most underrated of brewing nations, Denmark.
courtesy of beer.suregork.com
The Mikkeller brewery is responsible for a whole slew of quality drinkables that will surely fill these pages in the future. To kick off their representation, the not Just Another Wit comes in as a brilliant wheatbeer that covers all the necessary bases of excellence. The unfiltered golden colour is soothing and dazzling at the same time. The smooth texture and soft gulpability give the palate great pleasure. Taste-wise, we’ve got a sweet opening with hints of honey and citrus fruits working together with the malts. The aftertaste lasts for a good while, providing different spices, cloves and maybe just a touch of bitterness as well. At a commendable 7,6% ABV and as far as I’ve found in stores, systematically sold in large 0,75 liter bottles, this devilishly refreshing brew can put you down if you get too many at once. But grab one out of the frost on the hottest days and have a seat in the sunlight – Life will be good. Giving this doozy a midas-touching 92.
Keep on brewin’
May 9, 2012
BOW #77, #78 & #79 – Triple Emperor (Keisari Lager, Dark Lager & Mild Ale)
The Head-2-head combat of the brews of two nations is amusing stuff but amidst the scuffling, I’ve once again noted how brutally I disregard the beers of my homeland on this blog. To rectify that momentarily again and to catch up with our overall weekly pace, here’s a three-way view into the local Keisari (Finnish for “Emperor”) brand.
courtesy of keikyklubi.blogspot.com
As is the case taste-wise with many of the standard American lagers, the most basic supermarket-sold Finnish lagers also have that considerably unpleasant acidic quality in them – a quality that usually reminds you of piss. Luckily, the Nokia brewery (no apparent connection to the cell phone manufacturer, mind you) has given great care to their standard Keisari Lager. There’s an alright infusion of bready malts that doesn’t dazzle you with dynamics but is soft and easy to gulp. Good convenience beer to the core, right down to the 4,5% ABV. I’ll give this one an alright 70.
courtesy of amazdaze.blogspot.com
On top their standard variety, Nokia also produces the Keisari Dark Lager that commendably ups the ante from its lighter counterpart. Alluringly reddish brown beneath the blackness, the brew features a quite surprising punch of sour along with the wash of malts. There’s a touch of the sweetness you would expect but the added sourness makes for a very intriguing combination. At 4,5% ABV, the strength doesn’t bring in anything notable, which is about the only major knock on this one. Down the line, I’d call this an acquired taste but regardless, I’ll give it a promising 78.
courtesy of www.etutoolonurhot.com
Alright, now we have a tricky one. Back in 2009, where these particular notes are from, I had bottles of Nokia’s Keisari Mild and Strong Ale at the local watering hole. Trying to google these brews now, nothing. No adverts, not even any pictures. All you find are numerous bits on the brewery’s current Celebration Ale. The two basic ales may have been a very seasonal product that very discontinued for good because I haven’t seen them since. Not in markets, not in bars.
Hence, for the first time in this blog, there is no picture of the beer linked onto the notes, just the brewery’s logo. Nor is there the detail of the ABV since I was stupid enough not to jot down the percentage back when I had the bottles right in front of me. Forgive me.
But in taste, Nokia’s Keisari Mild Ale was good stuff. The character of the malts was quite soft and there was a hint of fruitiness on the edges that worked very well with the base. Given that they outright admitted that the beer would be “mild”, I won’t make a fuss about wanting a little bit of kick. Also given this label, I’ll make a semi-educated guess that the ABV must’ve been somewhere between a standard 4,6% and 5,5%. All in all I’d recommend it as an appetizer beer, should this doozy reappear on shelves at any time (maybe I should e-mail the brewery though to confirm this discontinuation). Giving it a snazzy 75.
Back on tha track (again…), baby!
Keep on brewin’
May 6, 2012
BOW #75 & #76 – Bernard Cerne & Paulaner Hefe-Weissbier Naturtrüb
The pedagogical mindhumping is honestly on its last legs. Let’s show that sucker how to get a month back on track in a week.
When we left off, a Czech beer had handily defeated a Belgian one in our first comparative entry between offerings from two countries. So with the Czech Republic staying on the table as the reigning winner, let’s see what happens when we slap a German competitor against them.
courtesy of birra.ru
In the Bernard Family Brewery’s Dark Lager we have a surprisingly potent lager that is good with the malts and also a pleasing sting of hops. The assorted sweetness comes in the form of some vanilla and maybe dark fruits too. The aftertaste bursts forth with a second serving of grains and refreshment. The inky darkness compliments this package well. The 5% ABV is alright if nothing special. I’d give this one a solid 82, which includes an automatic plus-point for the old school resealable bottle model.
courtesy of topbeer.se
From Germany on the other hand, we have what many of my friends consider a delicacy, especially for the warm summer months, and I’d say for good reason. the Paulaner Brewery’s unfiltered Hefeweizen is a wheaty delight with lots of dynamics. Beautiful golden colour. Sweets come in the form of soft cloves and a little banana. A lemony touch of citrus and hops kicks it up a notch. The vibe of sun block is upon this brew as well. Even honey in the grains a bit? Could be. The 5,5% ABV is alright an keeps the whole package smooth and easy to gulp. Giving this a very nice 89 and recommending it especially for lounging in the summer heat and starting up a night of brewtality.
Sorry Czechs, yours was a real good beer but this time, the Krauts had the upper hand (on the pint).
Keep on brewin’
April 8, 2012
BOW #73 & #74 – Primátor 16% Exkluziv & Martens Lasso Dark
Rummaging through past entries, it seems that I’ve been pretty consistent in making even the multi-brew entries about the offerings of one certain country. Do correct me if I’m wrong already, but after this one, I will be anyhow. Let’s pull simultaneous examples from two of my go-to sources of excellence, the Czech Republic and Belgium, and quickly compare.
courtesy of beerarchitecture.wordpress.com
Representing the Czechs this time around is the Náchod brewery’s Primátor 16% Exkluziv doublebock (you know, a really strong lager). Before you go on and marvel the 16% lager, it’s not actually in reference to the alcohol volume. Beats me actually what it really is, sorry. The actual ABV of 7,5% is still very potent so points are gained right away. The mix of golden and amber with a slight haze gives this doozy a really nice aesthetic edge while the taste doesn’t shy in comparison. The opening burst of hops is counterpointed with a following flow of malts in the aftertaste. Hints of both bitter and sweet with a lasting impression. Giving this one a commendable 87.
courtesy of www.lasso.fi
For Belgium, we find the Martens brewery offering their Lasso Dark lager which seems to try very hard to produce a roasty punch into a lager. An ambitious choice but quite honestly, that touch remains light as does the quality of this entire brew. The following sweetness is of a prevalent nature but sadly enough, it quickly turns into a kind of syrupy “bleech”ness, if you know what I mean. Too sappy. The watered down aftertaste did not impress either and at 4,5% ABV, even the strength provides no assistance. Giving this a weak 30.
Sorry Belgium, but the Czech Republic takes the cake in this one.
Keep on brewin’
March 24, 2012
BOW #72 – Hornbeer Caribbean Rumstout
Had a talk about the amusing speaking tone of the people of Denmark just a while ago. It got me once again thinking about the underrated status of certain Danish breweries so time is of the essence: bring forth another quality Dane!
courtesy of beer-naise.se
Here’s one of the choice beers that just prior to consumption, had me with their name, had me fully aware that it was going to be interesting if nothing else…and I was still surprised. Most of all just how accurate the name actually was. No, it’s not all about an overwhelming flood of rum but you get the taste of it really clearly. Couple it with a slight caramel opening, coffee here and there, a bitter type of roast and you’ve got a very commendable dynamic going on. Speaking of commendable, the 11% ABV is a formidable opponent as you can feel the voltage very nicely. I’d call Hornbeer’s Caribbean an acquired taste that in more ways than one, too many of these a night and you’re doomed. But in singular helpings, perhaps a double on special occasions, this is definitely recommended if found. Scoring it an encore-worthy 89.
Keep on brewin’
March 15, 2012
BOW #70 & #71 – Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Dubbelzeit! (Märzen und Weizen)
Seems that the front page doesn’t hold a single German brew on display. Ze Krauts would not be too happy about that, so in the zpirit of zolidarity, let’s give them a double dose of brewprops.
courtesy of justbeer.wordpress.com
The Schlenkerla brewery from Bamberg has made itself renowned here in Finland (and I’d guess in many other places) with its rauchbiers (literal German for “smokebeer”) and the Märzen stands as the standard variety most often and widely available in my experience. As you can deduct from the name, the roasted vibes are off the hook with this one. But bear in mind they are not the bready/chocolatey/coffee-laced type, but literally smoky. The first bottle I ever had of this doozy gave me definite vibes of smoked salmon. Delicious, mouth-melting smoked salmon. Better believe it is a good quality.
The murky, dark brown hue of the brew compliments this taste foundation very nicely and the smell, by the gods yes the smoky scent of it all! The aftertaste brings some dynamics as more distinct malts and an accompanying slight caramel sweetness join the fray. But they never overwhelm the lingering smoke. Mmmmm-mmm. At 5,4% ABV, the strength is alright and should give any man in need of a jolt a decent run even after a couple of bottles. I’m seriously high on this one, one of my regulars and as such, deserves a Carreyesque smmmmmmmmmokiiiiin’ 92.
courtesy of keikyklubi.blogspot.com
In addition, the brewery also produces the smokebeer in a Weizen-format so basically yes, it’s the same base just with the characteristics of a wheatbeer thrown in. I have to admit that upon first samples and bottles, I wasn’t too crazy about this one. I felt that the inherent softness and smooth body of the wheat diminished the bite and effect of the smoke just a little bit. However, upon further consumption, one starts to notice the different spices like floral touches of cloves and dashes of citrus fruits of the more bitter variety. Everything remains nicely wrapped up with the malts and smoke so the whole package does retain a definite air of the grain game. At an alright 5,2% ABV, the Weizen-version of this smoked brew is recommendable for those who don’t want as much smoke and…robust character as the Märzen delivers. I would give it an above-solid 84.
Keep on brewin’
And Go Rangers!!!
March 4, 2012
BOW #69 – Murphy’s Irish Stout
We’ve bellowed a real good while about Belgium, the Czech Republic, even England. But what about Ireland?!? Surely they provide more than their legendary whiskeys? And even more than Guinness? They do for sure.
courtesy of nautiskelijat.net
While the products of the Murphy Brewery are by no means underground or hardcore when compared to the globally known brand of Guinness, their standard Irish Stout warrants a feature here. Appropriately black with a very nice creamy and thick texture, it has a certain softness without that much bitterness that could really turn people onto stouts. Very inoffensive, that is. Naturally that can also be a disadvantage as the character isn’t all that dynamic. The malts play into the dry package well and a milky sweetness is the most prevalent aftertaste. The creaminess really is the best selling point this doozy has, though. The weak-for-a-stout ABV of 4% does hinder the overall appeal but I’d still give this representative of the Emerald Isle a standard 70.
Keep on brewin’
February 26, 2012
BOW #68 – Staropramen Dark Lager
Since last week’s entry was such a smooth criminal for my palate, let’s see if the Czech Republic can match that dark goodness again.
courtesy of www.nautiskelijat.net
The Staropramen Praské brewery has a good selection of different beers and the first one of their’s to reach me was their Dark Lager. Quite the smooth achiever that has a nice amount of roast and caramel sweetness to begin with. Darker fruits here and there. The aftertaste is quite diminished, even if the small amounts of hoppy tinkles deserve a mention. The body flows down the gullet in a very pleasing manner which doesn’t provide many thrills of dynamics but sets the table, so to speak. It’s a good “appetizer brew” to lead your way into the more serious stuff. The low 4,4% ABV supports this idea. Not the best and not the worst by far so I’ll give this an alright 70.
Keep on brewin’
February 19, 2012
BOW #67 – Herold Bohemian Black Lager
As promised, time to leap from England onto the mainland for some central brewing goodness. Czech Republic, whaddaya got for us?
courtesy of myotamakea.blogspot.com
Aaahh, splendid I say! The Herold Breznice brewery is a manufacturer worth its salt. Each one of their beers that I’ve had the pleasure of consuming has been good stuff and their Bohemian Black Lager (so basically a Schwartzbier) may be at the top of that heap. While the distinct beer style makes it no surprise, it’s always a joyous feeling when a lager provides such a nice amount of roastiness and hints of coffee (which is also reflected in the deep, dark color). The most surprising side taste seemed to be a touch of grapes while a hoppy character with a hint of nuts also lingers around. The aftertaste is mostly about the aforementioned roast, which is definitely a nice touch. All in all, this doozy is about full-bodied tastiness. At an acceptable 5,2% ABV, Herold’s Bohemian Black is one of the finest lagers I have ever tasted and will do so again for certain. Giving this one a thumb-swinging 89.
Keep on brewin’
February 9, 2012
BOW #64, #65 & #66 – Fuller’s London Porter, Marston’s Pedigree Ale & Tetley’s Extra Cold
Ok, one more nod for the English brewers to be back on schedule with 65 weeks of the brewlog behind us. Starting next week, I promise that some admittedly supreme tastes from Central Europe will be in our crosshairs.
courtesy of 365beers.files.wordpress.com
Third in a row for Fuller’s! Their London Porter is a well-repped one with extremely high scores from brewminaries like Beeradvocate and I can see why. It follows the natural mixture of warming porters, switching from roasted coffee to headier maltiness, its ‘n’ bits of fruits here and there while overall remaining sweet. What I’m missing is a more potent kick from the endgame, meaning that especially the aftertaste has left me somewhat flat upon tasting. Several, several porters have performed much better. I’m beginning to think that I’ve had bum luck with several different beers from the Fuller’s selection in the form of bad bottles or something. In any case, with “just” an ABV of 5,4%, I’ll have to settle with giving it a fair 77…or no, wait. make it a 79 because that is one classy ass label on the bottle. Very smooth, appreciate.
courtesy of theormskirkbaron.com
Alright, some other English manufacturers deserve mentions too. The Marston, Thompson & Evershed brewery’s Pedigree English Pale Ale is quite the soft brew with even a slight hint of mead in the mix. The softness unfortunately seems to seep into the aftertaste in the form of general blandness, that could really use a little spicing. Even a small rise in maltiness would do wonders in my mind. The ABV of 5% is quite standard and doesn’t throw the overall score one way or the other (although naturally we’d enjoy it a bit higher). Giving this one an acceptable 70.
courtesy of liquor-pig.blogspot.com
And finally from Carlsberg-Tetley Brewing (yes, the same company that produces ol’ Carlsberg Lager, probably NOT the best beer in the world), we have the Tetley Extra Cold Bitter. As you may wonder from the picture, this beer is also sold as Tetley’s Smoothflow. Both beers come from the same keg, the Extra Cold just goes through a slight additional cooling in comparison. A lightly meady and blond concoction. The maltiness feels pretty nice for such a seemingly mild beer (despite being a bitter) and there’s a little zing in the aftertaste as well (due to being a bitter). A vibe of definite softness lingers above the proceedings. The weak 3,6% ABV is a drag, but I wouldn’t punish this one too badly as it’s worth an alright 74.
Alright, back on that one-per-each-week track (again…)!
Keep on brewin’
