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Post by gd on Dec 8, 2006 9:41:44 GMT
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Post by Benj52 on Dec 8, 2006 10:23:39 GMT
Since I joined it gd, my favourite topic! That Kwak is not considered in the top rank of BBs by most observers, not bad, but more notable for it's silly presentation system. This is allegedly an echo of serving customers on horseback but in fact its another crap marketing gimmick to differentiate it from its competitors. As are most of the BB glasses - designed to sit on shelves behind the bar to push out the competitors. FYI - Hoegaarden is now brewed in St Petersburg, Russia. This is now a shockingly poor imitation of the original version of 1969. Stella Artois was first brewed in 1928 (not the alleged dates on the tin) and was a Xmas beer (hence the name Stella = Star). The company is now owned by Brazilians and may be merging with our old buddies AB, maker of Budweiser. So-called Lagers like Stella are the most popular beers drunk in Belgium today. Hardly known before WWII there, they became established during the German occupation and have never looked back. There were something like 8,000 breweries in Belgium 100 years ago. Not so many now. I went to the Pig's Ear Beer Festival last night where I had many lovely Belgian, Dutch and German beers. Sigh. Richie if you ever want to try something along the same lines as a Chimay Blue but really good, let me know and we could share one together. The Rochefort range (6, 8 & 10) are an obvious place to start. Much harder to get though, in London - try the Lowlander in Drury Lane. Rosko those Unibroue beers are nice, first tried them in Belgium, in fact. Good imitations. Cheers!
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Post by gd on Dec 8, 2006 10:40:54 GMT
Hoegaarden is now brewed in St Petersburg, Russia. This is now a shockingly poor imitation of the original version of 1969. What the ****!!! This comes as a massive surprise to me... I think I'll just stick to the good old Korenwolf (if summer decides to grace the Netherlands with its presence next year)
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Post by Benj52 on Dec 8, 2006 11:08:43 GMT
Yes, keep your eyes open GD! Korenwolf is nice, isn't it?
Beers I tried last night:
1. Keesman Bock on draught (all the following were in bottle) - so pale! Lovely and smooth and v enjoyable
2. Schenkerla Rauch Urbock - v similar to the standard Marzen but slightly more body
3. Witnica Porter - bottle - nice but not particularly complex
4. Sint Pieters Taras Boulba - not so sure about this one, hoppy and well constructed but suited for summer evening rather than a miserable cold night
5. Caracole Nostradamus - yummy as ever
6. Klein Duimpje Zeeven Mijis Laarzen - a standard Dutch blond ale, a bit unmemorable
7. Glazen Toren Ondinneke Tripel - billed as a homage to Westmalle Triple and very nice it was too in a 750ml bottle beautifully wrapped
8. Kerkomse Tripel- again in the big bottle and used as a comparison. Softer and more rounded than the previous
9. Grain D'Orge 3 Schteng Drielandenbier - a strange one this, didn't really enjoy it but not quite sure why (hey, maybe I was v pissed by now!)
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Post by admin on Dec 8, 2006 11:36:35 GMT
What are good lagers to try other than the usual Stella/Red Stripe/Grolsch/XXXX/Budshiter?
Around the 5 to 6% abv mark?
Respect
Gordy
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Post by rosko on Dec 8, 2006 11:39:52 GMT
Never tried the Kwak, but had heard of it, and have made sounds like that whilst drinking.
Hoegaarden brewed in St. Petersburg? Nothing surprises anymore. If you're ever in Canada and crave a Hoegaarden, try a "Blance de Chambly", the Unibroue version.
Rochefort 8 was available briefly here and I was a bit disappointed. Mind you, the bottles I bought may have been exhausted after their long journey to Toronto. Just about the best Belgian I've had was the Westmalle tripel. The dubbel was good, but the tripel blew me away.
One of my pet peeves (but ultimately, a minor annoyance in my life) is the fact that we in Ontario are at the mercy of bureaucrats at the "Liquour Control Board" as to our choices. The official taster at that institution seems to have a thing for East European Lagers and a bias against Belgian brews and American micro brewers. There's also the "political correctness" quotient.
This story is true: The Liquour Control Board decided not to re-order the fine Belgian ale "Delerium Tremens" because of complaints from a group that treats hard core alcoholics. They said that it was inappropriate and made fun of the recovering alcoholics. There were even reports of the bottles on the store shelves being pulled.
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Post by rosko on Dec 8, 2006 11:41:06 GMT
What are good lagers to try other than the usual Stella/Red Stripe/Grolsch/XXXX/Budshiter? Around the 5 to 6% abv mark? Respect Gordy Pilsener Urquell and Staropramen are nice Czech lagers.
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Post by Benj52 on Dec 8, 2006 13:07:31 GMT
Lager isn't a real beer style as such. Lager just means to store in German so it means the beer was (or maybe is) stored or matured before serving. Hence in Germany a Lagerbier may not be the golden fizzy 5% we expect now, it could be dark and/or flat and/or higher or lower in alcohol.
I call this the International Lager style, almost invariably dull, flavourless pap. Made without any care and under the supervision of accountants who are always looking to make it cheaper. So far removed from 'real beer' as to be a different drink altogether.
What most people mean by lager is the Pilsener style, as brewed first in Pilzen, Czech Republic in 1843. Hence Pilsener Urquell which means Original Pilsener. Not sure about that one anymore, now owned by South African Breweries. Since they got rid of the oak fermenters things ain't the same.
Gordon, try any Czech lager - those mentioned plus Budvar are a good bet. German lagers tend to be better, you may see Bitburger around which is not too bad. Have a look at the labels, lots of info there.
You will never really see the best examples though, outside of a beer fest, but you could also try the supermarket own labelled stuff, the TESCOs Czech Lager is pretty good and value at £1.09 a 500ml bottle as are the Waitrose ones.
Always get your beer in a glass bottle is another tip.
British breweries are increasingly brewing lager styles or Golden Ales to compete with the dreaded multinationals. Cains from Liverpool do a nice lager, not sure how easy that is to get.
And if you get to Durham get some Durham Brewery beer, their 5% bitter is awesome or in fact any of their beers, esp. on tap.
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Post by Benj52 on Dec 8, 2006 13:09:02 GMT
Oh, another tip, the swingtop Grolsch are still brewed in Netherlands and are substantially better than the canned or small bottles which are brewed under licence in the UK.
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Post by Benj52 on Dec 8, 2006 13:12:20 GMT
Also the increased availability of Polish and Lithuanian beer in London has not, I'm afraid, been to the advantage of the beer lover. Invariably shite (IMHO) - the best ones never leave.
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Post by Benj52 on Dec 8, 2006 13:16:25 GMT
Here endeth the lesson.
Rosko - if you ever make it as far as London (or Belgium), give me a shout. We can do better that the Westmalle beers, for sure. Another formerly strong brewer who seem to be cutting corners to raise production. Rochefort must have been a bit off, the 8, lightly chilled, is one of my fave beers. Stick to Unibroue they are still pretty good I think, despite being taken over by another big co (last year?).
Cheers, bud!
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Post by Freddy C on Dec 8, 2006 17:40:44 GMT
I like Hoegaarden, Franziskaner and Warsteiner Am I something of a Philistine in the beer world or are these reasonable choices? I just like the taste. I won't drink that canned stuff - tastes like metal to me.
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Post by zapatoo on Dec 8, 2006 18:05:05 GMT
There's as much beer snobbery as there is vinyl and music snobbery, Freddy mate...and to a greater or lesser extent, I reckon most of us here indulge in a bit of this. Me? I feel shady today, because I was drinking pints of draught Peroni all yesterday afternoon in a pub in Central London - "chemical" beer it its Italian best, some may say... ...however, the up side of that session yesterday was I felt I "needed" some music, so I stopped by Sounds Of The Universe (Soul Jazz) in Broadwick St. on the way back to the station and treated myself to a few CDs...
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Post by rosko on Dec 8, 2006 18:45:11 GMT
I may be back in Europe sometime in the next decade. Until then, I'll continue to support those who brew good beer. In my opinion, drinking a Molson, Budweiser, Coors, Carlsberg etc., is the same as listening to James Blunt or whatever else is popular these days. Like those who make and appreciate good music, we beer snobs must be proud and stand tall in the face of swill. Be it music or beer, there's enough quality out there to keep ear drums and taste buds stimulated. Damn! I can't crack a beer for 5 more hours!
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Post by Freddy C on Dec 8, 2006 19:12:17 GMT
we beer snobs must be proud and stand tall in the face of swill. Just how tall you stand being dependent upon how many upmarket beers you've had.
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Post by rosko on Dec 9, 2006 4:17:27 GMT
So true... I am currently slouching in a chair!
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Post by edward on Dec 9, 2006 13:01:05 GMT
All the above mentioned sound luvverly but I think I'll show myself up for the provincial oik that I probably am by saying I like Newcastle Brown Ale, Guiness Original and Weston's Cider!
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Post by BBR on Dec 9, 2006 13:17:38 GMT
I would walk out of a party where people were doing hard drugs. Respect Gordy Cocaine ain't hard drugs, you chop it up into soft bits. ;D
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Post by BBR on Dec 9, 2006 13:23:37 GMT
Me? I feel shady today, because I was drinking pints of draught Peroni all yesterday afternoon in a pub in Central London - "chemical" beer it its Italian best, some may say... On my 7th bottle of Peroni now as I watch the Manchester derby. Been drinking it every day - five crates in the past two weeks
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Post by BBR on Dec 9, 2006 13:34:13 GMT
listening to Lightning Hopkins, the Marcels, Ivory Joe Hunter and Prince Alla, Reel Now that is a good mix.
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Post by rosko on Dec 9, 2006 13:47:59 GMT
Has City ever won this game?
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Post by BBR on Dec 9, 2006 13:49:15 GMT
Yes, and quite recently, but they won't this time.
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Post by pacef8 on Dec 10, 2006 20:27:50 GMT
oh bejesus this new year thing is such a bummer. Tesco should sell some sort of 24 hour sedative for people who are not people people. To quote john cooper clark i dont wonna be nice. Wanted cave for 24 hours or large rock to hide under. done the full moon reggae beach party 3 times belize and costa rica, brazil. So i guess i have peaked in life !!!
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Post by rosko on Dec 11, 2006 11:30:47 GMT
Sounds like it. My most exotic New Years Eve involved drinking yards of ale in Acapulco. The hangover led to two weeks of diarrhea. Good news - didn't have to make a resolution involving losing weight. I dropped 10 pounds by mid-January.
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Post by papastalawatt on Dec 11, 2006 19:00:11 GMT
Wanted cave for 24 hours or large rock to hide under. Make sure it's somewhere warm. I spent NYE in a cave in the Lake District one year, and it would have been far more fun if it wasn't for the hypothermia...
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