Quote:
Originally Posted by Big_John
Some background before you start consuming:
http://www.bestbelgianspecialbeers.be/main_eng.html
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Big_John
Some background before you start consuming:
http://www.bestbelgianspecialbeers.be/main_eng.html
I mentioned Bluebird in one of the Backroom threads. Theakston's Old Peculier is a good heavy beer to accompany heavy meals (red meat and their like). Abbot Ale is a good alternative to Spitfire as a session beer, or a light beer for light meals (white meat, fish, etc). Ales should be drunk cool, but not cold - excessive cold numbs the tastebuds.Quote:
Originally Posted by Big King Sanctaphrax
What you should do when you go into a pub with a good selection is ask for a sample of the rarer beers. The sample size shouldn't be too large, just a sip or two - I've had to ask the bartender to not draw so much. They don't usually mind, and will even happily discuss the merits of the different beers with a connoisseur. Once you've had a taster, it's good manners to buy at least 2 pints, whether or not you found anything to your liking.
:yes: to Abbot, although with advancing years I confess I find Spitfire a touch too strong as a true session beer alas. My head thanks me for switching to Masterbrew after the first couple of pints.Quote:
Abbot Ale is a good alternative to Spitfire as a session beer,
While we are moving up the east coast slightly Adnams Broadside is also a very acceptable substitute for Spitfire and Abbot in a similar style.
BKS, SN stopping bottle conditioning spitfire was bad, putting it in cans as well as bottles was worse, and now they even have a nitrokeg version (though thank heavens I have yet to see this in a real pub.) If Shepherd Neame weren't in Kent, and therefore by definition excellent in every respect, I'd be having Issues with all this.
Hertog Jan is cheap this week, 8 instead of 11,something. I'm already thirsty now, but the beer has to be nice and cool first
Hertog Jan, that's a good one as well :yes:
I'd say Abbot is way too strong to use as a session beer. It's 5% ABV, isn't it? I normally look for about 3.5 if I'm going to be drinking for a goodly length of time. I like Broadside very much, but I find it's normally very pricey compared to Spitfire and Abbot.
http://www.sintbernardus.be/images/a...%20Denmark.jpgQuote:
Originally Posted by Big_John
Dear God, Sam Adams was #1 in a European competition?!
Yeah, Unibroue is Canadian...technically. It's now owned by Sleeman's, which is now owned by, you guessed it, Sapporo. Heh.Quote:
Originally Posted by English assassin
Double awesome.Quote:
Originally Posted by English assassin
I hear ya. If I drink one of those 9% Fin du Monde beers, I'm snoozing in my chair like grandpa Simpson.Quote:
Originally Posted by Big King Sanctaphrax
But it's a good snooze.
We have "energy beer" in Quebec now. Basically a 5% Ginseng power drink; so you can down one after another and not fall asleep, not matter how stupid you get. Not sure it's a good idea, really.
I gotta hop the river and find out.Quote:
Originally Posted by Beirut
Drunken athletes, :2thumbsup: exactly what we need.Quote:
Originally Posted by Beirut
Most of those energy/caffeine beers taste like crap, they have a distinct chemical aftertaste. If your goal is to get blotto and stay awake all night, you may as well go all out with vodka and Redbull. Some of the coffee beers are OK though, there is a microbrew around here that has a decent porter with some coffee brewed in it.
Recently, I .... came across information... that Kokanee Gold is a good beer. Of course, given the predisposition of college students to buy the cheapest, crappiest beer out there (busch lite, for one), it may just be the fact that it was a real beer that made it taste good.
It's canadian and sold primarily in Alberta, I think.
CR
Quote:
Originally Posted by Big King Sanctaphrax
Not a chance! A decent session beer should be 4.7% minimum and nothing less. Everything under that is a waste of liquid and stomach space! :2thumbsup:
I'm with Blackadder on this one:
Quote:
Edmund: Baldrick, fetch my Incredibly Strong Ale...!
Monk: Good god! Not Dr McGloo's Amber Enema...?
Edmund: Pah! -- a drink for schoolgirls...
Partridge: Surely not Strollop's Lobster Scrumpy...?
Edmund: No -- it is Blackadder's Bowel Basher! A brew guaranteed to knock the backside off a concrete elephant! ...is it not,Baldrick?
Baldrick: Nah, it's water.
Yes, not to mention them buying goon or other cheap (dirt cheap) methods to get wasted. :laugh4:Quote:
Originally Posted by Crazed Rabbit
We have Kokanee in Quebec and it is horrid. Singularly unpleasant. Cat urine in a can. Bleah!Quote:
Originally Posted by Crazed Rabbit
I'd take Busch Lite hot off the stove over a cold Kokanee any day.
Agreed. Kokanee is carp. Then again...Westerners and their awful beers. I think you're out of luck for finding decent Canadian beer, Rabbit.
I think you and I may have...slightly...different tastes.Quote:
I'd take Busch Lite hot off the stove over a cold Kokanee any day.
Anyways, what do you haughty easterners think of Labatt Blue?
Crazed Rabbit
PS: Seriously, hot Busch lite?!
Hate, hate, hate. Unless it comes from a microbrewery or a small, independent brewer, it's Moosehead or Lakeport (Wee Willy) for me. This isn't counting imports, of course.Quote:
Originally Posted by Crazed Rabbit
That's the way it should be.Quote:
Originally Posted by Crazed Rabbit
As my buddy used to say, "Lips that touch Labatt will never touch mine." If you're caught at home in a storm or killer elephants are blocking the store entrances, then Blue is fine standard swill, a noteworthy sludge, a drinkable pee. If, however, you have a choice, then there is no choice. It is to be avoided as are all soda pop + alcohol mass produced stinky beers.Quote:
Originally Posted by Crazed Rabbit
Sure. I dip frozen raw hamburger sticks in it. Great stuff.Quote:
Originally Posted by Crazed Rabbit
Lol. :laugh4:
Labatt Blue
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Anywho what's the opinion on Peroni
Leffe Brune/Blonde is superb. I usually get about two or three of the 75CL bottles in at the weekend (I'm one of those people that drinks beer or wine with every meal much to my wife's dismay). ~:cheers:
Peroni Nastro Azzurro is a good beer, as is the Chinese Beer Tsingtao, the Peruvian Beer Cusqueña, and of course Duvel. ~:cheers:
Australian beer is either nothing special or absolutely hopeless. :shrug:
Corona, more marketed crap or what? Tecate, what's the opinion on that?
Corona is another mexican Beer. It's quite refreshing, in a non beer like way, but nothing amazing, a bit like Sol or Brahma. Tecate I've never tried.
I've had Corona numerous times (quite often for a lack of anything else) but what you said is very true "refreshing, in a non beer like way, but nothing amazing".Quote:
Originally Posted by Caravel
Tecate is also Mexican, made by the same company as Sol; so I'm guessing nothing special.
EDIT: I post in the beer thread and it effects my grammar and posting style. :dizzy2:
Ah, another Moosehead fan. The Moose is my "utility" beer. It's getting harder to find in this area, but fortunately a friend of mine has an ABC licence and knows the distributor well. Keep sending it south! :medievalcheers:Quote:
Originally Posted by GoreBag
"I wouldn't **** on a Fosters if it was on fire - it would only top it up".Quote:
Originally Posted by Rythmic
It's not so much that I'm a 'fan' as much as my family is from New Brunswick. I still prefer German or Danish, but my father won't have it, born and raised in Frederiction, after all.Quote:
Originally Posted by drone
He didn't have anything to do with the missing Mexican shipment, did he? :laugh4:Quote:
Originally Posted by GoreBag
All we have in the fridge are Coronas. A lousy cold weather beer. But, like a leaky life raft, it's better than no life raft at all.
You know I've never seen it once inside Australia, I've only ever seen it overseas.Quote:
Originally Posted by Pannonian
By Australian beer I meant stuff like:
Boag's
Carlton
Cascade
Castlemaine Perkins
Coopers
Hahn
Pure Blonde (Owned by Foster's)
Tooheys
Victoria Bitter (Owned by Foster's)
XXXX
West End
Smaller brands include:
Bootleg
Chopper Heavy
Emu (Swan)
Feral
Holgate
Little Creatures
Matilda Bay
Mountain Goat
Piss
Tooth and Co.
I think "piss" definately takes the cake over Santa's Butt. I wonder what would happen if Mountain Goat buys them out. :stupido2:
Mmmmmm, Corona. Now that's what I'm talking about. Good taste, good name, good looks.Quote:
Originally Posted by Caravel
Corona is pretty much water imnsho
I agree. The only people I know who drink Corona are pretentious polo players.
Asked the MaCo yesterday, and from what I remember (was somewhat inebriated due to intraining) she didn't know of an Obelix, but there's some decrepit thing somewhere called Idefix.Quote:
Originally Posted by Adrian II
I had a gorgeous beer the other day. Called 'Innis & Gunn'. It's an Edinburgh Ale and is matured in the same oak barrels they use for whiskey. It's got a lovely fruity flavour. Only comes in 330ml bottles though from what I can see, although it is 6.6%
Having eradicated one cruise ship's supply of Leffe Blonde yesterday, I'll say that that beer is bloody brilliant.
Did I already mention Westmalle Trippel ? It's one of the most delicious belgian beers. Westmalle is one of only seven Trappist beers in the world. You also have the Westmalle Dubbel, but for now, let's stick to Westmalle Trippel:
https://img512.imageshack.us/img512/...alletb9.th.jpg
The beer is brewed in the monastery of Westmalle, in the belgian province of Antwerp. The monastery was founded in 1794.
https://img266.imageshack.us/img266/...allesb3.th.jpg
Westmalle tripple was firstly introduced in 1934.
It has a glowing orange-gold color and an herbal aroma. The beer has complex flavors that meld rich malt sweetness, warmth, hops, and powerful drinkability.
You can drink it as an aperitif with cheese or assorted hors d' oeuvres. Or also on a relaxing evening, while sitting in your living room. You can try it with rich main courses or enjoy it after dinner with some fruit and/or cheese.
The Tripel definitely produces a warming of the stomach and a glow to the head.
It is best to keep the beer at a dark place, on a constant temperature of 8° C to 14 ° C. If you manage to find one, serve it in a typical Westmalle goblet.
https://img76.imageshack.us/img76/52...nkenog5.th.jpg
Enjoy!
You can also find more information about the brewery and the abbey on this website.
Leffe is all about taste.
You either love or hate it.
If you aren’t a leffe lover you’ll sure as hell like ;
https://img109.imageshack.us/img109/5512/duvelku4.jpg
Be sure to drink it in the appropriated glass.
https://img258.imageshack.us/img258/...l1smalldh2.jpg
The beer of the gods mates
Ah hah! It's back! :duel:
I don't have my list with me but I did an all Belgian night yesterday. I started off with a Leffe (I had to ask how it was pronounced) Bruin, tried a Duvel/Duval/whatever, had something with a picture of a snail on it, then my memory gets fuzzy :dizzy2: ...
I wasn't impressed with the Bruin. It was a pleasant drinking beer but lacked the spark and character that the Blonde had. Duvel was total rubbish, like drinking an alcoholic citrus soda *yuck*. The one with the snail, CARACOLE or something was really good. It was like the champagne of beer. Even though I had a couple before it the taste really grabbed me and it had a wonderful complexity. I can't remember what version of it but I'll buy it again..if I can remember the name...I'll edit my post tomorrow...:sad:.
Is that typically only available in Quebec or do they distribute to other parts of the loft up there?Quote:
Originally Posted by Beirut
All these beers, so little time. Somebody map me an itinerary with American safe locales to go on a European drinking binge.
I don't know if they export Fin du Monde, but I imagine they must. It's too tasty to keep to ourselves.Quote:
Originally Posted by ShadeHonestus
Two bottles of that stuff and I'm out like a light. :Zzzz: "Mmmm...beer."
I had Guinness Original Stout for the first time today-as opposed to the standard Draught.
It's interesting. I would describe the taste as 'crisp'.
Caracole Troublette is the name of the beer. I'll have to look for it again.
Just out of curiosity I stopped by the local liquor shop (one of many) and found a sixer of Leffe Blonde left. Oh, the price...~$8.00, hah! Much better than 11 and I'm going to order more. I kind of overdid it with dinner yesterday, I drank three. Very nice, very hapy. :2thumbsup:
Anyone here ever drank Maes beer?
jup, average beer (pils). I'll rather have a jupiler, stella or Primus though.
I have tasted Maes yesterday and today. Yesterday I thought it a good beer, but it may had been psychologically influenced since I read that it was Belgian (automatically assuming it was decent or good). Today, however, I have found that it reminds me of plastic or some other kind of poisonous artificial matter. Fortunately I have a few bottles of Hoegaarden left.
Like Moros said, Maes is your average belian pils. I wouldn't look for it, there are enough better beers to drink that are just as easy to come by.
Love it, been drinking nothing else lately, a lovely somewhat bitter taste with a hint of chrystalised sugar. Not that keen on draught myselve, beer needs bubbles. And foam.Quote:
Originally Posted by Big King Sanctaphrax
Yes, foam. Whacky brits.
Chimay
Triple Blanche: It's golden color strikes a rare balance between the bitterness of the hops and fruity hints of muscat and dry grapes. Alcohol content 8% by volume.
https://img50.imageshack.us/img50/74...blanchell3.jpg
Red: Has a taste produces a silky feeling on the tongue and a has a slight hint of bitterness that makes it a good thirst-quencher. Alcohol content 7% by volume.
https://img204.imageshack.us/img204/...imayredob4.jpg
Blue: Is a a strong beer with an odour of fresh yeast coupled with a slight rosaceous flowery touch. Alcohol content 9% by volume.
https://img210.imageshack.us/img210/...mayblueik8.jpg
I personally recommend the red. Higher alcohol content and quality tend to be mutually exclusive and it holds true in this case. If you like a slightly bitter beer go for the Blanche. The red is velvety and slightly sweet and may not be for all beer drinkers; but it is my favorite.
Duvel is excellent, easy drinking beer but doesn't have the qualities I admire in the red. [muttering curses that he's not in Europe right now]
The people I stayed with in Belgium use to have Duvels for dinner. European Drinking Culture is nice.Quote:
Originally Posted by Vladimir
Chimay is also good; Duval's dark brother.
Duvel an easy drinking beer? Duvel total rubbish, like drinking an alcoholic citrus soda?
Are you guys sure you were drinking Duvel? Duvel is too bitter to be easy drinking. Like all heavy beers you should savour it.
Duvel has too many bubbles it's like swallowing a sponge.
:laugh4: Yes Frag, Duvel has a thick, hearty head but I find it easy to drink and wouldn't turn one down (maybe a touch of salt would reduce the foam). It all depends on personal preference of course. I almost spit out my first Samuel Adams because it was so bitter I thought it was poison.Quote:
Originally Posted by Peasant Phill
Quote:
Originally Posted by Big_John
Ah, la Chouffe.... Merveille parmi les merveilles... Warning: this one is really really hard to beat.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vladimir
Good lord! Good thing no one fact checks this thread or I'd be in a real bind. I've noticed that Leffe blondes tend to vary somewhat but this is pretty extreme. Hit or miss I guess.Quote:
Originally Posted by Vladimir
Argus beer: good price/taste ratio. It is cheap yet for its price it has good taste. And what the hell anyway: it's still beer, goddammit.
I tried Romanian beer, all types, they all sucked completely. When I tried drinking it, every time I got a feeling of acid pouring down my throat. :no:
I tried Duvel, NL made Heineken, Leffe and Corona.
Verdict?
Duvel is the best beer out there. :yes:
Agreed Edzy Duvel is a superb beer, at least someone has some taste.
All completily different types of beer......can't hold them against eachotherQuote:
Originally Posted by edyzmedieval
Duvel is indeed good, Heineken mediocre and Leffe I don't know about. Corona, it's not bad and I'd rather drink it than Heineken but I don't get why it's so popular other than that it's well, popular :shrug:Quote:
Originally Posted by edyzmedieval
Fragony you need to come to the assistance of a fellow countryman. :charge:Quote:
Originally Posted by Kralizec
I'm curious to see anyone's opinion on Kotayk's products: either their Lager, Bitter or Tshani.
Personally, Kotayk is one of my favorites and was always the available beverage, along with Erebuni, but I prefer Kotayk. It is fantastic!
Also, BKS, you'd never tried the original? It's delicious!
Buy him a beer? After all he did to me? ~;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Vladimir
Last week it was Leffe week at my favourite pub.
Leffe 9° remains the best one. ~:yes:
As the nights are closing in, I've been drinking some darker beers recently. One of my autumn staples is Wychwood Hobgoblin, a wonderful, smoulderingly fruity strong dark ale. If you like some of the darker Belgians, you'll love this. Great advertising too-
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...21Lagerboy.jpg
Another beer I sampled which I've been meaning to get hold of for a long time is Thomas Hardy Ale. At 11.7% ABV it's an interesting proposition-it tastes almost port-like, but has a very heavy mouthfeel at the same time.
On the topic of ales, I've been drinking this recently:
https://img509.imageshack.us/img509/...alelarggr1.jpg
If you are feeling adventurous;
http://www.palmbreweries.com/content...sBoonKriek.jpg
It's a lambic, beer riped in oak, which sour aroma tastes weird enough on it's own, but add some sour cheries and it becomes a Kriek. Personally I think it's delicious, great with dinner, summer or winter always great.
Looks ... out of my price range. :laugh4:
Had a tour in the Stella brewer yesterday. Afterwards we could taste and got a course on how to pour beer in to glasses. Course we were pretty enthousiastic and ended up drinking quite a bit. Afterwards we had a Cantus, first time I went drunk to a cantus and even leaving more sober. Then I went to the pub.
And well today I know for sure that yes you can get tired of drinking the same beer. No more artois for me anymore the first few weeks.
Why don't they have Jupiler in the pubs over here? I hate Maes.
I drank a friend's MGD today and couldn't taste a thing. Really, I thought it was water.
Frag, that looks faaaaaaaaar too expensive. I'll just take my Kotayk for a few dram and be happy. Maybe there's a culture/taste difference.
How much percentage alcohol is in your average American beer (Budweiser and the likes)? Someone told me that it was around 1% which I'm very sceptical about.* The average here is about 5% with jupiler having 5,2% and maes 4,8%.
*The actual number he mentioned was 0,8% which I find even more unbelievable as in Belgium we serve 'table beer' with a percentage of more than 1% to kids. Not so much now but I drank 'table beer' every lunch when I was a kid.
It isn't that bad, same pricerange as the other beers mentioned, they go for 2 euro here. Flemish beer is always somewhat expensive. I think I have S\seen these Kotayk at the local turk, will try it some time.Quote:
Originally Posted by IrishArmenian
Budweiser and MGD are about 5%. That's probably the reason people drink them as they are cheap, taste like water and have a relatively high %
Budweiser is pretty expensive here. Why anyone would want to pay for that is beyond me, water deluxe.Quote:
Originally Posted by ShadesPanther
Bud Light also can be used for weight loss as it induces dysentery. :yes:
Bud light?? Probably causes weight loss because if it gets any lighter it floats.