Beer – Page 3 – JustTheSam

Beer Review: John Smiths Original Bitter

05. April 2009 · Write a comment · Categories: Beer, Food and Drink

I bought a pack of these unpretentious cans on holiday in Cornwall, as there wasn't much choice in the small Co-op. I could have had John Smiths Extra Smooth, but I'm not a fan of the smooth creamy head on my pint. It's shame that Cornwall seems to be one of those areas that puts the cream-flow spouts on their draught beer taps, like they do up North. A classic way to ruin a perfectly good pint if you ask me.

There's not much to say for this very straightforward bitter – it's got good colour and a decent enough flavour, but it's very one-dimensional with pretty much zero in the way of extra interesting tastes coming through other than the basic bitterness. A good cheap beer to keep in for light mid-week requirements, but I find Greene King IPA fills that role better.

Beer Review: Kasteel Cru

15. February 2009 · 1 comment · Categories: Beer, Food and Drink

This is quite a special lager – brewed with champagne yeast it has a very fine, light bubble and it does indeed taste like a beery champagne. Imagine a very fine champagne with the sweetness replaced with dry pils bitterness. Certainly the lingering feel in the mouth is more champagne than beer.

There are very few beers brewed in this style, so this one from Alsace is quite unique and worth tracking down. I was spurred to pick some up because Waitrose had 25% of the bottles – and it was on taste 🙂 It's really very good indeed – super refreshing and drinkable (but remember it's a deceptive 5.2% ABV) but a bit unusual.

In this case I was drinking it from a Kölsch glass, which isn't entirely right, but seemed to suit it's delicacy. I suppose it could/should be drunk from a champagne flute!

Austrian Beer

08. February 2009 · Write a comment · Categories: Beer, Food and Drink, Travel

A cavalcade of beer today! But drunk last weekend in Vienna in holiday mood, with cold wintery weather outside.

First, a warm bar called Centimeter, where many things (including sandwiches) were available by the centimeter. A Paulaner in its correct glass on the right, and I can't remember what the dunkel beer was on the left, other than this wasn't the correct glass for it. Both were delicious!

Then, in a similar district we found ourselves in a big rambling place with its own brewery. I tried the chilli beer, assuming that it would deliver a warm background glow of chilli heat but nothing more, otherwise they'd struggle to sell much of it. I was wrong. This was throat scorching stuff and I probably wouldn't have another, but it was an interesting novelty experience.

Beer Review: Hoegaarden Big Bottle

24. January 2009 · Write a comment · Categories: Beer, Food and Drink

I like witbiers and have always found Hoegaarden to be a classic example. It's a shame that it's another example of a decent beer getting bought out by the faceless mega-corporation – InBev in this case. Read about the history of Hoegaarden Brewery at Wikipedia.

Still, even with corporate types meddling it's a fine beer, with the citrus and spice flavours that you'd hope for. It's a shame it doesn't go a bit further with it though, to stand out from the crowd.

Beer Review: Meantime London Pale Ale

10. January 2009 · Write a comment · Categories: Beer, Food and Drink

A light but fairly complex taste that's reasonably bitter and hoppy, with a slightly burnt/roasted edge which I'd only usually expect to fine in dark beers and stouts. The bitterness and 4.3% ABV make it highly quaffable, but maybe it's a shade too bitter not to get wearing after a while.

Apparently "the International Beer Challenge 2007 awarded Meantime Pale Ale 'World's Top 50 Beers' Status." I can't say that I agree with them on this occasion. It's a quality beer for sure, but not one that will stick in the mind. I can name quite a lot of beers that have blown me away and I remember fondly. This isn't one of those, though it might be more impressive outdoors on a hot summery day.

Dead Victorians at The White Lion

21. December 2008 · Write a comment · Categories: Beer, Culture, Music

Last Tuesday I went to The White Lion pub (a preferred local of mine, but blimey that's a low-fi website if ever I saw one) to see the Dead Victorians. These fine chaps are quite magnificent – music hall entertainment from a bygone era crammed with interesting instruments and innuendo.

This is the second time I've seen them, in the same venue as it happens, but both times they have been a threesome, without the elusive Pedro. I don't know why, but the good Dr. Blake doesn't seem to be in any of the publicity photos and gets nary a mention on the CD (on sale that evening for the first time) whilst appearing to be a thoroughly integral part of the band on drums, many vocals, spoons, washboard etc.

I'll quite happily admit that it was seeing the Dead Victorians for the first time that tipped me over the edge and caused me to buy an accordion. It was a pleasure to see them again, though the photos I took are shamefully poor, taken as they were from the back of a crowded but dark pub with a small compact camera. The blur sitting in front of Maestro Paul on the accordion is the good doctor playing the typewriter to accompany a vigourous trombone rendition of the William Tell Overture.

Beer review: Innis & Gunn Blonde

10. December 2008 · Write a comment · Categories: Beer, Food and Drink

This is an amazing beer. It tastes like a really flavourful Chardonnay – full of oak and vanilla, with a very buttery finish. Given it's aged in American oak barrels, that's not surprising, but honestly most people would be absolutely gobsmacked when trying this beer, it's just so different to anything they will have tasted before.

It's fairly strong, like most of Innis & Gunn's range, but like all of their range, it's totally to die for. I hail their efforts as the very best beers available from the UK, if not the world!

Beer Review: Wadworth 6X (can)

04. December 2008 · Write a comment · Categories: Beer, Food and Drink

For once I strayed away from just slinging a four pack of Greene King IPA cans into the trolley and instead went for something markedly more expensive, in the interests of variety.

At 4.3% this has a midrange punch (but not too much for a weekday evening) and plenty of colour and flavour. It's got quite a malty, fruity flavour, which was almost edging into being over the top for me, for a daily evening beer at any rate. That said, probably better to have one of these than two of something more nondescript, and I'm sure the doctor would agree! Recommended for most purposes, especially as we head into the ever darker and colder months.

Beer Review: Budweiser Budvar Dark

20. November 2008 · Write a comment · Categories: Beer, Food and Drink

No, the other Budweiser! The Czech one that makes good beers!

This dark variant of the much acclaimed Budvar apparently won Best Beer in the World or somesuch at a worldwide competion in 2007. I can just about believe it too, as it's a great example of decent lager, that puts the usual piss-water to shame. It's not even especially strong (sub 5%) but manages to push a great deal of flavour through to you, whilst not overdoing it. I've even seen it served on draught in pubs, often in a fancy heavy tankard. I thoroughly recommend it.

Beer Review: Wychwood Hobgoblin

15. November 2008 · Write a comment · Categories: Beer, Food and Drink

Now here's a beer and a half! A winter warmer of a brew, with burnt, roast flavours, but not too bitter. Almost like a good toffee as you roll it around your mouth. It's a long time since I'd last had this, and I was pleasantly surprised at how drinkable it is – not too over the top in the strong, dark flavours, but just right for a wet and windy autumn evening. I think I shall have to buy more!

JustTheSam