dimanche 22 novembre 2009

Adnams' Explorer Chilled

"Adnams Explorer Chilled captures the spirit of discovery by blending Chinook and Columbus hops from the New World. Still brewed on the Suffolk coast, only with hops from another. Adnams Explorer Chilled is a light, refreshing blonde beer, suffused with the aromas of a grapefruit grove. The citrus attack with burst on your palate. Fantastic served chilled."

5%. Read more on Adnams website.

Adnams' The Bitter

"Adnams brewery has stood in the heart of Southwold for over six hundred years. `Southwold Jack' appears on our oldest beer labels. He continues to guard over our longest serving beer brewed here in Southwold on the Suffolk coast - The Bitter. A refreshing beer of real flavour - distintively hoppy and dry with wonderful malt aromas. Delicious served cool."

4.5% ABV. Read more on Adnams website.

Adnams' Lighthouse

"Adnams Lighhouse is developed from our Champion Pale Ale, a beer that won many awards from 1922 to 1980. With an ABV of 3.4%, this classic amber beer delivers a crisp, refreshing taste. With its light fragrance, lovely malt flavours and long hoppy after palate, Adnams Lighthouse shines through as another champion Beer From The Coast."

3.4% ABV. Read more on Adnams website.

Adnams' Innovation

"A very distinctive limited edition beer brewed to celebrate achievement in blending state of the art technology and craftsmanship an innovation in English beer brewing past present future
"Winner of the best Strong Amber Pale Ale at the 2008 World Beer Awards.
"Adnams Innovation is a distinctive, limited-edition beer to savour; intriguingly hoppy & golden in colour, with an ABV of 6.7%. A delicious beer to celebratye Adnams' innovative production techniques, based on a distinguished heritage.
"At Adnams we prefer to leave opur footprint in the sand, not on the environment."

Not really as good as the description would suggest.

6.7% ABV. Read more on Adnams website.

O'Hara's Extra Irish Stout

"Laden with complex chocolate and coffee flavours, balanced by a robust bitterness and delicate spicy aroma, O'Hara's leann folláin is a full-bodied extra Irish stout."

Forgettable, in my humble opinion.

6% ABV. Read more on Carlow Brewing Company website.

jeudi 12 novembre 2009

Luxardo Maraschino liqueur

"Luxardo liqueur is made according to the original recipe in the possession of the Luxardo family since 1821
"Delicious on fruit-salad, strawberries, raspberries, kiwi."

I never had the chance to taste Luxardo liqueur before. I made several cocktails that were asking for maraschino liqueur, but I must admit none of the substitue I found were really similar to this amazing beverage. I tried an unknown brand found in an Italian shop in Grenoble, France. I tried Bols Maraschino liqueur and it is very different from the original stuff.

I finally made a proper aviation with it:
  • 4 cL Cork Crimson Gin
  • 1 cL Luxardo liqueur
  • 1 cL lemon juice
  • 1/2 cL liqueur de violette Giffard
Shake all ingredient with ice. Double strain into a cocktail glass.

My flatmate found it a bit bitter and sour (while I found it very good) and he added a dash of simple syrup.

32% ABV. Read more on Luxardo website.

Zlatý Bažant

"A Golden Pheasant in a field of ripen barley has always been a sign of a rich and bountiful harvest."

5% ABV. Read more on Heineken Slovensko webstite.

Efes

A basic, yet quite drinkable, Turkish beer.

5.0% ABV. Read more on Anadolu Efes Brewery website.

La Trappe Blond

"La Trappe is Neerlands enige Trappistenbier en wordt sinds 1884 gebrouwen in de Trappistenabdij te Berkel-Enschot. La Trappe Blond is goudblond van kleur. De smaak is fris en fruitig. La Trappe Blond gist na op fles waardoor een uniek aroma onstaat. Probeer ook de Dubbel, de Tripel en de Quadrupel van La Trappe. Schenktemperatuur 8-12°C. Koal en donker bewaren.
"Gold blond in colour, made with fine hops and full malt refreshing and fruity in character."

6.5% ABV. Read more on Bierbrouwerij De Koningshoeven B.V. website.

Black Sheep Ale

"This is
"BLACK SHEEP ALE
"The culmination
"of five generation of brewing expertise.
"Brewed at the Black Sheep Brewery in Marsham, North Yorkshire - and nowhere else."

4.4% ABV. Read more on The Black Sheep Brewery website.

Fuller's India Pale Ale

"This historic style of ale was originally created to refresh the troops at the height of the British Empire in India. This brew has faithfully recreated these traditional characteristics, creating a superbly refreshing beer.
"Bottle conditioning, where a small amount of yeast is allowed to ferment gently in the bottle, gives this beer the fresh, natural flavour of real ale. Pale amber in appearance, India Pale Ale has a distinctively hoppy flavour from the Goldings hops in the brew."

5.3% ABV. Read more on Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. website.

vendredi 30 octobre 2009

Harviestoun's Schiehallion

"Schiehallion is a famous Scottish mountain soft shrouded in cool, refreshing, misty swirls of early morning air. It is the inspiration for this magnificent award winning beer.
"Delivately crafted using Hersbrücker Lager hops Schiehallion is crisp, dry and airy with a beautifully fresh, grapefruity taste.
"For more information visit our website.
"Schiehallion is perfect served straight from the fridge."

It has, indeed, a fruity aroma but it is quite bitter. Not bad but not great.

4.8% ABV. Read more on Harviestoun Brewery website.

Moosehead Pale Ale

Basic, not very good pale ale.

5% ABV. Read more on Moosehead website.

Tooheys New

Basic blond beer. Nothing fancy, nothing special.

4.6% ABV. Read more on Tooheys New website.

lundi 12 octobre 2009

Cork Crimson Gin

"Where it all it started
"There is a long and distinguished history of gin distilling in Cork city dating back to the 1700s. Here the distillers had access to the finest ingredients; plump grain from the fields of East Cork and exotic botanicals arriving at Cork's busting international port. It was at the Watercourse Distillery that the recipe to Cork Crimson Gin was first documented in 1798 by apprentice distiller, William Caldwell.
"Caldwell's leather bound note book contained many recipes, yet one stood out as the 'Best Gin'. This recipe used only the rarest and most expensive ingredients.
"A recipe like none other
"Staying faithful to Caldwell's original recipe, we have recreated this distinctly aromatic and elegant gin. Ten different botanicals from around the world are used, including Juniper berries from Tuscany, Sweet Orangle peel from Morocco, Cassia from Indonesia along with locally harvested ingredients such as Garden Mint and Bay Leaf. Cork Crimson Gin is then hand-crafted by the Master Distiller in small batches.
"Juniper Berry - genievre [sic] in French,
ginevra in Italian,
jenever in Dutch -
the fruit from which Gin takes its name.
"Inspired by History
"Taking inspiration from the crimson coloured wax seal of the Watercourse Distillery, we have named this gin Cork Crimson Gin - a gin of unique heritage and refinement.
"The Classic Crimson Martini
"Cork Crimson Gin's elegant, crisp flavour makes it the ideal gin for the classic dry Martini.
"Take nine parts Cork Crimson Gin and one part Dry Vermouth. Chill your Martini glass with ice and discard the contents.Fill a talle glass with ice, add the Vermouth and swirl to season. Then add the Cork Crimson Gin and stir well to chil. Strain into the Martini glass; garnish with a twisted Lemon zest or decorate with an Olive for a slightly oilier finish."

This is a very fine gin indeed. Here is a recipe I made with it:
  • a handfull of fresh coriander leafs
  • a healthy piece of fresh ginger
  • a small slice of jalapeño chili
  • 2 cL lime juice
  • 3 cL orange juice
  • 4 cL Cork Crimson Gin (any gin would fit)
Mince coriander, ginger and jalapeño and put the mixture in a mising glass. Add lime juice, orange juice and gin. Fill with ice and shake. Double strain into a glass full of ice cubes. Garnish with two or three thin slices of jalapeño and a lime wedge. Enjoy with a couple of straws.

This drink is both spicy and refreshing. It is a perfect accompaniment for Mexican or Asian food.

41.2% ABV.

dimanche 11 octobre 2009

Ola Dubh Special Reserve 16

"Ola Dubh (or 'Black Oil') is so named because it is gloopy and viscous. This limited release has been matured in casks from Orkney's award-winning Highland Park distillery to add complementary whisky notes to what is already an amazing brew. It it chocolatey with a roasty bittersweet aftertaste."

This is the sister beer of the Ola Dubh Special Reserve 12. It is smoother than the 12 version, better, with tastes of coffee and bitter caramel. Excellent.

8.0% ABV. Read more on Harviestoun Brewery webiste.

Zipfer Lemon

A lemon flavoured beer that is very easy to drink and refreshing.

4.9% ABV. Read more on Brauerei Zipf website.

Gordon Biersch Pilsner

"Pilsner is a crisp, golden, moderately hopped lager. This beer was first brewed in Pilsen, Czechoslovakia in 1842 using a sample of special yeast smuggled from Germany by a Czech monk. Before this time, all beers were dark and cloudy. Pilsner was the first beer to be brewed clear and golden. Prost!"

5.3% ABV. Read more on John Martin website.

L'Enjôleuse Première éditions

"Histoire. L'Enjôleuse est élaborée avec une recette d'absinthe historique française datant de 1900. La production consistant à faire macérer les plantes dans l'alcool de vin avant leur distillation, puis à colorer le distillat de manière exclusivement végétale, est fidèle à celle d'antan. L'Enjôleuse a bénéficié d'un an d'affinage afin d'acquérir moëlleux et maturation.
"Préparation. Versez trois centilitres de votre Enjôleuse dans un grand verre à absinthe. Posez une cuillère percée en travers puis déposez dessus un demi-sucre, ou davantage selon votre goût. Versez trois à cinq volumes d'eau glacée au goutte à goutte sur le sucre pour permettre à tous les arômes de s'épanouir. Votre Enjôleuse peut également être dégustée sans sucre."

This is a good, floral absinthe, similar to La Coquette (from the same distillery).

72% ABV.

Ron Zacapa Centenario 23

"A MASTERPIECE
"Guatemala is a land bathed by the fire of volcanoes and the water from two oceans: it is a land where spring reigns eternally. From this unique landscape a masterpiece is crafted: Zacapa Centenario.
"Zacapa Centenario is specially created to commemorate the centennial foundation of the city of Zacapa, located in the eastern part of the country.
"THE SWEET ESSENCE
"No other place is as suitable as the south coast of Guatemala for the cultivation of sugar cane. The tropical sun shines all year round. NUmerous rivers refresh and nourish the soil, depositing rich minerals formed by the intense volcanic activity that has taken place here for millions of year.
"From the first pressing of sugar cane comes virgin honey. This marks the beginning of a unique journey at the hands of a Master Blender, taking the virgin honey through the process of fermentation, distillation, and aging that culminates in the sublime flavor of Zacapa Centenario.
"SOLERA GRAN RESERVA
"The epitome of our Master Blender is Zacapa Centenario 23. The unique complexity of aromas and flavors results from the special blend of reserve rums made from virgin sugar cane honey. We select them from a 'Sistema Solera' that consists of rums that are aged between 6 and 23 years. The process takes place in barrels that previously stored robust Bourbons, delicate Sherries and fine Pedro Ximenez wines.
"In the 'Sistema Solera' art and tradition encourage the blending of rums of different ages and personalities so that they may continue to mature in select barrels. This is a dynamic and artisanal process that culminates only after maturity is reached, when the complexity of aromas and flavors confirm that a unique rum has been developed.
"HOUSE IN THE CLOUDS
"All this takes place in out aging house in the Guatemalan highlands, at an altitude of 2300 meters above sea level and above the clouds. We know it is this special microclimate that helps shape the complex and delicate flavors of Zacapa Centenario 23.
"A TRAJECTORY OF AWARDS
"Zacapa Centanario was entered in its first rum tasting contest on the initiative of an adorer of our rum, who had come upon it on his own. He was right... the aged rum that he had encountered by chance obtained the overall first place in the premium category. Since then, Zacapa Centenario has received numerous accolades from experts from around the world in each competition where it has participated.
"Five years after winning the prize, Zacapa Centenario was inducted into the Rum International Hall of Fame at the International Rum Festival 2003.
"A unique combination of nature, tradition and the art of our Master Blender, Zacapa Centenario represents the foremost achievement of Rones de Guatemala. Enjoy it in the company of good friends."

This is the best rum I tasted so far, period.

40% ABV. Read more on Rones de Guatemala website.

mercredi 7 octobre 2009

Tanqueray N° Ten

"Fresh botanicals and hints of citrus give Tanquery N° Ten its exquisite flavour and smooth finish. Tanqueray N° Ten is a refreshingly unique spirit, which makes a truly fresh tasting martini."

Best gin I tasted so far. I tested it in a Gin Basil Smash: splendid!

47.3% ABV. Read more on Tanqueray website.

Gulpener Korenwolf

"Korenwolf est une bière blanche de luxe de haute fermentation. La brasserie Gulpener est une entreprise familiale, créée en 1825 et établie dans le sud du Limbourg, à Gulpen, à proximité de Maastricht."

Good refreshing typical white beer à la Belgium (Hoegaarden, Brugs, etc).

5% ABV. Read more on Gulpener Bierbrouwerij website.

Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier Dunkel

Good weissbier dunkel by the oldest bewery in the world.

5.3% ABV. Read more on Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan website.

Flensburger Pilsener

Nothing special about it. Classic German pilsener.

4.8% ABV. Read more on Flensburger Brauerei Emil Peterson GmbH website.

dimanche 4 octobre 2009

Cachaça Sagatiba

"What is Sagatiba?
"An endless Saga? Many Sagas? A potion of infinite transformations?
"Cachaça Sagatiba Pura is the result of an evolution of over four hundred years of tradition in the prodution of sugar-cane distilled beverages.
"It complies with rigorous multi-distillation quality standards while maintaining its smooth taste and a fresh, stimulating bouquet.
"So pure that it is perfect for cocktails like the famous Caipirinha.
"So pure, it is also perfect to savor straight, pure."

Good cachaça. Don't bother of what is said, though. It is nothing special. Just good, nothing more. Good in Caipirinha indeed. I used it in a cocktail by Jeffrey Morgenthaler called The Black Dog.

38% ABV. Read more on Sagatiba website.

Erdinger Oktoberfest Weißbier

I don't remember what it tasted like.

5.7% ABV. Read more on Erdinger Weissbräu website.

Fuller's ESB Champion Ale

"Twice voted world champion bitter, three times voted champion beer of Britain, and the winner of many awards around the globe, ESB is acknowledged as one of the world's greatest beer.
"Smooth, full bodied and bursting with flavour, with marmalade fruitiness throughout, ESB's rich malty notes are balanced by a unique blend of Northdown, Target, Challenger and Goldins hops, to give a long, satisfying finish.
"We recommend that ESB is best enjoyed served cool.It can be savoured on its own, or as an acoompaniment to a wide variety of dishes, including beef, lamb, game and mature cheeses."

This ale is not bad, though I'm not a big fan of ales in general.

5.9% ABV. Read more on Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. website.

Fuller's Vintage Ale 2008

"I have crafted this very special ale from the finest Challenger and Northdown hops, Maris Otter malted barley, and of course, our unique yeast, to create a truly extraordinary limited edition brew.
"Individually packed and numbered, this bottle is one of only one hundred and forty-five thousand produced.
"Although we are obliged to state a best before date of 2011, like a fine wine or whisky, this mellow golden ale will improve with age for many more years. For best results keep upright in a cool, dark room or cellar.
"This 2008 edition marks 11 year of brewing this magnificent ale. Further information or previous Vintage Ales can be found inside.
"Being bottle conditioned, the beer will form a natural sediment; so pour carefully, sit back, and enjoy this, the very finest of Fuller's ales."

It is, indeed, a very good beer.

8.5% ABV. Read more on Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. website.

samedi 3 octobre 2009

Yebisu All Malt Beer

"YEBISU BEER is a rich and mellow premium beer brewed from 100% fine malt and select hops with Sapporo's traditional art."

5.0% ABV. Read more on Sapporo Breweries Ltd. website.

Paulaner Hefe-Weißbier Naturtrüb

Good typical weissbier.

5.5% ABV. Read more on Paulaner Brauerei GmbH & Co. website.

Estrella Damm Daura

Basic Lager Beer, but not bad at all.

5.4% ABV. Read more on Estrella Damm website.

Peroni Nastro Azzuro

"PERONI NASTRO AZZURO è la birra premium italiana numero uno. Ha un gusto intenso e rinfrescante con un inconfondibile stile italiano."

Basic lager beer. Not much to say about it.

5.1% ABV. Read more on Birra Peroni website.

lundi 21 septembre 2009

Lucky beer

A Chinese beer with a bottle shaped in a tikki-like way, although the figure carved looks like a buddha. Not too bad in taste.

4.8% ABV. Read more on Lucky Drink website.

lundi 14 septembre 2009

Smishwick's

"Superior Irish Ale since 1710."

I find this beer much better as a draught beer rather than in metal can.

3.8% ABV. Read more on Smithwick's website.

dimanche 13 septembre 2009

Fuller's Brewers Reserve

"It was during a late evening dram involving a certain MASTER DISTILLER and the head brewer of FULLER'S that the concept of BREWERS's RESERVE was born - the result was the ultimate in brewing craftmanship and innovation.
"This strong full-bodied malty ale has been aged in 30-year-old SINGLE MALT CASKS for a period of 500 days, infusing the ale with flavours that has absorbed into the wood.
"Flavours include a balance of hoppy bitterness and tangy marmalade fruit, rounded off with subtle smoky vanilla notes and a hint of whisky.
"The result is a rich amber ale that is complex and distinctive. We think A BREW THAT's WELL WORTH THE WAIT!"

I usually don't like much ales, but this one is pretty good.

7.7% ABV. Read more on Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. website.

Estrella Damm Inedit

"Inedit means 'Never Been Done Before'. In cooperation with the Brewmasters of Estrella Damm, Inedit was Crafted by the globally acclaimed chef Ferran Adrià, Juli Soler and sommeliers Ferran Gentelles and David Seijas from elBulli Restaurant.
"Inedit was created to pair with the most exquisite and challenging foods. Foods that contain: Citrus and Oils: ie. salads, vinegar based sauces. Bitter Notes: ie. salmon, tuna, fatty cheese.
""A skillfully brewed blend of lager and wheat beer styles. Inedit uses a combination of barley malt, wheat, hops, coriander, orange peel, yeast and water.
"Uniquely brewed to create a complex aroma and opaque appearance, a floral nose leaves a sensation of fresh yeast and sweeet spices. Lightly carbonated with a creamy texture, the soft, full body leaves a long and lasting finish.
"It is recommended that Inedit is enjoyed chilled in a white wine glass and kept in an ice bucket after serving.
"The beer specifically created to pair with food."

This is a delicious beer. Very recommended and not too expensive.

4.8% ABV. Read more on Estrella Damm website.

Liefmans Framboise

"Belgian raspberry beer. Beer flavoured with raspberry."

Very intense raspberry flavour. Pretty good.

4.5% ABV. Read more on Liefmans Oudenaarde website.

Harviestoun Ola Dubh Special Reserve 12

"Ola Dubh (or 'Black Oil') is so named because it is gloopy and viscous. This limited release has been matured in casks from Orkney's award-winning Highland Park distillery to add complementary whisky notes to what is already an amazing brew. It it chocolatey with a roasty bittersweet aftertaste."

This very strongly flavoured beer is very interesting at first, but too powerful and heavy to have a full 33cL bottle.

8.0% ABV. Read more on Harviestoun Brewery webiste.

Liefmans Goudenband

"Traditional Belgian brown ale. Beer with sugar and sweetener, contains barley malt."

This beer has a sweet and sour taste that I did not find too nice.

8.0% ABV. Read more on Liefmans Oudenaarde website.

Árainn Mhór's Rua

"Árainn Mhór island has been inhabited since prehistoric times and it's likely to have been one of Donegal's first populated coastal areas. Archeological sites on the island have been dated to the Early Iron Age (800 BC) and the island was also home to a number of Gaelic chieftains.
"The island gives testament to the fury of the Atlantic Ocean with many marine caves and stacks carved from solid rock resulting in spectacular coastlines and views.
"Is beoir dorcha é RUA, múnlaithe sa bhuidéal, ina bhfuil comhábhar rúnda 'spiorad Árainn' a thugann blas dúinn ar dhúchas rómánsúil an oileáin Éireannaigh seo.
"RUA is a dark bottle conditioned beer which contains a secret 'essence of Árainn' ingredient to deliver an aura reflecting the authentic romance of this Irish island."

5.2% ABV. Read more on Árainn Mhór Brewing Company website.

Baltika No. 9

8.0% ABV. Read more on Baltika Brewery website.

Weihenstephaner Vitus

7.7% ABV. Read more on Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan website.

samedi 1 août 2009

Árainn Mhór's Bán

"Árainn Mhór island is a place of rugged beauty off the North West coast of Ireland. The island gives testament to the fury of the Atlantic Ocean with many marine caves and stacks carved from solid rock resulting in spectacular coastlines and views.
"Archaelogical sites on the island have been dated to the Early Iron Age (800 BC) and the island was also home to a number of Gaelic chieftains, Manus Óg O'Domhnaill being the most famous.
"Is beoir óga é BÁN, múnlaithe sa bhuidéal, ina bhfuil comhábhar rúnda 'spiorad Árainn' a thugann blas dúinn ar dhúchas rómánsúil an oileáin Éireannaigh seo.
"BÁN is a golden bottle conditioned beer which contains a secret 'essence of Árainn' ingredient to deliver an aura reflecting the authentic romance of this Irish island."

Not too bad ale kind of beer.

4.2% ABV. Read more on Árainn Mhór Brewing Company website.

samedi 25 juillet 2009

Palm Hergist

"Its fine amber colour, its rich full-bodied taste, its exceptional flavour... Palm Hergist is a beer that totally deserves and does justice to its name. It is stronger and at the same time more refined, as a result of refermenting in the bottle. This process brings out the taste of Palm more than ever. Palm Hergist is a tribute to 250 years of the art of beer brewing to quality and good taste. An exquisite variation on the legendary Palm beer, it is presented in a hearty 75 cl bottle, allowing you to share plenty of the richness of Palm Hergist with your friends."

Good (but not great) Belgium beer.

5.4% ABV. Read more on Palm website.

jeudi 23 juillet 2009

Warsteiner Premium Verum

A very good german pilsner.

ABV 4.8%. Read more on Warsteiner Brauerei website,

mercredi 22 juillet 2009

Weihenstephaner Weissbier

This is a good Hefeweissenbier. Supposedly the oldest brewery in the world, established 1040 AD.

5.4% ABV. Read more on Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan website.

jeudi 16 juillet 2009

Grolsch

Nothing special about this beer. I don't like it though.

5% ABV. Read more about it on Grolsche Bierbrouwerij website.

lundi 13 juillet 2009

1795 Original Czech Lager

"1795 is a czech quality lager from the famous city of České Budějovice `Budweis', where good beer has been brewed for more than 700 years. Our brewery was founded by the citizens of Budweis in 1795.
"We malt our own barley, we use Saaz hop flowers and draw pure soft water from 270 meters underground. Every stage of our brewing process is traditional, enabling us produce a lager of the highest standard, for which the EU has designated `Protected Geographic Indication'."

4.7% ABV. Read more on Budějovický Měšťanský Pivovar website.

samedi 11 juillet 2009

Cairngorm Wildcat

"WILDCAT is a smooth deep amber coloured ale with a complex malt, fruit and hop flavour, strong and distinctive like the powerful sleek Scottish Wildcat it is named after. Only the finest malt, hops and pure highland water are used toi create this impressive beer."

5.1% ABV. See more on Cairngorm Brewery website.

lundi 6 juillet 2009

Classic No.1 Triple Distilled London Dry Gin

"An Elegant, Dry Gin with a Harmonious Blend of Citrus and Spice. Triple Distilled with a Recipe made up of Eleven of the Finest Botanicals sourced from Around the World."

This gin is produced for Tesco. A relatively good gin, considering the price. Interestingly, it is 43% ABV, which is quite unusual for a low-priced gin.

I present a cocktail I made up some time ago:
  • 2 parts gin
  • 1 part Galiano liqueur (Galiano changed their recipe in 2009, I used a pre-2008 bottle)
  • 3/4 part lemon juice
Combine and shake, then double strain. Garnish with a vanilla stick.

Fuller's Golden Pride

"Golden Pride is our award winning, exceptionally fine, strong ale of immense character and finesse. Brewed from pale ale and crystal malts, it is a rich amber colour. Its full bodied maltiness is balanced by complex hop notes, from the northdown, challenger and target hops in the brew, leading to an intense, lasting finish. Without doubt, this is the finest example of our brewers' art, truly connoisseur's choice."

I was not prepared for such a strong beer. A British beer with more than 8% alcohol is a very rare exception. Not a bad taste, but you can very much feel the amount of alcohol, as much as in a strong cheap beer as you can find in France. For this price, better bye a Bavaria 8.6.

8.5% ABV. Read more on Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. website.

Fuller's London Porter

"This historic and prize-winning beer derives its rich, dark and complex flavours from a unique blend of pale, crystal, brown and chocolate malts. These malts give the beer a wonderful chocolatey flavour, whilst the fuggles hops ensure that the beer has a smooth, satisfying finish, making London Porter a perfect accompaniment to a chocolate pudding or on its own as an after-dinner drink."

I couldn't bear the bitterness of this one at that moment.

5.4% ABV. Read more on Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. website.

dimanche 5 juillet 2009

Clément Rhum Vieux Agricole

"Ce rhum vieux Clément est issu de la distillation du seul jus de la canne à sucre. Elaborés à l'Habitation Clement, faisant alterner durant la période de vieillissement l'emploi de fûts neufs et d'autres plus anciens, les Rhums Vieux Clement s'apprécient en punch ou en digestif."

This rum is a fine "rhum vieux agricole" matured for at least 3 years is barrels. I made a nice drink as a variation of the Mai Tai.

1 part old Jamaican rum (I used Plantation Jamaica 8 yo 1998)
1 part rhum vieux agricole (I used Clément Rhum Vieux Agricole)
1 part lime juice
1/2 part orange liqueur (I used Cointreau)
1/2 part simple syrup (I used a bar spoon granulated sugar)
2 parts raspberry nectar (I used Alain Milliat's Nectar Framboise)
1 dash of orange flower water

Shake all ingredients on ice. Strain in a cocktail glass. Garnish with mint leaves (I used a fancy lime wedge instead because I had no mint). This is a miraculously perfect drink. The two persons with whom I drank this said it was their favourite cocktail ever! I think it is in the same category as Mai Tai, which I believe is one of the best drink that exists.

44% ABV

Fuller's 1845

"From the original Fuller's brewing books this exceptional beer was first brewed in 1995 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Fuller, Smith & Turner. It has since proven a modern classic, winning numerous awards including two gold medals at the Camra great British beer festival.
"Being bottle conditioned and matured for at least 100 days before being released for sale, helps bring out the delicious fruit cake aroma from the amber malt and goldings hops in the brew. This time allows wonderfully complex, yet smooth and mellow flavours to develop. 1845 is a perfect accompaniment to many rich foods including game. We recommend that 1845 is stored upright in a cool, dark room, and poured carefully when served."

4.5% ABV. Read more on Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. website.

Fuller's Discovery

"This superb premium blonde beer from Fuller's is the perfect combination of unbeatable flavour and refreshment. This brew has a unique blend of malted barley and wheat for a delicious malty taste bursting with rich, biscuity flavours. Liberty hops give a distinctive zesty character and fruity bite, whilst saaz hops add gentle bitterness for a clean, refreshing finish.
"Discovery tastes great served chilled, either on its own or as an accompaniment to many food."

4.5% ABV. Read more on Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. website.

Woodford Reserve Distiller's Select

"The art of making fine bourbon whiskey has taken place on the site of The Woodford Reserve Distillery, a National Historic Landmark, since 1812. We honor this heritage with a truly unique batch bourbon of unparalleled quality - Woodford Reserve."
"The barrels that are used for this exceptional hand-crafted bourbon have been specially selected by our Master Distiller."

This is a very fine bourbon. I made an incredibly tasteful cocktail with it:

1 part bourbon (Woodford Reserve)
1 part liqueur Bénédictine
1 part St Germain Elderflower liqueur
1 part lemon juice
Shake all ingredients on ice. Strain in a cocktail glass.

It's very easy to do since all ingredients are in same proportion.

43.2% ABV. Read more on Woodford Reserve website.

Erdinger Dunkel

A dark weissbier.

5.6% ABV. Read more on Erdinger Weissbräu website.

Erdinger Kristall

A clear weisbier. It tastes more like a Pilsner. I like the standard Erdinger better.

5.3% ABV. Read more on Erdinger Weissbräu website.

samedi 4 juillet 2009

Wells' Waggle Dance

"The Waggle Dance is the ceremonialperformance a bee gives to alert the hive to a source of nectar. Celebrate the true magic of nature with this perfectly balanced, naturally delicious golden ale.
"Brewed using our own natural mineral water and real honey, this delicious golden ale has tantalising honeyed aromas tempered by a grassy, lemony nose - all leading to a finely balanced, fresh, delicate flavour of hops with a lingering dry finish."

Slightly bitter, very weak honey flavour. I much prefer the Belgian honey beers.

5.0% ABV. Read more on Wells & Young's Brewing Cie Ltd. website.

vendredi 3 juillet 2009

Samuel Asam's Boston Ale

"For a classic New England meal, try a bowl of New England clam chowder and pour a tall pint of Samuel Adams Boston Ale. The rich flavors of the cream and clams are complemented by the full-bodied sweetness of the brew."

4.8% ABV. Read more about it on Samuel Adams website.

Brugse Zot Dubbel

"Traditional top-fermentation beer that re-ferments in the bottle. Brewed by the unique family brewery De Halve Maan, which has been located in the historical heart of Bruges since 1856. To serve cool.
"The people of Gruges are known as `Brugse Zotten' (Bruges fools)."

7.5% ABV. Read more about it on De Have Maan website.

samedi 20 juin 2009

Wychwood BeeWyched Honey'd Ale

"Buzzing with flavour this pale golden lghtly honwy'd ale has a delicate floral aroma, hints of citrus and dried fruit then the full bittersweet flavours of malt, honey and grapefruit. The honey and sugar we use in the brew is Fairtrade which helps to provide better deal for disadvantaged farmers and workers. Jeremy Moss - Head Brewer."

The description is rather accurate: the taste of honey is very light, the bitterness is there. It has more resemblance to the usual British ales rather than the strongly flavoured Belgian honey beer. Not a must taste however.

5% ABV. Read more about it on Wychwood website.

Redbreast 15 year old

"Unique among Whiskeys, Redbreast is a `single', unblended, Pure Pot Still Irish Whiskey which has been Triple Distilled and Matured in Oak Casks for not less than Fifteen Years.
"The uncompromising dedication to authenticity and Quality gives Redbreast a traditional smooth Mellow Character and a Taste which is Full Flavoured and assertive but not over Robust."

Redbreast 15 year old is an excellent Irish whisky. It is a limited edition that is not produced anymore, which explains why prices skyrocketted to 150 euros in certain places in Ireland. It is hardly available in any other country. Drunk neat, the bite of alcohol is too pronounced for my delicate throat, but the aftertaste is delicious. I like it very much with a little bit of dilution, and it make excellent Old Fashioneds.

46% ABV.

Cairngorm Trade Winds

"TRADE WINDS, light golden in colour, refreshingly crisp woth fruit flavours from the hop and elderflower on the nose.*The cask version was the Campaign for Real Ales `Beer Of Scotland' in 2004 as well as Champion Specialty Beer Of Britain 2004, 2005 and 2006."

The elderflower is indeed noticeable. A little bit bitter, I tried it with a couple of dashes of St Germain Elderflower liqueur. It really improves, in my opinion.

4.3% ABV. See more on Cairngorm Brewery website.

lundi 1 juin 2009

Broughton Old Jock Ale

"For centuries the soldiers of the Highlands and Lowlands of Scotland have been familiarly referred to as the Jocks - powerful fighting men who have enjoyed strong beers in their off-duty hours.
"Old Jock is a classic Scottish Strong Ale. Dark and Strongly flavoured it should be drunk at room temperature and savoured like a fine wine.
"Highly recommended as an accompaniment to cheese and meat dishes."

I did not drink it at room temperature, nor did I had it with a piece of cheese or meat. I had it after three other beers yesterday, so I cannot say much about it. I just know it was tasty and enjoyable.

6.7% ABV. Read more on Broughton Ales website.

Broughton Scottish Oatmeal Stout

"Robert Younger (1820 - 1901) founder of Robert Younger's Brewery in 1844 was the great-grandson of the founder of George Younger's Brewery of Alloa (1770). He was also the great-grandfather of David Younger, co-founder of Broughton Brewery (1979).
"Oatmeal from the Scottish Borders and the finest malt and roasted barley combine to make this a most refreshing and nourishing Stout.
"We recommend you cool the bottle before drinking."

It's a good stout, neither too bitter nor too heavy.

4.2% ABV. Read more on Broughton Ales website.

dimanche 31 mai 2009

Plantation Jamaican Old Reserve 1998

"Made by traditional methods and aged in small oak casks. A very fine rum. Colour: Mahogany. Nose: wide range of highly exotic aromas of cooked bananas, coconutsand sweets. Taste: a generous rum for gourmets, with great complexity."

This is an excellent rum that can be easily drunk neat. I tried it in a Mai Tai (1 part Plantation Jamaican Old Reserve 1998, 1 part Dilon Rhum Agricole 55%, 1/2 orgeat syrup Moulin de Valdonne, 1/2 part Cointreau, 3/4 part lime juice, 1/4 part sugar cane syrup) and it is absolutely gorgeous. Probably my favourite cocktail so far.

42% ABV. Rhum Plantation.

Broughton Border Gold

"Legend has it that gold panned from the crystal clear Border streams of the Yarrow Valley, nearby the site of Broughton Ales, was used to create the third wedding ring of Scotland's most famous monarch Mary Stuart, the Queen of Scots.
"Sitting in the heart of the beautiful Scottish Borderss country, Broughton Ales has built up a worldwide reputation for 'Beers with Character'. Border Gold adds to this reputation with its folden colour, clean full malt flavour and crisp hop flower aftertaste, created by a skillful blend of pure Scottish water and the finest organically grown ingredients."

This is a good surprise. It has a nice orangish, blurry colour. It is slightly sweet, with a noticeable taste of apricot. It has a subtle bitterness. One of the best beer I've drank recently.

6% ABV. Read more on Broughton Ales website.

Wells Bombardier Satanic Mills

"Richly-roasted 'Chocolate' malt, the finest English hops and our very own natural mineral water, produce a seductively dark ale with coffee and blackberry aromas, a finely balanced depth of flavour, surprisingly smooth palate and a nostalgically smocky finish."

The coffee is pretty obvious. i don't find the blackberry. It is pretty smocky indeed. Not bad, but I'm not fond of coffee/smocky beer in general.

5% ABV.

I also tasted the Bombardier Burning Gold some time ago. No unforgettable memory about it. 4.7% ABV.

The name of this blog and why care

The name of this blog is the name of an ancient god of the galaxy of Roshvup'kul. It is said in the Books of Pnaplokjhiq, that when this god drank the Holy Beverage of Babolbaneste, he aquired super powers. This blog is an account of my beverage tastings in an attempt to rediscover by chance the Babolbaneste or some other Flynistheme. Maybe, who knows, I will get super powers from my drinks.