Veltins Pilsener

bottom fermented Pilsner
0,5l bottle 4,8%
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veltins


In a 'back to the roots' movement I decided to go for my former favorite beer when I was just beginning to consume this golden beverage out of which dreams are made and nightmares spun. According to Wikipedia Veltins Pilsener is the number 7 in the top selling breweries in Germany. The bottle is nice and branded with the brewery name within the glas, something that's not that common in Germany since most beer bottles are made in the same way so they can be interchangeable between the breweries. After a nice and full foam head, a small layer remains. Filtered and absolutely clear the color has a classical golden shine. Smell is is very fresh and fruity .. actually it makes my mouth water so time to taste it...:)
A tad bit watery the taste opens after a second or two. The distinct bitter and slightly yeasty taste comes in the aftertaste. Luckily not too bitter, it holds a nice balance between hops and the spicy side notes. I do remember why I used to like it... still I prefer my unfiltered Kellerbier but its definitely a good Pilsener, even though or maybe because it is produced by a big brewery.
DMW

Westmalle Trappist Tripel

33cl bottle 9,5%


Strong pale ale
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tripel
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westmalle_Brewery
Picture taken before the last bit of the bottle with the yeast is poured.

Distinct sweet, strong smell that all Tripels share. Rich fruity, banana ish with a hint of honey.
Foam stays nice and long and adds to the pleasure of looking at this beer. I purchased the matching glas at Brussels airport where I was working for a day in an exchange program. It's slightly cloudy at this point, will, however, get even more so, once the yeast is poured into it. Many people are fighting about whether the yeast belongs into it or not.... I personally drink half of it without and then pour the yeast in for an additional flavor experience. Taste without the yeast poured is nicely sweet bitter with some hints of liquorice in the aftertaste. Not as sweet as I expected from the smell and a bit more bitter than I remember it to be. Carbonation is just perfect. It tickles the tongue and vanishes quickly.
Adding the yeast...
Color changes to an almost Fanta-ish yellow while the yeastiebeasties are swirling around.
The yeast mellows the taste and the bitterness and in my opinion should be added in the beginning, alas, it is up to the personal taste. All in all one of the best Trappistes.. though the Rochefort might win over it. 
DMW

Paulaner Oktoberfest 2011

Hana : 0,5 l : 6 %

Brewdogista jäi niin kiukkuinen humala maistumaan suuhun että päätin huuhtoa sen alas kampanjahanatuotteella.

Kullankeltainen ja maukas peruslager Paulanerilta valikoitui tällä kertaa palan painikkeeksi. Hohtavan valkoinen vaahto hävisi melko nopeasti Oktoberfest-spesialistobeen sijoitetun oluen pinnalta.

Olut on siis perusluikeroa tuhdimpi maultaan, muttei herätä peruslaadukkuutta lukuunottamatta sen ihmeempiä tunteita. Maukkaus peittää helposti alleen kuuden tehollisen voltin etanolipitoisuuden: tätä olisi peloittavan helppoa hörsiä kohtalokkaan monta litraista tuoppia. Ei huano.

-T

Brewdog Alpha Dog (existential red ale)

Pullo : 0,33 l : 4,5 %

Sattui niin sopivasti kohdalle kaatosade, että oli suorastaan pakko poiketa Kampin Rotterdamiin. Aikani varvisteltuani tiskillä, silmämunitellen pullovalikoimaa Saksa-schlagerien sulosointujen raastaessa korvalumpioitani, päädyin valitsemaan neljän Brewdog-oluen valikoimasta otsikon ohrajuoman.

Ammattiylpeän baarimikon kaadettua oluen pulloon (ja suotua allekirjoittaneen ottaa kuvan oluesta ja peukalostaan), havainnoin vaahdon lähes loistavan poissaolollaan ja nesteen punervan sameaksi.

Maku säväytti alkuun pirteällä, jopa kiukkuisella hapokkuudellaan ja katkerankitkerällä humalallaan. Humalointi on tosiaan reipasta muttei trendikkään hedelmäistä - harmin paikka; pidän pihkaisesta humalasta.

Maltaisuus tuntuu korkeintaan etäisenä häivähdyksenä jälkimaussa.

-T

Schinner 1860 Urstoff

1860 Urstoff
Schinner
Munich Helles Lager
0,5l 5% bottle


Very light yellow orange clear look, foam dissipates very fast but leaves a fine layer.
Very sweet spicy smell, not bitter and pilsner like like I expected.
Also sweetish taste, maybe a bit too watery. Very faint roasted malt aroma which is a slight turnoff for me.
Nevertheless a very clean and refreshing taste even though I didn't drink this one chilled.
It is a very honest and crisp taste and I can see this as a very nice alternative to a tasteless Lager or a bitter Pilsner.
DMW

Burger & Bun: L. A. Lager (0,33L & 5%)

Hampurilainen ja olut on yhdistelmä joka ei kuulosta järin herkulliselta ensikuulemalta. Ei edes silloin, kun olut on Mikkellerin panema ja burgereiden laadusta ei ole mitään tietoa. Toki tanskanmaalla on ollut tapana syödä kaikenlaista perin outoa, joten oluen ja hampurilaisten yhdistelmä sopii siihen perinteeseen hyvin.

Belgiassa pantu tanskalainen, varsin villisti humaloitu olut muistuttaa vahvasti erästä toista pohjoismaalaista Intian tuliaista. Internetin ihmemaailma osaa kertoa, että tuotteesta löytyy Columbusta, Nelson Sauvinia, Centennialia, Simcoeta ja Amarilloa. Siis melkoinen sekoitus, ja hyvin löytyy katkeruuttakin. Kaadettaessa olut näyttäytyy punertavana ja hieman sameana, ja vaahdostakin muodostuu yllättävän kuohkea. Ensipuraisu tuntuu kitalaessa ja kestää pitkään. Hedelmäinen tuoksu ja maku ovat hyvin esillä, ehkä taustalla on hieman greipinmakua. Tämä lager olisi sopinut menneen kesän helteisiin poikkeuksellisen hyvin, sen verran raikasta menoa tämä on.

Ja vaikka tämä(kin) Mikkellerin luomus on erinomainen, en silti pilaisi tätä hampurilaisella. Enkä muullakaan. Parhaillaan tällaiset juomat ovat sellaisenaan.

Golden Surprise with Augustiner Edelstoff

Edelstoff
Exportbier
Bottomfermented
0,5l : 5,6% : bottle

(Export — Wikipedia: a pale lager that is fuller, maltier and less hoppy than Pilsner. 12-12.5° Plato, 5-5.5% ABV. Germany's most popular style in the 1950s and 1960s, it's becoming increasingly rare.)
Augustiner Braeu München

Brewery

Colorwise a pale gold and not as orange as I would have expected. The foam dissipates very fast, alas a thin foam layer persists. Very fruity, fresh appetizing smell. Tastewise this came to me as an absolute surprise. I was expecting a bitter Pilsnertaste but instead I was surprised by the fresh, full taste. It has nice spicy side tones but keeps the distinct beer taste. I can only guess how purrfect an unfiltered version of this would be. Surely one of the best beers I have had in a long while. The spicyness has a nice contrast with soft citrus notes which is an interesting sensation. The carbonation is just right, it tickles the tongue without hurting it. Half pint gone.. still sone fine foam left... yay! Sadly or funnily enough having found this made my day today. Seems like a rare gem that I just picked up cause I liked the lable and thought it to be a nice addition to my collection. Alas I can see myself buying a case of this and have a nice afternoon on my terrace. A Gold Star from me :).

DMW

Wells Bowman Stout

Alkon valikoimiin on ilmestynyt uusi stout: Wells Bowman Stout. Pullossa on mukavan näköinen etiketti ja pullon muoto on jostain syystä tuttu. Takaetiketin lähempi tarkastelu kertoo, että olutta panemassa on ollut Wells & Young panimo, jonka oluista ainakin Young's Double Chocolate Stout on jo vanha tuttu. Nopea googlaus paljastaa että Young ja Wells yhdistyivät vuonna jo 2006.

Kaadettaessa olut kuohuu vaivalloisesti, vaahto häviää myös hyvin nopeasti ja lasissa on jäljellä enää vain hyvin synkkää olutta. Tuoksussa hieman paahteisuutta, lakritsia ja kahvia. Suussa maistuu kahvimaisuus ja kuiva paahteisuus. Hieman mitäänsanomaton ensivaikutelma, mikä kokemusten perusteella vaivaa isoa osaa brittistoutteja. Maku ei myöskään parane oluen vähentyessä. Tätä tuskin tarvitsee ostaa toista kertaa.

Tuopin pohjan lähestyessä tämä olut ei kerta kaikkiaan tarjoa mitään erikoista. Tässä ei yksinkertaisesti ole yhtään mieleen painuvaa yksityiskohtaa. Ja jos jotain positiivista pitäisi löytää, niin etiketti on ihan mukavan oloinen. Matala alkoholipitoisuus ja liiallinen hapokkuus eivät vaan ole hyvä yhdistelmä tällaisessa oluessa.

Schinner Braunbier

 

1590 Das Echte Schinner Braunbier
Schinner Bayreuth0,5 l : 5,4 % : bottle

www.buergerbraeu-schinner.de
http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/schinner-altfranken-braunbier/14669/

Braunbier is the designation for a mildly hopped, beer made with malt out of barley. It's an old designator stemming back to the days of a very strict German Beer Purity law from 1516.

This particular beer used to also be called Red Beer because of its color... and indeed it surprises with a deep red brown color. The foam holds nicely and never fully dissipates, leaving a nice layer of creme colored bubbles on top.This bottom fermented beauty smells of fresh bread and almost like a bock with its sweet, deep tones. The smoky bitterness is maybe the strongest taste factor that comes to mind. I'm sure it's the right beer to a slice of freshly baked bread with a hearty cheese, alas for me at this moment it isn't fitting my summer mood. It tries to be as heavy as a bock, can't cope with its 5,4% alcohol, however, and tastes a bit watery for me. It has a ryeish aftertaste that stays in the nose and on the palate that I don't really fancy... alas it was to be expected from this kind of beer and I wanted to taste it to blog about it. It's interesting how much ones taste changes over the years, as I used to be really fond of these dark beers when I was younger. Even after half the mug gone, the thin layer of foam persists which is something that I do find very aesthetically pleasing. I also am very fond of the color. The sun shines through it and shows the full color of thin coffee with a more reddish hue. It's something I would definitely chose for a big dinner in medieval setback.... a full beer nicely fitting Olde Hansa in TLL for example, alas nothing I prolly will buy again besides as a novelty... or for my fellow co-bloggers to try.

All in all I'm not a fan of the roasted malty aftertaste but it's definitely nice for a change and to try.

DMW

Schmucker Double

1. Schmucker Rosé Bock 

0,5 l : 8 % : bottle

Schmucker Brewery
Bock - Strong Lager
Wikipedia

The label implies the color... alas the pinkish color I had in mind from the last Kriek I drank wasn't what I got. It has a amberish, slightly reddish hue; produces a nice foam which sadly disperses way too fast. The smell is surprisingly fresh and fruity with a hint of marzipan, not as heavy as I'm used to from other Bock.
It's clear, thus definitely filtered and - like almost all beers in Germany - brewed according to the German Purity Law – the Reinheitsgebot. Tastewise it's a nice fine Bock, not too heavy like they usually are. It reminds me of a weaker tasting cousin of the Trappistes I like so much. Interestingly it gives a nice extra aftertaste on the back of the tongue and the palate. It's mildly carbonated; a bit more would be nice to make it a bit more fruity. All in all it is a nice Bock and I like the idea to make it a bit brighter in color. Bitterness is nicely blended in with the other taste notes of flowers and fruits. I do like the idea of a bit lighter Bock. And this could easily become my favorit Bock for now. The alcohol content is noticeable though.

Sadly the picture can't show the red hues it has.

I guess I am still a bit prejudiced towards the brewery.. even though a friends mother once worked there and almost every of our parties was sponsored by her free beer. :)

2. Schmucker Odenwälder Ur-Stoff
0,5 l : 5 % : bottle

Landbier

Color is less attractive than my normal favorite cloudy beers... tbh it reminded me more of some visit to the doctors and a lil plastic cup... but äh away from that... a bit like a red hued light yeast beer.
No distinct smell besides some vague citrus notes. Foam dissipates fast again. Taste also is rather bland with high carbonation thats almost hurting the tip of my tongue. The slightly bitter aftertaste isn't really my thing either. I'd prefer this over a bland finnish Lager every day, alas it can't really compete with my all time favorite Schlappeseppel. I almost think that Schmucker tried to ride the wave of unfiltered Kellerbier but then decided to make it bland enough to hit the general taste. It's absolutely drinkable and seriously not bad but all in all not very spectacular. Another Schmucker.... :)

-DMW

Germano-English Invasion

Bottle, 0,5l 4%
Brewed by Sheperd Neame

What better start for an English entry than an English beer...

This Ale (sometimes also called a Bitter) is definitely one of my favorites. As I do not share the enthusiasm of my fellow writers when it comes to IPA or Ale in general, I was a tad bit scepitcal when a coworker brought me this beauty from the UK. I was wrong, however. The taste is really rich and it goes down very smooth though it smells very american genuine beerish for me. I liked the foamy head it produced and the chocolat almost spicy taste tones it has in addition to a generic toffee flavor. This rich, fruity ale has won me over. Apparently you can even get in from Lidl in the UK. The amber color is pleasing my eye and - as a label collector - I really liked the fancy St. George against the dragon label. I really like the aftertaste and the aroma that stays in ones nose. A quick net research showed that the general public gave it rather mediocre reviews... an opinion I can't share.

DMW

Ohimennen: siivoussiideri Thatcher's Old Rascal

(Pullo : 0,5 l : 4,5 %)
Taloutemme eräälle naarakselle iski rymsteeraushinku, ja siivouskiukkua loiventamaan tarvittiin tyylikkääseen etikettiin kääritty, markettiluokassaan melkoisen maukas (joskin makea) brittisiideri.

Tuoksultaan toki omenainen, maultaan samoin. Kieli puutuu tanniinista (?) hieman. Rakenne tuntuisi kaipaavan hieman lisää alkoholia; tämäkin maitokauppasiideri olisi parempaa hardina.

Vallan mainiota; ostaisin/tulen ostamaan uudestaankin - tosin ostotoimenpiteen sattuessa anniskeluliikkeeseen, vaihdan tämän johonkin hardimpaan Thatcher'sin tuotteeseen.

-T&K

Laitilan Kievari Portteri

Tämä on oikein maukasta mämmiä. Juuri sellaista hapanta ja katkeraa, kuten pääsiäisenä pitääkin. Vaikka tässä on prosentteja jonkin verran yli kioskioluen, ne eivät juuri maistu kaiken ihanuuden alta. Tämä portteri on lisäksi niin tummaa, ettei kirkas iltapäivän aurinko näy tuopin läpi lainkaan. Vaahtoakin oli, mutta se pakeni kun tuoppiin katsoi vihaisesti.

Laadukkaasta mämmistä erottuu paahtunut kahvi ja ehkä laktrisi; suussa tuntuu humala. Jälkimaku ei ole vetinen kuten useissa muissa kotimaisissa porttereissa.

Näitä syksyn viimeisiä aurinkoisia päiviä katsellessa tällainen olut toimii oikein hyvin jälkiruokajuomana. Toinenkin pullo maistuisi erinomaisesti, vaikka yleensä en useampaa tummaa olutta juokkaan peräkkäin. Tänään tästä puuttuu ainoastaan sikari.

Ei tämä parhaita porttereita ole, mutta edulliseen hintaansa nähden tämä olut kyllä yllättää positiivisesti.