Boon Oude Geuze

Boon Oude Geuze
0,75l
7%

So I have been warned. My brother told me that the Geuze he drank was amongst the worst things ever.
I had 5 year old Sake the other day and I think that nothing can be worse than that..
Geuze is a classical Lambic which means that the magic of fermentation doesn't happen with the help of brewers yeasty beasty bacteria but instead by wild strains of native yeasty bacteria. See the Sioux against the Beefeaters or something...

I also have heard a lot about Lambic...ranging from the Best ever to omg never again. Some say that it can go horribly wrong but also could be da awesomeness, depending on what wild tribe of alcohol wielding beasties you encounter.

The often mentioned Braufactum are importing Boon Oude Geuze into Germany where I recently found it refrigerated in the nice beery shop.

Now I do have to warn you. I worked a 4 am shift today, didn't sleep before and had a 3 h nap afterwards.. chances are that I'll be in beerhaven afte 3 drops of alcohol.. especially as this is a large botle and the brew holds 7% of alcohol... BUT for you my reader I undergo the highest trials.

Ratebeer has a high opinion for it it seems.. alas, like usually, I didn't read it.

It comes in a traditional Belgium large champane style bottle, closed with cork.
The green bottle is simple with an old fashioned label stating the name and the usual boohoo. Nothing fancy here. Braufactum has added their own telltale label on the other side of the bottle to show the participaion of that Geuze in the Braufactum franchise in Germany.

I have no idea whether the yeast should stay in the botte or be mixed ...as I usually mix it I did this time as well. The bottle of the glass well.. sticking to the tasting glass like usually nowadays.

It ours easy with a very strong fruity aroma and fine white head that stays for a while.

The aroma is truly unlike anything else. It's very fresh, tart. Smells like fresh apple cider but also of sweet fruits that started to ferment slightly. The smell of an apple or plum orchard in late summer when the bees are getting drunk from the old fruits lying on the ground. It does remind me a lot of the apple wine that is made in my German home area.

Its reddish brown but turns yellow when seen with some light behind it. Its cloudy as it isn't filtered. (Which is logical as it is parly bottle fermented. See Geuze  for more information on this beer category)

The carbonation is perfect and the taste is awesome. It is very tart, but does hold some very fine sweet tones and a fine fruit aroma in the after taste. You truly can't taste the 7% which (assssssssssssss you all know) is a great thing for me. There is a very, faint bitterness in the aftertaste as well.

If you can stand tart/sour drinks, please try this. It's a very hot day here and I enjoy the refreshing tartness tremendously.

I really like this!

Prost!

DMW

Duckstein Braumeister Edition No.03

Duckstein Braumeister Edition No.03
0,5l
4,8%

Tommi had tried the classical version of this beer very early in the beginning of our blog.. alas in Finnish so I have no idea whether he liked it or not.
On my journeys to the paradise of beer lovers I found the Brewmaster Edition which is limited.
I am a fan of this brew though I fear that it nowadays belongs to Holsten which in turn is owned by Carlsberg and thus to one of the 4 large chains in the beer industry.

Duckstein uses its own bottles which are very elegantly shaped in my humble opinion. The limited edition has a variant of the iconic Duckstein D.

Duckstein itself is not only the name of a brewery, it also is a special kind of beer, closely related to Altbier, alas seen as its own category
Like usually, Ratebeer is not convinced so we shall see whether I disagree with them or not.

They do make their own special glasses for that beer but just like with Kwak I simply am unwilling to buy a glass just for some beer because the brewery tells me to.

It pours quick with a mediocre light caramel head consisting of a mix of fine and large bubbles.
Its amber in color, with copper red hues.

The aroma is strong, rather metallic and coppery. Fine tones of orange and spice are present and I can almost smell the alcohol.

It's bitter and I can taste the wood chips they used to mature the beer. The carbonation is pretty OK.. could be stronger. The beer gives it a bit of smoky taste that blends well with the Sapphire Hops they use. It's slightly sour on the tip of the tongue, smoky full in the middle and bitter on the back and the side. It's an interesting choice but can't reach the point where I'd say 'YAY' I think it would actually gain from more hops as it has interesting intentions but somehow doesn't live up to it. The way it is I am not a huge fan of the wood taste but I could see it being great if it would be hopped stronger.

Prost!

DMW

Viru

Viru
by A. Le Coq
300ml
5%

I have to admit it. I only bought this because of the bottle .. so yeah I totally fell for advertising. The bottle of this Estonian beer was just too cool to pass. I am, surely, influenced by James Ramsden when it comes to Estonian beer... which means I am skeptical about it. But hey I drink Finnish beer so Estonian beer can't be so bad, right?

When it comes to the bottle, well you best have a look at it. It reminds me of some bottles they had in Star Trek in the background somewhere. And you all know that I have a soft spot for glasses and bottles.

It has a metallic blue label on the upper part of the bottle that only holds 300ml.
I honored it by using my fancy tasting glass.

It pours easy with rather little foam. It leaves a small layer of very fine pored bubbles.

It's very golden yellow.
The aroma is sweetish but all in all rather generic. I find it is smelling more/better than te generic Finnish stuff I know.

Its pretty watery with a slight bitter hoppish taste. Funnily everyone else I found on the internet just bought it because of the bottle as well. Not much taste in it really. Slight flowery tones but really rather tasteless.

Its an OK drink. I wouldn't mind getting it on tap on a night out if it were just for the drinking fun... but yeah that's about all I can say to it.

Prost!

DMW

Crabbie's Ginger Beer

Crabbie's Ginger Beer
0,5l
4%

So, no, I still haven't given up after the Coconut Beer. For today I chose Crabbie's Ginger Beer. They have it in Raspberry and Orange but for my first flirt with it I went for the classical version. I like the bottle though it isn't much different from other English bottles.The label shows the Scottish Thistle (or so I guess...).
As I am instructed by the label to drink this over ice with a slice of lemon I ritually sacrificed an innocent lemon. As I do not have ice in my freezer, I use my freezer-ice-cooler balls. Hollow stainless steel balls filled with distilled water and then frozen.

Again I am not sure what to expect? Something like a Finnish Lonkero? A fancy version of Fanta with alcohol?

I dislike ginger in food but I think I remember liking Ginger Joe's which I wrote about (last year?).
As I have no friggin idea which glass to chose I went for a pretty basic pint glass.

It pours easy and is darkish gold ... as if someone poured a small amount of cola into a beer I'd say.

Maybe because of the cold balls or of the lemon, the head was more than enough ... sadly it dissipated rather fast, leaving only a very thin layer of foamy goodness.

The aroma is admit-ably strange. Medicinal, sweet. It reminds me of some dissolvable magnesium tablets I took as a kid and loathed. So yeah the smell isn't anything to praise ... I doubt I would have bought this if I had smelled it before.. but well we drink beer and don't sniff it so... next step:

Yeah this is very sweet ... also with decent carbonation. I was about to type 'I do not like this' when the aftertaste hits in. The ginger is really nice in it, burning the back of my throat a bit while spreading warmness throughout my mouth. A pleasant sensation. There are flowery tones in it and I'm a big fan of the ginger hotness in the end that give it a whole new dimension. Alas, it still reminds me more of a soft drink than of a beer. Maybe a tad bit less sugar would have been great.

But yeah, go check this one out if you like the weirder stuff. It is worth a try!

Prost!

DMW

Coconut Beer

Coconut beer
330 ml
5,5%

Part of my loot from yesterday was this Coconut beer from Ghana. I can't find the brewery for it and frankly I'm a bit skeptical. I guess deep down the German Purity Laws are set in stone in my little beery soul. Also I have never set foot on the African continent and though I have been promised beer from Malawi and South Africa it hasn't reached me yet.

Correction... I just saw that it is brewed in Belgium under license.. so BOOOOO I expected something mysteriously African.

But I am straying from the topic. So yeah.. Coconut beer. I am not sure what to expect I guess something Cocktail sweetish as that's the only time I drink coconut...

The label is rather simple... as it shows.. well a coconut. According to the label part of the money paid for it goes into help projects in a kingdom in Ghana so yay we can feel better cause we can drink with a clean conscience... yay us.

Ratebeer gives it a whooping 8...

It pours with a lot of fine white foam. The brew itself is very light colored, bottle fermented and naturally cloudy. It's almost milky yellowish.

The aroma is not very intense. Tart and yeasty tones prevail, coupled with citrus smells and lemon zest. Some faint spicy tones of cinnamon as well. So far it reminds me of Hoegaarden but then again I haven't tasted it yet. Alas the Belgium brewery would point to Hoegaarden.

Perfect carbonation, strong amounts of tartness, leaving a sour aftertaste. I can only find the coconut very, very faint in the after taste and I'm not even sure whether it's really there or whether I just imagine it.

It is an OK brew if you like em tart... but that's about all I can say to it.

I guess I expected to much.. something along the lines of tropical cocktails or such. So yeah meh.. sorta.


Prost!

DMW

Riedenburger Brauhaus Dolden Sud

Riedenburger Brauhaus Dolden Sud
330ml 6,5%

So I managed to go shopping today and 'accidentally' ended in the Worlds leading beer store with even an entry in the Guinness book of world records. I purchased malty goods for 52€ which might not be much for a Finn but for a German it's .. well a lot for beer.

It also is yuckie hot outside.. we are in the third day with 28 degrees. Little breaks of thunderstorms. In other words: It's a tropical hell out there and my low blood pressure is not a huge fan of this.

I chose an IPA or as they mockingly call it a Bavarian Pale Ale because I really want one today. I hope that the bitterness is refreshing. I love the design of the label and the funny little story they put on the back. It's all somehow steam punkish. Also all their ingredients are certified organic so basically drinking this just MUST be healthy, right? RIGHT? So yeah, I'm in love with their label and the fact that a German brewery dares to make an IPA add the certified organic to it and I doubt I could not like it.

It ours very orange, I'll come up with my Fanta comparison again and has a strong smell. The huge pores linger around long, just like I like it. Persistent foam for everyone!

This smells.. oh my how this smells. This must be the best smelling beer I have tried or at least that I can remember trying. It's super fresh with strong gooseberry tones. A hint of copper but very faint and somehow fitting, hell I'd buy an air freshener with that scent! Sweet tones that build a full aroma with tart parts.

I SO gotta try this now.

The carbonation is mild which is OK for an IPA. It is fruity with a nice strong bitterness. The hoppish bitterness blends in with the fresh fruit taste. Seriously the only minus point I can find is that I can taste the alcohol in the aftertaste but that's just one of my pet peeves, is it not.

I find faint muscat blossom and gooseberry in it. It's a very fine IPA indeed. Superior in taste and forming a delicate piece of art all together.

SO not regretting that I bought it.

Prost!
DMW

Schorschbock

Schorschbock
Schorschbräu
330ml
16%

Schorschbräu has been well known as fighting against Brewdog when it comes to the strongest beer in the world. The Germans have the added problem that they are working with the restrictions of the German Beer Purity Law. I couldn't find any of the higher percentage babies of this Franconian Brew-record-holder, but I did, however, find what they market as the strongest Pilsner in the world. I saved this for a few months as the times when I was head over heels for strong beers have long past... For you, esteemed reader, I will make an exception, however, and try this 16% Pilsner. I made sure to have had a nice meal before so it wouldn't instantly make me tired... Stronger beers tend to do this nowadays... I'm not sure who currently holds the record for the strongest beer as Schorschbräu and Brewdog appear to play Ping Pong with the title. I'm torn... I love Brewdog and I'm a shareholder, alas I'm also half franconian... Tough call.

Of course I just HAD to use my new fancy beer tasting glass for it.
The bottle comes with the easy to open flip top thingy I grew to like because one doesn't need an opener for them.
The label is rather minimalist... main emphasis is the 16% of alcohol.

As expected it pours a bit oily with litle foam that dissipates rather fast, leaving behind a circle of caramel colored goodness on top of the dark brown nectar. It's really dark brown, almost black and there was an ample amount of yeast left in the bottle and the glass when poured.

It smells very sweet and heavy, almost intoxicating.. somehow some oriental perfumes come to mind. Almost like syrup. Sweet marzipan tones, mixed with flowery parts and honey. Also some tartness but mainly hidden behind the sweet marzipan and bitter almond.

The carbonation is perfect and the taste is a very, very exquisite mixture which reminds me of Finnish Sahti mixed with dark chocolate. It is surprisingly fruity with the bitter tones just setting in on the sides of the tongue in the aftertaste. The amount of different tastes in it is remarkable. Ranging from Dark chocolate to sweet candy with hues of herbs and fruit in between. If I hadn't known, I would have said that this is Sahti.

A very interesting beer that I can only highly suggest everyone to try. I can't be arsed (pardon my french) to look up rate beer today because well usually they don't agree with me anyways.
Brewdog beware!

Prost!

DMW


 

Braufactum Colonia

Braufactum Colonia
355ml
5,5%

As my readers know I have written about Braufactum before... they formed a company which has raised the standard of beers in Germany... alas also the prices. Their products include their own beer as well as others that they apparently import and are allowed to sell. They sell stuff right out of a branded fridge in selected salespoints. Also they are making glasses... and you know how much I like glasses.. which is why I purchased their sampling glass as it looks fancy... Today - I fear -  I won't write as much as usual.... simply because I had a block of very stressful work days and this is my 'YAY DAY OFF' beer.

Their bottles all share a unique brand design and I haven had their smaller bottle before. (The other ones I wrote about were huge bottles.)

I have had a Kölsch before so we shall see whether this Craft Kölsch is any different from the local 90 cent Supermarket Kölsch.

I am a bit skeptical about the glass I have to admit but hey the internet says they developed it specially for beer tasting so... It pours with nice foam with huge pores. They call it a top fermented bitter. It is red golden though the brew is so nicely chilled that the glass looks like frosted.
It smells very fresh and like Pilsner with flowery tones, hops and citrus fruits. Maybe some hints of pepper.

It's very bitter which is rather refreshing. Carbonation is about perfect, the hops are definitely there and taste very appetizing, there is, however, a bit soapy side tone and I can taste the alcohol... two minus points.

It is a solid, nice bitter, that definitely branches away from the usual German crap.. if it is worth double the price ... Maybe.

Thanks to my brother who is the one who has access to the closest Braufactum sales point.

Prost!

DMW

Stallhagen Honungsöl

Stallhagen Honungsöl
4,7%
330ml

A leftover of my trip to Åland, this little bottle made its way from Mariehamn to Turku, to Helsinki, to Frankfurt and finally to my home town with me. The cuddly hotel we had for Åcon was stocked with all kinds of Stallhagen products and though I preferred their IPA over everything else, I brought the Honeybeer with me why ever. (Most likely because it was the one bottle that was left from the ones I bought...)

Righto I gotta admit that it is refreshing to get something that isn't restricted by the German purity law for a change... it allows for more fun, more playfulness and more diversity in beer.
I was/am a bit sad that Stallhagen seemingly only bottles their nectar of Gods in small bottles... I do prefer my pint over a small sip that's gone within a second but I guess I can't have it all.

The bottle has the breweries name on it and the label is nicely matching the honey theme (Actually I read that Stallhagen is the main user of the honey produced in Åland), being yellow reflective with some stylized honeycombs on it. I grew to like their sorta minimalist design. It's clear and simple.

I chose a simple small straight glass for it as I was to lazy to dig around in my glass shelf.

It pours with a  mediocre white foam which dissipates really fast.. by the time I finished pouring the glass it was gone.
The brew itself is brownish yellow and very pale. It smells sweet with hints of lemon juice and tartness.

It is surprisingly tart, not very sweet at all and the honey is very subtle blending in with the yeast and malt tones. I like it here a lot more than when I has it in Åland.. maybe because I didn't have it chilled there. It's a very delicate composition. I gueyy it might put someone off if he/she was expecting something very sweet. The honey is a nice addition and mainly recognizable in the aftertaste. All in all a very nice, round beer that I definitely could drink again! Time for http://www.archipelacon.org/ all!

Prost!

DMW

Kulmbacher Mönchshof Lebkuchenbier

Kulmbacher Mönchshof Lebkuchenbier
0,5l
5,4%

Hello Kittens!
And mea culpa for not having been in touch with you wonderful people in a while.
Work has me back and I also started a further education. Then there was Åcon in Åland where I was treated with Stallhagen beer for a long weekend and I must say I like their stuff a lot!

So now I am back and Dr.H. the sponsor of another long test series has gotten me a true gem (or so I hope as I haven't tasted it yet). From my research I found out that this golden yellow beauty can only be bought at the museum where it is brewed and the attached brewpub. Apparently also only in very small quantities though so many customers asked for it that they doubled the production recently. It is only brewed during winter, alas the name 'gingerbread-beer'. It is, however, in accordance to the German purity law so don't get upset, there is no real gingerbread in it. From what I understand it is meant to be drunk in winter when there are gingerbread cookies around so I do expect something spicy yummie... but as I said.. no idea so far. I wonder where Dr.H. gets the goodies but hey.. it's free beer for me (and we all know that free beer is the best beer right? Ok maybe not if it is Karjala but....)
I found Beeradvocates and Ratebeers articles about it but decided not to read them after all.... I mean I wanna write my own stuff here not just repeat what others have said.
I pondered about what glass to use and went for a pretty one I just had purchased at the last brewpub I visited.
It pours reddish gold with a very nice foam that's a mix of fine and big pores and light caramel of color. The foam lingers nicely, isn't too much nor too little.

I also like the bicolored design of the label. A bit retro, a bit home made on mock parchment. With a printed seal saying highly limited. Nice.

It smells sweet and strong, almost like a Bock, which it isn't. There are malt tones and honey sub tones together with some nice whiffs of what I'd call umami smell. Also very faint tones of orange zest.

Now let's taste.... (by now my mouth is watering..)
It's sweet and heavy on the tongue with a decent carbonation. Walnut and bitter orange comes to mind with a nice rounded full taste and especially aftertaste. One can taste the alcohol which is just a tad bit of a minus for me as you all know but nothing major. By now the foam dissipated and through the cold.iced glass the beauty looks even darker brown. It might mislead some people into thinking that this should taste like Lebkuchen bt that's just the name of it. A very nice full beer with surprising many tasting notes. It remins me of some Barley Wines I have had.

Thank you Dr.H. You are an inspiration.

Prost!
DMW