Beer 59 - Abbey Ale.....first time
Really impressive local in the style of a Belgian Ale. Pours a rich orange/golden colour with a thick creamy head. Surprised when checking the label at the 7% content, as the alcohol was not overbearing on the palate.
Very lively aroma with a flavour and mouthfeel I would compare to Leffe Blonde. Left a solid impression of a wheat beer - but I don't think wheat malt is amongst the ingredients. The colour was surprisingly deep and didn't seem to match it's flavour? Liked it just the same.
My rating....4
Thought for the Day.....You make your own luck - to a point. Beyond that you need to make the most of what is.....what it is!
Beer 58 - Trumer Pils.....first time
Ok, I do love beer! But I'm finding that above all.....pilsener is my thing. Just love the full malt flavour - balanced with a hops bitterness.
In this case the malt is evident in both aroma and flavour, although it pours a very pale straw colour. Nicely carbonated, it's light and crisp to drink. Surprisingly mild bitterness that really doesn't linger, compared to many other pilseners. But boy is it smooth to drink!
My rating.....5
Thought for the Day.....Amazing how sometimes the simple things in life pick you up when you're feeling wiped out.
The kids helped mix a batch of homebrew non-al lemonade from a great recipe I found on the net (with real lemons!). We'll know what it's like in a couple of weeks!
Beer 46 - Bighead......second one
I like to do some market research with new beers - checking feedback and testimonials from other connoisseurs, info on the brewer's website.
Now the Burleigh Brewery are putting out some really solid products, and I thought I may have been harsh on this one?
Second time around (from the stubby) and I'm wondering if my initial rating of 2 might have been generous - am I drinking the same beer as the testimonials on the BB's website?
Trend or not with the carb issue, Bighead is simply devoid of flavour!
Beer 57 - Razorback Red Ale....first time
Another interesting local product - the Snowy Mountain Brewery. Pours a thick creamy head, rich copper in colour. The aroma and flavour incorporate the roasted malts perfectly, while the hops offer a very mellow bitterness. It does unfortunately have a hint of a metallic aftertaste that I found hard to place.
My rating......4
Thought for the Day.....Went snorkeling with our 12yo this morning - she had a ball!
Beer 56 - Duke Premium Lager....first time
Much in the tradition of European lagers. Brilliant clear golden colour - crisp and refreshing. No standout features, but it is one of the more enjoyable local lagers I've sampled recently.
Only brewed an hour from home - could be doing a tour of the Burleigh Brewery real soon!
My rating....4
Thought for the Day....Looking forward to getting back on top of things!
Ok...dragged you in. Not about dairying at all. More about blogging.
Fascinated....blogging....Almost like a modern day version of what Oprah used to promote. To Journal. Only you are able to reach other people with your ideas and feelings.
Journalling is a way of releasing - blogging is a way of sharing / reaching / helping / being helped.
Coming off depression (diagnosed with clinical depression in December '09) I felt as though the past year has been an incredible achievement in both my personal and professional developement. I undertook and personally facillitated the biggest project our family farm has seen in its existance since 1933. While at the same time successfully rebuilding my bond with Trish and the kids. Perhaps a little too ambitious.
.......the end result is an operational Robotic Dairy. The cost is hopefully only short term - my health. It's taken quite a battering. A few too many shifts in excess of 24 hours - a few too many weeks in excess of 80 hours. I truly felt as though I was coping particularly well, until a couple of weeks ago.
Maybe it was a culmination of events beyond my control...natural disasters, family problems (in-laws, not my own) and the uncertainty surrounding the very industry that keeps our farm afloat....Dairying.
Just like something out of an old Batman episode....KAAA POWWW!!!! And it didn't miss me either - about a week ago. Felt like de ja vu - rewind to December '09.
But I'm ok. Pretty quick to recognise the symptoms. Had a very lazy week and am coming back to my usual self.... I hope! Maybe I was already running on empty - but I hope all the other dairy farmers are ok after Coles genious marketing strategy was released. In fact I really hope that many of them leave the industry if unsatisfied (as we did in 2003) and reward the multi-nationals with what they deserve....a huge supply shortage!
Beer 55 - James Squire Sundown Lager......first time
Very crisp and clear. A hint of citrus as the label suggests. A little short on personality, but most enjoyable just the same! This would make a great session beer.
My rating.....4
Thought for the Day.....Some people hate the 'bottling' process of homebrew. To me it's like therapy. Maybe I need therapy?
Beer 54 - Murrays Nirvana Pale Ale.....first time.
I must admit, I was very dissapointed when I learned of Murray's relocation from the Coffs area to Newcastle - was going to call in on our January holiday. But at least I found this one at Dan Murphy's in Toowoomba.
Very fruity and hoppy. Sparkling golden colour. I might be coming around to these pale ales.
My rating....4
Thought for the Day.....Floods.....Cyclones.....Earthquakes.....we still live in the greatest part of the world - it just doesn't feel like it all the time!
All my deepest sympathies to those in Christchurch dealing with loss of loved ones. May the memories of their presence be forever with you.
Beer 53 - Hoegaarden Original.....first time
It's a wheat beer, pours very pale. Very unique - spicy, fruity aroma. Very smooth. Typical wheat beer flavour. I can understand that some may love this one - not for me.
My rating.....2
Thought for the Day.....Working on that addition to the 'dairy' blog. Thoughts will soon hit the keyboard.
Beer 52 - Tooheys Extra Dry Platinum.....first time
Attempt at an extra strength beer - by modern day standards anyway. Overbearing taste of alcohol. Smells 'green'.
My rating....1
Thought for the Day.....Maybe sometimes it's fun to get drunk quick - but it's still nice to enjoy what you're drinking in the process. Perhaps I'm just getting old!!
Beer 51 - Bitburger Premium Beer....first one last year
Real crisp and refreshing. Had always drank from a stubby before this one. Pours slightly cloudy - very pale with some yeast residue in the bottle.
Malty flavour and perhaps a little lightly hopped....but I do love to drink this one!
My rating....5
Thought for the Day.....Sometimes the things you enjoy most in life just are. You can't easily put a finger on what makes it so.
Beer 50 - Hahn Premium Light
Ok....was doing a wedding a little earlier tonight. Have generally discounted this beer in the past due to it's lack of flavour - I have a newfound interest in it. A great beer to drink at gigs.....only 0.8 drinks per stubby.....meaning I can drive home without worrying about being pulled over!
It's also a very healthy alternative to softdrinks (0 grams of sugar vs. 50 + grams per drink!). Although bland - refreshing and easy to drink.
My rating....3
Thought for the Day.....Alcohol really is a great social lubricant. I don't think I 'd get too many takers for the dance floor at weddings beyond the Bridal Waltz without it!!
Beer 49 - Gage Roads Premium Lager.....first time
Reasonable fruity flavour and moderate bitterness from the Hallertau hops. But sorry. This was the flattest beer I've ever poured!
My rating....2 (benefit of the doubt - will retry at a later date)
Thought for the Day.....Life is good!
Beer 48 - Kilkenny....first time
Though it pours a thick creamy head (because it's be nitrogenated) it is quite poorly carbonated. Much in the style you'd expect of a traditional ale, although dark in colour through the use of roasted malts. Yeasty with hints of stale bread. It is quite lightly hopped.
My rating.....3
Thought for the Day....Often expectation exceeds reality - but that's ok. That's part of life!
Beer 47 - Bluetongue Premium Lager.....first time
Another brewery with a story. Great to have a story - even better to back it up! Another typical forgettable Aussie lager.
My rating....2
Thought for the Day.....Don't live on past glory's. You're only as good as your current actions.
Beer 46 - Bighead.....first time
Australia's first 'no carb' beer. Apparently important to some? Sorry. Just another boring drinkable brew.
My rating.....2
Thought for the Day.....Did you know that carbs don't make us fat? It's the fructose component in sugar that the body can't process.....and no beer contains fructose!
Beer 45 - Monteith's Pilsner.....first time.
Nice little euro style Kiwi brew. Pours a typical golden colour, with aroma of hops and yeast. Quite a malty sweetness in this brew. Maybe a tad light on bitterness for a true pilsener. Very drinkable just the same.
My rating.....4
Thought for the Day.....Ever feel like you're going flat out, but the wheels are just spinning? Keep going. Probably making more progress than you realise!
Beer 44 - Reschs Original Pilsener.....first time.
Interesting history. Everything else about this beer is pretty forgettable. Is this a Pilsener.....really? And they up Queenslanders about XXXX !!
My rating.....1
Beer 43 - Mountain Goat Hightail Ale.....first time.
Not sure if this one is meant to be consumed from the stubby, but as my photo shows - there's some crazy carbonation going on! I tried a second pour in another glass....with the same result.
As the bottle says, burnt amber in colour, that dark malt comes through loud and clear in the flavour also. Nicely hopped with a mild bitterness. I will be drinking again soon - YUM!
My rating....5
Yes, I did finish up drinking this one from the stubby.
Thought for the Day.....We just did a 5 hour round trip for lunch at my cousin's place for they're first born's christening. Worth every minute of travel time. Can never seem to spend enough time catching up with extended family!
Beer 42 - Cascade First Harvest.....first time
Been looking out for this one for a while. Definitely lived up to expectation.
A rich copper colour. Has good lacing and head retention - right through to the last mouthful. Has a floral aroma and is extremely hoppy. Has a very bitter lingering aftertaste, which I really like!
My rating....5
Thought for the Day....Sometimes you don't realise how much you miss the little things in life - until your memory is refreshed.
I just put down my fist batch in a few years - Morgans Pilsner. When that airlock started bubbling I thought..."Ahhh, I do love making beer!". Very therapeutic!
Beer 41 - Oettinger Bier....first time.
This very cheap German import is not nasty at all! It's a typical pilsener - pale in colour with a hoppy bitterness, although not overpowering. Still made to German purity laws. Really quite impressive.
My rating....4
Thought for the Day.....Just did a great gig tonight - for my daughter's swim club at the pool. If only more kids had the opportunity today to socialise and play sport. They had an absolute ball....and so did I!
Beer 40 - XXXX Summer Bright Lager
Yes - yet another low carb brew, of course in response to market demand. Easy to drink, although quite bland. Literally.....more of the same.
My rating.....3
Thought for the Day.....It's hard to fight market forces - even when they compromise integrity.
Beer 39 - Matilda Bay Bohemian Pilsner....first time.
I must admit, I was a little aprehensive about this one after a couple of big dissapointments (eg Big Helga). Faith restored!
They didn't get carried away creatively with this one thankfully. Real good full bodied beer. Crisp with a bitter finish - in the style of a true European pilsner.
My rating....4
Thought for the Day....Ahhh...beer that tastes just like the label suggests - that's better!!
Beer 38 - Matilda Bay Big Helga....first time.
Don't know if I got a bad one? Aroma of rotten fruit. Tastes like cheap wine. Stated on the label to be in the style of a Munich Lager? I didn't think it even resembled beer - let alone lager!
My rating.....0
Thought for the Day.....Sometimes creativity can be misleading. Be sure to learn the lessons from trial and error!!
Beer 37 - Tooheys Extra Dry....first time - I know!
Really like this one - crisp and malty. Not very bitter, but very drinkable. One of the better mainstream beers on the market.
My rating.....4
Thought for the Day.....C'mon Aussies - Bring on the World Cup!
Beer 36 - Lowenbrau Original....first time
Has been served every Oktoberfest since 1810...impressive! Real malty flovoured brew - similar to what I experienced in Williams Pale Ale. Mild bitterness and very easy to drink. This one's right up there.
My rating......5
Thought for the Day.....Sorry - nothing profound. But I broke 80 for only the second time in my life - 79 hits with 28 putts. OH YEAH!!
Beer 35 - Carlton Dry Fusion.....first time.
I must start by saying - I really like the bottle. Beautiful use of all my favourite shades of green (which happens to be my fave colour) with the addition of some quality artwork.
Oh...the beer you ask? If that's what you call this anemic concoction with an overbearing pinch of salt. I was cringing with each sip - as you do when you come up swallowing, having just been dumped by a big wave at the beach.
Did I say I liked the bottle - one of my favourites so far....but the contents?
My rating.....0
Thought for the Day......Sometimes the intention behind a thought is sound - but the results achieved are below expectation.
Beer 34 - Dos Equis XX Special Lager....first time.
Imported from Mexico. Just another lager, really. Not very memorable - definitely not 'special'.
My rating.....2
Beer 33 - Knappstein Reserve Lager.....first time.
I'm confused....is this beer or wine? The stubby tells me this brewery (core business is Winery) is based in the Clare Valley. So I was immediately suspicious. On popping the cap there was an immediate fruity aroma of grapes. And surprisingly....not...it poured and extremely pale colour - a marginally darker hue than white wine.
Easy enough to drink - it just doesn't have the characteristics of beer I've come to expect. I even got Trish to give me a second opinion and she agreed, "Yep, smells like wine"! But as far as wines go - I like it (because I don't like wine at all).
Despite their debateably intelligent and undoubtably successful transition into the beer market - Knappstein should stick to wine....it's obviously their target audience. I've been unable to track down an ingredient list online, but have come across many positive reviews from punters. They're mistaken - calling this one of Australia's best Lagers.....it is quite simply not a lager!!
My rating.....2
Thought for the Day......Cyclone YASI......Oh my GOD. Stay safe in North Qld!!!
Beer 32 - LEFFE BLONDE.....first time.
Quite a fiesty little brew this one! From Belgium, it has a rich history to go with its full body and spicy flavour. Almost a hint of fruit and cloves - but not too acidic. Pours a deep golden honey colour. Tremendous head retention made a pleasant change to some of the sub-standard efforts of a few local microbreweries.
We'll have to revisit this one. It is quite different to many I've tried so far....but not in a bad way. Maybe similar to the Cascade Blonde, although not quite as easy to drink. At 6.6% though it gives you a nice little buzz!
My rating......4
Thought for the Day......Hi carb full strength beer. Ahhh....that's better!!!
