Beer 75 - BREW DOG There Is No Santa
But there is a GOD!! Just what I needed to follow up that CLEANSKIN!! A bold spicey aroma that falls somewhere between Christmas Pudding and a Gingerbread House. It pours a very dark ale, although the flavour is more spicey than that of roast malts. It has a mild hop finish with the bitterness somewhat subdued.
Unfortunately only a festive season promo - but again worth buying for the witty Brew Dog label!! Would be a worthy addition to any Christmas gathering....anywhere in the World!
My rating......4
Thought for the Day......Why not a 5?? I couldn't do it - with my little boy still working on his list for Santa!! It was certainly close! I will be picking up another couple of stubbys for the big day.
Beer 74 - Premium CLEANSKIN Beer
This one is a Korean beer. It has simplistic labelling, and pours a fizzy white head that lasts less time than a coke. I would liken this to some of my 8 year old home brews - in both aroma and flavour! I must admit - I've been know at times to drink them simply for the effect of their alcohol (because they're free!).
I remember this being pretty cheap when I picked it up....$2.20. Not so cheap after all because I poured the remainder in the second picture down the sink!! I think they must have sunk their money into the glass - because the stubby is probably the heaviest I've come across.
My rating.....-1
Thought for the Day........There must be some kind of legal criteria to label a beer "PREMIUM". If so, can we get the International Police to take the required action!!
Maybe it's time to put on an Intern - I always hated seeing alcohol of any kind go to waste. Perhaps they could clean up the dregs that are sink bound!!
Beer 73 - The Orkney Brewery SKULL SPLITTER.
Hand crafted in small batches and is labelled a 'strong ale' - I wonder why at only 8.5%?!? Pours a rich copper, with a moderate head - that has great retention and equally good lacing. The aroma is quite sweet, as the label states, of dates and figs. It definitely has a molassas sweetness to the taste, with some toffee malt notes. Also surprisingly easy drinking, with the alcohol content not at all overbearing. I'm thinking it's the best of any high content beers I've yet sampled. Although is probably aptly named as I'd imaging the head may feel that way the morning after a full session on the SKULL SPLITTER!!
My rating.......5
Beer 72....Blue Sky FNQ Lager
Interesting - I actually reviewed this beer twice - about 6 months apart. Without referring back to my notes here are the 2 actual reviews!
Blue Sky FNQ Lager. Disappointing. Like a sub-standard homebrew. Bland and forgettable. Easy to enjoy at 30c a stubby. But $3. i don't think so!
My rating.....2
FNQ Lager. Like one of my best home-brews. Very crisp with strong carbonation. Similar to a Euro or maybe even Pilsener. Really good balance of malt and hops. Love it !!!
My rating......5
Thought for the Day.......Needless to say, based on the above 2 reviews - I picked up another stubby today to settle my internal dispute!
Beer 71 - Gosser.
The first beer I've tried from Austria. It probably falls somewhere between a Euro lager and a Pilsener. Very pale straw and crisp. Malt flavour dominates with a light bitter finish.
My rating......4
Beer 70 - Hahn White.
A Belgian style white beer, so the label says? I must admit I got my hopes up when the immediate aroma was absolutely unique. I couldn't quite place it - but it was dominantly of spicy/herb notes - maybe raisins. Really nothing like anything from Belgium I've come across. Little head with no retention, and quite Radler like in its properties. There seems to be no malt presence in the body or mouthfeel. The hop finish is decidedly non existent.
Can I describe a beer as ugly, in this modern era of political correctness? The more I drink the less I like.....sorry Hahn! The only good thing about this experience was enjoying pizza with the family!!
My rating.......0
Beer 69....Monteith's Original Ale
I love the simplicity of this beer. Probably getting back to the roots of the early beers. Back in the 1700's the standard beer was much darker than we've come to expect today. Everything seems understated - and I love that. It does have a sweet fruity aroma I couldn't quite place. Thanks to their website I'm happy to inform it displays a hint of blackberries. Can't disagree!
My rating......5
Thought For the Day.......Poor Kiwis - 6/60 before lunch in Hobart! Credit where it's due - they are making some AWSOME beers!! Monteith's is fast becoming one of my favourite labels.
