Beer Tasting Notes

As you will know by now, I am a rather large fan of beer. In fact, it's quite a passion of mine. However, I rarely drink to fall down but rather to enjoy the vast number of ales, lagers and beers on offer from around the world.

In a bar, I tend to go with real ale - like the fantastic Golden Salamander I tried in Bradford today - whilst at home, I tend to go with bottled continental beers. However, over my 10 years of drinking, I am sad to say I have never kept a record of all the beers I have tasted. From hereonin, I intend to change that by writing regular tasting notes on my LJ. I may even convert it to a bespoke beer group in time.

So beers I have had within the last fortnight:

Svyturys Extra (5.2%) - Founded in 1784, this light Lithuanian beer has high refreshment value with a deceptively high alcoholic content. It's available in Wetherspoons I believe and is definitely worth getting. I tried it in Lithuania during my trip there in 2003. With a beer this good, I don't understand why the suicide rate there is so high.
Original Crocodile (5.2%) - Moving on to Sweden, this average ale needs to be served cold to be enjoyed properly. It's a rather sweet beer from memory but not one that was easily discoverable in Stockholm during my visit in 2003. The potential furry reference elevates it somewhat although I don't want to find out what the Fake Crocodile tastes like.
Baladin (7.5%) - Any beer with no label and all writing etched into the glasswork of the bottle is a winner in my book. This high-strength beer tastes every inch the 7.5% it is, but you can't help but want more when you have finished.
Bohemia Regent Prezident (6.0%) - 1379 is the date on the bottle and the Czechs do have a fine brewing tradition. This beer was very pleasant in the traditional style of the region. Light, fizzy and with a pleasant aftertaste so everything spooge isn't.
Lech (5.2%) - Standard Polish fare but the only beer of the main local brands I never drunk during my two visits to Poland (in 2003 and 2005). Perfectly fine but the taste isn't too distinctive and it is very fizzy.
JulBrew (4.7%) - You may be surprised to hear that Gambia has a brewing tradition but it does. JulBrew is a delightful gem, sweet and drinkable. Unfortunately, Wolfie's parents only brought back two bottles - one for me and one for Wolfie - so I may have to wait until August until I get to sample some again.
Tiger (4.8%) - Now a main UK brand admittedly but one of those which proves that brewing in the UK and brewing in the country of origin often produces two completely different results. The Singapore version of Tiger is gorgeous whereas the UK one tastes uninspired. The different climatic conditions also play a role as a similar accusation could also be laid at the door of Indonesia's Bintang beer.
Tooheys New (4.6%) - I am unsure as to Australia's brewing tradition as nothing has ever jumped out at me regarding beers from Down Under. Tooheys is nice but if I remember, it was a tad too hoppy. Very like an ADHD bunny on crack.
Victory Prima (Alcoholic content unspecified) - The Americans don't make good beer from my experience but this was a huge surprise. This Pennsylvania brewery makes 'A Refined Pilsner Beer For Natural Enjoyment' and for once the marketing is quite right. The microbrewery tradition in the USA is one of its hidden gems and the brews from New England are particularly strong. Victory Prima evokes WW2 patriotism due to its label design, which is a nice touch.
Zatec (4.6%) - Another Czech beer, apparently brewed since 1004. I find most Czech beers mould into one after a while although this is one of the strongest ones I have tasted. The brewery was reborn in 2002 and the taste of the beer has a sense of the care which is clearly invested in the brewing tradition. A good choice.
Steinlager Pure (5.0%) - Clean, crisp, refreshing - very much like sheets treated with Bounce. Also pretty much like the country its from - New Zealand.
Cerveza Palma Cristal (4.9%) - This beer is Cuban and is perfect for sharing. Very much like Communism really. This beer is sweeter though.

So there we have it. I have a load more beers in the fridge - another 10 to try at least - which I will update you with later in the week. Until then, if you have any recommendations then please shout.

Beer Tasting Notes

As you will know by now, I am a rather large fan of beer. In fact, it's quite a passion of mine. However, I rarely drink to fall down but rather to enjoy the vast number of ales, lagers and beers on offer from around the world.

In a bar, I tend to go with real ale - like the fantastic Golden Salamander I tried in Bradford today - whilst at home, I tend to go with bottled continental beers. However, over my 10 years of drinking, I am sad to say I have never kept a record of all the beers I have tasted. From hereonin, I intend to change that by writing regular tasting notes on my LJ. I may even convert it to a bespoke beer group in time.

So beers I have had within the last fortnight:

Svyturys Extra (5.2%) - Founded in 1784, this light Lithuanian beer has high refreshment value with a deceptively high alcoholic content. It's available in Wetherspoons I believe and is definitely worth getting. I tried it in Lithuania during my trip there in 2003. With a beer this good, I don't understand why the suicide rate there is so high.
Original Crocodile (5.2%) - Moving on to Sweden, this average ale needs to be served cold to be enjoyed properly. It's a rather sweet beer from memory but not one that was easily discoverable in Stockholm during my visit in 2003. The potential furry reference elevates it somewhat although I don't want to find out what the Fake Crocodile tastes like.
Baladin (7.5%) - Any beer with no label and all writing etched into the glasswork of the bottle is a winner in my book. This high-strength beer tastes every inch the 7.5% it is, but you can't help but want more when you have finished.
Bohemia Regent Prezident (6.0%) - 1379 is the date on the bottle and the Czechs do have a fine brewing tradition. This beer was very pleasant in the traditional style of the region. Light, fizzy and with a pleasant aftertaste so everything spooge isn't.
Lech (5.2%) - Standard Polish fare but the only beer of the main local brands I never drunk during my two visits to Poland (in 2003 and 2005). Perfectly fine but the taste isn't too distinctive and it is very fizzy.
JulBrew (4.7%) - You may be surprised to hear that Gambia has a brewing tradition but it does. JulBrew is a delightful gem, sweet and drinkable. Unfortunately, Wolfie's parents only brought back two bottles - one for me and one for Wolfie - so I may have to wait until August until I get to sample some again.
Tiger (4.8%) - Now a main UK brand admittedly but one of those which proves that brewing in the UK and brewing in the country of origin often produces two completely different results. The Singapore version of Tiger is gorgeous whereas the UK one tastes uninspired. The different climatic conditions also play a role as a similar accusation could also be laid at the door of Indonesia's Bintang beer.
Tooheys New (4.6%) - I am unsure as to Australia's brewing tradition as nothing has ever jumped out at me regarding beers from Down Under. Tooheys is nice but if I remember, it was a tad too hoppy. Very like an ADHD bunny on crack.
Victory Prima (Alcoholic content unspecified) - The Americans don't make good beer from my experience but this was a huge surprise. This Pennsylvania brewery makes 'A Refined Pilsner Beer For Natural Enjoyment' and for once the marketing is quite right. The microbrewery tradition in the USA is one of its hidden gems and the brews from New England are particularly strong. Victory Prima evokes WW2 patriotism due to its label design, which is a nice touch.
Zatec (4.6%) - Another Czech beer, apparently brewed since 1004. I find most Czech beers mould into one after a while although this is one of the strongest ones I have tasted. The brewery was reborn in 2002 and the taste of the beer has a sense of the care which is clearly invested in the brewing tradition. A good choice.
Steinlager Pure (5.0%) - Clean, crisp, refreshing - very much like sheets treated with Bounce. Also pretty much like the country its from - New Zealand.
Cerveza Palma Cristal (4.9%) - This beer is Cuban and is perfect for sharing. Very much like Communism really. This beer is sweeter though.

So there we have it. I have a load more beers in the fridge - another 10 to try at least - which I will update you with later in the week. Until then, if you have any recommendations then please shout.

The Sky Is Over

Wolfie and I visited Bradford yesterday, which smelled of shit. I think there was a burst sewage pipe or something but there was a heavy musk in the air which was far from pleasant. It could have been Wolfie's bottom burps though.

We spent a long time traipsing around looking for a bar that Wolfie had once visited on a work's night out. We eventually settled in The Mansfield Arms where I had a pint of Golden Salamander, a nice golden ale from the local Salamander brewery. We also discovered two Eastern European shops and stocked up on beer and other delicacies whilst we were glad we didn't go in the local ale pub for local people as it was full of drunk beardy men.

We went to the disappointing Little Germany area, which I thought was a lively bar quarter but it turned out to be a small district of offices. The architecture from Bradford's industrial heyday was stunning and it was also great seeing Bradford Cathedral close up. Sadly, I had a work problem to contend with at this point, leaving a frustrated Wolfie sat on a stone throne carved into the side of a wall for the best part of half an hour. We also nosied around Bradford Forster Square railway station, Bradford's most central yet most disappointing railway hub.

We hadn't been to Pizza Hut for a while so we decided to go there too. There were lots of fat people going to the salad bar and then piling their plates high before drowning their lettuce in gallons of mayonnaise. There was also a kid's 13th birthday party going on where every child was dressed like an 18 year old. We had a Barbeque Chicken stuffed crust pizza in the world's hottest restaurant and were distressed to discover they have stopped handing out mints at the end of the meal. Apparently the company was 'losing millions of pounds a year' on mints. Tough economic times indeed.

Afterwards we yomped home in the sun. I like walking in the sun. We don't go to Bradford often enough really and it is a city with huge potential, albeit one which has been hit significantly in the current economic climate. Delapidation doesn't even describe it (the gay area was particularly drab) and it's very sad to see. Hopefully, like with the urban park which has now sprung up on land originally designated for a huge shopping complex, things will change soon.

The Sky Is Over

Wolfie and I visited Bradford yesterday, which smelled of shit. I think there was a burst sewage pipe or something but there was a heavy musk in the air which was far from pleasant. It could have been Wolfie's bottom burps though.

We spent a long time traipsing around looking for a bar that Wolfie had once visited on a work's night out. We eventually settled in The Mansfield Arms where I had a pint of Golden Salamander, a nice golden ale from the local Salamander brewery. We also discovered two Eastern European shops and stocked up on beer and other delicacies whilst we were glad we didn't go in the local ale pub for local people as it was full of drunk beardy men.

We went to the disappointing Little Germany area, which I thought was a lively bar quarter but it turned out to be a small district of offices. The architecture from Bradford's industrial heyday was stunning and it was also great seeing Bradford Cathedral close up. Sadly, I had a work problem to contend with at this point, leaving a frustrated Wolfie sat on a stone throne carved into the side of a wall for the best part of half an hour. We also nosied around Bradford Forster Square railway station, Bradford's most central yet most disappointing railway hub.

We hadn't been to Pizza Hut for a while so we decided to go there too. There were lots of fat people going to the salad bar and then piling their plates high before drowning their lettuce in gallons of mayonnaise. There was also a kid's 13th birthday party going on where every child was dressed like an 18 year old. We had a Barbeque Chicken stuffed crust pizza in the world's hottest restaurant and were distressed to discover they have stopped handing out mints at the end of the meal. Apparently the company was 'losing millions of pounds a year' on mints. Tough economic times indeed.

Afterwards we yomped home in the sun. I like walking in the sun. We don't go to Bradford often enough really and it is a city with huge potential, albeit one which has been hit significantly in the current economic climate. Delapidation doesn't even describe it (the gay area was particularly drab) and it's very sad to see. Hopefully, like with the urban park which has now sprung up on land originally designated for a huge shopping complex, things will change soon.