Author Topic: Drink Better Beer - Belgian, German, Craft, Ales, Lagers all your hoppy goodness in one place (Read 280164 times)

Wallingtonian · « **Reply #1440 on:** May 20, 2014, 06:59:58 am »

Quote from: Disregarder on May 16, 2014, 05:12:00 pm

A friend of mine recently went for a tour around the Wye Valley Brewery near Hereford. They mentioned that the brewing salts often used is what gives you the squits the next day. After a quick gander online it seems that adding salts is fairly common across the industry. I wonder if beers made without salts taste different or give you a smaller hangover? Might investigate this hypothesis when I'm made professor of booze at Oxford University.

Wye Valley make some good ales though.

Had some Wye Valley beers in a great pub in central Ludlow when I was in the UK a few weeks ago. Can't remember the name of one particular beer, but it was a golden ale and was absolutely superb

Ziltoid · « **Reply #1441 on:** May 20, 2014, 04:25:07 pm »

Wish i could have got these when they were released back in 2007 apparently

paulrazor · « **Reply #1442 on:** May 22, 2014, 11:48:12 am »

had a few of these on saturday when i was collared by some polish bloke

when he saw i ordered it he start crying

richiedouglas · « **Reply #1443 on:** May 22, 2014, 01:17:53 pm »

Ey up.

Do any of you guys know of an American beer shop that would ship to the UK? We run a beer club and it's the smaller American stuff that seems really hard to get hold of.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

ncred · « **Reply #1444 on:** May 22, 2014, 05:55:57 pm »

it would be a ton more work, but you might want to create an account at beeradvocate, and offer to trade some stuff that is only available in the UK/Europe for some stuff only available in the states.

ncred · « **Reply #1445 on:** June 20, 2014, 05:01:23 pm »

any good finds recently? I find myself, as I'm sure others do, drinking a lot more 'lighter' beers in the summer. Hoegaarden, Bell's Oberon Ale, Weihenstephaner Hefeweizen, etc.

Red Beret · « **Reply #1446 on:** July 11, 2014, 02:35:30 pm »

Don't know if this has been posted before, or how accurate it is, but I thought it might be worth sharing: Beers to avoid

http://earthweareone.com/8-beers-that-you-should-stop-drinking-immediately/

Crimson_Tank · « **Reply #1447 on:** July 11, 2014, 03:38:50 pm »

Quote from: ncred on June 20, 2014, 05:01:23 pm

any good finds recently? I find myself, as I'm sure others do, drinking a lot more 'lighter' beers in the summer. Hoegaarden, Bell's Oberon Ale, Weihenstephaner Hefeweizen, etc.

Goose Island 312 is a nice summer tipple. Ayinger Brau-weisse, Anderson Valley Summer Solstice, Boulevard ZON, and Schlafly's session IPA all make good Summmer drinks, in addition to the ones you listed.

RJH · « **Reply #1448 on:** July 11, 2014, 09:07:55 pm »

Quote from: Red Beret on July 11, 2014, 02:35:30 pm

Don't know if this has been posted before, or how accurate it is, but I thought it might be worth sharing: Beers to avoid

http://earthweareone.com/8-beers-that-you-should-stop-drinking-immediately/

To be honest, half the beers on that list I would avoid just because they're crap.

As for how dangerous any of the ingredients listed actually are ("natural flavors" is incredibly vague), I'm slightly distrustful of any website that has a section titled "New World Order".

Red Beret · « **Reply #1449 on:** July 11, 2014, 09:26:52 pm »

Well once upon a time I was actually rather partial to the Tesco cider. Yes, everybody I know thought it was cheap and tasted nasty, and indeed it WAS cheap - £2.50 for four 440ml cans - but I did actually enjoy the taste, otherwise I wouldn't have bought it. To me it had a deep, rich, almost woody taste, but I had to stop drinking it because it started chewing holes in my teeth.

n00bert · « **Reply #1450 on:** July 13, 2014, 08:07:49 am »

Quote from: Crimson_Tank on July 11, 2014, 03:38:50 pm

Goose Island 312 is a nice summer tipple. Ayinger Brau-weisse, Anderson Valley Summer Solstice, Boulevard ZON, and Schlafly's session IPA all make good Summmer drinks, in addition to the ones you listed.

I'm quite partial to the Founders All Day IPA and BrewDog's Dead Pony Club for summer smashers.

macca007 · « **Reply #1451 on:** July 13, 2014, 08:49:41 am »

Not long got back from Barcelona and had Moritz epidor. Lovely ale and 7.2% which I didnt expect. Had a look at the ship in a bottle website and none on there and a few other websites but no one sells it over here. Anyone any decent sites they can recommend?

thekitkatshuffler · « **Reply #1452 on:** July 13, 2014, 02:01:19 pm »

Quote from: macca007 on July 13, 2014, 08:49:41 am

Not long got back from Barcelona and had Moritz epidor. Lovely ale and 7.2% which I didnt expect. Had a look at the ship in a bottle website and none on there and a few other websites but no one sells it over here. Anyone any decent sites they can recommend?

http://www.beermerchants.com/moritz-epidor.html

I've still got a nice Moritz glass that I picked up from a ferry in Barcelona in 2004. Didn't get to try the Epidor though, so I might pick some up next time I put an order in.

LukeD · « **Reply #1453 on:** July 13, 2014, 05:31:54 pm »

This is a random question and I suspect it's pretty daft too, however...

I was recently bought a case of mixed British beers as a thank you from a mate I did a favour for. One of these beers was Brewdog's 5AM Saint. Having bought my Dad one of their mixed cases for Christmas a few years ago, and not really enjoying the few that I sampled, I was surprised to find that I really loved the Saint. I enjoyed it so much that I want to get some more of it (we've recently moved and I've been allowed a designated beer fridge in the utility room - have beer fridge, will fill it!). Anyway, here's my random/daft question...

Does anyone know if the 5AM Saint has changed over time? The reason I ask is because the bottle I had simply had "hoppy red ale" on the front (I love a hoppy beer myself). From checking the Brewdog website I see the label now says "iconoclastic amber ale". Does anyone know if it's the same beer just with different labels or should I be searching for a specific variant of 5AM Saint? I've done some (quick) searching and I've not found much, so any help would be gratefully received. I can easily contact the Brewdog guys directly if no one knows, I just figured I'd ask you guys first.

Be means of a pre-emptive thanks I can heartily recommend Meantime's London Pale Ale - a proper session beer:

macca007 · « **Reply #1454 on:** July 13, 2014, 05:57:04 pm »

Quote from: thekitkatshuffler on July 13, 2014, 02:01:19 pm

http://www.beermerchants.com/moritz-epidor.html

I've still got a nice Moritz glass that I picked up from a ferry in Barcelona in 2004. Didn't get to try the Epidor though, so I might pick some up next time I put an order in.

Yess!! Nice one for that. Going to order a few now. Definitely worth trying though.

thekitkatshuffler · « **Reply #1455 on:** July 14, 2014, 12:09:31 am »

Quote from: LukeD on July 13, 2014, 05:31:54 pm

This is a random question and I suspect it's pretty daft too, however...

I was recently bought a case of mixed British beers as a thank you from a mate I did a favour for. One of these beers was Brewdog's 5AM Saint. Having bought my Dad one of their mixed cases for Christmas a few years ago, and not really enjoying the few that I sampled, I was surprised to find that I really loved the Saint. I enjoyed it so much that I want to get some more of it (we've recently moved and I've been allowed a designated beer fridge in the utility room - have beer fridge, will fill it!). Anyway, here's my random/daft question...

Does anyone know if the 5AM Saint has changed over time? The reason I ask is because the bottle I had simply had "hoppy red ale" on the front (I love a hoppy beer myself). From checking the Brewdog website I see the label now says "iconoclastic amber ale". Does anyone know if it's the same beer just with different labels or should I be searching for a specific variant of 5AM Saint? I've done some (quick) searching and I've not found much, so any help would be gratefully received. I can easily contact the Brewdog guys directly if no one knows, I just figured I'd ask you guys first.

Be means of a pre-emptive thanks I can heartily recommend Meantime's London Pale Ale - a proper session beer:

Same stuff and it's boss.

As a Brewdog shareholder I'm reasonably sure that all that's changed is their advertising.

LukeD · « **Reply #1456 on:** July 14, 2014, 10:16:01 pm »

Quote from: thekitkatshuffler on July 14, 2014, 12:09:31 am

Same stuff and it's boss.

As a Brewdog shareholder I'm reasonably sure that all that's changed is their advertising.

Cheers! I actually called them today and checked and you're right; they've merely changed the label. What it does mean is that the bottle I had, had been sitting around for a bit! I guess I'm going to have to bottle age the case that I've got coming just to make sure it's as nice as the bottle I had the other day.

Ironically given my question, I'm a shareholder too. I figured the two things my son needs in life are beer and football so bought him a Brewdog share and a share in Real Oviedo. As he's only three we're joint shareholders for Brewdog so I get all his privileges for the next 15 years - I've basically taken care of his Father's Day presents for him (because I'm altruistic like that!).

GBF · « **Reply #1457 on:** July 15, 2014, 06:07:20 am »

Had this beer among many others when I was in wisconsin last week and it was very nice. Why US ship us their shit stuff but they have amazing beer over there

exCite · « **Reply #1458 on:** July 15, 2014, 06:51:23 am »

I'm Belgian and my favourites are these.

Normal beer (in Flemish: "een pintje"): Jupiler
Decent Belgian Blond Beer: Duvel / La Chouffe
Decent Belgian Dark Beer: Pannepot Reserva / Sint-Bernardus Abt
Decent Belgian Amber Beer: De Koninck (Bolleke)
Trappist: Rochefort 10, absolutely brilliant / West-Vleteren 12 / Blue Chimay

There are a lot more that I like, but that's just an insight.

PS: Don't ever listen to people who say Leffe is a great beer, it's not, it's shite. If a Belgian says this to you, he doesn't know his beers and he's an idiot.

ncred · « **Reply #1459 on:** July 15, 2014, 06:20:51 pm »

and Leffe is owned by InBev, who I make it a habit to avoid.

Johnny Foreigner · « **Reply #1460 on:** July 15, 2014, 06:29:40 pm »

Sweden has a state controlled monopoly on selling wine, spirits and beer which can be argued on manu fronts. The positive side is that the selection is wide and prices not too bad. Just tasted an anchor steam beer from us which was a very pleasant experience

Pheeny · « **Reply #1461 on:** July 15, 2014, 07:05:02 pm »

Quote from: exCite on July 15, 2014, 06:51:23 am

I'm Belgian and my favourites are these.

Normal beer (in Flemish: "een pintje"): Jupiler
Decent Belgian Blond Beer: Duvel / La Chouffe
Decent Belgian Dark Beer: Pannepot Reserva / Sint-Bernardus Abt
Decent Belgian Amber Beer: De Koninck (Bolleke)
Trappist: Rochefort 10, absolutely brilliant / West-Vleteren 12 / Blue Chimay

There are a lot more that I like, but that's just an insight.

PS: Don't ever listen to people who say Leffe is a great beer, it's not, it's shite. If a Belgian says this to you, he doesn't know his beers and he's an idiot.

Leffe is an OK beer on a warm day and is certainly not shite.Yes there are much better beers around,I like to try any "local" beers but if non are available and La Chouffe is on tap then I'll opt for that.

Often get Corsendonk or a Val Dieu and when in Leuven I opt for a Domus.

GBF · « **Reply #1462 on:** July 16, 2014, 05:50:19 am »

Quote from: exCite on July 15, 2014, 06:51:23 am

I'm Belgian and my favourites are these.

Normal beer (in Flemish: "een pintje"): Jupiler
Decent Belgian Blond Beer: Duvel / La Chouffe
Decent Belgian Dark Beer: Pannepot Reserva / Sint-Bernardus Abt
Decent Belgian Amber Beer: De Koninck (Bolleke)
Trappist: Rochefort 10, absolutely brilliant / West-Vleteren 12 / Blue Chimay

There are a lot more that I like, but that's just an insight.

PS: Don't ever listen to people who say Leffe is a great beer, it's not, it's shite. If a Belgian says this to you, he doesn't know his beers and he's an idiot.

And yet you put Jupiter as one of your favourites

exCite · « **Reply #1463 on:** July 16, 2014, 06:26:16 am »

Quote from: GBF on July 16, 2014, 05:50:19 am

And yet you put Jupiter as one of your favourites

For a normal beer (when I don't feel like drinking heavy beers).
It's not so much the taste of Leffe, but the marketing. A lot of commercials and such want to state that Leffe is one of Belgium's finest, but there are a lot of better beers in the category.

Pheeny · « **Reply #1464 on:** July 18, 2014, 08:32:55 pm »

Trying one of theses at the moment http://www.sintcanarus.be/en

Pheeny · « **Reply #1465 on:** July 18, 2014, 09:32:55 pm »

Now trying the "Belgian" Guinness...

Jonathan Hall ☆☆☆☆☆☆ · « **Reply #1466 on:** July 18, 2014, 09:45:23 pm »

I remember once having 'Satan' in Belgium years ago.

Pheeny · « **Reply #1467 on:** July 18, 2014, 10:00:28 pm »

Pheeny · « **Reply #1468 on:** July 18, 2014, 10:01:23 pm »

By the way it's my first day of 3 weeks holiday...

redmen9 · « **Reply #1469 on:** July 18, 2014, 10:13:20 pm »

My current favourite, on the 4 for £6 at Tescos

Very hoppy, which is a quality I look for in an ale. Quite bitter but full of flavour. This is what an IPA is meant to taste like, strong, bitter and hoppy, quality!

Pheeny · « **Reply #1470 on:** July 18, 2014, 11:02:15 pm »

Love these small Belgian breweries....

litliper · « **Reply #1471 on:** July 19, 2014, 12:22:40 am »

Founders Imperial stout.

It's insane.

Mcnutty · « **Reply #1472 on:** July 19, 2014, 06:38:37 am »

Quote from: GBF on July 15, 2014, 06:07:20 am

Had this beer among many others when I was in wisconsin last week and it was very nice. Why US ship us their suit stuff but they have amazing beer over there

Good buddy of mine works at Surly, big fan of that place

Max_powers · « **Reply #1473 on:** July 19, 2014, 09:17:05 am »

Not an big beer enthusiast but I was in Croatia and tried a few of the mass produced ones from that region.

Ožujsko- A very solid light lager. Available pretty much everywhere, dirt cheap and quite refreshing. Doesn't have a lot of flavour but has very crisp taste and nice carbonation. 8/10

Karlovačko- Another very popular beer in Croatia. Another light lager but this one has a more bitter taste and smell. Not a big fan of this, had a very odd and strong flavour. 4/10

Sarajevsko- Hard to find in Croatia but readily available in Bosnia. This one was my favourite one on the trip. It has a strong flavour of hops but is very smooth. Also like most beer dirt cheap. 9/10

ncred · « **Reply #1474 on:** July 21, 2014, 07:31:55 pm »

Stone Brewing Co. (fabulous brewery out of California) is going to open a facility in Berlin. More details here - https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/stone-groundbreaking-collaborations-the-campaign-for-cross-planetary-brewing

eddiedingle · « **Reply #1475 on:** July 21, 2014, 09:30:32 pm »

Loving my wheat beers. Have had Hoegaarden and leffe blonde. Any recommendations for others?

ncred · « **Reply #1476 on:** July 21, 2014, 09:48:10 pm »

ncred · « **Reply #1477 on:** July 21, 2014, 09:56:05 pm »

(speaking from someone living in the US) the other standouts in the broad "wheat beer" category that are readily available include:

- St. Bernardus Witbier
- Allagash White
- A Little Sumpin Sumpin Ale (Lagunitas)
- Bell's Oberon Ale
- Ayinger Brau-Weisse
- Sierra Nevada Kellerweis
- Franziskaner Heffe-Weisse

LukeD · « **Reply #1478 on:** July 21, 2014, 10:36:07 pm »

Quote from: redmen9 on July 18, 2014, 10:13:20 pm

My current favourite, on the 4 for £6 at Tescos

I've never been disappointed with anything St Austell have produced, they're consistently great across their range. Their Clouded Yellow is outstanding.

ncred · « **Reply #1479 on:** July 22, 2014, 01:25:53 pm »

(San Diego, CA) – Today, Mike and Lisa Hinkley, Co-Founders of California-based Green Flash Brewing Co. and Dominique Friart, CEO of traditional Belgian-based Brewery St-Feuillien are excited to announce news about the evolution of their ongoing, cross-continental brewing alliance. These innovative breweries have made the strategic decision to advance their relationship from creatively collaborative “sister-breweries” to pioneer new territory as production partners in Europe. After a year of top-secret planning, St-Feuillien and Green Flash are executing plans based on a handshake agreement whereby the legendary Belgian operation will brew, bottle and ship the San Diego craft brewery’s flagship beer, West Coast IPA® for broad distribution throughout Europe. Green Flash is thrilled to be the first American craft brewery to bring the freshest available American IPA to market in the region. The first 240 hectoliter batch of West Coast IPA in bottles and kegs is currently shipping from St-Feuillien in Belgium to a hand-selected network of distributors and importers in the UK, Belgium, Switzerland, Norway, The Netherlands, Austria, Denmark, Finland, Italy, Germany and France.

http://beerpulse.com/2014/07/green-flash-st-feuillien-reach-deal-to-have-west-coast-ipa-brewed-sold-in-europe-3359/