Beer - #360 - Almanac - Biere de Chocolat

ok, so I was confused/amused by the label, and made a grab for this - Almanac Biere de Chocolat - what could go wrong - beer and Chocolate ?
Made  by  the Almanac Beer Company, brewed at Hermitage Brewing Co., this is in the style of a  Porter, and they do that in the  place we know as San Francisco, California USA, or 'Frisco, or SanFran, or the place near Oakland. Or yes I'd prefer the Oakland Raiders..  Karl Malden... et al..... Street cars. I've been there! it's an awesome city. Go!  

Wasn't Bullitt fimed in San Fransisco?

So , calories be dashed this is:165  a serve (355ml) and has an ABV of  5.5% which is low, or around standard commercial domestic. So 1.5 standard drink in NZ,

Our Biere de Chocolat celebrates the long and lauded history of chocolate production in San Francisco. Our aim was to create a beer bursting with cocoa

[caption id="attachment_7963" align="alignright" width="300"] Selfie[/caption]

flavors and aromas, balancing sweet and savory to create a complex but quaffable chocolate brew. To accomplish this we partnered with Dandelion Chocolate in San Francisco to create this rich brew brimming with chocolate character. Working with the unique flavors of Dandelion’s single-source beans, we created this decadent beer by layering in smoked and dark-roasted malts with citrusy Ivanhoe hops from Clearlake, CA. Finally, we added a blend of hand-roasted cocoa beans sourced from Madagascar and Río Caribe, Venezuela. The Madagascar beans add bright berry-cocoa flavors, while the Río Caribe adds dark chocolate and bourbon notes. A touch of vanilla rounds out the supporting flavors to create an eminently drinkable beer that is a chocolate lover’s beer through and through.

Words much "Our robust porter brewed with cocoa nibs from Dandelion Chocolate in San Francisco and a touch of vanilla? 

There are a lot of words about this beer, including "Quaffable"

...Lots of dark chocolate and a bit of coffee on opening, thats nice.

Richly deep dark pour with a nice fluffy decent mocha head of headiness.

Aroma moves to sour cherry/chocolate and cold coffee. Go on have spick at all three....  head moves off in boredom.

Tastes. Immediately this made me frown with that sourness. Frowning isn't a good thing

The carbonation takes the place of taste opportunity, the sourness is a bit part player across the back but not the front.

Not really a lot of taste that dominates or brings attention to itself with this, the phrase "talks a good game" or "sings when you're winning" come to mind, although this isn't winning.

Pretty much a swing and  a miss. 

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 6  a of its things from the thing. Could have had more of the everything. Likes however the fruit hints and the dry fruit finish on the mouth, length is missing, mouthfeel is short. I’ve had worse more unpleasant beer than this, this isn’t a disaster, just not a show stopper.

The double dip review

1. Am I enjoying it? Ah, no


2. Would I have another? Gosh, no


3. Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? Nooope.

 

PORTER

Black or chocolate malt gives the porter its dark brown color. Porters are well hopped and heavily malted. This is a medium-bodied beer. Porters can be sweet. Hoppiness can range from bitter to mild. Porters are often confused with stouts.

Beer - #359 - Wigram - Captain Cook Spruce Beer

Riiight - Wigram Captain Cook Spruce Beer, Honestly this was picked a beer to serve Royals - http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/drinks/9943919/What-beer-we-d-serve-Will-Kate -

It says

2) Wigram Spruce Beer - While The Mussel Inn's Captain Cooker is arguably our most famous manuka beer, Wigram's is said to be a closer match to the first beer brewed in New Zealand. Captain James Cook brewed an ale using molasses, manuka and rimu when he hit the shores of Aotearoa, and the Christchurch brewery does the same today. The unconventional ingredients create an aroma which screams of tramping through native bush, while the ginger flavour gives a spicy finish

Now the Captain Cooker is a shocker, really it is. So

[caption id="attachment_7954" align="alignleft" width="300"] Eyes left..... Selfie[/caption]

Wigram Captain Cook Spruce Beer -  Brewed by Wigram Brewing Company this then is in the style of a  Spice/Herb/Vegetable and Wigram is in Shakey Christchurch, New Zealand

500 ml bottle with  150 calories and it’s a  5% ABV beer making it 1.97 standard drink units in NZ 

Based on Captain Cook’s original recipe as first made in Dusky Sound, New Zealand, 1773. Flavoured with ’spruce’(rimu) and tea tree (manuka). Brewed for Heritage foods.

I don't know what kind of people get to decide on this, those that should get out more often I suspect.

The aroma..like, er, pine, but really sweet, almost mint.

Pours a lot darker than you would thing, with a great fluffy head, and honestly a pretty nice aroma of sweet, spruce, and lemons. Looks great.

Oh goodness that's not pleasant.  Could be on our way to being a republic. Glass of pine needle in water sir?

You can smell, and taste the spruce / pine in this, I've gained another wrinkle though it's a challenge.

It's not sweet, sour, bitter or full. It's an upfront full on punch in the face that leaves quickly, wherein you wonder what happened.

It's a spiced beer for sure, and taken as that it's a good beer. I was expecting something else, got something else, and then it was something else altogether.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 7 a of its things from the thing. If I'd sailed half way around the world and they said drink your fill I'd give it a crack. However  this is an interpretation and I imagine much less angry. Would I drink my fill of this, nope. Could I? Perhaps with a leg of Moa or something. 

The double dip review

1. Am I enjoying it? I'm still smiling and frowning on this one


2. Would I have another? I doubt it, it's more a 'show off' beer than a session


3. Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights?.. if it was some kind of banquet and there was other things in the wings then possibly, or we were dressed as pirates, could happen.

Musically - Get In! I then went to the Cure - and this - again I know some of the words - Just like heaven.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RS_ux2H473I&w=560&h=315]

SPICE/HERB/VEGETABLE

Any ale or lager made with herbs, spices or vegetables. The additive should be distinctive in the aroma. See beer description for flavor. Body, color, hop character and strength vary depending on the type of spice, herb or vegetable used.

Beer - #358 - Lakefront - IPA

A much simpler to pronounce - Lakefront - IPA

Lakefront appear to make a lot of beers- this one their IPA. Brewed by Lakefront Brewery this one in the style of an  India Pale Ale (IPA) and they’re in good ol' Wisconsin USA, he said reaching for an atlas. 

Only in a 355ml bottle, (a serve) but this is a a 6.9% ABV beer, of 210 calories, and this would be 1.8 standard drinks in NZ

Pours a hazy orange with a rocky white head that lasts, and leaves soft lace on your glass as

[caption id="attachment_7946" align="alignleft" width="300"] Selfie[/caption]

you sip this refreshing beer. American Cascade and Chinook hops dominate the aroma, yielding a citrusy, floral bouquet. The hops give a nice bite to the flavor profile, but this beer is well balanced with a full body and smooth malty flavor to back up the hops. It finishes smooth and crisp with a lingering hop flavor reminiscent of fresh ruby red grapefruit.

They say.

Lovely rich hop grass aroma on opening, and I may have thought about orange peel,  but then yeasty bread.

Fantastic bright orange pour with a reasonable head. light grass but a lot of citrus things in this for me.

Bitter but then also not bitter at the the same time, it's like it's shy of something or other, a bit confusing. Nice carbonation.  Bitterness really though is all up front and on the tip of the tongue there isn't a lot of carry or backbone on this and the finish is short.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 6 a of its things from the thing. The IPA field is huge and carried and you have to be very good at one thing or the other, and this isn't really trying to be anything. 

I might be harsh with this. Fair call that this would be fine with a plate of food in front to eat and enjoy at the same time, it's not a bad beer. But a beer that needs deep fried to keep it in the game........

The double dip review

1. Am I enjoying it? Sadly not


2. Would I have another? Hopefully not


3. Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? No, not even.

Musically - listening to the REM unplugged albums - This then the R.E.M. - It's The End Of The World clip, I know most of the words :-)

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0GFRcFm-aY&w=420&h=315]

INDIA PALE ALE & IPA

India Pale Ale gets its name and unique style from British brewers who were making beer for export to India. This style has an intense hop flavor which was used to preserve the beer for the long voyage. India Pale Ale has a golden to copper color with a medium maltiness and body. The aroma is moderate to very strong. IPAs work especially well at cutting the heat of chili, vindaloo or Sichuan cuisine.

A round up of the beer so far - an indulgence

I was trying to impress myself with understanding the what I'd been drinking

So far I discovered that I've had 59 different styles of beer, most popular or common is the IPA, and the DIPA, and then American Pale, Belgium Stron and Imperial Stouts.

There appears to be some gaps though as the number listed and the number drunk are different - 341 listed 355 drank, that's a challenge.

I should go through handwork out which countries....  Might save that for another day as it means going through and categorising all the posts again.

Might also start putting a NZ$ price indicator in the reviews.

 

• Abbey Dubbel (4)


• Abbey Tripel (10)


• Abt/Quadrupel (2)


• Amber Ale (13)


• American Dark Lager (1)


• American Pale Ale (21)


• American Strong Ale (9)


• Barley Wine (3)


• Belgian Ale (8)


• Belgian Strong Ale (20)


• Belgian Style Wit (3)


• Belgian White (Witbier) (6)


• Bière de Garde (2)


• Bitter (6)


• Black IPA (6)


• Bohemian Pilsener (1)


• Brown Ale (4)


• California Common (2)


• Cider (2)


• Doppelbock (2)


• Dortmunder/Helles (2)


• Dunkler Bock (1)


• English Pale Ale (6)


• English Strong Ale (4)


• Flanders Red Ale (1)


• Fruit Beer (4)


• German Hefeweizen (3)


• Golden Ale/Blond Ale (9)


• Heller Bock (1)


• Imperial Stout (20)


• Imperial/Double IPA (23)


• Imperial/Strong Porter (1)


• India Pale Ale (IPA) (38)


• Irish Ale (2)


• Kolsch (2)


• Lambic (2)


• NZ Pale Ale (1)


• Old Ale (2)


• Pale Ale (3)


• Pale Lager (2)


• Pilsener (11)


• Porter (16)


• Premium Bitter/ESB (4)


• Premium Lager (1)


• Red Ale (1)


• Russian Imperial Stout (2)


• Saison (6)


• Schwarzbier (4)


• Scotch Ale (4)


• Smoked ale (5)


• Sour Red/Brown (1)


• Sour/Wild Ale (1)


• Specialty Grain (2)


• Spice/Herb/Vegetable (10)


• Stout (12)


• Strong Pale Lager/Imperial Pils (1)


• Traditional Ale (1)


• Weizen Bock (1)


• Wheat Ale (5)


• Wit Beer (1)

Import Craft Beers - 8 Wired Saison Sauvin

They drink our beer over there.....

Beer - #357 - ’t IJ - IJwit

They ran out of consonants and this is then another one of those unpronounceable beers  - ’t IJ - IJwit

Brewed by Brouwerij ’t IJ in the style of  Belgian White (Witbier) and they are in the progressive city of Amsterdam, Netherlands

A 330ml bottle of a 6.5% ABV beer, with about 195 calories, only 18 IBU things, this would be 1.69 standard drinks in NZ

[caption id="attachment_7931" align="alignright" width="300"] Ears like Rocket Fins[/caption]

Formerly called ’t IJ Scharrel IJwit A full-bodied, Amsterdam wheat beer that is dangerously ‘moreish’. Slightly cloudy, it has a beautiful golden colour and a soft, foamy head. When we brew IJwit, we use wheat malt as well as barley malt, which is also how the beer gets its name. The wheat malt gives the beer a delightful, fresh flavour, and the addition of coriander and lemon during the brewing process produces a rich aroma of banana, citrus and spices. Topped off by a fine, slightly sweet aftertaste, IJwit is a delicious thirst-quencher.

Same old familiar aroma from this style of beer.

Well nice poor of golden yellow with a dense head of  white foam, bubbles dancing in the glass it looks great.

Lemon citrus wheat beer familiar on the nose, musty aroma under,, really dencet flavours and profile in drinking this, it's much more than I thought I would be.

Here then is a beer that is what it says on the label, it's clean,. refreshing, has some nice flavours and is pretty decent, not dressed up or challenge you to taste what the marketing people say it is. I like that.

However there isn't anything else in this except easy drinking, which is a pretty crowed field.  Eventually the sweetness of this would catch up ab become perhaps cloying and you'd need a change of beers to refresh your tongue.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 7 a of its things from the thing. It's a really clean drinking beer that refreshes but does not challenge you to more than that.

The double dip review

1. Am I enjoying it? I am


2. Would I have another? just the one, after that I'd be looking to change


3. Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? As a lead in to something but not for a long story of unrequited love and lost fortunes.

BELGIAN WHITE & WITBIER

Belgian style wheat beers are very pale, opaque, with the crisp character of wheat, plus the citric refreshment of orange peel and coriander. Ingredients sometimes also include oats for smoothness, and other spices such as grains of paradise. Serve with light cheeses or mussels.

 

Beer - #356 - Rogue - Beard Beer

From the Sublime to the ridiculous - Rogue Beard Beer - I wasn't thinking straight. 

Brewed by Rogue Ales in what might might be for me the early evening style of a: Belgian Ale, and Rogue are in Newport, Oregon USA

25 IBU's  (lower than an English Bitter, or Stout and just over the lower Porter number, a Pilsner should be around 25) and 5.6 ABV, 650ml bottle, 168 calories serve, 2.9 standard drink units, all sounds normal until you read about the origin of the yeast....

"Beer brewed with yeast taken from the brewmaster John Maier’s beard."

[caption id="attachment_7916" align="alignleft" width="300"] Selfie[/caption]

t's here! Our latest brew Dedicated to Beards, Beard Beer is brewed with a yeast created from Brewmaster John Maier's Beard. No Need to freak out, Brewers have used wild yeasts in beer making for centuries. John has had the same Old Growth Beard since 1983 and for over 15,000 brews, so it is no great suprise that a natural yeast ideal for brewing was discovered in his beard.

Sounds like an art project! And not one that everyone liked.

Sour aroma on opening, soft carbonation.

Light orange poor with a small head that appears persistent. On a bit of a run with heads.

Familiar sour note that you'd expect from Belgium Ales. Light bitterness and nice sweetness on tasting this, I was mildly surprised and pleased.

This is a bit pleasing to the taste, even if it doesn't have a strong backbone of malt to carry it. Bitter upfront, nice wash over the tongue, and a reasonable finish.

But it is a bit thin of body and short in the ultimate carry.

Don't let that put you off though. I like this. I like Rogue beers mostly though. I like Belgium style beers too. Confirmation bias.

You could easy session on this easy quaffing beer without any drama, it's let down is the lack of head and lacing. It's low-ish ABV means that you'd be able to tell all sorts of lies without forgetting where you are.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 8 a of its things from the thing. I would get this again for the fridge, it's priced well, drinks well and well it made me smile. Easy drinking I'd have no problems sharing this or recommending it as a well decent beer that has bitterness and flavours without challenge and frowning. A beer for everyman?, perhaps not, but you could do so much worse.

The double dip review

1. Am I enjoying it? Yup 


2. Would I have another? Yup 


3. Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? Yup 

Of course this reminded me of ZZ Top

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_EFdod4YDo&w=420&h=315]

BELGIAN ALE

Belgian-style ales seldom fit neatly into classic beer styles, but this category represents those "session" ales (in Belgium this means under 7% abv!) that do not fit other categories. Colour ranges from golden to deep amber, with the occasional example coming in darker. Body tends to be light to medium, with a wide range of hop and malt levels. Yeastiness and acidity may also be present.

Related articles

• Rogue Beard Beer


• Year of Beer Paintings - Day 84


• Rogue Beard Beer is Made Using Yeast Extracted from a Dude's Beard


• Please, No: Beard Beer Is Exactly What It Sounds Like


• 10 Must-Try Session Beers


• Beer Brewed with Actual Beard Hair Exists


• Rogue Beard Beer


• Brewmaster Makes Beer From His Beard


• Facial Hair-Infused Libations - Rogue Beard Beer is Made From Brewmaster John Maier's Beard Yeast (TrendHunter.com)

Beer - #355 - Mikkeller - Mielcke & Hurtigkarl

The unpronounceable beer Mikkeller Mielcke & Hurtigkarl -  A Mikkeller beer

Brewed at De Proefbrouwerij in the style of a Belgian Strong Ale  from Copenhagen, Denmark

Brewed with water, malt, sugar, hops and yeast.

Stored for 6 months Aged in Chateau D'Yquem barrels

This beer was brewed especially for a Mikkeller and Three Floyds dinner at a restaurant named Mielcke & Hurtigkarl (try and pronounce it, I dare you!) in Copenhagen. It was aged in Château d’Yquem barrels,  Château d’Yquem being the world’s most famous (and probably the most expensive, too) dessert wine.

Single bottle of a 375ml, 8.7% ABV beer, which is 2.6 standard drinks in NZ.

[caption id="attachment_7900" align="alignright" width="112"] Château d’Yquem.[/caption]

This is possibly the most expensive beer I’ve drunk, and I know there are more expensive to acquire beers out there, but this sets a new personal benchmark. In NZ$ this was $30, for 375ml. This is about 261 calories.

This isn't universally liked though. I'm about to find out.

Green glass bottle, healthy pop on opening, sour sweet aroma.

Dark copper pour, with a lively and persistent head, the sour aroma leaves quickly, although not completely.

And Gosh!, that's interesting. A lot of sweetness, you might expect that, and intense depth, with a tip of tongue bitterness.

I'm not saying this because I'm compelled by cost to do so, but this is pretty nice drinking. Plus it's also a style that I like anyway.

Lovely honey notes, and a reasonably long finish.

The bitterness is spot on, for me, and the whole thing is well balances and sits well in the glass and in the mouth, I'm getting a little poetic.

As it warms the aroma gathers some fruits and other sweets around it.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 9 a of its things from the thing. It lacks a depth of caramel in the palate that would make this a spectacular beer. In and of itself it is really good and I've found that I drank it too quickly.

The double dip review

1. Am I enjoying it? Oath yes


2. Would I have another? yes, I do have another in the fridge for a later date


3. Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? Yes, without a doubt, a small glass each not a bottle each, I'm not Bill Gates rich.

Musically I'm listening to the Psychic Maps;

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyyHPx2hl90&w=420&h=315]

 

BELGIAN STRONG ALE

Belgian Strong Ales can vary from pale to dark brown in color, darker ales may be colored with dark candy sugar. Hop flavor can range from low to high, while hop aroma is low. The beers are medium to full-bodied and have a high alcoholic character. Types of beers included here include tripels, dubbels and ultra-strong abbey ales.

Beer - #354 - Ballast Point - Dorado Double IPA

Another IPA. Another from Ballast Point.

I quite like the Ballast Point beers - this one their Dorado Double IPA.  Brewed by Ballast Point Brewing Company and of course in the style of an Imperial/Double IPA and they are in San Diego, California USA

A 650ml bottle of a  10% ABV beer with  288 calories a serve, 90 IBUS, this is 5.13 standard drink units in NZ.

90 IBU is mid point for DIPA beers, normal IPA tops out at about 80.

[caption id="attachment_7886" align="alignleft" width="300"] Selfie[/caption]

On a quest to make delicious beers, our brewers have continually sought creative new ways to accentuate the delightfully aromatic and flavorful qualities of hops. Hopheads rejoice! Dorado Double IPA takes hops to a new level. Mash Hopping, First Wort Hopping, Kettle Hopping, and Dry Hopping create an award winning beer that embodies San Diego’s reputation for making world class IPAs. Our bottle Robust Series gives all beer lovers an opportunity to try our most rare beers, previously available only on draft at select tap houses. Enjoy! Get the Point! World Beer Cup 2006 Bronze Award Winner

A huge, hoppy brew that will test your sea legs. our Dorado Double IPA immediately hooks you with massive hops that never stop. Mash hopping, kettle hopping and dry hopping makes this beer a serious hop lover’s prize catch. It’s an amazingly drinkable, award-winning beer that’s as beautifully balanced as it is big.

This comes with a bit of a big reputation. This bottle is also close to it's best before date.  once again I should really be paying attention.

Strong sweet bitter hops on opening.

Cloudy golden orange in the glass with a nice firm white head of some depth. Nice grassy hops aroma in the glass. Some sweet sugar like Turkish Delight type of sweet.

Really bitter, some grapefruit or passionfruit bit of resin. And then I got Orange citrus too.

Long finish with a kick of slight bitter lingering in the mouth. It's alright but not spectacular, sort of a one trick pony.

Trick glass does it's trick, thanks Spiegelau, for a beer with ever lasting head

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 7.5 a of its things from the thing. I though that this might be overly bitter, if that's possible. Although it's a nicely delivered beer with some nice notes in the mouth, and on the nose. Finish is nice without being dry and cloying. It isn't however a beer you can quaff. 

The double dip review

1. Am I enjoying it? I'm torn on this.


2. Would I have another? I have the rest of the bottle :-)


3. Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? I couldn't because this is a big flavour beer that needs some attention or food to occupy you as well.

Talking of foods, Pork Chop, Zuchini fritters made with Besan (Gram) flour, and some spices, and a potato bake. Chops on the BBQ, it's still BBQ season ;-) Recepie on request.

Listening to music from New Orleans - including this;  Dr John- Iko Iko

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=objvCrF7XEU&w=420&h=315]

IMPERIAL/DOUBLE IPA

Imperial IPA, Double IPA or DIPA is a strong, often sweet, intensely hoppy version of the traditional India Pale Ale. Bitterness units range upward of 100 IBUs and alcohol begins at 7.5% but is more commonly in the 8.5-10% range. The flavour profile is intense all-round. Unlike barley wines, the balance is heavily towards the hops, with crystal and other malts providing support.

 

Related articles

• Ballast Point - Double Dorado


• IPAs Brewed in Greater Raleigh


• San Diego and a Long List Of Beer

Beer - #353 - Hitachino Nest - Espresso Stout

Continuing a theme and the 2nd of two beer I picked up front this brewer - the Hitachino Nest Espresso Stout, Brewed by Kiuchi Brewery of course in the style of a Stout and they are in Ibaraki, Japan

This has 225 calories, and is a 7.0% ABV beer, in 330ml bottle which makes it 1.82 standard drink units in NZ (calculated here)

[caption id="attachment_7874" align="alignleft" width="300"] Selfie[/caption]

Caramel, roasted, black and chocolate malts provide an explosion of coffee like flavors. The strong espresso character comes from the addition of espresso beans to the boil. Notes of vanilla, dark fruit , cocao and chocolate. The very unusual character of Hitachino Nest Espresso Stout stems from the fact that Kiuchi Brewery is using the recipe of a Russian Imperial Stout as base. Pitch black color, big brown head. Aromas of chocolate, roasted bitterness, black currants, dark fruits.

Of the two that I picked up this is the good one, I might go pick up the ones that I could have brought tomorrow, I'd have to check with MrsPdubyah.

A LOT of raw coffee and chocolate aroma on opening. Deep black pour with a fantastic fluffy mocha coffee head.

The same musty Belgium yeast style aroma in this, but there is a lot of coffee.

A lot of coffee in the taste of this, the head subsides away but a lacing.

So well carbonated, bitterness is coffee bitter (there is a lot of coffee in this), but its not balanced with anything else, so the raw oil coffee note is the over-riding wash in the mouth.

As it warms it gets slightly softer, but not so much that it could be considered as mellow.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 7 a of its things from the thing. Too much coffee, if there is such a thing, but this is coffee heavy without anything else to back it or balance it, and although a thing this isn't a thing that rings my bell.

The double dip review

1. Am I enjoying it? It's interesting, but not balanced.


2. Would I have another? I like coffee beer but there are better.


3. Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? in a taste off perhaps.

Musically, it's Chains of Love - Enough for Tonight

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dn6QDJYm-w0&w=560&h=315]

STOUT

Many stouts do not fit the classic "Irish" definition as exemplified by Guinness, either due to their hop or roast rates, or higher gravity (in the case of many American stouts). They are still basic stouts, however, not falling into any of the subclasses.

 

Beer - #352 - Hitachino Nest - Red Rice Ale

Something very different for me, Hitachino Nest Red Rice Ale, this is brewed by Kiuchi Brewery in the style that is new to me of a Traditional Ale, and they are in Ibaraki, Japan

[caption id="attachment_7865" align="alignright" width="300"] Selfie[/caption]

A 330ml bottle of a 7% ABV beer, which in NZ is 1.82 standard drinks, and it's about 210 calories,

This Red Rice Ale was brewed with special red rice which had been cultured in ancient times in Japan. Please enjoy the complex taste and beautiful natural color.

And another cap for the cap-jar.

Aroma is strangely chocolate on opening. Rich orange pour with a small and almost persistent head.

Aroma moves to musty, like a Belgium styled yeast.

This is well carbonated and has a sour bitter note, which isn't unpleasant. There's also a pleasing sweetness with this.

Some people have suggested fruit type notes in this, including strawberry, I didn't get that particular thing. But there is something there and that's the thing that I'm reaching for and not getting, which is at both clever and annoying.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 6 a of its things from the thing. This is one of those beers where the carbonation is most of the mouthfeel, and that distracts from the overall taste. I enjoyed the low bitterness and the nice sweet warmth in this.

The double dip review

1. Am I enjoying it? For research purposes yes.


2. Would I have another? Not this one no.


3. Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? No.

In what could be my biggest faux pas culturally, I could not help but think of this by the The Vapors - Turning Japanese, which I've been singing in the car.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEmJ-VWPDM4&w=420&h=315]

TRADITIONAL ALE

A catch-all category that we use to classify all of those ancient or resurrected styles of antiquity that are appearing more and more in brewing today. From sahti to heather ale to sorghum beer to gruit, and beers like Adam and Midas Touch, these ales will vary tremendously in character from one another. Many are unhopped, strength can vary, but all are a glimpse into brewings past

Related articles

• Thirsty Thursday: Hitachino Nest Japanese Classic Ale & Red Rice Ale

Beer - #351 - Kereru - For Great Justice: Wood-Fired Toasted Coconut Porter

Another contender in the long names for beer: Kereru - For Great Justice: Wood-Fired Toasted Coconut Porter.

Brewed by Kereru Brewing Company in the style of a Porter and they are in Upper Hutt, New Zealand

A smooth brown porter with lashings of wood-fired toasted coconut on the nose and in the mouth.

500ml bottle , 1.8 standard drinks, and only 4.5% ABV, and 135 calories a serving.

This seems to have won a silver medal in some competition somewhere.

Also this is a low 22 IBU right down the bottom end of bitter for a Porter style beer.

I'm really dubious of the brewer, based on past experience, but this has had some nice reviews and I'm going to give it a fair crack, it's not like it was free to me or anything.

Distinctly heavy rich aroma but then.. coconut! it's like a bounty bar in a beer aroma!

Uncomfortable with that aroma in the glass, it's like mushrooms, or mushroom compost, or raw liver, for me its very rich in iron. Something sour there too.  This is really unusual, not off-putting, just unusual.

Dark pour as you'd expect and not much by way of a head.

Wow, now then, now then...

Coffee burst, sweetness, nice bitterness, might be too much carbonation, where you get that mouth fizz and not a taste of beer.

That's a 180 degree change of opinion here that is!

This is a very complicated beer.

Notice how I talk in clipped sentences of 5 words, is that a literary thing?  Should add some Bullet points.

Complicated because it has a myriad of tastes that have no relation to another, and don't or can't belong, and yet do. It's like a Dr.Who episode.

Underlying this is a sourness or sour note, that's not bad, that's just a "there is". There seems to be something like cherry in this, for me, I don't get so much a chocolate, and the first blush of coffee might have gone south for the winter.

As it warm it gets more things and the coconut begins to impress it's presence, but I also began to frown when I drank, and that can't be a good thing.

The pdubyah-o-meter says this rings the bell at 7 on the scale of arbitrary. A complicated beer, with a strange aroma, a flush of coffee and a warm finish of coconut, and al to in the middle that I though was a muddle.

Let's say that I'd rather have one of these than a 'domestic' any day.

The double dip review

1. Am I enjoying it? I have not a clue on this question, some bits are great some are average.


2. Would I have another? I don't think I would but I could.


3. Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? errr, I don't think I could font this with any confidence at all. So no.

Listening to James Blunt, and singing away, judge me on this :p MrsPdubyah though it was ok.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1j1qwQQ8-Q&w=560&h=315]

 

PORTER

Black or chocolate malt gives the porter its dark brown color. Porters are well hopped and heavily malted. This is a medium-bodied beer. Porters can be sweet. Hoppiness can range from bitter to mild. Porters are often confused with stouts.

Beer - #350 - Meantime - India Pale Ale

No doubting what style this is then.

Brewed by Meantime in the Style of an  India Pale Ale (IPA), and from my home city of  London, England.

750ml bottle, with cork and cage, so a bit fancy, of a 7.4% ABV beer, 225 calories a serving, and this would be 4.38 standard drink units in NZ

India Pale Ale is the beer that sustained the British Raj – it did not just survive the passage to India, it matured to perfection on the long voyage. Original IPA was heavily hopped – up to

[caption id="attachment_7844" align="alignleft" width="300"] Extra Wooly looking selfie[/caption]

twice as much as domestic beers - and so Meantime use plenty of Kent Fuggles and Goldings to help re-create the flavours of the world’s first great pale beer style.

Bottle conditioned.  Meantime are Britain’s only brewers of authentic India Pale Ale. Small batch production allows us to apply the attention to detail and care we require to produce an authentic IPA especially for you. Pound upon pound of Fuggles & Goldings hops are needed to enable us to achieve the dry hopping rates necessary to recreate this great beer style. Enjoy with hot foods and spicy friends, or vice versa. 

Whilst your judging me I brought myself a Spiegelau IPA Glass, which is like jumping the shark, and moves me on from a beer drinker to a beer . Because I'm a rebel though I'l probably use it for just beer of any kind.

So the excitement of opening a champagne bottle of beer...

Not much by way of aroma on opening this, the familiar british musty hops.

Pours a lot more red/orange and cloudier than you'd expect and probably because the glass shape has a fantastic firm and fluffy head.

Hard to pick what the aroma really is, citrus without being so.

Earthy bitterness, with a slight tang of orange peel,quite an abrupt finish, not a lot of carry, but it's quite warm to drink and not at all lop sided.

Pretty easy drinking to be honest with no sharp edges that distract. The malt balance is nice. As it gets slightly warmer in the glass because this is pretty good quaffing beer, there are deeper caramel tones in it, if you want to get all wordy.

The pdubyah-o-neter rates this as a 7.5  on it's wheel of fortune of randomness. Thursday night has been enriched by this nice beer from England, which let's be fair, hasn't always been the case in my drinking, and this goes some way to making me smile about British beers again.

Got to say that the clever design of the glass means that as you get nearer the end the beer swishes around in the stem and in some magic way refreshes the head, I'm like a kid in a toy shop!

Double Dip review

1. Am I enjoying it? Yes but I'm not giving high-fives


2. Would I have another? I have two full glasses in one bottle, and that's good for me


3. Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? Yes I would, this is nice and great for an ice-breaker to a conversation about jumping the shark

Listening to Jack White, this is  from the Blunderbuss Album.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvpoiiBW9bc&w=560&h=315]

 

INDIA PALE ALE & IPA

India Pale Ale gets its name and unique style from British brewers who were making beer for export to India. This style has an intense hop flavor which was used to preserve the beer for the long voyage. India Pale Ale has a golden to copper color with a medium maltiness and body. The aroma is moderate to very strong. IPAs work especially well at cutting the heat of chili, vindaloo or Sichuan cuisine.

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