Beer - #635 - Coopers - Best Extra Stout

A second Australian beer, to recap it was my big brothers birthday, he resides in Australia now, and so as a birthday tribute I brought some Aussie beer.  Cheap beer I'd add, I could have picked VB, Tooheys, Carlton or indeed I could have splashed out on one of the craft brewers, but instead I went for something full bodied, aged and rich, oh and stout. 4 out of 5 on the tributes there.

Now here’s a beer with punch.

This is a 750ml bottle of beer that is 6.5% ABV, 189 calories a serve size, and 3.7 standard drinks in the bottle.

It comes with best AFTER date!

Brewed by Coopers Brewery in the style that is  Foreign Stout and they do that in Regency Park, South Australia, Australia

Now here’s a beer with punch. Coopers Stout is a beacon for lovers of a hearty brew.

[caption id="attachment_11492" align="alignleft" width="300"] 'strayan beer time[/caption]

With its robust flavour comprising a blend of fruit, chocolate and hop bitter notes it’s everything a stout should be. Brewed naturally using a top fermentation method, Coopers Stout’s unique rich, dark texture comes from specially roasted black malt.

So what could possibly go wrong? I did some homework and this could be a bit of a winner.

An intriguing aroma, there is a whiff of chocolate malt goodness, like a stout should be, bit it's not overly strong. Early days. though.

The pour is magnificent with a deep dark richness, it pours 'thick' and has a brilliant firm persistent large head that is lighter brown. If it were a beauty pageant... the aroma though is peculiar, the chocolate/coffee aroma replaced with something that I might describe as the smell of wet wool, or ash.

The taste though, that is pretty nice, noticeably it's very dry at the finish, but I'm working backwards, so the initial sip is a lovely fanfare of richness, but it's very carbonated so a lot of that bubbles action that prickles.

There seems to be a nice amount of rich fruit type body in this that might be more prominent if it weren't from the carbonation.

I've got to say that for the price this is a cracker of a beer.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 7 of its things from the thing. This is the best of the brewers beers, by a long way, hands down. It's a fairly decent stout too, not perfect and could do with more body, and less carbonation, perhaps the latter would dix the former. A revelation and I'd thing about buying more if only MrsPdubyah would let me.

The double dip review

Am I enjoying it? Yes, this is rather nice and the best from this brewer.
Would I have another? I would at this price mad not to.
Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? I would, there is nothing embarrassing about this that would put you in a spot. Party on!

Music for this,  ' Seeker Lover Keeper '  an Australian indie rock music supergroup formed by Sarah Blasko, Sally Seltmann and Holly Throsby. The album ' Seeker lover keeper ' and I'm of course listening on Spotify. This will give you an idea.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qeLI_6t6ds

FOREIGN STOUT

Foreign Stout began with the beer that would become Guinness Foreign Extra Stout. This was a stronger, extra-hopped version of the basic Guinness Extra Stout, brewed to survive long journeys overseas. The classic FES still exists in a few different forms, but many of the original destination countries (Jamaica, Sri Lanka, etc.) now have their own, locally-produced versions. Foreign stout occupies a position between basic stout and imperial stout. It is sweeter than a basic stout, but not as robust as an imperial. It is less fruity and less hoppy as well. Foreign stouts are sometimes made with local grains and adjuncts sugar is not uncommon. Alcohol ranges from 6-8%

Beer - #623 - Sparks Brewing - Frontier Extra Stout *keg*

Still to come: A confused beer ' Outlander' or 'Frontier', music to confuse, confusion in numbers, and a confusion of numbers.

Chocolate on the nose, dry and roasted taste with a bitter finish.

For  Sparks Brewing this is brrewed at Scotts Brewing Co in the style that is of: Foreign Stout and that's all done in Auckland, New Zealand

as it's FYO this is 1 litre bottle that contains beer that is 6.2% ABV, so 4.89 standard drink units, coming in at around 186 calories a serve size

[caption id="attachment_11362" align="alignright" width="300"] Winter beer, summer haircut, what's going on[/caption]

A dark and intensely roasty ale, with strong aromas of chocolate and coffee. The rich body is balanced with all New Zealand hops added late in the boil and a good layering of crystal malt leaves a hint of liquorice and an almost rum like quality to the finish.

2012 National Homebrew Competition Gold medal recipe, considered by the judges as “a world class example of the style”.

So what could possibly go wrong? I've had this in the bottle form, and I quite liked it.  As with many beers the bottle and the keg sometimes are different in small ways, it'd be interesting to see how this one goes.

Roasted malt chocolate aroma on opening, as it did with a gentle hiss, not overly carbonated it seems, even though it was lively going into the bottle..

Pour is that strange silky luxurious flow, and it ends with a head of substance, mocha chocolate adjacent the pitch black beer. The chocolate aroma that was is now there but slightly more a sour note, briefly and then it settle into a sugar sweetness.

I also seem to get some berry=thing going on.

I can only describe my first sip as smoooooooth and light, fluffy and luxurious. Delightful.

It does not have any of that big hop harshness but does have a finish that veers towards dry rather than neutral or sweet .

I recall this having a more raw greenness but this keg version doesn't seem to have that.  I also recall it having more coffee about it than I sense or taste now. I get a milk chocolate smoothness though, some things are always good.

Like the last time I do still feel that this needed something more in the body to lift it, how or what I have no idea, it's just something that it might have had.

That said that it does fit totally the description of being less robust but still as flavoursome, and slightly sweeter than a full Stout.

With that in mind you change your stance a little, as you must, to adjust to the beer that you're drinking, opposed to the beer you want to be drinking and are confused about.

So a lesser bodied Stout sums this up exactly and almost perfectly, all that previous wittering superfluous.

When you've reset your expectations and appreciate what you're drinking this becomes all the much better and brighter beer, delivering some lovely subtle tastes with fine balance and a lovely finish and linger that isn't intrusive, difficult or challenging.

In other words 'it's a bit good' and 'lovely drinking' One which I'm really enjoying thanks.  At this point you might be able to tell this is a couple of paragraphs longer than usual and this happens when I'm really enjoying something and expressing it in different ways.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 10 a of its things from the thing. Honest to goodness this is true to the style and you get totally what you should be getting. The flavours and aromas might be subtle and muted but the whole is fairly tight and compact. Add that there is no harsh hoppy thing or dry finish then you get a beer that is just early drinking.  It is a beer that you need to understand to drink, I thought I was getting a ruler more robust beer, which is a different style, I was wrong.  This will appeal to a to of drinkers of beer and should be a great gateway to the darker beer styles and the imperial Stout types, or you could stop here and be totally satisfied.

The double dip review

1. Am I enjoying it? I was confused and confounded, then I understood and now I've see the light and yes I really am enjoying it.


2. Would I have another? I would indeed, it's really good.


3. Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? I would encourage everyone to have some, it's just good beer done well and that's all you need.

I have on the music machine  ' Jamie XX ' and his new album ' In Colour' which you can get on the spotify  Jamie Smith is an English music producer and remix artist who is known both as a solo act and as a member of the London-based band The xx. And they're really good.  This is ' loud places '

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TP9luRtEqjc

FOREIGN STOUT

Foreign Stout began with the beer that would become Guinness Foreign Extra Stout. This was a stronger, extra-hopped version of the basic Guinness Extra Stout, brewed to survive long journeys overseas. The classic FES still exists in a few different forms, but many of the original destination countries (Jamaica, Sri Lanka, etc.) now have their own, locally-produced versions. Foreign stout occupies a position between basic stout and imperial stout. It is sweeter than a basic stout, but not as robust as an imperial. It is less fruity and less hoppy as well. Foreign stouts are sometimes made with local grains and adjuncts sugar is not uncommon. Alcohol ranges from 6-8%

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Beer - #491 - Guinness - Special Export (Belgian version)

It's Good for you, good for your ears, good maths and good mates.

Special version of bottled Guinness for Belgium, France, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. Brewed in Ireland for Anthony Martin.

I can't believe that I haven't written my thoughts on Guinness, so when the Guinness Special Export (Belgian version) became available I had to get one.

Brewed by St. James’s Gate (Diageo) in the classical style of a  Foreign Stout , Guinness of course are in  Dublin, Ireland.

330ml bottle, and 8% ABV this is 240 calories worth and 2.08 standard drinks

In 1944, John Martin, having boldly crossed the Channel, requested that a unique vintage of Guinness be brewed specially for Belgium : Guinness Special Export. This elixir, 8%

[caption id="attachment_9814" align="alignleft" width="300"] It's good for you ![/caption]

alcohol by volume is greeted by the drinker with the smile of an explorer who has discovered black gold. Just as dark but just as creamy too, this stout reveals a fierceness that lives up to the well-known saying, ‘Of all the peoples of Gaul, the Belgians are the bravest’. Unique !

Guinness is inseparably connected to Ireland by 250 years of history. The one exception is this version, also called GXS, which was originally brewed exclusively for John Martin while he developed his business on the European continent. Of course, the taste characteristics are similar to those of the traditional Irish one, but raised to a higher level : that goes especially for the alcohol content by volume of 8%, giving this beer an explosive taste of roasted malt and smoked wood and liquorice, ending in a very long aftertaste. 

It's been a while between 'new' beers for for me, and it's nice to sit down and jot some thoughts.

An interesting aroma on opening, as it did with a hiss, dark chocolate, malt.

Fantastic dark pour with a lovely thick and luxurious head that I underestimated but got away with. Aroma moves to a more damp biscuit thing.

Taste is really intense. There is lovely mouthfeel and there is a lovely lingering of the taste too.

Despite the heavy flavour profile this is a surprisingly light beer on the tongue, by which I mean that there doesn't appear to be anything on the palate that immediately is picked out, and the finish although decent isn't to dry, or sweet, it just seems to wash over.

But yes there is a lovely lingering coating that makes it very nice indeed to drink.

It is then pretty much as described on the label, a somewhat luxurious stout that keeps you entertained and engaged.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 8 a of its things from the thing. I like the mouthfeel and I like the layers and intensity of the flavours, but this isn't quaffing beer, it's not like it lights up the taste buds and just draws you back in. It is like a good book with great characters that you can engage with.  Oh and the 8% ABV will catch you out if you don't keep an eye on it.

I remember from my youthful days the great pub finisher of Guinness and Barley Wine, I wonder if I research what that Barley wine was that I could recreate this. Doubtful, but this could finish you off on its own given a chance.

The double dip review

1. Am I enjoying it? I am, it is an easy drinking beer that has a lot of things right about it.


2. Would I have another? I would easily go another.


3. Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? I think so, in some weird way this seems like a decent session beer, but fails at that because I don't think there is enough of the "sippability' about this, it's 'supping' beer.

Completely non-irish the music that I have on is from "Dexy's Midnight runners" - this track is "This is what she's like" from the under-rated and under-played - "Don't Stand Me Down" which is the third studio album by Dexys Midnight Runners.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXh19wfJT3Q&w=420&h=315]

I was also listening to a new musics, from the group  "Afternoons" and the  album 'Say Yes' They're an indie band from LA in the USofA. It's light pop but has a striking album art cover.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMXxjYcd0M0

 

FOREIGN STOUT

Foreign Stout began with the beer that would become Guinness Foreign Extra Stout. This was a stronger, extra-hopped version of the basic Guinness Extra Stout, brewed to survive long journeys overseas. The classic FES still exists in a few different forms, but many of the original destination countries (Jamaica, Sri Lanka, etc.) now have their own, locally-produced versions. Foreign stout occupies a position between basic stout and imperial stout. It is sweeter than a basic stout, but not as robust as an imperial. It is less fruity and less hoppy as well. Foreign stouts are sometimes made with local grains and adjuncts sugar is not uncommon. Alcohol ranges from 6-8%

Related articles

• American and Irish tradition brought together with Guinness' new lager (IrishCentral)


• Guinness blends new vintage with modern labels


• 10 Facts about Guinness that may shock you


• Are You Ready To Try Guinness Blonde American Lager?‏

Beer - #471 - Emerson’s - JP (2013 - Belgian Stout)

The one where I'm late to a beer, contemplate an old fashioned working week, fluff the maths and ponder sharing.

I looked this one up especially - Emerson’s JP (2013 - Belgian Stout). I'm getting more picky, this week at least.

A big roasty stout fermented with three Belgian yeasts. Luscious and complex with a satin smooth finish.

Brewed by Emerson’s Brewing Company (Lion Breweries - NZ (Lion Nathan Co.) in the style that is best described as: Foreign Stout and they are in Dunedin, New Zealand.

As a 500ml bottle, 8% ABV, making it 3.15 standard drinks, so about 240 calories a serving size or 320 isn in the bottle.

Belgian Stout. A big roasty stout fermented with three Belgian yeasts. Luscious and

[caption id="attachment_9575" align="alignright" width="300"] It was the last one in the shop[/caption]

complex with a satin smooth finish.

The annual JP release is in honour of the late Professor Jean-Pierre Dufour, formerly Dean of Food Sciences at the University of Otago. Belgium born JP, as he was affectionately known, was an icon in the international brewing industry and a valued friend of The Emerson Brewing Company.

Each vintage varies in beer style, flavour and aroma – each brew reflecting one of the many beer styles for which Belgium is renowned.

This is no longer produced by the brewery and I got the last one off a shelf. This may not eld well. This may end fantastically.

The brewer recommends that this is "serve un-chilled", which is no use since it's been in the fridge for a few hours. I'll do this in two pours perhaps. It hasn't therefore started well.

The coldness may have kept the aroma quiet as there isn't a lot op opening, sugary floral perhaps, but very light.

Pour is really dark, for a moment I expected it to be light colour, because I'm not that attentive? or anticipation.

Head, as you can see it somewhat extravagant in the glass. I deliberately left a pour to see if it changes later with warming. It's not a science experiment though, I don't have high hopes.

That head is really really thick and persistent.

Familiar Belgium esters, and this really does finish dry, with the edges of the tongue taking the brunt of that. Lovely malty caramel note at the front too, this is a well conceived and structured drink of some class I think. Or I'm being lyrical about things since it's not in brew, last one etc.

Picking a note of orange? Lovely sweetness. This really does have the complex and familiar notes and tastes of a Belgium ale, and then it also has dark roasted chocolates too, intriguing beer.

That head is really persistent.  As it warms you begin to get a sense of the alcohol astringent in this, which is a surprise and also not so.

This really becomes a better beer as it warms, and I've been taking my time, as you can see from the wordage. It gets fuller, the bitterness fades, the head persists!, the dry finish doesn't it all becomes a bit marvellous.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 9 a of its things from the thing, wherein I get all morose and contemplative about it deserving a 10. I think that I'm enraptured of its rarity, at least now, I love the way it changed from bitter and noisy to full, fruity and layered. I don't want to set a bar too high, or talk myself into something that handicaps me. What I am going to do is regret not finding this earlier and being able to follow up with redux review. For now though I'm happy that this was so close to joining the 10-club

The double dip review

1. Am I enjoying it? This is a remarkable beer that starts well and strides away to greatness


2. Would I have another? Would that I could, if I see one I'm bagging it.


3. Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? Yes because it would show you what a true friend I am.

More old things then with the music, this is a band called Working Week who were at their peak in 1985, this is a track "Inner City Blues" from the Album "Working Nights"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5mtH3_439s

I've listened to worse, and I'm note that this'll be making a regular appearance on the music machine. Didn't age well.

FOREIGN STOUT

Foreign Stout began with the beer that would become Guinness Foreign Extra Stout. This was a stronger, extra-hopped version of the basic Guinness Extra Stout, brewed to survive long journeys overseas. The classic FES still exists in a few different forms, but many of the original destination countries (Jamaica, Sri Lanka, etc.) now have their own, locally-produced versions. Foreign stout occupies a position between basic stout and imperial stout. It is sweeter than a basic stout, but not as robust as an imperial. It is less fruity and less hoppy as well. Foreign stouts are sometimes made with local grains and adjuncts sugar is not uncommon. Alcohol ranges from 6-8%

Related articles

• Salted Belgian Chocolate Stout Is Dessert in a Bottle


• 3 common beer myths busted


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Beer - #470 - Sparks Brewing - Frontier Extra Stout

Still to come: Rare beer, staring at my shoes, unfathomable maths, and second thoughts.

Chocolate on the nose, dry and roasted taste with a bitter finish.

I was in the beer shop, Liquorland in Forrest Hill, buying a well considered list of beers, and they kindly suggested that I try what they said was a beer not generally available in Auckland, from a new brewer - Sparks Brewing - their take on a Stout style - Frontier Extra Stout. Of course I believe anything. I check their website and it's true!

This beer is from Sparks Brewing who are a contract brewer based in Auckland in the style that is of  Foreign Stout

Simply and crisply presented in  a 330ml bottle that contains beer that is 6.2% ABV, so 1.6 standard drink units, coming in at around 180 calories in the bottle.

[caption id="attachment_9569" align="alignleft" width="300"] Rare as beer gets[/caption]

A dark and intensely roasty ale, with strong aromas of chocolate and coffee. The rich body is balanced with all New Zealand hops added late in the boil and a good layering of crystal malt leaves a hint of liquorice and an almost rum like quality to the finish.

2012 National Homebrew Competition Gold medal recipe, considered by the judges as “a world class example of the style”.

Drink fresh or cellar for up to two years. Like I could let beer sit for 2 years.

Lots of rich chocolate on opening this, that's a cracking aroma.

Thick deep dark pour with the most magnificent head of deep thick firm bubbles.  Deep and Thick the theme here so far.

Aroma carries to the glass but more towards a milk chocolate, it's very very nice.

Giddy up! This is quite tart and bitter up front, but there is a magnificence of soft warm chocolate that crowds it out and gives it some balance. Decent length and finish that is to dry and bitter but not distractingly so.

Head has flattened out, and sits as a film in the glass.

Malt balance is nice, chocolate is there, Coffee is easily pickable.

This though might be a bit young and needing a bit of time to mature and settle into itself int he bottle. A task for which I have no patience.

This would push out the body a bit and allow the chocolate and coffee to work better together. Might also temper the bitterness. This one has a label that says it  was brewed on the 27th August - they might mean bottled? of course they might mean brewed, what am I a brewmaster? That would make it awfully young though.

Update “@SparksBrewing: @philwalter thanks for the review Phil. Spot on. And it is the bottling date! Thanks for being our first ever review!”

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 8 a of its things from the thing. I like this bit I'm not a fan of the dry finish so much. I really do wonder what this would mellow into in a few months or a year though. There is enough to suggest the coffee and chocolate might deepen, but would it be enough to edge the bitterness? Who knows?

All-in-All though thoroughly enjoyable and rewarding. Thanks Liquorland in Forrest Hill.

The double dip review

1. Am I enjoying it? Yes it wasn't a beer I was going to buy but it was recommended.


2. Would I have another? Yes I would in a few months, I shouldn't be stingy and get one for the dark cupboard.


3. Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? I think that I would at the end of an evening this would be a nice way to get your palate working again perhaps.

I'm listening to  and album by True Widow titled  Circumambulation. Somehow described as "doomgaze" or "Shoegaze" or "DoomRock"  in style. This is a track called "Four Teeth" It fits all those style and perhaps better in a dark room with candles.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxiJSif55fk

FOREIGN STOUT

Foreign Stout began with the beer that would become Guinness Foreign Extra Stout. This was a stronger, extra-hopped version of the basic Guinness Extra Stout, brewed to survive long journeys overseas. The classic FES still exists in a few different forms, but many of the original destination countries (Jamaica, Sri Lanka, etc.) now have their own, locally-produced versions. Foreign stout occupies a position between basic stout and imperial stout. It is sweeter than a basic stout, but not as robust as an imperial. It is less fruity and less hoppy as well. Foreign stouts are sometimes made with local grains and adjuncts sugar is not uncommon. Alcohol ranges from 6-8%

Related articles

• Your Glassware Did What? A Sensory Experiment of Time and Temperature


• Flying Dog Pearl Necklace Oyster Stout


• Guinness unveils two new beers, inspired by diary entries from 1796 and 1801 (IrishCentral)


• 3 common beer myths busted


• Salted Belgian Chocolate Stout Is Dessert in a Bottle


• Craft Beer 101: An Ode to Stouts


• 8 Delicious Beers To Drink On St. Patrick's Day


• Beer Mythbusting: The Truth About Porter and Stout

Beer - #446 - Pelican - Tsunami Stout

A beer that I am genuinely looking forward to drinking.

Brewed by Pelican Pub & Brewery this is their take on the style that is  Foreign Stout and they are in Pacific City, Oregon USA

I have a 1 Pint, 6 Fl OZ bottle (22 fl oz) , or about 650ml, of beer that is 7.5% ABV, 45 IBU things, so 3.85 standard drink units , and 225 a serve of 412 for the bottles if you are counting calories.

[caption id="attachment_9310" align="alignleft" width="300"] This is the look of a man with expectations[/caption]

Midnight black color and rich dark-roasted aroma. Specially blended hops combine with flaked unmalted barley to give this brew a full body and a dense creamy head. All elements combine in a solid, lingering finish.

It'll bowl you over with its midnight black color and rich dark-roasted aroma. Magnum and Willamette hops combine with unmalted barley and roasted malts to give this brew a full body and a dense creamy head. All elements combine in a rich espresso-like finish.

Mouth watering in anticipation, I hope it's not disappointing. 

Beer - #437 - Epic - Imperium

I thought I'd have a darker beer, so an Epic Imperium it is then.

"In Luke’s own words, its black, its soft, its malty and with notes of toasty loveliness"

This is a  bottle that is 500ml and has and ABV of 9.0%, which makes it 3.55 standard Drinks and 270 calories a serve.

Epic Brewing Company (NZ) brew this at Steam Brewing Company and it could be described as an: Imperial Stout or Foreign Stout, and they are based in Auckland, New Zealand.

[caption id="attachment_9230" align="alignleft" width="300"] Don't be afraid of the dark[/caption]

The Epic Biennial Stout Series present Imperium. You are Tolerant. You are Subservient. Respect the Powerful. Worship the Elite. This is your future. You aren't strong enough to speak up. Obey unquestioningly. Open the Bottle. Taste this Beer. Enjoy.

Imperium has a rich aroma of melted dark chocolate drizzled on burnt Vogels toast. The flavour is cocoa, salted caramel plums, and burnt fruit cake, a silky voluptuous mouthfeel and a long tarry, and belly warming finish.

Should make a pleasing drink.

Beer - #426 - Ballast Point - Indra Kunindra

I've had strange beers in the past, notably the Rogue Donut ones, but this Ballast Point- Indra Kunindra might set a new mark.

Brewed by Ballast Point Brewing Company in the style that is described either as a Foreign Stout or you might see it as Spice/Herb/Vegetable and they are in the lovely San Diego, California USA

"Brewed with madras curry, caynne pepper, cumin, toasted coconut, and kaffir lime leaf, Indra Kunindra is a 9% ABV stout brewed in collaboration with homebrewer Alex Tweet. It was brewed for Holiday Wine Cellar’s 46th Anniversary Homebrewers Competition. First batch at 9%, others at 7%."

This is a 650 ml bottle (22 fl oz) of a beer that is 50IBU things, and 7% ABV. Also calories in this beer are 210 a serve size.  oh this is 3.5 standard drink units in NZ.

Our India-style Export Stout is a unique collaboration with award-winning homebrewer Alex Tweet. Released in limited quantities, this explosion of South Asian flavors is reason enough to kneel down and thank the heavens. It’s further proof of San Diego’s status as a brewer’s playground, and a beer lover’s utopia.

It is then with slight trepidation that I open this.