Distillerie Bertrand - Fleur de Biere

Now I know this isn't technically a beer but it's distilled from beer so I'm going to review it anyway.

According to the website it's distilled in a copper pot still at warm temperatures to preserve the aromatic qualities of the beer.

Crisp clear colour, a sweet fruity nose, with a touch of aniseed. Lots of anise and alcohol heat on the palate, I'm sure you're meant to drink this absolutely freezing so as to kill off any taste of the actual product. Quite a nice long lasting finish, amazingly light sweetness shines through with a little caramel maltiness on the finish.

This is the second distilled beer I have tried and easily the tastiest, the other being produced by the Chouffe Brewery in Belgium. This one is quite pleasant whlist the other had a horrible faux tequila taste that made me very ill. (it could have been the fact that I drank the whole bottle in one night but I'm sticking with the fact it wasn't very nice tasting)

Bertrand Fleur de Biere

France

alc - 40%

price - approx $80

Grand Ridge Brewery - Hatlifter Stout

I'm not much of a stout drinker, so I thought I'd review something I'm not comfortable with, plus I see we're reviewing a lot of pilsners and lagers.

A really thick stout, the way I like to see it, a few of the Australian stouts I have tried in the past have been a bit watery and not of the thick gluggy guinness mould.

Toasty caramel, burnt chocolate notes on the nose, quite attractive, almost fruit cake. In the mouth it's the same, very thick and rich, with an almost whisky maltiness. Somehow reminds me of a good single malt.

I have to admit I tried this about 6 months ago when I was given it as a gift and I didn't like it, so this bottle was banished to the back of the fridge where it has stayed until now. And I have to admit I like it more second time round. (even if i don't like the name or the label) Why sully the good name of beer by giving every one of your beers an equally ridiculous name, who knows, but I know that when winter comes round again I'll be searching this one out.

Hatlifter Stout

Grand Ridge Brewery, Gippsland, VIC

alc - 4.9%

price - ??

Little Creatures Pilsner

Did anyone know that little creatures made a pilsner? Well..... i knew they made one but with all the attention given to the Pale Ale this little beauty has been forgotten.

This is a good beer . Its a crisp lager, very clean and as the web site states, elegant.

It's not a big chunky style like the squire ( i cant help but compare everything to the squire). They are using Saaz hops which you can really taste. As i am more a fan of the Squire style i find this one a touch light in flavour, but think that's the way its supposed to taste and this is not a criticism. Its just clean.

The little Creatures pilsner is a fresh, crisp mouthful of refreshing beer and i recommend you get into a few. 

So often i hear people say 'its a good beer but you could only have one or two' this is not one of those beers...... i am going to have another couple.

Dan 

Grand Ridge Gippsland Gold, Pale ale

This is a bit of a serious beer. Compared to the other pale ales i have been drinking of late (mostly American and this is more English) the Gippsland Gold is not going to score very high. 

I have a memory of Grand Ridge beers being Quality Australian 'boutique beers'   but i just cant get into this one. I will try some of the others because i know i was into a few of them.

Anyway... to the beer at hand. 

First i get a very strong sweet smell which is not what i was expecting. The head is off white and the colour of the beer is hazy dull orange, doesn't look great. The taste is full (very full) of sweet honey malt and the carbonation is far too bubbly for my liking. Its is unbalanced. What i think should be some sour acid is replaced by a soapy metallic sort of taste which is not enough to balance the sweet fruit. Its just to big and the fruit is all over the place. Certainly does not taste like a 'pale ale'.

Admittedly i did have this beer while eating pizza which is not doing it any favours however i think its safe to say i will not be having another one. I will however track down the rest of the Grand Ridge beers and try them again as i am sure there are a couple to my taste.

Dan

Emersons Pilsner

One of the boys at work (Harry) did something of a pislner challenge. He tried the Emerons, the Squire and and Meantime in one session.... what a great idea (wish i had thought to do it myself).

Harry's order was Meantime at number one then Emersons, then Squire although i got the impression that rating one of these great beers over the other was a tormenting task.

It did get me thinking (once again) about just how good a well made Pilsner is...

I would not be able to rate these beers against one another. I honestly think they are as good as each other.

I first tried an Emersons Pilsner when Knight fine wines where rather nervously bringing it into the country about 4 years ago. Nervous because it retails for about $7.90 a bottle which back then, seemed like a lot to pay for a beer (even in 500ml) which didn't come from Belgium..... how far we have come in 4 years.

This is as good as i remember. There is so much complexity in this beer. Light cloudy yellow in colour with a good size, creamy head which holds itself the whole time the beer is in a glass. Its got some lovely bitter, herbaceous and tropical fruit (im really not sure how it can do all that at once). There are hints of orange zest and that great full hops flavour that i have been getting lately. The finnish is so clean because all the fruit is concentrated in the middle pallet.

Really enjoyed this beer.

Dan

Eugene city brewery, Track Town Pale Ale

Tasted three new beers in the bar with Graham yesterday. I managed to get an 'action' shot of the master taster (with the master moustache). Notice the pen in hand for making tasting notes... we do take this very seriously.

The new beers where all American. The one i am writing about is this one pictured the ' Track Town' Triple Jump, pale ale from Eugene City Brewery in Oregon.

My first experience with American Pale ale comes from drinking Little Creatures pale ale. Now an iconic Australian beer, Little Creatures uses American hops which gives it a taste i can now recognise as American Pale. Unlike India Pale Ales, which are malty and less bitter, these American ones are clean and really hop driven.

So the Triple Jump is a beautiful colour, yellow straw and has a ripper creamy head with a fine beed. The nose is astringent and herbaceous, you can really smell the hops (if your not sure what hops smell like, stick your nose into a Little Creatures). From the nose i thought this would be more sour to taste but there is an ever so slight sweetness and then a dry, bitter finish. Bitter to the point of being a bit green, but it is all pretty well balanced and enjoyable to drink. There was no Alc. reading on the bottle?

American pale is really interesting and for me, an agreeable style of beer. The only problem with this one is that it is not coming to Australia...... yet.

Dan

Meantime India Pale Ale

Greenwich, England

7.5% alc/vol

$19 (750ml)

Dan has already given you a heads up the Meantime beers, a great selection of brews. India Pale Ale (IPA) is a style of beer created over 200 years ago, which it was said 'benefited from the long journey from Britain to India'

I'm not sure if this ale tastes better for the journey from England to Australia but it is a damn fine drop, plus it's in a 750ml bottle with a metal cap over the cork that states 'remove cork, hold glass open end up, pour, taste, swallow' never has a better piece of advice arisen from a beer bottle.

First thing you notice is the dark brooding colour, and dense firm head when you pour the beer. A mean hoppy, grassy nose, with a sweet edge, I love this style of beer, it gives off so much aroma, I could almost just sit and smell it. But then that wouldn't be much fun at all. On the palate it feels quite full and rich, quite viscous, again it has an extreme edge of hops and a bitter bite. More of a food drink, and perhaps big enough to share (maybe)

If you want to learn a bit more about IPA, Meantime have created a off-shoot website funnily enough called indiapaleale.com, a must if you want to learn about the origins of this absolutely fantastic beer.

Eistenbahn Strong Golden Ale

First let me say that i could not agree more whole heartily with Grahams comments below regarding the Eistenbahn brews. These beers are great.

Thankfully Graham has done all the history so will get on with the tasting. 

I feel a bit foolish because the label of this one tuned me off. Almost to the point that i thought it was another one of those gimmicky, get you in with the funny label type things. Its just a bit odd with the 'wild west' font. 

Anyway, i soon forgot all about the label when i tasted the beer.

First thing i noticed was a nose which is similar to the best parts of a lot of Spanish lagers. Nice and dry with astringent fruit. Then the taste... very, very good! It is a real golden ale. Creamy with a pure, fine bead which heads up just the right amount.

I got a big surprise when i read on the bottle that the alc content is 8.5%. I cannot believe how well they hide the warm rich alcohol taste which so often ruins a good beer (deliriem tremmins is a point in case).

There is plenty of spice and hop flavour, and the right balance of fruit and acid. The finish is still somehow crispish and fresh which is quite an achievement when you have 8.5%.

The yeast is imported from Belgium which is no surprise when considering the taste.

Never had a chance to get this one in the Riedel beer glass, it should go in a chalice like the Duvel or Chimay glasses.

Another great beer. I guess i will have to review a bad beer eventually..... perhaps i will go and poor myself a Pure Blonde...

Dan 

Eisenbahn Wiesenbock

8% alc/vol

Brazil

$6 per bottle

I have only tried 6 beers from the range and I believe there are about 10 more to try, as well as a beer likor (fortified beer)

Eisenbahn is a small brewery in Brazil that follows the Reinheirsgebot (a german law of brewing created in 1516 stating the only ingredients that could be used in the production of beer were water, barley and hops) 

The name (which means railroad in German) refers to an old railway station that is close to the building now used by the brewery as a bar.

Anyway, that's enough history. The beer is a cracker, you'd never know it was 8% alcohol. It has caramel, malt, and chocolate on the nose, and a very rich round fruit cake palate. I don't suspect you'd be able to have too many of these in one night but what a fantastic beer. I urge you all to seek these beers out and give them a go.

On another note, the importer for Eisenbahn is the same company that brings in Meantime. Definitely switched on, I look forward to seeing what they get their hands on next.

Peroni Nastro Azzurro

abv - 5.1% alc/vol

Italy

6pk - $19

There is nothing quite like a beer after you've been mowing the lawn and I think this is a perfect daytime brew, not too complicated - just right to throw down on a hot sunny day. 

A light golden colour with a clean nose - just like a good lager should have(a good lager should not smell like the first home brew you made when you were a 16 year old master brewer!)

This has a slight grassy palate too, almost a sweet edge to it, which I think means you can enjoy this on it's own or pair it with a bit of antipasto (and grilled seafood - as my trusty beer helper is telling me ti write) as I did.

I think another thing I need to mention is the lack of change to the label over the last 8 years or so. All too often I see Aussie beers changing their label to look like other beers or to get their market's attention, Peroni however, hasn't changed! A classic label I think you would recognise, even if you'd been in a coma for the past 5 years.

Also a little bit of insider knowledge - As of next February Peroni will be imported in kegs, so keep an eye out if you're favourite watering hole puts this on tap.

Organic Ale

Made by Barossa Valley Brewing, this is a tricky one... First of all i don't like the idea of using the words organic in the title of the beer. 'Organic' is very fashionable (it is also a great way to make anything from the earth, however i think it should be a little more subtle). Anyway, cynicism aside...

This is a rich, light amber beer. Beautiful texture and a fine, creamy head. Its full of fruit, apricot and hints of pineapple but they are soft and you still get the sense that this is a strong, tough beer. The sweet fruit hits the pallet straight of the bat and sends a rush of flavour. Its bitter with a hint of sour acid (this is a good thing).

The amber richness is very pilsner like, in fact its not unlike the James Squaire Pilsner but with out the finish.

 This is where it comes apart a bit. The full flavour in the middle of my mouth does not have the length that i think a beer with this sort of intense flavour should have, it just doesn't have quite enough length for me. This is a small criticism, overall a really good beer. You could probably only manage a couple (good that they come in a 4 pack) of these in one session but its another great Australian beer... I'm so proud!

Dan

Floris Apple ale

What an interesting beer! The Belgians are very cleaver beer makers. I am normally ready to dislike these Lambic beers straight of the bat... Who wants to drink beer that tastes like apple?

Now i do.

I am going to plagiarise from a beer club web site because i cant say it any better my self " The aromas are at once sweet and tart, with a big burst of apple flavour and only the slightest hint of malt with apple pie spice"

I think the key is in the 'sweet and tart' really well combined and the finish is still full and dry, which makes it for me. Without the dry finish it would be too sweet.

If you want to read the story of how this beer came about go here. It is very interesting.

A little cloudy and pale yellow, goes great in the Riedel glass.

Dan

Knappstein

Sorry about this picture. The quality of the picture is a testimony to the taste of the beer.

I think this beer really suits me. Its dry. Its rich in caramel bitterness, but there is a driving, slightly sour acidity. Its fresh and crisp but heavy and thick with a stewy fruit thing going on. I think it does what so many beers want to do but can't. It has the lot!

Some people love this beer (most) but others do not. 

I have just come from the winestar.com.au site and found the quote 'goopy, sweet and dull'. I don't know what 'goopy' means but i can understand what is being said, its a big thick beer and it is a bit sweet.

A few comments on the ratebeer.com site suggest 'hopsy' and 'floral' where the key adjectives. Both good things to have in beer although i think 'floral' should be reserved for things that smell like flowers. 

The sweetness, which arrives by way of caramel on the nose, is great. It's not too over the top (like Pepper Jack) and there is a really good long finish which is bitter and sour, like it should be. I think they got the balance just right.

Not so good in the Riedel beer glass, i am not sure what a good glass would be for this drink.... 

At the end of the day this is a very frigging good beer. 

It's almost too good.

Dan

 

Cascade Green

abv - 4.5% alc/vol

Tasmania, Australia

price - about $15/6pk and $50/ctn

I'm going to start my blogging career with a style of beer that is very popular at the moment with Australian drinkers (no not Corona!) - "Low Carb" - and I surround it with " " because I don't believe low carb to be a proper category for beer (sort of like low fat mayonnaise or diet coke)

Anyway I actually think this is a very good beer and probably the best example of a low carb beer I have tasted.

Smells just like a good lager should, clean with a sweet edge, although I think they might be using saaz hops in the brew as it seems to have a slight bitter edge to the palate which is why I really like Cascade Green. It has a bit of a pilsener bite and a nice lasting finish.

Not the most inspiring beer the world has to offer but a good mid-weeker non the less.

Check out the website if you're feeling particularly green.

Graham

Meantime Pilsener

This is a new one in Australia. I am sticking with pilsener because its a style i am really enjoying at the moment.

Meantime comes from Greenwich in London (so you can appreciate the cleaver name). They do a range of other beers including an India Pale ale at 7.5% which i am sure one of us will write about very soon.

So the Pilsener is a ripper. Unlike the squire this one is quite refined. If beer was made from sand then this would be made from the finest, most pure in the world. It has all the normal character that go with pilsener, dry and full flavoured but the beed is really fine and the colour is a pale yellow. It has a lovely soft hopsy bitterness which is not at all over powering. In fact nothing in this beer is over powering, its very unintruding but absolutely beautiful.

The only down side is the price..... 330ml is going to cost around $7.50. Is it worth that much??? but it is a very good beer.

The web site is A grade check it out.

Dan

Jame Squire Pilsener

Thought i would start with an Australian classic and my choice for drinking at this time of year. Pilsener is a beautiful style and i think this is one of the best.

I know you can read this on the bottle but James Squire was the first to brew in this country. He was a convict on the first fleet. Its a great story check it out on the site.

Beautiful bright, amber colour delivers a strong, dusty dry mouth feel with hints of apricot and subtle burnt caramel, but its still fresh and dry. Its crisp enough to have when you have finished mowing the lawn but rich enough to enjoy as a stand alone brew on a cold night. 

Speaking of cold, like most beers with real flovour, the drinking temp will greatly affect the taste. I like to have a beer very cold. In fact just below freezing is what i like, however if you really want to get a grip of the complexity that beer like this has to offer, drink it slowly (not an option for some) and taste the change. The warmth allows the full fruit intensity to come out.

This is also one of the few Australian beers which goes great in a Riedel Oveture beer glass. Check out the Squire brewers blog

Dan