All posts by kitch

3 - Indifferent (might buy, probably drink), Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan, Beer Reviews, Germany, Lager - Munich Dunkel

Weihenstephaner Tradition Bayrisch Dunkel

Wednesday, 24 June 2015 kitch Leave a comment

Brewery: Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan
Country: Germany
ABV: 5.2%
Style: Munich Dunkel Lager
Other Notes: 24 IBUs

Brewer Description: (from website) Our reddish brown dark lager “Tradition” with its mild aroma of hops smells like roasted malt and impresses with its sweet caramel flavor which is followed by a slight bitterness. Goes well with hearty dishes, such as roasts, poultry and game. Brewed according to our centuries-old brewing tradition on the Weihenstephan hill.

My rating: 3
My beeradvocate.com rating: 3.54
My ratebeer.com rating: 3.4

Intro: A 500ml bottle with a best before date of 2nd July 2015 bought in Bangkok, Thailand, carried back to Hong Kong and poured into a Duvel tulip glass.
Appearance: The beer poured a deep dark copper/amber brown with a slightly off white two finger head that dissipates over about a minute leaving some nice lacing.
Aroma: Light aromas of sweet and roasted malts, brown sugar and overripe plums.
Taste: Some bready roasted malts, dark fruits especially plum and also a hint of chocolate and caramel. As it warms, more grape and bubblegum appears in the flavour.
Mouthfeel: Light bodied, light carbonation and smooth but seems a bit thin (watery).
Overall: This went down easy but perhaps a tad bit ‘watery’. I prefer their Hefeweissbier Dunkel more.

3 - Indifferent (might buy, probably drink), American Pale Ale, Beer Reviews, Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, USA

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale

Monday, 22 June 2015 kitch Leave a comment

Brewery: Sierra Nevada Brewing Company
Country: USA
ABV: 5.6%
Style: American Pale Ale
Other Notes: 38 IBU

Brewer Description: (from bottle) In 1980, we created a beer highlighting the bold pine and citrus flavors of whole-cone Cascade hops. Today, our all-natural, bottle-conditioned Pale Ale is recognized worldwide as a classic.

My rating: 3
My beeradvocate.com rating: 3.58
My ratebeer.com rating: 3.6

Intro: A 12 fl oz bottle with a packaged date of 17th March 2015 and poured into a pint glass.
Appearance: The beer poured an extremely clear copper colour with a two finger slightly off-white head that dissipates fairly quickly leaving some stringy lacing.
Aroma: Mainly a piney smell along with some citrus lemon and grapefruit. Some bready malts also come through.
Taste: Pine hop taste along with some bread, biscuit and caramel malt. There’s also a hint of orange and some bitter finish.
Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with moderate carbonation.
Overall: I’d drink this pale ale again, but I do prefer my pale ales with a slightly less pine, and more tropical fruit flavours instead.

2 - Maybe (likely wouldn't buy, might drink), American Amber / Red Ale, Beer Reviews, New Belgium Brewing, USA

New Belgium Fat Tire Amber Ale

Sunday, 21 June 2015 kitch Leave a comment

Brewery: New Belgium Brewing
Country: USA
ABV: 5.2%
Style: American Amber Ale
Other Notes: 22 IBU

Brewer Description: (from bottle) Fat Tire Amber Ale perfectly balances biscuit-like malt flavors with hoppy freshness. Named in honor of a storied bike ride through Europe. Fat Tire cruises with Belgian imagination and inspiration.

My rating: 2
My beeradvocate.com rating: 3.01
My ratebeer.com rating: 2.8

Intro: A 12 fl oz bottle with an enjoy by date of 19th July 2015 and poured into a pint glass.
Appearance: It poured an extremely clear deep copper colour with a one finger white head that dissipates quickly.
Aroma: Slightly weak aromas, but there’s biscuit and bread like notes, slight caramel and also a touch of apple.
Taste: It’s quite similar to the aromas. I get biscuit malts, caramel and some apple juice. I’m not really getting that much hops.
Mouthfeel: Medium bodied and medium to high carbonation.
Overall: This was decent and easy to drink but not amazing. I wouldn’t actively seek it, but if I could find a fresher bottle, I’d try it.

5 - Excellent (must buy), Beer Reviews, German Berliner Weisse, Omnipollo x Buxton Brewery, Sweden

Omnipollo x Buxton Stolen Fruit

Wednesday, 17 June 2015 kitch Leave a comment

Brewery: Omnipollo x Buxton Brewery collaboration
Country: Sweden
ABV: 4.6%
Style: German Berliner Weisse
Other Notes: Brewed by Omnipollo and Buxton Brewery at Buxton Brewery in the UK (England).

Brewer Description:
(from Omnipollo website) Sour wheat beer brewed with juice and zest from three varieties of grapefruit and key lime. Brewed in collaboration with Buxton Brewery in the UK.

(from Buxton website) A sour wheat beer brewed with juice and zest of pink grapefruit and lime. Collaboration with Omnipollo.

My rating: 5
My beeradvocate.com rating: 4.52
My ratebeer.com rating: 4.3

Intro: A 330ml bottle with a best before date of 18th July 2015 and poured into a Duvel tulip glass.
Appearance: The beer poured a hazy straw golden colour with a very small white head that dissipates quickly.
Aroma: Starts with sour lime and raspberries with hints of grapefruit and a strong peach finish.
Taste: Strong sour notes, mainly of tart lime and lemon but also some grapefruit. Followed by tropical fruit flavours of mango and peaches.
Mouthfeel: Light bodied, strong carbonation, dry, crisp.
Overall: This exceeded my expectations by far and I wish I could buy this again. But as a limited brew and seemingly out of stock in Hong Kong, I fear I may not find this again.

3 - Indifferent (might buy, probably drink), Beer Reviews, Belgian Quadrupel, Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, USA

Sierra Nevada Ovila Abbey Quad – Plums

Monday, 15 June 2015 kitch Leave a comment

Brewery: Sierra Nevada Brewing Company
Country: USA
ABV: 10.2%
Style: Quadrupel
Other Notes: 21 IBU, Specialty Ovila series brewed in collaboration with the monks of the Abbey of New Clairvaux in Vina, CA.

Brewer Description: (from bottle) Ovila Abbey Quad is heady with aromas of caramel, rich malt, and dark fruit – balanced by the spiciness and delicate fruity notes of a traditional Belgian yeast. This complex beer is a collaboration between Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. and the monks from the Abbey of New Clairvaux. It features sugar plums grown on the grounds of the Abbey, and harvested by the monks in Vina. We hope you enjoy this collaboration ale.

My rating: 3
My beeradvocate.com rating: 3.72
My ratebeer.com rating: 3.7

Intro: A corked and caged 12.7 fl oz bottle, packaged and bottled on 19 November 2014 and poured into a Chimay goblet.
Appearance: The beer poured a deep dark brown (near black) colour with a one finger tanned head that dissipated fairly quickly leaving a small amount of lacing.
Aroma: Brown sugar, toffee some toasted malts and chocolate followed by dark fruits, plums, raisins and cherry.
Taste: Roasted malts, brown sugar, chocolate, coffee, dark fruits of plums, figs and cherry.
Mouthfeel: Full bodied, low carbonation, creamy, smooth, some alcohol warmth.
Overall: I was surprised and a little disappointed at the amount of roasty malts, chocolate and coffee that comes through in the taste as I prefer my quads to be more on the fruity side.

words of another dreamy traveller