3 - Indifferent (might buy, probably drink), Beer Reviews, Denmark, Lambic - Fruit, Mikkeller ApS

Mikkeller Spontanlemon

Wednesday, 7 September 2016 kitch Leave a comment

Brewery: Mikkeller ApS
Country: Denmark
ABV: 7.7%
Style: Belgian Lambic (Fruit)
Other Notes: Brewed by Mikkeller at De Proef Brouwerij

Brewer Description: (from Mikkeller webshop) In the spontan series we present Spontanlemon – this time, forming an alliance with Lemon that were generously added underway the brewing process, creating a truly unique, distinct and very sour beer.

My rating: 3
My beeradvocate.com rating: 3.76
My ratebeer.com rating: 3.5

Intro: On tap at Koelschip, Copenhagen, into a Mikkeller Spontan mini gueuze type glass.
Appearance: It was a clear copper colour with a half finger off white head that dissipated fairly quickly, leaving sparse lacing.
Aroma: Lemon, tart, sour, wood, oak with very light funk.
Taste: Lots of lemon. Lemon and carbonated water, sourness, some light oak and funk.
Mouthfeel: Medium to light bodied with high carbonation.
Overall: This was ok, but not one of the better beers in the Spontan series.

**Apologies for the poor photo below.

4 - Good (buy), Beer Reviews, USA, Wicked Weed Brewing, Wild Ale

Wicked Weed Marina

Wednesday, 7 September 2016 kitch Leave a comment

Brewery: Wicked Weed Brewing
Country: USA
ABV: 6.5%
Style: American Wild Ale
Other Notes: Marina is a blonde sour ale aged in wine barrels with over one pound per gallon of peaches and apricots. The result is a delicate, hazy-gold ale with deep stone fruit character

Brewer Description: (from bottle) The daughter of a poor, ailing farmer, Marina was wrought with the burden of responsibility. Her father had done his best to raise her with all the love and lessons benefitting a princess. Time passed and with it her father. Her worry for the land deepened and dominated her every thought. One night, Marina found a letter scribbled in her father’s hand: “Do not fear; you are the daughter of the king, sister to Medora, raised outside the kingdom to keep you safe when war was upon us.” Marina, unburdened and full of rejoicing, returned home to her sister, and it was said of them, never did such just and loving rulers watch over the people.

My rating: 4
My beeradvocate.com rating: 4.41
My ratebeer.com rating: 4.3

Intro: On tap at Koelschip, Copenhagen, into a Mikkeller Spontan mini gueuze type glass.
Appearance: It was a slightly hazy golden straw yellow colour with a half finger white head that dissipated fairly quickly but left great lacing.
Aroma: Sour, tart, funk, green apple and apple juice.
Taste: Sour, tart, peach, apricot, cherry, strawberry and light funk.
Mouthfeel: Light bodied with moderate to high carbonation.
Overall: Nice, refreshing and easy to drink.

4 - Good (buy), AleSmith Brewing Company, Beer Reviews, Stout - Imperial, USA

AleSmith Speedway Stout – Hammerhead

Monday, 5 September 2016 kitch Leave a comment

Brewery: AleSmith Brewing Company
Country: USA
ABV: 12%
Style: American Imperial Stout
Other Notes: Coffee Imperial Stout with Espresso

Brewer Description: (from website) Mirroring the coffee-house espresso-drink of the same name, Hammerhead Speedway Stout is a version of AleSmith’s world-renowned coffee imperial stout dosed with even more select java plus a heaping helping of espresso. This highly caffeinated one-off was first brewed on an experimental basis as part of AleSmith’s popular Speedway Grand Prix event during the 2013 edition of San Diego Beer Week. Introduced along with 11 other special versions of Speedway Stout, it was an instant classic and the all-around favorite of AleSmith fans. As such, we are immensely proud to bottle it for the very first time as the first in a family of future releases that will eventually tackle the beer’s much beloved offspring, Double Hammerhead Speedway Stout and, for the most insatiable Joe enthusiasts, Triple Hammerhead Speedway Stout.

My rating: 4
My beeradvocate.com rating: 4.39
My ratebeer.com rating: 4.3

Intro: On tap at Mikkeller & Friends (Stefansgade), Copenhagen, into a Mikkeller tasting glass.
Appearance: It was a nice dark black colour with a one finger beige head with moderate retention and great lacing.
Aroma: Dark chocolate, oak, vanilla, coffee and a touch of alcohol.
Taste: Espresso, chocolate, vanilla, oak and dark fruit.
Mouthfeel: Rich, full bodied with light carbonation.
Overall: A very nice Imperial Stout and a great variant of the Speedway Stout.

2 - Maybe (likely wouldn't buy, might drink), Beer Reviews, Hill Farmstead Brewery, Porter, USA

Hill Farmstead Shirley Mae

Friday, 2 September 2016 kitch Leave a comment

Brewery: Hill Farmstead Brewery
Country: USA
ABV: 4%
Style: American Porter

Brewer Description: (from website) Shirley Mae (1936 – 2015) was our cousin, daughter of Everett, and a beloved supporter of her family and Hill Farmstead. In her honor, this American session version of our Everett porter is crafted from American malted barley, English and German roasted malts, American hops, our ale yeast and water from our well. Chocolate, coffee, and light malty sweetness, this ale embodies her ebullient and generous spirit – a fitting tribute.

My rating: 2
My beeradvocate.com rating: 3.15
My ratebeer.com rating: 3

Intro: On tap at Mikkeller & Friends (Stefansgade), Copenhagen, into a Mikkeller tasting glass.
Appearance: It was a dark brown colour with a one finger tanned head that had great retention and lacing.
Aroma: Wonderful coffee bean, chocolate, mocha and a touch of vanilla.
Taste: Surprisingly disappointing considering the great aroma. An un-complex mish mash with a bit of coffee here and a bit of chocolate there.
Mouthfeel: Light bodied with very light carbonation.
Overall: I guess this just wasn’t my thing. I easily preferred Everett over Shirley Mae.

5 - Excellent (must buy), Beer Reviews, Denmark, Lambic - Fruit, Mikkeller ApS

Mikkeller Spontantripleblueberry

Thursday, 1 September 2016 kitch Leave a comment

Brewery: Mikkeller ApS
Country: Denmark
ABV: 7.7%
Style: Belgian Lambic (Fruit)
Other Notes: Brewed by Mikkeller at De Proef Brouwerij.

Brewer Description: (from Mikkeller webshop) 1500 grams of blueberries per 1 litre.

My rating: 5
My beeradvocate.com rating: 4.75
My ratebeer.com rating: 4.6

Intro: On tap at Mikkeller & Friends (Stefansgade), Copenhagen, into a Mikkeller tasting glass.
Appearance: It was a dark purple colour with a one finger purple head that quickly dissipates but has nice lacing.
Aroma: Blueberry, oak, barrel and tartness.
Taste: Tart, sour, tons of blueberries and other berries.
Mouthfeel: Light to medium bodied with moderate carbonation.
Overall: This was wonderful. Great tart and fruitiness especially if you like blueberries.

words of another dreamy traveller