All About Beer Demo Virtual test : Page 33
Gale’s Prize Old Ale 2007,Fuller, Smith & Turner (London, England): This 2007 vintage differs markedly from all previous vintages (that were brewed and bottled at Gale’s before the brewery closed) and also from the 2008 vintage. Fuller’s allowed the natural acidity of the beer full rein in the 2007, but have been forced by market conditions to blend it mostly out in the 2008 (and future) brews. The U.K.equivalent of Rodenbach Grand Cru, it’s really not to be missed, but likely to be a one off. (JE) Schneider & Brooklyner Hopfen-Weisse,Georg Schneider & Sohn (Kelheim, Germany): The German version, well handled (even though it is strong, I’ve had bottles that tasted like they were stored warm for too long). Love those German hops, so even though it’s a hefty beer, I’d suggest drinking it as fresh as possible. (SH2) Girardin Kriek, Brouwerij Girardin (Sint Ulriks-Kapelle, Belgium) Bourbon County Stout,Goose Island Beer Co. (Chicago, IL): I loved this beer so much that I decided to go to Chicago to celebrate my 50th birthday at Goose Island. (CS1) Yeti Series, Great Divide Brewing Co. (Denver, CO): Any time I am in Colorado, the ones we can’t get all the time, like the Chocolate Oak-Aged Yeti and the Barrel-Aged Yeti, go into my suitcase. (LM) Edmund Fitzgerald Porter, Great Lakes Brewing Co. (Cleveland, OH): Limited distribution of this wonderful porter: I buy some every time I get to Ohio. (SW) Old 5X, Greene King Brewery (Bury St Edmunds, England): Not a commercial brew, but occasionally released as samples in tiny bottles. This is an aged beer that is blended with young beer to produce Strong Suffolk— oak, sherry, tannin dryness. (JE) Dave,Hair of the Dog Brewing Co. (Portland, OR): Named for Dave Keene, made eisbock-style, bourbon barrel aged, 29 percent ABV— probably too rare now. (AM) ALSO SUGGESTED: Doggie Claws Döllnitzer Ritterguts Gose,Brauhaus Hartmannsdorf (Hartmannsdorf, Germany): I’m not sure anybody can say, “This is what a gose should taste like.” But at times the style, which is pretty much unique to Leipzig, was described as more sour than Berliner weisse. So the more lactic of the two versions available today in Leipzig seems like a good reference point. (SH2) Le Coq Imperial Extra Double Stout, Harvey & Sons (Lewes, East Sussex, England): When I am overcome by somber melancholy because I feel the weight of the world on my shoulders, there is no more fitting consolation. (HD) Old Dubh,Harviestoun Brewery (Alva, Scotland) Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Weiss, Brauerei Heller (Bamberg, Germany) Gouden Carolus, Brouwerij Het Anker (Mechelen, Belgium): A strong amber ale named after the gold coin that commemorated the rule of Charles V of the Holy Roman Empire, who lived in Mechelen. A sumptuous bittersweet beer full of rich fruit, malt and spicy hops. (RP) Secession Black IPA,Hopworks Urban Brewery (Portland, OR) Mort Subite Oude Gueuze, Brouwerij De Keersmaeker (Kobbegem, Belgium) ALSO SUGGESTED: Oude Kriek La Trappe Isid’or, Bierbrouwerij de Koningshoeven (Berkel-Enschot, The Netherlands): I have been fortunate enough to have tasted all of the Trappist beers (including those reserved for the monks and not for sale to the public), except for this one. I don’tknow that it is good or bad, but I want to have it just because I can no longer say that I’ve tasted all of the Trappist beers. (DT) Koutska Desitka, Pivovar Kout na Šumave (Kout na Šumave, Czech Republic): I think this is in bottles (we had it on draft). Must be drunk fresh. (SH2) Old Gnarlywine (2006, 2008) Lagunitas Brewing Co. (Lagunitas, CA) Lammin Sahti,Lammin Sahti Oy (Lammi, Finland) La Wépionnaise, Brasserie Lefebvre (Quenast, Belgium): Deep in French-speaking Belgium, south of Namur, the small town of Wépion grows strawberries, so they contracted to have a beer made with strawberries. It is something of a novelty, but really quite enjoyable. (MS) Imperial Stout, Left Hand Brewing Co. (Longmont, CO): Wecan’tget them in Portland (hint, hint) but I grab some when I cross the mighty Columbia River and do some beer shopping in Washington. (LM) ALSO SUGGESTED: Milk Stout Cuvée de Tomme, The Lost Abbey (San Marcos, CA): I could list a bunch of Lost Abbey beers because some days one is a favorite and others another. But I sure as heck want to make sure this one isn’t left off your list. (SH2) ALSO SUGGESTED: Angel’s Share, Cable Car VOL. 31, NO.4 SEPTEMBER 2010 ALL ABOUT BEER 33
Publication List
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