[tor]

Picked up some interesting ones today. Kwak and Tripel Karmeliet which are two long time favourites that unfortunately don't appear at bottleshops that often so I buy lots when I see it.

Kwak is pure malt. I am surprised I don't go into some kind of diabetic shock drinking it. Traditionally served in a coach glass (like a small version of a yard glass). http://www.ratebeer....er/pauwel-kwak/ cost about $8 a 375ml bottle. $40 for 4 with the glass (one of my glasses has a flaw in it and is likely to break so I got the glass set).

Karmeliet is my favourite beer in the history of the world. It is a dessert beer. The palate is creamy and grainy at the same time and the correct glass is a masterpiece of majestic beer drinking. Makes you feel like the sun king.
http://www.ratebeer....ipel-karmeliet/

Weird, I just went looking for a pic of the tripel glass and found this page which has both on it: http://www.corman-co...bosteels-e.html

[hamish]

staringclown, on 24 March 2011 - 11:03 AM, said:

House prices high but no rebellion in this land cos grog is cheap.

Actually booze is a ripoff in Aus as well compared to most western countries, much cheaper in most of europe.

I noticed the Union Hotel Newtown has Vale Ale on tap when there a couple of weeks ago, very nice beer, to my tastebuds almost a cross between coopers and Hoegaarden. Will drink again.

[tom]

While the Aussie dollar is at 1.07 budweiser seems to be on sale everytime I go to teh bottleshop.



Has anyone made the switch to them? Don't mind the adds either.

I am going to be drinking them as my staple at home beer as long they are $45.00 per carton.

The Chimay etc are starting to become reasonably priced too;



$90.00 for 12 bottles is not too bad which seems to be the rate at bigger bottleshops. About $7.40 per bottle.

Drinking chimay one is well and truly maggoted before they feel bloated... I wonder how the trappist monks are keeping up with the massive populatrity of their beers over the last 5 or so years?

[staringclown]

tom, on 23 April 2011 - 06:43 AM, said:

While the Aussie dollar is at 1.07 budweiser seems to be on sale everytime I go to teh bottleshop.



Has anyone made the switch to them? Don't mind the adds either.

I am going to be drinking them as my staple at home beer as long they are $45.00 per carton.

The Chimay etc are starting to become reasonably priced too;



$90.00 for 12 bottles is not too bad which seems to be the rate at bigger bottleshops. About $7.40 per bottle.

Drinking chimay one is well and truly maggoted before they feel bloated... I wonder how the trappist monks are keeping up with the massive populatrity of their beers over the last 5 or so years?

I remember drinking bud in the US and finding it was only 3.6% or so alcohol. The flavour was pretty weak also. (Compared to Melbourne bitter) Probably more like a corona. I will give them another try but I haven't seen them in Canberry. We are getting something called "Chang" which I'm reluctant to try since my last experience of tsingtao. (Too sweet)

I don't think those monks a shuffling around dark stone corridors in robes and cowls anymore. Large stainless steel vats with crosses painted on? The lord moves in mysterious ways.

This post has been edited by staringclown: 23 April 2011 - 07:25 AM

[staringclown]

Just visited the "Hunter Beer Company" near Cessnock. Spoke to a very friendly man named Keith. Very knowledgable about beer (an enthusiast is always irresistible) And anyone with job title of "The beer guy" on their business card I'm apt to get on with.

I tasted 6 beers. All were good but some were gooder.

Witbier - 4.6% and very pale. Lighter in colour than the belgian witbiers I've tried (leffe and Hoegaarden) they infuse their version with a bit of lime peel (as opposed to the traditional orange peel) and coriander. Very good on a hot summer day.

Ginger - 4.5% tea coloured and not strong on the ginger. You can smell it but it is nothing like the traditional sweet ginger beer I've had in the past. Very crisp flavour. More ginger ale without the sugar

Kolsch - 4.5% Slightly tart with hints of pineapple and passionfruit. A slight bitterness of hops on the finish. I'd call it a session beer but only because of it's drinkability and the fact I wanted more of it.

Wicked Elf - 5.4% This was a guest beer from near Port Macquarie. Good and in the same style as Squires/Little creatures pale ale. Quite hoppy with a pleasant bitter aftertaste.

Lager - 4.5% (I started getting a bit hazy at this point) I was less impressed with this one. Had a mushroomy flavour up front and reminded me vaguely of steinlager which I'm not that keen on.

Chocolate Porter - Very dark and rich as you'd expect. Nutty in flavour from the darker roasted malt.

There were a bunch of others but I had to drive so abstained. I bought a magnum each of the kolsch and the witbier. Definitely worth a visit.

Edit: Off for some wine now. I may be some time.

This post has been edited by staringclown: 08 September 2011 - 05:37 AM

[jas25t]

I've drunk their beer a number of times, been there only once and always keep a magnum handy around the house.
you can mail order (or friend order when you hear someone's going to the hunter!)

I hope you tried the pale ale!

[staringclown]

jas25t, on 09 September 2011 - 05:12 AM, said:

I've drunk their beer a number of times, been there only once and always keep a magnum handy around the house.
you can mail order (or friend order when you hear someone's going to the hunter!)

I hope you tried the pale ale!

Sadly they didn't have the pale ale on tap. Polished off a magnum of the kolsch without even raising a sweat. Goes down far to easily.

I don't think we have a wine thread so at the risk of looking a bit of ponce I would like to recommend the Audrey Wilkinson "The ridge" reserve semillon. Gorgeous. And believe me I've gorged a fair swig of it.

[staringclown]

Wig and Pen - Flemm

Quote

A red sour flemish ale 7.4%

It's worth a go if you happen to be passing but I would recommend a half pint first up. It's a beer which has been left open to allow natural yeasts to promote fermentation. It was like drinking a weak balsamic vinegar. An acquired taste but I could get used it. Mind you I could get used to drinking battery acid so don't get your hopes up.