Beer Advent Calendar 2014 - December 24th

Turns out, when I started the 12 whiskies of Christmas on the 12th - I was a day early.  So no whisky today.  I'll sink a Sheep Dip instead.

Good beer today, well suited to the weather.

Left Hand - Black Jack Porter

Think this might be the best porter I've had this month.  Terrific porter flavours, licorice, chocolate, even some plums.  Flavour execution is tip-top.

This beer was crisp. 

It's over.

Merry Christmas!

Beer Advent Calendar 2014 - December 23rd

Good scotch today.  Glenfiddich.
Glenfiddich was one of those mysterious bottles I'd often see in my parents alcohol cupboard and wonder about.  It's a really tasty Speyside.

Penultimate beer!

Brouwerij Bosteels - Tripel Karmeliet
Another great showing from Belgium.  Murky yellow pour that tastes grainy, yeasty and a little bitter. Curiously refreshing for such a strong beer.  Quite different from all the other triples I've had.

This beer was light.

Beer Advent Calendar 2014 - December 22nd

The Glenlivet - 15 years (French Oak Reserve)

Nice scotch this one, I'm not a big fan of Speyside distilleries - prefer the islands.  That said, this was particularly enjoyable.

Left Hand - Sawtooth Ale

I found this beer to be extremely drinkable, disappeared fast.  Well balanced hops, malt and bitterness - certainly not remarkable, but well above the mark.

This beer was bangin'.

Beer Advent Calendar 2014 - December 21st

Still slacking.  Sorry readers (if there are any readers...).

Good scotch today, I had an Auchentoshan a few years ago, the Three Wood, and thought a lot of it.  I remember it being quite cheap too.  This twelve year is pretty damn good too.

Brewery Achouffe - Mc Chouffe
The third and final entry from Achouffe, and it's the best one.  Malty caramel dominates with a little smokiness and a little bitter.  Huzzah for Belgium!

This beer is win.

Beer Advent Calendar 2014 - December 20th

And we're all caught up!  For a day at least.

Final M&S scotch - Highland malt.

Sam Smith's - Organic Chocolate Stout
Really love this drink.  I'm sure I reviewed it before but I can't find it...
They've totally nailed the chocolate flavour in this drink.  Huge foamy beige head, sweet malty flavours, roasted malty flavours, lovely and creamy.

This beer is chocotastic!

Beer Advent Calendar 2014 - December 19th

Lovely drinks today.

Tomintoul is a new scotch on me, from Glenlivet.  Punchy aroma, rich taste with a good earthy finish I thought.

Brooklyn Brewery - 1/2 Ale
Really enjoyed this beer, dry and bitter - but only lightly so - few hints of spice and yeast.  Very gentle though.

This beer was solid.

Beer Advent Calendar 2014 - December 18th

Fever gone but itchy. Hungry and eat doggy food. Itchy Itchy Scott came. Ugly face so killed him. Tasty.

Itchy. Tasty.

Braaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaains!

(Yes I quoted the keeper's diary from Resident Evil just to introduce a Brains beer)

Today's scotch was unremarkable.  M&S Speyside.  Not terrible, though.

Brains - Mumms the word
This beer was really strange.  A hodge-podge of flavours all smacked me at once - it wasn't undrinkable, but I couldn't make any sense of it.  Far too much going on.

I would describe this beer as perplexing

Beer Advent Calendar 2014 - December 17th

Here comes another batch of posts.  It takes a long time for these communications to get transferred from SPACE.

Good news is I've almost amassed enough credits to purchase myself a lovely Cobra.

A brilliant pair of drinks today.

The Balvenie Doublewood - My first memory of a good sherry cask whisky is Sheep Dip Olorosso, but good luck finding any these days.  I know a guy...but he's already shared it with me, and the bottle is only 20cl.
Anyway - The Doublewood has a really light aroma, and quite a mild finish - which some people don't enjoy in a whisky...I do.  The fruity notes are to-the-front, which I also enjoy.  Made me feel all warm inside.

Brewery Achouffre - La Chouffre Dobbelen IPA Tripel
Belgians...how do they do it?

Second of three Achouffre beers in the calendar, and it's a brilliant second showing.
Smells smooth and inviting, hint of yeast and sweetness.  Nice and rich flavours balanced well with a bittersweet finish.  Terrific triple.

This beer is wunderbar!

Beer Advent Calendar 2014 - December 16th

(I'm still playing Elite, so I'll be brief)

Penderyn.  Not my favourite scotch.  Don't quite get the appeal either.

I like Celt, they're doing good things.  This one slipped a little towards the end though.

Celt - Hallstatt Deity
An unfiltered saison, over 6%.  Light malts and very sour fruits and an acidic finish.  Quite tart.

This beer was biting.

Beer Advent Calendar 2014 - December 15th

Well it seems my lethargy knows no bounds.  2 days late, 2 days in a row.

I've spent all of today playing Elite: Dangerous.  That's my excuse.

Anywho.

Honourable mention for the M&S own brand blended 5yr scotch.  Very drinkable.

Tiny Rebel - Dirty Stop Out
Lovely stout, quite heavy on the flavours but it works really well.  Bitter malts and chocolate dominate the flavours.  Yum.

This beer is hearty.

Beer Advent Calendar 2014 - December 14th

I really enjoy Innis & Gunn beers, I've a bit of a sweet tooth so the sweet flavours go down rather well.  This one is a little disappointing, being quite unremarkable when compared to the others I've sampled.

The whisky - Jack Daniels.  I don't trust JD.  I don't trust their marketing.  It's not terribly tasting, but it's not great.  There are far nicer bourbons, even within the same price range.

Innis & Gunn - Toasted Oak IPA
Comes in a brown bottle (unlike most of the others), yay! But the beer is lacking, light body with some interesting flavour - but it's far too subtle.  It's smooth and crisp, yet completely lacking.

This beer is disappointing.

Beer Advent Calendar 2014 - December 13th

Keeping up with blogging the beer advent when you've no intention of writing a full review and a score is harder than you might think.  Especially when earlier in the day someone stole your bicycle.
Seriously if you see a silver mountain bike with yellow pedals and white mudguards - kick the rider off and step on their face.

The scotch was an Islay malt from a 4-pack (from M&S).  It wasn't bad.  I'm not too big on the extremely peated whiskies anymore.  Must say I enjoyed the Glenlivet significantly more.
Bosteels - Pauwel Kwak
Kwak is one of my favourite beers, and certainly my favourite one from Belgium.  And not just because of it's ridiculous glass.
It's a little strong, but you know...Belgium.  Sweet, malty, complex flavours and not too yeasty.

Kwak is cracking.

Beer Advent Calendar 2014 - December 12th

Today is the day that the twelve whiskies of Christmas start! Huzzah!

Beer first.

Odell - Loose Leaf
Wahey! Another session ale.  Quaffed terrifically.  Light flavours across the board with good body.  Bright golden pour.  It's quite standard, but enjoyable none-the-less.

One word? Ummm...appetizing.


Scotch...Glenlivet - the entry level 12 year. IS NICE. YES. I can't be bothered to write much about it today. I've got a party to attend.

Beer Advent Calendar 2014 - December 11th

Another absolute arse-kicker of a beverage.

Flying Dog - Double Dog
When I un-bagged this one I thought I was in for a treat.  Then I saw the ABV, and got a bit worried.  I need to stop seeing strong beers and going straight for them in the shop.

Flavours in this beer are not traditional IIPA flavours.  No big hits of grapefruit, or citrus ruling the palette here - this is wholly different.  It's a lot more acidic and bitter, and the alcohol in the back is fiercely tangy.  I'm not sure if my bottle was a bit funny, as lots of online beer reviews seem to say different!

One word? Tang.

Beer Advent Calendar 2014 - December 10th

Birthday beer!  Nice one too.  I would have posted this yesterday but I was watching The Thing.  That's right. I'm old. I stay in and watch films on my birthday.
Rogue - Mocha Porter
Apart from their Bacon Maple Ale Rogue have some terrific beverages.  This one fits in nicely.  Stouts and porters are always so much better in the winter.  The roasted flavours and dark colours fit in nicely.
Superbly smooth, balanced mix of coffee, chocolate, hops and bitterness.  Can't be bothered to write more, I have today's beer to drink.

One word to describe?
Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice.  But you have to say it like Louis Balfour from The Fast Show.

Beer Advent Calendar 2014 - December 9th

I totally forgot to write about this one on Tuesday.  It was very tasty, then I went to see Interstellar.

Left Hand - Stranger
One of my favourite beer names.  Really tasty IPA too.

You should probably just go look at their website for some information on it...or better still go buy one!

Moreish.

Beer Advent Calendar 2014 - December 8th

I could have done with this beer yesterday.  Typical.

I think this is the only can in the selection this year.  I umm'd and ahh'd over whether or not to buy it but I do like to keep up with Flying Dog.

Flying Dog - Easy IPA

It's a good thing this one comes in a can, because I can say "it does exactly what it says on the tin" and have it be a slightly accurate statement.

Poured a lovely yellow, nice and clear.  On the correct side of 5% for a session beer, nice and light body - and surprisingly impressive flavours considering.  Smells nice too, light yet still beckoning.  

I would describe this beer as easy. Almost as easy as Sunday morning.

Beer Advent Calendar 2014 - December 7th

I was quite unwell last night. And I was quite unwell this morning.  So the very last thing I needed to pull out of the advent calendar today - was a stupid beer.

Ah well.

Flying Dog - The Fear
Ugh.  This beer was hard to drink.  Not just because of my sensitive disposition.  It's a pumpkin ale, which I never enjoy.  And it's another imperial (9%) one.  Not even Flying Dog could fix pumpkin beer.
It seems to be quite well received on beer sites and the like.  So it must just be me,..
Nutmeg, cloves, pumpkins - I guess if you like that in a beer this would be nice.  It's not, though.
I'm not sure if being imperial strength helps.  I doubt it.

I would describe this beer as YUCK.

Beer Advent Calendar 2014 - December 6th

More late posts.  I blame friends, such is there inconsideration for the demands of beer advent.

Yesterday's beer was a nice one, started me off on the road to the way I felt this morning - but I'll not hold that against it.

Brewery Achouffe - La Chouffe
Belgians.  You've just got to love their beers.  La Chouffre is an unfiltered blonde beer.
Pours really nicely, lovely fruity smell.  Nice and soft texture, really nice to quaff.

In a word I suppose I would say this beer was schmooblydong.

Beer Advent Calendar 2014 - December 5th

Oh dear! I didn't post this yesterday!

Well.  At least I'm not 5 days behind on my beer advent like some people who shall remain nameless...Matt.

Today's beer is correctly themed, and it is the correct beer for this type of year (Yum! Stout!).  Shame it's not a better example though.

Great Heck - Black Santa

Managed to get 2 beers from the same brewer the day after one another. Skills.  Sadly this one isn't to the high standards of it's brethren.

This is quite a nice stout, but it's pretty standard. Average sweetness, average roasted flavours, medium body and dry finish.  It's OK.  Certainly far above the usual "look we brewed a Christmas beer" rubbish that seems to get carted out every year aimed squarely at middle aged men - but far below a plethora of stouts I've had over the years.

I would describe this beer as middling.

Beer Advent Calendar 2014 - December 4th

Lots of good bottle design this year - so far...honestly, that's not why I picked them off the shelf! ^_^

Great Heck - Shankar IPA
What a beverage.  Whiffs of caramel and malty goodness.  Fantastic crisp fruity flavours before the bitterness kicks in, with a little sweetness to finish.  Good strength at 5.9%.  Beer of the calendar, so far.  Will definitely have to pick it up again.

Summed up in one word?

T'riffic.

Beer Advent Calendar 2014 - December 3rd

Today I received the parcel containing the final 6 whiskys for the 12 whiskies of Christmas, chasers for the 2nd half of the calendar.  If it goes well enough I might abandon beer in favour of whisky for 2015.

Anyway.  Beer.

Domination - Hop Mountain

This is a bit more palatable at only 6%, and it's terrific.  Perfect balance of malt and hops to suit my tastebuds - nice and red too,  Is it a red ale? Apparently not - but if not presented with the bottle or the internet that would have been my guess.
Nice sweet tasting, hoppy, malty goodness.

Now a word to summarise...

YUM.

Beer Advent Calendar 2014 - December 2nd

Seems like I'll be getting all the high strength beers out of the way early this year.  I do hope there are some nice beers left by the end of the selection.

Founders - Double Trouble
Imperial (9.4%) double IPA.
This is not as easy to drink as yesterday's imperial strength beverage.  It's a bit cloying.
I like a good IPA, this one is technically good but I'm not really enjoying drinking it as much as I expected to.

I know it's not an adjective - but I would describe this beer as

American Hustle - because I feel the same way about this beer, as I do about that film.

Beer Advent Calendar 2014 - December 1st

*Insert standard oh for goodness sake is it December again? Already!? comment*

I find I'm lacking the same enthusiasm I once had for beer advent, that's not to say I don't love buying and drinking the beer.  Just the photographs, reviews and scores.  I like beer a lot, so most things get high marks. So I'm not sure I can fairly score the beer anymore.

I might just try and think of a different adjective to describe each beer instead.  And I'll try not to use the same word twice all month.

Siren - Shattered Dream

Nothing like an ass-kicker of a beer to start things off.

Shattered Dream is a 9.8% breakfast stout.  The bottle says it's brewed with vanilla and cacao nibs, I can't really taste the vanilla - the roast is quite overpowering.  I can definitely taste the cacao.
It's extremely drinkable for almost 10% - especially if you compare it to lots of other imperial stouts.

It's very pleasant.

Which is what today's adjective is.

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm! 
Pleasant.