The best beer in the world?

Posted on October 13, 2013 by simonbroderick

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Westvleteren 12 has been hailed as the best beer in the world by critics and amateur beer enthusiasts alike. It has a fantastic toffee aroma, rich mouth feel and some toasted bread flavours. I recommend spending some time savouring this beer. The monks of the St Sixtus monastery near Ypres in Belgium only sell the beer in order to keep their order going and to fund renovations to the abbey. So, despite widespread demand the best place to get this beer is from the source in Belgium. Great excuse for a holiday I say!

 

 

Or P.s., head to Dublin: http://www.mchughs.ie/westvleteren-xii-brick-6-x-33cl-plus-glass-1-1-1

 

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The last of the Summer Beer!

Posted on October 12, 2013 by simonbroderick

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Shneider Weisse Tap 4 is an organic hefeweizen which packs some Summery vibes. There are ripe banana and apple notes. There’s a lovely sweet and sour balance where the hops meet the fruit. All of the ‘taps’ are worth a punt but I reckon this one is particularly special!

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Christmas comes early (don’t hate me)

Posted on October 11, 2013 by simonbroderick

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Supping Samichlaus Classic in Maguire’s, Athlone, where you are almost always guaranteed to find an unusual beer. This very strong (14%) very sweet ( like a port) beer is not to be ordered lightly. It has no head, is dark brown and is a bit like eating a very rich christmas cake that has been fed booze for weeks. This beer is only brewed once a year on December 6th in Austria and it’s aged for 10 months before bottling. These facts alone make it unusual and worthy of a try… but I have to say one is more than enough!

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Death by chocolate

Posted on October 9, 2013 by simonbroderick

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Transatlantic battle commences,  Saltaire’s Triple Chocoholic Stout from Yorkshire vs Rogue’s Chocolate Stout from Oregon! It’s a tough contest. The Saltaire uses Fuggle hops and has cocoa, chocolate syrup and chocolate essence. It’s quite dark brown as you can see from the picture ( I had it first) and it doesn’t keep it’s head. It is definitely the more chocolatey of the two. The Rogue uses Cascade hops which complement the dark chocolate flavours nicely. It holds it’s head a little better. If you could get your hands on coffee ice cream it would go well with either of these. If I had to pick between these fine beverages I would say the Rogue by a nose.I can feel myself slipping into a chococoma right now…

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Brewed by the bay

Posted on October 7, 2013 by simonbroderick

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Galway Bay Brewery’s Full Sail Dry Hopped IPA is one of my favourites from the last couple of years. It can be sampled on draught in their Galway and Dublin bars. I am also happy to report that O’briens are now stocking it in bottles. Don’t get confused with the very similarly named Full Sail IPA from Oregon! This beer is well hopped which I like but they don’t go to town with it either so you could have a few of them without getting ‘hop fatigue’. ( a phrase I may have just invented) Highly recommended. 

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