Review: Augustiner Bräu Lagerbier Hell

Augustiner Bräu Lagerbier Hell from Augustiner-Bräu Wagner KG
Rating: B+

A Christmas present from a Bavarian friend, enjoyed on Christmas day at her place outside of Munich.

Appearance: Straw color, very clear, good head and retention, some lacing.

Smell: Predominantly grassy hops aroma, with a bit of herbal earthiness and DMS

Taste: Rather light. Grassiness, solid bitterness but finishing on a sweet malt note. Good, but not exceptional.

Mouthfeel: Light body, good carbonation. Good for the style.
Drinkabilitz: Very drinkable, and from what I hear an excellent value. I have seen this being drunk all over Munich.

Serving type: bottle

Reviewed on: 12-25-2007 22:14:01

Review: Andechser Doppelbock Dunkel

Andechser Doppelbock Dunkel from Klosterbrauerei Andechs
Rating: A-

Wow, first beer to review with the new system. Also, first beer reviewed from Germany on a German kezboard, with the z and y switched, so here goes...

Appearance: lighter in color than I was expecting, more orange or garnet than deep and dark. Big off white head with good retention, but leaving little lacing.

Smell: dark fruits, toast, brown sugar... surprised by all the fruit, in a lager. no hint of smoke, which i love in ayinger's celebrator.

Taste: raisin, brown bread, bit of roast & toast, brown sugar. malt is the star, but there is enough hops bitterness to balance. never becomes cloying.

Mouthfeel: medium body, bordering on full. reasonable carbonation.

Drinkability: I now have a second favorite Doppelbock. Glad to be in Bavaria at the moment, and looking forward to a brewery tour in a couple of days. Hopefully the beer there will be as good as this Andechs offering..

Serving type: bottle

Reviewed on: 12-25-2007 22:06:55

Review: Black Sheep Ale (Special)

Black Sheep Ale (Special) from Black Sheep Brewery PLC
Rating: B-


Appearance: copper color with almost a pink tint. Good sized head with (oddly) large bubbles. Decent retention, some lacing.

Smell: Crisp, toast/biscuit malt aromas, earthy hops.

Taste: Solid but easy bitterness, hop flavors are subtle - herbal. Aftertaste is pleasant and lingering. Malt character is subdued - just a hint of toasted grain.

Mouthfeel: prickly carbonation, light-medium body.

Drinkability: easy drinking, good

Serving type: bottle

Reviewed on: 12-17-2007 00:07:11

Black Sheep Ale

Review: McEwan's No.1 Champion

McEwan's No.1 Champion from Scottish Courage Ltd.
Rating: B+

Wasn't expecting this to be a scotch ale when I bought it. Not my favorite style, but we'll give it a go.

Appearance: Garnet in color, two finger off-white head with good retention, and lacing.

Smell: warm, hints of vanilla, with some hints of roast malt.

Taste: creamy, some toffee, slight molasses but balanced by hops bitterness. Some dark fruit. Very nice, actually. Not too sweet, which is my usual complaint for this style.

Mouthfeel: Medium body, creamy, good carbonation.

Drinkability: A good beer, by any measure.

Serving type: bottle

Reviewed on: 12-14-2007 17:54:08

Review: Golden Champion

Golden Champion from Badger Brewery, Hall and Woodhouse
Rating: B

Appearance: honey colored, clear, moderate retention and some lacing. fairly attractive

Smell: intensely floral aroma. first sweet and perfumed, resolves to a more spicy/floral hop aroma.

Taste: reminds me of a Florida-brewed rose hip beer that I had once, except much better. Floral, but with a solid bitterness that keeps it from being too sweet. Malt brings up the rear, resolving to (again) a floral finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium body, good carbonation.

Drinkability: Much better than I was expecting after I saw this was an elderflower beer!

Serving type: bottle

Reviewed on: 12-12-2007 23:43:07

Review: Tiger Beer

Tiger Beer from Asia Pacific Breweries Ltd.
Rating: C-

Appearance: slightly more color than your typical example of this style, very little head retention. very clear.

Smell: grainy smell dominates. sweet. a bit of DMS early on but that fades. at least it comes out of a brown bottle!

Taste: sweet on the front of the palate but finishes with a husky dryness.

Mouthfeel: Medium body, slightly oily mouthfeel. Good carbonation level

Drinkability: Better than most lagers available on the Chinese mainland.

Serving type: bottle

Reviewed on: 12-12-2007 23:12:15

Review: Kronenbourg 1664

Kronenbourg 1664 from Brasseries Kronenbourg
Rating: C+

I've really neglected reviewing since I got to England - I've been drinking plenty of beer, just haven't had the time to contemplate on it and do a serious review while drinking. I decided to get back in the habit, and unfortunately this was the only pre-chilled beer in the house.

Appearance: Pale gold/straw in color, big head which fades quickly. No retention or lacing.

Smell: Sweet malt, green bottle smell even though it came out of a can. Grainy, green grass, alcohol slightly present.

Taste: Better than it smells. Grassy hops, dry graininess that keeps the malts from becoming cloying. Finishes dry, with a lingering hop finish that's not unpleasant. Pretty good for the style.

Mouthfeel: Crisp, light-medium body, prickly carbonation.

Drinkability: Easy-drinking lager, could be a lot worse. More hops than your typical Euro pale lager.

Serving type: can

Reviewed on: 12-11-2007 21:17:20

Kronenbourg 1664