I've got a Passport! Beer Passport that is...

Grizzly · Jun 11, 2011

So the Co-op has the best liquor stores in town and recently opened up "Tasting Centers", in the various quadrants of the city, even higher end stores with wine tasting classes, event rooms that sort of thing. They also have an extremely good selection of beers from all over the world, and have launched a beer passport.
 
You have to buy single servings of individual beers and each type counts but once. After 12 you get some glasses, 24 gets you really nice glasses, etc. up to steins and a chance at a trip for 2 to Germany (this year) and Belgium next...
 
We're having a farewell party for friends of ours who will actually be staying with us for a couple of weeks until he retires and they can move (their house sold quicker than they thought it would). 
 
Got a Leffe, Erdlinger, an Innes and Gunn and a Maudite. This is going to be fun.

Grizzly · Jun 13, 2011

Review: Erdinger Dunkel
 
 
<a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/89059/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="erdinger-weissbier-_bg.jpg" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="17089" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/17089/width/300/height/350" style="; width: 300px; height: 350px"></a>
Overall: 8/10
Looks: Just like that. Almost opaque. Fine head on it.
Smells: Heck I ain't much into aromas and bouquets, but it has a chocolatey, roasted grain smell.
Tastes: Seems to have body, looks like it will have body, but is surprisingly (and perhaps disappointingly) light. Would have appreciated more oomph to it. But it is smooth and that's a selling point. I thought it would have an aftertaste but it just finished as smooth as it started.
Opinion: Strange but true, likely a wonderful summer beer. I'd have more than one.

Floridaboiler · Jun 14, 2011

Sounds like a fun way to spend the summer.

Mrtambalynman · Jun 14, 2011

I love the Co-op. Too bad we don't have any here. Heck, too bad we don't have Alberta booze prices here. Sounds like fun Grizz.

Grizzly · Jul 2, 2011

<a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/89935/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="image341.jpg" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="17178" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/17178/width/375/height/500" style="; width: 375px; height: 500px"></a>
 
Overall: 7.5/10
Looks: Ruby. They aren't lying. It's a dark reddish amberish colour
Smells: A bit fruity, certainly hoppy
Tastes: Hmm. First taste impression is bitter. Second taste is still bitter but also with a sour aftertaste. HOWEVER, there are some hoppy notes to it too, not quite sure whether this is an IPA or a bitter... very strange. 
That said, it is lighter than you'd expect. I am not terribly into IPA's, so I wasn't entirely thrilled with this beer. Drinkable, yes, certainly drinkable.
Opinion: It wouldn't be my first choice if on a menu, but I wouldn't say no to one offered me.

Grizzly · Jul 3, 2011

<a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/89965/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="WeihenstephanerHefeWeissDunkel.jpg" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="17184" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/17184/width/400/height/300" style="; width: 400px; height: 300px"></a>
 
Overall: 8.5/10
Looks: Cloudy amber, certainly not as "dunkel" as I might have expected. Pours a good head of foam. Carbonation.
Smells: Malty, almost a touch of banana? Gawd, I'm sounding like some gourmand, but it does have a banana bread smell.
Tastes: Wow. It definitely is a wheat beer, there is a malty bitterness that isn't overwhelming, some malty aftertaste, but very very smooth.
Opinion: Wow, wow, wow. Oldest brewery in the world, apparently. This is some beer. I admit I was hot and thirsty, but this went down right nice. Sessionable.

Grizzly · Jul 4, 2011

<a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/90001/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="79" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="17187" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/17187/width/240/height/306" style="; width: 240px; height: 306px"></a>
 
Traquair House Ale.
 
Supposedly the oldest house in Scotland.
 
Overall: 7/10
Looks: Plumish brown. Minimal foam
Smells: Sweet. Molasses? Ginger cookies perhaps.
Tastes: Hmmm. I am not a connoisseur so I don't quite know how to do this justice. Malty with a bit of hoppish bitterness at the end. Definitely affects the upper palate. Smooth, but there's almost a piney taste to it. Not totally agreeable, but I wonder if it had to do with it being served cold.
Opinion: Okay. Certainly got better as it went along. I'd have to try it warmer to see if I liked it more, but I am not going to do that for a long time... so many beers so little time.

Grizzly · Jul 7, 2011

Trappistes Rochefort 10 STRONG BEER (11.5%)
 
<a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/90416/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="tr.jpg" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="17293" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/17293/width/300/height/436" style="; width: 300px; height: 436px"></a>
The thought appealed to this ex-wannabe-monastic's heart.
 
Overall: 7.5/10
Looks: Maroonish Brown. Head wasn't as pronounced as in the picture. Some sediment.
Smells: Complex. Definitely alcohol, but cloves and spices, almost molasses?
Tastes: You do taste the alcohol, but not as much as you might expect from a strong beer. Very palatable, some hoppiness, but a nice finish. There's a bit of a caramelly feel to it. And after the first sip you really don't notice the strength. This could be a problem if you have more than one!
Opinion: Will have to rate again. I like it, but it is not a beer for a hot day's refreshment. This is a sipping beer, something you eat with cheese and pleasant conversation. I find it definitely better than the strong beers of my home province, Quebec.

Grizzly · Jul 8, 2011

And while we're on the Abbey Beer Road...
<a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/90492/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="leffe.jpg" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="17297" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/17297/width/200/height/315" style="; width: 200px; height: 315px"></a>
 
The Leffe Blond (Pale), a Belgian favourite.
 
Overall: 7/10
Looks: Pale. Carbonation, lots of lively bubbles.
Smells: Yeasty, bready.
Tastes: C'mon, you've had this one, you know what I'm going to say. Light, very little body, some bitterness at the end. Bubbly.
Opinion: A nice summer beer. Definitely sessionable, not very memorable, but a stand-by nonetheless.

Grizzly · Jul 11, 2011

After the camping weekend I had an elephant sized thirst, so I thought I'd try this:
<a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/90692/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="tusker_bottle_lager.jpg" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="17322" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/17322/width/214/height/500" style="; width: 214px; height: 500px"></a>
Tusker Lager. Out of Africa, Kenya to be precise.
 
Overall: 6.5/10
Looks: Very very pale, thin yellow. 
Smells: Very faint aroma of ... grain? corn? Dunno
Tastes: Not offensive. Sort of the African equivalent of a light beer? It is only a 4.2% alcohol content beer, not light but not strong either. had mine very cold, and it was refreshing, but there was very little body to it. The missus, who doesn't like beer had a sip and suggested that it didn't tast like... anything. That was a bit harsh. I can definitely see the allure of this one as a thirst quencher on a very hot humid day, but meh.
Opinion: Don't refuse one if offered, but make sure it is cold. Makes me rethink my ranking on Leffe.

Grizzly · Jul 14, 2011

Tyskie Gronie from Poland.
 
 
<a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/90868/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="polish-beer-tyskie-gronie.jpg" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="17341" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/17341/width/450/height/338" style="; width: 450px; height: 338px"></a>
 
 
A Polish lager that tastes more like a Pils.
 
Overall: 6.75/10
Looks: Pale yellow
Smells: Citrus, hay?
Tastes: Light but with a bit of a bite, not sure if it is hoppiness or carbonation. Has a bit of presence anyway. For a Euro-Lager it tastes more like a Canajun beer, and not in a great way.
Like Tusker, not offensive, but with a higher alcohol content. Definitely a summer beer.
Opinion: Ditto on the opinion for Tusker, a good summer beer that I won't go out of the way to buy.

willrun4chocolate · Jul 14, 2011

I am enjoying this thread.
 
Is there any Aussie Victoria Bitters on this passport? Because if you can get VB in Alberta, I will be there soon.

Grizzly · Jul 18, 2011

Black Sheep Ale
 
<a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/90988/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="2428367975_a15b1fb70c.jpg" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="17362" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/17362/width/375/height/500" style="; width: 375px; height: 500px"></a>
 
A pint of the bitter...
 
Overall: 7.5/10
Looks: Amber. Lighter than the picture, lighter than you'd expect from the bottle.
Smells: Sweet and malty.
Tastes: It's complicated. Malt, all the way until it hits the throat and then hops. Bitter. Hits that spot at the back left of the tongue, know what I mean? But for all that nice crispness, dryness and bittersweetness, there is no ooomph to it. It's basically a good English Ale. Solid. Not inspiring.
Opinion: Hey, just what the doctor ordered on a fine sunny day. If you like English Ale and like your beer with a hoppy bitterness this would be your choice. Just wish there ws more body to it.

Grizzly · Jul 18, 2011

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by willrun4chocolate <a href="/forum/thread/74185/i-ve-got-a-passport-beer-passport-that-is#post_2006777"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a> I am enjoying this thread.
 
Is there any Aussie Victoria Bitters on this passport? Because if you can get VB in Alberta, I will be there soon.
</div>
</div>
 
Will see. Next beer run sometime this week.

Grizzly · Jul 19, 2011

Taste the difference that 100% authentic irradiated hops make! Straight from sunny Chernobyl, its....
 
<a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/91078/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="ukr-obolon-lager.jpg" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="17387" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/17387/width/263/height/500" style="; width: 263px; height: 500px"></a>
 
Obolon Lager. Just kidding (I hope) about the radiation part.
 
Overall: 7/10
Looks: Pale yellow
Smells: That Heineken skunk.
Tastes: Ditto. Okay, it tastes fine, Smooth and with the catch of bitterness at the end, but not overpowering. Not too dry. Basically a Euro-Lager, or Heineken with a bit more bite and alcoholic content. 
Opinion: A decent enough offering, good summer fare.

Grizzly · Jul 21, 2011

Did we quit when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbour? NO! On with the tasting...
<a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/91206/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="sapporo-beer.jpg" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="17393" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/17393/width/375/height/500" style="; width: 375px; height: 500px"></a>
Biru! Biru! Biru!
 
Overall: 7.25/10
Looks: Pale yellow
Smells: Sweet, some malt, some citrus - almost lemongrass
Tastes: Light lager, gentle bitterness, some sweetness at the finish. Unobjectionable, almost bland, but that touch of bitter, an even bitterness sets it apart. 
Opinion: Big massive corporate beer... but good cold. I won't go out of my way to get another, but decent enough.

Grizzly · Jul 29, 2011

Back in the saddle again after a forced medical hiatus.
 
<a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/91556/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="1345.jpg" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="17448" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/17448/width/270/height/382" style="; width: 270px; height: 382px"></a>
 
 
An "Organic" beer - Fuller's Organic Honey Dew
 
Overall: 7.25/10
Looks: Golden, a bit cloudy
Smells: Very Sweet, honey (duh), some malt,
Tastes: Finishes sweet. Medium body with a touch of bitterness or crispness, but I'm not sure if it isn't due to carbonation. 
Opinion: Agreeable, but definitely not a beer you'd want to have more than one of, it is filling and a tad too sweet. Otherwise a typical Brit Golden Ale.

Grizzly · Aug 2, 2011

And now for a beer from closer to home...
 
<a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/91883/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="Charlevoix+-+Dominus+Vobiscum+Blanche+%25281%2529.JPG" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="17468" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/17468/width/375/height/500" style="; width: 375px; height: 500px"></a>
 
Dominus Vobiscum Blanche from a microbrewery in Quebec's Charlevoix region. A white bear that is brewed with spices... basically a Canajun take on the Belgian Witbier.
 
Overall: 8.10
Looks: Cloudy golden, certainly one of the paler white's I've seen.
Smells: Spicy. Banana bread with some citrus. 
Tastes: Has the slight bitterness of the wheat, but not overpowering. Coriander, some very slight taste of clove, and a very nice aftertaste of citrus to add to the slight wheat bitterness
Opinion: This has the commercial whites beat by a country mile, and I think it rivals the best Belgians, I certainly would take this over a Hoegaarden!

Grizzly · Aug 4, 2011

And for my 16th (two I haven't reported on...)
 
<a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/91937/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="0-5Pils.jpg" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="17483" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/17483/width/147/height/500" style="; width: 147px; height: 500px"></a>
From the second oldest brewery in the world, and the oldest monastic brewery (I think?) A Bavarian Pilsener, maybe even a Celtic Bavarian Pilsener since it comes from Kelheim.
 
Overall: 8/10 Maybe I'm being generous
Looks: An opaque amberish gold. Pours a decent head that seems to last
Smells: I smelled a faint touch of lemon, but you can smell malt too.
Tastes: Pleasant. Silky feel in the mouth with minimal carbonation, but still has that required touch of bitterness at the end as well as a faint sweetness. Flavour endures
Opinion: Very nice. Definitely sessionable, in that I could have more than one at a sitting, and that's perhaps why I graded it higher. Smooth. Nice summer beer.

Grizzly · Aug 14, 2011

The label reads "Devil's Brew and the Danish Atheist Society have entered into an unholy alliance, and the result is Gudelos (Danish for 'Godless') - an ale brewed entirely without superstition. It is an Imperial Stout, that's all I knew when I brought it home. It started a controversy in my system and an argument between brain, heart and tastebuds.
 
<a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/92529/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="CIMG7608.JPG" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="17567" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/17567/width/667/height/500" style="; width: 667px; height: 500px"></a>
 
 
The controversy wasn't theological. I find it amusing that anyone has to proclaim matters of faith or lack of it on a bottle. No, this controversy was over how to rate this. It is an excellent beer that I didn't enjoy. 
 
Overall: 8.5/10 
Looks: Gorgeous, transcendently dark with a beautiful head and angelic lacing
Smells: Coffee, chocolate, my son (who tasted) said he smelled licorice. I didn't but we'll add that in.Roasted smell not overpowering, very pleasant
Tastes: You do taste the alcohol, this is an 8.9% brew, more for sipping than tipping back. There is a sweetness, a lack of carbonation despite the abundant head, son says he tasted licorice, but I didn't. I thought this tasted more like a dark ale than a stout, but there was a hoppy bitterness and an intensity to the flavour overall. Very dry finish. Overall, a beery chocolatey roasted coffee with hoppish taste. Definitely not a summer beer, and very filling
Opinion: Coudn't finish mine. While I had admiration for what is obviously a well-crafted beer, I just didn't enjoy it. Hence the controversy. Do you rate it high for craftsmanship, or does the situation or enjoyment figure into the rating. I erred on the side of craftsmanship. Perhaps it really is a beer to be sipped and savoured on a long dark winter's night when you are contemplating the ultimate questions. I'll rate it high, but I am not sure I'll be back for either the questions or the answers.

I've got a Passport! Beer Passport that is...

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