Beer 25
Does the City of Harbin Make the Best Beer?
Does the City of Harbin Make the Best Beer?
Harbin is a city in northern China and is the capital of the Heilongjiang province. The tenth largest city in the country with over 5 million inhabitants living in the city limits, it also has something that can be considered a national treasure: China’s oldest beer brewery.
Harbin is a city that is famous for a few things; in the winter-time it’s bitterly cold but artists manage to make a city of ice sculptures that is unparalleled anywhere in the world, and it is also a UNESCO “City of Music”. Because Harbin at different times throughout its history belonged to China and Russia, the city is also known for its buildings and architecture that reflect its incredibly multi-cultural past. In fact, in the early 1900’s during railway construction, the city of Harbin was made up of residents from 53 different countries, and 45 languages were spoken on the city’s streets.
Due to wars and political situations, many of Harbin’s residents had to leave the country, but one thing that got left behind was a deep love and understanding of beer. The Harbin Brewery, which some critics say make “plain” beer, is a jewel in China’s beer crown. While many will claim that Tsingtao beer from further east in the country is better; people who live in Harbin and people who have been fortunate enough to spend some time there know that Harbin Brewery beer is good, but there are independent brew pubs all over the place in the city and these are the places to go if you want a beer that is simply outstanding.
Harbin is an extraordinary place for beer lovers. During the summer, beer gardens abound where local micro-breweries offer their wares along with the best kebabs and bread on the continent. During the winter time, brew-pubs offer hot spicy foods that make their in-house beer taste even better. The citizens’ love of beer can be seen everywhere from the omnipresent Harbin Brewery products to the street decorations which happen to be old beer barrels. Harbin is the best city to visit in Asia for beer tourism, hands down. Here are some of the varieties of beer that you can get in brew-pubs in Harbin.
Black beer A personal favorite of mine, and one of the main reasons why I’ll be going back to Harbin for a “beercation”. This dark brew offered in many brew-pubs but not available in cans or bottles at the supermarket is a real treat; unlike Scottish or Irish stout beers, Harbin’s black beers are more along the lines of Mexican black beer like Modelo Negra, but with a touch more of an espresso note and a slightly creamier texture. If you’re expecting something like a Guinness, you’ll be a bit disappointed because Harbin’s black beer is a bit more refreshing in nature. Black beer goes beautifully well with typical Harbin dishes that are loaded up with cumin and chilies.
Seaweed beer While seaweed beer is still something new and not mainstream, the stuff they make at brewpubs in Harbin will make you wonder why it isn’t mass produced for the international market. It’s nice, with a flavor that makes you think of the ocean. Like a fine whiskey, this is a beer that needs to be savored. It goes very nicely with beer snacks such as fresh cucumbers covered in a sesame oil and garlic sauce. It’s also great with tofu dishes.
Wheat beer Also known as white beer, this is one variety that is absolutely terrific in Harbin’s brew pubs. Mostly made with wheat, it is top-fermented and is generally known as a German type of beer. The beverage is cloudy-looking, and generally is not made with hops and is instead flavored with things such as herbs, orange peels, or even coriander. A small amount of hops may be used. The result is a delightful beer that is slightly sour and goes beautifully with dishes such as hot and sour soup. Furthermore, a Harbin wheat beer in the afternoon with a thick slice of Harbin’s famous da-lie-ba bread and renowned sausages is a treat that no visitor to the city should go without.
Harbin is the city of beer; and there is no other place in the world like it. Beer is delicious, it is inexpensive, and there are a number of brewpubs that will suit every taste and budget; from places that serve traditional Chinese food from other regions, pubs that serve Russian food, and tiny, locally known places that serve Harbin’s delightfully multi-cultural infused cuisine. There is a beer for every palate, and it’s worth spending the money to take a trip to the northern city just to sample their fantastic brews.
Another great thing that makes Harbin the beer capital of Asia and one of the world’s greatest beer-producing cities of the world is that the public transit system is great. Buses run frequently, are clean, go everywhere you need to go in the city and announce all the stops in Chinese and English, all for an incredibly reasonable price. This means you can go to Harbin, enjoy all the beer you wish, and you’ll make it home safely without putting anyone else in danger because you won’t be behind the wheel of a car.
Therefore, to answer the question : “Does Harbin make the world’s best beer?” we must say we don’t know yet and we must gladly make a few more trips to the frozen city in China’s Heilongjiang province, sample some more of the brews on offer to be doubly sure.
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Pakistan’s Murree Beer
Pakistan’s Legendary and Elusive Murree Beer
Beer connoisseurs and brew lovers across the globe are always searching for a pilsner or lager beer that represents the highest element of beer-dom: a great refreshing beer that has subtle yet deep flavors, has hints of hops but isn’t too hoppy, has a certain amount of carbonation but doesn’t taste of baking soda, has a clean finish without making one feel as though the beer is watered down. Finding such a beer is considered to be like finding the Holy Grail; because personal preference plays such a huge role in finding the perfect beer, nobody can really say there is such a thing as a “perfect” beer.
However, one such beer does exist, and it’s made in a country where pilsner and lager aficionados would least expect it. The one beer that brewmasters and consumers alike (well, those fortunate enough to get their hands on it) both claim is the world’s best is Murree Beer, which is made in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
While alcohol is forbidden in Islam, one must not forget that Pakistan is home to several religious minorities, all of whom have the right to drink. Furthermore, Pakistani citizens can apply for permits to purchase alcohol; the serving of alcohol to non-Muslim guests in private residences is allowed. However, these permits are not handed out like candy; they are difficult to come by. While the brewery is running at full capacity and can barely keep up with domestic demand, plans to expand are not in the future and due to the nation’s Islamic-based laws concerning alcohol, export of Murree beer was banned until earlier this year, when the brewery finally got a license to export to non-Muslim countries.
Pakistan is home to the Murree Brewery; one of the manufacturing units is in Rawalpindi while the other is in Hattar, in the country’s North West Frontier Province. Established in 1860 to meet the demand of British personnel living in the area around the town of Murree, the brewery also makes a world-class quality single-malt whisky.
Where Can You Get Murree Beer?
So the question is, if you’re one of the few people who will be lucky enough to get to Pakistan in the first place, where do you go to get your hands on what is arguably the best beer in the world?
This is where things can get a little tricky. If you’re visiting Pakistan as a regular tourist, you’ll probably need to go to a fancy hotel where they have a permit to sell alcohol. However, this may not be a great idea due to the political and social upheavals happening in the country. If you’re in Karachi, you might be able to find special liquor outlets which are quasi-legal and cater to foreigners who are working in the city. These can be difficult to find and you may need to enlist the help of a local friend.
Guest houses that cater to overseas and foreign engineers who work on telecommunications projects or other such projects are also legally allowed to sell beer to their residents. Again, most of these guest houses do not advertise and do not have signs posted outside; the only way you can find them is if you are in fact one of the foreign workers who has been sent by your company who has pre-arranged your accommodations or if you happen to be invited in by one of the residents to have a meal in the guest-house cafeteria.
Safety First
Before going into the characteristics of Murree Beer, it must be said that when you do find Murree Beer in Pakistan, drink it discreetly in private; never drink alcohol in a public place. To do so is incredibly fool-hardy and is asking for more trouble than one can ever imagine.
Taste and Characteristics
One of the more popular beers is Murree’s Classic Lager, which is a European Pale Lager and has an alcohol content of 5.5%, which is quite strong considering most lagers in Europe weigh in at 4.9% to 5 %. Described as “premium beer”, it is smooth on the palate and is similar (some say superior) to classic European lagers.
Contributing to the outstanding character of Murree beers is the fact that all of the barley used is from Australia. According to the chief executive Isphanyar Bhandara “we don’t compromise on quality and the Australian barley is first class.”
Murree beers are part of the rare breed of lagers that are fantastic on their own and are also terrific with a wide variety of food. While one might be tempted to say that Murree beer is best with traditional Pakistani food such as seekh kebabs, chicken tikkas, beef curries and karahi chicken, it actually goes equally well with Chinese dishes such as steamed garlic chicken, hot and sour soup, and steamed buns. The old advertising jingle from the days of the Raj “Eat, drink and be Murree” certainly rings true as the beer adds another level of enjoyment to one’s food.
Crisp, smooth, light and subtle yet complex and refreshing, Murree beers are a delight to try, and with some continued good luck, the elusive famous beer of Pakistan’s Himalaya foothills will soon be making an appearance at a fine liquor store near you. As Mr. Bhandara says:
“Murree Brewery’s desire is to show the international community that Pakistan doesn’t have to be known as a country that exports terrorism, that this can be a country that exports beer.”
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Ceviche and Cancun’s Top Beers
Ceviche and Cancún’s Top Beers
Everybody goes to Cancún in the Mexican Caribbean to party; nightclubs and bars are the stuff of legend and make the traditional resort and party town of Acapulco seem tame and a little bit fuddy-duddy in comparison. But one thing that takes a lot of visitors by surprise is the fact that this resort on the Yucatán peninsula offers one of the most delicious dishes in the world: ceviche. And not only is the ceviche possibly the best you can find in Mexico, it’s possibly the best you’ll find in all of Latin America.
Ceviche, when it’s made in its most basic yet delicious form, is raw seafood and fish marinated in lime, chopped tomatoes, onion, coriander, green chillies and salt. It is usually eaten with plain saltine crackers or fresh, home-made tortilla chips. Due to health concerns though, it’s very hard to find places that use raw fish and seafood; most bars, restaurants and snack shops and stalls will use cooked shrimp and prawns for their ceviche.
This dish is absolutely fantastic on the beach, it’s great as a snack, and it’s great in the fanciest of restaurants, and the only thing that can make this dish even better is eating it with one of the fabulous beers that are available in Cancún. Here’s a look at the top beers a visitor must try either straight or with a plate full of ceviche to accompany it.
Yucatán Beers
The best part about travelling is sampling locally produced beer; and these two beers crafted in the Yucatan certainly do not disappoint. The two most popular beers among locals and savvy travellers are Leon Negra and Montejo Clara.
Leon Negra
This amber lager pours with a beautiful reddish-orange tinged light brown, and is has such a brilliant clarity that it almost sparkles. With just the right amount of carbonation, a lovely creamy head forms which lasts until the drink is almost totally consumed. Flavor and aroma-wise, it smells lightly of sweet toffee, sweet bread, and sweet malt. There really isn’t a hop aroma, which makes the beer smell clean and inviting. Tasting like a superior quality English brown ale, it is well balanced, lively, yet light. Leon Negra also has a nice, barely-there taste of caramel and is ever so slightly on the sweeter side of beers. This is a must-have beer for all visitors to Cancún.
Montejo Clara
While Leon Negra has been brewed in the Yucatan since the 1900, Montejo Clara is something of a Johnny-come-lately type of beer; although it doesn’t have the long history Leon Negra has, it’s become a traditional beer to order. This pilsner beer will be good for those who aren’t too keen on darker beers, and is also simply amazing with ceviche.
When it comes to appearance, Montejo Clara fans state it is “a golden elixir”, pale yellow in color but still rich-looking. Vigorous carbonation adds to the refreshment factor, and a peppery hop aroma is reminiscent of Dutch pilsners such as Grolsch. It’s floral scent has none of the faint smell of sulphur that some mass-produced beers may have and makes the beer incredibly enticing, especially during hot beach weather. As far as flavor is concerned, it is light, refreshing, but has depth of character that is on the same level as the most superior quality European pilsners.
National Beers
While in some countries national, mass-produced beers can be rather bland, unexciting, uninspired and insipid, Mexico bucks the trend and consistently produces good beer on a grand scale. While Sol and Corona are very good beers that are always enjoyable to drink, here are some internationally lesser-known beers that Cancún locals emphatically state are simply better.
Bohemia
A delightful darker amber beer that is not really known outside of Mexico but is considered to be, by far, the nation’s finest. It has a strong scent of caramel with a hint of chocolate, and has a bitter medium flavor that also tastes of smoky caramel. However, it’s surprisingly dry and has a light to medium body, which makes it perhaps nicer to drink at night-time in Cancún rather than during the day on the beach.
Noche Buena
This is a special amber beer that is only released once a year close to the Christmas holidays; if you’re in Cancún this winter, definitely give this one a try.
Dos Equis XX Special Lager
Along with Sol and Corona, Dos Equis XX Special Lager is perhaps THE beer to be drinking during the daytime on Cancún’s famed crystal-clear water beaches. As with all lager beers from Mexico, a slice of lime pushed into the bottle makes this beer go from regular to great.
And finally…Negra Modelo
This Munich dunkel lager was first brewed in Mexico back in 1926 by Austrian immigrants; the dark lager manages to be totally refreshing and is one of the very few dark beers that can be comfortably consumed on a hot beach and not feel overwhelmingly stuffing. Furthermore, because the beer is so delicately flavored, it is the ideal beer to have with an extra spicy portion of ceviche; the delicate taste will balance out and go well with the strong heat factor of jalapeño, Serrano, or other strong green chillies.
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Best Organic Beer Brands
Top Ten Organic Beers
The first thing that comes to mind when the words “green beer” are mentioned, we tend to think of St. Patrick’s Day parades and beer that has been dyed a festive colour by the addition of a few drops of innocuous food colouring. However, in this case, we’re referring to organic beers, and these lovely green examples of the world’s most popular beverage are sure to make you a convert to eco-friendly ales, stouts, hefeweizens and lagers. Here’s our Top Ten list of organic beers.
#1. Black Isle Brewery Organic Porter
Any person who lives in or has visited Scotland knows that a trip to the Highlands is worthwhile just to have a drink of water. Boasting of the best tasting water on the planet, an organic beer made with the stuff is going to have that competitive edge when it comes to taste. Brewed in Munlocky, this very dark brown porter has an aroma that’s almost fruity and reminiscent of freshly roasted coffee beans. The taste is that of any good porter: rich, deep, bitter like coffee but has the added touch of an aftertaste of dark chocolate. Black Isle Brewery Organic Porter is not a beer to be downed quickly; only savouring it with patience will let the drinker appreciate just how magnificent this brew is.
#2. Redoak Boutique Beer Cafe Organic Hefeweizen
Hailing from Australia, this organic hefeweizen is a little bit clearer than a traditional hef, but still has a refreshing taste that’s perfect on very hot days. Using a classic Weihenstephan strain of yeast for brewing, the aroma is like candied fruit rather than the more usual banana, but the beer finishes with a long note hinting of exotic spices. Reviewers claim that the best way to experience this beer is to pair it with a green salad with olives, feta cheese, and a dressing made with olive oil combined with a drop of the hefeweizen. Heaven!
#3. Samuel Smith’s Organic Strawberry Fruit Beer
This English organic fruit beer has a taste that has been described as “mind-blowing”, and is capable of converting fruit beer haters into fruit beer lovers. The problem with many fruit beers, organic or not, is that the fruit flavouring can be overpowering and synthetic. Samuel Smith’s Organic Strawberry smells and tastes of strawberries that have been picked when perfectly ripe, and the finish is clean and tidy. This delightful beverage is smooth and has no residual bitterness or sourness, which can be the downfall of lesser fruit beers.
#4. Elliott Bay Brewing Alembic Pale Ale
This beer from a well-known Seattle, WA brew-pub is a favourite beer among the locals simply because it tastes great; in fact, because the company doesn’t toot its own horn for being green, many fans of the Alembic Pale Ale don’t even know it’s organic. Winner of the 2000 Great American Beer Festival, the pale ale has a delightful citric aroma and goes down easily, with a finish of caramel.
#5. Black Isle Brewery Red Kite Ale
The Black Isle Brewery does it again with this medium-bodied ale that’s refreshing on a hot summer day but is also tremendously satisfying in the winter, which is a task most other beers cannot do. Classic organic British hops and lovely malt from Scotland make this a beer to be experienced. The Red Kite Ale pairs exceptionally well with good Scottish home cooking such as vegetable soup, mince, neeps and tatties (a mince meat stew with mashed turnips and potatoes) and also serves as a delicious chaser for a wee dram of Glenmorangie 18-year-old malt.
#6. Back Hand of God Stout
British Columbia in Canada has been produced some beautiful craft beers that also happen to be organic. One jewel in Canada’s beer crown is the Back Hand of God Stout from the Crannóg brewery that’s brewed in the small town of Sorrento; easy to drink with a delightful roasted flavour and hints of wood and chocolate, this medium-bodied dark beer has aficionados always coming back for more. This beer, for the time being, is not available in bottles and can only be found in at better pubs.
#7. Beyond the Pale Ale
Another winner from Sorrento’s Crannóg brewery is their fabulous version of English Pale Ale. Pacific Gem and Goldings hops give this ale its distinct character, and the finish, unlike other organic ales, is absolutely clean. The beer is very similar to a Northern Bitter, but has a very British Columbian flare. Reviewers claim that Beyond the Pale Ale is one of the best U.K.-style ales in existence.
#8. Natureland Organic Fiestbeer
Also from the Canadian province of British Columbia, Fiestbeer is a beverage that is receiving rave reviews from beer critics across Canada and the United States. The seasonal beer is done in true Munich style, and is brewed especially for the month of October. The standout feature of this brew is its maltiness; regular people exclaim with happiness that this is “one tasty beer”.
#9. Faceplant Winter Ale
From the Nelson brewing company, also in what now appears to be Canada’s organic beer brewing province par excellence British Columbia, this delightful winter warmer is brewed with organic malted barley, brown sugar, and molasses. AT 6.5% ABV, this mild tasting medium bodied beer can pack a real punch, especially after a day of hitting the snow-covered slopes Nelson is famous for. Beer lovers can rejoice as this beer is also available outside of pubs and is sold in cans.
#10. Freedom Organic Lager
This lager from the U.K. features a surprisingly deep flavour and aroma. Brewed in Staffordshire, company brewmasters claim that the award-winning beer owes its exceptional flavour and depth to the water source that requires absolutely no chemical treatment prior to brewing. As far as lagers go, this organic offering is refreshing, crisp, slightly hoppy and wonderfully pure tasting.
Organic beers, critics say, are the better than their non-organic counterparts simply because the quality of the ingredients is so high. If you haven’t given green beers a try yet, now is the perfect time to partake in a few samples and hopefully become a life-long advocate of sustainable brews.
How to Brew Your Own Beer
A Simple Method for Brewing Your Own Beer At Home
For those who love beer but hate paying the high prices in the markets, there’s a great solution which is brewing your own beer at home. While it does require some effort and a little bit of time, home beer brewing is basically an easy process and the massive savings make the work worth the effort. Furthermore, many will argue that a home-made beer tastes far superior to a beer from a supermarket shelf. Here is a simple method to make beer yourself, at home, and to keep things simple, rather than use dozens and dozens of small glass bottles that need to be capped, we will use 2-litre plastic pop bottles with reusable plastic lids.
All of the supplies can be purchased from www.homebrewing.org
Equipment
First of all, you’ll need these items to brew your own beer.
1 38-litre food-grade pail with a plastic lid
1 siphon hose measuring about two meters long with an 8 mm diameter made of food-grade vinyl tubing
1 hose clamp for the siphon hose
12 2-liter plastic pop bottles with lids
1 Hydrometer
1 Thermometer
1 large pot or a turkey roaster
Once these items have been acquired, the next step is to get the ingredients.
Ingredients
1 40oz or 1.2 liter can of malt extract in any flavour you prefer (light beer, dark beer, stout)
1 teaspoon or 5 ml of brewer’s yeast
1.5 -1.75 liters of white sugar or 2 liters of corn sugar, depending on the richness of flavour desired.
This recipe will yield about 23 liters of beer.
We highly recommend www.homebrewing.org for all of your supplies.
The Brewing Process
There are two main steps in the brewing process: that of sanitation and that of actual brewing.
Sanitation process
Wash all equipment in warm, slightly soapy water and do not use any scouring-type cleaning instruments which can cause bacteria-friendly grooves in the plastic. After rinsing, use a no-rinse acid sanitizer which will kill bacteria without leaving any funny aftertaste.
Brewing
Pour ten liters of fresh cold water into the big plastic pail.
Boil seven liters of water in the largest pot you have in your home.
Add the malt extract to the boiling water. Stir and let simmer uncovered for 20 minutes.
Add the sugar and stir until the sugar granules have dissolved.
Pour the malt, sugar and water mix into the pail with the cold water as soon as the sugar has dissolved. Pour quickly and in a splashy fashion to add as much oxygen as possible to the mix; this will ensure optimal yeast growth.
Top up with room-temperature tap water that has been boiled to kill off any bacteria or top up with bottled drinking water until the entire mixture cools down to a neutral temperature. The pail will be a bit more than half full at this point. To ensure that the proper temperature has been reached for optimal yeast growth (about 30 C), use a sanitized thermometer.
Sprinkle the yeast into the liquid. Stir everything well, and then loosely cover the pail with the lid. Do not seal the lid; if the pail is capped too tightly, it may explode from the carbon dioxide that is produced during the fermentation and brewing process.
Keep the beer covered, and avoid opening the pail unnecessarily as this can introduce air and can affect the taste of the beer negatively. The beer will need to sit for 6-10 days at room temperature, which should ideally be between 16-20 C, but a higher temperature up to a maximum of 24 degrees will also work. The higher the room temperature, the less time it will take for the beer to be ready.
Test the beer with the hydrometer after the 6-10 day brewing period. Once the hydrometer has been set into the beer, give it a quick spin to release any oxygen bubbles clinging to it which may give a false reading. Once that has been done, the hydrometer is ready to give an accurate measurement. A reading of 1.008 means that the beer will be ready for bottling if it is a dark beer, and a reading of 1.010 to 1.0150 will indicate that light beer is ready to be put into bottles.
Bottling
Place the pail or “carboy” onto a sturdy table once the brew is ready and put the 2-liter pop bottles on the floor with some rags or newspapers underneath to catch any spills or drips that may occur.
Put two teaspoons or 10 ml of sugar in each pop bottle; use a funnel so that sugar doesn’t drop everywhere.
Siphon the liquid into the bottles, ensuring the sediment at the bottom of the pail isn’t disturbed. Do not agitate the beer or splash anything; any added oxygen will make the beer taste of cardboard box.
Keep the end of the siphon near the bottom of the bottle while siphoning, this will stop the liquid from developing a froth.
Leave an air space in each bottle do NOT fill each bottle to the top.
Screw the caps on tightly, invert each bottle and give each bottle a shake to make the sugar dissolve.
Place the filled bottles in a warm place for 2-4 days, then store in a dark, cool area. The beer will be ready to drink in a few days, but beer that is left to “age” in a cool, dark storage area for a longer time will taste better.
Tips
Beer made at home will taste terrific after aging for a few months, so keep in mind that many home beer brewers like to get a second batch of beer on the go as soon as possible so that some beer can be consumed shortly after brewing and some can be left to age.
For people who are making beer for the first time and are nervous about equipment, ingredients and other supplies and wish to have the most professional results possible, it is ideal to get a full beginner’s home beer brewing kit with everything that’s necessary to make a good beer. A Beginning Homebrew Equipment Kit from www.homebrewing.org only costs $69.99 and beer recipe kits are available at $22.99. Instructions are included with the kits and are also available at the homebrew.org website in PDF format.
Top 10 Belgian Beer Brands
Top 10 Belgian Beer Brands and Best Belgian Beer
If it wasn’t for Germany being next door, Belgium would be at the top in world beer rankings. It’s right up there anyway, though! Belgium’s over 700 beers range from rare delicacies reminiscent of fine wine to hearty party drinks. Where do you start? Well, here is our current top 10 list to get you started. After you read it, we advise you to jump in and do your own taste-testing.
1. Westvleteren 12
ABV: 10.2%
Brewed at St Sixtus abbey in Flanders, Westvleteren is often touted as the best beer in Belgium and sometimes even in the world. Judging from its taste, it really could be. It’s dark and rich, bringing tastes of chocolate and cream as well as dates, raisins, peaches, figs, and wine, among others. It defines the class of abbey ales. Since this is a very small-capacity brewery, Westvleteren is often hard to get. You may actually have to phone ahead and drive to the abbey in person just for the chance to buy the maximum allowed per car – a single case with only 6 bottles!
2. Chimay White
ABV:7%-9%
Trappist monks at Forges-les-Chimay present another candidate for one of the world’s best beers. Several beers are brewed there, and all of them are well-known, though not all are easy to find. The taste is deep, strong, and laden with fruit and a little nutmeg and thyme.
3. Westmalle Triple
ABV:9.5%
Another Trappist beer, this one from monks at Westmalle, near Antwerp. The brew comes with claims by the monks that it can improve your appetite, reduce stress, and even cure insomnia! It may be just the excellent taste, or it might really be true. Either way, it’s a really good beer that goes down smooth and tastes great along the way!
4. Duvel
ABV:8-8.5%
Duvel is an abbey beer, but not one made by Trappist monks. The name “Duvel” means “Devil”, after a Flemish customer’s exclamation “Nen echte duvel!” (“A real devil!”). Its fruity aroma complements a dry taste with a slightly sweet overtone and scent of hops.
5. St Bernardus Abt
ABV:12 – 10.5%
Yet another Trappist beer, this one is brewed in the abbey at Watou under the brand name of St. Bernardus. The taste is rich, containing licorice, plum, cherry, peppermint, and raisins and chocolate. Some even detect gingerbread. You barely notice the alcohol under the fruity flavors.
6. Corsendonk Pater Noster
ABV:5.6%
Taking the name of a priory that existed from 1398 to 1784, this is rich red-brown beer that some say is even more refreshing than Duvel. The Pater is considered the best of the Corsendonk brews, with a fruity and bready aroma and a candy plus fruit taste mixed with malt. Be careful, this one also hides the alcohol very well.
7. Cantillon Gueuze
ABV:5% or a little more
Gueuze is a type of beer, not a brand. It’s a mix of lambics of different ages, refermented and bottled. Somewhat sweet and full-bodied, the traditional brews are not sweet and light like commercial versions – instead you get a sharp, flowery taste with hops, and a dry finish.
8. Rochefort
ABV:10 – 11.3%
Brewed by Trappist monks in the Ardennes, this beer is deep red-brown and fruity. You may taste raspberry, raisins, coffee, even prunes and grapefruit, as well as chocolate. Once again, the delicious taste conceals the alcohol very well, making this beer dangerous in the opinion of some tasters.
9. Karmeliet Tripel
ABV:8.4%
From Bosteels brewery, Karmeliet Tripel is pale yellow with a sweet fruity taste. Some say this is a feminine beer because you can’t detect the alcohol for the sweet flavor. You can taste banana, honey, orange blossom, and green apple for tartness, along with malt and a slightly dry aftertaste. Why are all these beers so good? You just don’t want to stop!
10. Orval
ABV:6.2%
We finish up this list with yet another Trappist beer, this one from the Abbaye d’Orval in the Ardennes. Orval is a little spicy, brown colored and memorable with a strong flavor of hops running from a bitter yet sweet flowery start to an emphatic hops finish. Overall a refreshing drink.
Now you have a starting point for your own exploration. One last word – these beers are so good you may overdo it without knowing it! Before you embark on a tour of these amazing Belgian treats, make sure you have a way to get home so you can enjoy without second thoughts!
Discuss! #belgianbeer
Top 10 Strongest Beers
Top 10 Strongest Beers and Strongest Beer in the World
So you’re a beer drinker huh? I bet you pride yourself on being able to decipher the tastes and also being able to handle a ton of it right? What man can’t handle a 24 pack of beer right? Or gal for that matter. Well we’re about to bring you a list of beers that demolish the 24 pack. May I present to you, the world’s strongest beers.
1. Start the Future
This beer is brewed in Holland by the brewery ‘t Koelschip, Start the Future is actually one of the cheaper bottles on the list at only $45 a piece. Maybe its because ‘t Koelschip knows that you’ll get more drunk with that $45 on this bottle than you would with that much worth of liquor. Start the Future has a 60% ABV which equates to 120 proof. Thats enough to knock a linebacker on his butt. To be drank from a small glass and NOT from the bottle, this is the next step in a brewery war to provide the masses with the highest ABV beer ever. After trying this, your liver will be praying all other breweries wave the white flag.
2. Schorschbock 57% finis coronat opus
Another beer that caught up in the war, Germany brewer Schorschbrau created this beer after its previous attempt (the 43%) was taken over. As you can see, at 57% ABV makes it number two on the list and as you can imagine, makes itself known right out of the gate. Open a bottle of Schorschbock and you’re nostrils will work overtime to alert your brain of impending doom. While this beer is intense, you’d be surprised at the slight sweet flavor you’ll receive. While you will taste a smokey and nutty flavor, your palette will certainly struggle with the massive amount of alcohol. This beer is about being on the list and quite honestly, nothing more.
3. End of History
This is the previous champion in the war for highest proof beer before our number 1 took it over. But you’ll find that this beer, even at second, still is more than your average joe can handle. End of History is a 55% ABV beer brewed in Scotland by BrewDog. A shock beer, the brewers warn that it tastes more like a whisky than a normal beer and that while it tastes good (orangey and American hops flavor), the amount of alcohol in this beer will make you feel as though you’ve injected it straight to your veins. What makes this beer unique is that the bottle comes in an actual dead animal. Also the price is substantial at $765/bottle, but when you’re getting a strong beer AND an awesome squirrel. Sounds worth it to me.
4. Sink the Bismarck
The guys from BrewDog strike again with a beer on this list. At 41% ABV, this quadruple IPA checks in at $100/bottle which is a slight bit more reasonable. The name is meant to reference sinking the German battleship, which is appropriate since it took the reign of the World’s Strongest Beer years ago from a German brewery. Yep, this battle is intense. Sink the Bismarck is a thicker beer, frozen four times after receiving 4x the hops to reach this height of ABV. Spicy, fruity and incredibly smooth, this beer lets you enjoy it while you’re getting drunk off it.
5. Struise Black Damnation VI – Messy
Brewed by Des Struise Brouwers in Belgium, Black Damnation sort of gives away the ending right there in its title since too many of these will leave you blacked out praying for help through this damnation that is called a hangover. At least you’ll get there enjoying yourself though, as this beer might be the only one on this list that has a medium head in the glass. Like the others though, because of its 39% ABV, the taste is whole, filling your mouth with deep coffee, liquorice flavor. The malty taste is actually accentuated by the taste of alcohol. A black color, Damnation certainly lives up to its name. If you have a sensitive nose, you’ll catch the alcohol aroma early, but the drink-ability of a beer with this high of a ABV is impressive and delicious.
6. Tactical Nuclear Penguin
This Brewdog concoction weighs in at a respectable 32% ABV but certainly brings it when it comes to taste. At $55 a bottle, even you can twist the cap of this beer which was aged in both spayside and smokehead casks, providing you with a deep fruit, smokey filling beverage. Once opened, you’ll get a whiff of the alcohol in this beer, but you won’t mind it as you begin sipping its slightly thicker body. In some batches you’ll get more toffee, in others, more smoke, but all barrels will provide you with little head and a kick in the rump.
7. Mikkeller (Heavy Black)
This imperial stout brewed out of Denmark bellies up to the bar at 31.1% ABV and can be described rather simply; like delicious engine oil. With the higher ABV, it can be described as though its burnt but rich, providing you with a dark and deep mouthfeelof nuts, coffee and chocolate. Pours black and like many of these other beers, has no head. The best thing about this beer other than its flavor is the fact that you’ll be taking your time to get through its dark, thick taste that you won’t get drunk too quick. But stay alert, this beer reminds me of my African uncle; black as night, intensely intriguing, but sneaks up on you at night like you’re prey. You know, because thats what all Africans do right?
8. Hair of the Dog Dave
This beer might be lower on the list at only 28%, but it is certainly one of the best tasting beers here. Brewed in the United States in Portland, OR, Dave has since been retired, but is a Barley Wine Beer that was a standout. Pours an outstanding deep color with a reddish tint, Dave is a compilation of alcohol, deep aromatics of fruits, leather and caramel malt, with a mouthfill that hides the high ABV. While this beer is easier to drink because of its rich flavor, it will slowly creep up on you towards the end as its full body fills you up. Maybe not a true contender in the race for high alcohol content any longer, but rivals Utopias in enjoyability.
9. Hakusekikan Eisbock
Another beer at 28% ABV, this Eisbock out of Japan isn’t well known, but doesn’t want to be forgotten. Hakusekikan pours just lighter than the rest of the beers on this list and once you dive into it you’ll forget that its a big beer…until you’re halfway through and you realize that this is indeed a beer worth its weight. While the color is less opaque than the others, it still doesn’t produce much head, but pushes out an aroma that hits you hard. The smell of sugar is obvious before your lips even taste the glass. Rather thick, but less complex than you might think, you’ll take in caramel, malt, sugar and fruit as you sip this beer. Mouthfeel is definitive as your taste buds wonder what this rummy, dark sugar beverage is. The high ABV will warm you up, so this beer might be absolutely perfect for those cooler months. But no matter what, this Eisbock shouldn’t be counted out just because its lower on the list.
10. Sam Adams Utopias
A previous contender in this game, Utopias falls way down on the list at only 27% ABV. But don’t let this smaller percentage mess with you, Sam Adams Utopias makes up in taste what it lacks in history making contention. Utopias is a traditional beer and is described as having a fiery taste, which makes it appropriate for this list. What makes this beer special, apart from its $100/bottle pricetag, is that it has been aged in various casks. Sam Adams brews only 3,000 bottles of this stuff, some of them aging for up to 15 years in cognac casks, some in bourbon casks, some in sherry. All this means is that this beer can provide your night with a very warm tummy and your taste buds cheering. Whats the point of drinking beer if you can’t enjoy it?
Discuss!! #strongestbeer
Top 10 German Beers
Top 10 German Beers and Best German Beer
Germany is one of the top 3 homelands of beer, surpassed only by Ireland and Czech Republic. You can find over 5000 brands of beer there, and each region produces one or more special types. Most are good, and some are just more excellent than the others. For your fine tasting and drinking pleasure, here are our top 10 favorites of the moment. With so many to pick from, the list is always changing, so don’t be surprised if next month brings up some different names!
1. Diebels Altbier
“Alt” means “old” in German, but when you taste this one you don’t care if it’s old or new. A nice substantial brown beer, it has a medium body and leaves you with just a hint of a bitter reminder.
2. St. Georgen Brau Pilsner Buttenheim
Pale gold with a white head, this beer is reminiscent of candied orange peel, with a touch of muscat and a rosy, spicy aroma.
3. Goesser Pilsner
Another light, crisp beer with a sweet pilsner malt taste. Sporting a medium golden white foamy head, this pils combines high carbonation with a medium bitter aftertaste.
4. Franken Brau Premium Pilsner
A fine drink bearing a definite muscat flavor. The aftertaste suggests a sense of wine mixed with the grain aromas.
5. Goller Art Pilsner
Given that 2/3 of German beers are pilsners, it’s no surprise that they’re so well represented here! You’ll find a combination of must, yeast, and almonds in the decidedly fruity flavor and bouquet. One of the drier beers.
6. Franziskaner Bock
A venerable member of the German family, you’ll experience a solid, rich beer with a full and satisfying taste. It compares to an old English stout.
7. Augustiner Helles
A delicious bottle from a top brewer, this very light beer bestows a characteristic caramel sweetness on your drinking experience. Not to be missed.
8. Heller-Trum Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier
A dark and somewhat sweet beer that adds a smoky note as well, owing to the effects of the beechwood logs whose smoke gives it the unique flavor.
9. Warsteiner Pilsner or Dunkel
From the largest private brewery in Germany, you’ll enjoy whichever one of these you encounter first. Both the pilsner and the dunkel are top sellers with good reason.
10. Reissdorf Kölsch
Another beer that reminds you of a fruity, tart wine. Pale and moderately bitter, its dry aftertaste rounds out the composition leaving you with a well-quenched thirst but a desire for more.
Conclusion:
Is your appetite whetted? This is only a hint of what’s in store for you and your taste buds. You may have to travel a bit to find some of these fine beverages, but that only makes them taste better in the end!
Discuss! #germanbeer
Top 10 Summer Beers
Top 10 Summer Beers and Best Summer Beer
The sun is out and the grills are hot! While many are spending time questioning the early arrival of summer, here at icohol, the only questions we ask when the weather looks like this, is what summer beer we’ll be pulling out of the refrigerator. There is a pretty long list of liquid summer treats, so we’ll help you narrow down the list of whats worth your time.
1. St. Bernardus Witbier
A great and high ranking Belgian Wheat Ale that is perfect for a warm, summer evening. St. Bernardus pours a smooth, cloudy yellow color. With a head that clings to the glass and an aroma that brings about the aromas of clove, orange and even banana, St. Bernardus is just enough to make it a great summer ale while still retaining a full and rich taste. Carbonation enough that it can cleanse the palette with each swig, St. Bernardus is both delicious and refreshing. Ah, summer ales from foreign places…
2. Plank Bavarian Hefeweizen
So pretty much the elite of summer beers lies in the Hefeweizen standard. One such beer is indeed the Plank Bavarian. Plank Bavarian pours darker then the aforementioned beers, but has a thicker and whiter head sitting atop than the previous two as well. What makes Plank great for the summer is what tends to make Hefeweizen’s amazing to begin with: the rich aroma and complex taste. Plank titillates the tongue and nose with vanilla, banana, wheat and even bubblegum. What says summer more than light, fresh scents and tastes?
3. Sam Adams Summer Ale
Sam Adams has done a great job or producing a great variety of seasonal beers and Summer Ale is no exception. The Summer Ale encompasses everything you would think should be in a summer beer. While more mild in smell and taste, the Summer Ale pours as a dark, golden hue with an off-white fluffy head that is accompanied with moderate lacing. Enough to create a thirst upon sight. You’ll receive a citrus, lemon and spice smell in a waft. While softer than other beers, the Summer Ale is a great option for those newer to beers but making the transition to the summer time ales.
4. Heady Topper
A beer straight from America and out of Vermont, Heady is an Imperial IPA that pours a lighter yellow the same as the St. Bernardus. Why is this beer on the list? Other than having an awesome name, the amount of citrus-y flavor you’ll receive from it is out of this world. A near explosion of fruity and tropical aromas such as pineapple, mango, grapefruit, papaya and orange. Not only can you smell this intense citrus flavor one the can is popped, but even an amateur drinker can distinguish the differences between the various flavors. A full body beer combined with moderate carbonation, makes this an enjoyable and easy to drink beer.
5. Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier
Who can even say that? But for a great German beer, I’m sure you’ll learn pretty fast. Its head is a full, white froth that laces perfectly down the glass. A golden, peach color provides the first hint that this beer is refreshing. The Weihenstephaner beer combines the bready tastes of a more winter beer, with the citrusy taste of summer beers. Not only will you be hit with an aroma of citrus, banana and clove like the previous beers on this list, but the Weihenstephaner brings an undercurrent of ginger to the table. While it holds a yeasty taste, this beer finished light and refreshing. The perfect beer to make you say “ahhh”.
6. Anchor Summer Beer
One you may or not be familiar with, but Anchor Summer Beer does a great job of bringing a lively taste to the lineup of summer beers. Its a lighter colored beer than the Sam Adams and has a stronger taste of malty, citrus flavor. Anchor’s summer beer has a thicker head due to the protein deposits of wheat; in part because this is an all malt beer. Its moderate carbonation and faint lemon taste makes Anchor Summer Beer a perfect treat on a hot summer day.
7. Saison Dupont
Lets talk some French? oui? The Saison Dupont is a beer made in the french speaking parts of Belgium and is a highly regarded refreshing beer. The difference between other beers on this list and the Saison is almost immediate once you begin to pour and receive a waft of its brewed deliciousness. A clearer, straw yellowed coloring, Saison Dupont differentiates itself by bringing new flavors such as a grassy, flowery scent and taste. The drinker will also experience a peppery, hoppy mouthful. A full body is refreshing accompanied with champagne like carbonation, making it easy to drink down. The Saison Dupont makes this both an awesome beer to drink as well sound amazing to order.
8. Flying Dog In-Heat Wheat
Bringing it back to America, Flying Dog is an east coast beer that reminds us that just because its summer doesn’t mean everything has to be thin. Flying Dog pours a darker, golden brown with an aroma of yeast and banana infused citrus. While its a thicker summer beer, it certainly resembles a Hefe is many senses, combining a well laced head with a taste that pushes a drinker to pull out each complex ingredient to roll over the tongue. Sliding over the tongue, Flyind Dog has a bold taste that leaves both a refreshing and flavorful mouthful. Plus, the can is pretty awesome.
9. Hop Sun
Sun is in the name! So it has to be good right? This beer is on this list purely because it tastes like what summer is: simple and pure. Hop Sun is light all over, except in taste. While the won’t punch you in the face with aromas, that doesn’t mean the taste is lacking. Pours golden, tastes citrusy and hoppy. A balanced beer, the mouthfeel is even and allows for its simple complexities (yes I see what I did there) to be acknowledged and enjoyed. Finally, its light carbonation makes it easy to enjoy one after another.
10. Zombie Dust
Zombie Dust makes the list for a few reasons. First, it sounds cool. Second, who doesn’t love anything dealing with zombies. Third, this beer is amazing. More of a orange hue once poured, the head is thick at first, making for a beautiful glassful of beer. Aromas descend upon the nose in a fruity, tropical wave of tastiness. Grains, lemon, grapefruit come together to make a resiny taste. You’ll find that the taste encompasses all of this and more, expressing itself while being swirled over the tongue to a caramel like experience. Zombie Dust, while packing so much flavor, is great for the summer because its gentle on the tongue and sweet to taste. A smooth taste and gentle carbonation provides this beer to the drinker as a thirst quenching, delightful summer treat.
Discuss! #summerbeer
Top 10 Lager Beer Brands
Top 10 Lager Beer Brands and Best Lager
Lager is considered the most popular type of beer in the world.
Lager beer is one of two major types of beer. The other major type of beer is Ale. There are several different types of lager all around the world. Lager is generally golden-brown in color, but also comes in darker color as well (pale lager & dark lager). Lager is bottom fermented where the yeast settles at the bottom during fermentation. The fermentation process is done at a cold temperature. After fermentation, lager is stored for weeks to months before it’s ready for consumption.
Enough with the basics, listed below are the selections for our Top 10 Lager Beer Brands.
We’re not going to get too crazy and list lagers that are impossible to find. These top 10 are lagers that you can get your hands on.
Top 10 Lager Beers
1. Samuel Adam Double Bock
We’ll admit, we’re a little bias. We love Sam Adams, and it’s an American brand. Their seasonal brews are amazing, and conjure up instant nostalgia. In our opinion Double Bock is hands down the best lager in the world. Double Bock is thick, ruby red, and silky smooth with hints of chocolate, caramel, raisin, and sweet toffee. We we’re tempted to give the top 3 spots to Double Bock. It’s that good.
2. Knappstein Reserve Lager
Produced in South Austraila with Sauvin hops. This lager is distinctly fruity and floral. An excellent choice of lager and well deserving of the number two spot in this list.
3. San Miguel 1516
Produced in Spain. This lager is light gold, with hints of lemon, spice, tobacco. This lager tastes unique.
4. Sierra Nevada Glissade Golden Bock
Glissade has a rich golden color and subtle malt flavor, that’s balanced with various spicy and floral aromas of European hops. We’re big fans.
5. Buffalo Water Bison Blonde
Crisp golden lager with subtle citrus aroma. Very refreshing and great in the summertime. You can’t go wrong with this lager.
6. Trumer Pils
An Austrian beer with light head and golden wheat color. This Pilsner is picking up steam in America. They have a brewery located in CA.
7. Paulaner Salvator
Produced in Germany. This lager has a malty taste with a dark amber color and caramel aroma.
8. Moosehead Lager
Produced in Canada. Moosehead has a great balance balance between malt sweetness and hop bitterness. Slightly thicker than an average beer.
9. Bernard Sváteční Leák
Produced in the Czech Republic. Mild sweet taste with a mild grassy aroma and clear, pale golden color.
10. Fish Rock Leatherjacket Lager
This pale lager is produced in Australia. Leather Jacket has sweet barley flavors, with a hint of spice. This lager has a golden yellow color.