Achouffe La Chouffe

Today's offering is not an old favourite but living in the Netherlands for the last 6 years it suppose it counts as a old favourite.

 

Appearance:

Very pale cloudy gold with large white lasting head.

Aroma:

Is citrus think Satsuma with a background of almost soapy coriander

Taste:

Initial hit is quite bitter in my opinion and then this rapidly fades with light vinous fruit with a background of coriander comes across which is followed by a more herby taste with a light bitterness coming to the fore at the end. The finish is at first dominated by soapy coriander and just at the point you think ok this is nice but I hope something else happens, a light malt toast comes to fore closely followed by gentle hops.

Overall:

I always forget how good a beer this is due to it's wide availability, it is owned by Moorgat (Duvel).
Top quality beer that is outshone, in my eyes, by McChouffe but a cracking beer, best with food as on it's own the coriander can be to much in my opinion.

9.0/10

Black Sheep ale

Today's offering is another not in the book as Black Sheep Best Bitter is not bottled.

 

Appearance:

Mid bronze with white head that fades leaving some legs

Aroma:

Lightly toasted malt followed by a light floral hop aroma

Taste:

Initial hit of flavour is malt with a crispness from the carbonation that fades as the bitter hops take over that dries the mouth, then a slight hint of sweatiness comes before the finish, the finish is dry and bitter and quite moreish

Overall:

A nice ale that is always a pleasure to drink, but I would not go out my way to find and I would always try another unknown bitter knowing that I have a nice pint to come back to.

7.5/10

Meantime Yakima Red

Today's offering for my 100th beer, is not from the book, as I could not find the Raspberry wheat beer, but I will carry on hunting.

 

Appearance:

Ruby red amber with a off white head that doesn't last that long but leaves a little left

Aroma:

Hops come the first but also a faint hint of limes

Taste:

Hops initially but weirdly a lack of bitterness given the hops which fade to give a subtle lime flavour overall the flavours are weak. The finish is slightly hoppy and bitter and that background citrus flavour but is weak.

Overall:

Not one for me if it is hoppy I want that bitterness, not a great way to get to the 100

6.0/10

Chimay Rouge

Today's offering is another Chimay this time the red

 

Appearance:

Cloudy chestnut with a long lasting off white head

Aroma:

Blackcurrant comes across first with a faint background of hops

Taste:

An earthy nutmeg flavour comes across first and the a blackcurrant fruitiness. The finish is soft with vinous fruit and a touch of heat from alcohol and a faint bitterness

Overall:

Really nice, the blackcurrant flavour is different and beautiful I will drink this more often.

9.0/10

Samuel Adams Boston Lager

Today's offering is probably one of the best known and available American beer of quality

 

Appearance:

Light bronze with a long lasting white head

Aroma:

Floral hops come across first with a slight amount of malt in the background

Taste:

Hops is the dominant flavour start with a nice floral hop flavour then a spicy hop comes through balanced by some nice juicy malt. The finish is nice with bitter hops with nice malt and drying sensation leaving you wanting more

Overall:

A nice pint if I doubt and in the US you will not go far wrong with Samuel Adams

8.0/10

Duvel

Today's offering is a well known to most people and is a nice beer that I have been known to partake in one or two.

 

Appearance:

Pale gold with a long lasting white head

Aroma:

Hops and pears with a lightly toasted malt in the background

Taste:

Pear drops flavour fill the mouth with fragment hops coming followed by a slight maltiness in the background. The finish is long subtle not over powering with a nice warmth and a nice maltiness with the lovely fruit pear drop flavour.

Overall:

Still going to be a go to beer when a pilsner will not do and nothing else is available.

8.0/10

Samuel Smith Organic Pale Ale

Today's offering may be a substitution as I can't find Old brewery pale ale

 

Appearance:

Not really pale it is a reddy bronze colour with a lovely off white head that stays

Aroma:

Malt with an undertone of butterscotch and a slight hint of hops

Taste:

Malt comes across with some vinous fruitiness which fades as the bitter herby and slight spicy hops come through. The has the malt underscored by the bitterness and then the hints of the butterscotch still present.

Overall:

Maybe not a pale ale in my opinion looking at the colour, but is a really nice pint, subtle flavours.

8.0/10