Beer Reviews by SIGMUND

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# Beer Origin Style Score Date
6851 Kanterbräu France Pale Lager 2.9

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 5 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 6

An average standard French pale lager, in the Alsacian German-influenced brewing tradition. Seems to have a more local Alsacian following than Kronenbourg and Kronenbourg 1664, which you get all over France. In later years Kanterbräu seems to have become more of a discount beer than the other two. Nothing special. Kronenbourg 1664 is slightly better.

May 2, 2005
06:22:02 PM
6852 Kronenbourg France Pale Lager 3.0

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 6

Average French lager - easily drinkable, but Kronenbourg 1664 is better. Light bodied, nothing offensive, nothing remarkable. This has for decades been the standard pale lager you get on tap everywhere in France, but 1664 seems to taking over more and more, esp. internationally.

May 2, 2005
06:09:02 PM
6853 Double Diamond Original Burton Ale United Kingdom Extra Special Bitter 3.5

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

A decent pale ale, not outstanding in any way. Rerate 500 ml bottle: Moderate malty aroma, golden brown colour, good head. Pleasant, malty, well rounded flavour. Decent. A bit alcoholic, in a blind test I would guess it was stronger than it actually is.

May 2, 2005
06:02:02 PM
6854 Regal Christmas Belgium Belgian Strong Ale 4.5

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 10 | Mouthfeel: 9 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 9

750 ml corked bottle conditioned, cool label! Brown colour, slightly hazy, good initial head but not lingering, lovely spicy aroma, yeasty, malty and spicy flavour - a real treat for the Christmas table.

May 2, 2005
05:45:02 PM
6855 Erdinger Weissbier (Mit Feiner Hefe) Germany Hefeweizen 4.0

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Same beer as Erdinger Hefe Weissbier - a duplicate issue on BeerPal that needs to be amalgated. (In Europe this beer is simply called Erdinger Weissbier). Erdinger's best selling beer. Large head, hazy golden colour. Typical Hefe aroma. A refreshing and crisp summer beer (available all year). Maybe not a true masterpiece, but a nice Hefe all the same. I like it!

May 2, 2005
05:31:02 PM
6856 The Cannabis Club Sud Germany Spiced Beer 1.0

Aroma: 2 | Appearance: 2 | Mouthfeel: 2 | Flavor: 2 | Overall: 2

Woooah! Eureka! I found it! The worst beer in the world! Strange yellow/orange colour, like your morning urine when you have the flu and have been drinking too little. Smells and tastes like undefined nauseous industrial waste. (The hemp oil, I guess). Absolutely horrid, disgusting, abominable, appalling, detestable. Has anyone ever bought a SECOND bottle of this? Every school kid should be given a free bottle of this "beer" to keep them away from cannabis forever. Down the toilet it went (didn't want to contaminate the kitchen sink). I still shudder when I think of it.

May 2, 2005
05:20:02 PM
6857 Castle Lager South Africa Pale Lager 2.6

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 4 | Flavor: 4 | Overall: 4

(330 ml bottle, bought in London). Pale golden colour, large thick head. Fruity melon-like aroma, flavour is typical industrial lager, a bit sweet. Not very interesting.

Apr 29, 2005
07:02:29 PM
6858 San Miguel Premium Lager (Spain) Spain Pale Lager 2.5

Aroma: 5 | Appearance: 5 | Mouthfeel: 5 | Flavor: 5 | Overall: 5

Below average lager. You're bound to find better alternatives than this one. Bland, corn, uninteresting. The slightly stronger San Miguel Especial (Spain) is at least somewhat better.

Apr 29, 2005
06:40:29 PM
6859 San Miguel Especial Spain Pale Lager 3.1

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 6

This one (5.4% ABV) is far better than their 4.5% version Premium Lager, The 5.4% version is quite malty, with a barely sufficient hoppiness. An acceptable premium lager, not great but well worth having with (or without) a meal in Spain. This rating is based on a bottle bought in Norway, had travelled well.

Apr 29, 2005
06:37:29 PM
6860 Sagres Portugal Pale Lager 2.7

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 5 | Flavor: 5 | Overall: 5

Really a cross-breed between a European pale lager and an American standard, this is a pretty 'neutral' beer that should neither offend nor excite anyone (but it obviously has). I had it with seafood, at least it was a better choice than Kirin.

Apr 29, 2005
06:30:29 PM
6861 Otter MacOtter United Kingdom Scottish Ale 3.6

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 7

Cask conditioned at Ye Olde Dolphin Inne, Derby (Heavyweight Beer Festival, February 2005). Gravity dispense. Brown to ruby colour, some natural carbonation, no head. Malty aroma and flavour like expected from a "Scottish" style ale, but this one also has a tolerable hoppy bitterness. Hints of dark bitter chocolate. Not a bad try from the Otter Brewery.

Apr 25, 2005
06:12:25 PM
6862 Green Jack Orange Wheat Beer United Kingdom American Wheat 3.5

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

Cask conditioned at the Ipswich Beer Festival 2004, gravity dispense. Orange aroma. I suppose orange peel has been added to the brew. Decent wheat flavour, but not outstanding.

Apr 25, 2005
05:59:25 PM
6863 Old Cannon Best Bitter United Kingdom Bitter 3.6

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

Cask at the Ipswich Beer Festival 2004, gravity dispense. Deep golden colour. Nice hoppy / fruity aroma. Quite malty for a session bitter. A dusty hoppiness takes over, lasts through the finish. Easy drinking. Pleasant enough.

Apr 25, 2005
05:48:25 PM
6864 Northumberland Bedlington Terrier United Kingdom Bitter 3.6

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

Cask at the Ipswich Beer Festival 2004, gravity dispense. Interesting aroma of barnyard and sheepshed - very befitting, as the Bedlington terrier (the dog, that is!) looks like a newborn lamb. Flavour is dusty malty. Oh, and it’s vegan - no terriers are used as actual ingredients in this beer.

Apr 25, 2005
05:39:25 PM
6865 John Smiths Magnet United Kingdom Bitter 3.6

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

(Cask conditioned in Bishop Auckland). A beer in the Northeastern English style, I believe. Dark brown, low head, good lacing. Malty aroma. Rather sweet, smooth, low bitterness.

Apr 25, 2005
05:22:25 PM
6866 Fyne Ales Pipers Gold United Kingdom Blonde Ale 3.9

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 9 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

(Cask conditioned). Sampled at the Wear Valley CAMRA beer festival. Served at room temperature (urk!) with only the natural low carbonation - this is a light golden ale with good hops and a lovely aroma, and it should be a perfect session beer when served cooler (and maybe with a fairly tight sparkler?).

Apr 25, 2005
05:10:25 PM
6867 Fyfe Weisse Squad United Kingdom Hefeweizen 3.3

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

Cask conditioned at the Ipswich Beer Festival 2004, gravity dispense. One of the last beers I sampled at the festival ... Pale lagerish more than a typical wheat beer, but okay. Not remarkable, though.

Apr 25, 2005
04:55:25 PM
6868 Leyden Light Brigade United Kingdom Blonde Ale 3.7

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 7

(Cask conditioned). Sampled at the Wear Valley CAMRA beer festival. Low (natural) carbonation. Golden colour, citrus aroma. Fruity flavour, very refreshing despite being served at room temperature (should be moderately chilled).

Apr 25, 2005
04:39:25 PM
6869 Kings Head JJs Lemon Bitter United Kingdom Spiced Beer 3.5

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

Cask conditioned at the Ipswich Beer Festival 2004, gravity dispense. Moderately spicy aroma and flavour, citrus (= lemongrass) is there of course. Light bodied, refreshing.

Apr 24, 2005
06:46:24 PM
6870 Inveralmond Thrappledouser Ale United Kingdom English Pale Ale 3.9

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Cask conditioned at the Ipswich Beer Festival 2004. Malty caramel aroma. Cereal and delightful (? - can’t read my own handwriting) hops in the flavour. Good beer!

Apr 24, 2005
06:01:24 PM
6871 Hook Norton Steaming On United Kingdom Scottish Ale 4.0

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Cask at The Golden Lion, Ipswich. Deep brown colour. Full malty flavour, prunes and forest fruits aroma, hints of English malt vinegar and HP Sauce in both aroma and flavour. Dusty finish. Nice.

Apr 24, 2005
05:49:24 PM
6872 Luxembourg 95 Luxembourg Bohemian / Czech Pilsener 3.5

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

This was originally a special pilsener for the year 1995, I think, but they continued brewing it. I had a home-swapping with a Luxembourgoise doctor in Nice, France, and we had agreed to keep something in our respective fridges for the thirsty "new" residents upon arrival. A sixpack of this beer was waiting for me, and in the heat of the French Riviera I'd swear this was the best thirst quencher I've ever had. Can you expect much more from a pilsener? Maybe I'd be less enthusiastic on a cold winter's day, but it surely was a clean-tasting and decent pilsener.

Apr 24, 2005
05:32:24 PM
6873 Beck's Alkoholfrei Germany Reduced Alcohol 1.2

Aroma: 3 | Appearance: 3 | Mouthfeel: 2 | Flavor: 2 | Overall: 2

(33 cl bottle, bought in Norway). Fizzy straw coloured water with some unpleasant metallic bitterness. I can't believe I actually paid for this. If I'm ever desperate for a n/a drink, I'd rather have a bottle of sparkling water.

Apr 24, 2005
05:06:24 PM
6874 Hebridean Celtic Black Ale United Kingdom Porter 4.0

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 9 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

(Cask conditioned). Sampled at the Wear Valley CAMRA Beer festival, where it was served at room temperature with no carbonation whatsoever. Dark ruby colour, exquisite aroma, a bit thin mouthfeel, pleasant mild spicy flavour. Recommended! Would love to try it again, preferably slightly cooler at a Hebridean pub.

Apr 23, 2005
07:31:23 PM
6875 Harveys Sussex Best Bitter United Kingdom Bitter 4.4

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 9 | Mouthfeel: 9 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 9

Cask conditioned at the White Horse, Parsons Green, London. Copper colour, moderate to low head. Very aromatic, dark fruits and barnyard. Dry hopped in the cask at the pub? Interesting hoppy and spicy bite from start to finish. An excellent bitter! (A pint I had later at The Tottenham was not nearly that good. A well kept cask is a must!)

Apr 23, 2005
06:55:23 PM