Beer Reviews by SIGMUND

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# Beer Origin Style Score Date
7251 Worthington Bitter United Kingdom Bitter 3.5

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

(Bottle, bought in Denmark). Deep amber (okay, chestnut) colour, moderate head. Too much CO2 for a bitter. Moderate aroma of toffee/caramel and malts, hints of dried fruits / fruitcake. Flavour is malty with a reasonable bitterness, finish is a bit watery. Easy drinking, nice enough - but nothing special either.

Aug 15, 2004
06:00:15 PM
7252 Franziskaner Weissbier Dunkel Germany Dunkel Weizen 3.9

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

(500 ml bottle, bought in Denmark). Cloudy brown colour, large lasting head. Aroma of brown bread and some spicy sweetness. Flavour is malty but not overly sweet, some spicy and subtly roasted edges. Smooth and mellow, nothing to blow your socks off, but still a beer it is a pleasure to drink. I had it on on its own, must be good with a meal too

May 12, 2024
02:24:23 PM
7253 Beamish Irish Stout Ireland Dry Stout 4.1

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

Smoother than Guinness, very drinkable. A stout recommended for beginners. Rerate: ...which doesn't in any way imply that Beamish hasn't a lot to offer the experienced stout drinker as well. Aroma is better than Guinness, and the flavour is outstanding too. I simply suggested that the prejudiced anti-stout drinker might find out that he/she actually likes it.

Aug 10, 2004
05:20:10 PM
7254 Victoria Bitter Australia Pale Lager 2.1

Aroma: 4 | Appearance: 5 | Mouthfeel: 4 | Flavor: 4 | Overall: 4

(375 ml bottle.) Sweetish orange-like aroma. Flavour is mostly bitterness - more than in Foster's and Castlemaine, but not really pleasant. Will not be a regular beer of mine this one.

Aug 10, 2004
05:18:10 PM
7255 Leffe Vieille Cuvee Belgium Belgian Strong Ale 4.1

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

(33 cl bottle, bought in Denmark). Deep golden brown colour, no haziness, large head. Aroma is not very strong, but pleasant - yeasty and fruity (canned plums), some spices and herbs too. Full bodied sweet flavour, still quite smooth. Brown candy sugar, Christmas fruit cake spices and herbs prevail. Some alcoholic warmth, but not dominant. A great sipping beer!

Aug 10, 2004
05:15:10 PM
7256 Asahi Super Dry Japan Lager 3.4

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

I'll admit that I bought this 'Japanese' beer (brewed 'under supervision' in the Czech Rep.) only to get a higher score on the 'most countries' rating. However I was compelled to drink it tonight (had planned to wait a bit) in order to lose the foul aftertaste of the EKU 28 I had sampled earlier. This beer is definitely contrary to the foul eisbock: It's probably the driest beer I've ever tasted. Refreshing, but not something I'd buy again (ref. Norwegian prices on imported beer), unless I should happen to visit Japan. Rerate: Actually, I DID have it again without visiting Japan: It was a nice accompaniment with a meal in a Japanese garden / restaurant in Denmark.

Aug 9, 2004
02:55:09 PM
7257 Tsingtao China Pale Lager 2.7

Aroma: 4 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 5 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 5

I bought this beer just for the fun of it - shipping beer all the way from China to Norway seems like the ultimate absurdity, if the beer isn't something extraordinary. This beer isn't. But Tsingtao is not outright bad either - it just isn't very interesting. Heineken-like aroma, neutral flavour, overly carbonated, no lasting head. Sure it would be refreshing on a summer's day in China - exporting it to Europe should be considered a waste of resources.

Aug 9, 2004
02:52:09 PM
7258 Maredsous 10 Belgium Abbey Tripel 4.2

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

(33 cl bottle, now available in Norway). Deep golden to amber colour, large head. Very nice aroma of dried and ripe fresh fruits and herbs, yeast, malts, oak and pipe tobacco. Flavour is spicy with an alcoholic warmth (no surprise at 10% ABV), elements of dried fruits, medicinal herbs and brown candy sugar. Herbal aftertaste. A very good beer that packs a real punch.

Aug 2, 2004
05:25:02 PM
7259 Neuzeller Kloster-Brau Schwarzer Abt (Black Abbot) Germany Schwarzbier 3.3

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 9 | Mouthfeel: 5 | Flavor: 5 | Overall: 6

(500 ml bottle, bought in Norway). Pours with a good lasting head, colour is black (= very dark brown to ruby). Very nice aroma of hayloft, some barnyard, molasses, dark syrup, coffee and German bakery. Flavour and aftertaste have interesting rich malty notes with some roastiness, but are unfortunately ruined by the invertsugar syrup which has been added to the brew. Must be another beer for "convalescents and nursing mothers".

Jul 15, 2004
08:47:15 AM
7260 Schneider Weisse Tap 6: Aventinus Weizen Doppelbock Germany Weizenbock 4.8

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

(Bottle). Theoretically I might encounter a better Weizen than this one, but I doubt very much that will ever happen. Murky brown colour, large head, aroma of Paradise: Cloves and other undefinable spices, dried fruits (figs), oak and sandalwood. Oaky cloves flavour with hints of burnt caramel. Alcohol is present, but not overwhelmingly so. Dry aftertaste. This is a thoroughly well made beer!

May 18, 2004
03:36:18 PM
7261 Heineken Lager Netherlands Pale Lager 2.6

Aroma: 5 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 4 | Flavor: 5 | Overall: 5

I used to appreciate its crisp citrus perfumed aroma, often accompanied by a fresh seafood meal - but alas, I grew tired of it. I'm not the only one.

May 18, 2004
03:30:18 PM
7262 Goose Island IPA United States IPA 3.4

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 9 | Mouthfeel: 5 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 7

(355 ml bottle). This was my first American IPA, now available in Norway! Deep golden colour, good head. Lovely hoppy citrussy aroma. I got more pleasure sniffing this beer than I got from drinking it. Flavour is all hops (where are the malts?), dominant initial grapefruity bitterness like I expected (not unpleasant), quite drinkable, but the one-dimensional, medicinal and wormwoodlike bitterness that remains in the aftertaste is not to my liking.

May 18, 2004
03:22:18 PM
7263 Fuller's ESB United Kingdom Extra Special Bitter 3.9

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

One of the best bitters around. Rerate: Cask conditioned at the Blackbird, Earls Court, London. Copper coloured, no head, minimal carbonation. Moderate aroma, initial mellow flavour, then a dominant but pleasant hoppiness. Rerate bottle: 500 ml bottle, now available in Norway (Vinmonopolet). Clear amber colour, large fluffy head. Pleasant aroma of citrussy hops and toffee, hints of oak and leather. Flavour has some toffee and nuttiness, but first and foremost a distinct hoppy bitterness from start to finish, grapefruity notes. Hops linger in the long aftertaste. Not quite as good as the cask version, but still very good!

May 1, 2004
07:26:01 PM
7264 Boddingtons Pub Ale United Kingdom Bitter 3.5

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

Some of the smoothest stuff you can pour from a can. Perhaps not too much character, but I like it anyhow. Easily accessible even in Norway, a lot better than most of the stuff we get here.

May 1, 2004
07:22:01 PM
7265 Fosters Lager Australia Pale Lager 1.6

Aroma: 3 | Appearance: 4 | Mouthfeel: 3 | Flavor: 3 | Overall: 3

(330 ml bottle, ABV 4.5%): Light golden colour, large head that doesn't last long. Initial fresh Heineken-like aroma that doesn't linger, bland watery flavour, aftertaste has a little strange and unpleasant bitterness in the end. So boring they could have named it "Neville Chamberlain".

May 1, 2004
07:19:01 PM
7266 Singha Thailand Lager 1.8

Aroma: 4 | Appearance: 4 | Mouthfeel: 3 | Flavor: 3 | Overall: 4

Another beer I bought just to get one more country rated! Pleasant aroma when you open the bottle, hardly any aroma in the glass. Very light colour. Flavour is not unpleasant, actually there is hardly any flavour at all. Aftertaste? What aftertaste? (Well, I had this beer with a fairly spicy pizza, but still...) With 6% alcohol and little or no taste, it's probably an OK beer if your intention is to get pissed as fast as possible in the Thailand heat. Down there I guess it will cost you something like 20 cents a bottle - buying it anywhere else is ridiculous.

May 1, 2004
07:13:01 PM
7267 Kingfisher Lager India Pale Lager 2.1

Aroma: 4 | Appearance: 5 | Mouthfeel: 4 | Flavor: 4 | Overall: 4

(330 ml bottle, brewed by Shepherd Neame, England). I have probably used this beer to wash down some Indian food in England, had to buy it again in Norway to rate it without food (by special order, it's normally sold only in our Indian restarants). Besides being wet and thus fit to help you survive a hot curry, this beer has nothing "Indian" or any other quality that should put it on a beer geek's wish list. Light golden colour, low head, Heineken-like aroma, uninteresting flavour but at least a hint of bitterness. Typical mediocre lager, not good, but not as bad as I expected.

Apr 25, 2004
12:13:25 PM
7268 La Trappe Dubbel / Koningshoeven Dubbel Netherlands Abbey Dubbel 4.4

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

This one certainly has a lot more going than the Blond/Enkel. Moderate aroma of oak, spices, dried fruits and English pipe tobacco (before smoking!) Delightful flavour of gently roasted malts, some yeast and spices. Moreish indeed. Moderate hops in the aftertaste. I'm looking forward to the Triple and Quadruple!

Apr 23, 2004
05:52:23 PM
7269 Delirium Nocturnum Belgium Belgian Strong Ale 4.2

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

330 ml mock "stoneware" glass bottle, courtesy of Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. ABV is 8.5%. Chestnut coloured beer with a big and lasting tan head. Lovely aroma of various fruits and spices, hints of farmhouse kitchen and red wine vinegar. The flavour is malty with moderate notes of dried fruits and spices. Nice one.

Apr 23, 2004
05:38:23 PM
7270 La Trappe Blond / Koningshoeven Blonde Netherlands Belgian Ale 3.5

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

This was my first Trappist ale, surely most of the others must be better?? Well, it's not a bad sipping beer, but I expected so much more. Lovely aroma when you open the bottle, diminishes considerably in the glass. I started drinking it too cold, but it didn't improve much as it warmed up. Sweetish aftertaste. Maybe I would have liked it more with a solid meal? Definitely not worth the price.

Apr 13, 2004
06:26:13 PM
7271 Lindemans Kriek Belgium Fruit Lambic 3.7

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

Rerate: It takes some time getting used to beer with an overwhelming taste of cherries, but dammit - this is GOOD! Sweet and sour cherries galore - but I like it. A nice change of pace - will buy again. I'm upping my rating a few points. Original rating: I bought a bottle today purely out of curiousity. I willingly admit being prejudiced: My attitude is that if I want cherry juice, I buy cherry juice - and if I want beer (yes, I normally do!) then I buy beer. So how do I rate a combination of the two? The aroma was delicious, the flavour - well, it's the best cherry soda I've ever had. But to call it a BEER??? - and worth the price? - nooo! However, REFRESHING is a relevant word.

Apr 13, 2004
06:21:13 PM
7272 Greene King Abbot Ale United Kingdom Extra Special Bitter 4.0

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

I quite agree with all the positive things that has been said about this ale by others. Good stuff!

Apr 13, 2004
06:17:13 PM
7273 Leffe Blonde Belgium Belgian Ale 3.5

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

I guess Belgian blonds are not my favourite style, the yeast becomes too dominant in both aroma and flavour, not least in this one. Of course it's better than any macro swill, but give me a darker beer, please!

Apr 13, 2004
06:14:13 PM
7274 Leffe Brune Belgium Abbey Dubbel 3.9

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

A helluva lot better than the Leffe Blond! (Guess I'm a malty guy.) Pretty sweet; caramel, chocolate, oak and dried fruits in the aroma, malts (somewhat roasted), caramel and oak in the flavour, hops in the finish, a little too sweet in the aftertaste. Not bad!

Apr 13, 2004
06:11:13 PM
7275 Rodenbach Grand Cru Belgium Flanders Red 4.4

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

330 ml bottle, ABV 6%. Drank it out of a plastic "glass" (sacrilege, I know!) at cellar temperature. Cherry-like aroma with hints of cowshed and ensilage. Flavour is sour/acidic/red wine vinegar-like, with strong barnyard and ensilage elements (not that I normally eat ensilage, but still...). This was my first Flemish red ale, an exciting experience! It will not be my last beer of this style.

Apr 13, 2004
06:09:13 PM