Beer Reviews by SIGMUND

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# Beer Origin Style Score Date
1226 Aldaris Porteris Latvia Baltic Porter 3.9

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

(500 ml bottle). Dark ruby colour. Good light tan head. Interesting vinous aroma of raisins, blackberries, ensilage, seaweed and some coffee. Full, rich and smooth flavour - but unfortunately too sweet. Like a good cup of coffee with too much sugar. Syrup battles with a nice roastiness in the aftertaste. Still, an interesting Latvian aquaintance - well worth sampling.

Apr 11, 2005
06:47:11 PM
1227 Pitfield Black Eagle United Kingdom Old Ale 3.9

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

Cask at the Ipswich Beer Festival 2004, gravity dispense. Black (= very dark brown) colour. Interesting and unusual aroma: Ensilage, fresh mown grass, candy ("Kongen av Danmark"), hints of old ladies with a questionable personal hygiene. (Bordering on vomit, according to chris_o, but I liked it.) Flavour is grassy, citrussy, green apples. Easy drinking. Fruity finish.

Apr 15, 2005
06:38:15 PM
1228 Timothy Taylor Landlord United Kingdom Bitter 3.9

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

Rerate, 500 ml bottle, at Cardinal, Stavanger. ABV is 4.1%. Clear and deep golden colour, huge white head. Aroma of malts and toffee, hints of herbal and earthy hops. The flavour has the same elements, with a hint of caramelized berries, the earthy hops are now quite distinct, leading to a bitter aftertaste. Original short and slightly exalted comment: "Excellent cask ale! Rule Britannia!" - which means that this is a well balanced and refreshing ale where sufficient malts are accompanied by a distinct hoppy bitterness, like you expect it from a good British bitter. Rerate, cask as guest ale at the Fuller's pub in Euston Street, London: Still solid hops and malts, but drinking experience partly ruined by the fact that the beer was served at room temperature (20-22 degrees C) - a beer like this should definitely be served at cellar temperature (10-12 degr. C). Well, most ales should be served at that temperature, actually. But the American waitress who served us was gorgeous!

Mar 6, 2024
09:23:42 AM
1229 Ryburn Luddite Stout United Kingdom Stout 3.9

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

(Cask conditioned). Sampled at the Wear Valley CAMRA beer festival. (Room temperature, low natural carbonation). Listed there as a stout (I would even say dry stout, though it's a tad sweeter than the Irish ones), but another local CAMRA website claims that a beer named Luddite has been judged as a "strong dark mild". I'll leave that to the category freaks. Anyway, this beer is pitch black with a delicious roast aroma and flavour, but the mouthfeel is a bit thin despite the relatively high ABV. Add a little nitrogen, and it would compete with draught Guinness (or rather: Beamish).

Apr 23, 2005
02:41:23 PM
1230 Cwmbran Crow Valley Bitter United Kingdom Bitter 3.9

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

Cask at the Ipswich Beer Festival 2004, gravity dispense. Copper coloured. Moderate malty aroma. Drier than you expect from a beer this colour. Nice hoppy bitterness. Finished it with my burger & chips - good combo. Review bottle, 2007: 500 ml bottle, courtesy of Cardinal pub, Stavanger. Labeled "real ale in a bottle", so probably NOT pasteurised. ABV is 4.2%. Amber to copper colour, large off-white head. Pleasant fruity aroma, notes of red berries, hints of oak and spices. The flavour is fairly malty with a touch of caramel. Moderate hops. Easy drinking.

Apr 23, 2005
03:38:23 PM
1231 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
1232 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
1233 Rockingham Fruits Of The Forest United Kingdom Bitter 3.9

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

Cask conditioned at the 32nd Cambridge Beer Festival (2005), gravity dispense. ABV was listed as 4.2%. Golden colour. Aroma of spices and fruits of the forest (no surprise). Flavour is slightly spicy and "forest fruity" (of course), blackberries and blackcurrants come through. Not bad at all.

Jun 3, 2005
02:13:03 PM
1234 Anglo Dutch Tabatha the Knackered United Kingdom Abbey Tripel 3.9

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

Cask conditioned at the 32nd Cambridge Beer Festival, gravity dispense. Golden colour. Like the CBF programme says, it is: "Fruity, hoppy and bitter, powerful and warming" - but "tripel style??? This is a strong English pale ale, as far as I’m concerned. Oh well, the brewers call it an abbey tripel, so be it. Typical pale ale aroma and flavour.

Jun 4, 2005
07:33:04 PM
1235 Tigertops Blanche de Newland United Kingdom Witbier 3.9

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

Cask conditioned at the 32nd Cambridge Beer Festival, gravity dispense. Orange colour, hazy, low head. Lovely aroma of orange peel, coriander and witbier yeast (in other words: like it should be). Moderately sweet witbier flavour, orange peel and coriander dominates. Moderate dusty hops finish. Not a bad try on an un-English style!

Jun 7, 2005
03:24:07 PM
1236 Hancock Old Gambrinus Beer Dark Denmark Doppelbock 3.9

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

Sampled in Denmark. Aroma of oak and brown sugar, improves as the beer warms up. Rich sweet flavour (a bit too sweet?), quite alcoholic but still nice. Hancock obviously have put some real effort into this beer.

Aug 3, 2005
02:38:03 PM
1237 St. Feuillien Triple Belgium Abbey Tripel 3.9

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

750 ml bottle, corked champagne-style. Bought in Denmark. Large white head. Beer is clear (hazy when I poured the sediment in) pale golden. Very nice yeasty aroma with notes of fruits, spices, horse stable and some oak. Flavour is initially sweet, spicy and yeasty with decent hops. Light bodied for an 8.5% ABV beer, alcohol is well hidden. Aftertaste is dry with a hoppy and spicy bitterness. A decent triple this one.

Aug 7, 2005
04:45:07 PM
1238 Castelain ChTi Blonde (St. Amand) France Biere de Garde 3.9

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

750 ml bottle, corked "champagne" style, bought in Denmark. Pale golden colour, like a pilsener. Enormous and lingering fluffy white head, leaves a nice lacing. Delicate yeasty aroma with notes of grass, flowers and honey. Pleasant mild flavour with a certain spicyness and decent hops, but light bodied for its 6.4% ABV. Well balanced and "dangerously drinkable".

Aug 21, 2005
04:09:21 PM
1239 Abbaye des Rocs Grand Cru Belgium Belgian Strong Ale 3.9

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

1.5 liter magnum bottle, RBESG 2005 Grand Tasting. ABV was 10%. Intense oaky and malty aroma. Flavour is also intensely oaky and moderately sweet. I probably drank it too warm, will need to rerate when available at cellar temperature. As it was, it’s not my definite favourite, but obviously a well crafted beer.

Aug 21, 2005
05:46:21 PM
1240 Port Brewing Santas Little Helper United States Imperial Stout 3.9

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

1 pt. 6 fl. oz. bottle, Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. ABV is 10.0%. Pitch black colour, modest carbonation, low brown head. Strong aroma of chocolate, liquorice, molasses, coffee and alcohol. The rich flavour has notes of roasted barley, liquorice and strong coffee, medium sweet. Bitter hops in the finish.

Oct 9, 2011
12:00:00 PM
1241 Nøgne Ø Kjell Pop Double Hop IPA Norway IPA 3.9

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

On tap at Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger, as Nøgne Ø Double Hop IPA. ABV 6.5%, 60 IBU. Hazy orange to amber colour, large off-white head. Nice aroma of citrussy and piney American hops. The flavour is distinctly hoppy with piney and grapefruity notes, but not extreme. Moderate malts in the background, not too sweet. Very good.

Oct 10, 2011
12:00:00 PM
1242 Mikkeller Kiin Kiin Denmark Lager 3.9

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

Shared bottle. Deep golden colour, moderate white head. Pleasant spicy and herbal aroma, also distinct notes of citrus. Spicy flavour with notes of citrus, peppery and hoppy bitterness in the finish. Good beer.

Oct 30, 2011
12:00:00 PM
1243 St. John Brewers Virgin Islands Island Hoppin IPA Virgin Islands, U.S. IPA 3.9

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

Shared bottle at RBNAG 2011. ABV 6.2%. Deep amber colour, moderate head. Nice aroma of American hops, also some crystal malts. Decent hoppy flavour, fairly dry, with resinous notes, hints of tropical fruits. Good stuff, easy drinking.

Oct 30, 2011
12:00:00 PM
1244 Mikkeller Texas Ranger (Chipotle Porter) Denmark Spiced Beer 3.9

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

On tap at Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. Pitch black colour, low tan head. Lovely roasty aroma, notes of coffee, dark chocolate, liquorice and hickory smoke / bonfires. The flavour is also roasty and smoky, medium dry. A distinct chili burn in the finish and aftertaste. Quite good.

Oct 31, 2011
12:00:00 PM
1245 DeuS (Brut Des Flandres) Belgium Belgian Strong Ale 3.9

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

Shared bottle at RBNAG 2011 in Oslo, as Deus Brut des Flandres Cuvée Prestige 2010. Clear and sparkling straw coloured beer. Dryish aroma, moderate but very pleasant farmhouse notes. Very dry and crisp flavour, no doubt a fine beer, but is it worth the high price?

Nov 13, 2011
12:00:00 PM
1246 Ægir Ratatosk Double IPA Norway Imperial IPA 3.9

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

500 ml bottle, from Vinmonopolet Sandnes sentrum. Brewed in Flåm. ABV is 9.0%. Cloudy brownish-orange colour, large head, slightly off-white. Lovely aroma of American hops, citrussy and piney notes. The flavour is first sweet and malty with fruity notes, then the hops take over with a solid bitterness. For a double IPA, it is not too extreme though. Will buy again.

Nov 22, 2011
12:00:00 PM
1247 La Guillotine Belgium Belgian Strong Ale 3.9

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

330 ml mock stoneware bottle, Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. ABV is 9%. The glass fills completely by a white foamy head, and the golden beer below appears only slowly. Strong and "typically Belgian" sweetish aroma with yeasty, spicy and fruity notes. The flavour is also spicy, medium sweet and "typically Belgian", with distinct hops in the finish. Warming mouthfeel. A few of La Guillotine, and you might lose your head completely ...

Dec 4, 2011
12:00:00 PM
1248 St. Bernardus Tripel Belgium Abbey Tripel 3.9

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

330 ml bottle, will soon be available at Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. ABV is 8%. Slightly hazy pale yellow colour, huge white head. Strong and "typical tripel" aroma: notes of Belgian ale yeast, fruit, flowers, mild spices and white kandij sugar. The medium sweet flavour is spicy and moderately fruity, with decent hops in the finish. Has everything you expect from a tripel.

Dec 13, 2011
12:00:00 PM
1249 Mikkeller Beer Hop Breakfast Denmark Oatmeal Stout 3.9

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

Shared bottle, at local tasting. ABV 7.5%. Black colour, large beige head. Typical American IPA aroma, piney and resinous notes, hints of catpiss. Moderate coffee notes. Roasty flavour, strong coffee notes, also plenty of resinous hops.

Jan 21, 2012
12:00:00 PM
1250 Left Hand Stranger Pale Ale United States American Pale Ale 3.9

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

Small sample, on tap at Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. Deep golden colour, large head. Lovely hoppy and spicy aroma and flavour - an excellent beer, as far as I could tell. Will rerate as soon as I get a bigger sample (had to drive tonight).

Jan 21, 2012
12:00:00 PM