17th December 2012

I was in Helsinki last weekend watching a rather excellent performance by Muse. While I was there I managed to find a few beers to keep the blog ticking over the festive period. 

Also, since next Monday is Christmas eve, there will be no blog next week. Because I know nobody will bother reading it anyway. And the week after that is New Year's eve, so I won't be writing then either. 

So I will take this opportunity to say: Merry Christmas readers. See you all in the new year.

Coconut Porter (USA)

This was one of the beers that I most looked forward to trying after flicking through the book the first time. And after all the expectation I was left a little disappointed. The coconut taste is slight, and although I wouldn't want to taste like I was drinking a can of Malibu, I would have liked it to be a bit more obvious. The porter itself is actually quite good. I was just expecting more.

Eggenberg Pale Lager (Czech Republic)

Another strange brew from the chaps at the Eggenberg brewery. This pale lager didn't really taste like a lager at all, more like a wheat beer, which didn't sit well with me. Definitely not one of my favourite Czech beers, in fact, probably my least favourite so far. It even smelled weird. The Dark Version was one of the first beers I had from the book, and was much better.

3rd December 2012

This weekend saw my girlfriend add to her previous age, poor thing. Congratulations to her, though. And I'll be taking a break from blogging next week, as I'll be in Helsinki watching Muse. Hopefully I'll be able to find a few beers from the book while I'm down there.

Celebrator (Germany)

The things I do for you people, and this blog... After suffering from a two-day hangover brought on by the missus' birthday party, I was still one beer short of being able to update this page. So I soldiered on and chose to drink this on Monday evening. When I poured it I was frightened. Frightened that this 6.7% dark beer would make my stomach's somersaults even more vigorous. But strangely it had the opposite effect on me. It was smooth and light, but delicious, and made me glad I risked it. 

Budějovický Budvar (Czech Republic)

When I was younger this was my beer of choice, I would drink it in the pub whenever I could find it. Unfortunately, after trying all the IPAs and other stronger tasting beers, this doesn't have the same appeal to me any more. I do still like, and I definitely favour this over the Carlsbergs of this world, but it wouldn't be near the top of list. Brings back some fond memories, though.