(photograph © Kiwidutch)
I have a secret, well, more a confession. I hate the taste of beer.
The smell of beer is another thing altogether, I adore the smell and could sit a glass of the stuff beside me and just sniff at it like an addict all day long, but try as I might I just can’t persuade myself to stomach the taste.
So, what on earth is a non-beer drinker doing making blog posts about beer?
Ah Ha, there is method in my madness as will soon be explained. Himself prefers wine, no actually he probably prefers a good single malt whiskey or cognac or a Pineau des Charantes but he also enjoys a decent beer in the right place and at the right time. (and emphasis on “decent beer” let it be noted)
Himself is even more specifically very appreciative of a very good Porter… a.k.a. Stout, or Dark Beers. Guinness is probably the most Famous name of these but there plenty of contenders for the being the Best.
We have friends who share Himself’s passion. Andrew and Friedel are an adventurous couple who as “The Travelling Two” have recently cycled around the world for three and a half years. They know a thing or two about working up a thirst and appreciating a beer after a peddling up and down mountains and negotiating almost every type of terrain known to man.
After some 40,000 km they’ve also probably sampled the biggest variety of beers in a greatest variety of places than most people could even start to get their head around.
After a small scale semi-regular sharing and reviewing of various Beer ‘finds” that appeared from a specialist beer shop here in The Hague, or from the depths of our suitcases after various trips abroad, our friends have extended the group of aficionados and we aim to meet up throughout the year to Taste and Review various beers.
So, why would a non-beer drinker want to attend? Well, we are also a group of Foodies and there is food attached to this event. We like to prepare various nibbles and dishes around a theme, and then trade recipes too.
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
Secondly, It’s an excuse for Himself and I to arrange babysitting and to have a evening out together with friends. Kid-free doesn’t happen very often in our house, and we keep telling ourselves to get around to doing it more often. With this event we’ve started a habit that is good for us to keep.
Thirdly: The aim of the evening is also to taste and review the beers. Clearly some of the group appreciate lighter beers, some favour the darker ones, and obviously personal taste is everything.
I’m not just recording their comments here so that you can get an idea of what the beer tastes like, but also so that they can remember it themselves later too. After all, realistically in two years time you might remember that “ there was that beer that was FABULOUS… but which one was it again?”
Naturally having someone who is not partaking to write up the comments as they are made is also rather useful…
As “keeper of the reviews” I type out the information from the bottle label before the tasting (and sort out translations where possible). One of the group arranges the beers so knows what the group is getting and the rest of the group get served in a blind tasting so they can have no preconceived ideas based on where the beer comes from/brand etc. ( thus Andrew is the only one knows what this beer is in this instance).
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
BEER: “X-Porter” Snab, bieren met karakter”
33cl
Vol.Alc. 4.5%
Cat1
Dit bier is gebrouwen bij de “proef” brouwerij te Lochchristi in opdracht en naar recept van de Stichting Noordhollandse Alternatieve Bierbrouwers.
X-Porter is een levend, niet gepasteuriseerd bovengistend bier. Gebrouwen uitsluitend uit de volgende ingredienten Goldings hop, één specerij en bovengist. Na vervoer enkele dagen laten rusten. Kelderkoel en donker bewaren. Voorzichtig inschenken op een temperatuur van 10-14 ºC in een droog schoon glas.
Translation:
This beer is brewed by the brewery of Lochchristi commissioned by and in accordance with the recipe of the The Netherlands Foundation of Alternative Brewers
X-Porter is a living, non-pasteurized, fermented beer brewed with the following quality ingredients: Goldings hops , one spice and yeast. After transport it’s left to rest for a few days. Keep cellar cool and in the dark. Best consumed between 10-14 ºC in a clean, dry glass.
Stichting Noordhollandse Alternatieve Bierbrouwers
Postbus 204, 1440AE Purmerend
Review:
Himself: “I think it’s a Czech beer, I like burntness of it Rating =6″ ( he’s guessed wrong btw it’s a Dutch beer)
Andrew “Surprised, pleasant , thought it would be worse, Rating =6″ (he’s the only one who’s seen the label)
Friedel: “Deeper, darker, toasted, can appreciate it’s qualities but it’s not my kind of beer. Rating=5″
Tamara ” Could be worse, could drink if it we had nothing else to drink, Rating=5″
Evan “Strong after taste, not overpowered by the salsa, Rating =7″
Li “I like it, not your usual kind of beer, goes well with snacks, nice bite at end, Rating=6″
Erik “Steaming leather, Rating=6″
Alicia “Really good, like it, Rating=7″
