Import Beer

New Beer Blog Staropramen Cool Grep

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another brew from Staropramen Brewery.  It is their Cool Grep, which is like the Cool Lemon but grapefruit.  If you read my earlier beer blog on their beers, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read that beer post to get up to speed on this brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a cloudy grapefruit juice color without a head on it. The smell is a heavy grapefruit to the beer. The taste is a grapefruit without an aftertaste. This is a drinkable beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.staropramen.com

Twitter:  @Staropramen

In closing, this is a great beer but I am not a fan of grapefruit.  If you are a fan of grapefruit, you will enjoy this beer.  It is just like their Cool Lemon.  Staropramen did a great job on their packaging and liquid.  I recommend this brew if you are a fan of grapefruit or fruit beers.  Go get some if you are in Europe.  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Beer Blog Staropramen Cool Lemon

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In this beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from Staropramen.  It is their Cool Lemon.  If you read my earlier beer blog post on their beer, you know the history of this brewery.  This brewery has been around for a while but you might already know it.  If you have not read that beer blog, please, read that beer blog to get know this really old brewery.  Let us get into the beer.

It a cloudy yellow color without a head on the beer.  The smell is a heavy lemon to the beer. The taste is a heavy lemon without a n aftertaste. It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.staropramen.com

Twitter:  @Staropramen

In closing, I was pretty stun on how good this brew turn out.  When I was in Prague, as soon as I discovered this brew. I could not stop drinking it.  This is a great brew and I wish just like most of their beers were available in the states.  I am not a huge lager fan but this brewery does a great job on their beers from the packaging to the liquid.  Since, this brew has such a low alcohol level, you can drink this beer all day.  If you are around the Prague area or Europe, go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Budweiser Vs. Budweiser Budvar

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In this beer blog, we are going to have a debate on 100-year-old argument.  There has been lawsuits and I believe they are still tied up in the courts.  Most general beer drinkers know about this debate and I know pretty much all craft beer drinkers know about it too.  The question how true is it that one of the Buschs stole Budweiser and brought the beer to the states.  I might not be able to answer this over 100 year question but I will put my thought on this debate.  Let us get into it.

Budweiser

History

I bet you already know the history of this beer.  Well just in case you do not here is a fast history lesson.  Budweiser was first brewed in 1876.  The company was known as Anheuser-Busch.  Adolphus Busch left Germany in 1850’s.  He prefered light lagers while everyone else, who is the general public at the time, wanted dark lagers or ales.  Adolphus Busch traveled throughout Europe learning the latest brewing techniques.

It has a clear golden color without a head on the beer.  The smell is malty or I like to say fresh air. The taste is a sweet carbonated to slight hop notes  with a dry crisp finish. It is a drinkable beer.

Budweiser Budvar

History

This brew was brewed back in 1785.  The brewery started exporting beer to the states in 1871.  Anheuser-Busch trademaked the name Budweiser two years after it was first brewed in 1878.  Czech Budweiser was sold to Budvar in 1895.  In 1938, it was settled that Anheuser-Busch could use the name Budweiser in the United States.  Of course, in 2007, Anheuser-Busch and Budvar agreed that AB would market and sell Budvar and Czechvar  in the United States and other countries.  Both sides said this does not affected their lawsuit to one another.  If you see Czechvar, it is Budweiser Budvar.

It has a clear golden color without a head. It is slight darker than the American Budweiser. The smell is a fresh apple smell like grannysmith apples. The taste is a sweet carbonated to slight hop notes with a dry  crisp finish. It is a drinkable beer.

In closing, so what is the debate on these two beers?  They do not look like.  Budvar is a little dark in color.  The smell is not the same either.  However, the taste is about the same, is the beechwood aging and the rice in American Budweiser any different?  They are a little different but the taste is about the same.  So the really debate is was the name stolen by Anheuser-Busch?  There is still a lawsuit in the courts.  We will never get the true and I believe this will never be settled.  They are big brands in their countries.  So just kick back and have a cold ones!  I just hope one day we could see both of these beers on the shelf with the same name on them.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Music Monday Blog Hard Rock And Metal Bands and Beers

In this Music Monday blog, we are going to take a look at something that is going rapid just like the Craft Beer industry.  I want to say this right off the start of this blog.  There is nothing wrong with these bands making or teaming up with a beer brewery to make beers.  They have that right to do that in their career and they earn this opportunity. I just feel in the past most are not that good.  I am going to highlight some of the beers you might see on your local liquor beer stores along with the growing craft beers too.  Let us get into this!

Motorhead Beer

This beer is a normal lager.  I have never had this beer but it could be a normal American Lager or it could be an import lager.

Here is a description from their website (www.brandsforfans.se):

Motörhead Bastards Lager Beer

For all beer drinkers and hell raisers, fans of loud and fast rock and roll, no matter if you have no class or if you are a damage case, this mean machine lager is fuel for any head banging opportunity. They are using Swedish brewery called Krönleins.  This beer is not available in the United States yet but if you live in Europe this is where you can buy it.  Order Motorhead Lager
Motörhead Bastards Lager Product code: 1234-03 (In Sweden)
Origin: Sweden Type of beer:
Lager Volume: 330 ml
Alcohol: 4,7%
Contains: Barley malt and hops

This Bastard has a malty and fruity taste with great character of malt and a hint of citrus. A quality beer that can be appreciated by rock’n’roll fans of all ages. Enjoy anytime when the craving for a beer hits you, but especially well with burgers, grilled meat or fish, pizza and friends.

Iron Maiden Trooper Ale

This one was just released  and at least Iron Maiden are true to the beer styles that are in their area and country.  I am kind interested in this beer.  I love my ales and hoppy ones to that point.  Please, watch the video below.  I love what Bruce said during the video.  This beer sounds like English Ale Beer Style.  Iron Maiden is taking this beer pretty seriously and I love how they have an idea on the beer.  I believe this is unique ale and I cannot wait to try it.  It is not available in the United States but if you are in Europe this is where you can order.  Order Iron Maiden Trooper Ale In Europe

Here is a video with Bruce Dickenson (Iron Maiden Singer) from their website (www.ironmaiden.com):

AC/DC German Lager

I heard about this a while ago and I just let it go through me.  I am not a huge lager fan but I will try a beer at least once.  AC/DC is a legendary hard rock band and they are using their name to push a beer.  Just like Iron Maiden they are looking to put this beer around the world for their fans to enjoy.  Right now, this beer is not available but the closest to me is Canada.  You can order it online but not in the United States.  Order AC/DC Lager In Europe

Here is a description from their website (www.acdc-beer.com):

True Taste for Rock`n Roll.

 If you wanna rock hard, you need the right beer.  AC/DC, the infamous Hardrock Legends from down under, have been delivering true rock for the last 40 years. Now they give their name for true, pint-sized Australian taste as well.
“AC/DC Premium Lager Beer ” is 568mL of true German Premium Lager with mouthwatering 5.0% alc.  This lager fires up your tongue like TNT, comes with a great beer-loving taste and is brewed in accordance with the Rock`n Roll manifesto of 1973 and the German purity law of 1516.

Jackyl – Jesse James America’s Outlaw Beer

Jesse James has been ahead of the curve than the rest of his metal peers.  This beer is American Wheat Ale.  The more I am digging into this subject.  I am seeing a ton of lagers so it is nice to Trooper and America’s Outlaw Beer are ales.  This beer is only available in a few states.

Here is a descriation from their website (www.jessejamesbeer.com):

AMERICA’S OUTLAW BEER is a true American original.

Our beer is an unfiltered wheat beer. American wheat beer is a style invented by specialty brewers in the United States in the 1980’s. It may even stretch the definition of “style,” for nowhere is the creativity and diversity of America’s craft brewers better displayed than in wheat beers.   Our beer is crisp and refreshing with an extremely soft finish.

AMERICA’S OUTLAW BEER is brewed with 40% malted wheat. The remaining grain bill is a wonderful blend of Pale, Caramel, and Munich malts designed to provide more body and mouth feel. Our Nottingham yeast delivers the soft finish that consumers will enjoy time and time again. Wilamette, Fuggles, and Cascade hops balance this refreshing beer perfectly.

This beer is delicious by itself or garnished with fruit.

AMERICA’S OUTLAW BEER is 5.5% abv.

In closing, there are a lot more beers teaming up with bands.  The ones that I am talking about are limited edition beers.  What I mean by that, they are beers that are made and release.  They will never made again in good chances.  I am talking about a beer that Clutch with New Belgian.  It was a 22oz bottles and it was a limited run.  I believe 3 Floyds have done several beers with bands.  I will say this.  This thought will never end.  Breweries and bands will team up to make money off each fan base.  I am excited to try these beers but I know some are good and others will be bad.  I cannot give you a thought because I never had some of these.  Please, let me know your thoughts if you have any of these.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog McAuslan Brewing St Ambrose Oatmeal Stout

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In this beer blog, we are going to try one of my favorite beer styles, which is Oatmeal Stout.  The brewery and the beer is McAuslan Brewing St. Ambrose Oatmeal Stout.   McAuslan Brewing opened their doors in 1989.  After 2002 Moosehead sold their shareholder stock, the brewery expanded into a new brewery.  They still brew Moosehead beer for the Quebec market.  Their beers are slowly making their way around the United States.  Let us get into this great brew.

It has a her black color without a head on the beer. The smell is chocolate to fresh s’mores.  The taste has a chocolate and coffee with a dry coco aftertaste. It is not that drinkable beer.

Here is a description from their website (www.mcauslan.com):

At the World  Beer Championship in 1994, St-Ambroise Oatmeal Stout received the second  highest rating of the over 200 beers in the competition and it won one  of only nine platinum medals awarded. Brewed from 40 percent dark malts and roasted barley, this intensely  black ale carries strong hints of espresso and chocolate. Oatmeal  contributes body and a long-lasting mocha-colored head to this  well-hopped beer.

5% alc/vol Available in Bottles and Draft

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.mcauslan.com

Twitter:  @bierestambroise

In closing, I did not realize this was an import craft beer.  I am not judging it by any means.  I really enjoyed this beer and I know Canada makes some good beers.  Canada is an extremely under rated country for brewing beers.  This is a heavy beer and I love when a brewery does that to their porters and stouts.  Sometimes breweries make their porters and stouts weak and light in body for that beer style.  There is nothing wrong with that I sometimes love those beers.  However, I sometimes want one heavy beer and move on with my day, this beer fits it.  I will be adding it to my line up beers.  It will be rotated in and out of my frig.  I was pretty impressed by this beer.  I recommend this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Nomad Karel Česká IPA

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While in Prague, I had a chance to try only three ales that were not a wheat ale or a lager.  We went to the Beer Museum in Prague and I was excited to see an IPA on draft.  I cannot find too much information on this brewery.  The brewery is called Nomad Brewery and the beer is their Karel Česká IPA.  Here is some information from their website (www.pivovar-nomad.cz):

About us

Brewery without brewery, gypsy brewery, contract brewery … A couple of terms meaning the same thing – the fact that so far we don´t have our own brewery. Nevertheless we think that our recipes might be interesting for many beer lovers, even for those true drinkers of Czech lager. Therefore we asked our friends who already own a brewery if they could help us make our dream true and brew our own beer.
This is how our Nomad project was created. It is a ´ flying brewery´. We literally fly around the world, taste interesting beer and create our own interpretations of beer styles we like. Then as true nomads we travel the Czech Republic and have our original beer specials brewed.
Our beer has already been brewed in Antoš Brewery (Slaný), Litovel Brewery, Bašta Brewery (Vrchlabí) and more at the moment ages in different places, which we´ll introduce soon. We are planning cooperation with foreign brewers, breweries and if the Brew God permits, we´ll also brew our beer abroad.It is clear to us that this way of beer production is also used by supermarket chains, which buy no name beer in breweries and only stick their etiquette on it. We´re different. We have our beer brewed according to our original recipes and the taste cannot be mistaken.Hopefully you´ll like our beer and one day we´ll meet in our own brewery. Even a nomad can have a base camp.

I cannot find dates and who founded this brewery.  I just see that they have no brewery and they do what I like to called rogue brewing like Stillwater.  There are several of these new craft breweries that are popping up around the United States and I guess it is happening in the world too.  There is nothing wrong with that.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a copper color with a constant white head. The smell of this full body beer is a heavy citrus. The taste is a heavy citrus with a dry hop aftertaste. It is kind of drinkable beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.pivovar-nomad.cz

Twitter:  No Twitter address!

In closing, this was the best of the two IPAs I had when I was in Prague.  It was nice to have an Ale over all the Lagers I was drinking in this beautiful city.  As many of you know, I am a huge Hophead.  I love my IPAs, Pale Ales, Porters, and Stouts.  This beer is an average IPA.  I know if it ever made it to the states.  The price will be more than the rest of the American Craft IPAs.  I am not saying this a bad IPA.  You need to try it in Europe because I do not think it will travel well.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Staropramen Nefiltrovany Unfiltered Pilsner

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While in Prague, we are going to get into another beer from Staropramen Brewery.  I marked this Import Beer and Craft Beer because it is not available in the United States but this brewery acts like a Craft Brewery in Prague.  If you have read my earlier beer blogs, you know the history of this brewery.  If you have not, please, read the first part of Staropramen Brewery Dark beer blog post.  Let us get into the brew.

It has a golden hazel color with a white constant head on the beer. The smell is a slight lemon to citrus to it. The taste of this light to medium body beer is a light citrus with a kick of carbonation. The aftertaste is a lemon with a hoppy finish. It is extremely drinkable beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.staropramen.com

Twitter:  @Staropramen

Ending, as many of you know, I am not a fan of wheat, white, and Hefeweizen  beers.  I have to say this beer from the Staropramen Brewery is a great beer.  It is drinkable and not in your face.  This is a warm welcoming beer to the table or bar stand.  How I understand it, this is a pilsner that is unfiltered but not a wheat.  This is the second year release on this beer in Czech and I wish I could find this in the states.  The one thing that would worry me can this beer still beer good coming over the big lake.  If you are overseas and in Prague, you need to try this beer.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Staropramen Dark

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While in Prague, I had a chance to get out to Prague, Czech Republic.  The brewery that I went out to check out was Staropramen and the beer is their Dark Lager.  The brewery started back in 1869.  Staroprmen came from two breweries, who are Ostravar Brewery and Branik brewery in 1898.  Staropramen Brewery is the second largest brewery in the Czech Republic.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a brown to dark brown color with a white constant head.  It has a malty to the beer. The taste is a sweet malty with a dry malty for the aftertaste. It is a drinkable beer.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.staropramen.com

Twitter:  @Staropramen

Closing, I am not a huge lager fan but I enjoy myself a dark lager.  I really enjoyed this dark lager from Staropramen.  I love how the most roasted malts that they used in this beer.  It is also a session beer.  This is a great beer and I wished it was available in the states.  I had a great time drinking some great lagers in Prague.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog To Ol Brewery Launch Party In Chicago

In this beer blog, we are going to get into a beer launch in Chicago.  The brewery is To Ol Brewery from Denmark.  To Ol Brewery was founded in 2005 by Tobias Emil Jensen and Tore Gynther.  They are traveling rogue brewers.  Where they think their beer styles will be brew best that is where they will go to.  They brew in Europe and United States.  This is what makes this brewery unique and their beer is pretty much one and done, which makes their beer pretty special.  Let us get into the beers.

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Goliat Coffee Stout

This stout has a black color with a tan head on the beer.  The smell is a strong coffee and chocolate to the beer. The taste is a strong chocolate to toffee with a heavy aftertaste. This is a sipping beer.

Here is a description from the website (www.to-ol.dk):

Goliat Coffee Imperial Stout

The great warrior of Gath. The mighty champion of the Philistines. Embedded in ancient folklore and religion. Coming from the World of Old. His size and stature is not human. He is bigger. The armor of Goliat is black. Creamy black lacings. Stands with a towering height. He can grab elements from both earth and heaven. Earthy, roasted, notes from the earth. Warming, pungent, sweet notes from the skies. His heart is beating slowly, almost endlessly slow. This man is thought to be invincible!

Ingredients: Water, barley malt, roasted barley, dark cassonade sugar, flaked oats, hops, gourmet coffee and yeast.

10.1% ABV / Net content 375 ml (12.7 FL OZ)

Brewed at De Proef Brouwerij, Lochristi-Hijfte, Belgium.

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San Frontiere

This Belgian Blonde has a golden clear color with a white head on the beer. There is really no smell to the beer. The taste is a carbonation sweet with a tart and barnyard aftertaste. It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from their website (www.to-ol.dk):

Sans Frontiere Belgian Ale

“Heaven knows no frontiers, and I’ve seen heaven in your eyes”

This is how the Frontier beer series lost their ground, missed direction and finally found themselves again. This beer has no frontiers, meaning that it can now pick and choose among brewing specialties. Instead of being an IPA, this is a rather a Belgian ale, hopped and dryhopped with continental european hops and refermented with brettanomyces. A tart, picturesque and rural beer.

Ingredients: Water, barley malt, hops, Rock Candy, yeast and brettanomyces. 7% ABV / Net content 750 ml (25.4 FL OZ)

Brewed at De Proef Brouwerij, Lochristi-Hijfte, Belgium.

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Final Frontier

This double IPA has a light copper color with a white head on it. The smell is a citrus to the beer. The taste is a strong citrus and carbonation with a dry hop to mango aftertaste. It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from their website (www.to-ol.dk):

Final Frontier DIPA

“Nature is Satan’s Church”

This is it! The sequel to the hop success of First Frontier. This beer is the final in every way. We recommend it as the final of your evening! This is an extremely potent and yet well-balanced Double India Pale Ale. This beer is well suited in extreme environments, whether it be Siberian winter, Volcano eruptions on Java, Danish earthquakes(They exist!) or rush hour. This beer is seeking out frontiers and built for the test.Ingredients: Water, barley malt, flaked oats, Hops (Simcoe, Centennial, Columbus) and yeast.

9% ABV / Net content 330 ml (11.2 FL OZ)

Brewed at De Proef Brouwerij, Lochristi-Hijfte, Belgium

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Black Ball

This porter has dark brown to black color with a tan head on the beer. The smell is a chocolate to roasted coffee to the porter. The taste is a carbonation sweet chocolate with a burn roasted to the beer. The aftertaste is a roasted citrus to the beer. It is kind of drinkable beer.

Here is a description from their website (www.to-ol.dk):

Black Ball Porter

Black Ball is a potent porter, boasted with dark cassonade sugar and a good heap of American hops to rebalance the edgy and full-flavoured malt profile. You will find notes of chocolate, caramel and sulphur. This results in a porter with a broad and delicate mouth feel, capable of a good kick and does not leave the mouth voluntarily.

Black IPA? No way! Hoppy Porters is here to stay!

For a perfect evening, Black Ball blends perfect with a Black Rocket from the Pivovar Matuška brewery and Mikkeller Black Hole (Royalties to Theis!)

Ingredients: Water, barley malt (Lager, smoked, chocolate, cara munich and brown), roasted barley, flaked oats, dark cassonade, hops and yeast.

7.1% ABV / Net content 330 ml (11.2 FL OZ)

Brewed at De Proef Brouwerij, Lochristi-Hijfte, Belgium

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Mine Is Bigger Than Yours

This ale has a light clear copper color without a head on the beer. There is a slight to fate sweet malty smell to the beer. The taste is a sweet with a strong wine to the beer. The aftertaste is sweet raisin to it. The aftertaste is like a whiskey burning down your throat but calm. It is a sipping beer.

Here is description from their website (www.to-ol.dk):

Mine is bigger than yours Barley Wine

“When you have to kill a man, it costs nothing to be polite”

This beer is a big fat beast packed with every potent ingredient we had at the brewery. This tons of malts and hops combined in one big fat, yet balanced brew.

It  jumps higher than yours, it builds houses bigger than yours, It’s mama is fatter than yours, it chops wood faster than yours, it’s father is could beat yours…. No reason to say, but Mine is bigger than yours!

Ingredients: Water, barley malt, flaked oats, light candy sugar, hops (Columbus, Simcoe, Citra) and yeast.

12.5% ABV / Net content 375 ml (12.7 FL OZ)

Brewed at De Proef Brouwerij, Lochristi-Hijfte, Belgium

Here is their webiste and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.to-ol.dk

Twitter:  @toolbeer

In closing, I enjoy all of these beers.  As a rule, I like to age my Barley Wines at least a year before trying them.  I believe this Barley Wine is ready now, which is pretty rare.  I am not saying Barley Wines are not ready now.  Some barley wines are just too young coming out to the market and they are better when they age in the bottle.  The porter is like any other porter but it is pretty good beer.  I really enjoyed the stout and I believe it is best beer of all these beers.  Their Double IPA is really smooth and drinkable.  It is not over the top hoppy like most Double IPA.  I recommend you trying these beers.  I believe you will like at least a few of them.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Beer Blog Br. De Ranke Pere Noel

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In this winter beer blog, we are going to sample out a Christmas Ale from Belgium.  De Ranke was founded in 1994 by Nino Bacelle.  They brew several different Belgian Beer Styles all year-long.  There is not too much information on this brewery on the web.  Let us get into the beer.

It has a hazel golden color with a big white head on this Belgian ale. The smell is a heavy spices.  The taste is sweet carbonation spices.  The aftertaste has a hint of caramel.  It is a kind of drinkable beer.  There is a ton going on in the beer.

Here is a description from their website (www.deranke.be):

Père Noel

Père Noël is a Christmas ale, though very different from any other Christmas ales you might know. While most Christmas ales are rich & sweet, this one is amber-coloured, 7% vol. Alc. strong and tastes quite bitter. The complex taste is completed with the addition of liquorice. In the recipe we can also find pale malt, Munich malt, Caramel malt, Brewers Gold hops and Hallertau hops.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.deranke.be

Twitter:  No Twitter address

In closing, this beer is just like all the rest of the Belgian Strong Ales on the market.  I am not saying it is a bad beer.  I rather spend my money on Duvel and get more liquid.  It will give the beer drinker more of a value.  I did enjoy this beer and it was great on New Year’s Eve.  I am glad I try it once.  I recommend you trying it and maybe you will find something in that I did not find in it.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser