Author Archives: Rob Nesbit

About Rob Nesbit

Beer drinker and all round annoyance. Likes drinking, football, cricket and having a good time.

Kristoffel Blonde Kloosterbier

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Kristoffel Blonde Kloosterbier

www.martens.be

Brewed by Brouwerij Martens
Style: Belgian Pale Ale
Bocholt, Belgium

Founded in 1758, and based in Bocholt, a Belgian city close to the Dutch border, Martens Brewery is an eight generation family venture that is one of the leading beer and liquor producers in the country. 

Brouwerij Martens produce a wide variety of beers, such as Martens Pils, Sezoens, Kristoffel white, Kristoffel blond, and Kristoffel dark beers, and its products are sold in Belgium and internationally.

Review: Big massive bottle at 75Cl of Kristoffel Blonde Kloosterbier: 6.0% vol 

Nice large bottle of beer with a screw toppy thing. Bought from Aldi. A monastery beer, more in style than substance perhaps. 

The aroma is slight, got a typical smell for a Belgian, fruity, but it was pretty faint all the same. Nothing to shout home about.

Looks like a fizzy drink, lots of carbonation, jeez. Darkish orange colour, but head dies quick. Not a looker. 

Found the taste to be on the light side, definitely very maltish as well
Light tastes, but did detect some regular blonde tastes on the edge.

Nice enough, smooth, quaffable, just a shame that there was so few real tastes or flavours to get excited about. 

Very smooth but a largely forgettable and unremarkable beer. 

Tastes like a regular lager. Where the fuck is the alcohol, cause I don’t feel it, no kick and nothing too complex here, very light tasting. 
That’s disappointing.

Ok, smooth, went down well, but largely forgettable.

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Wicküler Pilsener

Wicküler Pilsener

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Wicküler Pilsener

              Brewed by Wicküler Brauerei GmbH (Dortmunder Actien Brauerei)
Style: German Pilsener 
Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

www.wickueler.de

Wicküler PilsenerFounded in 1845 by Franz Ferdinand Joseph Wicküler in Elberfeld in North Rhine-Westphalia, West Germany. The company over time passed into the hands his son, Franz Joseph Wicküler, the only surviving son. Under Franz, the brewery modernized greatly and also became a joint stock company, both actions resulting in output rising dramatically. On 17 August 1916 Franz Joseph Wicküler died and unfortunately he left no descendants to look after all the great work he had done within the company, a transformation from a small brewery into one of the leading breweries in the North Rhine-Westphalia. 

With two World wars though, production was severely restricted,and the company lost a lot of its glory. At the beginning of the 1980s, the Werhahn family, with a shareholding of 96%, converted the brewery with 600 employees into a limited partnership and thus back into a private brewery.  In time the Werhahn family sold the group to the Dutch Grolsch brewery, who shut down the Wuppertal brewery site and moved lock stock and barrel to Cologne, resulting in massive job cuts (over 200!) and a loss of identity. 

Since 1992, Dortmunder Actien Brauerei have produced The Wicküler Pils, as part of the Oetker Group and brewed in Dortmund. So all in all, Wickuler is a beer brand that has moved around a lot, but refuses to die!

Review: 0,33l green bottle of Wicküler Pilsener: ABV. 4.9% vol 

Wicküler PilsenerIconic logo of the three musketeers joining their swords together, certainly eye catching!

On pour, get a nice golden coloured beer with a decent frothy head. Good carbonation. A decent looking beer. Good start.

Smell: typical lagery smell, light enough on the nose, but I do get sweet malts, and some piercing lemon and grainy aroma. Faint but not bad.

On taste, found it initially a little too hoppy and bitter for my liking, very creamy in the front end as well. Bit sour at the start. Not initially liking it at all.

Malty and hoppy. 

Can taste the alcohol, very beery lager.  Ok, taste is good, after a while I get to like it, not bad. The hoppiness settles down as you drink more of the beer, thankfully!
Has a kick. Taste has definitely grown on me, I like it.

Not smooth, but one to sip and enjoy. Not bad, tasty. Better to get a 6 pack, as its a slow burner. 
A lager with a half decent taste, good not great but would do on a long slow Sunday afternoon.

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Beer World Cup 2018 Final

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ThisDrinkinglife’s Beer World Cup Final now gets under way. Click on pictures and links to get a general review and info on the beers we will be a drinking during the Football World Cup.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Russia V Germany

As Uruguay didn’t qualify for my Beer World Cup last 16 (I couldn’t source any beer from Uru), I made Russia winner (Knightberg) of Beer Group A, they went on to beat Spain (Estrella) in the last 16. Then in the last eight they met Nigeria (Guinness Special Export), who came second in my Beer Group D. In the semi final they came up against the Swiss trio of Dr.Brawolf’s Red Ale, Soo.Soors Swiss Ale and Celestial Beer’s Le Dermier Ciel, all excellent on the day and although they were favourites to progress the Russians surprised with a Russian Brettness beer and a Hefeweizen which simply blew me away. The Russian’s managed to pull it off and make my Beer final against a heavily fancied Swiss formation. 

Germany (Zombräu,Brauer & Co., and Döllnitzer Ritterguts Gose) might be out of the football World Cup, but they are still very much alive in my Beer World Cup, powering to victory in Beer group F, no problems there, while in the last 16 they beat Serbia (Kabinet). In the last eight, Germany then want on to beat England (London Pride), beating them just about, 2-1. In the last four they came up against Croatia (Ožujsko) but the Germans were stronger with Zombräu and Döllnitzer Ritterguts Gose doing the business, and although Croatia  performed well in the tussle with their German rivals, they just lost out in the end, just missing the final, 2-1. Germany making another of my Beer World Cup Finals.        

Knightberg Microbrewery

                   Knightberg                       

Zombräu

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                        Zombräu                                     Brauer & Co., Funky trout n Pretty sperm whale!

     Döllnitzer Ritterguts Gose    

         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Many beers were drank, too many perhaps, and a lot of fast food was consumed. A very enjoyable competition resulted in Russia winning ThisDrinkingLife’s Beer World Cup 2018, beating Germany in a closely matched final. 

 

The final was contested by Germany, Döllnitzer Ritterguts Gose and Zombräu and Russia, Knightberg.

First match up was Zombräu’s Richtfest a nice and tasty Heller Bock which looked fantastic, hoppy and did the business up against a Knightberg Chocolate Stout, which tasted fantastic, the vanilla aroma and taste very strong and very tasty, and that is why Russia take the lead in this first match up. Stouts can be hot or miss but this one from Russia got it right, the chocolate was very strong on both the nose and in taste, and I got a wide array of flavours, from cherry, caramel to vanilla, just lovely. 

Next up was one of the highlights of the beer competition for me, Germany’s Döllnitzer Ritterguts Gose their original, which as to be expected was delicious. Getting the salt and coriander all the time, through the nose and on the taste. I am guessing it is a style that people either like or not, but I love it. 

Against such a strong challenger Russia needed a big hitter, so step forward Knightberg Les Cinq Premiers, a sour red, coming in a big 75cl bottle. I wasn’t expecting a challenge as I really love the gose beers, but I have to say I was surprised with this Premiers real brew. It was very fruity and tasted more like a good red wine than a beer, and like a good red wine over time it was very pleasant. I have to give this match up as a draw, as the Premier was still long in the memory a few days after, the flavours still reverberating around my mind. It was a bloody good beer. 

So that result means that Russia win my Beer World Cup 2-1! And like the great World Cup they held they were also a big success in this years ThisDrinkingLife’s World Cup 2018!

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The World Cup Of Beer 2018.

Beer World Cup 2018 Third Place Playoff

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The Beer World Cup Third Place Playoff now gets under way. Click on pictures and links to get a general review and info on the beers we will be a drinking during the Football World Cup.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Croatia V Switzerland

Croatia (Ožujsko and Bura Brew), came top in Beer Group D, up against heavy hitters from Iceland, Argentina and Nigeria. Then in the last 16, the Croatians when on to beat Australia (Fosters), while for the last eight they had a tough battle with Portugal (Super Bock), a tussle that went down to the wire, but they got through it in the end. Unfortunately they came up against a strong Germany Zombräu and Döllnitzer Ritterguts Gose, and although they performed well in the tussle with their German rivals, they just lost out in the end, just missing the final, 2-1       

Switzerland (Dr. Brauwolf, Celestial Brewery, Soo. Soors Beer) easily powered home in my Beer Group E, no problem at all, and in the last 16 they beat popular Mexican beer, Corona. While in the last eight they had a tough battle with Belgium (Jessenhofke and Kamil) just coming out by the skin of their teeth! In the semi final they came up against Knightberg of Russia, and although they were favourites to progress the Russians surprised with a Russian Brettness beer and a Hefeweizen which simply blew me away. Albeit the Dr.Brawolf’s Red Ale, Soo.Soors Swiss Ale and Celestial Beer’s Le Dermier Ciel, were all excellent beer and on another day definitely would have made the final, but the Russian’s pulled it off and made the final instead. 

So today we have the third play off place between Croatia (Ožujsko) and Switzerland (Dr. Brauwolf, Celestial Brewery, Soo. Soors Beer) 

Ožujsko, Croatia’s most popular beer

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

                        Ožujsko                                                              Bura Brew

 

 

 

                

Celestial Brewery                    Soo. Soors Beer                 Dr. Brauwolf

Had a massive mash up between a variety of beers from Switzerland and the last few remaining cans of Ožujsko representing Croatia.

For Switzerland we had a lovely light Swiss Ale from Soo. Soors Beer,  which was very smooth, very easy to drink, nice and crisp on the tongue. Representing Celestial Brewery, I had their L’Intemporelle Blance, a lovely Belgian witbier,  and their “L’Autre Monde,  a very good coffee stout. For Dr. Brauwolf, I had a good selection of their brews. Their Black IPA, which was interesting, their own version of a Chocolate Stout, another Witbier, an American IPA and, to finish off, I had a Vanilla Cream Ale, which was just fantastic. 

Poor old Ožujsko didn’t know if it was coming or going, a lager against these heavy hitters from Switzerland! But they did score a few hits and although they didn’t win the tie, they went down fighting! 

Switzerland comes third in my beer world cup! And I had a massive “head” the next day!!!

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Beer World Cup

Beer World Cup 2018 Last Four

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The Beer World Cup last 4 now gets under way. Click on pictures and links to get a general review and info on the beers we will be a drinking during the Football World Cup.

 

 

Russia V Switzerland

As Uruguay didn’t qualify for my Beer World Cup last 16 (I couldn’t source any beer from Uru), I made Russia winner (Knightberg) of Beer Group A, they went on to beat Spain (Estrella) in the last 16. Then in the last eight they met Nigeria (Guinness Special Export), who came second in my Beer Group D.

Switzerland (Dr. Brauwolf, Celestial Brewery, Soo. Soors Beer) easily powered home in my Beer Group E, no problem at all, and in the last 16 they beat popular Mexican beer, Corona. While in the last eight they had a tough battle with Belgium (Jessenhofke and Kamil) just coming out by the skin of their teeth! 

Knightberg Microbrewery

      Knightberg       

 

 

 

 

                

Celestial Brewery                    Soo. Soors Beer                 Dr. Brauwolf

               

Was an epic battle with a few twists and turns

First off had a Dr.Brawolf Red Ale, and although it was full of carbo, when it settled down it was very good, lovely and so smooth to drink. Enjoyed it. Then I had a Soo.Soors Swiss Ale, another very smooth beer, nice and crisp and again a very enjoyable beer to experience. I had the two Swiss beers in competition against the Knightberg Brettness which came in a huge 7l corked bottle, and took me quite a while to drink. Although the two Swiss beers were good, very good, the Russian Brettness was EXCELLENT, like a good red wine, full of tastes and fruity flavours and even though there was a lot of it to drink I wish I had more of it! One nil to Russia here. 

 

Next battle was between Celestial Beer’s Le Dermier Ciel, a New England IPA, which was fine and got the basics right, was hoppy and very good to drink. Against Knightberg’s Hefeweizen, which had a very intriguing aroma and taste. The wheat smell and taste was very strong but very pleasurable, and it felt more like good nourishment than a regular beer, it definitely had the wow factor too, so I also give this one to the Russians. Two nil and straight into my beer world cup final! Wasn’t expecting that to be honest as the Swiss trio have had solid beers all month, while the Russians have dipped a little recently after a great start, but today they had two brilliant beers that I will definitely be checking out again. 

Croatia V Germany

Croatia (Ožujsko and Bura Brew), came top in Beer Group D, up against heavy hitters from Iceland, Argentina and Nigeria. Then in the last 16, the Croatians when on to beat Australia (Fosters), while for the last eight they had a tough battle with Portugal (Super Bock), a tussle that went down to the wire, but they got through it in the end.                

Germany (Zombräu,Brauer & Co., and Döllnitzer Ritterguts Gose) might be out of the football World Cup, but they are still very much alive in my Beer World Cup, powering to victory in Beer group F, no problems there, while in the last 16 they beat Serbia (Kabinet). In the last eight, Germany then want on to beat England (London Pride), beating them just about, 2-1

Ožujsko, Croatia’s most popular beer

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

                        Ožujsko                                                              Bura Brew

Zombräu

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                        Zombräu                                     Brauer & Co., Funky trout n Pretty sperm whale!

                                   Döllnitzer Ritterguts Gose                                  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First match up was between one of the Ritterguts Gose (salty beers) called a Bärentöter which was a German Sour Gose Bock against the regular lager, Ožujsko from Croatia. Have to say I love the Gose beers, this one tasting full of flavours of malt, salt, spices and fruits, excellent. The lager was fine but I am a new convert to Gose and this was an easy winner to Germany.

Next up was Zombrau’s Alter Pottbar again against Ožujsko. I admit I find the bourbon flavoured porter very hard to stomach, and so the light tasting but refreshing beer from Croatia got the nod here. 

Last pair up was another Ritterguts but this time the Urgose Märzen again against the Croatian lager Ožujsko. This Ritterguts tasted so refreshing, and a bit like a beery version of a Lucozade, doesn’t look too good but boy is it a great taste. I like Ožujsko, its a lager that does the job and did quite well to get this far into my beer competition, but its 2-1 here to Germany and so the Germans once again make another Thisdrinkinglife Beer World Cup final!

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