Beer World Cup 2018 Last Four

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

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 Bura Brew

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!