Brewed by Holsten-Brauerei (Carlsberg) Style: Pilsener Hamburg, Germany
When I was a kid Holsten Pils was a big player. I remember the great ads they had on the box, and the London football team Spurs had them as a shirt sponsor on and off for over 10 years.
Me, just a nipper, wasn’t quite sure what all the fuss was about, but that’s the power of advertising, making Holsten a major player in the UK lager market.
Not so sure how the beers sell these days, not so well perhaps, but I managed to find a few cans for a review, and I might add these were bought in Germany and not the standard fare you might get back in the UK. Not really tried Holsten before so wasn’t sure what to expect.
The beers are made by the Holsten Brewery (Holsten-Brauerei AG), originating from Hamburg, Northern Germany. Founded in 1879 Holsten have seven breweries in Germany, and also brew in the UK (Northampton). The company was acquired by the Carlsberg Group in 2004.
Its biggest-selling product is the premium brand Holsten Pilsener, a 4.8% abv pale lager, first produced in 1953 and sold all around the world
Review: Can of Holsten Pilsener Premium: 4.8% ABV
This typical Northern German beer is brewed according to the strict purity laws of the Reinheitsgebot of 1516 using only the finest quality, pure, all natural ingredients – hops, barley malt and spring water. Standard issue for German brews.
The aroma is grainy with a nice hoppy smell , giving a typical pilsner smell, all lovely and sweet.
On pour a large frothy head appeared, which didn’t hang around. The colour is a clear golden yellow colour. There is some fair lacing. Looks decent enough.
Enjoyed the taste, a nice balanced crispy mouthful of flavours (barley, grain, yeasty) whizzing around, all tasty. The taste is mostly grassy hops with a hint of sweet grain. Lager taste
There was a hoppy bitter aftertaste which was a little strong in the end
Overall it is a very smooth lager, not strong but clean, crisp and very drinkable, definitely a good session beer. I felt it had a lovely feel to it which was soft on the mouth. I liked it, best I had in a long time, nice and refreshing, and one I will return to again in the future.
Regular contributor Matt Bowen recounts his stories on his motor bike around China
Part 1: Leaving
Baotou, Inner Mongolia is a city in northern China on the eastern edge of the Gobi desert. In the spring time intense sand storms sweep across the city, sometimes with very little notice. The sandstorms abate around May/June and the summers are dry and warm.With a population of over 2 million people Baotou is not a small city.
[Sara Johnston] – singing But we did nothing, absolutely nothing that day And I say, what the hell am I doing drinking in (Baotou) at 26? I got the fever for the flavour Know the payback will be later Still I need a fix
It was in May when I bought my bike, June when I left. A Zhongshen 125. Red. Beautiful. The first bike I’ve ever owned. A classically styled dirt-bike, capable of pumping out nearly 25 horse power and topping out at nearly 70kms/h. I was 23 years old and in love.
Though I need to start earlier… I was teaching at Number 9 Middle School and for the first 3 months or so in Baotou I had no “foreign” friends. I spent most of my free time wandering around the dusty streets just absorbing the city and making friends with locals. I arrived in Baotou in March, right in the middle of a sand storm. For the locals, the sandstorms were a serious nuisance, for me it was amazing.
I absorbed everything with optimism and enthusiasm and through the ever present sand and dust, the air in Baotou smelled fresh and new. It was a combination of sand, iron and concrete dust and the ever present smell of coal burning. To me though, it smelled bright and alive. It smelled like freedom, and I was instantly addicted. I don’t think I stopped smiling the first year I was there.
I lived in the teachers compound, which was a section of apartment buildings that were owned by the school and where many of the teachers and school administrators lived. It was a utilitarian concrete affair, a 5 story walk up in 1950’s communist style. Outside the compound gate and up the street from my apartment was a small shop. The owner was the same age as me, and we fast became friends. He had a wife and young son who both lived with him in the tiny room in the back of his small shop. He sold candy, watery ice-cream, beer and cigarettes. Most important though, he was open 24/7.
Beside my apartment building there was a brothel that was poorly disguised as a KTV. On weekends I would often head there after class to play cards and get drunk with the girls in the lobby. It was a great way to practice Chinese. The lobby had that classically 1980’s Chinese feel: sticky tables littered with little plastic dixie cups for hot water, tea and beer, an over sized jade dragon boat on a small bar with a bottles of baijiu behind it and cigarette butts and mellon seeds littering the floor. The brothel felt unloved and temporary, and I can’t recall any decorations or paintings on the walls and the lobby was lit with unadorned bare fluorescent lights.
The brothel sold beer to me though usually when most of the customers started coming in, around 11pm the Madam, a large and quite brusque woman would politely make me leave. I had an annoying habit of wanting to make conversation with the besuited and drunken customers, I also tended towards laughing at the absurdity of the whole place.
Elvis, tank you verey verey muchh
I would then often wander down the street to my good friend the shop keeper. There we would drink beer and play super Mario on an old pirate Nintendo system. We never attempted any other game, only Mario, seeing who could beat the game several times in a row without losing a man. Some nights depending on how much beer we drank, we could go up to 6 or 7 times. Diagonally opposite the shop was one of Baotou’s more upscale clubs, inside they had live music and ktv. Nights when they had live music I would sometimes go there, but I much preferred playing Mario with my friend.
One reason it appealed to me was the steady flow of customers who I could talk to and practice my limited Chinese. Most of the customers were middle class middle age men buying cartons of overpriced Zhonghua cigarettes to impress their friends. But also the girls from the brothel would come over during their break and buy sweets and smokes. Some nights other neighbours would join us in drinking and chatting.
One day I stumbled across an interesting article in the Guardian (as you do!). The DJ Dave Haslam was writing about the time he went to Manchester to check out another DJ, who had built up a bit of a local reputation doing Morrissey and Smiths nights. Dave Cotrill has done his disco nights since 1994 in The Star and Garter, just behind the Piccadilly train station.
Reading the article set the imagination running. Sure why not? So I decided to book the flights, arrange the accommodation and just check out Manchester for myself (and mate).
Just passed through Manchester before so wasn’t sure what to expect, but boy the accommodation was a classic. Once again I didn’t disappoint!
Here follows some of what we got up to
I can’t remember all the bars and clubs we went into since the days and nights of drinking were long and hard. Nor can I remember a lot of what I was drinking either.
I did enjoy the weekend though. Manchester is a rough and ready city, people are mostly friendly, and it’s a town I would like to visit again. All in all it is a decent place. And yes, they do walk around with a “Manchester swagger”
The Star and Garter is a pub in Manchester, but not any ordinary pub. It is a bit of an institution as it hosts alternative music events. The SnG puts on rock, punk and indie nights, they showcase new and upcoming bands, and more established crews (The Ting Tings, Badly Drawn Boy, Status Quo, UK Subs, and more…, have all played here), and on the first Friday of every month they host a Smiths disco dedicated to all things Morrissey. The nights are such a hit that the venue has become synonymous with the Smiths, attracting Morrissey fans from all over the world. Liverpool got the Beatles and the Cavern Club, Manchester has Moz disco nights at the Star and Garter!
The SnG is situated slap bang in the middle of nowhere really. Behind Piccadilly railway station, down a side street under an iron bridge, and on the very edge of the city border. Pass the pub and you wander into what looks like a less than salubrious part of town. Apparently this is near Manchester’s red light district. God only knows where they do business, perhaps the bushes and side streets? Didn’t see much life around here. In all this wonderful isolation stands tall the Star and Garter, a Grade II listed building here (or here abouts, was moved brick by brick a 100 yards) since 1803. It looks the part, at any moment you expect the building to come crashing down on top of you. Go early, as we did, and you will find that the pub doesn’t do business in the day time, it was closed.
Getting there before the disco gave us a chance to have a few beers, shoot some pool, and have a good chat with some of the Morrissey fans.
The interior looks like your old style traditional British pub, no frills. The carpets were sticky, the chairs and tables were timeworn, the alcohol came in cheap cans, and the atmosphere was all relaxed.
Talking to Craig and Deb, a nice couple who travelled up from somewhere out of town for the Moz night. They have been here a few times, so I guess you could call them regulars. They first came here “because it’s funny, not the biggest fans in the world but, this sounded hilarious”. Before going out with Deb, Craig didn’t really know who Morrissey was, but now he loves the music, and has now pretty much got every album, “Before, I knew who they (the Smiths) were, but could only name about 2 or 3 of their songs, but now can’t I get enough of them!” Deb, on the other hand is a long-time fan. “Basically when I was 11 someone gave me a bunch of tapes, most of them were rubbish, but the Smiths were interesting, there was something there really”, and so that started a love for the quiffed one.
Met Tim, from Leeds but now lives nearby, who certainly looked the part, who has been coming to the Moz nights for ten months or so.
On what we can expect tonight, Tim told us we were in for a good night, “What can you expect from tonight, a lot of Morrissey fans and some news ones as well. It’s absolutely amazing. You kind of spend the whole month listening to Morrissey mostly on your own, then you come tonight and you’re listening with a load of people.”
On why he likes Morrissey, “He just gets its, he just gets life, he just gets it. I have tried and have tried to explain why Morrissey resonates. No one quite hits it like Morrissey, and Johnny Marr as well, is just an amazing guitarist. Life isn’t a bunch of gladiola and he (Moz) takes that and he makes it beautiful, he acknowledges it and he makes it beautiful with his words. I have liked the Smiths for a long, long time, I don’t think you can describe it with words”
On what Morrissey would make of all this hero worship, “I think he secretly likes it” Indeed, I would think he does too!
William, who travelled up from West Yorkshire, about two hours away, told us that he was born in 1994, the year that these Moz Disco nights started, showing that Morrissey also appeals to a younger crowd, and not just to us old softies. William has been coming to these nights for the last year, and loves Moz, “I like the sound of the music, and that’s a very superficial way to read the Smiths. I started thinking about Morrissey like he is some kind of poet, but you know, I love Morrissey with all my heart and soul and honestly he is quite an inspiration to me”
And after a few more pints, we eventually decided to take the stairs and follow the music. The disco had started!
Upstairs is the dance floor, a decent sized room, dark with bright lights.
A small crowd at the start, but by the time things got going into full swing, the floor was packed with happy punters, all dancing and singing along to all the songs. I did dance, I admit that. Not a great mover, but it was one of those nights that no one cared, the atmosphere was fun and friendly, everyone united in their love and appreciation of the Moz.
A good night, and one that I would love to repeat again in the future.
Manchester United Football Club
Sir Matt Busby Way
Old Trafford
Greater Manchester http://www.manutd.com/
So since we were staying in the area we decided we might as well toddle off down to Old Trafford and see what all the hype is about. Apparently Man united are meant to be one of the biggest teams in the world.
Nicknamed the “Red Devils”, even though I like to refer to them as Manure united, they have legions of fans from all over the world. From Asia to America they all know of Manchester United, the brand. And we could see this. Outside the ground were busloads of Asian fans, taking photos like crazy.
They have won a record 20 English league titles, and have 3 European cups in the bag, so I guess they deserve some begrudging respect.
Looking at it from the outside, Old Trafford certainly looks like a decent stadium. The “Theatre of Dreams”, was opened way back in 1910, and has a capacity just under 76,000. Bombing in the Second World War destroyed much of the stadium; which meant that during the reconstruction Man Utd had to play its “home” games at their rivals Manchester City’s Maine Road ground; Interesting.
A nice statue of Matt Busby stands at the entrance to the ground
Busby won the League in 1952, a first league title for 41 years, and of course won back to back titles in 56 and 57 with a squad of young ones, “The Busby Babes” (average age of 22)
Also there is a clock showing time standing still. The time when Manchester united suffered its greatest tragedy, the Munich air disaster, when 23 people lost their lives (8 players) returning from a European cup tie in Belgrade.
The plaque nearby is in memory of those who died in the Munich air disaster, including the eight players’ names.
Busby rebuilt the team, and we can see this in the statue of the trilogy, Best, Law and Charlton, the trio that helped Man Utd win its first European Cup in 1968, the first English football club to do so.
Seen the Alex Ferguson Stand, which looked good
Alex Ferguson was some manager, good old red nose. Did the business though, 13 league titles and 2 Euro Cups. Can’t argue with that, even if he was a grumpy bastard. Grew up looking at this team win all around them, and to be fair they always played great football, and played right up to the death of a game. God only knows how many goals they nicked in the last minute/second minute/third minute/forth/fifth/sixth minute of injury time……….
We were thinking of doing the stadium tour, but at £18.00 a pop for the full tour, and £14 quid for a quick walkthrough and gander at the pitch, we decided against it. For fecks sake that’s the price of a ticket for a non-league team, or a team here on the continent. Just so we can say we saw the pitch, or were near the dugout. Feck off!
The Red Café was decent though, had a beer there and they show re runs of classic games on a screen, which was good.
We did have a good chat with John though. John sells scarfs outside the ground for about 7 quid. He was good fun, and told us about the new hotel, “Hotel Football”, that ex-players Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville own nearby, that had a plastic pitch on the roof. So naturally we had to have a look, and yes, there really is a pitch on the roof. How cool is that!
After checking out one famous Manchester institution we decided to head onto another icon of the city, Salford Lads Club. The club is famously associated with a 1986 Smiths image on the “Queen is Dead” album cover, showing the band looking moody hanging around just outside the club. The band also included the club in a few of their music videos. At the time the boys clubs were not too happy about it at all, but over time they eventually saw sense.
So famous is the image that Smiths fans from all over the world visit the club to copy the famous iconic picture.
With all the fans, the club eventually decided to tap into this demand and in 2004 a special Smiths room was opened showing messages from fans and a lot of memorabilia of the band. There is also a small store room that sells Smiths t-shirts, badges, postcards, and even chocolate!
The actual boys club was established in 1903 as a recreational club to help out local working class boys, and get them off the street and up to no good. Now open to girls as well, the club still continues the fine tradition of helping out local youth through sport, exercise, and various other activities, with people volunteering their help and time to keep the club running along. The building is listed and remains virtually unchanged since its foundation.
I am not sure how many fans actual venture into the building but it was good that we did as we met Amber , a volunteer at the club, and who does all the designs for the Smiths memorabilia they sell. Amber gave us a brief potted history of the club, showed us around the building, and was very helpful. Amber was so chatty and fun that it put us in a good mood for the rest of the day. Perhaps she could try some of her charm on the moody Morrissey, but then I guess that’s why we like him so much, the thick bastard!
I bought a tee which I found out later is one of the limited editions that is only on sale for one year only. Made me up knowing that! The tee-shirt features the famous picture of the group outside the club, and Stephen Wright the photographer has allowed it to be reproduced from November 2014 to November 2015 only, to help raise vital funds for the club. A generous gesture that is going a long way to helping the club meet its many upcoming charitable commitments in the next year and beyond.
So for the Saturday we were to meet Charlie Veitch and have a friendly chat with him, and a few beers, nothing too mad. No lizards or Mossad drills.
Without going into the ins and outs of it all, basically Charlie is one, or at least was one, of the leading internet conspiracy theorists. I say “was” as he had an epiphany on a BBC TV show (“9/11 Conspiracy Road Trip”) and turned his back on the 9/11 “truth movement”.
Once a friend of the mad David Icke and the bad Alex Jones, this u turn caused a shit storm in the movement, and resulted in Charlie getting a lot of online hassle, and been branded a “traitor” to the cause. Whatever the feck that is.
I respect Charlie for this. It takes big balls to hold your hand up and say that you think you might be wrong about something you were once so passionate about.
I have followed Charlie for a long time on YouTube, from the old days of the Love Police, and even seen him in action with the shenanigans he got up to in London (kettling the police was gas craic!). I don’t always agree with what he says, or sometimes how he goes about making his points, nevertheless I do watch his videos, for better or for worse, but always engaging, always entertaining, and sometimes quite bold.
Anyway after all the beers and the chat, Charlie seemed like a decent skin to me, top bloke and good fun (And his two friends). So suck it haters.
Watch the video anyway, and remember I don’t work for the BBC, and had a good few pints, so go easy on the hating, it’s not good for you!
We decided to jump into this pub to have a look at the CL final. From the outside and the décor it looks like a Wetherspoons’. Certainly has a similar sort of clientele.
Had a pint of Korev, a Cornish lager that I acquired a taste of over the few days. A good crowd in for the game, with many TVs and chances to watch the game.
Was a nice reasonably priced pint, in good company with everyone enjoying the game.
The kind of bar that is a must if you want to see some football, with a beer and some atmosphere.
Another drop in bar, and again for football. Wanted to have a look at the Ireland V England game so we saw that they had it on in this pub, so why not.
A nice traditional looking pub, which is apparently a grade 11 listed building, and is said to be Manchester’s oldest pub having first gained its licence way back in 1730!
Had a decent pint of Korev, and a packet of Tyrrell’s English style crisps (that’s considered lunch) which were delicious. And I thought the English didn’t know how to make decent crisps!
Anyway a nice pub, a lot of history on the walls, good service, and friendly staff. Got very comfortable, so we decided to have a few pints here, and why not, the pints were perfect. Not a big crowd in, perhaps due to the early kick off time, and the TV had no sound on which I kind of appreciated. Rather not listen to the inane chat that passes for commentary these days.
Nice place for a good chat in the middle of the day, a good place to while away a few hours.
As we were a bit early for the Smiths night and the Star and Garter wasn’t open we needed to booze up. It looked like the SnG was on the edge of nowhere and nothing to be found beyond so we walked back and came across the Bull’s Head, right across from the train station.
Looked decent so we ventured in. Nice cosy atmosphere. We went straight to the bar, and immediately mingled in with the chat. Met the landlords, Brendan and Paula, who were both good fun, and very friendly. In fact all the staff were chatty and good fun. Of course my mate was instantly attracted to the retro arcade games, and it took a lot of effort to get him off the damn things. Children shouldn’t be allowed into bars!
We were starving for some good food (real food, not pub grub), and decided to leave, but promised Brendan and Paula we would be back the next night. With great regret we didn’t make it back as we ran out of time, but it’s definitely a bar I will check out again if I am ever in the vicinity. Beer was very good, and the company excellent.
Also it’s worth noting that this is another of Manchester’s oldest bars, a bar on this site dating back from the late 1800’s.
Walking in from Salford, we were a bit tired and thirsty. My mate pointed out this pub out to me as we walked by, I wasn’t so sure, looked a bit too posh for me, but we sat down outside and ordered some beer and a bit of food to boot.
And you know it wasn’t that bad, with the sun making a brief appearance and beside the canal and its locks, it was very enjoyable just shooting the breeze in wonderful surroundings. Inside, the bar has some old style wooden décor, very spacious, and has a lot of cool antique pictures pottered around the place showing all manner of history and old alcohol advertisements.
Staff were extremely friendly, very efficient service, and the beers and food were top quality. I had a Lowenbrau. I know I really should have tried some British beer, but…..
Location makes this bar. A really great place to be on a pleasant hot day. Nice relaxed crowd too, with no music or TV blaring out, no wonder we stayed for more than the one beer. Very relaxing! Of course since this is North England, time to go and move on was when the dark clouds appeared, with the rain starting the terrace emptied out and that was the end of the Wharf!
Oh before I forget, the rug. The rug inside is amazing! Yeah, the fecking rug!
From the Wharf, walking back into the town, we passed “The Knott”, which was recommended by some beer bloggers I Know.
We went up to the balcony which was pleasant enough, doing some people watching and all. But if truth be told the place was filthy! I am not one generally to complain and maybe it was cause we just came from the immaculate Wharf, but Jesus it was the middle of the day, not nearing 12 after a busy night. When I say filthy, I mean puke in the toilet bowl, empties all over the place, stale and uneaten food on tables. Perhaps we arrived when the cleaning staff were on a break?
The décor is pretty cool, music prints and beer posters and it had a chilled vibe going on. Was quite busy.
I ordered some Shameless Pale Ale. It was very bitter, very hoppy, and quite hard to stomach to be honest, even if it looks magnificent in the pic.
Drank it down quick and decided to move on!
Brewdog, another recommendation from some of my contacts, those Scottish chappies and their extra strong beers.
When you walk into a bar first impressions matter. This looked like a fecking darkly lit supermarket, we were very close to just doing a quick turnaround out the door, not that the bar man gave a shite. The atmosphere wasn’t much better, a lot of wankers around the place, and what is with all the high stools.
Anyway stayed and ordered beers, their own brew, which wasn’t too bad at all. Decided to leave the drunken fools, and sat down outside. Good decision, much better company, and at least could have a decent chat(A big hello to Michael and Siobhan).
Toilet was banjaxed, had to use the disabled. What is it with Manchester and toilets?
Pretty sad when the best part of the décor is the toilet area, and who the feck plays board games in a pub?
Regret not having a burger here though, from what I have read subsequently, it’s meant to be top class. Ah never mind, at least the beer was good.
Wanting to have a good talk with Charlie V. we decided to pop into the nearest pub which just so happened to be a Mr Thomas’s Chop House.
A grade 11 listed pub, Mr Thomas’s Chop House first opened way back in 1870. It shows, the interior is all Victorian with tiled walls and a dark wooded bar, and pictures of historical Manchester dotted all over. Old fashioned surroundings and tradition, all adding to the atmosphere of the place. In the middle of the day the pub was heaving with customers, and after quite a long time we eventually got served and brought our drinks to the outdoor area out at the back.
When the weather turned we decided to have a pint inside. The place is so small that no cats would be swung in this pub. Standing room only, belly in, this is a great advantage as in close quarters you have no choice but to meet and chat with strangers, they are literally in your face! We ended up meeting loads of people, all great fun.
A Mr Liam Donnelly from Warrington who got a bit upset with me when I told him he looked like Jimmy Summerville and not, as he had thought, Jimmy Saville! It took me a while to figure why he was talking about Michael Jackson!
Great craic, place was buzzing, I don’t mind admitting I had a good time at this bar.
Don’t know what was going on with the drinks, but I was drinking Heineken, which again wasn’t probably the best choice what with all the great British beers available (probably, I couldn’t see the bar!), but hell, I didn’t have time to discuss options at the bar. With so many people crammed into such a small narrow bar, it was a case of order something, anything, fast! Had a few beers here.
Cosy and friendly boozer, full of character, the best bar on this short trip hands down, and as we were leaving also had a good chat with the bouncer at the door, full of chat and very friendly. Strongly recommended!
And as you would know it we ended up in Vina Karaoke bar, a place that has a bit of a “reputation”. Apparently it can get “hairy” at times, and I aint talking about some of the women. I am not surprised what with some of the clientele, the set-up of the place, and the bouncers on heat.
But otherwise it was good fun, enjoyed the music, some of the karaoke efforts were not bad, and beer was cheap enough. As long as you don’t forget to take off your cap, and don’t wear a bollard on your head, everything should be fine!
La Tasca Manchester is an “authentic” Spanish Tapas Bar and Restaurant. They say on their website that if you close your eyes you might just be in Spain. Yeah sure, but this is a place we ended up in twice over the weekend. A good central location, good pints, and a nice chilled place to have a quiet talk and unwind.
Had the tapas here. They don’t sell tapas in the bad lands of Ireland, so never had it before. Was tasty and hit the spot.
Service very friendly, always smiling, chatty, and checked a few times to see if we were ok, which is a nice touch.
Even though the beers (Mahou) looked quite strange, with a head that mushroomed out, in fact they were damn tasty.
I liked this bar/restaurant, had a nice ambiance, all surrounded with a Spanish décor. It’s a shame we didn’t know at the time that they don’t close till 4 am on the weekend, playing Latin style music downstairs long into night. God dammit, that would have been fun!
A very nice relaxing place, with good beer. Recommended.
One final thing: Had some cider in an Italian restaurant that I cant remember, but by god it was lovely cider. Aspalls Suffolk Cider, very tasty.
Brewed by Friesisches Brauhaus zu Jever Germany
Style: ABV German Pilsener
Germany
Jever
From the very small town of Jever in the North of Germany, close to the Netherlands and facing the fierce winds of the North Sea, comes a very popular Pils that has been on the go for over a 150 years.
It says a lot when the main tourist attraction in the town is the brewery, but heh that’s my kind of town! Jever Pils has been brewed by the “Friesisches Brauhaus zu Jever” (the Jever Frisian Brewery) since 1848, and have used the refreshing pure soft water from the same well for over 100 years. Add the usual German purity laws and the end product is a Pils that is loaded with more hops than a regular pilsner.
Founded by Diedrich König, the”Friesisches Brauhaus zu Jever”, the brewery was sold to Theodor Fetköter, who developed the previous family owned enterprise into a large scale brewing operation. This north German Pils is popular, and hoppy, and is as good a Pils as you can find on the market.
Review: Can of Jever Pilsener: 4.9% ABV
The Classic Northern German Pilsener with the famous bitter taste.
Jever
The appearance was one of a clear golden yellow, with a pretty decent sized foamy head that stuck around, with good lacing. This Pilsener looks lovely, a very clean looking brew with a good body. Good carbonation and looked tasty
The aroma had a smell of malt and herbal hops with a hint of citrus. A strong lager smell
The taste, wow, that’s a taste and a half, initial shock, full of tastes from start to finish. Sweet grainy lager malts and hops, with a slightly metallic tang to it. Very hoppy bitter taste!
Dry grass finish with strong bitterness. Overall, a good solid dry pilsner that’s tasty, VERY TASTY!
Celtic Punk Invasion Tour, Zurich 2015 featuring the DropKick Murphys, The Mahones, Blood or Whiskey and lots and lots of beer
Hot off the heels of the concert in Buttisholz, and the craic with Keltikon, we ventured into Zurich the week after to attend the mad cap “Celtic Punk Invasion Tour” extravaganza of the Dropkick Murphys, with support from The Mahones and Blood Or Whiskey.
Before I start, I must mention that the sound set up for the first two bands was atrocious, and whether it was the small venue or the acoustics didn’t travel or what, but it was near impossible for the audience to hear what was played clearly. Unless you were standing directly in line with the stage you could not evidently hear what was played, just a mass of noise. (Some might say isn’t that what punk is anyway!)
First up were the Irish band Blood Or Whiskey. Now to be fair I didn’t know a whole lot about this band, only that they have got generally good reviews on the odd punk sites I have seen. Blood Or Whiskey are from Ireland, they seem to have been touring for a long time, and have made a bit of a name of themselves on the Celt punk scene. They play a kind of traditional set mixed up with out and out punk/rock, but recently have started to mix some ska, reggae and dub into their sounds.
But what I can say that for a support act they certainly got the crowd going. The lead singer Dugs Mulhooly definitely can work a crowd, and gave a very high tempo lead performance, that had the horde worked up into a frenzy. Full of energy, and a lot of good fun.
After Blood and Whiskey, came The Mahones, the Canadian Irish punk band, formed on St. Patrick’s Day in 1990 in Ontario. There is a great on stage chemistry between lead singer Finny McConnell and accordion player Katie “Kaboom”, both lightning up the stage with their music.
It wasn’t the first-time I had seen The Mahones live, and they always give a good set of rousing tunes. Another hour of high octane music followed.
Two bands, two hours or there abouts of jumping round like a maniac, would we have any energy for the Dropkicks?
So onto the DropKick Murphys, the main stars of the gig, the Bostonian rockers, and probably the most famous of all the Celtic punk bands out there at the moment. Funnily enough the sound for their set immediately rectified itself! They came out all guns a blazing, and we had another hour of head banging, foot thumping tunes. Great fun, good amount of moshing (women worse than the fellas!), and all done in the best of (punk) spirits. And the finale was something else, lead singer Ken Casey invited all the ladies to the stage for their encore of “Kiss Me I’m Shitfaced”, and the stage was packed to the rafters, a great way to end a very energetic and mad capped night. We passed over our football night that evening, but it felt like we did more than enough of jumping round like mad fellas to negate any exercise we might have missed!
Before and afterwards we had a bit of a chit chat with some of the members of both the Mahones and the Blood or Whiskey guys. Didn’t do a real interview as understandably they were all jack tired with the very demanding European tour they were on, and you clearly see that sometimes the life on tour is tough.
The little chat we did have was cool though, and both bands were very courteous to all their fans, hanging around, signing CD’s, tees, and the like, and sharing the banter. Cheesy I know, but what a great bunch of lads, ha!
So overall three kick ass bands, over 3 hours of great rocking tunes, battered and bruised, we missed the last train out of Zurich, but not to worry we got the early morning one packed with commuters!
Managed to buy the latest Blood and Whiskey album, ‘Tell The Truth And Shame The Devil’ (2014)
Cracking album, here is the review (from our mates in London Celtic Punks who have kindly let us reproduce it here)
Six years since their last EP and nine since their last LP news of the upcoming release of this, Blood Or Whiskeys 4th studio album, kind of took us all by surprise here. After such a long time of inactivity the news was literally music to our ears!
Formed way back in 1993 in Leixlip, County Kildare, Ireland they were one of the original celtic-punk bands and have inspired most of what passes for celtic/folk punk in the scene in the last 20 years. Sneered at by the purists at home in Ireland for trying to make traditional music more relevant they escaped to the continent and the States and years of heavy touring. Eventually that took its toil and the line up changes over the years have become legendary! Legal battles with their record labels, the untimely death of band member Alan Confrey and those line up changes all contributed to the bands lengthy hiatus. All a great shame as they seemed at the time to be well on the way to if not international stardom at least international punk rock stardom. Several appearances at Rebellion Festivals around Europe had seen their popularity blossom but then it all came to a grinding halt. So it was good news to hear the imminent release of this but is the weight of expectation too great?
Well for your coin you get 11 songs clocking in at 33 minutes and from the very start its that original Blood Or Whiskey sound we love so much. Have to add though they aint just gone back and re-recorded one of their old albums because they now sound like a hybrid of Pogues/Clash/Specials. From the first track ‘Dirty Aul War’ the ska beats collide with the punk which collide with trad sounds but all in that unmistakable BorW way. The addition of brass instruments later on in the track ‘Gone Or Forgotten’ is genius.
Touches of dub in ‘Seanie O’Keefe’ show the bands progression musically despite having both feet firmly in the celtic-punk scene as Chris states in their recent interview in Shite’n’Onions
“Yes we are without doubt a part of the Celtic Punk scene simply by the instruments that we have in the group and that is a good thing, it always makes me smile when I see how far Irish music and our culture has travelled, we have played everywhere from the US to Japan and all over Europe and every where we go there is a love for this small nation it makes you proud to be Irish and proud of all the great music and musicians from Ireland that came before us and managed to influence people all over the world. Going from what I have just said the Celtic punk scene makes me personally proud to be Irish as it shows me how the rest of the world loves and enjoys Irish music and culture. I’m not sure why there has not been many other bands from Ireland playing Celtic Punk because you do get other bands mixing folk with rock etc just not so many doing the Celtic Punk thing. Maybe it’s because the Punk scene isn’t as big here in Ireland as it is in the likes of the US and Europe, mainly due to the size of our population I suppose.”
The album never gets going in a punk rock way in the same vein as say ‘Cashed Out On Culture’ but there’s plenty here to have you leaping around your living rooms and their almost certain to come rocking up near to where you live wherever in the world that is!
The boys have self funded the release themselves so they’re gonna be doing plenty of touring to flog it but you can get it from all the usual places so check the links at the end. ‘Emigrant’ is the obligatory song about the scourge of emigration that has haunted the Irish race for centuries now. ‘Cannibal Economy’ and a instrumental ‘Black Pits’ bring the album to a close and its over way too early. A massive return to form and cant wait to see them live now. Glad to have you back Blood Or Whiskey go straight to the front of the queue.
A drink with Keltikon, Switzerland’s Celtic Punk Rock band
So its carnival season (Fasnacht) in Switzerland and we decided to head to the small town of Buttisholz, Lucerne in the centre of the country. For three days the small town of Buttisholz transforms into a party arena where all age groups get-together, dress up and become merry. The carnival itself was great fun, with lots of different outdoor themed bars set up for the night from forest cabins, rustic chalets, a heavy metal tent, and even a submarine bar! Naturally we were attracted to the Irish Pub.
We were there primarily to meet and have a small chat with OLAF OHL, the lead singer of the band keltikon. The group were playing in the Irish themed bar and we were interested in hearing from Olaf about life in Switzerland’s number one Celtic punk rock.
Where did you get the inspiration for starting a Swiss punk Celtic band?
We had a kind of blues rock band first, which didn’t work out, then I met a half Scottish half English guy Ian Duncan, so I founded the band with him. At first we only played acoustic guitar and pipes and so after some months Rino the bass player joined us, then we got our first fiddle player, drummer and …….
You haven’t been going to long, you’ve only been around since 2012 I think, so what’s the feedback so far?
Mostly good!
I see you have even been to the Czech Republic, you’re even doing touring outside of Switzerland?
Yes, yes, that was pretty nice. I love Czech Rep for many years and I go there regularly, twice or three times a year. I got a lot of friends there, I know a punk band there so we organise a little tour last year. We will go there again this year, also we can play at the festivals there
So what about 2015? Any different venues, perhaps London, or even Ireland, maybe!?
Maybe for March the 17th?
St Patrick ’s Day in Dublin?
Would be great!
What was the first Celtic punk album you listened to? Were you into the Pogues, the Dubliners, even Stiff Little Fingers or………..?
For me it was definitely The Pogues, in the 80’s
Why the Pogues?
I don’t know!
I mean you are living in Switzerland!
Because the Pogues are famous all around the world, and even an idiot like me realised this band exits!
What was the very first song you learnt for the band, what was the first number?
It was Lark in the Morning (Traditional Irish song)
Ian came in and it’s also a pipe tune so he came in with the pipe tune, and I found out that there is a real good version from the Johnsons (1960s Irish folk band) which I remember well, from the 60s so we picked this one.
Who is the creative person behind the band?
It’s actually me because I arranged and wrote most of the songs, and I’m doing the bookings for the band.
I have to ask about your last album, what was it called!
‘Agenbite of Inwit’
Yes, what the hell is that!
Inspired by a book of James Joyce, Ulysses, about a woman with a real hard feel for catholic guilt, and ‘Agenbite of Inwit’ means deep remorse or been very sorry for everything. And we wrote up this song because we dedicated it to Dominique Strauss Kahn, Silvio Berlusconi and Donald Trump
What!
They don’t have any ‘Agenbite of Inwit’ in their life.
Yes I seen that in one of your concerts, Ian mentioned Berlusconi and Donald Trump in a concert and I didn’t get the connection!
Yeah, so that’s the reason why!
That album, there is quite a variety in that album, I mean you have your bang, bang guitar music, then some kind of melodies, it is quite an extensive album. I mean you have “Seven Sisters of Seven Seas”, and then you have a bit more rockier tunes, so what was that like making that album? All different kind of influences?
Well it’s more like the pop rock songs were more written by Ian. Actually I like this music too but I tried to get something else in, but I like punk music anyway, I was composing the faster and harder tunes.
It got very good feedback from all the punk websites, I’m sure you have seen. I think you were compared to Neil Young in one website!
To Neil Young!
Yes, did you not see that!
Yes I’ve heard that. Well actually it’s really true I am a huge fan of Neil Young but I would never have thought that anybody can hear that on our album!
Do you have any die-hard fans that follow you around all the time when you are travelling around Switzerland?
There is only one, Alex!
Ha, we already met him!
We have other fans coming regularly, but Alex is with us for nearly every concert.
Have you ever had any article of underwear thrown at you at a gig!?Not Alex’s!
Not yet, as far as I can remember!
(To Alex) Alex is the number one fan over here. Alex, what’s so special about this band, tell me?
Well they are a good band, they have some great music, there great guys, and well they are very friendly, they bring me to the concert and bring me back!
What about the lead singer? I heard he is a bit moody?
Sometimes, sometimes. If he is in a bad mood you shouldn’t talk to him.
He was compared to Neil Young, would you agree with that?
Well, Neil Young is not as good!
Well that’s why you’re the number one fan!
(back to Olaf) We are drinking beer all the time, so what’s the best beer in Switzerland?
Well there are a lot of interesting beers, at the moment I like CHOPFAB very much, it’s a beer brewed in Winterthur. It’s a nice smooth draught beer. It’s the translation of Headless
And what’s your favourite Irish beer?
Well, Smithwicks
So, what’s the best pub in the world?
I guess the best pub I was in was in Edinburgh, but I forgotten its name!
If you had to choose Scotland, Ireland or Switzerland what’s your choice?
Well I don’t know, Ireland
But unfortunately I’ve never been there
Shocking, that’s the headline!
I guess I will find a way there soon, with Alex!
Cheers
An unedited audio version of the interview is here. The “knicker version”
As for the concert, Keltikon had the crowd rocking away all night. They are a very hard working band, playing about three, or it could have been four, sets long into the night. Everyone had a great time, the place was heaving, and the Irish bar in little old Buttisholz was the place to be.
Also a quick mention about the town and the carnival, everyone was uber friendly, chatty, up for a laugh and not a hint of any loutish behaviour. Not like St Patrick’s night in Dublin then, and more the better for it. A credit to the townsfolk of Buttisholz. Would also like to thank the group who treated me to a hot whiskey at the train station the next morning as I was trying to find my way home!
Overall, a great night, with good music and some old and new friends.
My first album review coming up, so go easy! If you are not sure about my review then please check out the boys over in old London town, LONDONCELTICPUNKS and have a look at their review of Keltikonhere
Thisdrinkingslife’s review of KELTIKON – AGENBITE OF INWIT
Get off to a cracking start with the first song and title of the album, “Agenbite of Inwit”, rocking tune, with some interesting lyrics, an ode to Berlusconi and Trump (“Hey ho Silvio you’re our poster boy), a nod to anyone with no shame. Near the end of the tune there is a great blast of bag pipes along with the guitars rocking out. Good start.
Next tune, “Bonnie Ship The Diamond’, an old Scottish classic, love the start, catchy pipe intro, good vocal from Ian. A folksy kind of tune, but still with a good guitar riff included, I like it.
Continuing the ship theme, the next song is another top tune. “Seven Ships” is about a guy who wants to marry a girl but her father demands 50 ships in exchange for her hand. Another folky tune, and although the guy got the girl but became bankrupt the tune is upbeat and foot tapping. A tune with excellent pipes and about half way through there is a fun guitar interlude, and you don’t even notice that this song is actually 6 minutes long!
“Mariner’s Tale”, is a spoken piece about a diving submarine and its curse on the high seas. Not too sure about this, but all the sound affects work well with the story. The story continues in song with the next song “The Diving Dutchman”, a fast paced punky number. This song reinforces the bands rock credentials, they can mix it up well.
Things are slowed right down for “Away to Fight”, an acoustic balled about the Normandy landings in WW2 (“When we cross that beach, the sea turns red, when we cross that beach to fight…”). A good slow guitar solo here, and ending with a soulful pipe number. Again the band showing they can mix up the tunes, yet at the same time remaining true to their love of the Celtic sounds.
The pace steps up again for “The Blackbird”, a bagpipe dominant Celtic rock instrumental.
“Hold On tight” once again slows thing down, another balled but this time has a nice backing female vocal. Nice tin whistle and violin combo, with a battle beat on the drums, “The battle begins, they call to their weapons….”
“Each Other’s Dream” or “Aphrodite”, a soft rock love song, probably at over six minutes a little too long, but it’s an upbeat tempo so not that noticeable.
We finish off the album, with “Taliesin’s Poem”. Taliesin was a Welsh poet in the 6th century who is said to have sung for at least three Brythonic Kings (The Britons), some have even alleged as bard at the court of the legendary King Arthur. A slow number, at over 9 minutes it builds up, at about 5 minutes you get a haunting vocal, which leads to a crescendo of guitars and noise. I guess it’s a good way to finish off the album.
Overall I enjoyed this album, it ticks all the boxes really: Bagpipes, rock out tunes, good ballads, great vocals, and not a bad album from a band that is only starting off the blocks. Both Olaf and Ian sounded great, and I felt it was well mixed, considering there is a lot going on with every song, from the pipes and violins to the guitar riffs. I will definitely be keeping a keen eye on Keltikon, and hopefully it won’t be too long before we get a follow up album.
Brewed by Heineken France.
Style: American Pale Lager
Rueil-Malmaison, France
You like Beer? Check. You like tequila? Check. Then Desperados Tequila Beer should be right up your street. Desperados is the world’s first Tequila Flavoured Beer, a lager with a kick of tequila.
Now when you think of Tequila you think of Mexico, but this is the strange bit. This beer was brewed in France and is owned by Heineken Inc. Despite all the exotic imagery on the can/bottle and the fancy Spanish sounding name, Desperados comes from France!
Tequila Flavoured Beer
The Fischer Brewery, founded in 1821 in Strasbourg, first produced Desperados, but with the recent success of the beer, production has now moved to the Netherlands, not surprisingly as Heineken took over the brewery in 1996. Does this make it any less exotic or “cool”? Hardly, it’s only a lager after all, with a bit of tequila thrown in.
The beer is sold in more than 60 countries and has just recently arrived on the shores of America, after some success in the European markets for the last 10 years. Heineken are hoping that the beer is seen as an alternative to spirits and shots on a night out, and is specially targeted at the young’uns who like to get wasted and quick. As traditional beer sales decline breweries are looking for alternatives and also exciting new products to push in the emerging Asian markets. Desperados offers something different than some stale boring lagers and is less bitter and so more appealing to softer palettes. Either way it’s always cool to try something different, and a tequila flavoured lager isn’t the worst idea in the world. (Note: mixing beer and spirits isn’t perhaps the most novel idea in the world, but let’s not burst Desperados marketing bubble just yet!).
So how much tequila is in this beer? The blurb says that Desperados is made by combining lager that is aged in tequila barrels for a few months, then blended with beer that is mixed with tequila and lemon flavors, leaving trace amounts of tequila. The tequila does come from Mexico, which is important to note! (Does any other nation produce tequila?)
Ok so let the tasting begin!
Review: Can of Desperados Beer: 5.9% ABV
As a fan of tequila, and straight (none of that salt and lime shite), anything that has the devils juice in it has my backing. So Desperadoes is an interesting brew alright, one definitely to try. With an ABV of just under 6% giving it an added incentive.
Desperados, world’s first Tequila Flavoured Beer
The appearance isn’t the best to be honest, pretty clear showing a golden orange colour with an initial decent frothy creamy head that dissipates quick enough. Some good lacing, but also dies soon after, looks like a lot of chemicals in this beer.
There is a very strong smell as you would expect ,very very sweet, like a fruit juice, mostly of citrus.
The taste has a very sweet and citrus taste to it, a bit tangy, tasting of lemon, lime and I guess Tequila. I say I guess because I’m not so sure of you can pick up the taste of the tequila. There is also an interesting deep sour aftertaste.
Having said all that I have to say the beer isn’t that bad. Once you get over the initial shock at all the sweet tastes, you do grow into it, and it does become a relatively smooth enough beer to drink. I think these beers would be a great accompaniment to a night on the town, perhaps have two or three to give you a little kick in your drinking during the night, or before you hit the clubs. Any more than that and I’m not sure how they would go down. I don’t think I could drink more than two or three to be honest. But overall its a good effort and I like the idea of Desperadoes. Have I found the taste of the tequila? Not sure, but then does it matter, the beer has a certain function which is to set you up for the party or the night, and this beer does that perfectly. A good party beer.
Brewed by Tsingtao Brewery Company Limited 青岛啤酒股份有限公司
Style: Premium Lager
Qinqdao, China
We all love to have a Chinese after a few beers, nothing better. But how many of you have actually dared to try out the beers that you might have noted behind the counter? Or did you even notice in your hazy intoxicated state that there is indeed some fine Chinese beer available and all you had to do was ask!
Waiting for an ass (bus)
It’s funny we all know about the wonder of MSG laden Chinese dishes, but I have never really seen anyone drink Chinese beer. I myself only know about some of the Chinese beer brands because I lived and worked in China for a few years back in the day, and got a taste for the local brews.
But yes China does have some decent beers, and the most widely known of them (at least to the beer connoisseur and the backpacker) is Tsingtao beer from the lovely seaside city of Qingdao (same pronunciation, the beer has the English spelling, the city the Chinese version!), situated in Shandong province.
The brewery in Qingdao dates way back to 1903, founded jointly by some German and British settlers, and even today uses the same unique processes and yeast strains as was used over 100 years ago.
China’s finest beer
Tsingtao Beer is a well-hopped typical pilsner of 4.7%. Brewed using a combination of the best yeast and barley from around the world, and, of course, rice which you would expect as it’s China after all! To round everything off fresh spring water from the famous Laoshan Mountains is added. The Laoshan Mountains are said to be the birthplace of Taoism.
The brewery also produces a number of other beers, mostly for the local market, but it’s Tsingtao Beer that accounts for most of the brewery’s production.
First exported in 1954, the Tsingtao brand is now sold in over 60 countries and regions around the world and accounts for more than 50% of China’s beer exports.
Of course Tsingtao is ideal when having a meal, so why not give it a try next time you are sitting down to some noodles, Spring Rolls, dumplings, or even that traditional Chinese favourite, curry chips!
Review: Bottle of Tsingtao Beer: 4.7%ABV
Tsingtao, the German style Chinese lager, with great flavors, a smooth taste and which is always recommended when eating Asian food.
Smooth
It comes in a lovely looking green bottle with a distinctive logo. I guess its the Chinese writing that attracts, also there looks to be a picture of the brewery overlooking a river, which I’m guessing is meant to signify the water from the Laoshan Mountain
A decent looking beer which has a clear yellow appearance, with a good nice frothy head, that unfortunately doesn’t stick around too long.
Loved the smell. Was pretty strong. Pure acidity, malts, skunk, and of course the rice, all combining to give a very sharp alcohol aroma.
The initial taste was quite strong, a little sour, and thereafter some malts and hay, a bit grainy with the rice making an appearance. A nicely balanced beer, not overbearing, with a lot of subtle flavours. Not much in the aftertaste, but overall this beer was very smooth, and not at all heavy. The crisp and refreshing taste makes this one of the most sessionable lagers you can find in my opinion. I like Tsingtao Beer, its not going to get you wasted, but you can drink a lot of them without having to worry too much about the night, or indeed not expect a bad hangover.
Sir Nigels (@SirNigels) has written for us a great behind the scenes look at the hectic life of bar-tending. The highs and the lows. Sir Nigels is currently finalizing the touches to his new book, “The World and the Ways of a Bartender” an insight in the mad and sometimes funlife of a regular barman.
Join SirNigels on twitter
The View from Behind the Bar
The view from behind the bar is a peculiar place, with the tools of our trade at our finger tips, the elixirs of goodwill bottled up around us, and onlookers peering in surrounding us.
The View from Behind the Bar
The view can be one of great joy and happiness. Cheers, good will, and celebration abound! We also see sadness, friction, break ups, tequila shots, and wedding parties. Everything and anything is possible to be seen from behind a bar. Ask any of us to tell a story and we may have too many to tell. Where should I start you say?
My view is one of great memories worth telling not for just the outlandish drunken silliness, the championship winning game, the famous or interesting people I have met, or not even the cheerleader party with midget performers. My view is more than that. I have watched human behavior for twenty years and studied it.
We are a strange bunch of animals I tell ya. I have served drinks to lots of different types of people from all over the world, cultures, religions, colors, creeds, and backgrounds. I may not travel the world, but the world travels to me. I’m known around the world through the people that have come to see me. Watching and learning this strange human behavior has given me a bit of a nuanced view on humans that only a bartender can understand. After eight to ten hours a day, 5 days a week, week after week babysitting humans you start to get an idea about how they work. We don’t come with instructions when were born, it just takes awhile to figure out what makes us tick.
Barlife
Every person has different life experiences and view points for different reasons. Over the years I have countless discussions about politics, race, guns, war, and peace with all sorts of people from behind the bar. These conversations were not always civil, but we got through them. I learned from them, I hope someone learned something from me.
Over time my view from behind the bar has constructively changed depending on my own life experiences and through the interesting and accomplished individuals that have nursed a glass of Cabernet, sucked down a Mind Eraser, or sipped on a fine single malt scotch.
Working at a bar is not always the exciting life you may see in the movies or at a club. I’ve had some great experiences with more people than I can remember. I’ve met sports stars, rock stars, and famous actors from television and movies. I deal with CEO’s, small business owners, artists, creatives, everyday people, and constantly over-run with egos. To be able to deal with all these wonderful and amazing people who just want, want, want from you constantly with out regard for your physical or mental well being can be trying. After long hours behind a bar my physical and mental anguish can be a bit taxing to my soul.At times people can be uplifting, generous, and thoughtful, but collectively they can tire me until all I would rather do is hide away and hibernate from the real world.
Bar tender of the year, 2014
Overwhelming is putting it mildly with my view from behind the bar It can be profitable with remarkable ease, but unfortunately also painfully fruitless with too much toil and brown nosing to say the least. I’ve also found myself able to work alone due to my stamina, expertise, and knowledge of my surroundings and regular guests that stop by for a tasty beverage.
I also work for a corporation with unforgiving mismanaging managers and cheap owners, which exacerbates the everyday problem of servicing the masses with the façade of trying to look perfect and in control at every step As we run out of liquor, napkins, spoons, lemons, or maybe the cooks just aren’t in control, we have to always at least pretend like we are in control when the world around us doesn’t feel like it. Our heads could be in a tailspin, but we have to be smiling and find some categorical solution for every task or problem that arises.
A bit of a chess game so to speak, a smart bartender is always looking several steps ahead of the one he is performing presently. Surprisingly, we succeed most of the time, but at times no matter how hard we try and smile to make you feel secure in your food and beverage choices we fail. Sometimes we fail miserably and still find a way to bull-shit our way out of our life predicament. Sometimes the only way out of our failure is to admit defeat and hope for pity on our pour souls.
Where it all happens
Alas, we survive to serve another drink, muddle fruit for a scratch margarita, or shake the crap out of the vodka you call a martini. Many of us do it because we love our jobs, and we do it with pride and self-righteousness despite our aching feet. We love people and feel their gratitude with the job we bring them. The view from behind the bar may not always be a bed of roses, but the memories of joy and happiness will bring a contentment to our souls and warm hearts to our guests.
Take a moment in the new year to thank your bartender for their services and always be generous for they may be raising a family and every bit of gratuitous love is always appreciated over the years. Much love and happiness form the view from behind the bar.
Sincerely,
@SirNigels
Just a reminder to check out @SirNigels and his twitter account for all bar related and alcohol fueled inquiries, and don’t forget to look out for his Upcoming Publication: “The World and the Ways of a Bartender”. Sure to be a great fun time read.
Brewed by Gösser (Brau Union)
Style: Oktoberfest/Märzen
Leoben, Austria
Gösser Beer from the Göss brewery is considered to be Austria’s finest and best beer. The popular brewery lies in the centre of the country in the federal state of Styria, in the small city of Leoben.
Austrian bier
Beer was first brewed in the town by Monks and Nuns near the river Mur. As the monastery was disbanded the activity of brewing ceased. That was until 1860 when a brewer and entrepreneur Max Kober acquired the land and restarted the brewery, and slowly began establishing Göss brewery into one of Austria’s major breweries.
Its Märzen beer is its best seller, accounting for well over 70% of its total output.
Märzen is German for “March beer” which is a lager that originated in Bavaria, and has a style that is characterized by a malty flavour, and a clean dry finish. It should be noted that there are differences between the German and Austrian styles of Märzen beers. In Germany, the term covers beers which differ in colour from pale (Helles Märzen), through amber to dark brown (Dunkles Märzen). The Austrian style is light in colour, body, and flavour balance, and is often that bit sweeter than their German counterparts.
Review: Bottle of Gösser Märzen, 5.2%ABV
Gösser
Gösser Beer with its very distinctive green colour trademark symbolising the state of Styria is the most typical beer you can get all around Austria. Mostly comes in cans abroad.
The appearance is that of a pale golden colour with a bit of a head. The beer has some carbonation and, when it settles, some decent lacing
Austrian bier
The aroma for me was quite strong, very metallic with notes of sweet malt and some hops, and a bit of citrus.
The initial taste was very good, sweet malts, and a nice creamy feel on the mouth, The aftertaste was quite bitter and strong, with a very hoppy finish.
Overall the beer had a good mix of flavours, felt like a whole lot was going on, and was very drinkable. Strong enough and did the business. Not a bad beer at all.
Me, just a nipper, wasn’t quite sure what all the fuss was about, but that’s the power of advertising, making Holsten a major player in the UK lager market.
The aroma is grainy with a nice hoppy smell , giving a typical pilsner smell, all lovely and sweet.
