Tag Archives: World beers

The Foxes Rock

The Foxes Rock

The Foxes Rock 

http://dev.stationworksbrewery.com/products/?s=the-foxes-rock

Brewed by Station Works Brewery (Cumberland Breweries Ltd)
Newry, County Down, Northern Ireland

Pearse Lyons, from Dundalk, is from a family steeped in the brewing tradition and he was the first Irishman to achieve a Masters Degree of Science in Brewing Science from the British School of Malting and Brewing in 1968. While at university, he did an internship at Guinness and later worked as a biochemist for Irish Distillers, makers of the well known and loved Jameson whiskey. So you could say he is well versed in the craft.

The Foxes RockHe set up the company Alltech in his garage in 1980 while living in Kentucky for work purposes. Lyons used his fermentation expertise to helping brewers. He then moved into agri business, more particularly, animal feed and animal nutrition. Overtime Alltech has become one of the fastest growing companies in the global animal health industry, continually making a tidy profit year in year out, and with an annual turnover of $1.6 billion. Not bad for the fella who got a 10,000 Dollar loan to start off in his garage!

But not to forget the roots of the industry, Lyons jumped at the chance to purchase Lexington Brewing Company in 1999, and over time he managed to resurrect the brewing and distilling tradition of Lexington that dates back to 1794, and produce a successful range of Kentucky Ale beer that have proved popular amongst the drinking masses.

Growing his international alcohol division, Alltech acquired a craft brewery in Northern Ireland (The Station Works Brewery) and also one in England (Cumberland Breweries Ltd), representing a return to his roots as such, and a major expansion into Europe of his successful American brewing division.

With three new breweries under construction in the United States, and a major investment in a new distillery in the heart of the Dublin at the former St James Church, where his grandfather is buried, Lyons is set to continue the family history.

Review: 500ml Bottle of The Foxes Rock Pale Ale: ABV: 4.5% vol. Style: Irish Craft Pale Ale

The Foxes RockHand crafted Irish ales, as it says on the bottle. Note to the clowns in Beeradvocate/ratemy beer…..that means it is an Irish beer and not a British beer!

Got a lovely dark golden colour with a nice frothy white head on the appearance. Some small carbonation too.

Head did die a little and there was only some small retention.

Goes a bit murky and cloudy as the hops settle.

The beer had a nice malty smell, very nice aroma, with some citrus notes as well, piercing on the nose.

The Foxes RockOn taste, a lot of hops, very hoppy as you would expect for a standard craft beer pale ale.

It is ok, with nothing amazing, just a pretty standard fare beer, and if IPA is your thing then probably this would be fine for you.

Strong, can feel the alcohol.

A hoppy, slightly malty, yeasty drink and is tasty enough, but standard and nothing special. 

Ok as a slow burner, but overall it is too bitter for me and forgettable.

Review: 500ml Bottle of The Foxes Rock Red Ale: 4.5% vol. Style: Irish Red Ale

The Foxes RockOn appearance we get a very darkish red colour as you would expect, with a small frothy white head, looks ok.

Some small carbonation going on, and some good lacing. Looks decent enough, even if it goes a bit cloudy in the end.

The aroma is lovely, Smell is tinty and piercing, and smelling the fruits and sweet malts,

It has a nice light lager smell.

Tastes like a full bodied ale, as it should be really. 

The Foxes RockAnother slow burner, very hoppy.

For a red ale this could and should be better. Also a good bit hoppy, like the Pale Ale and not a whole lot different in the taste if truth be told.  

On second bottle, the tastes start to become clearer, get a half decent initial taste that is ok, a nice big mouthful of malt and fruits. But is just a little too hoppy and bitter for me.

Is tasty but nothing overall to back it up and let it linger in the mouth.

Another disappointment. 

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Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock

Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock

Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock

http://www.ayinger.de/cms/index.php/celebrator.htm

Brewed by Brauerei Aying
Style: Doppelbock
Aying, Germany

The Ayinger brewery, founded in 1877, is located in Aying, Bavaria, Germany, and not too far from the city of Munich. The independently owned brewery has a number of beers that it produces but it is mainly its well known Celebrator Doppelbock that is their big seller. 

Peter Liebhard had taken over from his father the family farm and estate. He, and his son Johann, figured that their servants, maids, and guests were bound to get thirsty now and again so they decided to establish their own brewery to cater for them.  So, in 1876, Johann Liebhard took over the farm from his father and put into action their plan to open a brewery. The brewery was built the next year in 1877, and with technical developments in brewing and also the addition of a railway, the brewery expanded tenfold. 

Ayinger Celebrator DoppelbockAs Liebhard had no male heirs, he handed over the reigns to his eldest daughter, Maria and, her husband and his son-in-law, August Zehentmair, who continued the operation of the brewery and of the estate. Coming out of the First World War, was difficult for the brewery, but they managed it, with August having to take out heavy loans to keep up with the day to day running of the estate, the farms and, of course, the brewery. 

After all the many setbacks, they progressed again in no small part to the technical developments of the brewery in the 1920’s. Bottle washing and a filling plant were purchased, a cooling vessel was added to their fermentation cellar, a beer truck would make transportation easier and with the popularity of beer in Munich, and with all the breweries in and around the city, yes it was a good time to be in the beer industry. 

But of course then came Hitler and the Nazi’s. But it wasn’t only that. In 1936, August Zehentmair died quite unexpectedly at the age of 56, also without any male heirs. The eldest daughter, Maria Kreszenz, and her husband, Franz Inselkammer were next on the Ayinger throne. However, just like the first World War, the brewery under Franz Inselkammer, rebounded stronger, and with the post war boom, once again prospered. 

Ayinger Celebrator DoppelbockFranz and Maria Kreszenz managed to have three sons Franz, August and Peter. In 1963, the oldest, Franz, took control, but he was also helped by his two brothers, a period which saw further expansion and modernization within the company.

Even today, the new brewery in Aying is still one of the most technically advanced breweries in Europe. Where we are at the present is that Franz Inselkammer III, a son, is in control of the company, the sixth generation.  

Ayinger’s Celebrator, using purely local ingredients from Aying and the surrounding area, is considered to be one of the better doppelbocks on the market, having won a gold medal at the World Beer Awards in 2017 in “the Strong Lager” category, and also a gold medal at the World Beer Awards in 2015 in the category- “Germany’s Best Doppelbock”
For the internet geeks it was rated as the “Best beer from Germany,” on the beer rating site Ratebeer.com in 2014 and 2015 and the “World’s Top Strong Lager,” on the same site in 2015.
And if that wasn’t enough, the beer hunter and all round expert on all things related to beer, the one and only Michael Jackson called it a “World classic.”. With all those accolades, I just know that this beer is going to be a disappointment!!! 

Just to refresh: a doppelbock (“a double bock”) is a strong lager originating from Germany, primarily consumed during the spring months to celebrate the end of winter. Bock means “billy-goat” in German, hence the goats that you will always see on the bottles. Doppelbocks are usually very malty, dark in colour, and and have a stronger ABV than an average lager. 

Review: 0,33l. Bottle of Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock: ABV: 6.7% vol 

Ayinger Celebrator DoppelbockAyinger Celebrator is little changed from the doppelbock first brewed at Ayinger way back in 1878, using the same old recipe in today’s brews. 

Nice brown bottle with a lovely old fashioned design and striking label, very nice. Also have a cheapish looking ornament, in the form of a plastic white goat, with it tied around the neck, which is a bit silly, but there you go. A goat of course representing the fact that it is a doppelbock. 

On pour got a darkish brown coloured beer, almost black in fact with purple/reddish looking highlights, with a nice decent sized tan head, some good carbonation going on too, and overall the appearance looks pretty damn good. It all looks very appetizing, nice n frothy. 

The smell is equally as good. Got a wide variety of smells, was very malty, got some fruity smells of raisins and prunes, and with strong hints of alcohol.

Loved the smell which was strong and pleasant on the nose.

Ayinger Celebrator DoppelbockTaste, got some nice creamy tastes and very filling mouthfuls. Nice hoppy aftertaste which can be felt at the back end, nice and manageable. 

Can taste the fruits, and, of course, the sweet malts and caramel.

Nice enough, a slow burner and definitely one to relax with and sup.

If there was one negative is that I did get a little bit of dryness in the mouth.
The alcohol is also well hidden, very well hidden.

It’s alright, is very tasty for sure and I got a fulsome feeling.  A nicely balanced beer with a lot of flavours to be had.

On the second pint the alcohol was finally hitting me, got the beery taste. It is 6.7% after all, but it is manageable and not overpowering.

Over all yeah its a good beer, not bad and a nice and tasty brew, very drinkable and not very sour or bitter. 
Was a bit tipsy after the second pint, but it was easy enough to drink overall.

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Saverne 8,8 Premium

Saverne 8,8 Premium

Saverne 8,8 Premium

http://www.brasserielicorne.com/

Brewed by Karlsbräu (Karlsberg)
Style: Euro Strong Lager
Saverne, France 

Saverne 8,8 PremiumBrasserie de Saverne, as part of the Brasserie Licorne group, but all distributed and controlled by Karlsbräu (Karlsberg) and not to be confused with Carlsberg!! 

The Brasserie Licorne, established in 1845, is located in Saverne, in the Alsace region of France. The Licorne brewery is a family run company whose know-how has been passed down from generation to generation. It was owned by a succession of families, the Ebeners who were the original family, and then the Schweickhardts, Gerbers, Beckers and Webers.

In 1989 the brewery was taken over by German brewing group Karlsberg, one of the largest breweries in Germany. It is called Karlsbräu outside of Germany to differentiate it from the Danish brewing company Carlsberg.

Review: 500ml Can of Saverne 8,8 Premium: ABV: 8.8% vol 

Saverne 8,8 PremiumComing in a black can with a large “8,8”  ringed by a double yellow circle and with the words “strong beer” in English, French, German and Italian. Yes that would work if you want to catch the eye of the beer drinker whose ambition is to get fucked on cheap beer!!

On pour I got a dark golden orange beer that produced a very big frothy white head which settled well, with a very good bit of carbonation, can hear it whizzing around. Altogether this beer looks good and looks very appetizing and filling. Get a lot in the can.

No lacing. 

Colour does go a little murky after a while.

The smell was quite strong, a beery aroma, was yeasty and malty, and hoppy. 

Can definitely smell the alcohol that’s for sure. 

On taste, fuck me, there is a very strong initial taste, grainy with a very sweet flavour, but it is actually ok. Not great, but ok.

Saverne 8,8 PremiumNice big mouthfuls. Creamy and Tasty.

After you take a taste you get to appreciate it afterwards as it leaves a nice lasting affect in your mouth.

Very bitter and acidic taste, but afterwards it sinks in.

This is a very strong tasting beer, where you get the taste lightning up afterwards, a little while later, weird!! A bit of a slow burner.

A very tasty beer, bitter, hoppy, but manageable, but just about.

Needs to be served cold to be fully appreciated.

Overall it is very tasty. Yeah in the end not bad. Liked it in the end. Strong too.

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Black Forest Michel

Black Forest Michel

Schwarzwald Michel 

http://shop.alpirsbacher.de/bier/schwarzwald-michel.html

Brewed by Alpirsbacher Klosterbräu
Style: Helles/Pale Lager
Alpirsbach, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany

Black Forest MichelAlpirsbacher Klosterbräu is a brewing company in a small town called Alpirsbach in the Black Forest region of Germany.

The company was founded in 1877 by Johann Gottfried Glauner who reactivated the former monastery brewery. In 1880 the company was passed onto his son, Carl Albert Glauner and in 1906 the company was renamed to Alpirsbacher Klosterbräu. The company was, and is,  continuously held by the Glauner family that is now in its fourth generation of ownership.

I have tried their products before, their big seller and award winning beer, the “spezial” lager, which was fine, and their Märzenbier which I liked. 

Other beers they produce have also won prestigious awards. Its Pils getting a silver in the World Beer Cup in 2014, and its Wheat crystal, Monastery Starkbier and Monastic Substance all picking up awards in the World Beer Awards

Review: 0,5l Bottle of Schwarzwald Michel: ABV: 4.8% vol 

Black Forest MichelSchwarzwald Michel translates as Black Forest Michel in English!

This beer is exclusively brewed for Edeka, a German supermarket giant, as a special thanks for all their years of cooperation with the company. 

Has an interesting label of what looks like a blond, blue eyed (“Aryan” cough!) German woodcutter.

On appearance got a very light golden colour, and a nice soft white head.

A good bit of carbonation, beer buzzing along, a lively beer.

Looks lovely as it has a nice colour and a decent sized head, good start.

Black Forest MichelHas a very nice aroma, it smells of malts and hops all light but fresh and fine on the nose.

The taste is nice and soft, and very easy to drink, really smooth and refreshing with its subtle flavours and light tastes. Can detect citrus, wheat, malt notes, and it is also a little creamy.

Nice and malty. The barley malts hitting the spot. 

Got lovely mouthfuls. Very nice to drink. Tastes like a decent lager. Nice, I like it. 

Citrus notes are quite apparent in this beer. 

Was tasty and very easy to drink. Excellent, loved it. Recommended

 

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1906 Reserva Especial

1906 Reserva Especial

1906 Reserva Especial

https://cerveza1906.es/cerveza-1906-reserva-especial/

Brewed by Hijos De Rivera, S.A. 
Style: Amber Lager
LA Coruña, Galicia, Spain

1906 Reserva EspecialMy second beer from the Hijos De Rivera brewery, having tried their Estrella Galicia pale lager a while back and which I generally liked. That was a good session beer so I had highish hopes for this brew from their collection. 

In the year of 1906 a Mr. José María Rivera Corral, who had just returned from his trip to Mexico and full of enthusiasm and bright ideas, decided to start his own brewery in the city of La Coruña, in the North West of Spain and called it the “La Estrella de Galicia” factory whose main products would be beers and soft drinks.The Rivera brewery is still owned and operated by the same family, by his great grandson and namesake. 

In the 90’s the company diversified and expanded into new markets such as for mineral water, juices, ciders and vinegars. But the main brand of the brewery is Estrella Galicia, a 5.5% abv pale lager brewed since the beginning of the brewery, and a brand that is found all over Spain and also exported to the UK, Germany, Switzerland, Portugal, Brazil, Mexico and the United States, amongst others.

Review: 33cl Bottle of 1906 Reserva Especial: ABV: 6.5% vol 

1906 Reserva EspecialThe beer has won a stack of international awards….at the Monde Selection and the World Beer Challenge amongst the many. 

The bottle caught my eye…..the design of the label was quirky enough, looked more like a bottle of wine with its age printed……1906…..looked intriguing, so I snapped it up. The 1906 refers, of course, to the date the brewery was founded. 

A pretty good looking beer in appearance, with a lovely decent sized frothy white head and a nice golden colour.

Very good lacing with a head that maintains throughout. 

Good carbonation.

Lovely smell, very beery, very malty, very good smell…… 

1906 Reserva EspecialSmell is very strong on nose, grains, malty. Yeah liked the aroma.

Taste is very sweet initially, front taste is hoppy and too sweet, not a great start.

Horrible! Typical, always the way….good smell n good looking but always a shitty beer, why is that?

On taste got a creamy mouthful.

Very hoppy. Not great, not smooth.

Ok, there are some tastes, mainly malt and sweet grains, but overall it is tough to drink. Not nice at all, what a pity. 

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