The Ultimate Beer Tasting 1999
Galbraith's Alehouse
11th December 1999
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Tasting Notes:
1. Rodenbach Alexandra
cherry, raspberry, sour, apple, cider, soft, balanced, good, nice, could drink more, more defined fruit
2. Rodenbach Grand Cru
similar nose, more sour, less fruit, pepper, very complex, a lot of fruity characters, red/ruby colour, vinegar, aroma is challenging, tongue wrenching
3. Celebrator
rich, brown, burnt toffee, brewed to give the malt experience, worty, chocolate, yeast?
4. La Chouffe
fluffy, citrus, subtle clove, fruity, orange, lychee, soft, complex, creamy
5. Westmalle - Tripple
hops and alcohol in nose, alcohol bite, dry, bitter? not balanced, light honey, clean, refreshing, honey/malt
6. Chimay - Grand Reserve
nose=yeast, iron?, round malt with pleasant yeast, more mellow than normal
7. Rochefort 8
orange and alcohol nose, maltiness, yeast, fruit esters, rum and raisin, Christmas cake, smooth, a great beer?, alcohol, dry?
8. Gordon Finest Blonde
alcohol/malt, sweet, malty, alcohol, laura's beer
9. Thomas Hardy Ale
like a port, nice, pineapple, smelly socks,sulfur, ripe.......
...igloo ?
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Rankings of these beers by a group of skilled tasters
Mark - 4, 1, 9
Luke - 4, 9, 7
Wendy - 4, 9, 1
Laura - 4, 9, 1
Malcolm - 1, 4, 5
Scott - 9, 8, 5
Clint - 4, 2, 3
From this ranking the winner of the night was
1. La Chouffe
2. Thomas Hardy Ale
3. Rodenbach Alexandra
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Once we had reached this point and the serious tasting stopped, we tasted a few other beers that were most enjoyable. I'm not sure if everyone got to taste these or if this is a complete list, but this is want I remember.
Benedition
Rochefort 10
Westmalle - Dubbel
Guinness Foreign Extra 7.5%
McEwans Scotch Ale
Old Peculier
Adventinus
Faro - too sweet?
Geuze ........
A fun night had by all.