Why Beer? Part 3

When I turned 25 and my dad turned 50 we had a big party (lots of pics and stuff in that link) together with a Viking theme. We served our own brewed mead and “Viking” spiced booze, dressed out and growled allot. Both me and my dad got the same gift from my aunt/his sister; a membership in the home brewers club. This opened up a new world to me. I got a magazine about beer which I have devoured ever since. We also noticed that there where allot more beer festivals besides SBWF.

Top: Hairy Lard Belly (my dad), Little Down Belly (Me), No Hair and Small Club (Roger). Bottom: Ugly Bastard (Martin) and Drunken Beard (Gabriel).

Since I lived in Uppsala our first festival was Belgofesten, a small festival with homebrewed Belgian style beers. It was (and still is) the best festival I have ever visited. Great beers, great people and it was allot of fun talking to all the brewers.

Belgofesten in Uppsala 2007 (Home made belgian style beers). On the picture: Karsten, Martin, Peter (my brother) and me.

Belgofesten 2008. The whole Eriksson family gathered for this one. It looks like I have tried all of the beers already on this picture hehe ;)

We decided we had to go to more of this and two months later we went to the Swedish Championship in home brewing. After that we kept adding more festivals to our yearly calendar. Micro Brewery Festival in Söderbärke. Whiskey festival in Linköping. Wine and cheese festival in Örebro…. and so on… So far we haven’t started brewing ourselves yet but the plans are there as you will soon notice.

Me and my dad at the whisky festival in Linköping 2007. The picture was taken at a Macallan testing. There was some crazy scottish guy on the stage weilding a knife and talking about Macallan. Very interesting :)

I'm still missing pictures from Söderbärke, Örebro Whine and Cheese and the Swedish Championship in Home Brewed Beer, but I will have some more for you later on. Part 4 will be puplished shortly.

(I moved the 2003 Oxford beer festival to 'Why Beer Part 2'.)

Six in the dark

I had a busy Saturday which included both a visit to the house of pain (aka IKEA), grown up Lego (assembling furniture) and cooking for an army (for some reason I always cook to much food). It was also Earth hour yesterday, which means you turn of your electricity between 20:30 and 21:30. I guess allot of people spend this time having sex, but I had some six instead.

I tested Maredsous 6 and Rochefort 6, both of which I have written about previously in my blog but then I didn’t have these bottles. So I figured why not fill in the gaps.

Maredsous 6 (6%)

Appearance: Hazy golden colour with a huge foam that left a ton of lacing. It actually leaves big chunks of foam on the side of the glass. Looks very appealing.

Smell: Ripe fruit, sweet, yeast and nuts.

Taste: Sweet but not so fruity, some nuts, spicy with some yeast and a slight alcoholic taste. However it’s pretty smooth and easy to drink. It feels very balanced but I would have preferred some more spicy taste to it.

Total: 3,7/5

Note: Maredsous 8 got a 3,4/5

While trying this beer, Karin showed up with some freshly baked raspberry and chocolate chunky cup cakes. They worked very well with the beer actually. I would give the combo a 3,5/5.

Rocherfort 6 (7,5%)

Appearance: Hazy dark orange colour with a big foam that quickly disappeared and left no lacing. It also had some yeast in the bottle.

Smell: Dried fruits, nuts and a hint of orange and banana. There’s a distinct smell which I can’t distinguish.

Taste: Strong taste of nuts, also ripe fruit. Fizzy with a small bite to it, alcoholic aftertaste. The mysterious smell is in the taste as well, not sure what it is.

I really like this beer, I’ve actually liked all of the Rochefort beers I’ve had so far.

Total: 4,1/5

Note: Rocherfort 8 got a 4,2/5
Rocherfort 10 got a 4,4/5

Kriek and dessert

I read a comment somewhere that kriek and vanilla ice cream go great together. So yesterday I tried it out and while I was at it I figured I could try some other desserts.

Timmermans Kriek (4,5%)

Appearance: Clear red colour and a small foam with very little lacing.

Smell: Distinct smell of cherries, marzipan and a hint of nuts. The nutty and marzipan smell comes from the cherry stones/seeds that get attacked by the yeast.

Taste: Very sweet taste with lots of cherries and marzipan got a hint of nuts as well. It’s also slightly fizzy and got a small acidic bite to it. It’s not so bad but it’s not as smooth as Lindemans Kriek for instance.

I’m a big fan of lambics and this one is really nice. However it’s not the best I’ve had, it lacks some balance and smoothness to get a better score.

Total: 3,9/5

Now to the dessert testing:

Carte D’ or Vanilla: 3/5
The combo is very nice and fresh. However they don’t complement each other in a way that they enhance the flavor of one another.

Ben & Jerry’s Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream: 4/5
This combo is slightly better, it’s similar to the vanilla but the strawberry in the ice cream and the cherries work great together. It might just be that this ice cream is slightly better though.

Truffles: 5/5
Now things start happening. The kriek enhances the chocolate; meanwhile the chocolate enhances the kriek and really makes it pop in my mouth. It brings out the cherry flavor in the kriek and removes some of the acidity. This is a really good combo even though the truffles alone is by far the worst dessert in this test, I really should buy something better for next time.

Lager and pizza

The missus brought some pizza home from work and I figured this was a good opportunity to try a couple of lagers I had in the fridge. I’m actually not a big fan of lagers. Most of the time I find them boring and they usually taste the same. However I have this weird idea that they work well with pizza.

(We split the two pizzas, to the left some meat and Béarnaise, to the right a kebab pizza)

I got a tip from Bursat to try an Efes 500 ml in a dark bottle, since it is from the old brewery. Systembolaget had a bottle that fit the description, so I hope I managed to get the correct one. Unfortunately I couldn’t get my hands on a different bottle to compare against so I bought a Landsorts Lager from Nynäshamn instead.

Efes Pilsener (5%)

Apperance: Clear yellow colour. Medium foam that left a little lacing.

Smell: Weak smell with a hint of metal and something sweet.

Taste: Lean taste and easy to drink. Had a very low bitterness and hints of bread, metal and that sweet smell I couldn’t but my finger on.

This beer probably works wonders on a sunny beach, but in my livingroom with a snow storm raging outside it feels out of place.

Total: 1,7/5

Nynäshamn Landsorts Lager. (5,3%)

Apperance: Clear golden colour with some small pieces floating in the beer. Small foam that left little to no lacing. For a lager it has a quite appealing apperance.

Smell: Weak smell of bread and metal.

Taste: Medium to low bitterness and a hint of bread and metal. It has a small bite to it and a bit more taste. An ok beer but still a bit boring.

Total: 2,3/5

Nynäshamn won this one, but it was a bit unfair since it's a microbrewery versus a much larger brewery. Efes actually stands it's ground quite well against the other lagers I've tried. Thanks for the tip Bursat Im very interested in more ideas or tips :)

Spring time?

It has felt like this winter will never end and that bottle of Oppigårds Spring Ale is starting to grow dust in my fridge. Well today I had a busy day which started with a very interesting job interview. Then I punished myself in the gym, ran a couple of errands and ended with cleaning the apartment. When I was done, I looked out and realized the weather wasn't half bad and I felt I had earned a reward. So I got my beer, a book and took cower from the chilly winds.

Appearance: The beer had a very appealing appearance with a clear golden color and a big foam that left allot of lacing.

Smell: The smell was very strong of hops and a hint of citrus.

Taste: Got a very fresh and bitter taste of grassy hops. The beer has been dry hopped which you really taste as you drink it. I liked this one, the freshness of the hops really appealed to me.

Total 3,7/5

Oh and I almost forgot… I got the job :)

Why Beer? Part 2

When I turned 21 I went to my first beer festival, Stockholm Beer and Whiskey (SBWF). Me and a bunch of mates together with my dad and a couple of his friends gathered some cars plus drivers and headed off to Stockholm. This was a great evening and I found a new favorite in Nynäshamns Ångbryggeri. I also remember drinking an English beer at their stand, named Pale Rider. Haven’t found it since then, but thought it was absolutely brilliant at the time.

(Me and my mates on our way to the 2002 SBWF)
(visible in the pic from the left is Bjunge, Anton and my brother Peter, then me up front)

(Me, my dad Åke and Christer at the 2002 SBWF)

After that festival, I and my dad started trying beers together when we had a chance. Little by little we also got my kid brother interested and have successfully turned him over to the dark side of beer by now. We made visiting SBWF into a tradition, well my dad had gone there for years but it was new to me and soon also to my brother.

(Me, my dad, Mark and Dave at 2003 SBWF)

(Me, Roger and Martin at the 2004 SBWF, it's not fun standing in line. "Where is the damn beer?!?!)

I missed the 2005 festival due to being in South East Asia at the time. Swinging back beerlao and Singha all day long ;)

(My brother Peter, Me and Tommy at the 2006 SBWF.)

During 2003 me and my dad also went to Oxford to visit Mark and Dave. The trip started with a beer festival at the Turf. Was a really good one and our hosts Mark and Dave wouldn't let us go dry for a second. I remember having 4 glasses at once during one part of the festival.

Me in front of the kegs.

Me, Mark and Dave in a pub some day after the festival. Thanks for the guiding guys! :)

I just realised I had to much text and pictures in this part so I'm splitting this one in two. Next part involves Vikings and home brewing.

Testing La Goudale, Stella and Milk Stout

I have a couple of fun tests coming up but I’m either missing a bottle to make it a full set or the quantity of beer is too large for a solo test. Yesterday I was running out of beer to drink so I headed off to Systembolaget to buy me a couple of beers. I went for the beers I’ve tried before but forgotten what they tasted like. First up was la Goudale (7,2%) from Gayant.

Background: It is a Biére de Gardé which translates to “beer to preserve”. According to Micheal Jacksons book “Beer”, this type of beers works wonders with lamb. But unfortunately I rarely eat lamb so I haven’t been able to try it out.

Apperance: Clear golden colour with a medium foam, which left a nice lacing.

Smell: The smell is very faint, either I'm sick or this smelled like water.

Taste: Has an alcoholic taste, also bread, malty with a hint of pears or apples. The aftertaste had a hint of honey. The taste improved when the temperature went up.

An easy to drink beer, it’s not bad but slightly boring.
Total: 2.8/5

While drinking the above beer I made some homemade pizza and I figured a lager would be suitable. So I opened a Stella Artois (5,2%), a beer I last had 8 years ago. I think I know why now…

Background: Stella has roots all the way back to 1366 and the founding of the brewery Den Horen (the Horn); the symbol for the brewery is visible on the label. In 1717 Sebastian Artois, the current brew master bought the brewery and changed its name. 1926 the beer Stella Artois was introduced. The brewery has since then grown and later on came to merger with another brewery creating InBev.

Apperance: Clear yellow colour, big foam that disappeared fast and left a lacing.

Smell: Had a very weak smell, almost not existent.

Taste: Had a lean and slightly bitter taste which saves it, besides that it was very watery and boring. Probably the worst Belgian beer I’ve ever tasted. However it has the highest score for a lager so far. But I haven’t tested many lagers seriously so far.

Total: 2/5

After those two beers I wanted something better so I pulled out a Milk Stout (5,2%) from Left Hand Brewery. Also a beer I haven’t tried for several years.

Background: The brewery is named after Chief Niwot whose tribe wintered in the area close to the brewery. The name Left Hand is derived from the southern Arapaoe word “Niwot”, meaning Left Hand.

Apperance: Black colour and small light brown foam.

Smell: Smells of dark chocolate, tobacco, smoke and a burned smell I can't describe.

Taste: Tastes of dark bitter chocolate and left a smoked/burned aftertaste in my mouth. A lean but dry beer and I really liked it.

Total: 3,7/5

Testing Kwak

I didnt have a more organised beer testing planned for today so I just grabbed a bottle of Kwak (8,4%) from the fridge.

Background: Kwak is mostly famous for the timeglass shaped glas you can see in the picture to your right. Apparently it's supposed to look like a goblet that riders used during the 18th century. The design made it possible to secury the goblet in the sadel between swigs. The beer is named after Pauwel Kwak who was a legendary inn keeper, famous for his strong ales. This beer is supposedly similar to the one he made.

Apperance: The beer has a clear dark amber colour with a big foam that quickly dissapeared and left a nice lacing.

Smell: Yeast and a sweet smell that reminds me of dried oranges.

Taste: Bread, grass, caramell, sweet, fruity and a burned aftertaste, similar to burned toast. The taste is sweet and leaves a sticky feeling in my mouth.

The alcohol was well hidden, didnt expect to see 8,4% when I checked the bottle after half a glass. I liked this one, its not great but its above average.

Total: 3,7/5

Why beer? Part 1

People tend to get a weird look on their face when I tell them that one of my major interests is beer. Some seem fascinated and I’m sure some just assume I’m a raving alcoholic. I’ve also been asked on several occasions: Why Beer? What’s so interesting about that?

It might be a bit hard or at least vague to explain why. It would just be some general praise of beer and trying to explain the joy of trying a new beer and I don’t think anybody would find that interesting. But I can at least explain how I came to love beer so much.

Most of the time I tell them how my father took me to England when I turned 18 and that’s when it started. I do believe that I got my interest for beer from my father. However, as I think back, I believe it started sooner.

I remember when I was first starting to drink alcohol that I always tried something new if I had the option. At first I just tried different types of lagers. Tried a few different kinds of ales and stouts but remember that I thought they were a bit too much. Hobgoblin is one of the beers I remember from this time. Can’t say I enjoyed it that much.

When I turned 18 we took that trip to England I mentioned earlier. This is when I got my eyes open to other types of beers. First off was real ale. At first I thought it tasted weird, kind of fruity and bland. But I stuck in there and our friends in England took us to some amazing places. (Thanks Mark and Dave!) Once I got back home I was hooked and started trying all sorts of beer. I quickly became known as the guy who always had a bunch of weird beers ;)

Oz and James Drink to Brittain

Rekan wrote about an english show, which got my interest up. It’s about two blokes travelling around England trying to find the drink that represents modern Brittain. Oz Clarke is a wine enthusiast and James May is more of an “I want a pint”-guy, who doesn’t want to complicate things. Both of them are probably famous in England, but I’ve never heard of them.

They take a caravan across Brittain. Trying whisky in Scottland, stout in Ireland, perry on the border to Wales and so on. They also make their own beer and have it judged at a beer festival, visit a wide range of breweries and drive a race car on alcohol.

The series has gotten some critique from beer enthusiasts in England. Personally I liked the series. It’s not a beer geeks wet dream but it was entertaining. If I got any critique it would be that they don’t go into any depth on some interesting beers. An example is when they try Samuel Adams Utopias and the only thing they say is: “It’s the strongest beer in the world” and then they make fun of the flask. Would have been interesting to know more about the beer. They also tried allot of non-english drinks which doesn’t fit with the goal of the show. But the last thing doesn’t really matter to me. I recommend everybody to watch it and make their own opinion about it.

Middle of the month release

I went to Systembolaget to buy this months middle of the month news. For thoose of you who aren't from Sweden I can inform you that there are two releases of new beer every month. On the first monday of every month there is a big release across the country. In the middle of the month there is a smaller release in three stores, one in each city: Stockholm, Göteborg and Malmö.

This month there was four beers:

Oerbier, Belgien, 330 ml. 29.90

Nøgne Ø Sahti, Norge, 500 ml, 63.00

XS Old Crustacean Barley Wine, 2008, USA, 750 ml, 139.00

Belgian Style Tripel Ale Alesmith Mikkeller Stone, USA, 355 ml, 64.90

I also bought a couple of beers they are gonna stop selling on the shelfs, Karlströms Malt wrote about it in his blog. I bought these for a last test before they dissapear:

La Trappe Dubbel 6,5% 330 ml
Chimay röd 7% 330 ml
Traquair House Ale 7.2% 330 ml
Black Boss Porter 7% 500 ml

Sleepy Bulldog Pale Ale

Me and the missus went to Stockholm to meet up with her mother and some relatives. As usual we made a pitstop at Bishops Arms on Vasagatan. I aimed for the guest taps and there I find Tommy Tommy sitting and drinking a beer. He was on his way to Thailand and had taken an early train to Stockholm to grab a couple of beers while waiting for the plane. The guy was definitely thirsty ;)

After a quick chat I ordered a Sleepy Bulldog Pale Ale from Gotlands Bryggeri (Spendrups). Was an average IPA, had medium bitterness and a pleasent smell, hopy and some citrus. But the taste was a bit to weak to get a high grade.

Bihops had allot of Sierra Nevada on the taps tonight. Only other beer that felt interesting was the Harvest Ale. Unfortunately I didnt have time to test it but at least I have a bottle at home for future testing.

Testing Leffe

As I have mentioned before, we participated in a brewing course at Monks a while back. We brewed a dark strong Belgian ale, a double in other words and named it Sugar Daddy Double (SDD). When we later tested it someone said that it reminded him of Leffe Brune. Well I of course felt I needed to test it out so I bought a bottle and figured I might as well buy a Blonde while I’m at it.



Compared to SDD Leffe Brune has a clear dark amber color close to black, while SDD had a hazy dark colour and darker foam. Leffe has a similar spicy smell and taste. What differs between them is that Leffe has a metallic taste and SDD was more malty. I’m biased on the subject but I feel that SDD was allot better. Well it was brewed in a much smaller scale so that might be it. Regarding the question of its similarity my friend wasn’t off by much.


I also tried Leffe Blonde and it was allot better than Brune. A round yeasty taste with hints of apple, spices and hops. Felt really nice and is a great way to start if you are new to Belgian beer.

Testing Orval

I tried Orval today and was hoping to do it in the warm sun. But when I finally got the beer poured and ready the sun was gone but no problem. At least I had a tasty glass of beer to comfort me with. I gotta say it was some comfort :)

The monestary that brews Orval was formed by immigrating Italian monks in 1076, but they moved out after only 40 years. The monastery was then inhabited by different kinds of monks until the trappist monks took over in 1132. The monestary has been raided twice since then and lay in ruins between 1790 and 1930 when the trappists returned and rebuilt the monestary. The brewery has since then become a separate company but the winnings still go to the monestary.

Orval is slightly different compared to the other trappists. Well for starters its not divided into doubles, triples and so on. Its just one beer and well they do it good. The beer ferments three times and is dry hoped with Hallertau and Styrian Golding hops. The beer doesn’t taste like any of the other kinds of trappist beers. It also looks different with a hazy copper colour and a huge foam. It doesn’t fit perfectly with the whole double-triple types, its close to a double. It tastes of yeast, spices, citrus fruits, wood and a hint of nuts. It had a stingy bitterness but it suited the beer quite nicely. It also improved the warmer it got, it was a bit to cold to start with. Orval is a really great beer and gives great value for your money.

Currently on a trappist testing spree

Some of you might wonder why I'm testing all these seemingly common beers instead of some of the new ones that have been released over the past couple of months. Well first of all those beers are now located in Frövi awaiting test together with my father and brother who also helped pay for it. But also I’ve always wanted to go back and do a more serious tasting of the trappists and also rate them at Ratebeer to get a better grip on them. I also try and read up a bit about each beer and so far I feel I’ve learned lots from it. I’m gonna keep testing from the normal supply at Systembolaget when I get the time to do so.

Ive done two of the seven trappists, Rochefort and Westmalle. But I got most of the others prepared in the magic beer storage.

Ölsvammel goes english

I realised I have to many friends that doesn't understand swedish. So I'm currently in the process of translating the blog to english. All future articles will be published in english. I'm also working on translating the header and other stuff as well.

What do you think. Should I call it Beer Gibberish, or Beer Drivel, or maybe Beer Dribbel? Or does anybody have a better suggestion?

Cheers!

Framtida provningar

Jag fick ett mail från farsan för några dagar sedan. Han hade gått igenom öl-förrådet och organiserat det lite. Givetvis tog han några bilder som han bifogade i mailet.

Ett par belgare och jänkare.



Fler jänkare.

En gäng svenskar

En blandning av brittisk, amerikansk, italiensk och norsk öl. Ser ut som fokus legat på ekfatslagrat och smaksatt öl.

Även detta en blandning samt ett par överblivna julöl.

Ser ut som att påsken blir en tung öl-provarhelg igen. Vi måste ju även prova årets påsköl samt mitt i månaden släppet denna månad :)

O'Connors i Uppsala

Det blev ingen Leffe provning igår. Istället tog jag och sambon en oplanerad tur till Uppsala. Hon hade några böcker att hämta på Universitetsbiblioteket och jag smet därför iväg till O'Connors för att prova några öl. Det är ett ställe jag brukade smita in på när vi bodde där under studietiden. Dom brukar alltid ha en massa intressanta öl på tap och även en del på flaska. Så även denna gång. Tyvärr hade jag ingen kamera med mig denna gång.

Jag möttes i baren av en mycket trevlig bartender som tyckte det var kul att diskutera öl. Sånt uppskattar jag verkligen. Jag började med att prova Slottskällans Decenium Bocköl på fat. Den hade en härligt gyllenbrun färg och kraftigt skum. Luktade lite fruktigt sött av banan. Smakade av karamell, malt, bröd och aningen fruktigt. Den kändes dock lite klen för att vara en bock, men väldigt behaglig och lättdrucken.

Jag hade sen tänkt prova Mahou Negra på fat eftersom jag inte hört talas om den. Men tydligen hade teknikern på Carlsberg supit till det och kopplat fel så flera kranar fungerade inte. Istället provade jag en Samuel Adams White Ale på fat. Men den måste det ha blivit något fel med. Luktade och smakade konstigt av ost och mjölk.

Efter det tog jag en Deuchars IPA från Caledonian, denna fanns dock bara på flaska. Även denna hade en mörkt gyllene färg med ett medelt stort skum. Kryddig doft. Smakade blommigt av humle men inte särskilt besk. I eftersmaken kunde man känna tydliga honungstoner. Kändes inte riktigt som en IPA.

Mitt i min provning av Deuchars så dök sambon upp och vi beställde in en varsinn hamburgertallrik. Det var ingen dålig laddning man fick. Hamburgaren var gjord på plats med rejält med köttfärs som serverades i ett fiberberikat bröd tillsamans med ost och bacon. Till detta fick man en rejält tilltagen portion pommes med cole slaw, dressing och sallad. Smakade riktigt bra och kostade bara 129 kr så det var prisvärt jämfört med Stockholm där en motsvarande tallrick kan kosta 30 kronor mer och då får man halva portioner. Jag kan reomendera O'Connors om ni är på besök i Uppsala. Trevlig personal, intressant och god öl och prisvärd pubmat. Det ligger i ena hörnet på det stora torget mitt i stan. Det finns även en del andra bra pubbar i stan, tex den engelska pub som ligger bredvid universitetshuset. Men om ni är student så ska ni givetvis prova nationerna. Vissa av dom har riktigt bra öl-utbud för ovanligt låga priser.

Innan vi åkte tillbaka till Stockholm så tog jag mig en Sierra Nevada Pale Ale på fat. Smakade som den brukar, blommigt humlig doft och smak med en härlig beska.

Westmalle

Jag har kört en del trappistprovningar nu och planerar att fortsätta med det. Förrådet har lagrats upp med olika typer av trappistöl och jag har t.o.m. privatimporterat La Trappe Quadrupel tillsamans med en massa gubbar. För dom som är intresserade av trappistöl så kan jag rekomendera att läsa Magnus Barks senaste inlägg om trappistöl i hans blogg Ofiltrerat. Vilket jag själv tyckte var intressant läsning.

Min testning av trappistöl går vidare, igår var det dags för Westmalle. Jag hade inhandlat en dubbel och en trippel, dom har även en extra men den serveras tydligen bara i bryggeriet/klostret. Klostret grundades 1794 av franska munkar som flydde Frankrike under revolutionen. 1836 återtog dom ölbryggningen sedan flykten, vilket gör Westmalle till det äldsta trappist-bryggeriet av dom sju. 1856 började dom sälja öl till allmänheten. 1921 skapades ett separat företag för bryggeriet och sedan dess har dom fortsatt växa och är idag det största trappist-bryggeriet. Utöver att vara störst och äldst så var det även dom som skapade öltyperna dubbel och trippel.



Jag bröjade min provning med deras Dubbel, som dom började brygga 1856. Den har en mörk färg med ett kraftig skum som lämnar rester på glasväggarna när den sjunker undan. Ni kan se den i glaset på bilden. Smaken var vinös, söt, fruktig, brödig och maltig. En behaglig och bra dubbel.

Deras Trippel började bryggas först 1934 och är en ljus ale men med kraftig alkoholhalt på hela 9,5%. För att lyckas hålla ölen ljus men få en hög alkoholhalt tillsätter dom råsäd och kandisocker. Den höga alkoholhalten känner man dock knappt av till en början. Men när ölen fick lite mer värme så framkom den allt tydligare. Annars hade den en härligt blommig humleton, inte alls like söt som dubbeln.

Båda dessa öl var riktigt bra. Om jag skulle välja en favorit av dom två Westmalle ölen, så är det definitivt dubbeln. Tycker att alkoholsmaken tog över lite på slutet av trippeln tyvärr och den hade en bitig eftersmak som jag inte uppskattade helt.

Ikväll blir det nog en Leffe provning, eftersom jag vill prova deras mörka för att se om den påminner om Sugar Daddy Double. Jag har även Chimay att prova, men det är fyra flaskor och jag tror jag tar det nån gång när jag får besök istället.

Avtackning

Jag var på jobbet och blev avtackad igår. Det var trevligare än jag väntat mig och jag fick först en flaska Nils Oscar India Ale som ett internt skämt. Sen fick jag en flaska whisky: Glen Elgin, lagrad i 16 år.

Givetvis provade jag båda så snart jag kom hem. Ölen var härligt humlig och blommig, med en härlig beska. Den var dock inte så extrem som en del amerikanske pale ale. Ganska lättdrucken faktiskt och len och fin i smaken. Fast jag är ju en liten humle-hora så jag föredrar dom rejält humlade pale ale som finns. Men jag kan helt klart tänka mig att dräpa ett par till flaskor av denna.

Efter ölen korkade jag upp whiskyn och den smakade riktigt bra. Toner av mörk choklad och en aningen vanlij. Inte så rökig som vissa andra sorter jag provat. Tyckte den var len och fin och den slank ned alldeles utmärkt i strupen :)

Tack till alla på Neonet för den fina avtackningen. Kommer att sakna att jobba med er.

Ikväll blir det provning av Westmalle, Dubbel och Trippel. Har en låda tryfflar att kombinera med också. Återkommer med resultat.

Ps. Ni missade inte den sunkiga t-shirten va? ;)

Fondueboden

Jag och sambon firade 10-år för en tid sedan. Men tyvärr uteblev restaurang besöket pga sjukdom. Men igår kom vi till slut iväg till Fondueboden. Det är ett ställe som bara serverar fondue. Vi tog en mixad meny med fläskfilé, biff och mex-marinerad kycklingfilé. Till det får man en mängd olika såser, pommes frites, grönsaker, nachos och bröd med en hummus-liknande röra. Som ni kanske förstår så var det en rejäl laddning med mat och man får hur mycket påfyllning som man vill. Men vi behövde aldrig någon påfyllning. Till efterrätt tog vi toblereone fondue som serverades med vaniljglass och olika tillbehör att doppa i chokladen, tex. banan, jordgubbar, annanas, maräng osv.... Allting smakade riktigt bra och det var svårt att sluta äta.

Servicen är riktigt bra på det här stället och maten dök upp inom 1 minut från att vi beställde. Till maten tog jag en Affligem Blonde. Hade tänkt prova den mörka också men tyvärr var den slut. Men det är kul att dom har någon intressant öl iallafall. Alldeles för många ställen skiter fullständigt i vad dom serverar för öl. Flera av dessa verkar tro att ett bra öl-utbud är det samma som att ha en massa olika blask-lager. Minns att jag en gång stog på Café Opera och skulle beställa öl. Frågade om dom hade något annat än Carlsberg. Nä, sa servitören, men vi har både Hof, Export och på flaska. Sen avslutade han med ett blänkande leende. Kan inte säga att jag blev så långvarig på det stället ;) Svårt att tro att jag besökt en julölsfestival på Café Opera en gång. Det var en av dom bättre jag besökt faktiskt. Det var så få besökare att vi i princip hade en egen bartender genom hela besöket. :)

Nåja tillbaka till ölen. Den var helt ok, härligt gyllene färg med stort skum. Maltig med lite humletoner. Väldigt rund och len vilket gjorde att den slank ned fint i strupen. Tyvärr kändes den lite tråkig och saknade djup för att få några högre poäng. Men en 3.5 lyckades den skrapa hem av mig på ratebeer iallafall.