Vic Case Swap Xmas In July 2010 Tasting Thread

[Fourstar]

24. Siborg - Amber Ale

Mild sweet malt, some toffee and light damp forest and woody hop aromas but otherwise quite clean. A creamy ivory head w/very fine foam and a light copper appearance. Palate is chewy crystal malt, deep caramel and nutty malt characters. moderate spicy hops with a lingering sweetness and toasty breadcrusts in the finish. moderate body and moderate carbonation. a very well balanced beer and very well crafted.

So far this is the cleanest beer have tasted. Very well done with the yeast management Siborg! As i said to you a few months back at MB's meeting. If sourness is the ONLY thing you have to fix, you will have cracking beer. Mate, this is beautiful. Keep up the hard work. I wish my brewing came along as fast as yours has.

:icon_chickcheers:

 

[Cocko]

I wish my brewing came along as fast as yours has.

Here here!

Well done Sim.

 

[donmateo]

15. Hutch - Belgian Tripel

MMMMmmm - enjoying this one a lot.
As far as I can tell this is pretty nice work.
Great stuff.

 

[chris.taylor.98]

14. seemax - Cascadian Steam Beer

Very low level of carbination for the bottle I tried, probably needed a bit longer to carb up.

Very subtle malt profile, little bit on the sweet side, which would make sense if it was still carbing up.

Good subtle hop flavours, and as the name suggests is distinctly cascade like.

Next time I will take head of the squeeze test before opening a bottle too early (sorry seemax)

All in all a good beer, perfect for a quaffer on a hot summers day.

 

[[email protected]]

Chapter 2

Things were all jumbled up. I woke up and stumbled out of bed to get myself some breakfast but found the cupboard was bare. There was nothing edible in the fridge either, apart from a bottle of beer. Well at least there was some sustenance to get my day started off on the right foot. Luckily the only clean glass I had left in the cupboard was a beer glass, so everything was now falling in to place. I poured out the beer and immediately a giant white fluffy cloud billowed out of the glass. Then the aroma hit me. What was it? Lime? Concerned that someone had spiked my beer while I had not been looking I rang the authorities.
"FBI, how can we help you?" asked a female voice through the phone.
"I think someone has spiked my beer with lime juice!" I replied. "Is it safe to drink?"
"Yes" she replied.
So I drank the beer. It tasted pretty good, though I could still taste the lime. "Thanks for you help. Who are you anyway?"
"Skully from X-Files. We suspect that aliens may have spiked your beer, but I assure you that is harmless." She hung up the phone.
Assured, I went about the rest of my day.

 

[Fourstar]

18. mcook - American Pale Ale

Fruit tingle aromas with aspicy citrus hop characteristic on the nose. Quite clean with sweet malt, nuts, breadcrusts and an almost buttercake aroma (wihtout the diacetyl)

Palate is balanced malt and hops. spicy citrus hops, rich breadcrust and sweet nutty malt. A moderate carbonation and moderate-full mouthfeel. the finish is all about the malt with lingering bitterness. rich malt complexity in this beer with perfect balance.

A very well made beer Mcook! quite impressed. im enjoying every sip! :icon_cheers:

 

[zebba]

19. Chris Taylor - English Brown

Pulled this straight out of the box and drank it at ambient. There was a short hiss on opening the bottle. Poured with a tight cream head, that gradually receded to a ring around the glass. Carb was mild, as expected, colour and clarity were brilliant.

I loved this one. Not a fan of coffee, and there were coffee flavours (as you'd expect), but they were within my coffee loathing threshold, and imo balanced more towards cocoa then coffee. Spicy, with hint of fruits that I tried but was unable to identify.

It reminded me very much of Orkney Dark Island, but without the DI's biggest fault. DI I found lacked a little body, and had a slightly watery finish - this did not suffer that weaknes, with the flavour lingering.

Excellent beer, but having experienced the a few of Chris' beers in the past I didn't expect anything less.

 

[manticle]

1: Warmbeer: American Porter

Pours dark brown with a small head, low carbonation. Red highlights when held to the light, fairly clear.

This review is going to be a bit mixed up.- I first opened this the other night and got the aroma and flavour of phenolics - almost like an intense Belgian ale. It wasn't bad but it was confusing. Anyway it was the end of the night so I resealed the bottle and left it on top of the fridge. tried it again today and while I got a little something I could relate to yeast, it was far more subdued. This time I could taste chocolate and nuts.

Very little in the way of hops, american or otherwise. I'm not sure what's led to my mixed up reception. I think a little more complexity in terms of malt character would be good but the chocolate and nut characteristics get a big thumbs up. The flavours are generally balanced with a malt focus and a touch of yeastiness.

Take the above review with a grain of salt - I reckon my palate is fatigued from reviewing beers over the last few days (and drinking beers and wine and port and brandy and french cider and eating loads of chilli)

 

[mxd]

MXD - Yarrasippi Pale ale #28

This IS my style of beer! Beautiful!

Huge fruity aroma that blends into the flavour perfectly. Another beer I will be looking up the recipe!

Awesome beer MXD! I wish I had more...

thanks, hope the rest of the my bottles/reviews goes this well, I'll get my case on Wednesday night and start sampling.

 

[zebba]

thanks, hope the rest of the my bottles/reviews goes this well, I'll get my case on Wednesday night and start sampling.

Well consider this another glowing review.

The ONLY negative I could come up with was that it was a little murkey. But then, I'm pretty sure I accidentally tipped it upside down whilst carrying the bottle upstairs. So even though it's not your fault, I'm still marking this as a negative. Sorry bud, that's how the cookie crumbles.

But in all seriousness, it's an excellent beer. Wish it was summer and I had an esky full of these suckers.

 

[Siborg]

Hi. I'm Siborg, and I'm an alcoholic. It's been nearly 1 week since my last beer and... better reset the counter.

I've had this cold all week and while I've been reading all your reviews, I've been dying to get into some, but didn't think I'd waste any beer, as I probably wouldn't have been able to taste it anyway.

So, after a few Kooinda Pales, I decided to crack open:

#20 Cocko's APA

First impressions: a bit on the darker side for an APA (as already noted by others). A bit of a citrusey aroma (impeded, slightly, by my cold), mixed with a bit of roasty-ness.

Carbonation isn't something I'm too fussy with, as long as its not flat, and this one is just in the sweet spot for me.

Definitely picking up on the cirtus and fruity flavours already mentioned.

All in all, a great beer. I could easily down a few of these on a hot summers day (man I'm looking forward to cold beer on a hot day!)

 

[Siborg]

Hi. I'm Siborg, and I'm an alcoholic. It's been nearly 1 week since my last beer and... better reset the counter.

I've had this cold all week and while I've been reading all your reviews, I've been dying to get into some, but didn't think I'd waste any beer, as I probably wouldn't have been able to taste it anyway.

So, after a few Kooinda Pales, I decided to crack open:

#20 Cocko's APA

First impressions: a bit on the darker side for an APA (as already noted by others). A bit of a citrusey aroma (impeded, slightly, by my cold), mixed with a bit of roasty-ness.

Carbonation isn't something I'm too fussy with, as long as its not flat, and this one is just in the sweet spot for me.

Definitely picking up on the cirtus and fruity flavours already mentioned.

All in all, a great beer. I could easily down a few of these on a hot summers day (man I'm looking forward to cold beer on a hot day!)

And what a beer to get back into it with... man, I enjoyed every last drop of that, Cocko. APA, AAA, or whatever... damn fine beer is all that matters.

 

[WarmBeer]

21. Haysie - Bohemian Pilsner

Disclaimer first: I'm an ale man. Out of 32 brews only one has been a lager, and that was an early kits'n'bits job.

Poured nice and clear, infact no residue into the glass even at the end of the bottle. Did you filter->keg->cpbf this one?

Beautiful saaz aroma perfume coming through. Was drinking Trumer pils at a beer/food matching dinner last night, and the aroma was very similar. You nailed this part.

Taste is good, very clean, with balance tending a little towards sweetness. Can taste the saaz. Again, ale-man, not 100% sure what I should be looking for.

My glass seemed to be finished quicker than most beers. Not sure if it's a lager thing, but this was really easy drinking, without being "simple". I reckon, if I could attempt a pils approaching this one, I might give this whole "lager" malarkey a bit of a go

A good beer. B+

 

[WarmBeer]

14. seemax - Cascadian Steam Beer

Bottle was still a little soft. Poured a little cloudy, and a tiny bit of head which quickly disappeared.

Have only tried a couple of Steam beers before (one of em being your own), and haven't been super impressed. This one is different, as there is a real whack of Cascade coming through on the nose. It's not offensive either, just really good.

Was surprised at just how smooth this beer was. Not overly malty, not overly hoppy, but really drinkable. Went down very well, and will be giving this one a go in the near future.

A top beer, mate. A-

 

[seemax]

21. Haysie - Bohemian Pilsner
I reckon, if I could attempt a pils approaching this one, I might give this whole "lager" malarkey a bit of a go

Mark them words... I'm going to hold you to that!!!!

A top beer, mate. A-

Thanks! It was the 2nd time around on that recipe except this time I added a touch more cascade (cube hopped). Not overly aromatic, but the flavour IMO really hits the spot.

 

[Fourstar]

The ONLY negative I could come up with was that it was a little murkey.

Errr, thats not a fault zeb. have you not seen the state of the yarra recently?!?! :lol:

 

[zebba]

#20 Cocko's APA

I'm going to concur with the folks who think it's more of an AA than an APA. Given that, I think I had it a bit cold initially, but the variance as it warmed up was awesome. When cold it was dry and roasty, as it warmed it got spicy, then fruity. I was a bit disappointed when it was gone 'cause I wasn't going to see what it was to throw at me next!

Another great beer. The quality of this swap has been excellent.

 

[wakkatoo]

writing this a little after the fact but had two crackers last night.

First was Fent's Citra APA. Poured really well - big fluffy off-white head that just stayed and stayed and stayed.... Wonderful citrusy hop aromas and flavours to complement.

S-J's amber ale - poured a little cloudy but that could have been me, had only been in the fridge for a little over an hour. Similar head retention to Fents' and a good balance between the hops and the malt. Did find myself wanting just a little more malty goodness at the end of the palate, but that's just me.

Two great beers!

 

[manticle]

Fents: Citra APA

Pours with a dense pillowy head, almost like a pavlova. Colour amber, murky

Aroma is subtly hoppy. Carbonation moderate, not gassy, nice bit of sherbert mouthfeel. Body slightly thinnish, dry and bitter finish. Flavour is fantastic - caramel malt, sweet fruity hops, lingering bitterness - packs a punch but remains balanced. Hard to stop taking sips. Bitterness and dryness is probably contributing to this - they stay on my tongue while the sweet caramel fruit stays around my cheeks.

Lovely beer.

 

[Siborg]

17. Shimple - Northern Lights Hog Ale

Drinking it at the moment. Poured a nice, dense head, which retains itself pretty well. Light copper colour.

First aroma was a malty/yeasty smell which I didn't mind. Taking a sip, I can tast a bit of up-front maltyness, which is quickly subdued by the hop bitterness. It keeps going to a point where you think it is just balanced, then leaves a slight bitter after taste. I think in terms of malt/bitterness balance, that is just what I like in this type of beer. Its not over the top, but has just the right amounts of each.

All in all, I can say I'm a fan. Good work Shimple.

 

[Cocko]

And what a beer to get back into it with... man, I enjoyed every last drop of that, Cocko. APA, AAA, or whatever... damn fine beer is all that matters.

#20 Cocko's APA

I'm going to concur with the folks who think it's more of an AA than an APA. Given that, I think I had it a bit cold initially, but the variance as it warmed up was awesome. When cold it was dry and roasty, as it warmed it got spicy, then fruity. I was a bit disappointed when it was gone 'cause I wasn't going to see what it was to throw at me next!

Another great beer. The quality of this swap has been excellent.

Thanks heaps lads, glad it is being enjoyed!

Call whatever you want.... just enjoy it!

 

[bum]

Would love to see a pic of Cocko's beer when anyone else reviews it next. A lot of APAs in the States get up into pretty deep reds - just curious to see if it is more like those than an AA.

 

[Wardhog]

???? - Fents - Midnight Ninja Man Of Mystery All Citra Pale Ale

The mysterious bottle with no identifying marks save a distinctive white cap, I'm led to believe this is the work of our gracious host with an unbelievably understanding (hence wonderful) wife. Just a bit of groundwork there for future swaps, Fents.
Brown nosing aside, on to the beer.

Thoroughly enjoyed this beer. Not a problem anywhere, unless you demand to be able to watch tv through your pint glass. It's a little bit cloudy, but that's not really a problem in my book. Other people might have different opinions, but it's fine by me.
I don't know much about Citra, except that at around 13% AA, I was expecting this beer to punch me in the face, kinda like the swap beer that was brewed, but it didn't. Instead, it was a most pleasant afternoon pint and a bit, with lovely hop and malt presence on the nose, a great balanced taste, not an issue in sight.
I've heard that Citra is basically Galaxy grown in the US, and after tasting this, I agree. It's a good hop here, a good hop there, and this is a good beer made with it.

Good job, sorry about neglecting to cold condition it for a week. Yes, I read that when I was at the bottom of the bottle.

 

[manticle]

Shimple: APA

Pours cloudy amber, tight white head. Subtle hop aroma with malt background. Head remains.

Carbonation medium low, body and mouthfeel full. This is my favourite level of carb.

Great underlying bitterness, hops are subtle but present, malt backs it up, crystal sweetness also subtle.

I know everyone expects a huge whack of fruit with APAs but the subtlety of this is really great. It has complexity and bitterness and sweetness and fruit all to be found if you take the time. I really like it.

 

[Wardhog]

#9 Kleiny - Rogue Dead Guy Clone

I have no experience with Rogue's beers or Maibocks, so I had no idea what to expect or what to hold it up against. My impression is that it's certainly not a dull beer. Maybe a bit overcarbonated, given the amount of flavour going on. Thick malt and a large whack of hops get largely hidden behind the bite of the carbonation (something I've learned with my ESB), but alcohol warmth stands out.

A nice beer to finish a night on. Nice work, Kleiny.

 

[manticle]

na night wardy.

19: Chris Taylor: English brown

Fair bit of fizz on opening, slight gush as the bottle is opened and let sit for a toilet break. Pours with a rich head, dense mohogany/brown, quite murky. Aroma of chocolate and yeast.

Despite the gush, carbonation at a moderate level, nice mouthfeel.

first sip - not what I was expecting. Quite yeasty, very slight hint of rubber and vegemite. I'm a little disappointed - thinking maybe I got a dud bottle. Tried a couple of your beers previously and they've been great.

If I taste past the not so good flavours I pick up a bit of malt with almost carob characteristics which has a quite pleasant after taste. Nice bit of choc in there too. The rubbery/yeastiness lessens after the first few sips although a hint remains.

I'm not sure if it's just my palate or if this bottle is not as it's supposed to be. Body is good, carb fine and dandy and some of the choc flavour are quite tatsy. Bitterness and sweetness seem completely in balance.

Some people seems to be sensitive to diacetyl or DMS - I get the feeling I may be sensitive to autolysised yeast (and maybe yeast phenolics) as I get a bit in my own beers that no-one else picks up (one reason I insist on racking to secondary about 3/4 the way through ferment). Even some Belgian beers recently have started to taste a bit odd on the yeast front. I've always been a fan of belgians so this upsets me. Last happened with Leffe Radieuse.

I could be way off base but I have to go with what I taste/perceive at the time.

 

[Cocko]

4. Manticle -ESB (Young's special London ale clone)


Poured clear, little head - I am thinking a glass issue though, went a good rinse in between glass one and two and the lacing appeared.

Ok, I wanna describe this best I can:

The aroma was bad, this was first glass and a little colder than suggested serving temp so my bad - Sorry mants.

The flavour on palette was AWESOME, a beautiful ESB flavour - I don't have the beer vocab to go into details but it is exactly what I would expect from a ESB.

Now the kicker, a blend of the aroma and flavour was sooo good. Especially as I let it warm, as suggested, it really came to life! I wish I had of warmed the whole bottle a little before starting...

So over all, I never had a youngs but will now, a fantastic example of what I would call ESB flavour, colour and overall.

Great beer mate!

What a great swap - I wish we could do this every month!

BTW: I know its nothing on my designer label :lol: but, seriously, awesome effort - especially after seeing the full res version in the label thread!

Cheers!

 

[WarmBeer]

2. Zebba - Fuggled Amber Ale

Took this out of the fridge about 2 hours before drinking to allow it to warm up, as requested. Now drinking it in front of some 2 hour cooking show

Poured a lovely amber colour, nice and clear, with a big fluffy head that hangs around. Can smell the Fuggles, mixing with a good whack of malt. Puts me in the mood for a nice English style pub ale.

First taste is, umm, confusing. My mind is expecting English malt and earthy fuggles, but I'm getting citrus. For me, it just doesn't work. I'm also getting some astringency, or almost a vinegar taste at the end of the palate.

Keep pushing the envelope, buddy, but in this instance, going against the accepted norms for hop combinations, subjectively, doesn't go.

Don't raaaaaggggeeee too hard against me for the rating, but I've said it before, Fuggles and Cascade do not belong in the same glass

C

 

[Cocko]

7. beerDingo - Slipstream Cream Ale

But just went to the recipe thread and apparently its a Fat Yak clone... I went to the recipe thread to find out how I could make some of this!

As a cream ale its not a cream ale but a good beer!

As a PA, Fatyak clone, its amazing! - flavour is spot on.

I love this beer - not mercky or clear, a HB.... Glass lacing is Spot on, glass condition varies... but ATM it is kicking!

Flavour and aroma is outstanding to me, did I mention I LOVE this beer!

Well done mate, I will be brewing this beer next weekend!

:kooi:

 

[Siborg]

7. beerDingo - Slipstream Cream Ale

But just went to the recipe thread and apparently its a Fat Yak clone... I went to the recipe thread to find out how I could make some of this!

As a cream ale its not a cream ale but a good beer!

As a PA, Fatyak clone, its amazing! - flavour is spot on.

I love this beer - not mercky or clear, a HB.... Glass lacing is Spot on, glass condition varies... but ATM it is kicking!

Flavour and aroma is outstanding to me, did I mention I LOVE this beer!

Well done mate, I will be brewing this beer next weekend!

:kooi:

Will have to try this one next, I'm a bit of a fat yak fan.

Can someone confirm for me, what exactly lacing is? I think I know, but I don't wanna make an arse out of myself