Vic Xmas 2009 Case Swap - Tasting Thread

[manticle]

Thank Christ. I thought I was the only one actually drinking any of these.

#21 Hutch: Nelson Sauvin pseudo lager

Pours with a white head that dissipates very quickly. High carbonation (spritzy).

Golden/amber colour, hazy (I've read somewhere that large amounts of hops can make things hazy)

Massive hop aroma.

Flavour is all hops. Very fruity. To me it tastes like Chinook with a hint of amarillo but the name of the beer obviously suggests the main character is Nelson which is not a hop I'm familiar with.

Masses of fruit with this, quite sweet too but not in an unpleasant way. The higher carbonation probably works in its favour because it prevents the sweetness from becoming too much. My only criticism would be perhaps a touch more bitterness might balance out all that fruitiness. I can detect some bitterness on the palate but there's a fruit salad going on in my mouth and it needs a slightly bigger playmate.

Very tasty though.

 

[Leigh]

#10 Manticle's Robust Porter

It's a boy! Mine gushed when opened, sat it down for a good 3-4 minutes before it slowed (I did open at room temp ~ 12C)

Apart from that, lovely roasty aromas, something earthy there too?, light tan colour, head dissipated a little too quickly.

Past the lips, had a good balance of malt and hop bitterness with a nice dry finish.

A really nice porter Manticle. Could drink this one all night, but unfortunately only had one bottle!

 

[manticle]

Probably best to chill first and then allow to warm to 8-10 deg C. Current weather has given me a couple of boys as I've been so used to just grabbing bottles from the shed at spot on temps over winter and the first bit of spring. That time has passed.

Earthyness may either be the fuggles hops or the caramelised first runnings (deep thick toffee syrup).

Glad you liked it.

 

[Fourstar]

5. Fourstar - Reunification Express, Viet Rice Lager
Only thing to add other then what others have already said is that I got a bit of honey flavour. I'm enjoying it, I'm just not sure what it is that has contributed to that - and I'd like to know, cause I think it adds nicely to the beer. Is it the rice? Malt?

Just a guess as JW Pils it malty sweet by nature. That with carapils (which does have a very very mild sweet note) would probabaly give it that honey sweetness.

Cheers! :icon_cheers:

 

[notung]

#1 - Kleiny - Unhappily Everafter Munich Helles.
Ok, I read the style guidelines before drinking so I'm sort of going off that.

Appearance: A clean pale-coloured liquid like deep straw, with a modest head that lasted a while but had gone 3/4 through the beer. You've already talked about the light carbonation, I know.
Aroma: I got malt aromas plus something which I interpreted as yeastiness but may be something else.
Flavour: Basically as it says in the BJCP guidelines: malt flavours (but very little sweetness) dominating, with an underlying spicy interesting-ness coming from the hops. I'm not sure which variety you used, but it tasted clean and a little bit spicy. I'm guessing it's a noble hop like tettnang.
Overall: I suppose I'm not normally a fan of lagers, but this swap is bringing me around. I enjoyed the subtle malt flavours in this brew and the refreshing smooth drinkability of it in general. Why is it called that anyway Kleiny? Are you refering to the feeling when the glass is empty. If so, I understand. Thanks for swapping this.

 

[WarmBeer]

Why is it called that anyway Kleiny? Are you refering to the feeling when the glass is empty. If so, I understand.

Yeah, Kleiny, what's with the name and the Goth chick on the bottle? You're too old, and have too little hair to be an emo

 

[Kleiny]

Why is it called that anyway Kleiny? Are you refering to the feeling when the glass is empty. If so, I understand. Thanks for swapping this.

Yeah, Kleiny, what's with the name and the Goth chick on the bottle? You're too old, and have too little hair to be an emo

Goes and puts on black wig and clothes and thinks of killing himself or just hiding in a dark corner of the house with a pasty white complexion. :lol:

The chick i just found on the net last minute and she looked ok so that was my label, as for the name i thought is was appropriate because i am yet to be fully satisfied with my brewing attempts at this style. Munich helles version 5 to be brewed in time for vicbrew 2010.

Kleiny

 

[Supra-Jim]

Glad you like the beer Manticle, I'm actually yet to taste this (except for the odd hydrometer sample!) Good to hear it is carbed up already, thought it might have taken a little longer.

Anyway, my tasting efforts were not too successful this weekend:

CM2 - Aussie Gold Lager

Really nice appearance with a deep golden colour, tending towards copper. Low carbonation, with a little head that dissipated quickly. Taste was great with really nice mouthfeel. Nice sublte bitterness that hangs around on the tonuge. Only issue was the last mouthful, I got distracted and it wearmed up a bit, and i got a big green apple flavour.

Other than that nice beer CM.

Seemax - Kiwi Pale Ale

Sorry mate, mine was vingear.


Cheers SJ

 

[Kleiny]

#5 Viet Lager 4*

I judeged it just under the light lager section as a general 4*

Aroma: Sweet malt aroma with some background sulphury notes from the lager, Some light fruitness but very light, very clean on the aroma's
9/12

Appearance: Slight haze but golden in color, i thought chill haze but even when a little warmer, Tight white head which dissipates fast into a thin lace which lasts a long time on the edge of the glass.
2/3

Flavour: Sweet malt up front with a dry bitternes finish, slightly astringent but probably still a plus does not seem to detract from the flavour, Balance is a little on the bitter side but still good, you dont need to change the balance, some spiceyness and floral from hops. I did detact a little tartness just at the end.
14/20

Mouthfeel: Light body with an overall coating, the carb is med to high and just right for the lager style, slightly astringent at the finish.
4/5

Overall: A great beer with a session feel, the light body and easy flavour make it drinkable, their are some fruity esters and a good balance, its a little hazy which could be cleared up with a nice color.
7/10

36/50
Very good with only very minor flaws,

This is a great beer 4* just couldnt fit it into the American way of thinking that they make the only light lagers in the world other than germany. But just recently visiting Phucket it brings back memmory's of Tiger and Singha(without the spiceyness)

Kleiny

 

[Kleiny]

might get a couple of swap beers judged today, just finished night shift at the fire house and time for a few beers, kids are asleep, wifes asleep :super:

 

[Fourstar]

This is a great beer 4* just couldnt fit it into the American way of thinking that they make the only light lagers in the world other than germany. But just recently visiting Phucket it brings back memmory's of Tiger and Singha(without the spiceyness)

Yeah i agree, Maple was aksing me what Cat to judge it in, its quite hard as Asian Lagers are not comparable to the US varietys with their nose characteristics. If anything the aussie macro lagers are more suited to those guidelines in the light lager cat.

Thanks for the comments. If only i could do away with that haze listening to the brewstrong podcast on it now. <_<

 

[Kleiny]

Yeah i agree, Maple was aksing me what Cat to judge it in, its quite hard as Asian Lagers are not comparable to the US varietys with their nose characteristics. If anything the aussie macro lagers are more suited to those guidelines in the light lager cat.

Thanks for the comments. If only i could do away with that haze listening to the brewstrong podcast on it now. <_<

yep Charlie Bamforth lays it down in that interview with the BN Crew

 

[Kleiny]

#6 CM2 Aussie Lager

Once again no real style to judge against other than American lagers in the light lager category and i couldnt push an Aus lager into the amber lager category. Im gonna rant soon i can tell about the inadequacy of the BJCP styles and the styles around the world they miss therough pure American arrogance SSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHH get on with the review.

Aroma: Sweet malty aroma with hints of darker malts or cara/crystal, or just caramalisation of wort, There is a slight hop background but fairly fairnt and hard to pick. Light fruity esters and light sulphur. On warming some acetaldhyde.
6/12

Appearance: Hazy with a amber color not really to style even for a Aus lager a bit dark. low head on pour and dissipates quickly to nothing.
1/2

Flavour: its biscuit caramel sweet maltyness, with a little bitterness upfront not really enough to balance. It is thin in the flavour. alot of this can not be attributed to an Aus lager.
12/20

Mouthfeel: Thin consistency with flavor but medium body with a cloying coating of the pallet. Carb is low and could be higher. I found the body weird in that it was watery but cloying.
3/5

Overall: i would not consider this as an example of a Aus lager as it has aroma and flavor with cara/toffee, some acetaldhyde, very mod body with a real watery feel to the flavour. Some sulphury tones. it is malt forward and do with some balance work but maybe without the cara / toffee flavour the bitterness might be right.
6/10

28/50
Good but misses the mark on style and has flaws.

Next is Manticle #10 (it seems like im being a hard marker but that is the way i see them, i hope mants impresses for style)

Kleiny

 

[Fourstar]

Next is Manticle #10 (it seems like im being a hard marker but that is the way i see them, i hope mants impresses for style)

Just checked, 7 point spread between yours and Maples for my result. 43 vs. 36.

 

[brettprevans]

cheers Kleiny for the review. 28/50 aint too bad considering it was the 1st solo AG and 1st AB brew on my rig & with a dodgy temp gague that meant a 6step decoction.

christ im wanting to try a few of these beers. its killing me.

 

[Maple]

Just checked, 7 point spread between yours and Maples for my result. 43 vs. 36.

Also judged against 2 different categories.... Send me another and I'll give 'er a go against light lager

 

[Fourstar]

Also judged against 2 different categories.... Send me another and I'll give 'er a go against light lager

Couldnt you just compare from your notes and give it a score? after all you write down what you can taste, not what you cant, they're just added extras to fill the blank pieces of paper+ get brownie points on the judging sheets!

Unfortuantly i dont have any more.

 

[Kleiny]

Just checked, 7 point spread between yours and Maples for my result. 43 vs. 36.

In a discussion im sure i could be persuaded (with a good argument) a couple of points to close the gap

 

[manticle]

#24: Wonderwoman: Summer Ale

First up I liked the label. I like the effort that went into it too.

Pours with a fluffy head that quickly dissipates but a thin head and lacing remain throughout the glass. Hazy,light gold colour.

Again hops on the nose. Lots of fruit and since the last case swap I had, I'm now more familiar with this hop.

Flavour is very hoppy/fruity - I get passionfruit and lemon and maybe a touch of grapefruit. There is a nice bitterness to this.

However I find the body a bit lacking and the carbonation a little high. I'd really like a nice sherbert tingle sensation to go with the lemon.
Not overly sweet, very little malt. I'm not a fan of loads of carb in anything (beer, soft drink, cider etc) so it may just be me but I reckon the beer could do with a touch more maltiness and slightly less fizz. Nonetheless the lightness and fruitiness together with that good bittering makes a refreshing summer ale which is what you've designed. Too much carb makes me burpy so drinking one after the other in the sun might not suit me but I'm sure it would suit many. Unlike most however I could happily drink several dubbels or stouts in a row whereas many like to chew only one beer in a session so I may not be the target drinking audience. Certainly no fermentation flaws that I can detect.

 

[manticle]

#25: Beerdingo: APA

Golden colour, head dissipates to thin foam but a small amout of lacing remains.

Aroma is mildly hoppy but malt is apparent too.

The flavour is lovely. I have no idea how to style this is but this is very different to the other hoppy apas and ipas I've had so far. There's a real rich malt that reminds me of caramel and what caramelised wort sometimes brings to a beer. I don't know if that's stylistically accurate but I'm a fan. There's a bitter citrus (almost orange) bitterness that goes very well with the malt flavour.

This is not to take away from any of the other pales I've so far had but this and Chris' are probably my favourite of the hoppy pales I've tasted. There are hops present here but really nicely balanced with the malt. I'd happily brew this. Delicious beer BD.

One question to a few of you. Some of you have suggested you have not yet tasted your own beer. This surprises me a little. Do you do the same thing with comps (if you enter them that is)? The way I look at it, I like to know what I'm passing onto someone else so any infection problems, carb problem,s etc. get picked up. I know what my beer tastes like so I don't expect too many surprises when someone tastes it. Obviously there are more expert palates than mine that may pick up faults but I know it's carbed, I know it's not infected and I know it's representative of my brewing (for better or worse). It's the same when I cook - I taste as I go and I taste before I serve. How else do you know if it needs more salt? If I didn't have this attitude you'd all be drinking my cloudy, possibly infected and definitely not right pilsner.

This was my swap cherry popper though so maybe I'm missing something. Definitely curious though.