Order Of Merit: Beers 9 to 16
To completement the main beer list I wanted to write a bit more on some of my favourite beers. A top 10
seemed too limiting and a top 50 seemed to lack discrimination so in the end I have settled on an
Order Of Merit. Therefore you find here
24 beers, listed in alphabeticaly order, that I believe have shown distinguished service in bars across the world.
Think of it as my ideal mixed case.
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The Lake District is a great place for taking long walks out onto the hills before heading into a pub
in the early evening for a well deserved pint. Most likely the pub you walk into will be owned by the Jennings
Brewery who appear to have a strong grip on local drinking houses. Thankfully the quality of their beers
are uniformly high. The Cumberland Ale is a nice easy drink but the pick is Sneck Lifter, a superb potent
dark ale with coffee and chocolate notes
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The only trappist brewer outside of Belgium, the Dutch Onze Lieve Vrouw van Koningshoeven in Berkel-Enschot, Holland
lost their trappist status for a while due to close links with a commericial brewer that the abbey felt were needed
to assist the aging monks. With that dispute now resolved the beers proudly bear the trappist label again. Their blond,
which is the monks table beer is a gassy, blonde beer with a smooth but full bodied taste with a hint of spices. Very
potent but with a subtle blend of flavours. |
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Say "Australian Beer" to an Englishman and you'll probably here them mention Foster and XXXX. An Australian is more
likely to mention Victoria Bitter, Carlton Cold or Tooheys. In both cases it is a great shame that this microbrewery that
only opened in the year 2000 is unlikely to get a mention, but that may yet change. Little Creatures Pale Ale is a fresh,
full and fruity beer that is exceptionally good.
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Meantime are a London based microbrewery founded in 1999 who brew pretty much every type of beer under the sun.
From traditional London Porters to Coffee Beer and Bock they look at the historical roots of a drink and then try to
see how they can do something different with it. Early on they produced a range of beers for other brewers, including
Greene King's 'Beer To Dine For'. They now release a wide range of award winning beers under their own name. Their
Pilsner is a smooth and almost creamy tasting lager that holds it's head and has a very full taste and a slight
gassy crispness. Slips down wonderfully well.
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A well balanced spontaneously fermented beer with whole apricots added that balances it's fruit and beer flavours
beautifully. However this beer doesn't come from Brussels, in comes from Stamford, a small town in Lincolnshire
in England and in the early part of the 20th century it brewed Steam Beer. Now it solely does fruit beer, but it
does it very well. |
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Duvel is one of those beers that has defined it's place in the market. All big blonde Belgian beers now either
aspire to be like Duvel or conciously trying to be different - none can really be claim to be unaware of it. It is a
traw coloured strong ale (8.5%) that floats like a butterfly on the palate whilst still packing a hefty taste and as
such makes a worthy benchmark to an entire class of beer. It also taste good if you add a shot of the French bitters
Amer Picon to create what is known as a Torpille.
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Creamy dubbel with a slightly dry, bitter hoppy taste that drifts into a hint of fruit in the aftertaste. A strong beer
with full flavours that are never overpowering and retain their subtlety.
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A superb example of a strident beer. A syrupy sweetness competes with a taste of sour cherries whilst a gentle
gassiness lifts the taste and a deep oaky base grounds it. Aged for 24 months in oak barrels and well worth the wait.
For those seeking a more traditional lager, the brewers Speciale beer is also highly recommended. For those who like
the Grand Cru the Verhaeghe breweries Duchesse de Bourgogne is also worth trying.
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Order Of Merit: Beers 1 to 8
Order Of Merit: Beers 17 to 24