Fantasy beer shopping.

[keith1664]

I've decided that to fill some of the time in before I return to work I really should venture the 40 odd miles up the road to make my first ever visit to Beers of Europe http://www.beersofeurope.co.uk/acatalog/.
Trouble is, once there I'm going to be faced with row upon row of beer that, quite frankly, I've never heard of.
So to help me avoid the rabbit caught in the headlights mixed with kid in a sweetshop scenario, does anyone have any good recommendations for stuff you don't find in the local supermarket?

 

[evanvine]

Not easy to answer as different supermarkets stock different ranges.

 

[leedsbrew]

Not easy to answer as different supermarkets stock different ranges.

yeah but not many supermarkets are going to be stocking such treats as (and BTW these would be some of my picks)

Anchor Bock
Brooklyn East India Pale Ale
Stone Brewing Co Arrogant Bastard Ale
Bohemia Regent Dark (ok so you can get this in some Morrisons now!)
Anything by Dogfish Head
Fallen Angel brewery (UK) seems to bang out some interesting beers


my 0.02p worth!

 

[snail59]

I paid them a visit today Came away with a Samuel Smiths Oatmeal Stout, St Peter's Honey Porter (really nice Ive had that before), Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and a Tydd Steam Brewery's Piston Bob (local beer to me).

I would try the Tommyknocker Imperial Nut Brown Ale. Bit pricey but in my opinion well worth it (in the American section through the door second isle on left then at the bottom on the left). Other beers I have tried and liked are Bath Ales Gem, Wolf Brewery's Whistle, Purity's UBU, Young's Double Chocolate Stout & St Peter's Old Style Porter. I'm like you when I go in, there are so many beer's to choose from It's hard to decide. So my mission is to keep going back and trying something new each time.

LB they do stock Anchor, Dogfish head, Fallen Angel as well as Brooklyn and Stone brewing Co's Arrogant Bastard (the Mrs Spotted that one today )

Evanvine this is no ordinery Supermarket this a BEER supermarket :thumb: it also stocks wine & spirits it truly is a WAREHOUSE of fun

 

[keith1664]

Thanks lads, keep 'em coming.
I'd perticularly like to try a couple of Kolsches, any recomendations?

 

[rickthebrew]

I`d have a look for some proper belgian beers and get some of the american pale ales with loads of hops :thumb:

And anything else as well to be honest :lol:

 

[Tony]

go nuts! then plan a trip once a month and see how many you can get through in a year

 

[leedsbrew]

Thanks lads, keep 'em coming.
I'd perticularly like to try a couple of Kolsches, any recomendations?

I've only had Kuppers and Fruh, both very nice IMHO :

 

[keith1664]

Well I popped in on the way home from picking up my ebay fridge / kegerator project. I just about managed to keep under my self imposed financial limit and Came home with 8 Yanks, 3 Belgians, 10 Germans and 1 Dutch. Unfortunately by the time I hit the UK aisle I'd hit my limit.
I'll be going again, it really is beer heaven.
Plus I've now got my first 6 brown flip tops!

 

[snail59]

Oh come on Keith we need a full list of the Beer's. Hope you will be reviewing them for us as well :thumb:

 

[keith1664]

OK

Goller Dunkel
Monchshof Schwarzbier
Kapuziner Weissebier
Monchshof Bock Bier
Diebels Altbier
Gaffel Kolsch
Kuppers Kolsch - Yup, very clean, just like a lager.
Monshchoff Original
Goller Rauchbier
Grolsch Weizen
Kempisch Vuur - Very nice, Damson notes.
Anchor Steam
Dogfish Head 90 minute IPA
Dogfish Head Raison D'etre
Maredsous Brune
Maredsous Blonde
Goose Island IPA
Odell St Lupulin Ale
Flying Dog Snake Dog IPA
Odell 5 Barrel Pale Ale
Sierra Nevada Torpedo Extra

.....Well you did ask!

 

[rickthebrew]

individual reviews with pics would be excellent ...love to hear how the yankee IPA beers are especially

 

[keith1664]

Individual reviews! I'll have to start taking notes.
So far I've demolished The Kempisch Vuur which I liked, reminded me of Badgers Poachers Choice - So that must have damson notes! The Kuppers Kolsch was just like drinking a continental lager, the Kaffel Kolsch had a bit more flavour to it. Goller Rauchbier I didn't like, a bit too much like drinking smokey bacon crisps for my liking. The Goller Dunkel I liked, very malty and quite sweet but not cloyingly so, in fact I accidentally bought 2 of those so I'll pay more attention to the next one. Monchshoff Schwarzbier, so so, like I'd think a lite stout would be.

At the moment I'm drinking the Maredsous Blonde, quite sweet, buttery notes, quite a dry finish. The kind of Belgian I've tried before and not really liked so I'll not get that again.

I'll start paying more attention tomorrow, must admit tho that most of the German beers were bought to familiarise myself with the syles.

 

[gurtpint]

Phew, quite some selection they have... You might like to check out some of the Czech lagers as well. Urquell, Budweiser, Krusovice, Staropramen, Zatec - quality stuff. Better to steer clear of the only Finnish beer they carry imho.

 

[jamesb]

Wot, no Gueuze?