Month: May 2016

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The Law, updated

The domestic law concerning beer has undergone serious changes, and things will actually turn out better once it has gone through the necessary governmental processes.

By far the most visible change is the .8 upgrade in the ABV allowed in beer to be sold in stores. Mainly this means that the domestic lagers approach the strength of Stella Artois and other continental tasteless lagers.

But by far the most interesting change is the ability of craft breweries to directly sell their wares to customers (up to 12% ABV, which shouldn’t really be an issue since barley wines are very much a niche proudct).

I’m looking forward to shopping at Fat Lizard, Olarin Panimo, Bryggeri and other more or less local breweries, and a trip to Porvoo obviously wouldn’t be complete without dropping in to see what Malmgård has cooked up.

FI: Alkoholilaki uudistuu, edukseen.

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Best beers of April 2016

Abstrakt AB-19
Abstrakt AB-19
April’s top honours gp to Brewdog’s Abstrakt 19. It’s the third AB I’ve tasted, and falls in the middle position of the trio (16 is still the top dog, for those scoring the game at home). 19 is a multi-color saison, with heavy flavours of raisins and plums resting on a sturdy multi-malt base. The high ABV comes through in the taste, but never obnoxiously. Warmth opens up the taste quite a bit, releasing even more facets of fruitfulness.

Domestically the top beer honours land on Bryggeri’s Rauchweizen, an unusual combination of wheat malts and smoke. Despite the unorthodox pairing, the result is worthwhile indeed, as both components work out well and do not crowd each other out. Haven’t been much of a Bryggeri-fanboy lately, but this beauty resurrects my faith somewhat.

FI: Epätasaisen huhtikuun annista huomiotaherättävin oli Brewdogin kausijulkaisu.