Tallinn, SIPping at Telliskivi

Põhjala's F-hoone
Põhjala’s F-hoone
Spent a chunk of the schools’ fall holiday in Tallinn.

As expected the ferry, Viking XPRS, was packed with families. That meant eating lunch standing up as the restaurants were overrun. Sampled two new Saku products: while Rock was a limp and featureless eurolager, Cream of Dublin was an unexpectedly tasty stout (proving that the mainstream brewery can reach out if it wants).

The Spa/Hotel Telegraaf was quite pleasantly stuffy, the multiple saunas in the downstairs pools were much appreciated. Happily had the entire section to ourselves, since we dined when others bathed and vice versa. The dinner at Spot was good too, though not in the lofty heights of Rataskaevu 16.

Visited Telliskivi for the first time, and while the burgers at F-Hoone were as good as the tales told of them, it turned out that I’d already tasted their house beer, as it had been available at Stone’s a while back.

Skipped Uba ja Humal on this trip and opted for SIP as an alternative instead. Their selection of beers was quite a bit more limited (and quite much Estonia-focused), but it was complemented with a non-trivial wine section and a bar where any of the products could be sampled.

FI: Ei ollut SIPistä ihan Uba ja Humalin haastajaksi vielä.

Best Beers of September 2016

Olde Gnarlywine
Olde Gnarlywine

The only bad thing about Lagunitas’ Olde Gnarlywine is that I bought only a single bottle, and it quickly sold out. Properly warmed up the hefty malting and sweetness tinged by stony fruits almost hide the eyebrow-raising 70 IBU rating. Almost, this is clearly a barley wine that pays homage to the west coast.

The domestic top spot falls onto Malmgård, their Ceci N’est Pas Une Belge is a hidden treasure. It’s been available for years, but doesn’t get the attention it deserves. A strong belgian style ale that oozes flavour. And the Magritte reference in the name is much appreciated, too.

FI: Ohraviiniluokkaan kuun paras olut. Ikävä kyllä vain yksi pullo tuli napattua kyytiin ensivisiitillä uudistuneeseen Arkadian myymälään.

New flagship Alko

In addition to the arrival of Pien, the downtown Alko has received a majorish facelift.

Beerwise the store is much improved, there’s more room and the wares are much better presented.

Got too impressed by the availability of Lagunitas’ Gnarleywine that forgot to take a single photo.