Explorations in beer
This month’s special selection in the monopoly features “abbey-styled beers”.
Four belgians, featuring a single genuine trappist: Chimay Première / Red.
Two germans.
Very much on the boring side. Presumably next month’s selection will be devoted to even more boring group: Oktoberfest.
Have the Carcassonne graphics been spruced up between editions, this does not look like a classic cloister at all.
FI: Tylsänpuoleinen luostariolutvalikoima.
This year’s best beer brewed in Finland is Takatalo & Tompuri‘s Kaski Savubock.
Unfortunately it is a very limited release, available at the brewery in Virolahti and the nearby monopoly stores. Will keep an eye out, but I bet it’ll be a while before it lands in the capital area.
While some of the annual selections have been questionable (like blandly boring Valo a couple of years back), the 2021 choice was spot-on: Olari’s Runaway was and is an impeccable take on NEIPA.
As expected the wikipedia page on the subject provides a mighty lowdown on the prospects and winners. But only up to 2020, so there’s two years of statistics waiting for somebody to act on.
FI: Harmittavaisen vaikeasti haalittavaan raati päätyi.
No question about it, 2021 was a very dark year – personally and globally, and that shows in the selection. Two hefty and pitch-black imperial stouts take the top positions both domestically and overall.
Goose Island’s Bourbon County Brand Stout has long been a bucket list beer, and when Beer Republic advertised its availability, picked up the vintages that were available. And it lived up to the hefty expectations. Rampant bourbon, but far less booziness than expected of a beer closing in on 15 ABV.
Domestically the podium position went to an old comrade in new clothing. Hiisi’s Ikiiurso Islay Barrel Aged ticks all the boxes. Dry and smoky, black and imposing. Just the thing to cap off a miserable November day.
FI: Koronavuosi 2021 valitutti vain ja ainoastaan pikimustaa.
Following Mikkeller’s licensing of Game of Thrones-related brews, Brewdog takes on the other big gorilla in the room: Lord of the Rings. Though initially only in the US. Which is more than a little odd and unexpected, since the new Amazon-produced series is streaming worldwide.
Starting with a fashionable IPA, I’m sure the range will be expanded mercilessly. And for the record, I will be looking forward to inevitable the Chili-infused imperial stout celebrating the Balrog.
FI: Sauronin maissilageria odotellessa.
The lapse into silence for a fortnight was due to unexpectedly hectic bout of work.
Ought to be better now.
Or at least louder.
FI: Tauko. Lyhyt. Tahaton.
brewnardo 