Sunday, January 26, 2014

Let's go BANGKOK....“米吧”来了。。。


我们都喜欢曼谷,去的理由也大同小异,虽然现在说去曼谷有点“危险”,不过,这个月29号开始,所有喜欢CRAFT BEER的朋友可以很大声的说,这是全亚洲唯一的MIKKELLER BAR。

是的,来自丹麦魔术师的MIKELLER BAR选在曼谷开。这是全球现有三家“米吧”之外的最新一家。(哥本哈根有2家,三藩市有1家)。

“米吧”会有30个啤酒输送管,除了很多自家别家的佳酿,也将会有更多来自世界各地的啤酒瓶子。

反正,就准备像小孩子进到糖果店那样兴奋吧。。


i know i know, this does not sound very responsible to say this moment in time given what's going on in some parts of Bangkok...

most of us do like travelling to Bkk for all sorts of reasons, mainly to satisfy the occasional cravings for shopping, massage, food, nightlife or to pray to four faced buddha, or simply do nothing..

well, come 29 Jan 2014, add this definitive reason to visit Bkk---the one and only Mikkeller Bar in Asia is opening in Bkk. Yup, that's right, the first and only in the whole of Asia, where another only one out of Copenhagen is in San Francisco.
with 30 taps, where there's not only Mikeller on taps but also other brewer's good work, expect lots of different bottles available for selection as well...

let's invade the candy store...(perhaps fashion with bullet proof vase and a helmet while sipping your beer?)

for more info do visit the FB page :-
https://www.facebook.com/mikkellerbangkok 

we say sawadikap Bkk.



#all photos taken from mikkeller bkk's fb page.



Friday, January 24, 2014

Beer List 13/14---by Kyle( final part)


The beer list 13/14 by all 5 friends is concluding with the final part from Kyle.

While his earlier list showed a lot of stout, this part is showing varieties in terms of bottles he like.

这是Kyle 尝味心得的下半段,包括他在今年希望喝到的瓶子。和上半段不同的,这次的瓶子比较多黑啤之外的类别,同时也只是以清单的方式呈现。

The final part from Kyle will be presented in the form of a list, so here we go:-
Toppling Goliath Zeelander
http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/toppling-goliath-zeelander/153769/
美国爱荷华州生产的IPA苦味淡啤瓶子



Cigar City Jai Alai
http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/cigar-city-jai-alai-india-pale-ale/95103/
弗里达州的另一支苦味IPA瓶子


Bells Black Note Stout
http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/bells-black-note-stout/71826/ 
密芝根产的咖啡。威士忌味黑啤

Bruery Black Tuesday
http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/the-bruery-black-tuesday-imperial-stout/106579/ 
加州的特酿黑啤,19.2高酒精度,属于需要慢慢尝的酒




Founders All Day IPA
http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/founders-all-day-ipa/141611/ 
另一个密芝根名酿酒师的佳瓶,顾名思义是可以喝一整天的低酒精IPA

As for this year's wish list of bottles, Kyle has mentioned quite a few, of which some bottles are already awaiting tasting...  
以下是KYLE今年想喝的,基本都是些盛名在外的酿酒师的瓶子,其中一些已经等着尝味中。。



Three Floyds Dark Lord
http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/three-floyds-dark-lord-russian-imperial-stout/15917/
很出名的黑魔王,浓稠复杂的黑啤

Westvleteren 8 (Havev had the 12 but the 8 I've not)
http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/westvleteren-extra-8/4935/
12号瓶子是长期被誉为世界上排名前三的比利时盛名瓶子,这是8号瓶。

Bruery Chocolate Rain (Have one in my friends cellar)
http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/the-bruery-chocolate-rain/111208/
加州名师的巧克力黑啤瓶子


Bruery Grey Monday (also have one in my friends cellar)
http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/the-bruery-grey-monday/190444/
也是19.2%高酒精度的黑啤。跟之前那瓶是同一系列


Alesmith Speedway Stout (have one waiting for me at another friends)
http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/alesmith-speedway-stout/14232/
来自圣地亚哥,非常顺畅圆滑的12%酒精度黑啤

Founders Canadian Breakfast Stout
http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/founders-backstage-series-2-cbs-canadian-breakfast-stout/98973/
另一支咖啡巧克力味,威士忌浸泡的黑色佳酿


Firestone Walker Velvet Merkin
http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/firestone-walker-velvet-merkin/133660/
燕麦黑啤系列,属于威士忌桶浸泡过的瓶子


With the final part of list from Kyle, we have come to the end of beer list 13/14, as we are nearing the end of January and very close to the lunar new year, here's wishing all beer geeks an even better tasting experience in the months ahead...

KYLE是五位朋友的13/14尝味心得的最后一位呈现者,回看大家各有不同口味选择,喝CRAFT BEER本应是这样的,虽然本地还是属于起步阶段,可以供尝味的啤酒选择还算不够多,不过看来今年的情况会渐渐更多元化些。

祝大家马年可以马上喝到更多的佳酿。。


Saturday, January 11, 2014

Beer List 13/14---by Kyle


The final part of beer list 13/14 is by a new friend to KL, Kyle is from US where craft beer is booming. Kyle has been in town for less than a year, hence his list is naturally full of beers from his homeland, which in a way is interesting to note though many are still yet to make it to our local beer scene.

#KYLE来自美国。过去几年来,美国是出现很多摇滚级酿酒师和佳酿的地方。
喜欢到处周游,因为工作关系,去年中来到吉隆坡上任新职。
这是他的2013CRAFT BEER LIST。免不了的都是在本地暂时没能找到的美国啤酒。
看得到喝不到的啤酒清单,也没什么不好,至少知道地球另一端的人在喝什么,当作参考蛮好的。
KYLELIST比较倾向口味比较重的咖啡,巧克力,烤麦,威士忌浸泡酿制类的黑啤酒。以下是他的2013/14 BEER LIST

Kyle, is a world traveler, finds himself in Asia for work, trying to savor the craft beers he's come to love over the last few years in the US. So much so that he now also brews the hoppy IPAs and the deep dark stouts he enjoys so much.

Kyle has written his list "beer advocate style" with personal tasting notes on some beers, here's the basic guide :-
a:- appearance(卖相)
s:- smell(嗅觉)
t:- taste(初味道)
m:-mouth feel(口感)
0:- overall(整体感)

In his own word, here‘s Kyle's list:-

Lagunitas Sucks 
a: floral orange with white head that fades quickly
s: strong tropical fruit notes (pineapple, papaya, citrus)
t: balanced citrus bitterness with almost no malt character
m: medium bodied with good carbonation
o: an incredible beer that is absolutely perfect for hop heads like me! even better than last year's seasonal release.
#美国加州的苦味金黄色佳酿,非常均衡可口。

Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout Proprietors

a: dark black with some murky brown notes coming from the bottom. small finger beige head that fades rather quickly and leaves some bubbles on top
s: milk chocolate, small hint of coconut. bournon.  surprisingly few notes of roast.
t: like almond joy's candy - strong chocolate notes with coconut both on the front and back notes. bourbon helps to cut the sweetness and carries the flavors throughout the tasting
m: rich, silky mouthfeel
o: THE standout beer of 2013.  it really does taste like a candy bar with hints of bourbon.  a perfectly balanced stout.
#伊利诺州酿酒师的黑啤佳酿。顺滑口感有时有点像含着威士忌棒棒糖。
Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout Coffee
a: dark black that covers the glass.  no light penetration throughout. light beige head quickly fades into the darkness
s: roasted coffee.  some light bourbon notes.
t: incredibly rich coffee flavor.  pleasant bitterness that comes quickly on the front notes.  bourbon on the back notes as the beer fades from the mouth.  roastiness is played up well paired with the coffee
m: rich, silky mouthfeel

o: like BCBS proprieter's, the coffee is the perfect example for a bourbon-barrel aged beer.  excellent coffee flavor throughout that does not overwhelm.
#来自同品牌的瓶子,这是咖啡味为主的威士忌浸泡黑啤。

Toppling Goliath Morning Delight
a: black dark goodness with a brown head that fades into thick bubbled lacing quickly after pouring
s: roasted coffee.  sweetness from the bourbon and from the maple.
t: where BCBC coffee has the roastiness from the coffee, TG MD has the sweetness from the bourbon come through first - pairing with the coffee in a very flavourful, boozy way.  Maple syrup adds intense sweetness also that carries throughout the tasting experience.
m: very thick body, very little carbonation likely due to the barrel aging
o: depending on what you are in the mood for, TG MD packs a coffee punch that is not really balanced with the sweetness but it makes for an incredibly rich experience.  took me nearly an hour to drink the 12 oz pour!
#美国爱荷华州南部的稍甜浓厚咖啡口感黑啤。

Toppling Goliath Kentucky Brunch Brand Stout
a: black dark goodness with a brown head that fades into thick bubbled lacing quickly after pouring
s: bourbon.  very little roast notes.
t: incredible bourbon that pairs nicely with the dark roast notes that come through on the tongue after the first few sips.  very boozy but without an alcohol burn.
m: thick body with little carbonation.  drink this one s-l-o-w!

o: a great beer.  one of my whales of 2013.  well worth standing in line for 3 hours to obtain.  the beer is going to age even better, so i can't wait to taste it in a year or more.  the bourbon will likely become even more sweet over time as the roast notes fade.  truly incredible beer!  
#同样品牌瓶子,这是KYLE排队三小时买到的高人气黑啤瓶子,属于威士忌浸泡黑啤,请慢喝。


to be continued.....

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

2013/14 Beer List---by Alvin

The 4th friend to share with us his beer list 13/14 is Alvin.

Alvin is one of 5 founding members of Taps beer bar KL, by far the only dedicated craft beer bar in KL with many beers both on taps and bottles. A marathon runner, this guy don't seem to have any beer belly, but don't be fooled, Alvin certainly has had many beers passed through the system than any average drinkers would have.

#第四位分享13/14尝味心得的是本地人,ALVIN是吉隆坡至今唯一一家全CRAFT BEER专卖酒吧的5位创办人之一。也是马拉松选手的他可说完全没有啤酒肚,外表一点也看不出来是赏味过很多佳酿的品酒人。以下是他的分享.

Telling us in his own words, here's the list from Alvin:-


An India Pale Ale (IPA) that I wouldn’t mind drinking every day.

Yeastie Boys (New Zealand) - Gunnamatta IPA

Gunnamatta IPA brewed with Earl Grey tea. This beer was an experimental beer which The Yeastie Boys brewed for a beer event in Australia and the 1st time I had this was a year and a half ago. The Gunnamatta IPA would definitely be my first order at a bar if they have it. It has that light citrus aroma that all IPA’s would but when it hits the tongue there’s this sudden tea taste with abit of hoppiness at the end coupled with the dry finish that a cup of tea would give you.
#这是少有的来自纽西兰,ALVIN不介意每天喝的EARL GREY茶叶风味IPA。


A Porter or Stout that I wouldn’t mind drinking every day.

TO OL Brewery (Denmark) – Black Ball Porter

Easily one of the nicest and most well rounded porters that I’ve come across. Roasted malts and a good balance between the caramel, chocolate malts with a hoppy ending. The brewery insists that this is a hoppy porter not a black IPA. At 7.1% this is definitelya nice porter to finish off a night. A porter that I would drink as my last drink before crawling into bed.
#来自丹麦的黑色佳酿,很好的均衡了啤酒的焦糖,巧克力和微苦。不介意每天喝。

An Imperial Stout that I wouldn’t mind having on any given day.
Nogne O (Norway) – Dark Horizon 3rd Edition

Had it in Melbourne a few months ago and up until today I still think about it with a slight smile on my face. We paid $40 AUD for a 250ml bottle but it was well worth every single dollar. It was amazing and with these imperial stouts it normally taste better when it gets warmer. Truly amazing. And right after we had our first sip,we immediately email Kjetil (owner & brewmaster) to tell him it was so one of the best. His reply? “I think the 4th edition is better.”
#另一支来自北欧,挪威的"巨人"酿酒师KJETIL(品牌是NOGNE,巨人是身材)的黑色高酒精黑啤系列。Alvin品尝的是3号,酿酒师说今年推出的4号系列会更好!任何时候都可以喝的佳作。
Ketjil from NOGNE with Alvin.(巨人和alvin)


A beer that I would share with people.

Mikkeller (Denmark) – Beer Geek Brunch Weasel

A stout brewed with kopi luwak. While it’s a really good stout, it’s a little too complex and strong for a person finish it on their own. Mikkeller is known for crazy beers and this is one that nobody should miss. The luwak beans are taken from Vietnam. The aroma of the coffee is very strong and it has a very nice body to it too. And as usual with beers like these, the warmer it gets the better the 
taste!
#另一位丹麦魔术师MIKELLER酿制的“猫屎”咖啡味黑啤。跟上面那瓶高酒精瓶子一样,这样的佳酿由冷到稍温的时候会变化,口感更佳。适合跟朋友分享的瓶子。


Other beers which I don’t mind having anytime.(任何时候都能喝的其他瓶子)

Mountain Goat IPA 
One of the easiest drinking IPA in my opinion. Hoppy at the back but with a nice amount of citrus and caramel aroma.

#来自澳洲酿酒师的瓶子。属于很容易入口的微苦带柑橘清新味的IPA。

Hitachino Red Rice Ale 
Brewed with Japanese Akagome Rice. Which is actually a purple rice but after polishing it turns red. There’s a very nice strawberry aroma and taste to it with a strong finish which is almost like a Japanese Sake.

#加入日本赤米酿制的“米啤酒”。有点像草莓味的日本清酒。来自日本的常陆野品牌瓶子。

Next up---final part of beer list 13/14 would see a friend from USA sharing his list....Kyle will be our 5th friend to share his bottles & wishes for 2014....

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Beer List 13/14--by Manu

It's the first day of 2014.

The beer list 2013/14 continues with yet another friend who has given his list of beers, this time from a Belgian  who is living in Kl since few years back.

新年第一天,2013/14尝味瓶子心得继续分享。这次邀请的朋友是在吉隆坡住了好几年的比利时人。也是本地少有的比利时啤酒进口商,MANU虽然本身很喜好比利时啤酒,生意也是跟这些瓶子有关。不过,对啤酒的喜爱超越了生意范畴,他的分享瓶子完全没有自家代理的比利时好瓶子。(也可能是避免卖花赞花香呗:)

Manu, a big Belgium beers lover and importer that brings in quite a number of nice bottles from his homeland into KL. While craft beer bottles is his business, his passion for beers is not limited to Belgium beers only, and certainly no mentioning of his imported bottles at all in his list for 2013/14.( not that the bottles are not good but maybe more of a personal and business interest separation here i guess)

There will also be no personal note from Manu on his list, so here we go:-
Boon Oude Geuze Mariage Parfait  (Its a Lambic, i know its old but i only had it in 2013 and it was awesome.)
http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/boon-oude-geuze-mariage-parfait/12027/
#比利时酿法里面比较独特的自然果酸酿制啤酒。
Hitachino Nest Espresso Stout

#这来自日本茨城县的常陆野品牌咖啡黑啤

Jopen Meesterstuk 2012
#来自荷兰的黑麦啤,因为酿法没有把酒精收起,口感很快感觉到高度酒劲。

Harviestoun Ola Dubh (12 Year Old)
#苏格兰出名生产威士忌,这是用陈年威士忌桶浸泡的旧式酿法啤酒。
To Øl Black Maria
#丹麦的黑色玛丽亚是黑色IPA,丰富的口感不是只有微苦那么简单。
Revelation Cat - Dry Hop Thriller
#比较少有的,意大利酿制的美式干爽微苦口感淡啤
Mikkeller Beer Geek Brunch Weasel  
#丹麦魔术师酿制的“猫屎”咖啡黑啤
the Xmas Zinnebir 2013
#比利时酿酒师一个传统,会在每年圣诞节出限量版特酿,每年换所以每年的口感都不一样。

以上是MANU的赏味心得。值得一提的是,除了第一瓶,所有被提起的瓶子都能在本地找到,虽然是不定期出现,不过能找到。

So having mentioned all the beers above, which incidentally can all be found locally( except first bottle), what would be the beers that Manu like to taste for 2014?

The answers, not that many that comes to mind( at the time when asked), the bottles he misses would be :-

Dues Brut des Flandres( a champagne beer from Belgium)

Any others?
His answer:- not in particular but maybe any new bottles from brewers such as de la sanne, de struise, and also mikeller.


Next UP---another local guy give us his thoughts on beer list 13/14, Alvin from taps beer bar KL....stay tune.