2014 Memorable Beer List--by Ray Chia( Singapore)

RAY是在新加坡和朋友喝CRAFT时，他和当时还是女朋友的VALENCIA以及友人都在同一家瓶子店，结果大家围在一起分享啤酒认识的。

他说从没想过要写自己喜欢的啤酒清单--这算是第一次。。。

Ray is a Singaporean friend first known through a sharing session at THIRSTY bottle shop in S'pore, then, he was still single with the craft loving--now Mrs Chia, Valencia among a group of beer geeks.Strangers became beer geek friends .

This is his first article about memorable beers in his own words:-(with almost all photos provided too)

Never thought I would compile a beer list till fellow beer geek, Tai, made the request to do so. So here it goes.

The most memorable beer I have had in 2014 was during my trip to Seattle in August. My friends, fiancée and I did a road trip, heading north, towards Oregon, stopping at Bend and Portland, before crossing the border to Canada and finally ending in Vancouver Island.

去年最有印象啤酒是在美国“跑路”的时候喝到的，当时和未婚妻以及朋友们一起去了美国几个地方，最后到了加拿大。

The “beercation” was planned around the Seattle International Beerfest, and we were extremely pumped to be able to sample brews from around the area. There were too many brews for us to sample and some even ran out before we could try them. The craft beer scene has definitely kicked off well in this part of America.

这个“啤酒跑路假期”是以西雅图国际啤酒节为中心点，要尝味的啤酒真的太多，美国CRAFT文化不是盖的。

In Seattle, needless to say, my fiancée, now wife, and me, were blown away at the varieties of craft brew available in the local supermarket. An average 6 packs would cost around US$6 to US$10. In Singapore, S$8 would likely get you a regular IPA, go figure.

在西雅图，单只看到超级市场的啤酒类别选择，大家简直被震慑了。。更何况还没聊美国和新加坡的价格差别。。。 

Alright enough ranting, let’s get on with the beer.

1. Fremont Bourbon Abominable Winter Ale (2013) at Chuck’s Hop Shop.

Chuck, who owns Chuck’s Hop Shop, obviously, gave me a taster when I asked him what I should buy back to Singapore since I can’t buy all these excellent beer back (I wish I could!), and POW! Lovingly referred to by Fremonters as the B-BOMB, this bourbon barrel-aged version of Winter Ale (American Strong Ale), has a warm, rich caramel-ly notes of the bourbon. Mild hops, but definitely dark and roasty and chocolatey malt flavours. He said this is one of his favourite beers and that he bought the entire batch when it was released. My biggest regret is that I only bought one bottle back to Singapore!

CHUCK‘S的老板--CHUCK在以拼盘式不同小杯开场后，介绍了这支桶陈处理过的美式烈啤，老板说这是个人最爱，当时一发行就买了整套--RAY现在最后悔的是只带了一瓶回新加坡。 

2. Russian River Pliny the Elder Double India Pale Ale on tap at Horse Brass Pub

The first stop when we arrived at Portland after checking into our AirBNB was Horse Brass Pub, recommended by Meng Chao from Brewers’ Craft and Smith Street Taps. And boy, is this a proper pub! 59 beers on tap! You probably need an entire weekend to sample them all! As we only have a couple of hours, I head straight to the Holy Grail – Russian River’s Pliny the Elder. My, oh my, hands down THE double IPA to die for, until something else comes along to take its place, that is. Everything about this DIPA is balanced. On the nose, aromatics from the hops, freshness, fruity, grassy, notes of pine cones, citrus peel, maybe some mild toffee and biscuit. On the palate, bitter, sweet, malty, grapefruit, crisp, super flavourful, perfectly balanced. Definitely a beer on anyone’s must drink list.

新加坡撞意啤酒业者朋友MENG CHAO推荐的酒吧--59个啤酒泵不同选择---时间有限,也只能选择性尝味.当然包括了大名鼎鼎的"苏联河"---RAY 觉得是双份印度淡啤中最均衡，最让人倾心--是“必喝”之啤。

3. Cascade Brewing’s Oblique Black/White Coffee Stout at Cascade Brewing Barrel House

Cascade Brewing Barrel House was our third stop after Lucky Labrador Brewing Co. and Hair of The Dog brewery and tasting room in Portland. Lucky Labrador was ok and HOTD was great. We were rather disappointed that all bottles for sale at HOTD were sold out and we can only sample the ones on tap, which were all very good. 

这家是“幸运拉布拉多”和“狗毛”之后才去的。“狗毛”酿坊让人遗憾的是--能让人购买的瓶子都卖光了--只能喝上了啤酒泵的--酒--当然是佳酿。

Then we moved on to Cascade Brewing Barrel House (CBBH), was a bit hesitant as they specialized in Sours but was pleasantly surprised that I actually like sours! But the one brew that stood out for me was the Oblique Black/White Coffee Stout, I cannot remember if it’s Bourbon barrel aged but it should be. When it was first poured I thought they had gave us the wrong beer but as it turns out, looks can be deceiving. The Oblique B/W Stout looks nothing like a dark colour brew, until you taste it. Some call it an American strong ale, American Stout, Coffee Stout, Blonde Stout, etc. It pours a rich golden amber colour, notes of coffee, chocolate, cocoa. Tastes crisp, coffee, good medium smooth body a well-balanced carbonation. A bit of bready pale male with creamy soft palate and dark spicy finish. I will drink this anytime.

去这家时候有点迟疑--因为是以“酸啤酒”为主--不过RAY很惊喜的发现原来自己也喜欢酸味的--不过，最让RAY有印象的是这支美式黑啤--外表看来不太像STOUT--不过，美味均衡--让RAY任何时候都想喝。

4. Hair of the Dog Brewing Co. Fred Batch 93

As mentioned before, we had the brews on tap at HOTD and it was fantastic. This bottle was uncovered later on during the same trip at a bottle in Portland. Most of the brews we tasted at HOTD tasting room were generally strong ales, hence, a sweeter palate. Notes of aromatic hops, sweet citrus and malty. This American Strong Ale tastes malty, meady, raisins, caramel, and turns to a bitter fruit finish a touch of sour. I am sure other batches will yield different taste profile and will be hoping to get my hands on any of them for a tasting.

这是离开“狗毛”酿坊之后，在其他地方发掘到的瓶子--跟之前在酿坊喝到的拼盘尝味杯子啤酒口味稍微偏甜不同--这支美式烈啤余韵带点酸味--RAY觉得不同期酿的FRED会有不同味道--期待可以再尝味其他瓶子。

5. Goose Island Beer Co. Bourbon County Stout (2013) from Las Vegas

Thanks to the good cousin, I finally got to taste the much-lauded Bourbon County Brand Stout (BCBS). Expectations were high and it definitely did not disappoint. This American Double/Imperial Stout pours a dark brown colour with a fizzy light brown head. Notes of vanilla, oak, bourbon, liquorice and roasted malt. This excellent beer is meant to be savoured SLOWLY. Take a sip, close your eyes and let it linger between the walls of your mouth, breath in slightly and gently let it slide down your throat. Perfect.

终于喝到了盛名在外的黑啤---期望高不过一点也没让人失望--让人赞叹的慢尝啤酒--喝一口--闭上眼睛--让酒体散发--慢慢化入喉咙。。。完美。

以上是RAY去年最爱的5支佳酿--是喝过蛮多好啤酒--不过这5支是瞬间想到的--老土说句--喝酒伙伴是美好时光的主因--下次喝酒时--你要叫谁？

There you have it, the top five beers of 2014 for me. To be honest, there are a lot more other good beers I have tasted over this past year and these five are kind of what came to mind instantly. All in all, as cliché as it sounds, it is always the company that makes these beer tasting moments memorable. So next time, when you have the urge to try some beer, who you gonna call? J

Cheers!

NEXT UP--2014 Memorable Beer List--by KYLE(US/KL)

WEEK 40--YOKOHAMA craft-spotting

横滨是感觉舒适的港都。

来东京总是要往横滨跑跑，就算不为找啤酒喝，纯粹走走看看无无聊聊也是乐事。

这次约了“东京喝啤酒人”部落客的NEIL一起，目标为主攻美国啤酒的ANTENNA AMERICA和个性化的THRASH ZONE，也因为晚上跟日本酿酒师朋友约了在东京一家吧见面，这次在横滨只去了两家。

不过，贵精不贵多，两家已够让人眉开眼笑。

绝对推荐去东京的朋友给横滨至少一天时间，放慢脚步也好，追逐啤酒也行，横滨都适合。

This is sort of the concluding piece of the recent Tokyo bar-hop trip,

Yokohama is very close to Tokyo---even if it's not for chasing beer--it's a port city i enjoy literally doing nothing---just walking or lazy around the port/park area in a sunny autumn day is reason enough to take the half hour train ride...

The Yokohama beer tasting session were plan ahead with Neil of 'Tokyo Beer Drinker"blog---as we have another appointment back in Tokyo with a brewer friend at another bar---the trip in Yokohama is all about 2 places---Antenna America( which focus on US brew) and Thrash Zone( a metal music bar).

quote:-
"Antenna America---it's one floor down from the importer's office who own and operate this place---"felt like drinking in an office" Neil commented in jest---but we know it does not matter so long the beer selection is fine---obviously this place does not disappoint"

"Antenna America---if US brew is what you crave for---this is certainly your kind of place---with lots of bottles selection and varieties--also 6 taps---since they open earlier than most beer bar--if you need to start early--this is a good place to kick start your bar-hopping day..."

"Thrash Zone---the initial impression before stepping into this bar is that" it's a metal music bar---it does not sell anything below 8% abv--though uniquely positioned--it could be just a gimmick?---all this assumption immediately vanished after the first sip of Hop Deicide--a beer brewed by Thrash Zone! --really tasty--nothing like the fixed impression of  some mellow/polite Japanese brew--it was kicking with hop fresh, full of aroma..."

"Thrash Zone---more recently--you could find lower abv beer---or session beer at this bar---which is really a nice thing to have--it's a bit like music--it does not have to be very loud or rocking all the time to be good---subtlety can be very powerful as well..." 

'having written 3 articles on Tokyo, and 1 on Yokohama--it is just very few places that i have visited --there's simply many more out there...." 

NEXT WEEK---memorable beer tasted in 2014---by CT

2014 Memorable Beer List---by Stu Mckinlay( NZ)

新年第一天，继续回看2014年喝了什么值得回味的啤酒。

这期的“清单”来自纽西兰的STU，YEASTIE BOYS啤酒就是他的酿品。

1st day of the new year, while looking forward to more exciting beers in the coming months...here's a list by Stu Mckinlay, the brew master for Yeastie Boys about his memorable beer/beer related views:-

written by Stu( with most photos provided too)

Adnams Jack Brand Dry-hopped lager

I think of New Zealand as being the worldwide home of new world hoppy lagers but Adnams galaxy dry-hopped lager is undoubtedly one of the best I’ve ever tried.  Where our down under versions tend to be IPA–inspired versions of pilsners, this smooth beer was more like an American Pale Ale influenced version of a Dortmunder Export. Smooth, layered, slightly minerally with a delightful fruity undertone that never dominated.  Everything in its place.  It helped make it memorable in that I managed to drink plenty of it in the shadow of the brewery, in the delightful pubs of Southwold.

STU觉得纽西兰可能是酿制很多新式苦味浅啤（LAGER）的地方--不过来自英国ADNAMS的这支无疑是他喝过最好的。

况且--这家还有桶陈年处理的啤酒。。。。

And then there were their magnificent Adnams cask ales… but that’s another story!

Panhead Supercharger

Mike Neilson, the owner/founder and head brewer at Panhead Brewery, was a great customer of mine when I owned a homebrew supply business a few years back.  He always dropped off a few homebrews when he picked up his brewing supplies and I got to drink some truly spectacular beers in that time.  Mike went on to brew for New Zealand craft beer pioneers – Tuatara Brewery – before launching his own brewery in mid-2013.

MIKE是纽西兰酿坊PANHEAD的创办人兼酿酒师--STU和他很早期就是朋友--当时STU开了一家自酿器材供应店--MIKE是玩自酿的--当时就喝了不少MIKE的佳酿。

后来MIKE去了纽西兰比较有规模的酿坊--TUATARA当酿酒师--然后再自创品牌---STU在去年初某个下午和朋友聊完事情后喝了这支MIKE的酿品--啤酒的质素让他觉得这位早期搞自酿的朋友还是很有当年的“火”。

Earlier 2014, I had a great afternoon talking business with a friend in the spring sun.  We finished with a Panhead Supercharger and it was as fine a commercial beer as I’d tasted from Mike.  It reminded me of that je nais se quois he possessed as a homebrewer and, added to the fact that I was in the sun with a good friend, it was a perfect beer drinking moment.

And this photo of Mike is funny (he doesn’t usually have a moustache).

Moa Sour Blanc

Moa get a hard time in New Zealand, and much of it deservedly so, for a marketing angle that often crosses the line between promoting their beer and simple shock value humour.  I’m not a fan of their public persona but I’m a massive fan of their head brewer Dave Nicholls. A former brewer of industrial lagers, all over the world, Dave is now producing some of the most complex and interesting beers in the southern hemisphere… from hoppy pale ales, through imperial stouts, to barrel-aged and sour beers.

STU并不喜欢MOA的公众形象--不过他很欣赏主酿酒师DAVE的功力--一位以前酿大厂啤酒--现在酿着南半球最有趣各类别啤酒的高手。

 At Australia’s infamous Great Australasian Beer SpecTapular, we had a stand next to Moa and that meant I had the pleasure of not having to leave our corner of the room to get my hands on  one of the very best beers (of about 200 in the venue). A delicate witbier base is given a complex lift with funky barnyard notes and a lovely sour edge.  I could drink this one by the gallon.

在澳洲啤酒节，STU的“啤酒摊”就设在MOA的旁边，他可以就近不停品尝美味复杂的麦芽香酸啤酒。。。

All the beers at Taps Beer Bar!

Regulars at Taps Beer Bar, Jalan Nagasari, may have noticed some sticky fingerprints on the windows in mid-July. They were from my three excited sons pointing out their beer in the window.  It was great to be able to visit the bar, having sent beer there for a year or so.

三个小孩都是STU的孩子--地点是吉隆坡TAPSBEERBAR外窗--指着的应该都是老爸酿的啤酒瓶。。。

It’s always very exciting to visit the wild frontiers of beer, possibly even more so than the established historical places that inspired us, and Taps Beer Bar is the wild west of South East Asian craft beer. These places are home to the most enthusiastic beer lovers and never have much in the way of rules to shape them.  The first venues to hit the ground get to set the rules… and the team at Taps have done a wonderful job at this.  I can’t wait to return and drink beer with the locals.  Yaaaaaaaaaaammmm Seng!

STU觉得能在离家那么远的东南亚发现一家这样的CRAFT专卖酒吧是比看旅游景点更令人兴奋的事情。他很期待可以再回来跟我们这些在地人“饮胜”。。。

Townshend Old House ESB

Sometimes a family trip just happens to intersect with one of the things on my beer bucket list. This year we had one of those occasions, when we attended a 90^th birthday in Upper Moutere (an off-the-beaten-track spot in New Zealand’s south island). This area is home to my favourite New Zealand brewery – Townshend Brewery – and is the location of The Moutere Inn, one of New Zealand’s iconic craft beer pubs.

这是STU的必去酒吧清单里面的一家，而且是在为了其他事情去某个地方时候，跟家人一起完成的。

Here I managed to get a pint of Townshend’s flagship ale – Old House ESB – within walking distance of the brewery. It was as good a pint as I got my hands on all year and was made all the more pleasurable by the fact that I was able to introduce some extended family members to it.

TOWNSHEND是STU喜欢的一家纽西兰酿坊，卖酒的地方就在酿坊走路可到的地方，这杯喝的很写意。

A fine night, with great beer in an excellent pub, celebrating something rare and special with family. What more can we ask for?

Adnams & Yeastie Boys Gunnamatta

Right back at the start of this list I mentioned drinking Adnams beer in their hometown of Southwold, Suffolk.  We were in town to brew a real ale version of our best selling beer Gunnamatta, at Adnams, for the Wetherspoons’ International Real Ale Festival.  We came and went thinking we’d never get a chance to try the final product but Adnams were kind enough to send a firkin to New Zealand with one of their scheduled exports.

这是STU品牌的代表作之一，特别的是，这次是受邀出席英国啤酒节，在英国名酿坊ADNAMS酿制，专供啤酒节需求。

Rather than drink it all in our own lounge, which was a tempting proposition, we organised a party at the British High Commissioner’s residence and served the beer alongside several New Zealand keg beers that had also beer brewed for the Wetherspoons international festival in recent years. It was a great gathering of some of the nicest people in the New Zealand beer scene. And the beer tasted fantastic! In fact, all of the beers tasted so good that the High Commissioner extended opening hours of her pop-up pub for an extra hour or so. A splendid evening.

因为酿制之后就离开英国，没想到英国酿坊特意送了酿成品到纽西兰给STU和伙伴/朋友们尝味--结果是在英国驻纽西兰大使的官邸搞了一个品酒会--出现的还有其他参与啤酒节的纽西兰品牌啤酒---因为啤酒和气氛都太好--大使将品酒会延长了一个小时。

Incidentally the High Commissioner – Vicki Treadell – has finished her post here and is now the British High Commissioner to Malaysia. You may spot her in Taps Beer Bar from time to time over the next few years…

巧合的是，大使去年尾已经调任英国驻马来西亚大使--今后几年可能会在吉隆坡TAPS酒吧遇到她....

NEXT UP--2014 memorable beer list--by Ray Chia(S'pore)

2014 Memorable Beer List---by ALVIN ( kl)

这期最有印象啤酒清单来自ALVIN---本地CRAFT BEER专卖酒吧的年轻老板之一。

ALVIN的自选LIST只有5支啤酒，是较近期喝过的啤酒。

We continue with the beer list --this time around a short list from Alvin--one of the owners of Tapsbeerbar here in KL.

here's the list--- in his own words:-

This year has been really great. Taps Beer Bar opened a 2nd outlet in 1mk mall and its been crazy setting the place up. In the last 6 months we have been so busy that we hardly had time to sit down and enjoy our beers.

很棒的一年，开了第二家酒吧--不过也因为前期太忙--前半年简直没什么时间坐下来好好喝下自家卖的啤酒。

This year my habit of drinking has changed. Instead of chasing for a certain beer style, I will decide based on the mood I'm in.

今年的喝酒习惯有点改变，不执意追求某种类别，只看心情喝酒。

1. Australian Brewery - extra hoppy ale - all day everyday

This is a very surprising beer. So easy to drink and very satisfying. Nothing big in terms of flavours but the balance of the flavours makes this beer the easiest beer to drink any time of day.

澳洲酿品--让人意外的均衡酒体，适合任何时候的易喝啤酒。

2. Mikkeller - George bourbon ba -slow drinking beer

Mikkeller has produced some really nice beers but sometimes its best to keep it simple and not too crazy. This bourbon barrel aged imperial stout is part of the George Foreman series and at 12.12% its perfect! A very nice oak aroma hits you when the beer is poured but barrel aged stouts you want to let it warm up a bit. The smell of the alcohol becomes more apparent and coupled with the whiskey oak and slight dark chocolate taste, this makes the beer one to remember.

来自丹麦的名牌有不少佳酿，包括一些比较疯狂的，不过，有时候简单直接的也很不错。这是美国威士忌桶陈年处理过的黑啤，让酒体稍微“温热”起来会更好。木桶+酒精+黑巧克力的独特味道，是让人很记得的慢尝酒。

3. Thornbridge - brascia -slow drinking beer

Thornbridge range beers have been solid. Be it their core range or their seasonals. Brascia is a very rich dark ale which surprised me on so many levels. Firstly, its vanilla and dark fruit taste with a strong alcohol taste which didn't overpower the flavours of the beer. It finishes with a slight malty flavour and leaves your mouth wanting more. Shared the first bottle with a friend thinking that it will be too much but ended up having one on my own.

英国酿坊THORNBRIDGE有不少很实在的酿品，这支黑啤是让ALVIN觉得惊喜的酿品，浓厚的口感让人以为难以自个儿喝完，结果是跟朋友分享玩后，ALVIN自己再要了一瓶。

4. Prickly Moses - Otway stout

The simplest stout I've had this year. Medium roasted and low on alcohol. Light to medium body so that's perfect. Not too rich and that makes it so easy to drink and multiple times in a day!

今年喝过最简单的黑啤，低度酒精，适度烘烤的麦芽香--酒体适中--适合一喝再喝。

5. Boatrocker - hop bomb IPA - anytime IPA

Boatrocker is one of the newest brewery we've brought in this year. Their hopbomb IPA changed the perception of Aussie beers. Quite a lot of our customers always say they don't really like Australian beers or that Australians don't know how to brew beers. But when I told them that this is a very very good IPA and gave them a little taster, they would order it all night long. 
这是来自澳洲新酿坊“摇船者”，让人刮目相看的印度淡啤--不少饮客并不喜欢澳洲啤酒或觉得澳洲撞意啤酒不够格--不过，尝试过HOP BOMB之后，会整晚喝不停。。。

NEXT UP---Beer List by STU Mckinlay( New Zealand)

2014 Memorable Beer List--by TOBIAS(Copenhagen)

继续聊什么是2014让人很有印象的啤酒。

之前是长住东京的英国部落客朋友NEIL，这次的是来自哥本哈根的酿酒师TOBIAS，如果你熟悉TO OL这个北欧品牌，没错，以下是他的自选LIST。

The 2014 memorable beer list started with Neil, a blogger friend from Tokyo---next up to provide us some of his memorable beer list is a Brewer from Copenhagen---yup, if you are familiar with TO OL of Denmark---this list is from the brewer himself.

it's a rather short list, here we go:-( original writing from Tobias)

Mikkeller Spontanrødbede: exciting sour beer brewed with beetroot. A very familier Danish vegetable in perfect combination of the sour flavours. Amazing colour and appearance.

这是另一个丹麦名牌MIKKELLER的甜菜“酸啤酒”--利用在丹麦常见的蔬菜类天然发酵而成的酿品.

To Øl Garden of Eden: One of our own beers, an IPA brewed with 5 different tropical fruits. Amazing how the perfect combination of fruity hop varieties bonds together with fruits. From a distance it's really overdosed but when you drink it it's actually very drinkable and friendly. Really complex and yet simple.

TO OL自家的印度淡啤--利用五种不同热带水果，和啤酒花美妙结合而成--虽然可能有过量过重错觉--不过是复杂得来由易喝的。

De Proef Amarillo projects: Really interesting test brews from Belgium, sourcing amarillo hops from different farmers at different locations and really discovering the terroir of the hops you use. This beer is not released yet, but have some really exciting differences that I think any beer geek would love to discover.

这家位于比利时的酿坊是一些吉普赛酿酒师--包括TO OL有合作的--所以TOBIAS知道/尝试过这家的实验酒--以不同区域收集的AMARILLO啤酒花酿制，是很有趣的酿品，目前还没有面世。

Three Floyds Zombie Dust: This beer is just too simple to be good. Single hop citra pale ale, Many have brewed similar recipes, but this one is just amazing.....

美国大名鼎鼎的FFF--THREE FLOYDS这支美式淡啤是被公认最佳的---TOBIAS觉得这支酒的酿方很简单，可是又那么美味--很多酿酒师都试过同样酿方--就是没有ZOMBIE DUST 那么神奇。

Arizona Wilderness: Most friendly guys around, met them at CBC and at the Shelton beer festival in US. Amazing projects with mead, barrel aging and new flavours. Can't pick out any of the beers as being the best, but I would really watch this brewery in 2015.

2015年最值得关注/期待的美国新酿坊---TOBIAS 在丹麦和美国啤酒节遇到来自这家的酿酒师们--他非常欣赏这家的桶陈年处理蜜糖酒, 以及一些新口味啤酒的计划.

NEXT UP---list by ALVIN ( KL)