WEEK 43---Quick craft-tour of KL-BKK-S'PORE(part 1/2)

KL 

this is the 4th year craft beer culture is taking shape in KL, looking back, there has been a rather lack of major development in terms of craft-bar-bottle shops new operator/s joining the local scene. There's only 1 new bar opened late last year, but by the same bar that started 3 years ago....

Yes--the only addition of a 100% craft beer bar is tapsbeerbar1MK.

Is that to say KL is a bloody boring place for craft beer? well, not that bad---not at all. At the very least--some beer listed as the TOP 100 by ratebeer were here before/reappearing, and of course there's many others from Europe, New Zealand, Australia, and lately some US brew....

Generally speaking, operating craft beer bar or bottle shop is not quick money making or very high margin business, add that with the fact that KL is a place with very high alcohol taxes---and the local craft culture is still in it's very early developing stage--this would sort of explain why there's so few operators in the market--guess we drinkers can just hope for few more craft beer loving operators to join in sooner rather than later...

吉隆坡撞意啤酒文化萌芽期进入第四个年头。

过去三年多，本地撞意啤酒文化并没有飞跃发展，除了原有一家专卖酒吧和专卖瓶子店，只增加了另一家专卖吧，而且是原有专卖吧的分店。

是的，吉隆坡来说，100%纯粹卖CRAFT BEER的点只多了一家，去年尾新开的TAPS BEER BAR 1MK。实际上，现阶段吉隆坡业者的确少。

这是说本地撞意啤酒选择很少，乏味无趣吗？倒不至于。

至少，刚上榜RATEBEER全球100大啤酒榜的好些啤酒都出现过，比如比利时WESTVLETEREN 12，DE STRUISE渔船瓶子PENNEPOT和BLACK ALBERT 黑啤，ROCHEFORT系列8和10修道院啤酒，ST.BERNARDUS 12号瓶子。丹麦MIKKELLER的啤迷黑啤系列，美国PRAIRIE BOMB黑啤等等。

除了比利时，北欧，苏格兰啤酒是过去三年多较常找到的，去年一些纽西兰，澳洲和英国新品牌也开始涌现。然后，更让人期待的是美国啤酒也陆续出现了。

在本地卖撞意啤酒不是高利润或赚快钱生意，也需要对撞意啤酒的认识和热切，所以本地市场很少人投入是可理解现象。只能说，希望星火可以逐渐燎原，未来一两年会看到新业者加入。

BKK

this is still "the big do" month for Mikkeller bangkok with it's first anniversary "bkk beer week" continuing from late January.

as many would have noticed, there's a 30 tap"kick -ass" list on 29th Jan--followed by tap take-over by TO OL from Denmark and Baird from Japan.

This coming friday & saturday will see a 50 tap a day--100 beer in total keg party taking place, with beer festival like format where ticket is on sale.. 

Pushing craft culture in a market long dominated by the big boys of Thai commercial beer( think Elephant & Lion) is never an easy task, we say keep rocking Mikkeller bar---and credit should also be given to the USbrew importer(Beervana) for keeping the ball rolling earlier along with another importer who focus on Belgium beer.... 

这个月，曼谷“米吧”庆祝满周岁。

以东南亚撞意啤酒市场仍处于萌芽成长期来说，一年不是短时间。

配合生日，1月29日开始“米吧”就动作连连，除了30个上了啤酒泵，号称“至今最厉害阵容”酒单选择，还分别把丹麦TO OL和日本BAIRD酿酒师配合“占领啤酒泵”活动带到曼谷跟啤迷见面。然后，2月的6日和7日连续两天，效仿丹麦啤酒节庆盛宴，以单一价格门票方式，让啤迷可以每天50个不同啤酒泵选择，两天100种不同啤酒，一次过喝个够。

过去一年来，作为曼谷撞意啤酒市场新来者（之前曼谷已有人经营比利时和美国啤酒），“米吧”因为品牌效应优势，已俨然是东南亚以致香港台湾甚至日本啤迷的“朝拜”点。

要在被泰国本土大厂啤酒（大象/狮子）包围多年的市场以非主流方式推动撞意啤酒文化不是易事，“米吧”和另一家美国啤酒进口商在曼谷以致其他地区所做的尝试还是值得啤迷欣慰，支持的。

NEXT UP--Quick tour to S'pore

WEEK 42--A few "craft-terms"(Part 2/2)

PALATE

Some say there's no such thing as "palate building"--beer is just beer--just drink--what so complicated about it?

Of course some would say yes--there's a period of "palate building" for every newbie--that your taste bud/senses need some time( few months to a year or even longer...) to get use to/get around the different "stimulation" generated by different beer styles.

And--many also believe that drinking craft should start with the lightest, and gradually to the stronger/strongest beer--because a stronger beer( in taste/type--not just abv)would in theory "over-power/destroy" your palate, hence can't fully appreciate a perceived "weaker"beer .

Well, some people would just do the opposite--starting with the stronger( or even the strongest beer)--and reverse the sequence--if that suits you---why not?

PALATE指的是个人口味。

有人说喝啤酒跟吃饭一样，没什么讲究的，依个人口味，喜欢什么就什么，直截了当。

也有人说，其实有点讲究的。讲究什么呢？PALATE BUILDING，培养口味的意思。说的是刚从喝平淡无趣普通大厂啤酒转向撞意啤酒的新朋友需要时间“练”一下味觉嗅觉，逐步适应众多不同类别撞意啤酒带来的味蕾新体会。

还有，喝撞意啤酒时候的顺序也会影响PALATE，大多数人会从最浅喝起然后逐步加强，最复杂或高酒精的，一般都留到最后才喝，这样做是有一定道理的，如果先喝了最强最复杂的，“较弱”的啤酒类别就会被掩盖，喝不出应有原味。

当然，顺序喝不是规定，也有人是倒着顺序喝的。只要口味适应，没什么是一定要跟着做的。

SESSION BEER

Many would say low abv beer or session beer is anything with 5% abv or lower( though some might think 6% +- is still fine) --the idea is simple---yummy beer that won't kick your ass after one pint or a bottle--one that you could probably go for 3-4 during a drink session if you really love it so much.

if you have tasted quite a few crazy big beers--sometimes all you want is just tasty beer that's still complex yet easy to drink.

易喝啤酒的意思。

重点是酒精度一定要低（公认为不超过5%，也有觉得是不超过6%的），这样就可以一个SESSION（喝酒时光）喝几支相同或不同的，不会因为喝了某些疯狂啤酒，酒精快速来袭或口感味觉被“干掉”了而尝不到味。

不同于“入门级别”啤酒，SESSION BEER涵盖范围很广，可以是浅啤，淡啤，印度淡啤或黑啤类。很多喝过不少疯狂酿品的啤迷，到了某个程度，会逐渐转向不那么疯狂的易喝又美味啤酒。

TASTING SESSION

This may sound like a term more often associated with wine/whiskey, especially with the image of a guy holding a glass, a basket in waiting and spitting out...

In the world of Craft Beer there's such thing called tasting session too--and NO--we do not spit out( unless if the beer has gone bad or super duper badly made)

This is in fact the best way to not drink in quantity but quality--a group of few geeks/friends--each bring out a bottle or two of their best kept secret bottle/s--best way to enjoy good beer.

品酒好像是葡萄酒或威士忌的“专利”，特别是拿着桶，把口中红酒白酒转一圈吐掉的画面。

撞意啤酒的“品酒会”是分享会，三五人聚在一起，大家各拿一两瓶旗鼓相当的佳酿一起品尝。（当然不用把酒吐掉，谁那样做就是神经病--除非酒坏掉，或十倍难喝，不过这种情况可说绝无仅有）。

TASTING SESSION可同时间少量喝到不少好瓶子，是啤迷互相“开牌”本身收藏的好玩聚会，更适合喜欢“喝少尝多”的朋友（很多啤迷朋友早已不在乎量，高质素才是目标）。

WEEK 42---A few "Craft-terms"(part 1/2)

Being a beer geek is like falling into "BLACK HOLE"(with no end in sight)...

it's just a personal view, but probably that's how lots of beer geek felt.

Black Hole is also a big beer from Mikkeller--had it on tap not long ago--felt really disappointed as it was nothing like the "BIG"stout i was expecting---DO i call it a bad beer? NOPE--will have to find a bottle--try it--it's only fair to make any judgement after that.(sounds familiar?  )

The never ending search for targeted beers may sound tiring --but true beer geek would not mind that at all...

迷上撞意啤酒等于掉进黑洞。

是个人观点。相信也是很多啤迷同感。

丹麦名牌MIKKELLER有一支同名大黑啤酿品，去年底在本地喝到上TAP版本，觉得一点都不是期待中那样“大”，失望了。不过，就那样判“黑洞”死刑？当然不，会去找瓶子版本来印证下。这样的例子，对啤迷来说，应该很熟悉。

无穷尽寻找心头好，听起来觉得累？没事，真正啤迷是不介意掉进黑洞的。

ENVY is one of the bottles from "sinner series"by Amager--though this is more of a marketing ploy--but it is true that ENVY is part of the craft beer culture.

Just look around what's posted on social media--there's endless expression of envy( in a good way--mostly) when someone is having a beer or two/a bottle or more of what another does not already had/tasted/longing for.....(well...beer geek are essentially a bunch of freaks always going forward inside the black hole....)

ENVY---字眼上就是“羡慕”。

丹麦酿坊AMAGER有7支不同类别啤酒组成的“7宗罪”系列，ENVY是印度淡啤。虽然这个系列很大程度只是市场宣传点子，不过，“羡慕”的确是撞意啤酒文化一部分。

只要上专注撞意啤酒的社交网，无论是INSTA，面子书或部落客，不同城市啤迷在交流意见时，一发现别人拥有或在喝着自己很想要但还没找到瓶子，“羡慕”是最直接反应。

谁让啤迷是黑洞中一直向前走的怪物。

IPA is DEAD? well..just like many band/singer song writers had sang about rock & roll is dead or pop is dead---of course it is not dead.

IPA is very much alive and kicking--- it's most likely the best seller at most craft beer places in lots of different cities--and generally seen as the "entry level test" for newbie who can't handle bitterness --but once the palate got around---you are already half a leg inside the black hole..... 

“印度淡啤已死”是苏格兰坏孩子BREWDOG的SINGLE HOP（单一啤酒花） IPA系列名称。

就像玩音乐的人唱作过“摇滚已死”之类的，摇滚当然没死。

IPA当然也还活色生香的。可以这样说，比利时之外，全世界绝大多数酿坊都有自己的印度淡啤系列，不同城市撞意酒吧瓶子店热卖的，很多时候也是IPA。

印度淡啤被视为新朋友从普通大厂啤酒转向撞意啤酒的必经“入门槛”，虽然一开始可能不太习惯啤酒花甘苦味，一旦跨过去，已是半只脚踏进来。

NEXT UP--A few "craft-terms"(part 2/2)

2014 Memorable Beer List--Final list by YINHAI(Beijing)

2014年最有印象酒单最后一篇来自北京的朋友，从玩自酿，到在北京开了卖进口和自酿的酒吧，人称“酒疯子”的银海。

这“清单”可能会让一些朋友觉得有点争议性--因为6个啤酒都是自家酒吧的，看起来难免有宣传味。。。

跟银海的对话是这样的：-
银海“我喜欢的都是自家啤酒，可以写吗？”
回答。。“不需要老王卖瓜，都是你个人喜欢的就算都只能在你的吧喝到也没错的。。”

就那样，反正CRAFT BEER崇尚自由发挥，是宣传还是分享，见仁见智，喝过的会知道。

The final list from Beijing may seems like a PR/Promo list to some, as all 6 beer mentioned were from one brew bar in Beijing, and the guy who wrote this, a well known "beer nut"amongst Beijing craft fraternity is the owner of the bar--YINHAI.

This is how it went when asked for his beer list:-
YINHAI"the beers i love are those only available in my brewpub--can i write?”
ME"well, there's nothing wrong if all those you really like are within your bar only..."

craft beer is all about exploring, sharing and freedom of expression---if you think this is just a list to promote own bar--then yes--so be it---but if you think it's really because he had tried so many beers from other brewers and last year only love his own beers--so be it too...

here's the list :-(original copy written in Mandarin by Yinhai)

SAISON IPA--American Hops, IBU45, Belgium style saison--a mix of old new world beer styles.

季节苦啤Saison IPA，一款用美式啤酒花，苦度值45的比利时式Saison啤酒，新旧世界经典啤酒的溶合，即保留了Saison口感和香味的多样化，又引入了明显的美式酒花味。

OYSTER STOUT--traditional English stout infused with French oyster--with obvious hint of oyster after taste, light toast light sweetness, aromatic.

生蚝世涛Oyster Stout，传统的英式世涛黑啤加入法国生蚝，回口有微弱但明显的生蚝的鲜香，烘焙味非常柔和，略回甜，花香四溢。

FRENCH DUBBEL--using Belgium Dubbel as base, added with yeast from a famous French wine yard--fruity, red in color, smooth, perfect combo of beer and wine.

法式双料French Dubbel，以一款经典的比利时双料为基底，但却采用法国著名葡萄酒酒庄的葡萄酒酵母发酵，带来奇特的果味，加之艳红的酒体，顺滑的口感，是啤酒和红酒的完美结合。

GERMAN STYLE KOLSCH--our most simple brew--with german malts, hops and yeast--clean, crisp, direct---having tried so many beer with different styles/play of style---this one always reminded me why people drink beer( in the very beginning).

德式淡啤Kolsch，我们自酿的一款最简单，但也是最经典的一款德式淡啤，德国麦芽，德国酒花，德国酵母，德国工艺，复原了这款我个人最喜欢的一种风格，清爽，干净，直接，喝过这么多各种花式的酒，这类的酒，总是不断让我想起，也让我总是理解，人类为什么开始会喝啤酒 

BEJINGER WEISSE--- a beer infused with local identity--using Beijing old school "sour milk" yeast with some local spices.

北京人小麦酸啤Beijinger Weisse，一款本地特色的Berliner Weisse，北京老酸奶的乳酸菌参与发酵，再加入小许本地香料，在这款经典酸啤中带上本地风味，

ZHONGNANHAI SMOKE---Zhongnanhai--the heart of Chinese government--also the most famous alternative song, the most famous cigarettes brand---and now the famous smoke beer in Beijing.

中南海烟熏啤酒Zhongnanhai Smoke，中南海，中共总部，北京最流行的半地下歌曲，北京最流行的香烟，现在，也是北京最有名的烟熏啤酒。

NEXT UP--WEEK 42---A FEW "CRAFT-TERMS"

WEEK 41--2014 Memorable Beer List--by CT(Part 3/3)

去年最有印象清单高度啤酒篇：-
Part 3/3 of my beer list is about some heavier beer( 9% or above):-

Xiquic and the hero twin by Amager + Cigar City
Very interesting stout--with a strong initial celery like smell(it's in fact the after effects of cedar wood)--not a beer everyone would like--but it stick on me after overcoming the initial "strange" smell--a smooth and flavorful stout.
丹麦AMAGER和美国CIGAR CITY合酿，利用香彬木“浸泡”，带出彬木独有味道的搞怪黑啤，入口有类似芹菜味道侵来，不是一般人会喜欢类型，好玩好喝。

Golden Monkey by Victory Brewing

This is one naughty monkey--a golden triple--taste crisp and easy on the palate---but beware not to gulp too fast--it would climb up your head very soon.

美国VICTORY酿坊的GOLDEN MONKEY，爽口易喝又带劲的比利时风格TRIPLE，看似温驯，不过别喝太快，金毛猴会爬上头。

Red Horizon(edition 2) by Nogne

A sake beer--nothing like what usual impression we have about sake--this is a murky color strong ale--with version3 tasted back to back--would say edition 2 is a much balance and nicer one.

挪威NOGNE酿坊利用日本长野县的清酒酵母（SAKE YEAST）酿造的旧式浓啤酒，RED HORIZON EIDTION2，不同系列有不同口感味道，个人觉得第二版最均衡对味。

BOMB!--by Prairie Artisan Ale

Though a high abv stout---it's so smooth and creamy--nothing harsh on the palate--if you love your stout thick and strong--you will love this one.

美国酿坊PRAIRIE ARTISAN ALES的强力黑啤BOMB！，虽然酒精度14%，但酒体醇香顺滑，没有呛鼻现象，喜欢浓黑啤的会爱。

Nelson Sauvignon by Mikkeller

Champagne in a beer--or beer in a champagne? this is one very crisp, with hint of sour, bubbly beer--in a nice way. Feels like having a champagne+sauvignon blanc--but a beer for sure---a fun combination.

丹麦大师的“香槟啤酒”，MIKKELLER NELSON SAUVIGNON，绝对有特色金黄啤，完全有在喝着香槟感觉，却又很明显的告诉你，这是好玩组合的啤酒。

Imperial Biscotti Break by Evil Twin

Feels like having a mocha coffee with added dark chocolate, smooth and creamy --no doubt a very nice "dessert" beer 

EVIL TWIN酿坊的IMPERIAL BISCOTTI BREAK，香浓咖啡/黑巧克力味道的黑色佳酿。

Risgoop by Mikkeller + Three Floyds
Barley wine is always a very potent--what we call a kick-ass type--and when you have two big names brewers coming together for a collab( which sometimes is not a guarantee for success)--this one is a tasty but dangerously smooth beer.
美国THREE FLOYDS和丹麦MIKKELLER合酿的麦芽酒（BARLEY WINE），10.4%酒精度的RISGOOP是需要慢尝啤酒。

Sucre by The Bruery

One of the highlights for 2014 is this bottle brought back from Tanakaya bottle shop in Mejiro, Tokyo( thanks Michael)-somewhat sweet old ale/strong ale with strong hint of bourbon influence--but both complex and easy on the palate--makes you wonder the limitless possibilities of beer---already looking forward to tasting this one again sooner rather than later.

2014年其中一支最让人惊艳瓶子，朋友从东京带回尝味，来自美国酿坊THE BRUERY的SUCRE。属旧式浓啤（OLD ALE）类别，威士忌桶陈年处理过，接近18%酒精度的复杂酒体口感带着威士忌烈酒特有的甘甜，让人惊叹啤酒变化层面真的无可限量。

Bottles not included in newspaper column:-

Sort Maelk by To Ol

Milk stout just sounded a little bit "off" a little "white" for stout lover--of course it's still a dark color beer--but just the thought of it being too milky or thin is an annoying thought as i like stout to be thick and creamy--and this one is a very nice stout for sure.

牛奶黑啤--听起来就像是颜色浅白的意思--当然不是--还是黑的--而且顺滑好喝。

Hell and Damnation by De Molen

Obviously there are many different version of this strong stout--but just the Original version is good enough--had it on tap--so delicious that you just have to run for a second serving.

荷兰风车酿坊的名作之一，虽然有很多不同桶陈版本，不过，只是原版就已经很好喝--更何况是喝上啤酒泵版本。

Vanilla Shake by Mikeller

Had this on tap and bottles---lovely no doubt but also heavy for sure...If you like beer geek breakfast, as well brunch weasal--this one is like the combo and enhanced( like at least double up) version of the two--in a nice and STRONG way--yes--look out for the kick--do not drink this empty stomach( you have been warned!...:) 

如果你喝过“啤迷早餐”和“猫屎咖啡”版本--这是两者加起来再加强版本--美味肯定--不过小心慢喝--也不要空肚子当餐来喝--会KICK ASS的。

Speedway Stout by Alesmith

Having tasted this stout earlier---it is still a very nice stout to be had anytime of the year---no doubt a benchmark of how a nice stout would be--just throw me one anytime...( and yes---very much looking forward to getting a bottle of the collab brew between Mikkeller weasal + Speedway stout...)

之前就喝过的大黑啤，不过，可说是几时都不会拒绝的好喝佳酿--期待可以喝到MIKKELLER和ALESMITH已宣布的合酿大黑啤。

Looking forward to a better beer year...cheers.

2014 Memorable Beer List---by CT(Part 2/3)

继续聊去年最有印象啤酒的第二部分。

Part 2 of the beer list is about beer between 6-9% abv:-

Imperial Black by Buxton

This is Black IPA--but taste in between a roasted IPA and light porter--very balance--nothing overpowering on the bitter front, certainly became one of favourites black ipa besides To Ol's black maria...

英国BUXTON的IMPERIAL BLACK ，不强调苦味的黑色IPA，香醇甘香，易喝对味。

Blossom by TO OL

had it on tap--full of spring season freshness--almost like a low abv ale,very likeable.
丹麦TO OL春天特酿BLOSSOM，接近低度易喝金黄啤，充满季节香，很讨喜。

Ruination IPA by Stone
If you like a bittersweet ipa--this is a very nice one.(and yes i also like the "common"ipa from stone--as well ruiten was nice too)
美国STONE RUINATION 双份IPA，喜欢甘苦味中带点香甜余韵的，这支错不了。

Rex Attitude by Yeastie Boys

Some friends can't take the heavy peated smell that rushes to the nose--it's a light body golden ale--but the key to this beer is the smell---personally it's a very nice palate change beer--or any other way--nice being on it's own too.

纽西兰YEASTIE BOYS重度烟熏味金黄啤REX ATTITUDE，酒体口感很轻，这是“重味”好玩啤酒，关键在烟熏味。

Mikkeller 10 by Mikkeller
The name says it all--10 hops--one very delicious/fruity IPA--only complaint is---when can i have this again?
丹麦大师混合十种啤酒花特色酿，MIKKELLER 10 ，味道口感果香四溢，美味。

Alpha King by Three Flyods

No doubt ZOMBIE KING is widely-touted as the best of it's kind--make no mistake--i like it very much--but somehow i find Alpha King gets a little bit more on the palate--very nice to have had both on tap( *not in KL)

美国THREE FLOYDS的ZOMBIE DUST是更受公认的最佳淡啤，个人偏向另一支同风格的ALPHA KING，能喝上啤酒泵版本更是美好。（国外喝到）

Tart of Darkness by The Bruery

Very interesting indeed--a stout "reinvented" with sour wild yeast--i can take sour--and i like stout a lot--to have both in one beer is fun(*not in KL)

美国THE BRUERY搞怪作品，TART OF DARKNESS，把酸味酵母加入黑啤中玩变奏，是较少见的香醇带酸黑啤，有趣好喝。（国外喝到）

Bottles not mentioned in newspaper column:-

Sculpin IPA by Ballast Point
Yes--the American is known for playing with hops--and IPA--this is certainly a very tasty IPA--fruity, aromatic--highly appreciated.(*not in KL)
美国酿酒师出了名爱玩啤酒花-印度淡啤--这支充满果香的IPA确实很对味。推荐。

Hopus Primeur 2014 by Lefebvre
Thanks to Manu for this bottle of Hopus variants--unlike the regular version--this is a "hoppy" belgium strong ale--while maintaining distinct Belgian beer character of yeasty influence, a nice twist to the usual version.
谢谢MANU的瓶子。不同于常见版本，这支是每年玩点变奏的HOPPY版--同时又保留了比利时啤酒特有的酵母影响。有点趣味的一支。

Nipponia Ancient Pilsner by Hitachino
Certainly something different--fruity, crisp with a slightly unorthodox taste but in a nice way--good for a hot day sip...
入口有点“奇怪果味”的金黄啤--有趣--适应后会开始发掘果香，适合热天的解渴慢喝啤酒。

Red Chair by Deschutes
For a pale ale slight over 6%--red chair has got most character i like in a "light beer"---it actually taste "rich" for a pale ale--slightly sweet but just the way i like it.
只是稍微超过6%酒精度--喝起来很像是低度淡啤--不过酒体饱满，口感丰富--余韵有点恰到好处的甜。好喝。


NEXT UP--Beer List by CT（Part 3/3)