Wednesday, February 21, 2007

OKTOBERFEST!!!

With the ritual wrenching off the cap from a bottle of cold, icy ale with my molars, I hence declare my own private beer-fest open!

After deciding that chugging Heineken was akin to wearing the same pair of shorts over a week, I decided that it was time to expand my horizons in the field of the oldest fermented beverage known to man. So, I promised myself a different beer every time the six-pack in the fridge is exhausted.

Anyway, here is a list of the beers I have savoured, alongside a small review-

1. Heineken- The Stalwart. The Standard. The most popular beer in the world. I really do not need to say more, since almost everyone has tasted this beer, and I would like to get to the interesting ones.

2. Guinness- If Whiskey is the spirit of the Irish, Guinness is the life-blood. As soon as you open the bottle(and yes, you can get genuine draught Guinness in a cleverly-designed bottle and can) and pour the contents, you realise what ale is about. the dark, almost black liquid flows quietly, forming a head so confoundingly thick and stable, you constantly have trouble accessing the beer from under the foamy armour the the head forms. The flavour is very strong, by most standards, with a rich, smooth, smoky caramel essence, reminiscent of a very strong espresso. And like that venerable caffeine cluster-bomb, this is not a beer for casual chug-a-glugging, and it leaves a lasting impression on you. It tastes fine even when slightly warm, and that is just the thing for having next to you(apart from a comely wench) when going through endless games of pool with the boys.

3. Pilsner Urquell - Ladies and Gentlemen, Meet the original Lager beer. This was the first lager beer that gave us the clear golden liquid we all take for granted, and set the stage for the bifurcation of the beer world into the top-fermented(ales)beers and the bottom-fermented(lager) beers.

The bottle proclaims-"Discover how beer is meant to taste"

The taste is clear, precise and clean. None of the vagueness or dilution associated with lesser beers. The flavour is very hoppy, (What are Hops?) with a most pleasant, sweet, flowery aroma, that you may get only hints of in other beers, and an astringent, dry, and crisp feel on the tongue. The aroma, nay, the perfumed bouquet alone is to die for. Best enjoyed cool, but not chilled.

4. Amstel light- like the name suggests, a light beer. Not a beer I 'd fawn over, but still a good product. typical Heineken-ish taste, but with a slighty different bouquet. Maybe I should have not tried the Light version.

More Beers to come soon!

Music - A P O C A L Y P T I C A - Harmageddon

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Puneet!
dude, you have to try a Black and Tan...it's delicious AND you drink two excellent beers that go astonishingly well together.

1 part Bass® pale ale
1 part Guinness® stout

Fill stien half full with Bass. Next pour Guiness over a spoon slowly until glass is full. If done correctly the Guiness will stay on top and the Bass on bottom hence the name Black & Tan.

Also, if you can't find/are not a fan of Bass, you can make a Black and Blue with Blue Moon.

Cheers!