Beer Testing - Round 27 (European Tall Boys 2)

Can this round of Europeans take the win?

Defending Champ

Name: Asahi "The Master" Pilsner

Origin: Tokyo, Japan

Alcohol: 5.5%

Price: USD2.55/can USD0.73/100mL

On a seemingly unstoppable twelve win streak scoring 8.95/10.

Challenger 1

Name: Tuborg Green

Origin: Copenhagen, Denmark

Alcohol: 4.6%

Price: USD3.29/can USD0.66/100mL

Tuborg is a sub-brand of Carlsberg.  The "Liquid Soundtrack" marketing - ya I get it dude, targeting the younger crowd - music, partying, drinking - I'm picturing some old balding guy past his heyday in a bad shiny suit trying to be hip pitching this concept. A bit stinky, not much flavour, and kinda fizzy. A bit of a sour aftertaste?  Final score 4.65/10.

Challenger 2

Name: Tuborg Pure Gold

Origin: Copenhagen, Denmark

Alcohol: 5.5%

Price: USD3.64/can USD0.73/100mL

This "Perfectly Balanced" beer has slightly more flavour than the Green, but basically still pretty watery.  Final score 4.8/10

Challenger 3

Name: Konig Pilesener

Origin: Germany

Alcohol: 4.9%

Price: USD3.44/can USD0.69/100mL

Not much to write home about.  Basically bland and tasteless.  Final score 4.5/10.

Challenger 4

Name: Kronenbourg 1664

Origin: France

Alcohol: 5%

Price: USD3.59/can USD0.72/100mL

Tastes a little like a wheat beer.  Not bad.  One of those beers you wouldn't mind getting a pitcher of during happy hour.  Final score 6.25/10.

Asahi "The Master" Pilsner faced little challenge and wins an unprecedented 13 straight!

Beer Testing - Round 26 (Belgian Brawl)

I'm not normally a fan of Belgian beers (a little too strong and heavy for my liking).  I realize Belgian beers are meant more for sipping, but that's not my usual modus operandi, especially on a hot summer's day.  But we thought we'd test a few anyway..

Defending Champ

Name: Asahi "The Master" Pilsner

Origin: Tokyo, Japan

Alcohol: 5.5%

Price: USD2.55/can USD0.73/100mL

Eleven wins and no end to this streak in sight with a score of 8.95/10.

Challenger 1

Name: Duvel

Origin: Belgium

Alcohol: 8.5%

Price: USD3.37/bottle USD1.02/100mL

Floral wheat beer type scent.  Tastes pretty decent for such a high alcohol content.  Slightly bitter aftertaste.  Final score 5.1/10.

Challenger 2

Name: Maredsous Brune

Origin: Belgium

Alcohol: 8%

Price: USD3.37/bottle USD1.02/100mL

Nice dark amber colour.  Good head of foam.  Slightly fizzy, but pretty smooth for 8%.  Final score 7/10.

Challenger 3

Name: Bruegel Amber Ale

Origin: Belgium

Alcohol: 5.2%

Price: 

Nice caramel colour.  Not bad with a slightly nutty finish. Final score 7.05/10.

Challenger 4

Name: St. Martin Blonde

Origin: Belgium

Alcohol: 7%

Price: 

Light floral/candy-like scent. Not much flavour going down, but has a slightly bitter aftertaste.  And a little too fizzy. Final score 6.45/10.

Challenger 5

Name: Gulden Draak

Origin: Belgium

Alcohol: 10.5%

Price: USD3.43/bottle USD1.04/100mL

By far the strongest beer we've tested so far.  And as is typically the case, the higher the alcohol content, the more difficult it is to drink.  Hard going down, and an even harder dealing with the aftertaste.  Final score 3.2/10.

Challenger 6

Name: Augustijn Blonde

Origin: Belgium

Alcohol: 7%

Price: 

A huge head of foam on the pour, which looked promising. But the overpowering taste of alcohol made this another difficult one to drink.  Final score 4.15/10.

It was no contest for Asahi "The Master" Pilsner.

Beer Testing - Round 25 (B.C. Summer Classic 2)

Relaxing at home on a Friday evening with the fams, some bbq, and a few brews..

Defending Champ

Name: Asahi "The Master" Pilsner

Origin: Tokyo, Japan

Alcohol: 5.5%

Price: USD2.55/can USD0.73/100mL

Ten straight wins and still going strong with a score of 8.95/10.

Challenger 1

Name: Czechvar

Origin: Czech Republic

Alcohol: 5%

Price: USD2.49/bottle USD0.50/100mL

One word - Stinky!  Nice golden colour, but beer's not meant just to be looked at.  Not much flavour,  pretty watery, and slightly fizzy.  Final score 4.4/10.

Challenger 2

Name: Erdinger Weissbier (Wheat Beer)

Origin: Germany

Alcohol: 5.3%

Price: USD3.03/bottle USD0.62/100mL

Good head of foam.  Decent mouthfeel.  No bite or bad aftertaste.  Could have a bit more flavour, but generally a good summer beer.  Not bad.  Final score 7.8/10.

Challenger 3

Name: Whistler Brewing Co. Pineapple Express Wheat Beer

Origin: Whistler, B.C.

Alcohol: 5%

Price: USD5.61/bottle USD0.86/100mL

Fruity sweet and fizzy like a soda, with a strong pineapple aftertaste.  Kind of like a shandy.  Not really my thing.  Final score 6.9/10.

Challenger 4

Name: Duchy Originals from Waitrose Old Ruby Ale

Origin: Oxfordshire, England

Alcohol: 5%

Price: USD3.41/bottle USD0.68/100mL

Waitrose is the U.K. equivalent of President's Choice, so I wasn't expecting a whole lot.  Surprisingly though, it had a nice caramel colour and taste.  I'm not sure how much added benefit the 'organic' component had (and honestly, I doubt most beer drinkers care).  But overall, I liked it.  Pass the Duchy (sorry, had to throw in that 80's U.K. music reference). Final score 7.35/10.

Challenger 5

Name: Russell Brewing IP'eh!

Origin: Surrey, B.C.

Alcohol: 6.5%

Price: 

All through elementary school and jr. high, one of my best friends was Mark Russell.  My memories of going over to his house: playing Dungeons & Dragons, shooting bow & arrows in his backyard, his older brother Pete's drum set (he was in a band), his jovial German mom always stuffing our faces with snacks, and his dad experimenting with home brew kits.  Well that beer hobby eventually turned into a small business, and now Russell Brewing Co.  So I always drink Russell Beer whenever I come across it.  I'm not normally a fan of IPA's (too hoppy for me), and this was no exception (sorry Mark!).  Pretty smooth though, and good if you like bitter beers.  Final score 5.65/10.

Asahi "The Master" Pilsner remains victorious.

99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall..

Actually, we made it to 100!  And to celebrate this drinking century, here's a look back:

Best Overall:

The current champ with a record 10 wins in a row is Asahi "The Master" Pilsner, scoring 8.95/10.

Best Dark Beer:

We haven't tested too many, but my favourite is Yebisu Premium, with a score of 7.65/10.

Best Summer Beer:

This is a tough one, because all the lighter beers tend to taste pretty similar.  But I'd have to say Molson Canadian for its clean and clear taste (the fact that I was drinking it while having a bbq in my backyard on a warm August afternoon probably had something to do with my decision)..

Cheapest:
At only 0.34¢ a can (0.10¢/100mL), Blue Diamond is value.  Tastes like water, but ideal for drunks on a budget.

Most Expensive:

It was a tie between 2 of the imported fruit beers at almost $2.50 for a small 250mL bottle (0.98¢/100mL) - Fruli Strawberry Beer and Liefmans Fruit Beer. They both tasted like coolers.  Save your money and buy a Zima if that's what you really want to drink (although I have no idea who would except for high school kids).

  

Best Value for Money:
Suntory "The Straight", weighing in at 6% alcohol and only $1.34 a can, it scored a decent 6.75/10.






Most Consistent Brand:
Definitely my favourite go to brand when I can find it is Yebisu.  It's on the pricey side at about $2.60 a can, but on average, their beers score 8/10.  Plus the cans look cool.