Beer aficionados

[Mekk]

The difference between "ales" and "lagers" is largely due to the yeasts. Ales are bottom fermented, lagers are top fermented.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brewing

Sir, you are mistaken. It is the other way around as the link mentions.

[Hitcher]

Sir, you are mistaken. It is the other way around as the link mentions.

Thank you. I have been taken out and shot.

[warewolf]

The difference between "ales" and "lagers"

I meant in common usage/styles, but thanks for the point.

I hope after being shot, someone takes pity on you and shouts you a nice lager... no, ale... no, wait, which one was it agaiN??

[Hitcher]

no, wait, which one was it agaiN??

I'll drink anything as long as it's free. And cold.

[James Deuce]

Sir, you are mistaken. It is the other way around as the link mentions.

It also depends on whether it is a dirt bottomed vat or a modern vat.

I'll think you'll find Dark Ales come from the layer just above the Stouts in a dirt bottomed vat.

[Mekk]

It also depends on whether it is a dirt bottomed vat or a modern vat.

I'll think you'll find Dark Ales come from the layer just above the Stouts in a dirt bottomed vat.

I do remember reading about that somewhere. The dirt bottomed ones being what the English call "real ale", is that right or am I thinking of something else?

[vifferman]

Whelp, I (well "we" - CrazyPete had one too) tried the Trappiest "Trippel" last night. It was very nice, but I think the "Dubbel" was more interesting.
Next up is the "Quadruppel" (or whatever it's called): this one claims to have been cellar-aged, and at 30% (on the real alcomohol measure, not the 10% on the label) will be "very interesting".

One thing we noticed - ALL these nales are very 'creamy', which we deduced might be due to the fact they appear to be naturally carbonated, resulting in smaller, finer bubbles (and a thicker head as a result). Makes them very pleasurable in the mouth.

[warewolf]

Dude, I think you have truly crossed that line from 'swiller' to 'connoisseur'

[Usarka]

Go to a real belgian bar, and try to drink as many different beers as you can. I think i made it to seven before wandering to the hostel and throwing up in someone elses shoes.....

[MisterD]

Go to a real belgian bar, and try to drink as many different beers as you can. I think i made it to seven before wandering to the hostel and throwing up in someone elses shoes.....

Yeah, they're not made for Kiwi-style binge drinking...on the other hand, I found them perfect for the kind of session where you take it easy and ride that perfect wave of inebriation that banishes tiredness and sees you kick out of a bar at 6am 'cos the owner want to go home to bed...ah the beery Antwerp weekenders with the Tranmere and Royal Antwerp boys...

[warewolf]

Now what? From where am I going to get more MORE!!

Cock & Bull's Fuggles is pretty good for everyday drinking.

[Mekk]

Can anyone give me a rough idea of the costs involved with home brewing?

My flatmate and I are very interested in giving this a go.

[kevfromcoro]

Can anyone give me a rough idea of the costs involved with home brewing?

My flatmate and I are very interested in giving this a go.

i have been homebrewing for yrs.cost about $12 to make 23ltrs..
got sick of bottling it..washing bottles takes a lot of time..i use a 50ltr fermenter and put it in a keg..charge it up with food grade co2.
the whole lot cost about $200 to set up.
there are ways of chilling the beer....put the keg in an old fridge,,or run the tap line through a bucket of ice.
only thing... u will allways have beer on tap.
drinking it now......5am
pm me if u want some tips
good luck

[RiderInBlack]

Everyone here must try La Trappe "Quadrupel"
It's simply astounding.
It's 10%.
Full, heady, strong stuff, yet mellow and mild too. It's almost like a wine, but still beer. Made by monks in the Netherlands.
It's at your local supermarket and really is worth a try.

Luck me. Found La Trappe in Whangarei's Pac'N'Sav. So far I been lucky enough ta have try the:

• La Trappe Dubbel (7% ABV)
• La Trappe Tripel (8% ABV)

Loved them both. Good kick ta the Tripel. Looking forward ta getting my greedy hands on the La Trappe "Quadrupel"

[warewolf]

The Nelson MCC Centenary races on 2nd & 4th Feb had the Tasman Brewery as a sponsor. It was sublime to cap off a couple of days awesome racing with a decent brew rather than be forced to drink pig-swill which is more the norm at such events.

As an added bonus, we spent 15 mins chatting with David (half owner/brewer) who was pouring the beers. They were pouring Fern Lager and I remarked that I really like the Finest Lager; he was on to that, out comes a rigger of Finest for us to sample, only available by special request, and gratis! He then went on to answer all my questions about their separation from the Christchurch Harringtons brewery; I'd heard lots but straight from the horses mouth is more reliable. The other partner is Craig Harrington, his father owns the CHC brewery. Turns out the brewing has never been connected except for some sharing of packaging and names, plus some cross-selling of product. This upset some CHCH Harringtons regulars who could taste the differences to the Nelson brews of the same name, amongst other issues. So when David bought in a few years ago they began the process of re-branding everything as non-Harringtons to stop the confusion.

I've been introducing the staff at my LBS to the local brews, so it was a great opportunity to bring them together. The brewery is open for tours and sampling, but after a personal invite from the brewer (not a rare thing by any means) it is hard not to visit now.

The other interesting thing we discussed is freshness & transport. He doesn't like packaging the beer at all as it just doesn't stay fresh enough. But due to customer demand for takeaways he has to do something. His plan is to go to cans, as it keeps the product fresher than in glass bottles. Interesting counter-point to the 'it tastes better in glass' argument. Although to be fair, pouring a can into a glass to drink would be a good thing.