First up we have Beer # 15 Tyskie Gronie from Poland. Tyskie is part of the Kompania Piwowarska (literally Brewing Company) that controls 45% of all domestic Polish beers. It is a three way partnership between brewers Tyskie Gorny Slask, Dojlidy, and Lech which is in turn owned by SABMiller the second largest brewing conglomerate in the world www.kp.pl/en (after Anheuser-Busch InBev).
Tyskie Gronie is a 5.5% ABV pale lager in a 500 ml bottle. This particular lager has been produced since 1629. Pale gold with a frothy white head. First sniff gives us a little chemical, citrus and light grains First sip we are met with a light slightly sweet Euro-style lager. refreshing and effervescent mild bitterness with a hint of citrus followed by an earthy wet grain finish. Aeration gives off a minerality, sort of a high end sparkling mineral water and re-inforces the citrus.
Overall results: (Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional) Taste: Pass
Cost: Pass (Well it should... I got it free! but for a 500 ml bottle I believe it's $4.95)
Colour: Pass
Beer Style: Pass
Re-order: so-so (Let me go to Poland and try it on tap)
Experience: Pass
Final Thoughts. I'm not a fan of Euro lagers I find that they seem to be lacking in something. They are either rainwatery, or chemical or tend to be too light to be of any consequence. Which is a shame seeing as the lager was born in this area. Lagers have the potential to be so much more.
Beer #16 Alexander Keith's India Pale Ale
Alexander Keith was a Scottish Politician and Brewer, born in 1795, who became the 4th mayor of Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Served in the Legislative Council for Nova Scotia for 30 years. He opened his now famous brewery in 1820 and it has been in operation ever since; making it one of North america's oldest continously run breweries www.keiths.ca. Their first product was the India Pale ale and it was their only beer up until recently. The company now has a stable of 5 beers the IPA a Light Ale, a Dark Ale, a White Beer, and and Amber Ale all sold under the Keith's flag. The brewery has undergone several expansions and also produces Oland products for sale in the maritime provinces for it's parent company Anhueser -Busch InBev the largest beer conglomerate in the world.
On to the tasting
The colour is pale to clear gold with a white head of small bubbles. First sniff is rising bread with some citrus, grain, and fruit. first sip gives us a herbaceous hoppiness slightly medicinal with a good kick of bitter. Aeration gives off a woody, whisky, slight vanilla taste. From attack to finish is quick with lingering earthy and fruity notes
Overall results: (Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional)
Taste: Pass
Cost: Pass
Colour: Pass
Beer Style: Pass
Re-order: Pass
Experience: Pass
Final Thoughts: Keith's is a love hate beer. People either love it or hate it. Personally, I hate to love it and love to hate it. A fresh pour out of a new keg of Keith's can be a wonderful thing but if the keg is slightly old or the lines are dirty or any of a million factors the result is a hellish thing. I'm not a bottle fan as most of the big boys heat pasteurize the bottles (and some are doing the kegs now too! cheaper to transport they don't have to be refrigerated) PASTEURIZATION IS WRONG what did that beer ever do to you? Beer is a living thing that needs to be handled gently and lovingly. I digress. Keith's is a "safe" beer one of the reserve beers I will find myself ordering if there is nothing else appealing. However, being "safe" rarely will a beer stand out in a crowd. Think global, drink at your local... and drink character.
Cheers
CJT
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