Everyone knows England vs Germany, world cup knockout stage = tension. For those who remember 1970 then 1990 (the Aurthur suddenly notes a chilling pattern, 1970, 1990 now its 2010... could defeat confirm some kind curse that every 20 years we get knocked out by the Germans?) best not to think like that now. For myself this tension was eased by the distraction of my birthday yesterday, which involved some good presents and a quality meal out with family and friends at The Keelman/Big Lamp brewery accompanied by the lovely beer selection available. As the only brewery restaurant I know in the North East its food, beers and service are pretty good. Here we had some lovely pints of Keelman Brown and Summerhill stout before gannin yem for a special elite select cheeseboard featuring some classic French and Northumberland cheeses accompanied by La Trappe Quadrupel. I love Belgian Quadrupels, and rarely get hold of them. This one happens to reside from Bierbrouwerij De Koningshoeven of the Netherlands, the only official Trappist brewery situated outside Belgium. I found it quite odd for a Quadrupel to be a mid amber in colour and it drinks quite easily for its 10% abv with peachy toffyish notes on the back of upfront carbonation. Not a massive amount of depth to it for the style but still very enjoyable and a little easy going (it is Dutch).
I did, for this particular session avoided any German beers, not that I don't like them. Many dislike the Germans for beating us at football but I find it hard to dislike any nation that makes good beer. That's why for this world cup I have been backing any nation that makes great beer (except Germany), England, Netherlands, USA (until yesterday) are my favourites (England being top of that list). But whether we win or lose I'm sure we'll give it a good go.
Another interesting present I got this year was a book about George Best, in tribute to that certain grandmother I have that worries that my obsession with alcoholic beverages could lead me 'down George Best's road'. At least now I can read about old 'George Best's road', and accompany my reading pleasures with my new bottle of 8 year old Dun Leire single malt Irish whiskey. Classic.
'ah, this should ease some pre match tension'
9 comments:
Your prediction was right. And when you start on the whisky you're definitely going down George Best's road...
Lets hope in our 2030 loss isn't such a bad thrashing.
What the hell is a "Belgian Quadrupel", given that the only European beer with that name is Dutch and all the others are American?
The Belgian quadrupel/quad is kindof the traditional follow on to the Belgian Single, Double, Triple series and drinks a bit like a Double but stronger. Read about it here:
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/style/142
You work in a brewery and take BeerAdvocate seriously? Christ preserve us.
Do you have a serious source for this Belgian Quadrupel stuff? A Belgian brewery that produces one, for example?
Admittedly the term probably came into use after the Americans became obsessed with branding everything as a beer style. But here are some more references:
http://www.beerpal.com/brain/styles.htm
http://www.ratebeer.com/beerstyles/abt-quadrupel/80/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quadrupel
And for the record Trappistes Rochefort 10 and Westvleteren 12 are both Belgian quads.
Who says they are? The breweries?
OK you have a point in that Belgian beers are very individual and the term is often exchanged for Belgian strong ale. I prefer Quadrupel and the term maybe loose but the style still exists depending on what brewing text you read.
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