Category: World Beer Challenge

World Beer Challenge

  • El Salvador

    El Salvador

    Date Consumed: 2011
    Beer: Arriba Importada
    Brewed: Cerveceria La Constancia, S.A, El Salvador
    Size: 355mL
    Alcohol Content: 4.0%
    Sourced: Dan Murphys, Alexandria, NSW, Australia
    World Beer Rating: 2/10

    Notes: This tasted disgusting.

    Arriba Importada, El Salvador

    Date Consumed: 2011
    Beer: Cantina
    Brewed: Cerveceria La Constancia, S.A, El Salvador
    Size: 355mL
    Alcohol Content: 4.6%
    Sourced: 1st Choice Liquor, Naremburn, NSW, Australia
    World Beer Rating: 5/10

    Notes: Refreshing and crisp, with a hoppy finish. Not bad, but needs lifting with lemon or lime

    Cantina, El Salvador

    Date Consumed: 10th October 2012
    Beer: Pilsener of El Salvador
    Brewed: Cerveceria La Constancia, San Salvador, El Salvador
    Size: 350mL
    Alcohol Content: 4.6%
    Sourced: Half Time Beverage, Poughkeepsie, NY, USA
    World Beer Rating: 4/10

    Notes: I think there is a theme regarding El Salvadorian beers, in that mainly they are not terribly good and probably only good when drunk fresh and in a hot climate.

    Pilsener of El Salvador, El Salvador
  • Netherlands

    Netherlands

    Date Consumed: 2011
    Beer: Grolsch
    Brewed: The Grolsch Brewery, Groenlo, Holland
    Size: 450mL
    Alcohol Content: 5.0%
    Sourced: The Rose Hotel, Chippendale, NSW, Australia
    World Beer Rating: 8/10

    Notes: None.

    Grolsch, Netherlands
  • Belgium

    Belgium

    Date Consumed: 2011
    Beer: Trappists Rochefort No 10
    Brewed: Brasserie Rochefort, Rochefort, Belgium
    Size: 330mL
    Alcohol Content: 11.3%
    Sourced: The Bottle, York, United Kingdom
    World Beer Rating: 9/10

    Notes: RateBeer.com has this one in the top 10 in the world and I was very lucky to find this in a specialist ale shop in York. Magnificent tasting beer, only misses a 10 by virtue of very noticeable alcohol flavour in-between other very complex but incredible flavours.

    Trappists Rochefort No 10, Belgium

    Date Consumed: 2011
    Beer: Van Diest Früli Strawberry Beer
    Brewed: Brouwerij Huyghe, Melle, Belgium
    Size: 250mL
    Alcohol Content: 4.1%
    Sourced: Noble Green Wines, Hampton Hill, London, United Kingdom
    World Beer Rating: 8/10

    Notes: If you love the taste of strawberry, then this might be the perfect beer for you. It’s a beer, but it’s entirely strawberry coulis for everything else. Sweet, but not artificially flavoured, making it very enjoyable in small quantities. I understand why it’s packed in a small bottle, you wouldn’t want to drink a 500ml version!

    Van Diest Früli Strawberry Beer, Belgium

    Date Consumed: 2011
    Beer: Leffe Blond
    Brewed: InBev Belgium, Leuven, Belgium.
    Size: 330mL
    Alcohol Content: 6.6%
    Sourced: CBD Cellars, Wynyard, NSW, Australia
    World Beer Rating: 9/10

    Notes: Another cracker of a beer from Belgium, slightly floral and fruity with a smooth aftertaste. Leffe is in the top tenth percentile and it’s well deserved.

    Leffe Blond, Belgium
  • Italy

    Italy

    Date Consumed: 2011
    Beer: Menabrea Birra
    Brewed: Birra Menabrea, Biella, Italy
    Size: 330mL
    Alcohol Content: 4.8%
    Sourced: Dan Murphys, Alexandria, NSW, Australia
    World Beer Rating: 9/10

    Notes: None.

    Menabrea Birra, Italy
  • Czech Republic

    Czech Republic

    Date Consumed: 2011
    Beer: Budejovicky (Budweiser) Budvar
    Brewed: Budweiser Budvar Ceske Budejovice, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
    Size: 330mL
    Alcohol Content: 5.0%
    Sourced: 1st Choice Liquor, Naremburn, NSW, Australia
    World Beer Rating: 9/10

    Notes: One of the world’s most respected lagers for quality and taste, this beer did not disappoint. Clean, hoppy taste with bitter finish. Every bit a stand out Czech lager with a perfect carbonation.

    Budejovicky (Budweiser) Budvar, Cazech Republic

    Date Consumed: 2011
    Beer: Krušovice Imperial 12°
    Brewed: Královský pivovar Krušovice, Krusovice, Czech Republic
    Size: 330mL
    Alcohol Content: 5.0%
    Sourced: Steves Cool Booze, Maroubra, NSW Australia
    World Beer Rating: 7/10

    Notes: Definitely a Czech beer, however it lacks the Budvar pedigree – strong hoppy flavour and well carbonated.

    Krušovice Imperial 12°, Czech Republic
  • Australia

    Australia

    Date Consumed: 2011
    Beer: Coopers Original Pale Ale
    Brewed: Coopers Brewery, Leabrook, SA, Australia
    Size: 375mL
    Alcohol Content: 4.5%
    Sourced: Dan Murphys, Alexandria, NSW, Australia
    World Beer Rating: 8/10

    Notes: The problem with Coopers Green is that it desperately needs to be chilled perfectly in order to enjoy, no room for chilling errors.

    Coopers Original Pale Ale, Australia

    Date Consumed: 2011
    Beer: Knappstein Reserve Lager
    Brewed: Enterprise Brewery (Knappstein Wines), Clare, South Australia, Australia
    Size: 330mL
    Alcohol Content: 5.6%
    Sourced: Wild Sage, Cammeray, NSW, Australia.
    World Beer Rating: 10/10

    Notes: This beer knocks the other beers in Australia for six and back again. A magnificent craft brew, floral and fruity notes leap into your mouth and leaves you wanting more immediately. Pours into a glass perfectly with a lovely white head, demands you enjoy it quick smart. Just awesome.

    Knappstein Reserve Lager, Australia

    Date Consumed: 2011
    Beer: Feral Hop Hog
    Brewed: Feral Brewing Co, Baskerville, Australia
    Size: 330mL
    Alcohol Content: 5.8%
    Sourced: The Beer Cartel, Atarmon, Sydney, Australia
    World Beer Rating: 9/10

    Notes: Extremely good beer in the same vein as Little Creatures Pale Ale.

    Feral Hop Hog, Australia
  • Brazil

    Brazil

    Date Consumed: 2011
    Beer: Palma Louca Pale Pilsner
    Brewed: Cervejaria Kaiser, Jacarei, Brazil
    Size: 355mL
    Alcohol Content: 4.5%
    Sourced: Neutral Bay Cellars, Neutral Bay, NSW, Australia
    World Beer Rating: 4/10.

    Notes: Poor.

    Palma Louca Pale Pilsner, Brazil

    Date Consumed: 22nd June 2012
    Beer: Itaipava Pilsen
    Brewed: Cervejaria Petrópolis, Petrópolis, RJ, Brazil
    Size: 355mL
    Alcohol Content: 4.5%
    Sourced: Churrasco Brazillian Style BBQ, Woolloomooloo, NSW, Australia
    World Beer Rating: 6/10

    Notes: Hoppy, well carbonated beer, but nothing special.

    Itaipava Pilsen, Brazil
  • Mexico

    Mexico

    Date Consumed: 2011
    Beer: Corona Extra
    Brewed: Cerveceria Modelo, S.A Dec V, Mexico
    Size: 330mL
    Alcohol Content: 4.6%
    Sourced: Neutral Bay Cellars, Neutral Bay, NSW, Australia
    World Beer Rating: 4/10.

    Notes: None.

    Corona Extra, Mexico

    Date Consumed: 2012
    Beer: Pacifico Clara
    Brewed: Grupo Modelo, México DF, Mexico
    Size: 330mL
    Alcohol Content: 4.5%
    Sourced: Camperdown Cellars, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
    World Beer Rating: 8/10

    Notes: A little more refined than Corona with a pilsner pedigree. The non requirement of a lemon or lime makes this beer better as a summer session beer contender.

    Pacifico Clara, Mexico
  • New Zealand

    New Zealand

    Date Consumed: 2011
    Beer: Steinlager Pure
    Brewed: Lion Nathan Brewery, Auckland, New Zealand
    Size: 330mL
    Alcohol Content: 5.0%
    Sourced: Woolworths Liquorland, Gordon, NSW, Australia
    World Beer Rating: 7/10

    Notes: None.

    Steinlager Pure, New Zealand

    Date Consumed: 2012
    Beer: Monteiths Doppelbock Winter Ale
    Brewed: Monteiths Brewing Company, Greymouth, New Zealand
    Size: 330mL
    Alcohol Content: 6.0%
    Sourced: 1st Choice Liquor, Naremburn, NSW, Australia
    World Beer Rating: 7/10

    Notes: Chocolate and coffee notes, but with a strong alcohol flavour. A bit watery, was expecting a smoother finish. Very low carbonation, but you wouldn’t want more than a couple of them. Still, it’s a lovely beer.

    Monteiths Doppelbock Winter Ale, New Zealand

    Date Consumed: 2012
    Beer: Emersons Pilsner
    Brewed: Emersons Brewing Company, Dunedin, New Zealand
    Size: 500mL
    Alcohol Content: 4.9%
    Sourced: The Beer Cellar, Hamilton, New Zealand.
    World Beer Rating: 8/10

    Notes: This is a great example of an easy drinking New Zealand beer. Brewed in colder climates like quite a few countries I’ve tried, this beer pours well and tastes great, but is quite bitter.

    Emersons Pilsner, New Zealand
  • Thailand

    Thailand

    Date Consumed: 2011
    Beer: Chang Beer
    Brewed: Cosmos Brewery, Bangkok, Thailand
    Size: 330mL
    Alcohol Content: 5.0%
    Sourced: Woolworths Liquor, Gordon, NSW, Australia
    World Beer Rating: 7/10

    Notes: None.

    Chang Beer, Thailand

    Date Consumed: 2011
    Beer: Singha
    Brewed: Boon Rawd Brewery, Bangkok, Thailand
    Size: 330mL
    Alcohol Content: 5.0%
    Sourced: Steves Cool Booze, Kingsford, NSW Australia
    World Beer Rating: 8/10

    Notes: Another great beer from Thailand. Sharp but also hoppy with a bitter aftertaste.

    Singha, Thailand