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At those prices it makes me wonder if it would be worth driving over in one of those super efficient diesel vans and loading up. The cost thing is reflected in this survey, I reckon:


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Oi! where did you get those glasses <!-- s:x --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_mad.gif" alt="" title="Mad" /><!-- s:x --> ...

You gave me one as a parting gift, don't you remember? It doesn't have my name engraved on it though <!-- s:P --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_razz.gif" alt="" title="Razz" /><!-- s:P --> <!-- s:twisted: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_twisted.gif" alt="" title="Twisted Evil" /><!-- s:twisted: --> <!-- s;) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt="" title="Wink" /><!-- s;) -->

Hendrixcat, it could be worth it! I don't know how much something like Hacker-Pschorr Animator costs in Dublin these days, but at about 80 or 90c a bottle here... well, you have to wonder. I know we've talked about the costs of beer in Ireland before, and how must of that is from transport, duty etc, but it's quite a difference. I'd like to find some imported American craft beers here for a comparison.

Oh, and the Duckstein, I just had another bottle while building my new wort chiller (KB article on the way), and it's actually a fine beer! I think my mouth was a bit jaded last night. I still dedin't get the raisen stuff, but there's a really nice malt body cut with a robust hoppy bitterness. Great finish too. I'll have to revisit the Pinkus Alt again. Might open a bottle now to add a bit to my stew <!-- s:D --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s:D -->

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Hövels-Original. If you see this stuff, try it.

I'm not sure what class of beer it's in really (maybe in the Alt family), but it's certainly in the "I like it" class. I reckon that even with my big nose I just don't get beer aromas unless they're Goose Island IPA kinda aromas, so I won't try to describe this one. But the flavour! Hmmm... There's a really nice toffee undertone that's almost salty, but also a strawberry-like tartness. A bit like eating strawberries on digestive biscuits, not that I've tried that... yet. There's a subtle and creeping bitterness that goes on and on. Dry and quite pleasent.

I've had this a few times on draught (in fact, it's [i:2n2iwj9l]almost[/i:2n2iwj9l]replaced Hooker my "regular"), but this is the first bottle I've had. The draught seems hoppier as I recall, but this feels like it has more complexity. It may of course be because the bar I drink it in serves it at about -2C. <!-- s:) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_smile.gif" alt="" title="Smile" /><!-- s:) -->

Try it. I'd love to know what others think of this.

Oh, and I retried the Pinkus Alt, and I have to add that it's a very subtle kind of beer. I think it was lost on my palate last night, as the bottle today was much more enjoyable (I even added some to a stew I was making). There's a slight sourness running against a delicate maltiness that makes it a very light tasting beer. I'll be trying it again!

I've only seen it in the Bull & Castle, but haven't been able to distract the staff long enough to get hold of it.
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Time to redouble the efforts?

Hmmm, it looks kinda empty. But yeah, a full frontal raid on the cold room by some ICBers should distract staff and give you enough time to check <!-- s:D --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s:D -->