Beer Review Storm Cloudy Ale
The pink lounge room at our place has finally annoyed my wife and I for the last time. When we bought our house a tad over 10 years ago, its internal decor was predominantly pink and black. The black was removed ASAP, however, some of the pink lingered for longer than we would have preferred. Painting is something that I don’t mind doing…. especially when there is a moment when I can stop and grab a beer.
Beer number 15 on the FortyBeers.com Birthday Beers list turns out to be none other than Storm Cloudy Ale from the good people at the Mildura Brewery.
In short, Storm Cloudy Ale is a great beer. Soft, subtle, tasty, fresh, refreshing. I like it. I suspect if you prefer beers that are not over the top with masses of heavy flavours or beers that thwack you over the head when sampled, then you will probably like this one too.
Mildura is a large country town in northern Victoria, on the Murray River, approx 5 hours drive north of Melbourne, and perhaps 6 hours drive west of Sydney. It is known for its farming and agriculture, particularly its citrus (oranges mainly) orchards.
According to the label: “A cloudy orangey amber ale with loads of fruit flavour and a citrusy bitter kick, showcasing the enormous bouquet of new Amarillo hops”.
(I didn’t think that this Storm Cloudy Ale was over the top with fruity flavours, like the label suggests. A hint, yes. A kick, hmm, maybe a slight nudge or bump perhaps.)
Again, from the label: “Remember that they are best in noisy settings with good food”. (I am sure that the Mildura Brewery didn’t have empty, cavenous, echo-y pink lounge rooms in mind, but the left over curry I had with my Storm Cloudy Ale did seem to taste extra good…..)
Once again, I would like to re-emphasize that this Storm Cloudy Ale, in my humble and forty year old opinion, is really, really good. Possibly even up there with the best beers ever made and/or tasted.
And let me just say that this Storm Cloudy Ale by the Mildura Brewery in Australia was a welcome break during the painting.
Ding, dong, the pink is dead. Our lounge room is now the same colour(s) as the rest of the house….. yay !
Did I mention this was seriously good beer ?
A triumphant 9 out of 10 on the Forty-Beers-Cheers-O-Meter.
Thanks,
Matthew
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Tags: Ale, Australian Beer, Beer Review
I found this article in the The Age newspaper the other day – it sounds like a great idea.
An interesting concept appears to have been designed here in Melbourne, based on an evolving and emerging trend – beer connoisseurs and exotic beers.
Basically, this equals expensive beers – which are savoured much like fine wine or whiskey. The problem with beer, however, is that it goes off within a few days of opening the bottle. The solution, therefore, is to somehow store the opened beer in such a way that it will keep for a bit longer.
The article (link above) explains how this concept and problem has been solved by at least one bar here in Melbourne. I hope it catches on !
Thanks,
Matthew
Tags: Beer Facts
Beer Review – Ruddles County, Traditional English Ale.
Ok – so once again I find myself in beautiful Jamieson, where the air is fresh, and the beers are (usually) cold. I know I blather on about Jamieson, but I like it, so there you go.
I should point out that each of these beer reviews are live, unrehearsed, and a total but very pleasant surprise. I don’t know what is inside each of my birthday beer coldies until I unwrap them with the video camera rolling.
Speaking of cold beer, this one is a ripper…. (that’s Aussie slang for “really good”)….. Birthday Beer # 14 – Ruddles County Ale from England.
Now, whether your political views lean for or against the current Prime Minister of Australia (Kevin Rudd – occasionally known as “Ruddles” to his mates), Ruddles County Ale is a fine one. With a slight taste of hops, it goes down easily, and tastes great. I can imagine having several of these in almost any location around the world – in a noisy English pub, in a cheerful beer garden, or simply while sitting under a tree.
I should also point out that the beer is called “Ruddles COUNTY” and not “Ruddles COUNTRY” as I misread in my beer review video.
According to the label it is “A classic of the English brewing tradition, smooth and rewarding with a distinctive hoppy flavour”.
I thought I’d have a quick look at their website – http://www.ruddles.co.uk - but I found it increadibly difficult to get anything useful from it. Full of broken links, and confusing flash/pretty graphics interaction, the website was unfortunately a bit of a waste of time… I managed to find the website shop/store, but all I found there were some lighters, cuff-links and T-Shirts… I couldn’t find anything about actually buying their beer. The website listed on the Ruddles Country Ale label suggested http://www.greeneking.co.uk which appears to be the parent company, but it too was full of confusing layouts and broken links. Although apparently their beers are exported all over the world, and Ruddles County Ale appears to be big in Finland.
But, I did manage to find some perfectly apt quotes :
“A beer in the hand is worth two in the fridge – especially if it’s a pint of Ruddles County.”
and
“Any time that’s good for you is a good time to drink Ruddles County”.
As far as the beer is concerned, Ruddles County Ale is really, really good. If you find yourself being near one, I recommend you grab it, drink it, enjoy it, and ask for another one.
A very tasty 8 out of 10 on the Forty-Beers-Cheers-O-Meter.
I wonder what the next birthday beer review will bring ?
Thanks,
Matthew
FortyBeers.com DIY Websites Relaxation Music Saxophone Lessons
Tags: Ale, Beer Review, English Beer
Beer Review – Warsteiner Premium Verum
Aaahh, another day, another birthday beer, another beer review. This time around, I find myself at my father-in-laws holiday house in Jamieson (about 3 hours drive north of Melbourne) on a gloriously fine long weekend. I have done a couple of other beer reviews while I’ve been in Jamieson – I guess it”s a great place to stop, breathe in the fresh air, relax…. and have a beer or two.
So – this beer review is Official Birthday Beer number 13. Lame jokes such as “unlucky for some, but lucky for others” could come into play at this point. But, instead, here is my video beer review on the pleasantly surprising Warsteiner Premium Verum.
Not speaking a word of German, I have copied this directly from the bottle lable:
“Mit wohltuend weichem Brauwasser” – Google Translate suggests this means “With a soft soothing brew water”…..umm…. oookaaayy….
and this:
“Eines der besten Biere unserer Zeit” – again, Google Translate suggests this means “One of the best beers of our time”…. now we’re talking !
I don’t know about THE best, but Warsteiner Premium Verum certainly is very tasty indeed. German beers usually are very strong, big on hops, and can be quite bitter. Not so in this case. Sure, it has a bit of a hoppy taste, but it’s not a smash-you-over-the-head flavour. It’s subtle, it’s very drinkable, and I’m hoping there will be another that comes my way sooner rather than later.
It is a pilsner beer, which tend to be a little more subtle than many other beers. Clean, fresh, and really, really drinkable. I like it.
A little bit of internet research reveals that the Warsteiner Brewery in Warstein, Germany, has been brewing beer since 1753. That, to me, is one old brewery, and I reckon they’ve got it right…. and so they should after 250 years of brewing. Allegedly they have won the title of “most likeable beer brand in Germany”. Their website suggests that the very latest fashion is young people drink from the bottle !! This amused me… perhaps I should say that I only poured it into a glass to show the viewers the colour and the bubbles…. I am “young people” aren’t I ? 40 isn’t that old, surely.. ?
I’d certainly have some more if offered. If you happen to come across a few of these Warsteiner Premium Verum beers, then I say grab a couple and give them a go.
The Forty Beers Cheers O Meter gives them a very upstanding 8 out of 10.
Thanks,
Matthew
FortyBeers.com – Beer Reviews a plenty.
P.S. I’ve set up a new website. Some might know that I am a bit of a musician, and I’m going to be a rock star when I grow up. Until then, I’ve set up a Saxophone Teachers directory, so that those looking for Saxophone Lessons can find someone to help them.
Tags: Beer Review, German Beer, Pilsner
