Forum: Better Beer Philosophy & The Enlightenment: Winter 2010 Pack - BeerMasons - craft beer club and beer appreciation society

Subject: Winter 2010 Pack

Wow! Possibly the most exciting BeerMasons pack yet!
I dived right in and went for the Geueze: I always wondere what that reference to "horse blanket" meant. Well, now I know! There's not really any other way to describe that taste sitting not-subtly underneath the acid sourness. Also, it had me burping with the first small mouthful! It is so gassy! I wasn't sure after the first glass, but I have to say I have now finished the bottle, and although I probably wouldn't say I'm complete convert, I can almost see the appeal of this style.

21/06/2010 at 7:17:17 AM GMT
R. Schmidt Posts: 60	Report Permalink
I havent got mine Yet...got a email a week or so ago to expect it between the 16th and 18th..then got an email today saying its only been shipped today..little dissapointed TBH wont see it till the 28th now... Signature: "You're not drunk if you can lie on the floor without holding on." Joe E Lewis. Last edited on 21/06/2010 7:58:08 AM GMT

21/06/2010 at 10:08:46 AM GMT
R. M Posts: 129	Report Permalink
Hey Reece - I need to check up on this for you. They all left the building last week! I'll chase it up for you in the AM. I can't have you of all people waiting!!!!! Renee Signature: Greetings fellow BMs - I am one of the Founders of the BeerMasons.... did I mention I love beer.... good beer.... delicious beer? Did I mention that?

21/06/2010 at 10:10:03 AM GMT

Posts: 129

Subject: RE: Winter 2010 Pack

K. Hawley said:
Wow! Possibly the most exciting BeerMasons pack yet!
I dived right in and went for the Geueze: I always wondere what that reference to "horse blanket" meant. Well, now I know! There's not really any other way to describe that taste sitting not-subtly underneath the acid sourness. Also, it had me burping with the first small mouthful! It is so gassy! I wasn't sure after the first glass, but I have to say I have now finished the bottle, and although I probably wouldn't say I'm complete convert, I can almost see the appeal of this style.

Kevin - food matching recipe for the Gueuze goes out tomorrow. It is a simple recipe but it works really well and will help in the conversion.

Signature:
Greetings fellow BMs - I am one of the Founders of the BeerMasons.... did I mention I love beer.... good beer.... delicious beer? Did I mention that?

21/06/2010 at 12:06:27 PM GMT
N. Stephan Posts: 33	Report Permalink
Very much looking forward to it, from what I can see is in there, a Gueze, awesome! I haven't received mine yet, but it usually takes about a week at least but usually ten days from mailing to get to Brisbane, I am hoping tomorrow. I wouldn't worry yet Reece, you are more north than I, so I would assume you wouldn't see your at least till I get mine.

21/06/2010 at 12:43:35 PM GMT
R. Schmidt Posts: 60	Report Permalink
Cheers.. The Tracking Number the Email sent doesnt even add to any parcel i confused auspost i think wiht so many numbers and combinations Signature: "You're not drunk if you can lie on the floor without holding on." Joe E Lewis.

21/06/2010 at 9:55:03 PM GMT

N. Stephan

Posts: 33

I didn't get an email with tracking number, never have gotten one with any pack, but I always get my beer, which is the main thing, I got the group email saying they were sent and to expect between 14th and 18th or a bit later, but nothing else. Anyway I am heading up to the Post Office later on, hopefully there is a note in my PO Box! I have found as a general rule that Aus Post's delivery times have been getting slower and slower by the year, a few years back I used to get packages from Victoria in under a week.

21/06/2010 at 12:54:13 AM GMT

Posts: 129

Subject: RE:

N. Stephan said:
I didn't get an email with tracking number, never have gotten one with any pack, but I always get my beer, which is the main thing, I got the group email saying they were sent and to expect between 14th and 18th or a bit later, but nothing else. Anyway I am heading up to the Post Office later on, hopefully there is a note in my PO Box! I have found as a general rule that Aus Post's delivery times have been getting slower and slower by the year, a few years back I used to get packages from Victoria in under a week.

Seems to be that way too. The delivery schedule we are promised never seems to match up, sometimes for better, sometimes for worse :-( I think I need to stop giving people such tight windows for delivery as I don't seem to be able to crack it. If you are waiting I promise you it will be worth the wait. R

And ON THE GUEUZE - I know I probably don't have to tell you guys this, but, it is an OUDE GUEUZE so forget the commercial ones that are more readily available that are loaded with sugar. This is the real deal - you're gonna pucker up buttercup! If you are totally new to the style and find sourness a little confronting make sure you go with the white cheese and white bread food matching recommendation - makes it all make sense. And hang in there - it takes a while to adjust but boy does it become moreish - I am obsessed!!!

Signature:
Greetings fellow BMs - I am one of the Founders of the BeerMasons.... did I mention I love beer.... good beer.... delicious beer? Did I mention that?

Last edited on 22/06/2010 12:54:51 AM GMT

21/06/2010 at 1:12:15 AM GMT

N. Stephan

Posts: 33

Just picked it up from the PO, damn! This is one awesome pack, when I got the last one I really thought that one would be hard to top, but you have done it, some of my favourite styles, Gueze, Milk Stout, American IPA, among others, and a Gueze tumbler, now I get to choose between my Cantillon or Oud Beersel glass when I have lambics!

Can't wait to get stuck in, once I have fought off this cold, which really seems to be dragging on.

I know what you mean about Oude Gueze Renee, I had Chapeau the other day and here was no sourness at all, tasted like cordial, been on a huge Cantillon kick lately, so I am keen to see how Oud Beersel as another classic lambic brewer stacks up.

22/06/2010 at 9:04:53 AM GMT
G. Edwards Posts: 1	Report Permalink
The pack looks great, picked mine up today from PO. Did anyone else not get a Left Hand Polestar Pilsner? Never mind 17 other beauty's in there and a glass. Cheers Everyone

22/06/2010 at 12:13:41 PM GMT

N. McC

Posts: 21

Great looking box o' beer! Cant wait to get stuck into it

It appears my box is missing the Gueuze, but in its place was two bottles of kriek from the same brewer. You would think this is bad but turns out good cause my Old man (yes, Im the son of a Mason Smile ) has the two bottles of gueuze, so we are gonna trade a bottle each. Now we both have the gueuze and a bottle of kriek. Sweet!

Last edited on 22/06/2010 12:14:12 PM GMT

22/06/2010 at 11:34:32 PM GMT

Posts: 129

Subject: RE:

N. McC said:

Great looking box o' beer! Cant wait to get stuck into it

You LUCKY thing - that was from my private stash - the warehouse was torn apart earlier in the week looking for it, with everyone professing not to have seen it!!!!!! The boxes look identical, so now I know where it is... you won't be dissappointed. The Kriek is spectacular.

Signature:
Greetings fellow BMs - I am one of the Founders of the BeerMasons.... did I mention I love beer.... good beer.... delicious beer? Did I mention that?

27/06/2010 at 12:17:32 AM GMT

T. Rice

Posts: 23

Had a very stouty dinner on Friday, a glass of my HB Imperial Stout with a hearty Lamb stew followed by the Left Hand Milk Stout with a batch of Mandarin Chocolate Brownies made to the BM recipie.

What a great match, but what a shame I only had the one bottle, with all those brownies I could have gone another Smile Especially since my lovely lady was on for the tasting as well.

Poured quite nicely, dark brown with hints of deep red coming through with light, a mocha head with good retention, leaving some nice lacing on the glass. Great stouty aromas of chocolate, coffee and a little nutty... something. Flavours were of the same, was a little lighter in body and more roasty than sweet than I would have expected from a milk stout, but the sweetness that was there was nicely balanced. I liked it.

Now... what to try next?....

27/06/2010 at 1:01:38 AM GMT

Posts: 129

Glad you liked it. Quite a few BMs hit the kitchen of the weekend and no surprises that everyone had a go at the choc brownies. There a bit of Milk Stout in the members online store if you are keen.

The Kung Pao chicken is a nice and quick dish for mid week and the Sawtooth Ale is great to share.

Signature:
Greetings fellow BMs - I am one of the Founders of the BeerMasons.... did I mention I love beer.... good beer.... delicious beer? Did I mention that?

2/07/2010 at 8:11:16 AM GMT

R. Schmidt

Posts: 60

Hey just a question

The De Ranke XX bitter was this beer in the Welcome pack or Spring Pack last year i swear i have had this befor and iam pritty sure it was in the Spring pack 09 anybody else remmber or am i just going crazy (problly going Crazy)

Good beer neway really enjoy it just though i got it in a previous pack thats all Very Happy !

Cheers

reece

Signature:
"You're not drunk if you can lie on the floor without holding on."
Joe E Lewis.

2/07/2010 at 11:56:17 AM GMT

N. Stephan

Posts: 33

Reece, the De Ranke XX Bitter was in the "Private Stash Pack" which had some really solid beers, like De Dolle Dulle Teve, Boon Gueze (a personal favourite), Rogue Double Dead Guy, and many others, but it was a special release pack, not a members pack. It also including a Popperings Hommel Bier, another Belgian IPA, which I actually enjoyed more than the XX Bitter, but both are stellar beers. The Belgian IPA has become a bit of a favourite of mine.

Just finished the Bersalis Tripel, very nice, peppery Belgian flavour, easy drinking, not as sweet as some Tripels Westmalle, slightly drier, but very ver tasty.

2/07/2010 at 2:27:44 AM GMT
R. Schmidt Posts: 60	Report Permalink
ahh YES i fargot about the PSP that was another Great Pack its a Great beer glad it was in another Pack Signature: "You're not drunk if you can lie on the floor without holding on." Joe E Lewis.

4/07/2010 at 12:08:21 PM GMT

S. Maley

Posts: 6

Subject: Winter Pack 2010

Hello again BeerMasons,

What a smorgasbord of sensational beers delivered once again to warm the Winter with. Belgium v USA with a homegrown holding it's own and a truly exciting range to choose from. The Oud Beersel glass was a nice gift for everyone to compliment the true Lambic experience. From first tastings I'm truly impressed by what the USA and Colorado in particular has to offer the world of beer. Great varieties and well executed styles easily matching it with the more traditional breweries and probably giving them a shake up in the process! Have not yet tried the Belgians but the Gueuze can be cellared for 20+ years supposedly. Ha! Has anyone been daft enough to wait that long and miss out! It'll be lucky to last 20 days but i may save it for last! I'm spoiled for choice every time i look for a beer and loving it. Cheers again.

Last edited on 4/07/2010 12:16:07 PM GMT

6/07/2010 at 11:48:53 PM GMT
J. Zukowski Posts: 1	Report Permalink
The SALVATION truely is a Salvation in taste, it hits every 'taste button'.

8/07/2010 at 6:33:41 AM GMT

Posts: 129

Greetings all - so very pleased to hear that you are all enjoying your packs! Makes it all worthwhile when I read these comment!!!

You've made my day today - all I have to do is get over this winter flu and I can start tasting again!

Cheers and thanks for being such great BeerMasons!

Signature:
Greetings fellow BMs - I am one of the Founders of the BeerMasons.... did I mention I love beer.... good beer.... delicious beer? Did I mention that?

17/07/2010 at 10:26:09 AM GMT

P. Woltmann

Posts: 58

OK I have finally started the pack. The first three, Ten pin porter, 3 Ravens english ale and the XX bitter. I really don't know what to do with the rest. The gueze is probably happening tomorrow. I want to keep some, I want to drink them all. So many choices.

Ten pin was great. I am smitten by decent stouts. It is easy to drink has plenty of taste.

3 Ravens really reminded me of the Hightail ale. Just as good but slightly different.

XX bitter. This was really surprising. Considering the alcohol content, it went down really smooth. I was amazed they managed to do that.

Signature:
I like beer a bit too much sometimes

21/07/2010 at 9:41:31 AM GMT
P. Woltmann Posts: 58	Report Permalink
I have now had the geuze and the White Rascal. The Geuze was outstanding I loved it. It was so different and unique that I completley loved it. The White Rascal was great. It reminded me of Hoegaarden but was just as good. Outstanding. Signature: I like beer a bit too much sometimes

22/07/2010 at 11:29:08 PM GMT

Posts: 129

Subject: RE:

P. Woltmann said:

I have now had the geuze and the White Rascal.

The Geuze was outstanding I loved it. It was so different and unique that I completley loved it.

The White Rascal was great. It reminded me of Hoegaarden but was just as good. Outstanding.

The Gueuze is great isn't it? I get really nervous when I introduce people to it. In part I think it is because I want them to really enjoy it and hate disappointment but also these are breweries that really DESERVE to have a following. I see them as that last crucial link to the brewing past that has nearly been obliterated. I think it is amazing that we get to enjoy them now.

I am pretty excited about the weekend. I have my eyes on the Bersalis Tripel matched up with some white bait fritters (it is a smashing match) - I have a Corona lover coming over for Saturday afternoon beers and I intend to implement a beer intervention!!! Wish me luck.

Signature:
Greetings fellow BMs - I am one of the Founders of the BeerMasons.... did I mention I love beer.... good beer.... delicious beer? Did I mention that?

24/07/2010 at 10:53:18 AM GMT

L. Sellers

Posts: 30