2003 beesr of the year..

Ummm, top beers I've had for the 1st time in 2003: (in rough order of quality)

Oude Beersel Kriek Fantome Saison Oude Beersel Gueuze La Terrible Cantillon Rose de Gambrinus MacTarnahan Gran Luxe Tripel Stone 7th Anniversary Pale Ale Hair of the Dog Doggie Claws

Tasty list. Mine:

Hebendanz Annafestbier Ritterguts Gose from Brauerei Ernst Bauer Harviestoun Bitter and Twisted on cask Fullers Golden Pride Victory Prima Pils on draught New Belgium La Folie Unibroue La Terrible Southampton Saison Heavyweight Stickenjab Caracole Nostradamus on draught Alpine Brewing Pilsner Fish Brewing's 10th Anniversary Ale

There were plenty of other excellent beers, including a couple at some Franconian country pubs, but the list above mentions most of the standouts. Also great was a tour of the Lees brewery in Manchester - that alone rated five stars.

Also, some great beer fests this past year:

Hard Liver Barleywine Festival, Seattle Toronado Barleywine Festival, San Francisco Real Ale Festival, Chicago International Beer Festival, Seattle International Bierfestival, Berlin Great British Beer Festival, London

And I'll finish the year sampling the likes of Victory and Old Dominion in their respective home regions. Not a bad year at all, I think.

Before a medical condition which has put a damper on my beer tasting as of late, I had the chance to do some traveling to seek out beers not available in my area (Atlanta, GA). Here are some (both local and beers bought elsewhere) that were new to me & make my list for 2003:

Five Seasons Big Blonde Hefeweizen Dogwood Decadent Ale Dorothy Goodbody's Wholesome Stout Whitstable Oyster Stout Goose Island Hex Nut Brown Ale (and others in a variety 12 pk.) Harviestoun Old Engine Oil Bell's Oberon Ale, Two Hearted Ale, Third Coast Old Ale Anderson Valley Belk ESB Victory Storm King, Golden Monkey Hale's Moss Bay Extra (if I lived anywhere near this brewery, I would be worthless -- a nice choice for an "everyday" beer.)

Beers I have and hope to try before end of year:

Oud Beersel Kriek, Geuze Stone Smoked Porter, Ruination IPA Hair of the Dog Adam, Fred J.W. Lees Harvest Ale 2000 Traquair House Ale Rochefort #6, #8 Ommegang Abbey Ale, Rare Vos, Hennepin

Looking forward to May, 2004 (when I can resume my usual beer intake!)

Sean

Well...it appears that my list is too short.

Other 2003 beer stand outs for me:

Kapuziner Hefe-Weizen Deschutes Pine Mountain Pils " Mirror Pond Ale " JubelAle St. Peter's English Ale " Best Bitter Stone IPA Bell's Two Hearted Ale Leffe Blond Ale Affligem Brune George Gale Jubilee Ale Rochefort 8* Dogfish Head Indian Brown Ale Victory Hop Devil Victory V10 Limberg Wheat(NZ) Everything from Unibroue.

and on their way, just under the wire...

Victory Storm King, V12, and Grand Cru Yuengling Lord Chesterfield Ale..(hey, gotta try it)

I'm looking forward to new tastes and flavours in 2004!

Best regards, Bill

For me, and just under the wire, it's

1. Victory Brewing Co.'s new super hoppy Imperial IPA, Hop Wallop, and
2. the return of Duke of Ale, from Legacy Brewing Co. (nee Pretzel City) , Reading, PA Close enough to be a Philadelphian!

I do hope I get to sample this when I'm in Philly in a few days. Think I'll find it at the Standard Tap or Bridgid's? Maybe even Monk's?

Monk's would be less likely; of those, Standard Tap is your best bet, but...the Grey Lodge expected to kick their keg today. This stuff is disappearing. New batch will be out January 5. Hope so: I didn't even get a case this first time round!

Are you saying this Hop Wollop stuff is being bottled?

Best regards & happy holidays, Bill

Aye, lad.