The back of a beer label can be informative and interesting. Some beers take themselves seriously, some don't. Here is a small collection of beer blurbs.
The Newcastle Star (by Tyne brewery, Newcastle, England, 7.5% proof)
NEWCASTLE STAR, the winner of an international beer challenge, beat over 100 beers from the best of the world's brewers. Selected by a panel of experts, THE NEWCASTLE STAR was specially created at The Tyne Brewery in Newcastle, where the internationally acclaimed Newcastle Brown has been brewed for over seventy years. A strong Ale, with mouth-warming palate and a delicate blend of roast, sweet and fruit flavours. Try it and I'm sure you'll agree this is a truly deserving winner.
Acclaim (by Young's brewery, Wandsworth, London, England, 4% proof)
Champion - the word says it all... Acclaim's unique qualities placed it above some of the world's top beers to win a prestigious and coveted award, gaining many new fans among the most discerning of drinkers. A light, refreshing beer, golden in colour, with the subtle flavour of passion fruit. Acclaim is a truly unique beer - a real one-off. Understated, but definitely worth shouting about!
Challenge Ale (by Castle Eden brewery, County Durham, Ireland, 5.5% proof)
Castle Eden brewed its first beer in 1826 and is the oldest brewery in the North East of England. We like to think that you can taste the tradition in every sip of this award-winning ale.
Old Leg Over (by Daleside brewery, Harrogate, Yorkshire, England, 4.1% proof)
There are thousands of beautiful country lanes in the Yorkshire Dales. Fell-runners have to put one leg over thousands of stiles, stone walls and streams in pursuing this traditional sport. One old runner won three races in one day in the 1920's: another won more than 100 races over thirty years. Over 300 fell-runners take part on Howarth Moor every New Year's Eve for a bottle of Yorkshire ale. We dedicate this fine Yorkshire beer to all Fell-runners. 'Old Legover' - This Genuine Yorkshire beer is hand brewed by the Witty family who have a tradition of brewing which dates back more than 600 years and who now make award winning distinctive English beers for your enjoyment.
Edinburgh Strong Ale (by Caledonian brewery, Edinburgh, Scotland, 6.4% proof)
This traditional style of beer known as a "Wee heavy" has been brewed at the Caledonian Brewery since 1869. Without the cloying sweetness of other beers of this strength, Edinburgh Strong Ale has a perfect balance of tangy hop flavours and rounded maltiness, it is an deal accompaniment to mature cheese. Edinburgh Strong Ale is hand crafted in our original Victorian brewhouse. The malt infusion and hop flowers are boiled vigorously, in Britain's last remaining direct-fired open coppers, imparting the distinctive flavour, unique to Caledonian.
No. 1 Champion Ale (by McEwan's, Scottish Courage Ltd, Edinburgh, Scotland, 7.3% proof)
This award winning ale beat the cream of the world's brewers in an international best beer challenge. Over 100 beers were no match for McEwan's Champion Ale. Brimming with character, it's strong and yet surprisingly easy to drink. We hope it goes down as well with you as it did with the judges. If it does, be sure to look out for the other McEwans's beers, brewed to perfection at our Fountain Brewery in the Heart of Edinburgh.
Goliath (by Wychwood brewery, Witney, Oxfordshire, England, 4.7% proof)
" The Giant Ale" - The chronicles of history testify to towering giants who dominated their peers with their huge physical stature and strength. Goliath, giant ale, is no exception. Brewed with the finest malt, hops and water, the elegant citrus taste is perfectly balanced by a strong crisp bitterness. Truly a Giant among ales.
Golden Champion Ale (by the Badger brewery, Blandford, Dorset, England, 5% proof)
The light, refreshing character of our award-winning golden ale is distingueshed by its subtle elderflower aroma, reminiscent of a summer's evening. Champion is particularly rewarding when served chilled.
Dragon Heart (by Cain's brewery, Liverpool, England, 5% proof)
Strong dark ale brewed to an old English recipe and fermented in traditional open vats. The finest of British malts, together with a blend of hops from the country farms of Kent, combine to produce a fruity and complex character.
Circle Master Organic Ale (by the Wychwood brewery, Witney, Oxfordshire. England, 4.7% proof)
Circle Master is the name attributed to the character who skilfully creates circular designs in luscious cornfields. We celetrate this art in this highly acclaimed beer which is brewed using a unique blend of Plumage Archer Barley malt, organically grown for us in a dedicated field under the auspices of the Prince of Wales Duchy Estate in Gloucestershire. Whole leaf target hops naturally grown in a single garden in Kent, are added to create a beer of exceptional taste and character. A tantalising citrus aroma heralds a delightful malt flavour, rounded off with a spicy bittersweet finish. Beware the Circle Master when the corn is high!
Fiddler's Elbow (by Wychwood brewery, Witney, Oxfordshire, England, 5.2% proof)
Fiddler's Elbow is a wonderfully refreshing beer made from a blend of barley and wheat malts and hopped with Styrians. It has an earthy hop aroma balanced by juicy malt, with tart citric fruit in the mouth and a long quenching, hoppy fruity finish.
Waggledance Honey Beer (by Young's brewery, Wandsworth, London, England, 5% proof)
" There's a waggledance moment for every season. On a hot summer's day, serve chilled for a flavoursome, thirst quenching experience. In winter, enjoy at room temperature, and savour it as the smooth, honey flavour tantalises the taste buds. The sweetness of the pure honey is perfectly balanced by fuggles and goldings hops. Waggledance is the term used for a behavioural trait of bees. When finding a nearby nectar source they dance in a figure of eight to alert fellow bees. One sip and your taste buds will be dancing all day."
6X (by Wadworth brewery, Devizes, Cornwall, England, 4.3% proof)
6X is brewed in the classic Victorian brewhouse built by Henry Wadworth in Devizes in 1885. This brewing heritage combines with the finest of natural ingredients to deliver a smooth and satisfying ale. Taste the tradition for yourself.
Kelpie Organic Seaweed Ale (by Heather Ale brewery, Scotland, 4.4% proof)
Prior to the 1850's there were many Scottish coastal alehouses which brewed their own ales, these ales were made from local malted barley which was grown on fields fertilised with seaweed. This environment gave the barley a very specific flavour which we have recreated by the inclusion of fresh seaweed in the mash tun. In addition to the seaweed (bladder rack) harvested on the Argyll coast we have used only organically grown malt - the darker malts roasted by ourselves. Kelpie is a rich chocolate ale which has an aroma of fresh seabreeze and a distinctive malty texture.
Praga (by Hostan brewery, Czech Republic, 5% proof)
Bohemia, origin of Pilsner, is world renowned for the quality of its beer. Praga is an outstanding example of premium lager from this region. This beer was voted the number one 5% Pilsner at the Czech Brewing industry Awards in 1997 and again in 1999. The famous Hostan brewery has a tradition of brewing excellence dating from 1363.
Abbot Ale (by Greene King, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England, 5% proof)
Greene King have been brewing fine ales in the small market town of Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, since 1799. The traditions of local brewing reach back to the Cerevisiarii, monastic brewers, recorded in the Domesday Book. One of the world's great beers, Abbot's unique rich deep flavour and strength develop over a full 7 days - our Head Brewer demands that every brew is "Blessed by the Sabbath."
Cobra (by Cobra brewery, India, 5% proof)
Born in Bangalore, Cobra Indian Lager is brewed to an authentic Indian recipe using only the finest natural ingredients. Our unique blend of barley malt & yeast with imported maize, hops & rice give Cobra its distinctive clean and extra smooth taste guaranteed to refresh and revive the spirit.
Edel Pils (by Alfa brewery, Holland, 5% proof)
Alfa Edel Pils is the only lager brewed in Holland using water from a natural spring. The government certifies and limits the quantity of spring water used, therefore every bottle has a unique number on the neck seal. Your guarantee of genuine quality. Serve 8C.
Murree Beer (by Murree brewery, Ghora Gali, Pakistan (in the Himalayas), 4.5% proof)
Brewed from premium materials as available worldwide, folowing closely the original brewing recipe of Murree Brewery, Ghora Gali, Western Himalayas.
Crocodile (by Kronleins brewery, Halmstad, Sweden, 5.2% proof)
The Brewing Industry INTERNATIONAL AWARDS 1990. World Bottled Lager. competition First Prize in Class 3. Crocodile Export Lager.
Bush (by Dubuisson brewery, Pipaix, Belgium, 12% proof)
The result of a passion passed on for eight hgenerations. Generosity, rich flavours... pleasure to share. The Strong and the most genuinely Belgian special beer. Brewed with: water, malt, sugar, hops and yeast.
Riggwelter (by Black Sheep brewery, India, 5.7% proof)
Riggwelter: from the Old Norse; rygg - back and vwlte - to overturn. When a sheep is on his/her back and cannot get up without help, local dales dialect says he/she is rigged or riggwelted.
Grozet (by Heather Ale brewery, Craigmill, Strathaven, Scotland, 5% proof)
Grozet, 'Ault Scots for Gooseberry' (from the Gaelic Groseid). Since the 16th century Scots monks and alewives have brewed special concoctions from a blend of malts, wild spices and ripe gooseberries. Once the initial fermentation is complete crushed gooseberries are added. The brew is then lagered over a period of weeks, the cool fermentation allowing a steady release of the fruit sugars to ensure crisp, delicate flavours in the finished beer. Best Serve chilled. For maximum drinking pleasure Grozet should be served cold. You might notice a slight haze once chilled due to natural fruit and cereal proteins.
John Willie's (by J.W. Lees, Greengate brewery, Manchester, England, 5% proof)
John Willie's award-winning Champion Beer is exactly what it says it is. A selected panel of judges were looking for a beer with a distinctive and unusual flavour which would be eminently drinkable. We hope that you will agree with the experts when you taste it, and choose to try other J.W. Lees beers, too. John Lees founded our brewery in 1828. We have now been a family company for six generations, using only the finest quality, natural ingredients to brew our beers.
Weihenstephaner Kristall Weissbier (by Weihenstephan brewery, Freising, Germany, 5.4% proof)
Our own secret method of fermentation ensures that this noble beer remains crystal clear and free of yeast. This gives it its unmistakable character and its effervescent tingling taste. The first of its type, BEER STARTS WITH WEIHENSTEPHAN.
Old Speckled Hen (by Morland brewery, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, 5.2% proof)
Named after an unusual speckled vintage MG car, Old Speckled Hen is a finely balanced, deliciously smooth pale ale with a subtle blend of flavours. It owes its distinctive character to a unique strain of yeast first used in 1896, and reflects brewing skills developed acrosss more than 280 years of independent brewing history.
Golden Promise (by Caledonian brewery, Edinburgh, Scotland, 5% proof)
Caledonian created the world's first organic beer in the early 1990's by pioneering the use of Single Varietal organic hops from Kent. The combination of whole leaf hop flowers and organic Scottish malted barley, yeast and water gives Golden Promise its distinctive fragrant, bittersweet taste. Michael jackson "The Beer Hunter" describes Golden Promise as having a "lightly clean, crisp start... and a sherbet lemons finish".
Organic Honey Dew (by Fuller's, Griffin brewery, London, England, 5% proof)
This award winning premium beer is delightfully sweet, golden and refreshing. Brewed from only the finest organically produced ingredients, Honey Dew is proud to carry the Soil Association's organic symbol - your guarantee of organic integrity. Class English malts and the finest organic honey give the brew its mellow, rounded character, whilst English target hops add a deliciously zesty balance. Honey Dew is best served chilled, and is an ideal complement to many occasions, where it is the perfect alternative to continental lagers. Honey Dew was awarded a silver medal in its class at the 2000 international beer and cider Competition.
Sundance (by Marston's brewery, Burton on Trent, England, 5% proof)
Sundance Golden Ale is the result of a unique collaboration between J.D. Wetherspoon and Tesco to produce a truly distinctive tasting ale which is brewed in Burton on Trent by Marston's. Dry and moreishly malty, Sundance is a light and refreshing golden ale characterised by a clean, crisp bitterness derived from the finest Golding hops.
Kwak (by Bosteels brewery, Buggenhout, Belgium, 8% proof)
KWAK. An uncomparable Belgiam top fermentation beer with a unique taste. KWAK beer is best served between 5 and 6 degrees in its traditional glass.
Additional Beer, Brewery and Location Information, and Beer Links
Beer Resources on this website - a quick rundown
Who are The 3 Gents?
A history of how this beer hunting project came together.
Reviews of 100's of different beers worldwide
Beer reviews, based on my own tastings. It includes pictures and is categorised by country.
Beer shops and speciality pubs around the world
Reviews of both beer shops (off-licences) and pubs around the world, where you can buy a huge variety of quality beers.
3500+ beers in the world's most comprehensive score chart
One of the most (the most?) comprehensives beer ratings charts in the world. It entails variously scores, based on taste, head, colour, and other factors, for each of the thousands of beers we've tasted.
Current and old Top 10 beers reviewed
Every now and then, I review the Top 10 beers in our score chart, and review them, along with pictures. Old Top 10 beers get pushed down, but remain intact with their original reviews.
Beer Logbooks through the years
We keep an on-going sequence of journals, each one of which contains reviews, beer labels and other beer paraphenalia - basically the ultimate breweriana repositories!
Beer Blurb - What beers have to say for themselves
Beer labels themselves often provide a good description of the beer. Here, I include a wide spectrum of "beer blurbs".
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