tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717216232742676074.post8349574085629814154..comments2023-12-11T08:10:41.077+00:00Comments on Mark Dredge - Beer: A Quadruple Blind TastingMark Dredgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11421095862178324693noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717216232742676074.post-63789488763830921332011-01-29T09:53:57.776+00:002011-01-29T09:53:57.776+00:00Anon 1 - Good to hear. There is a great clarity to...Anon 1 - Good to hear. There is a great clarity to the flavour, if that makes sense. It's just very simple and hard to describe.<br /><br />Anon 2 - Read your last sentence again. Consider who is the one not happy with the term Quad and then think about Nazis... Also, it's the brand and the style so I think you're wrong. Whatever. It's just a beer, let's not get into silly semantics.Mark Dredgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11421095862178324693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717216232742676074.post-34541039696322686582011-01-28T09:51:28.428+00:002011-01-28T09:51:28.428+00:00I think you'll find the La Trappe has Quadrupe...I think you'll find the La Trappe has Quadrupel not Quadruple on the label. And it's the brand name of the beer, not a description of its style.<br /><br />Good to see you're swallowing the bullshit from American style nazis whole.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717216232742676074.post-82253972089808245352011-01-27T00:20:13.226+00:002011-01-27T00:20:13.226+00:00With beer geek friends from Germany and the US aro...With beer geek friends from Germany and the US around the table one night we did a similar test and had a similar result. The Westys are just so well balanced that it makes you want to agree with the 'best beer in the world' label even if your smarter than that. Because I have a fairly substantial collection of Westy's both new and aged we have had many an occasion to drink them alongside St. Bernie's ABT 12 and the basic flavors are quite similar - but the Westy flavors stand out more. When the day comes that I don't have cases of Westy blond, 8 & 12 stacked downstairs I will be happy to have St. Bernardus. They simply aren't that much different.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717216232742676074.post-29214770124267385302011-01-26T23:38:26.645+00:002011-01-26T23:38:26.645+00:00I decided long ago that Westvleteren 12 was my fav...I decided long ago that Westvleteren 12 was my favourite beer. It doesn't taste its strength and isn't over sweet. There's no such thing as best beer in the world but this will do me. Down to my last 25 or 30 though.Birkonianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02797631050700297107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717216232742676074.post-43060466689158767062011-01-25T10:01:14.224+00:002011-01-25T10:01:14.224+00:00One can write any old nonsense in blog post titles...One can write any old nonsense in blog post titles and get away with it, I find.<br /><br />We did <a href="http://www.beoir.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=128:revenge-is-a-dish-best-served-at-cellar-temperature&catid=33:beoir-meets&Itemid=95" rel="nofollow">a bottled English ale thing</a> a while back. Trying to guess what came from clear glass was fun.The Beer Nuthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14105708522526153528noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717216232742676074.post-16785118779113957592011-01-25T09:56:31.105+00:002011-01-25T09:56:31.105+00:00Yep, that works for me as well. Not a headline wri...Yep, that works for me as well. Not a headline writer's dream though ;)<br /><br />The AB:01 was a deliberate left-field choice to see how it fared against the others, so it was quite interesting. We did also have a guess at what each was but it did seem to be a little easy (the trouble was that some were young and some were aged so that gave it away a bit. <br /><br />Good fun though. I'd like to do something similar with bottled ales from the supermarket, maybe 6-8, all blind, and see what we'd all say about them and rate them (and guess too!).Mark Dredgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11421095862178324693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717216232742676074.post-70770582998701980132011-01-25T09:52:00.012+00:002011-01-25T09:52:00.012+00:00"Strong dark Belgian-style ales" is good..."Strong dark Belgian-style ales" is good enough for me. That there are plenty of lighter strong, dark Belgian-style beers from these breweries doesn't matter to me. I don't think designating an exclusive style category adds anything useful.<br /><br />And yes, I think they're great companions for a blind tasting. If only one of them stood out -- the AB:01 -- then that shows they were a good choice. I usually add a guess-the-beer element to these tastings. When everybody gets them all right the chances are you haven't picked sufficiently similar beers.The Beer Nuthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14105708522526153528noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717216232742676074.post-10657736682953229032011-01-25T09:42:51.030+00:002011-01-25T09:42:51.030+00:00Beer Nut - I do agree with you. I'm sure I wro...Beer Nut - I do agree with you. I'm sure I wrote a blog post sometime making that exact argument - that the brewer designates the style and therefore that's what it is. I also don't like them as barley wines. What would you class them as, out of interest? And do you think they are worthy of comparison as a group of six beers because of their similarities?<br /><br />Barry - I'll get straight onto it :)Mark Dredgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11421095862178324693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717216232742676074.post-64482958364546801222011-01-25T09:30:24.571+00:002011-01-25T09:30:24.571+00:00Of course, the real test would be to compare them ...Of course, the real test would be to compare them to the BJCP specs and see if they are to style, then you'd know what they are for sure!<br /><br />I'll get my coat... ;) :DBarry Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07367655129107699025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717216232742676074.post-75626985249742467422011-01-25T09:26:43.506+00:002011-01-25T09:26:43.506+00:00What's wrong with "barley wine" is e...What's wrong with "barley wine" is exactly the same as what's wrong with "quadruple": it's a foreign designation and one that the brewers would not recognise. It seems to me to be rather rude to go assigning beer styles to other people's beer. That's the brewer's prerogative, IMO, and certainly not some foreign beer writer's, no disrespect to Mr Webb.<br /><br />Mark, yes I'm aware that the La Trappe and the Abstrakt are quadruples. No argument there. As I said above, my problem is when it gets assigned to the Belgian beers. They are not quadruples. Why? Because it does <i>not</i> say they are on the label.The Beer Nuthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14105708522526153528noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717216232742676074.post-38565513237561010552011-01-25T08:44:33.583+00:002011-01-25T08:44:33.583+00:00So who knew there'd be controversy around the ...So who knew there'd be controversy around the use of quadruples and quads?! I'm quite happy using both, hence them being spread through the post.<br /><br />Beer Nut - La Trappe and BrewDog have Quadruple on the labels.<br /><br />JC - It'd be interesting to see if the Struise and Brewdog would've fared differently with an extra year of age on them?Mark Dredgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11421095862178324693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717216232742676074.post-33767402382132118112011-01-25T07:44:18.784+00:002011-01-25T07:44:18.784+00:00Interesting I think that the new "cult" ...Interesting I think that the new "cult" brewers like Struise and B*** D** more or less propped up the table while the old timers romped home. Surprised that the La Trappe didn't do so well - perhaps you should have gone for the oak aged version, although that is eye wateringly expensive now (first time it appeared was on tap at the Arendsnest in Amsterdam when it was altogether more reasonably priced).<br /><br />And of course, as has been said "quadruple" is a made up beer style (and I am entirely at one with BN and his aversion to the use of the term "quad"*). While it can be argued that this might be a convenient term for linking these beers together what's wrong with barley wine? This is neither a made up style and perhaps a better way of describing these beers (and one which is used by the Tim Webb in the Good Beer Guide Belgium - and let's face it, Tim is arguably the UK's foremost authority on Belgian beer).<br /><br />*ditto the use of the word "sours" to describe traditional lambics...John Clarkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00132845616834779091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717216232742676074.post-31434126848761948302011-01-24T21:46:50.107+00:002011-01-24T21:46:50.107+00:00Personally I make a point of only drinking made-up...Personally I make a point of only drinking made-up styles. Quads, Sours, Irish Red, Scottish Ale, Farmhouse Ale …Rob Sterowskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07870233673933087794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717216232742676074.post-42194992596785451522011-01-24T21:46:18.595+00:002011-01-24T21:46:18.595+00:00Great post, Mark. Interesting to see the results o...Great post, Mark. Interesting to see the results of mine in some way corroborated.<br /><br />While I don't for a second subscribe to the notion that some style designations are "real" and others "made up", I really dislike that someone has decided certain Belgian beers are "quadruples" without any reference to how the brewery describes them. The abbreviation to "quad" sets my teeth on edge even more.The Beer Nuthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14105708522526153528noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717216232742676074.post-43195617733074871272011-01-24T21:20:56.903+00:002011-01-24T21:20:56.903+00:00Graeme - Is that like a Black IPA then?! Whether a...Graeme - Is that like a Black IPA then?! Whether a 'real' style or not the beers are very similar and therefore relevant of comparison, I think. I'm with you on the Rochefort 8 as well, that's a great beer. The Westvleterens are great beers if only because there's an excitement to drinking them and they make you talk and think about beer differently, which is good.<br /><br />Pivni Filosof - Accessibility is really important but I don't seem them as everyday beers so if I only drink three or four a year then I'll shoot for the top! I do very happily drink Rochefort if I've got it. I can't remember having a younger StB so I should probably grab another bottle of that.<br /><br />Barry - The Rochefort was about 2 years old and still doing well. I wonder how it'll be in another two? They are beers which supposedly age very well. There is definitely something which says drink by the fire about a quad, I agree! But then imperial stouts say that too and I'd lean towards them.<br /><br />Anon - Ridiculous? It's only a fun comparison. Whether you think it's a style in its own right or not, they are all similar beers made in a similar style so therefore worthy of comparison. What style would you call them? <br /><br />Zak - What struck me about the StB was the intensity of flavour in it compared to the others - it was like it'd be reduced to a syrup! I don't know if that's a product of age or just whether the beer has more oomph?!<br /><br />Ghost Drinker - When I originally planned this it was going to be a whole range of trappist beers and a few extra, so I had Chimay Blue (I still have two bottles which are two years old), Achel, Westmalle, etc, plus Rochefort 8, West 8, etc, but trying to arrange a blind tasting with the whole lot proved impossible. It'd be interesting to do a Chimay Blue-Rochefort 8-Westvleteren 8-St Bernadus 8 four-way to see where it'd come out. The Urthel would be another really interesting one to throw in.Mark Dredgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11421095862178324693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717216232742676074.post-23620563298017557582011-01-24T17:58:10.589+00:002011-01-24T17:58:10.589+00:00I'm glad there was 4 of you! I love St. Bernar...I'm glad there was 4 of you! I love St. Bernardus 12 - it's without doubt one of my top 5 best belgian beers. Wasn't a fan of any of the Rocheforts, maybe I need to try them again. Do you think Chimay blue could have gone into this list? or Urthel Samaranth - 2 good ones for me.Ghost Drinkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00753576955816756710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717216232742676074.post-58468050531902738402011-01-24T13:15:26.976+00:002011-01-24T13:15:26.976+00:00"Quadrupel is a made up style."
Like man..."Quadrupel is a made up style."<br />Like many styles these days, it seems. :D Irish Red anyone? (cue TheBeerNut) ;)Barry Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07367655129107699025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717216232742676074.post-85091205120293613492011-01-24T13:04:32.032+00:002011-01-24T13:04:32.032+00:00Quadrupel is a made up style. Which makes this who...Quadrupel is a made up style. Which makes this whole exercise a little ridiculous.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717216232742676074.post-72187154613951306012011-01-24T13:01:48.675+00:002011-01-24T13:01:48.675+00:00Oh, nice post, by the way!Oh, nice post, by the way!ZakAveryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01794154105596597019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717216232742676074.post-21630118728829688562011-01-24T13:01:28.796+00:002011-01-24T13:01:28.796+00:00I like quadruples, although I only get a hankering...I like quadruples, although I only get a hankering for them in the dead of winter. St Bernardus is my preference, primarily because, as PF points out, you can actually buy them (relatively) easily.ZakAveryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01794154105596597019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717216232742676074.post-2401405653382239802011-01-24T09:58:28.008+00:002011-01-24T09:58:28.008+00:00Brilliant. I liked the Westys when I tried them, w...Brilliant. I liked the Westys when <a href="http://thebittenbullet.blogspot.com/2009/04/westvleteren.html" rel="nofollow">I tried them</a>, while trying to forget the hype. But like TBN, not sure if I'd pay out for them on a regular basis.<br /><br />I just bought a few of each of the Bernardus beers, and have a few Rochefort sitting around. In TBNs piece, Lars pointed out that the Rocheforts seemed to fare better with a bit of age. Just curious, how long did you have your bottles?<br /><br />While I like these kinds of beers, they're not something i drink often. Not sure if it's because I find them hard to get (not really, I suppose), or they seem like something to hang onto, waiting for a nice fireside, comfort beer moment. Whatever it is, I plan on stocking up :)Barry Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07367655129107699025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717216232742676074.post-20405193804568771212011-01-24T09:43:05.079+00:002011-01-24T09:43:05.079+00:00Never done a blind tasting, but if given the choic...Never done a blind tasting, but if given the choice, I would always pick Rochefort or St. B, I simply like them more.<br /><br />However, the huge advantage that they both have over Westvleteren is that I can buy them whenever I fancy drinking one, and for quite a decent price at that. There is one place that sels West here in Prague, for 1000CZK (about 40EU) a bottle, the other two go for less than 100CZK. No argument there.Pivní Filosofhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17883511608403454943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8717216232742676074.post-16051002804864315542011-01-24T09:43:02.389+00:002011-01-24T09:43:02.389+00:00I was under the impression that "quadrupel&qu...I was under the impression that "quadrupel" isn't really a "style" at all, but was made up as a marketing trick (dubbel, tripel, quadrupel!), and then co-opted by (US) homebrewers as a Belgian style? (ie, apart from an arbitrary line in the sand, where do you draw the line between a strong dark and a quad?)<br /><br />FWIW, I prefer the Rochefort to the St Bernardus, but then I actually prefer the 8 to the 10 too as it's far more drinkable. I need to get hold of some Westvleteren at some point - I do not suspect it is the best beer in the world as often quoted, but I still want to try some.Graemehttp://www.chromosphere.co.uknoreply@blogger.com