World Cup Of Beer - Qualifying Round (Europe Pool A)

[tim2 2,341]

OK, here goes. Over the next few weeks we, the TRL elite, will decide which country makes the best beer.

This can be interpreted any way you wish - by best overall, by quantity of fine ales, lagers etc., by which produces the single best beer. Your choice. Choose more than 1 if you like.

We'll start with qualifying. 26 countries, in 4 pools, best 8 in the voting by 12 o'clock midday on Sunday 12th July 2020 will make the knockout phase. There will be 5 European Qualifiers, 2 from Asia/Australasia and 1 from The Americas.

This poll is for Europe, Pool A - 2 to qualify automatically, 1 to be decided between the most popular 3rd place between Europools.

Oh, I forgot. In the event of a tie, the country that drinkls the most beer per head of population will win trhrough.

Off you go. And remember, vote responsibly.

Edited July 5 by tim2

[Jeff Stein 287]

The hardest choice. I went for England just because of the uniqueness of real ale, but, having lived in Bavaria, I have a real love for German beer. It is much more varied than a lot of people believe and was, at least when I lived there 25 years ago, an integral part of their culture to a degree not found here.

[The Hallucinating Goose 1,976]

20 minutes ago, Jeff Stein said:

The hardest choice. I went for England just because of the uniqueness of real ale, but, having lived in Bavaria, I have a real love for German beer. It is much more varied than a lot of people believe and was, at least when I lived there 25 years ago, an integral part of their culture to a degree not found here.

I lived in Germany for a little while as well and became obsessed with schwarzbier, truly mesmerising stuff that, thick and so smooth with hints of coffee, cocoa and a bit of vanilla (incidentally the reason I love Irish whiskey as well) and I've never really been able to find it here. Best way to compare it would probably be to say close to a stout, especially chocolate stout if you've had that. Don't know how regional schwarzbier is in Germany, though I do believe it originated in Eastern Germany and I was living in Berlin. Been all over Germany but never thought to really look for it anywhere else. I picked England in the end for the variety of bitters and real ales we have. 

[Jeff Stein 287]

12 minutes ago, The Hallucinating Goose said:

I lived in Germany for a little while as well and became obsessed with schwarzbier, truly mesmerising stuff that, thick and so smooth with hints of coffee, cocoa and a bit of vanilla (incidentally the reason I love Irish whiskey as well) and I've never really been able to find it here. Best way to compare it would probably be to say close to a stout, especially chocolate stout if you've had that. Don't know how regional schwarzbier is in Germany, though I do believe it originated in Eastern Germany and I was living in Berlin. Been all over Germany but never thought to really look for it anywhere else. I picked England in the end for the variety of bitters and real ales we have. 

Schwarzbier originated in Saxony. The best known variety is Kostritzer, which I am pretty sure can be found in the UK. 

I was always partial to Rauchbier (smoked beer) from Bamberg. Just two breweries left brewing it: Schlenkra and Spezial. The latter can only be bought at the brewery which dates back to the middle ages. Schlenkra can be found in the UK. It smells incredibly smoky and it's like drinking liquid bacon or kippers. 

[The Hallucinating Goose 1,976]

10 hours ago, Jeff Stein said:

Schwarzbier originated in Saxony. The best known variety is Kostritzer, which I am pretty sure can be found in the UK. 

I was always partial to Rauchbier (smoked beer) from Bamberg. Just two breweries left brewing it: Schlenkra and Spezial. The latter can only be bought at the brewery which dates back to the middle ages. Schlenkra can be found in the UK. It smells incredibly smoky and it's like drinking liquid bacon or kippers. 

Thanks for that, I'll have a another proper look for Kostritzer, tbh never really had a really thorough look for it, just when I've been in supermarkets really, though I haven't looked for quite a while. Never tried Rauchbier. I'll put it on my list!

I'll have to do a bit of research into whether there's some shops in the area that specialise in lesser known, imported brands. There was a place in beverley that did that sort of thing but it was ridiculously expensive and didn't last long before closing down. Seem to remember it was something like £5 for a single bottle of beer and they can sod off if they think I'm paying that, no matter how much I love the stuff! 

[Adelaide Tiger 1,336]

Well this is one tournament that the Aussies will not win.  

[tim2 2,341]

29 minutes ago, Adelaide Tiger said:

Well this is one tournament that the Aussies will not win.  

They're in the Asia/Australasia pool. looking good for a place in the quarters where they could meet England.

[tim2 2,341]

bump

[Wolford6 2,102]

Are all these countries playing off to decide who loses to Yorkshire in the final?

[tim2 2,341]

2 hours ago, Wolford6 said:

Are all these countries playing off to decide who loses to Yorkshire in the final?

There's some good ales indeed, mainly in Masham, but we've got Thornbridge.

[Clogiron 1,876]

3 hours ago, Wolford6 said:

Are all these countries playing off to decide who loses to Yorkshire in the final?

Timothy Taylor's takes on the world........and wins (again)

[Number 16 1,300]

1 hour ago, Clogiron said:

Timothy Taylor's takes on the world........

That's like Dewsbury fans still banging on about 1973...it's in the past. 

[Trojan 3,194]

On 05/07/2020 at 16:39, tim2 said:

OK, here goes. Over the next few weeks we, the TRL elite, will decide which country makes the best beer.

This can be interpreted any way you wish - by best overall, by quantity of fine ales, lagers etc., by which produces the single best beer. Your choice. Choose more than 1 if you like.

We'll start with qualifying. 26 countries, in 4 pools, best 8 in the voting by 12 o'clock midday on Sunday 12th July 2020 will make the knockout phase. There will be 5 European Qualifiers, 2 from Asia/Australasia and 1 from The Americas.

This poll is for Europe, Pool A - 2 to qualify automatically, 1 to be decided between the most popular 3rd place between Europools.

Oh, I forgot. In the event of a tie, the country that drinkls the most beer per head of population will win trhrough.

Off you go. And remember, vote responsibly.

No Belgium who also brew ale, some of it extremely strong.

[Futtocks 13,464]

1 hour ago, Trojan said:

No Belgium who also brew ale, some of it extremely strong.

Belgium are in Pool B.

[kev p 118]

my favourite is Fullers ESB, closely followed by Green King Abbot Reserve then Crafty Hen (Speckled Hens big sister!). 

[Trojan 3,194]

11 hours ago, kev p said:

my favourite is Fullers ESB, closely followed by Green King Abbot Reserve then Crafty Hen (Speckled Hens big sister!). 

I like Fullers 1845, also Youngs London Special Pale Ale.  Both very malty.  But for a regular drink I love draught Landlord.

[bazzzz65 158]

20 hours ago, Wolford6 said:

Are all these countries playing off to decide who loses to Yorkshire in the final?

YOrkshire or Sussex produce the best beer in England closely followed by London in my opinion.

[bazzzz65 158]

17 hours ago, Clogiron said:

Timothy Taylor's takes on the world........and wins (again)

Taylor's used to be the best beer in the 80s but there are so many new breweries that are much better.

[shaun mc 1,265]

No one went for Scotland due to Brewdog? Plus they have lots of good microbreweries as well.

Brewdog have definitely shook up even the smaller breweries and have been an influencer overall. Their marketing and service is spot on

I'm not a lover of every beer that they do, but they do have some cracking ones

 

[Clogiron 1,876]

1 hour ago, bazzzz65 said:

Taylor's used to be the best beer in the 80s but there are so many new breweries that are much better.

If you drink it close to home there's nothing to compare, honourable mentions to Bateman's, Robinsons, Holts and pre-takeover Jennings

 

[Wolford6 2,102]

I really  like Jennings Cumberland.

Ossett has never made a bad beer.

I still like Tetleys and Black Sheep when they've been kept properly

Never been a fan of Timothy Taylor's landlord. However, the Boltmaker had improved out of sight before the lockdown.

Brains Bitter is great but it doesn't seem to travel.

Mentioned this before; Erdinger is, for me, the only tasty alcohol-free lager.

[Gerrumonside ref 2,070]

Have had many a pleasant time drinking Timothy Taylor’s Landlord.

If this is the World Cup of beer then that is it’s Pele!

[Jeff Stein 287]

5 hours ago, Wolford6 said:

Mentioned this before; Erdinger is, for me, the only tasty alcohol-free lager.

A pedant writes: Erdinger is a Weizen and therefore top fermenting. Not a lager I'm afraid. The alcohol full version is very good too.

[shaun mc 1,265]

5 hours ago, Jeff Stein said:

A pedant writes: Erdinger is a Weizen and therefore top fermenting. Not a lager I'm afraid. The alcohol full version is very good too.

Erdinger is my 2nd favourite of that style - just edged out by the draught Franziskaner I had several of when on a walking trip in Austria a few years back

[Jeff Stein 287]

On 09/07/2020 at 22:22, shaun mc said:

Erdinger is my 2nd favourite of that style - just edged out by the draught Franziskaner I had several of when on a walking trip in Austria a few years back

My favourite weizen is Schneider Weisse. It is a bit darker than the norm for this type and the brewery only brews this type of beer. Have been to the brewery and drank in its tap which was great. Can be found over here and worth trying as it is generally considered a world classic. Another weizen only brewery is Maisels of Bayreuth. Remember that as very good too but not sure I have ever seen it in the UK 

Edited July 11 by Jeff Stein