Topling Goliath TG Pils

TG Pils is an interesting take on a Bavarian style pilsner.

Brewer's notes: Our Pilsner is brewed with simplicity and results in the harmonious confluence of meticulously executed old-world traditions and ingredients. Our iteration of the Hochkurz mash schedule meant we’d be executing six different temperature rests, each of which carries a specific focus in mind; and while this is significantly more labor intensive than a current-day single infusion mash, the difference in the end result speaks for itself. An egg-white foam rests atop a crisp, clear, golden beer, with just a hint of Hallertau Mittelfruh hops coming through in the finish.

BeerAdvocate: Pilsner brewed with simplicity and true to old-world traditions and ingredients. Egg white foam on a crisp, clear, golden and mostly crushable beer. Floral, fruity and slightly herbal hints from Hallertau Mittelfruh hops.

Tasting notes
2403: I drank #5 from the 6-pack. Not as good as #4.

Rating = 2.5 glasses.

I drank #5 from the 6-pack. The lemony flavor is not present and the beer is good.

Rating = 3 glasses.

February 2024: I write after my second or third can. The beer is nice. It has a lemony finish that may be what other people call grassy. I like it but will not be putting it into my refrigerator on a regular basis.

Rating = 2.5 glasses

Huyghe Delirium Nocturnum

Delirium Nocturnum is a strong dark Belgian ale. 

Tasting Notes

2403: I drank a bottle with some age on it. I liked it. A lot.

Rating = 5 glasses.

2311: Ditto as below.

Rating = 4 glasses

1910: The flavor is difficult to describe. It has brown sugar and sour (chestnuts) flavors. 

0903: A bottle @ Mekong w/ L.A. Smooth and tasty. Nice caramel malt with apple butter and hints of spicy hops.

Rating = 4 glasses.

Downgraded from 5 glasses.

Cantillon Gueuze 100% Lambic

Brewer's notes

Assembly of Lambics of different ages.
Beer with a tangy and fruity taste, woody and delicate aromas, long finish on the palate.
Long-life beer with evolving taste.
Brasserie Cantillon Lambics are called “young” after one year of aging and reach full maturity after three years. Young beers contain the natural sugars necessary for second fermentation in the bottle. The three-year-old beers bring their bouquet and finesse.
Gueuze is the fruit of a complex blend of Lambics of different tastes and ages, preserved in oak barrels. The most important role of the brewer is taste. He will have to taste around ten Lambics from different barrels to finally select five or six. This is how Gueuze 100% Lambic is made, carrying the original character of the beers from Brasserie Cantillon. Each blending vat will give birth to a different Gueuze. The natural elements available to us do not allow us to manufacture a "standard" product.
Arranged horizontally in the cellar, the bottles will remain there for an average of one year to allow the transformation of sugars into carbon dioxide (second fermentation in bottles). The saturation of the beer occurs slowly and naturally. When Lambic becomes sparkling, it is called Gueuze.
In the 18th century, a Benedictine monk, Dom Pérignon, discovered champagne by blending different non-sparkling white wines. A century later, a Brabant brewer mixed several Lambics and caused a second fermentation in the bottle. La Gueuze was born. Until the 19th century, the people of Brussels and Brabançons drank mainly two beers, Lambic and Faro. The appearance of the glass bottle and the contribution of Dom Pérignon will revolutionize the small world of Brussels brewers. Gueuze then became the symbol beer of Brussels.

BeerAdvocate

Tasting notes

March 8, 2024
The second bottle has about 1.5 more years in the cellar. Similar reaction as below - tart but I wanted more and the apple flavor is not my favorite. Something about Belgium yeasts may be at work. St. Bernardus Abt 12 has a similar note. Downgrading rating to 6 glasses.

Nov. 25, 2022

First of two bottles scored from Corks and Kegs a few months ago. More apple-cidery and less lemon-vinegary and tart than I remembered or wanted. 

Rating: It is still wonderfully complex and refreshing with enough je ne sais quois for 7 glasses but I am downgrading it to 6.5 glasses.

(0911): A bottle at SD21 in NYC. Nice and tart and complex. A tiche milder than I remembered. Girardin rules.

Rating: 7 glasses 

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