1001 BEERS YOU MUST TRY BEFORE YOU DIE

# 1: James Squire Pilsener

Malt Shovel Brewery - Australia

5.0% ABV - Pilsener

E: Golden Amber, bright white head

N: Sweetcorn, spicy and floral aromas, slight aroma of cardboard.

P: Subtle initial sweetness from the Munich malts followed by a bitterness that develops.

M: Gentle Carbonation, crisp, drying finish

Other comments: Poor head retention, good example of a Pilsener.

Food Pairings: Oysters, BBQ, spicy food where the hop bitterness can cleanse the palate.

SCORE: 2.87/5

Page: 397

# 2: James Squire Golden Ale

Malt Shovel Brewery - Australia

4.5% - Amber Ale

E: Amber, fantastic clarity, foamy head

N: Tropical fruits, grapefruit, cereal grainy aromas.

P: Balanced blend of bitterness and sweetness

M: Smooth finish, subtle carbonation.

Other comments: The palate is quite bland, this is a thirst quenching ale, with no real depth of flavour

Food Pairings: Roasted Pork dishes where the caramelisation and saltiness can be balanced by the cereal grains, pairing against the tropical fruit as well.

SCORE: 2.6/5

Page: 160

# 3: Cascade Stout

Cascade Brewery - Australia (Tasmania)

5.8% ABV - Stout

E: Dark, Rich black colour, with a reddish hue and a thick brown head.

N: Roasted characters of coffee and dark chocolate.

P: Initial bitterness is balanced by a malty sweetness leading to a roasted almost burnt bitterness, but not unpleasant - hint of subtle liquorice

M: Smooth finish, gentle carbonation, 

Other comments: A lovely well balanced stout, with the usual suspects of roasted, coffee and chocolate characters

Food Pairings: Oysters, Strong mature cheddars, dark rich chocolate puddings / cake

SCORE: 3.0/5

Page: 652

# 4: Cusquena

Backus & Johnston - Peru

5% ABV - Blonde (Pilsener)

E: Golden, medium white head

N: Big malty aromas with hints of honey

P: Sweetness from malts, subtle hop flavour that is not lasting and balanced out by sweetness

M: Crisp, refreshing, gentle bite

Other comments: Cracking South American style Pilsener, brewed using the purest water from the Andes.

Food Pairings: Roasted meats, Seafood, swordfish.

SCORE: 2.6/5

Page: 357

# 5: Worthington's White Shield

White Shield Brewery - England

5.6% ABV - IPA

E: Deep Amber, Clear, translucent clarity

N: Rich Fruit, Brandy like alcohol, red apple aromas

P: Malty, spicy with a treacle caramel finish, smoked bitterness to end

M: Strong, full-bodied flavour, gentle carbonation with a robust character

Other comments: The archetypal IPA, the reason all cask ale was invented, a god of beers with complexity and beautiful balance.

Food Pairings: Roasted meats, Game Pies, Cheddar Cheese, Spicy food

SCORE: 3.8/5

Page: 297

# 6: Cusquena Malta

Backus & Johnston - Peru

5.6% ABV - Dark

E: Dark, Reddish hue, off-white head

N: Treacle, Caramel aromas, slight cinder aroma

P: Huge amounts of malty sweetness, cinder toffee and chocolate with a slight coffee bitterness

M: Gentle carbonation, a little cloying towards the end.

Other comments: An interesting brew this.  It has a great depth of aroma, however, I find it too sweet.  This would however be a good beer to enjoy food with.

Food Pairings: Oysters

SCORE: 2.6/5

Page: 658

# 7: Sharp's Doom Bar

Sharp's Brewery - England

4.3% ABV - Amber

E: Beautiful clarity, crystal clear Amber. Thin off white head.

N: Nutty, malty with a spicy hop aroma

P: Sweet maltiness on the palate with a smooth well rounded balance of fruit, bitterness and sweetness.

M: Lingering bitter, drying finish

Other comments: A fantastic well balanced bitter from a brewery with a huge reputation.  A brilliant ale for those first timers.

Food Pairings: Pork Pies, Cheese, Roasted Meats

SCORE: 3.25/5

Page: 258