Karmeliet Tripel

This beer is taken as part of another works night out. Thankfully its right at the start of the night unlike the beer that I don't really remember.

So a group of teachers assembled before moving on to the more rowdy venue of Bridley Place to celebrate the end of term but started a little more civilised. My first of the night was a Karmeliet Tripel. when I ordered the barman gave an approving nod saying that this was one of his choices of beer. Research tells me that it is brewed to a recipe from 1679 and according to this has won some very noticeable awards. While I really enjoyed it as a beer I couldn't taste the banana that the world beer award tasters suggested was there. Overall I thought it was brilliant. Golden in colour with a deep complex flavour and the right amount of alcohol coming through. 4.5 out of 5

Slaapmutske Tripel

Now I will be honest, I had had a few by the time I ordered this one at the bar. I was out with some work mates making my way towards Chung Ying Gardens in the Chinese Quarter, we had a good meal. But I had taken in a few drinks in the Wellington and when writing I can't really remember much about this beer.

From looking at their website, Slaapmutske looks like a nice little start up Belgian brewery. My untappd check in gave it 4 out of 5 so I must have enjoyed it at the time. I guess that's What I will give it now.

Leffe 9

Now I drink Leffe Blonde quite a lot. you see it in loads of pubs on draught, and can pick it up at shops all over the place. They even sell it at my local Tesco's. But I've never had Leffe Blonde's bigger brother the Leffe 9. Basically its Leffe Blonde but brewed longer and stronger to give more flavour. Sounds good to me.

On pouring it is a bit deeper in colour than the Leffe Blonde that I am used to. As It take my first taste I am very impressed. It has the distinct flavour of a Belgian beer but despite its big 9% alcohol has a mellow flavour and it slips down very nicely. 4 out of 5.

St Rogue Dry Hopped Red Ale

The Dry Hopped Red Ale from Rogue is one that I have been trying to get my hands on for a while. But it's been out of stock for a while and I had started to feel a bit of a fool asking for it over and over at the bar with little success. However on a boozy Thursday night out with a jeweller, a radio newsreader and a couple of teachers my luck was finally in.

I guess the real question is was it worth the wait. To this day I'm not sure. It wasn't a bad beer, it might even be a really good beer (its won a lot of awards), but I don't think its my kind of beer. I found it to be too bitter. Almost like one of those really sour sweets you get where your cheeks get sucked in by the sourness. As I go on I enjoy it more but not enough to have made the wait worthwhile. 3 out of 5