Oak-smoked seasonal beer picks up 5-point Untappd rating

I’m fairly sure that I’ve never awarded a beer on Untappd before, with a rating of 5.0. I know that there has to be a first time for everything, so going by the law of averages, it has to happen sometime, but the beer in question was so good, there was no way that I wasn’t going to award it with the highest rating possible.

I’ll come onto the beer in a minute, after a few paragraphs about Untappd, and my experience of the world’s best known electronic beer ticking app. American in origin, but popular on this side of the Atlantic as well, Un-tapping” beers has become a favourite pastime for many drinkers. The App initially found favour amongst the craft-beer faction, but with the passage of time has found increasing popularity amongst cask drinkers as well.

I wrote a post about Untappd, back in 2015, in which I claimed that the world of beer-ticking had moved on from the days of scruffy, barely legible lists, maintained in tatty old exercise books. I stated that with the advent of the Smart Phone, and the growth in associated Apps, electronic versions of “ticking” were now available, bringing the “delights” of this hobby/obsession to a completely new audience.

I first tried Untappd back in 2013-2014, but gave it up after a short while, primarily for phone-related issues. There were other, more mundane reasons too, such as I forgot to use it or sometimes, I just couldn’t be bothered. I picked up with the App at the start of 2020, after buying a new Smartphone over the Christmas period. My trusty old Galaxy J5 was out of space on its hard-drive, in fact, it was so clogged up that I couldn’t install updates, or even run certain apps.

As well as updating my phone, I took out a new, SIM-only phone contract which came with an enormous (for me) amount of free data, which means I don’t have to worry any more about poor Wi-Fi. Not being able to connect to Untappd in real time, when the pub or bar hadn’t got Wi-Fi, or if it did, the quality and connectivity was poor, was the main reason for me ditching the App, but that’s no longer a problem.

I re-installed Untappd, and found, to my delight, that after all that time, my old account was still there, fully operational and enabling me to pick up from where I’d left off. It’s currently listing 438 beers that I’ve tapped, and whilst I’ve obviously ticked far more over a lifetime of beer drinking, that number is a good starting point – as long as I remember to “tap” them!

So, what about this beer with the five-point rating?  Well it’s Aecht Schlenkerla Eiche –  an 8.0% abv Doppelbock, brewed by Bamberg’s famous,  Schlenkerla "Heller-Bräu" Trum Brauerei. I purchased the bottle at Fuggles Bottle Shop, in Tunbridge Wells, and opened it the other evening. Dark mahogany in colour, this stunning beer is packed with the flavours of intense, chewy, toffee malt, set against a background of oak smoke, and it is oak that is the key here. The majority of Franconian Rauchbiers (smoke beers), are brewed from malt that has been dried in a kiln that is fired with beech wood. Smoke from the latter, imparts an intense smokiness to the dried malt which carries through into the finished beer.

Eiche, is the German word for oak, and the malt for this Doppelbock beer, is kilned with oak wood, rather than beech. This imparts a much more subtle flavour, which allows the toffee and caramel notes from the malt, to shine through. The result, an absolute stunner of a beer that is well worthy of that rare 5-point, rating.

Looking back over past blog posts, this wasn’t actually my first taste of this beer, as during December 2010, I enjoyed a glass of it on its home turf, in the atmospheric surroundings of Heller-Trum’s, world-famous, Aecht Schlenkerla tavern, in the heart of Bamberg’s old town.  I wrote at the time, how I’d popped into Schlenkerla where I was able to sample the strong Christmas Doppelbock called Eiche. I described this stunning dark beer as very moreish, but at 8.0% abv, I thought it unwise to have more than one!

That particular year, Bamberg was blanketed with a thick carpet of snow, which added to the Christmas feel of the town and the surrounding villages. December was also an apt time to visit, as Eiche Doppelbock is only available during the festive season, and thus is a true Christmas beer. I’m not sure how Fuggles got hold of their stock, but I'm glad that I did, although I imagine that it’s all sold out by now.

My most recent visit to Bamberg, took place four years ago, in May 2018. On that visit I was able to buy a couple of bottles of the brewery’s Fasten Bier, or Lent beer.  This seasonal Ur Bock weighs in at 6.5% and is like a stronger version of the brewery's normal strength beer but is sufficiently well-hopped to balance the additional body supplied by the malt. I wasn’t using Untappd back then, so it’s hard to know how I would have scored the beer, but given Schlenkerla’s pedigree and heritage, I imagine it would have been a high rating.

That’s it for the time being, but if you are a fan of smoke beers, keep an eye out for Heller-Trum’s excellent versions, as the brewery is now exporting its beers all over the world.

Let's get this party started

After stating in my previous post that Mrs PBT’s and I were going to be keeping low profile, on Sunday afternoon we broke our purdah and headed out, to the bottom of our road for the local street party. There have been quite a few of these events during the 28 years we have lived in our road. Most have celebrated royal events – Jubilees and weddings in the main, but one memorable street party was held in honour of the Tour de France, cycle, endurance race, which that particular year (2007), came through Tonbridge.

That particular party had a very Gallic theme to it, with plenty of French cheeses, bread, and wine, plus the odd stereotyped French onion seller stand-in, but it was a good do, nevertheless. The other parties have also been enjoyable, and irrespective of one’s views concerning the Queen and the Royal Family, they have provided the perfect opportunity to meet up and reconnect with one’s neighbours.

Tonbridge is a commuter town, with many residents making the 40-minute rail journey to London and back. In the wake of the pandemic, a growing number have ditched the commute, and are now working locally. The pay might not be quite so good, but when traded off against high rail fares, the misery of crowded trains plus time spent travelling, the local option comes out on top.

This year was especially poignant as there were many families up and down the road who we hadn’t seen since before the pandemic. There have also been a number of new families who have moved in, since the last party (2019). Having lived in the road, for the best part of thirty years, Eileen and I know the organisers of these events, and like others were glad to contribute food and drink. Residents were contacted prior to the party and asked to indicate the type of food they would be bringing, primarily to ensure the event wouldn’t be swamped by dozens of sausage rolls, and very little else!

As far as the beer was concerned, I popped along to the Beer Seller in Tonbridge, arriving shortly after the midday opening. There was already a handful of customers in the pub, and I couldn’t help noticing a line of trellis tables running the length of the pub, laden down with buffet type food, in preparation for the Beer Seller’s own party. I’d already made up my mind which beer to go for, but I bought myself a swift half, just to make sure. Goacher’s Gold Star is a regular beer at the Beer Seller, and it was certainly in fine form last Sunday. So, after enjoying my half, I treated myself to a 4-pint Karry-keg of the beer.

Our road runs down a hill to a “T” junction, where it joins a road called Royal Avenue. To the right, the road runs round in a loop to allow vehicle access to the rest of Tonbridge, but to the left, Royal Avenue ends in a cul-de sac. It is in this section that the various street parties have been held over the years.  Sunday’s bash was no exception, and despite a chilly start and grey, overcast skies the party got off to a swinging start.

Mrs PBT’s and I arrived just before 1pm, having brought a couple of garden chairs plus a cheese platter, to the gathering. The cheese was our contribution to the party, but it’s safe to say there was no shortage of food. Star food offering, was a large bowl of chicken biryani, prepared by an Asian family who have recently moved in. Staying with the international theme for a moment, we were introduced to a Japanese lady, who moved in, along with her family, several doors up from us.

We had watched with interest, the construction work that had gone on, both before and during the pandemic, that added an extra storey to their bungalow, but the common interest was both her and me working for Japanese companies. We were also introduced to a chap from the other end of the road, who is a close friend of Eileen’s nephew. He had initially approached me, as he recognised me from my blog, so the power of beer blogging does work, at least sometimes, and here is a shout-out, in case he is reading this post. It was good to meet you, Evan!

We left at around 6pm, shortly before the rain that had been holding off all afternoon, finally had its way. It was good to meet up with our neighbours, both old and new, and good to see that the community spirit, last witnessed in action during 2020’s "Clapping for NHS workers," is alive and well.

 

 

 

Keeping a low profile

Despite the extended Bank Holiday weekend, in honour of the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, Mrs PBT’s and I have been keeping a low profile. It’s not that we’re anti-royalist, as neither of us have particularly strong views on the monarchy, and anyway that is an argument I don’t wish to get into at this stage.

Instead, the reasons for our purdah, and for us shunning the beer festivals and other special events being held this weekend, are those of self-preservation – shielding, if you like, and as I’m about to explain common sense. The pair of us are booked on a 12-night cruise, which departs from Southampton in a week's time, and then cruises up along the coat of Norway and back. We will calling in at Hamburg on both the outward and homeward bound voyages, no doubt to pick up, and then drop off, some wealthy German passengers, but Norway, and some of the spectacular fjords along its western coast, is the primary destination.

We’d originally booked a slightly longer, 16-night cruise, around the Baltic, calling at various countries along a roughly circular route (Germany, Sweden, Poland, Estonia, Russia, Finland, Lithuania, and Denmark), but that voyage was cancelled (due to technical issues with the ship), even before crazed, tin-pot dictator, Putin embarked on his illegal, barbaric and totally unwarranted “Special Operation" in Ukraine, but with a late April sailing, ports on that cruise would have at least been modified, prior to embarkation.

So, unfortunately whilst we will not be able now to enjoy the splendours of St Petersburg, we can swap them for the spectacular scenery of the Norwegian coast line. I’ve previously visited Copenhagen, Tallin and Helsinki, but whilst it would have been nice to have experienced Gdansk, Gothenburg, and Klaipeda (Lithuania), there’s always another time.

So, what does the cruise have to do with keeping a low profile? The answer lies with our old friend Covid, and the pre-embarkation testing that cruise operator Cunard, is insisting on. Last September, when we embarked on a 4-day mini cruise to Liverpool and back, we were required to take a lateral flow test (LFT), prior to embarking. This was provided by the cruise line and was foc. There were also protocols about wearing masks in public areas of the ship.

When booking the current cruise, it looked as though the only Covid-related requirements, were a health declaration along with proof of vaccination (two shots, plus a booster). I was somewhat surprised then to have received an email, in mid-April, advising that all passengers need to demonstrate a negative antigen lateral flow, or negative rapid antigen test.

There had been problems with outbreaks of Covid on board cruise liners, affecting both passengers and crew, but these were down to Omicron, and by the time the email arrived, cases were already in steep decline. To me, this seemed a classic case of shutting the stable door, after the horse has bolted, but rules being rules (yes, Prime Minister!) we had to comply. In some respects, I can see where the cruise line is coming from.

In order to rule out people “fixing” their results, home testing has been ruled out. Instead, the test needs to be conducted by a government approved laboratory, and at the passenger’s own expense, and It also needs to be conducted on the day before departure. This effectively rules out the allegedly more accurate PCR test. The trouble is, with Covid cases continuing to decline, there are fewer places in which to take a test, but fortunately one of my colleagues came to the rescue.

Our Sales Manager is no stranger to international travel and its various protocols and has undertaken several overseas trips since restrictions were eased. He had used a drive-thru facility at Gatwick Airport, a couple of months ago, so after looking online we discovered the site was still operational. I booked a drive-thru test for Mrs PBT’s and me for Saturday, which is quite handy as we are staying overnight in Southampton, before sailing the following afternoon. We can therefore call in at Gatwick, on our way. The results will be emailed to us after 40 minutes, so fingers crossed they will come back negative. 

You can perhaps now understand my reluctance to mix and socialise with other people too much, prior to taking the test. This is despite having received all three doses of vaccine, and having contracted Covid, back in February. A friend who is a qualified virologist, has told me that that combination should offer sufficient protection, but the last bit, doesn’t apply to Mrs PBT’s as she managed to avoid becoming infected, during the period that I succumbed to the virus.

It's now a question of keeping our heads down, waiting until Saturday afternoon, and banking on a negative result, but what a performance! The paperwork doesn’t stop there though, as if we wish to disembark from the boat in Hamburg, we need to submit one of those Passenger Locator Forms. Germany is one of the few European countries that still require this documentation, which seems a bit of overkill, for two night’s stay, that are nine days apart!

As I said to Mrs PBT’s the other day, “Whatever happened to wash and go?” Now I will let you in on a domestic secret, as my dear lady wife has never been one for travelling light, and just because there are no onboard restrictions for baggage on our cruise, is planning on taking everything apart from the proverbial kitchen sink.

I, on the other hand, am the complete opposite, and looking back on the last solo, overseas trip I made, discovered that I flew to Krakow, with hand-baggage only. I have done the same several times before, including a business trip to Scotland, shortly before lock-down, where I flew there and back wearing my suit. The latter will be required in the cruise, especially if we want to attend any of the formal dinners. The lady of the house is keen on this and has purchased several outfits for just such a purpose, but one smart suit, along with a selection of comfortable casual clothes, will be sufficient for me. 

I will also be packing a couple of good books, to while away hours out at sea, plus an old laptop, which belonged to my late mother. It still works, and whilst I have no intention of going online, I can type out a few blog articles, ready for posting, prior to my return. So, with three days left at work, and two at home, it’s off to Southampton, via Gatwick, for the final hurdle and, providing we pass muster, heading off to the land of the Vikings.