Lambic maturing at Cantillon, Brussels.  I can smell it now!A jug waiting for a scoop.A scooping book.  Well thumbed too.What happens when you scoop too much... ;-)The copper at Appollo, Kobenhavn.A brewery.  This one is Holba in Moravia, Czech republik.Cantillon bottles in One Pint Pub, Helsinki.Air Berlin all the way!A cask on-stillage at a beer festival.A trayload of winners, fresh from Sal's cellar!

   Gazza's "best beer" awards 

Last Updated : 21/01/08

est beers in the world, eh?  Who does he think he is, Michael bloody Jackson or someone?  Well, I thought that I'd create this page to list all the beers that have received four or five scoops-glasses (out of five) during my travels which indicate the best beers I had whilst scooping wherever I was at the time!  I'm not setting myself out to be a tasting expert, just to share with my dear readers which beers I'd recommend they try if they happen to be visiting the same places I did!

Think of them of "tick lists" of beers to try when you visit the countries named if only to say I'm spouting complete dross.  Remember these aren't the "best beers" in a country, only the best of what I've sampled there - which may be a miniscule amount of the amount of beers which are actually there.

My scores given to each beer whilst on a trip are purely subjective, although I do try to take every beer as I find it and not be biased for - or against - certain breweries; my scoop-glass system is therefore basically as below;


The Scoopergen Scoring System !

Half-marks () may be awarded if I'm feeling too unsure whether to award a beer, for example, three or four stars; this gives me more legroom for showing appreciation of a really good beer but is a touch confusing so I'll try not to do it very often - sorry!


The page will be arranged in two tables; the first are the "gold-rated" beers, which in my opinion are the best I have found during my travels.  The second table will contain the five-star beers of which many were excellent and only just missed out on the top score as I dislike giving top marks too often, just in case anyone thinks I'm some sort of "cheery beery" type taster who lavishes praise on any old crud just because the brewery is giving me a backhander... ooooh, that could never happen, could it?  Surely not!  Table three is the largest and contains the 3.5 and 4 point brews which should give you solid drinking pleasure...

So hey-ho here we go, and please let me know what you think of my choices!  All are listed in country order, so all beers in the same table are, in my opinion, equally good!

 

World-class beers ()

Country

Brewery

Beer Name

When Sampled

Argentina Murray's (Cossab) IPA June 2006
Belgium Cantillon Iris As frequently as possible!
Belgium Girardin Black Label Gueuze 2001-2006
Germany Schlenkerla Urbock 2004
Italy Del Borgo ReAle Extra 20/01/08
       

 

Superb beers (Une Point !Une Point !Une Point !Une Point !Une Point !)

Country

Brewery

Beer Name

When Sampled

Argentina Bersaglier Cream Stout (6%) June 2006
Argentina Cardos Barley Wine 14/10/07
Argentina Corsario Negro Black Porter (5%) June 2006
Argentina Shopron Porter (6.2%) June 2006
Austria Wieden Bräu Prager Dunkels April 2004
|Belgium Cantillon Everything they make ! 2005
Belgium De Cam Oude Gueuze 2005
Belgium Drie Fonteinen Oude Gueuze 2001-2006
Belgium Drie Fonteinen Doesjel 20/01/08
Belgium Dolle Oerbier Reserva 2006 20/01/08
Czech Republic Pivovarský Dům Tmavé 2001-2004
Czech Republic Pivovarský Dům Svétlé 2001-2004
Finland Stadin Alpo’s IPA 2005
Germany Altstadt bräuhaus (Nurnberg) Schwarzbier 2004
Germany Berliner Bürgerbräu Rotkehlchen 2005
Germany Fuchschen Alt 2004
Germany Klüvers Brauhaus Pils 2006
Germany Klüvers Brauhaus Doppelbock 2006
Germany Mahrsbräu Hell Bock 2004
Germany Päffgen Kölsch 2004
Germany Schlenkerla Märzen 2004
Germany Schultheiss (Oetker) Berliner Weiss 2005
Germany Spezial (Bamberg) Bokbier 2004
Germany St Georgenbräu Kellerbier 2005
Ireland Porterhouse Wrassler's XX Stout 2006
Italy Amiata Drago Della Selva 20/01/08
Italy Birrificio Artigianale Martesana 2005
Italy Birrificio Artigianale Montemagno 2005
Slovenia Kratochwill Temno 2004
Sweden Närke Slättöl 25/08/07
UK Kinver Double Eagle IPA 29/09/07
UK Meantime London Stout 17/12/07
USA Great Divide Yeti IRS 18/12/07
       

 

 Excellent beers (Une Point !Une Point !Une Point !Une Point !) and some Very Good ones (Une Point !Une Point !Une Point !) too.

(As I have so many UK beers, only those with 4 points get on the list - for other countries, some 3.5 scoring brews will get on too if I feel the list is under-representative!)

Country

Brewery

Beer Name

When Sampled

Australia Little Creatures Pale Ale 2006
Austria 1516 Weyermann Red Lager 09/12/07
Austria 1516 Yankee Sticke 09/12/07
Austria Eipeltauer 1190 10/12/07
Austria Siebensternbräu Prager Dunkels 11/12/07
Argentina Antares Imperial Stout (8.5%) June 2006
Argentina Antares IPA 15/10/07
Argentina Araucana Negra (7.2%) June 2006
Argentina Bersaglier Scotch 17/10/07
Argentina Cao Negra 15/10/07
Argentina Cardos Lager Pilsener 14/10/07
Argentina Cardos Stout 14/10/07
Argentina Cork IPA 17/10/07
Argentina Cork Fighting Lions Smoked Porter 06/12/07

Argentina

Cossab

Rubia (5%)

June 2006

Argentina

Cossab

Rojiza (6%)

June 2006

Argentina

Cossab

Negra (6%)

June 2006

Argentina Cerveza Clandestina Negra (6%) June 2006
Argentina Cerveza Clandestina Purpura Americana (7%) June 2006
Argentina Dalinger Brown (6%) June 2006
Argentina Dalinger Stout (6%) June 2006
Argentina Del Castillo Barley Wine (15%) June 2006
Argentina Del Castillo Stout Ahumada 18/10/07
Argentina Monte Castro Dorada 16/10/07
Argentina Murray's Dry Stout June 2006
Argentina Murray's Golden 16/10/07
Argentina Munster Negra (4.5%) June 2006
Argentina Rubia y Negra Barley Wine (12%) June 2006
Argentina Serrana Calorado del Sur 18/10/07
Argentina Shopron Red Ale (5.5%) June 2006
Argentina Shopron Pale Ale (5.5%) June 2006
Argentina Stone Brewing Co Stout (4.8%) June 2006
Argentina Sumerios Black Soul Ale (6%) June 2006
Argentina Sur Patagónica Negra (4.8%) June 2006
Argentina Valhalla Porter 15/10/07
Austria Siebenstern-Bräu Rauchmärzen March 2004
Austria Siebenstern-Bräu IPA March 2004
Belgium Anker Magriet 27/10/07
Belgium Bavik Aged Pale 27/10/07
Belgium De Ranke XX Bitter 07/10/06
Belgium Morte Subite Oude Gueuze 2005
Belgium Rulles Brune 04/11/06
Belgium Rulles Blonde 06/11/07
Belgium Van Steenberge Bornem Dubbel Dubbel (Brune) 10/02/07
Belgium Westvleteren 10 08/01/07
Bulgaria Kamenitza Pils 11/01/08
Chile Szot Lager Amber 15/10/07
Chile Szot Negra 05/01/08
Croatia Medvedgrad  Zlatni Medvjed 2003
Croatia Medvedgrad Mrki Medvjed 2003
Croatia Zagrebačka (InBev) Tomislav Porter (7.3%) 2003
Czech Republic Beneśov Sedm Kuli 2003
Czech Republic Bernard Kvasnicové 08/12/07
Czech Republic Bernard Tmavý 13° 08/12/07
Czech Republic Černá Hora Nefiltrováné sklepní 2005
Czech Republic Herold Tmavy 2006
Czech Republic Pernštejn Pardubice Porter 2004
Czech Republic Pegas Tmavý 2005
Czech Republic Podkovan Premium 2005
Czech Republic U Fleků Flek 2001-04
Denmark Brewpub København Cole Porter May 2007
Denmark Brewpub København Ellhorn Pale Ale May 2007
Denmark Brewpub København Geronimo IPA May 2007
Denmark Brøckhouse Stout May 2007
Denmark Carlsberg Semper Ardens Honing 22/07/07
Denmark Ølfabrikken Columbus Pale Ale May 2007
Denmark Mikkeller Stateside IPA 22/07/07
Denmark Olfabrikken Islay cask Stout 21/01/08
Denmark Raasted Imperial Stout 21/01/08
Denmark Roskilde Øl Sommerbryg May 2007
Denmark Svaneke Stout May 2007
Denmark Thisted Limfjords Porter 2003
Denmark Wintercoat Oatmeal Stout 2003
Estonia Saku (BBH) Porter 2005
Estonia Sillamäe Vaskne Vaskne 2005
France Chapelle Northmæn Ambrée 2006
France Esquelbecq Blonde 2005
Germany Altstadt bräuhaus (Nurnberg) Helles 2004
Germany Beckbräu Kellerbier 20/01/08
Germany Brauhaus Mitte, Berlin Brauhaus Pils 2005
Germany Berliner Bürgerbräu Premium Pils 2005
Germany Berliner Bürgerbräu Bernauer Schwarzbier 2005
Germany Berliner Bürgerbräu Dunkler Bock 2005
Germany Brauhaus in Spandau Havelbräu Maronator 2005
Germany Ernst Bauer Döllnitz Gose Gose 2005
Germany Georgbræu Winterzauberbier  2005
Germany Joh. Albrecht Hamburg Messing 2006
Germany Keesmann Heeren Pils 05/09/07
Germany Klosterbrauerei Neuzelle Schwarzer Abt 2005
Germany Mahrs Ungespundet 17/01/07
Germany Maisel Kellerbier 2004
Germany St Michaelis Bräu Pils 2006
Germany St Michaelis Bräu Rotbier 2006
Germany Schnupp Edelpils 25/07/07
Germany Spezial (Bamberg) Ungespundet 2004
Germany Spezial (Bamberg) Märzen 2004
Germany Unionsbräu Hefetrüb Helles 2004
Germany Zum Uerige Alt & Stickebier 2004
Hungary Mister Sörház Sőr 2005
Ireland Carlow O'Hara's Stout 15/09/07
Ireland Galway Hooker IPA 15/09/07
Ireland Messrs Maguire Plain Porter 2006
Ireland Porterhouse Plain Porter 2006
Ireland Porterhouse TSB 2006
Italy Birrificio Artigianale Valdera Rossa 2005
Italy Birrificio Artigianale Gorgona 2005
Italy Birrifico Lambrate Montestella April 2007
Italy Birrifico Lambrate Ghisa Smoked Stout April 2007
Italy Del Borgo ReAle April 2007
Italy Del Borgo Cortigiana 20/01/08
       
Italy Ducato A.F.O 19/01/08
Italy Italiano Tipopils 20/01/08
Italy Panil Barrique sour 21/01/08
Latvia LIDO Gaišais October 06
Latvia Užavas Gaišais October 06
Poland Leżajsk Pelne 12 May 2007
Poland Spiż, Katowice Jasne (pale) 24/02/07
Poland Stary Kraków Dark Ale 22/02/07
Poland Stary Kraków Amber Ale 23/02/07
San Marino Amarcord La Puténa 2005
Slovakia Kaltenecker Brokát Tmavy 08/12/07
Slovakia Stein Specialne Pivo 14° 08/12/07
Slovenia Kratochwill Svetlo 2004
Sweden Närke Kaggen Stormaktsporter 01/12/07
Switzerland Brasserie au Château Brune 2005
Switzerland Murailles La Catapulte 2005
Switzerland Türbinen Bräu Pilsener Unfiltriet May 2007
Tunisia Golfbräu Helles 2005
UK Abbeydale Deception 17/01/08
UK Bank Top Flat Cap (Fred's Cap) 2005
UK Brewdog Paradox Ardbeg 009 01/12/07
UK Brewdog Paradox Speyside 005 01/12/07
UK Cairngorm Tradewinds 2006
UK Dark Star Hophead April 2007
UK Downton Chimera IPA 2007
UK Dunham Massey tawny 23/10/07
UK Eastwood and Sanders Shot in the Dark 01/02/07
UK Everards Pitch Black 19/10/06
UK Fowler's 80/- 2006
UK Fox, Heacham Chinook June 2007
UK George Wright King's Shilling 25/10/07
UK George Wright Haloween Howler 25/10/07
UK Hornbeam Bitter 12/11/07
UK Hornbeam Black Coral Stout 12/11/07
UK Hornbeam Dark Domination Porter 13/11/07
UK Howard Town Devil's Elbow 23/10/07
UK Isle of Skye Hebridean Gold 2006
UK Isle of Skye Black Cuillin 2006
UK Jarrow McConnell's Stout 19/10/06
UK Kelburn Misty Law 2006
UK Kinver Pump Fiction 28/10/06
UK Malvern Hills Green Pear (green hop) 07/10/06
UK Marble International Festival June 2007
UK Meantime Pale Ale 17/12/07
UK Oakham Inferno March 2007
UK Orkney Dark Island 2006
UK Phoenix Snowstorm 15/01/07
UK Pictish Chinook 19/10/06
UK Pictish Pacific Gem 11/08/07
UK Pictish Simcoe 18/11/06
UK Purple Moose Dark Side of the Moose Jan 2007
UK Salamander Stout Stout 22/07/07
UK Teignworthy Tucker's IRS 13/01/08
UK Thornbridge Hall Cecelia 18/07/07
UK Thornbridge Hall Jaipur IPA April 2007
UK Thornbridge Hall Jaywick May 2007
UK Thornbridge Hall Kipling 03/11/07
UK Vale of Glamorgan (VOG) Last Smoke April 2007
UK Watermill Ruff Night 2006-12-06
UK Wentworth Firecracker 18/11/06
UK Windsor Castle (Saddlers) Harey Beer (Easter) March 2007
UK Yeovil Star Gazer 08/09/07
USA Brooklyn Chocolate Stout May 2007
USA Great Divide Titan IPA 08/09/07
USA Great Divide Hercules IIPA 21/01/08
USA Pizza Port Hop 15 01/12/07
USA Weyerbacher Old Heathen 01/12/07
       
 

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