To clarify, these awards are only for beers that I drank AND reviewed in 2013. I had crazy beers like Black Maria by To Øl and US Alive by Mikkeller but I stupidly didn't review them so they can't be on the list.
Firstly, a token award to show a bit of appreciation for the local (Kentish) scene.
Best Local Beer!
Westerhams - Viceroy IPA... And Audit Ale
Both by Westerhams, I couldn't choose between the 2. 1 makes me feel like I'm in Harry Potter (Audit) and the other is just an excellent example of what an IPA should be. They're both excellent beers and both would deserve to be in the top 5 if it weren't for ALL THE OTHER AMAZING BEERS.
Most Awesome Pub!
My boss took us out for a bit of a Christmas cruise around London and we made our way to the Flying Pig. We drank the likes of Alesmith, Evil Twin, Burning Sky, Clown Shoes and Port Brewing. On top of that we were given a tour of the kitchens and I ate the most sumptuous BBQ I've had, especially in England, maybe ever. Situated in a bit of a dead zone, The Flying Pig are wearing the colours and flying the flag for great food and amazing craft beer. You need to check the place out if you're ever in South East London.
Before we get to the main event, there are a few honourable mentions; beers that, by all rights, should be on anyone's list but were just pipped to the post by the eventual Top 5. Consider this list the filling out of the Top 10 but in no specific order... Everyone was joint 6th.
Honourable Mentions:
Weird Beard - Mariana Trench
Ommegang - Abbey Ale
Brewdog - Jackhammer
Founder's - Old Curmudgeon
Maui - Coconut Porter
Sharp's - Quadrupel Ale
Evil Twin - Yin & Yang
Goose Island - Christmas Ale 2012
(really not a 2013 beer.)
Augustiner
(though only if you're in Munich. Never drink it in bottles in any other country, it's not the same.)
Ok, enough procrastination. I can't think of any other awards that could even potentially matter... So here are the Top 5! ... In reverse order... For suspense!
5: Buxton - Wyoming Sheep Ranch
Ok, ok, this blog hasn't actually been posted yet, technically making it a 2014 beer but I drank it in 2013 so I'm counting it! A magnificently chilled out IPA that is somewhat like having a lovely walk through the country except this gets you drunk... Well, maybe it is kinda like a proper walk through the country then.
4: The Kernel - London Brick
Super Malty and deliciously hoppy? The Kernel seem to be re-writing the book on what awesome beer should taste like... Like it used to, just MUCH BETTER!
3: Beavertown - Black Betty
My ultimate game changer. Having a bad day? Black Betty. Train late? Loud, smelly, people bumping into you when you walk home? Black Betty. Run out of Black Betty? Black Be... Oh...
2: Stone - Ruination IPA
The perfect introduction to Big American Hop Madness. I'm somewhat extrapolating what the beer would be like fresh from the bottle I had, which has probably travelled around the world a couple of times. It was awesome so I can only imagine a fresh bottle would be awesomer... Or maybe even on tap in the brewery. That would be awesomest.
1: The Kernel & Brodie's - Scanner Darkly
Everyone at The Kernel and Brodie's are freakin' rock stars! Imagine the look of sheer, child like, excitement on my face when I saw this collaboration. "It's like if Steven Tyler banged a model/singer/playboy cover girl and had a love child that'd grow up to be crazy freakin' hot!" I said to myself.
"That happened," my brain responded, "she's called Liv Tyler."
At which I stopped paying attention and let my brain implode with mega-joy. This is maybe my favourite beer of all time but I'll never be able to try it again to confirm that because it's unlikely it'll be made again. The Kernel make freakin' amazing stuff day in day out and Brodie's are too rock and roll for things like collaborations... Or bottling and labeling their beer. I'm totally cool with the nostalgia pulling this one into first place though. Congratulations guys (and gals!)
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| w00t w00t! Best beer of 2013!!!! |
While I do agree with Mariana trench and black betty being really good beers I do not agree with Wyoming sheep ranch. The viceroy ipa is quite nice but I didn't get along with the audit at all. I don't like really sour or bitter beers.
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