Tasting Craft Beer
@tastingcraftbeer.bsky.social
Marcel Haas: Certified enjoyer of beer (Diplom Biersommelier) in the Netherlands. Adventures in the land of beer tasting, teaching and geeking! Untappd: @harcel
#craftbeer #beer #brewery #brewing
#craftbeer #beer #brewery #brewing
Judging 21 homebrew Maibocks is a great experience. The variety in beers is great. Some are outright great, some are very good beers in a different style, and with some you hope they take your feedback well and improve in the next iteration.
November 6, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Judging 21 homebrew Maibocks is a great experience. The variety in beers is great. Some are outright great, some are very good beers in a different style, and with some you hope they take your feedback well and improve in the next iteration.
#Beer tasting club was seasonally themed yesterday. We had Bocks. For most, a fresh one from this year, and a very old one (2011, 2006, 2003). The old ones were more similar than the fresh, thinner, aroma of apple syrup and port. All bitterness and roast notes were gone. Some still had carbonation!
November 5, 2025 at 10:52 AM
#Beer tasting club was seasonally themed yesterday. We had Bocks. For most, a fresh one from this year, and a very old one (2011, 2006, 2003). The old ones were more similar than the fresh, thinner, aroma of apple syrup and port. All bitterness and roast notes were gone. Some still had carbonation!
Chill haze in action!
Some beers show a haze when they're cold. Above about 10 degrees Celsius this should largely be gone.
Left image: the same beer at fridge and room temperatures. Right: 20 minutes later.
Some beers show a haze when they're cold. Above about 10 degrees Celsius this should largely be gone.
Left image: the same beer at fridge and room temperatures. Right: 20 minutes later.
October 24, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Chill haze in action!
Some beers show a haze when they're cold. Above about 10 degrees Celsius this should largely be gone.
Left image: the same beer at fridge and room temperatures. Right: 20 minutes later.
Some beers show a haze when they're cold. Above about 10 degrees Celsius this should largely be gone.
Left image: the same beer at fridge and room temperatures. Right: 20 minutes later.
Perhaps some language education would be helpful for the Warsteiner packaging staff.
October 3, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Perhaps some language education would be helpful for the Warsteiner packaging staff.
Meet the new Standard Work, in Dutch, on beer styles. Or types, rather. Derek Walsh put a tremendous amount of knowledge, research and work into this long-awaited book. Such a joy to just browse the pages and absorb the wisdom.
September 20, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Meet the new Standard Work, in Dutch, on beer styles. Or types, rather. Derek Walsh put a tremendous amount of knowledge, research and work into this long-awaited book. Such a joy to just browse the pages and absorb the wisdom.
I forgot to post about it, but the Open Baladin in Rome is also great. A large selection of their own and a bottle of beer nice collaboration and guest beers. Their dozens of taps span a great range of styles from Italian Pils, Bock and Rauch to, wheat, Gose, Grape Ale, (I)PA, sour, Barleywine, ...
September 15, 2025 at 5:18 AM
I forgot to post about it, but the Open Baladin in Rome is also great. A large selection of their own and a bottle of beer nice collaboration and guest beers. Their dozens of taps span a great range of styles from Italian Pils, Bock and Rauch to, wheat, Gose, Grape Ale, (I)PA, sour, Barleywine, ...
I just had it! Excellent indeed. Double decoction is no small feat in a brewery designed for infusion.
September 12, 2025 at 8:30 PM
I just had it! Excellent indeed. Double decoction is no small feat in a brewery designed for infusion.
Thanks for the suggestion. It was very good indeed!
September 11, 2025 at 7:44 AM
Thanks for the suggestion. It was very good indeed!
And yes, they know their hops here, too.
This is a good Double IPA.
This is a good Double IPA.
September 8, 2025 at 9:52 PM
And yes, they know their hops here, too.
This is a good Double IPA.
This is a good Double IPA.
Obviously, that deserves a picture. I'll combine it with the Tipopils I ordered next.
September 8, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Obviously, that deserves a picture. I'll combine it with the Tipopils I ordered next.
It's been far too long. #BeerStyleComparison time!
Quadrupel and Barleywine (sometimes written as two words) are comparable and related, but different.
De Magistraat brews one of each, facilitating comparison. Ingredient-wise, almost identical. Color? Both dark amber to light or even dark brown.
Quadrupel and Barleywine (sometimes written as two words) are comparable and related, but different.
De Magistraat brews one of each, facilitating comparison. Ingredient-wise, almost identical. Color? Both dark amber to light or even dark brown.
August 15, 2025 at 8:53 PM
It's been far too long. #BeerStyleComparison time!
Quadrupel and Barleywine (sometimes written as two words) are comparable and related, but different.
De Magistraat brews one of each, facilitating comparison. Ingredient-wise, almost identical. Color? Both dark amber to light or even dark brown.
Quadrupel and Barleywine (sometimes written as two words) are comparable and related, but different.
De Magistraat brews one of each, facilitating comparison. Ingredient-wise, almost identical. Color? Both dark amber to light or even dark brown.
A fridge takeover of Goose Island (or rather, their Bourbon County line) at a local bar. So much deliciousness!
Various incarnations of BCBS, BCBBW (angle wheat wine), including limited editions like the Cherry Wood. I only visited briefly, but couldn't resist the opportunity.
Various incarnations of BCBS, BCBBW (angle wheat wine), including limited editions like the Cherry Wood. I only visited briefly, but couldn't resist the opportunity.
July 5, 2025 at 5:59 PM
A fridge takeover of Goose Island (or rather, their Bourbon County line) at a local bar. So much deliciousness!
Various incarnations of BCBS, BCBBW (angle wheat wine), including limited editions like the Cherry Wood. I only visited briefly, but couldn't resist the opportunity.
Various incarnations of BCBS, BCBBW (angle wheat wine), including limited editions like the Cherry Wood. I only visited briefly, but couldn't resist the opportunity.
During our last local beer tasting club night, we had this amazing blend! 2/3 Deugniet (Belgian strong golden ale) and 1/3 Bruxellensis by De la Senne (a strongly Brett forward beer). Brilliant combination by Patrick of beer cafe De Paas in The Hague!
June 12, 2025 at 7:58 PM
During our last local beer tasting club night, we had this amazing blend! 2/3 Deugniet (Belgian strong golden ale) and 1/3 Bruxellensis by De la Senne (a strongly Brett forward beer). Brilliant combination by Patrick of beer cafe De Paas in The Hague!
Life of a beer sommelier. Tonight, it was time for another flavor compound training. Not my specialty, but with 5 out of 12 correct, I'm not dissatisfied.
May 26, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Life of a beer sommelier. Tonight, it was time for another flavor compound training. Not my specialty, but with 5 out of 12 correct, I'm not dissatisfied.
Today I was lucky enough to attend the MultiBier Xperience Outdoor. A tasting event by Maisel's in-house sommelier Michael Werner on Bavarian beer culture, with matching food, was my highlight. Browsing the stands of many national and international brewers was fun, too!
May 19, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Today I was lucky enough to attend the MultiBier Xperience Outdoor. A tasting event by Maisel's in-house sommelier Michael Werner on Bavarian beer culture, with matching food, was my highlight. Browsing the stands of many national and international brewers was fun, too!
The bartender yesterday grabbed in what appeared to be a purely decorative crate, and came back down his wobbly staircase with three almost 2-year old Orval bottles. His glasses were roughly the same age. It was a good night.
May 7, 2025 at 1:00 PM
The bartender yesterday grabbed in what appeared to be a purely decorative crate, and came back down his wobbly staircase with three almost 2-year old Orval bottles. His glasses were roughly the same age. It was a good night.
Every so often, you go to a beer event, but still need to bring a proper glass for whatever reason. I have often wrapped a tasting glass in a towel, to put that in a box that didn't quite fit.
No longer! I bought this metal case with rubber lining that perfectly fits a high quality tasting glass!
No longer! I bought this metal case with rubber lining that perfectly fits a high quality tasting glass!
April 20, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Every so often, you go to a beer event, but still need to bring a proper glass for whatever reason. I have often wrapped a tasting glass in a towel, to put that in a box that didn't quite fit.
No longer! I bought this metal case with rubber lining that perfectly fits a high quality tasting glass!
No longer! I bought this metal case with rubber lining that perfectly fits a high quality tasting glass!
Presented a masterclass for the first time in quite a while. 3,5 hours of nerdiness around the topic of beer styles!
April 15, 2025 at 12:13 AM
Presented a masterclass for the first time in quite a while. 3,5 hours of nerdiness around the topic of beer styles!
There are a few tickets left!
Masterclass on beer styles, April 14 in Leiden. In Dutch!
brouwerijpronck.nl/product/pron...
Masterclass on beer styles, April 14 in Leiden. In Dutch!
brouwerijpronck.nl/product/pron...
April 6, 2025 at 8:12 PM
There are a few tickets left!
Masterclass on beer styles, April 14 in Leiden. In Dutch!
brouwerijpronck.nl/product/pron...
Masterclass on beer styles, April 14 in Leiden. In Dutch!
brouwerijpronck.nl/product/pron...
This is what 15 year old excellence looks like.
March 29, 2025 at 6:43 PM
This is what 15 year old excellence looks like.
It's been a while since this beer played a main role in my birthday. Good to have it again, though!
March 26, 2025 at 7:06 PM
It's been a while since this beer played a main role in my birthday. Good to have it again, though!
Apparently, for the Austrian consumer, original gravity is a thing. In the Netherlands, people would have no idea what this means.
February 24, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Apparently, for the Austrian consumer, original gravity is a thing. In the Netherlands, people would have no idea what this means.
A Founders KBS with a BBD in 2017.
A classic for a reason. Oxidation works out well, with Madeira and some Port notes. Coffee, chocolate. The influence of the barrel is certainly there, but not dominating the flavor. Any sharp edges, if ever present, are gone. Awesome!
A classic for a reason. Oxidation works out well, with Madeira and some Port notes. Coffee, chocolate. The influence of the barrel is certainly there, but not dominating the flavor. Any sharp edges, if ever present, are gone. Awesome!
February 19, 2025 at 9:16 PM
A Founders KBS with a BBD in 2017.
A classic for a reason. Oxidation works out well, with Madeira and some Port notes. Coffee, chocolate. The influence of the barrel is certainly there, but not dominating the flavor. Any sharp edges, if ever present, are gone. Awesome!
A classic for a reason. Oxidation works out well, with Madeira and some Port notes. Coffee, chocolate. The influence of the barrel is certainly there, but not dominating the flavor. Any sharp edges, if ever present, are gone. Awesome!
Porters from Germany aren't overly common, but this one hits the nail straight on its head! Dolden Dark by Riedenburger Brauhaus.
Aroma: Espresso, dark chocolate, a touch of winter spices.
Aroma: Espresso, dark chocolate, a touch of winter spices.
February 19, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Porters from Germany aren't overly common, but this one hits the nail straight on its head! Dolden Dark by Riedenburger Brauhaus.
Aroma: Espresso, dark chocolate, a touch of winter spices.
Aroma: Espresso, dark chocolate, a touch of winter spices.