Scotch Irish Tsarina Katerina

biegaman · Post by **biegaman** » Wed Jan 18, 2006 8:16 pm

Is there any still left to buy a case or at the very least a place try it? Do Scotch Irish plan to release another batch next year?

*Also my condolences to Perry

PRMason · Post by **PRMason** » Sun Jan 22, 2006 6:25 am

There are a few cases left. Drop me a line if you would like a case. I think Volo may have it on their list now and perhaps beerbistro as well, if you would like to sample it.

Belgian · Post by **Belgian** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 10:04 am

If you like stout it's well worth a try, or jump right in & get that case - only 165 made BTW.

HogTownHarry · Post by **HogTownHarry** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 11:34 am

By all means get a case - I still have an unopened case left and I'd be interested in buying another ... Perry, if you're making any more trips to Toronto in the near future, and you happen to be up at Volo, or any of the other downtown watering holes (Smokeless, Beer Bistro etc) I would be interested in another case, if you were bringing a few to Hogtown in the Scotch-Irish mobile.....

shintriad · Post by **shintriad** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 7:50 pm

This beer is getting great reviews. Is there anywhere where I'd be guaranteed a sample, or is it all gone?

Steve Spong · Post by **Steve Spong** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 7:53 pm

The last time I checked, there were bottles to be had at Volo and BeerBistro. If you want to double-check, you should call and find out.

Steve Spong · Post by **Steve Spong** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 3:05 pm

Has there been any word on a 2006 vintage? We need to start getting some great local beers that can be put down for aging and be able to do verticals in five or six years time.

Kid Presentable · Post by **Kid Presentable** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 11:28 pm

beerbistro still has plenty of tsarina

kp

beanmedic · Post by **beanmedic** » Sun Mar 26, 2006 1:42 am

One less after I scooped one up on Thursday. Very nice.

Belgian · Post by **Belgian** » Sun Mar 26, 2006 2:13 pm

Funny, my initial tasting impressions were a bit exotic ('aroma has wet humus, aged black olive...') but with each TK I pull from the case it seems more 'normal' and integrated than I remember. I think good stouts always surprise me just a little until I get to know them. That's good! It means there's a slight get-to-know-you challenge waiting rather than just a linear, repetitive experience. Maybe some beers like Orval and Westmalle were a little like this for me too.

But don't listen to me, I'm just one shmoe here.

Steve Spong · Post by **Steve Spong** » Sun Mar 26, 2006 2:31 pm

I can see what you mean for most beers, although I have to confess that I have never warmed up to Orval, no matter how often I try it. I really want to like it, but my God, I just can't stand the stuff. It's a visceral response, even though I can identify where some people would like it. Like the Schlenkerla and the Petrus Oud Bruin. Though the award for worst beer I've ever had would probably be the Sam Adams Triple Bock. I opened it and shared it with about half a dozen friends and not a single person would drink it. That's a frightening concept if you know some of my friends (you know who you are!).

Belgian · Post by **Belgian** » Sun Mar 26, 2006 2:59 pm

The Petrus Oud Bruin is actually pretty accessible to me, just a little tart and mysterious. Rodenbach grand Cru (very tart) is one of very few brews I cannot tolerate, it's just too funky and musty and I get sick from it!

And I do like Schlenkerla but I see no reason to drink it that often, because I just don't see the appeal of ingesting smoke.

Other beers I've hated & then loved are Saison Dupont (the 'beeriest', most tantalizingly unusual brew on the planet) and Kostritzer Schwartzbier (deep dark grainy goodness.) I was also originally not fond of full-bodied beers like Aventinus Weizen-Doppelbock or Rochefort 8, that is until my palate began thinking in terms of 'malty' rather than just 'sweet'. Now I crave malty rich body in beers to an extent.

Blankboy · Post by **Blankboy** » Sun Mar 26, 2006 3:41 pm

Steve Spong wrote:Though the award for worst beer I've ever had would probably be the Sam Adams Triple Bock. I opened it and shared it with about half a dozen friends and not a single person would drink it.

I actually quite liked it:

"Vintage 1997. Some of the reviews for this beer crack me up, they rate it like it’s a common lager or something and totally miss what the brewer was even going for. I mean it says it right in the description: "...has the depth and complexity of a fine cognac, vintage port or an old sherry." Anyways, it pours a unique looking syrupy dark reddish purple with no head (as is to be expected). The aroma, well I’ve never smelled a beer like this before! I smell whisky, maple sugar, wood, burnt malt, some hops and much more -- such a complex aroma! The flavour is just as interesting with some fruit, alcohol, hops, burnt malt, maple syrup, soya sauce and heck, even some cola -- and that’s just in the first sip! I enjoyed it but it’s definitely strong so take your time and sip this sucker slowly. And definitely share it with some friends. I’d hate to have tried a young bottle of this but at 9 years old it’s quite a pleasant and unique experience."

Steve Spong · Post by **Steve Spong** » Sun Mar 26, 2006 3:52 pm

The notes in your description make it sound undeniably delicious, and a beer that I would love now. It was quite a few years ago now that I had it, and perhaps my palate has grown to the point where I would enjoy it. Nevertheless, it was one of those experiences that remains undelibly imprinted on my consciousness in such a way that I'm not sure if I could approach it with an open mind.

Having said that, there have been a few beers that I have grown into and out of. I was always a big fan of Scotch ales, but in the last year or so I've lost my interest in them. Indeed, the last couple that I had I was unable to finish because of the overwhelming malty sweetness that I simply found cloying. I always loved the McEwan's, but the last bottle I had was waaaay too sweet. I love barleywines, but they have a depth and hop balance that I find lacking in the scotch ales.

Wheatsheaf · Post by **Wheatsheaf** » Sun Mar 26, 2006 4:28 pm

Blankboy wrote:I’d hate to have tried a young bottle of this

Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt. I had a bottle of the '95 Triple Bock; it was bloody awful. From what I remember, it didn't exactly fly off the shelves of the LCBO, so it was one of those beers that you'd pass by time and again and think "should I buy more?" And every time I'd think "nah, I still have one bottle." Eleven years later and I still haven't opened that bottle...