Belhaven Twisted Thistle

No More Euro-Lagers · Post by **No More Euro-Lagers** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 7:37 pm

This is a nicely balanced IPA, not too offending and straight ahead, just like all the other IPAs you can session, YAAAWN.
I think what's missing here is that the idea of the IPA was to powerful, big and bold so as to survive transport(?). I guess I am juat tired of the middle.
The Westcoast breweries just ran witht the idea to discover how awesome a big beer can be.
The real key to hopping the hell out of a beer (this is a personal opinion mind you) is the aroma hopping.

I love nothing more than a monster of an IPA, and how it hits you in the face and fills your nose up with that beautiful aroma.

I am die hard fan of the westcoast style (as you can tell), but I also love nothing more than sitting back and having a nice trappiste. And whether you like them or not its better than the middle.

It just amazes me that the LCBO goes across hells half acre for an average example of a beer when their are scores of outstanding drink on our doorstep.

Did I hear correctly that now they are not bringing the Anchor Steam (a personal favorite) in anymore, why? did they find another killer canned Polish Lager to takes in place ? Great.

pootz · Post by **pootz** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 7:45 pm

No More Euro-Lagers wrote:This is a nicely balanced IPA, not too offending and straight ahead, just like all the other IPAs you can session, YAAAWN.
.

Excuse...APA not an I PA..that is what makes this offering unique...an A....PA from Scotland of al places.

No More Euro-Lagers · Post by **No More Euro-Lagers** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 8:07 pm

Well allow me to retort, but it is labelled as an IPA.

It was the posting mentioning the Anchor Steam that sent me into rage

Belgian · Post by **Belgian** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 5:45 pm

WOW!!

I tried a few so far and, holy cow, what a beautifully hopped aroma. The Urquell of IPA.

The smell promises so much, and the taste and finish is absolutely elegant. It comes across so fresh and vibrant and has a fullness that is perfect.

In a way the Thistle is a paradox - really balanced in the British tradition, but still proudly hoppy next to a lot of quite decent IPA's from America. DFH60 and Titan have nothing on this for quality.

No More Euro-Lagers · Fri Nov 17, 2006 11:08 pm

seriuosly are you mental? You lost just all my respect.
DFH is the touchstone to quality and non- compromise.
Read Sam's book, its the blueprint for quality.
Just because its from the old world doesn't mean its better in quality. In fact its probably worse.
Give me the ingredient list form Belhaven and I will match it to DFH.
And when they start selling Twisted Thistle in Scotland I will get on board.

midlife crisis · Post by **midlife crisis** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 10:05 am

I'm with Belgian on this one. Though I'm a DFH fan and bought a couple of cases when it was briefly here, overall I prefer the Thistle. It has a real balance and elegance that is just perfect, IMO. Very sessionable -- perilously drinkable. There is more to beer than a sheer hop attack!

Belgian · Post by **Belgian** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 4:52 pm

No More Euro-Lagers wrote:seriuosly are you mental? You lost just all my respect.
DFH is the touchstone to quality and non- compromise.
Read Sam's book, its the blueprint for quality.

DFH has stopped bottle-conditioning its 60/90 IPA beers, does THAT qualify as non-compromise? Your implication is indefensible.

Don't believe everything you read, much less call it your "opinion."

viggo · Post by **viggo** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 6:28 pm

I really dislike that Twisted Thistle, to me its hopping gone wrong.