Beer Advent Calendars Already?

My second one arrived. Unfortunately I’m in Italy until the 15/16. Will have to take photos after I get back home.

The second one my wife bought me came in. Not sure who it’s by.

https://shop.ghostwhalelondon.com/products/2018ghostwhaleadventcalendar

Guess she said this is what it is.

That Ghost Whale one will be amazing, I’d have got that one if I was to buy one. Can’t justify that much on beer in one hit though and it’d probably take me 3 months to drink it!

We decided that advent calendars would be my main present. Hence I got two.

When my home made one arrived from Hoptimism I dropped the reciept. I was later handed it and told, “I know how much money you spend on beer now,…”

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Oh my wife knows all about it except when I went Dallas and I dropped $300 on my personal credit card. Also when I was single I dropped €500 a month on beer and my cellar averaged 600 bottles.

That’s brilliant.

I’m not buying any commercial calendars this year. Fuck that. Always surprises me that people here are generally supportive of them. It’s all commercialism and about making money. Fuck that. I hate the idea of anybody making money. Fuck that. In fact, fuck any brewery who charges money for beer. That’s aint craft, that’s commercialism and exploitation. The only beer worth drinking is free beer. Fuck everyone who sells beer. In fact, fuck everyone. Except harrisoni, who’s got a brilliant idea. In fact, I’d buy that. But then the beer becomes tainted with money man! So, fuck that!

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It was actually Black Haddock who first posted about a DIY beer advent calendar so technically he’s stolen/liberated the idea.

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steal with pride. that’s my moto.

will be arranging my calendar in the garage this evening
looking forward to digging out stuff that must be at least 10 years old.

Advent Day 1 and it’s a Batemans sorry Buxton Omnipollo yellow belly sundae. I’ve had it before and it’s as good as I remember.

https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/buxton-omnipollo-yellow-belly-sundae/306806/

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My 1st Advent beer is this

https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/alvinne-cuvee-d-erpigny/137199/

Bought in 2011 so it’s got some age to it. So a 15% ABV barley wine to start the festive season off. Light signs of ageing, light oxidisation. Still perfect condition in terms of bubbles. Pours with a lasting beige head and throws good lacing.

The strawberry shortbread I got initially from the fresh beer is now a deep jammy strawberry rich flavour.
Still has some black pepper finish. Still has some bitterness. Hides ABV amazingly well. It’s warming on a wet December Saturday. Deeply satisfying. Yes, really still tastes fresh even though it does have an age flavour and aroma to it. Still a high 3 or even 4.0 out of 5. Good start and I look forward to the other 24 beers.

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My 2nd Advent beer is this

https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/de-molen-hel-and-verdoemenis-666/118013/

So bought in 2010 I guess or a year later. Tiny bottle, It did have a bottle number but most of the ink has faded by now. Opened with a brief fizz but pours thick black oily with a few tan bubbles. Dark chocolate on aroma, but also a little soy sauce, marmite. Dark malty aroma. The flavour though is superb. Oily thick dark chocolate. No sign of ageing in the mouth at all. Some alcohol cognac sting on the finish. Nods to the base beer are still there. Delivers the alcohol in a most splendid way. A thick dark chocolate slightly bitter liquer of a beer. It cries out “Drink Me” and within a few short minutes, I had. 4/5 easy if not a point or two higher.

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Day two for me is 3 Fonteinen Ouse Geuze

So far so good.

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That beer calendar you bougth seems to be very good.

It’s a strong start and I hope it continues.

Fuck. I regret not going for Hoptimism’s. I knew it would be good. I didn’t go for an advent calendar myself simply because I already have far too much beer at home and I’m drinking every day already.

Did anyone go for HB&B or GhostWhale? From what I saw/heard those looked to be the only ones that would rival Hoptimism in terms of quality.

Seen a few pics from HonestBrew’s as well which seems pretty good though not all top tier stuff like the aforementioned.

I’ve got the GhostWhale one, but it’s in UK and I’m in Italy on business for few more weeks. Will post when I get back I guess as my wife will not open them.

Advent from Hoptimism day three. Apologies for any spoilers.

https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/lost-industry-pulped-friction/682868/