Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from 2015

Zejdlik original

This beer was given to me as a gift. I wish all gifts were this great.  The Czech pilsners are special. Rather than being light and cidery they have depth and body.  This one is really enjoyable. It has an almost sparkly deep body and a strong hops after taste. Pity I only could have the one.  aroma: 8 - caramelized brien sugar.  Flavour: 9 - barley and basmati rice After taste: 8 - hops Modishness: 9 - I had drunk most of it before finishing this post.  Would buy again if I could: 8 total: 42 Yum

MFM: 3 cheese gnocchi with mushrooms

Another MFM recipe, this one is really awesome, it serves 4 at a push, but you may need to increase doses or add a salad, since there are never left overs. Ingredients 2 cups gnocchi (can use spinach, we use potatoe) 1 onion finely chopped 2 cloves garlic (may need an extra one depending on cheese) At least 2 soft cheeses (about a cup fill), like goats, mascarpone, or smooth cottage cheese can also use ricottoa One hard cheese (about 2 tablepoons grated / sliced fine) that has a bit Parmesan or Grana Padano or something like that. No stringy cheese. Protabello mushrooms 2 teaspoons of thyme / parley (best case fresh, but can use dried) optional black pepper for when you serve 2 table spoons dry white wine (optional, but use if not using black pepper), can use a teaspoon of white vinegar instead, this cuts through the cheese 1 teaspoon olive oil Utensils 30cm frying pan Large pot for doing the gnocchi Knife and chipping board Instructions add oil to pan chop on

Meat free Monday: Mushroom Risotte with Mangetout

We have been doing Meat Free Mondays (and some other days too, but Mondays is a no neg), and there are a number of recipes that I loved so I think committing them to the electronic cloud may help us remember them, and perhaps someone else. Brown Mushroom Risotto with Mangetout Serves 4 Ingredients 1 onion 1 or 2 cloves garlic (depending on taste) 750 ml of veg stock (keep warm on the stove, you can make you own or by a good quality one) 8 large brown mushrooms 2 handfuls of mangetout (about a cup) 1 cup (250ml) of dry white wine, although you can also use red but then dilute half half with water 6 to 8 sprigs of thyme or 1 teaspoon dry 1 cups arborio or if you do not have sushi rice 2 teaspoon olive oil Parmesan cheese or hard cheese like grana padano Items needed Frying pan Large pot Pot/Container for stock knife and chopping board Time Prep about 10 mins Cooking about 10 mins Instructions Get stock warm in separate pot / container Add 1 teaspo

HP 6555b Error on start up unable to start bluetooth stack - fixed

I kept on getting this error and after doing a few searches downloaded and paid for DriverFind, what a waste of money. Eventually this is how I fixed it. I went to Device Manager: Right click computer computer -> Manager Went to Device Mananger, then  removed all Bluetooth drivers under other removed Bluetooth items under network then I downloaded sp56715 from the HP site which I found under another  machines options since the 6555b does not seem to have the bluetooth drivers. While this installed the bluetooth devices reinstalled and then a reboot was required.

Upgrading your hard drive – without a reinstall?

Recently I ran out of space on my hard drive on my lap top. Knowing that normally this is quite a hassle to upgrade I delayed it as long as possible, deleting old movies and some music bought me some time, but I knew I would have to go through the hassle. By hassle I meant this: Use Windows tool to copy settings and data to a new temporary storage; Remove old hard drive Install new hard drive Reinstall windows. Reinstall all applications. Use windows tool to restore settings and data to new drive Spend days downloading all the updates and patches that where on the old machine This time while looking for the new drive I stumbled upon this thing by Seagate called DiscWizard. It claimed that it would allow you to clone the drive and then you can just replace the old with new boot an all is good. After a little research I decide why not give a go. So I ordered my Seagate drive (It must be a Seagate, Samsung and Maxtor drive, otherwise the software will not run). I also orde

The dawn of the rise of the machines has come - and we did not notice

Many science fiction writers of both book and movies have written about the dawn of the rise of the machines or robots or something. I believe it has come and gone and we have not even noticed it. Over three years ago Popular Mechanics asked if google had made us stupid, I think the question was valid but did not scratch the surface. Google has not made us stupid some computer analysis that dictates how software makes decisions has. Almost all of us are more and more dependent on computer systems in our daily lives, and we do not even notice it. Computer systems decide how we drive our car, decide how to control the traffic, decide how our orders for food are presented to another human and they also decide if we can spend our money to purchase it. We are restricted by visiting friends and colleagues by computer systems that ask for ID and want proof of our existence before we are allowed through boom gates and are given access to the precious places people live. And on a non d

Wells banana bread beer.

I find it fascinating that people go on about fair trade and organic, and then use flavourant. Surely complete lifecycle is no long a myth? Anyway I did not buy this beer because it had fair trade bananas or because Wells use their own mineral Water to make it, i bought it because it sounded diferent. How can something taste like banana bread, good old Mom's (or country bakes to be honest) banana bread? Well it cannot. the banana flavourant is the dominant banana flavour, hands down. Fake banana flavourant tastes like caramel banana rather than good old banana. Why use "Fair trade" bananas and then add fake falvourant? I know juicing bananas does not produce much juice, but surely you can get flavour using a beter method. Anyway enough about flavourant! What is the beer like? Well not like banana bread!  At least not any I have had. there is some caramel banana and it is interesting but it is interesting knowing that 98% or more of our body is space, and

Johnny gold Weiss beer

I could not do a Weiss set of reviews without good old Johnny be gold. Bottoms take on Weiss was one of the early adopters of a German staple. Almost Apple freshness comes through the wheat and yeast, perhaps almost well enough to destroy the yeast over tones, but not quite. Although this one I tasted was in the bottle I have had the draft versions and it is awesome to have it available when the pricings are few. Maybe it is not my favourite Boston brew but it is in the top 5.  aroma: 7 sweet subtle Apple Flavour: 8 - no the weath and yeast come through after taste; 8 - buttery and smooth Morishness: 7 - probably because of the after taste lingering you do not need to dive straight in again Will order again: 7 total: 37 It is a safe bet and easy drinking Weiss, when there ar elicited options. 

Paulaner Hefe-Weis dunked. Deal Weiss beer.

Another unusual beer. A dark take on wheat beer. I suspect either the wheat or the barley is roasted to get the taste and color.  This is a very enjoyable beer. I love Weiss beers and this is like combining the best of Weiss and a brown ale. The weath fruitiness is more stone fruit now and there is a hint of smoke.   Aroma: 7 Flavour: 9 After taste: 8.5 morishness: 8.5 will buy again: 8 total: 41 You must try this Weiss

Harviestoun Broken dial Amber ale

I am always a little bit nervous with the trendy beers and harviestoun deinately are one of these bearded ales. To me an ale should be inviting and enjoyable almost something to entice you to sit down and relax. The trendy ales are not in this category they like to surprise with almost red grapefruit and weirdness.  Th broken dial is one such ale. Hiding behind the word Amber it is still more ipa than anything else. As far as I am concerned you need to be in the mood to enjoy the se beers. And today I am not.  aroma: 7 - pungent 3 day old socks Flavour: 7 - dirty laundry and I am not airing it  After taste: 8 - and that is not a good thing.  Morishness: 2 Will buy again: 3 - if there is nothing left besides an iPA that is worse total: 27 I cannot go on any more about how much I dislike the modern IPA and this is no better, like a broken dial I will never learn not to order these I would rather drink castle. Let's hope the flowers do not die that I poured it on.  

Oak aged beer by Innes & Gunn.

Nothing can really prepare you for this beer. The oak comes through in dominant fashion. They say on the bottle there is vanilla and toffee. I could just taste oak. Almost like those wove and beer blends. Sting Chardonnay tones. Aroma: 8 flavour: 9 after taste: 9 morishness: 5 Will order again: 4 total: 35 It is worth have once. 

Cederbrew Sand Fish Weiss

Another weiss another day. I can really understand the myth/story that they used to drink this stuff adily instead of bread. What better way to get you RDA of carbs! This is an amaziningly clear and drinkable Weiss, especially considering Ceder say they do not filter it ! The beer has stong bread notes and subtle yeast, with mild fruit. Not quite as wiessy as a traditional Weiss, almost like a beginners guide to Weiss. Aroma: 8 Flavour: 8 After Taste: 7.5 Morishness: 8.5 Will buy again: 8.5 Total: 40.5

Cedarbrew micro brewery. The chubby hard Stout

Stouts have a long history, and the most famous is Guinness. I am a Guinness fan, prefer the original stuff, but enjoy the drink a lot. Stout was the first non larger I had, the first that made me realize that not all beer is the same. The smokiness and almost Liquorice in a stout is what makes it special. A lot of the modern micro breweries have steered away of the word stout calling it a porter instead, but that is like calling rose bland de noir which is the same damn thing.  So how good is the chubby head?  Well quite good and probably a little too morish, I could definitely spend a bit of time getting aquanted with this one. I love the fact that they name their brews after local fish and like darling come in 550ml, so you get a serious drink.  The smokiness of the stout is not over powering but it is definitely dominant and the Liquorice is subtle and the all round faste is comforting, I did not drink it warm, but believe it would be  great then too, but in winter when

Cape Town Craft beer - stone circle brewery - hallelujah

This is a blonde ale. I have always got them confused with Weiss, but the do not contain wheat. This brewery is well known for the pictures on the front of their beers, with each type having a different picture. A bit like the old Tes albums.  It is a great beer tasting like a blend of and ale (not pale) and a Weiss. Not that I am into food pairing but this would go well with spicy food.  It is a good beer if you just want to enjoy one. I feel a second would not quite be as enjoyable.  Aroma: 7 Flavour: 9 After taste: 7.5 Morishness: 7 Will I buy again: 8 total: 38.5

Weiss beer review: Copperlake Hefe Weiss

Thought I would start doing some reviews on Weiss or wheat beers. These beers Re very distinct and Weiss beers are definitely an acquired taste. And once you have acquired them it is hard to stop. They are very drinkable. A bit of explanation on this rating and the ones before, The Aromatic, Flavour and after tastel describe intensity of that item, so how much that sense is stimulated. Aroma is the smell, Flavour  the taste and after taste what is left after swallowing, no mater how much you love it. A score of 1 is smells like air, 5 is something. Is there and 10 is wow I cannot use that sense for the next 5 minutes. Then morishness is how much time you would allow to lapse before another sip. 1 is I did not have another sip, I threw it down the drain, 5 is after some time, 7 is when I felt thirsty :) and 10 is I downed it and got another without waiting.   Will I buy again is if the beer is that good that I will buy again, 1 is only at gun point, 5 is I forgot and bought it b

Jan Pampoen Spicy Pumpkin Ale

As a fan of the van der hunks and also aware that pumpkin more or less put micro brewing on the map via dogfish head. I was excited to see that someone else I,e, ceder brew, was producing one too. While the van der hunks is definitely a pumpkin ale this one the pumpkin is more subtle and not the. Dominant flavour. It is is someway a cleaner take on the brew and one that most people will like more that the van der hunks.  Aroma: 8 Flavour: 8 After taste: 7 morishness: 7 Will buy again: 7 total: 37

Cider of the time - Gargagista Pom cider.

Wow the cider has a lot of bubbles. Careful when you pour, make sure you do it slowly. It almost wants to explode.  This is a dry cider. Almost so dry you need another sip after taking a sip. Although it is aromaticmally subtle the same cannot be said for the flavour. It's like sitting next to the uncle I never had that stank of fermenting apples. I can see how Rahl Dahj's fantastic Mr Fix could smell Bean so far away.  Aroma: 6 flavour: 9 Mouthfeel: 6 (too bubbly) morishness: 6 will buy again: 6 total: 33 

Does a Kwak still taste like a Kwak without the Kwak glass

First time I had Kwak I had to give my left shoe to the waiter  so he would give me a fancy glass. Now to decide how good is the beer without the glass.  Well actually it's superb. In fact it is probably just as good as I remember it in the fancy hour glass shaped glass. It is rich with strong aroma and body and one that is very easy to enjoy more of.  Aroma: 8 Flavour: 9 After taste: 9 Morishness: 9 Will buy again: 9 Total: 44 Great beer by itself or with food. 

Maredsous Abbaye Triple

The beer comes in a similar looking bottle to Duvel so something makes me think it is some sort of deal that Ducal gas doge with some Abbey Brewers.  I had this beer about 2 years ago before I started stinking a lot more micro brewed local beers. I am happy to be reacquainted.  It is a very enjoyable almost brown ale. My score Aroma: 7 Flavour: 9 After taste: 9 morishness: 8 Chance of buying again: 8 Total: 41 I think this would be a great beer with a rich meal it has an intensity to cut through the richness with ease. 

Leopold 7

I first tasted this beer at Rock Such in Bergvliet. Apparantely they are planning to brew locally. But this beer reminded me why I love Belgium beers. It is almost tangy and fresh, while still having a mature almost spicy bitter after taste. After having this beer you realise that while the Cape Town micro brewery revolution is interesting it still has a way to go. A very enjoyable beer: Aroma: 9/10 make you want more Falvour: 9/10 intense and enjoyable After taste: 8/10 a little on the bitter side Will buy again: 8/10 Overall: 9/10 Total: 43

Liefmans cherry beer

This beer is all about memories about the people you enjoyed it with and the times you hmad its cherry is intense almost koolaid intense and that is what us so great about it. Only for special occasions and when having a spicy curry this is a very sweet beer and I love it. For the odd special occasion.  Aroma : 9/10 Flavours: 9-10 Mouth feel/After taste: 7/10 Morishness: 6/10 Will get again 9/10 Total: 40

Vedett Witt

This is one of my favorite Weiss or blind or white beers. It's Flavours linger between sips. romatkxky isn't Acosta the aebsar with a sweet fruity almost Granny Smith Apple. The whole path of the mouth is involve in the flavor with an almost Liquorice e type integrity. Aroma 9-10 Flavours 9/10 Aftertaste 9/10 Morishness 10/10 Will I buy again 9/10  Overall 46

Imported craft beer review: Lucky larger - opinion

Taste clean larger with little bitterness almost spring water clarity. Overall a good larger that is clean and enjoyae but nothing special. Nice bottle although should be called happiness since that is what the Buddha is supposed to be on a quest for happiness Aron's 6/10 Flavours 8/10 morishness:  7/10 Mount feel: 7/10 Will get again: 4/10 Overall 32

Young's Double Chocolate Stout

Perhaps I will perhaps I won't. I have been enjoying specialist or micro brewery (although some I think are not so micro) beers for a while now and have not kept a log. In an attempt to help me un fog my mind I'm gonna try write some thoughts on each wheni remember them. The first one to move me to do this (though far from the best) is the young' Double Cholocate Stout. My daughter is a chocolate lover (we'll I am too, but she was with me when I went to my favourite outpost of beer in Claremront Liquor City), so I choose this knowing that stout/porter is one of the types of beer I like. It was a little on the steep side, a little below R50 so I only took one. So is there a double Cholocate taste, well yes, but it is subtle. I think it is called double chocolate since it has chocolate malt, and chocolate flavoring in it. The stout taste does dominate it is a smooth beer with good smokiness and then a little of the chocolate taste comes through. It is not as gassy a