Well, the dog ate my notes...really!...but this brew is easy to remember. Once again, we review a Dutch beer, Christoffel Robertus. There are lagers in this world, and then there are lagers. There is an amber lager made in very small batches that I like by Wagner Valley of Lodi, NY - see my review of last June - and then there is stuff like Miller. It is like comparing a puddle of mud to champagne. Sure, they are both wet, but I would rather drink the champagne. So it is with Robertus. In a blind test it tastes very ale-like to me, malty, dark red color, a very dense and thick and cloudy beer. Absolutely no hint of lager to my palatte, Robertus is a cousin to the American amber lager, but the fermentation process provides a spectacular polish and taste to this beer. With their blond reviewed 2 months ago, Christoffel may make my favorite beers in the world. Well, I like this one better than the blond, so maybe it is my favorite.






Comments
Stonch - June 7, 2007 7:52 AM
Gary, I was lucky enough to have this on tap at the recent Ealing Beer Festival in London. Nice beer.
gary - June 7, 2007 8:51 AM
Why am I not in London, or Amsterdam, right now?
gary - June 7, 2007 8:53 AM
Alan, we need to get to know Stonch better. Nice blog!
Knut Albert - June 7, 2007 9:49 AM
I had a bottle of this a few days ago as well, bought in Denmark. I prefer the blonde, though, as this one was a bit too sweet. There was a lovely strawberry aroma, though, or was it just my eyes tricking my brain?
Alan - June 7, 2007 9:52 AM
Stonch has joined my daily reads. I think the LCBO is selling the blond this summer along with Stonch's favorite Goudenband. I am planning a Flemish and lambic sour series over the next few months starting with a Panil that I received. Hopefully Stonch will add his thoughts when I do as I think he is much more familiar or in love with them.
Dave - November 5, 2007 10:53 PM
Is this beer best served room temp or chilled?
Marcellino - January 28, 2010 10:53 AM
My favorite beer of all time, a knockout. Unfortunately not available in my country...