1602 Craft Beer

Craft beer is nothing new to me and I had the opportunity to explore some of the international brands during my time in Malaysia capital city.

Now, my home state of Sarawak had produced locally produced craft beer with the name derived from the year when the first map of Borneo was published.

Currently, 1602 beers come in 4 flavours; Lager, Pale Ale, Wheat and Extra Dark. Price per cup range from RM 8-15 depending on the outlets visited and their set price. Usually, the wheat and Extra Dark will cost a little bit more.

Best beer to start with for starter will be the Lager which is the lightest. This is a refreshing beer with hint of fruits.

The Pale Ale is more mouthfeel than the lager with fruitness derived from the fermentation with English hops. Casual bitterness and low carbonation.

Wheat beer is inspired by the unique character of 3 major wheat beer style; German, Belgium and US. This 1602 wheat beer is still a decent one although I still prefer the German wheat beer.

I reckon the Extra Dark is the best beer in 1602 line up. Brewed with chocolate malts and roasted barley. Moderate mouthfeel, delightful coffee chocolate note serve with lower carbonation. It contains high level of antioxidant and vitamin B+ from the roasted barley malts.

I must agree that all the 1602 beers are easy to drink and its price make it more affordable for the locals to enjoy craft beer. The master brewer also successfully brewed the taste of all the beers to suit the local taste buds.

Prost Beer (Indonesian Beer)

Prost Beer is new brand of locally brewed beer in Indonesia. From the packaging at first glance, one would had an impression it was a foreign brand beer. That was what I thought in the first place until I dig more research on it.

It is priced at IDR 16,100 in Hypermart, which is a little bit higher than the usual Heineken or Carlsberg beer in the country.

It is brewed with basic ingredient such as water, malt and hop. According to the packaging, the beer is triple hops and triple cold filtered with alcohol content around 4.8%

It is a typical lager beer which is smooth and easy to drink. Nothing out of the ordinary. I would have been expecting more due to its price tag which is slightly dearer compare to other international beers. Anyway, this beer is worth a try for those avid beer drinkers.

Taps Beer Bar @ Mont Kiara

Craft beers has been around Klang Valley in the past 3 years or so but not many beer drinkers are seems to be aware of it. They originate from small breweries with penchant for experimentation and innovation. Hence, with a bottle of craft beer, one just don't know what one is going to get. With small scale production, craft beers are usually pricier than the usual big brand pints. 

 

One of the best place to enjoy craft beers on tap is Taps Beer Bar. Recently, I visited their newest outlet at Mont Kiara. It is located at 1Mont Kiara Mall. The space is a low key, friendly one with beautiful songs sang by singers and band on the stage.

At any one time, there are roughly 12-14 beers on tap; when one runs out, it is replaced by something new and different. A large blackboard is chalked up with what's on offer on that moment.

Buxton Wild Boar (RM 24) has a fruity aromatic hops with a dry bitter finish. Note of grapefruit, bitter orange, lemon, citrus peel, white grapes, yeast and malt.

Chiron Thornbridge (RM 22) has lemon, bread, hops and grassiness tastes with hint of apricot.

Buxton Farskyline (RM 27) is quite sour with a combination taste of apricot, lemon peel and lemon juice

Mountain Goat Rye IPA (RM 44) has plenty of mandarin, grapefruit and pine with the Rye somewhat subdued. This beer consists of Malted Rye which is mashed, lautered and boiled like any other beer. The rye malt add a unique spiciness and mouth fullness which is not usually found from barley.

Siew Yoke Pizza (RM 28) is only available here and not in their first outlet at Changkat. It tastes really good with rich porky flavour.

Soft shell crab (RM 23) perfect as a beer bite while enjoying the evening. There is not much of varieties when it comes to food here; mostly on beer bites, burger, steak, salad, pizza and a handful of desserts but still able to satisfy my appetite.

Taps Beer Bar
Lot G-1, Mont Kiara Mall,
No. 1, Jalan Kiara,
Mont Kiara
50480 Kuala Lumpur

Tiger Radler

Tiger Radler was inspired by the drink invented by Franz Xaver Kugler called Radler Mass. Back in June 1922, some 13,000 cyclists stop by a pub called Kugler-Alm and Franz Xaver nearly ran out of stock. In order to save the day, he mixed the beer with several thousand bottles of lemon juice and declared that this mixture was specially invented for cyclist. The new product was officially named Raddler Mass.

 

It has a low alcohol content (2%) and is sold at RM 7.59 here, which is about the same price with any other beers in the market.

Made with tiger beer and natural lemon juice, it pours to a naturally cloudy and almost looks like an unfiltered wheat beer. It has a fruity taste and a refreshing flavour, thanks to the lemon flavour.

 

It is most suitably drank on a very hot day as it is light and refreshing.

RedDot Brewhouse (Boat Quay)

Reddot Brewhouse caught my attention while walking along the historic Boat Quay in Singapore. I was looking for a microbrewery beer here and this is one of a few I can find along Boat Quay.

Inside their menu, it tells the story of the owner's first encounter with beer brewing when he was on a safari holiday at Kruger National Park, South Africa. This is where all the passion began and the creation of a list of their signature beers we see today in their outlets.

I really love their place in Boat Quay. It's comfortable and not too cramp. One can also opt for the seating at the river bank to enjoy the cool night breeze. The beer here is unfiltered and straight from the fermenter and thus retains all the yeast nutrient, original flavour and aroma. All the beers here are served with their own unique designed glass which bears the outlet's name.

Weizen (SGD 11) is their own brew wheat beer with 5% alcohol content. Smooth, refreshing and fruity but still fell short in term of taste when compared to other established German wheat beers.

Czech Pilsner (SGD 11) is a pale gold lager. Dry crisp, a little bitter, very smooth and slightly malty. Alcohol content of 5.5%. Since my first encounter with Czech beer in Prague in 2000, this is the closest I ever been to once again taste the wonderful Czech Pilsner I had long for.

There are other beers to try and I definitely will drop by here again if the opportunity arise.

RedDot Brewhouse
33/34 Boat Quay.

Valentins Weiss Beer

I notice recently a new Weiss beer brand in the market lately. I found this beer at Cold Storage and it costs me RM 16.99 per bottle. I thought it would be another good Weiss beer since it is brewed in Germany.

The beer is named after St. Valentine, the patron saint of lovers. It is obvious this charming face will be the marketing tool for the brewer.

The beer is brewed with water, wheat malt, barley malt, hope extract and yeast. Its alcohol content is at 5.3%.

It pours to a deep golden colour. It has a good head but it doesn't last long. The taste starts of with a slightly stale and thin flavour. A little bit of citrus that is joined in a strange way by an earthly yeast presence.

The beer is relatively low in fruity esters. It is still a drinkable beer but obviously not in the same league of the bigger German brands.

Kronenbourg 1664 Blanc

Kronenbourg starts to make an inroad to this country since last year. At certain outlets, one could get 3 pints at RM 48++ during happy hour.

The brewery originally started its operation in Strasbourg, France before been located to Cronenbourg and hence the birth of the brand itself

 

The beer pours to a cloudy, pale straw coloured brew topped with a generous head that settles  down within minutes. The aroma is surprisingly pleasing with floral smell.

The taste follow the nose very closely with lots of fruit and not a lot of spice. The beer is brewed with a hint of citrus and coriander spice which makes it sweet and unique flavoury modern taste among all other wheat beer.

It is rather watery (5% alcohol content) and it is more like a flavoured wheat beer. A good refreshing drink during the hot day.

Weissbrau German Bistro & Bar

Weissbrau is one of the place in KL that served Schneider Weisse wheat beer which has been quite popular of late in most of the German bars here.

This is definitely a cool place to chill out and have a glass of beer after a long walk shopping in Bukit Bintang or Pavilion KL.

 

There are a few choices of draught beers to choose from and decent choices of bottled beer. Since I am around, I am determined to try all the 3 Schneider Weisse beers the outlet has to offer. All the Schneider Weisse beers are sold at RM 28 per bottle.

The staffs here are well trained in the art of pouring the wheat beer. This is one important aspect which I observe when I visit any bars as this would serve as the first impression that the owner of the bar actually respect and understand the beers they sold to the customer.

 

 

Schneider Weiss Mein Blondes (Tap 1) is brewed with water, wheat malt, barley malt, hops and yeast. Its alcohol content is 5.2%. It pours to a cloudy light amber topped by a thick crisp white head.

The aromas has are dominated with banana and clove up front. Nein Blondes is nice and welcoming with yeast dominating the flavour. There is more fruit on the palate and a hint of spice all coming together. I would rate this beer better than Paulaner, Franziskaner, Erdinger and Hoegaarden but still inferior compare to Weihenstephaner

Schneider Weisse Main Kristall (Tap 2) basically brew with the same ingredients as in Tap 1, minus the yeast and with gentle filtration. It has a slightly alcohol content at 5.3%. It pours to a very clear golden colour with a big fluffy head.

It has a strong vanilla aroma with plenty of sweet banana and a touch of malt in the background. It has a rich taste but without the full bodied flavour compare to Tap 1. Fruity tastes abound with a hint of banana, lemon and peach noted.

Schneider Weisse Unser Original (Tap 7) pours to a dark cloudy amber, almost brown with some head. It has the highest alcohol content among the three at 5.4%

Its a full bodied and creamy wheat beer. Taste of banana and clove with some sweet malts are noted with very minor cinnamon with a yeasty and metallic finish.

 

I decided to take some food to go with the beers and had placed an order for Bavavirian bacon and cheese burger (RM 28)

 

The burger is topped with what appear to be fried onion. The pork patty and the cheese are a nice combination and goes really well with the beer.

Weissbrau German Bistro & Bar
Lot 3.05.02 & C3.16.00, Level 3,
Pavilion KL

San Mig Light Beer

San Mig Light is easily available in Langkawi Island and it only costs RM2.70 per bottle which make it pretty affordable to drink.

This is a light beer although its alcohol content is at 5%. The beer is brewed with water, malt, cereals/sugar and hops.

This is a good looking light beer with nice clean and clear light gold colour appearance.

 

The beer is very watery. It lacks in character and taste rather dull. Very low bitterness in the end. Definitely not my type of beer.