Hello, beer lovers! 🍻

How are you? Sunny but cold day here. I have nothing special to do, actually, I could have done something (there's always something), but I just lazed around and waited for the evening - I have a class reunion from elementary school later - just to see how many of us are still around, and #BeerSaturday, 455 in a row. :)

I have two bottles in front of me, one Slovenian and one French, both IPAs. I’m ready to empty them and share the experience with you.

Let’s go!
First, the one with less alcohol.

General Maister IPA

Brewed by Maister Brewery, Kamnik, Slovenia.
Bottle, 0.33 l, alcohol 6.0% ABV, IBU 50. IPA style.

What do the Master Brewers say?

A clear, dark amber IPA with a full body, a thick, persistent head, a piney aroma, notes of chestnut honey, and a pronounced bitterness.

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Short and clear. A fairly well-known Slovenian craft brewery that names its beers after important figures from Slovenian history. General Maister was one of them.

The beer is a light brown, clear amber color; the head is average in size, persistent, and creamy. It has a tropical fruit scent. It goes down smoothly, and I immediately taste the distinct bitterness of the hops, grapefruit, mango, and hints of caramel.
The bitterness lingers in the aftertaste for a while.

A very drinkable beer! A classic IPA with a strong hoppy character and bitterness; well-balanced, not overly fruity but rather a traditional, hoppy IPA. It’s available at all local stores for €2.60.

Let’s head to France!

Nuke Mars NEIPA

Brewed by Brasserie Chromatique, Saint-Léonard, Hauts-de-France, France.
Bottle, 0.33 l, alcohol 6.9% ABV, IBU 20. New England/Hazy/Milkshake IPA.

What do the Master Brewers say?

Hazy golden with a subtle grey tint. Intense tropical aromas of pineapple and lime, fresh and lively. The palate is juicy and creamy, balanced by solid bitterness that keeps it dry and refreshing. Lingering tropical fruit and gentle warmth on the finish.

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I'm not familiar with this brewery, but that's interesting: 2025 World Beer Awards Gold Medalist.

The beer has a cloudy orange color, with a solid head that fades quickly. It smells of tropical fruit. It goes down smoothly; on the palate, I detect a hint of hop bitterness - though not very pronounced - along with a slight sweetness and strong notes of pineapple and citrus freshness.
The aftertaste fades quickly.

A drinkable and juicy beer!
It’s very refreshing, with distinct tropical flavors and aromas. Very juicy with low bitterness - a typical modern NEIPA that leans toward sweet tropical juice rather than the classic bitter IPA.
It’s not available locally here; I got it from a friend who brought it back for me from France. A very French, juicy, and velvety NEIPA with an international gold medal. Price: €3.60.

And what am I listening to when writing this and tasting beer? Something from Friday's #newtunes. Melancholic dream-pop melody and a shoegaze atmosphere.

A Place To Bury Strangers - Where Are We Now

Thank you for your attention.

Latest (this year) tastings:
Bevog Deetz and Siren Broken Dream, La Chouffe Blonde and TAZ Tasmanian Ale, Reservoir Dogs CruX Gose and Wicklow Wolf Elevation Pale Ale, Organic Chocolate Stout and Fuller's IPA, Hirter 1270 and Pécsi Prémium Lager, Erdinger Dunkel and Lone Wolf Single Hop IPA, Perlenzauber Kellerpils and Bavaria Holland, Salt Breeze & Ironik, Budvar Dark Lager and Krombacher Weizen, Rosa’s Fest-Märzen and Christmas Stout, HOPZ 2025 and Kozel Dark.

Thanks, Hive account@detlev who started all this

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