ThisDrinkinglife’s Beer World Cup Final now gets under way. Click on pictures and links to get a general review and info on the beers we will be a drinking during the Football World Cup.
Russia V Germany
As Uruguay didn’t qualify for my Beer World Cup last 16 (I couldn’t source any beer from Uru), I made Russia winner (Knightberg) of Beer Group A, they went on to beat Spain (Estrella) in the last 16. Then in the last eight they met Nigeria (Guinness Special Export), who came second in my Beer Group D. In the semi final they came up against the Swiss trio of Dr.Brawolf’s Red Ale, Soo.Soors Swiss Ale and Celestial Beer’s Le Dermier Ciel, all excellent on the day and although they were favourites to progress the Russians surprised with a Russian Brettness beer and a Hefeweizen which simply blew me away. The Russian’s managed to pull it off and make my Beer final against a heavily fancied Swiss formation.
Germany (Zombräu,Brauer & Co., and Döllnitzer Ritterguts Gose) might be out of the football World Cup, but they are still very much alive in my Beer World Cup, powering to victory in Beer group F, no problems there, while in the last 16 they beat Serbia (Kabinet). In the last eight, Germany then want on to beat England (London Pride), beating them just about, 2-1. In the last four they came up against Croatia (Ožujsko) but the Germans were stronger with Zombräu and Döllnitzer Ritterguts Gose doing the business, and although Croatia performed well in the tussle with their German rivals, they just lost out in the end, just missing the final, 2-1. Germany making another of my Beer World Cup Finals.
Many beers were drank, too many perhaps, and a lot of fast food was consumed. A very enjoyable competition resulted in Russia winning ThisDrinkingLife’s Beer World Cup 2018, beating Germany in a closely matched final.
The final was contested by Germany, Döllnitzer Ritterguts Gose and Zombräu and Russia, Knightberg.
First match up was Zombräu’s Richtfest a nice and tasty Heller Bock which looked fantastic, hoppy and did the business up against a Knightberg Chocolate Stout, which tasted fantastic, the vanilla aroma and taste very strong and very tasty, and that is why Russia take the lead in this first match up. Stouts can be hot or miss but this one from Russia got it right, the chocolate was very strong on both the nose and in taste, and I got a wide array of flavours, from cherry, caramel to vanilla, just lovely.
Next up was one of the highlights of the beer competition for me, Germany’s Döllnitzer Ritterguts Gose their original, which as to be expected was delicious. Getting the salt and coriander all the time, through the nose and on the taste. I am guessing it is a style that people either like or not, but I love it.
Against such a strong challenger Russia needed a big hitter, so step forward Knightberg Les Cinq Premiers, a sour red, coming in a big 75cl bottle. I wasn’t expecting a challenge as I really love the gose beers, but I have to say I was surprised with this Premiers real brew. It was very fruity and tasted more like a good red wine than a beer, and like a good red wine over time it was very pleasant. I have to give this match up as a draw, as the Premier was still long in the memory a few days after, the flavours still reverberating around my mind. It was a bloody good beer.
So that result means that Russia win my Beer World Cup 2-1! And like the great World Cup they held they were also a big success in this years ThisDrinkingLife’s World Cup 2018!
It is a new venture in the region and one with many exciting and ambitious plans. Founded by Peter Danielsson who had a dream to start his own brewery. Despite been in the software industry and a general “newbie” in the beverages industry, he finally managed to take the plunge in 2017 and set up a small brewing operation. 
Smell is malty, with an interesting floral, earthy, and piney smell. Also get the fruits and citrus. 
Get a very hazy looking beer with a nice golden orange look. Very carbonated and has a big frothy head. Good lacing.
“Free Electron” in English, I guess the electricity will be bouncing around your body when in contact with this beer, firing up an unstoppable current of energy and pleasure. Perhaps!
Getting the caramelized malt again, this time in the taste, making this beer very nice to drink. 
Hazy cloudy yellow golden colour, very carbonated and the frothy white head maintains. 
On pour, massive carbonation, all over the place, very temperamental. All resulting in a massive frothy tanned head and a pitch black stout.
“The Last Cry” in English, this is Celestial’s version of a New England IPA. A New England IPA is meant to be a little smoother with less of a hoppy bitterness to their West Coast IPA cousins, the appearance is also meant to be a little hazier. 
Nice malty flavour, the fruits to the fore, bit of caramel.
