Rochefort 8
Origin: Belgium
website: http://www.trappistes-rochefort.com/
Tried: 7th NOV 2009, dinner
With: fried udon

Strange about getting what you wish for.. after reviewing the chimay and orval .. i was thinking mm.. maybe something lighter than the chimay so it could go with food but sweeter and more flavourful than then orval would be good… so came the Rocherfort 8 ..

It is strong beer and brewed with 9.2% alcohol- if you want to laugh at it. the first impression was that it was not as thick as the chimay and and more bubbly like the orval.. I don’t know if this is supposed to be so, or I did not keep the beer well but there was relatively no head at all… maybe when it is bubbly it has less head.. mmm.. (let me know if you have the answer)

and what can I say, it is precisely in between the other 2 beers. Just like a good compromise. It is not overly thick so you can have it with food, it is strong and fruity but not overwhelmingly strong… and it is bubbly and thus gave you less of the creamy “filling” sensation but more of a thirst quenching feeling. BUT still thick compared to a pils or lager!

The spoiler however is my udon (wishes are never perfect!!). It was a tad too salty.. ok, it was too salty.. so I was gulping down the beer which was strong and my over salted udon and as if fighting on who tasted stronger.. it was –blleeehhh, so I decided to just finish the udon, drank some milk and went back to my beer.. Would have been much better with some milder food like sushi or really strong snacks like the wasabi peas or similar.. it is just again one of those beer that you stand on a bar, drink and chat.. because it has character of its own- food just kinna spoils it.

I still would say, I’d prefer the Chimay because I like them thick and creamy but if I had to eat or the weather is a bit warmer I think Rochefort is a far more flexible beer.

I like the label btw, love this sort of “made at home” feel.. hahaha it has that unconventional not made for mass market, professional feel (aka something I designed when I was 13).. and I mean it in a good way.. Long live quirky self-designed beer labels!!

cheers!

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(Straits Times Online) WASHINGTON – SMOKERS have tried a long list of ways to quit: cold turkey, counselling, gum, patches and more.

Now, a small company is hoping it can make millions of dollars by creating a vaccine for people who want to kick the habit. Nabi Biopharmaceuticals of Rockville, Maryland, which is in the late stages of testing its experimental vaccine, took a big step towards its goal last week by striking a deal with pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline.

Under the agreement, GlaxoSmithKline will pick up the cost of developing and marketing the vaccine, called NicVax, if Nabi successfully completes the Phase3 trials now under way.

‘GSK is one of the preeminent pharmaceutical companies with worldwide commercialisation reach,’ Nabi president and chief executive Raafat Fahim said last week.

For many years, the standard treatment for breaking a smoker’s dependence on nicotine has been patches or gum that contain declining dosages of the substance in an effort to wean addicts off their dependence.

Nabi’s experimental vaccine, a decade in the works, tries a more direct approach: It shuts down nicotine’s access to the brain. Smokers may light up a cigarette while on NicVax, but if the drug works as intended, they will not feel any of the stimulating effects they crave from nicotine.

(Beerbeer) This is some weird discovery, can this work? I’m more worried smoking as a habit then addiction. Some smoke because of the habit and not the addiction. Of course I like this to work, because I prefer a no-smoking pub.

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(The StarOnline) - Tiger Beer has kick-started their countdown to the Year of the Tiger with a media launch at the Tavern of the Guinness Anchor Berhad (GAB) brewery on Nov 18.

Tiger Beer underlined its intention to stride forward into the Lunar New Year by starting their Chinese New Year campaign 88 days before the start of the year.

Tigers have always been known as being competent leaders, driven by their unerring drive and ambitious nature.

Similarly, the story of Tiger Beer’s ascension mirrors its namesake’s characteristics, having risen from a locally brewed beer in 1932 into a brew available in more than 70 countries, winning more than 40 international brewing awards and accolades along the way as well.

Over the next three months, consumers can expect a series of rewarding promotions and exciting activities leading into the Year of the Tiger.

GAB marketing director Mark Jenner said: “As many of you know, Tiger Beer has grown by leaps and bounds from a humble local brew to becoming an award-winning Asian beer that is acclaimed for both taste and quality.

“Right now as we approach the Year of the Metal Tiger, we look forward in anticipation of a year full of triumph, accomplishment and consolidation for Tiger Beer.”

The launch of campaign also featured an exclusive Tiger Dance demonstration featuring a pair of highly-trained performers.

This traditional Chinese cultural dance showcases the martial arts prowess of the dancers as they kicked off the Lunar New Year campaign in winning style.

It should then come as no surprise that Tiger Beer’s slogan “Enjoy Winning!” reflects its approach to all things.

At the media launch, the company unveiled a gigantic digital timer counting down to the Year of the Tiger located on the side of the Guinness Anchor Berhad headquarters on the Federal Highway.

The Year of the Tiger has historically been known as a catalyst for positive changes and opportunities for those willing to take on the challenge.

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