Øllets Dag (Day of Beer)

Today is Øllets Day in Denmark. It means “Day of Beer”, and it takes place every year on the first Saturday of September. It’s not an event I was aware existed until just a few days ago. We read that there was something like a beer festival at the English pub in Kolding, which is a couple of hours away on the train. We’d made plans to go there, but just yesterday we discovered that a similar event would be held at a local wine and beer shop near where we live. So we went there instead.

We had not expected much. Probably just a few samples by the shot, with a push to sell bottles. However, it was very different. Half a dozen members from the local branch of the Danish Beer Enthusiasts (De Danske Ølentusiaster) were lined up along a row of tables, with 43 bottles of beer from Denmark, Belgium, England, Norway and USA. They were all very welcoming, and it was made clear that you could try as many of the beer as you liked, even all of them. And at no point was a sale pushed, even though there were order forms available to fill out if there were any of the beers you liked.

Svend’s Beer Log 2016 08



(Rating system: 1-5. 1: undrinkable. 2: not nice. 3: decent/good. 4: very good. 5: one of the best I’ve ever had. Read more about my rating system)

Hancock – Merry Christmas Happy New Year 3
Erdinger – Weissbier 2
Thisted Bryghus – Øko Humle 3
Amarcord – Grandisca 2
Purple Moose – Decadence 4
Thisted Bryghus – Porse Guld 3
Vestfyen – Willemoes Ale 3
Kinn Bryggeri – Humlehaud 4
Vestfyen – Willemoes Kyst Til Kyst 3
Vestfyen – Pokal Classic 2
Vestfyen – Willemoes Stout 4
Vestfyen – Belgisk Ale 3
Skagen Bryghus – Drachmann 3
Skagen Bryghus – Bundgarn 5
Lindemann – Kriek 4
Skagen Bryghus – 5 Korns Øl 4
Skagen Bryghus – Anna Ancher 4
Skagen Bryghus – Skawskum 5
Skagen Bryghus – Michael Ancher 4
Skagen Bryghus – Nordlys 2
Skagen Bryghus – Skawskum 5
Skagen Bryghus – Drachmann 4
Skagen Bryghus – Skawskum 5
Skagen Bryghus – 5 Korns Øl 4
Skagen Bryghus – Væltepeter 4
Løkken Bryghus – Styrbord (Ålbæk) 4
Thisted Bryghus – Cold Hawaii (2016) 4
Thisted Bryghus – Pilgrim 4
Thisted Bryghus – Cold Hawaii (2015) 3
Thisted Bryghus – Boston 3
Vestfyen – Cream Ale 4
United Beverage – De Jyske Bryghuse American Brown Ale 4
Ebeltoft – Wildflower IPA 4
Thisted Bryghus – Ronkedor 4
Banks’s – Sunbeam 4
Dorset Brewing Co – Jurassic 5
Dorset Brewing Co – Tom Browns 4
Thwaites – Wainwright 3
Nant – Chwaden Aur 4
Redemption – Pale Ale 4
Redemption – Hopspur 4
Kelham Island – Pale Rider 4
Titanic – Plum Porter 4
Wadworth – Espirito de Carnaval 3

Visits from exciting moths

We were visited by these amazing moths the other day. The last is determined to be a Scalloped oak (Crocallis elinguaria). The other two we don’t know yet. If you do, let me know!

EDIT: Turns out the first one is a poplar hawk-moth (laothoe populi).

Poplar Hawk-moth

Poplar Hawk-moth

Subtle Moth

Subtle Moth

Scalloped oak

Scalloped oak

Svend’s Beer Log 2016 07



(Rating system: 1-5. 1: undrinkable. 2: not nice. 3: decent/good. 4: very good. 5: one of the best I’ve ever had. Read more about my rating system)

Viborg Bryghus – Tausen Brown Ale 3
Bryghuset Braunstein – Brown Ale 4
Ørbæk – Red 3
Fur – Frokost 4
Fur – Renæssance 4
Fur – Bock 3
Fur – Barley Wine 4
Mikkeller – Vanilla Shake 4
Thisted Bryghus – Goldings 3
Carlsberg – Jacobsen Dark Lager 2
Vestfyen – Willemoes Porter 4
Thisted Bryghus – Goldings 3
Carlsberg – Jacobsen Dark Lager 2
Vestfyen – Willemoes Porter 4
Paulaner – Hefe–Wessbier 3
Iki Beer – Yuzu 3
Mariestad’s – Export 2
Celt – Iron Age 3
Sigtuna – Organic Ale 2
Brooklyn – 1/2 Ale 3
St Erics – Session IPA 3
Wermlands Bryghus – Ale (weak) 2
Spendrups – Norrlands Guld 2
Robinsons – 9 Hop IPA 3
Nils Oscar – Bordsøl 2
Gotlands Bryggeri – Best Bitter 2
Grythyttans Bryghus – 117 Bohemian Lager 2
Wermlands Bryghus – Kaffestout 4
Brutal Brewing – Pistonhead Flat Tire 3
Young’s – Double Chocolate Stout 4
New Belgium – Fat Tire 4
Oppigårds – Amarillo 3

Wermlands Bryghus – Ale 3
Designbrew – Tres Belle Chic 3
Gotlands Bryggeri – Sitting Bulldog IPA 4
Dugges – High Five IPA 3
Great Divide Brewing Co – Yeti 4
Robinsons – Steam Lager 2
Oppigårds – Thurbo Stout 4
Gotlands Bryggeri – Sleepy Bulldog 4
Omnipollo – Nebuchadnezzar 5
Lade Gaards Brygghus – Lys Hvete 4
Mikro Bryggeriet Oslo – Twin Peaks 2
All In Brewing – Modern Classic 4
Nøisom – APA 3
Lagunitas – Pale Ale 3
Lade Gaards Brygghus – American Pale Ale 3
Sagene Bryggeri – Pale Ale 1.0 3
Sagene Bryggeri – Stout 1.0 3
Nøisom – Bringebær Og Chili 3
Mikro Bryggeriet Oslo – Twin Peaks 3
Brakspear – Oxford Gold 4
St Peter’s – The Saints (whisky beer) 3
Erdinger – Dunkel 3
Westmalle – Tripel 4
Viborg – Bocken 3
Thisted Bryghus – Boston 4
Brick By Brick – Unknown Shore 4
Hancock – Merry Christmas Happy New Year 3
Haandbryggeriet – Humlesus 5
Hoggleys – Mill Lane Mild 4
Haandbryggeriet – London Porter 3

Svend’s Beer Log 2016 06



(Rating system: 1-5. 1: undrinkable. 2: not nice. 3: decent/good. 4: very good. 5: one of the best I’ve ever had. Read more about my rating system)

Grauballe – Kvickly Øko Klassik 2
Vestfyen – Willemoes Kyst Til Kyst 2
United Beverage – Den Lille Røde 2
Albani – Schiøtz Gylden IPA 3
Trolden Bryghus – Fru Svendsen 4
Bie’s Bryghus – Fyrkat Borg Bryg 3
Tuborg – Grøn Tuborg 2
Chimay – Chimay Bleue 4
Harboe – Påske Bryg 3
Ørbæk – India Pale Ale 3
Thornbridge – Jaipur (keg) 3
Ølsnedkeren – Minearbejderens Tørstslukker 4
Flying Couch – Vinyl & Coffee 4
Dry & Bitter – Citra Bale Ale 5
Founders – Oatmeal Stout 4
Syndikatet – Synderen 4
Ørbæk – Pale Ale 3
Holbæk – Munkholmer 5
Ørbæk – Hunter’s Choice 3
Raasted – Hoppy Belgian 4
Lasse’s Hjemmebryg – Nighting Ale Sommer Øl 4
Fanø Bryghus – Fanø Lynghvede 3
De 5 Gårde – Tido 3
Ørbæk – Santa Ale 3
Bryghuset Braunstein – Hvede 4
Carlsberg – Carl’s Bock 3
Raasted – Saaz Blonde m/ Hyldeblomst 4
Mikkeller – Jægerbrown 4
Humleland – Jeg Føler Mig 3
Humleland – Sommer APA 4
Humleland – En Tur I Bølgen 4
Humleland – Sommer Saison 3
Humleland – Mosaic 3
Humleland – Kom Tilbage 3
Humleland – Kakaobønnen 4
Flat Tire – Full Amber 3
Brooklyn – Summer Ale 3

Svend’s Beer Log 2016 05



(Rating system: 1-5. 1: undrinkable. 2: not nice. 3: decent/good. 4: very good. 5: one of the best I’ve ever had. Read more about my rating system)

De Jyske Bryghuse – Ale No 1 4
Purple Moose – Dark Side Of The Moose 5
Great Orme – Orme 3
Albani – Schiøtz Gylden IPA 3
Wild Horse Brewing Co – Red Taffy Rye 3
Fuglsang – White Christmas 2
Skovlyst – NældeBryg 3
St Bernardus – Pater 6 3
Raasted Bryghus – Cascade IPA 4
Purple Moose – Decadence 5
Purple Moose – Merry X–Moose 5
Vestfyen – Willemoes Porter 4
Albani – Schiøtz Mørk Mumme 3
Midtfyns Bryghus – Holm Santa Claus Ale 3
Dupont – Saison Dupont 4
Lindemans – Pecheresse 3
Mikkeller – 1000 IBU 2
Hornbeer – Black Magic Woman 3
Girardin – Gueuze White Label 3
De Molen – Bommen & Granaten 4
Oakham – Citra 4
Little Valley Brewery – Stage Winner 3
Thisted Bryghus – Seattle 3
Lord Conrad’s – Zulu Dawn 4
Moor – Sloe Walker 3
Hopshackle – Black Mule 4
Son Of Sid – Muck Cart Mild 4
Three Blind Mice – Milk Worm 4
Froth Blowers – Wellingtonian 4
Lacons – Dark Mild 4
Hammerton – Geist Weiss 3
Jo C’s – Norfolk Kiwi 5
Abstract Jungle – Pride 4
Mighty Oak – Oscar Wilde 5
Papworth – Mad Jack 4
Thornbridge – Colorado Red 4
Swannay – Sneaky Wee Orkney Stout 5
Abstract Jungle – Casual 4
Tring – Colley’s Dog 4
Moonshine – Heavenly Matter 4
Elgood’s – Coolship Blonde 3
Star – Meteor 4
Bank Top – Bad To The Bone 4
Lacons – Falcon 4
Bexar County – Scarecrow Army 5
Grain – Oak 3
Windsor & Eton – Red Rye 3
Bexar County – Oak Aged Papa Steve 3
Tiny Rebel – Dirty Stop Out 4
White Park – Dark 4
Goose Island – Goose IPA 4
Lincoln Green – Flevorium 3
Red – Orca 4
St Austell – Proper Job 4

Svend’s Beer Log 2016 04



(Rating system: 1-5. 1: undrinkable. 2: not nice. 3: decent/good. 4: very good. 5: one of the best I’ve ever had. Read more about my rating system)

Albani – Schiøtz Belgisk IPA 3
Frejdahl – Nidhug 4
Raasted Bryghus – 8 Kokos Porter 4
Bryghuset Braunstein – Brown Ale 3
Løkken Bryghus – Forårsfornemmelser 3
Tuborg – Påskebryg 2
Flying Couch – New Quinced Solution 4
Ølsnedkeren – Dobbelt Brun 4
Ølsnedkeren – Yankee Kaos! 4
Grimbergen – Dubbel 3
Purple Moose – Merry X–Moose 5
Br Bosteels – Tripel Karmeliet 4
Carlsberg – Semper Ardens Wiener 3
Tap East – Peanut Butter Pint 4
Milton Brewery – Forum 5
Milton Brewery – Pegasus 4
Milton Brewery – Nero 5
By George – St George’s 5
Brewdog – Punk IPA 3
Brewdog – 5am Saint 3
Milestone – Southern Cross 4
Milton Brewery – Minotaur 4
Nørrebro Bryghus – Ravnsborg Rød 3
Grupo Modelo – Negra Modelo 3
Grimbergen – Double–Ambrée 3
Royal Unibrew – Blå X–Mas 2
Svaneke Bryghus – Brown Ale 4
Refsvindinge – Bistad Ale 3

Which small ducks

A couple of days ago I saw some birds in the water next to the cycle path on my way to work in the morning. My first thought was “small ducks”, but after having past them I realised I hadn’t looked closely at them and though I tried to fix the vague memories of their appearance in my head, by the time I got to work I realised that it could have been anything from a moor hen to a “funnily coloured duck that looked small for some reason”. I wish I could go back in time and look at them properly!

Fortunately, time travel was not required in order to get a second look. On my way home from work, the ducks were still there, and though they got a bit shy when I carefully brought my bike to a stop and slowly got my camera out, they only swam a little further away, and stayed near some grass they could hide in, if they needed it. I managed to get a little video. I’m sure they were making some sounds at the time, but unfortunately it was so windy that it’s pretty impossible to hear anything on here. Towards the end I zoom in, and you can see them a bit better:

I also took quite a few photos, and here are some zoomed and cropped versions. Click for bigger versions in lightbox:

Small Ducks

Small Ducks

Small Ducks

Small Ducks

Small Ducks

Small Ducks

Small Ducks

Small Ducks

Small Ducks

Small Ducks

Small Ducks

Small Ducks


Hopefully some helpful ornithologists out there can help me figure out what they are. Please comment with your ideas!

Svend’s Beer Log 2016 03



(Rating system: 1-5. 1: undrinkable. 2: not nice. 3: decent/good. 4: very good. 5: one of the best I’ve ever had. Read more about my rating system)

Ørbæk – Påske Bryg 3
Ørbæk – Fynsk Forår 2
Ørbæk – Black 4
Bryghuset Braunstein – Porter 4
Ørbæk – Dark Horse 3
Tuborg – Påskebryg 2
Little Valley – Vanilla Porter 3
Cwrw Llyn – Cochyn 4
Little Valley – Python IPA 4

image

Little Valley - Python IPA

Vestfyen – Cream Ale 4
Skagen Bryghus – Skawpåske 3
Willemoes – Påskebryg 3
Svaneke Bryghus – Gul Påske 2
Thisted Bryghus – Påskeæg 2
Bryghuset Braunstein – Påske Bryg 3
Ærø – Påske Ale 4
Thisted Bryghus – Påske Ale 3
Ørbæk – IPA 4
Royal Unibrew – Thor Classic 2

Unknown Bird Song

Edit: helpful souls on Twitter have helped decide that this is a song thrush, that just hadn’t started singing properly.

Out on a walk, we saw this little fellow sitting very proud in the top of a tree and singing for us. He wasn’t shy, and after listening to him a bit I decided to record it so I could try to find out what bird he is:

Let me know in the comments if you have any ideas 🙂