Best of 2012

As 2012 is becoming history, I present my favourites from 2012. It has been a good beer year for me, but there have been fewer updates on this blog compared to 2011. I have been drinking beer during 2012 in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany and the Czech Republic. As always my best of 2012 list is highly subjective, and I have only included beers I have been drinking this year.

Best pale lager
Úněticke 12° golden lager

I was lucky to check out Úněticke 12° golden lager for the first time on a warm Summer day. It was a really lovely beer. This year I have not tasted the unfiltered Pilsner Urquell, so my number 2 lager this year is the Kout na Šumave 12° golden lager. Also worth to be mentioned are Brooklyn Lager, Kout na Šumave 10° golden lager and the 11° Zlatý Kun svetlý ležák from the Berounský Medved brewery.

Best dark lager
Budvar Černý

This dark lager from Budvar in the Czech Republic is a fantastic beer, and it is my winner this year as well. Runners up in 2011 are Kout na Šumave's dark lager and Märkischer Landmann.

Best wheat beer
Primátor Weizen

Primátor Weizen is defending its winner spot this year as well. Runners up are Paulaner Hefeweizen, Weihenstephaner Hefeweizen and Velen from the Czech Cerná Hora brewery.

Best ale
Kinn Vestkyst IPA

The little Norwegian craft brewery Kinn produces the Vestkyst IPA, and it is my favourite ale also in 2012. Other favourites from 2012 are Lervig Rye IPA, Nøgne Ø's 100, Ægir IPA and Haandbryggeriet's Pale Ale.

Best Norwegian bar
Schouskjelleren Mikrobryggeri (Oslo)

This was a winner this year as well. Schouskjelleren Mikrobryggeri brewpub is the best beer place in Norway with a combination of beers brewed on-site and a good selection of other draught beers. Runners-up in 2012 are Grünerløkka Brygghus in Oslo, Henrik and Naboen in Bergen and Den gode nabo in Trondheim.

Best beer blog
Shut Up About Barclay Perkins

It is the fourth time that I give Ronald Pattinson's blog the honour of being the best that I read. His blog is more or less an encyclopedia of beer knowledge. Other good reads are Pivní Filosof, Fuggled, The Beer Nut and Boak & Bailey. Evan Rail is back on track with his great Beer Culture blog, but unfortunately it is not updated that often. 

Best Norwegian beer blog
Det står en-og-førti øl

Also this year Anders Christensen's blog is a good read in Norwegian. Other favourites are Kjempetorskens ølblogg and Det gyldne øls kommandørskap.

Best beer experience in 2012
A lovely evening in Prague visiting the Strahov monastery during an international conference. We had great food and fabulous beers brewed on-site, and after several formal days the whole dinner experience made people social and we all had a great time until closing time. And then some of us had night caps at a herna bar - just to keep up the social fun.