What beer are we drinking this week? Episode 3

BeerNut · 25-09-2025 10:17AM

That it's the same supermarket is about the only thing that wasn't a factor in the rejection.

The machine could be malfunctioning
The barcode could have been printed badly
DOT could have misregistered the barcode
Re-Turn could have misregistered the barcode

I've had all these happen, and they're all resolvable by checking the error messages on the machine, using the barcode checker, and filling in online forms, but jaysis it's a lot of work for 15c. I wouldn't say the system is moronic, but it depends on a lot of things working consistently in a way that things too often don't.

L1011 · 25-09-2025 11:05AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123849063#Comment_123849063

Aldi Ireland is a subsidiary of the UK, the opposite of how Lidl do it. They try to enforce UK rules and regulations here unless corrected about it too.

As goes rejections, I've found an omission in registering a special by an Irish brewer before; emailed them directly rather than reporting to re-turn as I imagine it's better for them to not get hauled up on non-compliance. Was sorted the next time I went to a RVM.

Pen Rua · 25-09-2025 01:49PM

There is a Re-turn logo on those Aldi stout cans, and I successfully returned same.

I had the same issue with the DOT Pilsner. It's the first time I just gave up, and left it in the general recycling beside the machines. I wasn't going to carry around one single empty can for the sake of 15c. The Blarney Brewing Co cans all had the same issue. I emailed them, they came back within a day to say they would look at it and I could return them the week following.

Geuze · 25-09-2025 02:33PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123848444#Comment_123848444

I wonder will the new brewery in Kildare have a smallpack packaging plant?

L1011 · 25-09-2025 02:34PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123849970#Comment_123849970

It's not on the initial plans, but there are expansion plans beyond that.

Insect Overlord · 27-09-2025 08:01PM

Hofbräu Oktoberfestbier tonight. Thought it surprisingly expensive compared to the other German beers in the shop but it's lovely. Packs a punch at about 6.3%. Probably the first time I've had one of their beers since visiting the Hofbräuhaus over a decade ago!

EthelMercaptan · 28-09-2025 12:00AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123856702#Comment_123856702

Best of the big 6 this year I think and usually the easiest to find. Martin's off licence currently have an Oktoberfest 10% sale bringing the price down to €3.87 which is on a par with the UK price from Beers of Europe (£3.49). Definitely worth it 😎.

Lewis_Benson · 28-09-2025 09:33PM

Mahou, and lots of it.

EthelMercaptan · 17-10-2025 08:48PM

Two Vienas brews: Wheat Hefeweizen and Red Dune. Both excellent quality, former reminiscent of Franziskaner and the latter dark, caramelly and rich like a good quality German Dunkel.

Black Sheep · 27-10-2025 11:49AM

I was inclined to agree with recent comments about Aldi's beer selection having tanked a bit of late, but then I went in yesterday and they had quite a full selection.

Not limited to the following, but they were what I picked up-

A number of Brewdog cans, at 1.99 and 2.99… Jet Black Heart, Punk IPA, Wingman and Malt Fiction (a red ale that I hadn't seen before).

Then Dot Brew Side Step IPA, a pilsner and something else from them whose name escapes me.

As far as Jet Black Heart goes, I almost wonder have they changed the recipe. I remember this being quite a decent nitro stout a few years ago, but now it tastes incredibly bland to me. Something like O'Hara's or Dundalk Nitro beats the pants off it.

irish_goat · 27-10-2025 02:51PM

Jet Black Heart was a 4.7% milk stout, it was discontinued and Black Heart was brought out to replace it. Agree it's pretty bland, but it's the Guinness market they are aiming it at.

Heroditas · 27-10-2025 04:12PM

I tried the Brewdiog Wingman beer and would like to comment on it but I can't. Literally zero taste from it. Quite amazing how bland it was. Had about 1/3 of the can and poured the rest down the sink. Still have a second can but will probably use it for cooking 🤷

Black Sheep · 27-10-2025 09:56PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123941825#Comment_123941825

Ah that's what it is! Thanks. Yeah I remember the milk stout element now I think.

Hotblack Desiato · 27-10-2025 11:21PM

There's a batch of these in a "very well known off-licence chain" with very small and smudgy barcodes in green ink on them. They don't scan at the till and won't scan in any Re-Turn machines either (and it's 25c per can as they're over 500mL).

Strictly speaking should not be sold here at all - there is no metric measurement on the can (ironically 19.2 US fl oz = 1 imperial pint = 568 mL) and there is no EU importer listed.

But I'm not going to complain much as I like 'em 😉 switching for now to the even worse 9.5% Big Little Thing IPA which has a legible barcode!

All of the above have little Re-Turn stickers applied manually

DARK-KNIGHT · 28-10-2025 01:00AM

What beers or ciders would you recvommend in aldi or lidl lads? i seen someone saying the budvar available in tesco is very good, anyone tried it?

BeerNut · 28-10-2025 09:13AM

Budvar is a classic. Aldi sporadically has Budvar Dark, which is also excellent. In Aldi, I thought the new DOT Spin Off Pilsner was great, and I liked BrewDog's Malt Fiction: you don't get many American-style amber ales any more, and it's an excellent example. From the regular beers, Rossini and Rheinbacher are both grand for the money, and better than the big brands.

Lidl isn't as good for choice. The Crafty Brewing IPA is good, as long as the best before date is nine or more months away. There also used to be an excellent American-style brown ale in the Crafty range, but it's now moved to Dunnes where it's sold as Grafters Nightshift.

redshift-rider · 28-10-2025 06:01PM

In Aldi I regularly buy the Rheinbacher Weissbier, Strana (Pearse Lyons), Brown Bear IPA and DIPA (also Pearse Lyons). They're staples that are in stock all the time. They've other good stuff like the Dot Brew and Lough Gill but they tend to come and go, at least in my local branch anyhow.

Someone recommended Grande (Madri copy) but I haven't tried it yet

Aldi used to have Steinhauser which was class but I hvaen't seen it in years.

silliussoddius · 29-10-2025 05:20AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123942738#Comment_123942738

What did you think of them? I find the Torpedo can be a bit “sharp”, similar to the original one. I preferred the other version of Big Little Thing, had a good mixture of sweet with the Mosaic bitterness, it’s the closest I can find to Lagunitas Hop Stoopid which was discontinued years ago.
Those large tins with large ABV are very popular in the US, but a lot of them veer into tramp juice territory

Hotblack Desiato · 29-10-2025 02:18PM

I like both of them, prefer the Torpedo as it is less sweet but they're going to have to resolve the barcode issue before I buy that again

andekwarhola · 31-10-2025 05:12PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123943065#Comment_123943065

This.

LIDL seem to have dialed down the specials in recent times which is a shame. The periodic 6 pack of Belgian beers used to be great.

andekwarhola · 31-10-2025 05:22PM

The Dot Brew and Two Stacks pack (imperial stout and whiskey chaser) is also nice and seems to still be in stock in the few Aldi near me (in the Whiskey section).

Bit overpriced (12 or 13 quid IIRC) but thought it was nice.

VW 1 · 31-10-2025 11:23PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123951802#Comment_123951802

I was on holiday in Italy over the summer and they had it in stock for 10.99. pity they don't have it here any more, at 15 euro it was tremendous value.

cunnifferous · 01-11-2025 09:55PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123943065#Comment_123943065

Cheers Beernut, I frequently check your blog if I'm in the off-licence and I see a beer that I've never tried before. You drink the bad ones so that we don't have to :)

flended12 · 01-11-2025 10:08PM

Very nice indeed.

Insect Overlord · 01-11-2025 11:24PM

Of Foam and Fury, 12th anniversary edition. Superb.

andekwarhola · 06-11-2025 08:54PM

We should write to LIDL and ask for the Belgian specials back. :)

Just remembering they also did large, cheap 750ml bottles periodically. I used to like the Abbey beer one.

Black Sheep · 07-11-2025 07:13AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123955532#Comment_123955532

One positive of the current scene is more nitro stouts, I feel. I guess the technology and process is sorted out compared to years ago.

Insect Overlord · 07-11-2025 04:07PM

Up in Dublin this weekend for a celebration of poetry, but had to celebrate the Underdog as well while I had the chance! Started with a pint of the Bitburger winterbock, and then a glass of Krush Proof by Third Barrel/Lineman/Rock City. Both too strong for this time of the afternoon, but it had to be done.

Citizen Six · 13-11-2025 11:52AM

When is the last day for Underdog? Must try and get in.

hynesie08 · 13-11-2025 11:57AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123984783#Comment_123984783

It was Sunday.

What beer are we drinking this week? Episode 3

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