NL/BEL excursion day 4: at their tasting room in Maastricht, a small one, keg. Aroma: rather sour, 70s era homebrew. Appearance: very handsome clear bronze, minimal off-white lacing. Palate: medium-bodied and slick, average carbonation; plenty of malt at the finish, with a nice bitter bite. Taste: medium-bitter, maltloaf, some almond; clean drinking, enjoyable.

NL/BEL excursion day 2: at their tasting room in Rotterdam, a small one, keg. Aroma: outstanding: complex, almost brandy-like, quite unlike your usual coffee or chocolate dominated fare. Appearance: opaque cola, 2-3mm. tan head. Palate: full-bodied and oily, average carbonation; finish is well-malted, long and lingering, ending on a dry note. Taste: lightly sweet with malty notes, quite well-balanced. 100% cocoa chocolate, big alcohol hit, really good stuff.

NL/BEL excursion day 2: at their tasting room in Rotterdam, a small one, keg. Aroma: hay, rather sour. Appearance: clear light amber, 2-3mm. off-white head. Palate: full-bodied and oily, average carbonation; finish is sweet and rather abrupt. Taste: heavily sweet, rock candy; alcohol is well-hidden but overall rather one-dimensional.

NL/BEL excursion day minus 1: The King’s Arms, Fitzrovia, London: a small one, hand pulled. Aroma: vaguely vinous. Appearance: unusual: looks a bit like ruby port in the shade, add amber when held to the light, no head. Palate: light-bodied and slick, completely flat; finish is long with pronounced bitterness, no real astringency. Taste: medium-bitter, biscuit, oak, a hit of butter. A bit of carbonation would make this far more interesting.

NL/BEL excursion day minus 1: The King’s Arms, Fitzrovia, London: a small one, hand pulled. Aroma: practically odourless. Appearance: clear, very inviting light sherry, no head to speak of. Palate: light-bodied and slick, soft carbonation; nice lingering dry bite at the finish. Taste: lightly bitter with sweet notes, well-balanced. Biscuit, some astringency, easy drinking.