29/5/2019 0 Comments Beer Review - DIPANorth Brewing x Other HalfHello! It's been a while since my last post, and I think it's been even longer since my last beer review. That doesn't mean I haven't been drinking them - I've just been lazy! Thankfully, I have chosen a rather special beer for my latest review - a collaboration between one of the UK's hottest breweries, North Brewing, and Brooklyn powerhouse, Other Half (a brewery I hope to visit later this year). This beer doesn't have an actual name as such, and it just referred to as "DIPA", which comes in at a whopping 8.3% ABV. Here's the official description from North Brewing: "We are in awe of this beer! Super chuffed, humbled and proud! This is what it’s about, people coming together to create something great. During the madness of Hop City Leeds, Antony from Other Half Brewing Company squeezed us in his busy schedule to weigh in on how we should brew this beer together. With plenty of Mosaic, El Dorado and Ekuanot in the early dry hop, this beer is a hefty Double IPA with heaps of tropical aroma and flavour, an absolute mouth full of smooooothness and a nice bit of 8.3% booze to carry it all and give you that giddy feeling." As soon as I read about this beer, I had to have it. With the level of talent involved, I couldn't imagine this beer being anything other than spectacular. I couldn't wait to get it open. DIPA pours from the can hazy, murky, golden yellow colour, leaving behind a fingers width of a foamy white head behind. Aromas are huge amount of tropical fruits - pineapple, mango, orange, along with a touch of lime combine with a nice hoppy backbone...wow, mouthwatering stuff! The first sip gives you loads more of those tropical fruits - thick gloopy pineapple, mango and orange are there are the forefront with a splash of pine at the end to give the right amount of bitterness, and reminding your brain that this is in fact a beer, and not straight out of a Tropicana carton! It is super fresh tasting, and the booze is well hidden too, making it extremely drinkable, for an 8.3% beer. This was an extremely enjoyable beer to drink. I loved every second of it. This, in my mind, is exactly what a perfect DIPA should be - thick, juicy, fruity and just enough hoppy bitterness in there to round everything off. Bravo. This was an utterly phenomenal beer, and without doubt one of the best I've had this year. North Brewing are a UK brewery at the top of their game, and Other Half come with a reputation that speaks for itself - I can't wait to visit their brewery and tap room later this year. Should you buy this beer? Absolutely, and I can't recommend it enough.
This DIPA collaboration gets 5 of of 5 from me 🍻
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3/5/2019 2 Comments North Hop X Haddo HouseFood & drink event specialists North Hop are returning to Aberdeenshire this weekend, for a very special collaboration event at Haddo House. Taking place over the course of this Saturday & Sunday (4th & 5th May), North Hop have teamed up with the National Trust for Scotland to bring together a special market of some of the best food & drink Aberdeenshire has to offer, all set against the stunning backdrop of the historic Haddo House. North Hop have teamed up with a number of fantastic food and drink vendors, along with market traders, and plenty of family/children's activities, ensuring that there is something for everyone. A fantastic selection of local food vendors have been assembled including Muchacho, who will be bringing their signature tacos, Yum Tum on the Run who will offer a selection of Middle Eastern dishes, Cheese 'n' Tomatin will be serving up wood fired pizzas and Edelwurst will be showcasing bratwursts & fries. Along with their signature North Hop Bar, which will be serving up local spirits, cocktails, fizz & cider, local brewing legends, and firm favourite of mine, Brew Toon, will be bringing along a selection of their excellent craft beers. For those who are driving, or just fancy a cuppa, local loose leaf tea specialists Unravel Tea will also be there (on Sunday). A number of local market traders will be showcasing their products including Hungry Squirrel, The Bread Guy, Louise's Farm Kitchen, Picky Pencil, KimberlyART & more. Special kids activities have been arranged for the weekend, including a Haddo House scavenger hunt, and local charity Me Too! will be onsite with some old-fashioned fun fair games, and a dedicated Sensory Space for those attending with additional support needs. North Hop events organiser Michelle Russell said: “We have been blown away by the response for this event, and it shows a demand for something a bit different in Aberdeenshire. We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone May Day Bank Holiday Weekend! And if this weekend is a success we have the potential to use more National Trust for Scotland venues to do further pop-up events throughout the year…”
Haddo House events Manager Fiona Milne added: “This is an exciting new partnership for us and will make for a great day out for folk from Aberdeenshire and beyond!” It sure promises to be a great weekend, so be sure to get your tickets, and get along and check out some amazing local produce, along with a stunning, historic, local attraction. Advance tickets for North Hop x Haddo House : Food & Drink Market are on sale now for £4 + BF (£5 on the door), kids under 12 go free. Visit www.northhop.co.uk/events Follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @NorthHop #haddohousemarket |
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