30/12/2016 0 Comments Beer52In the midst of some post new year decorating, I was happily interrupted by the delivery of my latest Beer52 box; themed around beers of the future. So needless to say, the paintbrush was put down, and the box opened...this month's box contains beers by:
Ferment magazine features articles on the beers that shaped 2016, what's hot for 2017 and a feature on brewing in the Arctic Circle. As always, if you are interested in trying out Beer52, then you can sign up via my subscription link below...it will save you money 🍻
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27/12/2016 0 Comments Beer Review - Self Assembly PopeBrewdogNew from Brewdog, Self Assembly Pope is a 7.4% ABV coconut/vanilla infused porter. Described by Brewdog as a Myriad hedonistic aromas of cocoa powder, vanilla bean, coconut, and bitter chocolate, with hints of roasty black coffee and dark fruit, followed by a smooth, velvety mouthfeel and a rich, bittersweet finish. Combining vanilla, coconut & chocolate with a selection of malts and Galena hops is bount to procude interesting results, and something I was eager to try. Cracking the can and pouring into a glass, the beer is near jet black with a bubbly beige head. Sweet coffee and coconut aromas are instantly present and it's these two flavours that battle it out to be the strongest on taste. There's a backbone of sweetness from the chocolate and vanilla this gives an overall impression of a drinking liquid bounty! Everything in this beer comes together nicely to give an excellent porter.
Brewdog are continuing their trend of procucing some awesome artwork for their small batch beers here, with Self Assembly Pope being no exception - it looks seriously cool! You can purchase Self Assembly Pope through Brewdogs online shop: https://www.brewdog.com/item/1713/BrewDog/Self-Assembly-Pope-Cans.html Overall, a very tasty porter with strong, interesting flavours. 4 out of 5 hops from me 🍻 23/12/2016 0 Comments Beer Review - AppleationBeavertownNEW BEAVERTOWN ALERT... I get a little excited whenever the brewing heroes that are Beavertown release a new beer, and yet again Westhill Service Station have come through with the goods. Appleation is a 8.7% ABV Bramley Apple Saison, that is described by Beavertown as; A brew to finish a day in the fields! This sparkling wine / beer hybrid perfectly balances the familiar spicy characteristics of the saison yeast and apple tartness with rich honey notes. It sounds like the right kind of beer for this time of year then... Cracking open the (again) beautifully designed can you are met with citrusy, spiced apple aromas which are excellent and the beer pours light amber with a finger thick white head. On taste, you get a nice and refreshing citrus flavour with a spiced acidic apple backbone. There’s not much bitterness at all present in this beer, and the alcohol is well hidden by the sweet, fruity aftertaste. You could almost be convinced that this beer is in fact, a cider!
Overall, a good, but not outstanding beer and not one of Beavertown’s more impressive efforts. 3.5 out of 5 hops from me 🍻 www.beavertownbrewery.co.uk/ www.instagram.com/beavertownbeer/ www.facebook.com/beavertownbrewery/ 22/12/2016 0 Comments Beer Review - Ice Cream Pale AleOmnipollo x BuxtonOne four Ice Cream collaborations between Swedish giants Omnipollo & UK based Buxton Brewery; Original Ice Cream is a 4.6% ABV Pale Ale. Described as being a hop laden Pale Ale brewed with oats, wheat, lactose and 1000 fresh vanilla beans, this was one beer I was eager to try! I had previously tried the Lemon Meringue Ice Cream effort between these two on draft at CASC in Aberdeen, which was excellent - so this beer had a lot to live up to. Needless to say, I was not in the slightest bit worried... Well this beer was something special! Pouring from the bottle into a glass, you are greeted with a cloudy yellow beer and a big fluffy white head. There's a big creamy vanilla smell present and again on taste. Vanilla flavours rule the beer, with a sweetness coming from the "ice cream" also and a light hoppy, slightly bitter aftertaste. The flavour here was absolutely nailed, the beer actually tasted like ice cream. It was amazing!
Overall a sterling effort from these two breweries, and I am eager to try the rest of the collaborations:
4.75 out of 5 hops from me 🍻 Northern MonkA collaboration between Northern Monk & street muralists Nomad Clan & also brewed with Against the Grain brewery from Louisville, Kentucky; Peanut Butter & Jelly is a 7% ABV brown ale. Another purchase from Westhill Service Station; this is a brown ale that has been brewed with what Northern Monk describe as a gargantuan mass of peanut butter and balanced by fruity accents of strawberry and raspberry jellies. Cracking open the can & pouring into a glass, you are immediately hit with the smell of peanut butter - which is by no means a bad thing! Pouring a murky brown colour, the beer produces a large off white foamy head. On taste, it is exactly as you imagine - peanut butter & jelly! There is also hints of chocolate & caramel in there that you quite often find in brown ales. Northern Monk have really nailed the flavour they were trying to achieve here...this is some excellent work! Hailing from Leeds, Yorkshire - Northern Monk are a brewery that I have yet to try much from. However, the few beers that I have tried have all been extremely enjoyable, and I look forward to trying more. Peanut Butter & Jelly Brown Ale gets the thumbs up from me, do yourself a favour & give it a go if you see it 🍻
http://www.northernmonkbrewco.com/ |
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