Mikkeller Black Hole BA White Wine

Good afternoon all. Last night I promised a review of something special to commemorate the exam conquering, and I always try and deliver when it comes to beer! So without further do, a review of Black Hole Barrel Aged White Wine from the gypsy brewing supremo Mikkeller. Review after the pic....

Black Hole BA White Wine (13.1% ABV) pours a dark red colour (appears black in the glass) with a thick chestnut brown head that retains itself well throughout drinking. The aroma is incredibly vinous and boozy, with almost no sense of any roasted malt or other typical imperial stout aromas. The taste is amazing- very vinous, dark fruits, licorice, chocolate, coffee and some candy sugar sweetness. The finish is dry with a tart piquancy and some nuttiness. The mouthfeel is thick and generously carbonated, and the beer itself is very creamy and drinkable despite the high ABV percentage. This beer renews a thought I always have when I try BA beers- you can't go wrong ageing a beer in a wine barrel. I'm sure there are dire examples that I've yet to try but so far, particularly with Mikkeller's offerings, I've always been thoroughly impressed. This builds upon Black Hole marvelously, and I wouldn't hesitate in buying it again if I had the opportunity. Highly recommended!

Until next time....

Odell Brewing Co. Cutthroat Porter

Good evening all. The exams are finally over, so I've been whittling away the last few hours drinking a few interesting beers, including a couple of firm favourites like 77 Lager and Stone IPA. As per usual I've saved the best for last, which I shall reveal in the next blog post, but for the moment it's the turn of a beer that's completely new to me- Cutthroat Porter from Odell Brewing Co. I've had a few of their beers before but haven't had one in this particular style, so I'm looking forward to it already! Review after the pic....

Cutthroat Porter (5.0% ABV) pours a dark black colour with a light beige head that quickly dissolves to a patchy covering on the surface of the beer. The aroma is very subtle, with roasted malt, coffee and a hint of tobacco. The taste is much of the same, with roasted malt, coffee and a dark fruit flavour (predominantly blackcurrant). The mouthfeel is quite light and moderately carbonated. Unfortunately there's not a lot to talk about with this beer, but that doesn't make it bad at all. It's a lesson in subtlety and restraint which pays off very nicely, and considering the relatively low ABV percentage, there is still a lot of the porter/stout character you'd expect from a slightly stronger beer. The subtlety of this beer seems to be reflected in the other Odell beers I've tried before. I remember their IPA being quite flat and disappointing and Myrcenary, despite being an interesting idea in the context of brewing, wasn't particularly exciting either. I do hope to try more Odell beers, particularly their "Friek" lambic, but so far I keep getting the impression that this is a brewery with a lot of talent but a bit too much reserve. 

Until next time....

Oakleaf Brewery Blake's Heaven

Good evening all. After two weeks of fretting, self doubt and near-constant revision (no comment on the validity of that last part), the exam season finally ends tomorrow. As promised, I'll be reviewing something from the depths of my cellar to celebrate, so keep your eyes peeled for that. On to tonight though, and a beer from Hampshire's Oakleaf Brewery called Blake's Heaven. It's described as a winter ale, which hopefully I haven't opted to drink too soon as apparently Guildford is due some snow and I'll be needing all the warmth I can get. Review after the pic....

Blake's Heaven (7.0% ABV) pours a maroon colour with a small beige head that very quickly dissolves to a halo around the inside of the glass. Despite the bottle conditioning, it was very hard to rouse any substantial head from this beer! The aroma consists of dark chocolate, coffee and a caramelised sweetness, but these are all rather subdued for a winter-themed beer. The taste is composed of dark fruits, chocolate, coffee and vanilla, with a hint of spice in the finish and no discernible bitterness. There is a noticeable boozy presence, but as well as warming me up it made me think this beer was still quite immature and would possibly work better with a bit of age behind it. The mouthfeel is light with low levels of carbonation. Overall, this is an average beer with interesting yet subdued flavours and a mouthfeel that doesn't compliment the season it's intended for. When I think of winter beers I think of thick, full-bodied drinks to warm up the spirit, and in my opinion this beer doesn't fulfill that criteria. I did enjoy it, but I wouldn't get it again in a hurry.

Until next time....

The Inveralmond Brewery Ossian

Good evening all. Apologies for the decreased activity recently, which can be put down to exams and illness marring any recent attempts at beer pontificating.  Whilst both of these are still going on at the time of writing, I've opted to continue on regardless. Apparently tonight is Burns Night, and in a rare moment of serendipity I've managed to choose an appropriate beer for the occasion: Ossian, a golden ale with First Gold, Perle and Cascade hops, from The Inveralmond Brewery. Review after the pic....

Ossian (4.1% ABV) pours a golden colour with a thick white head that retains itself well on the surface of the beer, giving rise to some attractive lacing during the first half. The aroma consists of bittering/noble-type hops, biscuit malt and a degree of fruitiness, with some floral character and a zesty feel in the background- reminiscent of a subdued pilsner, which is not a bad thing at all really! The taste brings up more noble hop flavours- creating a crisp, thirst quenching experience- with the malt in the background playing a supportive role. Some honey comes through every so often, and the finish is fruity with a slight caramelised bitterness (no hop bitterness though). The mouthfeel is quite light and moderately carbonated, making the beer very drinkable. This is a solid golden ale with a distinctive lager quality to it which, combined with the low ABV percentage, makes it very sessionable. The flavours are sufficient enough but not overly cloying on the palette and, whilst this is certainly nothing extraordinary, it's still a very good beer. Definitely recommended. 

Until next time....

Magic Rock Brewing Magic 8 Ball

Good... morning all. Last night was rather eventful for once, with a quick trip to The Rake followed by spoken word from Henry Rollins, so I didn't get much time to properly review the beer I had prior to leaving. I received an order from Magic Rock Brewing which contained, among other things, a few bottles of Magic 8 Ball, their new black IPA. Black IPAs are a very unusual hybrid that seem to be picking up more and more followers, with increasing numbers of breweries opting to produce them. I've had Conqueror 1075 from Windsor & Eton before, and I have a bottle of The Kernel's IPA Black III in the cellar, so I think you could say I've joined the bandwagon! Today is the turn of Magic Rock's offering though, so let's get to the review! If you've read half of my reviews you'll know I'm a big fan of Magic Rock, so I'm expecting great things....

Magic 8 Ball (7.0% ABV) pours a deep black colour with a thick beige head that retains itself well on the surface of the glass. The picture doesn't do it justice, it's truly a marvelous thing to behold! Some sporadic lacing is evident on the glass during the first half of the beer. The aroma is a myriad of grapefruit, citrus hops, some underlying sweetness and a decent quantity of coffee. These might not sound pleasant together, but it somehow works and I'm already left with the impression that this beer is going to be very interesting. The taste is composed of citrus/fruity hops, coffee (plenty of it as well!) and roasted malt with a slightly bitter finish (hop bitterness as opposed to tart/piquant from the malt). The hops seems to become more resinous as the beer is consumed, but this might just be the rich flavours merging together. There is a caramel-like sweetness in the background that compliments the other flavours, creating a more rounded experience. The mouthfeel is thick and quite carbonated, which really works with the flavours, and the beer is very drinkable despite the elevated ABV percentage. This is another fantastic beer from Magic Rock that combines dark, roasted malt flavours with fruity hop bitterness to create a standout black IPA. The noticeable sweetness prevents the flavours from cloying on the palette, and creates a wonderful contrast to the hops and the hefty injection of coffee. Couldn't recommend this enough!

Until next time....

Dark Star Imperial Stout

Good evening all. I'm back for another review, and as it's later in the evening, I've opted for something dark and contemplative in the form of Imperial Stout from Dark Star. This is the first bottled offering I've had from Dark Star, but I've sampled their cask wares at various times before and found them all to be good- with the exception of Espresso which was fantastic- so I'm expecting this to stand out! Review after the pic....

Imperial Stout (10.5% ABV) pours a deep black colour with a slow-forming beige head that quickly dissolves to a thick halo around the inside of the glass. The aroma consists of dark fruits (blackcurrant, raspberry) and a noticeable hop character that's reminiscent of barleywines, with some roasted malt in the background and a sweetness that manifests itself as toffee and candy sugar. The taste is mainly sweet- the candy sugar flavours predominate here- with light fruity hops and some chocolate and coffee flavours from the roasted malt in the aftertaste. The finish is dry, but does invite more sips after the flavours have diminished. The mouthfeel is quite thin for this beer style, with low carbonation. The flavours can sometimes feel slightly sticky/cloying on the palette, but this isn't too much of a concern as they are full-bodied. This is certainly an interesting imperial stout- the typical roasted malt flavours have been masked by the hoppy fruitiness and noticeable sweetness, so if you blind tasted this you'd be forgiven for thinking it was a barleywine! The components are all well-balanced though, and the flavours are big enough to warrant the "imperial" title. Definitely recommended, particularly for anyone seeking a unique stout experience or wishing to transition from hoppy beers into stouts.

Until next time....

Chouffe Houblon Dobbelen IPA Tripel

Good evening all. After an exam that could've gone much better, I'm in the mood for something interesting and, most importantly, flavoursome. I had two fairly average beers last night- including one that I just couldn't see the point in blogging about- so for tonight's beer I turned to the rapidly diminishing collection of bottles I purchased from the Utobeer stand last weekend and pulled out Chouffe Houblon Dobbelen IPA Tripel from Brasserie d'Achouffe. The gnome on the bottle inspecting his beard behind a hefty hop harvest promises... something, although I'm not exactly sure what that could be! As always, review after the pic....

Chouffe Houblon Dobbelen IPA Tripel (9.0% ABV) pours a golden colour with a thick white head that retains itself well on the surface of the beer. There's even a bit of lacing on the side of the glass, which seems to be becoming a regular occurrence now- gotta love that Belgian yeast! The aroma is very spicy and phenolic, with a subtle citrus hop presence in the background and an awareness of the malt behind all of that. I was expecting a more imposing hop character with this beer, but it seems the yeast takes precedence. Not that I'm complaining though, it's still a wonderful aroma! The taste is almost a 50/50 mix between spicy phenols and fruity hops, with a tangy but not overly bitter finish. The hop flavours reveal themselves more and more during the beer, with grapefruit and a grape-like aftertaste in the finish. The mouthfeel is thick, which supports the flavours very well, and the beer is relatively carbonated but not too lively. I certainly didn't have a foam volcano situation upon opening the bottle! Overall, this is a wonderful beer that combines the spice of Belgian yeast with the fruity bitterness of hops to create a well-balanced yet dynamic drinking experience. Highly recommended for Belgian fans and hop-heads looking for a break from the norm. 

Until next time....

Isle of Purbeck Brewery Harry's Harvest Pale Ale

Good evening all. I've decided to break my recent trend of Magic Rock beers with one of the beers I received for Christmas- Harry's Harvest Pale Ale from Isle of Purbeck Brewery. Today has mainly consisted of sporadic bursts of revision in preparation for the exam tomorrow, with the reward being a trip to the Southbank Centre on Friday to watch Henry Rollins- definitely looking forward to that! Anyway, let's move away from punk icons and back to the beer, which will be reviewed after the pic....

Harry's Harvest Pale Ale (5.0% ABV) is a bottle conditioned pale ale that pours an amber colour with a white head that dissolves to a patchy covering on the surface of the beer. Holding the glass up to the light, I can see specks of sediment at the bottom, despite my careful pouring. The aroma is mainly biscuit malt with a faint noble hop smell, but the whole package is reminiscent of something quite unusual- horseradish. The first time I smelt the beer, I picked up something strange yet familiar, and I was finally able to zone in on horseradish (possibly even with beef and yorkshire puddings, my sense of smell isn't that accomplished). Certainly not something I was expecting, but let's press on. The taste brings up the same spicy horseradish quality, with malt and bittering/noble hops present in the background. The finish isn't bitter at all, and the flavours don't linger around for long on the palate. The mouthfeel is slightly thick, with moderate carbonation. This is a fairly average beer, with the only interesting component being the unusual spiciness that does seem out of place in this context. Not enough hops to call it a pale ale, and the malt is only just detectable behind the spice. Not recommended.

Until next time....

Magic Rock Brewing High Wire

Good evening all. I seem to be on a Magic Rock kick at the moment, judging by last night's and tonight's choices. Since revision has been going well, I was looking for something with a fairly low ABV percentage but plenty of flavour, and it seems that High Wire is the perfect candidate. Review after the pic....

High Wire (5.5% ABV) pours a light amber colour with a thick white head that dissolves to a patchy covering on the surface of the beer. There's even a bit of lacing on the side of the glass, which is always a nice thing to see! The aroma is a dichotomy between fruity citrus hops and biscuit malt. The first time you smell the beer, the hops come through quite powerfully, but after that the malt seems to gradually mix in until it's almost masking their contribution. The taste is composed of citrus fruits and plenty of malt, with a relatively bitter, dry finish and an almost grape-like aftertaste. The mouthfeel is quite light with moderate carbonation. Whilst not being an incredible beer, this is still a solid offering from Magic Rock that emulates the pale ales of the US West Coast very well, with an extra malt kick added to root it firmly in this country. I'd happily make this an everyday beer, as it has an attractively low ABV percentage and packs plenty of hoppy flavours. Definitely recommended!

Until next time....

Magic Rock Brewing Bearded Lady

Good evening all. I'm trying to get used to the new blogger interface so excuse any deviations from the original format! As of tonight one exam has been completed, so I'm another step closer to experiencing that wonderful post-exam freedom and enjoying something rare/unusual from the cellar (believe me, there are quite a few choices as well!). Tonight though, I feel I deserve something interesting, and it just so happens I received an order from MyBreweryTap earlier today containing three bottles of Magic Rock's newest imperial stout, Bearded Lady. This was released at the Cask Pub and Kitchen late last year along with Rock Star, and due to a prior engagement I was only able to try the beer with the lower ABV percentage. Therefore, I consider tonight to be making up for missed opportunities! Review after the pic....

Bearded Lady (10.5% ABV) pours a rich black colour with a thick beige head that settles down to a patchy covering over the surface of the beer. The aroma is surprisingly light considering the high ABV percentage, with roasted malt, milky coffee and some bitter chocolate. Despite the subtlety, it's still very complex, making it quite hard to discern the individual aromas. This aspect of the beer might be quite subdued, but the taste certainly isn't! Tasting the beer yields a fusion of interesting flavours, including roasted malt, dark fruits, coffee and a rather bitter dark chocolate aftertaste. The finish is dry with some vinous berry hints, and there is a warming boozy presence that remains on the palate long after drinking. The mouthfeel is quite thick with moderate carbonation. This is certainly not your run-of-the-mill imperial stout! All the flavours and aromas are firmly towards the "dark" end of the spectrum, and the composition is very complex and thought-provoking. You can certainly sit down and enjoy this beer as a fantastic stout, but if you go beyond that you'll definitely be taking multiple sips to try and identify just why this beer is so extraordinary. I still don't think I have, so I'll leave the secrets and sorcery to the wizards at Magic Rock and recline with one of the most interesting beers I've had in a while.

Until next time....

St. Bernardus Tripel

Good evening all. My exam season starts tomorrow (with a well-placed Polymer Chemistry exam at 18:30!) so I'm naturally slightly nervous. To hopefully quell the anxiety, I've opted for a robust Belgian Tripel from St. Bernardus, purchased yesterday at the Utobeer stand in Borough Market. As my mind is still in revision mode, I can't think of anything else to add, so it's time to get on to the review....

St. Bernardus Tripel (8.0% ABV) pours a light amber colour with a decent white head that dissolves to a white halo around the inside of the glass and some patchy covering on the surface of the beer. The aroma is very phenolic, with a respectable amount of candy sugar supporting the spiciness. No significant alcohol presence and no discernible malt characteristics. The taste is just as phenolic and sweet, with a light bitterness during drinking that dissipates before the finish, which is spicy, smooth and slightly dry. The aftertaste is reminiscent of citrus fruits, but this is rather subtle so I can't be too certain. The mouthfeel is slightly thick and relatively carbonated. This is a wonderful example of a Belgian beer that exemplifies everything great about the region and the style- one wonders how a fairly large ABV percentage and such complex flavours can be married together so perfectly to produce a thoroughly drinkable, balanced beer experience. Highly recommended!

Until next time....

Lovibonds Brewery 69 IPA

Good evening all. Judging by the bottles currently resting in my cellar, today's trip to Utobeer was very successful! I picked up 3 Belgian beers (Trappist Achel Bruin, Houblon Chouffe Doubelen IPA Tripel and St. Bernardus Tripel) and 3 beers from English breweries, so I feel I've made a small step in my pledge to drink more Belgian beer this year- after all, it's still only January! Tonight's beer is one I've seen on keg in various places before (particularly Tap East) and it's always interested me, so when I saw it on the shelf I knew I had to try it. It's 69 IPA from Lovibonds Brewery, and the review is after the pic....

69 IPA (6.9% ABV) pours an amber colour with a decent white head that dissolves to a thick halo around the inside of the glass. The aroma is full of citrus hops with a lot of malt character also present, something that surprised me quite a bit as I'm so used to IPAs having negligible perceived malt content. The taste is equally as surprising, with the citrus fruits initially present being quickly obscured by biscuit malt flavours, and the usual bitter finish occurring during drinking to leave a smooth, creamy aftertaste. The mouthfeel is quite thick with moderate carbonation. I can only describe this as a very English take on an American IPA- the hop aromas and flavours are there, but the fact that there is an identifiable malt presence and not just heaps of bitterness in the finish makes this a very interesting experience. Despite the alcohol content and the hops used, everything is well balanced and subtle as opposed to being over-indulgent- this would be a good beer to break up a hoppy IPA session, or when you're looking for something more from your IPA besides resinous/citrus hops. Highly recommended and quintessentially English, despite what it says on the bottle!

Addendum- after a bit of time out, the hop character has switched from citrus to resinous. Still getting a lot of malt with each sip, but the hops are definitely piney as opposed to fruity.

Until next time

Itchen Valley Brewery Russian Winter

Good evening all. It's time for another beer this evening, as I'm trying to clear some space in my cellar for some beers I'll be bringing back from Utobeer Ltd tomorrow. One of my resolutions for 2012 is to drink more Belgian beer, as I don't like the fact that I can only just count the number of true Belgians I've had in the past on both hands, so hopefully I'll be able to pick up some interesting ones tomorrow. Back to tonight though, and a beer from Hampshire that I received from my sister for Christmas (in addition to a number of other beers from Hampshire and the surrounding areas). This is Russian Winter from Itchen Valley Brewery. Review after the pic....

Russian Winter (5.3% ABV) is billed as an Imperial Russian Stout although, judging by the ABV percentage, I don't think it would get to the Tsars in a drinkable condition! Regardless, I'm looking forward to having something dark and complex after my steak dinner, so I'll let semantics fall by the wayside. The beer pours a rich black colour with a thick beige head that settles to a patchy covering over the surface of the beer. The aroma is predominantly roasted malt accompanied by a light coffee quality and a subtle sweetness in the background. Nice, but definitely doesn't knock you back! The taste is malty, with more coffee flavours coming through and a very slight bite in the finish. Very reminiscent of a latte or, in beer terms, a milk stout. The mouthfeel is light with low carbonation. If I was assessing the beer on the grounds of it being an Imperial Russian Stout, it wouldn't qualify at all as the flavours are far too subdued and the alcohol content is too low. As a stout though, it is very good. It's well-balanced, creamy and very drinkable- definitely a good after-dinner drink. Based on this offering, I'd definitely like to try more beers from Itchen Valley Brewery, even if they might be advertised as 4% double IPAs.

Until next time....

Magic Rock Brewing Human Cannonball

Good evening all. It's Friday, and whilst that would normally bring feelings of relaxation, the atmosphere is decidedly more tense as revision has not exactly been fructuous this week. Regardless, I'm still committed to the cause of reviewing good beer, and frankly I will take any opportunity to not have to stare blankly at a computer screen hoping for an epiphany. Tonight's beer is from a brewery that had a fantastic year in 2011, and will no doubt continue their meteoric rise during 2012 with their recent inclusion in BrewDog bars across the country. This is Human Cannonball from Magic Rock Brewing. Review after the pic....

Human Cannonball (9.2% ABV) is a double IPA billed as an amplified take on Cannonball, their flagship IPA. The beer pours a deep amber colour with a decent white head that dissolves to a patchy covering on the surface of the beer. The aroma is fantastic, with resinous hops, citrus fruits and an underlying sweetness. The alcohol is noticeable but not offensive, and the malt character is in the background and only just detectable. The taste is piney and incredibly fruity, with a dry bitter finish that reveals biscuit malt flavours once the initial hop blast has diminshed. The mouthfeel is quite thick and relatively carbonated, which supports the hop flavours brilliantly. I remember being quite disappointed with Cannonball when I first tried it, as I was expecting so much after reading the bottle description and felt it didn't completely deliver. This beer, in comparison, delivers everything it claims to and more! This is what a good imperial IPA should be like, and I'm very glad a UK brewery managed to pull it off. It is very similar to Hardcore IPA (BrewDog), but there's a sweetness to this beer that produces a better balanced experience in comparison to BrewDog's offering. A great beer from a great brewery- don't hesitate to try this and all of their offerings if you get the chance.

Until next time....

BrewDog Prototype- Hops Kill Nazis

Good evening all. Apologies for the recent lack of activity, which can be attributed to moving back up to Guildford and coming to terms with doing proper revision for the first time in 18 months. Tonight's beer is part of the recent BrewDog Prototype series, a collection of four beers created to allow the consumers of BrewDog to choose a new addition to the core range for 2012 . I've already cast my vote as I had the opportunity to try them all at BrewDog Camden (to anyone interested, I voted for this particular beer) but since I have two left in the cellar, I might as well dignify them with a proper review! Which is exactly what will happen after the pic....

Hops Kills Nazis (7.8% ABV, and abbreviated for the rest of the review as HKN) is an amplified take on a BrewDog favourite, the hoppy amber ale 5 A.M. Saint. BrewDog did a limited release of HKN towards the end of 2011 (prior to its inclusion in the Prototype collection), and I found it to be a great beer then, so I'm hoping it will be just as good now. The beer pours a deep amber colour with a bubbly beige head that quickly dissolves to a patchy foam on the surface of the beer. The aroma is typical of an amber ale, with resinous hops, citrus and a slight sweetness in the background. The taste is fruity and piney, with a pleasing bitterness in the finish that isn't overly offensive, and some malt character in the background to compliment the overall experience. The mouthfeel is light and slightly carbonated. This is a good amber ale with plenty of rich hop flavours behind a complimentary malt backbone. I seem to remember the previous incarnation being slightly sweeter in comparison to this beer, which I preferred as it added an extra dimension to the finish. As it stands, the aftertaste can be flat and uninspired. Regardless, I still think it's a good beer and definitely the most deserving of being included in the new BrewDog range. The others are all unique and innovative, but would work better as limited releases rather than first stops for people looking to get into BrewDog's beers.

Until next time....

To Øl First Frontier IPA

Good evening all. Today is my last day in Devon until April, so I've been watching films and creating revision sheets for when the real fear starts next week. I've decided I can let myself break away from this arduous routine for a moment or two to enjoy a beer, so that's exactly what I've done. First on the menu tonight is First Frontier from To Øl. I've had this beer before (coincidentally, on my "last day in Devon for a while" during the summer) and thoroughly enjoyed it, so I feel it deserves a proper assessment. Review after the pic....

First Frontier (7.1% ABV) is an IPA brewed with an all-American selection of hops, which already makes me interested. Although I'm not quite the hophead I used to be, the IPA style is still one I'm a big fan of. The beer pours a rich golden colour with a decent white head that retains well on the surface of the beer. There's also a very small amount of lacing present. The aroma is incredible- citrus and grapefruit behind a malty backbone. Very hoppy, just the way I like it. The taste is also composed of characteristically hop-based fruits, with a noticeable bitterness in the finish that warrants time between sips so as not to overload the palate. The mouthfeel is thick and well carbonated. This is a very good IPA, with plenty of fresh, fruity hops erupting from the glass in the flavour and aroma, and a bitter finish that will satiate the most ardent hop fanatics. It's nice to have IPAs aged in wine barrels or IPAs brewed with coffee, but then it's also great to come back to basics, and this beer is perfect for those moments. Food-wise, this would work well with hamburgers to cut through the rich flavours.

Until next time....

De Struise Black Damnation II- Mocha Bomb

Good afternoon all. I had this beer last night but couldn't muster the effort to write a full review, so I'm going by some tasting notes scrawled on the back of a Polymer Chemistry past paper. As it's revision season, I'm still taken aback by how many tasting notes seem to be present in my lecture notes, and how I remember the beers more than the content of the lectures. Makes sense really when you think about it! After the pic, a review of De Struise's Black Damnation II- Mocha Bomb....

Black Damnation II- Mocha Bomb (12.0% ABV) pours a deep black with a lively beige head that retains itself well on the surface of the beer. The aroma is full of roasted malt and a significant amount of coffee, with a boozy background and a slight aroma of dark fruits. The taste is very malty, with bitter coffee present during tasting and in the finish. There's a boozy warmth and a piquant tartness that creates a dry yet pleasing finish. The mouthfeel is quite thick and creamy- which really compliments the bitterness from the coffee- and reasonably carbonated. This is a fantastic example of an imperial coffee stout that manages to preserve the malty qualities of the beer style whilst injecting a decent helping of coffee into the aroma and the taste. I've always been a fan of coffee stouts, and this one is brilliant. If it was easier to locate (and slightly cheaper of course) I'd make it a regular evening drink for the colder months. Perfect for after-dinner, I have a feeling it would go very well with tiramisu or similarly flavoured desserts.

Until next time....

Mikkeller Big Worse Barley Wine

Good evening all. I've just conquered an epic steak dinner along with a generous helping of my own roulade, so the perfect conclusion to the evening would be a full-bodied, boozy libation. It's with great relief then that I've chosen Big Worse Barley Wine from Mikkeller. Can't remember the last time I had a Barley Wine, so I'm looking forward to this one a lot. With Thelonious Monk blaring from the speakers, it's time for the review....

Big Worse (12.0% ABV) pours a nut-brown colour with a bubbly beige head that dissolves to a thick halo around the inside of the glass. The aroma is very sweet- certainly a lot of candy sugar in it- with a citrus hop character that blends well with the sweetness. There is also a dark fruits aroma, reminiscent of blackcurrants. Very impressed so far! The taste is just as sweet and fruity, with a slight bitterness in the finish accompanied by a burnt sugar flavour. The alcohol is noticeable but not offensive, and compliments the experience very well. The oily hop flavours manage to come through despite the sweetness, adding an extra fruity dimension to the taste. The mouthfeel is quite light with moderate carbonation. This is quite a complex beer but one that could please a variety of beer drinkers. The candy sugar and the hops are well-balanced and despite the ABV percentage, the beer is very drinkable. Ideal for a post-dessert drink. I am a fan, but I wouldn't rush out to get it again as it's not exactly a beer for all seasons.

Until next time....

De Struise Tsjeeses 2010

Good evening all. This will most likely be my final post for the evening, so expect fewer literary devices and a more succinct reviewing experience. It's that point of the evening when the only beer on my mind is a Belgian Strong Pale Ale (I'm sure you can appreciate that as well), so Tsjeeses 2010 from De Struise seems like the perfect choice. Review after the pic....

Tsjeeses 2010 (10.0 % ABV) has a name that constantly requires me to look at the bottle to verify the spelling, and pours an amber colour with a relatively thick white head that dissolves to a patchy foam on the surface of the beer. The aroma is very phenolic with some spiciness and an underlying sweetness. The taste is just as spicy and phenolic, with a thick sweetness reminiscent of caramel or toffee (can't really put my finger on it) and a fruity character in the background. The sweetness does provide a slight bite to the finish, but this is very momentary. The mouthfeel is quite light with moderate carbonation. This beer is a rich Belgian Strong Pale Ale that packs in a lot of spiciness and sweetness without being too overpowering. Although not my favourite beer style- I'm more of a fan of the lighter Belgian beers- it's definitely worth trying at least once.

Until next time....

The Kernel Coffee IPA

Good evening all. Back for another beer tonight, and one that will hopefully serve as a better transition from the stouts into other beer styles! I tried a couple of IPAs earlier in the week but couldn't break free, so hopefully a coffee IPA will do the job. It also helps that this beer is from The Kernel, a London based brewery that produces the freshest IPAs that I've ever had the pleasure to sample and a Breakfast Stout that is simply wonderful. I'm not aware of how successful coffee IPAs have been since Mikkeller introduced Koppi IPA at the start of last year, but they do seem like an interesting concept. With senses and anticipations heightened, it's time for a review....

Coffee IPA (6.5% ABV) pours a light gold colour with a foamy white head that retains itself well on the surface of the beer. Despite my best efforts, a bit of the sediment managed to find its way into the glass. It has helped to produce a great looking beer though, so I'm not too annoyed. The aroma of the beer is predominantly citrus hops with a roasted bitterness in the background. These two components have been balanced very well, making the aroma very enticing. Reminds me of a black IPA a lot. In typical Kernel fashion, the hops smell gorgeous- looking forward to tasting this beer a lot! The taste is composed of floral and citrus hops, with the coffee flavours lingering in the background. The finish is bitter- very much a hoppy bitterness though. The aftertaste brings out more of the coffee flavours, along with a persistent yet pleasant spiciness. The mouthfeel is reasonably thick and very carbonated, which works well with this beer style. A very interesting beer that manages to balance the bitterness and fruity qualities of hops with the bitterness and piquancy of coffee. If I had to pick a similar beer it would be De Molen's Bed & Breakfast, although the beer from The Kernel is a more subdued and finely-tuned experience. I enjoyed this beer a lot, and it has furthered my interest in trying Mikkeller's offering even more. Another winner from The Kernel!

Until next time....

Bristol Beer Factory Imperial Stout

Good evening all. I knew that I couldn't stay away for long. I tried to relinquish myself from the clutches of the stout and thought I'd succeeded, but I've been drawn back in for more. This beer is the final stout from the "12 Stouts of Christmas" series from Bristol Beer Factory, and it's a big one. Now that's one too many "Carry On" style euphemisms for my liking, so let's get straight to the review of Imperial Stout....

Imperial Stout (8.5% ABV) pours a deep black colour (so black, in fact, that you can see a certain critically acclaimed beer blogger in the reflection of the glass) with a decent chestnut brown head that remains fairly undisturbed on the surface of the beer. The aroma is very rich, with liquorice and coffee behind a dark malt backbone. The taste is composed of dark fruits (mainly blackcurrant) with plenty of roasted malt flavours and a slight bitterness in the finish, reminiscent of dark chocolate. There's also a slight nuttiness in the aftertaste. The mouthfeel is surprisingly light despite the carbonation. This stout is very deserving of its name- bold flavours, fantastic aroma and a pleasing warmth from the alcohol. My only personal criticism is that it lacks substance in the mouthfeel, which can sometimes make it come across as imbalanced when all of the flavours are percolating on the taste buds.

On the whole, the "12 Stouts of Christmas" have been fantastic beers, demonstrating just how versatile the stout beer style is and how easily it can accommodate unusual ingredients. The only comparable beer experience I've had was the series of single hop IPAs from the gypsy brewing supremo Mikkeller. I was able to acquire 14 of the 19 that were produced, and each one was an invaluable lesson in appreciating how certain hop types contribute to the flavour and aroma of an IPA. I genuinely hope that Bristol Beer Factory produces another set of beers next year!

Until next time....

Cantillon Kriek Lambic

Good evening all. I seem to be trying to depart from the stouts as much as possible after the epic blowout I had in the build up to Christmas (still have one left from the "12 Stouts of Christmas" series, which will be reviewed in the next couple of days), and what better way to reacquaint the tastebuds with anything other than chocolate and coffee than a lambic! Lambic beers, for anyone who cares, are beers that have been spontaneously fermented with wild yeast to produce an experience like no other beer. Predominantly sour and funky (some might even say rancid) and commonly infused with cherries or raspberries, every beer is slightly different. Tonight I'm drinking Kriek Lambic from the masters of spontaneous fermentation, Cantillon Brewery. Review after the customary pic....

Kriek Lambic (5.0% ABV) pours a cherry red with a similarly coloured head that quickly dissolves to almost nothing in the glass. The aroma is incredible, with an unusual funky sourness and a lovely cherry smell that reminds me of Halls Soothers. Most people would be put off by the aroma, but it only furthers my interest in this beer. The taste is overpowering at first, with a tart sourness that coats the inside of the mouth. This soon effervesces away to reveal a subtle cherry flavour that lingers in the finish. No sense of any malty flavours during drinking as they're masked by the intensity of the sourness and the fruit additions. The mouthfeel is very light and the beer itself is only slightly carbonated, allowing the sourness to prevail. This beer is not for everyone, as the idea of drinking something that is intentionally sour is definitely an acquired taste. For me, this is a great beer, not only because it's different, but because it tastes fantastic and is surprisingly well balanced. The sourness does hit strongly at first, but it becomes an integral part of the beer that you'll want to find in any fruit beer you drink afterwards. Anyone willing to go beyond the initial shock and confusion will be rewarded with a truly one of a kind experience. This beer is ideal for cleansing the palate between meals, or just for those moments when you want something inexplicably unique.

Until next time....

Cigar City Brewing Jai Alai India Pale Ale

Good evening all. After the wonderful IPA I had yesterday, I've decided to continue the trend with another hoppy beast, Jai Alai  from Cigar City Brewing. As I can't really think of anything to pad out tonight's introduction, let's get straight onto the beer....

Jai Alai (7.5% ABV) pours an amber colour with a fairly lively head that settles down to a patchy foam on the surface of the beer. The aroma is very resinous and sweet, with a slight citrus character in the background and a boozy aspect that supports the components well. The first time I stuck my nose into the glass was fantastic, as the oily hops hit me with a great intensity- marvellous stuff! The taste is fairly bitter, both during drinking and in the finish, with a rich piney flavour accompanied by a background sweetness. The mouthfeel is slightly thick with moderate carbonation. This is a big, full-bodied IPA that delivers rich flavours and a bitterness that would please any hophead. It reminds me of Hardcore IPA (BrewDog) a lot, so any fans of that beer or resinous IPAs in general would no doubt love this. I do like this beer, but I wouldn't deliberately seek it out or make it part of my regular rotation.

Until next time....

Evil Twin Brewing Disco Beer

Good evening all. After a lazy day of revision, I need something interesting. I need something with hops- lots and lots of hops, mind you- and something else. Something to add an extra dimension. How about an IPA aged in Chardonnay wine barrels? Now we're talking! And it just so happens that I've got the perfect beer: Disco Beer from Evil Twin Brewing. What a happy coincidence. After all that fuss (most of it fabricated), let's see what it's all about....

Disco Beer (10.5% ABV) pours a rich amber colour with a lively head that settles down to a decent covering of white foam over the surface of the beer. The bottle-conditioning has clearly worked well, and I'm already really looking forward to this one. The aroma is wonderful, with citrus hops bursting from the glass and a vinous quality in the background. Simply put, it smells like the greatest dessert wine ever made. The taste is composed primarily of grapefruit, with the white wine present in the background providing a balance to the bitterness from the hops. A bit of sweetness in the finish accompanies the bitterness, with the wine imparting a dryness that invites further sips. No sense of the malt in the taste, as there is so much going on with the hops and the barrel-ageing. This isn't a bad thing though, as the flavours are so magnificent. The mouthfeel is quite thick and very carbonated, but this elevates the hops superbly. Overall, a fantastic beer that is truly bitter-sweet, exceptionally fruity and dry enough to make you want to relive the experience over and over again. I absolutely love this beer- it's the sort of beer you want to shout about and makes you realise just how good a beverage can be when left in the hands of master brewers. I haven't had many wine-barrel aged beers but they've all been fantastic, and this is one I'm proud to put on the list. Couldn't recommend it enough.

Until next time....

BrewDog AB:07

Good evening all, back for another post tonight. Although I was trying to talk myself out of it (still haven't quite recovered from last night yet) I've opted for another beer this evening, and it's a special one. AB:07 (BrewDog) is a whisky cask-aged imperial scotch ale, and was released in September 2011 as part of the Abstrakt series, an ongoing collection of one-off, limited release beers that are intended to showcase bolder, fuller-bodied beers. As a fan of scotch ales, and with the slight disappointment of the recently released Prototype Scotch Ale still ringing in my mind, this was a beer I was definitely looking forward to. Let's get to the review....

AB:07 (12.5% ABV) pours a deep black colour with no head formed. The aroma is very alcoholic, with a caramelised sweetness and some whisky notes in the background. The taste is reminiscent of burnt sugar, with some roasted malt flavours and a bitterness in the finish from the whisky. The moutfeel is quite light, with the beer being very lightly carbonated. This is definitely a beer to have after a meal with a similarly-flavoured dessert, as the richness of the flavours and the warming effect of the alcohol require savouring, with plenty of time between each sip. Overall, a very good example of a scotch ale, with plenty of sweetness coming through and a nice edge from the whisky cask-ageing. This is a much better beer than the Scotch Ale brewed for the Prototype series, regardless of the fact both were brewed for different contexts. If you can get hold of a bottle, don't waste the opportunity as you won't be disappointed.

Until next time....

Bristol Beer Factory Raspberry Stout

Good evening all and a Happy New Year. I spent my last moments of 2011 drinking Cigar City Guava Grove, after having consumed a third of a bottle of J&B Rare and a variety of different libations prior to this, so my memory on it is very hazy. Therefore, I'll just jump straight into tonight's beer, Raspberry Stout from Bristol Beer Factory. The penultimate stout in the "12 Stouts of Christmas" collection (eagle-eyed readers will notice that the Laphroaig cask-aged stout hasn't been reviewed, but that's due to me picking an awful time to drink it and completely forgetting), so let's get these last two out of the way before Twelfth Night! Onwards....

Raspberry Stout (7.7% ABV) is a stout that, in an unbelievable "Ronseal" moment, has been brewed with raspberries- 25kg to be exact. As if that wasn't enough, it's been fermented with a Belgian yeast, meaning the potential flavours and aromas are mind-boggling! The beer pours a deep black with a thick brown head that quickly dissolves to a halo around the inside of the glass. The aroma is boozy with plenty of dark chocolate and a spicy phenolic character. The taste is composed primarily of roasted malt and some bitter chocolate, with the raspberries imparting an unusual dichotomy to the beer- either in the form of the actual flavour of raspberries or through a tart bitterness that mixes well with the other flavours. There is some spiciness from the Belgian yeast, which also helps to cut through the bitterness. The finish is very smooth, and the beer is incredibly drinkable despite the high ABV percentage. Mouthfeel is slightly thick but not excessively carbonated. Overall, another superb stout from Bristol Beer Factory that manages to balance a variety of big flavours to create a beer that is complex, yet very drinkable. This beer would be perfect after a big meal, or even before one if you're so inclined.

Until next time....