Imperial Stout

Brewery: Founders Brewing Co.

Supplier: Beers of Europe

Merry Christmas! I decided to review one that I have had for a while now, this is founders Imperial Stout brewed only on special occasions around the beginning of each year. This has a best before of the end of November 2014 (take no notice as imperial stouts tend to only get better by age - also this age is written in the european format indicating it was put on by people other that Founders who don't usually to BB dates), meaning that it was bottled in 2013 - I think. This beer has ranked well with a WBC Bronze Medal in the "American-Style Imperial Stout" category in 2010. This was served at room temperature and lest to breath for a bit.

Appearance: An incredible dark black with a very thin and short lived head that had the colour of red clay. 

Aroma: Coffee, red berries, caramelisation and lots of boozy notes. I kind of want to say the caramelised flavour is a bit like that you get on the meat, but that sounds gross and this smell is definitely not that. 

Flavour: Nice sweet flavour with some surprisingly fresh notes but also with those roasted notes that you would expect in a beer like this. There are definitely some notes like liquorish on this

Body: Incredibly smooth and velvety 

Aftertaste: There is a bitterness that starts to come, partly from the hops and partly from the malt, that increase throughout the taste but is still pleasant. 

Overall: Therefore this gets a rating of 8, a strong but well balanced beer. Well made and what you expect, but nothing that is a surprising flavour.

Price Range: £3.89 for a 355ml bottle, an appropriate price for this, expensive but worth it.

Food Pairings: Something slaty to offset the sweet, but with strong flavours, maybe like a beef roast.

Christmas Ale

Brewery: Brouwerij St. Bernardus

Supplier: Beers of Europe

So this is to start of the Christmas season. This is the breweries dark, strong Belgian ale that is brewed for the christmas period; made using the breweries own strain of yeast that has been used since the end of WWII. I served this at room temperature. Merry Christmas!

Appearance: Very dark with only just a dark ruby tint when held to the light. The head is comparatively light as a creamy hazelnut colour.

Aroma: Some fruity but lambic-esc notes with a background of banana, raisins and roasted notes.

Flavour: Sweet and complex with the raisins flavour coming out most. There are some other notes like treacle and gingerbread coming through as well. 

Body: A little too carbonated for my tastes, but it is still nice and thick.

Aftertaste: Tastes like a flanders red ale on the back; with that tart/dry, typically Belgian, flavour.

Overall: Therefore this gets a rating of 7, a nice complex and spicy ale, not completely to my tastes and a little too carbonated, but still worth trying.

Price Range: £3.19 for 330ml bottle, probably a little too much but a good price

Food Pairings: Complex enough that it could be left by itself, but if were choosing I would say something like a Reuben sandwich (composed of corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing, grilled between slices of rye bread), with strong flavours coming from all the  veg, cheese, bread and meat flavours. Or a simple pastrami on rye.

Kellerbier

Brewery: Brauerei Göller

Supplier: Beers of Europe

This is the Kellerbier (or cellar beer) of this 500 year old brewery. The beer is an unfiltered lager that has been cellared. It won a gold medal from the German Agricultural Society - Deutsche Landwirtschafts-Gesellschaft (DLG) - in 2007. This particular bottle apparently went off in mid September, I have no experience with Kellerbiers so I am unsure if this will affect it in a positive or negative way. I served this chilled.

Appearance: A slightly pale and slightly amber golden colour with a very thin off-white head. 

Aroma: Some spicy notes mixed with lots of honey and a hint of dried orange.

Flavour: Definitely a german beer with the typical notes associated, with some dried orange. There is a descant malt body but with more savoury hints.

Body: Quite light and refreshing but with a substantial back.

Aftertaste: The main flavour continues but with some green and almost ear waxy hop notes.

Overall: Therefore this gets a rating of 5, a good standard drinker with some decent notes, but nothing special.

Price Range: £2.09 for a 500ml bottle, a good price for what it is, especially with the bottle (if you like those type of bottles)

Food Pairings: Some nice warm and buttery bread, lots of garlic would also be nice.

Beercelona

Brewery: Barcelona Beer Company

Supplier: Beer52

Another Spanish beer from the Beer52 box. This one is from Barcelona obviously and is their flagship pale ale. I served this chilled.

Appearance: A golden straw colour with lots of bubbles plus a thick and lasting white head. 

Aroma: Typical citrus fruit hop notes, but coupled with a little bit of a soapy note.

Flavour: First comes a nice, slightly sweet, malt base. This is followed almost immediately with a faint hop resin note (coupled with some of the citrus fruit notes) that balances well with the malt.

Body: A little too much body for this beer as it takes away from the freshness.

Aftertaste: This is where the soapy hop notes come in, not too bad but not pleasant; it doesn't make you want to keep drinking it. 

Overall: Therefore this gets a rating of 4, an OK beer with some flaws

Price Range: Part of the box of 8 I got for £12 (usually £24), so it works out at £1.50 for a 330ml bottle; this is a fairly good price, cheap enough that it is worth it.

Food Pairings: It would probably go well with something like a chicken Caesar salad, something crisp but with a strong sauce.

Icelandic Doppelbock

Brewery: Einstök Olgerđ

Supplier: Beers of Europe

This is their only seasonal beer to date and it's brewed specially for the winter time. This dark lager has also been awarded Gold at the 2013 Los Angeles International Commercial Beer Competition in the "German-Stule Doppelbock or Eisbock" category. I served this slightly chilled.

Appearance: A slightly hazy brown which becomes a bright ruby colour when held to light. There is a medium off-white head that dissipates quickly but leaves a thin lacing on top.

Aroma: Lots of fruity marmalade notes coupled with hints of roasted toffee notes, some sourness right in the back.

Flavour: A huge sweetness right at the front that has hints of toffee. This sweetness dies down, but only a little, and the toffee notes come through a bit more.

Body: Maybe a little thicker than ideal but still very nice with a good carbonation. 

Aftertaste: Whilst the sweetness still remains there is much more of the toffee notes and some burnt toast and other dark malt flavours.

Overall: Therefore this gets a rating of 7, a very nice beer but maybe a little too sweet, so you should only drink this when you want a sweet one.

Price Range: £2.99 for a 330ml bottle, probably about right for what it is.

Food Pairings: I think this would go with a nice moist dark chocolate and cherry cake.

Dirty Bastard

Brewery: Founders Brewing Co.

Supplier: Beers of Europe

Bought this from the Beers of Europe storehouse for a reduced price as it has a best before date of May 2014, but it is my experience that Scotch ales get better past their "best before date". Another one (and I believe the last for me to try on this) of the Founders Year-round range, this is their Scotch ale and Silver Medal Winner at the 2010 World Beer Cup in the Strong Ale category. I served this at room temperature.

Appearance: An thick off white head with a hint of rust colour and small bubbles; the body is quite dark with some maroon light coming through when held to a source.

Aroma: Initially some musky and unpleasant notes, but once it breaths there are some sweet malty grape notes synonymous with this style.

Flavour: Hits you with a malt and grape/raisin sweetness with some biscuit and roasted notes. This sweetness settles with some drinking allowing some wood notes to come through, developing from a sweet into a savoury drink in one glass. 

Body: Not a thick as you would expect, as you would expect syrup, probably just the right level for this beer

Aftertaste: This sweetness turns into a slight salty tart flavour which still has some of the raisin and roasted notes. Maybe a hint of the peat smoke at the back but it might just be because I read that.

Overall: Therefore this gets a rating of 8, but only just, it has some nice simple notes that are out there in full whack, I pushed it to an 8 as the flavours develop whilst drinking making it an interesting drink throughout the glass. I would recommend that you let this breath and that you only drink it if you have a sweet tooth.

Price Range: A reduced price of £1.75 for a 355ml bottle, probably one of the best prices I've paid (although this particular one my parents bought for me).

Food Pairings: A nice strong cheese board with some rustic oatmeal crackers.

Karel

Brewery: Kaapse Brouwers

Supplier: Beer52

Been a way for a while, now I'm back and doing another one from the Beer52 box. This one is from Rotterdam in Holland and is their pale ale (although it is labeled as an American Bitter), and it is also labeled as pasteurised. I served this straight out of the fridge.

Appearance: An amber gold colour with plenty of bubbles and a huge and persistent off-white head. 

Aroma: Lychees, hop resin, and a hint of musk. Very fresh smelling and very appealing.

Flavour: Some sweet malt notes and then lots of fresh lychee.

Body: Not too thick, but not overly thin, perfect for a pale ale, with nice small bubbles giving a good carbonation. 

Aftertaste: Some biscuity notes and then some hoppy bitter notes 

Overall: Therefore this gets a rating of 7, a nice simple hoppy pale that is easy to drink.

Price Range: Part of the box of 8 I got for £12 (usually £24), so it works out at £1.50 for a 330ml bottle; great price, if saw this at that price again I would definitely get some.

Food Pairings: Maybe this is a craving, but I think this would go well with a nice juicy marbled steak with some home cooked fries.

Premium Dark

Brewery: Bohemia Regent

Supplier: Beers of Europe

Bohemia Regent is a Czech family owned brewery set up in 1379. This is there tmavý ležák 12 (Dark Lager 12° - where 12° refers to the density of the beer before fermentation). This came second in its category in the  "Ceska pivni pecet Tabor" (Czech Beer Seal Camp). This uses only Saaz hops and water from their own artisan wells. I served this at room temperature.

Appearance: Quite dark but lets light through when held to it. A thin off-white head that dissipates quickly. 

Aroma: A mix of Marmite and liquorice, weird but strangely intriguing. Some fruity notes.

Flavour: Creamy on the front with some roasted notes, leading into a salty
liquorice taste. These develop into a constant vanilla creamy note with a hint of toast.

Body: Very smooth and perfectly carbonated. 

Aftertaste: A Marmite taste which turns into a more roasted and creamy note.

Overall: Therefore this gets a rating of 6, nice malty notes with no hops, decent to drink but nothing special.

Price Range: £2.49 for a 500ml bottle, an OK price for what it is, worth it.

Food Pairings: I think it would go well with a Charcuterie platter, or with a spicy stew with chorizo.

Hadouken

Brewery: Tiny Rebel Brewing Co

Supplier: Beers of Europe

Named after a finishing move from Street Fighter, this is the IPA from the small Welsh brewery using massive amounts of three American hops. I served this straight out of the fridge.

Appearance: Golden with a hint of amber. The head is thin and has an off-white colour.

Aroma: Lots of hop resin with some slight toasted malt notes in the back.

Flavour: Lots of refreshing hop notes with some grainy notes at the back.

Body: Quite syrupy but actually quite refreshing

Aftertaste: The taste becomes sickly sweet with hops, too much in my opinion.

Overall: Therefore this gets a rating of 6, but just as it is nice but too much in a lot of cases.

Price Range: £2.78 for a 330ml bottle, an OK price for what it is.

Food Pairings: Quite a strong beer with sweet taste so I would say this would go best with some heavily marinated pork, in something like a BBQ sauce or a Jamaican Jerk sauce.

Meduz Blanche

Brewery: Brasserie Artisanale Meduz

Supplier: Beer52

Another from the box, this one is from a French brewery in Uzès of Southern France. This is their lighter range beer that is listed as a Bière de Garde in Untappd but is described as more of a wheat beer, using wheat malt and orange peel, although I don't know if those terms are mutually exclusive.

Appearance: Very clear golden colour with a thin but sustaining pure white head

Aroma: Smells like bread dough with a very slight hint of citrus right at the back

Flavour: Classic wheat fruitiness on the front coupled with some more typical beer notes.

Body: Quite light but way too fizzy.

Aftertaste: A clean finish with just some bitterness that builds at the back

Overall: Therefore this gets a rating of 4, nice enough but has some rough edges.

Price Range: Part of the box of 8 I got for £12 (usually £24), so it works out at £1.50 for a 330ml bottle; probably about right if not a little too much. I wouldn't get it again though.

Food Pairings: Such a clean flavour that nearly anything would overpower it, I would suggest something fresh with a bit of sweetness such as a fruit salad.

Hoppeditz

Brewery: Freigeist Bierkultur (an offshoot of Braustelle)

Supplier: Beer52

A third from the Beer52 box, from an experimental offshoot of the the Braustelle brewery based in Cologne. This is their Doppelsticke Alt (the Altbier version of the Doppelbock), and is an attempt to update this historical beer style. I served this at room temperature.

Appearance: Brown ale with a maroon tint. There is a beige head that dissipates almost instantly. 

Aroma: Malty with a hint of saltiness like Marmite. Some fruity notes, a bit like cassis. 

Flavour: Just like it smells, very salty with some maltiness. 

Body: Reasonably viscous with not too much carbonation. 

Aftertaste: A slight bitterness with a hint of soap. 

Overall: Therefore this gets a rating of 3, It has some nice flavours but is too salty and has some other not too nice flavours.

Price Range: Part of the box of 8 I got for £12 (usually £24), so it works out at £1.50 for a 330ml bottle; too much for not a great beer.

Food Pairings: The saltiness would go quite well with some white fish such as in a  fish and chip meal.

Indian Tribute

Brewery: Oppigårds Bryggeri

Supplier: Beer52

Another from the Beer52 box, this is from a Swedish brewery; it is their IPA made with Centennial and Cascade, and dry hopped with Cascade. It has won gold at the Stockholm Beer & Whiskey Festival four times (2008, 2010, 2012 and 2013). I served this straight of the fridge.

Appearance: Pale with a ruby red hint. A thin off-white head that dissipates quickly.

Aroma: Smells just like a big barrel of dried hops, with lots of fresh grapefruit notes.

Flavour: Sweet with a lovely hop resin note, some malts support in the back. The hoppy notes tend to disappear quickly

Body: Thick with a syrupy note.

Aftertaste: A bit more of a hoppy bitterness, with a lot more of a grainy malt back.

Overall: Therefore this gets a rating of 7, lovely hoppy notes and a thoroughly drinkable beer, close to an 8 but the flavours tend to go.

Price Range: Part of a box of 8 I got for £12 (usually £24), so it works out at £1.50 for a 330ml bottle;  more than worth it, a great price for this.

Food Pairings: One of the few times I agree with the food pairing, chicken curry would go great with this.

Mica Oro Ale Premium

Brewery: Cerveza Mica

Supplier: Beer52

The first of my Beer52 box that featured mainly European beers (not from UK). This comes from a little village in Spain which is is one of the few places in the Iberian Peninsula where the mineral Mica is contained within the soil. The barley that is used in this beer is produced in this area taking in the mineral and used a freshly as possible, creating a unique taste

Appearance: Golden with hints of amber, very cloudy almost like a hefe. Medium off white head which thins but stays.

Aroma: Some unripe-apricot/apple notes coupled with a sweet malt and a very German beer note.

Flavour: Very sweet fruity notes on the front followed by a more German beer note. The turns more into a apricot flavour with much less sweetness. 

Body: Medium body but with a bit too much carbonation

Aftertaste: Quite bready but with hints of the fruits before but with some slight off notes

Overall: Therefore this gets a rating of 6, bus so close to a 7 that on another day it might have been. Nice and fruity but with a bit too much sweetness at some points and some slightly odd notes. But definitely the best Spanish beer I've had by a long way

Price Range: Part of a box of 8 I got for £12 (usually £24), so it works out at £1.50 for a 330ml bottle; definitely worth the price and I would get it again.

Food Pairings: Some plain pork chops, preferably with a bit of a char to them; the apricot and apple notes would go really well with this meat.

Dragon Stout

Brewery: Desnoes & Geddes

Supplier: Beers of Europe

This is a Stout from the people who bring you Red Stripe (owned by Diageo PLC) , but despite this I have heard good things about it. This Jamaican porter uses European caramel and roasted malts as well as brown sugar. I served this chilled.

Appearance: Black with maroon edges when held to the light. It has a thin mocha head that dissipates but leaves a lingering amount around the edges of the glass. 

Aroma: Some grapes with a little metallic notes, some banana notes as well.

Flavour: Very sweet with a little roasted notes, lots of vanilla, and a hint of banana. There is some unpleasant metallic notes coming through as well.

Body: An OK body but very over carbonated. 

Aftertaste: A little less sweet with some of the bitterness coming from the roasted notes coming through. Some caramel notes as well.

Overall: Therefore this gets a rating of 4, nice but a little too sweet and the over carbonation and metallic notes aren't nice.

Price Range: £1.79 for a 284ml bottle, an reasonable price for an OK beer.

Food Pairings: Despite having many of the same flavours I would say this would go quite well with a banana split

Summer Ale

Brewery: Brooklyn Brewery

Supplier: Beers of Europe

Seeing as we have passed the end of summer and the days are getting colder I thought it's about time I drink this. This is their seasonal summer pale ale made with German Perle and American Cascade, Fuggle and Amarillo hops. The only make this to become available between March-July, the the best before date is in March 2015 so all is good. I served this straight out of the fridge.

Appearance: Pale with a hint of gold, a medium white head that thins but stays.

Aroma: Some German malts coupled with some very strong honey notes.

Flavour: Quite crisp with some malty notes, nothing much else.

Body: Medium body but quite refreshing.

Aftertaste: some honey notes coupled with some herbally hops. 

Overall: Therefore this gets a rating of 6, clean with some nice flavours in the aftertaste.

Price Range: £1.89 for a 355ml bottle, good price for a good beer.

Food Pairings: A substantial salad, with some strong leaves like watercress and rocket.

Faro Boon

Brewery: Brouwerij Boon

Supplier: Beers of Europe

Wrote this a while back but forgot to post it. Designed as a lighter more sessionable lambic, they describe this as based on old lambic to which they added spices and sugar candy.

Appearance: Golden with and amber hue. There is a thin white head that lasts only for a few seconds.

Aroma: A mix of white wine, sherry, and vinegar, there are also some fruit notes.

Flavour: Sweet and sugery on the front with some apple-like sour notes

Body: A little syrupy but quite thin and refreshing.

Aftertaste: Very subtle, tasting like apple sour sweets.

Overall: Therefore this gets a rating of 5, nice but nothing special, and not what I was expecting from a sour.

Price Range: £1.39 for a 250ml bottle, good price for an OK beer, but there are better ones for the same price.

Food Pairings: A bready sweet dish, like plain waffles.

Breakfast Stout

Brewery: Founders Brewing Co.

Supplier: Beers of Europe

I thought I would do something special for my 100th review and so I chose Founders famous Double Chocolate Coffee Oatmeal Stout. It is a seasonal beer produced to be available between October and December using two types of chocolate, bitter and imported, and two types of coffee Sumatra and Kona. I served this at room temperature.

Appearance: Completely pitch black with a thin mocha head that dissipates quickly.

Aroma: Deep roasted coffee notes, like smelling a bag of coffee beans, with hints of chocolate on the back.

Flavour: Tastes like smooth dark chocolate, the types that have underlying coffee notes.

Body: So incredibly thick and smooth, almost like one of those thick European hot chocolates.

Aftertaste: This leads into a more pronounced coffee note, later leading into slightly less pleasant green and iron notes.

Overall: Therefore this gets a rating of 8, an exceptionally nice beer to drink, although there are a few notes that are slightly unpleasant, and the thickness does become too much. Would be better with a slight chill on it, and needs to be at a time when you are ready for such a thick beer.

Price Range: £3.59 for a 355ml bottle, worth it.

Food Pairings: To be honest this is so thick and full that I would not suggest having it with anything.

Ogham Willow

Brewery: The Celt Experience

Supplier: Beers of Europe

So I ran out of time to do this one with the others and was going to do it the day after but had to go into hospital, sooooo I'm doing it today. Continuing from the horizontal tasting of the Ogham range, having previously done Oak and Ash. This is their American IPA, dry hopping with potent US hops.  Its namesake Willow is the wood that represents spiritual visions to understand the world. I served this chilled.

Appearance: A slightly ambered gold colour with a very thin white head, there is also lots of large particles floating around which I did not see whilst pouring (and I can usually tell when I'm pouring dregs, which leads me to believe the were already suspended.

Aroma: Lots of fresh lime hops and a hint of melon and sweet malt in the back.

Flavour: Initially sweet hop resin followed by a strong hoppy bitterness and a bit of skunk. The hop resin flavour starts to dominate and couple with some malt sweetness with drinking

Body: Very thick and syrupy but this goes well.

Aftertaste: A bit more of the off skunky flavour and still a lot of bitterness the tastes green, some floury notes develop from the malt with drinking.

Overall: Therefore this gets a rating of 6, a nice big hoppy beer but with a few off flavours that aren't particularly nice and nothing special flavour wise. Knocked from 7 due to the bits and the off flavours

Price Range: £2.99 for a 330ml bottle, an OK price.

Food Pairings: Some salty gammon with a relatively sweet gravy, along with some roasted potatoes

Ogham Ash

Brewery: The Celt Experience

Supplier: Beers of Europe

Continuing from the horizontal tasting of the Ogham range, having previously done Oak and later doing Willow. This is their Russian Imperial Stout using lots of hops and seven different types of malts. Its namesake Ash is the wood that implies spirituality, reflection, and power.

Appearance: A dark black that you can just about see through, with a thick tan head.

Aroma: Cream and chocolate on the nose with a little bit of coffee and berries.

Flavour: Lots of fruit and fresh chocolate, and a little bit of licorice. 

Body: Surprisingly fresh and very smooth. 

Aftertaste: A little smokey with coffee and some malty bitterness.

Overall: Therefore this gets a rating of 7, quite clean and strong, nice but not sessionable.

Price Range: £3.08 for 330ml bottle, an acceptable price for such a strong beer.

Food Pairings: Some tender juicy steak with salsa.

Ogham Oak

Brewery: The Celt Experience

Supplier: Beers of Europe

Today I'm going to do a horizontal tasting of the Ogham range from The Celt Experience in Wales. This series is named after a secret code used by Gaulish druids and is a series of three big beer styles. Oak is the first I'm going to try in the series (Ash and Willow will follow) and this is a Belgian Tripel brewed with Orange peel and Cinnamon, using american hops and yeast from Flanders. Its namesake Oak is the wood that implies Strength and Wisdom. I served this at room temperature.

Appearance: A bright clear golden colour with a slightly thick head that reduces a little.

Aroma: Funky lemon notes twinned with sweeter notes that are slightly malty but also have some freshly made lemonade characters. 

Flavour: Typical Belgian malt notes on the front; followed by fresher, citrus notes, that have a slight funk - formed from hops and yeast.

Body: Medium body, quite smooth and thick on the end, but too fizzy.

Aftertaste: This funk increases in the back, coupled with a puckering. The flavours become a bit more green, there are also hints of peanuts. There is also a salty note in here, that becomes more prominent with drinking.

Overall: Therefore this gets a rating of 7, very close to an 8 but there are just a few things off like the fizz and the green notes don't really work; there is also something missing that is needed to round it out. Not getting any cinnamon from it, but that is probably good as I don't think being strong enough to identify it would go well.

Price Range: £2.48 for a 330ml bottle, a very good price.

Food Pairings: Some sort of crustacean, probably prawns covered in lime and coriander.

Torpedo Extra IPA

Brewery: Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Supplier: Beers of Europe

This is Sierra Nevada's year round IPA. Named as it is the first beer to use their Hop Torpedo, a dry-hopping device that they invented. I served this chilled.

Appearance: Pale with an orange hue, the head is a medium off-white that fades.

Aroma: Very hoppy with citrus and lyche, hints of roasted notes in the back.

Flavour: Nice hoppy notes but with some slightly soapy hoppy bitter notes.

Body: Fairly smooth body with a chewiness on the back.

Aftertaste: Quite clean with some hints of bitter hop.

Overall: Therefore this gets a rating of 7, a very nice and clean hoppy IPA.

Price Range: £3.29 for a 473ml can, good price for a nice beer.

Food Pairings: Something very garlicy, maybe like a creamy pasta.

Boltens Alt

Brewery: Privatbrauerei Bolten

Supplier: Beers of Europe

My first beer after coming out of a little bit of time in hospital, so I thought I would try something interesting but not too heavy or alcoholic. This is a typical old style of beer from Dusseldorf called an Altbier; Alt meaning "Old". The amber colours from this beer come from the specialty malts ad the unique flavours from the in-house Bolten yeast strain.

Appearance: A thin brown colour with hints of red. There is a medium off-white head that thins out quickly. 

Aroma: Typical German beer smell with some corn and hay notes. 

Flavour: Lots of hay on the front with a back of very un-sweet malty notes. This becomes a bit sweeter with drinking, and then gains a little bit of an iced tea vibe

Body: A medium body, nothing distinctive, a bit too much fizz on the back.

Aftertaste: You still get the hay and malt notes but they are joined by iron and some subtle green notes.

Overall: Therefore this gets a rating of 4, unusual hay notes making it interesting but not something I would really want to drink that much of.

Price Range: £2.09 for a 500ml bottle, a good price but an average beer.

Food Pairings: Something plain but meaty like roast chicken and home made chips.

Pêcheresse

Brewery: Brouwerij Lindemans

Supplier: Beers of Europe

A lambic flavour with peaches using the straight juice-method. This is a very low alcohol drink. I served this straight from the fridge

Appearance: Golden with a rose hue, a thin white head that dissipates quickly.

Aroma: Peach and then a hint of sour vinegar.

Flavour: Very sweet with apple juice and peaches, 

Body: Quite light and refreshing, but the sweetness is making it a bit syrupy. 

Aftertaste: Some sweet vinegar notes with some unidentified sour notes.

Overall: Therefore this gets a rating of 5, much too sweet, the vinegar note are not unpleasant but not great. Not something you would want a lot of.

Price Range: £1.59 for a 250ml bottle, about right for what it is.

Food Pairings: Pancakes or Waffles with a not too sweet dark chocolate sauce.

Dogma

Brewery: BrewDog

Supplier: Beers of Europe

This malty body is comprised of 10 different types of malt, it then blended with heather infused Scottish honey. I served this at room temperature.

Appearance: Dark and maroon when held to the light, a rust coloured head the disappears very quickly.

Aroma:  Very sweet with raisins and some roasted notes, there is also hint of vanilla.

Flavour: Same as the aroma, sweet raisins and a hint of vanilla. A little bit of a tang.

Body: Very smooth. A little bit of a fizz on the front..

Aftertaste: A bitterness that tastes a bit like ear wax, but it later turns into a woody sweet finish.

Overall: Therefore this gets a rating of 5, OK but not great.

Price Range: £2.69 for a 330ml bottle, probably a tad too much, but not overly so.

Food Pairings: Strong flavoured meat such as lamb or venison with a rich sauce.

Euphoria Pale Ale

Brewery: Ska Brewing

Supplier: Beers of Europe

Brewed during the winter along with a neighboring company "Venture Snowboards". This is a pale ale is made with lots of caramel malts, and hops providing a grapefruit hop aroma and flavor. I served this chilled.

Appearance: Not really pale more of an amber/brown colour with a short lived off-white head.

Aroma: Huge sweet resin notes, coupled with peach and raisin notes.

Flavour: Lots of grapefruit like hop notes with a sweet caramel malt note

Body: A bit too sticky but with a great carbonation level.

Aftertaste: A little hoppy bitterness with some spicy alcohol notes and a little bit of soap.

Overall: Therefore this gets a rating of 6, nice but there are some overpowering flavours, manly the alcohol notes, making not sessionable.

Price Range: £2.59 for a 355ml can, an OK price for this beer.

Food Pairings: I don't know if this is just a craving but I think this would go well best with mash potato of sausages.

Dry Irish Stout

Brewery: Brooklyn Brewery

Supplier: Beers of Europe

A seasonal beer made during January-March, around the time of St Paddy's day. It uses a range of different malts, around five, and four different hops - Willamette, Fuggles, Cascade, and East Kent Golding. I served this at room temperature.

Appearance: Jet black with a lingering tan coloured head.

Aroma: Smells of treacle with a warm/spicy note.

Flavour: the main flavour is a malty flavour similar to biscuits, there is a hint of roasted notes.

Body: Super smooth and not very dry, some acidic notes.

Aftertaste: Some berry notes join the original flavour along with some hint of green and metallic notes.

Overall: Therefore this gets a rating of 7, close to being an 8 but not enough of a wow factor, but it's a nice and very sessionable beer

Price Range: £2.09 for a 355ml bottle, a excellent price for this beer.

Food Pairings: Would work well with oat bars/cookies; e.g. flapjacks and ANZAC biscuits.

Hop Yard

Brewery: Nils Oscar Company

Supplier: Beers of Europe

Another year-round beer from this Swedish brewery. Brewed with Cascade, Simcoe, Pacific Gem, Nelson Sauvin and Amarillo hops; and dry hopped with Amarillo, Citra and Nelson Sauvin hops. I served this straight out of the fridge.

Appearance: A light amber colour with golden edges. No complete head, only off-white traces of foam. 

Aroma: Mango and melon on the front with some honey notes on the back

Flavour: Sharp and sweet hop resin on the front followed by a slightly burnt popcorn like taste on the back.

Body: Smooth but a little sticky.

Aftertaste: The sweet resin notes come back and turn a little herbal. The burnt popcorn notes also continue, even turns salty.

Overall: Therefore this gets a rating of 6, very close to being a 7 but not quite.

Price Range: £2.39 for a 330ml bottle, an OK price for the beer.

Food Pairings: Some stuffed peppers with lots of herbs and cheese, the freshness and the strong flavours will work well with this.

Bourbon Aged Stout

Brewery: Innis & Gunn

Supplier: Beers of Europe

The Innis & Gunn brewery specialist in aged beers, this is one of their limited edition beers made using Oak chips from bourbon barrels whilst aging the beer. On the label it says that  the beer is matured for 54 days. I served this just below room temperature.

Appearance: Black but maroon when held to the light, a thin tan head that dissipates quite quickly.

Aroma: Vanilla sweetness with a fruity note and some banana.

Flavour: Very sweet with a vanilla banana note. There are some umami notes right at the back giving a certain soy sauce taste.

Body: Very smooth and velvety. 

Aftertaste: Some tart notes on the back along with the overwhelming sweetness. Some apple notes, along with a spice from the rye.

Overall: Therefore this gets a rating of 5, too sweet to enjoy a lot of but it is still nice.

Price Range: £2.19 for a 330ml bottle, probably about right as it is wood aged, but I wouldn't go run to get it again.

Food Pairings: It so sweet it would only really work with a dessert, I'm thinking something very sweet like it is, so the sweetness dies down to reveal the other flavours, maybe something like sticky toffee pudding.

Colomba

Brewery: Brasserie Piétra

Supplier: Beers of Europe

This is the year round witbier produced by this Corsican brewery. Made with botanicals from the Corsican scrub land; including arbutus, myrtle, and juniper. I served this chilled. Also, just realised afterwards, that this is this reviews blogs 1 year birthday!

Appearance: A very opaque white straw colour with a thick but short lived white head.

Aroma: Very bready with some gin and cranberry like notes.

Flavour: Lots of juniper on the front followed by a freshly baked bread taste.

Body: A nice medium body with a slightly dry finish.

Aftertaste: A slightly tart finish with just a lingering of the original tastes. Occasional hints of rubber/plastic, and also lemon.

Overall: Therefore this gets a rating of 6, but only just, because it is very bready, but it is a nice unique beer that is close to a 7. I've had a juniper beer before where the balance was way out of whack but this was well balanced with the flavours. It helped that there were very few off flavours. The dry and rubber aspects did increase with drinking making me change it to a 6 in retrospect.

Price Range: £2.29 for a 330ml bottle, a very good price for a refreshing and unique beer.

Food Pairings: Some nice simply done white fish, maybe some crustaceans with lots of butter as well.

Staple

Brewery: Top Out Brewery

Supplier: Beer52

From a Scottish brewery that started less than a year ago in July 2013. This is their pale ale and I served this straight from the fridge.

Appearance: A slightly opaque dark caramel colour. Practically no head, the faint remnant is pure white.

Aroma: Nice hoppy aroma, the typical citra notes, really nice.

Flavour: Practically no flavours at all, hints of grains with a little bit of bitterness.

Body: Refreshing with a average body, good carbonation.

Aftertaste: A little more bitterness, but nothing more.

Overall: Therefore this gets a rating of 3, The smell made it seem really good but there was practically no taste.

Price Range: Another of the monthly beer subscription at £14 (usually £24) for 8 beers, so approximately £1.75 for a 500ml bottle; not worth it.

Food Pairings: Practically anything as it has so little flavour, but I'm going to go with tortilla chips and guacamole.

Lion Stout

Brewery: Lion Brewery Ceylon Ltd

Supplier: Beers of Europe

This Sri Lankan based brewery was established in 1881 by Sir Samuel Backer as a cottage industry, developed into a brewery, and was eventually bought out by the Carlsberg Group in 1996. This is the exported version of their stout. I served this at room temperature.

Appearance: Black with a maroon tint around the edge. A large latte coloured head which reduces quickly but lingers for a long time. 

Aroma: Grapes, Iron, and some chocolaty roasted notes, also a slight musk undertone.

Flavour: Super sweet and creamy with some chocolaty notes.

Body: Nice and thick, perfectly comforting. Maybe a little too carbonated.

Aftertaste: More of the chocolate and roasted notes with hints of sherry and coconut.

Overall: Therefore this gets a rating of 8, a really delicious beer, very close to a 9. Maybe a little too sweet.

Price Range: £1.99 for a 330ml bottle, definitively worth it, a fantastic price.

Food Pairings: A nice chocolate and berry dessert such as a Black Forest Gâteau.

Tipsy Gypsy

Brewery: Gypsy Inc.

Supplier: Luvians Bottle Shop - St Andrews

Another from the collaboration brewery between Brewdog and Mikkeller, based in Denmark and brewed at Brewdog in Scotland; part of their set of four planned to be made (I reviewed Pale Trail before). This one is their hoppy pilsner, hopped with American hops. I served this chilled.

Appearance: A Peach blushed gold colour with a thin and lasting white head.

Aroma: Green mango and spicy malt aromas.

Flavour: Not much on the front then a faint hint of sherbet on the back.

Body: A really thick body, but still quite refreshing.

Aftertaste: An odd and slightly unpleasant bitterness coupled with a faint dry taste of slightly off grain.

Overall: Therefore this gets a rating of 3, not really tasting of anything.

Price Range: £2.40 for a 330ml bottle, too much for what it is.

Food Pairings: Some potatoes, preferably in chip form, the sweetness from the potato would cancel out most of the bad flavours in it and enhance the sweetness from the malt.

Point Black Ale

Brewery: Stevens Point Brewery

Supplier: Beer52

Another from this US brewery that has production in the UK, this beer is only produced for the British market. Made using  Pale, Munich, and Roasted Malts (including some 6-row, which is unusual in Europe), and with Cluster, Saaz, and Cascade hops. I served this at room temperature.

Appearance: Black, looks like coke around the edges. Very sparkling with a chocolate head that dissipates very quickly.

Aroma: Grapes mixed with sugar that has caramelized to the point of burning. Hints of wood as well.

Flavour: Not much flavour on the front at all.

Body: The body makes the flavourless not taste like water as it has a substantial body and is quite smooth.

Aftertaste: Nice aftertaste. It has a big taste of molasses coupled with some delicate roasted notes. 

Overall: Therefore this gets a rating of 4, close to a 5 as it is quite nice and surprisingly light, but lacking in flavour. Probably would be one of those stouts that would do well chilled.

Price Range: Another of the monthly beer subscription at £14 (usually £24) for 8 beers, so approximately £1.75 for a 355ml bottle; an OK price for a nice and drinkable beer.

Food Pairings: Would go with some nice British pork sausages and mash, along with some caramelized onions.

Brugse Zot

Brewery: De Halve Maan

Supplier: Gift from my sister and her husband

This is their original Townbeer, that I mentioned when reviewing Brugse Zot Dubbel. This uses a total of four different malts and two different hops. I served this at room temperature.

Appearance: An amber-gold colour, with a white head that lasts for a long time.

Aroma: Citrus, grapes, and a smell that I associate with really good lagers. 

Flavour: Grapes and citrus again but a lot smoother and with hints of Belgian spices.

Body: A nice thick body, unexpected but delightful and smooth. Dry on the back.

Aftertaste: There is a large pilsner malt flavour coupled with a slight tart rubber taste that is common in Belgian beers. There are also some green notes with drinking.

Overall: Therefore this gets a rating of 8, but only just. I'm not a huge fan of Belgian beers, but this is probably my favorite so far (bar some of the Belgian IPAs).

Price Range:  I don't know the price as it was a birthday present, but it would be worth the price you would pay for any trappist beer.

Food Pairings: A fish dish with a strong sauce, maybe something like teriyaki salmon.

Royal Weisse

Brewery: Sly Fox Brewing Company

Supplier: Luvians Bottle Shop - St Andrews

This is a German inspired hefe that is produced by Sly Fox only in the spring. Containing wheat and pilsner malt, and German hops; this beer, whilst in a can, is unfiltered. Hefe's are one of the few beers in which I will try to get the yeast in the beer. I served this chilled.

Appearance: A deep golden colour with a thick off-white head that lasts for a fair while.

Aroma: Some spicy Marmite-esk notes with hints of bubblegum

Flavour: The typical banana esters coupled with a nice malty base. Hints of some spices. Just like a typical German hefe.

Body: This is where it differs from the traditional German hefe as it is much more refreshing, whilst maintaining a certain body to it. The back does become a little dry.

Aftertaste: Some chewy wheat on the back, with some plant like notes. Maybe some orange notes as well.

Overall: Therefore this gets a rating of 6, close to a 7 but the dry finish makes it a little less drinkable. Great flavours thought, and very refreshing; I can see why it is a spring beer.

Price Range: £2.60 for a 355ml can, a good price for a sound beer.

Food Pairings: Some fresh and spiced breads, maybe with some cured meat on to give it a bit of saltiness.

Harry's Heifer

Brewery: Church Farm Brewery

Supplier: Beer52

This brewery was established in late 2012 after they decided to transform their dairy farm into a micro brewery. This is the breweries core range bitter, but uses American hops such as Centennial and Citra. I served this at room temperature.

Appearance: a light brown with hints of ruby, absolutely no head what so ever. 

Aroma: Smells like barley sweets mixed with concentrated apple juice, a hint of some tropical fruits in the back.

Flavour: A sweet but water barley sweet taste with hints of citrus and apple.

Body: Flat but quite sharp.

Aftertaste: The flavours just seem to continue into the aftertaste, nothing extra.

Overall: Therefore this gets a rating of 4, very simplistic, nice flavours but an unpleasant body.

Price Range: Another of the monthly beer subscription at £14 (usually £24) for 8 beers, so approximately £1.75 for a 500ml bottle; an OK price but wouldn't get it again.

Food Pairings: Would pair nicely with a cheesy pasta.

Old Chub

Brewery: Oskar Blues Brewery

Supplier: Luvians Bottle Shop - St Andrews

Another of the Oskar Blues Breweries year round beers; this malty ale is made with a range of malted barley including a beachwood-smoked malt. The sight says that Old Chub has won Top Rated Scotch Ale on Beeradvocate, but it doesn't say witch year. Whilst cans benefit hoppy beers the most there are still lots of benefits for the other beers as well, so it is nice to see such a strong and dark beer in a can. This particular can was canned in September 2013 so is only 7ish months old; I served this at room temperature.

Appearance: Dark but maroon when held to the light, with a very thin tan head that is gone by the time you put the glass down.

Aroma: Raisins, fortified wines and a very very slight hint of soapiness. 

Flavour: It tastes pretty much exactly as it smells, all those flavours just a little sweeter.

Body: Very smooth and with a velvety mouthfeel, maybe a little flat but that is fine for a style like this. In the aftertaste there is a little bit of a dry mouthfeel.

Aftertaste: A very clean bitterness forms at the end, I can't tell that it comes from the hops. The downside about this aftertaste is that it goes "up" into that slightly sour taste like in carbonated water (despite no bubbles), instead of mellowing "down" into a sweet taste.

Overall: Therefore this gets a rating of 7, but only just. Whilst I would have liked it to finish with a sweet note it is still a very good beer with some very interesting flavours. No smoky notes though...

Price Range: £4.00 for a 355ml can, a bit too much for what it is.

Food Pairings: A stodgy dessert such as bread and butter pudding or spotted dick.

Beer Camp #93 IPA

Brewery: Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Supplier: Kris Wines

Part of Sierra Nevada's 2013 beer camp series; the Beer Camp is where non-commercial brewers come together in Sierra Nevada’s 10-barrel pilot brewery and get a hands on education in brewing, creating recipes. They then pick a selection (in 2013 it was 3) to release to the public. However, I think the beer camp is changing this year to a different way of doing things. The beer is described as having a malty back bone and is uses Cascade and Citra hops. I served this straight from the fridge.

Appearance: An opaque golden orange colour with a hint of a pure white head, this head is very sparse but does linger.

Aroma: Huge amounts of lychee hops coming off with hints of caramel malts.

Flavour: Tastes like lychee juice with a hint of lemon, very simple but tasty

Body: Refreshing but still with some substance, perfect for this styles; along with a good carbonation level

Aftertaste: This then has a huge wave of hoppy bitterness, maybe slightly too bitter for me, but it fades with drinking. There are also hints of a bit of soapiness.

Overall: Therefore this gets a rating of 8, a nice hoppy IPA, incredibly drinkable and thirst quenching with bold bitter aftertaste.

Price Range: £3.49 for a 355ml bottle, an OK price for a great beer, worth it but you could probably get just as good for cheaper.

Food Pairings: The flavours are strong but refreshing so are hard to pair, but I would say some pork with a sweet (maybe smokey) glaze done in the BBQ.

Dirty Stop Out

Brewery: Tiny Rebel Brewing Co

Supplier: St Andrews Wine Company

A brewery from South Wales set up in 2011 by two guys, they pride themselves on being visionary and "Retro".This is one of their regulars and is a Smoked Oatmeal Stout using nine different types of malt; I'm presuming one of them is oats but oddly it does not list oats as an ingredient, only barley. I served this at room temperature.

Appearance: A think impenetrable black with a thin, short lived mocha head.

Aroma: There are the familiar roasted notes, but there are also some strong unusual smells such as tobacco and musk.

Flavour: Sweet at first followed by a sharpness similar to mint.

Body: Very slick mouthfeel but a bit to light and the carbonation is a bit too rough. The mouthfeel starts to cling unpleasantly with drinking. 

Aftertaste: This is where the majority of the flavours come, turning into a slightly salty and umami taste, with hints of a sweetness. There are also some grassy notes.

Overall: Therefore this gets a rating of 5, an unusual and interesting flavour profile that would be better if there was better carbonation and a thicker body. Not any smoky notes either.

Price Range: £2.85 for a 330ml bottle, worth the price to try as it is very interesting, but probably wouldn't get it again.

Food Pairings: Some oily fish; maybe an anchovy pizza, but that might be because I was thinking about that earlier.... Either that or something sharp to cut through the mouthfeel, like a a salad with a strong vinaigrette.