Old Engine Oil Engineer's Reserve

Brewery: Harviestoun Brewery

Supplier: Beers of Europe

Old Engine Oil is one of Harviestoun's core range of beers; this Engineer's Reserve is the product of a request from the American market for a stronger version - making this 9% as opposed to 6%, with an equally more intense flavour. Apparently this is not available for the UK markets, but somehow I managed to get it. I served this at room temperature.

Appearance: Pitch black in colour with no light penetrating through. There was a hint of a dark brown head, but this dies immediately making it have no head at all.

Aroma: Grapes, sherry, treacle, and a hint of tobacco and tar. 

Flavour: Sweet raisins on the front with a hint of a sherry note in the back, very sweet. 

Body: Very smooth, but a little flat, surprisingly not that thick. 

Aftertaste: Raisins again, but with a hint of roasted malts and brown sugar. 

Overall: Therefore this gets a rating of 6, nice but nothing too special.

Price Range: £4.49 for a 330ml bottle; probably only worth around £3 a bottle, but is more because of the ABV, so at this price I wouldn't go for it.

Food Pairings: The sickly sweetness of it would make it blend with the flavours of something like sticky toffee pudding, however, I'm unsure if they would complement each other or mask each others taste.

Earl Grey Black Wheat

Brewery: Flying Dog Brewery

Supplier: St Andrews Wine Company

One of Flying Dog's Brewhouse Rarities, this one is a Dunkelweizen make using the same herb that gives Earl Grey tea its distinct flavour - Bergamot. They make this with a mix of malted barley and wheat, in this case Honey Malt and Midnight Wheat. I served this chilled.

Appearance: A thick black colour, even when held up to the light. The head is thin but a dark rusty colour. 

Aroma: Sweet roasted notes with a salty back note and an umami note. 

Flavour: Quite light on the front with some grape notes. Not a huge amount of flavour but seems to satisfy all the taste buds

Body: Incredibly smooth and juicy, one of my favourite things about it. Quite refreshing as well. 

Aftertaste: Very smooth with much more grape and roasted notes, there was a little dry herby bitterness. When it warms, the bitterness increases a fair bit. 

Overall: Therefore this gets a rating of 8, not much discernible flavours but it is incredibly satisfying to drink. I couldn't get any Bergamot in it though.

Price Range: £3.50 for a 355ml bottle, a great price for this, a lovely drinker.

Food Pairings: I think the umami flavours would suit it well to something like a steak, or porcini risotto.

Eternal

Brewery: Northern Monk

Supplier: St Andrews Wine Company

A Leeds based brewery that started in 2013, with inspiration for their brand coming from the monks of Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire, with their base of operations in a listed mill. This is their sessionable IPA, which is designed to mimic the big hop notes of the US IPAs. I served this chilled.

Appearance: A rich golden ale, slightly opaque, with straw colours coming through when held to the light. The head is white and average, but fades fast leaving only a trace.

Aroma: Loads of mango and quite a bit of pineapple, hop resin in the back.

Flavour: A nice sugar note on the front, but with a freshness from the hops. The wave of indistinct hoppy notes then follows. 

Body: Light, perfect for this style, and with the perfect amount of carbonation.

Aftertaste: These hop notes intensify in the aftertaste and couple with a floury/cereal note, and a slight grassy bitterness.

Overall: Therefore this gets a rating of 6, a very fresh and enjoyable beer, if not a little usual.

Price Range: £2.50 for a 330ml can; about right, that's all I can say really.

Food Pairings: I think this would go with a salty but more umami snack, such as seaweed or kale chips.