Mikkeller Mexas Ranger

Mikkeller Mexas Ranger

Style: Flavoured Porter

Alcohol Content: 6.6%

From: Copenhagen, Denmark

Purchased from: Real Ale Shop, Richmond Upon Thames

http://mikkeller.dk/

Mikkeller is a so-called "phantom" or "gypsy" microbrewery founded in 2006 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The brewery was founded by two homebrewers, a high school teacher Mikkel Borg Bjergsø and a journalist Kristian Klarup Keller, with the intention of bringing their home-brewed beer into public awareness, and to "challenge their beer friends with intense new tastes". The two also found some inspiration for their widely-varied, edgy brewing approach from the American breweries that "aren't afraid to play and break all the rules". In craft beer circles, the Mikkeller brewery is considered to be one of the innovative and well thought of breweries in the world. During its history, unlike many other microbreweries, Mikkeller has brewed over 600 different beers in a wide variety of styles.  As of 2013, their annual output is 8,500 hectolitres of beer. This is a review of Mikkeller's Mexas Ranger. A porter made with a whole host of additional ingredients including Almond Milk, Chillies and Avocado leaves.

Colour: This porter pours ink black topped with a dark tan coloured head. Like a black hole, no light can penetrate thought this temptingly thick beer. Truth be told, this has to be the most beautiful looking porter I have ever seen before. I cannot wait to dive into its mucky depths!

Aroma: Just like its appearance, the bouquet of this beer also oozes quality. Served in two halves, bold notes of cocoa and coffee dominate before giving way to a combination of sweet lactose and a subtle smokiness mixed with a warming chilli spice. This beer is literally begging me to have a sip, so what's the point in waiting any longer.

Body: The thick and smoky body will wash over your palate like a tidal wave. As the swell dies down, a slightly odd drying sensation will remove all the moisture from your mouth. This will naturally force you to have another sip as the feeling can be a little unpleasant.

Taste: Finally the Pièce de résistance, the tasting! Upfront notes of dark chocolate playful mix with the additional almond milk. This milky sweetness soon gives way to hints of bitter coffee and a slight herbal flavouring. It climaxes with a finish that is very dry yet slight warming due to the addition of chillies (cascabel, de arbol, guajilo, mulato and pasilla to be more precise) to the brew kettle. Whilst these chillies will not blow your head off, you certainly know they are there. Personally, I feel that the chillies help to dial down the sweetness and help to round out the beers flavour profile perfectly. In summary, this is an excellent porter that blends the traditional Fab Four ingredients with some playful new additions. You can certainly never say Mikkeller's beer are boring!

Similar to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/titanic-plum-porter.html

Different to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/the-lost-abbey-saison-blanc.html

For the latest news on reviews follow me on twitter @beefsbrewery or like me on Facebook at Beefsbrewery 

Mikkeller Koppi

Mikkeller Koppi

Style: Coffee IPA

Alcohol Content: 6.9%

From: Copenhagen, Denmark

Purchased from: Real Ale Shop, Richmond Upon Thames

http://mikkeller.dk/

What a weekend! Not only did I get to eat an amazing lobster roll at the Big Easy, I also visited the White Horse in Parsons Green. The selection of craft beer was quite frankly remarkable. From Rouge to Windsor and Eton, the White Horse had them all. After spending an eternity looking at the craft beer menu, Emma and I plumped for the following: Stone Levitation Ale, Goose Island Honkers ale, Kona Big Wave, Rouge Hazelnut Brown Nectar, Beaverton Black Betty Black IPA, Westbrook White Thai, Blanche De Bruxelles and Windsor and Eton Zinzan's Drop. You must agree, a very drinkable line up indeed. Couple this with a fantastic atmosphere and friendly staff, make the White Horse a winner. Whilst there, I noticed a number of Mikkeller beers were available. Rather than pay £20 for a bottle of their Geek Breakfast beer, I remembered I had bottle of Mikkeller Koppi sitting in my cupboard at home. So without further ado, here is the review.

Mikkeller is a so-called "phantom" or "gypsy" microbrewery founded in 2006 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The brewery was founded by two home brewers, a high school teacher Mikkel Borg Bjergsø and a journalist Kristian Klarup Keller, with the intention of bringing their home-brewed beer into public awareness, and to "challenge the beer friends with intense new tastes". The two also found some inspiration for their widely-varied, edgy brewing approach from the American breweries that "aren't afraid to play and break all the rules". In craft beer circles, the Mikkeller brewery is considered to be one of the innovative and well thought of breweries in the world. During its history, unlike many other microbreweries, Mikkeller has brewed over 600 different beers in a wide variety of styles.  As of 2013, their annual output is 8,500 hectolitres of beer. So onto the tasting.

Colour: Pours a dark chestnut brown which when held up to the light, produces a slight hazy orange hue. The head is very minimal and does not stay around long, so catch it if you can.

Aroma: The use of tomahawk hops helps to create aromas of elderflower and orange blossoms. The addition of Ethiopian Guji coffee adds bitter, lightly roasted coffee notes to the nose. Both these flavours will perform a merry little dance in your nose, leaving you wanting more.

Body: Very smooth in the mouth, but the heavy hopping and the addition of coffee causes a bitterness which clogs the back of your throat.

Taste: Firstly, bitter coffee will fill your palate, this slowly mutates into notes of crunchy biscuit and smooth, creamy fudge. The finish is long and bitter, with the continuation of coffee, cream and bitter hop resins. As the drink warms, the coffee notes will slightly fade into the background. The tomahawk hops compliment the coffee to ensure neither overpowers this beer. This helps to create a very enjoyable beer that I would return to over and over again.

Similar to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/beavertown-8-ball-rye-ipa.html

Different to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/einstok-icelandic-white-ale.html

For the latest news on reviews follow me on twitter @beefsbrewery or like me on Facebook at Beefsbrewery