Wild Beer Company Somerset Wild

Wild Beer Company Somerset Wild
Style: Wild Ale

Alcohol Content: 5%

From: Westcombe, Somerset, United Kingdom

Purchased from: Sante Wine Imports, Wells, Somerset

http://wildbeerco.com/

"And now for something completely different" Monty Python

The subject of this review is Wild Beer Company’s Somerset Wild. A self styled wild ale, which is not too dissimilar to the more commonly know Lambic beer style. Personally, I have an extremely chequered past with this style. Every single time I have tried one of these beers I have instantly regretted my decision. My last encounter was in 2013's Great British Beer Festival. After a few sips I had to pour the rest away. The vinegar like taste was far too sour for me to enjoy. However, being a glutton for punishment and a lover of the Wild Beer Company, I decided to this this beer a chance. Can i become a convert? Lets find out.

The idea for Wild Beer came to the founders Andrew and Brett during the Great British Beer festival. Disappointed by the lack of breweries producing ales with natural flavourings, the duo approached Arbor Ales to help them realise their vision. A few months later, a dark, barrel-aged beer cultivated with wild yeasts appeared under the name Modus Operandi (a Latin phrase, approximately translated as "method of operation"). Due to the beers success, they moved to their own brewery based on Lower Westcombe Farm in Somerset to continue their metamorphic rise. And it’s paid off, with the brewery winning the New Business of the Year Award at the Somerset Business Awards. Well done guys!

Let's get wild!

Colour: Unlike most beers i review, this little gem pours a bright, lemon yellow. At a glance, you could be mistaken in thinking you have poured yourself a glass of cloudy lemonade complete with a light frizzy head. This head soon dies down to reveal a rather flat and docile looking beer.

Aroma: As soon as you pop the cap you are overloaded with notes of tart lemon and delicate hints of yeast. After a few minutes in the glass, the lemon sensation begins to subside and notes of apple begin to take over. Pure bliss! These aromas really remind me of my idyllic summer holidays down in somerset, where i would often walk through field upon field of crab apple trees with the hot summer sun beating down on  my neck. Ah how i miss those simple days of my youth!

Body: For a beer that appears rather dense, this drink is actually rather thin in the mouth. I actually thought that the bucket load of yeast used in this beer would help the beer feel thicker (rather like a Saison) but unfortunately this is not the case. The sour edge to this beer actually reminds me of an alcopop called Hooch (remember that!). Very thirst quenching and yet devilishly tart!

Taste: Blimey this drink is so, so sour! It takes quite awhile to get use to. The tart lemons dominate the palate from beginning to the end. As the drink warms, notes of apple begin to come to the fore and the beer begins to resemble a somerset scrumpy (cloudy cider). If you have ever tasted a cider called Old Rosie you will know what I'm getting at here. The wild yeast helps to add a subtle hint of straw or hay. The finish is mouth watering dry and tart with not a hint of bitterness at all. This is actually the first Lambic style beer that i have actually enjoyed and would want to revisit. Yet another winner from Wild Beer Company!

Similar to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/st-bernardus-wit.html

Different to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/bristol-beer-factory-milk-stout.html

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

New Belgium Brewing Company Snapshot

New Belgium Brewing Company Snapshot
Style: Wheat Beer

Alcohol Content: 5%

From: Fort Collins, Colorado, United States

Purchased From: Great British Beer Festival 2014, Olympia, United Kingdom

http://www.newbelgium.com/Home.aspx

New Belgium was established in 1991 after its founder, Jeff Lebesch, decided to take his homebrewing passion commercially. The name New Belgium originates from a bicycle trip the founders took through Belgium in the late 80's. They would cycle from brewery to brewery, sampling beer as they went (sounds like bliss to me). Almost every label has been designed by watercolourist Anne Fitch. Anne has often been credited with helping the brewery develop so quickly due to her eye catching designs. Infact this partnership has helped New Belgium become the third largest craft beer brewery in the United States.

Not resting on their laurels, in 2013 the brewery became completely owned by their employees through an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan). The quirky corporate culture this generates helped New Belgium to be recognised as one of INC magazine's "25 Most Audacious Companies to work". The brewery is primarily based in Fort Collins where they produce over 700,000 barrels of beer each year.        

Colour: Pours a very pale straw yellow and is completely clear. Personally, I like to add the yeast into my wheat beers, so I naturally left a small amount of beer in my bottle and gave it a quickly swirl around. Normally this removes all the yeast that clings to the inside of the bottle, however, in the case of this beer, no yeast seems to be picked up and the drink remains crystal clear.

Aroma: Definitely not the most perfumed beer on the market, but you can pick up notes of zesty citrus fruits subtlety juxtaposed by the hints of creamed wheat. It certainly smells like a archetypal wheat beer. Perhaps this drink can now rise to the occasion.

Body: At first the body feels very rich and creamy. The incredibly low level of carbonation helps add to this depth. However, unlike the majority of the beers I review, this beer actually felt thinner in the mouth once it has warmed. It appears to become more watery as the temperature rises. The hints of citrus help to clear the slight clogging sensation on every sip. Mix this with the watery body and you have a real thirst quencher on your hands. Totally not what I was expecting from this beer.

Taste: To be honest, this is not the most flavoursome beer I have ever tasted. Sharp citrus notes completely dominate the subtle hints of creamed wheat and yeast. It all feels rather unbalanced much like the current Arsenal team. Lots of upfront zest, but no defensive body. The finish is slightly tart and ends incredibly dry. I hate to say it, but I think this beer is quite similar to Coors' Blue Moon. A thirst quenching wheat beer that has unfortunately failed to make its mark on me.

Similar to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/blanche-de-bruxelles.html

Different to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/ommegang-hennepin.html

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

Fuller's Vintage 2012

Fuller's Vintage Ale 2012
Style: Barley Wine
Alcohol Content: 8.5%
From: Chiswick, London, United Kingdom
Purchased From: Noble Green Wines, Hampton Hill, United Kingdom

http://www.fullers.co.uk/

A little while back me and Kev attended the Great British Beer Festival, and some time that afternoon, twitter informed us that Fullers would be tapping their most recent vintage ale. I got all excited as my 3rd was poured and went into raptures as it slipped down a treat- a definite highlight of the day.
Today, as I was browsing in Hampton' Hill's Noble Green Wines, I was elated to spot this on the shelf: Fullers 2012 Vintage Ale. Judging by my previous experience at the festival I put it in my basket immediately! It's been brewed with three of 2012s finest hop varieties: goldings, sovereign and target, which have been combined with yeast and organic barley from Nelson Park Estate in Wiltshire.

And now for a description of a brewery that is very close to my heart; Fullers. Fullers reside in Chiswick, London (a mere fifteen minutes drive from my home) and have been brewing on the site of their Griffin brewery since the sixteenth century. Not only do they brew a fantastic range of beers, they also own 380 pubs with over 168 of these being located within the M25. In fact some of my earliest drinking memories involve drinking a pint of their London Pride in the Red Lion pub in Staines.

The Griffin Brewery now produces a range of 10 core beers which includes their flagship London Pride and their multi award winning ESB. As of 2013, the brewery produces 215,000 barrels of beer per annum and their biggest export market is Sweden (this is very interesting considering the Swedish Market is very heavily regulated).

Colour: Pours a clear deep amber, with low effervescence. The head quickly runs to the side of the glass. The bubbles emanate slowly from the bottom of the glass, and unless you looked for them, you'll think this beer had gone flat.

Aroma: Rum soaked raisins dominate the aroma, with a base of banana and walnut loaf. Smells like a rich fruit cake with a definite sweet edge. You can really get a good sense of the alcohol content from a good whiff too.

Body: Full bodied and clings to the back on the tongue- that low level of carbonation really tickles the mouth pleasantly. Lovely!

Taste: The smells translate in the taste. It's bold and rich, with a stodgy fruitiness, a bit like a dense stollen. Definite banana notes, and rum soaked raisins. The alcoholic content sits well within this beer, with its age coming through in whiskey tones. Notes of caramel and toffee are also present but come through more on the aftertaste: It's lovely and warming- a great one for bonfire night! The more I drink, the more my cockles warm, leaving a slight tingling behind on my lips. I have to admit that it does not live up to the 2014 vintage, but nor does it lag behind either. A solid effort, that is enjoyable in itself, especially on a winter's, blustery, dark nights.

Similar to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/anchor-brewing-old-foghorn.html

Different to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/sharps-quadrupel.html

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

New Holland Brewing Dragon's Milk

New Holland Brewing Dragon's Milk
Style: Bourbon Barrel Stout 

Alcohol Content: 10%

From: Holland, Michigan, United States

Purchased from: Great British Beer Festival

http://newhollandbrew.com/

Being deeply in love with someone means that you take on a little bit of them, and in my case, their interests and love of craft beer. And this is how I now find myself, spending my rainy bank holiday Monday getting rather excited about cracking open a bottle of bourbon barrel stout. It's certainly not something that I would of caught myself doing a year ago, I can tell you!

Just over a week ago, we spent a boozy (yet well-paced) day at the Great British Beer Festival. We sampled many a delicious beverage and I decided to bring back little treat for myself for later. Having a particular penchant for the darker, more alcoholic varieties of beer, I settled on a bourbon aged stout called 'Dragons milk' from New Holland Brewing. I squeezed the little bottle into my purse and dreamed of day i would enjoy the beverage. Yum!

However, upon delving a little deeper into the secrets of this Dragons Milk- it turns out that I haven't brought back an authentic Dutch beer at all, but a US beer from Holland in Michigan State! Kevin always said I never was any good with geography! This little beauty has been brewed by a couple of American chaps who first met in college and had a passion for their own home-brewed beer. After graduating, they formulated a solid business plan which attached the attention of some investors which eventually led to the opening of New Holland Brewing in 1996. The site now includes the microbrewery, along with a distillery, speciality brew house, restaurant and a pub! Sounds like our kind of place Kev! Nudge nudge wink wink!

Colour: This drink pours jet black complete with a deep tan coloured head that dissipates in a flash. It's thick and dark, with deep claret shades when held up to the light.

Aroma: As a lady with a vast collection of perfumes, ill tackle this question like I would any scent. Top note: Cloves. Middle notes: Vanilla, milk, a tumbler full of grandad's scotch whiskey Christmas 2002. Base notes: Marmite.

Body: This beer is every bit as dark and delicious as I had hoped! Unlike other stouts, this one has a full bodied mouth feel and coats the back of the tongue nicely. Hmmmmm! A wave of alcohol comes through on the aftertaste, giving that warming feeling that is nice when you're tucked up indoors and its all grey and misty outside (like today). The beer has that pleasant champagne-like effervescence to it which helps it slide down nicely!

Taste: With a smoky and spicy depth to it, this beer is a real winner. Every sip should be savoured as to really appreciate that bourbon edge. Flavours of cloves and cinnamon combine with a more delicate and floral note when I swill it around my mouth. I couldn't help but think that this beer is a perfect match for GU chocolate soufflé - both of which would just melt in your mouth. Soon after polishing off about half the bottle, the marmitey richness tends to sharpen and the alcohol content becomes more apparent. This is a drink that you only need one bottle of, or maybe that's just me. It's density and richness puts it up there with one of the hits of this years Beer Festival! Fullers Vintage 2014.

Similar to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/weird-beard-brewing-company-chinook.html

Different to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/gambrinus-excellent-11.html

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

Arbor Twigs in Space

Arbor Ale's Twigs In Space
Style: Brown Ale

Alcohol Content: 4.8%

From: Bristol, England, United Kingdom

Purchased From: Purchased from: Sante Wine Imports, Wells, Somerset

http://www.arborales.co.uk/

Arbor Ales began brewing in March 2007 on a 2.5 BBL plant in a small outbuilding at the back of the Old Tavern in Stapleton. When the pub closed in June 2008 they moved to a unit in Kingswood and upgraded to a 5.5 BBL plant. Arbor moved again in early 2012 to their current location in Lawrence Hill and upgraded to a 12 BBL plant. They are now producing around 25-30 BBLs a week. In March 2009 Arbor took on their first pub, the Old Stillage in Redfield, which they purchased from Punch Taverns a year later. In October 2010 Arbor signed the lease on their second pub, the Three Tuns in Hotwells.

Colour: Pours a murky brown with an off white head which really fizzes up in the glass like its life depends on it. This head soon dives down into the dark depths of the beer but leaves just enough foam to lace the glass perfectly. This is not the best looking beer you will ever see and to the non-initiated you could be mistaken in thinking your drinking a pint of mud. Let’s hope appearances can be miss leading.  

Aroma: Big bold aromas of fresh pine and dewy grass dominate from the get go. It’s almost as if you are walking through a Scandinavian forest after a heavy rain storm. As the drink warms, subtle hints of sweet milk chocolate being to appear in the background. The longer you take to drink this beer the more pronounced these chocolaty aroma become.

Body: If you drink this beer ice cold it will taste slightly thin or watered down. My advice would be to try this ale at room temperature as both the texture and the taste are enhanced once served at the correct temperature. The light, tickly carbonation ensures a pleasurably smooth  drinking experience, that is not to dissimilar to that of John Smiths.  

Taste: Although this is not the best looking beer by any stretch of the imagination, Arbor’s Twigs in Space has a palate to die for! A nutty backbone is juxtaposed against hints of crisp pine and slight tart lemons on every sip. I took pleasure in every moment I shared with this beer and drank it ever so slowly. Once warmed up, the drink beings to resonate a slightly creamy chocolate sensation which helps to round off the flavour profile perfectly. To be honest, the depth of flavours in this ale really blew me away. I am extremely pleased that Arbor are now brewing this beer permanently after first appearing as part of their Freestyle Friday range. Amazing!

Similar to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/east-london-brewing-foundation-bitter.html

Different to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/sly-fox-brewing-pikeland-pils.html

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

Great British Beer Festival 2014

Great British Beer Festival 2014

So last Friday i took the day of work to visit the UK's biggest beer hodown ,the perennial classic known as the Great British Beer Festival. Normally i get so drunk at this festival i never quite remember what i have had to drink, however this year i decided to make a concerted effort to document my beer intake. So let see what i swallowed down my pie hole shall we?

Arbor Ales Yakima Valley
Loaded with American hops; they used twice as many hops as they put into their imperial IPA, then dry-hopped with another few Kilos.

Beef Says "What a great way to start the GBBF! Citrus and mango notes dominate from the get go. The finish is long and dry to perfectly balance the sweet mango notes. Arbor have blown my mind yet again. Top stuff!" Rating: 8

Adnams Topaz Gold
Medium bodied, hints of apricot and lychee hopped with Australian hops; bitter with a crisp finish.

Beef Says; "Normally, I quite like Adnams beers but this is a real let down. Really thin body with nominal notes of the apricots and lychee. I drank this so quickly as I thought it was a glass of squash" Rating: 3

Stumblefoot La Grassy Monk Belgium IPA
Caramel, biscuit malts superbly balanced with an earthy hop bite and juicy citrus. Grapefruit citrus aroma and flavour.

Beef Says; "The worst beer of the day. I could taste none of the above flavours and all I could taste piss vinegar. It tastes more like a lambic than an IPA. What a let down." Rating: 1

After a series of disappointing drinks I picked up an equally dull/flavourless ostrich burger. I hung my head in shame as I picked up slices of plastic cheese to add a bit of flavour to my burger. After moaning to Emma, I decided to play it safe and visit the Czech/Germany bar. Hopefully the Reinheitsgebot will restore faith in this festival.

Schumacher Alt 1838
Fantastic Alt with a deep malty flavour which carries through to the finish. One is never enough!

Beef Says; "Hallelujah, my day has been saved by my first Alt experience. I have never had anything like this this before. It's like drinking toast, butter and jam. Beautifully malty and perfectly balanced. Hell yeah I'm going back for more!" Rating: 9

Portobello White
Brewed with fresh cherries, this wheat beer has low bitterness and flavours of banana, clove, and just a hint of cherries.

Beef says; "Very smooth and perfectly balanced. The cherries lurk in the background and add a tart sweetness to the finish if this beer. Very enjoyable and went perfectly with some chocolate truffles". Rating: 8

Brains Craft Brewery Goedian Knott
An American style 'West Coast IPA' with big hop flavours and bitterness.

Beef Says; "Normally, I love any beer created by the Brains craft brewery, however, this was a let down. Instead of the big hop flavours I was presented with notes of bread and subtle hints of citrus. Reminded me more of a bitter than a West Coast IPA. Real shame". Rating: 6

Windsor and Eton Conqueror
Intensely flavoured black IPA brewed with dark malt but generous amounts of hops for a lingering, complex bitterness.

Beefs says; "Whilst waiting in the queue for the opening of this years Fuller's vintage, I noticed that one of my favourite beers was on sale on one of this years bar. Without haste I ordered a third to enjoy the upfront citrus notes this beer offers. The follow though of the sweet chocolate notes helps to round the drink of perfectly. Great drink to waste a few minutes with whilst queuing for the main event". Rating: 9

Thornbridge Jaipur
Complex, bitter IPA with a fine blend of citrus and grapefruit flavours with a lingering bitter finish.

Beef say; "You always know what your going to get with Jaipur. I love the perfect blending of juicy grapefruit flavours and a mild bitter hop finish. Very smooth and extremely drinkable, the perfect counterpoint to the incoming glass of Fuller's Vintage. I have read numerous articles suggesting that Jaipur is not the drink it once was. Personally, I still think this drink has a lot to offer and I feel that the current trend to hop beers to death has caused people's palates to change and thus expect more from this beer". Rating: 8

Fuller's Vintage 2014
This year's release of Vintage Ale - we are expecting spicy citrus fruit with malty sweet biscuit but we won't know until the casks are opened.

Beef says: "Finally, it's time for the MAIN EVENT!!! This years Fuller's vintage really hits the spot. This barley wine is full of citrus notes on the nose followed by sweet molasses and toffee on the tongue. Much more enjoyable than last years high octane addition. A real drink to savour and well worth the half an hour wait". Rating: 9.5 (Beer of the Day).

Pelican Silverpoint IPA
Blend of Sterling, Fuggles and Meridian hops, focusing on herbal, floral, spicy and tangerine like characters.

Beef says; "After the disappointment of the stumblefoot, Pelican Silverpoint helped to restore my faith in the US beer on offer at the GBBF. Beautifully hopped to produce aromas of spiced oranges. This also translates to the taste complemented with delicate hints on soft elderflower. I really enjoyed this beer and I wish managed to drink it earlier in the festival (my memory of my day becomes slightly hazy at this point)". Rating: 8

Geeves Captain Gingerbread
Naturally hazy pale wheat beer infused with ginger; spicy refreshing and with a hint of citrus.

Beef says; "The warming ginger is perfectly counter pointed by notes of tart lemon. Spicy on the nose and tongue, this is a perfect winter warmer for people who do not like dark beers or those with a high alcohol content". Rating: 7

So that was my GBBF for 2014 and I must say, this was the best of my three visits so far. The increase amount of seating was a welcomed addition, as was the theming of the event (as a circus). The pricing remains the same as in previous years and the range of beers on offer is superb. However my two gripes would be the food and the lack of London based breweries. Whilst I'm not expecting gourmet cuisine, when I pay over five pounds for a burger, I'm expecting something better than a cheap, smooth "Tesco value" esc. burger. The addition of Meantime, Kernel, Partizan and Brew by Numbers would help to heal the wounds between both the craft beer and real ale communities. Here's hoping for next year!

Good Day, Good Sir!