Green Flash West Coast IPA

Green Flash West Coast IPA
Style: Double IPA

Alcohol Content: 8.1%

From: San Diego, California, United States of America

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

http://www.greenflashbrew.com/home/

The Green Flash Brewing company was founded in 2002 by Mike and Lisa Hinkley. Originally based in Vista, California, the brewery soon out grew their premises and moved down to San Diego in 2011. Here the brewery has grown from strength to strength and now outputs circa 45,000 barrels per year. Always wanting to give a little back to the community, Green Flash are members of the “Brewing it Forward” campaign which encourages brewers to donate beer and merchandise to selected non-profit charities.  I always knew good beer can make a difference.

Earlier this year, Green Flash acquire the artisan Alpine Beer Company (whom are also based in San Diego). Commenting on the deal Mike Hinkley said “This partnership is win-win-win. Green Flash wins because we are teaming up with a truly iconic brewery. Alpine wins because they get to see their beers enjoyed by so many more of their adoring fans. But most of all, beer geeks everywhere win.” Sounds like good news all round then! The subject of this review is Green Flash’s flagship beer; West Coast Double IPA.

Colour: Pours a deep copper with a brilliant two finger deep white head. This soon dissipates down to a dusting of foam which laces the glass perfectly on every sip.

Aroma: Woho! A powerful hop howitzer will destroy your nasal passages as soon as you pop the cap. The perfect blending of five hops provides a myriad of different aromas. Pineapple, mango and citrus scents are provided by the use of Simcoe and Citra hops, whilst a delicate perfume of floral and pine notes are released from the Cascade and Centennial hops. Very powerful and extremely up lifting after a hard day at the office.

Body: A beautifully dense IPA that oozes quality from the first sip to the last. The denseness of  body followed by a subtle level of clogging ensures a very pleasurable drink experience that just begs you to drink more and more.

Taste: Now for the all important taste test. The base notes are full of biscuits and caramel flavours. This sweet underpinning becomes more pronounced as the drink warms and helps to add a real depth to this beer. This sweet base playful mixes with flavours of juicy grapefruit and mango and really elevates this beer onto another level. The finish is extremely dry with subtle hints of the resinous hops in the after-taste. My mouth feels like I have been licking my pet cat for days on end. Overall, I found this beer to be perfectly well balanced and I can certainly see why this is one of Mikkaller's favourite beers.

Flash Ahhhhh! Saviour of the Universe

Similar to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/oskar-blues-brewing-dales-pale-ale.html

Different to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/founders-backwoods-bastard.html

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Left Hand Brewing 400 Pound Monkey

Left Hand Brewing 400 Pound Monkey

Style: English IPA

Alcohol Content: 6.9%

From: Longmont, CO, USA

Purchased From: Corbetts Real Ale, Dorking, Surrey
http://www.lefthandbrewing.com/

Ever wondered what a 400 pound monkey looks like? Read on to reveal all

Left Hand began in December 1990 with a home-brewing kit founder Dick Doore received from his brother. According to Dick, "it was all downhill from there." By 1993, Dick had teamed up with college buddy Eric Wallace and they resolved to start a brewery.

On September 21, 1993, they incorporated as Indian Peaks Brewing Company, and purchased a former meat-packing plant next to the St. Vrain River outside downtown Longmont, Colorado. A few weeks after beginning production, it was discovered that the name Indian Peaks was already in use by another Brewery, so the name was changed to Left Hand, in honor of Chief Niwot (the Arapahoe word for "left hand") whose tribe wintered in the local area. Left Hand's doors opened for business on January 22, 1994. Their first batch of beer was Sawtooth Ale, which has since become their most popular brew. In October of that year, Left Hand took home two medals at the Great American Beer Festival, a Gold Medal in the bitter category for Sawtooth Ale, and a Bronze Medal in the Robust Porter category for Black Jack Porter.

In recent years, the brewery is prospering and growing like never before! Beginning with over 30% growth in 2010, Left Hand is breaking barrelage records each year, even making the Brewers Association’s Top 50 Craft Breweries list in 2012. What started as a humble brew house extension in 2008, has turned into a 5 year $9 million expansion, as the brewery sprints to keep up with thirsty fans.

Cheeky Monkey!

Colour: Pours a light, copper colour that's not too dissimilar to the colour of a good Czech Pilsner. There is a very small amount of foam present in glass which then lingers for the duration of the beer.

Aroma: As soon as you pop the cap you will think you have walked into a bakery. Wholemeal bread rises like a bakers dozen to great your nostrils. This sensation soon dies down to reveal delicate notes of elderflower and sweet caramel. Lovely stuff!

Body: Medium bodied with just a slight tickle of carbonation. Very easy to drink that reminds me of one of my favourite pub pints; St Austell's Tribute.

Taste: Everything about this beer is subtle. All the flavour blend perfectly to produce a very inoffensive beer that would not be out of place in many in many UK pubs. Notes of sweet wholemeal bread dominate. The use of Magnum hops help to provide a slight citrus edge which helps to cut through the sweetness. The high alcohol content is very well hidden by the underlying sweetness of this beer. Absolutely glorious! After drinking so many heavily hopped IPA's recently, this beer makes a welcome change to the norm. Definitely a beer worth revisiting again and again!

Similar to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/brewdog-old-world-india-pale-ale.html

Different to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/adnams-southwold-spindrift.html

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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

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Brooklyn Brewery Summer Ale

Brooklyn Brewery Summer Ale
Style: Summer Ale
Alcohol Content: 5%
From: Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York USA
Purchased From: Ray's Wine, Ashford, United Kingdom

http://brooklynbrewery.com/

Recently, the weather has been unseasonably warm and my mind can't help but wonder back to those sunny warm days of August past spent relaxing at Hampton Lido, and coming home to a refreshing Pale Ale. With this in mind, and after a beautiful stroll around hampton court palace grounds, a portion of beer battered fish and chips, and a little touch of sunburn, I am really up for this Brooklyn summer ale this evening!

Brooklyn Brewery was started in 1987 by Steve Hindy and Tom Potter. Hindy learned to brew beer during a six-year stay in various Middle Eastern nations such as Saudi Arabia and Syria. Upon his return to his home in Brooklyn in 1984, he and Potter, his downstairs neighbour from Park Slope, quit their jobs and founded the brewery. The pair hired graphic designer Milton Glaser, best known as the creator of the logo for the I Love New York campaign, to create the company logo and identity.

Originally all their beer was brewed by contract by Matt Brewing Company, and the pair started their own distribution company and personally transported and marketed their beer to bars and retailers around New York City. In 1996, they acquired a former matzo factory in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and converted it into a functional brewery.

Although the brewery looked to expand its brewing capacity in the City, originally most of the production, including all Brooklyn Lager and all bottled products, were brewed by contract in the upstate New York city of Utica, due to the limited ability to meet demand at the Williamsburg brewery, its lack of a bottling line, and the cost benefits of contract brewing. The company later sought to expand its facilities in Brooklyn, but had difficulty finding a suitable site within the borough. However, an economic recession allowed them to remain in Williamsburg and undertake a $6.5 million expansion of the brewery in 2009.

Colour: Pours a bright sun yellow and with a head that fades quickly. Once settled this beer is crystal clear and reminds me of marbles I played with as a kid. Beautiful!

Aroma: Smells like summer, or is it that it smells like the memories of summer? I don't know but I like it! Citrus and watermelon notes steam out of the glass. This is promptly followed by undertones of wet freshly cut grass. Definitely has an outdoorsy vibe to it minus the sunscreen.

Body: Similar to a common lager (though I won't hold it against it) and is rather watery and thin. Doesn't really linger on the tongue but it washes back very quickly. Definitely easy to drink!

Taste: As somebody who is still learning about beer, the first taste reminds me of a Corona.Very refreshing! However, it does have a lot more depth and I can definitely taste a doughy, bread like quality - rather stodgy.  To counter this, the beer has a very clean refreshing edge to it, not too dissimilar to watermelon. It would cut through a smoky BBQ Burger very well! As this beers warms, the flavours get rather more roasted and bread like but the light carbonation and hints of lime promptly clear this away with ease. This is not the kind of beer that I usually go for, but I am really enjoying it. The clean freshness really appeals to me and I would really recommend it as an 'easy' beer.

Summertime in a Glass

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

Different to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/weird-beard-and-electric-nurse-bearded.html

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Rogue Yellow Snow IPA

Rogue Yellow Snow IPA

Style: India Pale Ale

Alcohol Content: 5.2%

From: Newport, Oregon, United States of America

Purchased From: Beer Boutique, Putney, United Kingdom

http://rogue.com/

It rarely snows here in the UK, so when it does everyone will be out making snowmen or sledging. Once the melt begins to start, strange yellow snow begins to appear. Being a playful little scamp, I would often enjoyed winding my mum up by pretending to eat the yellow snow. Once, the snow got rather to close for comfort and ended up with a small, gritty chunk in my mouth. Quite frankly, it tasted disgusting and I finally understood why my mum was so freaked out every time I tested her. So forever scarred from this memory, I really hope this beer does not taste like the real thing.

Rogue Ales is an American craft brewery founded in 1988 in Ashland, Oregon. The following year the company opened their second brewpub in Newport, Oregon where they are now headquartered. They operate brewpubs in Oregon, Washington, and California. Rogue exports throughout the US and internationally. Rogue Ales have been described as "invariably fun and full flavored". The company's offerings are popular with critics and craft beer aficionados and have been major award winners in worldwide competitions.

Colour: pours a bright straw yellow complete with a brilliant, snow bite head. It really looks like yellow snow has been melted down and bottled (let's hope it does not taste like it!). As I drunk this beer straight from the fridge, a slight bit of chill hazing in, is also present in the glass.

Aroma: The nose is Full of tart gooseberries and juicy clementines notes to start. As the drink warms these fruity note being to dwindle to slowly reveal notes of slightly burnt sugar or caramel. Certainly a nose of two halves.

Body: Surprisingly dense for an IPA. This beer will flood your taste buds and clog the back of the throat. The surprising level of bitterness ensures that this clogging sensation endures during your entire drinking experience.

Taste: The nose translates into the taste. The aforementioned juicy clementines and tart gooseberries dominate the palate. The dryness of the gooseberries are complemented by the hop acid to help produce an unbelievably dry, slightly herbal finish. It feels as if a shot of Jagermeister has been added to this beer. As this IPA warms, the characteristics change dramatically. The caramel notes from the nose being to appear along with a subtle hits of wood. Delicious! For me this is another case of ensuring you drink a beer at the correct temperature. Take this beer out of the fridge and leave it on the side for fifteen minutes. This will ensure all the flavours are present in every sip, helping to increase your enjoyment.

Similar to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/kona-brewing-company-castaway-ipa.html

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

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Lagunitas IPA

Lagunitas IPA
Style: India Pale Ale

Alcohol Content: 6%

From: Petaluma, California, USA

Purchased From: Purchased from: Beer Boutique, Putney

http://lagunitas.com/

Over the past few weeks, my liver has taken one hell of a pounding. Two beer festivals and one craft beer night later, I am constantly finding myself reaching for a daily Paracetamol. Whilst I enjoy drinking the beer at the time,  I'm also starting to feel the effects more the day after. I guess my metabolism is not the same as it once was or perhaps it’s the fact that I'm drinking stronger beers more often. After looking through my beer cupboard, I noticed the average ABV was 8%.  Lordy, I can remember a time when the highest beer I ever drank was a 5 percent Carlsberg Export. That being said, the pain is worth it. After two years of blogging  my curiosity and enthusiasm to discover new beer styles has yet to waiver. No Pain, No Gain as they say.

Founded in 1993 by Tony Magee in Lagunitas, California, the brewery quickly outgrew its original home and a year later moved to Petaluma, California.  Maintain that rapid momentum, Lagunitas has almost quadrupled its output between 2004 to 2010, rising from 27,000 barrel per annum to 106,000 per annum during this period. In 2012, Lagunitas announced plans for a new Chicago based brewery with a barrel capacity of 600,000 per annum whilst also investing 9.5 million dollars in order to  increase production at their Petaluma site to a similar level. The Chicago brewery finally opened its doors in April 2014, complete with an onsite tap-room. Great news considering I will be heading over to the States for my 30^th birthday. Cheers all!

Colour: Pours a warm orange/copper, complete with a bubbly white head. This head lingers for the duration, lacing the glass perfectly on every sip.

Aroma: Hints of perfectly blended kiwi, mango and lime present themselves instantly. It's almost like an exotic fruit salad that has been drizzled in sweet honey. The citrus notes slowly mellow to give way to delicate hints of earthy resinous hops. The perfect perfume for an IPA.

Body: Lordy, this drink is oh so smooth it's almost like you are drinking a pint of pure velvet. The carbonation is perfectly balanced against the sweetness of the hop oils to ensure a refreshingly pleasurable drinking experience.

Taste: Hints of beautifully fresh mangos are promptly followed by notes of a dry, hobnob biscuit. Hints of smooth honey and warming alcohol will become more prominent as the drink warms. These flavours add to the refined smoothness of this beer and the mildly bitter aftertaste helps to round out the flavour perfectly. In my opinion, this is one of the most polished IPAs on the market. Perfectly balanced in all areas, ensuring that both novices and beer connoisseurs go home happy. Great stuff!

Similar to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/the-celt-brewing-experience-seven.html

Different to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/alken-maes-judas.html

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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

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Sierra Nevada Brewing Narwhal Imperial Stout

Sierra Nevada Brewing Narwhal Imperial Stout

Style: Imperial Stout

Alcohol Content: 10.2%

From: Chico, California, USA

Purchased From: Beer Boutique, Putney
http://www.sierranevada.com/ 

Located in Chico, California, Sierra Nevada Brewing is one of the top craft breweries currently operating in the United States. Sierra Nevada's Pale Ale is the second best-selling craft beer in the United States, behind the Boston Beer Company Samuel Adams Boston Lager. It is currently the sixth-largest brewing company in the United States.The brewery produced 786,000 barrels of beer in 2010.

The brewery was named "Green Business of the Year" by the United States Environmental Protection Agency in 2010 for its practices in sustainability.

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. was founded in 1979, with founders Ken Grossman and Paul Camusi expanding their homebrewing hobby into a brewery in Chico, California. Along with the brewery's location, Grossman claims the company's name comes from his love of hiking in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.With $50,000 in loans from friends and family, Grossman & Camusi rented a 3,000-square-foot (280 m2) warehouse and pieced together discarded dairy equipment and scrap yard metal to create their brewing equipment.They later were able to acquire second-hand copper brewing kettles from Germany before moving to their larger, current brewing facility in 1989.

Colour: Pours a jet fuel black with a densely packed, tan coloured foam. It looks so thick in the glass you could mistake it for tar. The head will slowly die away after a few minutes in the glass but what's left will cling to the glass as if it's life depends on it. So far, so good.

Aroma: Rich, dark cocoa notes present themselves as soon as you pop the cap. Subtle notes of yeast or beefy marmite are also present and add a real sense of depth to the aroma profile. You certainly will love or hate the perfume that's for sure.

Body: As I eluded to in my above colour description, this drink is as thick as Paris Hilton. As soon as you take a gulp, your mouth will be flooded like an oil slick. Every crevasse of your palate will be covered like a bird near the Exxon oil slip. Luckily, this sensation is surprisingly brief as due to the lack of bitterness and lack of any clogging sensation at all. Very smooth and a true pleasure to drink.

Taste: Subtlety is the name of the game with this beer. There are no big, bold flavours in this beer, just a subtle yet complex set of tastes that have been blended perfectly together. A real melting pot of coffee, dark chocolate, liquorice and marmite are all present. The ABV is masked beautifully by both these flavours and a pleasant sweetness I have yet to come across in an imperial stout. For me, this is one of the best imperial stouts I have ever tasted. A true sipper without a hint of bitterness in the aftertaste. Well worth a repeat visit.

Similar to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/anderson-valley-barney-flats-oatmeal.html

Different to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/nogne-o-blonde.html

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Odell Brewing Company IPA

Odell Brewing Company IPA
Style: IPA

Alcohol Content: 7.0%

From: Fort Collins, Colorado, United States

Purchased From: Beer Boutique, Putney, London, England

https://odellbrewing.com/

The Odell Brewing Company was founded by brothers Doug, Wynne and Corkie Odell back in 1989. As with most craft breweries, Odell began life as a small microbrewery mainly based in Doug’s kitchen in Seattle, Washington. As time progress and the business grew, the Odell family began to deliver, pick up empties and make sales visits in an old yellow Datsun pick-up truck. I can just imagine what impression that would of give to prospective customers as a Datsun pickup is not the best looking car in the world. By 1994 the brewery out grew the kitchen and relocated located in Fort Collins, Colorado (I've started to notice that a lot of the imported beer I buy is from this state) Here the brewery has gone from strength to strength and currently outputs 45,000 barrels per annum. This is actually the second beer of Odell’s I have brought to review. The first was a Lugene Chocolate Milk Stout, that unfortunately went off before i could drink it (Always check your expiry dates people).

Beautiful Old School Label

Colour: This drink pours a beautiful copper crowned with a densely pack white head. This helps to produce the best lacing I have ever seen from an IPA.

Aroma: There is a lot going on in this beer. The start begins with notes of zingy grapefruit and lime which is then quickly followed by soft, delicate elderflower aromas with just a hint of pine lurking in the background. As the drink warms slight, juicy ripe peaches enter the aroma profile to entice you to drink more. This excellent balance of flavours comes from the use of of seven hops in just about every point in the brewing process.

Body: Very light carbonation ensures a extremely smooth drinking experience. This beer literally melts in your mouth with no clogging effect at all. This is very surprising given the heavy use of hops during the production process.

Taste: The start begins with a lovely hint of sweet grapefruit which dominates the palate until slight hints of sweet caramel begin to appear from depths of the glass. The finish is packed with juicy smooth malt, hints summer ripened peaches and a mild bitter finish. This has to be one of the least bitter IPA's I have ever tasted. It actually reminds me more of a refreshing pale ale. The perfect IPA for summer and I certainly enjoyed my beer burps after several sizeable sips. Uber tasty.

Similar to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/bear-republic-racer-5-ipa.html

Different to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/kozel-dark-lager.html

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Sly Fox Brewing Pikeland Pils

Sly Fox Brewing Pikeland Pils

Style: Pilsner

Alcohol Content: 4.7%

From: Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, USA

Purchased from: Beer Boutique, Putney 

http://www.slyfoxbeer.com/

Finally after months of flooding it appears that the UK is finally drying out. Near tropical temperatures of 15 degrees centigrade have been recorded in London this week prompting the daffodils to awaken and bloom. To many daffodil sightings are the first signs of Spring and people begin planning for their summer holidays. I am no exception to this as I have recently booked a two week holiday to Croatia. The winter has however played havoc on my body and I am rather out off shape. So as the weathers improved, I have decided to start running again. After running just over three miles yesterday, I was in need of some light refreshment. I have often seen runners turn to beer after their gruelling exploits so I decided to do some research and find out more.

The answer is surprisingly uncomplicated. Beer is made up from 99.5% water with the rest being made up from malted barley, hops and yeast which are all rich in vitamins and minerals. Researchers suspect that sugar, salts and carbonation in beer combine to help people absorb the fluid more quickly. Faster hydration after exertion helps you to recover quicker. So next time you run home from work, grab a cheeky pint to recharge, doctors orders!

Sly Fox Brewery hails from Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. The company was founded in December 1995 by the Giannopoulos family as the Sly Fox Brewhouse and Eatery. When off-premise sales increased beyond the Phoenixville location’s ability to keep up, Sly Fox opened a 20-barrel production brewery and accompanying restaurant in nearby Royersford, in November 2004. However this was not enough for Sly Fox as in 2012, they choose to open a third site in  Pottstown to take their annual production up to 3,600 barrels. The subject of this review is their Pikeland Pils, a Pilsner style lager.  

Colour: Pours a lemon yellow with a thick white head that reminds me more of a Weiss beer than a pilsner. It's so thick that you could mistake it for a Mr Whippy (minus the flake of course). This dies down after a few minutes but coats the side of the glass beautifully. Unlike every other pilsner I've ever drunk, the beer is very opaque. So much so, you almost can't see the bottom of the glass.

Aroma: Not the most perfumed beer in the world but you can certainly smell aromas of freshly cut grass and subtle hints of lemon.

Body: Very light and refreshing as every good pilsner should be. This beer will help refresh you after a hard day at work or a long run like the one I undertook earlier today. There is no clogging on the back of throat and sips down a treat.

Taste: On the first sip you will be presented with notes of freshly cut grass and subtle hints of lemon and honey in the background. As the drink warms slightly, a slight wheat note comes to the fore. This changes the character of the beer some what to become very reminiscent of a Weiss beer minus the banana and cloves. Very different to the soft perfumed pilsners from Czech Republic and Germany that I am used to but very nice all the same. A twist on a modern classic style some may say. The finish is mildly bitter but very crisp. The perfect refresher.

Similar to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/victory-prima-pils.html

Different to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/maui-brewing-company-aloha-baktun.html

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Oskar Blues Brewing Dale's Pale Ale

Oskar Blues Brewing Dale's Pale Ale

Style: Pale Ale

Alcohol Content: 6.5%

From: Longmont, Colorado, USA

Purchased from: Beer Boutique, Putney 

http://brew.oskarblues.com/ob-beers/

For many years, the use of cans in the craft beer world has been a bit taboo subject. For many, beer cans are associated with dull, mass produced lagers that dominate every supermarket. Independent brewers generally tend to use glass bottles and shy away from their aluminium alternatives. However, a major sea change appear to be on the horizon. Last year, the worlds largest craft brewery, Sam Adams, announced their intention to sell their famous Boston lager in cans. To many this came as a shock, however over the past few months more and more breweries have been ditching the bottle and moving to the can. Recently, London based Beavertown announced their intention to can four of their product.

Look great don't they?

Its well documented that cans offer better protection against light and air damage and are cheaper to produce as they do not require a separate labelling machine. However, cans often have to bought in bulk and are more subject to ambient temperature fluctuations, so there are pros and cons. Personally, i have no preference as long as the beer tastes great. But wherever you stand on this debate, the rise of the can is likely to continue for the foreseeable future.

So how does this relate to this review I hear you cry. Well my beery chums, Oskar Blues have been canning all their beers since 2002. In fact some go even further and credit Oskar with being the very first brewery to offer canned craft beer. Here is the result of that first; Dale's Pale Ale.

Oskar Blues hail from Longmont Colorado and began life as a basement brewery in the restaurant of the same name. A few years later owner Dick Dale Katechis decided it was time for the brewer to strike out on its own and move into a purpose built brewery. By 2012 Oskar Blues began experimenting with re-sealable aluminium containers for some of their larger cans. Personally, I would love to see how these work so if any knows where I can get one in the UK give me a shout. Producing on average 59,000 barrels per year, this is likely to keep rising and rising to cope with demand.

Colour: Pours a dark copper brown with a minimal head, which provides excellent lacing throughout the life of the beer. I must say this has to be the darkest pale ale I have ever seen. It reminds me more of an IPA to be honest.

Aroma: Beautiful aromas of freshly cut grass and dropped pine needles dominate the aroma profile. Very subtle hints of caramel follow but do not linger in the nostrils.

Body: Rather dense for a pale ale but it will certainly refresh you on every sip. Given the the can suggests that this beer is a"A huge voluminously hopped mutha of a pale ale", I am pleasantly surprised to find that their is hardly any clogging on the back of the thoart. I find beers that have been heavily hopped to have a extremely sticky resin quality which this drink lacks. Good stuff guys!

Taste: Just like the nose, the taste of big bold pine needles dominate followed by a light, zesty citrus note. The drink will then come alive revealing hints of sweet sugary molasses, finally finishing with refreshing dry bitterness from the hops. At a punchy 6.5% ABV, you maybe thinking that the alcohol will steal the show like Shawn Michaels at Wrestlemania. Luckily for us Oskar have hidden the ABV so well that you are rewarded with an extremely pleasurable drinking experience.

Similar to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/camden-brewery-pale-ale.html

Different to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/founders-backwoods-bastard.html

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

Maui Brewing Company Aloha B'ak'tun

Maui Brewing Company Aloha B'ak'tun

Style: Belgian Stout

Alcohol Content: 7%

From: Lahaina, Hawaii

Purchased from: The Beer Bouquet, Putney
http://mauibrewingco.com/

At some point in life every man will get the dreaded "man flu". This week was my turn to get the bug. My symptoms are as follows; Arms as heavy as lead, a nose running like a tap and a live heavy metal band playing in my skull. Just what you want over the weekend. After being drugged up to the eyeballs, I some how managed to stumble into the office. Of course one of the worst parts of being ill is that you can't drink. So as I dry out for a few days, I have to dig deep into my little black book to bring you some reviews that I have yet to write up. Here is one of them, Maui Brewing Aloha B'ak'tun.

The Maui Brewing formed in 2005 on the Hawaiian Island of Lahaina. In their nine year existence, the brewery has won numinous awards and opened a successful brewpub. I have always wanted to try their coconut porter, but alas, I can never get hold of it. So when I saw a limited edition Belgian stout by Maui, I snapped it up immediately.

Oh Aloha!

Colour: Pours a dark, oily black with a fluffy tan coloured head. This dissipates down to a few clumps of foam after a few minutes.

Aroma: Big, bold coffee and cocoa note cascade out of the glass like Niagara Falls. This is complemented by mild notes of cloves, cinnamon and spicy pepper. It's all very Christmassy I must say.

Body: Thick and oily like a traditional stout should be. The mouthfeel is incredibly similar to that of the fantastic Kernel 1890 export stout recipe that I reviewed last month. The coffee notes blend perfectly with the oily texture to coat the back of your throat. This ensure a slow, lingering drinking experience. So take your time and unwind.

Taste: This drink has an incredibly complex palate. So here goes! Massive hints of coffee and bitter dark chocolate will fill swam you taste buds. This is then swiftly cut through by a peppery, smoke filled aftertaste. This sensation comes from the addition of the hops, cinnamon and chipotle chillies. These additional ingredients add a great depth to the flavour and help to reinforce the sear quality of this brew. The only slight negative thing I could say is that there seemed to be a slight metallic/acidic aftertaste to this beer. Perhaps this comes from the the use of a can instead of a bottle. That being said, it's very rich and extremely satisfying, a perfect winter warmer.

Similar to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/ellezelloise-hercule-stout.html

Different to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/wild-beer-company-scarlet-fever.html

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

Founders Backwoods Bastard

Founders Backwoods Bastard

Style: Oak Aged Ale

Alcohol Content: 10.2%

From: Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States

Purchased from: Real Ale Shop, Richmond Upon Thames
http://foundersbrewing.com/

Mid week blues. Ever had them? The first couple of days back after a week off is always intense. First, you log onto you computer to find you have 200 unread emails to trawl through, then every Tom, Dick and Harry wants to ask you questions about your holiday. Before you know it, Wednesday is here and you're already dreaming of the weekend. Luckily, I have a few tasty beers in the fridge for a little pick me up. After much debate, I plump for a beer with real strength and mystical character (at least I think it's Gandalf on the label). The subject of this review is Founders Backwoods Bastard.

Canal Street Brewing Co. was founded in Grand Rapids in 1997 by Mike Stevens and Dave Engbers, home brewing enthusiasts who had recently graduated from college. The company was named after a Grand Rapids area where in 1800s several breweries were located on Canal Street, now Monroe Avenue. The beer bottle's labels originally included an old black and white photo of the original Canal Street breweries with the word "Founders" above it. Thus the company became known as Founders Brewing Company.

Since the mid-2000s, it has become one of the most prominent breweries in Michigan, expanding its market to 25 states and its production capacity to 340,000 barrels per year. Founders was the 30th largest US craft brewery by sales volume in 2012 and 41st largest US brewery by sales volume in 2012.

Colour: Pours a dark ruby red that is almost opaque when held up to the light. A bubbly tan coloured head which slowly dissipates to a light dusting of foam after a few minutes.

Aroma: Instantly you will able to smell the old oak bourbon casks used to mature this ale. Hints of peat like smokiness and a warming sweetness will rise from the glass. The smell is very reminiscent of another one of America's greatest gifts to the world; the infamous Jack Daniels.

Body: Very smooth and velvety due to the low level of carbonation. The drink will tickle your throat and warm your belly due to the high alcohol content. The sensation is very similar to that of a good whiskey; warm and satisfying.

Taste: Smoky peat from the oak bourbon casks present themselves from the off. This builds up to a crescendo of sweet sticky molasses, vinous fruit and warming pepper. The finish is long and complex, offering warming alcohol alongside liqueur, toffee, vanilla and spicy hop notes. For such a high ABV, the alcohol is extremely well hidden under the depths of flavours this beer provides. A great sipping beer to share with you dad or Gandalf the Grey as the bottle suggests.

Similar to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/gordon-finest-scotch-ale.html

Different to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/victory-prima-pils.html

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

Fordham Wisteria Wheat

Fordham Wisteria Wheat

Style: Wheat Beer

Alcohol Content: 4%

From: Dover, Delaware, United States of America

Purchased from: Beers of Europe

http://www.fordhambrewing.com/

This week I have been on a little break down to Kent, which is otherwise known as the garden of England. Whilst there, I kept thinking to myself, what a beautiful place this will be in the summer. Full of flowers in full bloom and birds singing in the trees, while I enjoy a refreshing pint in the garden. Quintessentially English you would say. With this in mind I fancied a beer that captured the essence of summer. So upon browsing the beers of Europe website, I can across Fordham's Wisteria Wheat. With its colourful label and excellent write up, Wisteria Wheat sounded like the beer I was looking for. So let's get involved.

You have to hand it to Queen Anne; she knew way back in 1703 that you couldn't start a colony without good local brews. That’s why she asked young Benjamin Fordham to start a brewery in the new port of Annapolis. Almost 300 years later, Fordham brewing was re-born in the heart of Annapolis in 1995. With the ever-increasing demand, this frothing Fordham giant was more than the small brewery could handle. In an effort to provide more people with brews, the plucky staff grabbed their recipes and moved Fordham to its new castle in Dover, Delaware. In 2007, Fordham merged with Old Dominion brewing company under the holding company Coastal Brewing Company.

Not quite Wisteria Lane

Colour: Pours a deep straw almost copper colour. There is no head which is slightly disappointing. I guess all that travelling across the Atlantic put hed to that. The beer is also very clear when you compare it to German Weiss beers but there is a slight hazing in the glass to tempt you in.

Aroma: As you would expect, big hints of creamed wheat flow out of the glass. This is blended with subtle hints of cloves and bananas. 

Body: Interestingly, this beer is not as heavy as you would expect. This is a medium bodied beer with a soft velvety carbonation. This creates an extremely drinkable beer with a mild clogging on the back of the throat. 

Taste:  Full of juicy wheat with a fantastic underpinning of sweet succulent strawberries which is certainly a pleasant surprise. It reminds me of Magic Hat Number Nine Not Quite Pale Ale which i reviewed last year (link below). The finish is full of creamy wheat cut though with a slight sour edge. The use of Perle and Tradition hops provide a very mild level of bitterness which helps to holds everything together. In short, this is summer in the glass and would compliment fruity salads.

Similar to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/magic-hat-brewing-number-9-not-quite.html

Different to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/st-austell-proper-job.html

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

Victory Prima Pils

Victory Prima Pils

Style: Pilsner

Alcohol Content: 5.3%

From: Downington, Pennsylvania, USA

Purchased From: Real Ale Shop, Richmond Upon Thames
http://www.victorybeer.com/

It’s been a while since I last reviewed a Pilsner and to be honest, I can’t even remember the last time I drank one. After hoppy IPA’s and dark malty Stouts, a crisp and dry Pilsner was a welcome break from the craft beer norm. So after a long internet search, I came across Victory Prima Pils, whom in a you tube video claim that their Pils, is the best Pilsner in the world; well let’s see about that. 

Founded in 1996 by Ron Barchet and Bill Covaleski in an old Pepperidge Farm bakery, Victory has grown considerably and evolved well outside the traditional small market of a beer-brewing restaurant. The brewery's first three beers were Victory Festbier, Brandywine Valley Lager (now Victory Lager), and HopDevil Ale. Initially they thought that the malt forward Victory Festbier would become their most popular beer. However, they soon realized that consumers craved very hoppy beers, such as HopDevil Ale, the most. The brewery uses an automated, energy recovery, 50 BBL system made by Rolec in OberBayern, Germany. Victory also brews using traditional methods where appropriate, such as using the energy intensive decoction process for production of certain German style lager beers.

Its Prima Time!

Unfortunately, when I brought this Victory Pils from the Real Ale shop, it was already a couple of days out of date. So as soon brought it home I popped it in the fridge to try later that night. Will that affect the taste? I hope not.

Colour: Pours a rich straw yellow with a nice brilliant white head. This will dissipate after a few minutes but it's remnants lace the glass beautifully.

Aroma: Notes of grass mixed with fresh floral aromas dominate. These are under pinned with hints of pine and crisp soft water. In short it's like the Bavarian alps in a glass. Ah it takes me back to my holiday in Munich!

Body: Very light to drink as most Pilsners traditionally are. The drink is very heavily carbonated which is drastically different to the ales I have reviewed previously in this blog. Honestly, it makes a welcome change.

Taste: Normally, I am not of fan of any Pilsner that is not made in either the Czech Republic or Germany. Will this drink change my mind? Well the answer is most definitely a Yes! (Insert Daniel Bryan's pointing to the sky). The pale malts provide a lovely slightly sweet and crisp taste to start which is promptly followed by a long lingering, lemon bitter finish created from the blending of Hallertau and Saaz hops. Very nice indeed, but is it the best Pilsner in the world. Sorry Victory, but for me that honour is still held by Pilsner Urquell. Disagree? Let me know what you think by commenting below.

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

Different to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/ellezelloise-hercule-stout.html

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

Rogue Juniper Pale Ale

Rogue Juniper Pale Ale

Style: Pale Ale

Alcohol Content: 5.2%

From: Newport, Oregon, United States of America

Purchased From: Utobeer, London Borough Market, UK

http://rogue.com/

So this coming Saturday i will be holding my first craft beer night. Rather than inviting some serious craft beer heads, i have decide to invite my young apprentice (he's actually five months older than me), his wife; Sushila and my girlfriend; Emma. After popping down to the Real Ale shop this morning, the drinks list is starting to shape up. So far we have, Oakham Ale's Citra, Kernel Brewing IPA Cascade and Arbour Ales Clementine Saison. Im looking to add a couple more later this week so i will keep you posted. Fingers crossed my knowledge on these beers is up to scratch. #squeekybumtime

Rogue Ales is an American craft brewery founded in 1988 in Ashland, Oregon. The following year the company opened their second brewpub in Newport, Oregon where they are now headquartered. They operate brewpubs in Oregon, Washington, and California. Rogue exports throughout the US and internationally. Rogue Ales have been described as "invariably fun and full flavored". The company's offerings are popular with critics and craft beer aficionados and have been major award winners in worldwide competitions. Well seeing as this is my first ever Rogue beer, I'm rather excited. I have heard nothing but good things about this brewery, so lets see if they live up to their hype. The subject of this review is Rogue Juniper Pale Ale.

Colour: Pours a light brown with a slight yellow hue. Nice bubbly white head which dissipates to a heavy dusting of foam that will linger around for the duration of the beer.

Aroma: Sweet biscuit notes from the pale malts under pin this drink, and the use of sterling and cascade hops provide a bitter orange and lime perfume. Surprisingly, it's quiet difficult to smell the addition of juniper berries, but as the drink warms you will be able to pick out a cleansing pine sensation to let you know it's in there.

Body: Slightly heavier than other pale ales in the mouth. Fine champagne like bubbles ensure a smooth, pleasant drinking experience. The heavy hopping ensures a clogging of bitterness with every sip.

Taste: Sweet orange flower honey to start followed by a lingering bitter after taste which can be quite overwhelming at first, but you will get use to it. As the drink warms the dry biscuity malts reveal a mild caramel sweetness which helps to compliment the fresh orange flavour. To be honest, this drink is not really setting the world alight for me, which is a shame since I've heard lots of good things about this brewery. From looking at their website, there appears to be plenty more to try, including Voodoo Maple Bacon ale. Interesting! If anyone has any recommendations, please feel free to leave a comment below.

Similar to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/bear-republic-racer-5-ipa.html

Different to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/moor-beer-company-old-freddy-walker.html

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

Anderson Valley Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout

Anderson Valley Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout
Style: Oatmeal Stout

Alcohol Content: 5.8%

From: Boonville, California, United States of America

Purchased From: Real Ale Shop, Richmond-Upon-Thames

https://avbc.com/

Whenever I drink a stout, I am always reminded that we are currently in the depths of winter.  If you live in the UK, I am sure you can see and hear the wind lashing down outside, effecting everyone’s journey home for Christmas (Emma’s included). I however, am tucked up nicely in the flat, drinking craft beer. Hopefully, the alcohol will warm me up whilst I dream about my upcoming holiday to Cuba and another Christmas jumper from my auntie Christine. Oh it’s a hard life!!

Anderson Valley Brewing Company was founded in 1987 by David Norfleet and Kim and Ken Allen. At the time, it was one of just 20 craft breweries in the United States. The original 10-barrel brew-house was designed and installed by owner and original brewer David Norfleet (and the 10 barrel brewery is still used for R&D brewing today). The original brewery was located in the lower level of the brew pub, The Buckhorn Saloon.

In 1996 when the demand for the award winning beers exceeded the capacity of the 10-barrel brewery below the pub, a 30-barrel facility was installed just a mile from down-town Boonville at the corner of Highways 128 and 253. This brewery saw them through a dramatic period of growth, which included the introduction of a 12 ounce bottling line. By 1998 production had reached 15,000 barrels annually and construction began on a three-story Bavarian-style brew-house. The new brew-house went on-line and started producing beer once again in August 2000.

Colour: On the pour you will be presented with a thick, dark, ink black liquid topped with a luscious leather coloured head. This beer looks extremely thick and the head will stay around for the duration of the beer.

Aroma: As soon as you pop the cap, rich milky chocolate notes will swam over you. Also present are subtle notes of coffee which develop as the drink warms in the glass. That being said, the nose on this beer is not overly pronounced which is a real shame.

Body: Very smooth and thick as a good stout should be to start with but once brought up to room temperature, the beer seems to become thinner taking on a more watery complexion.  Each sip will coat the mouth nicely which in turn leads to an extremely enjoyable drinking experience.

Taste: Your first sip of this beer will be one you will remember. Rich, silky milk chocolate juxtaposed with bitter coffee grinds dominate this beer. The sweetness delivered from the oats helps to add a real sense of depth and richness to this beer. The slight burnt, mild bitter espresso finish provides a sumptuous end to each sip. This all helps to mask the strength of the beer .To be honest, this drink reminds me of a lighter version of Glastonbury Ales Thriller Cappuccino Porter, which I reviewed earlier in this blog. 

Similar to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/glastonbury-ales-thriller-rare.html

Different to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/moor-beer-company-merlin-magic.html

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