Moor Beer Company Illusion

Moor Beer Company Illusion

Style: Black IPA

Alcohol content: 4.7%

From: Pitney, Somerset, England

Purchased from: Cost cutters, Somerton
http://moorbeer.co.uk/

As you may be aware from reading my previous blogs, I am a big fan of the West county. My father grew up not far from Yeovil, so the culture and history of the glorious west has always been in my blood. As some of you may be aware, Yeovil town recently played Manchester United in the FA cup. Whilst they may of lost by an incredibly fine margin, the match has been able to showcase the best parts of Somerset culture; warmth and pure determination. As the area continues to recover from the horrendous floods of 2014, I truly hope that Yeovil's showing has helped brighten some very dark days. But what has this got to do with beer I hear you cry? Well this particular beer is brewed in one of the areas most affected areas.

The Moor Beer Company was formed in 1996 on a small dairy farm in Somerset. They originality started brewing beers that matched the local heritage of Somerset, but soon branched out upon the arrival of Justin and Maryann Hawke. Justin is a Californian native, and brought with him a tendency of fusing real ales with more aggressively flavoured beers from the United States. This has lead to an amazingly diverse range of mind boggling creations. As I always say, change is a good thing! Here is a review of their Black IPA aptly named Illusion.

Colour: This beer pours a midnight black complete with a one finger high, tan coloured head. Head is tightly packed but not creamy looking. Holding the glass up to the light, you will notice a warming red run to the beer. Looks very inviting I must say.

Aroma: As soon as you pop the cap, a floral perfume of pine and a grapefruit citrus will rise to greet you from the bottle. The use of roasted malts help to add very subtle hints of chocolate and coffee. You can smell they're present, but it does not overpower the citrus notes.

Body: On your first sip you will feel a grainy texture. Personally, it's been a very long time since I have felt such a sensation so I was rather surprised by the mouth feel. Upon further investigation, I discovered that the Moor Beer company do not use finings to clarify their beers. By shunning the use of isinglass, all Moor beer are served with a hazy/unfiltered complexion, hence the gritty residuals left behind on my tongue. Naturally, this helps to add a depth to the mouth feel which you would not normally associate with a black IPA. Not the smoothest drinker on the planet but  you will get used to it.          

Taste: On your first sip bold notes of juicy grapefruit and grapes dominate from the get go. These flavours dull over time to reveal a middle fuelled by delicate notes of coffee and milk chocolate. The finish is dry and in my opinion a little rough. Here the grainy mouth feel kicks and blends a little awkwardly with the sticky, resinous hops for my tastes. Would I drink it again? Certainly, but perhaps on draft rather than in the bottle.

Similar to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/windsor-and-eton-conqueror-black-ipa.html

Different to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/williams-bros-fraoch-heather-ale.html

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Windsor and Eton Conqueror Black IPA

Windsor and Eton Conqueror Black IPA

Style: IPA

Alcohol Content: 5%

From: Windsor, Berkshire, England

Purchased from: Windsor and Eton Brewery Market Stall

So last weekend England played Scotland in the rugby (England won 38-18 if your interested). When England scored there first try, the camera panned over the crowd. Most of the crowd where drink Greene King IPA or Guinness (I know this as i go to Twickenham to watch the rugby myself). Then it dawn on me, I have a hybrid of these two beers sitting in my beer cupboard. So i ran to the cupboard and moved the Conqueror Black IPA to the fridge to chill for 30 minutes. Luckily England where conquering Scotland by this time, so when i opened this brew and i was on a high. The badge design is based on the shield used at the battle of Hastings by William the Conqueror who subsequently founded Windsor Castle in 1075. Now it has been used to represent England with the three Lions.

Windsor and Eton Brewery was founded On the 1st March 2010, St David’s Day. It took them a mere 53 days to get the brewery open and brewing. Their first beer was called Guardsman Best Bitter which went on sale on St Georges day 2010. Since that day the brewery has gone from strength to strength. In 2012 they brewed three new lines to celebrate the queens diamond jubilee. All three lines have been a roaring success and have helped put this brewery on the map. I must say at this point that i am a big fan of this brewery. So keep up the good work!

Time to enter the darkside

Colour: Jet black. This is the first black IPA i have ever drunk so i have high hopes for this beer. On the pour you get a nice thick white head and the drink looks very much like a stout. The dark colour come from the use of five different malt including Chocolate, dark Crystal, Carafa and Smoked malts.

Smell: On the nose you are hit in the chops by citrus and mango notes. This comes from the Summit and Cascade hops. There is also a faint smell of freshly cut grass and chocolate from the dark malts used in this brew. The smells are much richer and deeper than most IPA's. So far this beer has got me very excited. My two favorite styles of beer; IPA and Porter seem to be contained in this one beer. Yippee!

Body: Light but also quite rich (if such a thing exists). The body is very similar to an IPA, but after the first sip you realize your drinking something a bit heavier. This is a very confusing beer. If you where expecting a pure IPA, then you are not going to get it . This is a classic example of what the UK does best; mixing it up to make it more interesting.

Taste: This is a very complex beer as it's really a hybrid of styles. As soon as you take a sip you get the taste of sweet crisp citrus fruits. Then you are bombarded with a rich malty finish. This finish is a bit like having a dark chocolate coated hobnob. There is also the faintness bitter in the after taste which helps to cleanse the pallet. Very nice indeed!

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