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

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

Beavertown Bloody 'Ell Blood Orange IPA

Beavertown Bloody 'Ell Blood Orange IPA

Style: IPA

Alcohol Content: 7.2%

From: Hackney, London, England

Purchased from: Beer Boutique, Putney, London, England
http://www.beavertownbrewery.co.uk/

Beavertown was set up in December 2011 by Logan Plant and Byron Knight in the kitchen of Duke's Brew and Que, in De Beauvoir, Hackney, London. The brew house, situated opposite the two Smokers of the BBQ restaurant, runs at 4 BBL per brew (650 litres - 1150 pints). In March of 2013 they moved out of their home at Duke's Brew & Que and into their new brew site at Unit 4 Stour Road, Fish Island, London E3 2NT. Now with a little bit more space they can push the boundaries of brewing and get more amazing beers out to the thirsty masses. So, after a few long months of searching through bottle shop after bottle shop, i finally manage to obtain a bottle of Beavertown Bloody 'Ell Blood Orange IPA. I'm so excited to try it, that i think a small bit of wee may of come out. So with no delay it's onto the tasting!

Colour: Pours a dark orange with a slightly hazy reddish hue. This colour clearly comes from the use of fresh blood orange which are squeezed and zested into every boil. A brilliant white head is also present and lingers in your glass for the duration of the beer.

Aroma: Notes of juicy citrus fruits mixed with a subtle blend of pine, grass and mango. The aromas will slowly dissipate after a few moments in the glass so catch them while you can. To me this is quite disappointing as it smelt amazing when I popped the cap off the bottle and I would of loved the smells to of linger longer.

Body: The addition of blood orange to this brew really helps to add a juice like quality to the body. It seriously feels like you are drinking a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice with just a hint of carbonation. Weird I know, but it helps to make this IPA very easy to drink and potentially very dangerous given the relatively high ABV.

Taste: Über juicy. Notes of sweet blood orange and slightly sour lemons dominate the palate. The flavour soon mellows to become more vinous and reveals base notes of sweet caramel and crunchy biscuits. The finish is mildly bitter (partly from the hops and partly from the additional orange zest) and feels slightly juxtaposed against the juicy start. This is a perfect beer to enjoy with a spicy pepperoni pizza as it cools and cleanses the palate on every sip. Juicy, Juicy!

Similar to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/beavertown-gamma-ray-pale-ale.html

Different to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/schlenkerla-rauchbier-urbock.html

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

Nogne O #100

Nogne O #100

Style: IIPA or Barleywine (depending on whom you ask)

Alcohol Content: 10%

From: Grimstad, Norway

Purchased from: A gift from my friend Andrey in the Czech Republic

http://www.nogne-o.com/

Nøgne Ø is an independent brewery, founded in 2002 by Gunnar Wiig and Kjetil Jikiun in Grimstad, Norway. Nøgne Ø was founded late in 2002 by Gunnar Wiig and Kjetil Jikiun. The brewery name, Nøgne Ø, is old Danish for "Naked Isle". It was selected from a well-known 19th century Norwegian poem called Terje Vigen by Henrik Ibsen, who worked for a time as an apprentice pharmacist in Grimstad.

The brewery does a range of beers, including an amber ale, which is a 6% abv semi-dark ale using Chinook hops, and a 4.5% abv bitter using East Kent Golding hops. In all, 32 varieties are made as of January 2009. In 2009, about 50% of the production was exported to Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Belgium, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, USA, Canada, Australia and Japan.

Originally brewed solely for the brewers to celebrate their 100 recipe, this beer proved to be so popular that Nogne decided to brew it commercially. Cleverly incorporating the jubilee of the dissolution of Norway from the Kingdom Sweden they named this brew #100. Rather unfortunately, as soon as I read the label all I could think about was a rather annoying song; Need You (100%) by Duke Dumont. Shit the bed, I'm starting to feel old! My Thanks go to my friend Andrey in the Czech Republic for sending this been over to me. Zdraví kamarád!

Colour: Pours a sumptuous, dark chestnut brown with a small, yet tightly packed tan head. This soon dissolves into a small layer of foam after a few moments in the glass. This drink also resonates a slight reddish hue once held up to the light. Blimey this drinks so inviting, I just want to dive right in.

Aroma: The combination of Columbus, Chinook and Centennial hops impart notes of fresh pine needles and lime. However, as the drink settles and begins to warm up, hints of chocolate and wholemeal bread soon move in to dominate the nose.

Body: Although this drink looks rather heavy, as soon as you take a sip, you will believe that you are drinking a refreshing summer larger. This is incredibly dangerous given the 10 percent ABV, so follow my lead and drink this over the course of a couple of hours. Once warmed up to room temperature, the drink starts to thicken slight and beings to leave a subtle clogging on the back of your throat.

Taste: Always my favourite part of any review and this beer certainly does not disappoint. Notes of sweet, sugary molasses rise to great you instantly. Hints of pine and grass follow soon after to cleanse the palate. As the drink warms the flavour profile changes drastically. Bold notes of dark chocolate and hazelnuts flood your mouth leaving your tongue and throat feeling dry and slightly bitter. These flavours mask the high ABV perfectly with just subtle hints of alcohol mixed with dark chocolate in the aftertaste. The perfect beer to drink at the end session.

Similar to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.com/2013/11/moor-beer-company-old-freddy-walker.html

Different to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/petrus-aged-pale-ale.html

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

Beavertown Gamma Ray Pale Ale

Beavertown Gamma Ray Pale Ale

Style: Pale Ale

Alcohol Content: 5.4%

From: Hackney, London, England

Purchased from: Beer Boutique, Putney, London, England
http://www.beavertownbrewery.co.uk/

Beavertown was set up in December 2011 by Logan Plant and Byron Knight in the kitchen of Duke's Brew and Que, in De Beauvoir, Hackney, London. The brew house, situated opposite the two Smokers of the BBQ restaurant, runs at 4 BBL per brew (650 litres - 1150 pints). In March of 2013 they moved out of their home at Duke's Brew & Que and into their new brew site at Unit 4 Stour Road, Fish Island, London E3 2NT. Now with a little bit more space they can push the boundaries of brewing and get more amazing beers out to the thirsty masses.

Really love their label designs

Colour: Pours a sumptuous bright orange with a minimal head. This little head laces the glass beautifully throughout your drinking experience.

Aroma: Upfront notes of grass and carbon dioxide to start with, however this quickly settles down to unearth notes of fresh grapefruit and sharp, ripen oranges. It's a bit like you are walking though an orangery just before the summer harvest in sun kissed Italy. All that's missing would be your beautiful summer crush.

Body: Speaking of oranges, the mouthfeel of this drink is remarkably similar to that of a orange juice that's been slightly watered down. If you can remember a drink call Sunny Delight, then you will understand what I mean. Very smooth and easy to drink which could be rather dangerous if you attempt to session this beer given it's 5.4% ABV. As you swallow this drink, you will notice a very slight clogging on the back of the throat. This is caused by the use of four hops, Magnus, Columbus, Bravo and Amarillo working in tandem to create 45 units of bitterness.

Taste: Just like the nose, this beer is full of juicy grapefruit and orange notes. There are slight hints of the caramalts which help to provide some extra body and sweetness. That being said, I personally found this beer rather thin and feel it could benefit from a little extra body. This is rather unfortunate as I loved their 8-Ball Rye IPA but feel rather let down by this beer. Let's hope their Blood orange IPA goes down better (once I get my greasy little mitts on it).

Similar to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/partizan-brewing-pale-ale-cascade.html

Different to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/schlenkerla-rauchbier-urbock.html

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

Coopers Original Pale Ale

Coopers Original Pale Ale

Style: Pale Ale

Alcohol Content: 4.5%

From: Adelaide, Australia 

Purchased from: Wine Rack,Weybridge, UK
http://www.coopers.com.au/

Over the past week, the area that I live in has resembled something out of the Kevin Costner film Waterworld. Some of my friends have been driven from their homes due to the rising flood waters. There seems to be no end to this misery as rain and wind continue to batter the nation. No doubt everyone is dreaming of a long hot summer. I certainly am! So I decided to try a pale ale from one of Australia's largest craft breweries, Cooper's.

Coopers Brewery Limited, the largest Australian-owned brewery, is based in the Adelaide suburb of Regency Park, South Australia. Coopers is known for making a variety of high quality beers, the most famous of which are its Pale Ale and Sparkling Ale. Its shares are primarily owned by the extended Cooper family, and the company's constitution and classes of shares makes it difficult to sell shares outside the family. In 2012, Coopers released a limited edition "Celebration Ale" to celebrate their 150th Anniversary, as well as adding celebratory labels on to their other beers. All of Coopers beers are made with no additives or preservatives ensuring that you get a beautiful brew every time.

Colour: Pours a pale yellow not to dissimilar to a lager. There is a slight hazing in the glass which is combined with a small white head that will stay with you throughout the duration of this beer.

Aroma: Although this beer is not overly aromatic, you can pick out hints of tart sour lemon underpinned by biscuit notes. As the drink warms, grassy, slightly floral notes will reveal themselves. Not overly inviting when you compare it to other Australian pale ales such little creatures pale ale.

Body: Quite gassy for a pale ale and yet again it reminds me more of a lager. It also has a body to match as. Very light and refreshing. The perfect thirst quencher. Perhaps this beer is suffering from some sort of identity crisis or perhaps it has been designed this way due to the warmer Australian climate.

Taste: The first flavour you will be able to extract will be tart lemon followed with slight hints of biscuits. Unfortunately, these flavours do not stay around very long and as you progress it becomes extremely watery and thin. The finish is mildly bitter combined with a metallic edge. It really does not have the flavour to carry the drink as it should. Personally, I would rather drink Coopers Sparkling Ale, as it has a much greater depth of flavour and is extremely enjoyable.

Similar to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/flying-dog-doggie-style-pale-ale.html

Different to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/left-hand-brewery-black-jack-porter.html

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

Partizan Brewing Pale Ale Cascade Centennial

Partizan Brewing Pale Ale Cascade Centennial

Style: Pale Ale

Alcohol Content: 4.8%

From: Bermondsey, London, England

Purchased from: Real Ale Shop, Richmond Upon Thames
http://www.partizanbrewing.co.uk/

So it's that time of the year again where I get very excited about a bunch of bulky men chasing around after an egg shaped ball. Yes you guessed it, the rugby six nations is back! So I grab a craft beer and hit the sofa to watch England vs France. Unlike most years, I am full of expectations that England will do well in the tournament and carry that momentum onto the World Cup in 2015. Figures crossed! So the beer of choice for this game is Partizan Pale Ale Cascade and Centennial.

Update: Well England lost to France in the first game, but there were quite a few positives and I remain upbeat for the rest of the tournament.

Partizan brewing was founded by Andy Smith in 2006 originally as a way of getting cheap beer. He was frustrated that the majority of American IPA's were imported and thus were not enjoyed fresh as the brewery intended. In order to help him with this quest, Evin O'Riordain of the Kernel brewery gifted him a brew kit and he set up his brewery in Bermondsey, South London. He chose the name partizan as it symbolises lost cultures and more importantly, lost beer. Along with the vast array of beers on offer, this brewery is also famed for their label designs. These labels are crafted by an artist called Alec Doherty, who also lives in London. Now this brewery is quite small and have a limited output. So catch their beers while you can.

Colour: Pours a hazy yellow with a brilliantly fluffy white head. This head is awe inspiring and will stay with you throughout the duration of the drink.

Aroma: As soon you pop the cap, huge notes of tropical fruit such as pineapple and grapefruit will wash over your nostrils. This comes from the perfect blending of cascade and centennial hops used in the production process.

Body: Feels rather creamy in the mouth which causes a mild clogging on the back of your throat. As the beer warms, it will become smooth and juice like. Lovely stuff!

Taste: First you will be presented with the taste of fresh grapefruit which is then promptly followed by hints of malted grain or cereal. Very different to the pale ales I have tried previously. However, that being said, it works amazingly well as it gives a raw, rugged taste to the beer. The finish is mildly bitter with hints of fresh fruit juices and hop resins. This is now the second Partizan beer I have tried and so far they have come up trumps each time.

Similar to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/rogue-juniper-pale-ale.html

Different to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/by-horns-diamond-geezer.html

If you are interested in Alec Doherty's work click on this link: http://www.alecdoherty.com/

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

Stone and Wood Pacific Ale

Stone and Wood Pacific Ale

Style: Pacific Ale

Alcohol Content: 4.4%

From: Byron Bay, Australia 

Purchased From: Utobeer, London Borough Market, London

http://stoneandwood.com.au/

So wind and rain is still pounding daily against window. Whilst everyone else is busy complaining about the gloomy weather, I reach for the fridge to gain a little drop of Australian sunshine. Here is my review of Stone and Wood Pacific Pale ale. Now this is actually the second time I have sampled this little drop of sunshine. The first was just over a year ago in the Old Red Cow in London after a hard days SAS training. After hours upon hours of regression analyst, this ditty really brighten up my day. Let's see if she still got it.

Brad Rogers and his business partner established Stone and Wood during the recession of 2008. After many years of working in the brewing industry, they decided to shed the corporate garbage and get back to basis. After setting up their brewery in Bryon Bay, the partners in crime have continued to go from strength to strength whilst still enjoying the beautiful beaches and surf. 

Colour: Pours almost like a pilsner, a brilliant bright yellow with an ever so slight clouding. A light dusting of foam will linger throughout the duration of the beer.

Aroma: Full of summer ripened mangoes cut through with zesty citrus notes from the galaxy hops. What I really like about this beer is you can as smell very fait traits of vanilla. This helps to add a sweetness which really sets it apart from some pale ales on the market today.

Body: Extremely light and unbelievably refreshing. The very soft carbonation helps to create an almost juice like beer that will not clog your throat. Whether you are in Byron Bay or Skegness this drink is perfect for the beach.

Taste: A heady mix of sweet mango and pineapple dominate the palate. The use of pale malts help to add a real depth of sweetness, whilst the blending of galaxy hops provide sweet citrus notes to cover the mild bitter finish. As the drink warms, a slight grape acidity reveals itself. What a little ripper!!

Similar to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/bad-seed-brewery-south-pacific-pale-ale.html

Different to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/skinners-heligan-honey.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

Arbor Ale Monsoon Saison

Arbor Ale's Monsoon Saison
Style: Saison

Alcohol Content: 6.4%

From: Bristol, England, United Kingdom

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

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

So last week i had the dreaded man flu and IRS in my right hand, so unfortunately i was unable to blog. Doctor/Emma's orders! However, I'm now full fit and ready to taste some beer.

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.

So here we have a review of their Monsoon Saison. This beer was created on a freestyle Friday, were the brewers stop making their traditional lines and start experimenting with recipes and ingredients. So lets see what they have for us?

Colour: On the pour, you will presented with a straw yellow liquid with a bright, bubbly white head. There is plenty of carbonation in the bottle to keep this head going throughout the life cycle of this drink. As you slowly pour, you will notice that he drink is clear. To create an authentic Saison, stop the pour near the top and swish the remaining liquid around the bottle to pick up the yeast. Drop this into the glass to create a beautiful Saison fit for a king.

Aroma: There is a heady mix of freshly cut hay and rich autumn plums on the nose. As the drink matures, you will be able to pick out the hints of coriander and cardamom which have been added during the brewing process.

Body: Without the yeast the drink is quite light to drink. The carbonation can be hard to handle at first so I would recommend adding the yeast into your glass, as this helps to take this beer to another level. The drink will become thicker, almost like a Weiss beer and leave a rich creamy coating on the back of your throat. Divine!

Taste: On the first sip you will taste notes of straw and steeped summer fruits such as plums and strawberries. Then suddenly the added cardamom and coriander will burst though and play with your tongue. This leads to a bitterly, crisp and dry after taste that reminds me that Christmas is just around the corner and my bank account is already empty. I am rather new to this style of beer and I am shocked I never came across it sooner. For me, Arbour Ales Monsoon Saison can give the French and Belgium’s a run for their money any day of the week. An excellent beer!

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

Different to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/stone-brewing-company-levitation-ale.html

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

Ommegang Hennepin

Ommegang Hennepin

Style: Saison

Alcohol Content: 7.7%

From: Cooperstown, New York, USA

Purchased From: Real Ale Shop, Richmond Upon Thames, London, England
http://www.ommegang.com/

Brewery Ommegang is a Belgian brewery located near Cooperstown, New York that specializes in Belgian-style ales. Ommegang began brewing Belgian-style ales in 1997. Founded by Don Feinberg and Wendy Littlefield, owners of Vanberg & DeWulf beer import company, and three family owned Belgian breweries including Duvel Moortgat. Ommegang started up in a purpose-built building based on a traditional Belgian farmhouse, set on a former 136-acre (0.55 km2) hopfarm in the Susqehanna River Valley, four miles (6 km) south of Cooperstown, New York in the Town of Milford.

Since its opening, Ommegang has grown rapidly — in early 2005, its owner said they have been unable to meet demand for their ales and as a result would add 40 percent to their production capacity over the next year.

By 2003, the Belgian breweries had all been absorbed into large corporations. Feinberg and Littlefield sold their share of Ommegang in 2003 to Belgian brewer Brouwerij Duvel Moortgat, brewers of the world-renowned Duvel Golden Ale. Duvel Moortgat brewed limited amounts of beer for Brewery Ommegang in 2006 to help meet demand, but has not brewed any since then. Ommegang have also started to brew a series of special editions based on the successful HBO series, Game of Thrones. The latest in in this series is the Take the Black Stout. However this review focuses on Hennepin Farmhouse Saison

Colour: Pours a straw yellow with a luxuriously thick white head. This head clings to the glass like its life depends on it and stays with you throughout the drink. Another point of note is that the drink is opaque. Looks like a treat to drink.

Aroma: The label calls this this drink a farmhouse Saison and you can certainly smell why. Big, bold aromas of hay and the farm yard will rise from the glass. There are notes of cracked black pepper mixed and a warm spiciness which will fire you up.

Body: This drink is actually thicker than it looks. The body is very reminiscent of a Belgium wheat beer, nice and creamy. This sensation will cover your throat making you think your drinking a pint of milk. In the glass there is a low level of carbonation which helps to add to the smoothness of this drink.

Taste: The interesting element to this drink comes from the taste. All the flavours a very well balanced which helps to create a very pleasurable and smooth drinking experience. Notes of spicy ginger, peppery coriander and zingy orange peel present themselves straight away. At 7.7 ABV, this drink hides the alcohol very well by introducing a sherbet lemon finish. I will certainly be getting another bottle of this when I pop into the real ale shop this week.

Must learn how to use a flash!

Similar to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/tripel-karmeliet.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

Ellezelloise Hercule Stout

Ellezelloise Hercule Stout

Style: Stout

Alcohol Content: 9%

From: Irchonwelz, Belgium

Purchased From: Brought back from Calais by my Friend Jon

http://www.brasserie-ellezelloise.be/

The Brasserie des Legends is a Belgian brewery located in Irchonwelz and Elzele.The brewery was founded in 1998 by brewing engineer Pierre Delcoigne called Brasserie des Géants. In 2007, the Brasserie Ellezelloise founded in 1993 was acquired. The merger allowed the two breweries to change their name to Brasserie des Légendes. The brewing operations are at present divided between the two branches. In 2011, the company opened a tavern which offers their beers and local dishes.

The subject of this review is Ellezelloise Hercule Stout. If you live in the UK you will no doubt recognise the name and face on the label; Hercule Poirrot. Given that Agatha Christie most famous creation has just been retired from television, i feel its only right to unwrap mystery of this beer.

Colour: Pours a thick jet black with an equally thick tan head. This head stays around for quite a while and then dissipates to a light foam on the glass. You could say that this drink is as dark and as complex as a Hercule Poirrot mystery that you may see on television.

Aroma: Luxurious dark chocolate notes resonates from the glass. You can also smell notes of roasted coffee that have been subtly mixed with chewy liquorice. In short it's a little glass of heaven.

Body: This stout has a Guinness like body, very thick and slightly creamy. Very smooth to drink and it coated the back of my mouth perfectly. It was almost like drinking a pint of milk to be honest. This beer has an extremely low level of carbonation which makes it very easy to drink.

Taste: The best way to describe the taste is that it reminds me of a Mocha coffee. Rich dark chocolate playfully mixes with a mild coffee notes. Even though it has quite a high alcohol content, this is masked very well due to the depth of flavours present. On the second sip, slight woody notes are present. These are not over powering and actually adds a slight robustness to the drink. There is a slight liquorice aftertaste, but luckily this is not overpowering (I'm not a fan of liquorice). The aftertaste is not overly bitter which suggest minimal hops are used in the making of this beer. Very pleasant and I will be going back to this again.

Mystery Revealed 

Similar to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/ska-brewing-steel-toe-milk-stout.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

Stone Brewing Company Levitation Ale

Stone Brewing Company Levitation Ale

Style: Amber Ale

Alcohol Content: 4.4%

From: Escondido, California, United States

Purchased from: Real Ale Shop, Richmond Upon Thames

http://www.stonebrew.com/

Stone Brewing Co. is a craft brewery headquartered in Escondido, California. Founded in 1996 in San Marcos, California, it is the largest brewery in Southern California. As of 2012, it was the 10th largest craft brewery in the United States and 17th largest brewery overall, based on sales volume.

Established in 1996, the brewery's first beer was Stone Pale Ale, which they consider to be its flagship ale.Most of their beers are characteristic of west-coast craft brews, meaning that they have a high hop content. Stone beers are bottled in 22 ounce bottles, 12 oz six packs, and occasionally 3 liter bottles (thats one big beer). The beers available in six-packs are the Stone Pale Ale, Stone IPA, Stone Levitation Ale, Oaked Arrogant Bastard Ale, and Stone Ruination IPA. Stone uses 22 ounce bottles to feature their "bigger character" beers and Stone Special Releases. Compared to most brewers, many Stone brews feature alcohol percentages that are well above average. The alcohol-by-volume content of Stone brews ranges from 4.4% to well over 11%.

Is the devil in the glass?

Colour: Pours a rich chestnut brown. If you have tried Meantime's Yakima red, then you will be familiar with the colour. There's a dense white head which stays around for the duration of the drink. So far so good.

Aroma: Once poured, you can pick out notes of elderflower mixed with grapefruit cut with sweet lime. When you take your first sip, you are bombarded with fresh pine needles and gooseberries. As the drink warms you will be able to pick out hints of smoky peat which helps to add an earthy quality to this beer.

Body: Surprisingly light to drink with excellent lacing in the glass. Very smooth in the mouth and this liquid will leave a light coating on the back of your throat that will make you beg for more. Pure bliss!

Taste: This drink has a rather complex flavour profile. First, you will be presented with the tastes of sweetened citrus fruits such as lime, grapefruit and orange. These are then held together by a robust chestnut. As with most ales in this style, there is a very bitter finish with just an edge of sweetness and a hint of saltiness. This will help cleanse your palate after each sip. I really enjoyed this beer and will certainly be going back for more.

Similar to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/brewdog-dead-pony-club.html

Different to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/partizan-brewing-ipa-bobek-amarillo.html

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

Nogne O Blonde

Nogne O Blonde

Style: Blonde

Alcohol Content: 4.5%

From: Grimstad, Norway

Purchased from: UtoBeer, Borough Market, London, United Kingdom
http://www.nogne-o.com/ 

Nøgne Ø is an independent brewery, founded in 2002 by Gunnar Wiig and Kjetil Jikiun in Grimstad, Norway. Nøgne Ø was founded late in 2002 by Gunnar Wiig and Kjetil Jikiun. The brewery name, Nøgne Ø, is old Danish for "Naked Isle". It was selected from a well-known 19th century Norwegian poem called Terje Vigen by Henrik Ibsen, who worked for a time as an apprentice pharmacist in Grimstad.

The brewery does a range of beers, including an amber ale, which is a 6% abv semi-dark ale using Chinook hops, and a 4.5% abv bitter using East Kent Golding hops. In all, 32 varieties are made as of January 2009. In 2009, about 50% of the production was exported to Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Belgium, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, USA, Canada, Australia and Japan.

Perhaps the most sought after beer from this brewery is called Dark Horizon 1st Edition, which was a Gold winner at the World Beer Cup 2008 in San Diego, California for the category of "Other Strong Ales." It is a Russian Imperial Stout with an abv of 16%. Nøgne Ø's Porter got a silver in the category "Robust Porter".

O this is going to be interesting!

Colour: Pours a bright, fizzy yellow. It reminds me of my girlfriends hair in some ways. A big, bushy, foam head is created once first poured into the a glass. This dissipates very quickly and leaves no foam in the glass. Another feature of this beer is that the liquid is actually completely clear.

Aroma: As soon as you pop the cap, you will be presented with hints of spicy cloves mixed with notes of freshly cut straw. Once settled in the glass, fruity notes of mandarin, apricots and peaches rise from the glass. These are held together by a sweet lavender honey perfume.

Body: For a blonde beer, this drink actually feels quite heavy in the mouth. The body is very malty and it will not feel very sticky in your mouth. For me, this beer feels more like a saison rather than a blonde. Very easy to drink which makes it a great beer to compliment salads or fish dishes.

Taste: On my first sip, I actually thought that I was drinking a Weiss beer. Hints of cloves and banana swam over your taste buds. The second sip is where the beers true character lies. Coriander and citrus notes will being to reveal themselves. Also, like a Weiss beer you can pick out the notes of the fresh yeast used to create this beer. The aftertaste is something to be desired however. It is quite acidic or metallic, like a corked wine. For me, this unfortunately spoils my experience.

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

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

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

Partizan Brewing IPA Bobek Amarillo

Partizan Brewing IPA Bobek Amarillo

Style: IPA

Alcohol Content: 7%

From: Bermondsey, London, England

Purchased from: Utobeer, London Borough Market
http://www.partizanbrewing.co.uk/

Partizan brewing was founded by Andy Smith in 2006 originally as a way of getting cheap beer. He was frustrated that the majority of American IPA's were imported and thus were not enjoyed fresh as the brewery intended. In order to help him with this quest, Evin O'Riordain of the Kernel brewery gifted him a brew kit and he set up his brewery in Bermondsey, South London. He chose the name partizan as it symbolises lost cultures and more importantly, lost beer. Along with the vast array of beers on offer, this brewery is also famed for their label designs. These labels are crafted by an artist called Alec Doherty, who also lives in London. Now this brewery is quite small and have a limited output. So catch their beers while you can.

Sexy labels!

Colour: This drink pours a light, bright orange. This is quite different to the majority of IPA's on the market which poor ever a light brown, or (if it's an English style IPA) a dark brown. This drink looks more like a lager in the glass rather than an IPA. There is a small white head in the glass which will stay around for the duration of this beer.

Aroma: The aroma profile of this beer is extremely interesting. The first notes I could pick out notes of sweet mango's which have been ever so slightly smoked (weird combo hey?). There are also notes of spun caramel and herbs such as thyme and rosemary.

Body: The ABV of this drink is 7 percent and you can really feel this when you take a sip of this beer. It really knocks you sideways and takes quite a while to adjust to. Once this shock dies down the drink becomes very smooth to drink (due to the low level of carbonation) and leaves no sticky resin in the back of your throat.

Taste: The first sip of this brew was very bitter. Once this initial bitterness dies down you can taste fresh grape fruit, peaches and mangoes all held together with sweet spun caramel. The more I thought about the flavours of this beer, the more I realised that it reminded me of a sweet from childhood. The good old fashioned Rhubarb custard and creams brought from the ye olde sweet shop. The aftertaste unfortunately leaves little to be desired. It's quite acidic and metallic. Luckily the up front flavours will keep you wanting more.

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

Different to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/by-horns-diamond-geezer.html

If you are interested in Alec Doherty's work click on this link: http://www.alecdoherty.com/

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

Beavertown 8-Ball Rye IPA

Beavertown 8-Ball Rye IPA

Style: Rye IPA

Alcohol Content: 6.2%

From: Hackney, London, England

Purchased from: Utobeer, London Borough Market
http://www.beavertownbrewery.co.uk/

Beavertown was set up in December 2011 by Logan Plant and Byron Knight in the kitchen of Duke's Brew and Que, in De Beauvoir, Hackney, London. The brew house, situated opposite the two Smokers of the BBQ restaurant, runs at 4 BBL per brew (650 litres - 1150 pints). In March of 2013 they moved out of their home at Duke's Brew & Que and into their new brew site at Unit 4 Stour Road, Fish Island, London E3 2NT. Now with a little bit more space they can push the boundaries of brewing and get more amazing beers out to the thirsty masses.

Beautiful labels appear on all of Beavertown's Bottles

Colour: Unlike regular IPAs, this drink is a dark hazy, chestnut brown with a thick white head that will stay with you throughout the lifetime of this drink. This colouration comes from the rye used to make this drink. The drink leaves a fine lacing in the glass (this is always a sign of a quality beer in my book).

Aroma: As the primary ingredient is rye, you can certainly pick out notes of wholemeal bread mixed with slight hints of wet mud and freshly grass. You can also pick out notes of tropical fruits and crisps pine needles. Although this beer is not overly aromatic, this beer certainly has enough to peeked my interest.

Body: This beer is slightly heavier than the normal IPA. Again this heaviness comes from the Rye used. If you have ever sampled German rye bread you will notice that it feels noticeably heavier in the mouth when you compare it to wholemeal bread. The mouth feel is very similar to that of an English bitter or mild, quite rich and satisfying. The drink is lightly carbonated and will leave you with a slight sticky resin coating the back of the mouth after every sip.

Taste: This IPA is quite rich and has a slightly different flavour profile to most drinks in this style. The first flavours that will strike you, will be those of toasted chestnuts mixed with subtle notes of salt. You can then pick up hints of earth mixed with fresh pine needles. As the drink warms, a slight sweetness will start coming though. This tastes slightly like strawberries that have been ripen under the summer sun. There is a very faint bitter after taste to this brew but this is very welcome in my book. This is one of those beers that reminds you of why you search for elusive one. Very tasty indeed and i would certainly go back for more.

You can see how dark this beer is in the above photo

Simliar to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/kernel-brewery-ipa-columbus.html
Different to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/brewdog-international-arms-race.html

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

Camden Brewery Pale Ale

Camden Brewery Pale Ale

Style: Pale Ale

Alcohol Content: 4%

From: Camden Town, London, England

Purchased from: Hog's Back Brew Shop

http://www.camdentownbrewery.com/

Now i am no stranger to this beer. Almost a year ago to the day i was drinking one of these beauties in the Old Red Cow in central London. I remember talking to my good friend Jon about writing this blog whilst sipping on this brew. You could say, that this was the beer that started it all. However as time past, the drink faded from my memory. Whilst touring the Hog's Back brewery, a bright green object caught my eye. As i drew nearer, the familiar font drew crisper in my eyeline. Yes!!, I screamed. I had managed to find a bottle of Camden Town Brewery Pale Ale outside of London. Naturally, i whisked the bottle off of the shelf and into my shopping basket. I now had in my hand one of the beers that gave me the inspiration for this blog you are now reading today. So enjoy this post as much as i enjoyed drinking this fine pale ale.

Firstly, a little bit of the back story behind the brewery.Jasper Cuppaidge is the grandson of Laurie McLaughlin, who ran the McLaughlin’s Brewery (Mac’s) in Rockhampton, Australia between 1910 to 1960. When Laurie past away he past on all his recipes to his daughter Patricia, who in turn then passed them onto Jasper. On Patricia's 50th birthday, Jasper decided to try and recreate one of Laurie's beers in the cellar of Horseshoe and that’s when it all started… Eventually the brewery moved from the cellar into several converted railway arches in Camden town and they opened for business in the summer of 2010.

Bright and refreshing label just like the beer

Colour: This beer pours a light copper brown with a juicy, thick white head. This beer looks like the quintessential pale ale. The head stays around for the duration of the drink.

Aroma: When you first smell this beer, you will be presented with sharp citrus notes mixed with fresh pine needles. As the drink warms, the aroma profile of this drink changes slightly. Notes of tropical fruits such as mango and sweet kiwi come to the fore. There is also a every slight note of rich molasses holding the aroma together like a bow on a present.

Body: This drink is very light in the mouth at first. Once consumed, a sticky honey like resin will coat the back of your mouth. This intensifies as the beer warms, leading to the beer feeling a lot thicker than before.

Taste: Now for the important bit; the tasting. What sets this beer out from the rest is that in my opinion, this drink actually has two different flavour profiles. One fresh the fridge and another as the beer warms. Once opened, a sweet lemon flavour is presented to your taste buds. The sweetness helps to dull the lemon tones slightly to make the beer very refreshing. On the second sip, you can pick out notes of freshly cut grass mixed with pine needles. One of my favour parts of this beer is the ginger-nut biscuit after taste. As the drink warms the lemon crispness dies down to relieve a slightly bitter lemon taste with notes of caramel biscuits. All theses different flavours can be contributed to the varied hops used to make this beer. In fact, no less than seven are blended into this beer. Amarillo, Cascade, Centennial and Citra provided the citrus flavours while Columbus and Simcoe provide the pine notes (I know that's only six but I cannot find the flavour profile for Calypso hop). A lovely beer indeed.

Similar to:http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/flying-dog-doggie-style-pale-ale.html

Different to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/moa-brewery-blanc.html

For the latest news on reviews follow me on twitter @beefsbrewery

Goose Island Honkers Ale

Goose Island Honkers Ale

Style: Bitter

Alcohol Content: 4.3%

From: Chicago, USA

Purchased from: Ray Wines
http://www.gooseisland.com/

OK first thing I should tell you before you read is that I love Chicago. I went there way back in 2005 and I have always wanted to go back since. Personally, I think that Chicago is much better destination to visit than New York. It has the hustle and bustle of the East coast but has the laid back charms of the West coast. When I started reading more about beer, I was excited to learn that in Chicago, the craft beer movement is flourishing. I just wish I had been 21 at the time so I could actually enjoy all they had to offer. Must go back for a taste at some point!

The brewer Goose Island was first opened by John Hall in 1988. John had be travelling around Europe for a number of years and found that there was an amazing range of beers on offer. He found difficultly finding some of these beers in the United States, so he took matters into his own hands and created Goose Island. The company now has an amazingly diverse range of ales on offer including some seasonal beers. On March 28, 2011, Goose Island announced that it will sell its 58% stake in Fulton Street Brewery LLC (the legal name of Goose Island Brewing) to distribution partner Anheuser-Busch. The remaining 42% stake, owned by Craft Brewers Alliance LLC, is also to be purchased by Anheuser-Busch.

Honkers not Yonkers!

Colour: Once poured you are presented with a rich copper ale with a very minimal head. After the head dies down there is a small amount of foam left in the glass which clings to the side of the glass like a baby clings to their mother. This drink is also bottled conditioned so due to slight hint of yeast being present the ale is slightly cloudy.  

Aroma: As a rule of thumb, for me i find bitters often lack in smell. So i am pleasantly surprised to find aromas of sweet Elderflowers and lime or lemon notes. These aromas come from the blend of super Stryian and Styrian Goldings hops used in the making of this brew. If you get your nose right in there you will also be able to pick up notes of sweet, slightly burnt caramel.

Body: Traditionally, bitters tend to on the more heavier side of the beer spectrum. However to my amazement, this beer is a hell of a lot lighter than a standard bitter. For me the mouth feel reminds me more of an English  IPA. Traditionally English IPA's are know to be more fruity than there heavily hopped counter parts so this beer sips down a treat. There is no clingy after taste and it will continue to refresh you with every drop.



Taste: Now for the important bit; the tasting.On your first sip you will notice how fruity this beer is. There are no hints of bitterness at all. The predominate flavors are those of Elderflower and big hints of lime and lemon. There are also very suttee notes of bread and earth.To be honest, why this is labeled as a bitter i do not know. However, if this is Goose Islands take on a quintessential British classic then give me more.

Similar to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/brakspear-bitter.html
Different to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/adnams-southwold-spindrift.html

For the latest news on reviews follow me on twitter @beefsbrewery

Flying Dog Gonzo Porter

Flying Dog Gonzo Porter

Style: Porter

Alcohol content: 9.2%

From: Frederick, Maryland, USA

Purchased from: Rays Wine
http://flyingdogales.com/

The Flying Dog brewery is currently located in Frederick, Maryland, USA. Originally opening in Aspen, Colorado in 1990 as a brewpub, it became the first brewery to open in Aspen in over 100 years, and one of the first brewpubs in the Rocky Mountain region. Flying Dog Brewery is noted for using the unusual art of Ralph Steadman, best known as the illustrator of the works of Hunter S. Thompson, on its labels. In 2005, the brewery created a new beer in Thompson’s honor, Gonzo Imperial Porter. Initially in limited-release in 750 ml bottles, the Gonzo Imperial Porter is now one of the regular offerings of the brewery. I must admit, that i love the label designs and it makes the beer more appealing. I can not wait to taste this beer. Oh I'm excited!

But what is an imperial Porter i hear you ask? These are stronger versions of the traditional porters which where first sold in London. These porters were sold successfully in markets such as Scandinavia and the Baltic states. These porters then inherited their current title due to their strength and their favoritism in the royal courts. History lesson over, lets get on with the review.

Really love the art work on every bottle

Colour: Jet black with a brown/tan head. The head is very thick and stays around thought out the life of this drink. So far this is shaping up to be the perfect porter.

Aroma: This beer is very interesting on the nose. From the hops used in the making of this brew (Warrior, Northern Brewer and Cascade), you get smell a mix of oranges and elderflower. Smelling deeper you can also pick up notes of chocolate and coffee. These smells come from the crystal and black chocolate malts used. The smells are not overly powerful and rather surprisingly for an imperial porter, you can not smell the alcohol.  

Body: As with many drinks of this style, the body is quite thick, but unlike a Guinness, this beer is not very creamy.  The drink will cling to the back of your throat with every sip that you take. This is actually rather pleasant session as it forces you to take your time over this beer.

Taste: On your first sip you are slapped around the chops by rich hints of coffee and dark chocolate.These will dance around on your tongue then unleash the faintest hints of liquorice. As the drink warms up, you will notice that there is a sweetening to the dark chocolate notes. Its almost as if the chocolate is getting milker and milker the warmer the glass gets. There is a sharp acidic and some what bitter after taste. This comes from the strength of the alcohol.

Similar to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/dark-star-espresso-beer.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