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

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

Oakham Ales JHB

Oakham Ales JHB
Style: Bitter

Alcohol Content: 4.2%

From: Peterborough, England, United Kingdom

Purchased From: Beer Boutique, Putney

http://www.oakhamales.com/home.html

In the words of the immortal Eminem; "Guess Who's back, back again!"

So after a amazing two week holiday to Croatia, I'm back blogging again. As some of you maybe aware, the World Cup has finally started and already England have been knocked out of the completion. Whilst most people will be crying into their pints of Fosters over Gerard's "back pass", I am using this opportunity to abuse the fantastic beer deals on offer in most major supermarkets. So far I have picked up a bottle of the brilliant DNA (a delightful collaboration between Wells and Dogfish head), the potent Boilermaker by Brains and the subject of this review; the intriguing Oakham JHB.

Producing quality cask beers since 1993, Oakham Ales originally opened in Oakham, Rutland before moving production to Peterborough in 1998. In the subsequent 14 years they have dramatically increased production and opened Europe’s biggest brewpub. To keep up with demand in 2006, Oakham pulled open the shutters on a 75 barrel brew house.  The  padlock and chain was cut by John Wood, the original owner and brewer, who left Oakham Ales back in 1995. Oakham currently brew a range of five permanent ales but also produce seasonal ales such as Endless Summer.  

They have a rich pedigree, and picked up the 2009 CAMRA Supreme Champion Winter Beer of Britain for Attila! And they're not one to shy away from innovation either. Oakham were the first brewer in the UK to use the Citra hop back in 2009. This drink is the result of that innovation. Last year, Citra was awarded a Gold at the International Beer Challenge.

Who is Jeffrey Hudson?

Colour: If my girlfriend saw me pouring this beer, I have no doubt she would scream "Blimey o'Reilly!". Having drunk numerous pints of bitter during my lifetime, the colour of this beer was not what I was expecting. Pouring a straw yellow with a thin white head, this has to be one of the palest bitter I have ever seen. Perhaps this drink is a wolf in sheep's clothing (much like Costa Rica World Cup performances). The thin white head laces the glass perfectly pulling you further under the spell of this intriguing drink.

Aroma: A bouquet of zesty lemon and delicately soft elderflower rise to greet you from the glass. These aromas do die away quite quickly after just a few minutes in the glass. Personally, I would of preferred the nose to linger longer as I love a good smelling ale.

Body: Perhaps one the lightest bitters to grace the planet, the soft carbonation playfully tickles your throat leaving you feeling refreshed and gagging for more. This beer is so delicate that you could quite easily pair this with grilled sea bass or plaice.

Taste: From your first sip, you could be forgiven in thinking that you are drinking a thirst quenching pale ale. Your palate is instantly bombarded with heady notes of sharp citrus fruits promptly followed by a crisp, dry bitterness that cleanses your palate after every sip. As the drink warms, a slight sour edge appears in the aftertaste which, in my opinion, rounds the drink out perfectly. As I mentioned previously, this is totally not what I was expecting from this style. An absolutely glorious beer that that makes a refreshing change to the established norm. Now pass me another one before Luis Suarez bites another Italian!

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

Paulaner Salvator

Paulaner Salvator

Style: Doppelbock

Alcohol Content: 7.9%

From: Munich, Bavaria, Germany

Purchased from: Beer Boutique, Putney Upon Thames

http://www.paulaner.com/

Solang der alte Peter.......

Paulaner was established in 1634 in Munich by Minim friars of the Neudeck ob der Au cloister. The brewery is named after the founder Francis of Paola, the founder of the order. After many years of brewing, the Neudeck cloister was abolished in 1799 and the brewery was purchased by Franz Xaver Zacherl. Keen to keep the breweries traditions alive, he continued to produce their traditional Doppelbock (latin for saviour). After years of strong growth the brewery finally ended up in the hands of their current owners, BHI holdings (a joint venture between Heineken and Schörghuber Ventures). In 2010, Paulaner sold a total of 2.1 million hectolitres of beer and exported to around 70 countries. Not bad for a former cloister hey.

The subject of this review is Paulaner Salvator, which is considered by many to be one of the first doppelbocks and very true to the original style. The drink was originally brewed for the friars as a form of "liquid bread" during times of fasting. Some may consider this beer to be the original meal replacement. So let use our loaves and see what the beer has to offer shall we. 

Colour: Pours a deep, rich ruby red with a small amount of tan foam. This foam helps to provide excellent lacing throughout the life of the drink.

Aroma: As soon as you pop the cap, notes of honey, cinnamon and nutmeg will flow out of the bottle. Once poured, this will morph like a power ranger into heady notes of sweet caramel and the complex depth of roasted hazelnuts.

Body: As soon as you pour this drink, you will notice how dense it appears. In the mouth, this thickness is instantly apparent. As soon as this beer enters your mouth it will coat your tongue and leave A thick, sweet stickiness clogging on the back of your throat. The beautifully light carbonation then cleanses the stickiness away leaving your mouth refreshed and awaiting more.

Taste: The first sip will provide notes of sweet caramel, promptly followed by hints of over ripe fruits such a plums, currants, raisins and sultanas. As you swallow the warmth of the alcohol will start to shine through. If you mix these sensations together, it will feel like you have just eaten a slice of your mum's Christmas fruit cake. Rich and very fulfilling. As the drink warms, flavours of yeast and cocoa begin to develop helping to round out this beer perfectly. I first came across this beer at a German Restaurant in Kingston and instantly fell in love with it. It's sweet, strong flavours worked beautiful against the heavy meat and potato dish I devoured. A truly excellent version of a doppelbock that I would highly recommend to anyone.

Similar to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/thwaites-crafty-dan-big-ben.html

Different to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/tiny-rebel-full-nelson.html

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