Weird Beard And Electric Nurse Bearded Nurse

Weird Beard And Electric Nurse Bearded Nurse
Style: Barley Wine

Alcohol Content: 10.2%

From: Hanwell, London, United Kingdom

Purchased From: Purchased from: Real Ale Shop, Twickenham, United Kingdom

http://www.weirdbeardbrewco.com/

Barley wine is my favourite style of beer- it's rich, dark and nicely full-bodied. So when I was having a hunt around the Real Ale shop in Twickenham, I was dead chuffed to find this Barley Wine by a brewery I already know and love; Plus, I love the label with the little skull face and nurses' hat (such a girlish thing to say!).

Weird Beard hail from Hanwell in West London which makes them a local-ish Brewery- it was formed by two chaps with a passion for both beer and beards! The craft brewery is known for their experimental style and this Bearded Nurse is no exception. It is a collaboration with their friends at Electric Nurse, who had in their words "a malt bill for a killer Barley Wine" and then they threw in their favourite hops to boot; Pacific Gem and Amarillo. I like the sound of that! This is the kind of drink you know has to be sipped slowly at 10.2% volume, so i'll leave it out the fridge to warm up, and help myself to a slice of homemade Courgette cake.

Colour: This drink pours a reddish-brown, like that of a peach skin. When held up to the light you can see through it. Actually, it looks like I've just poured myself a massive glass of whiskey (especially as the head dissipates as quick as flash).

Aroma: Potent notes of whiskey, caramel and smoky peat dominate the nose. However on the second whiff, out come the smells of a gorgeous banoffee pie with a delicious buttery, biscuit base. Yum! My mouth is salivating!!

Body: I would describe this beer as medium to full bodied, as it coats the back of the tongue nicely. Due to the lack of carbonation, this slips down far too easy (need to watch out for that!). However, with each and every sip, the alcohol is becoming more and more overpowering.

Taste: To start with, it's like a boozy Banoffee pie - it's absolutely gorgeous. All the flavours come through at different times so that you can really appreciate them on the tongue. The flavours are bold and beautiful with a warming, spicy depth to them. The biscuity, malty favours then subside and as I keep sipping, the alcoholic content becomes slowly overwhelming. Towards the end of the bottle, I feel as though I am drinking a short and my tongue has gone dry. It's a real shame as the other flavours of this beer are not strong enough to hold up against its alcoholic volume. Quite frankly I'm struggling to finish it so I'll have to see if Kev fancies a sip!

Similar to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/sambrooks-brewery-no5-barleywine.html

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

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

Weird Beard Brewing Company Chinook

Weird Beard Brewing Company Chinook
Style: Barrel Aged Brown Ale

Alcohol Content: 7.4%

From: Hanwell, London, UK

Purchased From: Real Ale Shop, Richmond upon Thames, London, England

http://weirdbeardbrewco.com/

After another busy week at work I was really looking forward to attending Craft 100 this weekend. But alas, just like my attempt to visit craft beer rising, my hopes were dashed by illness yet again. This time it was myself who caught the dreaded bug, it was my long time drinking buddy Jon. After sulking for a couple of hours i decided to pick myself up and write a number blogs over the weekend. Here is one of them, Weird Beard Brewing Company Chinook. 

Weird Beard Brewing company is based in Hanwell, West London. Like most brewers, the company’s founders, Gregg and Bryan, first began brewing beers in their kitchen’s. After winning numerous home brewing awards, the dynamic duo decided to up the ante and turn their hobby into a business. And before you ask, yes, Gregg and Bryan do sport some very impressive facial hair (Daniel Bryan would be proud!). Now as my best friend is moving into this area later this year, no doubt I will be popping in to check the beard’s and beers out for myself.

Colour: Pours a thick, dark brown with minimal head. This head will lace your glass perfectly thought the duration of your drinking experience. The also opaque liquid helps to create a sense of mystery that will intoxicate you like young mistress in a summer dress. 

Aroma: Not the most perfumed beer in the world as it only uses the Chinook hop. This hop adds a slight pine and citrus note to the aroma profile. If you get your nose right in there you will be able to pick out notes of rich molasses mixed with smoky bourbon. Slight hints of warming, dry alcohol will also rise from the glass to sting your nostrils. Very subtle aromas that are perfectly blended to draw you further into this drink.

Body: On your first sip you could be forgiven in thinking that you are indeed drinking a bourbon. The beer feels very sticky and will clog the back of your throat on every single sip. The warming alcohol will burn slightly on the way down like a good whisky should. This is definitely not a beer to rush, so sit back and relax while drinking it.

Taste: As I eluded to before, this beer has been aged in bourbon barrels. The barrels have imparted notes of sweet, smoky bourbon combined with slight hints of oak. These flavours are beautifully juxtaposed by the use of the Chinook hop. The hop provides a citrus note which helps cut through the smokiness slight to refresh your palate.  The finish is beautifully sweet to start but is followed by an intensely bitter and warming alcohol finish. This is the second bourbon aged ale I have reviewed, (the first being Founders Backwoods Bastard). Between the two, I preferred the Founders as it was slightly sweeter than Weird Beards attempt but that’s down to personal taste as this is an excellent effort.   

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

Different to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/arbor-ale-monsoon-saison.html

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