Camden Town Brewery Indian Hells Lager

Camden Town Brewery Indian Hells Lager

Style: Lager

Alcohol Content: 6.2%

From: Camden Town, London, England

Purchased from: Real Ale Shop, Richmond Upon Thames

http://www.camdentownbrewery.com/

To reference a piece of cocky rhyming slag, I am cream crackered. Work has been tough since the turn of the year. Perhaps it's just the growing pains of a new role, but my real job has forced me to (temporarily) cut back on writing this blog. Personally, this pains me greatly as I find writing very therapeutic and extremely tasty.

Time; where does it go? It feels like only yesterday I was telling you all about my three beer resolutions. This weekend, Emma and I plan to make good on one of these resolutions by attending Craft Beer Rising this Saturday. Currently in its third year, CBR is considered to be one of London's premier craft beer festivals. However, after reading though the excellent list of breweries showcasing at this event, I can't help but notice some notable absentees. London based Kernel and Partizan are no where to be seen along with one of my favourite breweries Siren. Whilst I am naturally disappointed by their absenteeism, I have a plethora of new and exciting breweries to explore. Names such as Bear Hug Brewing and Saltaire wet my taste buds the most. Naturally, I will try an remember what I had and give you all a little write up next week.

Now onto this weeks tasting, Camden Town Brewing Indian Hells Lager or IHL for short. This beer appears to of taken the London Craft beer scene by storm. Every blogger worth their salt seems to be raving about its hop heavy drink-ability. Should I believe the hype? Let's find out.

A little bit of the back story behind the brewer: 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. Camden Town are now considered to be one of London's premier craft beer breweries offering a range eight core beers and a range of seasonal offerings.

Colour: Pours a bright copper/orange topped with a tightly packed, pure white tight head. After a few minutes in the glass this reduces down to a heavy dusting of foam which laces the glass perfectly on every sip you take. Initially Indian Hells looked slightly cloudy once settled. However, I would attribute this to chill hazy as I drank this straight from the fridge. Looks like a lager so far!

Aroma: As soon as you open the can, your nostrils will be bombarded by notes of fresh pineapple and lychees. It's like a big tropical hop bomb has just exploded in my nose (just a lot less painful). There is so much sweetness rising from the depth that you will forget that this is meant to be a lager.

Body: One of the remarkable features of this beer is ability to trick your palate. Whilst the nose suggests a thick, sweet IPA style body, Indian Hells drinks almost like a soft german Pilsner. The delicate body tickles your taste buds before the resinous hop notes clog you throat and slow your drinking pace. What a pleasurable drinking experience!

Taste: Indian Hells' nose successfully translates into the taste. The juicy pineapple and lychee notes return but this time bring some back up in the form of a delicately tart lemon. This rich sweetness playfully mixes with a crisp malt base to help bring this drink to a beautiful crescendo. This beautiful beer hides its ABV extremely well, so be careful it doesn't creep up on you. Truthfully, this drinks more like a pale ale than a lager (or perhaps all this style blending has eroded all of my senses, I'm not sure). To paraphrase the immortal rap group Public Emeny, Do Believe The Hype!

Do believe the hype!

Similar to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/sly-fox-brewing-pikeland-pils.html

Different to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/stone-and-wood-pacific-ale.html

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

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

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

Brooklyn Brewery Lager

Brooklyn Brewery Lager
Style: Vienna Style Lager
Alcohol Content: 5.2%
From: Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York USA
Purchased From: Tesco's

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: Unlike most mass produced lagers, Brooklyn brewery's lager pours a rich copper brown with a light white head. This head will slowly dissipate to leave a small amount of foam in the glass.

Aroma: I must admit, I always enjoy trying to figure out which aromas are contained in the bottle or glass before I drink a beer. So to my great pleasure, Brooklyn lager was a nasal sensation. By placing the lager close to the nose, I could ascertain sweet syrup and biscuit notes. On the second whiff, you can pick up floral, alpine notes that are cut though with notes of sour lime. To be honest, this combinations of smells pleasantly surprised me.

Body: This lager has very low levels of carbonation much like a German Pilsner. This makes this beer, very light and refreshing to drink. Once the beer hits the back of you throat, you will notice a slight sticky sensation. This highlights the quality of this brew. To be honest, it slipped down a treat while I was catching up with my cousin in Manchester. Before I knew it, I had finished three of these little beauties.

Taste: When you have your first sip, you are bombarded with pine notes cut though with a zingy fresh lime. You can also pick out notes of biscuit (possibly very similar to a digestive). On the second sip I could pick out notes of freshly cut wet grass mixed with sweet caramel malts. This makes this beer very refreshing and easy to drink. Some reviewers have suggested that the lager is a little sweet for their tastes. However, as this beer is classed a Vienna style lager, the beer is actual meant to be slightly sweeter. I personally quite like the sweetness. This beer would make an excellent substitution for a Corona when eating Mexican food, as the lime notes would help cut though the smoky fajita chicken.

Follow me on Twitter for the latest news on reviews @BeefsBrewery

Kozel Dark Lager

Kozel Dark Lager

Style: Dark Lager

Alcohol Content: 3.8%

From: Velké Popovice near Prague, Czech Republic

Purchased From: Prague Airport

Velkopopovický Kozel is a Czech lager produced since 1874.In that year, Franz Ringhoffer founded a brewery in Velké Popovice near Prague. Their symbol is a goat (Kozel is "goat" in Czech).

The first historical mention of the brewery dates back to the 14th century. The brewery in Velvet Popovice, as we know it today, has its origins in the 19th century. After years of disagreements and the gradual decline of the brewery, it was bought by a rich industrial tycoon, Frantisek Ringhoffer, who was the Mayor of Smíchov and one of the most successful entrepreneurs in Czechoslovak history.

The brewery was built in 1875, and the first batch of Kozel beer was brewed in the same year. The brewery, thanks to its owner, introduced new technologies, giving rise to its modern history. At the turn of the 19th to 20th century the brewery passed through its second major reconstruction and its production capacity was increased to 90,000 hectoliters per year from the original 18,000 in the beginning.

After thirty years of socialism the brewery achieved independence in 1991 and in 1992 became a public limited company. In 2002, Kozel merged with the brewery Radegast and the Pilsner Urquell brewery conglomerate SAB Miller.

This beer was the first I tried when I arrived in Prague back in November 2012. I was so impressed with this beer, that I would go back time and time again. So please enjoy this review and try some of this beer if you get your hands on it.

Colour: On the pour, you are greeted with a luxurious dark ruby brown beer. If you hold this beer up to the light, you will notice a reddish Vimto like coloration. One of the most interesting features of this beer is the light brown foamy head. The head is also made up of quite large bubbles and it will stay with you throughout this drink. It's not very often that you find a beer that has a head like this, so enjoy it while you can.

Aroma: On your first sniff you are greeted with beautiful toasted malts and chestnut notes. The dark malts used in this brew give this drink a slight Guinness like quality. Sniffing deeper the drink smells like dark chocolate digestives which have been crushed up to form a cheesecake base.

Body: Normally with dark beers you would expect this brew to feel quite heavy in the mouth. However, this beer performs like a black IPA. A good comparison would be Windsor and Eton's conqueror that I reviewed earlier. 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.

Taste: Well, where do i start wit this beer. There are a lot of flavors fluxing though this beer. The first thing you will notice is the rich nutty chocolate quality. If you have ever eaten a Cadbury's whole nut chocolate bar then this is what you get in this lager. The beer is sweet, but it is not overwhelming. You can also pick up the lightest of coffee notes but as this beer is only slightly hopped this is not heavily defined. This beer would go very well with rich gamey meat such as venison. It's so versatile that it would also go will with a stemmed ginger pudding.

Follow me on Twitter for the latest news on reviews @BeefsBrewery