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

Wild Beer Company Somerset Wild

Wild Beer Company Somerset Wild
Style: Wild Ale

Alcohol Content: 5%

From: Westcombe, Somerset, United Kingdom

Purchased from: Sante Wine Imports, Wells, Somerset

http://wildbeerco.com/

"And now for something completely different" Monty Python

The subject of this review is Wild Beer Company’s Somerset Wild. A self styled wild ale, which is not too dissimilar to the more commonly know Lambic beer style. Personally, I have an extremely chequered past with this style. Every single time I have tried one of these beers I have instantly regretted my decision. My last encounter was in 2013's Great British Beer Festival. After a few sips I had to pour the rest away. The vinegar like taste was far too sour for me to enjoy. However, being a glutton for punishment and a lover of the Wild Beer Company, I decided to this this beer a chance. Can i become a convert? Lets find out.

The idea for Wild Beer came to the founders Andrew and Brett during the Great British Beer festival. Disappointed by the lack of breweries producing ales with natural flavourings, the duo approached Arbor Ales to help them realise their vision. A few months later, a dark, barrel-aged beer cultivated with wild yeasts appeared under the name Modus Operandi (a Latin phrase, approximately translated as "method of operation"). Due to the beers success, they moved to their own brewery based on Lower Westcombe Farm in Somerset to continue their metamorphic rise. And it’s paid off, with the brewery winning the New Business of the Year Award at the Somerset Business Awards. Well done guys!

Let's get wild!

Colour: Unlike most beers i review, this little gem pours a bright, lemon yellow. At a glance, you could be mistaken in thinking you have poured yourself a glass of cloudy lemonade complete with a light frizzy head. This head soon dies down to reveal a rather flat and docile looking beer.

Aroma: As soon as you pop the cap you are overloaded with notes of tart lemon and delicate hints of yeast. After a few minutes in the glass, the lemon sensation begins to subside and notes of apple begin to take over. Pure bliss! These aromas really remind me of my idyllic summer holidays down in somerset, where i would often walk through field upon field of crab apple trees with the hot summer sun beating down on  my neck. Ah how i miss those simple days of my youth!

Body: For a beer that appears rather dense, this drink is actually rather thin in the mouth. I actually thought that the bucket load of yeast used in this beer would help the beer feel thicker (rather like a Saison) but unfortunately this is not the case. The sour edge to this beer actually reminds me of an alcopop called Hooch (remember that!). Very thirst quenching and yet devilishly tart!

Taste: Blimey this drink is so, so sour! It takes quite awhile to get use to. The tart lemons dominate the palate from beginning to the end. As the drink warms, notes of apple begin to come to the fore and the beer begins to resemble a somerset scrumpy (cloudy cider). If you have ever tasted a cider called Old Rosie you will know what I'm getting at here. The wild yeast helps to add a subtle hint of straw or hay. The finish is mouth watering dry and tart with not a hint of bitterness at all. This is actually the first Lambic style beer that i have actually enjoyed and would want to revisit. Yet another winner from Wild Beer Company!

Similar to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/st-bernardus-wit.html

Different to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/bristol-beer-factory-milk-stout.html

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Bristol Beer Factory Milk Stout

Bristol Beer Factory Milk Stout

Style: Milk Stout

Alcohol Content: 4.5%

From: Bristol, Avon, United Kingdom

Purchased From: Waitrose, Wells

http://www.bristolbeerfactory.co.uk/

Over the past few year year, the city of Bristol has been undergoing a renaissance. The bustling quay sides have swapped steamships full of tobacco for trendy wine bars and shopping centres. Just like the city it's self, Bristols brewing industry has been reborn partially due to the success of the Bristol Beer Factory. After finding a home in the old fermenting block of the former Ashton Gate brewery, the Bristol Beer factory started life as a 10 barrel micro brewery back in 2004. After originally brewing a small handful of cast conditioned ales, Bristol now offer a range of over eight different regular bottled ales, seven regular cask ales and five specials throughout the year. Cashing in on this success, the brewery now own three pubs in the area and hosts an annual beer festival named Factoberfest.

Colour: Pours a thick, deep coal black with a relatively small, yet tightly packed white head. This stout is so thick that not a speck of light can be seen through it. Tip top stuff!

Aroma: Hints of arabica coffee and cocoa nibs stream from the bottle as soon as you pop the cap. A rich sweetness is also present which invites you closer and closer, making you want to dive right in there and down the pint.

Body: Perhaps one of the smoothest drinks I have ever drunk. This sumptuous pint slides down like a pint of double cream. Every available crevasse of your mouth will be covered by this velvet delight. The use of lactose sugar in the brewing process helps to remove any hints of clogging from the aftertaste.

Taste: From your first sip, you will instantly taste notes of sultry dark chocolate and hot Java coffee. This is promptly followed by a flood of sweet, milky lactose sugar. It's almost as if you are drinking a high end mocha from The Ritz. The flavours are blended perfectly to ensure that no flavour overpowers another. From the moment this pint touched my lips, I was completely intoxicated. How can a brewery blend flavours so masterfully and leave me wanting more and more? Perhaps that's why this beer has won a gold medal at this year's SIBA awards and has previous been named as CAMRA National champion stout. Great work guys, keep up all the hard work!

Invigorating and Stimulating for the Workers

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

Different to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/redchurch-brewery-soreditch-blonde.html

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Arbor Twigs in Space

Arbor Ale's Twigs In Space
Style: Brown Ale

Alcohol Content: 4.8%

From: Bristol, England, United Kingdom

Purchased From: Purchased from: Sante Wine Imports, Wells, Somerset

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

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.

Colour: Pours a murky brown with an off white head which really fizzes up in the glass like its life depends on it. This head soon dives down into the dark depths of the beer but leaves just enough foam to lace the glass perfectly. This is not the best looking beer you will ever see and to the non-initiated you could be mistaken in thinking your drinking a pint of mud. Let’s hope appearances can be miss leading.  

Aroma: Big bold aromas of fresh pine and dewy grass dominate from the get go. It’s almost as if you are walking through a Scandinavian forest after a heavy rain storm. As the drink warms, subtle hints of sweet milk chocolate being to appear in the background. The longer you take to drink this beer the more pronounced these chocolaty aroma become.

Body: If you drink this beer ice cold it will taste slightly thin or watered down. My advice would be to try this ale at room temperature as both the texture and the taste are enhanced once served at the correct temperature. The light, tickly carbonation ensures a pleasurably smooth  drinking experience, that is not to dissimilar to that of John Smiths.  

Taste: Although this is not the best looking beer by any stretch of the imagination, Arbor’s Twigs in Space has a palate to die for! A nutty backbone is juxtaposed against hints of crisp pine and slight tart lemons on every sip. I took pleasure in every moment I shared with this beer and drank it ever so slowly. Once warmed up, the drink beings to resonate a slightly creamy chocolate sensation which helps to round off the flavour profile perfectly. To be honest, the depth of flavours in this ale really blew me away. I am extremely pleased that Arbor are now brewing this beer permanently after first appearing as part of their Freestyle Friday range. Amazing!

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

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

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

Wild Beer Company Scarlet Fever

Wild Beer Company Scarlet Fever
Style: Amber Ale

Alcohol Content: 4.8%

From: Westcombe, Somerset, United Kingdom

Purchased From: Real Ale Shop, Richmond Upon Thames

http://wildbeerco.com/

So for Christmas my girlfriend went above and beyond to get me the perfect gift. Firstly was a trip to the Duck and Waffle. If you are not familiar with this establishment, it is a 24 hour restaurant located on the 40^th floor of Heron Tower, London. Whilst there, we enjoyed a slap up meal and a cocktails to boot. The second gift meant even more to me. After talking on and on about taking my first official steps into becoming a qualified beer sommelier, Emma paid for me to attend the foundation course at London’s prestigious Beer Academy. To say I am excited is an understatement and I cannot wait to get started on the 18^th of March.  In the meantime, I will be continuing to write these blogs as a “novice”.

The idea for Wild Beer came to the founders Andrew and Brett during the Great British Beer festival. Disappointed by the lack of breweries producing ales with natural flavourings, the duo approached Arbor Ales to help them realise their vision. A few months later, a dark, barrel-aged beer cultivated with wild yeasts appeared under the name Modus Operandi (a Latin phrase, approximately translated as "method of operation"). Due to the beers success, they moved to their own brewery based on Lower Westcombe Farm in Somerset to continue their metamorphic rise. And it’s paid off, with the brewery winning the New Business of the Year Award at the Somerset Business Awards. Well done guys! The subject of this review is Wild Beer Company’s Scarlet Fever.

Got the Fever??

Colour: This drink pours a thick, rich, ruby red with a slightly tan coloured foam. Now, it took me almost five minutes to fully pour this beer as the head just kept coming and coming.  Don't be fooled into thinking that its due to heavy carbonation, as it was certainly due to multiple opening and closing of my fridge door during the festive season. The thick layer of foam will linger around for duration of the beer.  

Aroma: Although this is not the most potent smelling beer, citrus notes mixed with grass or a bouquet of freshly cut flowers are present in the nose. Sometimes it pays to have a little instead of a lot.

Body: This beer has a very refined, polished body which makes it easily accessible to all comers. The medium mouth-feel helps to create a  slight clogging effect on the back of your throat with every sip.

Taste: Tangy citrus and floral notes, slowly melt into a smooth caramel and a bready sweetness due to the use of English malts, slight reminiscent of a robust, earthy English Porter. The end is very crisp and dry, with a mild bitterness provided by the floral hops. Whilst not being the most flavoursome beer on the market, it would certainly go very nicely with the Sunday roast due to its perfect balancing of flavours. I will certainly be going back to this beer next time I visit my parents. 

Similar to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/brakspear-bitter.html

Different to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/samuel-adams-noble-pils.html

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

Moor Beer Company Old Freddy Walker

Moor Beer Company Old Freddy Walker

Style: Old Ale

Alcohol content: 7.4%

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. So any time i get a chance to review a beer from there, i literally jump at the chance!

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 more aggressively flavored 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 and i can not wait to try this brew. Perhaps their most famous beer is Old Freddy Walker which won Champion Winter Beer of Britain 2004. And thats the subject of this review, will Freddy live up to these high standards, let see!

Moor Magic?

Colour: I was not sure what to expect from a drink classed as an old ale. I wrongly assumed it would be a dark brown beer. To my surprise, the drink pours a thick black with a tan leather colour head. The colour helps to remind me that here in the UK, the nights are drawing in. Could this be the beer that I need long winter nights? The head dissipates to a light dusting of foam after a few minutes. 

Aroma: The aromas of this drink oozes out of the glass. There are notes of dark treacle mixed with dried fruit (sultanas, raisins, cherries and apricots). It's almost like a cake in a glass. This is going to be very interesting.

Body: This beer pours like a stout or porter. Very thick on both the pour, and in the mouth. However, it leaves no sticky residue in the mouth or on the back of your throat. This sensation is rather surprising to me, as I was expecting a rich coating on my throat after each sip. 

Taste: The first thing that will hit you about this drink will be the alcohol. If you are not prepared for it (like me), it will feel like a slap around face. Once I get past that initial shock, this ale really comes into its own. This ale is like a rich rum soaked fruit cake that you may get around Christmas time. There are also hints of dark chocolate covered cherries. The chocolate helps to create a slight bitter aftertaste rolled into a crisp bread finish. It took me almost and hour to drink this beer as it comes in a rather sizeable 660ml bottle. This ale is a real treat, which I would highly recommend to my dad for his ever growing Christmas beer list.

Christmas Pudding in A Glass!

Simliar to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/batemans-rosey-nosey.html

Different to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/gaffel-kolsch.html

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

Moor Beer Company Merlin Magic

Moor Beer Company Merlin Magic

Style: Bitter

Alcohol content: 4.5%

From: Pitney, Somerset, England

Purchased from: Cost cutters

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. So any time i get a chance to review a beer from there, i literally jump at the chance!

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 more aggressively flavored 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 and i can not wait to try this brew. Perhaps their most famous beer is Old Freddy Walker which won Champion Winter Beer of Britain 2004.

Colour: Light brown. This is quite pale for a bitter, as I would normally associate this style with a dark brown colouration. On the second pour the beer is more cloudy.

Smell: On the pour you a bombarded with a smell of sweet hops. This come from the Marynka and Hallertauer Northern Brewer Hops that are used in this beer. These hops add earthy/floral tones, which are smells you would normally associate with a IPA rather than a Bitter.This is going to be very interesting! If you compare it to a IPA, it would smell a bit Green King IPA with a flower bouquet in its pocket.

Body: For a bitter this beer is actually quite light. As you drink, the head stays with you all the way down. This actually adds to the drinking experience by cleansing your nose on every sip. As you can see from the pictures, the people at Moor's give you quite a large bottle to try. This means that you get maybe a pint and a half out of each bottle. Whilst pouring the second glass i noticed that the colour and body changed. The beer took on a more cloudy body which one would normally associate with a Weiss beer. I believe that this was caused by the bottle conditioning of the beer. The yeast must of settled at the bottom of the bottle which lead to the clouding. I would quite happily have a couple of these down the pub whilst reading a newspaper.

Taste: On my first sip i was a very confused man. Is this a bitter or is this a IPA. This has to be the most confusing beer that i have ever drunk.It refreshes your palate with tastes of lime and elderflower.After you swallow you are left with a creamy/ chewy caramel taste in your mouth. Very rich and very refreshing.

Pure Magic!

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Glastonbury Ales Thriller Rare Cappuccino Porter

 Glastonbury Ales Thriller Rare Cappuccino Porter

Style: Porter

Alcohol content: 5%

From: Glastonbury (Somerton), Somerset, UK

Purchased from: Brew Shop

Last weekend, I took a trip to visit my Grandparents in Somerset. They live around fifteen minutes away from Glastonbury; the site of the famous music festival. As the big supermarkets now tend to stock more regional ales, it was the perfect excuse to get some new brews. In total i came home with 15 different ales. I think my poor Nan thinks i have a drinking problem (that was was a interesting conversation to have). As part of my trip i really wanted to visit the brewery at Glastonbury ales. Over the past few years, my dad has been bringing back some of there product to try and i have always wanted to meet the team behind the beer.

I got to the brewery on a very wet Saturday morning where i was greeted by owner Paul. I began looking at the range they had on offer when Paul over heard me talking to my Dad about how i was not to keen on one of their beers. Paul asked me why i didn't like it and i told him that one of their amber ales was to bitter for my tastes. I then explained that this could of been due to the temperature i served it at. I learnt the hard way not to drink ales straight from the fridge. For about 20 minutes myself and Paul chewed the fat about the craft brewing industry and i ask what his plans were for 2013. His mission was simple: expand into London. As i live near the city, i offered him some help and advice. In return Paul gave me a bottle of Hedge Monkey to try. (Thanks mate!) I also brought three different beers from Paul; The Mystery Tor, Love Monkey and Thriller. All of which will naturally appear on this blog. (Aren't you luck!)  As i have yet to review a Porter, i though that Thriller would be a good place to start. So onto the review. 

Thriller Night?

Colour: Black as your hat (which is actually the name of one of Glastonbury's other brews). If you hold the glass up to the light, you can not see thought it. In my eyes, that a sign of a good porter. On the pour you get a light brown head which will stay with you throughout the drink. 

Smell: On the nose you get a big hit of Coffee. The coffee smell comes from the roasted malts and ground coffee beans the brewers at Glastonbury add during the brewing process. You can also smell hints of dark chocolate. As i was drinking this with my old man, i asked him his opinion. He described the smell as "nutty". I'm not entirely sure how he got that from this drink but each to their own.

Body: In the glass you can see that this porter is quite thick. It looks very rich and luxurious. Now since i have been drinking craft beers, i have come across only a few drink which have a body similar to Guinness. As a fan of the black stuff, i was thrilled to see that this porter had a similar body. On the palate, the drink is very smooth and creamy due to the low levels of carbonation in the bottle. This is a beer that you can take your time over. Perfect for those cold evenings by the fire. 

Taste: Since i have been writing this blog i have learnt not to take a large first sip. The first sip should be one where you can get to know the character of beer. Explore real flavors so to speak. So when i had my first sip of the Thriller, I was pleased to say i was blown away. It was like drinking a black Americano with a lovely milky latte finish. The beer is so rich and satisfying that you always want to go back for more. However, the drink is surprisingly light compared to Guinness and you will not feel bloated after a session. Quite frankly this beer has entered into my top 5 beers of all time (so far). I just wish that i could get it down here in West London. Pull you finger out craft brew pubs!

Proper Job!

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