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

Sambrook's Brewery No.5 Barleywine

Sambrook's Brewery No.5 Barleywine

Style: Barleywine

Alcohol Content: 8.2%

From: Battersea, London, England

Purchased from: Beer Boutique, Putney Upon Thames

http://www.sambrooksbrewery.co.uk/

It's funny how beer can change people. Whilst some are destroyed by drink, others use it to succeed. Back in 2008, Duncan Sambrook decide to halt his promising career in city accounting and build a brewery. Like many, this stroke of genius came about at the Great British Beer Festival. After scouring the multiple bars, Duncan and his friends realised that other than Fullers, there was no other brewery representing London at the festival (this is potential due to Camra's, cough "higher standards"). Deciding enough was enough, he promptly purchased a five barrel brewing kit and gave it a go. Needless to say this turned out to be a disaster and after many failed experiments he decided to take brewing more seriously by enrolling a course at the University of Sunderland and seeking advice from the head brewer at Ringwood; David Welsh. The results where a 20 barrel plant and the successful launch of their first beer, Wandle. The rest they say is history.    

Colour: Pours a devilishly dark blood red with no head to speak of. To be honest, this beer looked very flat and I began to think the beer was off. Luckily my fears were abated as after closer inspection I could see small champagne style bubbles slowly rising from the depths of the glass. Phew!

Aroma: There is a hell of a lot going on in this beer, it really has a dream of a nose. Heady notes of dried fruits (such as sultanas, raisins and cherries) soaked in a warming, spiced rum rise to greet you on every sip. There is also very faint traces of a metallic, carbon dioxide edge. It reminds me of the coke flavoured panda pops that I used to drink as a child.

Body: As the name suggests this drink feels just like a red wine in the mouth. Then suddenly a depth charge will hit you. Like a U-boat stalking its prey, a strange layer of carbonation will hit you with such intensity, that you will be launched from your seat. The CO2 will help to cleanse your taste buds and playfully caress the back of your throat.

Taste: The taste of this beer is directly linked to the complex aromas. The dried fruit returns only to pleasantly washed away by a hint of sweet plum and thick, sticky molasses. The alcohol provides a warming yet dry finish which will force you to take another sip. Very refined but it also feels a little restrained. I would of preferred something slightly bolder personally. That being said this is a great introduction to the style and it certainly has peaked my interest in the style. If anyone can recommend any other Barley wines please let me know by leaving a comment below.

Similar to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/paulaner-salvator.html

Different to: http://beefsbrewery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/robinsons-dizzy-blonde.html

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